Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title of the Invention
MOBILE IMPACT CRUSHER ASSEMBLY
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
The present application claims priority to United States patent application
number 10/245,483 filed on September 17, 2002, entitled "Mobile Impact Crusher
Assembly" whose inventor is Robert R. Rossi, Jr., and also to a U.S. Patent
Application that is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Number
10/245,483 entitled "Mobile Impact Crusher Assembly" where the inventor is
also
Robert R. Rossi, Jr. and which was filed on September 11, 2003. These two
applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
Federally Sponsored Research or Development
N/A
Background
One important use of impact crushers is in assisting in the cleaning up and
the reduction of waste in our society. Impact crushers are capable of
recycling
used concrete, asphalt, brick, cinder block, demolition debris, glass, and any
other
substances that are hard and brittle. Impact crushers are also used for
crushing
rock and other natural substances. The recycling of these materials is an
increasingly important aspect in the cleaning and preservation of our
environment.
Impact crushers may reduce objects from a larger to a smaller size in order to
recycle and/or store waste material.
An impact crusher uses a diesel/hydraulic system in order to operate. It is
often the case that other pieces of machinery that work in conjunction with
the
impact crusher to reduce material from a base size to the desired size also
have
their own diesel/hydraulic systems. For instance, an excavator may load
material
into the impact crusher, and a screening device may be present to reduce the
size
of the material that is ejected from the impact crusher. Further, a conveyor
and/or
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feeder system is commonly employed to transport material to and from the
impact
crusher. In addition to the increased cost of running these separate systems,
operation of such numerous diesel/hydraulic systems also negatively impacts
the
environment.
An impact crusher is a device that typically includes a frame that defines an
enclosure wherein material that is to be crushed is dropped vertically into
the
frame. A rotor is rotationally mounted within the frame and turns about a
horizontal
axis. The rotor is often provided with one or more crushing bars that contact
the
material that is dropped into the frame. The crushing bars impact the material
and
forces the material against either a wall of the frame or against one or more
impact
plates that are positioned within the frame. The impact plates are positioned
for
receiving the thrown material and are provided with a dampening member in
order
to reduce shock to the frame. The material is crushed into smaller objects by
being thrown against these impact plates and is moved into a different section
of
the frame. Here, the materials again may be contacted by a crushing bar of the
rotor and thrown against one or more impact plates to further reduce the size
of
the crushed material. Eventually, the material is discharged from the frame
and is
deposited either into a pile or onto a conveyor system which transports the
crushed objects to be further processed.
Some impact crushers are provided with an adjusting mechanism that may
be used in order to adjust the distance between the impact plates and the
rotor.
Such an adjustment of this distance between the impact plates and the rotor
typically occurs when the impact crusher assembly is turned off. By varying
the
distance between the rotor and the impact plates, an adjustment of the size of
the
crushed objects may be realized. Additionally, this adjustment may be done in
order to maintain the desired output size of the crushed objects since the
impact
plates change size naturally due to wear through normal use.
Impact crushers may be designed in various formats to produce the crushed
objects. For instance, some impact crushers are designed such that the
distance
between the crushing bars of the rotor and the impact plates is very small,
resulting in a crushing of the material that is more akin to grinding than to
shattering the object by being thrown against an impact plate.
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An impact crusher is typically employed at construction sites. These
construction sites can be, for instance, where buildings are being demolished
or
where roads are being built or repaired. Material from these construction
sites
may be placed into the impact crusher, crushed into a suitable size by the
impact
crusher and a further processing machine, and then reused at this particular
construction site. This allows for a quick, inexpensive supply of needed
materials
along with the reduction of waste to the environment.
Impact crushers crush hard materials. In fact, impact crushers may crush
materials that contain steel. It is sometimes the case that material that
contains
steel when crushed by an impact crusher separates from the steel upon being
crushed. An example of some material that may be crushed by an impact crusher
includes: rock, rubble, stone, boulders, concrete, asphalt, brick, block,
glass,
demolition debris, and the like.
In some impact crushers, the most efficient mode of operation of the impact
crusher is to keep the crushing section full of material. Material may be fed
into
the crushing section of the impact crusher by, for instance, a conveyor and/or
feeder.
Impact crushers are stationary devices that typically are positioned at single
locations in a construction site. Other pieces of machinery must be used in
order
to provide material to the impact crusher to be crushed. Additional equipment
must be employed in order to remove the material that is ejected from the
impact
crusher, and must be used to further process the material into a desired size.
Additionally, further equipment may be required in order to transport the
ejected
material from the impact crusher into a desired location. All of the equipment
and/or systems used to transport material to and from the impact crusher, in
addition to further process the material, require a source of power. Also,
these
systems must be maintained and often operated by a user. Elimination of these
systems would prove beneficial in that less energy, manpower, and/or power
sources would be needed to complete the process.
Summary
The present invention improves upon previous impact crushers by providing
for a mobile impact crusher assembly that can be attached to a piece of
construction equipment such as an excavator. Additionally, the present
invention
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also improves upon previous impact crushers by providing for a single pass
mobile
impact crusher assembly that is powered by the vehicle onto which it is
attached.
Such a configuration reduces the number of diesel/hydraulic systems that must
be
employed in the crushing of materials, along with a reduction in the amount of
equipment that must be employed in reducing material to a desired size. The
current impact crusher may dig and load objects therein in one orientation and
crush and then deposit the crushed material in another orientation.
Additionally,
other benefits may be realized as described herein.
Various features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in
the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be
learned from practice of the invention.
The present invention provides for a mobile impact crusher assembly that is
used for crushing objects. The assembly includes a frame that defines an
enclosure with an exterior surface and an interior space with an inlet opening
to
said interior space. An outlet opening is disposed generally opposite the
inlet
opening. The frame defines a holding section in the interior space adjacent to
the
inlet opening. The frame further defines a crushing section in the interior
space
that communicates with the holding section and the outlet opening. The frame
has
a connection member configured for pivotal attachment to a vehicle. The
connection member is carried by the exterior surface of the frame. The vehicle
may be, for instance, an excavator. A rotor is rotationally mounted relative
to the
frame and is disposed in the interior space. The rotor rotates and crushes
objects
that are held in the frame. The present invention also provides for a mobile
impact
crusher assembly where at least one impact plate is carried on the frame.
Further, the rotor may have one or more crushing bars carried thereon. The
crushing bars impact the objects and hurl the objects against the impact
plates.
The objects are broken apart by a combination of the rotor and the impact
plates.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the, rotor may be
rotationally driven by a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism may be a
hydraulic motor that is directly coupled to a shaft of the rotor. Further, the
driving
mechanism in other exemplary embodiments may be a pulley and V-belt
arrangement. Further, in another exemplary embodiment, the driving mechanism
includes a first frictional engaging member that is connected to the rotor
shaft. and
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is driven by a second frictional engaging member that engages and turns the
first
frictional engaging member. The driving mechanism may be configured to be run
by a hydraulic source of the vehicle or may have its own separate
diesel/hydraulic
source located on the mobile impact crusher assembly.
The present invention provides for a mobile impact crusher assembly that is
used for crushing objects. The assembly includes a frame that defines an
enclosure with an exterior surface and an interior space with an inlet opening
to
the interior space. An outlet opening is disposed generally opposite the inlet
opening. The frame defines a holding section in the interior space adjacent to
the
inlet opening. The frame further defines a crushing section in the interior
space
that communicates with the holding section and the outlet opening. The frame
has
a connection member configured for pivotal attachment to a vehicle. The
connection member desirably is carried by the exterior surface of the frame.
The
vehicle may be, for instance, an excavator. A rotor is rotationally mounted
relative
to the frame and is disposed in the interior space. A guard may be present and
may be configured to be positioned to block the inlet opening of the frame and
prevent some of the objects from exiting the frame through the inlet opening.
In an
alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in addition to or
instead of the guard as previously mentioned, a spray jet or jets are present
and is
attached to the frame. The spray jet may be used for suppressing dust brought
about by the crushing of materials.
The present invention also provides for exemplary embodiments of the
mobile impact crusher assembly as discussed above where the guard includes a
hinge that is configured to allow the guard to pivot with respect to the
vehicle.
Additionally, the mobile impact crusher assembly may be provided with a guard
that has a support frame that supports an elastomeric dampener, which can be
configured with a plurality of curtains arranged in a crisscross pattern.
The present invention also provides for a mobile impact crusher assembly
as discussed above where the guard has a pair of clevises, each clevis having
a
pivot pin configured to allow the guard to pivot with respect to the vehicle.
Further, the mobile impact crusher assembly may be configured as discussed
above where the guard also has at least one cable that is configured for
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attacflment to the vehicle. The cable is used for supporting the guard at a
desired
position.
Also provided for in accordance with the present invention is an exemplary
embodiment of the mobile impact crusher assembly as discussed above which
further has a hydraulic cylinder that engages the guard and is used for
positioning
the guard.
The mobile impact crusher assembly of the present invention may also be
provided with a dust suppression system. This system may include a water tank
that is configured for attachment to the vehicle, and a spray jet or jets that
are
attached to the frame. A water line may place these two components into fluid
communication with one another, and a water pump may be used to force water
through the water line and out of the spray jet in order to reduce dust
brought
about by the crushing of material.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a mobile impact crusher assembly in .
accordance with the present invention. The mobile impact crusher assembly is
shown attached to an arm of a vehicle (shown schematically) and is preparing
to
receive objects into a holding section.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the mobile impact crusher assembly shown
in Fig. 1. The view shows the objects being crushed by a rotor and impact
plates
of the mobile impact crusher assembly, and reduced objects being deposited
therefrom.
Fig. 3A is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile
impact crusher assembly in accordance with the present invention. The view
shows a driving mechanism being a first frictional engaging member engaging a
second frictional engaging member that is driven by a motor.
Fig. 3B is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile
impact crusher assembly in accordance with the present invention. The view
shows the driving mechanism being a V belt that is connected between two drive
pulleys.
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Fig. 3C is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile
impact crusher assembly in accordance with the present invention. The driving
mechanism is shown as being a motor coupled directly to a shaft of the rotor.
Fig. 4A is a front elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of the mobile
impact crusher assembly shown in Fig. 3A.
Fig. 4B is a side elevation view of the mobile impact crusher assembly
taken along line 4B of Fig. 4A. The view shows the first and second impact
plates
being adjustable in order to control the size of the reduced objects that are
crushed
in the mobile impact crusher assembly.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the mobile
impact crusher assembly being connected to an arm of an excavator. The
excavator is attached to a screener that may further process reduced objects
that
are crushed by the mobile impact crusher assembly.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the mobile
impact crusher assembly in accordance with the present invention. The view
shows the mobile impact crusher assembly being connected to an arm of an
excavator and depositing reduced objects therefrom into a screener. The
screener
may further reduce the size of the crushed objects and deposit them into a
corresponding stockpile.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of the
mobile impact crusher assembly of the present invention. The view shows a
first
impact plate being positioned so as to separate a holding section from a
crushing
section.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of the mobile impact crusher assembly show0
in Fig. 7. Here the first impact plate is positioned so that the holding
section is no
longer isolated from the crushing section.
Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the mobile impact crusher assembly shown in
Fig. 7.
Fig. 10 is a front view of the mobile impact crusher assembly shown in Fig.
7.
Fig. 11 is a side elevation view of a mobile impact crusher assembly in
accordance with the present invention. The mobile impact crusher assembly has
a
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guard pivotally attached to an arm of the vehicle and held in position away
from a
frame of the mobile impact crusher assembly ~by a cable.
Fig. 12 is a side elevation view of the mobile impact crusher assembly
shown in Fig. 11 This view shows objects being crushed by a rotor and impact
plates of the mobile crusher assembly, and the guard positioned so as to
prevent
objects from exiting the inlet opening of the mobile impact crusher assembly.
Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the guard of the mobile impact crusher
assembly in accordance with the present invention. The guard includes a
support
frame that carries an elastomeric dampener.
Fig. 14 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a hinge of
the mobile impact crusher assembly in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 11.
Fig. 16 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the mobile
impact crusher assembly in accordance with the present invention. Here, the
guard is positioned by a hydraulic cylinder that is attached to an arm of the
vehicle.
Fig. 17 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the mobile
impact crusher assembly in accordance with the present invention. A dust
suppression system is present and includes a spray jet or jets that are
attached to
the mobile impact crusher assembly, and a water tank and water pump configured
on an excavator to which the mobile impact crusher assembly is attached.
Detailed Description
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one
or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is
provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a
limitation of
the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one
embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third
embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other
modifications and variations.
Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a mobile impact crusher
assembly 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. The mobile impact crusher assembly 10 includes a frame 26 that has
a
connection member 22 located thereon. The frame 26 defines an enclosure with
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an exterior surface 31 and an interior space 33. An inlet opening 35 allows
access
into the interior space 33. An outlet or discharge opening 54 is located
opposite
from the inlet opening 35. The frame 26 defines a holding section 28 adjacent
to
the inlet opening 35. Also defined by the frame 26 is a crushing section 30
that is
in communication with the holding section 28 and the outlet opening 54.
The connection member 22 is configured to be able to receive a member of
a vehicle in order to allow for the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 to be
selectively connected and selectively disconnected from the vehicle. For
instance,
a series of bolts may be provided in order to allow for attachment and
disconnection of the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 to the vehicle.
However,
it could be the case that the connection member 22 provides for a permanent
connection between the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 and the vehicle.
The mobile impact crusher assembly 10 may be configured to be connected
to any type of machine used in the excavation industry. Examples include a
hydraulic excavator, a loader, a shovel, and/or a crane. The mobile impact
crusher
assembly 10 may replace the vehicle's bucket and may also be powered by the
vehicle onto which it is attached. The mobile impact crusher assembly 10 may
be
used as a bucket and transfer device, as well as being a crusher that exhibits
a
controlled form of crushing. In order words, it may be adjusted to regulate
the
output size of crushed material. This could be significant in that different
States
require different sized material specifications for base material as well as
other
products.
As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle onto which the mobile impact crusher
assembly 10 is attached is an excavator 12. More particularly, the mobile
impact
crusher assembly 10 is connected to an excavator arm 14. A pivot 24 is
provided
on a portion of the excavator arm 14. A hydraulic cylinder 18 is also provided
on
the excavator arm 14. Actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 18 results in a
corresponding rotation of the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 about the
pivot
24. Such a pivoting arrangement is commonly known in the art. A hydraulic
cylinder line 20 feeds hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder 18. Although
the
exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1 makes use of hydraulics in order to move
and rotate the mobile impact crusher assembly 10, it is to be understood that
other
mechanisms are possible in accordance with the present invention. For
instance,
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a gear train arrangement could be used in order to provide the required
movement
and/or rotation of the mobile impact crusher assembly 10.
The mobile impact crusher assembly 10 includes a rotor 32 that is used to
crush objects 42. The mobile impact crusher assembly 10 is designed to process
objects 42 that may be hard materials and/or recyclable type materials. For
instance, the objects 42 may be concrete, asphalt, brick, cinder block, and/or
demolition debris. Additionally, hard and brittle objects such as rock or
glass may
also be crushed. The rotor 32 is provided with at least one and desirably more
than one crushing bar 34, which are disposed about the outer circumference of
the
rotor 32. The rotor 32 may hold the crushing bars 34 with the use of wedges,
bolts, or through the unique shape of the crushing bar 34. The crushing bars
34
may be replaced once they begin to exhibit wear throughout normal operation of
the mobile impact crusher assembly 10. Many variations of the rotor 32 are
possible under the scope of the present invention. For instance, instead of
having
crushing bars 34, the rotor 32 may be provided with a series of grinding teeth
that
are used to crush the objects 42. Additionally, any number of crushing bars 34
may be employed on the rotor 32. One such alternate arrangement of the rotor
32
is disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,140,284 to Jobkes and this patent
is
incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes.
It will be appreciated that under the scope of the present invention, various
ways of driving the rotors 32 can be employed. The rotor 32 is rotatably
mounted
onto a rotor shaft 46, the rotor 32 rotating relative to the frame 26. The
rotor shaft
46 may be secured onto the frame 26 by two outboard pillow block bearings (not
shown) which are carried on the outside of the frame 26. Rotation of the rotor
32
may be obtained by a driving mechanism as will be later explained. The driving
mechanism may be run by its own source of power which may be, for instance, a
dieseUhydraulic system that is mounted on the frame 26. Such a
diesel/hydraulic
system 110 is shown schematically on the frame 26 in Figs. 5 and 6.
Additionally,
the driving mechanism can be run from the hydraulic system of the vehicle. As
schematically shown in Fig. 1 for instance, a diesel/hydraulic system 114 may
supply hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic line 16 that is run through the
excavator
arm 14 and into the driving mechanism to eventually turn the rotor 32.
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The mobile impact crusher assembly 10 also includes at least a first impact
plate 36 and desirably a second impact plate 38. Each impact plate 36, 38 is
mounted on the interior of the frame 26. The first and second impact plates 36
and
38 aid in preventing the frame 26 from being damaged by the objects 42 thrown
from the rotor 32. The mobile impact crusher assembly 10 functions by having
the
rotor 32 rotate so that the crushing bars 34 strike objects 42 and hurl the
struck
objects against the impact plates 36 and 38. This action breaks up the objects
42
and reduces them to a smaller desired size. The first and second impact plates
36
and 38 are attached to the frame via spindles 48. The plates 36 and 38 may
also
be pivotally or non-pivotally mounted onto the frame 26. The plates 36 and 38
are
mounted such that they have some yield when struck by the objects 42 thrown by
the crushing bars 34.
Various mechanisms may be employed in order to absorb the force of the
thrown objects 42. For instance, dampening springs may be used to absorb the
forces imparted onto the plates 36 and 38. Additionally, a fluid dampening
mechanism such as a hydraulic cylinder may be employed in order to absorb this
force. Such a dampening mechanism may be employed on a spindle 48.
As shown in Fig. 4B for example, the plates 36 and 38 may each be
provided with a hardened surface 90 in order to provide for a long life of the
first
and second impact plates 36 and 38, and consequentially minimize the number of
times the plates 36 and 38 need to be replaced. However, it is to be
understood
that in all mobile impact crusher assemblies 10, the parts will always suffer
some
degree of wear and will need to be replaced. However, in lieu of simply
replacing
the first and second impact plates 36 and 38, the distance between the first
and
second impact plates 36 and 38 and the rotor 32 may be adjusted. By moving the
distance of the plates 36 and 38 relative to the rotor 32 and the crushing bar
34,
one may either vary the size of the crushed objects that are expelled from the
mobile impact crusher assembly 10, or may compensate for the wear that is
imparted onto the harden surfaces 90. Placing the plates 36 and 38 farther
from
the crushing bars 34 results in larger crushed objects and vice versa. The
construction of impact plates are known in the art, for instance please see
U.S.
Patent No. 4,140,284 by Jobkes that shows an alternate configuration of the
impact plates, spindles, and rotor.
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The mobile impact crusher assembly 10 is manipulated by the excavator
arm 14 such that it may dig into rock or other objects 42. As shown in Fig. 4B
for
example, teeth 50 and 52 are provided on either end of the frame 26 in order
to,
among other things, aid in the initial digging and tearing of the objects 42,
or to
help scrape them into a holding section 28 of the mobile impact crusher
assembly
10. Once the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 has been manipulated such that
objects 42 are placed into the holding section 28, the objects 42 may then be
reduced by the mobile impact crusher assembly 10. Referring now to Fig. 2, it
can
be seen that once the objects 42 are placed into the holding section 28, the
mobile
impact crusher assembly 10 may be manipulated by the excavator arm 14 such
that the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 is rotated approximately 90°
relative to
the position shown in Fig. 1. This tilting allows the objects 42 to fall from
the
holding section 28 into the crushing section 30. The rotor 32 is rotated, and
the
crushing bars 34 impact the objects 42 such that they are hurled against the
first
and second impact plates 36 and 38.
As shown in Fig. 2 for example, the crushing of the objects 42 takes place in
a crushing section 30 of the mobile impact crusher assembly 10. The objects 42
are reduced to a first size upon contact with the first impact plate 36, and
are
reduced to a subsequent smaller size upon their impact against the second
impact
plate 38. The reduced objects 44 fall through the mobile impact crusher
assembly
10 due to a combination of gravity and/or the dynamic forces imparted upon the
reduced objects 44 by the rotor 32 and the impact plates 36 and 38. The
reduced
objects 44 are discharged from the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 through a
discharge opening 54. The reduced objects 44 then fall into either a stockpile
or
some other vehicle or area that is immediately below the mobile impact crusher
assembly 10. Although shown as being in a substantially vertical orientation,
it is
to be understood that the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 may function in
orientations other than those disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2.
The driving mechanism 40 is shown in more detail in Fig. 3A. This
particular configuration of the driving mechanism 40 includes a first
frictionally
engaging member 58 and a second frictionally engaging member 60. The
frictionally engaging members 58 and 60 may be, for instance, a first rubber
tire 58
and a second rubber tire 60. The second rubber tire 60 is driven by a motor 56
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that receives power via an input power line 62. The motor 56 can be a
hydraulic
motor 56 that is mounted on the frame 26 and is powered by a hydraulic input
line
62 from the vehicle. A hydraulic output line 64 runs from the hydraulic motor
56
through the frame, and back to the vehicle. The first rubber tire 58 is
engaged by
the second rubber tire 60 such that rotation of the second rubber tire 60
causes a
corresponding rotation of the first rubber tire 58. The first rubber tire 58
is fixed to
rotate with the rotor shaft 46. Therefore, rotation of the first rubber tire
58 causes a
rotation of the rotor shaft 46 which subsequently causes rotation of the rotor
32 (as
shown in Fig. 1 and 2). Although shown as being hydraulically powered, it is
to be
understood that the first and second rubber tire 58 and 60 arrangement shown
in
Fig. 3A may be powered by other means. For instance, an electric motor 56 may
be coupled to the second rubber tire 60 and may drive the second rubber tire
60 in
much the same way as the hydraulic motor 56. Additionally, it is to be
understood
that the hydraulic lines 62 and 64 from and to the vehicle do not need to be
present in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For instance,
the hydraulic motor 56 may be powered by its own diesel/hydraulic system 110
that is contained on the frame 26, as shown in Fig. 5 or elsewhere in other
exemplary embodiments.
When the first and second rubber tires 58 and 60 are inflated they will press
against each other in order to transmit motion of one to the other. The frame
26
may be'specially reinforced in the section surrounding the drive mechanism 40
in
order to protect the drive mechanism 40 and the associated bearings. By
changing the diameter of the tires 58 and 60 and/or other components of the
drive
mechanism 40 as used in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
as well as the hydraulic pressure of the drive mechanism 40 and/or the RPM of
the
rotor 32, various output sizes of the reduced objects 44 may be attained.
Fig. 3B shows an alternate exemplary embodiment of the driving
mechanism 40. Here, a hydraulic motor 56 is present on the frame 26 but
instead
of driving the second rubber tire 60, the hydraulic motor 56 drives a drive
pulley 66.
Another drive pulley 68 is also present and is in communication with the rotor
shaft
46. The drive pulleys 66 and 68 are in communication with one another through
a
V-belt 69. Rotation of the drive pulley 66 brought about by rotation of the
hydraulic
motor 56 will cause a corresponding movement of the V- belt 69 around the
drive
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pulley 66. Such motion of the V-belt 69 causes a corresponding motion of the
drive pulley 68 which is in contact with the rotor shaft 46 causing rotation
of the
rotor 32 (as seen in Figs. 1 and 2). Again, the hydraulic motor 56 need not be
present in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3B. For instance, in other
exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an electric motor may be
substituted for the hydraulic motor 56 shown in Fig. 3B. Additionally, if a
hydraulic
motor 56 were to be used, the hydraulics required to run the hydraulic motor
56
may be supplied by an independent hydraulic/diesel system 110 that is present
on
the frame 26, and is not run from the vehicle into the frame 26 or elsewhere,
as
shown in Fig. 5.
Fig. 3C shows yet another exemplary alternative embodiment of the driving
mechanism 40. Here, the hydraulic motor 56 is directly mounted onto the rotor
shaft 46. Hydraulic lines 62 and 64 are again present and are run from the
vehicle
into the frame 26 and are used to power the hydraulic motor 56. As previously
mentioned, the hydraulic motor 56 may be substituted with an electric motor in
other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Further, the hydraulic
source may be independently created and housed on the frame 26 or elsewhere
as opposed to being supplied from the hydraulics of the vehicle. The direct
mounting of the hydraulic motor 56 may be accomplished by various ways known
in the art. For instance, the shaft emanating from the hydraulic motor 56 may
be
coupled onto the rotor shaft 46. In the case of mounting the hydraulic motor
56
directly onto the rotor shaft 46, the RPM of the rotor 32 may be regulated by
a
hydraulic control value (not shown).
Fig. 4A shows a front elevation view of the mobile impact crusher assembly
10 having the driving mechanism 40 displayed in Fig. 3A. As can be seen, the
driving mechanism 40 is positioned on an end of the frame 26 and is adjacent
to
the holding section 28. A counter weight (not shown) may be placed on an
opposite end from the driving mechanism 40 as is known in the art. Although
not
shown, a screen may be placed in the opening leading to the holding section
28.
Such a screen may help ensure that objects other than those sought to be
placed
into the holding section 28 are prevented from entering the holding section
28.
Fig. 4B is a side elevation view taken along line 4B of Fig. 4A. Here, it can
be seen that the first impact plate 36 is adjusted to an adjusted position 70,
which
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is schematically indicated by the chain-dashed line representation of the
first
impact plate 36. Similarly, the second impact plate 38 is shown being moved to
an
adjusted position 72. The adjusted positions 70 and 72 may be provided by
rotation of the threaded spindles 48. As noted above, the effect of these
adjustments in position is to vary the output size of the reduced objects 44
(as
shown in Fig. 2). Additionally, wear on the hardened surfaces 90 of the first
and
second impact plates 36 and 38 may require adjustment of the plates 36 and 38
into the adjusted positions 70 and 72 in order to provide for the correct size
of the
reduced objects 44 (as shown in Fig. 2).
As shown in Fig. 4B for example, a hydraulic cylinder 112 may be provided
on the frame 26 and in engagement with the first impact plate 36. The
hydraulic
cylinder 112 may be actuated in order to close off and isolate the holding
section
28 from the crushing section 30. As such, the rotor 32 may be run, and the
hydraulic cylinder may then move the first impact plate 36 so that objects 42
are
then hit by the crushing bars 34 of the rotor 32.
An alternative exemplary embodiment of the mobile impact crusher
assembly 10 is shown is Fig. 7. Here, the hydraulic cylinder 112 is shown
being in
an actuated position in which the cylinder 112 extends through an elongated
slot
(not visible in Fig. 7 view), and the first impact plate 36 is positioned so
as to
isolate the holding section 28 from the crushing section 30. This is
accomplished
by having the hydraulic cylinder 112 being pivotally attached to first impact
plate 36
through a pivotal attachment 200. The first impact plate 36 is also pivotally
attached to the frame 26 at a pivotal attachment 20.4. Upon isolation of the
holding
section 28 from the crushing section 30, the holding section 28 may be used as
a
bucket as is present on a conventional excavator.
As the hydraulic cylinder 112 extends, the first impact plate 36 is pivoted
about the pivotal attachment 204. The hydraulic cylinder 112 is partially
housed
within a frame extension 206 of the frame 26. Hydraulic fluid is fed into and
out of
the hydraulic cylinder 112 through hydraulic lines 224 and 226. The hydraulic
cylinder 112 is pivotally attached to the frame extension 206 of the frame 26
through a pivotal attachment 202. The pivotal attachment 202 allows the
hydraulic
cylinder 112 to pivot with respect to the frame 26 during actuation of the
hydraulic
cylinder 112.
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The second impact plate 38 is shown as being pivotally attached to the
frame 26 through a pivotal attachment 208. As such, upon being struck by
thrown
objects 42, the second impact plate 38 will pivot about the pivotal attachment
208.
A further pivotal attachment 210 is present on the second impact plate 38 in
order
to allow a rod 216 to be connected to the second impact plate 38 and pivot
with
respect thereto. The rod 216 extends through a spring 218, a frame extension
222, and an opening (not visible in the Fig. 7 view) through the frame 26. The
spring 218 engages the frame extension 222 of the frame 26 on one end thereof,
and engages a plate 220 on an opposite end.
A limiting member 212 being a first nut 212 is connected to the rod 216 and
engages the plate 220. Another limiting member 214 being a second nut 214 is
threadably engaged upon the rod 216, the spring 218 being positioned between
the first nut 212 and the second nut 214. It is to be understood that in other
exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first and second nuts 212
and 214 may be either threadably connected onto the rod 216 or permanently
affixed to the rod 216. Objects 42 that are thrown against the second impact
plate
38 impact the hardened surface 90. The force of this impact is transferred
through
the rod 216 and causes the plate 220 to compress the spring 218. The spring
218
exerts a force in response to the impact, and tends to absorb the force of the
impact. The first and second nuts 212, 214 may be adjusted in order to vary
the
distance of the second impact plate 38 from the frame 26. This adjustment may
therefore allow for the regulation of the size and amount of the crushed
objects 44
that are discharged from the mobile impact crusher assembly 10. In one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, hydraulic cylinders may be
incorporated into both of the first and second impact plates 36, 38 in order
to help
prevent oversized crushed objects 44 from exiting the mobile impact crusher
assembly 10.
Although described as having a threaded engagement, the rod 216 and
nuts 212, 214, the spring 218, and related components may be configured with a
manual spring style release system that provides for faster adjustment of the
second impact plate 38.
The exemplary embodiment of the mobile impact crusher assembly 10
shown in Fig. 7 has the rotor 32 being provided with two crushing bars 34.
Each of
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the crushing bars 34 is affixed to the rotor 32 by way of a wedge 228. The
wedge
228 is designed so that the wedge 228 tightens as the centrifugal force due to
the
rotating rotor 32 increases. In other exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, other ways of attaching the rotor 32 and the crushing bars 34 are
contemplated. For instance, pins, bolts, or welding may be employed in other
exemplary embodiments. Also, in other exemplary embodiments of the present
invention the crushing bars 34 may have a curved cross-section instead of a
rectangular cross-section. The crushing bars 34 can have a curved section in
order to fit into a corresponding curved section in the rotor 32 to provide
for
attachment of the crushing bars 34 onto the rotor 32.
Fig. 8 shows the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 of Fig. 7 where the
hydraulic cylinder 112 has been retracted such that the first impact plate 36
is
positioned within the interior space 33 so that the holding section 28 is not
isolated
from the crushing section 30. During use, the mobile impact crusher assembly
10
may have the first impact plate 36 positioned as shown in Fig. 7 and may be
manipulated such that objects 42 are placed within the holding section 28. At
this
point, the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 may be rotated such that the
holding
section 28 is for the most part above the crushing section 30. Rotation of the
rotor
32 may be started, and once a desired rotational speed is obtained the first
impact
plate 36 may be swung into the open position as shown in Fig. 8. At this
point,
objects 42 fall into the crushing section 30 from the holding section 28 and
are
reduced into the crushed objects 44. This type of an arrangement may be
advantages in that the rotor 32 may be prevented from being jammed due to the
fact that it is at a fully developed speed before any contact with the objects
42
occurs.
Fig. 9 is a top view of the mobile impact crusher assembly shown in Figs. 7
and 8. Here, the motor 56 is a hydraulic motor that is attached to the frame
26. A
shaft 230 is coupled to the motor 56 and extends across the frame 26. The
shaft
230 is rotationally mounted onto the frame 26 by way of a pair of bearing
assemblies 232. The driving mechanism is essentially the same as the driving
mechanism 40 as shown in Fig. 3B. Here, a V-belt 69 is employed in order to
allow for rotational motion to be transferred from the drive pulley 66 to the
drive
pulley 68. The drive pulley 66 is connected to the shaft 230 such that
rotation of
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the shaft 230 causes a corresponding rotation of the drive pulley 66. As can
be
seen, this rotation is then transferred to the drive pulley 68 which is
connected to
the rotor shaft 46. Here, the rotor shaft 46 is supported by a pair of bearing
assemblies 234.
Fig. 10 shows a front view of the exemplary embodiment of the mobile
impact crusher assembly 10 displayed in Figs. 7 through 9. Here, a guard 236
is
positioned proximate to the inlet opening 35 of the frame 26. The guard 236
may
be configured such that objects 42 are only able to enter the mobile impact
crusher
assembly 10 if they are of a desired size and weight. It is to be understood
that in
other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the presence of the
guard
236 is not necessary.
Although shown as employing the driving mechanism 40 of Fig. 3B, it is to
be understood that in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention
drive
components other than the V-belt 69 and the drive pulleys 66 and 68 may be
employed. Additionally, hydraulic power may be substituted for other forms of
power in running the driving mechanism 40 in other exemplary embodiments. An
advantage of using a hydraulic driving mechanism 40 is that the hydraulic
configuration allows for the reversal of the rotation of the rotor 32.
Reversing the
rotor 32 will assist in clearing the crushing section 30, referring now to
Fig. 7, if
large andlor non-crushable objects 42 are present within the crushing section
30.
Fig. 5 shows the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 being connected to a
first excavator arm 14 of an excavator 12. The excavator 12 includes a second
excavator arm 76 that is attached to the first excavator arm 14. The second
excavator arm 76 also has a second hydraulic cylinder 74 being attached
thereto
and being powered by the dieseUhydraulic system 114 of the excavator 12.
Actuation of the second hydraulic cylinder 74 causes a corresponding rotation
of
the first excavator arm 14 about the second excavator arm 76. As can be seen
from this arrangement, it is possible for the excavator 12 to manipulate the
mobile
impact crusher assembly 10 such that objects 42 are able to be scooped into
the
frame 26 of the mobile impact crusher assembly 10. The excavator 12 may be
moved back and forth on excavator tracks 78. Additionally, the excavator 12
may
swivel about the excavator swivel base 79 such that the first excavator arm
14,
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second excavator arm 76 and the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 are rotated
in a direction normal to the side elevational view shown in Fig. 5.
The mobile impact crusher assembly 10 as opposed to simply reducing the
size of objects 42, may also act to separate objects. For instance, steel may
be
separated from the product in which it is encased during a pass through the
mobile
impact crusher assembly 10. Objects 42 that may be crushed by the mobile
impact crusher assembly 10 include rock, rubble, stone, boulders, concrete,
asphalt, brick, block, glass, demolition debris and the like.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figs. 5
and 6 for example, a screener 80 is attached to the excavator 12. Such a
screener
~80 is commonly known in the art, and its purpose is to further reduce or
separate
material placed into the screener 80. The screener 80 may be provided with
screener tracks 82 or tires (not shown) in order to aid in movement of the
screener
80. The screener 80 may be run by its own power source, or may be driven via
the diesel/hydraulic system 114 of the excavator 12. The screener 80 has a
screener input 84 into which objects are deposited. The screener 80 then
screens
the inputted objects such that only objects of a desired size and/or those
exhibiting
certain desirable properties are outputted onto the screener output 86. These
objects are then subsequentially transferred off of the screener 80 and
deposited
into a stockpile 88 of screened material. However, in other exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, output from the screener output 86 is
sent
directly to another vehicle which then transports the screened objects to a
remote
location as opposed to simply depositing the output from the screener output
86
into the stockpile 88.
Since the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 is replacing the bucket of the
excavator 12, the operator of the excavator 12 may use the mobile impact
crusher
assembly 10 to scoop objects 42 to be crushed in much the same way as the
operator would when using the normal bucket.
Fig. 6 shows a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the
mobile impact crusher assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention.
Here, the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 is again attached to an excavator
12
and is shown as being rotationally pivoted on the first excavator arm 14. The
mobile impact crusher assembly 10 is in a substantially vertical orientation
such
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that objects 42 are being crushed by the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 and
are being expelled into the screener input 84 of the screener 80. At this
point, the
reduced objects 44 are further processed by the screener 80 such that they are
reduced in size and/or sorted according to desired properties. The output from
the
screener output 86 is deposited into the stockpile 88 of screened material.
It is to be appreciated that the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 may be
connected to vehicles other than the excavator 12 in other exemplary
embodiments of the present invention as schematically shown in Fig. 1. For
instance, the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 may be configured to be
attached to a vehicle 13 such as a loader, a shovel, and/or a crane. As such,
attachment to only the excavator 12 is not always necessary. It is to be
understood that the connection member 22 may be configured such that the
mobile impact crusher assembly 10 is engageable with two or more different
types
of vehicles.
One advantage of the present invention is that the mobile impact crusher
assembly 10 is capable of being mounted onto a vehicle as opposed to simply
being positioned on the ground. Such a configuration allows for the
elimination of
an independent power source needed to run the stand-alone impact crusher that
is
positioned on the ground. Additionally, several steps can be combined or
eliminated when the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 is mounted onto an arm
of a vehicle. For instance, it is not necessary to load the objects 42 into
the stand-
alone impact crusher and then retrieve the reduced objects 44 from the
crusher.
An additional advantage of the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 as
disclosed in the present application is that the mobile impact crusher
assembly 10
may produce a desired saleable object by a single pass of the objects 42
through
the holding section 28 and the crushing section 30. A saleable object is
defined as
an object outputted from the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 that is of a
desired size, and in which no other machinery is needed to place the object
into
the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 or remove the reduced object therefrom.
It
is the case that current impact crushers are used for the purpose of reducing
the
objects 42 into reduced objects 44 which are then required to be further
processed
in order to achieve objects of the desired size. In essence, current impact
crushers are preparation crushers and are not capable of producing saleable
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objects of the desired size. However, at least one exemplary embodiment of the
present invention allows for saleable objects to be realized upon departing
the
discharge opening 54 through a single pass of the objects 42 through the
holding
section 28 and the crushing section 30. It is also to be understood that in
other
exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the mobile impact crusher
assembly 10 can be used in a preparation stage in reducing the objects 42. As
shown in Figs. 5 and 6 for example, the reduced objects 44 are further
processed
by the screener 80.
Significant savings can be realized if a single diesel/hydraulic system 114 is
used on the excavator 12 and also powers the mobile impact crusher assembly 10
as opposed to two separate diesel/hydraulic systems, one being for the
excavator
12 and the other for a stand-alone impact crusher. Further savings can also be
realized in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6 if the single
diesel/hydraulic system 114 is also used to power the screener 80.
It is therefore the case, that the present invention may eliminate the need
for
an elaborate hopper/feeder/crusher/conveyor system. The mobile impact crusher
assembly 10 may utilize the holding section 28 as a hopper and feeder. By
lifting
and tilting the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 at the same time, the
reduced
objects 44 simply discharge at a desired height from the mobile impact crusher
assembly 10 to create a stockpile without the use of a conveyor. When mounted
on the excavator 12, the excavator 12 can swivel about the excavator swivel
base
79 anywhere in a 360° circumference to deposit reduced objects 44. This
allows
for multiple piles of the reduced objects 44 to be stock piled without moving
the
excavator 12 via the excavator tracks 78.
The screen 80 may be mounted on the screener tracks 82 or simply
mounted on tires (not shown) while being towed. Additionally, the screener 80
may have its own source of power in order to provide its own mobility as
opposed
to being simply towed bjr the excavator 12. As can be seen, the present
invention
encompasses exemplary embodiments where the screener 80 is an independent
vehicle from the excavator 12 and has its own power source, and also
encompasses exemplary embodiments where the screener 80 and the excavator
12 are essentially one vehicle, each sharing their own power source.
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In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the screener 80 is
towed by the excavator 12 and is powered by the same power source which runs
the excavator 12. The excavator 12 may use the mobile impact crusher assembly
to scoop a load of objects 42 to be crushed. Once material is within the frame
5 26 of the mobile impact crusher assembly 10, the excavator 12 may be rotated
180° in order to position the mobile impact crusher assembly 10
directly over the
screener input 84. Reduced objects 44 are discharged from the mobile impact
crusher assembly 10 into the screen 80 for sizing purposes. The entire system,
that being the excavator 12 along with the screener 80 may move forward using
10 the tracks on the excavator 12 while digging, scooping, loading, crushing,
screening, and then stock piling the screened material into the stock pile 88.
As
can be seen, the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 is attached to the
excavator
12, and the screener 80 and may be capable of performing all of the various
necessary tasks while the entire assembly is moving in any direction.
Referring now to Fig. 11, another exemplary embodiment of the mobile
impact crusher assembly 10 is shown. Here, a guard 302 is provided and is
attached to the excavator arm 14 of the excavator 12 (Fig. 5). The guard 302
is
positioned away from the inlet opening 35 of the frame 26 such that objects 42
may be scooped into the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 through the inlet
opening 35. In this regard, the guard 302 is pivotally attached to the
excavator
arm 14 by a hinge 306. The guard 302 is further held in the position shown in
Fig.
11 by a cable 310. As can be seen in Fig. 11, when the excavator 12 is not
crushing the objects 42, the guard 302 may be held away from the frame 26 by
the
hinge 306 and the cable 310.
Referring now to Fig. 12, the mobile impact crusher assembly 10 of Fig. 11
is shown in the crushing position. Here, the frame 26 is rotated into the
crushing
position such that the guard 302 blocks the inlet opening 35 (Fig. 11 ) of the
frame
26. The guard 302 prevents the objects 42 from exiting the mobile impact
crusher
assembly 10 through the inlet opening 35 (Fig. 11 ). Absent the positioning of
guard 302 as shown in Fig. 12, objects 42 may be inadvertently thrown out of
the
mobile impact crusher assembly 10 through the inlet opening 35 (Fig. 11 ) due
to
the crushing procedure brought about by the rotor 32 impacting the objects 42
and
causing them to be moved throughout the interior of the frame 26. The guard
302
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may also assist in the dampening of noise associated with the crushing of
objects
42 by the mobile impact crusher assembly 10. The guard 302 may therefore
deflect objects 42 that are thrown upward while the mobile impact crusher
assembly 10 is operating. Consequently, the guard 302 may protect the
excavator
12 from being damaged. The guard 302 may be configured in order to block the
entire inlet opening 35, or may be configured in order to block only a portion
of the
inlet opening 35 in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. A portion
of
the side face of the guard 302 is cut away in Fig. 12 in order to show the
objects
42 being blocked by the guard 302.
As can be seen in Fig. 12, the frame 26 engages the guard 302 such that
the guard 302 is slightly lifted off of a support member 304. The support
member
304 may be a welded structure attached to the excavator arm 14 of the
excavator
12. The support member 304 may be used to support the guard 302 when the
guard 302 is not engaged by the frame 26. Further, the support member 304 may
be used as a stop in order to prevent the guard 302 from rotating or moving
past a
desired location.
The hinge 306 used to provide pivotal attachment of the guard 302 to the
excavator arm 14 may be seen in more detail in Figs. 13 and 14. Here, the
hinge
306 is made from a pair of clevises 316 that are each rigidly attached to the
excavator arm 14. In one exemplary embodiment, they may be welded onto the
excavator arm 14. Alternatively, the clevises 316 can be attached to the arm
14
with mechanical fasteners such as bolts and nuts. The guard 302 includes a
frame
support 320 that extends into each of the clevises 316 and is pivotally
retained
thereon by a pair of pivot pins 308. Although shown as employing a pair of
clevises 316, it is to be understood that in accordance with other exemplary
embodiments of the present invention that more or fewer of the clevises 316
may
be used in order to effect pivotal attachment of the guard 302.
The support frame 320 incorporated into the guard 302 may include a steel
structure, for instance tubular steel, that includes a series of crisscrossing
members 331 forming a shallow cage that is open at the bottom and at the front
end, which is nearest the hinge 306. Guard 302 also desirably includes an
elastomeric dampener 318 that lines the interior of the cage 320. A plurality
of
side frame pieces 333 (Fig. 11 ) may be employed in order to form a structure
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which provides strength to the support frame 320, forms an enclosure
preventing
objects 28 from escaping the inlet opening 11, and allows for attachment of
the
elastomeric dampener 318. The objects 42 (Fig. 12) may be retained by a
combination of the support frame 320 and the elastomeric dampener 318. The
elastomeric dampener 318 may be made of natural gum rubber or may have, for
instance, a durometer valve of forty. However, other configurations of the
guard
302 are possible in accordance with the present invention. For instance, the
guard
302 may be a single piece which is in the shape of a plate or a plate having
side
walls, and may be made of either a single rigid material or a single flexible
material. As such, various constructions of the guard 302 are possible in
accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support frame
320 may be made from tubular steel that is welded together to form a framework
that outlines the elastomeric dampener 318. The elastomeric dampener 318 may
be rubber that is both pliable and durable, and may be either glued or bolted
onto
the support frame 320. The elastomeric dampener 318 and possibly the support
frame 320 may be somewhat flexible such that they momentarily take the shape
of
objects 42 (Fig. 12) that contact the guard 302.
Fig. 15 is taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 11 and shows the guard 302. Here,
the elastomeric dampener 318 may be composed of multiple hanging curtains 319
that run lengthwise within cage 320. Dampener 318 also can include a plurality
of
hanging cross-curtains 321 that are designed widthwise within cage 320 and
intersect curtains 319 so that curtains 319 and cross-curtains 321 crisscross
one
another within the guard 302. An advantage of this configuration is that the
cross-
curtains 321 can absorb a higher amount of force from propelled objects 42 due
to
lengthwise impacting on the cross-curtains 321, and due to strength added from
their crisscross configuration. As shown in Fig. 12 for example, dampener 318
includes a base 322 that rests against and closes off the top of cage 320, and
curtains 319 and cross-curtains 321 depend from base 322. As shown in Figs. 11
and 12, a front flap 317 of the dampener 318 hangs down in front of the front
end
of the guard 302. As such, the guard 302 defines an open side nearest to the
arm
14. This open side is advantageous in that objects 42 are more easily retained
by
the guard 302 since the frame 26 may be more snuggly fit into the guard 302
since
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the open face allows for such insertion. However, the present invention is not
limited to a specific configuration of the elastomeric dampener 318, and
various
shapes may be employed in other exemplary embodiments.
As can be seen in Fig. 15, the guard 302 employs a cable 310.
Alternatively, a pair of cables 310 may be used in place of the single cable
310 that
is run through an opening in a vehicle cable connection member 312. Each of
the
cables 310 (or cable 310 if one is used) is pivotally attached to the
excavator arm
14 by the vehicle cable connection member 312, which in one exemplary
embodiment may be welded onto the excavator arm 14. As shown in Fig. 13, the
cables 310 are pivotally attached to the guard 302 by a pair of guard cable
connection members 314. The guard cable connection members 314 may be
spaced from one another in order to provide desired stability of the guard
302.
However, it is to be understood that in other exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, that more or fewer than two guard cable connection members
314 may be used, along with variations of the positioning of the guard cable
connection members 314.
As shown in Fig. 11, the cable 310 is in tension, and supports one end of
the guard 302, when the guard 302 is disposed away from the inlet 35 of the
frame
26. Once the excavator arm 14 is rotated into the position shown in Fig. 12,
tension is released on the cable 310 and it becomes slack, in which case the
guard
302 may be allowed to be pivoted about the hinge 306. As such, in accordance
with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the guard 302 may be
properly positioned without the use of any power source. However, other
exemplary embodiments of the present invention exist in which the guard 302 is
positioned by an electrical or hydraulic source. Fig. 16 shows one such
exemplary
embodiment where a hydraulic cylinder 324 is pivotally attached to the
excavator
arm 14 and the guard 302. The hydraulic cylinder 324 may be powered by the
diesel/hydraulic system 114 of the excavator 12, and placed into communication
with the diesel/hydraulic system 314 through a hydraulic line 322. Actuation
of the
hydraulic cylinder 324 will cause the guard 302 to be pivoted about the hinge
306
and positioned at a desired location.
Although shown as being attached to the excavator arm 14, it is to be
understood that other configurations of the guard 302 are possible in
accordance
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with the present invention. For instance, the guard 302 may be attached to the
frame 26. In this case, the guard 302 may be moved in order to block the inlet
opening 35 of the frame 26 by gravity through the configuration of the guard
302,
or may be moved by an electric or hydraulic system such as the exemplary
embodiment shown in Fig. 16.
The guard 302 may be detached from the excavator 12 by removing the
guard 302 at the hinge 306 and at the vehicle cable connection member 312 in
order to allow for transportation of the excavator 12, or to mount another
attachment onto the excavator arm 14.
The present invention also provides for a mobile impact crusher assembly
10 that includes a dust suppression system as shown in Fig. 17. Here, the dust
suppression system includes a water tank 352 that may be mounted on the
excavator 12. A water pump 356 may be included that may run off of a power
system included with the excavator 12, or may be provided with a small engine
that operates the water pump 356. Water may be pumped through a water line
354 located on the excavator arm 14 into a spray jet or jets 350 attached to
the
frame 26 near the outlet 54. During crushing of the objects 42, the dust
suppression system may be activated such that water is sprayed out of the
spray
jet or jets 350 proximate to the discharge opening 54 (Fig. 12) of the frame
26 in
order to cut down on the amount of dust produced by the crushing operation.
The
dust suppression system may be used apart from the guard 302 discussed above,
or may be used in combination with the guard 302 as previously discussed.
It should be understood that the present invention includes various
modifications that can be made to the embodiments of the mobile impact crusher
assembly 10 described herein as come within the scope of the appended claims
and their equivalents.
26
