Valve assemblies are provided in a track tensioning system or in other applications. The valve assemblies allow pressurized fluid (grease or hydraulic fluid from a power machine) to be introduced or evacuated from the same port. The valve assemblies use either a single check ball or poppet configura
Valve assemblies are provided in a track tensioning system or in other applications. The valve assemblies allow pressurized fluid (grease or hydraulic fluid from a power machine) to be introduced or evacuated from the same port. The valve assemblies use either a single check ball or poppet configuration, or a dual check ball or poppet configuration which are moveable from a first configuration, in which fluid is blocked in one direction while allowing flow in the other direction, to a second configuration where the reverse is true. A track tensioning element includes piston retaining features which retain a piston within a track tensioning cylinder tube. A track tensioning element can also include a no-pre-load spring positioned in-line with the tensioning cylinder. Disclosed track tensioning systems and track tensioning elements can, in various embodiments, utilize any combination of all or some of the disclosed features.
대표청구항▼
1. A system for introducing and evacuating fluid from a cavity through a single port, the system comprising: a valve assembly comprising: a valve assembly body having an inlet providing the single port and an outlet, the outlet positioned in fluid communication with an aperture into the cavity;a flu
1. A system for introducing and evacuating fluid from a cavity through a single port, the system comprising: a valve assembly comprising: a valve assembly body having an inlet providing the single port and an outlet, the outlet positioned in fluid communication with an aperture into the cavity;a fluid path extending through the valve body between the inlet and the outlet;a valve element positioned in the valve assembly body, the valve element configured to be rotated between a first position and a second position, the valve element including a check ball mechanism further configured such that in the first position pressurized fluid can be introduced from the inlet, through the fluid path and outlet, into the cavity, and the check ball mechanism is positioned such that pressurized fluid in the cavity is prevented from exiting through the outlet, the valve element further configured such that in the second position pressurized fluid in the cavity can pass through the outlet and the fluid path and exit the inlet, but not be introduced from the inlet. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve element comprises a single check valve having a single check ball and a biasing element biasing the single check ball toward a seated position, wherein the valve element is configured such that when the valve element is in the first position, pressure from pressurized fluid in the cavity urges the single check ball toward the seated position and thereby prevents the pressurized fluid in the cavity from exiting the cavity through the outlet, and such that pressure from pressurized fluid introduced at the inlet urges the single check ball away from the seated position and thereby allows the pressurized fluid from the inlet to be introduced into the cavity through the fluid path and the outlet, and wherein the valve element is configured such that when the valve element is in the second position, pressure from pressurized fluid in the cavity urges the single check ball away from the seated position and thereby allows the pressurized fluid in the cavity to exit through the outlet, the fluid path and the inlet. 3. The system of claim 1, and further comprising a mechanism coupled to the valve element and moveable to rotate the valve element between the first position and the second position. 4. A tensioning cylinder having a cylinder body providing the cavity and including the system of claim 1. 5. An actuator comprising: a cylinder;a piston positioned within the cylinder; anda piston retaining mechanism coupled to the cylinder and configured to interact with the piston to retain the piston within the cylinder, the piston retaining mechanism comprising: an enclosure attached to a wall of the cylinder adjacent to a passage formed in the cylinder wall;a stop device positioned within the enclosure and extending into the passage;a spring positioned within the enclosure and biasing the stop device toward the piston; anda piston retaining feature coupled to the piston and configured to interact with the stop device to prevent the piston from completely exiting the cylinder. 6. The actuator of claim 5, wherein the stop device comprises a pin. 7. The actuator of claim 5, wherein the piston retaining feature coupled to the piston comprises a mating groove, and wherein the stop device is configured to be biased into the mating groove to prevent the piston from exiting the cylinder. 8. The actuator of claim 7, wherein the mating groove is formed in the piston. 9. The actuator of claim 7, wherein the mating groove includes a tapered surface and a stop surface, the stop surface positioned and configured to engage the stop device to prevent extension of the piston beyond a maximum extended position. 10. The actuator of claim 9, wherein the tapered surface is positioned and configured to engage the stop device during retraction of the piston from the maxim extended position to push the stop device toward contact with a piston surface that does not stop movement of the piston during either retraction or extension. 11. A tensioning system including the actuator of claim 5. 12. A system for introducing and evacuating fluid from a cavity through a single port, the system comprising: a valve assembly comprising: a valve assembly body having an inlet providing the single port and an outlet, the outlet positioned in fluid communication with the cavity;a first one-way valve positioned in a first valve passage forming a first portion of a fluid path through the valve assembly body between the inlet and the outlet, the first one-way valve biased toward a closed position;a second one-way valve positioned in a second valve passage forming a second portion of the fluid path through the valve assembly body between the inlet and the outlet, the second one-way valve biased toward a closed position; anda valve control mechanism positioned between the first and second one-way valves and operable to selectively control the first and second one-way valves to selectively allow and prevent flow of pressurized fluid into and out of the cavity. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the valve control mechanism is configured to be selectively moved between first and second positions, wherein in the first position the first one-way valve is maintained in its open position and the second one-way valve is biased toward its closed position such that pressurized fluid introduced from the inlet and flowing through the first one-way valve can open the second one-way valve and flow through the outlet into the cavity, but pressurized fluid in the cavity is prevented from exiting through the outlet. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the valve control mechanism is configured such that in the second position the second one-way valve is maintained in its open position and the first one-way valve is biased toward its closed position such that pressurized fluid in the cavity and flowing through the second one-way valve can open the first one-way valve and flow through the inlet. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the valve control mechanism is configured to be manipulated by a user to be moved between the first and second positions. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the first one-way valve comprises a first seatable member and a first spring, and wherein the second one-way valve comprises a second seatable member and a second spring. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the valve control mechanism includes a rotatable valve engagement mechanism having a first portion and a second port, wherein in the first position the first portion is positioned to engage the first seatable member to maintain the first one-way valve in its open position and the second portion is positioned adjacent the second seatable member to allow the second one-way valve to close, and wherein in the second position the first portion is positioned to engage the second seatable member to maintain the second one-way valve in its open position and the second portion is positioned adjacent the first seatable member to allow the second one-way valve to close.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
Riml Peter (Mieming ATX), Apparatus for tensioning a track chain of a tracklaying vehicle.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.