The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 22, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 18, 1997
Elmer R Crabb, Granbury, TX (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A recoil and slack adjustment mechanism for tensioning an endless track chain of an undercarriage assembly of a work machine includes a ram assembly and an accumulator assembly. The ram assembly includes a ram housing having a ram chamber defined therein. A recoil ram is movably housed within the ram chamber. The recoil ram has a ram subchamber defined therein. The tensioning ram is movably housed within the ram subchamber and is coupled to a front idler roller of the undercarriage assembly. A check valve is disposed between the ram chamber and the ram subchamber such that fluid pressure from the accumulator assembly is selectively exerted on the tensioning ram thereby urging the front idler roller so as to bias the track chain of the undercarriage assembly. The recoil and slack adjustment assembly provides continuous, constant tensioning of the track chain, and does not require the use of live hydraulics.