Patrick J Palonis

US Patent:

6432010, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Oct 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/694632

Inventors:

Patrick J. Palonis - Warren MI
James A. Capouellez - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

F16H 708

US Classification:

474101, 305144, 305154, 18832219

Abstract:

A dynamic track tension adjuster is connected between the body of a tracked vehicle and an arm-like axle member of the vehicle. The adjuster swings the arm-like member so that a wheel on the axle member engages the vehicles track with differing force. The adjuster includes a cylinder with two pistons extending therefrom and a compressible fluid between the pistons. A motor fixed to the cylinder drives a gear train that includes a transfer gear connected to one of the pistons. A shaft co-axially fixed to the transfer gear threads with a rod such that the rod translates when the shaft rotates. Translation of the rod swings the axle member.