US 12,128,420 B2
Work machine with belt tensioning system and method
Jeffrey Joseph Adams, Mount Pleasant, MI (US); Michael D. Gettel, Mount Pleasant, MI (US); and Phillip Patrick Schafer, St. Louis, MI (US)
Assigned to Alamo Group Inc., Seguin, TX (US)
Filed by Alamo Group Inc., Seguin, TX (US)
Filed on Apr. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/719,193.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/174,367, filed on Apr. 13, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0323966 A1, Oct. 13, 2022
Int. Cl. F16H 7/12 (2006.01); B02C 18/14 (2006.01); B02C 18/24 (2006.01); B02C 25/00 (2006.01); F16H 7/08 (2006.01); B02C 18/16 (2006.01)
CPC B02C 18/24 (2013.01) [B02C 18/146 (2013.01); B02C 25/00 (2013.01); F16H 7/0836 (2013.01); F16H 7/1236 (2013.01); B02C 2018/164 (2013.01); F16H 2007/0812 (2013.01); F16H 2007/0861 (2013.01); F16H 2007/0865 (2013.01); F16H 2007/0887 (2013.01); F16H 2007/0893 (2013.01); F16H 2007/0897 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A work machine for reducing wood infeed material comprising:
a drive motor mounted to a frame, the drive motor including a drive shaft to which a drive sheave is attached;
a rotor including a driven sheave and a plurality of cutting tools configured for reducing the wood infeed material;
a belt operably engaged with the drive sheave and the driven sheave to facilitate rotation of the rotor;
a belt tensioning system comprising:
an idler pulley mounted to an idler arm;
wherein the idler arm is pivotably connected to said frame;
an actuator directly connected to the idler arm through a hinge, the actuator being configured to move the idler arm so as to adjust a degree of engagement between the idler pulley and said belt; and
an electronic control system comprising:
a computer processor configured to receive one or more sensor signals representative of a tension of said belt, determine a value for said tension based on the one or more sensor signals, compare the value to one or more belt tension criteria, and provide a control signal to said actuator if the value does not meet said one or more belt tension criteria, the control signal controlling actuation of the actuator; and
one or more sensors in communication with the computer processor, the one or more sensors configured to generate said one or more sensor signals.