US3578822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamically balanced power transmission
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1969-08-12
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Granted: 1971-05-18
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Expires: 1989-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A rotating power transmission member engaged with a segmented power transmission means is balanced to counteract vibratory torques and forces by three tuned pendulum balance weights spaced 120* apart. A specific application is to a crawler vehicle with tuned pendulums in the track drive, bogey and idler wheel assemblies to balance and counteract vibratory forces and torques transmitted to the wheels by the track. The balance weights are built into each wheel assembly and are tuned to the same order as the number of teeth on the track drive wheel so that the balance weights produce counterforces and countertorques, per revolution, equal to those from the number of track segments, per revolution, causing the imbalance forces and torques. In the case of the idler and bogey wheels, the tuning order is the effective pitch circumference divided by the track pitch.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur J Slemmons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:05
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/10; F16F15/14; B; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/08; B62D55/096; B62D55/0963
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In a crawler vehicle including endless segmented tracks trained around drive, bogey and idler wheel assemblies, the improvement comprising dynamic balancing means for counteracting unbalancing forces including the torsional vibratory forces transmitted to said wheel assemblies by the power source and by directional changes of the track segments, said balancing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced pendulum balances mounted on each wheel assembly and tuned to the same order as the number of track segments carried over the wheel per revolution so that the balances produce counterforces equal to the number of torsional vibrations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a crawler vehicle including endless segmented tracks trained around drive, bogey and idler wheel assemblies, the improvement comprising dynamic balancing means for counteracting unbalancing forces including the torsional vibratory forces transmitted to said wheel assemblies by the power source and by directional changes of the track segments, said balancing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced pendulum balances mounted on each wheel assembly and tuned to the same order as the number of track segments carried over the wheel per revolution so that the balances produce counterforces equal to the number of torsional vibrations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which three pendulum balances are provided and are spaced 120* apart in order to counteract both torsional and lateral unbalancing forces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a crawler vehicle including a drive sprocket wheel assembly and an endless segmented track engaged with said sprocket, the improvement comprising dynamic balancing means for counteracting the torsional vibratory forces transmitted to said sprocket by the power source and by directional changes of the track segments arriving and leaving the sprocket, said balancing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced pendulum balances mounted on said sprocket wheel assembly and tuned to the same number of teeth on the sprocket so that the balances produce the same number of counterforces as the number of track segments moved per revolution of said sprocket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a crawler vehicle including a drive sprocket wheel assembly and an endless segmented track engaged with said sprocket, the improvement comprising dynamic balancing means for counteracting the torsional vibratory forces transmitted to said sprocket by the power source and by directional changes of the track segments arriving and leaving the sprocket, said balancing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced pendulum balances mounted on said sprocket wheel assembly and tuned to the same number of teeth on the sprocket so that the balances produce the same number of counterforces as the number of track segments moved per revolution of said sprocket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which three pendulum balances are provided and are spaced 120* apart in order to react symmetrically against both torsional and lateral forces of imbalance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a crawler vehicle including a drive sprocket, bogey and idler wheels, and an endless segmented track trained around said sprocket, bogey and idler wheels, the improvement comprising individual dynamic balancing means for said wheels, said balancing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced pendulum balances mounted on each wheel, said balances being tuned to the same order as the number of track segments impacting the sprocket per revolution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a crawler vehicle including a drive sprocket, bogey and idler wheels, and an endless segmented track trained around said sprocket, bogey and idler wheels, the improvement comprising individual dynamic balancing means for said wheels, said balancing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced pendulum balances mounted on each wheel, said balances being tuned to the same order as the number of track segments impacting the sprocket per revolution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein three equally spaced pendulum balances are provided.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The torsional vibration absorber of claim 3 wherein said sprocket wheel assembly includes a wheel defining an oPen cavity for said pendulum balances, and a cap closing said cavity to isolate the balances from the operating environment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 and a body of liquid confined in said cavity to lubricate and damp the motion of said pendulum balances.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sprocket wheel assembly includes a sprocket ring, a wheel within the sprocket ring, and resilient means interconnecting said wheel and said sprocket ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sprocket wheel assembly includes two axially spaced sprocket rings, a wheel within said sprocket rings, and resilient means interconnecting each sprocket ring with said wheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each pendulum balance includes an arcuate pendulum weight nested for limited radial movement in the rim portion of the wheel and having arcuate roller recesses parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel, said rim portion defining a complementary recess for each roller recess, the thus confronting rim and weight recesses defining roller races, and a captive roller in each race.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-17 | 1974-11-16 | 1975-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-17 | 1978-11-16 | 1979-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-17 | 1982-11-16 | 1983-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |