TRACK SYSTEM
A track system includes an attachment assembly, a frame assembly connected to the attachment assembly including at least one wheel-bearing frame member. The track system further has leading and trailing idler wheel assemblies at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member, at least one support wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member, an endless track extending around the leading idler wheel assembly, the trailing idler wheel assembly, and the at least one support wheel assembly. At least one monitoring sensor connected to the endless track and including an array of sensing devices communicates with a track system controller for determining, at least indirectly, at least one of a state of the track system and a ground surface condition.
1 . A track system for use with a vehicle having a chassis, the track system comprising:
an attachment assembly connectable to the chassis of the vehicle;
a frame assembly disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected to the attachment assembly, the frame assembly including at least one wheel-bearing frame member;
a leading idler wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member;
a trailing idler wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member;
at least one support wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member and disposed between the leading idler wheel assembly and the trailing idler wheel assembly;
an endless track extending around the leading idler wheel assembly, the trailing idler wheel assembly, and the at least one support wheel assembly;
at least one monitoring sensor embedded into the endless track, the at least one monitoring sensor including an array of sensing devices and being configured to generate at least one signal, the at least one monitoring sensor determining a state of the ground condition; and
a track system controller communicating with the at least one monitoring sensor for receiving the at least one signal indicative of the state of the track system.
2 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor further determining a state of the endless track.
3 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor is configured to generate a first signal indicative of a load parameter supported by the endless track.
4 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor includes at least one of strain gauges and load cells.
5 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor is configured to generate a second signal indicative of a vibration parameter undergone by the endless track.
6 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor includes at least one of an accelerometer and an inclinometer.
7 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor is configured to generate a third signal indicative of a temperature parameter of the endless track.
8 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor includes at least one of a thermocouple and a thermistor.
9 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor is a flexible mat structured and dimensioned to extend over a majority of a width of the endless track.
10 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor is structured and dimensioned to extend along a majority of a length of the endless track.
11 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor includes a flexible foil connected to an inner surface of the endless track.
12 . The track system of claim 11 , wherein the flexible foil is structured and dimensioned to extend over a minority of a width of the endless track.
13 . The track system of claim 11 , wherein the flexible foil is structured and dimensioned to extend along a majority of a length of the endless track.
14 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor includes first and second flexible foils, the first foil is connected to an inward portion of the inner surface of the endless track, and the second foil is connected to an outward portion of the inner surface of the endless track.
15 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor is connected to the endless track after a manufacturing of the endless track.
16 . The track system of claim 1 , wherein:
the attachment assembly includes a multi-pivot assembly having a first pivot extending longitudinally and defining a roll pivot axis of the track system, the frame assembly being pivotable about the roll pivot axis, and a second pivot extending vertically and defining a yaw pivot axis of the track system, the frame assembly being pivotable about the yaw pivot axis;
the track system further includes at least one actuator connected between the attachment assembly and the frame assembly for pivoting the frame assembly about at least one of the roll pivot axis and the yaw pivot axis; and
the track system controller is configured to connect to and to control the operation of the at least one actuator based on the at least one of the state of the track system and the ground surface condition.
17 . A vehicle comprising first and second track systems as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the track system controller of the first track system is at least indirectly connected to the track system controller of the second track system for receiving the at least one signal indicative of the at least one of the state of the track system and the ground surface condition determined by the at least one monitoring sensor of the second track system.
18 . A track system for use with a vehicle having a chassis, the track system comprising:
an attachment assembly connectable to the chassis of the vehicle;
a frame assembly disposed laterally outwardly from the attachment assembly and connected to the attachment assembly, the frame assembly including at least one wheel-bearing frame member;
a leading idler wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member;
a trailing idler wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member;
at least one support wheel assembly at least indirectly connected to the at least one wheel-bearing frame member and disposed between the leading idler wheel assembly and the trailing idler wheel assembly;
an endless track extending around the leading idler wheel assembly, the trailing idler wheel assembly, and the at least one support wheel assembly;
at least one monitoring sensor embedded into the endless track, the at least one monitoring sensor including an array of sensing devices and being configured to generate at least one signal, the at least one monitoring sensor determining a state of the endless track; and
a track system controller communicating with the at least one monitoring sensor for receiving the at least one signal indicative of the state of the endless track.
19 . The track system of claim 18 , wherein the at least one monitoring sensor further determining a state of the ground condition.