Dynamic tensioner locking device for a track system and method thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10633044-B2
Application number	US-201615565450-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 11, 2016
Priority date	Sep 29, 2014
Publication date	Apr 28, 2020
Grant date	Apr 28, 2020

Abstract

A track system comprising a dynamic tensioning device located between an idler wheel and the support frame as to apply proper tension in the track. The dynamic tensioning device is adapted to block at its current length upon the occurrence of a determined condition. The dynamic tensioner is adapted to substantially maintain its length when an acceleration and or deceleration of the track system reaches a predetermined value. For instance, such characteristic is relevant in an event of emergency braking. A dynamic tensioner would become contracted and the tension in the endless track would become too low. A low tension could cause the endless track to ratchet.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for controlling a tension in an endless track disposed around a plurality of wheels pivotally mounted on a support frame of a track system, the track system being operatively mounted to a vehicle, at least one of the plurality of wheels being operatively mounted to a dynamic tensioner, the dynamic tensioner including a fluid-based suspension element, the fluid-based suspension element being operatively mounted between the support frame and the at least one of the plurality of wheels so as to displace the at least one of the plurality of wheels relative to the support frame in order to control the tension in the endless track, the fluid-based suspension element including:
a cylinder;
a piston that is reciprocally movable within the cylinder between an extended position and a retracted position, the piston sealingly engaging the cylinder for forming a variable volume chamber containing a liquid, the piston being movable between the extended position and the retracted position in a plurality of intermediate positions by changing a volume of the liquid contained within the chamber of the cylinder;
a reservoir fluidly connected to the chamber of the cylinder, the reservoir simultaneously containing the liquid and a gas, the gas in the reservoir being under pressure and applying hydrostatic pressure to the liquid tending towards an increase in the volume of liquid within the chamber of the cylinder, biasing the piston towards the extended position;
a conduit fluidly connecting the cylinder to the reservoir such that the liquid is displaceable between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir; and
an inertial valve disposed in the conduit for controlling a flow of liquid in the conduit, the inertial valve being movable between an open position and a closed position;

the method comprising:
when an acceleration of the track system reaches a predetermined value, blocking the flow of liquid within the conduit by autonomously moving the inertial valve in the closed position for substantially maintaining a length of the dynamic tensioner; and
when the acceleration of the track system is below the predetermined value, allowing the flow of liquid within the conduit by moving the inertial valve means in the open position for allowing variation of the length of the dynamic tensioner.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
when the acceleration of the track system is below the predetermined value, allowing the flow of liquid between the cylinder and the reservoir by moving the inertial valve in an intermediate position between the open and closed positions for allowing variation of the length of the dynamic tensioner.

3. A method for controlling a tension in an endless track disposed around a plurality of wheels pivotally mounted on a support frame of a track system, the track system being operatively mounted to a vehicle, at least one of the plurality of wheels being operatively mounted to a dynamic tensioner, the dynamic tensioner including a fluid-based suspension element, the fluid-based suspension element being operatively mounted between the support frame and the at least one of the plurality of wheels so as to displace the at least one of the plurality of wheels relative to the support frame in order to control the tension in the endless track, the fluid-based suspension element including:
a cylinder;
a piston that is reciprocally movable within the cylinder between an extended position and a retracted position, the piston sealingly engaging the cylinder for forming a variable volume chamber containing a liquid, the piston being movable between the extended position and the retracted position in a plurality of intermediate positions by changing a volume of the liquid contained within the chamber of the cylinder;
a reservoir fluidly connected to the chamber of the cylinder, the reservoir simultaneously containing the liquid and a gas, the gas in the reservoir being under pressure and applying hydrostatic pressure to the liquid tending towards an increase in the volume of liquid within the chamber of the cylinder, biasing the piston towards the extended position;
a conduit fluidly connecting the cylinder to the reservoir such that the liquid is displaceable between the chamber of the cylinder and the reservoir;
a flow restricting means disposed in the conduit for controlling a flow of liquid in the conduit, the flow restricting means being movable between an open position and a closed position; and
a pump operatively connected to the conduit and adapted to change the volume of liquid contained in the reservoir, the method comprising:
when an acceleration of the track system reaches a predetermined value, at least partially blocking the flow of liquid within the conduit by moving the flow restricting means in the closed position and adding liquid in the reservoir by operating the pump to compensate for a volume of liquid displaced within the reservoir in order to maintain the length of the dynamic tensioner; and
when the acceleration of the track system is below the predetermined value, allowing the flow of liquid within the conduit by moving the flow restricting means in the open position and removing liquid from the reservoir by operating the pump for allowing variation of the length of the dynamic tensioner.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the flow restricting means is a solenoid valve.

Assignees

• Soucy Int Inc

Inventors

• Sauvageau Yves
• Leger Andre

Classifications

• B62D55/305 Primary

  acting on pivotably mounted idlers · CPC title

• F16H2007/0814

  with valves opening on surplus pressure · CPC title

• B62D55/1125

  Hydro-pneumatic or pneumatic, e.g. air-cushioned · CPC title

• F16H7/1281

  where the axis of the pulley moves along a substantially circular path · CPC title

• B62D55/12

  Arrangement, location, or adaptation of driving sprockets · CPC title