US 12,421,692 B2
House swing sensor follower pinion
Vincent A. Armstrong, Mooresboro, NC (US); Joshua David Callaway, Cary, NC (US); Christopher E. Bright, Raleigh, NC (US); and Benjamin J. Terry, Wilson, NC (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on May 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/742,079.
Prior Publication US 2023/0366172 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. E02F 9/12 (2006.01); E02F 9/26 (2006.01); F16H 19/08 (2006.01); F16H 55/06 (2006.01); G01D 5/14 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 9/123 (2013.01) [E02F 9/26 (2013.01); F16H 19/08 (2013.01); F16H 55/06 (2013.01); G01D 5/142 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A follower pinion apparatus comprising:
a swing gear system comprised of a swing gear and a swing motor pinion;
a nonmetallic follower pinion positioned to mesh with the swing gear;
a sensor configured to sense a position of the follower pinion; and
a follower pinion housing and housing cover, wherein the sensor is outside the follower pinion housing on an opposite side of the housing cover from the follower pinion.
 
9. A work machine comprising:
an upper structure and a lower structure;
a swing gear system coupled to the upper structure and to the lower structure, the swing gear system configured to rotate the upper structure over the lower structure using a swing motor; and
an upper frame within the upper structure, the upper frame including a swing sensor aperture at which is mounted a nonmetallic follower pinion assembly.
 
15. A method for sensing swing gear rotation in a work machine, the method comprising:
providing a follower pinion sensor housing including a nonmetallic follower pinion and a position sensor;
providing an aperture within an upper frame of the work machine, the aperture to mesh with a pitch center diameter of a swing gear system of the work machine;
installing the follower pinion sensor housing in the aperture; and
detecting swing gear rotation based on a position of the follower pinion.