Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
CONVEYOR ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a conveyor assembly including a main
conveyor and a swing auger assembly for loading the main conveyor in which the
swing auger assembly includes two auger sections which are slidable relative
to one
another to vary a length of the swing auger assembly and in which the swing
auger
assembly is suspended from an overhead support member for swinging motion
overtop of the main conveyor between offset positions on opposing sides of the
main
conveyor.
BACKGROUND
It is common to use grain augers and the like to transfer grain or other
particulate material from a source area to a target area, for example from a
transport
container to a bin or other storage type container. Transport containers
generally
involve a container supported for rolling movement along the ground by wheels
spaced apart at opposing ends of the container. A hopper type discharge is
then
typically located between the wheels below the container for discharging into
the
auger which subsequently conveys the material to the storage container.
United States Patents 5,184,715 to Feterl; 5,305,866 and 5,788,055
both to Stewart et al; 4,963,066 to Boppart; 4,603,775 to Plett; and 7,191,889
to
Heley; and European Patent Application 0 684 198 disclose various examples of
grain
augers used for conveying particulate materials. In each instance a main auger
is
supported on a wheeled frame for positioning of the discharge in alignment
with the
target area. A swing auger is provided at the inlet of the main auger for
alignment with
the source area. The hopper at the inlet of the swing auger however is
restricted to
positioning along an arced path which is difficult to align with the discharge
hopper of
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
2
a transport container. Often due to the narrow space between wheel sets within
which
a discharge hopper on a transport container is located, it is not possible to
displace
the swing auger is an arcing motion under the transport container parked
beside the
main auger without multiple steps of advancing and subsequent reversal of the
vehicle position for proper alignment with the discharge hopper on the vehicle
with the
inlet hopper on the swing auger. The swing augers are thus difficult and time
consuming to set up and may result in lost material being transferred due to
its poor
alignment.
United States Patent 7,428,956 by Scherman discloses an improved
feed auger assembly for a conveyor including first and second auger sections
which
are pivotal relative to one another allowing the loading hopper to be placed
through an
infinite number of positions about the inlet end of the main auger; however
the
resulting assembly is awkwardly quite large and includes a large number of
parts to
control the pivoting movement of the two auger sections.
Canadian Patent 2,398,015 discloses a telescopic feed assembly using
belts; however there are no means disclosed for applying a telescopic feed
assembly
uses augers to take advantage of the benefits of augers over belt conveyors.
International application W02010/048695 discloses a feed auger
assembly which telescopically supported in relation to an implement such as a
main
auger to which the feed auger is coupled; however the auger is only operable
within a
small portion of the full range of motion of the feed auger assembly.
Canadian Patent 1,137,915 by Togstad and United States Patent
7,381,131 disclose examples of extendible augers. Both augers are limited in
their
application and are not suited for use in a swing auger assembly of an
agricultural
conveyor for example.
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
3
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a conveyor
assembly comprising:
a main conveyor comprising a main conveyor tube and a main
conveying member in the main conveyor tube which is arranged to convey
particulate
material from an inlet end to an outlet end of the main conveyor tube;
a frame supporting the main conveyor tube at an upward incline from
the inlet end to the outlet end in a working position of the main conveyor;
a loading hopper having a loading opening arranged to load the
particulate material therein;
a swing auger assembly extending in a longitudinal direction from an
inlet end in communication with the loading hopper to an outlet end in
communication
with the inlet end of the main conveyor;
the swing auger assembly being pivotally coupled to the main conveyor
such that the swing auger is pivotal relative to the main conveyor tube about
a
generally upright swing axis at the inlet end of the main conveyor;
the swing auger assembly comprising:
a first auger housing extending in the longitudinal direction of the
swing auger assembly from the loading hopper at the inlet end of the swing
auger
assembly to a respective discharge end;
a first screw rotatable in the first auger housing so as to be
arranged to convey the particulate material from the loading hopper to the
discharge
end of the first auger tube;
a second auger housing extending in the longitudinal direction of
the swing auger assembly from an intermediate end to the outlet end of the
swing
I
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
4
auger assembly;
a second screw rotatable in the second auger housing so as to
be arranged to convey the particulate material through the second auger
housing and
to discharge the particulate material from the second auger housing into the
inlet end
of the main conveyor;
the first auger housing being coupled to the second auger housing such
that:
the discharge end of the first auger housing is arranged to
discharge into the second auger housing; and
the first auger housing is slidable relative to the second auger
housing in the longitudinal direction such that a distance between the loading
hopper
and the inlet end of the main conveyor is adjustable.
The first auger housing is preferably slidable relative to the second
auger housing between an extended position in which the discharge end of the
first
auger housing is adjacent an inner end of the second auger housing and a
retracted
position in which the discharge end of the first auger housing is adjacent the
outlet
end of the auger assembly.
Preferably the discharge end of the first auger housing is arranged to
discharge into the second auger housing through a full range of relative
motion of the
auger housings between the extended and retracted positions.
The second auger housing may comprise a lower portion forming a
generally U-shaped trough receiving the second screw therein and an upper
portion
comprising a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposing sides of the
lower
portion to define an open top end of the second auger housing between the side
walls.
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
The side walls forming the upper portion may be spaced apart farther
than the trough of the lower portion.
Preferably each side wall supports a track along which a portion of the
discharge end of the first auger housing is supported for relative sliding in
the
longitudinal direction.
The second auger housing may include a support member fixed at an
inner end opposite the outlet end which extends upwardly above the second
screw in
which the first auger housing is slidably supported on the support member at
an
intermediate location along the first auger housing between the inlet end of
the swing
auger assembly and the discharge end of the first auger housing.
Preferably a linear actuator is coupled between the first and second
auger housings so as to be arranged to control relative sliding movement
between the
first and second auger housings in which the actuator is supported laterally
between
opposing sides of the upper portion of the second auger housing alongside a
top end
of one of the side walls.
The loading hopper is preferably fixed in relation to the first auger
housing so as to be arranged for sliding movement therewith relative to the
second
auger housing.
Preferably a swing auger gearbox assembly is supported at the outlet
end of the swing auger assembly in which the swing auger gearbox assembly
includes a first output shaft telescopically joined with the first screw for
relative sliding
movement in the longitudinal direction while being rotatable together about a
first
rotation axis of the first screw, and a second output shaft fixed to the
second screw for
rotation therewith about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation
axis.
The main conveyor preferably includes a pair of support legs and a
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
6
linkage coupling the support legs to the main conveyor such that the support
legs are
operable between a working position extending downwardly and outwardly in
opposing lateral direction from the main conveyor tube for supportably
engaging the
ground and a transport position extending substantially alongside the main
conveyor
tube.
The linkage supporting the support legs preferably comprises: a slide
member supported on the main conveyor tube for sliding movement in a
longitudinal
direction of the main conveyor tube, the slide member pivotally coupling an
inner end
of each of the support legs thereon; a pair of link members each pivotally
coupled at a
first end at an intermediate location on a respective one of the support legs
and
pivotally coupled at a second end at an anchoring location fixed relative to
the main
conveyor tube; and a linear actuator controlling relative sliding movement of
the slide
member between the transport position spaced from the anchoring location of
the link
members and the working position in which the slide member is nearer to the
anchoring location than in the transport position.
The conveyor assembly preferably further comprises: a swing auger
support member supported above the inlet end of the main conveyor; a pivot
member
supported on the swing auger support member at a location spaced above the
outlet
end of the swing auger assembly for pivotal movement relative to swing auger
support
member about the swing axis; and a suspension arm suspending the swing auger
assembly from the pivot member for pivotal movement together with the pivot
member
about the swing axis.
Preferably the swing auger support member supports the swing auger
assembly for pivotal movement about the swing axis through an intermediate
position
overtop of the main conveyor between a first offset position in which the
swing auger
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
7
assembly extends outwardly from one side of the main conveyor in a first
lateral
direction and a second offset position in which the swing auger assembly
extend
outwardly from the other side of the main conveyor in a second lateral
direction
opposite to the first lateral direction.
Preferably the swing auger assembly extends from the discharge end at
the inlet end of the main conveyor to the loading hopper towards the outlet
end of the
main conveyor in the intermediate position.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided
an agricultural conveyor assembly comprising:
a main conveyor comprising a main conveyor tube and a main
conveying member in the main conveyor tube which is arranged to convey
particulate
material from an inlet end to an outlet end of the main conveyor tube;
a frame supporting the main conveyor tube at an upward incline from
the inlet end to the outlet end in a working position of the main conveyor;
a loading hopper having a loading opening arranged to load the
particulate material therein;
a swing auger assembly extending in a longitudinal direction from an
inlet end in communication with the loading hopper so as to be arranged to
receive
the loaded particulate material from the loading hopper to an outlet end in
communication with the inlet end of the main conveyor so as to be arranged to
discharge the loaded particulate material into the inlet end of the main
conveyor;
the swing auger assembly being pivotally coupled to the main conveyor
such that the swing auger is pivotal relative to the main conveyor tube about
a
generally upright swing axis at the inlet end of the main conveyor;
a swing auger support member supported above the inlet end of the
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
8
main conveyor;
a pivot member supported on the swing auger support member at a
location spaced above the outlet end of the swing auger assembly for pivotal
movement relative to swing auger support member about the swing axis; and
a suspension arm suspending the swing auger assembly from the pivot
member for pivotal movement together with the pivot member about the swing
axis.
Preferably the swing auger support member is arranged to be fixed
relative to the main conveyor tube.
The swing auger support member preferably supports the pivot member
on the swing axis.
When the swing auger support member extends upwardly from the main
conveyor tube, the outlet end of the swing auger assembly is preferably
pivotally
coupled to the main conveyor at a location spaced inwardly from the swing
auger
support member towards the outlet end of the main conveyor tube.
The swing auger support member preferably comprises a lower portion
extending upwardly from the conveyor tube spaced forwardly from the swing axis
and
an upper portion spaced above the discharge end of the swing auger assembly
which
extends rearwardly from the lower portion towards the outlet end of the main
conveyor
such that the upper portion supports the pivot member thereon at the swing
axis.
The suspension arm preferably comprises a linear hydraulic lift actuator
arranged to controllably vary a height of the inlet end of the swing auger
assembly as
a length of the actuator is adjusted in response to a hydraulic input.
When the swing auger assembly comprises a first auger housing and a
second auger housing coupled for relative sliding movement in the longitudinal
direction to vary a length of the swing auger assembly, the suspension arm is
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
9
preferably coupled at one end to the pivot member and at the other end to the
second
auger housing nearer to an inner end opposite the outlet end than the outlet
end of
the swing auger assembly.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
an agricultural conveyor assembly comprising:
a main conveyor comprising a main conveyor tube and a main
conveying member in the main conveyor tube which is arranged to convey
particulate
material from an inlet end to an outlet end of the main conveyor tube;
a frame supporting the main conveyor tube at an upward incline from
the inlet end to the outlet end in a working position of the main conveyor;
a loading hopper having a loading opening arranged to load the
particulate material therein;
a swing auger assembly extending in a longitudinal direction from an
inlet end in communication with the loading hopper so as to be arranged to
receive
the loaded particulate material from the loading hopper to an outlet end in
communication with the inlet end of the main conveyor so as to be arranged to
discharge the loaded particulate material into the inlet end of the main
conveyor;
the swing auger assembly being pivotally coupled to the main conveyor
such that the swing auger is pivotal relative to the main conveyor tube about
a
generally upright swing axis at the inlet end of the main conveyor;
a swing auger support member supporting the swing auger assembly for
pivotal movement about the swing axis through an intermediate position overtop
of
the main conveyor between a first offset position in which the swing auger
assembly
extends outwardly from one side of the main conveyor in a first lateral
direction and a
second offset position in which the swing auger assembly extend outwardly from
the
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
other side of the main conveyor in a second lateral direction opposite to the
first
lateral direction;
the swing auger assembly extending from the discharge end at the inlet
end of the main conveyor to the loading hopper towards the outlet end of the
main
5 conveyor in the intermediate position.
The swing auger assembly is preferably arranged to be supported
alongside top of main conveyor in the intermediate position such that
longitudinal
axes are substantially in common vertical plane.
When the main conveyor comprising a hitch connector extending
10 forwardly outward from the inlet end of the main conveyor opposite the
outlet end of
the main conveyer, there may be provided a stop member arranged to prevent
pivotal
movement of the swing auger assembly across the hitch connector between the
first
and second offset positions.
When the main conveyor tube includes an inlet opening arranged to
receive the particulate material from the swing auger assembly therethrough at
the
inlet end of the main conveyor tube, the swing auger assembly preferably
includes: an
annular driven member supported about the inlet opening for rotation relative
to the
main conveyor about the swing axis together with the swing auger assembly; and
a
swing drive motor coupled to the annular driven member so as to be arranged to
rotate the annular driven and the swing auger assembly therewith about the
swing
axis.
The swing drive motor is preferably supported on the main conveyor
spaced radially outward from the annular driven member in relation to the
swing axis,
and the annular driven member preferably comprises a circumferential gear
operatively connected to swing drive motor.
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
11
When there is an inlet housing supported at the inlet end of the main
conveyor having a top wall locating the inlet opening therein at swing axis,
the annular
driven member is preferably supported within the inlet housing under the top
wall of
the inlet housing.
The swing auger assembly preferably includes a pair of auger mounts
extending upwardly from annular driven member at diametrically opposing sides
of
the inlet opening in which the auger mounts pivotally couple the discharge end
of the
swing auger assembly thereon for relative pivotal movement about a
substantially
horizontal axis.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
an agricultural conveyor assembly comprising:
a main conveyor comprising a main conveyor tube and a main
conveying member in the main conveyor tube which is arranged to convey
particulate
material from an inlet end to an outlet end of the main conveyor tube;
a frame supporting the main conveyor tube at an upward incline from
the inlet end to the outlet end in a working position of the main conveyor;
a loading hopper having a loading opening arranged to load the
particulate material therein;
a swing auger assembly extending in a longitudinal direction from an
inlet end in communication with the loading hopper so as to be arranged to
receive
the loaded particulate material from the loading hopper to an outlet end in
communication with the inlet end of the main conveyor so as to be arranged to
discharge the loaded particulate material into the inlet end of the main
conveyor;
the swing auger assembly being pivotally coupled to the main
conveyor such that the swing auger is pivotal relative to the main conveyor
tube about
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
12
a generally upright swing axis at the inlet end of the main conveyor; and
the main conveyor tube including an inlet opening arranged to
receive the particulate material from the swing auger assembly therethrough at
the
inlet end of the main conveyor tube;
an annular driven member supported about the inlet opening of the main
conveyor tube for rotation relative to the main conveyor about the swing axis
together
with the swing auger assembly; and
a swing drive motor connected to the annular driven member so as to be
arranged to rotate the annular driven member and the swing auger assembly
connected therewith about the swing axis.
As described herein the swing auger assembly or feed auger system
according to the present invention can raise and lower without the use of a
mechanical winch device, cables, and manual labour. This motion can be
achieved
with the use of a hydraulic cylinder connected to the swing tube assembly
housing at
one end, and the overhead structure assembly mounted to the upper section of
the
boot assembly drive area at the opposite end. Left and right swing motion of
the feed
auger system can be controlled with a hydraulic motor, and chain system
mounted
internally to the boot assembly drive area and the lower pivot ring assembly,
eliminating end user push / pull labour, and pinch points. The extension and
retraction
motion (or telescoping motion) of the feed auger tube assembly can be
accomplished
with a hydraulic cylinder mounted internally to the lower fixed feed tube
assembly at
one end and the lower section of the tube assembly in motion. This motion can
allow
the end user to quickly align the feed auger hopper to the point of loading as
required.
All motions detailed above can be controlled with a remote electronic device
to allow
more freedom of movement for the operator of the equipment.
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
13
When combined, the motions explained herein can allow for a left or
right hand loading option without the requirement of the end user relocating,
adjusting,
or reconfiguring mounts, chains, pins, winches, guards, and other associated
assemblies. This can allow the auger assembly as a whole to be located and
operated quickly, as well as accommodate tandem unloading of trailers from
either
side of the auger. The extension and retraction of the feed auger system
design is
unique to the conveyor described herein because it can allow the operator to
load the
auger at any positional length of the designed stroke. Also, the extension and
retraction can allow the operator to align the hopper to the point of loading
quicker.
Finally, when in transport, all motions combined can allow the parking of the
feed
auger system to be located on top of the main auger tube assembly, reducing
side
load stresses on the main auger frames and tube.
Unique features of the present invention preferably include the following:
i) The swing stores on top of the auger thus eliminating twist on the main
tube, and allowing the swing to .be pivoted to either side. Other swings now
store on
one side of the main tube and can only pivot to that side, without
disconnecting the
tractor and rotating the swing in a 300 degree arc around the hitch to the
opposite
side.
ii) The swing tube is lifted with one hydraulic cylinder from a tower at the
hitch end of the device beyond the pivot. Others use a cable hoist to lift the
swing
tube.
iii) An adjustable stop is installed at the upper cylinder pivot to prevent
the swing from hitting the tractor while pivoting.
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
14
iv) The upper cylinder pivot is mounted directly in line above the feed
pivot to eliminate any bending moment at the feed pivot, for smooth rotation
and less
wear.
v) The pivot runs of a polymer bushing, and is rotated using a hydraulic
motor connected to a spur gear driving a circumferential gear on the swing
pivot.
Others rotate the swing using hydraulic motors mounted either on the swing
tube or
on the hopper.
vi) A longer boot is provided, fed from the front, to improve capacity.
Others use a shorter boot fed from the rear.
vii) Hydraulic hoses are mounted inside the device to eliminate pinching,
severing, weathering and wear. Others have hydraulic hoses mounted outboard.
viii) Outriggers are activated by a single hydraulic cylinder with pivot
arms forcing the outriggers apart and down. Others use one cylinder on each
outrigger.
ix) Swing auger has telescoping motion by the use of a hydraulic
cylinder mounted internally to the lower fixed tube assembly at one end and
the lower
section of the tube assembly in motion. No other competitor's auger swing
offers this
feature. This allows accurate positioning of the hopper under the truck.
x) Entire tower assembly pivots with the ring assembly on top of the
boot, thus allowing sufficient movement to relocate the hopper to various
positions
under the truck.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the conveyor assembly.
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the swing auger assembly of
the conveyor assembly.
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the swing auger assembly in a first offset
position in solid line and in a second offset position in broken line.
5
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the conveyor assembly with the
swing auger assembly shown offset to one side in the retracted position.
Figure 5 is a front elevational view similar to Figure 4, but with the swing
auger assembly in an extended position.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the swing auger assembly in which
10 some of the side walls are shown removed.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the inlet housing with some of the walls
shown removed to illustrate the internal components of the swing drive.
Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the discharge end of the second
housing auger.
15 In
the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a conveyor
assembly generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The assembly 10 is
suited for
use as an agricultural auger for conveying particulate material, for example
grain,
seed or other similarly particulate materials.
The assembly 10 includes a min conveyor 12 comprised of a main
conveyor tube 14 which is elongate in a respective longitudinal direction
between an
inlet end 16 and an outlet end 18. A main conveying member within the main
conveyor tube 14 comprises an auger (not shown) in the illustrated embodiment
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
16
which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof to convey the particulate
material
from the inlet end to the outlet end.
The main conveyor also comprises a frame 20 which supports the main
conveyor tube 14 on wheels 22 for rolling movement generally in the
longitudinal
direction of the conveyor. The frame comprises an adjustable linkage which
supports
the main conveyor through a range of movement between a working position
extending at an upward incline from the inlet end adjacent the ground to the
outlet end
spaced upwardly and rearwardly therefrom and a transport position in which the
main
conveyor tube is nearer to horizontal than the working position. The main
conveyor is
shown in the transport position in figure 1, and in the working position in
figures 4 and
5. The frame further comprises an auxiliary support 24 comprising a central
post and
a plurality of cables connected between the post and the various longitudinal
positions
along the conveyor tube to stiffen the tube and resist bending along the
length
thereof.
The main conveyor further comprises a hitch connection 26 coupled to
the main conveyor tube adjacent the inlet end thereof such that the hitch
connection
extends forwardly beyond the inlet end. The hitch connection permits the
connection
of the inlet end of the main conveyor tube to a towing vehicle such that the
vehicle
can be towed in the normal forward working direction of the vehicle with the
main
conveyor tube extending rearwardly from the inlet end to the outlet end
trailing
rearwardly therefrom.
The conveyor assembly 10 further comprises a swing auger assembly
28 coupled to the inlet end of the main conveyor tube to assist in loading
particulate
material into the main conveyor. The swing auger assembly serves to convey
material from an inlet end 30 thereof to a respective outlet end 32 arranged
to
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
17
discharge particulate material loaded therein into the inlet end of the main
conveyor.
The swing auger assembly is pivotal about an upright swing axis at the inlet
end of the
main conveyor tube.
A loading hopper 34 is provided for loading the particulate material into
the inlet end of the swing auger assembly. The hopper 34 is fixed to the inlet
end of
the swing auger assembly for movement therewith about the upright swing axis.
The
hopper is similar to many convention swing auger hoppers so as to be both
wider and
longer than it is in height and so as to be relatively low in profile for
being received
under the discharge of various implements such as the discharge chute under
particulate material carrying trailers for example. The hopper includes an
open top
end spanning substantially the full width and length of the hopper into which
particulate material is arranged to be received. A suitable conveying
mechanism at
the bottom end of the hopper conveys the loaded particulate material through a
discharge tube 36 connected to the inlet end of the swing auger assembly to
which it
is coupled. The material is then conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the
swing
auger assembly from the inlet end to the outlet end prior to the loading into
the main
conveyor tube.
The main conveyor tube is provided with an inlet housing 38 at the inlet
end thereof for supporting the swing auger assembly 28 pivotally thereon. The
inlet
housing 38 substantially surrounds the inlet end of the main conveyor tube and
comprises two side walls 40 extending upwardly above the tube at opposing
sides
thereof to define a receiving chamber above the tube in open communication
with the
conveying member rotatable within the tube 14. A top wall 42 of the inlet
housing is
connected between the two side walls spaced above the tube for locating an
inlet
opening 44 therein adjacent the inner end of the inlet housing so as to be
spaced
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
18
rearwardly from the front end of the housing and conveyor tube.
A main drive 46 is mounted at the inlet end of the conveyor tube and
inlet housing for receiving a drive input, for example connection to a power
take off
shaft of a tractor or a hydraulic output of a tractor. The main drive 46
includes a first
output shaft 48 concentric with the main conveyor tube for direct connection
to the
main conveying member rotatable therein for driving the main conveyor screws.
The
main drive also includes a second output shaft 50 which is parallel and spaced
above
the first output shaft to extend rearwardly through the receiving chamber of
the inlet
housing for driving the auger screws of the swing auger assembly as described
in
further detail below. The inlet housing 38 also receives a first angle gear
box 52
therein which receives the second output shaft of the main drive as an input
therein
and which has a respective output shaft concentric with the inlet opening 44
in the top
wall of the inlet housing through which the output shaft communicates to the
swing
auger assembly.
The swing auger assembly is supported on a swing auger support
member 54 in the form of a tower structure fixed to the inlet end of the main
conveyor
tube to extend upwardly from the inlet housing upon which it is mounted. The
support
member 54 is a rigid frame member having a lower portion 56 extending upwardly
from the inlet housing on the inlet end of the main conveyor tube at a
location spaced
forwardly of the inlet opening so as to extend generally in the direction of
the upright
swing axis towards an upper portion 58 thereabove. The upper portion 58
extends
upwardly from the lower portion at a rearward incline spaced above the outlet
end of
the swing auger assembly to extend towards the outlet end of the main conveyor
tube. The top end of the upper portion 58 is located at the swing axis as
opposed to
the lower portion which remains spaced from the swing axis along the length
thereof.
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
19
A pivot member 60 is rotatably supported adjacent the top end of the
upper portion so as to be rotatable relative to the fixed support member 54
about the
swing axis. The top end of the upper portion of the support member 54 includes
an
overhanging portion at the swing axis to which the pivot member is coupled
such that
the pivot member is supported beneath the overhang portion to permit ready
coupling
of the pivot member 60 to the swing auger assembly therebelow. In this manner
the
swing auger assembly can be suspended from the pivot member so that the swing
auger assembly and the pivot member are pivotal together about the upright
swing
axis relative to the support member 54 fixed on the main conveyor tube.
A suspension arm 62 in the form of an adjustable hydraulic actuator is
pivotally coupled at a cylinder end to the pivot member at the pivot axis
while being
coupled at a cylinder end to the swing auger assembly at a location spaced
from the
swing axis. In this manner, controllably adjusting the length of the actuator
forming
the suspension arm 62 functions to raise and lower the height of the loading
hopper at
the inlet end of the swing auger assembly relative to the main conveyor tube.
The swing auger assembly is supported on the inlet housing by an
annular driven member 64. The annular driven member is supported about the
inlet
opening on the top wall so as to be concentric with the swing axis for
rotation with the
swing auger assembly relative to the top wall of the inlet housing on the
conveyor
tube. More particularly the annular driven member 64 comprises a
circumferential
gear 66 supported within the interior of the inlet housing so as to be beneath
the top
wall. The gear 66 is coupled to a pivot ring 68 above the top wall which
includes a
peripheral flange overlapping the edge of the inlet opening in the top wall. A
collar
extending through the inlet opening joins the pivot ring 68 above the top wall
and the
gear 66 below the top wall for rotation together about the swing axis.
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
The pivot ring 68 supports two pivot mounts 70 thereon at diametrically
opposed sides of the inlet opening. The two mounts extend upwardly for
pivotally
coupling a discharge housing 72 of the swing auger assembly therebetween for
relative pivotal movement about a common horizontal axis extending between the
two
5 pivot mounts. The swing auger assembly is pivoted about the common
horizontal
axis of the two pivot mounts 70 as the height of the loading hopper is
adjusted by
extending and retracting the hydraulic actuator forming the suspension arm 62.
The rotation of the swing auger assembly about the swing axis is driven
by a swing drive motor 74 comprising a hydraulic orbit motor mounted on the
top wall
10 of the inlet housing at a location spaced forwardly of the inlet opening
adjacent the
bottom end of the auger support member 54. The motor 74 is thus spaced
radially
outward from the annular driven member about the inlet opening in relation to
the
swing axis.
The motor 74 is typically mounted externally on the top side of the inlet
15 housing with an output shaft extending through the top wall for
connection to a drive
sprocket 76 mounted internally within the inlet housing. A suitable drive
chain 78
extends about the drive sprocket 76 and the circumferential gear 66 of the
annular
driven member so that the output of the swing drive motor controls the
rotation of the
annular driven member about the swing axis which in turn controls the swinging
of the
20 swing auger assembly connected thereto for pivotal movement about the
swing axis
relative to the main conveyor tube.
The swing auger assembly is pivotal through a range, typically
corresponding to approximately 300 from a first offset position shown in
solid line in
figure 3 to an opposing second offset position shown in broken line in figure
3. In the
first offset position, the swing auger assembly extends outwardly from one
side of the
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
21
main conveyor in a first lateral direction inclined forwardly. From the first
offset
position the swing auger assembly is pivotal rearwardly towards the outlet end
of the
main conveyor tube to an intermediate position overtop of the main conveyor in
which
the swing auger assembly is along the top side of main conveyor such that a
longitudinal axis of the swing auger assembly and a longitudinal axis of the
main
auger lie in a substantially common vertical plane.
The swing auger assembly can continue to swing overtop of the main
conveyor tube to the opposing side to the second offset position in which the
swing
auger assembly extends outwardly from the other side of the main conveyor in a
second lateral direction opposite to the first lateral direction. The swing
auger
assembly is also inclined forwardly in the second offset position. In this
manner the
swing auger assembly can be pivoted between the first and second offset
positions
overtop of the main conveyor tube while the main conveyor tube remains
connected
at the hitch connection to the towing vehicle. This is particularly
advantageous when
it is desirable to unload particulate material from two different sources into
the swing
auger assembly when the two sources are on opposing sides of the main conveyor
tube and the towing vehicle remains connected to the hitch connection of the
main
conveyor.
Due to the location of the auger support member 54 at the inlet end of
the main conveyor and the location of the pivotal connection of the swing
auger
assembly at the swing axis being spaced rearwardly from the support member,
the
support member effectively acts as a stop which prevents swinging motion of
the
swing auger assembly across the hitch connection between the first and second
offset
positions.
To further limit the pivotal movement of the swing auger assembly
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
22
across the hitch connection to prevent damaging contact with a towing vehicle
an
adjustable stop 80 is coupled to the pivot member. The stop 80 comprises a
protrusion projecting radially outward from the swing axis which is arranged
to engage
the upper portion of the support member 54 when the swing auger assembly
reaches
either one of the first or second offset positions to limit forward rotation
of the swing
auger assembly from either one of the offset positions. Accordingly only
rearward
pivotal movement from either of the offset positions is permitted to limit the
swinging
motion across the main conveyor tube. The orientation of the stop 80 can be
varied
relative to the pivot member to allow setting different limits to the range of
pivotal
movement of the swinging auger assembly depending upon the configuration.
When displacing the swing auger assembly about the swing axis, it is
desirable to stabilize the inlet end of the main conveyor tube. This is
accomplished
using outriggers comprising a pair of support legs 82 which are coupled by a
linkage
to the main conveyor such that the legs are operable between a working
position
extending downwardly and outwardly in opposing lateral directions from the
main
conveyor tube for supportably engaging the ground, and a transport position
extending substantially along the bottom side of the main conveyor tube.
The linkage includes a slide member 84 supported for sliding movement
in the longitudinal direction along the bottom side of the main conveyor tube
adjacent
the inlet end. The inner ends of each support leg 82 are pivotally coupled to
the slide
member 84. The linkage further includes two link members 86 in which each link
member is pivotally coupled at a first end at an intermediate location on a
respective
one of support legs 82 and at a second end at an anchoring location on the
bottom
side of the main conveyor tube at a fixed location spaced from the slide
member. In
this manner sliding of the slide member towards and away from the anchoring
location
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
23
of the link members causes the support legs to be displaced between the
working and
the transport positions noted above. A single linear hydraulic actuator 88 is
coupled
along the bottom side of the conveyor tube to be fixed to the conveyor tube at
a
cylinder end and to be coupled to the slide member at a piston end.
Accordingly
extending and retracting the single actuator 88 causes both support legs 82 to
be
controllably displaced between the working and transport positions.
The swing auger assembly 28 comprises a first auger housing 90
extending in the longitudinal direction of the auger assembly between a first
end
forming the inlet end of the assembly and a second end forming an intermediate
discharge end 92. The first auger housing is generally tubular between the
inlet end
fixed to the discharge tube of the loading hopper and a respective discharge
spout 94
for discharging into a second auger housing 96. A first auger screw is
rotatable about
the longitudinal axis thereof within the first auger housing for conveying
particulate
material loaded in the loading hopper to the discharge spout 94 for
discharging into
the second auger housing 96.
The second auger housing 96 of the swing auger assembly also extends
in the longitudinal direction from a first end comprising an intermediate
inner end 98 to
a second opposing end defining the outlet end of the swing auger assembly. The
first
and second auger housings are coupled such that the first housing extends
parallel
along the top of the second auger housing with the discharge of the first
auger
housing being aligned with an open top end of the second auger housing through
a
full range of relative sliding movement between the first and second housings
in the
longitudinal direction.
The relative sliding between the first and second housings permits the
overall length of the swing auger assembly to be varied by varying the
distance
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
24
between the inlet end supporting the loading hopper thereon and the outlet end
supported on the inlet end of the main conveyor. The first and second auger
housings are supported for relative sliding movement between an extended
position
shown in figure 5 in which the discharge end of the first auger housing is
adjacent the
inner end 98 of the second auger housing and a retracted position shown in
figure 4 in
which the discharge end of the first auger housing is adjacent the outlet end
of the
second auger housing.
The second auger housing includes a lower portion which forms a
generally U shaped trough having a bottom and two sides extending in the
longitudinal direction for closely fitting a second auger screw 100 rotatably
therein
about a respective longitudinal axis. The second auger screw 100 conveys the
particulate material discharged into the second auger housing from the first
auger
housing from the discharge spout 94 to the discharge housing 72 of the
assembly.
In addition to the lower portion 102, the second auger housing includes
an upper portion 104 comprising two opposed side walls extending upward and
outwardly from the two sides of the trough forming the lower portion such that
the
upper portion is wider than the lower portion. The first auger housing is
supported to
be located recessed partly into the upper portion 104 of the second auger
housing.
More particularly the second auger housing includes a track 106 along
the inner side of each side wall of the upper portion 104 such that the
discharge spout
94 at the discharge end of the first auger housing is supported at opposing
sides in
respective ones of the tracks 106 by respective rollers supported for rotation
within
the tracks.
Further support is provided at an intermediate location along the first
auger housing by an inner end wall 108 of the second auger housing which
encloses
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
the inner end of the lower trough portion and which extends upwardly above the
upper
portion 104 to locate an aperture 110 therein which slidably receives the
round tube of
the first auger housing therethrough.
The second auger housing also includes a cover member 112 in the
5 form of a rigid arch extending overtop the first auger housing and which is
rigidly
joined between the two side walls of the upper portion 104 adjacent the inner
end of
the second housing. The cover member 112 serves as an anchoring location for
the
suspension arm 62 such that the piston end of the suspension arm is pivotally
coupled to the cover member of the second auger housing at a location nearer
to the
10 inner end of the second auger housing than the outlet end thereof.
The outlet end of the second auger housing is connected to the
discharge housing 72 so that the outlet end of the lower trough portion openly
communicates through the interior of the discharge housing so that particulate
material conveyed by the second auger screw is discharged through the
discharge
15 housing to a bottom opening of the discharge housing forming a chute
aligned with
the inlet opening between the two pivot mounts upon which the discharge
housing 72
is supported. In this manner the particulate material from the loading hopper
is
conveyed into the first auger housing which in turn conveys the particulate
material to
the discharge spout 94 having an open bottom end aligned with the open top end
of
20 the trough through the full range of relative motion therebetween.
Regardless of the
location of where the particulate material is discharged from the first auger
housing to
the second auger housing, the rotation of the second auger screw conveys the
particulate material to the discharge housing 72 at the outlet end of the
swing auger
assembly to discharge the material into the inlet opening of the inlet housing
which in
25 turn communicates with the main conveying member of the main conveying
tube to
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
26
convey the material through the main conveyor to the outlet end thereof.
The augers in the swing auger assembly are driven by a swing auger
gear box assembly which includes a second angle gear box 114 mounted within
the
interior of the discharge housing 72 and an external gear box 116 mounted
externally
at the outlet end of the swing auger assembly. The second angle gear box 114
includes an input shaft concentric with the discharge opening through the
bottom of
the discharge opening 72 which is in turn arranged to be concentric with the
output
shaft of the first angle gear box extending through the inlet opening when the
swing
auger assembly is in a normal working position with the loading hopper on the
ground.
One output of the second angle gear box 114 extends externally through
the end wall of the discharge housing 72 for communication into the external
gear box
116 which transfers the drive to a first output shaft 118 of the swing auger
gear box
assembly. The first output shaft is slidably and telescopically received into
the first
auger screw at the rotation axis thereof such that the first auger screw and
the output
shaft are slidable relative to one another between the extended and retracted
positions of the swing auger assembly while remaining keyed to rotate with one
another by mating non circular cross sections.
Another output of the second angle gear box 114 defines a second
output shaft 120 of the swing auger gear box assembly which is directly
connected to
the second auger screw for driving the rotation thereof together with the
first auger
screw. In this manner, the drive for the swing auger assembly is communicated
by
the upper output shaft of the main gear box at the end of the main conveyor
tube
through the inlet housing to the first angled gear box which then communicates
through the inlet opening to the second angle gear box in the discharge
housing 72.
The second angle gear box then communicates a first rotation through the
external
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
27
gear box and through the telescoping first output shaft 118 to drive the first
auger
screw while simultaneously driving the second output shaft 120. Rotation of
the first
auger screw can also be connected by suitable drive connections through the
discharge tube of the loading hopper to a suitable conveying mechanism in the
loading hopper for conveying the particulate material into the swing auger
assembly.
The sliding movement of the first auger housing relative to the second
auger housing together with the hopper fixed to the first auger housing is
controlled by
a respective hydraulic linear actuator 122 mounted on the second auger housing
and
operatively connected to the first auger housing. The actuator 122 is
supported to
extend in the longitudinal direction alongside the top end of one of the side
walls of
the upper portion 104 at a location in the lateral direction which is between
the two
side walls. A cylinder end of the actuator 122 is fixed to the second auger
housing
adjacent the discharge housing at the outlet end thereof while the piston end
extends
through the end wall of the second auger housing at the inner end thereof for
connection to the first auger housing adjacent the loading hopper at the inlet
end
thereof. The piston end of the cylinder is substantially enclosed by the cover
member
112 of the second auger housing through which the piston end is received. The
piston end is slidable through a respective aperture in the end wall such that
the
actuator can be freely extended and retracted to vary the distance between the
loading hopper and the outlet end of the swing auger assembly.
As shown in the transport position of figure 1, the swing auger assembly
can be stored in the intermediate position for transport by extending along
the top side
the main conveyor tube from the inlet end of the conveyor tube to the loading
hopper
which extends toward the outlet end of the main conveyor tube. In this manner
the
weight of the swing auger assembly is balanced about the longitudinal axis of
the
CA 02724961 2012-10-26
28
main conveyor tube so that there is no torque being applied to the conveyor
tube with
the swing auger assembly stored in the intermediate transport position.
For use of the conveyor assembly, the main conveyor is displaced using
the frame upon which it is supported into the working position with the two
support
legs being also extended into the working position to stabilize the inlet end
thereof.
The swing drive is used to pivot the swing auger assembly to one side of the
main
conveyor. Using the lift cylinder forming the suspension arm 62, the extension
thereof
causes the loading hopper to be lowered towards the ground and towards a
working
position. Wheels at the end of the loading hopper opposite the discharge tube
thereof
support the end of the loading hopper for rolling movement on the ground as
the
auger swings about the swing axis. To vary the distance of the loading hopper
from
the main conveyor tube in the lateral direction, the actuator 122 can be
extended or
retracted as shown in figures 4 and 5. In this manner the loading hopper can
be
readily positioned in a variety of orientations about the swing axis and at
different
distances from the swing axis using the appropriate actuators to readily align
the
loading hopper with the discharge spout of a desired source of particulate
material.
