Abstract: A sprocket for a chain drive, in particular a timing chain drive for an internal combustion engine, is provided. The sprocket includes a radially outer toothed ring and a damping ring. The damping ring is axially spaced apart from, and radially inside of, the toothed ring. The damping ring has a radially outer surface that is shaped to be complementary to link plates of the timing chain. The design of the sprocket results in the damping ring being subject to practically no wear, being producible from a conventional material, and being economical to produce.

Abstract: A vehicle track module having a frame, the module mountable on a rotatable axle of a vehicle and having a drive wheel rotatably mounted to the frame, leading and trailing idler wheels rotatably mounted to the frame, at least one bogie wheel in contact with the track and positioned between the idler wheels, and a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels, and the at least one bogie wheel is a cylindrical wheel with a tapered elastomeric tire therearound. The track module may include a module center plane parallel to the drive wheel and the bogie wheel may be thicker toward the center plane. A track assembly for a vehicle including a frame for mounting with respect to the vehicle and a plurality of wheels in contact with a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels with at least one wheel being cylindrical and including a tapered elastomeric tire.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention relates to a road wheel comprising a mounting disc, a dish-shaped transitional wall having an outer edge, a rim with an annular cylindrical wall attached along a first rim edge to the outer edge of the transitional wall, and a stiffening flange attached to the rim along a second rim edge opposite the first rim edge wherein the flange provides radial support to the second rim edge of the cylindrical wall to resist deflection.

Abstract: Undercarriage assembly components of track-type machines having a metallurgically bonded wear-resistant coating and methods for forming such coated undercarriage assembly components is taught herein. The bodies of the undercarriage assembly components, formed of an iron-based alloy, have a hard metal alloy slurry disposed on a surface or into an undercut or channel and then fused to form a metallurgical bond with the iron-based alloy. The wear-resistant coating comprises a fused, metal alloy comprising at least 60% iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof. The portion of the outer surface of the undercarriage assembly components having the wear-resistant coating corresponds to a wear surface of the component during operation of the endless track of the track-type vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle track module having a frame, the module mountable on a rotatable axle of a vehicle and having a drive wheel rotatably mounted to the frame, leading and trailing idler wheels rotatably mounted to the frame, at least one bogie wheel in contact with the track and positioned between the idler wheels, and a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels, and the at least one bogie wheel is a cylindrical wheel with a tapered elastomeric tire therearound. The track module may include a module center plane parallel to the drive wheel and the bogie wheel may be thicker toward the center plane. A track assembly for a vehicle including a frame for mounting with respect to the vehicle and a plurality of wheels in contact with a continuous flexible track extending about the wheels with at least one wheel being cylindrical and including a tapered elastomeric tire.

Abstract: A track pad is disclosed for use in a track system of a tracked machine. The track system includes a plurality of track guiding rollers having annular engagement surfaces. The track pad includes a pad body having a wear surface, and a rail surface opposite the wear surface adapted for complementary positioning with at least one track guiding roller. The rail surface includes a profile that is convex or concave. The profile is adapted to complement the at least one track guiding roller, which presents a profile that is the other of convex or concave.

Abstract: A wheel for a track assembly of a tracked vehicle, such as, for example, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a snowmobile, a construction vehicle or an agricultural vehicle. The wheel in use is one of a plurality of wheels of the track assembly. The track assembly comprises an endless track disposed around the plurality of wheels, comprising an inner side for facing the plurality of wheels and a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground. The wheel comprises a wheel body comprising a hub portion, a rim portion, and a radially-extending portion between the hub portion and the rim portion. The wheel also comprises a covering on the body. The covering in use contacts the endless track's inner side. A material of the covering is different from a material of the wheel body. The wheel body and the covering may be mechanically interlocked.

Abstract: A sprocket for a tracked vehicle. The sprocket has a plurality of sockets for engaging drive lugs on an inner surface of a track driven by the sprocket. The sprocket also including a support surface for engaging with an inner surface of the track and which is in rolling contact with the inner surface of the track.

Abstract: A continuous flexible track for extending about a plurality of aligned wheels on a vehicle or track module, the track includes an outer ground-engaging surface and an inner wheel-engaging surface having inwardly-projecting wheel-engaging lugs. Each lug has a proximal end, a distal surface, front and back surfaces and opposite side surfaces. Each lug further includes a flex-groove extending between the side surfaces and from the distal surface toward the proximal end, thereby dividing the lug into two portions to allow around-wheel hinging motion. In most preferred embodiments, a lug-receiving cap may be positioned over and replaceably secured with respect to each lug. A method for prolonging the useful life of such a track is provided.

Abstract: Undercarriage assembly components of track-type machines having a metallurgically bonded wear-resistant coating and methods for forming such coated undercarriage assembly components is taught herein. The bodies of the undercarriage assembly components, formed of an iron-based alloy, have a hard metal alloy slurry disposed on a surface or into an undercut or channel and then fused to form a metallurgical bond with the iron-based alloy. The wear-resistant coating comprises a fused, metal alloy comprising at least 60% iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof. The portion of the outer surface of the undercarriage assembly components having the wear-resistant coating corresponds to a wear surface of the component during operation of the endless track of the track-type vehicle.

Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to tank wheel assembly systems, methods, and apparatus. In one embodiment, a tank wheel assembly includes a first wheel and a second wheel. A first face of the first wheel faces a second face of the second wheel. A guide tunnel is defined by at least a portion of the first face and at least a portion of the second face. The guide tunnel has outer surfaces and is configured to receive a center guide of a tank tread. The guide tunnel and center guide at least partially maintain the tank tread of the tank wheel assembly. A wear resistant coating is located on at least a portion of the outer surfaces of the guide tunnel, restricts the center guide of the tank tread from abrading the outer surfaces of the guide tunnel, and has a thickness of at least about 0.025 inch.

Abstract: A segmented wear ring 40 for a tracked vehicle 10 road wheel 22 that cooperates with a track guide 32. The segmented wear ring 40 has at least two wear ring segments 42, and each of the wear ring segments 42 have a wear surface 50. The wear ring segments 42 are attached to a tracked vehicle wheel 22 such that the wear surfaces of each of the wear ring segments 42 form a substantially uninterrupted wear surface 50 designed to cooperate with a track guide 32.

Abstract: An idler having an axis of rotation. The idler may include a hub with a flange. A plurality of rim members are positioned along a perimeter of the flange and have generally axially facing, opposite side surfaces. At least one of the side surfaces has a first interlocking formation. A clamping plate is connected to the flange. The clamping plate has a second interlocking formation coupled with the first interlocking formation. A dampening member interposes the first and second interlocking formations.

Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

Abstract: A wheel for a track assembly of a tracked vehicle, such as, for example, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a snowmobile, a construction vehicle or an agricultural vehicle. The wheel in use is one of a plurality of wheels of the track assembly. The track assembly comprises an endless track disposed around the plurality of wheels, comprising an inner side for facing the plurality of wheels and a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground. The wheel comprises a wheel body comprising a hub portion, a rim portion, and a radially-extending portion between the hub portion and the rim portion. The wheel also comprises a covering on the body. The covering in use contacts the endless track's inner side. A material of the covering is different from a material of the wheel body. The wheel body and the covering may be mechanically interlocked.

Abstract: A segmented wear ring 40 for a tracked vehicle 10 road wheel 22 that cooperates with a track guide 32. The segmented wear ring 40 has at least two wear ring segments 42, and each of the wear ring segments 42 have a wear surface 50. The wear ring segments 42 are attached to a tracked vehicle wheel 22 such that the wear surfaces of each of the wear ring segments 42 form a substantially uninterrupted wear surface 50 designed to cooperate with a track guide 32.

Abstract: Wear protectors for protecting guide and/or drive lugs of an endless track for traction of an off-road vehicle. Each wear protector comprises a cover shaped to cover at least part of a periphery of a lug. A fastener may be used to fasten the cover to the lug. The cover may comprise an aperture for admitting the fastener such that the fastener extends inside the lug and is capable of being put in a state of tension, allowing elastomeric material of the lug to be in a state of compression. The cover may comprise a pair of covering members separate from one another and respectively covering at least part of opposite surfaces of the lug. The fastener may extend through the lug and interconnect the covering members.

Abstract: An idler for use on a tracked vehicle of the type having a track that includes a plurality of track links joined together, which track links pass around the idler. The idler includes a plurality of generally flat surfaces that come into contact with corresponding generally flat surfaces on the track links as the track links pass around the idler. Reduced wear results. The generally flat surfaces on the idler may be provided by removable wear plates.

Abstract: Undercarriage assembly components of track-type machines having a PTA welded wear-resistant coating and methods for forming such coated undercarriage assembly components are disclosed. Bodies of the undercarriage assembly components, formed of an iron-based alloy, have a material PTA welded on a surface or into an undercut or channel of the iron-based alloy. A heat treatment of the formed component further hardens the body. The portion of the outer surface of the undercarriage assembly components having the wear-resistant coating corresponds to a wear surface of the component during operation of the endless track of the track-type vehicle.

Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.

Abstract: A sprocket, a system and a method for using the sprocket have a chain drive for moving a chain of the earth moving equipment in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction. The chain drive has a sprocket having teeth for engaging and/or for moving the chain of the earth moving equipment. Bushings attach to the teeth of the sprocket by pins and holes extending through the teeth of the sprocket. A ring attaches to a first cylinder and/or a second cylinder of the chain drive. The bushings of the sprocket exert and/or apply a force to bushings of the chain for moving the earth moving equipment on the surface. The ring of the first cylinder and/or the second cylinder contact and/or apply a force to plates which are attached to shoes of the chain. The bushings of the sprocket, the ring of the first cylinder, the ring of the second cylinder and/or the plates prevent damage to, prevents weakening of and/or prevents destruction of the chain by the chain drive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crawler used for transporting the caterpillar vehicles for construction, civil engineering, agricultural use or the like. More particularly this invention relates to a structure of a tension member of the crawler, in which a plurality of tension members concentrically wound are juxtaposedly inserted in the traversing direction of the crawler, and therefore the tension member is prevented from being delaminated and the durability and the workability and productivity can be more improved. The present invention is characterized in that each of the tension members is concentrically wound several times, and the wound members are arranged juxtaposedly in the traversing direction of the crawler, thereby forming the tension members in the form of plural layers.

Abstract: Rubber crawler equipment (1) capable of reducing the weight and cost of a rubber crawler, and providing a lightweight and fast drive for tires and crawlers, wherein core members (5) formed of plastic material instead of metal are embedded in a rubber crawler (2), and the rubber crawler (2) is suspendedly installed on tires (3, 4), whereby the rubber crawler (2) can be easily attached and detached, and the extension thereof can be adjusted by regulating the internal pressure of a hollow tire (3).

Abstract: A hollow-shell road wheel for tracked vehicles includes a generally triangular, outer circumferential cavity formed by an outer rim and two wall members that extend radially inward at angles to a generally planar flange at approximately the mid-radius point of the hollow-shell road wheel. A series of hollow-shell road wheels assembled in a back-to-back configuration support the tracked-vehicle and act as guides for the track of the tracked-vehicle.

Abstract: A track pin bushing for cooperating with a track pin in an endless track has a tubular body with a metallurgically bonded wear-resistant coating and a method for forming such a coated track pin bushing is taught herein. The tubular body, formed of an iron-based alloy, has an outer surface that is carburized and quenched, i.e., case-hardened, in at least a section thereof. At least a portion of the case hardened section has been removed to a depth sufficient to expose a non-carburized layer of the iron-based alloy. A hard metal alloy slurry is disposed on the non-carburized layer and forms a metallurgical bond between the non-carburized layer and the coated unfused slurry by fusing the hard metal alloy. The thickness of the unfused slurry is adjusted to be from 1.67 to 2.0 times a final thickness of the wear-resistant coating. The wear-resistant coating comprises a fused, metal alloy comprising at least 60% iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof.

Abstract: Each crawler shoe comprises a main body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposite lateral sides and opposite front and rear sides. Each crawler shoe further includes a mechanism on the main body for articulately and releasably connecting the crawler shoe to an adjacent crawler shoe. Each crawler shoe further includes a roller path on the upper surface of the main body and drive lugs attached to the upper surface of the main body on opposite sides of the roller path. Each crawler shoe further includes an upward extending peening portion so that when a downward force is applied to the peening portion, unrestricted metal flow at the peening portion can occur in a first horizontal direction and in a second horizontal direction greater than 45 degrees from the first horizontal direction. More particularly, the peening portion is greater than 0.1 inch tall, and, in the preferred embodiment, about 0.25 inches tall.

Abstract: A crawler belt type traveling system which ensures improved durability in the portions near road wheel rolling contact sections. The system comprises crawler belts formed from an elastic material such as rubber and road wheels attached to a vehicle body. Each crawler belt has core bars embedded therein so as to be aligned at specified intervals in a longitudinal direction of the crawler belt. Each core bar has a pair of guide projections at the center thereof with respect to a widthwise direction of the crawler belt, the pair of guide projections being aligned in a widthwise direction of the crawler belt. Provided at both sides of the pair of guide projections are road wheel rolling contact sections. Each road wheel comes into contact with the road wheel rolling contact sections, for supporting each crawler belt.

Abstract: A protective cover member for a guide block on a drive belt includes an inner portion shaped to substantially conform to at least a portion of the outer surface of the guide block. The cover member is attached to the guide block by bonding the cover member to the guide block, mechanical fasteners such as screws or bolts, and/or using an interference design whereby the cover member is retained by frictional forces or by snapping around a portion of the guide block. The outer surface of the cover member is shaped and sized to be engaged by drive members associated with a drive wheel. The cover member may be constructed of material that is capable of withstanding higher temperatures and forces compared to the material of the guide blocks.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a protective cover member for a guide block on a drive belt includes an inner portion shaped to substantially conform to at least a portion of the outer surface of the guide block. The cover member is attached to the guide block using suitable attachment means such as bonding the cover member to the guide block, mechanical fasteners such as screws or bolts, and/or using an interference design whereby the cover member is retained by frictional forces or by snapping around a portion of the guide block. The outer surface of the cover member is shaped and sized to be engaged by drive members associated with a drive wheel. The cover member may be constructed of material that is capable of withstanding higher temperatures and forces compared to the material of the guide blocks.

Abstract: Endless track laying work machines are provided with a pair of track laying assemblies positioned on opposite sides of the work machine. Each track laying assembly includes an endless rubber belt entrained around a drive wheel, an idler wheel, and a plurality of mid-rollers. The present mid-roller includes a rotatable member that is positioned between individual roller segments and the guide blocks that are positioned on the inner surface of the endless rubber belt. With the rotatable member in this position, the differential angular velocity between points of contact between the rubber belt and the mid-rollers is compensated for by rotating the rotatable member independent of the individual roller segments. Thus, increasing the life of the individual drive components.

Abstract: A self-propelled implement, preferably a combine or chopper, with a track belt drive shall be designed in such a way, that the wear of the track belts is reduced during shifting caused by cornering. The drive wheels and the idler pulleys of the track belt drive are equipped on both sides of the guide elements of the track belts with freely pivoting rollers, whose turning axes are perpendicular to the axles of the track drive. They are set into motion during contact with the guide elements, thus eliminating friction.

Abstract: A cogged component, especially a wheel, rack, pinion, spline, or similar structure, intended for the mechanical transmission of force. The body is of a composite reinforced with carbon fibers. The body is, in accordance with the invention, of fiber-reinforced ceramic comprising a lattice of essentially continuous carbon fibers and a matrix that contains carbon. The fibers in the lattice are sheathed in silicon carbide formed essentially by liquid silicon infiltrating the lattice and reacting with the carbon in the matrix. The cogs are constructed either of a similar fiber-reinforced ceramic with a load-accommodating fiber orientation or of a monolithic ceramic.

Abstract: A track system for a track vehicle which has a crawler chain and a driving sprocket wheel. The chain has links each of which has a pin assembly with a bushing or one piece bolt the outer periphery of which at least is composed of a material consisting of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 silicon nitride or a zirconium oxide with at most 15% of sintering additives. The driving sprocket wheel can have segments formed with the teeth and bolted to a disk, the segments being composed of a material consisting of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 silicon nitride or zirconium oxide with less than 15% of sintering additives.

Abstract: A drive system for a caterpillar track (30) comprises a drive wheel (1) with rubber-mounted drive bodies (10) fixed thereto, the drive bodies (10) engaging the guide tooth root (65) of the chain link member (52). The flank (51) of the guide tooth (32) is of a particular geometrical configuration in order to provide a long operating life for the rubber mounting means (21) of the drive body (10) by virtue of a small angle of rotational movement of the rubber casing (21).

Abstract: A crawler belt for use on a crawler motor vehicle has an elongate belt body drivable in a predetermined direction, and a plurality of ridges mounted on a ground contact side of the belt body, each of the ridges having at least one sipe defined in a free end thereof for allowing the ridge to be flexibly deformable in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Each of the ridges has a plurality of sipes defined therein and extending longitudinally thereof or substantially perpendicularly to the predetermined direction. The ridges comprise a plurality of chevron-shaped ridges pointing toward the predetermined direction and succesively arranged at predetermined spaced intervals in the predetermined direction. The ridges are divided into a plurality of groups each including a plurality of ridges by grooves extending transversely of the belt body, and divided into a plurality of segments by at least one longitudinal groove extending longitudinally of the belt body.

Abstract: A vehicle drive includes pneumatic tires mounted on rims and includes a track which is engaged by and cooperates with the tires. Tire-supporting elements on the track position the tires on the track. Also, the tires, on at least the surfaces which come into contact with the tire-supporting elements, have an outer rubber layer which has a high wear resistance and low friction properties and in which 50-100% is butadiene rubber.