초록 ▼

A track for a tracked vehicle, consisting of a track substrate. Terrain lugs are distributed about the circumference the track substrate on its outer surface. Drive profiles, each consisting of at least one drive lug arranged across the width of the track substrate, are distributed about the circumf

A track for a tracked vehicle, consisting of a track substrate. Terrain lugs are distributed about the circumference the track substrate on its outer surface. Drive profiles, each consisting of at least one drive lug arranged across the width of the track substrate, are distributed about the circumference of the track substrate on its inner surface. The drive profiles may consist of at least two drive lugs spaced apart across the width of the track substrate. Projections are distributed on the inner surface of the track substrate, arranged so as to engage a wheel in a track system that includes the track. The projections are disposed circumferentially between two drive profiles, and may also be disposed laterally between two drive lugs. The projections have a height such that the noise generated when the track moves in a track system is less than the noise generated when a track without such projections moves in a track system. A noise reduction of at least 6 to 8 dB is achievable. The projections may be from at least 3% to at least 7% of the radius of a wheel in the track system.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A track, comprising:a track substrate; a plurality of terrain lugs distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an outer surface of said track substrate; a plurality of drive profiles distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an inner surface of said track substra

1. A track, comprising:a track substrate; a plurality of terrain lugs distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an outer surface of said track substrate; a plurality of drive profiles distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an inner surface of said track substrate; and a plurality of projections on said inner surface, said projections being arranged so as to engage at least one wheel when said track is in a track system; wherein said projections have a height such that a noise generated when said track moves in said track system is at least 4 dB less than a corresponding noise generated when a track without said projections moves in said track system. 2. The track according to claim 1, wherein:each of said drive profiles comprises at least two drive lugs spaced apart laterally across said track substrate; and each of said projections is disposed circumferentially between two of said drive profiles, and each of said projections also is disposed laterally between two of said at least two drive lugs. 3. The track according to claim 1, wherein said projections define a gap therein, said gaps extending laterally across said projection.4. The track according to claim 3, wherein said gaps are 0.03 to 0.09 inches wide.5. The track according to claim 3, wherein said gaps are 0.05 to 0.07 inches wide.6. The track according to claim 3, wherein said gaps are 0.055 to 0.065 inches wide.7. The track according to claim 1, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.075 inches.8. The track according to claim 1, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.100 inches.9. The track according to claim 1, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.125 inches.10. The track according to claim 1, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.150 inches.11. The track according to claim 1, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.175 inches.12. The track according to claim 1, wherein a height of said projections is at least 3% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.13. The track according to claim 1, wherein a height of said projections is at least 4% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.14. The track according to claim 1, wherein a height of said projections is at least 5% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.15. The track according to claim 1, wherein a height of said projections is at least 6% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.16. The track according to claim 1, wherein a height of said projections is at least 7% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.17. The track according to claim 1, wherein said noise generated wherein said track when said projections moves in said track system is at least 6 dB less than said noise generated when said track without said projections moves in said track system.18. The track according to claim 1, wherein said noise generated when said track with said projections moves in said track system is at least 8 dB less than said noise generated when said track without said projections moves in said track system.19. The track according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said projections have a curved cross-section.20. The track according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said projections have a double wedge cross-section.21. The track according to claim 1, wherein said track is a vehicle track for a tracked vehicle.22. The track according to claim 1, wherein said track is a vehicle track for a tracked vehicle.23. A snowmobile comprising the track of claim 1.24. A method of reducing noise produced by a moving track, comprising the steps of:on a track comprising: a track substrate; a plurality of terrain lugs distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an outer surface of said track substrate; and a plurality of drive profiles distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an inner surface of said track substrate; providing a plurality of projections on said inner surface, such that said projections are arranged so as to engage a wheel when said track is in a track system; wherein said projections have a height such that a noise noise generated when said track moves in a track system is at least 4 dB less than a corresponding generated when a track without said projections moves in a track system. 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein:each of said drive profiles comprises at least two drive lugs spaced apart laterally across said track substrate; and each of said projections is disposed circumferentially between two of said drive profiles, and each of said projections also is disposed laterally between two of said at least two drive lugs. 26. The method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of defining gaps in said projections, said gaps extending laterally across said projection.27. The method according to claim 26, wherein said gaps are 0.03 to 0.09 inches wide.28. The method according to claim 26, wherein said gaps are 0.05 to 0.07 inches wide.29. The method according to claim 26, wherein said gaps are 0.055 to 0.065 inches wide.30. The method according to claim 24, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.075 inches.31. The method according to claim 24, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.100 inches.32. The method according to claim 24, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.125 inches.33. The method according to claim 24, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.150 inches.34. The method according to claim 24, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.175 inches.35. The method according to claim 24, wherein a height of said projections is at least 3% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.36. The method according to claim 24, wherein a height of said projections is at least 4% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.37. The method according to claim 24, wherein a height of said projections is at least 5% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.38. The method according to claim 24, wherein a height of said projections is at least 6% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.39. The method according to claim 24, wherein a height of said projections is at least 7% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.40. A track, conspiring:a track substrate; a plurality of terrain lugs distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an outer surface of said track substrate; a plurality of drive profiles distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an inner surface of said track substrate, each of said drive profiles comprising at least two drive lugs spaced laterally across said track substrate; and a plurality of projections on said inner surface, said projections being arranged so as to engage at least one wheel when said track is in a track system and disposed at positions that are circumferentially between two of said drive profiles and laterally between two of said drive lugs; wherein said projections have a height such that at least one of a noise and a vibration generated when said track moves in said track system is less than a corresponding at least one of a noise and a vibration generated when a track without said projections moves in said track system. 41. The track according to claim 40, wherein said projections define a gap therein, said gaps extending laterally across said projection.42. The track according to claim 41, wherein said gaps are 0.03 to 0.09 inches wide.43. The track according to claim 40, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.075 inches.44. The track according to claim 40, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.175 inches.45. The track according to claim 40, wherein a height of said projections is at least 3% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.46. The track according to claim 40, wherein a height of said projections is at least 7% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.47. The track according to claim 40, wherein said noise generated when said track with said projections moves in said track system is at least 4 dB less than said noise generated when said track without said projections moves in said track system.48. The track according to claim 40, wherein at least some of said projections have a curved cross-section.49. The track according to clam 40, wherein at least some of said projections have a double wedge cross-section.50. The track according to claim 40, wherein said track is a vehicle track for a tracked vehicle.51. A snowmobile comprising the track of claim 40.52. A method of reducing noise produced by a moving track, comprising the steps of:on a track comprising: a track substrate; a plurality of terrain lugs distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an outer surface of said track substrate; and a plurality of drive profiles distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an inner surface of said track substrata, each of said drive profiles comprising at least two drive lugs spaced laterally across said track substrate; providing a plurality of projections on said inner surface, such that said projections are arranged so as to engage a wheel when said track is in a track system and are disposed at positions circumferentially between two of said drive profiles and laterally between two of said drive lugs; wherein said projections have a height such that at least one of a noise and a vibration generated when said track moves in a crack system is less than a corresponding at least one of a noise and a vibration generated when a track without said projections moves in a track system. 53. The method according to claim 52, further comprising the step of defining gaps in said projections, said gaps extending laterally across said projection.54. The method according to claim 53, wherein said gaps are 0.03 to 0.09 inches wide.55. The method according to claim 52, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.075 inches.56. The method according to claim 52, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.175 inches.57. The method according to claim 52, wherein a height of said projections is at least 3% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.58. The method according to claim 52, wherein a height of said projections is at least 7% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.59. A track, comprising:a track substrate; a plurality of terrain lugs distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an outer surface of said track substrate; a plurality of drive profiles distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an inner surface of said track substrate; and a plurality of projections on said inner surface, said projections being arranged so as to engage at least one wheel when said track is in a track system, said projections defining gaps therein that extend laterally across said projection; wherein said projections have a height such that at least one of a noise and a vibration generated when said track moves in said track system is less than a corresponding at least one of a noise and a vibration generated when a track without said projections moves in said track system. 60. The track according to claim 59, wherein:each of said drive profiles comprises at least two drive lugs spaced apart laterally across said track substrate; and each of said projections is disposed circumferentially between two of said drive profiles, and each of said projections also is disposed laterally between two of said at least two drive lugs. 61. The track according to claim 59, wherein said gaps are 0.03 to 0.09 inches wide.62. The track according to claim 59, wherein said gaps are 0.05 to 0.07 inches wide.63. The track according to claim 59, wherein said gaps are 0.055 to 0.065 inches wide.64. The track according to claim 59, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.075 inches.65. The track according to claim 59, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.175 inches.66. The track according to claim 59, wherein a height of said projections is at least 3% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.67. The track according to claim 59, wherein a height of said projections is at least 7% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.68. The track according to claim 59, wherein said noise generated when said track with said projections moves in said track system is at least 4 dB less than said noise generated when said track without said projections moves in said track system.69. The track according to claim 59, wherein at least some of said projections have a curved cross-section.70. The track according to claim 59, wherein at least some of said projections have a double wedge cross-section.71. A snowmobile comprising the track of claim 59.72. A method of reducing noise produced by a moving track, comprising the steps of:on a track comprising: a track substrate; a plurality of terrain lugs distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an outer surface of said track substrate; and a plurality of drive profiles distributed circumferentially about said track substrate on an inner surface of said track substrate; providing a plurality of projections on said inner surface, such that said projections are arranged so as to engage a wheel when said track is in a track system, the projections defining gaps therein that extend laterally across the projections; wherein said projections have a height such that at least one of a noise and a vibration generated when said track moves in a track system is less than a corresponding at least one of a noise and a vibration generated when a track without said projections moves in a track system. 73. The meted according to claim 72, wherein:each of said drive profiles comprises at least two drive lugs spaced apart laterally across said truck substrate; and each of said projections is disposed circumferentially between two of said drive profiles, and each of said projections also is disposed laterally between two of said at least two drive lugs. 74. The method according to claim 72, wherein said gaps are 0.03 to 0.09 inches wide.75. The method according to claim 72, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.075 inches.76. The method according to claim 72, wherein a height of said projections is at least 0.175 inches.77. The method according to claim 72, wherein a height of said projections is at least 3% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.78. The method according to claim 72, wherein a height of said projections is at least 7% of a radius of a wheel in said track system.