US008113597B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,113,597 B2

Grenzi (45) Date of Patent: Feb. 14, 2012
(54) TRACKJOINT SEAL SYSTEM 4,295,654. A * 10/1981 Kawamura et al. ........... 277/38O
4,819,999 A * 4/1989 Livesay et al. ......... ... 305,103
(75) Inventor: Francesco Grenzi, Ferrara (IT) 5,826,884 A * 10/1998 Anderton et al. ............. 277 396
(73) Assignee: Berco S.p.A., Copparo Ferrara (IT) 6,102.408 A 8, 2000 Anderton
6,105,969 A 8, 2000 Anderton
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 6,846,051 B2 * 1/2005 Bottom et al. ................ 305,202
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 7,597.410 B2 * 10/2009 Mulligan et al. ... ... 305,103
U.S.C. 154(b) by 245 days. 7,845,740 B2 * 12/2010 Dahlheimer .................. 305,102
(21) Appl. No.: 12/449,163 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
EP 1853.36 A2 * 6, 1986
(22) PCT Filed: Dec. 21, 2007 EP O953. 497 A 11, 1999
(86). PCT No.: PCT/B2007/OO4130
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
S371 (c)(1),
(2), (4) Date: Aug. 21, 2009 PCT Search Report Dated Apr. 11, 2008.
(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2008/093160 * cited by examiner
PCT Pub. Date: Aug. 7, 2008
(65) Prior Publication Data Primary Examiner — Kip TKotter
US 2010/0090523 A1 Apr. 15, 2010 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Hedman & Costigan; James
V. Costigan
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data
Jan. 30, 2007 (IT) .............................. MI2OO7AO 147 (57) ABSTRACT
(51) Int. Cl. A track joint seal system comprises a pin (43) having, at each
B62D 55/88 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. Cl. ......... 305/104; 30.5/106: 305/202; 277/381
end, a first track link (41) rotatably coupled to the pin by
means of interposition of a bushing (49) and an end element
(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 305/100, (42) coupled to the end of the pin (43); the end element (42)
305/103, 104,105,106, 200, 202, 203, 204; comprises an annular seat (57) bearing, housed, a seal group
277/377,381, 382 (56) cooperating with the bushing (49) to make the sealing of
See application file for complete search history.
the joint; the bushing (49) is provided at the end with an
(56) References Cited annular head seat (58), provided to house abushing insert (53)
provided with an abutment surface (48) destined to be in
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS contact with a seal portion (47) of the seal group (56).
2,599,034 A * 6/1952 Wilkinson .................... 277/377
3,392,984. A * 7/1968 Reinsma et al. . 277/38O
3,480,338 A * 1 1/1969 Burk et al. .................... 305,103 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent Feb. 14, 2012 Sheet 1 of 9 US 8,113,597 B2

NASL
SN
3
(234.
2 1

Fig. 1
Prior Art
U.S. Patent Feb. 14, 2012 Sheet 2 of 9 US 8,113,597 B2

/7
U.S. Patent Feb. 14, 2012 Sheet 3 of 9 US 8,113,597 B2

A2.

pe r { a was a a a a to a pers was sea ea a a

Fig. 3
Prior Art
U.S. Patent Feb. 14, 2012 Sheet 4 of 9

Prior Art
U.S. Patent Feb. 14, 2012 Sheet 5 Of 9 US 8,113,597 B2

N
4.

Sar N
NYE
NéNN
U.S. Patent Feb. 14, 2012 Sheet 6 of 9 US 8,113,597 B2

N2 45
4.
N
NTE
y

49 41 42 43 54
U.S. Patent Feb. 14, 2012 Sheet 7 of 9 US 8,113,597 B2

49 41 51 58 52 56 46 57

Fig. 7
U.S. Patent Feb. 14, 2012 Sheet 9 Of 9 US 8,113,597 B2

22ENST
w pop
N
a vap was ... ------------ us was swu

NN
49 43 42 62 63

Fig. 9
 US 8,113,597 B2
1. 2
TRACKJOINT SEAL SYSTEM The illustrated cartridge set 21, with regard to one of the
two ends of the pin, comprises a bushing 9, a pin 3, a collar 22
The present invention refers to a track joint seal system for and a seal system 10, in exemplifying schematic form in
tracked vehicles. FIGS. 4 and 5.
The tracks of a tracked work vehicle generally comprise a The cartridge can be held in axial direction with the collar
pair of parallel chains wherein each chain is made by means 22 on both sides of the cartridge.
of a continuous sequence of articulated joints of hinge type, The collar 22 can be connected to the pin 3 with a seal ring
connected to each other and maintained at a constant distance
by means of appropriate rigid connection members called 23, with insertion by interference or by means of welded joint.
track links. 10
The cartridge is particularly adapted for being inserted
The tracks also comprise a plurality of bushings and pins inside the overlapping track links 1 and 2 to create a chain
joint.
interposed between the links to connect their ends, so to form The advantages of the aforesaid cartridge system are
the chains.
The Supported track links and bushings cooperate with numerous, including the fact that the aforesaid cartridge is
each other to form a plurality of track joints which permit the 15 self-contained, providing all of the essential functions of seal
necessary rotational movement between adjacent track links. and Support required by the chain joint set; in addition, if
This permits the articulation of the adjacent track links needed, it can be easily repaired by removing the old, worn
when the track rotates, wound around the wheels of the track cartridge 21 and Substituting it with a new cartridge 21.
CaS. Removing and Substituting the entire cartridge set 21 to
The rotation of the track permits the tracked machinery to repair the chain joint is more economical and effective with
move on the ground, so to carry out the many operations for respect to the normal practice of Substituting every single
which it is intended. piece of the chain joint.
The track joints are typically equipped with a seal system, Nevertheless, even with such system, the problem of
which has the object of keeping out corrosive and abrasive excess or frequent wear of the track sets remains unresolved.
mixtures of water, dirt, sand, Stone or other mineral or chemi 25 The Applicant, in addressing the problem of extending the
cal elements to which the chain is exposed during its use. operational lifetime of a track joint, has found that this opera
The seal system has the function of holding a lubricant tional lifetime is directly connected to the integrity of the
inside the chain joint in order to facilitate the relative articu bushing, from which the lifetime of the entire seal system
lation movement of the track links. consequently depends, as well as that of the joint and hence
The abovementioned functions are generally carried out by 30 the tracks.
means of a frontal seal system obtained through seal elements The main cause of failure of the seal systems according to
arranged within the housing of the track link and having seal the prior artis due to the wear of the end surface of the bushing
portions which push against the end Surfaces of the respective Subjected to the scraping contact of the lip or portion of the
bushings. seal, by relative rotation of the parts.
Seal systems according to the prior art are illustrated in end 35 This contact can generate grooves in the end Surface of the
section in FIGS. 1-5, moreover a seal device of this type forms bushing.
the object of the European patent EP0953497 (corresponding If Such grooves become sufficiently deep, the integrity of
to U.S. Pat. No. 6,176.491) in the name of the Applicant. the seal system is compromised and external abrasive and
In particular, FIG. 1 shows an example of a joint type corrosive particles can enter in the joint.
according to the prior art. 40 These grooves are also responsible for the loss of lubricant
The illustrated track joint comprises two track links 1 and contained inside the chain joint.
2 which are interconnected with a pin 3 and a seal system 10. The aforesaid problems can quickly cause the deterioration
The seal system 10 comprises a bushing 9 which is coaxi of the joint integrity and thus also of the integrity chain itself.
ally inserted on the pin and seal set, at each end of the pin, in The Applicant was able to resolve the aforesaid problem by
turn comprising a resilient seal ring 4, a spacer ring 5 and a 45 means of a seal system adapted to preserve the integrity of the
preloaded contact ring 6. end Surface of a track joint bushing for a long time.
With reference to FIG. 2, the seal system 10 can also be The characteristics and advantages of the track joint seal
made with a bushing 9 and a seal set comprising a single system according to the present invention will be more evi
resilient seal 4 and a spacer ring 5. dent from the following exemplifying and non-limiting
In both cases, from the seal ring 4 there extends a seal lip 7. 50 description referred to the attached schematic drawings, in
provided for the contact with the end surface 8 of the bushing which:
9. FIG. 1-5 illustrate, in partial schematic section, one end of
Another way to make the joint seal is by means of provid as many track joints according to the prior art.
ing for an extended contact Surface; such embodiment forms FIG. 6 illustrates a partial schematic end section of a track
the object of the European patent EP0953497 (corresponding 55 joint equipped with the seal system according to the inven
to U.S. Pat. No. 6,176.491) in the name of the Applicant, tion;
exemplified in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged detail of the seal system of
In this case, the seal ring 4 is rigid and not resilient as in the FIG. 6;
case of the lip seals. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate, in partial schematic end section, as
The seal system 10 comprises also in this case a seal system 60 many track joint embodiments equipped with seal systems
composed of a seal ring 4 in contact with the bushing end 9. according to the invention.
a spacer ring 5 and a preloaded ring 6. With reference to FIGS. 6-9, an end portion is illustrated of
The track links 1 and 2 are joined, through the pins 3 and a chain joint of tracks of a tracked vehicle.
the bushings 9, to the adjacent joints (not shown) in order to Such chain joint is Substantially symmetrical with respect
create a chain for machinery of tracked type. 65 to the mid-plane of the pin, so that the elements identified are
The chain for tracked machines can also be made with the also present at the end of the pin opposite that shown as
use of cartridges as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. example.
 US 8,113,597 B2
3 4
The chain joint comprises a first track link 41 and an end seal 44 and the abutment surface 48 of the rigid insert 52, even
element 42 coaxially interconnected by means of a Substan in the presence of collisions or vibrations typical in the use of
tially cylindrical pin 43 having longitudinal axis 54. tracked machines.
With particular reference to the embodiments of FIGS. 6-8, The combined axial and radial pressures exerted by the elastic
the end element assumes the configuration of a second track 5 ring 44 prevent the rotation of the bushing insert 53 in relation
link 42, while with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 9 to the housing 58.
such end element has the form of a collar 62 on which the The elastic ring 51 can be integral or non-integral with the
second track link 42 is coupled. rigid insert 52 in order to support the rigid insert 52 in static
The track links 41 and 42 are connected with the joints of seal coupling with the housing 58.
the adjacent chains (not shown) to create a chain for the 10
The rigid insert 52 preferably has a substantially “L’-
tracked machines.
Returning to FIGS. 6-8, a second track link 42 is coupled shaped section so to create on one side the abutment Surface
with interference to each end of the pin 43 as end element, 48 and on the other a housing 60 for the elastic ring 51.
while a corresponding first track link 41 is rotatably coupled The abutment surface 48 of the rigid insert 52 is preferably
to the pin 43 internally, near the end of the pin by means of the 15 hardened by means of heat treatment (generally preferably
interposition of a bushing 49, in turn coupled with interfer quenching and tempering of the material of the rigid insert 52)
ence to the first track link 41, the bushing 49 being coaxially or is covered by a hardening single or multi-layer plasma
inserted on the pin 43. cover which permits increasing the hardness level at least to
The second track link 42 has an annular seat 57 made Rockwell HRC 65 hardness values in the case of heat treat
centrally on the inner surface of the track link42, so to face the ment of the alloy cast iron and at least to Vickers HV 900
first track link 41 upon completed assembly. Such seat 57 is hardness values (equal to HRC 67) in the case of surface
foreseen for housing a seal group 56 destined to cooperate covering.
with the bushing 49 in order to make a seal system 50 of the The typical bushings for lubricated chains are instead con
joint. structed in "cementation' steel with low cemented carbon
According to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. 25 level, are quenched and extended.
the seal group 56 comprises a seal ring 44 assembled concen After the heat treatment, HRC 58-62 hardness is generally
trically on a spacer ring 45 placed directly in contact with the reached at the surface of the cemented piece, while at the core,
pin 43 and a preloaded ring 46 arranged concentrically out with low carbon level and hence little sensitive to the hard
side the seal ring 44 and in contact with the wall of the seat 57 ening effect of the quenching, there is ductility and toughness
to maintain the seal ring compressed. 30 together with considerable strength.
The seal ring 44 can moreover be provided with a metal It is very important to maintain this surface hardness and
core 59 to make it more rigid and the preloaded ring 46 can be toughness combination at the core, which give rise to a high
integrated in the seal ring 44 or separated from the latter. resistance to wear, an increased lifetime with fatigue and
The preloaded ring 46 is preferably made of a resilient capacity to resist peak stresses, which are frequent in tracked
material. 35 machinery.
The seal for the sealing of the joint is obtained due to the The increase of the operational lifetime, i.e. the resistance
cooperation of the seal group 56 with an abutment surface 48 to wear of the seal system, is made according to the present
of a bushing insert 53 housed within an annular head seat 58 invention by substituting the end surface of the bushing with
made at the end of the bushing, so to face the seat 57 of the an additional element, the bushing insert, which has a harder
second track link; a lubrication chamber 55 is defined 40 surface with respect to the hardness obtainable on the final
between seal group and abutment Surface. surfaces of the bushings produced with the traditional
In particular, a seal portion 47 in lip or Surface form is method.
axially extended towards the inside of the joint from the seal The rigid insert 52 substitutes the contact surface of the
ring 44, in order to create a seal contact with the abutment bushing with a harder surface provided on one side of this
surface 48 of the bushing insert 53. 45 rigid insert.
The bushing insert 53 comprises a rigid insert 52 circum The rigid insert is preferably made with one or more of the
ferentially positioned in the annular seat 58 on the spacer 45 following materials:
and an elastic ring 51, concentric to and Superimposed on the Corrosion-resistant alloy cast iron, for example, alloy cast
rigid insert 52 and destined to circumferentially contact the iron with high chromium content, chromium-molybde
seat 58 in order to generate the necessary compression thrust 50 num alloy cast iron and nickel-chromium alloy cast iron
on the rigid insert. and the like which due to the hardening heat treatment
The bushing insert 53 is positioned concentrically to the reaches a hardness equal to HRC 65 on the contact
rotation axis 54 inside the housing 58 of the bushing 49. Surface;
In order to ensure the retention of the lubricant in the lubricant Steel hardened with heat treatment and with an additional
chamber 55 and to prevent the entrance of abrasive and cor 55 single or multi-layer plasma cover on the contact Surface
rosive particles from the outside, the seal ring 44 is in which permits increasing the Surface hardness level to
dynamic seal coupling with the abutment surface 48 of the Vickers hardness levels of at least HV900;
rigid insert 52 and simultaneously the elastic ring 51 is in Cemented or quenched steel.
static seal coupling with the housing 58 provided in the bush The elastic ring 51 has the function of sealing the joint
ing 49. 60 between the bushing insert 53 and the bushing housing 58 and
The elastic ring 51 is then compressed between the housing to maintain the continuous contact of the contact Surface of
58 and the rigid insert 52, both radially and axially. the bushing insert 53 with the seal lip or surface 47.
The radial axial pressure exerted by the elastic ring 51 on the This function is exerted by a compression of the elastic ring
rigid insert 52 permits centring the insert concentrically along between the bushing insert and the seal itself.
the rotation axis 54. 65 The elastic ring can have a circular or rhomboid section in
The axial pressure exerted by the elastic ring 51 on the rigid relation to the shape of the bushing housings and to the shapes
insert 52 serves to maintain constant the contact between the of the bushing insert.
 US 8,113,597 B2
5 6
The material of the elastic ring is preferably an elastomer insert (52) has a substantially “L” shaped section designed to
capable of creating a necessary seal compression force and to create, on one of its sides, the abutment Surface (48) and on
continuously maintain this force in the presence of oil, water, the other side of the “L” shaped section, a housing (60) for the
sand and particles in general at various temperatures and/or elastic ring (51) when said elastic ring (51) is made non
with collisions and/or vibrations. integral with the rigid insert (52).
The roughness of the abutment surface 48 of the rigid insert 2. Track joint seal system according to claim 1, wherein
52 is prearranged in relation to the material of the ring 44 in said bushing insert (53) is positioned concentrically to the
contact with the insert 52, generally surface finishing is pre longitudinal rotation axis (54) of the pin (43) inside the hous
ferred with average value Rain the range of 0.2-0.4 microme ing (58) of the bushing (49).
ters, obtained by means of lapping. 10 3. Track joint seal system according to claim 2, wherein
The spacer ring 45 can be free to be positioned on the pin 43 said seal group (56) comprises a seal ring (44) assembled
between the second track link 42 and the bushing 49, so to concentrically on a spacer ring (45) placed directly in contact
limit the minimal axial clearance between them. with the pin (43) and a preloaded ring (46) arranged concen
The bushing insert 53 according to the present invention trically outside the seal ring (44) and in contact with the wall
can be used in combination with a rigid Surface seal ring like 15 of the annular seat (57) to maintain the seal ring compressed.
that according to the European patent EP0953497 in the name 4. Track joint seal system according to claim 3, wherein
of the Applicant or more in general with conventional seal said seal portion (47) of the seal group (56) and said abutment
groups which provide a seal portion operating in contact with surface (48) in contact define a lubrication chamber (55)
the end surface of the bushing. between them with the seal ring (44) in dynamic seal coupling
As can be seen in FIG.9, the seal system 50 can be installed with the abutment surface (48) of the rigid insert (52) and
inside a cartridge set 61 and comprises, analogous to the simultaneously the elastic ring (51) in static-seal coupling
preceding embodiments, the bushing 49 equipped with bush with the annular head seat (58) provided in the bushing (49).
ing insert 53 already described according to the invention, the 5. Track joint seal system according to claim 1, wherein
pin 43, a collar 62 and the seal group 56 housed within a seat said rigid insert (52) is made of one or more materials chosen
57 made centrally on the inner surface of the cartridge 61, 25 from:
which in this embodimentacts as end element bearing the seal (a) corrosion-resistant alloy cast iron, alloy cast iron, alloy
group in central position in an entirely similar manner to the cast iron with high chromium content,
seal group made in the second track link 42 when this is (b) chromium-molybdenum alloy cast iron and nickel
directly engaged on the pin 43. chromium alloy cast iron;
The cartridge can be held in axial direction by the collars 62 30 (c) steel hardened with heat treatment; and
on both sides of the cartridge itself. (d) cemented or quenched Steel.
The collar 62 can be connected with the pin 43 by an elastic 6. Track joint seal system according to claim 5, wherein
safety ring 63, by interference or by means of welding joint. said abutment surface (48) of the rigid insert (52) is hardened
The cartridge is adapted to be inserted as a rotating con by means of heat treatment or is covered with a hardening
nection between the track links 41 and 42, in this case the 35 single or multi-layer plasma cover which permits increasing
second track link 42 is engaged on the collar 62. the hardness level at least to Rockwell HRC 65 hardness
The invention claimed is: values in the case of heat treatment of the alloy cast iron and
1. Track joint seal system comprising a pin (43) having, at at least to Vickers HV 900 hardness values in the case of
each end, a first track link (41) rotatably coupled to said pin Surface covering.
(43) by means of interposition of a bushing (49) and an end 40 7. Track joint seal system according to claim 6, wherein the
element (42) engaged at the end of said pin (43), said end abutment surface (48) of the rigid insert (52) is made with
element (42) comprising an annular seat (57) housing a seal Surface finishing with average roughness value Ra in the
group (56) cooperating with said bushing to make the sealing range of 0.2-0.4 micrometers, obtained by means of lapping.
of the joint, wherein at each end of said bushing (49) an 8. Track joint seal system according to claim 5, wherein
annular head seat (58) is made, provided for housing a bush 45 said elastic ring (51) has a circular or rhomboid section in
ing insert (53) provided with an abutment surface (48) des relation to the shape of the annular head seat (58) of the
tined to be in contact with a seal portion (47) of the seal group bushing (49) housings and to the shapes of the bushing insert
(56), said bushing insert (53) comprising a rigid insert (52) (53) and is made of elastomeric material.
circumferentially positioned in the annular head seat (58) and 9. Track joint seal system according to claim 1, wherein
an elastic ring (51) concentric to and Superimposed on the 50 said end element (42) is a second track link which can be
rigid insert (52) and destined to circumferentially contact the engaged directly on the pin (43).
annular head seat (58) in order to generate the necessary 10. Track joint seal system according to claim 1, wherein
compression thrust on the rigid insert (52), said elastic ring said end element (42) is a collar (62) of a cartridge set (61), a
(51) being made either integral or non-integral with the rigid second track link being engageable on said collar (62).
insert (52) to support the rigid insert (52) in static seal cou 55
pling with the annular head seat (58), and wherein said rigid k k k k k