초록 ▼

A track belt tensioning management system is provided for actively adjusting the tension on a track belt in response to the difference in linear output speed between a drive wheel and the track belt. This is accomplished by sensing the speeds of the drive wheel and the track belt and delivering the

A track belt tensioning management system is provided for actively adjusting the tension on a track belt in response to the difference in linear output speed between a drive wheel and the track belt. This is accomplished by sensing the speeds of the drive wheel and the track belt and delivering the sensed signals to a controller which processes the signals and determines the difference in their respective linear output speeds. If the difference varies from a predetermined value, the controller directs appropriate signals to a hydraulic valve arrangement which controllably directs pressurized fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator arrangement to adjust the tension between the drive wheel and the track belt. The subject arrangement maintains sufficient frictional force between the drive wheel and the belt to control the slip therebetween as required while at the same time limiting the forces in order to reduce premature failures and/or wear on the track belt and other associated components.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A tension management system mounted to a machine having a friction drive between a drive wheel of the machine and a track belt, a source of pressurized fluid, a reservoir, a frame assembly, and a hydraulic actuator arrangement acting through an idler wheel to tension the track belt

[ We claim:] [1.] A tension management system mounted to a machine having a friction drive between a drive wheel of the machine and a track belt, a source of pressurized fluid, a reservoir, a frame assembly, and a hydraulic actuator arrangement acting through an idler wheel to tension the track belt with respect to the friction drive wheel, wherein the tension management system comprises:a first sensor operative to sense the speed of the drive wheel;a second sensor operative to sense the speed of the track belt;a third sensor operative to sense the operating pressure in the hydraulic actuator arrangement;a hydraulic valve arrangement connected between the source of pressurized fluid, the hydraulic actuator arrangement, and the reservoir; anda controller operative to receive the sensed speeds of the drive wheel and the track belt and determine their respective linear output speeds sand deliver control signals to the hydraulic valve arrangement to control the tension of the track belt on the drive wheel in response to the difference in linear output speed between the drive wheel and the track belt changing from a predetermined value.