Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TITLE: ROCK CRUSHER FOR A POTATO HARVESTER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to rock crushers and more particularly, it pertains
to an impact-type rock crusher mounted to a potato harvester for
breaking potato-size rocks that are picked up by the harvester.
BACKGROUND
The crushing of rocks is one of the most ancient technologies existing.
The crushing of rocks is also one of the most complicated endeavor. The
efficiency of a rock crusher depends on the quantity and size of rocks
being fed to the crusher. The efficiency is also affected by the retention
time of each rock inside the crusher, and the retention time of broken
rock pieces, gravel and sand inside the crusher. The speed of rotation of
the rotor is equally important, as well as the mass of the rotor, and the
location of the anvils relative to the rotor.
Rocks are broken inside an impact-type crusher by direct impact with a
hammer, by impact against an anvil, by impact with another rock, by
impact between an anvil and a hammer, or by several impacts and
rebounds inside the crusher.
The design of an impact-type rock crusher is more of an art than a
precise science. The exact trajectory of a rock inside a crusher is
impossible to predict, and the number of blows required to break a rock
can only be estimated. It is believed that the existing impact-type rock
crushers have been developed by experienced craftsperson, by trial-and-
error and through accumulations of small improvements.
1
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
The following documents represent a good inventory of impact-type
rock crushers available in the prior art.
US Patent 1,354,855 issued to J.G. Simpson on October 05, 1920;
US Patent 1,469,877 issued to J.K. Blum on October 09, 1923;
US Patent 1,621,938 issued to W.K. Liggett on March 22, 1927;
US Patent 1,872,233 issued to G.W. Borton on August 16, 1932;
US Patent 2,287,799 issud to S. D. Hartshorn on June 30, 1942;
US Patent 2,373,691 issued to L.H. Kessler on April 17, 1945;
US Patent 2,618,438 issued to J. Chrystal on November 18, 1952;
US Patent 2,862,669 issued to F.W. Rollins on December 02, 1958;
US Patent 2,891,734 issued to E.O.W.F. Andreas on June 23, 1959;
US Patent 2,958,474 issued to L.J. Meyer on November 01, 1960;
US Patent 3,146,959 issued to C.P. Putnam, Jr. on September 01, 1964;
US Patent 3,278,126 issued to T.A. Ratkowski on October 11, 1966;
US Patent 3,447,758 issued to N. Oznobichine on June 03, 1969;
US Patent 3,455,517 issued to G.T. Gilbert on June 15, 1969;
US Patent 3,531,055 issued to G. Alt on September 29, 1970;
US Patent 3,608,841 issued to F. Wageneder on September 28, 1971.
US Patent 3,659,794 issued to G. Hemesath on May 02,1972;
US Patent 3,662,963 issued to O.B. McClure on May 16, 1972;
US Patent 3,667,694 issud to R.M. Williams on June 06, 1972;
US Patent 3,931,937 issued to W.F. Hahn et al., on January 13, 1976;
US Patent 3,987,971 issued to O.B. McClure on October 26, 1976;
US Patent 4,017,035 issued to J. Stuttmann on April 12, 1977;
US Patent 4,037,796 issued to P.M. Francis on July 26, 1977;
.. US Patent 4,046,325 issued to S. Tucsok et al., on September 06,1977;
US Patent 4,049,206 issued to R. Konig et al., on September 20, 1977;
US Patent 4,090,673 issued o S.B. Ackers et al., on May 23, 1978;
US Patent 4,140,284 issued to J. Jobkes on February 20, 1979;
US Patent 4,193,556 issued to W. Linnerz et al., on March 18, 1980;
US Patent 4,361,290 issued to P.M. Francis on November 30, 1982;
US Patent 4,373,678 issued to G.W. Reitter on February 15, 1983;
2
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
US Patent 4,506,837 issued to H. ShrOdl on March 26, 1985;
US Patent 4,635,863 issued to F.M. McCorkel on January 13, 1987;
US Patent 4,729,517 issued to W. Krokor et al., on March 08, 1988;
US Patent 4,895,309 issued to L. Fritz on January 23, 1990;
US Patent 5,226,604 issued to K-P. Seiffert et al., on July 13, 1993;
US Patent 5,255,869 issued to R.G. Smith on October 26, 1993;
US Patent 5,328,103 issued to E.B. Komarovsky on July 12, 1994;
US Patent 5,482,218 issued to Y. Ha on January 09, 1996;
US Patent 5,490,636 issued to H. Schrodl on January 09, 1996;
US Patent 5,513,811 issued to H. Phan Hung on May 07, 1996;
US Patent 5,695,255 issued to M. LeBlond on December 09, 1997;
US Patent 5,697,562 issued to M. LeBlond on December 16, 1997;
US Patent 5,713,527 issued to G. Hemesath et al., on February 03, 1998;
US Patent 5,875,980 issued to J. Schmid on March 02, 1999;
US Patent 5,890,666issued to K. Foiling et al., on April 06, 1999.
US Patent 5,899,535 issued to M. LeBlond on May 04, 1999;
US Patent 5,921,484 issued to J.L. Smith et al., on July 13, 1999;
US Patent 6,045,069 issued to W.G. Steed on April 04, 2000;
US Patent 6,102,312 issued to D. H. Aberle on August 15, 2000;
US Patent 6,637,680 issued to G.A. Young et al., on October 28, 2003;
US Patent 6,745,966 issued to V. Heukamp on June 08, 2004;
US Patent 7,278,596 issued to Y. Moriya et al., on October 09, 2007;
US Patent 7,942,356 issued to R. Dallimore et al., on May 17, 2011;
US Patent 7,946,513 issued to J.O. Brick et al., on May 24, 2011;
US Patent 7,959,098 issued to J. Doppstadt et al., on June 14, 2011;
US Patent 8,033,489 issued to I. Boast on October 11, 2011;
US Patent 8,763,939 issued to A.E. Komarovsky et al., on July 01, 2014;
US Patent 8,844,851 issued to M. Solomon on September 30, 2014;
US Patent 8,967,504 issued to R. Dallimore et al., on March 03, 2015;
US Patent 9,849,459 issued to T.J.M. Faure on December 26, 2017;
US Patent Appl. 2009/0140089 published by I. Boast on June 04, 2009;
US Patent Appl. 2013/0284839 published by T. Faure on October 31, 2013;
GB Patent Appl. 2,020,574 published by A. Hofer on November 21, 1979.
3
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
Although the rock crushers found in the prior art deserve undeniable
merits, there continues to be a need for a rock crusher capable of
efficiently handling a typical load of rocks picked up by a potato
harvester. More specifically, there is a need for a rock crusher to be
driven efficiently from the existing engine of a potato harvester without
advertently taxing the power required to operate the harvester.
SUMMARY
The rock crusher described herein have anvil sets that are oriented to
reduce compaction of rocks in the infeed portion of the crusher, and to
reduce compaction of aggregate and sand in the main body of the rock
crusher. In relation to the movement of each hammer along their work
sector, the decompression of the infeed and the main body are carried
out before a third phase wherein rocks are directed to rebound and to
impact the hammers head-on along the work circle of each hammer.
The efficiency of the rock crusher is thereby improved.
In a first aspect, the rock crusher described herein has a casing, a rotor
mounted in the casing, hammers mounted to the rotor and anvils
mounted to the casing. The anvils include first, second and third anvil
sets. The first and second anvil sets are aligned to define a convex
surface arrangement facing the rotor and the second and third anvil sets
are aligned to define a concave surface arrangement facing the rotor.
.. In another aspect, the first anvil set is oriented relative to the rotor
for
projecting rocks toward an infeed portion of the rock crusher; the second
anvil set is oriented relative to the rotor for projecting rocks toward a
discharge opening of the rock crusher, and the third anvil set is oriented
4
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
relative to the rotor for projecting rocks toward a work circle of the
rotor, against a direction of rotation of the rotor.
In yet another aspect, there is provided a method of breaking rocks in a
rock crusher, comprising in series the steps of:
- projecting rocks toward an infeed portion of the rock crusher;
- projecting rocks toward a discharge opening of the rock crusher, and
- projecting rocks toward a work circle of a rotor of the rock crusher
against a direction of rotation of the rotor.
In yet a further aspect, there is provided a potato harvester comprising:
an engine; a fan driven by the engine; a drive shaft also driven by the
engine, and a rock crusher driven by the drive shaft. The fan; the drive
shaft and the rock crusher are directly driven by the engine, so that the
rock crusher shares with the fan and the engine a common inertia.
Because of this large inertia, the rock crusher can handle larger load
without slowing down.
This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention
may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the
invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment thereof in connection with the
attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the rock crusher according to the present
invention is described herein with the aid of the accompanying
drawings, in which like numerals denote like parts throughout the
several views. The rock crusher according to the preferred embodiment
5
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
of the present invention is referred to herein simply as the preferred rock
crusher, for convenience. It will be appreciated that the preferred
embodiment is presented for the purpose of explaining the best
embodiment, and that other versions than the one illustrated are included
in the intent and meaning of the claims.
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a potato harvester with the rock
crusher mounted under the end of the rock discharge conveyor of the
harvester;
Table 1 provides dimensions to enable a person skilled in the art to build
and use the preferred rock crusher efficiently;
FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the rotor, the door and the anvils of the
preferred rock crusher;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hammer set, and one of the anvils
mounted inside the preferred rock crusher;
FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of one of the hammers mounted inside the
preferred rock crusher;
FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of one of the anvils mounted inside the
preferred rock crusher;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the preferred rock crusher, and the door of the
preferred rock crusher;
FIG. 7 is a partial right side view of the preferred rock crusher;
6
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
FIGS. 8 to 11 illustrate a second, third, fourth and fifth cross-section
views of the rotor, the door and the anvils of the preferred rock crusher,
showing preferred dimensions and specific regions therein;
FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of the power transmission system for
driving the preferred rock crusher.
The drawings presented herein are presented for convenience to explain
the functions of all the elements included in the preferred embodiment of
the present invention. Elements and details that are obvious to the
person skilled in the art may not have been illustrated. Conceptual
sketches have been used to illustrate elements that would be readily
understood in the light of the present disclosure. These drawings are not
fabrication drawings, and should not be scaled.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring firstly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated therein a potato harvester
20, using a digging scoop and conveyor assembly 22 for picking up
potatoes off a field, and for shaking off soil from the potatoes as there
are conveyed into the machine. The harvester 20 also has a large fan 24
mounted thereto for creating an air current across a gap (not shown)
between two conveyors. The air stream from the fan 24 causes potatoes
to float across the gap into an accept conveyor 26. The accept conveyor
discharges into a truck (not shown) traveling alongside the harvester 20.
The air stream from the fan 24 is strong enough to float tubers across the
gap, but not enough to float rocks that are conveyed with the potatoes.
The rocks fall through the gap into a reject conveyor 28. The reject
conveyor 28 discharges into the preferred rock crusher 30 where these
7
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
rocks are broken into small pieces such that they will not be picked up
during the following harvest.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the preferred rock crusher 30 is made of a rotor
32 carrying four hammer bars 34. Each pair of hammer bars 34, 34' is
mounted to the rotor 32 with two bolts (not shown) extending
diametrically in opposite directions through the rotor 32. One hole 36 in
each of the hammer bars 34, 34' is a threaded hole to accept one end of
one bolt. The other hole 38 in each of the hammer bars 34, 34' has a
countersunk recess to protect the head of a respective bolt.
Each hammer bar 34, 34' has four hammers 40 thereon. The hammers
40 on one bar are offset the width of one hammer in relation with the
hammers 40 on the next bar when the bars 34, 34' are mounted to the
rotor 32. The rotation of the rotor 32 has a direction indicated by arrow
42 in FIG. 2.
Preferred dimensions for the bars 34, 34' are shown in FIG. 4 and Table
I. Table 1 shows dimensions in inches and angles in degrees. The
hammer bars 34, 34' are made of hot-rolled steel with a hard facing of
Teromatec0 4923 welding electrodes, by Castolin Eutectic . Any
rebuild after wear is done with hard surfacing EnDOtec0 D005 welding
electrodes.
The preferred rock crusher 30 also comprises three groups of anvil bars
44. Each anvil bar 44 is a rectangular bar made of high strength impact-
resistant steel having a hardness of 35 RockwellTM or better. The anvil
bars 44 have threaded holes 46 therein to accept mounting bolts (not
shown). Preferred dimensions for the anvil bars 44 are also shown in
FIG. 5 and Table 1.
8
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
The first set of anvil bars 44' is mounted to a plate 48 above the rotor 32
and defines with the back plate 52 of the crusher housing an infeed chute
54. The infeed chute 54 has a size of about 12 inch by 20 inch. The
second set of anvil bars 44" is mounted against the inside surface of the
door 56 of the preferred rock crusher 30. The third anvil bar set 44" is
mounted to a shelf 58 below the door 56 of the crusher, and below the
diameter of the rotor 32. The third anvil bar set 44" defines with the
rotor 32 a discharge slot 60 across the width of the preferred rock
crusher 30.
The infeed chute 54, the plate 48 above the door, the shelf 58 below the
door, the back plate 52, the door 56 itself, and the side plates 50
enclosing the back plate constitute the casing of the preferred rock
crusher 30.
A structural angle 62 is mounted above the rotor 32 in the infeed chute
54, to deflect the flow of rocks toward the axis of the rotor 32. The
angle 62 and the third anvil set 44" define a total work sector "Al" of
the rotor 32 wherein rocks are exposed to the hammers 40 of the rock
crusher 30.
Referring to FIG. 6, the casing of the preferred rock crusher 30 is built
with 3/4 inch plate and has an infeed opening 54 width A10 of about 20-
1/4 inches. The rotor is mounted on a 1.95 inch diameter shaft 72, which
is driven by a multi-belt pulley 74. The door 56 of the crusher is
mounted on four pins 76 , two of which are movable by handles 78 to
open the door 56. The purpose of the door 56 is for allowing the
replacement of the hammer bars 34, 34', and the anvil bars 44 when
required, and to inspect the inside of the preferred rock crusher 30.
9
CA 3006348 2019-09-04
The preferred rock crusher 30 also has a chain-type curtain 80 extending
around the discharge opening thereof. For reference purposes both the
infeed opening 54 and the discharge opening of the preferred rock
crusher 30 have nominal dimensions of about 12 inch by 20 inch.
Preferred exact dimensions of the housing of the preferred rock crusher
30 are illustrated in FIGS. 2- 8, and Table 1.
Referring to FIG. 8 in particular, the first anvil set 44' is mounted to the
plate 48 of the preferred rock crusher 30 along a first plane which is
represented by line "Ll". The second anvil set 44" is mounted inside
the door 56 of the preferred rock crusher 30 along a second plane which
is represented by line "L2". These first and second planes intersect each
other along a line that passes along point "G". Point "G" is at a
distance "B3" of about 18-1/8 inches above the center of the rotor 34, in
line with the front part of the infeed opening 54, and vertically in line
with the tip of a hammer 40 when the hammer bar 34 is positioned at its
highest position.
Because the intersection point "G" is above the rotor 32 both the first
and second anvil sets 44', 44" define a convex surface arrangement
facing the rotor 32.
The third anvil set 44' is comprised of a single anvil bar that is
mounted to the shelf 58 at an acute angle "B8" of about 10 from a
horizontal diameter of the rotor 32 and at a slightly acute angle C3 of
86 from the plane of line L2 of the second anvil set 44".
Both the second and third anvil sets 44", 44" define a concave surface
arrangement facing the rotor 32.
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
Because of the position and alignment of the anvil sets, three distinct
regions are formed inside the preferred rock crusher 30. These regions
are referred to herein as work sectors and will be described with
reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11.
The first work sector is defined by angle "El" in FIG. 9. Any rock or
fragment of rocks that is projected from a tangent of the hammer swing
circle 84 in the work sector associated with angle "El" is projected
against the first anvil set 44' and deflected toward the infeed opening 54,
as indicated by arrows 86.
The second work sector is defined by angle "E2" in FIG. 10. Any rock
or fragment of rock that is projected from a tangent of the hammer swing
circle 84 in the work sector associated with angle "E2" is projected
against the second anvil set 44" and deflected toward the discharge slot
60, between the hammers 40, as indicated by arrows 88 in FIG. 10.
The third work sector is defined by angle "E3" in FIG. 11. The third
work sector is the largest work sector. Any rock or fragment of rocks
that are projected from a tangent of the hammer swing circle 84 in the
work sector associated with angle "E3" is projected against the second
anvil set 44", deflected against the third anvil set 44", and deflected
again head-on toward the hammer swing circle 84, as indicated by
arrows 90.
It will be appreciated that arrows 86, 88 and 90 are reflections of their
respective tangent lines intersecting respective surfaces of the respective
anvil sets, as best explained by the drawings.
11
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
Rocks and rock fragments deflected toward the infeed opening 54 as in
sector defined by "El" cause the loosening up or decompression of the
charge in the infeed opening 54 and on the rotor 32 of the crusher, for
reducing friction and futile impacts in the infeed area 54.
Rocks and rock fragments deflected toward the discharge slot 60 as in
sector defined by "E2" cause the loosening up or decompression of the
charge in the crusher housing by timely discharging all rock fragments
that have been reduced to an acceptable size. Again, this reduces
friction on the rotor 32 and futile work by the rotor 32 of the rock
.. crusher 30 inside the main body of the preferred rock crusher 30.
Rocks and rock fragments deflected toward the third anvil set 44" are
deflected head-on toward the incoming hammers 40 for forceful impact
against the moving hammers, as indicated by arrows 90. This work
sector of high impact is represented by sector "E3" in FIG. 11. Again,
this work sector "E3" is defined by tangents and rebounds from the
work circle 84, and from the third anvil set 44". This sector "E3" is
referred to herein as the high-impact work sector. This high-impact
work sector "E3" accounts for 710, or about one half of the total work
sector "Al" of the rotor 32.
The effectiveness of this high-impact sector "E3" is enhanced by the
loosening or decompression of the loading in the infeed chute by the
effect of sector "El" and by the loosening or decompression of the
loading in the main body of the crusher and into the discharge opening
by the effect of sector "E2".
1')
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
It is believed that the specific deflection of rocks in these regions and the
reduction of friction and futile impacts contribute greatly to a better
efficiency of this preferred rock crusher 30.
All three work sectors of the rotor 32 are contained within a total work
sector "Al" as illustrated in FIG. 2 of 148 . Consequently, this
relatively short overall work sector provides more frequent breaks
between impacts for allowing the rotor 32 to recover its momentum.
The preferred rock crusher 30 is preferably operated at about 900 RPM.
It is operated efficiently on a charge of rock of 1-1/2 tons of rocks per
hour, where each rock has a diameter of about 6 inches or less.
Although scientific corroboration of the efficiency of this rock crusher is
not available, it is known that a precursor of this machine was separately
driven by a dedicated 135 h.p. Now, the dedicated engine has been
removed. The preferred rock crusher is driven by the same 115 h.p.
engine 92 that is operating the potato harvester, without any reduction in
the performance of the harvester.
Additionally, the aforementioned precursor of the preferred rock crusher
has worn twenty-three sets of hammers and anvils during one season,
while the preferred rock crusher 30 has worn only five (5) sets in one
season.
Referring now to FIG. 12, the preferred drive system for the preferred
rock crusher 30 is illustrated therein. The potato harvester 20 has a first
fan 24 for creating a high flow of air to float potatoes across the
aforesaid gap, and a small blower 94 to remove plant stocks, roots and
foliage from the harvest. Both the fan 24 and blower 94 are 'connected
13
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
to the same shaft 96 and this shaft is driven by belts from the engine 92.
An auxiliary drive shaft 98 extends under the floor of the harvester, from
the engine 92 to the rock crusher 30. This drive shaft 98 is also driven
by belts from the engine 92 of the harvester. Although a clutch 100 is
available in the bell housing of the engine 92, the drive shaft 98 and the
fan 24 and blower 94 are directly connected to the same multi-belt
pulley 102. As a consequence of this mounting, the inertia of the
preferred rock crusher 30 is part of a larger inertia of the entire system.
This larger common inertia contributes to achieve a better efficiency of
the preferred rock crusher.
While one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in
the accompanying drawings and described herein above, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications,
alternate constructions and equivalents may be employed. Therefore,
the above description and illustrations should not be construed as
limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended
claims.
25
14
CA 3006348 2018-05-29
