Hydraulic chain tensioning means for tensioning the crawler chains of crawler vehicles

US5738421A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Krupp Fordertechnik GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Helmut Neymans · Moers, DE
• Michael Schmitz · Ulm, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 20, 1995
• Grant date: Apr 14, 1998
• Expiry date: Sep 20, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D55/30
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A hydraulic chain tensioning means for automatically tensioning the chains of crawler vehicles equipped with two-, four- or eight-wheel articulated suspension means comprises essentially two tensioning cylinders (1.1 and 1.2) and a plurality of valves (3). The two tensioning cylinders (1.1 and 1.2) are interconnected by way of ducts (4) and connected by further ducts (5) to the valves (3). The tensioning cylinders (1.1 and 1.2) are fitted to the chassis (10) of the crawler vehicle and the leading wheel of the crawler vehicle bears against the piston rods (1.1K and 1.2K) of the tensioning cylinders (1.1 and 1.2). Parallel to the tensioning cylinders (1.1 and 1.2) a soft spring (piston-type accumulator 6) is connected so that at the beginning of the chain tensioning means being put under load only a minor pressure rise occurs in the tensioning cylinders (1.1 and 1.2).