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:
Sep. 18, 2012
Filed:
Mar. 11, 2010
Stuart Austin Connell, Sherman, TX (US);
Stuart Austin Connell, Sherman, TX (US);
Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC, South Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
An automatic tensioning system for a chain drive system of a rock drill assembly is disclosed. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to one end of the feed channel of a rock drill assembly. When pressurized hydraulic fluid is provided to the hydraulic cylinder, a plunger within the hydraulic cylinder pulls on a tensioner sprocket, which in turn provides tension to the chain of the chain drive system. This allows for a constant tension to be applied to the chain throughout a long duration of operation as opposed to a manually adjusted chain drive system in which the chain tension varies during operation in between manual adjustments.