Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02590808 2007-05-31
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
CUTTER HEAD WITH MULTIPLE MOUNTS, BUSHING ASSEMBLY
AND/OR COOLER ASSEMBLY
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Nos.
60/809,387, filed May 31, 2006 and 60/842,998, filed September 8, 2006, each
incorporated herein by referen.ce in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an industrial apparatus for use in mulching
or
cutting vegetation such as brush, trees, etc., or stump grinding. In
particular, the
invention relates to improvements to a cutter head in which the cutter head
may include
two or more mounts for connection with various equipment, such as an excavator
or a
tractor (with wheels or tracked belts), a bushing assembly, and/or a cooler or
radiator
assembly.
2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] Presently, there are two types of cutting heads available. The first
type of
cutting head is adapted for mounting onto an excavator, and the second type of
cutting
head is adapted for mounting onto a tractor. Both types of cutter heads may
use a rotor
and cutting elements as taught in co-pending U.S. non-provisional Patent
Application No,
10/975,410, filed October 29, 2004, incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
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100041 Figure 1 shows a prior art cutter head 5 for use with a tractor. The
cutter
head 5 includes a main body in the form of a chassis 10 that supports a rotor
15 with a
plurality of cutting elements 20. The upper portion of the chassis 10 is
provided with a
push bar 25 to help push over vegetation while the cutting elements 20 engage
and
mulch/cut the vegetation. A plurality of access doors 30 are provided to allow
selective
access to the internal components, e.g., motors, belts, hydraulics, rotor,
etc. A deflector
35 is provided (e.g., hinged) to the front side of the chassis. A pair of skid
plates 36 are
provided on each lateral side of the chassis 10. The arrow 40 indicates the
intended
cutting direction of the cutter head:
[0005) Figure 2 is a reverse perspective view of the cutter head 5 of Figure
1.
The chassis 10 includes mounting structure 45 (e.g., at least one hook 50 and
a flange 55
with a througl: hole 60) suitable of use with a tractor. Figures 3 and 4 show
tractors 65,
70 that are coupled to the cutter head as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 3
is a tractor
with wheels 75 while Figure 4 is a tractor with a pair of tracked drive belts
80.
[00061 Figure 5 is a front view of a cutter head 5' that is similar to the
cutter head
shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, Figure 5 shows various hydraulic tubes 85
for
connection to the tractor. In addition, Figure 5 shows a pressure gauge 90
that has been
attached or otherwise provided to or adjacent the upper portion of the
chassis. The
pressure gauge 90 is mounted in such an orientation as to allow the operator
of a tractor
to see the readout or display of the pressure gauge 90.
100071 Figure 6 shows an excavator 95 having a cutter head 100 similar to the
cutter head shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, because the excavator 95 has a
different
architecture, the mounting structure 45 shown in Figure 2 is not appropriate
for use with
the excavator 95. In particular, the excavator 95 has a main boom 105 and a
secondary
boom 110 that is pivotably mounted to the main boom. The secondary boom I 10
is
associated with a hydraulic actuator 115. As shown in Figure 7, the excavator
95
includes a linkage 120 that links the hydraulic actuator 115 to both the
cutter head 100
and the secondary boom 105. The cutter head 95 includes a mounting structure
125 (in
the general shape of an anvil), one portion of which is linked to the
hvdraulic actuator (or
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linkage thereof) and another portion that is linked to the secondary boom (or
linkage
thereof). In addition, the cutter head 95 may include a pressure gauge (not
shown) that
includes a display that can be read by the operator who is located in the cage
126 of the
excavator shown in Figure 6. The display is oriented so as to be visible along
the axis
130 of the rotor, or about 90 degrees compared to the orientation of the
pressure gauge in
Figure 5.
[00081 In practice it is not unusual for a contractor to purchase two types of
cutter
heads, one for use with a tractor and the other for use with an excavator.
Excavators and
tractors have various advantages and disadvantages, such that depending on the
job at
hand, the terrain, obstacles (e.g., highway guard rails, etc.) both types of
heads will be
needed. This is a disadvantage from the perspective of costs, because two
cutter heads
are required, and also because additional resources will be required to
transport two cutter
heads rather than one cutter head.
(0009] Accordingly, a need has developed in the art to address the above-noted
deficiencies.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100101 One aspect of the invention relates to providing a cutter head that is
adapted to operate with two or more pieces of equipment with various cutter
head support
structures, e.g., a tractor or an excavator.
[00111 Another aspect is to provide an adapter for a cutter head that may be
retrofit to existing cutter heads.
(00121 Another aspect is directed to a pressure gauge that is adjustably
mounted
to a cutter head.
100131 Another aspect is directed to an excavator mount provided with a
bushing
assembly to accommodate for different size rods/bolts used in different
excavators and/or
different excavator linkages.
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100141 Another aspect is directed to a cooler assembly provided to the cutter
head. The cooler assembly may be an independent circuit, or it may work in
conjunction
with a primary cooler assembly provided on the tractor or excavator.
100151 According to one embodiment, there is provided a cutter head comprising
a chassis; a cutting element provided to the chassis; a first mount provided
to a rear
portion of the chassis; and a second mount provided to a top portion of the
chassis.
[00161 According to another embodiment, there is provided a pressure gauge
comprising a base unit including mounting structure; a display associated with
the
mounting structure; and an adjustment mechanism to allow at least the display
to be
moved to two or more predetermined positions.
100171 In still another embodiment, a method for cutting vegetation comprises
providing a cutter head with first and second mounts; attaching the cutter
head to a tractor
via the first mount when using the tractor; and attaching the cutter head to
an excavator
via the second mount when using the tractor. The method may further include
providing
a pressure gauge to the cutter head; and adjusting the position of the
pressure gauge
depending on whether the cutter head is mounted to the excavator or the
tractor.
[0018] In yet another embodiment, there is provided a cutter head comprising a
chassis; a cutting element provided to the chassis; and an excavator mount
provided to a
top portion of the chassis, said excavator mount including a base plate and
upstanding
walls provided to front and rear sides of the base plate, each of the front
and rear
upstanding walls including a pair of spaced holes, each of said holes
including a bushing
assernbly.
[0019] In another embodiment, there is provided a cutter head comprising a
chassis; a cutting element provided to the chassis, said cutting element
having a rotor
engine; and a cutter head cooler assembly having a cutter head cooler provided
to the
chassis and in communication with said rotor engine.
[0020] These and other aspects of the invention will be described aiid/or
apparent
from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in conjunction
with the following drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like
parts, and
wherein:
[0022] FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a prior art cutter head;
100231 FIGURE 2 is reverse perspective view of the prior art cutter head shown
in Figure 1;
[0024] FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a wheel-driven tractor with the
cutter
head shown in Figures 1 and 2;
100251 FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a belt-driven tractor with the cutter
head shown in Figures 1 and 2;
100261 FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a prior cutter head;
[0027] FIGURE 6 is an excavator including a cutter head according to the prior
art;
1002$1 FIGURE 7 is a detail view of FIGURE 6 showing a cutter head mounting
structure that links with a secondary boom and a hydraulic actuator of the
excavator;
(0029] FIGURE 8 is an exploded perspective view of a cutter head according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
100301 FIGURE 9 is an assembled view of the cutter head shown in FIGURE 9;
100311 FIGURE 10 is a partially assembled view of the cutter head shown in
FIGURES 8 and 9, without the rotor, excavator mount, belt covers, etc.;
100321 FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a cutter head according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
10033] FIGURE 12 is a rear perspective view of a cutter head according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
100341 FIGURE 13 is an exploded perspective view of the excavator mount
shown in Figure 12;
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100351 FIGURE 14 is an assembled perspective view of the excavator mount
shown in Figure 13;
[0036] FIGURE 15 is a front perspective view of a cutter head according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIGURE 16 is partial rear perspective view thereof;
[0038] FIGURES 16-1 and 16-2 are schematic diagrams showing coolant circuits
according to sample embodiments of the present invention;
[00391 FIGURE 17 is a assembled perspective view of the cooler/cover
combination shown in Figures 15 and 16;
(0040] FIGURE 18 is an exploded view thereof;
100411 FIGURE 19 is a perspective view of the radiator bracket shown in Figure
18;
100421 FIGURE 20 is a front perspective view of an access door having a
bracket
assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
100431 FIGURE 21 is a rear perspective view thereof with a cooler mounted on
the bracket of Figure 20.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIME'NTS
[0044] Figures 8-21 illustrate cutter heads constructed according to examples
or
embodiments of the present invention. The cutter head is intended to be
releasably and
selectively coupled or otherwise provided to various types of equipment, such
as an
excavator or a tractor, etc., each of which requires different mount for
mounting the
cutter head. In this specification, the term cutter head is inclusive of
grinders, wood
chippers, tub grinders and horizontal grinders, etc. While several embodiments
of the
invention are described, it is to be understood that one or more components of
one
embodiment may be combined with one or more components of another embodiment
to
form additional embodiments. Moreover, each feature, component or subcomponent
of
each embodiment may form an independent aspect of the present invention.
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100451 Figure 8 shows a cutter head 200 including a chassis 205 having lateral
side walls 210 and a top or central portion 215 interconnecting the lateral
side portions
210. Each lateral side wall 210 is associated with a skid plate assembly 220.
A rotor 225
with a plurality of cutting heads 230 is rotatably mounted between the lateral
side walls
210, like the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2. One or both ends of the
chassis 205
includes a cover member 235 to house pulleys, motor shafts, and/or belts that
connect the
motor(s) to the rotor. One or more access doors 240 are provided to allow
selective
access to the motor and other components. A deflector 245 is provided, e.g.,
hingedly
attached, to the top or central portion 215.
[00461 An adapter plate 250 is coupled or otherwise provided to the chassis
205.
In the example illustrated, the adapter plate 250 includes lateral depending
wall members
255 that can be coupled to the chassis 205 via a pair of mounting brackets 260
provided
on or adjacent the lateral side walls 210 of the chassis 205. The depending
walls 255 and
the brackets 260 include one or more holes or apertures 265 that can be
aligned and
threaded with a fixing device, such as a nut and/or bolt (not shown), etc.
[0047] The chassis 205 also includes an upstanding central support 270 that is
designed to support a central portion of the adapter plate 250 between the
lateral side
walls 210. The support 270 may include one or more apertures 275 that align
with
corresponding apertures 280 in the adapter plate 250, to allow positive
coupling via a
fixing device.
100481 An upper surface 285 of the adapter plate includes a plurality of
brackets
290 designed to support a push bar 295. The push bar 295 may include a
serrated edge
300 and is adapted to contact with vegetation (e.g., trees, etc.) so that the
vegetation is
directed away from the operator (especially in the case where the cutter head
is used with
a tractor) and/or better exposed to the cutting elements on the rotor 225. The
push bar
295 need not be used, especially where an excavator (Figures 6 and 7) is used.
100491 The cutter head 200 is associated with first 305 and second 310 mounts.
It
is also possible that three or more mounts could be provided to the cutter
head. The first
mount 305 is for use with a tractor as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In
particular, the first
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mount 305 has a structure like the mount shown in Figure 2. The first mount
305 is
located on the rear surface (relative to the cutting direction 315) of the
cutter head 200
shown in Figure S. The first mount 305 includes one or more coupling units,
each
coupling unit including a hook oriented towards a rear of the chassis and a
flange
oriented towards a rear of the chassis. The flange includes at least one
through hole. The
first or second mount may include other or additional configurations, e.g.,
magnetic, etc.
100501 The second mount 310 is in the form of an excavator mount 320 that is
mounted using bolts, etc., to the adapter plate 250 shown in Figure 8. The
excavator
mount 320 includes a mounting linkage having a base plate 325 and upstanding
walls
330, 335 provided to front and rear sides of the base plate, respectively,
each of the front
and rear walls 330, 335 preferably having an anvil type shape and including a
pair of
spaced holes 340. The second mount 310 enables the cutter head 200 to be
implemented
using an excavator as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Figure 9 is an assembled view
of the
cutter head 200 of Figure 8, while Figure 10 is a partial assembled view of
the cutter
head, with several of the components removed for clarity, e.g., the rotor,
excavator
adapter, covers, motor components, hydraulics, etc. The push bar 295 may be
mounted
in two or more positions relative to the adapter plate, as is evident from
Figures 9 and 10.
100511 A pressure gauge 350 is adjustably mounted to the chassis 205, e.g.,
via an
adjustinent mechanism. The position of the pressure gauge or a portion
thereof, e.g., the
display or readout, can be adjusted. For example, the pressure gauge can be
moved from
the position shown in Figure 8 (which is oriented for use with an excavator)
to the
equivalent of the position shown in Figure 5( for use with a tractor).
100521 The adjustment mechanism can take several forms, such as a ball and
socket joint, a swivel joint, etc., or the chassis can simply'oe designed such
that the
pressure gauge or a portion thereof can be mounted in one of two positions,
approximately 90 apart relative to one another, to allow the operator in the
driver's seat a
clear view. This can be achieved by providing holes on the chassis and the
base of the
pressure gauge that align when provided in the viewing position. The pressure
gauge 350
is lockable in each of the two or more viewing positions using a fixing
device, such as
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bolts, magnetic attraction, etc. The pressure gauge may be rotatable or
otherwise
movable in and between the two positions. Alternatively, the pressure gauge
can be
detachably mounted to the chassis so as to be mountable in one of the two
positions. The
adjustment device may include a set screw that can be loosened to allow
adjustment and
tightened in a plurality of viewing positions.
[0053] The adjustment device may include a pin and slot arrangement whereby
the pin and slot are disengaged to allow adjustment and the pin and slot are
engaged to
allow locking of the pressure gauge relative to the chassis. The adjustment
device may
include a resilient member or spring (e.g., a spring that biases the pin into
engagement
with one of a plurality of slots) to maintain engagement between the pin and
the slot
when positioned in one of a plurality of predetennined positions.
[0054] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a cutter head 400 according to
another
embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 includes a chassis 405 with two
lateral
side walls 410 and a top or central portion 415. The lateral side walls 410
have a
relatively thick gauge as compared to the side walls in prior embodiments. A
push bar
420 is attached to the side walls 410. An adapter plate 425 is affixed, e.g.,
welded to the
chassis 405, and extends at least partly between the two lateral side walls
410. The
adapter plate 425 includes or is otherwise associated with an excavator mount
430. The
rear side 435 of the chassis (relative to the cutting direction 436) includes
another mount
440 (e.g., like shown in Figure 2) for interfacing with a tractor, such as the
tractors shown
in Figures 4 and 5. In one example, the cutter head of Figures 1 and 2 can be
modified to
include the welded adapter plate of Figure 11. As such, the adapter plate 425
can be sold
as part of a kit to allow retrofitting of existing cutter heads to include a
second mount.
100551 According to another aspect, there is provided a method for cutting
vegetation comprising providing a cutter head with first and second mounts;
attaching the
cutter head to an excavator via the first mount when using the excavator; and
attaching
the cutter head to a tractor via the second mount when using the tractor.
Optionally, a
pressure gauge may be provided to the cutter head, and the position of the
pressure gauge
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could be adjusted depending on whether the cutter head is mounted to the
excavator or
the tractor.
[00561 In accordance with the above description, a cutter head is provided
with
first and second mounts to allow for implementation of the cutter head with
various
equipment, such as an excavator or a tractor, each of which has different
cutter head
support structure. As such, it is not necessary to purchase a separate cutter
head for each
piece of equipment, which can save costs because the costs of a single cutter
head (e.g.,
see the embodiments of Figures 8-11) is far less expensive than the cost of
two cutter
heads shown in Figures 1-2 and 6-7, respectively. ln addition, the cost and
inconvenience of transporting two cutter heads rather than one is eliminated.
[00571 Figure 12 shows a cutter head 500 including a chassis 505 having
lateral
side walls 510 and a top or central portion 515 interconnecting the lateral
side portions
510. Each lateral side wall 510 is associated with a skid plate assembly 521.
A rotor (not
shown) with a plurality of cutting heads is rotatably mounted between the
lateral side
walls 510, like the arrangement shown in Figure 8. One or both ends of the
chassis 505
includes a cover member 535 to house pulleys, motor shafts, and/or belts that
connect the
motor(s) to the rotor.
100581 An adapter plate 550 is coupled or otherwise provided to the chassis
505.
In the example illustrated, the adapter plate 550 includes lateral depending
wall members
555 that can be coupled to the chassis 505 via a pair of mounting brackets 560
provided
on or adjacent the lateral side walls 510 of the chassis 505. The depending
walls 555 and
the brackets 560 include one or more holes or apertures that can be aligned
and threaded
with a fixing device, such as a nut and/or bolt (not shown), etc. One or more
access
doors are provided below adapter plate 550 to allow selective access to the
motor and
other components.
[00591 The chassis 505 may also include an upstanding central support (like
that
shown in Figure 8) that is designed to support a central portion of the
adapter plate 550
between the lateral side walls 510. Adapter plate 550 may also be designed to
support a
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push bar (not shown) and a pressure gauge 551 in an adjustable manner, as
described
above.
[0060] The cutter head 500 is associated with first 305 and second 310 mounts.
The first mount 305 is for use with a tractor as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In
particular,
the first mount is located on the rear surface (relative to the cutting
direction 315) of the
cutter head 500 shown in Figure 12. The first mount 305 includes one or more
coupling
units. The first or second mount may include other or additional
configurations, e.g.,
magnetic, etc.
(0061} The second mount 310 is in the form of an excavator mount 520 that is
mounted using bolts 529, etc., to the adapter plate 550 shown in Figure 12.
The
excavator mount 520 includes a mounting linkage having a base plate 525 and
upstanding
wails 526, 527 provided to front and rear sides of the base plate,
respectively, each of the
front and rear walls preferably having an anvil type shape and including a
pair of spaced
holes 528 (see Figure 13). The second mount 310 enables the cutter head 500 to
be
implemented using an excavator as shown in Figures 6 and 7.
[0062] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the excavator mount 520 includes a
bushing assembly including a welded-in bushing 534 and a press fit bushing 536
for each
hole 528. Each welded-in bushing 534 includes a cylindrical portion 534.1 and
a flanged
portion 532.2. The flanged portion 534.2 is larger than the diameter of the
hole 528 and
is mounted on an outside surface 526.1, 527.1 of the walls 526, 527. The
welded-in
bushing 534 is generally welded to the hole.
[0063] Similarly, each press fit bushing 536 includes a cylindrical portion
538
and a flange 539 provided to one end of the cylindrical portion 538. As shown
in Figure
13, the flange is provided on an inside surface 526.2, 527.2 of the mount 520,
i.e.,
between the two walls 526, 527. A detent assembly may be provided such that
the
bolts/rods 529 "click" into place, thereby locking the assembly and providing
audio
feedback to the operator that a connection has been established. The detent
assembly
may include a recess or hole provided to either the bushing 536 or the rod
529, and a
spring loaded ball bearing provided to the other of the bushing or the rod.
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10064] In use, the diameter of the rods/bolts 529 can vary depending on the
manufacturer of the excavator. Therefore, the size of the holes 528 in the
side walls
would need to be changed to suit with the particular size of the rods/bolts
being used for
any given excavator. This can be problematic, especially if the cutter head is
to be used
with two or more excavators having different rod sizes.
100651 By contrast, the holes 528 are formed with a uniform diameter,
generally
the same size as or larger than the largest diameter rod/bolt. The size of the
hole 528 is
adaptable to the size of the bolt/rod, using the bushing assembly. The
bushings 534, 536
may be provided in a number of different sizes so as to accommodate all
available
diameter sizes of the rod/bolt used in current excavators.
(0066] Figures 15-21 illustrate a cutter head according to another embodiment
of
the present invention. Figure 15 shows a cutter head 600 including a chassis
605 having
lateral side walls and a top or central portion interconnecting the lateral
side portions.
Each lateral side wall is associated with a skid plate assembly 620. A rotor
625 with a
plurality of cutting heads 630 is rotatably mounted between the lateral side
walls, like the
arrangement shown in Figure 8. The rotor is driven or powered by a rotor
engine
supported by chassis 605. One or both ends of chassis 605 includes a cover
member 635
to house pulleys, motor shafts, and/or belts that connect the engine/motor(s)
to the rotor.
One or more access doors 640, 641 are provided to allow selective access to
the motor
and other components. Door 641 includes a pair of handles 642.
100671 The cutter head 200 is associated with at least a tractor mount
positioned
on the rear side of the cutter head. The cutter head may also include an
excavator mount,
as described above. A pressure gauge 650 may be adjustably mounted to the
chassis 605,
as described above.
100681 A cooler or radiator assembly 655 may be provided to the chassis 605.
In
the example shown, the cooler assembly is mounted to access door 640. Figure
16 is a
partial rear perspective view of the cutter head, showing further details of
the cooler
assembly. Cooler assembly includes an inlet 670 (that receives high
temperature coolant
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from the motor/engine of the mulcher head) and an outlet that conveys the
coolant after it
has been cooled down by the cooler coils or fins.
[0069] In one embodiment shown in Figure 16-1, the cooler assembly 655 is part
of an independent cooling circuit in which the relatively cooler coolant from
the outlet
675 is re-circulated (e.g., with a pump 680) directly to the inlet 685 of the
rotor
motor/engine 690 of the cutter head 600. Coolant exits the outlet 695 of the
rotor
motor/engine 695 and returns to the inlet 670 of the cooler assembly 655. As
such, the
pump 680 can be mounted or otherwise provided somewhere in or on the chassis
605 or
even within the cooler cover. Pump 680 may be provided either upstream or
downstrearn
of the rotor motor/engine 690.
[0070] in another embodiment shown in Figure 16-2, the cooler assembly outlet
675 channels coolant via a return hose 695 to the source of motive power,
e.g., the tractor
or excavator, for handling by a primary coolant circuit 700 of the tractor or
excavator.
Thus, a pump 705 of the motive power source pumps the high temperature coolant
of the
cutting head cooler assembly to an inlet 710 of a primary cooler assembly or
radiator 715
of the motive power source. An outlet 720 of the primary cooler assembly 715
is
channeled to the motor or engine 725 of the motive power source, which in turn
is
channeled back to the inlet 710 of the primary cooler assembly 715. In
addition, coolant
from the outlet 720 of the primary cooler assembly 715 is channeled to the
inlet 685 of
the rotor motor/engine of the cutter head 600. The high temperature coolant is
channeled
from the outlet 695 of the rotor motor/engine to the inlet 670 of the cutter
head cooler
assembly. In the embodiments of both Figures 16-1 and 16-2, a thermostat T
maybe
provided, in conjunction with various valves V, etc., to modulate or regulate
the
teinperature of the cooler assembly or assemblies. In the embodiment of
Figures 16-2, a
second pump may be provided to the cutter head, which pump can operate either
in series
(pump P2) or in parallel (pump P2') with the primary pump 705 of the source of
motive
power.
(0071J As shown in Figure 17, cooler assembly 655 includes a cover 740 that
includes a number of vent openings 745 on the top and/or side walls thereof.
The cover
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740 is mounted on an access door 746, e.g., via a bracket assembi_y 750 (shown
in
combination with access door in Figure 19). Access door 746 includes an
opening 755 to
access a hydraulically actuated rod (not shown) to control the position of a
deflector
plate. Bracket assembly 750 includes a pair of side walls 760 that are mounted
to or
otherwise provided to the access door 746. The cover 740 may include one or
more
handles to facilitate handling. Each side wall 760 includes a pair of bolts
765 that engage
with respective recesses 770 in the bottom edge of each lateral side wall 775
of the cover.
Bracket assembly 750 also supports fins or coils 780, e.g., via a bracket 781
and bolts
782. A cooler 790 of the cooler assembly 655 includes fins/coils 780, as well
as the inlet
and outlet 670, 675. Cooler assembly 655 may include a fan 785 that is
supported on the
cooler 790 using one or more pin supports 795 that are received in
corresponding
brackets 800 on the cooler 790. Fan 785 draws ambient air over the coils or
fins 780, to
accelerate and/or maximize cooling. Cooler assembly 655 may also include one
or more
filters.
[00721 In one embodiment, the cooler is arranged such that intake air is taken
in
from the front and rear walls 805, 810 of the cover 740. In this example, the
vent holes
on each wall 805, 810 (Figure 18) can be converted into a single large opening
815 (see
the dotted lines in Figure 18) which is provided with a filter 820 or filter
cartridge, insert,
a filter holder and a filter, etc. In the case of the holder 825 and filter
820, the holder 825
may have a grid-like structure, or simply a rectangular, flanged perimeter 830
with a
cross support 835. The holder 825 is structured to be releasably attachable to
the cover
740. The fan 785 (hydraulic or electric) draws in air from the front and rear
walls (past
the filter(s)) such that the air is drawn from beneath and across the coils or
fins 780, and
the air is exhausted through the vent holes/apertures 745 on the top surface
of the cover.
In this example, one or more seals is provided to ensure proper channeling of
the intake
air beneath and across the fins/coils 780.
[0073] In another embodiment, the cooler can be oriented or rotated 90
compared to the arrangement in Figure 17, in which case the intake and exit
pipes may
need to be re-routed in corresponding degrees.
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[0074] Figures 20-21 illustrate an access door and bracket assembly
combination
according to another embodiment of the present invention. Access door 746 is
similar to
access door described in relation to Figure 19. Bracket assembly includes
upstanding
walls 760 extending from an outer surface of the access door 746. Walls 760
include
outwardly oriented flanged upper portions 760.1 and angled front and rear
portions 761.
As seen in Figure 21, rear angled portions support the inlet 670 and outlet
675 of the
cooler.
[00751 While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred
ernbodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and
variations
may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, preferred
embodiments of the
invention as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.
Various changes
may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
1205361
