US 11,807,321 B2
Active tension system and method
Michael A. Rehberg, Waterloo, IA (US); Nathanael K. Rehn, Waterloo, IA (US); Jeffrey Tott, Waterloo, IA (US); Jeremy P. L'Heureux, Waterloo, IA (US); Daniel J. Garvin, Waterloo, IA (US); and Benjamin J. Heimbuch, Waterloo, IA (US)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 5, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/192,945.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/028,659, filed on May 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0362792 A1, Nov. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. B62D 55/30 (2006.01); B62D 55/065 (2006.01); B62D 55/12 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 55/30 (2013.01) [B62D 55/12 (2013.01); B62D 55/065 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A work machine comprising:
a first idler wheel;
a drivable track engaged with the first idler wheel;
an actuator coupled to the first idler wheel and configured to move the first idler wheel between a first position in which the drivable track experiences a first tension and a second position in which the drivable track experiences a second tension different than the first tension; and
a controller configured to receive signals indicative of: a geometry of the drivable track, a mass of the drivable track, a tractive load on the work machine, and a speed of the work machine;
wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the actuator is at a critical pressure based on the received signals indicative of: the geometry of the drivable track, the mass of the drivable track, the tractive load on the work machine, and the speed of the work machine;
wherein the critical pressure is a pressure at which vibrations of the work machine are induced; and
wherein, in response to determining that the actuator is at the critical pressure, the controller is configured to send a signal causing movement of the actuator such that the pressure of the actuator is adjusted to be different than the critical pressure.