US3901563A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydromechanical recoil and track adjuster system
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-17
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A hydromechanical adjusting and recoil apparatus for use with crawler vehicles and the like. The apparatus automatically adjusts the tension in the track of the vehicle and accommodates passage of foreign objects by means of momentary recoil for preventing breaking of the chain and associated elements. The track tension is maintained by adjustment of a reciprocably supported idler wheel which is connected to the adjusting and recoil apparatus to provide the desired automatic control of the track tension. The apparatus includes hydraulically operated pistons for controlling the force applied to the idler. The apparatus utilizes a spring for accumulating transient force energy and automatically returning the apparatus to the normal operating condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis M Day
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:52
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/08; B62D55/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An adjusting and recoil apparatus comprising: cylinder means defining first and second chambers; a first piston reciprocable in said first chamber for adjusting and accommodating recoil from a movable element; a second piston reciprocable in said second chamber; means biasing said second piston inwardly; means for providing fluid at a preselected pressure to said first chamber for urging said first piston outwardly; means providing a flow passage from said first chamber to said second chamber including a pressure regulating valve permitting fluid flow from said first chamber to said second chamber to urge said second piston outwardly against the biasing of said biasing means only when the pressure in said first chamber is caused to be a relief pressure substantially above said preselected pressure, forces from said movable element being accommodated by said fluid in said first chamber when the pressure is below said relief pressure; and means for providing a return flow of fluid from said second chamber to said first chamber as a result of the fluid pressure in said second chamber caused by the biasing of said second piston by said biasing means causing said second piston to provide a pressure in said second chamber exceeding the fluid pressure in said first chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
An adjusting and recoil apparatus comprising: cylinder means defining first and second chambers; a first piston reciprocable in said first chamber for adjusting and accommodating recoil from a movable element; a second piston reciprocable in said second chamber; means biasing said second piston inwardly; means for providing fluid at a preselected pressure to said first chamber for urging said first piston outwardly; means providing a flow passage from said first chamber to said second chamber including a pressure regulating valve permitting fluid flow from said first chamber to said second chamber to urge said second piston outwardly against the biasing of said biasing means only when the pressure in said first chamber is caused to be a relief pressure substantially above said preselected pressure, forces from said movable element being accommodated by said fluid in said first chamber when the pressure is below said relief pressure; and means for providing a return flow of fluid from said second chamber to said first chamber as a result of the fluid pressure in said second chamber caused by the biasing of said second piston by said biasing means causing said second piston to provide a pressure in said second chamber exceeding the fluid pressure in said first chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow passage and pressure relief means are disposed within said cylinder means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means biasing said second piston comprises a spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cylinder means includes a dividing wall, said chambers extending oppositely outwardly from said wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
239 words
A track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus comprising: a cylinder having wall means defining first and second chambers; a first piston reciprocable in said first chamber for movement by a track idler means; a second piston reciprocable in said second chamber; means biasing said second piston inwardly; means for providing fluid at a preselected pressure to said first chamber for urging said first piston outwardly to apply a track tensioning force to the idler; means providing a flow passage from said first chamber to said second chamber including a pressure regulating valve permitting fluid flow from said first chamber to said second chamber to urge said second piston outwardly against the biasing of said biasing means only when the pressure in said first chamber is caused to be a relief pressure substantially above said preselected pressure, forces from said movable element being accommodated by said fluid in said first chamber when the pressure is below said relief pressure; and means for providing a return flow of fluid from said second chamber to said first chamber as a result of the fluid pressure in said second chamber caused by the biasing of said second piston by said biasing means causing said second piston to provide a pressure in said second chamber exceeding the fluid pressure in said first chamber and permitting said means for providing fluid to said first chamber to maintain the track tensioning force on the idler means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
239 words
A track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus comprising: a cylinder having wall means defining first and second chambers; a first piston reciprocable in said first chamber for movement by a track idler means; a second piston reciprocable in said second chamber; means biasing said second piston inwardly; means for providing fluid at a preselected pressure to said first chamber for urging said first piston outwardly to apply a track tensioning force to the idler; means providing a flow passage from said first chamber to said second chamber including a pressure regulating valve permitting fluid flow from said first chamber to said second chamber to urge said second piston outwardly against the biasing of said biasing means only when the pressure in said first chamber is caused to be a relief pressure substantially above said preselected pressure, forces from said movable element being accommodated by said fluid in said first chamber when the pressure is below said relief pressure; and means for providing a return flow of fluid from said second chamber to said first chamber as a result of the fluid pressure in said second chamber caused by the biasing of said second piston by said biasing means causing said second piston to provide a pressure in said second chamber exceeding the fluid pressure in said first chamber and permitting said means for providing fluid to said first chamber to maintain the track tensioning force on the idler means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 5 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 5 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring mounted exteriorly of said cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 5 wherein said fluid providing means comprises a pressure regulated pump means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 5 wherein said fluid providing means includes check valve means for preventing fluid flow from said first chamber to said fluid providing means when inward urging of said first piston by said track idler means causes the fluid pressure in said first chamber to exceed said preselected pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for providing a return flow comprises a passage through said wall means provided with a check valve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 5 wherein means are provided for venting the spaces in said cylinder outwardly of said pistons.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pressure regulating valve includes a movable valve member received in a recess, spring means biasing the movable valve member outwardly from said recess to a closed condition, and means for venting the recess inwardly of the movable valve member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pressure regulating valve includes a movable valve member received in a recess, spring means biasing the movable valve member outwardly from said recess to a closed condition, and means for venting the recess inwardly of the movable valve member to said fluid providing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The track idler adjusting and recoil apparatus of claim 5 wherein said wall means comprises a dividing wall extending transversely across said cylinder.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |