Caterpillar Inc.

Temitope Olayemi Akinlua

Kevin Steiner

Caroline Marie Brewer

Mark Steven Diekevers

Timothy A Thorson

Gregory Jerome Kaufmann

Michael Stephen Galat

Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier

Daniel Knobloch

Robert L Meyer

Michael D Hasselbusch

Timothy Michael Nenne

Kevin L Steiner

Caroline M Brewer

Eric James Johannsen

David Jennings Hakes

Mark J Kiesel

Donovan Stuart Clarke

Brian B Umbach

Scott Howard Magner

Darren Brent Antoine

Guanghui Liang

Brice Herbers

Lewis C Hunt

Travis James King

Daniel I Knobloch

Michael Hasselbusch

Martin T J Xavier

An idler for an undercarriage system in a track-type machine includes an idler body having an outer rim surface extending circumferentially around an idler axis of rotation and forming a centrally located guide flange. The outer rim surface further forms a first ring channel and a second ring channel upon a first axial side and a second axial side of the centrally located guide flange, respectively. A first sacrificial wear ring is seated in the first ring channel and a second sacrificial wear ring is seated in the second ring channel.

Idler for undercarriage system having sacrificial wear rings and wear ring for same

In some implementations, one or more devices may determine whether an electrical circuit is closed or open, the electrical circuit including electrodes of the sensor device, the electrical circuit being closed based on the electrodes being immersed in a lubricant in a cavity of a component of a track assembly of the machine, the electrical circuit being open based on the electrodes not being immersed in the lubricant in the cavity. The one or more devices may generate sensor data based on determining that the electrical circuit is open, the sensor data indicating that a level, of the lubricant in the cavity, does not satisfy a level threshold. The one or more devices may cause the machine to perform an action based on the sensor data indicating that the level does not satisfy the level threshold.

Predicting track assembly component failure using direct oil contact sensor device

A sprocket segment assembly for use with a sprocket of a tracked machine includes a first circumferential sprocket segment including a tooth with a first bushing contact surface, a second bushing contact surface, and a top surface extending circumferentially between the first bushing contact surface and the second bushing contact surface. The first bushing contact surface defines a cavity, and a roller extending proudly of the first bushing contact surface.

Sprocket with a roller assembly inserted into the sprocket teeth

A track roller rim is disclosed. The track roller rim may include an outer member including an annular configuration defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction disposed about the axis of rotation, where the outer member has an inner circumference, an outer circumference, a first axial end disposed along the axis of rotation, and a second axial end disposed along the axis of rotation. The track roller rim may include a first annular inner member, where the first annular inner member is interference fit within the inner circumference of the outer member at the first axial end. The track roller rim may include a second annular inner member, where the second annular inner member is interference fit within the inner circumference of the outer member at the second axial end.

Fabricated track roller rim assembly

A method of servicing a track chain assembly includes loosening a fastener to reduce a clamping force of a track link body on a track bushing. With the clamping force reduced, the method includes rotating the track bushing from a first position wherein a worn side of the track bushing faces a drive sprocket to a second position wherein an unworn side of the track bushing faces the drive sprocket. Once the track bushing in the second position, the method includes tightening the fastener to increase the clamping force on the track bushing. The method can be performed while leaving the track chain in place on a track machine.

Track chain and methods for bushing rotation

A track link assembly comprises a plurality of link subassemblies. Each link subassembly may include a pair of links coupled together. Each link may include a first aperture and a second aperture, and the second aperture of each link may be larger than the first aperture. The track link assembly may include a pin element extending through the first aperture of a first link and the second aperture of a second link in each link subassembly. The track link assembly may include a bushing element with a central opening. The bushing element may surround a portion of the pin element and extend through the second aperture of the second link of each link subassembly. The bushing element may include at least one hole configured to couple a track shoe to the bushing element.

Track assembly for a machine

A track link assembly includes a plurality of link subassemblies including a first link subassembly and a second link subassembly. Each link subassembly includes a pair of links coupled together. Each link includes a first aperture and a second aperture, and the second aperture of each link is C-shaped. The track link assembly also includes a pin element pivotably coupling each of the first link subassembly and the second link subassembly. The pin element includes a centrally positioned central portion and end portions on opposite sides of the central portion. The central portion of the pin element is configured to pass through the first aperture of a first link in each of the first link subassembly and the second link subassembly, and the end portions are configured to pass through the second apertures of a second link in each of the first link subassembly and the second link subassembly.

A thrust ring comprises a body including a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical inner surface, defining a central axis, an axial direction, a circumferential direction, a first axial end, a second axial end, and at least one recess on the first axial end, and at least one protrusion extending from the cylindrical inner surface toward the central axis.

Joint bushings for track joint assemblies

Track link

Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore. Additionally, the track joint assembly may include a pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint assembly may also include an inner bushing positioned coaxially around the pin, and at least partially within the second bore. In addition, the track joint assembly may include an outer bushing positioned coaxially around the inner bushing. The track joint assembly may also include a seal assembly positioned between the first link and the second link to form a hermetic seal between the first link and the second link.

Track joint assemblies

Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore. In addition, the track joint assembly may include a solid pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a bushing positioned coaxially around the pin. The bushing may include an axial end portion disposed in the second bore. The second link may include a sealing portion surrounding an axial end of the axial end portion. The sealing portion may include material having a different wear resistance than material of another portion of the second link.

The disclosure relates to a system and method for a link for a track chain in a ground-engaging track system. The link has an elongate link body including a first and a second crown. The elongate link body includes a shoe surface and a rail surface. The shoe surface is configured to contact a track shoe coupled to the elongate link body. The rail surface is opposite the shoe surface and has a first end section, a middle section, and a second end section. The first and second crowns on the rail surface each define a convex portion of the rail surface. The first crown is positioned on the first end section and the second crown is positioned on the second end section. The first and second crowns are configured to delay scallop formation in the rail surface.

Crown for a link in a ground engaging track system

Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore including first and second portions. The first and second portions may have different diameters. In addition, the track joint assembly may include a solid pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint may also include a bushing positioned coaxially around the pin. The bushing may include an axial end portion disposed in and contacting the first portion of the second bore. The bushing may also include an axial end-adjacent portion disposed in and contacting the second portion of the second bore. An outer diameter of the end-adjacent portion may be larger than an outer diameter of the end portion.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Temitope Olayemi Akinlua