Track drive mode management system and methods
A method for managing a drive mode of a tracked vehicle, comprising the step of reading an output of a sensor and in response to the output of the sensor performing a control action to manage the drive mode of the vehicle.
1. A track for traction of a vehicle, the track being elastomeric and mountable around a plurality of wheels to move about the wheels, the track comprising:
a ground-engaging outer surface;
an inner surface opposite to the ground-engaging outer surface; and
a sensor.
2. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed within elastomeric material of the track.
3. The track of claim 1 , wherein: the track comprises a plurality of projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface and the inner surface; and at least part of the sensor is located between the ground-engaging outer surface and the inner surface.
4. The track of claim 1 , wherein: the track comprises a plurality of projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface and the inner surface; and at least part of the sensor is located in a given one of the projections.
5. The track of claim 4 , wherein: the projections include traction projections projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface and wheel-contacting projections projecting from the inner surface; and the given one of the projections is a given one of the wheel-contacting projections.
6. The track of claim 5 , wherein: the wheels include a drive wheel for driving the track; the wheel-contacting projections include drive projections configured to engage the drive wheel; and the given one of the wheel-contacting projections is a given one of the drive projections.
7. The track of claim 1 , wherein: the wheels include a drive wheel for driving the track; and the sensor is configured to sense an interaction between the track and the drive wheel.
8. The track of claim 7 , wherein the interaction between the track and the drive wheel is slippage between the track and the drive wheel.
9. The track of claim 7 , wherein the interaction between the track and the drive wheel is a force between the track and the drive wheel.
10. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a wireless sensor.
11. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.
12. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a strain sensor.
13. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a signal.
14. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to output a signal processable by a processing apparatus to perform an action related to the vehicle.
15. The track of claim 14 , wherein the action related to the vehicle is an action controlling the vehicle.
16. The track of claim 15 , wherein the action controlling the vehicle is an action controlling a tracked undercarriage of the vehicle that includes the track and the wheels.
17. The track of claim 16 , wherein the action controlling the tracked undercarriage is an action controlling power applied to the tracked undercarriage.
18. The track of claim 17 , wherein: the wheels comprise a drive wheel for driving the track; and the action controlling power applied to the tracked undercarriage is an action controlling power applied to the drive wheel.
19. The track of claim 16 , wherein: the tracked undercarriage is configured to drive the track in a plurality of drive modes that includes a friction drive mode and a positive drive mode; and the action controlling the tracked undercarriage is an action controlling in which of the drive modes the track is driven.
20. The track of claim 16 , wherein: the tracked undercarriage comprises a tensioner for tensioning the track; and the action controlling the tracked undercarriage is an action controlling the tensioner.
21. The track of claim 14 , wherein: the signal is a sensor signal; and the action related to the vehicle is issuance of a control signal to a component of the vehicle to control the component of the vehicle.
22. The track of claim 21 , wherein the component of the vehicle is a tracked undercarriage that includes the track and the wheels.
23. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to output a signal processable by a processing apparatus to convey information to a user.
24. The track of claim 23 , wherein the signal is processable by the processing apparatus to display the information to the user.
25. The track of claim 23 , wherein the signal is processable by the processing apparatus to convey the information to the user on a console of the vehicle.
26. The track of claim 23 , wherein the signal is processable by the processing apparatus to convey the information to the user on a device distinct from a console of the vehicle.
27. The track of claim 23 , wherein the information to the user is conveyed automatically in response to an event.
28. The track of claim 27 , wherein the event is indicative of potential failure of part of the track.
29. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to output a signal processable to generate information regarding the track.
30. The track of claim 29 , wherein the information regarding the track comprises information regarding usage of the track.
31. The track of claim 30 , wherein the information regarding usage of the track comprises information regarding a period of time that the track has been used.
32. The track of claim 29 , wherein the information regarding the track is directed to a manufacturer of at least one of the track and the vehicle.
33. The track of claim 32 , wherein the information regarding the track is useful in considering a warranty of the track.
34. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a piezoelectric element.
35. The track of claim 34 , wherein the piezoelectric element is configured to power the sensor.
36. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an induction antenna to power the sensor.
37. The track of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a first sensor and the track comprises a second sensor.
38. A tracked undercarriage for traction of a vehicle, the tracked undercarriage comprising a plurality of wheels and the track of claim 1 .
39. A vehicle comprising the track of claim 1 .
40. An apparatus for use in respect of a vehicle comprising a track for traction of the vehicle, the track being elastomeric and mounted around a plurality of wheels to move about the wheels, the track comprising a ground-engaging outer surface, an inner surface opposite to the ground-engaging outer surface, and a sensor, the apparatus comprising:
a receiver to receive a signal output by the sensor; and
a processing device configured to perform an action based on the signal output by the sensor.
41. The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the action is to control the vehicle.
42. The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the action is to convey information to a user.
43. The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the action is to convey information regarding the track.
44. A machine-readable storage medium storing software for use in respect of a vehicle comprising a track for traction of the vehicle, the track being elastomeric and mounted around a plurality of wheels to move about the wheels, the track comprising a ground-engaging outer surface, an inner surface opposite to the ground-engaging outer surface, and a sensor, wherein the software, when executed by a processing entity, causes the processing entity to:
receive data derived from the sensor of the track; and
perform an action based on the data derived from the sensor.
45. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 44 , wherein the action is to control the vehicle.
46. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 44 , wherein the action is to convey information to a user.
47. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 44 , wherein the action is to convey information regarding the track.
48. A method for use in respect of a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a track for traction of the vehicle, the track being elastomeric and mounted around a plurality of wheels to move about the wheels, the track comprising a ground-engaging outer surface, an inner surface opposite to the ground-engaging outer surface, and a sensor; and
causing an action related to the vehicle to be performed based on a signal output by the sensor.