Track joint assemblies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9623920-B2
Application number	US-201414461289-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 15, 2014
Priority date	Aug 29, 2013
Publication date	Apr 18, 2017
Grant date	Apr 18, 2017

Abstract

Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore. Additionally, the track joint assembly may include a pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint assembly may also include an inner bushing positioned coaxially around the pin, and at least partially within the second bore. In addition, the track joint assembly may include an outer bushing positioned coaxially around the inner bushing. The track joint assembly may also include a seal assembly positioned between the first link and the second link to form a hermetic seal between the first link and the second link.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A track joint assembly, comprising:
a first link having a first bore;
a second link having a second bore;
a pin positioned at least partially within the first bore;
an inner bushing positioned coaxially around the pin, and at least partially within the second bore;
an outer bushing positioned coaxially around the inner bushing; and
a first seal assembly positioned in direct contact with opposing surfaces of the first link and the second link to form a hermetic seal between the first link and the second link.

2. The track joint assembly of claim 1 , including a thrust ring positioned coaxially around the inner bushing, disposed in the second bore, and supporting a second seal assembly positioned between the second link and the outer bushing to form a hermetic seal between the second link and the outer bushing.

3. The track joint assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of an outer surface of the inner bushing or an inner surface of the outer bushing facing the outer surface of the inner bushing includes at least one recess at least partially defining a lubricating fluid cavity.

4. The track joint assembly of claim 3 , wherein the lubricating fluid cavity contains a lubricating fluid.

5. The track joint assembly of claim 3 , wherein the outer surface of the inner bushing includes at least one recess extending into and along a circumference of the inner bushing, and at least partially defining the lubricating fluid cavity.

6. The track joint assembly of claim 5 , wherein the at least one recess extending into and along the circumference of the inner bushing is valley-shaped.

7. The track joint assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first seal assembly is positioned radially outward of a thrust ring positioned at an axial end of the inner bushing.

8. The track joint assembly of claim 7 , wherein the thrust ring has an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the axial end of the inner bushing.

9. A track joint assembly, comprising:
a first link having a first bore;
a second link having a second bore;
a pin positioned at least partially within the first bore;
an inner bushing positioned coaxially around the pin, the inner bushing having an outer surface that engages with an inner surface of the second bore;
an outer bushing positioned coaxially around the inner bushing; and
a seal assembly positioned between the first link and the second link, and contacting the second link at a portion of the second link including material having a different wear resistance than material of another portion of the second link.

10. The track joint assembly of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the outer surface of the inner bushing or an inner surface of the outer bushing facing the outer surface of the inner bushing includes at least one recess at least partially defining a lubricating fluid cavity.

11. The track joint assembly of claim 10 , wherein the lubricating fluid cavity contains a lubricating fluid.

12. The track joint assembly of claim 10 , wherein the outer surface of the inner bushing includes at least one recess extending into and along a circumference of the inner bushing, and at least partially defining the lubricating fluid cavity.

13. The track joint assembly of claim 12 , wherein the at least one recess extending into and along the circumference of the inner bushing is valley-shaped.

14. The track joint assembly of claim 9 , wherein the seal assembly is positioned radially outward of a thrust ring positioned at an axial end of the inner bushing.

15. The track joint assembly of claim 14 , wherein the thrust ring has an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the axial end of the inner bushing.

16. A track joint assembly, comprising:
a first link having a first bore;
a second link having a second bore;
a pin positioned at least partially within the first bore;
an inner bushing positioned coaxially around the pin, and at least partially within the second bore; and
an outer bushing positioned coaxially around the inner bushing, wherein:
the second link has a sealing surface surrounding an axial end of the inner bushing; and
the sealing surface of the second link has a different wear resistance than another surface of the second link.

17. The track joint assembly of claim 16 , wherein at least one of an outer surface of the inner bushing or an inner surface of the outer bushing facing the outer surface of the inner bushing includes at least one recess at least partially defining a lubricating fluid cavity.

18. The track joint assembly of claim 17 , wherein the lubricating fluid cavity contains a lubricating fluid.

19. The track joint assembly of claim 17 , wherein the outer surface of the inner bushing includes at least one recess extending into and along a circumference of the inner bushing, and at least partially defining the lubricating fluid cavity.

20. The track joint assembly of claim 19 , wherein the at least one recess extending into and along the circumference of the inner bushing is valley-shaped.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Akinlua Temitope Olayemi
• Diekevers Mark Steven
• Brewer Caroline Marie
• Kaufmann Gregory Jerome
• Thorson Timothy Arthur
• Steiner Kevin Lee
• Meyer Robert Lee

Classifications

• B62D55/0887 Primary

  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

• B62D55/21

  Links connected by transverse pivot pins · CPC title