초록 ▼

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 ra

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A slack adjustment mechanism for a track of an undercarriage assembly, comprising:a ram assembly which includes (i) a ram housing defining a ram chamber, said ram housing further having a ram fluid port defined therein, (ii) a first ram positioned within said ram chamber,

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A slack adjustment mechanism for a track of an undercarriage assembly, comprising:a ram assembly which includes (i) a ram housing defining a ram chamber, said ram housing further having a ram fluid port defined therein, (ii) a first ram positioned within said ram chamber, said first ram defining a ram subchamber, said first ram having a ram opening defined therein so as to enable fluid communication between said ram chamber and said ram subchamber, (iii) a second ram positioned within said ram subchamber, and (iv) a check valve interposed between said ram chamber and said ram subchamber for controlling fluid flow therebetween; andan accumulator assembly which includes (i) an accumulator housing defining an accumulator chamber, said accumulator housing further having an accumulator fluid port defined therein, said accumulator fluid port being positioned relative to said ram fluid port so that said ram chamber is in fluid communication with said accumulator chamber, (ii) an accumulator piston positioned within said accumulator chamber so as to divide said accumulator housing into a first accumulator subchamber and a second accumulator subchamber, (iii) a gas positioned within said first accumulator subchamber, and (iv) a fluid positioned within said second accumulator subchamber.