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:
Aug. 21, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 16, 1999
Clifford E. Miller, Clinton, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
An undercarriage assembly of a work machine includes a first drive track chain and a second drive track chain. The undercarriage assembly also includes a first hydraulic actuator mechanically coupled to the first drive track chain so as to adjust tension on the first drive track chain and a second hydraulic actuator mechanically coupled to the second drive track chain so as to adjust tension on the second drive track chain. The undercarriage assembly further includes a slack adjuster assembly. The slack adjuster assembly has (i) an adjuster housing defining (a) a main chamber, (b) a fluid inlet, (c) a first fluid outlet which is fluidly coupled to the first hydraulic actuator, and (d) a second fluid outlet which is fluidly coupled to the second hydraulic actuator, (ii) a first piston positioned in the main chamber, the first piston selectively couples the fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet, and (iii) a second piston positioned in the main chamber, the second piston selectively couples the fluid inlet to the second fluid outlet. Movement of the first piston from a first decreased-tension position to a first increased-tension position causes actuation of the first actuator so as to increase tension on the first drive track chain. Movement of the second piston from a second decreased-tension position to a second increased-tension position causes actuation of the second actuator so as to increase tension on the second drive track chain.