Cast-in track system component bushing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11884342-B2
Application number	US-201816163465-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 17, 2018
Priority date	Oct 17, 2018
Publication date	Jan 30, 2024
Grant date	Jan 30, 2024

Abstract

A component for a track-type machine comprises a body, a through-bore extending through the body forming an inner wall, and a bushing located in the through-bore. The bushing comprises a bearing surface, an outer surface engaging the inner wall, a flange extending from the outer surface and extending into the inner wall, and retention features located in the outer surface proximate the flange. The retention features comprise voids in the bushing filled-in by material of the body. Methods of manufacturing a component for a track-type system comprises casting-in-place a bushing with a flange and retention features into the component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A track shoe comprising:
a base extending along a transverse direction;
a first link extending from the base in a longitudinal direction, the first link comprising:
a body connected to the base, the body comprising:
a first longitudinal wall; and
a second longitudinal wall;
wherein the body has a first length extending between the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall;

a through bore extending from the first longitudinal wall to the second longitudinal wall; and
a channel positioned in the through bore spaced from the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall; and

a bushing located in the through bore, the bushing comprising:
an outer wall extending between a first end and a second end, the outer wall having a second length between the first end and the second end, wherein the second length is equal to or less than the first length such that the bushing does not extend past the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall; and
a flange extending form the outer wall to be positioned in the channel;

wherein the track shoe is monolithic such that the base, the first link including the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall, the through bore and the channel are connected in a fixed relationship.

2. The track shoe of claim 1 , wherein:
the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall are located on an exterior of the first link; and
the bushing extends all the way from the first longitudinal wall to the second longitudinal wall.

3. The track shoe of claim 1 , wherein the bushing comprises Manganese material.

4. The track shoe of claim 1 , wherein the bushing comprises:
an outer wall from which the flange extends; and
three-dimensional depressions located on the outer wall adjacent the flange.

5. The track shoe of claim 4 , wherein the three-dimensional depressions comprise threading forming trenches.

6. The track shoe of claim 4 , further comprising knurling forming the three-dimensional depressions and projections.

7. The track shoe of claim 4 , wherein the three-dimensional depressions comprise peening forming depressions.

8. The track shoe of claim 4 , wherein the three-dimensional depressions comprise boring forming holes.

9. The track shoe of claim 1 , further comprising three-dimensional depressions located on a radially outer surface of the flange.

10. A component for a track-type machine, the component comprising:
a monolithic body comprising:
a first side wall; and
a second side wall;

a through bore extending through the body, the through bore including an inner wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall;
a bushing located in the through bore, the bushing comprising:
an inner bearing surface;
an outer surface comprising a first end and a second end, the outer surface engaging the inner wall such that the first end and the second end of the outer surface of the bushing are located between the first side wall and the second side wall;
a flange comprising:
a first side wall extending from the outer surface;
a second side wall extending form the outer surface spaced from the first side wall;
wherein the first side wall and the second side wall mate with material of the body within the through bore; and

retention features located in the outer surface proximate the first and second side walls of the flange;
wherein the retention features comprise voids in the bushing filled-in by material of the body.

11. The component of claim 10 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a track shoe, a roller and an idler wheel.

12. The component of claim 11 , wherein the retention features are selected from the group consisting of threading, peening, knurling and boring.

13. A track system component comprising:
a bushing comprising:
a cylindrical body extending from a first end to a second end over a length; and
an outer diameter flange extending from the cylindrical body between the first end and the second end; and

a through bore extending into longitudinal walls of the track system component;
wherein the track system component is cast with the bushing in place to form the through bore around the bushing and form a channel within the through bore to receive the outer diameter flange such that portions of the outer diameter flange extending beyond the cylindrical body are completely surrounded by material of the track system component and the length of the cylindrical body is completely engaged with material of the track system component on either side of the outer diameter flange such that the bushing does not extend beyond the longitudinal walls of the track system component; and
wherein the track system component comprises a monolithic body such that the through bore and the channel are contiguous surfaces of the material of the track system component.

14. The track system component of claim 13 , wherein:
the bushing further comprises three-dimensional depressions located on an exterior surface of the cylindrical body adjacent the flange;
wherein the three-dimensional depressions are infiltrated with track system component material.

15. The track system component of claim 14 , wherein the three-dimensional depressions comprise threading located on the exterior surface.

16. The track system component of claim 14 , further comprising knurling located on the exterior surface that forms the three-dimensional depressions.

17. The track system component of claim 14 , wherein the three-dimensional depressions comprise peening located on the exterior surface.

18. The track system component of claim 14 , wherein the three-dimensional depressions comprise boring extending into the exterior surface.

19. The track system component of claim 14 , wherein the bushing is made of a bushing mated al having a higher melting point than the track system component material.

20. The track system component of claim 19 , wherein the bushing material comprises Manganese and the track system component material is different from the bushing material.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Jones Benjamin I
• Abello Benoit
• Hakes David J

Classifications

• B62D55/21 Primary

  Links connected by transverse pivot pins · CPC title

• B22D19/04

  for joining parts · CPC title

• B62D55/0887

  Track-articulation sealings against dust, water, mud or the like (sealing of bearings in general F16C33/72; chain bushings in general F16G15/00) · CPC title

• B62D55/32

  Assembly, disassembly, repair or servicing of endless-track systems · CPC title

• F16C17/02

  for radial load only · CPC title