Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS FOR REMOVING OBSTRUCTIONS FROM A WORKSITE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
(00031 The present invention relates to balancing assemblies for rotating
members for
use in removing obstructions from a work site. More particularly, the
invention relates to self-
aligning balancing assemblies for large cylindrical cutting members supported
on a work vehicle.
2. Background
[00041 Industry is replete with many examples of large cylindrical
drums that must be
rotated for various reasons. For example, factories in the paper industry must
employ large heavy
drum assemblies for receiving and storing rolls of !craft paper. The road
construction industry
uses road machines having large drums with cutting blades embedded on the drum
surface for
abrading rock during road construction.
10005] These cylindrical drum assemblies are generally massive and
require a high
torque motor or engine to initiate rotation of the drum and to maintain
rotation during operation.
Although the drum assemblies are rotated at a low number of' revolutions per
minute (rpm), the
high mass of the drum results in several problems. First, the centrifugal
force produced by the
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rotation of a high mass structure is extreme even at low rpm and necessitates
a robust, heavy
duty gear box to transmit the rotational force of the motor to the drum.
Often, a separate gear box
and motor assembly is used on each of the opposing ends of the axis about
which the drum
rotates. In such a configuration, one gear box and motor assembly is
structured for clockwise
rotation and the opposing gear box and motor assembly is structured for
counter-clockwise
rotation so that their rotational force combines to rotate the drum in a
single direction. These gear
box and motor assemblies distribute the force required to rotate the drum so
that less robust gear
boxes and motors may be used.
100061 Second, if the drum is unbalanced around the axis of rotation
so as to produce an
oscillating radial force, this radial force will excessively wear the gear box
and motor so as to
cause premature failure. When using a pair of opposing gear box and motor
assemblies, the
alignment of the centerline of both assemblies reduces radial forces and
resultant wear on the
bearings of these assemblies; otherwise the misalignment will cause premature
failure of the
bearings. This alignment may be achieved by precise machining and balancing of
the drum.
However, such machining and balancing for drums with diameters in excess of 12
inches and
lengths in excess of five feet requires large, heavy duty, and expensive
machines to turn the
massive drums and cut away excess metal. High precision is difficult to attain
when dealing with
such heavy, bulky structures. Additionally, the removal, shipping, and
replacement of the drum
in its installed location is expensive in terms of required man power. The
removal, shipping, and
replacement can also be further complicated by the fact that machines
employing such heavy
drums, e.g. road equipment, are often used in remote locations where
transportation is difficult
and knowledgeable maintenance personnel are unavailable.
10007] Third, during use, the drum is loaded by the work against
which it rotates, e.g. the
road surface for a cutting drum or the uneven winding of paper on a takeup
drum in a paper
plant. This loading coupled with the massiveness of the drum causes a small
amount of
deflection which also results in unbalancing of the drum assembly.
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[0008] Fourth, even if the drum is perfectly balanced about its axis
of rotation, the gear
box must be positioned precisely so that the shaft is exactly colinear with
the axis of rotation.
This requires that the mounting surfaces for the gear box must be machined to
very precise
tolerances. On a large machine, this is very difficult and expensive, and,
while it improves the
initial misalignment, it does not help with the deflection problem.
[0009] As can be seen, there is a need for a method and apparatus to
maintain the balance
of a massive rotating drum assembly, reduce the requirement for close
precision in the physical
balancing process for the drum, and dynamically adjust for in-use deflection
of the drum so that
balance about the axis of rotation is maintained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] One aspect of the present invention is directed to a device for
removing
obstructions from a worksite. The device comprises a frame, a flange, a first
motive force
means, and a rotatable cutting member. The flange is supported on the frame
and moveable
about three axes. The first motive force means is supported by the flange. The
cutting member
is operatively connected to the motive force means such that the motive force
means is disposed
within the rotatable cutting member.
[0011] In another aspect of the invention, the device for removing
obstructions from a
work site comprises a frame, a rotatable cutting drum, a means for rotating
the cutting drum, and
a means for aligning a centerline of the rotatable cutting drum. The means for
rotating the drum
is supported by the frame. The means for aligning a centerline of the
rotatable cutting drum is
supported by the means for rotating the rotatable cutting drum and allows
movement of the
cutting drum along at least one length.
[0012] Yet another aspect of the invention is directed to a work
machine. The work
machine comprises a drive frame, a means for translating the drive frame, and
a device for
removing obstructions from a worksite supported by the drive frame. The device
comprises a
frame, a flange, a first motive force means, and a rotatable cutting member.
The flange is
supported on the frame and moveable about three axes. The first motive force
means is
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supported by the flange. The rotatable cutting member is operatively connected
to the first
motive force means such that the first motive force means is disposed within
the rotatable cutting
member.
10012a1 In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a
device for removing obstructions from a work site comprising:
a frame;
a flange supported on the frame and independently moveable relative to the
frame
about three axes;
a first motive force means supported by the flange; and
to a rotatable cutting member operatively connected to the motive force
means such that the motive
force means is disposed within the rotatable cutting member.
1001214 In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a
device for removing obstructions from a work site comprising:
a frame;
a cutting drum;
a means for rotating the cutting drum supported by the frame; and
a means for mounting the cutting drum to the frame and for allowing
independent
movement of the cutting drum about three axes relative to the frame;
wherein the means for mounting the cutting drum is supported by the means for
rotating the cutting drum.
10012c1 In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a
work machine comprising:
an undercarriage;
a means for translating the undercarriage; and
a device for removing obstructions from a work site connected to the
undercarriage, the device comprising:
a frame;
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a flange supported on the frame and independently moveable about three axes
relative to the frame and undercarriage;
a first motive force means supported by the flange; and
a cutting member operatively connected to the first motive force means such
that
the first motive force means is disposed within the cutting member.
[0012(11 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a
device comprising:
a frame; and
a drum assembly comprising:
a flange supported on the frame and independently movable about three axes
relative to the frame;
a first motive force means supported by the flange; and
a rotatable drum operatively connected to the first motive force means such
that
the first motive force means is disposed within the rotatable drum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100131 FIG. I is a perspective view of a device for removing
obstructions from a
worksite comprising a rotating cutting member and motive force means axially
positioned at
either or both ends of the cutting member.
100141 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end plate of the device
shown in FIG. 1 with a
protective panel removed to show the well into which the drum is inserted and
supported;
100151 FIG. 3A is a plane view of an end plate for use with the
present invention;
100161 FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken from FIG. 3A showing of the
support housing
within which the drum is inserted and its relationship with the end plate;
[00171 FIG. 3C shows the end panel with bolt holes;
100181 FIG. 4A is a plane view of the support housing shown previously in
FIGS. 3A and
38;
[00191 FIG. 48 is a sectional view of the support housing shown in
FIG. 4A showing
placement of the slots therein;
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[00201 FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cutting
assembly of FIG. I;
100211 FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cutting
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cut-away sectional view of the components of a
self-aligning flange
for use with the cutting assembly of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 8A is a side view of the self-aligning flange;
[0024] FIG. 8B is a side view of the self-aligning flange taken
from FIG. 8A;
100251 FIG. 9 is a top view of an elongate member comprising a
plurality of lateral
shafts; and
[0026] FIG 10 is a side view of a work machine adapted for use
with the present
invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00271 The following detailed description shows the best currently
contemplated modes
of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a
limiting sense, but is made
for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and
the best mode for
practicing the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by
the appended claims.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or
carried out in a variety
of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed
herein are for the
purpose of description and not of limitation.
100231 Referring to FIG. 1, a device 10 for removing obstructions from
a woitsite is
io shown, The device 10 is used for grinding rock and hard earth for the
preparation of road beds
and for removing obstructions, such as brush and trees, from a worlcsite. With
reference to Figure
10, the device is configured for mounting on a tractor or other work machine
15, the tractor
comprising a drive frame, also referred to as undercarriage, 16, a means for
translating the
undercarriage 17, and an arm 18 connecting to the device 10 at the connection
points 11, 12, and
13 (FIG. I). In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a separate engine
19 for operation
of the device 10, mounted to the rear of the work machine 15. One skilled in
the art may
appreciate that the means for translating the undercarriage 17 may also power
the device 10
eliminating the need for the separate engine 19. Alternatively, the device 10
may be integrated
into the work machine 15 or connected by other mechanisms known to one skilled
in the art The
means for translating the undercarriage 17 comprises a powered motor (not
shown) and may
comprise powered tires, tracks, or a combination of tires and tracks. As
shown, in FIG. 10, the
work machine 15 comprises tires. The motor (not shown) may be hydraulic or
electric and
powered by a combustion engine, a hydraulic motor, an electric source or other
power source.
The tires or tracks may be powered by individual motors or a single motor. If
tires are utilized,
the work vehicle 15 may be steered through skid steering technique, or with
turning wheels.
100291 Turning again to Figure 1, the device 10 comprises frame 20 and
a rotatable
cutting member 30, or drum, which is supported on the frame at both ends of
the cutting
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member. A gear box 110 and motor 100 are located at one and/or both ends of
the cutting
member 30 and are covered by a protective panel 40 attached to an end plate
50. The surface of
the cutting member 30 supports cutting blades or teeth (not shown) for
removing obstructions or
undesired materials as the drum rotates.
[0030] The device 10 comprises a plurality of skid shoes 55 located on the
frame 20.
The skid shoes 55 provide a surface of contact between the ground and the
device 10.
Preferably, the skid shoes 55 may be adapted such that a distance between a
centerline 220
(FIG. 6) of the cutting member 30 and the ground may be manipulated by an
orientation of the
skid shoes. More preferably, the orientation of the skid shoes 55 may be
manipulated by the
arms of the work vehicle or through other mechanical or hydraulic
manipulation. Alternatively,
the skid shoes 55 may be moveable relative to the cutting member through the
use of hydraulic
cylinder or mechanical means located on the frame 20. Further, a plurality of
bolts could be
disconnected and the skid shoes 55 repositioned to adjust the distance between
the centerline 220
of the cutting member 30 and the ground.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, the end plate 50 of the device 10 is shown
with the
protective panel 40 removed to expose the circular hole 33 in which cutting
member 30 is
supported.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the end plate 50 is
shown and comprises
a support housing 60 within which the cutting member 30 rotates and circular
hole 33. The
circular hole 33 is sized such that a flange 200 (FIG. 7) and motive force
means 100 (FIG. 7)
may be supported within the support housing 60. The support housing 60 defines
a plurality of
gaps 270 which will be described with more particularity below. Alternatively,
the support
housing may comprise a plurality of protrusions (not shown) which engage gaps
in a flange as
discussed in an alternative embodiment below. As shown in Figure 3C, the end
plate 50 may
define a plurality of bolt holes 51 which provide connection points between
the frame 20 and the
skid shoes 55 as described in FIG 1.
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[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, shown therein is the support
housing 60. As
shown, the support housing 60 comprises four (4) of the gaps 270 equally
spaced about the
support housing. Alternatively, a different number of gaps 270 or spacings
thereof may be
utilized, as long as those gaps correspond to the features of the flange as
will be described below.
[0034] It should be noted that contact operation of the device 10 may cause
the teeth to
become deflected or broken. Deflected or broken teeth may call slight
deviations in the weight
of the cutting member 30. Even slight deviations in the weight of the cutting
member 30 may
cause it to become slightly unbalanced. Additionally, extreme cold weather may
cause internal
components of the cutting member 30 to expand due to heat caused by rotation
of the cutting
member, while the frame may contract due to external temperatures. As shown in
FIG. 7, a self-
aligning flange 200 is introduced to solve these and other problems.
[0035] Turning now to Figure 7, a sectional view of the device 10 is
shown. The
device 10 comprises the frame 20, the cutting member 30, a means for rotating
the cutting
member 60, and a means for aligning the centerline 220 of the cutting member
30 while allowing
movement of the cutting member along at least one length.
[0036] The frame 20 provides support for other elements of the device
10 and comprises
the support member 60 as described above. The support member 60 is constrained
to contain the
means for aligning the centerline 220. This means, as shown in Figure 7,
comprises a self-
aligning flange 200. The flange 200 is non-rotatably supported within the
support member 60 by
radially extending retaining members or protrusions 260 adapted to mate with
the gaps 270 in the
support housing 60. The flange 200 may comprise a rim 201 that is a sectional
ellipsoid or
sphere. The protrusions 260 are sized within the gaps 270 such that the flange
200 is moveable
about three axes relative to the support housing 60, limited only by the
tolerance of the gaps 270
relative to the protrusions 260. The protrusions 260 are sufficiently sized
such that rotational
forces due to operation of the first motive force means 100 and the rotational
cutting member 30
are fully transferred to the frame 20, while allowing the flange 200 some
tolerance of motion
about at least one axis. Preferably, some tolerance of motion is allowed about
at least three axes.
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[0037] The means for rotating the cutting member 30 comprises a motive
force
means 100. The motive force means 100 may comprise a motor and gear box 110.
Alternatively, the motive force means comprises hydraulic or other components
adapted to
provide a rotational force to the cutting member 30. The motive force means
100 may be
powered by a dedicated combustion engine or power may be provided externally
from
components of the work machine. The motive force means 100 provides power
which is
transferred to rotational motion by the gear box 110. As shown, the motive
force means 100 is
suspended within the support housing and the gear box is attached to an inner
surface of the
rotating cutting member 30 at an internal drum 31. Alternatively, a belt or
chain system may be
utilized to provide rotational motion to the rotating cutting member 30.
[0038] Turning now to FIG. 5, a cross-section of the device 10 is
shown. As shown, the
device 10 further comprises a second flange 201, a second motive force means
101 comprising a
second gear box 111 at a second end 35 of the cutting member 30. The flange
200 and second
flange 201 may be substantially identical at each end of the cutting member
30. At each end of
the cutting member 30 the gear box 110 and second gear box 111 are fixedly
bolted to an internal
drum 31 within each end of cutting member 30 so that the centerline 225 (FIG.
6) of each gear
box 110, 111 is substantially aligned with the centerline 220 (FIG. 6) of the
rotating cutting
member.
[0039] One skilled in the art will appreciate the device 10 may
comprise only one motive
force means 100 at a first end of the cutting member 30. In this embodiment,
the second
flange 201 located at a second end 35 of the cutting member 30 would comprise
a bearing such
that the second end of the cutting member would rotate freely relative to the
second flange, while
allowing the second flange to move about a plurality of axes relative to the
support housing 60 as
discussed above with reference to FIG. 7.
[0040] The first motive force means 100 is adapted to operate with
sufficient horsepower
to rotate the cutting member 30 at an operational rate. For example, the
motive force means may
provide an operational rate of thirty-five horsepower in an application
utilizing light equipment.
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Alternatively, heavy-duty applications of the present invention may require an
operational rate of
five hundred forty horsepower. The gear box 110 is adapted to rotate the
cutting member 30 at a
rotational velocity between 10 and 1500 rpm. Preferably, the cutting member 30
has a rotational
velocity between 300 and 800 rpm. The preferred rotational velocity of the
cutting member 30
provided by the motive force means 100, 101 for clearing brush and trees is
500 rpm. However,
other speeds may be advantageous for other applications of the device 10, such
as the breaking
of rock or permafrost, and thus other speeds of the cutting member 30 are
anticipated.
[0041] With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, shown therein is a cross
section of the
flange 200. As shown, the flange 200 comprises a number of axial bolt holes
250. Each of the
projections 260 are inserted into the holes 250 such that they extend beyond
the rim 210 of the
flange 200 and engage the support housing 60 at gaps 270 (FIG. 7).
Alternatively, projections
from the support housing 60 may extend into the bolt holes 250.
[0042] Turning now to Figure 9, shown therein is a debris blocking
device supportable
on the frame 20 and adapted to decrease the range of travel of debris
generated during operation
of the cutting member 30. The debris blocking device comprises an elongate
member 300
comprising a plurality of lateral shafts 310, each lateral shaft 310
terminating in a knob 320. The
elongate member 300 is adapted to be fixed to the work vehicle with a
substantially horizontal
orientation. The knob 320 is defined by a width that is substantially greater
than its
corresponding lateral shaft 310. Each lateral shaft is adapted to support a
means for settling
debris, or debris blocking member 330. As shown in Figure 9, the blocking
members 330 may
comprise a length of chain hanging from each lateral shaft 310. Each of the
chains 330 may be
looped over one of the plurality of knobs 320 and suspended from one of the
plurality of lateral
shafts 310. The lateral shafts 310 are preferably positioned such that each
chain 330 is
suspended freely and extends substantially from the elongate member 300 to the
ground. The
looping, instead of bolting or welding, of the chains 330 to the lateral
shafts 310 allows cheap,
efficient replacement when one or more of the plurality of chains is broken or
lost during
operation of the device 10.
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[0043] The plurality of blocking members 330 are positioned such that
they provide a
means for knocking down spoils, or brush that has been displaced by the
operation of the cutting
member 30. The plurality of blocking members 30 may be positioned proximate
the device 10,
or at any other location on the work vehicle where the settling of spoils is
desired. Preferably,
the elongate member 300 is positioned to the rear of the cutting member 30 and
attached to the
frame 20 (shown in FIG. 1 without the chains 330). Alternatively, the blocking
members 330
may comprise iron rods, polymer or metal flaps, or other instruments to settle
spoils. The
blocking members 330 may be placed on one or both sides of the elongate member
300.
[0044] As has been demonstrated, the present invention provides an
advantageous
apparatus and method for maintaining alignment and balance of a massive
rotating cylindrical
drum within close tolerances. While the preferred embodiments of the present
invention have
been described, additional variations and modifications in those embodiments
may occur to those
skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore,
it is intended that the
appended claims shall be construed to include both the preferred embodiment
and all such
variations and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
