Caterpillar Inc.

Laurence J Cobb

John Michael Plouzek

Donovan Stuart Clarke

Matthew William Trone

Bennett W Avery

Valerie R Wiest

A master link joint for a drive chain is disclosed. The disclosed master link joint includes two master links. Each master link includes a first half link and a second half link that engage each other along mating abutment surfaces. The two master links are disposed on opposite sides of the chain. The first half links are coupled by a pin that traverses the chain and the second half links are coupled by a bushing that traverses the chain. The mating abutment surfaces include a first ramp that meets a second offset ramp at a junction or root. An angle &#x3b8; defined by the second ramps of the mating abutment surfaces and a line parallel to the rail or bottom pad of the half links ranges from about 45 to about 53&#xb0;.

Master link joint for a track undercarriage and method of retrofitting an existing undercarriage

Master link unit assembly

A planetary gear set is disclosed that includes self-aligning carrier shafts for the planetary gears that greatly reduces the wear to the carrier shaft caused by torque-induced loads on the planetary gear set. The carrier shaft includes a first cantilevered member extending from a carrier deck, which is connected, to a second cantilevered member that extends toward the carrier deck. A bearing member of the planetary gear is mounted to the second cantilevered member and the planetary gear is mounted to the bearing member. Under a torque-induced load on the planetary gear, the first cantilevered member is deflected in a first direction and the second cantilevered member is deflected in a second direction opposite the first direction, thus a carrier shaft designed in accordance with the present invention enables offsetting deflections under torque-induced loads leading to a reduction in the wear of the bearing member and the carrier shaft. The disclosed carrier shaft further permits a planetary gear system that utilizes a single carrier deck rather than dual carrier decks.

Self-aligning cantilever carrier

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Laurence J Cobb