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BR-112023014591-B1 - Treadmill cushion

BR112023014591B1BR 112023014591 B1BR112023014591 B1BR 112023014591B1BR-112023014591-B1

Abstract

TRACK CUSHION. An internal track machine wear measurement system (300) has an ultrasonic probe (302) that is attached to an undercarriage (114) of the machine (100) which is disposed adjacent to a track assembly (126) and a controller (304) that is in communication with the ultrasonic probe (302). The controller (304) is configured to determine the thickness of a load-bearing wall of a track component (200) of the track assembly (126).

Inventors

  • BENJAMIN ISAAC JONES
  • Mircea Dumitru

Assignees

  • CATERPILLAR INC

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20211220
Priority Date
20210125

Claims (10)

  1. 1. Track cushion, characterized in that it comprises: a shoe member (208) including a ground contact surface (204), and defining a track travel direction (210), a lateral direction (212) perpendicular to the track travel direction (210), and a vertical direction (214) perpendicular to the lateral direction (212) and to the track travel direction (210), the shoe member (208) further defining a first lateral end (216), a second lateral end (218), a front end (220) along the track travel direction (210), and a rear end (222) along the track travel direction (210), a lateral distance (224) from the first lateral end (216) to the second lateral end (218), and a width (226) from the front end (220) to the rear end (222) along the track travel direction (210) that is less than lateral distance (224); a first connecting member (228) extending upwards from the shoe member (208) including a first shoulder member (230) extending from the first connecting member (228) in a first direction parallel to the direction of travel of the track (210), a second shoulder member (232) and a third shoulder member (234) extending from the first connecting member (228) in a second direction opposite to the first direction, forming a first fork portion (244); wherein the track cushion (200) includes a load-bearing surface (202), the ground contact surface (204) has no opening and the track cushion (200) defines a coreless inner portion (236) including a flat surface (238) that is arranged laterally and along the direction of travel of the track (210) adjacent to the load-bearing surface (202) and vertically under the bearing surface load (202).
  2. 2. Track cushion, according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a second connecting member (228a) extending upwards from the shoe member (208) including a fourth sloping member (230a) extending from the second connecting member (228a) along the first direction parallel to the direction of travel of the track (210), a fifth sloping member (232a) and a sixth sloping member (234a) extending from the second connecting member (228a) in the second direction opposite to the first direction, forming a second fork portion (254); wherein the first sloping member (230) is disposed laterally between the second sloping member (232) and the third sloping member (234), and the fourth sloping member (230a) is disposed laterally between the fifth sloping member (232a) and the sixth sloping member. (234a).
  3. 3. Track cushion, according to claim 1, characterized in that the first protrusion member (230) defines a first hole (206) defining an axis of rotation (A206) that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the track (210), and the load-bearing surface (202) includes a flat face (240).
  4. 4. Track cushion, according to claim 1, characterized in that the track cushion (200) further comprises a central support portion (242), a first drive shoulder (246), and a second drive shoulder (246a), the load-bearing surface (202) is arranged vertically over the central support portion (242), the first drive shoulder (246) is arranged laterally adjacent to the load-bearing surface (202) towards the first lateral end (216), and the second drive shoulder (246a) is arranged laterally adjacent to the load-bearing surface (202) towards the second lateral end (218).
  5. 5. Track cushion, according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a first lateral intermediate surface disposed laterally between the first drive shoulder and the first connecting member (228), and a second lateral intermediate surface disposed laterally between the second drive shoulder and the second connecting member; wherein the track cushion (200) defines a first opening (250) extending vertically through the first lateral intermediate surface (248) to the inner coreless portion (236), and a second opening (250a) extending vertically through the second lateral intermediate surface (248a) to the inner coreless portion (236), and the central support portion (242) defines a horizontal opening (252) extending through the central support portion (242).
  6. 6. Track cushion, according to claim 5, characterized in that it further includes a first chamfered upper surface (256) extending laterally from the first connecting member (228) to the first lateral end (216), and a second chamfered upper surface (256a) extending laterally from the second connecting member (228a) to the second lateral end (218); wherein the track cushion (200) defines a first lateral opening (258) extending through the first chamfered upper surface (256) to the inner coreless portion (236), and a second lateral opening (258a) extending through the second chamfered upper surface (256a) to the inner coreless portion (236).
  7. 7. Track cushion, according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: an upper surface (260) extending laterally from the first lateral end (216) to the second lateral end (218); wherein the ground contact surface (204) extends uninterruptedly from the first lateral end (216) to the second lateral end (218), and the upper surface (260) includes a flat load-bearing surface (240) that is perpendicular to the vertical direction (214), and the shoe member defines a hollow inner portion (236) that is partially defined by an inner flat surface (238) that is disposed below the first flat load-bearing surface (240).
  8. 8. Track cushion, according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises: a second connecting member (228a) extending upwards from the shoe member (208) including a fourth projection member (230a) extending from the second connecting member (228a) along the first direction parallel to the direction of travel of the track (210), a fifth projection member (232a) and a sixth projection member (234a) extending from the second connecting member (228a) in the second direction opposite to the first direction; and a central support portion (242) disposed laterally between the first connecting member (228) and the second connecting member (228a); wherein the load-bearing surface (202) partially defines the central support portion (242), the hollow inner portion (236) is at least partially defined by a lower inner surface (262) that is disposed vertically below the flat inner surface (238) and the upper surface (260) defines a plurality of openings (250, 250a, 258, 258a) extending through the upper surface (260) to the hollow inner portion (236).
  9. 9. Track cushion, according to claim 8, characterized in that the track cushion (200) defines a minimum vertical height (268) from the load-bearing surface (202) to the flat inner surface (238), the lower inner surface (262) is spaced at a minimum vertical distance (268) from the flat inner surface (238), and a ratio between the vertical height and the minimum vertical distance varies from 1.02 to 1.73.
  10. 10. Track cushion, according to claim 9, characterized in that the minimum vertical distance varies from 66.5 mm to 112.5 mm, and the hollow inner portion (236) has an hourglass configuration extending from the first lateral end (216) to the second lateral end (218) with a narrowed region defined by the minimum vertical distance (266).

Description

FIELD OF TECHNIQUE [001] This disclosure relates to track pads that are used to support heavy equipment, such as cable-operated mechanical excavators, hydraulic mining excavators and the like. Specifically, this disclosure relates to such track pads that allow for the precise measurement of wear on load-bearing surfaces. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION [002] In various mining applications, the track cushion is subjected to heavy loads, requiring the track cushion to be robust. Furthermore, dirt, rocks, debris, and other contaminants can infiltrate various undercarriage components, potentially causing wear on the track cushions. More specifically, the load-bearing surfaces of the track cushion can wear due to repeated rolling contact between the idler wheel, track rollers, and undercarriage sprocket. This can be exacerbated by contaminants infiltrating the rolling contact point between a track cushion and any of these undercarriage components. Eventually, the thickness of the load-bearing structure can become too thin, warranting replacement. It is desirable to monitor this wear and replace the track cushion at planned maintenance intervals to reduce unplanned machine downtime. [003] Current techniques for measuring this wear include comparing the distance from the top surface of a drive shoulder to the load-bearing surface after use and comparing it to the original distance when the track cushion is new. However, the top surface of a drive shoulder is also subject to wear, which can lead to underestimation of wear and unforeseen track problems between planned maintenance intervals. [004] U.S. Patent Applic. Pub. No. 20160023696 A1 discloses a blade shoe for a mining vehicle comprising a first wear surface, a second wear surface positioned opposite the first wear surface, a recess formed within the first wear surface, and including a measuring die formed in a lower portion of the recess. The measuring die is positioned below the first wear surface so that the measuring die is subjected to less service wear than the first wear surface. An approximately linear transmission path may be provided that is configured to receive an ultrasonic signal and extends from the measuring die to the second wear surface. [005] However, since the recess is located on the underside of the track cushion, the track assembly will normally need to be removed and disassembled to allow access to the recess for insertion of an ultrasonic probe to measure wear. Thus, an easier method of measuring wear that does not necessarily require disassembly of the track, etc., is justified. SUMMARY [006] A track pad, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise a shoe member including a ground contact surface and defining a track travel direction, a lateral direction perpendicular to the track travel direction, and a vertical direction perpendicular to both the lateral and track travel directions. The shoe member may further define a first lateral end, a second lateral end, a front end along the track travel direction, and a rear end along the track travel direction, a lateral distance from the first lateral end to the second lateral end, and a width from the front end to the rear end along the track travel direction that is less than the lateral distance. A first connecting member may extend upward from the shoe member, including a first spur member extending from the first connecting member in a direction parallel to the track travel direction, as well as a second spur member and a third spur member, both extending from the first connecting member in a second direction opposite to the first direction, forming a first fork portion. The track cushion includes a load-bearing surface, while the ground contact surface may lack openings, and the track cushion may define a coreless inner portion, including a flat surface that is arranged both laterally and along the direction of track travel adjacent to the load-bearing surface and vertically below the load-bearing surface. [007] A track pad, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise a shoe member including a ground contact surface and defining a track travel direction, a lateral direction perpendicular to the track travel direction, and a vertical direction perpendicular to both the lateral and track travel directions. The shoe member may further define a first lateral end, a second lateral end, a front end along the track travel direction, and a rear end along the track travel direction, a lateral distance from the first lateral end to the second lateral end, and a length from the front end to the rear end along the track travel direction that is less than the lateral distance. An upper surface may extend laterally from the first lateral end to the second lateral end, while the ground contact surface may extend uninterrupted from the first lateral end to the second lateral end. The upper surface may include a flat load-bearing surface that is perpen