Caterpillar Inc.

Steve L Arianoutsos

Jerry A Metz

Peter William Anderton

Billy R Bedford

David G Kupper

Daniel D Angot

Harry B Newman

J Christopher Barnes

Alan P Dremann

An improved articulated pin joint for a track chain used on track laying work machines is provided. The articulated pin joint includes a plug positioned in a central cavity of a track pin. The plug includes an axial passage in which a needle can be inserted to inject grease into the central cavity. The invention facilitates replenishing grease in the field without removing the track chain from the track laying work machine.

Articulated pin joint for a track chain

An end face seal for sealing between first and second articulately coupled members of a track joint is disclosed. The seal is provided with a flexible dirt shield of elastomeric material. The dirt shield extends radially outwardly from the seal ring and has a distal end that is adapted to sealingly engage the first member at a location externally of the load ring to prevent the ingress of abrasive materials between the seal ring and the load ring and eliminate the abrasive erosion of the load ring, thereby maintaining the axial seal bearing force of the load ring against the seal ring throughout the useful life of the seal.

End face track seal with dirt seal

A shear loaded face seal having means for increasing the torque transfer capacity of the shear loaded face seal between its support ring and its load ring along their mating interface is disclosed. In such a shear loaded face seal, the load ring is of a deformable rubber and the support ring is rigid. A varying torque is transmitted through the shear loaded face seal along the interface between the load ring and the seal ring. The torque transfer means comprises a surface texture on the mating surfaces of the support ring that has a configuration sufficient to generate a projected area that is at least five per cent of the surface area of a non-textured surface of equivalent dimensions. The surface texture is provided by a plurality of uniformly spaced micro splines that are oriented normal to the direction of the torque.

Face seal with increased torque transfer capacity

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Washington, IL, United States of America

Steve L Arianoutsos