Patent ID: 6070955
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A track assembly for propelling a remote controlled sludge removal apparatus over sludge, said track assembly comprising:a. a plurality of individual generally rectangular tracks connected to a plurality of continuous roller chains, said tracks having an inner surface connected to said roller chains and an outer surface for engaging said sludge,b. a plurality of said tracks having a single spike connected to said outer surface thereof and a plurality of said tracks have a pair of spikes connected to said outer surface thereof, each of said spikes having a cone-shaped tip for engaging said sludge as said sludge removal apparatus travels over said sludge, each of said spikes being connected to each of said tracks by a rigid socket rigidly connected directly to said outer surface of said tracks, each of said single spikes and said pair of spikes forming an angle with the horizontal of from about 10 to 30 degrees,c. said tracks which have said single spike thereon having said single spike connected to said track an angle thereto wherein said single spike is pointed toward the rear of said sludge removal apparatus when said single spike engages said sludge, said single spike lying in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of travel of said sludge removal apparatus, andd. said tracks which have a pair of spikes thereon having each of said pair of spikes being pointed generally toward the rear of said sludge removal apparatus, said pair of spikes being aligned at an angle therebetween of about 90 degrees and each of said pair of spikes being aligned at an angle of about 45 degrees with the direction of travel of said sludge removal apparatus.