초록 ▼

A tensioning device for maintaining proper belt tension on the drive belt of a tracked vehicle. The flexible drive belt extends between a drive wheel and a carriage mounted free wheel. An idler device dynamically adjusts the tension on the drive belt, and includes a drive wheel mounted to a frame, a

A tensioning device for maintaining proper belt tension on the drive belt of a tracked vehicle. The flexible drive belt extends between a drive wheel and a carriage mounted free wheel. An idler device dynamically adjusts the tension on the drive belt, and includes a drive wheel mounted to a frame, a carriage slidably mounted to the frame and supporting a free wheel, a hydraulic cylinder mounted to the frame and engaging the carriage for applying a force to the carriage. A hydraulic control circuit operates the hydraulic cylinder, the control circuit being adapted to adjust the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder to apply a first force against the carriage in response to a first detected condition, such as during normal forward operation of the vehicle. The control circuit is further adapted to apply a second force against the carriage in response to a second detected condition, such as during reverse operation of the vehicle. A sensor is provided for detecting the operating condition of the vehicle and is connected to the hydraulic circuit.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed:] [1.]1. On a tracked vehicle having a flexible drive belt extending between a drive wheel and a carriage mounted free wheel, an idler device for dynamically adjusting the tension on the drive belt, comprising:a drive wheel mounted to a frame, the drive wheel being operatively conn

[ What is claimed:] [1.]1. On a tracked vehicle having a flexible drive belt extending between a drive wheel and a carriage mounted free wheel, an idler device for dynamically adjusting the tension on the drive belt, comprising:a drive wheel mounted to a frame, the drive wheel being operatively connected to a hydraulic drive system, the hydraulic drive system including a forward drive circuit and a reverse drive circuit;a carriage slidably mounted to the frame and supporting a free wheel;a hydraulic cylinder mounted to the frame and engaging the carriage for applying a force to the carriage; anda hydraulic control circuit operatively connected to the hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic control circuit including a pressure sensor adapted to detect a pressure condition in each of the forward and reverse drive circuits of the hydraulic drive system, the hydraulic control circuit further being adapted to adjust the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder to thereby apply a first force against the carriage in response to a first detected pressure condition and further to apply a second force against the carriage in response to a second detected pressure condition, the first detected pressure condition corresponding to activation of the forward drive circuit and the second detected pressure condition corresponding to activation of the reverse drive circuit and wherein the second force is greater than the first force.