Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 250-8 Filed 10/25/23 Page 1 of 9 PageID #: 25513
`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 250-8 Filed 10/25/23 Page 1 of 9 PagelD #: 25513
`
`EXHIBIT 8
`EXHIBIT 8
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 250-8 Filed 10/25/23 Page 2 of 9 PageID #: 25514
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`
`
`1111111111111101111111111f9114111M111111111111111110111111
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Schafer et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,175,449 B2
`Nov. 3, 2015
`
`(54) TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR
`TRANSMITTING POWER FROM ENGINE TO
`MILLING ROTOR IN COLD PLANER
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(71) Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.,
`Minneapolis, MN (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Benjamin Thomas Schafer, Elk River,
`MN (US); Jason Robert Bjorge, Blaine,
`MN (17S)
`
`(73) Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.,
`Brooklyn Park, MN (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 23 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 13/798,579
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 13, 2013
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`1,387,445 A * 8/1921 Anderson
`4,193,636 A
`3/1980 Jakob
`4,256,344 A * 3/1981 Hatcher
`4,881,926 A
`11/1989 Aoki et al.
`4,929,121 A
`5/1990
`Lent et al.
`2007/0191179 Al *
`8/2007
`Hugenroth et al.
`2008/0260461 Al
`10/2008 Berning et al.
`2009/0051210 Al *
`2/2009 Busley et al.
`2011/0227393 Al
`9/2011 Berning et al.
`
`474/133
`
`299139.4
`
`477/2
`
`299139.4
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`DE
`GB
`KR
`KR
`
`201422266
`102005028091 Al
`2449916
`1020110012166
`101109685
`
`3/2010
`* 12/2006
`12/2008
`2/2011
`2/2012
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner — Sunil Singh
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Baker & Hostetler LLP
`
`US 2014/0265525 Al
`
`Sep. 18, 2014
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`E01C 23/088
`FJ6H 7/08
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`E01C 23/088 (2013.01); Fl 6H 2007/0893
`(2013.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC
`404/90, 93, 94; 299/39.1, 39.4; 477/44;
`474/134, 135
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`100
`
`A transmission system is provided for transmitting power
`from an engine to a milling rotor in a cold planer. The trans-
`mission system includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a
`shaft. The first circuit is disposed in a first plane and config-
`ured to be operatively driven by the engine. The second circuit
`is disposed in a second plane substantially parallel to the first
`plane and configured to operatively drive the milling rotor.
`The shaft couples the first circuit to the second circuit wherein
`the engine and the milling rotor are axially offset.
`
`8 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`CAT-770 051349
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 250-8 Filed 10/25/23 Page 3 of 9 PageID #: 25515
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 2015
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 9,175,449 B2
`
`CO
`(Z5
`
`CAT-770 051350
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 250-8 Filed 10/25/23 Page 4 of 9 PageID #: 25516
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 3, 2015
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 9,175,449 B2
`
`CAT-770 051351
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 250-8 Filed 10/25/23 Page 5 of 9 PageID #: 25517
`
`US 9,175,449 B2
`
`1
`TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR
`TRANSMITTING POWER FROM ENGINE TO
`MILLING ROTOR IN COLD PLANER
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present disclosure relates to a transmission system
`and, more particularly. to a transmission system for transmit-
`ting power from an engine to a milling rotor in a cold planer.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`5
`
`10
`
`2
`it does not account for cases where an axial and planar offset
`exists between the load and the prime mover.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In one aspect of the present disclosure, a transmission
`system is provided for transmitting power from an engine to
`a milling rotor in a cold planer. The transmission system
`includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a shaft. The first
`circuit is disposed in a first plane and configured to be opera-
`tively driven by the engine. The second circuit is disposed in
`a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane and
`configured to operatively drive the milling rotor. The shaft
`couples the first circuit to the second circuit wherein the
`engine and the milling rotor are axially offset.
`In another aspect. the present disclosure provides a cold
`planer comprising an engine, a milling rotor. and a transmis-
`sion system. The transmission system includes a first circuit,
`a second circuit, and a shaft. The first circuit is disposed in a
`first plane and configured to be operatively driven by the
`engine. The second circuit is disposed in a second plane
`substantially parallel to the first plane and configured to
`operatively drive the milling rotor. The shaft couples the first
`circuit to the second circuit wherein the engine and the mill-
`ing rotor are axially offset.
`In another aspect. the present disclosure provides a cold
`planer including an engine, a milling rotor, a means for trans-
`mitting energy from the engine located within a first plane, a
`means for transmitting energy to the milling rotor located
`within a second plane, and a means for transferring the energy
`from the means for transmitting energy from the engine to the
`means for transmitting energy to the milling rotor, wherein
`the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel,
`wherein the engine and milling rotor are axially offset from
`each other.
`Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be appar-
`ent from the following description and the accompanying
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a front breakaway perspective view of a machine
`employing a transmission system in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present disclosure; and
`FIG. 2 is a side breakaway perspective view of the trans-
`mission system.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The present disclosure relates to a transmission system for
`transmitting power from a prime mover to a load in a
`machine, and more particularly, from an engine to a milling
`rotor of a cold planer. FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view
`of a machine 100 employing a transmission system 102 in
`which disclosed embodiments may be implemented. In the
`embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the machine 100 is a cold
`planer. In alternative embodiments, the machine 100 may also
`be a variety of other machines, including rock crushers, com-
`pactors, or rotary mixers.
`The machine 100 includes an engine 104, and a milling
`rotor 106. The engine 104 is configured to drive the milling
`rotor 106. The milling rotor 106 is configured to remove a
`layer off the ground surface 108. Typically, the layer is asphalt
`and the milling rotor 106 is configured to remove asphalt to a
`pre-determined depth. Although reference has been made to
`the engine 104 and the milling rotor 106 in conjunction with
`the cold planer herein, it is to be noted that the engine 104 and
`
`CAT-770 051352
`
`30
`
`35
`
`15
`
`20
`
`Cold planers are machines used during paving operations
`to remove a layer of material, such as asphalt, off the ground
`surface with its milling rotor. A cold planer typically has a
`transmission system that couples an engine to a milling rotor.
`In some cases, cold planers may offer limited spaces for
`installation of transmission systems. The limited space poses
`tight space constraints during an installation of the transmis-
`sion system, thus making the transmission system difficult to
`connect at positions of the engine and the milling rotor. For
`example, space constraints may require the gearing for the
`engine and the milling rotor to be disposed in non-coaxial and
`non-coplanar relation to each other. Thus, large-scale manu- 25
`facturers of construction machinery, such as cold planers,
`may sometimes find themselves in situations where the trans-
`mission systems are difficult to install due to the tight space
`constraints. This situation makes installation of the transmis-
`sion systems complex. Alternatively, it can be difficult to
`install a rotor onto the transmission system when the manu-
`facturer or customer desires to couple milling rotors of dif-
`ferent widths to an existing engine.
`One way known to deal with this situation is to install
`gearing boxes within the transmission system. However,
`these gearing boxes are bulky and lose power during the
`transmission from the engine to the milling rotor. The trans-
`mission losses subsequently affect the overall productivity of
`the cold planer. Further, these gearing boxes experience over- 40
`heating during operation thus requiring cooling systems to
`keep the transmission system from overheating. Typical cool-
`ing systems include pumps, compressors, and cooling lines,
`and installation and operation of these cooling systems may
`incur additional expenses. Typical transmission systems are 45
`also heavy and difficult to transport from one place to another
`along with the associated cooling systems.
`In order to mitigate the aforesaid situations, manufacturers
`may redesign various parameters of the machine in order to
`accommodate different rotor sizes. Conversely, the manufac- so
`turers may produce altogether different machines that indi-
`vidually cater to specific size requirements of the milling
`rotor. However, the aforesaid processes may be expensive and
`time consuming.
`GB Patent 2 449 916 relates to a variable ratio belt drive 55
`comprising a first belt, a compound double pulley having a
`first variable diameter pulley engaged by the first belt and a
`second variable diameter pulley engaged by a second drive
`belt. The compound double pulley is arranged such that
`increases in an effective diameter of one pulley produce cor- 60
`responding reductions in effective diameter of the other pul-
`ley. The belt drive further comprises a third spring-loaded
`variable diameter pulley which also engages the second drive
`belt, and a control actuator for varying the effective diameters
`of the first and second drive pulleys thus varying an overall 65
`ratio of the belt drive. Although the variable ratio belt drive
`accounts for an axial offset between a load and a prime mover,
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 250-8 Filed 10/25/23 Page 6 of 9 PageID #: 25518
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`US 9,175,449 B2
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`3
`the milling rotor 106 is merely exemplary in nature and hence,
`non-limiting of this disclosure. Hence, any type of prime
`mover commonly known in the art, such as an electric motor,
`may be used in place of the engine 104 and any type of load
`may be driven by the prime mover depending on a type of the 5
`machine 100 and its application. Some commonly known
`loads in the field of construction machinery include compac-
`tor drums, belt or chain driven compressors, pump, and the
`like.
`As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission system 102 includes to
`a first circuit 110, a second circuit 112, and a shaft 114. The
`first circuit 110 is disposed in a first plane 116 and configured
`to be operatively driven by the engine 104. In an embodiment
`as shown in FIG. 2, the transmission system 102 further
`includes a clutch assembly 118 connected to the engine 104. 15
`The clutch assembly 118 is configured to selectively engage
`the milling rotor 106 to the engine 104. In one embodiment,
`the clutch assembly 118 may engage the milling rotor 106 to
`the engine 104 such that the milling rotor 106 is driven by the
`engine 104. In another embodiment, the clutch assembly 118 20
`may disengage the milling rotor 106 from the engine 104 such
`that the milling rotor 106 is allowed to free-wheel with
`respect to the engine 104. The clutch assembly 118 disclosed
`herein may be actuated using commonly known implements
`such as levers or control buttons (not shown) such that power 25
`is selectively transferred from the engine 104 to the milling
`rotor 106 via the transmission system 102.
`The second circuit 112 is disposed in a second plane 120
`substantially parallel to the first plane 116. The second circuit
`is configured to operatively drive the milling rotor 106. The 30
`shaft 114 couples the first circuit 110 to the second circuit 112
`wherein the engine 104 and the milling rotor 106 are axially
`offset.
`In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the shaft 114 may
`include a first end 122 and a second end 124. The first end 122 35
`supports the first circuit 110 at the first plane 116, and the
`second end 124 supports the second circuit 112 at the second
`plane 120. The first and the second ends 122, 124 of the shaft
`114 are distally located from each other by virtue of a length
`126 of the shaft 114. Therefore, the circuits 110, 112 sup- ao
`ported at the ends 122, 124 subsequently become distally
`located into respective planes 116, 120 of the engine 104 and
`the milling rotor 106.
`In an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the first circuit
`110 includes a drive pulley 128, a first pulley 130, and a first 45
`belt 132. The drive pulley 128 is configured to be engaged
`with the engine. The first pulley 130 is coupled to the first end
`122 of the shaft 114. The first belt 132 is looped over the first
`pulley 130, and the drive pulley 128. Similarly, in an embodi-
`ment as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the second circuit 112 includes so
`a driven pulley 134, a second pulley 136, and a second belt
`138. The driven pulley 134 is configured to be engaged with
`the milling rotor 106. The second pulley 136 is coupled to the
`second end 124 of the shaft 114. The second belt 138 is looped
`over the second pulley 136, and the driven pulley 134.
`In one embodiment, a diameter of the drive pulley 128, the
`driven pulley 134, the first pulley 130, and the second pulley
`136 may be substantially same. Consequently, a speed ratio of
`the drive pulley 128 to the driven pulley 134 is substantially
`1:1. In other embodiments, the speed ratio of the drive pulley 60
`128 to the driven pulley 134 may be varied by changing the
`diameters of one or more of the drive pulley 128, the driven
`pulley 134, the first pulley 130, and the second pulley 136
`relative to each other. Therefore, in these other embodiments,
`the speed ratio of the drive pulley 128 to the driven pulley 134 65
`may a reduction or overdrive speed ratio. The reduction speed
`ratio is a ratio of the drive pulley 128 to the driven pulley 134
`
`55
`
`4
`less than 1:1, for example, 1:0.5 while an overdrive speed
`ratio is a ratio of the drive pulley 128 to the driven pulley 134
`more than 1:1, for example, 1:1.5.
`In one embodiment, the first and second pulleys 130, 136
`may be of a multi-groove type. Correspondingly, the first and
`second belts 132, 138 are multi-grooved v-belts and include a
`grooved side 140 and a flat side 142. The grooved side 140 is
`configured to engage with the multi-groove profile of the first
`and second pulleys 130, 136. A person having ordinary skill
`in the art may acknowledge that a profile on the grooved side
`140 of the first and second belts 132, 138 is a conjugate of a
`profile on the pulleys 130, 136. Similarly, in alternative
`embodiments, the first and second pulleys 130, 136 may
`exhibit a flat profile, an arcuate profile, a ribbed profile, or a
`toothed profile while a suitable conjugate profile may be
`chosen on the belts 132, 138 such that the belts 132, 138 and
`the pulleys 128, 130, 134, and 136 grip each other, and rotate
`in unison upon looping.
`In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the transmission
`system 102 further includes a housing 144, and one or more
`tensioning assemblies 146 disposed on the housing 144. The
`housing 144 is releasably connected to a frame 148 of the
`machine 100 and is configured to rotatably support the shaft
`114. The tensioning assemblies 146 are configured to adjust a
`tension within the belts 132, 138.
`The tensioning assembly 146 includes an arm 150, a ten-
`sioner pulley 152, and a hydraulic actuator 154. The arm 150
`is swingably connected to the housing 144. The tensioner
`pulley 152 is rotatably mounted on the arm 150 and disposed
`in rolling contact with the first belt 132 or the second belt 138.
`The hydraulic actuator 154 is disposed between the housing
`144 and the arm 150. The hydraulic actuator 154 is configured
`to extend or retract the tensioner pulley 152 into the first or the
`second belt 132, 138, such that tension within the associated
`belt 132, 138 is adjusted. The housing 144 and the tensioning
`assemblies 146 allow adjustment of belts 132, 138 should
`belts 132, 138 shift or loosen during operation of the machine
`100. The housing 144 and the tensioning assemblies 146 also
`allow the replacement of the belts 132, 138 should they
`become damaged or broken during operation of the machine
`100.
`Although, reference has been made to a transmission sys-
`tem 102 employing belts 132, 138 and pulleys 128, 130, 134,
`and 136 it is to be noted that the belts 132, 138 and pulleys
`128, 130, 134, and 136 are merely exemplary in nature and
`hence, non-limiting of this disclosure. A person having ordi-
`nary skill in the art will acknowledge that parts of the trans-
`mission system 102 disclosed herein may change based on a
`type of drive system used, for example, a belt drive system or
`a chain drive system. Instead of belts and pulleys, gearing of
`different sizes may be used. Additionally, electric, hydro-
`static, and hydrodynamic transmission systems are contem-
`plated by the present disclosure.
`
`INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
`
`Typical transmission systems implemented in construction
`machines, such as cold planers, may include gear boxes
`coupled to an engine and a milling rotor of the cold planer.
`However, in some cases, construction machines may offer
`limited spaces for installation of the transmission systems.
`The limited space poses tight space constraints during an
`installation of the transmission system thus making the trans-
`mission system difficult to connect at positions of the engine
`and the milling rotor.
`However, the transmission system 102 of the present dis-
`closure may be installed in spaces having tight space con-
`
`CAT-770 051353
`
`

`

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`US 9,175,449 B2
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`5
`straints, and also in situations where the engine 104 and the
`milling rotor 106 are disposed in non-coaxial and non-copla-
`nar relation to each other. The housing 144 of the transmission
`system 102 is releasably connected to the frame 148 of the
`machine 100 and hence may be easily disconnected during a 5
`service or overhaul routine. Further, a length 126 of the shaft
`114 may be varied to suit an axial offset between the engine
`104 and the milling rotor 106.
`Further, typical transmission systems previously con-
`structed for use in cold planers were expensive to manufac- to
`ture, install, and operate. Gears present within the transmis-
`sion systems were sometimes bulky, and caused power losses
`within the transmission system. However, the transmission
`system 102 of the present disclosure may mitigate exorbitant
`costs that were previously incurred with the manufacture, 15
`installation, and operation of the typical transmission sys-
`tems. Further, implementation of the present transmission
`system 102 may allow a manufacturer to do away with modi-
`fying the machine 100 altogether or installing bulky gearing
`boxes since the transmission system 102 may be manufac- zo
`tured taking into account specific space constraints, and the
`specific offsets of the engine 104 and the milling rotor 106.
`Further, bulky gears of the previous transmission systems
`also experience overheating during operation thus requiring
`auxiliary cooling systems to cool down the transmission sys- 25
`tem. These auxiliary cooling systems incur additional opera-
`tional costs and hence, may increase the overall costs of
`operating the typical transmission systems. Subsequently, the
`additional costs may negatively impact the overall productiv-
`ity of the machine.
`In the transmission system 102 of the present disclosure,
`cooling may be achieved by a natural convection of heat to
`surrounding air, or by a draft of air forced by the first and the
`second belts 132, 138 upon rotation. Therefore, implementa-
`tion of such transmission systems 102 may further mitigate or 35
`reduce exorbitant costs previously incurred with the inclusion
`of cooling systems.
`Further, bulky gearing boxes of the typical transmission
`systems often increased a weight of the transmission system
`thus making transportation of such systems difficult. How- 40
`ever, the transmission system 102 of the present disclosure is
`light weight, compact and hence easy to transport.
`While aspects of the present disclosure have been particu-
`larly shown and described with reference to the embodiments
`above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that 45
`various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the
`modification of the disclosed machine, systems and methods
`without departing from the spirit and scope of what is dis-
`closed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall
`within the scope of the present disclosure as determined so
`based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
`
`30
`
`We claim:
`1. A transmission system for transmitting power from an
`engine to a milling rotor in a cold planer, the transmission 55
`system comprising:
`a first circuit arranged in a first plane and configured to be
`operatively driven by the engine, the first circuit com-
`prising a drive pulley having a first drive belt configured
`to be engaged with the engine, a first pulley coupled to a 60
`first end of a shaft and configured to be driven by the
`drive pulley;
`a second circuit arranged in a second plane substantially
`parallel to the first plane and configured to be operatively
`driven by the first circuit through the shaft and to opera- 65
`tively drive the milling rotor, the second circuit compris-
`ing a driven pulley having a second drive belt configured
`
`6
`to be engaged with the milling rotor, a second pulley
`coupled to a second end of the shaft and configured to
`drive the driven pulley;
`the shaft coupling the first circuit to the first shaft end, the
`second circuit to the second shaft end, and the first
`circuit to the second circuit, wherein the first shaft end
`supports the first circuit and wherein the second shaft
`end supports the second circuit;
`a housing arranged in between the first circuit and the
`second circuit, the housing configured to rotatably sup-
`port the shaft;
`a first tensioning assembly arranged on the housing, the
`first tensioning assembly configured to adjust a tension
`of the first drive belt, and the first tensioning assembly
`comprising a first arm swingably connected to the hous-
`ing, a first tensioner pulley rotatably mounted on the first
`arm and arranged in rolling contact with the first drive
`belt, and a first hydraulic actuator arranged between the
`housing and the first arm, the first hydraulic actuator
`configured to extend or retract the first tensioner pulley
`into the first drive belt; and
`a second tensioning assembly arranged on the housing, the
`second tensioning assembly configured to adjust a ten-
`sion of the second drive belt,
`wherein the engine and the milling rotor are axially offset.
`2. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein the second
`tensioning assembly comprises:
`a second arm swingably connected to the housing;
`a second tensioner pulley rotatably mounted on the second
`arm and arranged in rolling contact with the second drive
`belt; and
`a second hydraulic actuator arranged between the housing
`and the second arm, the second hydraulic actuator con-
`figured to extend or retract the second tensioner pulley
`into the second drive belt.
`3. A cold planer comprising:
`an engine and a milling rotor, wherein the engine and the
`milling rotor are axially offset, and a transmission sys-
`tem comprising:
`a first circuit arranged in a first plane and configured to
`be operatively driven by the engine. the first circuit
`comprising a drive pulley having a first drive belt
`configured to be engaged with the engine, a first pul-
`ley coupled to a first end of a shaft and configured to
`be driven by the drive pulley;
`a second circuit arranged in a second plane substantially
`parallel to the first plane and configured to operatively
`drive the milling rotor, and axially offset with respect
`to the first plane, the second circuit configured to be
`operatively driven through the shaft by the first circuit
`and to operatively drive the milling rotor, the second
`circuit comprising a driven pulley having a second
`drive belt configured to be engaged with the milling
`rotor, a second pulley coupled to a second end of the
`shaft and configured to drive the driven pulley;
`the shaft coupling the first circuit to the first shaft end,
`the second circuit to the second shaft end, and the first
`circuit to the second circuit, wherein the first shaft end
`supports the first circuit and wherein the second shaft
`end supports the second circuit;
`a housing arranged in between the first circuit and the
`second circuit, the housing configured to rotatably
`support the shaft;
`a first tensioning assembly arranged on the housing, the
`first tensioning assembly configured to adjust a ten-
`sion of the first drive belt, and the first tensioning
`assembly comprising a first arm swingable connected
`
`CAT-770 051354
`
`

`

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`US 9,175,449 B2
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`7
`to the housing, a first tensioner pulley rotatably
`mounted on the first arm and arranged in rolling con-
`tact with the first drive belt, and a first hydraulic
`actuator arranged between the housing and the first
`arm, the first hydraulic actuator configured to extend
`or retract the first tensioner pulley into the first drive
`belt; and
`a second tensioning assembly arranged on the housing,
`the second tensioning assembly configured to adjust a
`tension of the second drive belt.
`4. The cold planer of claim 3, further comprising a clutch
`assembly connected to the engine and configured to selec-
`tively engage the milling rotor to the engine.
`5. The cold planer of claim 3, wherein the second tension-
`ing assembly comprises:
`a second arm swingably connected to the housing;
`a second tensioner pulley rotatably mounted on the second
`arm and arranged in rolling contact with the second drive
`belt; and
`a second hydraulic actuator arranged between the housing
`and the second arm, the second hydraulic actuator con-
`figured to extend or retract the second tensioner pulley
`into the second drive belt.
`6. A transmission system for transmitting power from an
`engine to a milling rotor in a cold planer, the transmission
`system comprising:
`a first circuit arranged in a first plane and configured to be
`operatively driven by the engine, the first circuit coin-
`prising a drive pulley having a first drive belt configured
`to be engaged with the engine, a first pulley coupled to a
`first end of a shaft and configured to be driven by the
`drive pulley;
`a second circuit arranged in a second plane substantially
`parallel to the first plane and configured to be operatively
`driven by the first circuit through the shaft and to opera-
`tively drive the milling rotor, the second circuit compris-
`ing a driven pulley having a second drive belt configured
`to be engaged with the milling rotor, a second pulley
`coupled to a second end of the shaft and configured to
`drive the driven pulley;
`the shaft coupling the first circuit to the first shaft end, the
`second circuit to the second shaft end. and the first
`circuit to the second circuit, wherein the first shaft end
`supports the first circuit and wherein the second shaft
`end supports the second circuit;
`a housing arranged in between the first circuit and the
`second circuit, the housing configured to rotatably sup-
`port the shaft;
`a first tensioning assembly arranged on the housing, the
`first tensioning assembly configured to adjust a tension
`of the first drive belt; and
`a second tensioning assembly arranged on the housing, the
`second tensioning assembly configured to adjust a ten-
`sion of the second drive bell,
`wherein the first tensioning assembly comprises a first
`roller configured to engage the first drive belt and the
`second tensioning assembly comprises a second
`roller configured to engage the second drive belt, and
`wherein the engine and the milling rotor are axially
`offset.
`7. A cold planer comprising:
`an engine and a milling rotor, wherein the engine and the
`milling rotor are axially offset, and a transmission sys-
`tem comprising:
`a first circuit arranged in a first plane and configured to
`be operatively driven by the engine, the first circuit
`comprising a drive pulley having a first drive belt
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`5
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`configured to be engaged with the engine, a first pul-
`ley coupled to a first end of a shaft and configured to
`be driven by the drive pulley;
`a second circuit arranged in a second plane substantially
`parallel to the first plane and configured to operatively
`drive the milling rotor, and axially offset with respect
`to the first plane, the second circuit configured to be
`operatively driven through the shaft by the first circuit
`and to operatively drive the milling rotor, the second
`circuit comprising a driven pulley having a second
`drive belt configured to be engaged with the milling
`rotor, a second pulley coupled to a second end of the
`shaft and configured to drive the driven pulley;
`the shaft coupling the first circuit to the first shaft end,
`the second circuit to the second shaft end, and the first
`circuit to the second circuit, wherein the first shaft end
`supports the first circuit and wherein the second shaft
`end supports the second circuit;
`a housing arranged in between the first circuit and the
`second circuit, the housing configured to rotatably
`support the shaft;
`a first tensioning assembly arranged on the housing, the
`first tensioning assembly configured to adjust a ten-
`sion of the first drive belt; and
`a second tensioning assembly arranged on the housing,
`the second tensioning assembly configured to adjust a
`tension of the second drive belt,
`wherein the first tensioning assembly comprises a first
`roller configured to engage the first drive belt and
`the second tensioning assembly comprises a sec-
`ond roller configured to engage the second drive
`belt.
`8. A cold planer, the cold planer comprising:
`an engine;
`a milling rotor;
`means for transmitting energy from the engine;
`means for transmitting energy to the milling rotor; and
`means for transferring the energy from the means for trans-
`mitting energy from the engine to the means for trans-
`miffing energy to the milling rotor;
`wherein the means for transmitting energy from the
`engine is located within a first plane;
`wherein the means for transmitting energy to the milling
`rotor is located in a second plane;
`wherein the means for transferring the energy from the
`means for transmitting energy from the engine to the
`means to the means for transmitting energy to the
`milling rotor comprises a means for coupling a first
`end of a shaft supporting the means for transmitting
`energy from the engine and coupling a second end of
`the shaft supporting the means for transmitting energy
`to the milling rotor;
`wherein the first plane and the second plane are substan-
`tially parallel;
`wherein the engine and milling rotor are axially offset
`from each other;
`wherein the shaft includes a housing arranged in
`between the first plane and the second plane, the hous-
`ing configured to rotatably support the shaft
`wherein the housing includes a first tensioning assembly
`and a second tensioning assembly arranged on the
`housing, the first tensioning assembly configured to
`adjust a tension of a first drive belt of the means for
`transmitting energy from the engine and the second
`tensioning assembly configured to adjust a tension of
`a second drive belt of the means for transmitting
`energy to the milling rotor, and
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`CAT-770 051355
`
`

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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 250-8 Filed 10/25/23 Page 9 of 9 PageID #: 25521
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`US 9,175,449 B2
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`9
`wherein the first tensioning assembly comprises a first
`roller configured to engage the first drive belt and the
`second tensioning assembly comprises a second
`roller configured to engage the second drive belt.
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`5
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`10
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`CAT-770 051356
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