System and method for monitoring track tension for a track assembly of a work vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10099735-B2
Application number	US-201615340121-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 1, 2016
Priority date	Nov 1, 2016
Publication date	Oct 16, 2018
Grant date	Oct 16, 2018

Abstract

A system for monitoring the track tension for a track assembly of a work vehicle may include a track tensioning assembly having a fluid-driven actuator. The actuator may be configured to adjust the track tension of the track assembly based on a fluid pressure of fluid within the actuator. The system may also include a wireless pressure sensor provided in operative association with the actuator that is configured to detect the fluid pressure within the actuator. Additionally, the system may include controller communicatively coupled to the wireless pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator based on wireless pressure signals received from the wireless pressure sensor, wherein the monitored fluid pressure is indicative of the track tension for the track assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for monitoring track tension for a track assembly of a work vehicle, the system comprising:
a track tensioning assembly including a fluid-driven actuator, the actuator being configured to adjust the track tension of the track assembly based on a fluid pressure of fluid within the actuator;
a wireless pressure sensor provided in operative association with the actuator, the wireless pressure sensor being configured to detect the fluid pressure within the actuator; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the wireless pressure sensor, the controller being configured to:
monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator based on wireless pressure signals received from the wireless pressure sensor;
monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator relative to a predetermined pressure range; and
initiate a control action associated with reducing the track tension of the track assembly when the fluid pressure falls outside the predetermined pressure range,

wherein the fluid pressure within the actuator is indicative of the track tension for the track assembly.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control action corresponds to at least one of a control action associated with reducing at least one of a ground speed or a torque of the work vehicle or a control action associated with adjusting the fluid pressure within the actuator.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the track assembly includes a first idler wheel and a second idler wheel, the track tensioning assembly being coupled between the first and second idler wheels.

4. A system for monitoring track tension for a track assembly of a work vehicle, the system comprising:
a track tensioning assembly including a fluid-driven actuator, the actuator being configured to adjust the track tension of the track assembly based on a fluid pressure of fluid within the actuator;
a wireless pressure sensor provided in operative association with the actuator, the wireless pressure sensor being configured to detect the fluid pressure within the actuator; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the wireless pressure sensor, the controller being configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator based on wireless pressure signals received from the wireless pressure sensor, wherein the controller is further configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator relative to a predetermined pressure range,
wherein the fluid pressure within the actuator is indicative of the track tension for the track assembly, and
wherein the controller is configured to transmit a notification to an operator of the work vehicle when the fluid pressure within the actuator falls outside the predetermined pressure range.

5. A system for monitoring track tension for a track assembly of a work vehicle, the system comprising:
a track tensioning assembly including a fluid-driven actuator, the actuator being configured to adjust the track tension of the track assembly based on a fluid pressure of fluid within the actuator;
a wireless pressure sensor provided in operative association with the actuator, the wireless pressure sensor being configured to detect the fluid pressure within the actuator; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the wireless pressure sensor, the controller being configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator based on wireless pressure signals received from the wireless pressure sensor, wherein the controller is further configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator relative to a predetermined pressure range,
wherein the fluid pressure within the actuator is indicative of the track tension for the track assembly, and
wherein the predetermined pressure range corresponds to a first predetermined pressure range, the controller being configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator relative to both the first predetermined pressure range and a second predetermined pressure range, the controller being configured to implement a first control action when the fluid pressure falls outside the first predetermined pressure range and a second control action when the fluid pressure falls outside the second predetermined range, the first control action differing from the second control action.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first control action corresponds to a control action associated with transmitting a notification to an operator of the work vehicle and the second control action corresponds to a control action associated with reducing at least one of a vehicle speed or a torque of the work vehicle.

7. A system for monitoring track tension for a track assembly of a work vehicle, the system comprising:
a track tensioning assembly including a fluid-driven actuator, the actuator being configured to adjust the track tension of the track assembly based on a fluid pressure of fluid within the actuator;
a wireless pressure sensor provided in operative association with the actuator, the wireless pressure sensor being configured to detect the fluid pressure within the actuator;
a controller communicatively coupled to the wireless pressure sensor, the controller being configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator based on wireless pressure signals received from the wireless pressure sensor;
a conduit fluidly coupled to the actuator for supplying the fluid to the actuator; and
a valve provided in operative association with the conduit, the valve being configured to regulate the fluid pressure of the fluid supplied to the actuator via the conduit,
wherein the fluid pressure within the actuator is indicative of the track tension for the track assembly, and
wherein the controller is configured to electrically control an operation of the valve based on the wireless pressure signals received from the wireless pressure sensor.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator relative to a maximum pressure threshold, the controller being configured to control the operation of the valve when the fluid pressure exceeds the maximum pressure threshold such that the fluid pressure supplied to the valve is reduced.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor the fluid pressure within the actuator relative to a minimum pressure threshold, the controller being configured to control the operation of the valve when the fluid pressure falls below the minimum pressure threshold such that the fluid pressure supplied to the valve is increased.

10. A track assembly for a work vehicle, the track assembly comprising:
a track;
a drive wheel configured to rotationally drive the track;
first and second idler wheels configured to contact an inner surface of the track, the first idler wheel being spaced apart from second idler wheel;
a plurality of roller wheels spaced apart from the first and second idler wheels and being configured to contact the inner surface of the track;
a track tensioning assembly coupled between the first and second idler wheels, the track tensioning assembly being configured to regulate an outward pressure applied by the first and second idler wheels against the inner surface of the track, the track tensioning assembly including a fluid-driven actuator coupled to the first idler wheel and a linkage coupled to the second idler wheel, the track tensioning assembly further including a spring positioned between the actuator and the linkage; and
a wireless pressure sensor provided in operative association with the actuator, the wireless pressure sensor being configured to measure a fluid pressure of fluid supplied within the actuator;
a controller communicatively coupled to the wireless p

Assignees

• Cnh Ind America Llc
• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Vik Brian
• Wibbels Paul E

Classifications

• B62D55/08

  Endless track units; Parts thereof · CPC title

• B62D55/30 Primary

  Track-tensioning means · CPC title

• B62D55/065

  Multi-track vehicles, i.e. more than two tracks {(soil-shifting machines E02F; mining machines E21C)} · CPC title