Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
~ 2890
This application is a divisional application of
2 Application 319,954, filed January 19, 1979
3 There is a direct correlatioll betweell the
affluence and industrialization of a society al-d the
~uantity of refuse which is generated by that society.
6 Tllus, in the industrialized nations, the quantity of
7 refuse which is generated may be many times that
8 generated in a more primitive society.
9 In modern refuse collection apparatus, the --
1~ refuse is compacted within a pressurized storage con~
~1 tainer. The storage container may, for example, be
12 moul)t~d on the frame o~ a truck with the tailgate ro-
13 tatably secured to the rear of the container. ~ithin
the tailgate, there is generally a packing mechani~;m,
~ ~5 wlth refuse being placed in a loading hopper in the
.~ lG tailgate and the packing mechanism forcing the refuse
17 under high pressures into the storage container. By
1~ forcinc3 the refuse into the storage containcr under
19 hig~l~ pressuresr the reiuse is compacted 50 thdt a rela-
tively large quantity of refuse may be carried within
21 the storage contaLner. This permits the refuse collec-
~2 tlon apparatus to function for a long period of time
23 before it becomes necessary to empty the storage con-
~l tainer. The time spent in drivlng to a landfill or
refuse transfer point to empty the storage container
2G lS time lost from the primary function of the apparatus
. ~' in picking up tlle refuse at a home or a business and
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1 placil-cJ the re~use in a cor~lE)acted form whicll i.s colvenient
for its disposal. .~ccordinc~:ly, it is cssential to the
3 iunction of a refuse collection apparatus tllat thc
quantity of rcfuse carricd w:ithin the refusc container L)e
maxi.mized.
6 To maximize the quanti.ty of refuc;e wllich may bc
q packcd under pressure within the re~usc storlc~e colltainer
'~ :it has previous:ly been necessary to construct the apparatus
9 of heavy structur.ll members to provide c~reat stren~Jth.
~`his has resulted in the refuse compaction appa~atus beincJ
11 relatively larc3e and heavy. These requirements have in-
12 creased the costs of refuse compaction apparatus and ~iave
]-J made the appara-tus a high consumer of cnergy fol~ o?eratio~.
dditionally, the weic~l~t of prcvious re.~usc col.lection
~-5 aljparatus may be injurious to strect suri.accs OVC'L WhiCil
G the apparatus .is driven.
17 In addition -to beinc3 relatively heavy alld ex-
l& pCIlSi.VC, previous refuse col].ection a~paratus h.ls bcen
19 relatively complicated. In previous apparatus it has
~ X~ c~enerally bcen neccssary to place hydraulic cylinclers on
~1 either .side of the tailc3ate to drive the packinc3 mechanism
22 in forcing the refuse from the loadinc3 hopper into the
23 re~use storac3e container. The weicJht and e7xpense of the
2l l-l,tdraulic cylindlrs have thus, contri.butc(1 to the overall
2~ wci.gllt and expellse of tlle refuse co].lection apl~aratus.
26 ~,dditionllly to control a plurality of hydraulic c~lin-
27 ders to insurc ~hat the dri.vinc3 forccs apl)lic(l to eacl
23 ///
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~ . 1. 0 1.
` ~ L2~19~D
. e;ld of the packin-3 mechallism are sync}lrol-li,(?(l has re-
2 quirecl the use of complex hydraulic circuitr~J. 'I~ll s
3 rmay reduce the rel;.abi.lity o-E the reEuse collection
apl~aratus, since the reliabili.ty of a coml)le~ mecl-!anism
is c3ellerallyinvcrsely proportional to the co!llpl.e;ity
G oE ~he mechallisln.
7 In view of the ahove problems, it woulcl l>e
8 desirable if a refuse compaction apparatus cou~.d be
9 provided which would he lic~hter tha3l prcvious a~l)aratus
and whicll would consume a smaller quantit~ of ener~y
11 Eor operation. SUCI1 an apparatus would also be cheaper
12 because of the use of li~hter and less e~pensive struc-
13 tural members used in its construetion. 't'l~ese woulcl
]~ be consiclerahle advanta~3es in vi~w of tlle ever-illcreasillc-
~l5 cost ol: enel-~y i.l~ tlle form o.E oil, gasol~ e ancl other
lG ~ossil fuels for operation o~ industrial e~3uipment.
/ ~dditionally, hy being licJhter than previ.ous col.lectior~
lc' apparatus, such an apparatus would be less ialjurious to
19 thc~ pul~lic strec?ts in its operation.
~ In addition to providin~ a re:E~Ise comp~nctioll
aç)paratus whicll would be ch~aper and lic~hter, it would be
~ desirable to provide an apparatus WhiCIl would be simpler
~3 ill i.ts construction, and, therefore, more reliable and
2~ less likely to break down. Desirahly, such an app(lratus
would provide a mechanical interconnection between the
~u hydrc-llllic motol-s usecl to drive the packinc; mechalli.sm.
2'~ Irhis would serve to.eliminate the previous problems of
2c~
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~ IJ--.I .j. (J :1
8~ ~
1 syncllrollizin~ the movemen:t of llydrau].ic cyl:i.ncleli to
2 drive the paekirlg meehan.ism by meails o~ a col~:Lle~
O h~drauli.e eireuit. Also :it would be le~sirabl( if SUCll :
a refuse eomlaction ap3aL-atus eould fUl-Ct:i.(31- ~y drivinc~
t}lc l~ae}~illJ meehanism froM only one end .ill~Ce tl~
6 ~.~ould tc?lld to avoid the mally problelns ~llicll Illa`,' re-;ult
7 from thc use o~ du~lieate drive eylin~ers ~ositi.orcd
~3 at ei~her end of the paeking meehanism whiell cy].inders ~.
9 must be synehrollizc?d in tlleir movelllent
In acldition it would be desirab].e i.f a re-
P
11 fuse compaetion apparatus~ eould be Irov:ided in whicll the
12 refuse eould be suhjeeted to very~hi.c3h f?rc?ssurc?s l~e.~ore ~ ;
~3 beillc3 p1aeed ~itllill tlle re:~use sto.rage eontai.ner. Tllis ~ ;
would permit the retentloll of hic:l}~ eompaeted refuse
Wi~l)i.ll tlle StOra~Je conta1l1er at redueetl pressures. ~`IIC
.sLoragc eontainer eould tllell be made li.gllter ~hil sti.ll
17 p(rformillg i.ts fulletioll of contlining ~ m~:im-lm o~all~.ity
18 oE refuse to reduee the amount of lost time re(luirecl to
19 ~periodieally empty the eontainer.
2~0
21
:
~2
23
2'~
2G
2r/
2~ .
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i, ,, ~ ;: ~
14Z89(~
1 Summary of the Invcl1tion
-
In ~)rovicling a solution to tlle a~oreli~cntionecl
4 problems the present invention provides a refuc;e com~
~act1o1l apparatus whieh is relatively lic1ht in WeiC311t, iS
G ~relatively ine~pel1sive and is also less cor1~lex than
7 ~revious refuse compae-tion apparatus. ~ccordin(3ly the
reuse compaetio1l apparatus 03 the invention is a~ irably
9 suited for meetincj the eomplex~problems posed l~y tl1e con-
tradietory~demands~o providing eficient and unifo1m
ll compaction of refuse at hig11 pressures wliile reducinc~
12 the weight and complexity of the apparatus and the energy
13 required for its operation.
l4 One a~spect~o~ the invention conee311s a rc~use
1~5 cOn1pact~ J apl~aratus~in w11ic11 a passage haVi.llg a narrowe~
hroat is positioned between a eontainer for storincl re~
-
17 fuse uncler pressure and a loading ho~pper. Re~use eompac~
ing means may be positioned to~sweep throu~3h the hopper ~ ~
19 ~to com~)act refuse ~nd to move the reuse f-rom the l~oadi11c7 ~ `;
hopper into the storage cont.~iner. As the lefus~ is rnovecl
21 tilrough the passaye by the refuse eom~actinc3 means the
refus~e may be squeezed and subjected to very hig1-1 localiz~cl
3 pressures within the narrowed throat dS the refuse ~assos
throug11 the narrowecl throat.
~ movable ejeetion pa1lel~may be positioned with-
2G in the stora~e container, with the panel bcing movable ~rom
27 a position adjacent the passac7e when the containe1 is empty
23
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i L ~) .f
E3~3D
to a position displaced from the passacJe wllen the con-
2 tainer is full. Means may be provided to control. the
3 movement of the ejection panel away from thr~ paC;saqe in :-
~L response to thr ~ressure of refuse whi.ci~ is exerted
; 5 acJainst the panel. Thus, as refuse is moved illtO thc~
G contailler from the passage, the refuse may bc pac}~ed
7 a~ainst the panel until the pressure of rcfuse agaillst
a the ejection panel exceeds a pr-determinecl level witl~
~ 9 the pallel then being moved an incremental distanc:e to
a new position to reduce the pressure of refu~;e against
11 the panel. Additional refuse may thrll be pac~;ed ac3ainst
1~: the ejectioll panel in its new position until the pressure
13 agc--linst the panel exceeds the predetermi.ned level. with
the panel beinc3 acJain moved an increnlental clistallce to
~5 a ncw pOSitiOIl, c~tc., such that the alterllate pac~incJ of
lG refuse and moviny of the ejection panel is contlllue(l until
17 the storaye container is uniformly filled wlth refuse.
lcB Tile passacJe leadlng from the loading hoL)~er
19 lnto the refuse contai.ner may include a surface at thr-~
: :
;20 elllargecl openillcJ from the passage into the storage con-
tailler WlliCIl surface imparts movement of the refu;e that
~ ,................................................................. .
r~r~ i S directed toward the panel. ~dclltlona]ly, the pressure
23 e.Yerted on the refuse passing through the narrowed throat
2~1 witllin the passagc may c3reatly exceed the pressure wlllc}
ls exer.ted by refuse ac3ainst the ejection parlel and the
2G lnterlor of the refuse storaqe contai.ner. ~ccordi.rlqly,
~7 the higll locallzc~d l~ressures whiclllllay be e~ertc~d on
2a ///
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2~3i'~ ;
refuse as it passes throuc~h the narrowe~d tlll-oclt withi~
2 the passage ne~d not be trallsmitted to thc interior of ~ -
3 the storage contairler.
4 It is desirab1e that the pressures oE the refuse
clirected throucJh the narrowed throat of tlle passa~Je be
6 rccJuk~tecl. IE the pressures exerted on thc rcEuse in the
7 narroved throat are excessive, the movemellt oE the refuse
throll~3il tile~ narrowecl throat oL the passacle tends to l~ecome
g b1Ocliecl. On the other hand, if the pressures exertec' on the
10 refuse in the narrowed throat are not sufElcicnt, a relative1y
11 little amount of compaction or Eragmentation is proclucecl on
12 th~ re[use in the narrowed~throat.~ The rec3u1ation oE th~e
13 pressures on the reEuse in the narrowed throat is provicled
by controlliDcJ the pressure oE the refuse i~n the storacle
l i l.)o(ly. ~ ell the L)rcssure ol~ the reEuse oll tllc e jCCtiC)I~ pallellC ~in tlle storacJe bocly reaches a first ~particular valuc, thc ~ ;
17~ ejection panel lS moved in a direction to relieve such
pressure. Such n~ovement of the ejection panel occurs on
19 an ln~remental bas~s untll the press~ure oE the:refuse a~3alnst
tlle ejection par-el de~reases to a second particular value
2~1 lo~er than ~he first particular value.
:~ . : , - ::
22 The al:~ility to recJulate the pressure of the refuse~
23 in the narrowed~throat of the passacJe by recJulatin~J the
2~ ~ pressure exerted hy the reEuse against the ejection panel
~5 can be SCell from the fol~lowin(~. For e:~alllple, the pressure
~v oE th~ refuse acJainst the ejection pancl correspollcls to the
?~7 i~ressul.e of the reÇuse ln tlle enlarged openi~ J in the passa~le
~3 at a pOsitiOIl adjacent to the storaye l~ody.; ~urtherlnore,
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.
1 the pressure in the en1arc3ecl openirlg causes a J~ac}; pressure
2 to be exerted a~ainst the refuse in tl~e naLl.o~ed throat to
control the pressure of the refuse in the narrowc?d throat.
~5 d resu1t the pressurc of the reEuse in the narrowecl
throat of -the passaye is directly related to thc ~ressure
~,
6 oF. the re~use acJainst the ejection pane1. Il~ this ~7ay a
7 servo aCtiOII iS obtainecd for prov~dincJ an optirilcl1 churning,
,
c~ frac31nentation ancl compaction of the refusc a~s the reEuse
c3 is direc-ted through the narrowecl throat.
-~ ~10 In movincJ~ refuse from the 1Oading }-lopper throucJh
.~ .
the passage into the refuse storage container a movab1e
12 retainer panel may be positioned for rnovement betweell a Eirst
13 position in whicli the retainer pane1 is positionecl away from
1~ the passacJe and a second position in WhiCIl tlle retailler panel
15 at 1ea5t partially blocks the passclge. Wllc`tl thc~ rctuse
15 compactin3 means is moved away from the passacJe the retainer
17 pane1 may be moved to its second positi.on to i.mpccle t}-~e move-
lc~ mellt of the refuse Erom the passage bac~ into t}le 1OadillcJ
19 hopper~. ~dditiona11y as the retainer pane1 mc)vès from its
20 first posltion to its second position t}~e retailler pallo1 may
21~be~s}laped~and positioned to s~Jeep refuse from the refuse
~22 compactincJ~means during this movemcnt~wlth thc refuse swept
23 frorn~the refuse compacting means being moved into ~the passaye
24 by the retainer pane1.
~ith the retainer panel in its first position w}lich
2~ does not impecle the movement of refuse from the loadillcJ hopper
27 throu(]h thc? L~assacJe into the stora~e contail-lcr the rctailler ~ `
2C~J l~ane1 may include a surface whicll merges into and forms an
29 extension of the surface of the passac;e. The conficJuration
of the retainer panel may, thereby, assist the movement of
31 the rcfuse into tlle passac3e from the loaclillcJ hopper.
-16a-
~ . . .
~ ] o l-
':
1 In anotller as~cct of the invent:iorl a refuse
2 compacting apparatus may be ~rovided in wnic}1 a movable
panel is positioned ~ithin a storaye body for refuse.
support member for the movable panel;may~ ilaVC` a nlOVablC'
cnd and a fi.Yed elld with the fixed en(l pivotally con-
G n(ctcc3 to t:hc storacIc body. ~ :lin3~ may COllTlCCt tllC'
7 movable end of the support member to -the movable pancl
sucll that movelllel-t o~ the panel causes pivotal movement
9 of thc support member. Means may be providecl to transmit
lU a force to tl1e~lnovable panel~from a point on the support
11 member which is posiTioned intermediate the fi~ed end and
12 the movable end. As the~panel under~oes movement within
33 the support body to cause rotationcll movenIerlt oE tl~e
; support member tne intermediate point 011 tlle support
nerllbcr may therllIlove in an arcuate path in the clilectiorl ~ :
of movemcnt of tlle panel. The means;to~traln;;nit a fnrce
~: ~ r1
from the support member to the movable panel may comprise
l3 a hydraulic cy]inde;r having one end connected to thc inter- ;
19 mediate point on the support mem~er and t~le o~her encl COIl-
;nected to the movable l~ancl. ;The expallsion of thc hydrau~
'~
lic cylinder may th-ls~ caus;e movement of the~panc~ a~a~
22 ~fro;n the flxed eIld of the support menlber whlle contraction
23 of the hydraulic cylinder~may cause movement~of the par~el
1 toward the~fixecd cnd of the support member.
~ The intermediat~ poinL on the support mc;Il}~cr ;nay
2G be positiol-ed out of aligrlrnellt t~ith the fixed and movable
~7 cnds of the supiort men~er witl1 the fixed aIld movable ends
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29 //j
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32
` ~ 1~1L42~390
lyin~ 0l1 a straiqht line and the movable panel bein(;
2 positioned -transverse to the strai.ght line. ~he inter-
3 mediate point on the support member may th?l1 be positioned
'~ transversely with respect to the stralcJht line but :in a
direction opposite to the position of the pan?] ./itl1
G respect to the straight line. The support member may
7 have a generally triangular configuration ith tl1e fixed
8 eJ1d and the movable end of the support membcr lyincl at
9 two of the apices of a triangle. The intc rmediate point
lO on the support member may~ then lie at tl1i? otl1er apc.~.
,
ll of tlle trianyle. The pànel may be positioned transversely
12 to a line through the fixed and movable ~el1ds ~ith the
~3 intermediate pOillt being positioned tra1 sversely to the
- line but in a directiol1 opposite to the~ pos:ition 03 the
'5 l al1el Witl1 respect to the lil1e.
16 The ref-use storage bocly may have an o~on end and
17 a closed end with~ the movable panel formin3 a closure or
lc~ the open end. The gei1erally triangular support member may
'-9 then be position?cl adjacent to ~the open end with th
- -
2~ intermediate-point ape~ of the support member~e~ctendil1c3
21 outside of the storage~body through said open end. In tl1is
" " ~ .
manner tl1e movable panel may be positionec1 more closely
23 ad~acent to the open end with less interference from the
21 position of the means to transmit force from the support
m-~mber to the panel.
?6 l~s a further aspect of tlle invention a refuse
?7 compacti11g apparatus may be provided ia1 ~l1iCI1 a loa(lil1c
2c3
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",;,",. ,., 1)- 1 1. 0 :1
~ r ~
42~39~
1; }~opper is in communication with a contaiIler for s tor1ng
refuse under pressure. ~ refuse compactinc~J means lnay be
3 positioned to swecp through the loading hopper to compact
refuse therein ancl to move the refuse from the loading
hopper into the storac3e container. 1~ retai.ner paIle1
6 may be positioned to move bett~een an opeIled and a c1Osed
7 ~os1tion with the retainer panel impeding the f1O~ of
a refuse from the storage container into tlie ho~er t~1th
9 t:he retainer pane1 1n its closed position ancl permittirly
the flow of refuse from ~he hopper .i.nto tIle s~toracJe con- ;
tainer by the refusc compactIng means ~1th the ret:ai.ner
12 palIe1 in its opened position. Control means may be
13 provided to move the retainer panel to an opened position
1~} t~hi1e moving the refuse compactinc3 mealIs th~:ough the ho~
15 pr to move refuse from the hopper into the storac3e con-
lG tain~er. The contro1 means may also func~tion to move the `
17 ret~liner panel. to a closed position ~1hi1e returninc3 the :
18 relus~e cornpacting means to a return~ position to ~egin
19 sweeping tIlrough the~ loadlng hopper~
ln providing control of the movement of the
21 retainer ~ane1 and the refuse compacting means a source
22 Of pressurized hydrau1ic f1uld may be used to drive a
2; f irst hydrau1ic motor means that is operatively co;nnected
2~ ~o the retai ner palle1 and a second hydrau1ic motor means
~llicll is operatively connected to the refuse compactinc~
2G IlleallS. ~ first va1ve means may contro1 the f1O~ of hy~
27 draulic f1~li.cl to tIle first motor means in mov:ing tlIe ~:
23
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428~ .;
1 retainer pane1 between an opened ~nd a closed positioll.
2 A second valve means may control the flow o~ draulic
-~ 3 fluid to the second motor means in moving the refuse
compacting means tllrough the loading hop?er to s~!~eep re-
fuse from the hoppe.r and to then return to a return
:~ ~ 6 position to beyin sweeping throuqh the~ hopper. Maal1s may
~; 1 be provided to move the first and second valves in unison
; 8 to first direct hydraulic fluid to the fi.rst motor means
; 9 before directing hydraullc fluid to the second motor means.
In this manner, the retainer panel may undcrcJo mov~mcnt
1 before movement of the refuse compactlng means. .
12 Coupled with the movement of the rcfuse compac-
.~
1~ ting means and the retainer panel, an ejecti.on panel m~y
1~ be positioned ~nithin the storaye container. ~leans rnay be
~; lS provic1ed to move the ejection panel in small :increr~1ei1ts
1~ within the storage container in response to the pressure
.
17 o:E re~use against the ejection panel. Thus, as refuse .
~ 1~ i.s moved into the storage container and pac~ed against the .
:~ 19 ejection panel Lhe e]ection panel may be incremen~ally
moved to enlarge the available volume for StorlnCJ reeuse
; 21 ~ithin the storage container. A third hydlaullc motor
~ " " .
means may be connected to the ejection panel an~d means may :
23 be:provided to sense the pressure of hydraullc eluld
wit}1in the second motor means as the refuse compacting
means sweeps throucJli the loading hopper. ~1eans m~y be
26 provided ~o momentarily dump hydraulic fluid from the thlrd
27 motor meal-s when the sensed pressure within -the second
28
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~ ~4~8~
1 Motor means exceeds a predetermined pressure level to
2 move the ejectioi~ panel a small incremental distance
3 and, thereby, to reduce thc pressure of refuse against
the ejection panel.
The first valve means and secon(l valve mealls
6 may be positioned in a series relation Wi~]l respe~ct to
7 the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. Further,
e first valve means may be positioned betwee~ll the
~9 second valve means and the sou}ce of pressurized~hydrau1ic
10 flulcl with the first valve means returninq to its neutral '~'
l1 position after movement of the first and second va1ve
12 means in unison. The second vàlve means may then rece,~ve
13 hydraulic fluid from the source of pressurized hyclrau1ic
l~ fluid such that movcment of the retaincr pa1lc1 may pr~-?- ,
iS ccde~movemellt of the packincJ mealls ~Yitllill the loaclincJ `,
~lopper.
17 In a further aspect of the invention, therc is
lo ~rovi~ed a rcfuse compactincJ apparatus Eor storing refus~
9 under pressure, a loading hopper in communication with
20 ~he storaye contaiAcr and a packlng pane1 mounted for
21 movement through the 1Oading hopper to s~eep through tlle ~`-
22 ~hopper in compacting refuse therein and in moving refuse
23 from the loading hopper into the storage contailler. Tl1e
loadinJ hopper may include a curved inner surface with a
sill on the loadinq hopper over which refuse may be in-
26 serted into the lloE)per. Thc packing pa,llel may hclvc an
~' cdgc ~hicll is positioned adjacent to the curved surfac(?
2a ///
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~ 2~ 0
1 within the loadincJ hopper as the packincJ pane] s~eeps
2 throuc3h the loadinc3 hopper. Mcans may be providecl to
3 maintain a minim~ distance between the edc3e Ol1 tl1e
4 packiny panel and the curved surface or1 -the hopper at
a point which is adjacen-t to the sill which rninilm~m
6 clistance may he slightly greater tharl the depth of a
t human finc;er.
8 Additionally, the means to maintain a mirlilrlurn
9 clistance betwec!l1 the edye of the packinc~ ianel and the
1~ inncr curved surface o~ the hopper may ilicrea-je the
ll mlnimum dlstance sIic3htly as the packincJ panel sweeps
12 pas~ the sill and throug}1-the hopper. Tlle minimum
13 spacinc~ l~etween the edc3e of the packinc3 pal1cl and ~he
curved inl1er surface of the loading hopper of the sill
L5 nla~ reduce forccs appliec1 to the sill durinc3 clowl1~ard ~ -
16 ~movement of the pac~ing panel while also protectiny the
lr/ worker's finc3ers. The increased minimum spacillcl ~e-
18 tweell the edye of tlle packiny panel~and the curvcd inner ~ ~-
9 sur~ace of the ho~per as the panel sweeps throuyh the
; loadlncJ hopper may provide a grlppillg forc~on refllse
21 ~caught between the ed~3e o~ the packing panel and the
.
2 curvcd inner surface of the hopper whicl1 force may pull
23 refuse over the sill and into the hopper as the pallel
2~ sweeps through the hopper.
~ furtiler aspect of the invention concerrnj a
2~ refuse compacting apparatus havincJ a p~nel positioned for
27 .~or:inc~ overnent in a ~irst direction and a re:Latively
29
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~ ,~- 1 .L () I
~ ~14;~9C)
large first hydraulic motor for drivincJ the panel ill thc
first direction. The panel rnay undc?rcJo return movement
3 in a second direction and a relatively smal1 second hy-
draulic motor may drlve the panel in said .;ecolld direc-
-~ S tion. ~ source of pressurized hydrau1ic fluid may drive
6 the flrst and second hydraullc motors with mcallb mecha
cally interconnectlng the first and seconc3 mo-ors ~;uch
~3 that movement of th~ first motor to drive tlle pallel in
::
9 said flrst direction causes movement of the second mo-tor
in a~ direction opposite to lts~movernent to drive the
panel~ l the second directlo~n~. Slmilar~ly,~movement of
~12 ~the second motor ~to~drlve t~he panel in said secc)nd direc-
13 tion may ca~ise movement of the first motor in a direci:ion
1~1 opposite to its moVeMent in drivinc3 the panel in saicl
15~ first direction.~ ~ -
lG The first motor may have a first oponill(3 alld a
; 17 second opening ~7ith the second motor also llavlncJ a first o~ening
~16~ and a second openinc3. Means~ may be provicled for COnneCtincJ
19~ ~the second opening of the first motor with the second
opellln3 of the second motor, sump~ mcans to receive hydraulic ~ ;
2l~ fluid and means connecting~the second opening of the first
-22 rmotor and the second opening of the second motor to the
23 sump means. Valve means may be positloned~bet~een the
~2~ first and second mot~ors ~and the~means~ to supply pressurl~ed
?~5 hydraulic fluid ~ith tlle valve means having a first opera- -~
2G tive pOSitiOIl to diroct pressuri~ed hydraulic fluicl to the
27
29
31
~2
--23--
~ j - J. 1. ~) .L
",'-.',: :,' .
~142~0
. first o~en.iIlg of the first motor to eause movemeIlt of the
2 first motor to drive the pane1 in said fi.rst direction.
3 ~ith the valve means in its first operati.ve positi.on hy-
draulie fluid may also be transmitted from the first
openillg of the se-co3ld motor to the sump as tI~e second motor
~: G is movecl in a direction opposite to its movement wher
7 drivinq the pane1 in sald~second direetion. IIydrau1ic fluid
.
may also f1O~ from -the second oyenincJ oF tIIe first MotOr
9 into:the seeond ojening of the second rnotor c~ncl may also .
;10 f1Ow into the sump as the first motor moves to drive the
: :
:~ 11 paIle1 in said first direetion.
~ : :
12 The valve rneans may also have a second operative
i3 position to direct hydrau1ie f].uid to the first openincJ of
the seeond motor to eause movement of the seeond motor to : .
] 5 d2^iV(? i:llC pallC.l i.ll sclid second direetion and to cause movc~
lG ment of the firs-t motor in a direction opposite to its
17 Movement when driving the panel in sai.d first di;reetion.
The valve means in~ its seeonci operative position may trans-
19 mi.t hydraulic fluLd from the first opening of the first
motor to the sump. ~ Mean~s may aIso be provided to inte~r-
21 eonIlect the first and seeond openings of the first rnotor
when the pressure: of hydraulie 2-iuicl supplied to the first
2 J o~ening of the second motor reaehes a predetermined pressure
24 1eve1 to permit hydraulie fluid to flow from t}~e flrst op o- ::
ing of -the first motor into the second opcIlillg of the first
26 motor. In this manner the second motor may aet as an ~ ;
~7 accumu1ator for hydr.aulie fluid from tlle :fi.rst r.loLor when :.
2~3
29
31
32
--24--
L i u 1.
~1~2~390
tll~ first rnotor is clriving the pane1 in i s first diree-
2 t:iOI~ and the secollcl motor is moving in a direction PE)-
3 site to its movelnent when driving the pclrle1 i n saitl
seeond clireetion.
;~ ~ Additiona11y the first motor may aet as i ts
6 own aceumulator of ilydraulie fluid wllen the second motor
is driviny the ~ane1 ln salcl seeoncl direetioll and the
~3 first motor is movillg in a direetion op~osite to its `~
9 moveil~ent wllen dx iviny the pane1 in its irst direction
10 The first~ motor in aetiny as its o~rn aceulllu1ator may
11 discharc3e hydrauLie fluid through the first E)enirll
whieh may be eonveyecl baek into the seeond opt-~nincJ i n
13 the first motor. In the refuse eompaetll-q apa aratus
` ~lle first motor may be a relatively 1arge hyclrau1ie evlin-
a clc r l~avin(J a first piston whieh separates t~le first and
~1~ seconcl openings wit:llin the first motor. l`he seeond motor
17 may l~e a re1ative1y small hydraulie ey1inder wllieh inc1udes
e a seeond piston th.~t separates the first and second open-
19 ~ ~ inCJs ill the second motor . ~ ~
~ further aspeet of the invention eoneerns a
21 reruse compaetion apparatus having ~ a refuse conLailler a
22 loadlnc3 hopl er and a passage from the 10ading hor per into
23 the refuse contalner. A paeking par el may be positioned
2~ within the loading hopper for rotationa1 movement from a
r
:~ ~J rest position i n a working direetion in sweepin~ throucJh
2G the 10ading hopper to eompaet refuse therein alld to move
27 the refuse through the passage into tlle rel~ur;e eontailler.
2~3
29
~0
31
32
0 1
42890
~leans may be provided for driving the ~acking panel which
2 include a drive shaft rotatably supporting the packinc3panel and a drive member connected to the panel. ~ihe
drive member may include a drive surface Wit]l a drive ~-
lever connected to the drive member.
:
6~ ~ flexible drlve member having a drivinq ~nd and ~;~
~ ;~ 7 a fixed end may be connected to the drive lever throug}
; ~ said fixed end whl~le a motor is connected to thc driving
~ 9 end. Tlle flexible drive member may be positionèd to con-
:
tact tlle drive surface in driving ~the packing panel during
ovement of~the~packing;panel ln a workii~g direction from
12 its rest positlon durlng the lnitial pOrtlOIl~ of its~move~
~3 merlt through the hopper. The flexible clrivc member may
]~ then move`out of contact with the drive surface to drive
~ ac~ir~cJ panel~through the conllectioll ~etweell ~he fic~d
]G end of the flexible drlve member and the drive lever~durinc
17 the latter portion of the movement of the pac?~incJ panel in
18 a ~orking direction through said hopper.
19 ~ ~ The drive surface may have a con~tallt radius suc}i
that contact of the flexible drive member~with the drive
21~ ~surfnce drives the~packing~panel with a force vhlch lS
2~ applied through a constant~moment arm whose dlstance~is
23 determined by the radlus. Durlng movement of the packlng
2~ panel through the loading hopper the flexible drive mem-
2~ ~er may contact the drive surface during rotation of the
2G drive member throuc3h an angle of about 158 witll the~
27 1e~ible drive membeL then moving out o~ COlltaCt with tho
29
31
32
-26-
~ D-~.101.
~ 2~9~
l drive surface to drive the panel d.ireetly t}rough the
2 drive lever and to apply a progressive force to the
3 panel durinc~ rotation of tlle drive lever throucj}l an
angle of about 90.
The l~aekiny panel may be rotatable in a re-
6 turn direetion towards its rest position after s~eel~inc
7 throu3ll the hopper in a working direetion. A second ~:
8 flexible drive mebmer havincJ a drivlnc3 end and a fi.Yed :
9 encl may have its f~ixed end conneeted to the dri.ve sur-
aee~and its driven end eonnected to a second motor. ;~
:: ll Tlle second flexible drive member may thereby impart
12 rotational movement of the paeklng panel in movinJ the
15 panel in a return direetion to said rest position. In
l~ drivinc3 the paekin3 panel in a workiny direction and in
~5 a re~urn directioll wi-th the flexible drive melllbcl. ~nc~
- 16 t~le second flexible drive member the connectlon of the
l7 fixed end of the flexible drive member to the drive
e levqr and eonneetion of the fi.xed end of the second
; 19 flexible drive member to a point on the drive sur- : ;
face with the conllections of the fixed ends of tile
fle.\ible drive member and the seeond fleYille drive
-~ ; 22 membe~r being displaced a suffleient distance relati.ve
23 to the drive surface to eoncurrently permit un~indinc3
~1 of the flexible drive mernber from the drive surLace
~5 and ~indinc3 of the second flexible drive member oltO
the drive surface as the paekinc3 panel is moved in
27 a workin(3 directioll.. ~lso the said displaeemcllt
2c~ may concurrently permit unwindillg of the second flex- :
29 i.ble dri.v~ mer!lber :Erom the drive surface and windinc3
. 30
31
32
-27-
I)-l.LU.L
2l~
of the flexible drive member onto the drivc surface as
2 the E~ac}iinc3 panel is moved in a return clirection to-~ard
3 its re :t position.
1~ further aspeet of the invention concerlls a
5 refuse compaction apparatus w}lieh inc1udes a hopper ancl
6 a pane1 whicll is rotatably positioned for movemcllt
7 througll the hop~er. The pane1 may have a body ~1i th a
8 yeneral1y elliptieal eonfiguration, and a hlcJh tor~uc-
9 transmittinc3 eapabiIity. Drive means for thc pane~ m;ly
10 be eonnected to only one end of the panel SUCIl that a
11 rotational forcc- may be applied to the panel at said one
12 end Witll tlle rotatlonal foree being trallsmitted throuc
~3 out the panel by the ~3lliptieal body.
1~ furt}ler aspeet of the inventioll concerlls a
15 rc-~fuse eontaincr for storiny refuse uncler pressure, a
lG loadill3 hopper, a l)assac3e leading from tlle loading hopper
17 into the eontainer, and a paeking pane1 rotatably posi-
13 tioned within the hopper to move from a rest pOSitiOll in
19 a wor}iinc3 direction to sweep throuc311 t~he hopper to com-
20 pact refuse witllin the hopper and to move the refuse from
21 the hopper throuyh the passaye and into the eontainer.
2 The packincJ panel~ may be movable in a return clirection
23 to return the panel to its rest p~sition with mo~tor means
2~ conneeted to the palle1 for providing movement thereof.
25 Control means may bo operatively eonnccted to the motor
2G n~cans to provide movement of the panel in a workinc~ direc-
27 tiOIl and movcmellt oi the panel in a returll clircction.
2c3 ///
29 ///
3~.
32
--2~3--
2~3~30
The control means may have a neutral position in
which the motor means is inactivated with the control means
being movable to a first position in which the motor means
is activated to move the packing panel in a working direction.
The control means may also be movable to a second position in
which the motor means is activated to move the packing panel -
in a return direction. Actuating means may be provided to
return the control means from its first position or its second
position to its neutral position with the actuating means
being operably connected to the packing panel. The actuating
means may have a third position when the panel is in its rest
position and a fourth position when the panel has moved
completely through the hopper in a working direction. The
panel may occupy a pinch-point position with respect to the
hopper with the panel moved into close proximity with the
hopper during movement of the hopper in a working direction.
The actuating means may have a fifth position when
the~panel is in its pinch-point position with the control
means having a manually actuable override to disengage the
control means and actuating means when the actuating mean~
lS in its fifth position. The actuating means may move the
control means from its first position to its neutral position
to stop the panel at its pinch-point position when the
actuating means is in its fifth position and the override is
unac~uated. Additionally, the actuating means may move the
control means from its first position to its neutral position
- 29 -
J~ L~l
;,
hen the aetuatin~ means is in its fourth pOSitioll and the
2 packiny pallel has comp]eted its movemellt in a working
3 direction. Also th2 aetuatiny means may l-nove tlle control
~nealls Erom its second posit.ion to its neutlal positicn
when tlle actuatinc~ mealls is in its thil-d position and -the
6 panel has completed its movement in a rcturn directioll.
7 A further aspect of the inventioll concerlls a
rcEuse compaetion apparatus haviny a contailler for storiny
9 refuse under pressure and means for pressurizillJ rcfuse
] within the container. A first rigid frame may be posi-
11 tioned at one end of the container with a second rigic~
12 frame positioned at the other end of the container.
3-~ ~lurality of longitudinal rigid members may intercollllect
14 the first and second frames. ~ plurality of fle.Yible
metal sheet members may enelose the eontailler with thc
lG sheet members bc?ing supported by the Eirst and second
17 frames ancl the lonc3itudinal ric3id members. ~he fle~;ible
1~ shect members may eaeh be bowed outwardly at. their pOilltS
19 of support. In tllis manner the sheet members may be
placed in tension in resisting pressures wit}lin the
21 container.
?2 A further aspeet of the inventioll concerns a
23 refuse compaction ap~aratus wllieh may inelude a contailler
21 Eor storin~ refuse under pressure and a tailyate rotatably
mounted on the eontainer for movemen-t between all openecl
alc] a closed position. ~ith the tailgate in its opelled
27 pc) ition reEuse Illcly be ~1iscllarycd Erolll the ccntailler
29
~Jl
32
-30-
r 1, 1 (),1
1 and with the taik~ate in its closed position a closure
2 may be ~ormed between the tailgate and thc storage con-
~ tainer. In.fixing the pOSitiOII of the tailgate with
'L r.esr,ect to the refuse contailler with the taikJate in
its closed position a latch member may encJage a keeper
6 melllber. ~leans ma~ be provided to impart rotational
7 movement to tlle latcll member to position the latch member
at a location where i.t may make contact with the kceper
9 member. Additiollally means may be provided to impart
translational movement to the latch melllbcr after i~s
11 rotational movemellt to move the latch member into contact
12 with the keeper member and to mailltain the tailgate in a
13 closed posi.tion.
1~ A further aspect of the invelltion concerns a
refllse compactiol apparatus includ:ing a container for
1~ storing refuse under pressure, a tailgate rotatably mounted
17 on the COntailler for movem~nt between an opened and a
~-~ closed positi.on and the tailgate including a hopE~er to
19 receive refuse. ~ packing means may he positioned witllin
the loading hopper to move the refuse from the hopper into
~1 the storage container with the tailgate in its closed
~2 posi tion. Drive means may be provided to drive tlle packing
23 means in moving refuse from the hopper into the storage
~ container. The tailgate in its closed position may be in
abutting relation witll the refuse storage container to form
2G a closure therewitll and tl-e tailgate in its opened posi-
2 ~ tion Illay be rotated upwardly to expose the storage contailler
2~ for discharge of refuse therefrom.
31
32
~L~4~t~9~
~ . .
1 . The drive means may be position~d oll one side
2 of the tailc~ate to dr.ive the paekincJ means ~rom sai.cl one
3 side. The wei~jht of saicl one side o~ the tailc~ate may
A~ t}lC'Il be greater t]~an the weight of the ot}ler side oF
~ the t:ailgate. ~n upper beam may be providccl within the
6 tailgate with t:he tailgate being rotatab~.y connceted to
q the storacJe eonl-ailler througll said u~yer i)eam. rl`he~ upper
l~eam may inelude a stiffeller assembly posi.tionecl acljaeent
9 to tlle rotatable eonneetioll of the heavier one side of
the tailgate to the storage eon-tainer. rhe stiffeller
Ll assembly may have a eonfiguratioll whie}l provi.des a hi.cJ}
12 resistanee to t:orclue. Thus when a lifting foree is
13 ayplied to the tailgate for raising t}-~e tailgate to i.ts
1~ opened position the foxee may be translllitted tll.roug}l
]5 the Upyel beam with thc twistincJ forees appliecl t:o t}le
lG upper beam by the weight of the heavier one side of t}le
1~ t:ailyate ~eing resisted by the stiffeller assembly~
lc~
19
21
,~
23
2~ ..
~7
2c~
29
3].
32
-32-
.. ., . L)--1 ]. O ~.
2~
1 The Drawings
3 To illustrate a preferred embodiment of the
inventioll, reference is made to the ac~companyillc3 drawinys
in which:
6 Fic3. 1 is a slde elevational view of a yarbage
'7 truck utilizing a refuse compactiny apparatus of the in-
8 vention;
9 Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a garbdye
truc~ illustrating the movement of an ejection panel within
11 the s~oraye container hy a conventional hydraulic cylinder
12 that is supported by a pivotal mountiny which imparts trans-
13 lational movement to the cylinder that is in the same
1~ direction as the movement of the ejection ~)anel;
Fiy. 3 is a side sectional view oE the tailyate
lG structure posi~ioned at the rear of the ~storaye container
17 as S~10WIl in Fiq. 1 with a side plate for the tailyate re-
18 moved to illustrate the position of hydraulic cylinders
1~9 therein for moviny a packing panel throucJh a loadinc~ hop-
peri
21 Fig. ~ is an elevation detailed view of a packiny
~2 panel and a portion of the drive mechanism for tlle panel,
23 viewed from the rear of the tailgate as illustrated in
2~ FiCJ. li
Fig. 5 is an end elevational view, partly in sec-
26 tion, of the packing panel taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 4;
27 ///
2~ ///
29
31
~2
-33-
1 1 0 1
,,", l~42~
l Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line
2 6--6 of Fig. 4;
3 Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line
4 7--7 of Fig. 4;
~ Fig. ~ is a sectional view taken along line
6 8--~ of Fic~. 4;
q Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a re-
~ tainer panel and retainer panel cylinder illustrating
9 the movement of the retainer panel ~etween an opellec~
and a closed position;
11 Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the tail-
12 gate and drive mechallism, siMilar to Fig. 3, with the
3 packing panel in a rest position arld thc retainer panel
1~ in a closed position;
Fig. 11 is a side elevational view, similar to
1~ Fig. 10, illustrating the movement of the re-tainer panel
17 in a working direction through the loading hopper;
1~ Fig. 12 is a side elevational view, similar to
19 Figs. 10 and 11, illustrating the position of tlle pack-
ing panel at its pinch-point location after mov~ment o~
21 the panel in a working direction until the lower edge ;of
~2 the packing panel is posit-ioned closely adjacent to a
curved inner surface of the loading hopper at a point
adjacent to the sill of -the loading hopper;
Fig. 13 is a side elevational view, similar to
2G Figs. 10-12, illustrating the position of the packing
27 pal-lel after movement of the packing pallel in a workillg
28 ///
29
31
32
34-
:::
12i~
lirec:tioll tlll-oucJ'l the loaclinc3 hoE~per to f~orce refuse
through a passage having a narrowed throat ancl thell into
3 the refuse storing container with very hicJIl ~ressures
beiny exerted on -the refuse as it passes tllrough t~le
5 throat;
6 ~'ig. 14 is an elevational view takell along line
q l~ of Fig. ] illustrating the appearance of t~le tail-
gate as viewed from the rear;
9 Fig. 14a is a sectional view ta};ell aloncJ line
14a--14cl of Fig. :14;
11 Fig. 14b is a detailed sectional view takell aloncJ
12 line 14b--14b of Fig. 14;
13 Fig. 14c is a detailed view, partially in section,
1~ of the top beam for the tailyate illustratillc3 a stiffellincJ
assembly incor~orated into tlle bc!am for. resi!,tillc3 t~istinc~
1~ forces imparted to -the beam by the weic;llt of the relatively
~-7 lleavy drivinc3 mecllanism for the packing panel illustrated
18 at t~-le left in FiCJ. 14;
19 ~ig. 14d is a sectional v:iew taken along line
14d--14d of Fig. 14c to illustrate the structure of the
21 stiffeninc3 assernbly within the top beam;
~2 Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15--15
2~ of ~iy. 1 to illustrate the structure of the refuse storage
2~ container and the manner in which flexible plates rnay be
utilized in forming walls of the container with the plates
.. .
26 being bowed outwardly to be placecl in tension as pressures
27 are applied to -the interior of the refuse container;
29
~0
31
32
-35-
,L .LUl
`- ~14~891Q
Fig. 16 is a view taken along line 16--16 of
2 Fig. 1 to illustrate the inner appearance of the tail-
cJate;
Fig. 16a is a sectional view taken along line
l~a--16a of Fi~. 16 to illustrate the configuration of
6 a seal utili7ed in sealing the tailgate to the refuse
q storage container when the tailgate is lowered to a
closed position;
9 Fig. 17 is an elevational view of the refuse
1~ storaCJe container as viewed from inside the storage
11 body;
12 Fig. 17a is a sec-tional view taken alonc~ line
13 17a--17a of Fig. 17;
14 Fig. 18 is a rear view of the refuse storage
15 body, as viewed from the rigllt in Fig. 1, Wit}l the tailgate
1~ removed for clarlty of illustration;
17 Fig. 18a is a sectional view taken alonc~ line
18 18a--18a of Fig. 18;
19 ~ig. 19 is a partial elevational vie~ of the tail-
20 gate as viewed from the riyht side in Fig. 1~ to illustrate
21 a control mechanism for causing movement of the packing
22 panel, coupled with a stop mechanism connected to the pack-
23 ing panel for returning the control mechallism to a neutral
positioll;
Fig. 19a is a partial detailed view tak~n aloncJ
2~ line 19a--19a of Fig. 19;
~7 I'ig. 20 is ~n elevatioll view takc~ll along line
2~ 20--20 of Fig. 19;
29
31
32
-36-
"' ~ 1 0 1,
428~
,~
1 Fig. 21 is an elevational view of control rods
2 positioned withiJl the tailgate whose movelnent is con-
3 trolled ~y movement of the control mechanism of Fig. 19;
4 Fig. 21a i5 a sectional view taken a]oncJ line
21a--21a of Fig. 21;
G Fig. 21b is an elevational view, similar to
7 l;`ig. 21a, illustrating the positioning of the control
a rods after one of the control rods has returned to its
9 neutral position, with the other control rod remaining
ill an activated position;
11 Fig. 21c is a par-tial sectional view ta~en aloncJ
12 line 21c--21c of Fig. 21 illustrating the functioning of
13 a detent mechallism in holdinc3 one of the control rods in
]~ an activated postiion while the other control rod may be
~5 returned to its neutral postiion;
lG Fig. 22 is a schematic hydraulic circuit diagram
17 illustrating one embodiment of a hydraulic circuit for con-
1~ trolling movement of the ref~ise compaction mechanisrn;
19 Fig. 23 is a schematic hydraulic circui~ diagram,
similar to Fig. 22, illustrating a second embodiment of a
21 hydraulic circuit for controlling movement of the refuse
22 compaction mechanism, and,
23 Fig. 24 is an elevational view, similar to Fig. 21,
2~ il]ustrating the use of a single control rod for actuating
a ~ortion of -the elements in the hydraulic circuit illus-
2~ trated in Fig. 23.
27
29
31
32
-37-
~ ~2~9~
~, .
1 Detailed Descriptio
3 Figure 1 illustrat2s the invention embodic?cl
4 in a garbage truck 2 having a cab q and a frame G.
5 storage body 8 for holding refuse under pressure is
6 positioned Oll the truck frame 6 with a tailgate 10
7 bei.llCJ rotatably supported at -the rear of tlle storage
body. The tailgate in its closed positioll is indicatecl
9 in solid line drawing as 10 and is illustrated in
10 pllantom line drawing in a raised position as 10'. Durinc3
11 the packiny of storage body 8 with refuse under L~ressure,
12 the tailgate is maintained in its lowered ~osition 10
13 and is fi~edly posltioned acJalnst the storagc? body.
14 llowever, when the storage body $ is filled with refllse,
15 tl)e tailgate is t}len raised to its position 10' and
16 refuse withill the storacJe body may be ejected tllroucJh
17 the e,~posed openinc3 at the rear of the storac~e body.
1~ An ejection panel 12 may be slidably positioned
19 ;~ithin the storage body 8 with movement o~ th~ ejection
20 panel serving to vary the volume within the storacJe bocly
21 ~hich is available for storing refuse. To fill the
22 s-torage body 8 with the maximum amount of refuse, it is
23 important that refuse within the storage body be packed
2a at a relatively uniform pressure. To accomplish this
25 result, the ejection panel may be positioned as sho~n in
2G solid line drawing 12 at a point adjacent the rear of
27 the storage body 8 cluring the inltial stage of packing
2~ refuse within the storage body.
29
31
32
-38-
L ~ 0 1
~2~
~ ~s refuse is introcluced into the s-torage body
2 8 from tailyate 10, tlle refuse may e:~ert pre~ssure against
3 the ejection panel 12. l~llen the pressure exerted by
refuse against e]ection panel 12 exceeds a prec1etermined
pressure level, the ejection panel may then be rnoved a
G srnall incremental distance toward the front of the
7 stora~e body 8. Tllis reduces the pressure e~erted ~)y
refuse against the ejection panel 12 and the pac};ing of
9 refuse into tlle storage body 8 may then continue until
~ tlle l~ressure exerted by refuse against the ejection
11 panel again exceeds the predetermined pressure level
12 Witll the ejection panel then beincJ again moved a small
13 incremental distance, etc. ~rogressive filling of the
1~ storage body 8 with reEuse may then be accomplished in
a ulliform manner with -the refuse being ~)acked within
1~ the storage body at a relatively uniform pressure.
17 'I'his results in fillinc3 the storac]e body 8 witll the
1~ maximum amount of refuse which is benefici~l in reduciny
19 the time which is lost in trips to a landfill or refuse
transfer center to discharc~e refuse.
21 ~hen the storage body 8 is full of refuse, the
~2 ejectiol~ panel may occupy the pOSitiOI~ shown in phantom
23 line drawing as 12' adjacent to the forward end of the
2~ storaye body. To move the ejection panel 12 withill tile
storage body 8, a telescopic cylinder 14 may l~e connected
2~ to a pivot 16 at t~e forward end of the storage bocly with
2~ t:he other end of the-cylillder connected to a pivot 18 on
29
31
32
-39-
''' ~142~6~0
k~
~ he frame for the ejection panel. 11ith the ejection
2 narlel in its forward pOsitiOIl 12 ', the telescoyic
3 cylillder 14 may be eompletely contracted and Witil the
e jection panel in its rearward position 12 ', the
5 cylinder may be completely extendecl. Slicle rai ls 20
G may be positioned alony either side of the stora(Je body
7 8 witll slots in the frame for the ejection panel 12
8 enc3aginy the slide rails. The upriyl3t posi tion of the
9 ejection panel 12 witllin the storage body ~ may, tllus, be
10 maintained during movement of the ejeetion panel.
11 As indieated, the storac;e body 8 may include
12 a front frame 22 positioned adjacent to the cab 4 ancl
13 a rear 'frame 24 wllich supports the tailgate 10 and
14 engayes the tailgate in its elosed pOsitioll. Tlle COIl-
15 struetion of the storage body 8, as will be described,
16 is strong and also surprisingly light as compared with
17 prior construetions. Thus, the storage body 8 cloes
18 llot recluire su~port at points intermediate its ends.
1~3 Only tlle front and rear frames 22 and 24 may be eon-
20 nected to the truck frame 6 in providing a lighter con-
21 struction with savings in the energy required to r~ower
22 the truclc 2 and a reduetion in the wear and tear on
23 the highways during usage of the truek.
2~l A tailgate eylinder 26 may be employed for
25 raising and lowerillg of the tailgate 10. The tailgate
2G 10 may be eonnected to the rear frame 2~ througll pivots
~7 28 l~ositioned on either side of the rear frame. The
29
31
3~
--40--
-- 1142~
1 tailc3ate cylinder 26 may be connected to the rear :Erame
2 24 throu(3h a pivot 30 with the other erld of the tailgate
3 cylinder being connected to the tailgatc 10 throucJh a
pivot 32. The cylinder is illustrated in solid line
drawillg in an extellded condition as 26 witll the tailgate
G in its raised position 10'. With the tailcJate in its
7 lowered position 10, the tailgate cylinder is shown in
8 phantom line drawing in its contracted condition as ~6'.
9 ~ lloppcr generally indicated as 34 may be formecl in the
lower portion of the tailgate 10 with the hopper including
11 a curved bottom surface 36, a loadinc3 opening 38 to re-
12 ceive refuse, and a loading sill 40 beneath the loading
13 opelli.nc3. ~ passacJe shown in phantom line drawincJ as 42
14 may lead from the hopper 34 into the storac~e body 8 and
a packing panel, generally indicated as 44, may be
16 positioned within the hopper to move refuse from the
lrl }lopper through -t}le passage into the storage body.
18 The packing panel 44 may include a main panel
19 indicated in phantom line drawing as ~16 and a foldable
2.0 panel in phantom line drawing as 48. As will be described,
21 the foldable panel 48 may undergo lim.ited rotational
22 movement with respect to the main panel 46 with the fold-
23 able panel in an extended position ad~acent the surface
2~ 36 as the packing panel 44 sweeps through the hopper 34
in a workinc3 dircction to move refuse through the paSSaCJe
2G 42 into tlle storage body 8. ~lowever, when the packing
27 panel 44 then moves in a return direction to rcturn to
28
29
~0
31
32
-41-
~ n,llo]
L2l3~ -
1 its rest position adjacent the rear of the hopper 34,
2 the foldable ~anel 43 may undergo rotational movelllellt
3 with respect to the main panel 46 to pass over refuse
within the hopper.
In discussing the various positions o the
6 packing panel 4~, tlle packing panel will be referred to
7 in its extended condition when the foldable panel 48 is
8 extended to a position adjacent the bottom surface 36
9 clurinc; movement of the packing panel in a workillc)
direction. The packing panel 44 will be referred to
11 in its collapsed or partially collapsed condition as
12 the pac~ing panel moves in a return direction to its
13 rest position. To provide movement of the foldable
1~ panel 48 Wit]l resl~ect to the main panel 4G, friction
pads indicated in phantom line drawing as 49 may be
16 provi.ded in either end of the foldable panel. The
17 friction pads 49 may have an outer surface formed of
18 plastic with the ~.riction pads being spring biased in
19 an outward direction into contact with the sidewalls o~
the hopper 34. The friction pads 49 may, thus, cause
21 rotational movement of the foldable panel 43 to an
22 e~tended condltion as the panel sweeps through the
23 llopper 34 in a working direction. Ilowever, on movement
2~ of the packin~ panel 44 in a return direction to its
rest pOsitiOIl, the frictional contact of the friction
2G pads 49 with the sidewalls of the hopper 34 may cause
27 rotational movemcllt of the foldable panel 48 to a
29
31
32
-42-
~ D-llOl
~9L2~
1 collapsed or partially collapsed position SUC}l that the
2 foldable panel q~ may ride over refuse wi.thin the
3 hopL~er.
In providing movement of tlle packing panel 44
witllin the hopper 34, a relatively large hydraulic drive
6 cylinder 50 may ~e used to drive the packillg pallel in a
7 workinq direction while a smaller hydraulic return cylinder
8 52 may be used to move the packing panel in a rel-urn
9 direction to its rest position. ~s indicatecl, the drive
cylinder 50 may transmit rotational movement to the
11 packing panel 44 through a drive plate 53 wllich is opera-
12 tively connected to the packing panel and functions as
13 a lever in providing a mechanical advantage in transmittinc
14 power to the packing panel.
1~ A retcliner panel indicated in pllantolll line
16 drawing as 54 may be rotatably positioned adjacellt the
17 entrallce into the passage 42 from the hopper 34. During
18 movement of the packin~ panel 94 in a working direction
19 through the hopper 34, the retainer panel 54 may positioned
in its opened position as indicated in Figure 1 to permit
21 movement of refuse from the hopper into the passage. I~ith
22 the retainer panel 54 in its opened position as indicated
23 in Figure 1, the lower surface of the retainer panel, in
24 effect, forms a continuation of the upper surface of the
passage 42. This is advan-tageous in assisting the move-
26 ment of refuse from the hopper 34 through the passage 42.
27 llowever, on movelllent of the packing panel 44 in a return
29
31
32
-43-
~1~2~39~
1 direction away from the paSSaCJe 42, as will be describcd,
the retainer panel may be rotated to its closed position
3 to at least partially block the opening between -the
4 passac~e and the hopper 39. I~ith the retainer pallel 54
in its closed position, the flow of refuse from the
6 passage 42 into the hopper 34 is impeded, which improves
7 the overall efficiency of the packing mechani.sm in
moving re.~use from the loadiny hopper int~ the storage
9 l~ody 8.
With the packing panel 44 in it.s rest position
11 in a raised location at the rear of the hopper 34, the
12 packing panel may be in its collapsed condition. During
13 movement of the packing panel 34 from its rest position
14 in a working clirection, contact of the frictioll pads 49
agail)st the sidewalls of the hopper 34 cause the foldable
16 panel 48 to undergo rotational movement with respect to
17 the main panel 46. During thls movement of the packing
1~ panel 44 in a working direction, it is desirable that the
19 foldable panel 48 should not extend ou-t of the hopper 34
throuyh the loading opening 38 since this could present
21 a safety hazard. Guide rails shown in phantom line draw-
22 ing as 56 may be formed on the side walls of the hopper
.23 34. The guide rails 56 may extend inwardl~ to engage
2~ the foldable panel 48 and to maintain the foldable panel
within the confines of the hopper as the packing panel 44
2S moves from its rest position to a position adjacent the
27 hopper sill 40.
2~ ///
29 ///
31
32
-44-
, ~, 1.... 1,
Z8~
. . .
.~
~- As indicated in Figure 1, the telescopic cylin-
2 .ler 14 may ~e used in moviny the ejectioIl panel 12 within
3 the storage body ~. A telescopic cylinder, such as
4 cylinder 14, is a relatively complex hydraulic device
with internal passacJes within the cylinder -to suppl~
6 hydraulic fluid to the various cylinder sections ~hich
7 vary in size. ~ue to the difference in size het~/eeIl the
8 pressure areas within the telescopic cylinder, problems
9 may be encountered in its use. For example, when t~lere
is an increase in -the ambient temperature and the tele-
11 scopic cylinder is full of hydraulic fluid, the expansion
12 of hydraulic fluid at the large area end of the cylinder
13 may produce undesirably hi~h pressures at the small area
14 end of the cylinder. If tile ratio between the areas at
the large and small ends of the cylinder is, for example,
1~ 10 to 1, a one hundred pounds per square inc}l increase
17 due ~o expan~ion of fluid at the large end may produce
lc~ a -~housand pounds per square inch increase at the small
19 end. It would, thus, be desirable if some means could
be provided for providing movement to the ejection panel
21 12 without requirinc3 the use of a telescopic cylinder,
22 such as cylinder 14. IIowever, due to the large distance
23 throuc3I1 whicIl a hydraulic cylinder must move in provid-
2~ ing movcment to the ejection panel 12, there has pre-
viously beerI no alternative except to use a telescopic
2G Ily(~raulic cylinder.
27 ///
///
29
31
32
--'15--
1 1 0 1
~ :1' ! ~; ; i
2~9qEl
1 FicJure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the in~
2 vention in whicll a means is provided to produce movement
3 of the ejection panel 12 throucJh use of a conventional
hydraulic cylinder. ~or simplicity in illustration, like
5 reference numerals have been used in referring to struc-
6 tural elelnents in Figure 2 wllic}l are the same as those
7 describecl in Fi~ure 1. ~s indicated, a pivot 58 may be
8 provided at the forward end of the storacJe body 8, with
a preferably triangular support member 60 rotatably
supported by ~he pivot. ~ conventional l~ydraulic cylinder
11 62 may be rotatably secured to a pivot 64 on the support
12 member 60 positioned at a point intermediate its ends.
13 As indicated, Wit]l the ejection panel 12 at its for~ard
1~ position within the storage body 8, the c;enerally trian-
qular configuratioll of support member 60 may be advan-
16 tageous in permitting the hydraulic cylinder 62 to extend
17 in a forward direction beyond the front frame 22. This
1~ permits the storage body 8 to be made shorter since there
19 does not need to be aclditional length provided simply to
2~0 accommodate the hydraulic cylinder 62.
21 The ejection panel 12 may include a transverse
~2 frame member 66 with a pivot 68 on the frame member rota-
2~ tably engaging the rod of the piston 62. ~ link member
2~i 72 may rotatably engage a pivot 70 on the support member
60 with the link member also engaging the pivot 68 on
2~ transverse frame member 66. The link member 72, thus,
27 fixes the distance between the pivot 70 on support member
2~ /// i
29
31
~2
-~6-
~- I 1 0 1
42~
60 and the E)ivot 68 on the transverse frame member G6.
2 As will be descril~ed, this permits translation of the
3 hydraulic cylinder 62 during its exE~ansion and contrac-
tion whicll results from rotational movement of the sup-
port rneml~er G0 with respect to the pivot 58.
G On expansion of the hydraulic cy]inclcr from
7 its l~osition indicated as 62 to a new position indica-
8 ted aS 62a, the s~pport member 60 unclercoes rotatiollal
9 rnovemellt to pOsitioll 60a. This yroduces rnovement of
10 the pivot 6~ to a ne~T position 64' such that the
11 hydraulic cylinder in position 62a has undergone tralls-
12 lational movement to follow the movement of the ejec-
13 tion panel to its new position 12a.
14 On fur-ther expansion of the hyclraulic cvlill-
15 der to l~osition 62b, the e-jection pane~l has been moved
16 to position 12b where it is positioned inmlediately adja-
17 cent to the real^ end of the storac~e body ~. .7\lso, the
lc3 support member has undergone further rotational movement
19 to position 60b with Eurther movement of the pivot 64
20 to position 64b. Tllus, the trallslatiollal movemellt pro-
21 vicled to hydraulic cylinder 62 has permitted the use of
22 the cylindcr in providing a movement of the ejection
23 pAnel 12 W]liC}l is much greater than the total expansion
2~1 of the hydraulic cylinder. A conventional hydraulic
~5 cy]illcler 62 may, therefore, now f-lnction in a mallller
hicll is the ec~uivalellt of the function of a more com-
27 plex and more exl?ensive telescopic hyclra~llic cylincler.
28
29
~ O
31
32
--~7--
_ D-ll.Ol
.. - i -..
. . .
1 DurincJ contraction of the hydraulic cylinder 62, the
2 above sequence of movements is reversed, with the
3 cylinder moving from position 62b to position 62a and
4 then to position G2 as the support member moves from
~ 5 position 60b to position 60a and then to position G0.
: ~ Pigure 3 is a side sectional vie~ through the
7 tailqate 10 to illustrate the mechanism for packin~
refuse and movinc3 the refuse from the hopper 34 into
9 the storage body U. The pivot 30 for -the tailgate
cylinder 26, as illustrated, may be formed within a
11 mounting ear 71 which is affixed to the rear frame 24.
12 ~rhe hopper 34, as viewed from the left in .~igure 3, may
13 include a sidewall 73 which may be formed frorn several
1~ plates connected together in any suitable fashioll, such
as by welding. The sidewall 73 may be positioned bet~een
lG the packing panel 44 and the drive mechanism for the
17 packillg panel itself such that the drive mec}lallism is
18 shielded from contact with refuse. The drive cylinder
1~ 50 may be rotatably connected at its upper end to a
pivot 74 that is secured to the tailgate 10. Similarly,
21 the relatively small return cylinder 52 may be connected
22 at its upper end to a pivot 76 secured to the tailgate
23 10. The packing panel 44, as illustrated, has completed
2~ i.t.s movement in a working direction through the hopper
34 to move refuse from the hopper into the passage 42.
2G At this pOiJlt, the return cylinder 52 is completely
27 e~tended, as indicated by the position of the pi.ston rod
29
31
32
-48-
] I 0 1
` 3L1~28~
~ .
1 7~3. Piston rod 78 may be connected to a drive chain 80
,2 for transmittillcJ movement to the packi.ng panel 44 cluring
3 i~s movement in a return direction to it~s rest pO.SitiOIl.
I^Jith the packing panel 44 positi.oned as illus-
trated, the drive cvliIlder 50 is completely contracted
G as indicated by the retracte~d position of pi.ston rod 32.
7 ~rhe piston rod ~2 may be connected to a clrive Cilaill 84
8 whose lower end is seeured to a connectioIl 86 on the
9 drive plate 53. ~s describecl, the clrive cvlinder 50 and
the return cylinder 52 may work together in unison because
11 of their connectioll to the drive mechanism for the paeking
12 panel 49. l'hus, as the drive cylinder 50 contracts, the
13 return cylinder 52 expands durincJ the movement of the
14 packing panel 44 in a worki.ng direction throucJIl the hop-
per 34. Similarly, during movement of the packing panel
1~ 44 in a return direction to its rest position, the return
17 cylinder 52 contracts while tIle clrive cyli.nder 50 expands.
18 T~e retainer panel 54 may be rotatably secured
19 to a pivot 88 for movement between its open and elosed
2.0 pOsitiOIls. I~he retainer panel 54 is illustrated in i-ts
21 opened position in Figure 3 as the packing panel is moved
22 in a working direction through the llopper 34 to move refuse
23 from the hopper into passage 42 and into the storage
2~ body ~.
With the tailgate 10 in its lowerecl position,
2~ ~he tailgate may be fixed with respect to the storaye
27 body ~ by a tailgate.lateh generally referred to as 90.
2~ ///
29 ///
31
32
-49-
2~39(~ -
1 l'he tailgate latch 90 may be rotatably conllectecl to the
2 tailgate 10 through a pivot 92 while a support mem~)er 94
3 on the rear frame 24 supports a keeper 96 which is engac3ed
4 by the tailgate la-tch 90. The tailgate latch 90 may in~
clude a threaded rod 98 with a correspondinc~ly threaded
6 sleeve 100 being positioned about the rod. ~ handle 102
7 may be formed at the outer end of the sleeve 100 such
8 that turniny of the handle either threads or unthreads
9 the sleeve with respect to the threaded rod 98. ~n en-
largement 103 on the rod 98 may enc3age one side of the
11 keeper 96 while the other side of -the keeper may be
12 engaged by the inner end of the sleeve 100 with the keeper,
13 thereby, being tightly gripped between the enlarcJemellt
14 and the end of the threaded sleeve. The tailgate 10 may
thell be securely latched to the storage body 8.
16 . Turning to Figure 4, which is a sectional view
1~ taken along line 4--4 o Figure 3, the packing panel ~4
18 may be rotatably mounted on a pair of sllafts 104 and 106.
19 In driving the packing panel 44, a torque tube 108 may
be secured to the shaft 10~ with a drive plate 110 being
21 rigidly secured to the outer end of the tor~ue tube. ~s
22 illustrated, the shaft 104, the torque tube 108, the
23 drive plate 110 and the drive plate 53 move together in
24 unison in imparting rotational movement to the pac]cing
panel 44. Moving inwardly along the shaft 104, a separa-
26 tor plate 112 is joined to the drive plate 53 and a stif-
27 ~enillg plate 114 is joined to -the plate 112 and to the
28 ///
29 ///
~1
32
-50-
~?, ' ~ 0 1
8~
1 ~orq-le tube 103. A stiffening plate 116 may then be
2 joined -to tile inner end of the torquc tube 108, to the
3 shaft 104 and to the main panel 46.
4 ~t its undriven end, the main panel 46 may be
connected to the shaft 106 by a stiffening plate 118
which is joined to the shaft and also to the main panel.
7 ~ support member 120 may surround the sha~t 106 and be
8 connected to the main panel 46 with a stiffellincJ plate
9 122 being joined to the other end of the support member,
to the shaft and also to the main panel. ~ collar 124
11 may be uositioned about the shaft 104 with the collar en-
12 gaging the exterior surface of the drive plate 110 and
13 a collar 126 may be positioned about the shaft 106 with
~4 the collar engaying the exterior surface of stiffening
plate 122.
16 To provide a strong and rigid connection between
17 the torque tube 108, the shaft 104 and the main panel 46,
18 a pair of side plates 128 may be secured -to the torque
19 tube and also to the main panel. The side plates 128
with the stiffening plates 114 and 116, joined to the
21 end surfaces of the side plates, form a very ri~id struc-
22 ture through which torque is transmitted from the torque
2~ tube 108 to the main panel 46.
24 ~ As illustrated, the drive chains 80 and 84 may
each be connected to -the drive plates 53 and 110 through
26 ~Jhich torque is imparted to the torque tube 103 and ~:o
27 the packing panel 44. In connecting the drive chain 80
28
29
31
32
-51-
1 0 1
2~!3''~1
1 to plc)~es 53 and 110, a pin 130 may be securecl to the
2 drive ~)lates throucJh apertures therein wit), a clevis
3 132 positioned on the pin and having secured thereto
the clrive chain 80 A spacer elemellt 134 may also be
positioned on the pin 130 to maintain the position of the
6 clevis 132 relative to the pin 130.
7 In securing the drive chain 84 to the clrive
8 plates 110 and 53, the pivot 86 may be securecl to the
9 drive plates through apertures therein with a mounting
plate 136 secured to plate 110 to retain the outer end
11 o~ the pivot relative to the ylate 110. ~ clevis 138
12 may be rotatably positioned on the pivot 86 with the
13 clevis secured to the drive chain 84. As indicated, the
14 connection between the drive chain 84 and clevis 138 is
positioned a greater distance from the axes of the shafts
1~ 104 and 106 than the connection between drive chain 80
17 and the clevis 130. Thus, forces transmitted to packing
18 panel 49 throuyh the drive chain 84 may act throucJh a
19 yreater moment arm than the forces transmitted to the
packing panel by the drive chain 80. This is advanta-
21 geous in providing a mechanical advantage during movement
22 Of the packing panel 44 in a working direction by the
23 drive chain 84.
24 The side wall 73 of the hopper 34, as illus-
tratecl in Figure 4, may extend into a space between the
2G plates 53 and 114 such that the drive mechanism for the
27 packing panel 44 is isolated from refuse within the
28 ///
29 ///
31
32
-52~
~' ',?-1101
42~
1 load.inc3 hopper 34. ~ second sidewall 140 of loadincJ
2 hopper 34 may also be positioned in close proximity to
3 the other end of the packing panel 44. The foldable panel
4 48 may be rotatably mounted with respect t:o the main panel
5 46 within slots 142 formed in the main panel. Tongue
6 mcmbers 144 joined to the foldable panel 48 may be l)osi-
7 tioned witllin the slots 142 with the tongue members each
8 bei.ng rotatably secured to pins 146 which e.~telId ibetween
9 tlIe sidewalls oE the slots to engage apertures formed in
lO the tongue members. Stop members 148 may be securecl to
11 the main panel 46 to permit limited rotational movement
12 Of the foldable panel 48 with respect to the main panel 46.
13 The rotational movement of panel 48, as discussed
14 previously, may be provided by friction pads 49 positioned
15 at eit.her end of the foldable panel 4~ in contact with the
15 sidewalls 73 and 140. ~s the main panel 46 is moved, the
17 frictional engagement of pads 49 with the sidewalls 73 and
18 140 causes rotati.onal movement of the foldable panel 43
19 ~ith respect to the main panel 46. Additionally, the
20 mov~ment of the foldable panel 43 is controlled -to some
21 e~tent by tlle guide rails 56 which may extend inwardly a
22 short distance from the sidewalls 73 and 140 to engage
23 cJuide members 150 on the foldable panel 48.
24 Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line
25 5--5 of Figure 4 which illustrates the position of fold-
26 able panel 48 with respect to main panel 46 and the manner
27 in whicIl rotational movement of the foldable panel is
2~ ///
29
31
32
-53-
: . ~. 1 0 1
`. ~L~Z8~
1 limited with respect to the maln panel. As indicated,
2 support brackets l47 secured within the foldable panel
3 48 by bolts 149 may rotatably enyage the pins 146 mounted
to the main panel 46. The support brackets 147 may be
secured to the foldable panel 48 by bolts 149. Stop
6 members 148 secured to the main panel 46 may each pro-
7 vide stop surfaces 152 and 154 whieh are engagable by
8 a stop member 156 secured to the foldable panel 48 by a
9 support bracket 158. As indicated, contact betweell the
stop member 156 and stop surfaces 152 and 154 effectively
11 limits the rotational movement of the foldable panel
12 ~etween the limitiny positions providecl by the stop j~
13 ~rfaces.
14 Fiyure 5 illustrates the foldable panel 48 in
its extended conclition after rotation of the foldable
16 panel in a elockwise direction with respect to the pin
17 1~6 to enyage the stop member 156 with the stop surface
18 152. This is the position of -the foldable panel 48 when
19 the packiny panel 44 rotates in a eounter-clockwise
direction from its direetion shown in Figure 5 in moving
21 in a workiny direction through the hopper 34 as shown in
22 Figure 3. During rotational movement of the paeking
2-3 panel 44 in a return direetion, i.e., eloekwise from its
24 position shown in Fiyure 5, the foldable panel 48 may
undergo rotational movement i31 a counter-clockwise direc-
2~ tiOIl until the stop member 156 contacts the stop surface
27 154. At this point, the paeking panel 44 is in a collapsed
29
~1
32
-54-
, ,~, . ., ,.,1 01.
1 position such that the foldable panel 48 may pass over
2 refuse w:ithin -the hopper 34 during movement of the
3 pac~ing panel in its return direction.
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken aloncJ the
line ~,--6 of Figure 4 to illustrate the construction of
6 t}~e main panel 46 and that of the stop members 148 which
7 control the clegree of rotational movement of the foldable
pallel 48. ~s indi.cated, the torque tube 108 may be
9 di.rectly connected to the main panel 46 whic}l may be dis-
placed from the a~is of the torque tube. l~dditionally,
11 the side plates 128 may extend from the exterior surface
12 of the torque tube 108 to the exterior surface of the
13 main panel 46 to ~rovide a very strong and rigid connec-
14 tion between the torque tube and main panel. In previous
refuse compaction apparatus, it has been necessary to
16 drive the packincJ mechanism through hydraulic cylinders
17 positioned at e.ither end of the packing panel. ~lowever,
1~ in the present apparatus, the main panel 4~ may be
1~ driven from only one of its ends. This permits a great
reduction in the weicJht of the drive mechanism and also
21 simplificat.ion of the drive mechanism. To achieve these
22 beneficial results, the main panel 46 has a generally
23 elliptical cross-sectional configuration which has great
2~ strengtll in resisting twisting moments and in transmit-
ting torque. The cross-sectional configuration of the
26 main panel 46 together with the strong and rigid connec-
~7 tion between the torque tube 108 and -the main panel
28
29
31
32
-55-
" ., , ,-- I ]. O 1
1 l~crMits drivin~ the main panel Erom only one of its ends
2 with the torclue which is im~arted to the main parlel then
., beincJ transmit~ed throughout the main panel.
4 As indicated in Figure 6, an aperture 160 may
be formecl in each of the stop members 148 to rotatably
6 support thc foldable panel 48 with respect to the main
7 panel 46. ~dditionally, an aperture 162 may be formed
8 in the stiffening plate 114 to engage the support shaft
9 104 as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the
11 line 7--7 of Figure 4 which illustrates the internal con-
12 struction of the main panel 46 through which the foldable
13 panel 48 is supported. To provide strength within the
14 main panel 46 to support the foldable panel 48, trans-
verse baffle plates 164 may be positioned within tlle
lG interior of the main panel with the baffle plates beiny
17 secured to the inner surface of the main panel through
lc~ any suitable means such as welding. Additionally, the
19 baffle plates 164 may then extend througil the exterior
surface of the main panel 46 to be integrally connected
21 to the stop members 148. A channel 166 (shown itl phantom
22 line drawing) may then be rigidly secured to the baffle
23 plate and an angle 168 may be connected to the stop mem-
24 ber 148 in providing additional strength for the stop
25 members.
2G ~igure 8 is a sectional view taken along the
27 lille 8--8 of Figure 4 which illustrates the cross-sec-
2~ ///
29 ///
31
32
-56-
~,., ., ., l ~ 1
2~
- tional configuration of the main panel 4G at i.ts undriven
2 end. In securing the main panel 46 to the shaft 106, an
3 aperture 170 may be formed in the stiffenillg plate 122
to enc3age the exterior surface of the shaft. During move-
ment of refuse from the loading hopper 34 throu(3h the
6 passage 42 into the storage body ~, as cliscussed in regard
7 to Fi~ures 1 and 3, the movement of the packing panel 44
alld the retainer pallel 54 may be precisely coordinated.
9 Thus, as the packing panel 44 is driven in a workiny
10 direction throu~Jh the hopper 34, tlle retainer panel 54
11 may be positioned in an opened position so that there is
12 unimpeded flow of refuse from the hopper 34 into the pas-
13 sage 42 and then into the storage body 8. Ilowever, with
14 movemellt of the packing panel 49 in a return direction to ..
15 return the packillg panel to its rest position, the retainer
16 panel 54 is moved to a closed position with the retainer
17 panel at least partially blocking the opening between the
18 loading hopper 34 and the passage 42. In its closed po-
19 sition, the retainer panel 54, thus, functions to impedc
2.0 t}l~ flow of refuse from the passage 42 into the hopper 34.
21 When tlle packing panel 44 has completed its
22 movement in a working direction witll the retainer panel
23 5~ in an opened position (see Figure 3), the retainer
24 panel is positioned closel~ adjacent to the exterior sur- -
25 face of t~le main panel 46. When the movement of the
26 packing panel 44 is then reversed in moving the packing
27 panel in a return direction, the retainer panel 54 may
2~ /// `
29 ///
31
32
-57-
~ ~ - .L 1 U .L
~ 42~
1 tllen be i~nediat~ly moved to its closed position. During
2 this movement of the retainer panel to a closed position,
3 the retailler panel may move very close to the surface of
the main panel to sweep ref-lse from the ma:in panel which
is forced into the passage 42 by tlle retainer panel 54.
6 Returning to Figure 8, the main panel 46 may include an
7 inwardly curved surface 172 which is expressly designed
'~ to accommodate the movement of the retainer panel 54 rela-
9 tive to the main panel 46 as the retainer panel is moved
from its opened to its closed posi-tion. The retainer panel
11 54 may, thus, move along the inwardly curved surface 172
12 in sweeping refuse from the main panel 46 which is, there-
13 by, forced from the main panel 46 into the passaye 42.
14 Pigure 9 is a detailed view of the retainer
panel, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, with the panel in its
16 opened position indicated in solid line drawing as 54 and
17 the panel in i-ts closed position inclicated in phantom
18 line drawing as 54'. With the retainer panel in its opened
19 posi.tion 54, the lower panel surface 173, in effect,
forms a continuation of the wall 174 of passac3e 42. Thus,
21 with t~le retainer panel in its opened position 54, the
22 confiyuration of the panel assists in the movement of re-
23 fuse into the passage 42. A cross brace 176 provides
24 strenc3thening of the wall 17~ adjacent to the retainer panel
54 with the retainer panel cylinder 55 haviny a piston
2~ rod 180 which extends throucJh an opening 182 formed in
27 the cross brace. ~ link 1~4 is joined at one end to the
2~ ///
29 ///
31
32
-58-
2~
1 pistoll rod 1~0 with the other end being rotatably connected
2 to a pin 186. ~n eccentric 188 has its upper end rota-tably
3 connected to the pin 186 with the eccentric passing through
4 an opening 190 in the cross brace 176 to connect throu~h
a pill 194 to tlle pivot 38 for the retainer pallel 54. Sup-
6 port members 196 and 19~ may be joined to either end o~
7 retainer panel 54 to provide addltional strengthening
8 thereof.
9 During movement of the retainer panel to its
closed position 54 the cylinder 55 undergoes e.~tensioll to
11 cause a downward movement of the piston rod 180 and link
12 1~2 and rotational movement of the eccentric 188. This in
13 turn causes rotational movement of the retailler panel to
14 its closed position 5~ . During this ro-tational movement
the retainer panel may sweep along the inwardly curved
16 surface 172 of the main panel 46 as illustrated in Figure
17 8. To assist in nolding refuse within the passage 42 the
18 retainer panel 54 may include a lip 200. With the retainer
19 panel in its closed position 54 the lip indicated as
200 opposes the movement of refuse along the curved sur-
21 face 173 which is directed inwardly toward the passage 42
22 to assist in preventing the flow of refuse from the pas-
23 sage hack into the loading hopper 34.
24 Figure 10 is the first in a series of figures
which illustrate the movement of the main panel 46 and
26 tlle foldable panel 4~ during their movements withim the
27 loading hopper 34. ~s illustrated the passage 42
31
32
-59-
! ?
2~3i~
1 includes an elllarged opening 202 which leads into -the ;~
2 s~orage body 3. The passage 42 also includes a narrowed
3 throat 20~ where tile wall.s of the passac3e are converged.
The narrowecl throat 204 serves a very uniclue and important
function in compacting refuse in a new and improvecl manner
G as compared with refuse compacting apparatus of the prior
7 art. In previous re~use compacting apparatus, the refuse
8 was compacted under high pressure by packing panels which
9 s-lueezed the refuse between the surfaces of the packing
panels and .he surface of an ejection panel such as the
11 panel 12 illustrated in Figures l and 2. IYit}l the ejec-
12 tion panel bei.ng mounted within a refuse stora~e body,
13 such as storage body 8, hlg}l compaction pressures were
generated by squee2ing the refuse between the packing
parlels and tlle ejection panel to create large interllal
16 pressures which had to be absorbed by the structure of the
17 refuse storage body. This required that the refuse
18 storage body had to be formed of heavy structural members,
19 which resulted in increased weight of the refuse compac-
tion apparatus. This was, of course, undesirable, since
21 the increased weight of the refuse compaction apparatus
22 increased the energy.requirements for movement of the
23 apparatus. ~lso, the increased weight of the refuse com-
24 paction apparatus caused increased wear and tear to the
road surfaces used by the apparatus and increased the cost
26 of the apparatus.
27 By using a passage 42 in the present apparatus
28 l~ith a narrowed throat 204, extremely higll pressures may
29 ///
///
31
32
-60-
~ ~ n
2~39a~
1 be generated as the refuse passes through the converging
2 surfaces of the passage 42 within the narrowed throat
3 204. ~hese locally lligll pressures result in squeezing
the refuse witllin the narrowed throat 204 at pressures
which may far exceed the pressures within the refuse
storage body 8. For example, in the use of a refuse
q compaction apparatus of the invention havil~g a narrowed
8 throat 204, the ratio of the pressures exerted on the
9 refuse at the narrowed throat with respect -to the pressures
imposed by the refuse against the ejection panel 12 within
11 the storage body 8 (see Figures 1 and 2) may be in the
12 order of 35 to 7. That is to say, when the refuse is
13 subjected to a pressure of 35 psi in passinq throucJh
14 the narrowed throat 204 the pressure within the
storage body 8 may only be in the order of 7 psi. Tllis
1~ then, permits constructing the s-torage body 8 of rela-
17 tively light materials while still uniformly packing the
18 refuse within the storage body at the very high pressures
19 generated within the narrowed throat 204. In this manner
the cost of the refuse compaction apparatus may be reduced
21 by the savings in the metal used for construction of the
22 storage body 8 and also -the overall weight of the refuse
23 compaction apparauts may be greatly reduced.
2~ In its position shown in Figure 10 the packing
25 panel 44 is in its collapsed res-t position with the fold-
2~ able panel 48 folclecl with respect to the main panel 46
27 and the packing panel in an elevated location adjacent
29
31
32
-61-
,~ 1 0 1
8~
1 the rear of the hopper 34~ Additionally, the retainer
2 parlel 5~ is in its closed position to impede the flo~
3 of refuse from the passaye 42 into the hopper 34. 1~1ith
4 tile packing panel 44 in its rest position, the drive
6 c~linder 50 is completely extended and the return cylinder
6 52 is completely contracted. To beyin the movemellt of
7 the packing panel 44 ln a workincJ direction from its rest
8 position, control rods indicated in phantom line clraw-
9 ing as 206 and 207 may then be moved to initiate the flow
of }lydraulic fluid for contraction of the drive cylinder
11 50, extension of the return cylinder 52 and rotational
12 movement of the retainer p;anel 54 from its closed posi-
13 tion to its opened position.
14 Turning to Fiyure 11, with movement of the con-
trol rods 206 and 207 to initiate movement of tlle packing
lG panel 44 in a workiny direction, the first event -to take
17 place is -the rotational movement of the retainer panel 54
1i3 from its closed position indicated in Fiyure 10 to its
19 opened position shown in Figure 11. This provides an
enlarged opening 208 from the hopper 34 into the passage
21 42. Moreover, as illustrated, the lower surface of the
22 retainer panel 54 with the retainer panel in its opened
23 position forms an extension of the adjacent surface of
24 the passaye 42 to cooperate in promotiny the flow of
refuse from the hopper 34 into the passage and in providing
26 high localized pressures within the passage at the narrowed
27 throat 204.
29
31
32
-62-
.~, ~. 1 1 0 1
~42~3~
~ .
1 Proceeding to Figure 12, after movement of the
2 retainer panel 54 to its opened position shown in Figure
3 11, the packing panel 4A moves downwardly from its rest
4 position within the hopper 34. During downward movement
of the packing panel 44, the foldable panel 48 undergoes
6 rotational movement with respect to the main panel 46 to
7 move the packing panel from its collapsed condition to
8 its extended condition. As previously described, this
9 takes place because of the frictional engagement of the
friction pads 49 (see Figures 1, 3 and 4) with the side-
: `
~ alls of the hopper 34. During movement of the packing
12 panel from its collapsed to its extended position, the
13 lower eclge of the foldable panel 48 is guided through
14 contact with tile side rails 5~ which may maintain the
foldable panel 43 within the confines of the hopper 34.
16 With the packing panel 44 positioned as shown
17 in Figure 12, the lower edge of the foldable panel 48 is
18 brought into relatively close proximity Wit}l the curved
19 bottom 36 at a point adjacent to sill 40, which is termed
the "pinch point" 210. At the pinch point 210, there is
21 a spacing between the lower edge of the foldable panel
22 48 and the inner surface 36 which is sufficiently large
23 to accommodate a worker's fingers. Thus, if the worker
~4 were careless and placed his fingers at the pinch point
210 as the packing panel was descending, the spacing at
2G the pinch point would be sufficiently great to prevent
2/ the loss of the worker's ~ingers. Also, as indicated, a
28
29
31
32
-63-
; : D-1101 ~i-
~Li4~15 9~)
1 considerahle distance is provided between the outer end
2 of the sill 40 and the pinch poin-t 210 (generally in
3 the order of a foot-and-a-half to two feet) which is a
4 safety feature, since this distance woul~ make it dif-
ficult for the worker to have his fingers at the pinch
6 point.
7 In addition -to the safety reasons for main-
8 taining the distance between the panel 44 and the surface
9 36 at t:lle pinch point 210, the distance at the pinch
point reduces the impact forces exerted Qn the metal at
11 the sill 40 by the descending force of the packing panel
12 a~ainst refuse at the pinch point. In previous refuse
13 compaction apparatus, the packing panel was hrought ex-
1~ tremely close to th~ inner surface of the hopper at a
pOillt adjacent to the llopper sill. The refuse was then
16 subjected to very high shearing forces e~erted thereon by
17 the downward edge of the packing panel. To resist these
18 high shearing forces, it was generally necessary to pro-
19 vide heavy reinforcement within the tailgate structure
20 at the sill at a point approximating the location of the
2I pinch point 210. This had the effect of increasing the
22 overall welght of the refuse compaction apparatus. How-
23 ever, by providing the present distance between the
24 foldable panel 48 and the curved inner surface 36 at the
25 pinch point 210, it is nossible to reduce the wei~ht of
26 the structural members in the tailgate 10 in the vicinity
; 27 of the pinch point 210. This results in making the over-
28 all apparatus lighter and cheaper.
29 ///
~0 ///
31
32
-64-
..~ .. t; .L l o ]
~2~1Q
1 Durin~ downward movement of the packing panel
2 44 from its rest position, shown in Fi~ure 11, to its
3 position shown in Figure 12, the drive cylinder 50 may
contract, witll force being transmitted from t~e piston
rod 82 to the drive chain 84 and to the drive plate 53
6 and torque tube 108. As illustrated, Wit}l this move-
7 ment of -the packing panel 94, the drive chain 84 may
8 contact the exterior surface of the torque tube 108.
9 rrhus~ torq~e which is transmitted to the packing panel
44 may be supplied through a constant moment arm deter-
11 mined by the radius of the torque tube 108. burinq
12 this movement of tl~e packing panel 44, the packing panel
13 may be moved relatively rapidly and the force apylied
14 to tlle packing panel by the drive chain 84 may be r~la-
tively low. Also, during this movement of the packing
16 panel 44, the panel does not encounter great resistance
17 from refuse within the hopper 34 since the panel is
18 merely movincJ from its collapsed rest position to a
19 positioll where the foldable panel 48 is in an extended
condition adjacent to curved inner surface 36 at the
21 pincll point 210.
22 During movement of the packing panel 44 from
23 its collapsed rest condition in Figure 11 to its extended
24 condition shown in Figure 12, the return cylinder 52 may
under~o expansion with the piston rod 78 being extended
2G and the drive chain 80 being wrapped about the exterior
27 surface of the torque tube 103. ~s indicated, the posi-
2~3 ///
29 ///
31
32
-65-
,~,, ~ l O l
2~90
l tioning oE the c1rive chains 80 and 84 with respect to
2 the torque tube 108 permits unwinding of the chain 84
3 from the torque tube while tile drive chain ~0 is being
wound about the torque tube without interference between
the two drive chaiJIs. Further, as illustrated, the
movement of tl-e cylinders 50 and 52 may be precisely
7 coordinated due to their mechanical interconnection through
drive chains 30 and 84 with the torque tube 108. In
9 previous refuse compaction apparatus using several cylin-
clers for driving a packing panel, it has been difficult
ll to coordinate tlle movements of the various cylinders. This
12 has resulted from the fact that the only interconncction
13 betweell the various cylinclers may have been a hydraulic
interconnection W}liCh, througll failure of some elem~nt
in the hydraulic system, could permit the various cylinders
16 to get out of balance. This cannot ~ccur in the function-
17 ing of the present apparatus, since the mechanical inter-
l~ connection oE cylinders 50 and 52 insures that these
l9 cylinders must work in unison. ~dditionally, as l~ill be ~`
described, the cylinders 50 and 52 are hydraulically
21 interconnected. However, the hydraulic interconnection
22 of cylinders 50 and 52 is augmented by their mechanical
23 interconnection which prevents the cylinders from being
2~ out of balance in moving the packing panel 44 within the
hopper 34.
26 ~s discussed, during movement of the packing
27 panel 44 from its position in Figure ll to its position
29
31
32
-66-
28~0
1 in Figure :12, the rotati.onal force appliecl to tlle pack-
2 i31g pallel by the c~rive cilclin 84 may be applied through
3 a constant moment arm determilled by the radius oE the
tor(lue tube 10~. Ilowever, on continued rotational
movemellt o the torque tube 10~ and drive plate 53 from
6 their pOsitioll shown at the right of Fic3ure 12, the
7 connection point 8G moves to a point positi.oned to
~ the left of the shaft 104. During this movement, the
9 dri.ve chaill 84 is moved out of eontact with the e.Yterior
surface of the torque tube 108 and the drivincl force
11 from the cylinder 50 through drive chain 84 is applied -
12 direetly to drive plate 53 at the eonneetion point 86.
13 'I'his results in proc3ressively inereasing the moment arm
14 through whieh the drive ehain 84 aets in providincl torque
for rotational movement of -the paeking panel 94 ~ith the
lG applied force to the packing panel beinc3 progressively
17 increased as the packing panel continues its movelllent
18 throuc311 the hopper 34 in a working direction. During
19 this movement of the paekincJ panel 44, the resistance of
refuse within the hopper is.grea-tly increased as the
21 refuse is compacted and foreed into the passage 42 and
22 through the narrowed throat 204. Aceordingly, during
23 this movement of the packing panel 44, it is essential
2~ that a large drivi.ng force be applied to the packing
pane].. ~lso, during this movement o~ the paeking panel
2G 44, the rotational speed of movement of the packinc3
27 panel i5 progressively deereased as the moment arm
29
3].
32
-67-
-llOI
,.~'';; .....
~1~2~
1 between the drive chain and the axis of rotation of the
2 panel is progressively increased.
3 Figure 13, which is similar to Figures 10
4 throuyh 12, illustra-tes the posi-tion of the packing panel
44 after completion of its movement in a working direc-
6 tion through hopper 34. During movement of the packing
7 panel. 44 from its position in Figure 12 to that shown in
8 Figure 13, the connection point 86 between the drive
9 chain 84 and drive plate 53 is moved further and fur-
ther away from the axis of the shaft 104. This progres-
11 sively increases the torque appl.ied to the packing panel
12 44 through contraction of the relatively large hydraulic
13 drive cylinder 50. This progressive increase in torque
14 provides a progressively increasing force -to refuse
within the loading hopper 34 as the refuse is forced
16 into the passage 42 and through the narrowed throat 204
17 to exert very hig}l localized pressures on tlle refuse.
18 ~lso, during this movement of the packing panel 44, the
19 drive chain 80 is wound about the outer surface of
torque tube 108 as the return cylinder 52 continues its
21 eXpansion-
22 ~s indicated, the inner surface of passage 42
23 includes a curved surface portion 212, whose curvature
24 is directed toward the interior of the storage body 8,
to exer-t a horizontal flow direction to refuse, indicated
2G as 214, which is directed into the storage body. Thus,
27 after subjectinc3 the refuse to very hicJh localized
29 ///
31
32
-6~-
` . i j ' ~ " tt
12~
1 pressures within the narrowecl -throat 204, the refuse is
2 dischargecl from passage 42 into storage body 8 with the
3 movemen-t of the refuse directed towarcl the ejection panel
12 as descri~ed in Figures 1 and 2. The force exerted Oll
the e~ection panel 12 by refuse in the storage body 8, even
6 thouc3h much less than the pressures exerted Oll refuse at the
7 narrowed throat 204, may be used in providing movement of
8 the ejection panel away from the passage 42 as tilC storage
g boAy 8 becomes progressively filled Witll refuse. This permits
uniform filling of the storage body 8 with refuse which has
11 previously been uniformly compacted at relatively hic3h
12 pressures within the narrowed throat 204 with the refuse
13 beirlg stored at the lower pressures determined by the pressure
1~ of refuse against the ejection panel 12. The increased moment
15 arm produced by the connection of -the cdrive chain to the
lG connection point 86 on the drive plate 53 is indicated as
17 216 at the right of Figure 13.
~8 The various members effectively opexate in a servo
19 relationship to provide an optimum compaction of the refuse
in the hopper 34, and particularly in the passage or opening
21 42. This will be seen from the discussion immecliately below.
22 As will be appreciated, the main panel 46 and the
23 foldable panel 48 compact the refuse during their movement
24 forwardly from their respective positions shown in Figure 13.
As the refuse becomes compacted, it is clirected upwardly and
2G forwardly into the narrowecl throat 204 of tlle passage or
27 openinc; 42.
2~ 'I`he distance of movement of the refuse in the
29 narrowed throat 204 is relatively long. Furthermore, the
///
31 ///
~2
~-69-
~ 2~
1 narrowed throat 204 has a progressive constriction with
2 progressive distances along the passage or opening 42.
3 This causes the refuse to become compacted as it is directed
4 throu~h the passage or opening 42. It also causes the reEuse
to become Eragmented during the movement of the refuse through
6 the passage, partly because of the venturi effect on the
7 refuse in the passaye 42 and partly because of the interaction
between -the different pieces of refuse with the progressive
9 constriction in the passage.
Since the passage 42 is fairly long, the refuse
11 does not move completely through the passage in a single
12 cycle of movement of the main panel 46 and the foldable panel
13 48. Thus, the refuse introduced into the passage 42 in
1~- previous cycles of operation of the panels 46 and 48 is
stuffed further into the passage by refuse introduced into
16 the passage in subse~uent cycles of operations of the panels.
17 As the refuse is stuffed deeper into the passage in the sub-
1~ sequent cycles, it produces some chur:ning of the refuse
19 introduced into the passage in the previous cycles and also
produces compaction and fra~mentation oE such reEuse as a
21 result of such stuffing and churning.
22 As previously described, the pressure against the
23 refuse in the most constricted area of the passage or opening
24 42 is quite large. This pressure is then relieved to a large
extent in the enlarged openi.ng 202 because the enl~rged
26 opening 202 flares outwardly with progressive positions
27 toward the storage body 8. Thus, the pressure of the refuse
2~ is relatively low as it enters the storage body 8.
29 ///
///
31
32
.~69a-
1 'l'he servo effect results in part from the control
2 exerteci on the positloninc3 of the ejection panel 12 to
3 maintain the pressure of the refuse in the storacJe body ~
against the ejection panel 12 within precisely controlled
limits. Thus, when the pressure of the refuse against thc
6 ejection panel 12 exceeds a first particular limit, the
7 ejection panel is moved through an incremental clistance in
a direction away from the passaye 42 to reduce the pressure
9 of the refuse against the ejection panel. This incremental
10 movemellt continues until the pressure of the refuse against
11 the ejection panel decreases to a second particular value
12 less thall the first particular value. As will be clescribed
13 subsequently in detail, the response to pressures of the
14 refuse in the storage body 8 above -the first particular value
occurs instantaneously. Furthermore, the incremental move-
16 ment of the ejection panel is provided instantaneously throuqh
17 booster arranyements. In this way, the ejection panel 12 is
l$ moved incrementally -through small distances before the move-
19 ments are interrupted by pressures below the seconcl particular
value of the refuse against the ejection panel.
21 A prccise control over the pressure of the refuse
22 in the storage body 8 is important in insuring that an optimum
,~3 action of fragmenting and compacting the reEuse occurs in the
24 passage 42. This results from the fact that the pressure of
the refuse in the storage body 8 corresponds to the reduced
2G pressure of the refuse in the enlarged opening 202 of the
27 passac3e 42.
2c~ For example, if the pressure of the refuse in the
29 storagc body 8 should increase above the first particular
value, the pressure exerted by the refuse in the enlarged
31 openillg tends to become excessive. This inhibits the ability
32 ///
~-69b-
2~
1 of the refuse in tl~e narrowed throat 204 of the p.lssacJe 42 to
2 becorlle stuffed into the passacJe by the direction of refus~ into
3 the passage in subsequent eyeles and to beeorne chrned and
4 cornpaeted as it is stuffed into the passac~e. In effect, the
refuse in the narrowecl throat 204 of the passaye 42 becomes
6 constipatecd because of the exeessive back pressure exerted
7 acJainst this refuse by the refuse in the enlarged opening 202.
Sucll eonstipatioll tends to block further flow of refuse through
9 the passage 42.
Similarly, if the ejection panel 12 becomes moved
11 incrernentally when the pressure of the refuse against the
12 ejection panel is below the second particular value, an
13 efficient action of compacting and fragmenting the refuse in
1~ the narrowed throat 2-4 of the passage 42 cannot be obtained.
r; 'lllis results from the fact that tlle refuse in t}le enlarged
]G openin~3 202 does not exert a suffieient baek pressure against
17 the refuse in the narrowed throat 204 of the passage 42 to
1~ eause the refuse in the narrowed throat to beeome stuffed and
19 aecordin(31y to beeome fragmented and compacted. In effect,
20 beeause of the insuffieient baek pressure of the refuse in the
21 enlarged opening 202, the refuse is moved loosely, or at least
22 too easily, through the passage 42 without being subjee-ted to
23 tlle forees whieh normally cause such refuse to be fragmer.ted
24 and eompaeted.
Figure 14 is a rear view of the truek with the
26 tail(3ate 10 in a elosed position as indieated by the arrows
2~ 14--14 in l;`ic~ure 1. The hopper o~ening is indieate~ by the
2c~ distanee of the bracket indieated as 218 with a portion of
the figure beinc3 broken away at the left to illustrate the
support strueture 220 for the shaft 104. ~s indieated, the
31 drive n~eehanism, includincJ the relatively lar~e drive eylinder
32 50 may be positioned at the left side of tailc3ate 10 with the
-69c-
I `L01
~ ~ ~a;28~
1 I.ac~;ing panel 44 being driven from only one side to pro-
2 vide a lighter and less complex drive mechanism. sy
3 providiny the drive mechanism on only one side of the
tailgate 10, there may be a weight imbalance, since khe
side of the tailgate 10 which houses the drive mechanism
6 may be heavier than the other side. Also, reaction
7 forces which are transmitted from the drive members into
8 the support structure of the tailgate 10 will be yreater
9 on the side of the tailyate which supports the drive
mechanism. For these reasons, the construction of the
11 tailyate 10 may be strengthened, as will be indicated,
12 to absorb the yreater weight and the greater reaction
13 forces which may be imposed on the side which hollses the
1~ Irive mechanism.
The tailgate l~ may include an upper beam 222,
16 an enlarged side beam 224 and a smaller side beam 226.
17 Turniny to Figure 14a, which is a sectional view taken
18 along lines 19a--14a of Figure 14, the movement of the
19 foldable panel 48 is illustrated in various states with-
in the hopper 34. In moving from its rest position to
21 its position at the pinch point 210, the lower end of the
22 foldable panel 48 may move along a curved path indicated
23 by the arrow ~ with the guide members lS0 contactiny the
2~ guide rails 56. Duriny this movement, contact of the
friction pads 49 on foldable panel 48 with the sidewalls
2G of the hopper causes rotational movement of the fol~able
~7 panel about the pin 146 in the direction indicated by the
29
31
32
-70-
~. ....1101
12E~
1 arrow B. In ~ovinc3 in the di.rec-tion of arrow B the
2 panel 48 thus moves from a Eolded position relative
3 to the main panel 46 to an extendecl condition relative
to the main panel. During the movement of the fold-
able panel 48 in a reverse direction within the hopper
34 with the panel undergoiny movement in a return di-
7 rection the frictional contact between friction pads 49
8 and the sidewalls of the hopper 34 produces rota~ional
9 oovement of the panel with respect to pin 146 which is
opposite to that indicated hy the arrow B. Thus during
11 return movement of the foldable panel 48 the panel is
12 moved from i.ts extended condition to its collapsed or
13 folded conditiol-.
14 ~s described, ~lhen the panel 48 is moved down-
wardly to a point adjacent the pinch point 210 there is
~6 a distance between -the lower edge of the panel 48 and the
17 inner curved surface 36 which may be in the order of
18 1 to 2 inches. This distance provides a margin of safety
19 for the worker who may inadvertently place his Fin~ers
2.0 within the pinch point 210. Also this distance reduces
21 impact forces which may be transmi.tted from the panel 48
22 to the structure of the tailgate 10 at the pinch point 210.
23 In its position indicated as 48' the foldable
2~ panel is positioned adjacent to the pinch point 210 and
this may be the closest point of approach of the panel to
2~ t}le curved inner surface 36 of hopper 34. After passing
27 beyon(l the pinch point 210 the panel 48 has a path of
2~ ///
29 ///
31
32
L i ~) i
;;. ' ~. ; ;i
%~90
1 movement indicated by the line 228. ~s illustrated,
2 the line 228 is positioned further away from inner sur-
3 face 36 than the distance between the foldable panel 48
4 and the curved inner surface at the pinch point 210. This
increased distance, as inclicated by the bracket 230, may
6 be in the order of two and a half to four inches, which
7 represents a distinct difference between the present appara-
8 tus as compared with compaction apparatus of the prior
9 art. In previous refuse compaction apparatus, it has been
customary for the packing panel to pass in very close proxi-
11 mity to tlle wall o~ the loading hopper during packing of
12 refuse within the loading hopper. By having the packing
13 panel move in very close proximity to the curved surface
1~ of the hopper, as has been done previously, the power re-
quirements for drivintl the packing panel througll the load-
16 ing hopper may be greatly increased. With the panel posi-
17 tionecl very close to the wall of the hopper, -~here is no
1~ provision for slippaye through which refuse may be permitted
19 to slip by the panel during its movement throuyh the hopper.
~ However, with the path of movement of panel 4~
21 as indicated by line 228 in Figure 14a, there is provision
22 for slippage such that refuse may be permitted to remain
23 in the hopper 34 by slipping by the foldable panel 48 as
24 it is moved through the hopper 34. By providing this
degree of slippage, the power requirements for movement
2~ Of the panel 48 through hopper 34 may be reduced.
29 -
31
32
-72-
1~-1] O1
]. ~clditionally, the spacing 230 between the path
2 of movement 223 and the curved inner surface 36 provides
3 a further advantage which has been lackin~ in refuse
compaction apparatus of the prior art. For example, in
loading refuse into a hopper, such as hopper 34, the re-
6 fuse rnay fre~uently be of a bulky nature such as, for
7 example, a large cardboard box. Due to the size of the
o object bein~ placecl within the hopper, only a small
9 portion of the object may be capable of insertion into
the hopper with the balance of the article extending
11 out of the opening of the hopper and over the sill 40.
12 In previous refuse compaction apparatus, the downward
13 movement of the packing panel blade into close proximity
14 to the surface oE the loading hopper would provide a
sllearing force which would sever a large bulky article
16 so tllat the severed portion would be packed within the
17 hopper as the balance of the hulky article fell to the
18 ground by reason of -the weight of the article extending
19 over the loading sill. This would make it necessary to
again lift the article and to feed the remainder of tlle
21 article sequentially into the hopper as each working
22 movement of the packing panel would, in effect, take another
~3 ~ite out of the article.
24 By providing a distance between the edge of the
~acking panel, such as the distance 23Q between tlle fold-
2G able panel 48 and the curved inner surface 36, the panel
27 may not completely shear bulky articles inserted into the
29
31
32
-73-
! i .,, " ,:, ., ! .
2~
1 hopper. Thus, the artlcle, if it were a cardboard box,
2 would mel-ely be gripped between the lower edge of the
3 panel 48 and the inner curved surface 36. As the panel
48 continues its movement throuyh the hopper 34, the
6 bulky article may then be dragged into the hopper by the
6 gripping force applied to the ~rticle by the movable
7 panelO Following movement of the panel 48 through the
hopper, the movement of the panel in its collapsed posi-
9 tion during return movement throuqh the hopper may permit
the panel to pass over the refuse which has been dragged
11 into the hopper. In this manner, instead of the panel
~2 48 taking bites out of bulky articles as they are inserted
~3 into the hopper 34, the panel may not only pack the bulky
14 article within -the hopper in a series of packing motions,
but may also lighten the job of the wor~er by pulling the
16 bulky article into the hopper with each succeeding move-
17 ment of the foldable panel in a working directi.on. The
18 movement of the panel 48 through various positions within
19 the hopper 34, as shown in phantom line drawing, is indi-
2.0 cated as 48 ".
21 To provide support for the retainer panel cylin-
22 der 55 (see Figure 9) a support plate 232 may be provided
23 on the interior of the tailgate 10 with an aperture 234
2~ to pivotally support the retainer panel cylinder. Also,
a pivo-t support 236 may be provided for rotatably suppor-
26 ting the retainer panel 54 at..a point adjacent to passage
27 42. ~dditionally, a.support member 238 may be provided
28
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31
32
-74-
.. ~-1.. !
2~
1 for supporting the shaft 106 (see Figure 4) and a pivot
support 240 may be provided for the pivot 74 (see Figure 3)
3 for support of the cylinder 50.
4 As discussed in regard to Figure 14, the struc-
ture of the tailgate 10 may be designed to compensate for
6 the additional weight and reaction forces which are borne
7 by the tailgate as a result of housing the drive mechanism
8 for tlle packing panels at only one side of the tailgate.
9 ~igure 14b is a sectional view taken alony the line indi-
cated by the arrows 14b--14b of Figure 14. As indicated,
11 irregularly shaped stiffening plates 242 may be positioned
12 at either side of the side beam 224 to engage the beams
13 2q4 and 246 which may converge at the pivot support 240.
14 This provides a strong base of support to absorb large
reaction forces which may be transmitted to the pivot
16 support 240 by the relatively large llydraulic drive
17 cylinder 50.
18 Returning tb Figure 14, an enlarged side eleva-
19 tional view of the upper beam 222 is shown in Figure 14c.
20 -As illustrated in Figure 14c, the upper beam 222 may
21 include an outer surface member 248 having a stiffener
22 assembly 250 integrally formed within the upper beam at
23 a position adjacent its left side as indicated by the loca-
24 tion of the arrows 14d--14d in Figure 14. The function
of the stiffener assembly may be to effectively isolate
26 the high forces generated in the lefthand portion of
27 beam 222 such that these forces are not allowed to twist
28
29
31
32
-75-
~.. D-llOl i~
1 or bend the upper beam. As indicated, the stiffener
2 assembly 250 may include a transverse stiffener plate
3 252 positioned at one end and a transverse stiffener ~;
plate 254 positioned at the other end of the assembly~
Turning to Figure 14d, which is a sectional
'5 view taken along the line 14d--14d of Figure 14c, the
7 transverse stiffener plates 252 and 254 may each have
8 an irregular configuration with enlarged ends ~oined
9 to the outer surface member 248 and to an outer surface
member 256 which is joined to outer surface member 248.
11 Additionally, longitudinal stiffeners 258 and 256, which
12 may each have a curved configuration corresponding to
13 the shape of the plates 252 and 254, may join the stif-
14 fener plates together. The closed configuration of
the stiffener assembly 250 which may be provided by the
16 interconnection of the transverse plates 252 and 254 with
17 the longitudinal stiffener plates 258 and 260 may pro-
1~ vide a very stiff and strong structure haviny a high
19 resistance to twisting and bend.ing. In this manner,
2.0 large forces which may be generated in the left portion
: 21 of the upper beam 222 (see Figure 14) due to mounting
22 of the drive mechanism on the left side of the tailgate
23 10 are successfully resisted by -the upper beam 222.
: 2~ Figure 15 is a sectional view through the
storage body 8 taken along line 15--15 of E'igure 1. As
2G indicated, the storage body 8 may be supported by upper
27 longitudinal stiffeners 262 and 264 and lower longitudinal
2~ ///
29 ///
31
32
-76-
1~2~
,,
1 stiffellers 266 and 268. The slide rails 20 may be
2 formed integrally with the lower stiffeners 266 and 268
to e.Ytend inwardly into the storage body 8. ~s des-
cribecl previously in regard to Figures 1 and 2, the
ejection panel 12 may slidingly engage the rails 20
6 with the slide rails engaging grooves formed in the
7 lower portion of the frame for the ejection panel.
8 As discussed, the present apparatus may be
9 lighter than previous refuse compaction apl~ratl1s. To
provide a strong and yet light construction for the
11 storage body 8, the sidewalls of the storage body may be
12 formed of flexible metal sheets, indicated as 270, 272,
13 274 and 276. The flexible sheets 270, 272, 274 and 276
14 may be bowed outwardly from their points of connection
to tlle longitudillal stiffeners 262, 264, 266 and 268
16 ~ is insures that the flexible metal sheets 270, 272,
17 274 and 276 may be placed in tension by pressures
18 generated wi-thin tlle storage body ~. Since the metal
19 sheets may have a high tensile strength as compared to
their strength in compression, this may permit the
21 relatively thin and lightweight sheets 270, 272, 274
22 and 276 to be used in forming the storage body 8. The
23 storage body 8 may, thus, be macle lighter. Also, as
24 discussed previously, by subjecting the refuse to high
pressures within the narrowed throat 204 of passage 42
26 prior to introduction of the refuse into the storage
27 body 8, the storage body may be designed to function at
2c~
29
31
32
-77-
~ D-1101
2~
1 ].ower pressures. This also may reduce the need for rela-
2 tively heavy structural members in the construction of
3 the storage body 8.
As indicated in Figure 15, a conduit passage
278 may be formed on the surface of the upper sheet
6 member 274 and a corresponding conduit passage 280 may
7 be formed on the surface of the lower sheet member 276.
8 The conduit passages 278 and 280 may be used for running
9 hydraulic or electrical lines between the front and rear
portions of the storage body 8.
11 Figure 16 is a front view of the tailgate 10 in
12 its lowered position.as indicated by line 16--16 of Figure 1.
13 ~s indicated, seal members 281 and 282 may be positioned
1~ on the side beams 224 and 226 for contact with the rear
of the storage body 8 with -the tailgate 10 in its lowered
16 position. A transverse brace 283 may provide support for
17 the upper wall o~ the passage 42 and a lower frame member
18 284 may be positioned betweell the side beams 224 and 226.
19 A flat surface '86 may be formed below the
portion of the passage 42 with the flat surface positioned
21 in close proximity to a corresponding flat surface on .
22 the storage body 8 with the tailyate in its lowered posi~
23 tion as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. A seal 285 may
2~ be positioned about a portion of the flat surface 286, which
seal may engage the storage body 8 with the tailgate 10
26 in its lowered position to form a fluid-tight barrier.
27 ~s refuse is compacted within the loadiny hopper, fluid
28
29
31
32
-78-
.,n l
~ ~42~
1 may be expressed from the refuse with the flui.d collec-
2 ting in the region bounded by the seal 285. The seal 285,
3 thus, functions to prevent a leakage of fluid from the
4 joint between the lowerecl tailga-te 10 and the storage
body 8.
6 Figure 16a is a sectional view taken along
7 the line 16a--16a of Figure 16 to illustrate the configura-
8 tion of the seal member 285. ~s indicated, the seal mem-
9 ber 285 may include a base portion 287 that may be posi-
tioned against the side beams 224 and 226 and the lower
11 frame member 28~ with a curved upstanding portion 288
12 positioned at a generally right angle Wit]l respect to
13 the base portion 2~7. The curved upstanding portion 288
14 may include a hollow region 289 -that permits deEormation
of the curved upstandincJ por-tion du:ring usage in forming
lG a liquid-tight barrier between the storage body 8 and
17 the tailgate 10.
18 In suppor-ting the seal 285 r a support member 290
19 may extend outwardly in a generally perpendicular direc-
tion with respect to the surface of the side beams 224 and
21 226 and the lower frame member 284 and a support
22 clamp member 291 may extend in an angular relation to the
23 seal to engage the upper surface of base portion 287. For
24 ease in replacement of seal member 285, the support clamp
291 may be somewhat flexible such that the clamp member
26 can be pulled outwardly away from contact with the base
27 member 287. This permits the removal of the seal member ~.
29
31
32
-79-
D-llOl
~.. ;, .
! ~ 1 3L 4 ~ 8 ~Ç~
1 285 witll the clamp member 291 being pulled outwardly as
2 a new seal member is inserted. Followlng this, the clamp
3 member 291 may be released to clamp the replacement seal
member 285 firmly in place.
Figure 17 is a front elevational view of the
6 forward support frame 22 as viewed from inside the storage
7 body 8. As indicated, the forward frame 22 may include
8 a top frame member 292 having a curved lower surface 294
9 for enc3agement with the curved sheet member 274 (see
Figure 15). Additionally, side frame members 296 and
11 298 may be joined to the top frame member 292 and a
12 cross channel 300 may interconnect the side frame members.
13 ~'his provides the forward frame 22 with a structure which
14 is both rigid and strong. A pair of gellerally triangular
shaped plates 302 and 304 may be positioned agaillst the
16 cilannel ~oo ancl generally triangular shaped support chan-
17 nels 306 and 308 may be positioned beneatll the cross
18 chanrlel 300 to provide a su~por-t between.the
19 structure of the refuse s-torage body 8 ancl the truck
2.0 frame 6.
21 A plate 310 may extend between the inner ends
22 of the channels 306 and 308 with plates 312 and 314 being
23 affixed to the inner ends of the channels 306 and 308 and
24 also with the cross channel 300- Downwardly extending
connecting members 316 and 318 may be affixed respectively
2G to the plates 312 and 314 with the connecting members
27 being joined at their lower ends to the truck frame 6.
23
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31
32
-80-
~ D~
~ .,
42~3~30
1 ~ hydr~ulic fluid reservoir 320 may be'positioned on the
2 upper surface of the cross channel 300 and a pivot sup-
3 port 322 for the ejection panel 12 (see Figure 1) may
4 be formed between the legs of the cross channel 300.
Figure 17a is a side sectional view taken along
6 the lines 17a--17a of Figure 17. ~s indicated in Figure
7 17a, the connecting members 316 and 318 may each be joined
8 to the respective plates 312 and 314 with the connecting
9 members extending through openings in the lower surface
of the support channels 306 and 308. Connecting member
11 316, for example, extends through opening 323 in the
12 channel 306 to engage plate 312. Additionally, the
13 connecting members 316 and 318 may each include a
14 plurality of apertures 324 within which bolts may be
placed in securing the connecting members to the vehicle
16 frame 6.
17 Figure 18 is an elevational view of the storage
18 body 8 as seen from the rear of the truck 2 with the tail-
~ 19 gate removed (see Figure 1). As indicated, the rear
2.0 frame 24 of the storage body 8 may include rigid side
21 members 326 and 328 joined at their upper ends by a to~
22 member 330. The lower portions of side members 326 and
23 323 may be connected by a cross~beam 332 with the cross
24 beam being joined to the truck frame 6 through angle
braces 334 and 336. One leg of each of the angle braces
2G 334 and 336 may be positioned in contact with the ~pper
27 ~urface of the longitudinal members of the truck frame 6
2~ ///
29
31
32
1 1 0 ~.
11~289~
1 with the an~le braces bein~ secured to the frame
2 through any convenient means such as connecting bolts
3 or welding. Additionally/ the angle braces 334 and 336
4 may include upstanding legs which may bear against the
cross beam 332 and may be secured therto, by example,
6 by welding.
7 ~ rear plate 338 may be joined to cross beam
332 with the rear plate forming a flat downwardly ex-
9 ter.ding surface at the rear of storage body 8 which sur-
face may be positioned in close proximity to the flat
11 surface 286 of tailgate 10 (see Figure 16) when the
12 tailgate is in its lowered position at the rear of the
13 storage body. The upper edge of the rear plate 338 may
14 be curved to correspond with the curvature of the
flexible metal sheet 276 of the storage body 8. Simi-
16 larly, the side members 326 and 328 may be suitably
17 curved to support the flexible metal sheets 270 and 272
18 forming the sides of the storage bocly 8 while the top
19 member 330 may also be curved to support the flexible
Z sheet 274.
21 Plate support members 340 and 342 may be
22 joined to the cross beam 332 with the plate support mem-
23 bers extending downwardly from the cross beam to provide
24 support for the downwardly extending rear plate 338.
A cross brace 344 may be joined to the plate support
26 members 340 and 342 with the cross brace being secured
27 to the lower extremity of the flat plate 338. Plate
29
31
32
-82
l)- o:L
i ~-. ,i ~;
28~
1 support members 340 and 342, together with the cross brace
2 344 may, thus, form a rigid frame for support of the
3 downwardly extending rear plate 338 which may bear against
the tailgate 10 in its lowered position.
A pivot member 346 may be formed at the upper
6 extremity of side member 328 with the pivot member rotatably
q supporting one side of the tailgate 10 with respect to the
~ storage body 8 (see Figure 1). The other side of the
9 tailgate 10 may be supported by the pivot 28 which may be
supported by a channel brace 348 connected to the top
11 member 330. ~s described previously in Figure 14, hydraulic
12 cylinders within the tailgate 10 may be mounted at one side
13 t~lereof ~uch that the packing panel 44 may be driven from only
14 one side, as described in Figures 4 and 5. This positioning
15 of the hydraulic cylinders may produce a weight imbalance
16 within the tailgate 10 such that one side of the tailgate is
17 lleavier than the other side. The heavier side of the tail-
18 gate 10, which contains the hydraulic sylinders, may be
19 pivotally connected to the pivot 28 with the channel brace
20 348 providing additional strength in rotatably supporting
21 the heavier side of the tailgate. In addition, a support
22 channel 350 may be joined to the top member 330 to further
23 strengthen the top member at the region adjacent to the
pivot 28 in rotatably supporting the heavier side of the
tailgate 10.
26
27
2g
31
32
-83-
-llUl
` ll~lZ~390
1 As indicated, support beams 352 may be positioned
2 along either side of the storage body 8 at the lower ex-
3 tremities thereof to provide strengthening of the storage
body at these regions. Also, curved plates 354 may be
joined to the support beams 352 with the curved plates
6 being connected to the upper ends of support members 340 and
7 342. ~he curved configuration of plates 354, as illustrated,
8 may merge smoothly into the curvature of the flexible
9 metal sheet 276. The connection of the plates 354 to the
flexible metal sheet 276 may, therefore, serve to fix the
11 curvature of the metal sheet at its extremities, while also
12 providing strengthening of the lower portions of the
13 storage body 8.
14 Figure 18a is an elevational view taken along the
line 18a--18a of Figure 18, which illustrates the configura-
1~ tion of side member 328. The pivot 346 formed at the upper
17 extremity of side member 328 may extend rearwardly from the
18 storage body 8 with the pivot 30 for the tailgate lifting
19 cylinder 26 (see Figure 1) likewise extending rearwardly
and being positioned below the pivot 346. The plate sup-
21 port member 342 may include a rearwardly inclined surface
22 355. Additionally, the other plate support member 340
23 (see Figure 18) may also include an inclined surface simi-
2~ lar to surface 355. The effect of inclined surface 355 is
2~ to reduce the weight of the support member 342 while still
26 providing support for the rear plate 338.
27
28
29
31
32
a~-
i~
o l
~: L42~
.~
1 Fiyure 19 is a ~ragmentary side elevational
2 view ta~en from the right side o~ the tailgate 10 shown
3 in Figure 14 to illustrate the operation of the control
mechanism. ~ control member 356 which may be grasped
~ by the operator rnay include an outer tube 358 which is
G secured to a plate 360. The plate 360 may be conn~cted
7 to a rotatable rod 362 throuyh a pin 364. With tl-e con-
8 trol member 25G positioned as shown in Figure 19, the
9 control member is in its neutral posit.ion and there is
no movement of the packing panel 44. Wi-th the pac~ing
11 panel 44 in its rest position as shown in Figure 10, move-
12 ment of the control member 356 in the direction of the
13 arrow B initiates the movement of the pac~in~ panel in a
1~ working direction and movement of the retainer panel 54
from a closed to an opened pOSitiOIl. Conversely, with the
16 packing panel 44 and retainer panel 54 positioned as
17 shown in Figure 13, movement of the control member 356
1~ in the direction of the arrow C initiates movement of
19 tlle retainer panel 54 from an opened to a closed posi-
tion and movement of the packing panel 44 in a return
21 direction ~rom its position in Figure 13 to that in
22 Figure 10.
23 A rod 3~6 may be positioned within the tube 358
2~ Wit]l the rod extending through an aperture in the closed
bottom 370 Ol the tube. A spring 372 may be positioned
2G about the rod 366 at its lower end with one end of the
27 spring enga~illg the bottom 370 and the other end o~ the
28
29
31
-85-
I~-liOl
~ ~,i
L28~g~
1 spring engaging a spring stop 374 posi-tioned about the
2 rod ~ handle 376 may be positioned about the outer
3 tube 358 at its lQwer encl with the handle including a
4 cross member 378 which engages the lower end of the rod
366. With the rod 366 connected to a connector 380, as
G ~ill be described, the connector 380 may, in -turn, be
7 joined to a rod 382, then to a connector 384 and to a
8 rod 386. The rod 386 may be positioned adjacent to a
9 tailgate sidewall 337 and eYtend through a transverse
wall 383 extending from the tailyate sidewall and through
11 a passage 390. The passage 390 may extend into a housing
12 392 with a tab 393 being formed at the lower end of the
13 rod 386.
1~ ~ rotatable stop mechanism generally indicated
as 39~l may be rotatably positioned within the housing 392
16 with the rotational position of the stop mechanism being
17 coordinated witll the rotational rnovement of the pac~ing
18 panel 44 as illustrated in Figures 10-13.
19 The stop mechanism 394 may include a first plate
396 in abuttin~ relation to a second plate 398. To adjust
21 the angular relationship between the first plate 396 and
22 second plate 398, slots 400 may be formed in the second
23 plate with bolts ~102 extending through the slots and
24 threadably engaging apertures in the first plate. Thus,
when the bolts 402 are tightened, the rotational position
2G Of the second plate 398 may be fixed with respect to the
27 rotatiollal positioll of the first plate 396. ~ bolt 404
28
29
31
32
-86-
L L 01
2~
may extend througll both the first plate 396 and second plate
2 398 to engage the shaft 106 which supports the undriven
3 end of the packing panel 44 (see Figure 4).
On movement of the control member 356 in the
direction of the arrow B, the shaft 106 rotates in the
6 direction of the arrow denoted D as the packing panel 44
7 moves in a working direction through the hopper 34 as
illustrated in Figures 10-13. Ilowever, OIl movement of the
9 control member 356 in the direction of the arrow C, the .
shaft 106 rotates in the direction of the arrow ~ as the
11 packing panel 44 moves in a return direction to its rest
12 position shown in Figure 10.
13 OI1 rotation of the shaft 106 in the direction
14 of arrow D, with the conkrol member 35G moved in the
direction of arrow B, a stop member 406 may be rotated
16 into engagement with the tab 393. The stop member 406
17 may include a stop surface 408 which engages the tab 393
18 to e~ert a force through the connecting members 386, 384,
19 382 and 380 that may exert a rotational force on plate
360 to return the control member 356 to its neutral
21 position. When the stop surface 403 encounters tab 393,
22 the packing panel 44 may be generally positioned adjacent
23 to the pinch point 210 as illustrated in Figure 12. Thus,
2'L through contact of the stop surface 408 with tab 393, the
packing panel 44 may not proceed beyond this point in a
2G working direction unless some action is taken by the opera-
27 tor to move the tab 393 so that the tab does not contact
28 ///
29 ///
31
32
-87-
,~ ~ ' 0 1
~42~9~
1 the stop surface 408. This may provide an additional
2 factor of safety by insuring that the operator consciously
3 move the tab 393 out of contact with the stop surEace
4 908 to have a continuation of the movement of the pack-
ing panel 44 through the hopper 34.
To move the tab 393 out of contact with the
7 stop surface 40~, the operator may pull downwardly on the
8 hallclle 376 which may cause movement of the rocl 366 in a
9 downward direction relative to the tube 358 agains-t the
force of the biasing spring 372. This, in turn, may pro-
11 vide a rotatlonal movement of the rod 382, as will be
12 describecl, in the direction of the arrow F to rotate the
13 tab 393 out of contact with the stop surface 408. ~s
14 the operator pushes the control member 356 in tlle direction
of arrow B to initiate movement of the packing panel 44
1~ in a working direc-tion, the operator may then keep his
17 hand on the handle 376 until the packing panel approaches
18 the pinch point 210 as shown in Figure 12. At this point,
19 the operator may then pull downwardly upon the handle 376
2P such that the packing panel 44 moves past the pinch point
21 210 in a continuous ~ovement in a working direction through
22 tlle hopper 34.
23 During movement of the packing panel 44 in a re-
2~ turn direction from its position shown in Figure 13, it is
desirable tha-t the movement of the packing panel not be
2G stopped when the packing paneL reaches the general location
27 of the pillC'h point 210. Thus, a slide surface 410 may be
28
29
31
32
1, .1 ' ].
ii9~
1 ~ormed on t~e stop member 40G with the slide surface
2 beincJ shaped and positioned to slide over the tab 393
3 during movement of the packing panel in a return direc-
tion and to not interrupt the movement of the packing
panel at the pinch point 210.
6 With the packincJ panel 44 movinc3 in a working
7 direction and the shaft 106 rotatiny in the direction
cB of the arrow D, whell the stop 406 has rotated beyond
9 the tab 393 as described, the rotation of the shaft
may continue until stop member 412 on the first plate
11 396 encounters the tab 393. At this point, the plate
12 3GO and control member 356 may be ro-tated in a direction
13 counter to ~hat shown by arrow B to return the plate
14 and control membcr to the neutral position indicated in
Figure 19. ~t this point, the movement of the packing
16 pallel 44 may cease. With the packi.ng panel 44 occupyiny
17 the position showll in Figure 13, the member 356 and
18 plate 3~0 may then be moved in the di.rection indi.cated
19 hy arrow C. This may cause rotation of the shaft 106 in
the direction indicated by arrow E in which the slide
21 surface ~10 of stop member 406 rides over the tab 393.. Ro-
22 tational movement of the shaft 106 may, thus, continue in the
23 direction of the arrow F until a stop member 414 on first
2~ p:Late 396 contacts the tab member 393. A-t this point, the
plate 3GO and thc control member 356 may he rotated in a di-
2G rectioll counter to that indicated by the arrow C to return
27 the platc alld o~erating member to their neutral positions
2~ S}IOWIl ill Fic~ure 19. ~t this point, the movement of the pack-
29 ing panel 44 may cease and the packing panel may be posi-
tioned at its rest position shown i.n Figure 10.
31
32 ///
-89-
~L42~9~
1 As described, the angular position of the second
2 plate 398 with respect to first plate 396 may be varied
3 by loosenillg bolts 402 and 404, xotating the seconc1 plate
with respect to the first plate, and re-tightening the
bolts. The position of the stop member 406 may, thus, be
6 varied with respect to the positions of the stop members
7 412 and 414. This, in turn, may vary the point at which
8 the stop surface 908 encounters the tab 393 such that the
9 packilly panel 44 may be stopped at the pinch point 210 as
shown in Fiyure 12 or at a point in advance of the pinch
11 point, as desired.
12 Fiyure 19a is a detailed view taken along the
13 line 19a--19cl of Fiyure 19 to illustrate the construction
14 of the stop member 406 and its function of slidincJ over
the tab 393, during rotational movement of the stop member
1~ in the direction of the arrow E. As indicated, the stop
17 member 406 may include a transver~se portion 4]6 from which
18 may depend the stop surface 408. The slide surface 410,
19 which lies behind the stop surface 408 in Fiyure l9a may
be inclined upwardly from the stop surface toward a sur~
21 face 409 whose length is less than that of surface 408
22 as indicated by the brackets identifying the surfaces
23 and their length. In usage, the tab 393 cloes not con-
24 tact the surface 409 due to its decreased length as
~e stop meMber 406 moves in the direction of the
26 arrow ~. Rather, the tab 393 then encounters the
27 inclined slide surface 410 with the surface 410 then
2~ riding over the tab 393 due to the resiliency of the
29 transverse portion 416. I~owever, when the stop member
///
31
~2
-90-
; - `' D-ll nl
~ll4Z8~
1 ~06 encounters the tab 393 during movement of the packing
2 panel 44 in a working direction with rotation of the
3 shaft 106 in the direction of the arrow D, the longer stop
surface 408 may directly contact the tab 393 ~s des-
cribed, this may move the control member 356 to its neu-
6 tral position unless the operator has rotated the tab 393
7 out of contact with the stop member 406 by pulling down-
8 wardly on handle 376
9 Figure 20 is a view taken along the line 20--20
of Fi~ure 19 which further illustrates the functioning of
Il the control mechanism As indicated, the rod 382 may
12 connect at its upper end through a universal join-t 418 to
13 the plate 360. ~dditionally, the rod 382 may be fixedly
14 connected to an L-shaped bracket 420 which may, in turn,
be conllected through a universal joint 422 to the rod 366
16 'l'hus, wllell the rod 366 is pulled downwardly by handle 37G,
17 as discussed in regard to Figure 19, the downward movement
18 of the rod 366 may have no effect upon the position of the
19 tube 358 which is fixedly connected to plate 360 The
20 downward movement of the rod 366 does, however, exert a
21 downward force upon the L-shaped bracket 420 whose posi-
22 tion ls angled outwardly away from the plane of the paper
23 as it is shown in Figure 20. The downward force exerted
24 upon L-shaped bracket 420, thus, may exert a turning moment
25 on the rod 382 which may rotate the rod in the direction
~6 indicated by arrow F to move the tab 393 out of engagement
27 with the stop melllber 406. Due to the presence of the
29
31
32
--91--
~-liOl
~? ;:
~L~4~0
1 universal joints 418 and 422, the rotational movement
2 ov the L-shaped bracket 420 and the rod 382 does not
3 disturb the position oE the plate 360 and -tube 358.
Thus, the control handle 356 remains in its position even
though the rod 382 is ro-tated. The universal joint 418,
while permitting rotational movemen-t of the rod 380 with
7 respect to plate 360 does not, however, permit transla-
8 tional movement of the rod 382 with respect to the plate
9 3GO. Thus, when the tab 393 is engaged by any of the
stops 412, 414, 416 to produce translational movement of
11 tlle rod 382, this translational movement causes movement
12 of the plate 360 and tube 358 as described previously.
13 As indicated, in the lower portion of Fi~ure 20,
1~ a support bearing 424 may be provided for the shaft 106
witll tlle first and second plates 396 and 398 being secured
16 to the shaft at a mounting location which is positioned
17 outboard from the support bearing. Further, a closure
18 plate 426 may be positioned over the housing 392 with the
19 closure plate being secured to the housing in any conven-
tional manner, such as the use of bolts 428.
21 Figure 21 is a detailed view illustrating the
22 movement of control rods 206 and 207 in transmitting
23 movement from the rotatable rod 362 shown in Figure 19 to
2~ valves for controlling the hydraulic mechanism. As indi-
cated, the rotatable rod 362 may extend from the right
26 rear side o~ the tailgate 10 where the control mechanism
27 may be located to the left rear side of the tailgate where
2~ the drive mechanism may be located (see Figure 14).
29
3]
32
-92-
~ 0 1
g~ ,
1 At the terminus of tlle rotatable rod 362 at -the
?. left rear side of the taik~ate 10, the rod may be supported
3 by a bearincJ plate 430 seeured to a support plate 432.
partial closure 434 may extend about the rotatable rod 362
as it crosses tl-e back of the tailcJate 10 to E)rotect the
6 rod. ~n eceentrie 436 may be secured to the rotatable
7 rod 362 at a position whieh is inboarcl from the bearinc~
plate 430. The eontrol rods 206 and 207 may be connected
9 to a pin 442 joined to the eccentrie 436 such that rota-
tional movement of the rod 362 in the direction inclieated
11 by arrow G may eause simultaneous movement of the eontrol
12 rods in the direetion indieated by arrow 11. The eontrol
13 rod 207 may be eonnected to a valve aetuation member 444
14 while the control rod 206 is connected to a valve aetuation
member 446. ~s will be deseribed a detent meehanism 448
16 may be positioned adjaeent to the valve aetuation member
17 446 to hold the valve aetuation member in a desired posi-
18 tion after movement of the rod 206.
19 Fic3ure 21a is a seetionaL view taken alony the
lines 21a--21a of Figure 21 to demonstrate the manner in
21 whieh the rods 206 and 207 may be eonneeted to the eccen-
22 tric 436. The rod 206 may include a slot 450 formed at
23 its outer end with the rod 207 including a slot 452 formed
2a at its outer end. With rotation of the rod 362 in the
direetion of arrow G as shown in Figure 21, the pin 442
26 may move to the right hand ends of the two slo-ts 450 and
27 452. I`his eontact may, then move both the rods 206 and
2c~ 207 in the direction of arrow 11 as shown in Figure 20.
29 ///
///
31
32
-93-
i)-,Llo~
1 ~s will be clescribed, rod 207 rnay be used to
2 actuate the movement of the reta.i.ner panel 54 from a
3 close~d to an opened position (see Figures 10 and 11) or to
actuate movement of the retainer panel from its opened
to its closed position. As described previously Witil
6 regard to Figures 10-13, movement of the retainer panel
7 54 may precede the movement of the packing panel 44. For
8 example, the retainer panel 54 may move from a closed to
9 an opened position before movement of the packiny panel
44 in a workiny clirection through the hopper 34 (see
11 Figures 10 and 11). Similarly, the movement of -the re-
12 tainer panel 5q from an opened to a closed position may
13 precede the movement of the packiny panel 49 from i~.s
14 position shown in Figure 13 in a re-turn direction to its
rest position shown in Fi~ure 10. To provide this result,
16 a spring centered valve may be used for provicling move-
17 ment of the retainer panel 54 which valve may be ac-tuated
18 by movement of the rod 207. The spring centered valve
19 may be biased to a neutral position in which no hydraulic
fluid flows to the retainer panel cylinder 55 (see Figure 9).
21 On movement of the pin 442 to the right from its position
22 shown in Figure 21a, the rod 207 may be hel.d in position
23 by the operator with control member 356 held in the direc-
24 tion o~ arrow B until the retainer panel 54 (see Figures
10-13) has completed its movemen-t from a closed to an
26 opened position. ~t thi.s point, the operator may then re-
'~7 turn tlle control member 356 to its neutral position shown
29
31
32
-94-
i)- 1 1 0 1
8~
~ .
1 in Fiqure 19 which may cause the pin 442 to occupy the
2 position shown in Figure 21b.
3 The spring centered valve may then automatically
return the rod 207 to its centered position showll in
Figure 21b. llowever, the rod 206 may remain held in the
6 direction of the arrow H shown in Figure 21 by the detent
7 mcchallism 448. The rod 206 may, thus, occupy tile posi-
8 tion shown in Figure 21b with the pin 442 positioned
9 closely adjacent to the left end of the slot 450. I~ith
reference to Figure 19, the rod 206 may continue to
11 occupy the position as shown in Figure 21b until the tab
12 393 is contacted by the stop member 406 or 412 to move
13 the pin 442 sli~htly to the left from its position shown
14 in Fi~ure 21b and into contact with -the left end of slot
450. ~t this pOillt, the rod 206 may become diseng~ged
lG ~rom the detent mechanism 443 with a biasing spring of
17 the valve returning the rod 206 to its neutral position.
18 ~t this point, both the rods 206 and 207 may occupy the
19 positions shown in Figure 21a in which the pin 442 is
centered within slots 450 and 452.
21 Again, referring to Figure 19, when the con-
22 trol member 356 is moved in the direction of arrow C,
23 the rod 362 shown in Figure 21 may be rotated in a
24 direction opposite to that indicated by arrow G. This
may cause the pin 442 to move to the left from its
26 position shown in Figure 21a into contact with the left
27 ends of the slots 450 and 452. As a result, the rods
2~ ///
29 ///
31
32
_95_
~ -T ~ ~l
1 206 and 207 may then be moved in a direction opposite
2 to that indicated by arrow 11 in Figure 21. The con-
3 trol member 356 shown in Figure 19 may then be held in
the direction of arrow C until the retainer panel 54
has completed its movement from an opened to a closed
6 position (see Figure 1) with the control member then being
7 returned to its neutral position and with the rod 207 re-
~ ~urning to its neutral position to occupy the positioll
9 showrl in Figure 21b. I~owever, the rod 206 may remain in a
held position opposite to that indicated by the arrow ~ in
11 Figure 21 under the influence of the detent mechanism 448
12 Wit]l the right end of the slot 450 as shown in Figure 21b
13 being positioned closely acljacent to the pill 442. ~he rod
14 206 may remain lleld in this position by the detent mechanism
948 until the tab 393 (see Figure 19~ is contacted by the
16 stop mem~er 414 as the shaft 106 rotates in the direction
17 of the arrow E. At this point, the pin 442 ~see Flgure
18 21b) may be moved sli~h-tly to the right into contact
19 with the right end of slot 450. This may disengage the
detent mechanism 448 from the rod 20G such that the rod
21 returns to its neutral position with rods 206 and 207
22 and pin 442 occupying the position shown in Figure 21a.
23 Figure 21c is a detailed side elevation view,
2~ partly in section, taken along line 21c--21c as shown
in Figure 21 to indicate the functioning of the detent
2G mechanism 448 in holding the rod 206. As indicated, the
27 detent mecllarlism 448 may include a base member 454 with
28
29
31
32
-96-
.... ,. ~ ` ~ - 1 1 0 1
;: :
~L42~9~
1 a rotatable arm 956 mounted thereon througll a pivot 45
2 and an arm support member 960 that supports the pivot
3 for engagement with the rotatable arm. The arm fi56 may
be biased in any convenient manner, such as by a spring,
for rotation in a clockwise direction from its position
6 shown in Figure 21c with a roller 462 at the outer end
7 of the arm belng forced into contact with the rocl 206.
8 Notclles 464 may be formed in the rod 206 with the posi-
9 tion of the notches corresponding to the position of the
rod when it is moved in the direction of the arrow H
11 shown in Figure 21 to actuate the packing panel 44 in a
12 working direction (see Figures 10-13), or when the rod
13 206 is moved in a direction opposite that of arrow ~I to
1~ actuate movement of the packing panel in a return
direction.
16 As indicated, when the roller 462 engages one
17 of the notches 964, the upward force of the roller against
18 the notch may hold the rod 206 in a given position.
19 valve 466, which may be actuated hy movement of the rod
206, may be a sprlng-centered valve. Thus, when either
21 the right or left end of the slot 450 in rod 206 is con-
22 tacted by the pin 442 (see Figure 21b) the rod may under-
2a go sufficient movement to disengage the roller 462 from
24 one of the notches 464. At this point, the spring cen-
tering action of valve 466 may return the rod 206 to its
2G neutral position as indicated in Figure 21a with the
2~ valve 966 tllen being in a neutral position such that tile
28 movement of the packing panel 49 ceases (see Figures 10-13).
29 ///
///
31
32
-97-
~L42~
1 E'i~ure 22 is a schematic representation of a
2 hydraulic circuit which may be used in actuating the
3 present apparatus. As indicated, hydraulic fluid from
the reservoir 348 may be transported through a supply
line 468 and a valve 470 to a pump 472. From the pump
6 472 the hydraulic fluid may be supplied under pressure
7 through a line 474 which is joined to a branch line 47~.
8 Branch line 476 leads to a pilot-opera-ted relief valve 478
9 that may be conveniently set at a pressure such as 2950 psi
psi. When the pre~sure in the line 474 and the branch
11 line 476 reaches the predetermined pressure, the pressure
12 transmitted through a pressure line 479 may cause the
13 valve 478 to open to permit fluid to pass through the
14 valve to a return line 511 leading to the reservoir 348.
In permitting ~luid to pass through tl-e valve 478 at a
16 predetermined pressure of about 2950 psi, the
17 relief valve 478 acts as a safety valve for the entire
18 hydraulic system to insure that pressures within the
19 system do not exceed the predetermined pressure level.
The line 474, after passing the branch line
21 476, leads to a branch lir~e 480 and to a spring-centered
22 valve 482. With the spring-centered valve 482 in its
23 lleutral position as shown in Figure 22, hydraulic fluid
24 in line 474 may flow throuyh the valve. The valve 482
may include a control handle 484 through which the
26 valve may be moved to a raised or a lowered position from
27 its neutral position shown in ~igure 22. On movement
28 ///
29 ///
31
32
-98-
~ , D-llO1
; :, . .
~.~1.4289C~
1 of the handle 484 to move the valve upwardly from its
2 positioll shown in Figure 22, hydraulic fluid Erom line
3 474 may flow throu~h a check valve ~86 and through the
valve 482 to a line 488. The line 988 may lead to a
branch line 490 which leads to a pilot--operated relief
6 valve 492. The relief valve 492 may be set to open
7 at a predetermined pressure of about 3100 psi which
8 may be transmitted through a pressure line 493 to open
9 the rellef valve such that hydraulic fluid from line
990 may flow tG return line 511 and to the reservoir
11 348 The relief valve 492 which may be set at a pressure
12 less than the opening pressure for relief valve 478
13 ~nay, thus, function to permit the release of hydraulic
14 fluid from line 490 when the telescopic ejection cylinder
14 encounters an undesirable pressure buildup cluring,
1~ for example, movement of the ejection panel 12 from the
17 front to the rear of the storage body 8 during the
18 ejection of refuse from the storage body (see Fiyure l)
19 I~he line 488, after passing the branch line
490, may lead to two lines 494 and 496. Line 494 may
21 lead to a solenoid valve 495 which, when actuated, as will
22 be described, will permit hydraulic fluid to flow to a
23 return line 497 and to the reservoir 348. The line 496
2~ may lead to the large end of the telescopic hydraulic
cylinder 14 which may have, for example, a pressure area
26 in the order cf ten times the pressure area at the small
27 end of the telescopic cylinder. A line 498 may lead from
29
31
~2
_99_
.. D-llOl
1~2~ L !
1 the small end of the telscopic cylinder 14 to a line
2 512 di.rected to the valve 982. ~ith valve 482 in its
3 raised position, hydraulic fluicl may, thus, flow
through the valve to lines ~88 and 496 to expand the
telescopic cylinder 14 while fluid from the small end
6 of the telescopic cylinder may flow through lines 498
7 and 512 throuyh the valve to a line 514 to return line
8 511 and to the sump 348. ~ strainer 515 may be posi.-
9 tioned between the return line 511 and the reservoir
348 to remove particles from the hydraulic fluid to
11 prevent clogging of the valves in the hydraulic system
12 by tlle particles.
13 ~hen the llandle 984 is actuated to move the
14 valve 482 in a downwarcl direction from that shown in
Figure 22, pressurized hydraulic fluid may flow through
16 the check valve 486 and the valve 482 into the lines 512
17 and 498. This may introduce pressurized hydraulic fluid
18 into -the small end of the telescopic cylinder 14 with
9 flui.d from the larye end of the cylinder being returned
through lines 496 and 498 to the valve 482. I'he returnecl
21 fluid from the large end of telescopic cylinder 14 may
22 then be conveyed through through the valve 482 to line
23 514 to the return line 511 and the sump 348. ~s this
2~ occurs, the telescopic cylinder may unclergo contraction
to move the ejection panel 12 from the rear to the front
2G of the storage body 8 (see Fi~ure 1).
27
~9
31
32
-100-
r~, .~,-l:L01
8~
1 1~1hen valve 482 is in its neutral position as
2 shown in Figure 22 with the telescopic cylinder 14 being
3 filled with hydraulic Eluid, a problem may arise if there
is, for example, an increase in the ambient temperature.
Due to the substalltial difference between the pressure
G area at the large end of the telescopic cylinder 14 as
7 compared with the pressure area at the small end of the
8 cylinder, a pressure increase at the large end due to
9 thermal expansion of fluid at the large end may produce
a tenfold pressure increase at the small end of the tele-
11 scopic cylinder. To protect against undesirable pressure
12 buildup at the small end of telescopic cylinder 14, the
13 line 498 from the small end of the cylinder may lead to a
14 branch line 500 leadincJ to two lines 502 and 504.
check valve 506 may be positioned in line 502 to prevent
16 the flow of hydraulic fluid from line 502 to a line 510 and
17 to the return line 511.
18 ~lowever, line 504 may lead to a pilot-operated
19 relief valve 508 which may be set to open at a pressure
Of about 3100 psi. W}len the pressure in line 504
21 reaches this pressure level, pressure ~ay be transm,itted
22 to the valve 508 through a pressure line 509 to open the
23 relief valve such that fluid may flow to line 510 to the
24 return line 511 and to the reservoir 348.
After passing the valve 482, the line 474 may
2G lead to a spring-centered valve S16 which may be used to
27 actuate the tail~ate,lifting cylinder 26. With valve 516
2~ ///
29 ///
31
32
-101-
Z~
1 in its neutral position as shown in Figure 22, hydraulic
2 fluid may flow directly through the valve. ~ handle 518
3 connected to the valve 516 may ~e used in moving the
4 valve to a raised or a lowered position from that shown
in Figure 22. When valve 516 is moved to a lowered
6 ~Josition, hydraulic fluid may flow from line 480 through
7 a check valve 520 and through the valve 516 to a line 522.
8 The line 522 may lead to a hydraulic choke 524 with
9 hydraulic fluid expanding the cylinder 26 during movement
of the tailgate 10 to its raised potiion show.l in
11 Figure 1. When the cylinder 26 is expanded to a desired
12 extent, the valve 516 may be moved to its neutral posi~
13 tion shown in Figure 22 to isolate the cylinder 26 and
14 to insure that the cylinder remains in its expanded con-
dition.
16 wllen it is then desired to lower the tailgate 10
17 (see Figure 1), the valve 516 may be moved to its raised
18 position from that shown in Figure 22. ~t this point,
19 the weight of the tailgate structure 10 may be exerted
against the fluid within the cylinder 26 through a piston
21 rod 525. The wei~ht of the tailgate 10 may, thus, force
22 a piston 527 downwardly within the cylinder 26 with fluid
23 flowing from the cylinder through choke 524, line 522 and
24 the valve 516. After flowing through valve 516, the fluid
may be conveyed through a line 526 to the return line 511
26 and to the sump 348. The choke 524 may function to re-
27 duce the flow rate of hydraulic fluid throu~h line 52
28
29
31
32
-102-
n-llol
89a~
1 to a relatively low flow rate. This may insure that the
2 tailgate descends slowly in moving fxom its raised posi-
3 tion 10' to its lowered position 10 as shown in Figure 1.
After passiny beyond the valve 516, the line 474
may reach two branch lines 528 and 530. The branch line
6 530 may lead to a pilot-operated relief valve 532 having
7 a pressure line 533 connected to the line 474. When the
8 pressure within line 474 reaches a predetermined value of
9 about 3100 psi, the pressure transmitted through line
533 may open the valve 532 to permit pressurized fluid
11 to flow through the valve to a return line 5~6 which
12 leads to line 511 and to the reservoir 348. The relief
13 valve 532 may, thus, control the pressure of hydraulic
~4 fluid which is fed to the cylinder 55 for actuation of
the retainer panel 54 and which is fed to the cylinders
16 52 and 50 for actuation of the packing panel 44 as il-
17 lustrated in Figures 10-13.
18 As described in Figures 21, 21a, 21b and 21c,
19 the control rods 206 and 207 may be moved together in
~ unison. with the ro~s 206 and 20? moved together in
21 unison in the direction of arrow H as shown in Fig~lre 21,
22 a spring-centered valve 538 may be moved upwardly from
23 its neutral position as shown in ~igure 22 and the spring-
24 centered valve 466 may also be moved upwardly. Hydraulic
fluid may then flow from the line 474 through a line 528
2G -to a line 534 and throug}l a check valve 536. After
27 ~lowing through check valve 536, pressurized hydraulic
28
29
31
32
-103-
1 fluid may then flow through the valve 538 and through a
2 line 540 to the cylinder 55. This may cause the cyl.inder
3 55 to contract with fluicl from the head end of the
cylinder flowing throu~h a line 542, throu~h valve 538
and thro-lcJh a line 544 to the return line 546.
6 Since the volume of the hudraulic cylinder 55
7 may be relatively small, the contraction of the cylinder
8 may be relatively rapid to provide rapid movement of
9 the retainer panel 54 from its closed position shown in
Figure 10 to its opened position shown in Figure 11. At
11 this point, the control handle 356, after first heing
12 moved in the direction of arrow s, may be moved in a
13 clirection opposite that of arrow B to its neutral posi-
14 tion as shown in ~'igure 19. This may permit the sprin~-
centered valve 538 to return to its neutral position to
16 cause the rod 207 to return to its neutral position shown
17 in Figure 21b with the pin 492 centered within the slot
18 452 in rod 207. The rod 206 may, however, remain in the
19 directi.on of arrow H throug}l the action of the detent
mechanism 44~ as described in Figures 21b and 21c. With
21 the valve 538 returned to its neutral position, and the
22 valve 466 in its raised position from that shown in
23 Figure 22, hydraulic fluid may flow from line 474 through
2~ the valve 538 ~nd to a branch line 545, through a check
valve 548 and the valve 466 and to a line 550. Line 550
may lead to a line 552 to the.rod end of the relatively
27 large drive cylinder.50 which may ~e used in moving the
29
31
32
-10~ -
-1101
28~
1 packing panel ~4 in a working direction, as clescribed in
2 Figures 10-13.
3 On the introduction of pressurized hydraulic
4 fluid into cylinder 50 through line 552, a piston 554
may be moved upwardly from its position shown in Fi~ure
6 22 to contract the cylinder in moving the packing panel
7 44 in a workinr3 direction as described in Figures 10-13.
~s described in regard to Figure 3, the relati.vely large
hydraulic drive cylinder 50 may be mechanically coupled
with the relatively small hydraulic return cylinder 52.
11 Thus, as the piston 554 of cylinder 50 is moved moved
12 upwardly to contract the cylinder 50, a pi.ston 555 of
13 return cylinder 52 may be moved downwardly to expand the
1~ return cylinder. On downward movement of piStOIl 555,
hydraulic fluid within the rod end of cylinder 52 may be
16 exhausted through a line 574 and through the valve 466
17 to a line 557 to line 546 and to line 511 and reservoir
18 348.
19 ~s hydraulic fluid is fed to the rod end of the
drive`cylinder 50, through line 552, a pilot-operated
21 check valve 562 may prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid
22 from the line 550 pas-t the check valve. A line 560 con-
23 nected to the head end of the drive cylinder 50 may lead
~4 to the head end of the return cylinder 52. Thus, as the
piston 554 is moved upwardly with the piston 555 moving
26 downwardly, hydraulic fluid which is exhausted from the
27 head end of drive cylinder 50 may pass -through the line
2~ ///
29 ///
31
32
-105-
, .. ... , __ _ _
~- 1 1 () 1
; ',I' t:_~
8'~
1 560 into the head end of the return cylinder 52. In
2 this manner, the return cylinder 52 may act as an accumu-
3 lator of the hydraulic fluid which is discharged from
the }-ead encl of cylinder 50. ~dditionally, a line 561
may interconnect line 560 with the return line 511 to
6 the reservoir 348. Ilydraulic fluid which is discharged
7 from the head end of the cylinder 50 may, thusl also
8 Elow from line 560 into line 561 and to the return line
9 511. ~lowever, to encourage flow of hydraulic fluid be-
tween the cylinders 50 and 52, the line 560 may be re~
11 latively large to offer less resistance to flow than the
12 line 561.
13 As the piston 554 is moved upwardly within drive
~4 cylinder 50, a pressure port 559 in the wall of the
cylinder 50 may be uncovered to receive pressure from
16 fluid on the underside of piston 554. The port 559 may,
17 for example, be uncovered when the packing panel 44 moves
1~ beyond the pillCh point 210 during its movement in a work-
19 ing direction as lllustrated in Figures 12 and 13. AS the
packing panel 4~ passes beyond the pinch point 21n, greater
21 resistance may be encountered by the panel from refuse
22 within the hopper 34 which may result in higher pressures
~3 at the rod end of the drive cylinder 50. ~s also dis-
24 cussed in regard to Figures 10-13, during movement of the
packing panel 44 in a working direction through the hop-
26 per 34, refuse within the hopper is su~jected to high
27 pressures as the refuse passes through the narrowed throat
29 ///
31
-106-
4~
1 20~ in passage ~2 le~ading to the storage body 8. Thus,
2 the pressure of refuse within the storage body 8 which
3 is exerted against the ejection panel 12 may be of a
relatively low magnitude even though high pressures are
experienced hy the refuse within the narrowed throat
6 204 and high pressure hydraulic ~luid is supplied through
7 line 552 to the rod end of the cylinder 50.
~ Since the pressure of refuse within the storage
9 body 8 exerted against the ejection panel 12 may be re-
latively low, in comparison to previous refuse compacting
11 apparatus, the pressure which is experienced at -the large
12 end of the telescopic cylinder 14 by refuse bearing
13 against the ejection panel may also be relatively low. If
14 tlle means for dumping hydraulic fluid from -the large end
of the cylinder 14 were a purely hydraulic mechnnism, the
16 speed of actu.ation of the mechanism m.ight not be suffi-
17 ciently rapid. To provide a more rapid and more contro].led
1~ dumping of hydraulic fluid from the large end of the tele-
19 scopic cylinder 14 when the ejection panel 12 moves in
small incremental steps from its rearward position 12 to
21 its fo~ward position 12' (see Figure 1), an electrical
22 system may be used to control the dumping of hydraulic
23 fluid from the telescopic cylinder 14. The pressure port
24 559 in the drive cylinder 50, as described, may lead to
a pressure sensing line 556 to a pressure actuated switch
26 558. The switch 558 is opened in its position shown in
27 Figure 22. Ilowever, when the pressure at the rod end of
28
29
31
32
-107-
,. , - 1 1 0 1
1 drive cyiinder 50 reaches a predetermined level, such as
2 2~100 psi., a switch member 563 may ~e moved downwardly
3 by the pressure in line 556 into contact with a pole 565 to
complete a circuit between an electrical power source 566 and
the solenoid valve 495 through wires 568, 570 and 572.
6 With the switch 558 closed, the solenoid valve
7 495 may, therefore, be actuated to quickly dump fluid from
8 the large end of telescopic cylinder 14 through line 494
g to line 497 and to the reservoir 348. This permits move-
ment of the ejection panel through a small incremental
11 distance as described in regard to Figure 1 to reduce the
12 pressure of refuse against the packing panel 44 and, in
13 turn, to reduce the hydraulic pressures at -the rod end of
14 the drive cylinder 50. When the pressure of hydraulic
flu.i.d at the rod end of the cylinder 50 thell dro~s to a
16 predetermined level such as 2150 psi, the switch 55
17 may return to an opened position as shown in Figure 22
lo to return the solenoid valve 495 to its closed position.
19 The packing of refuse may then continue until the pres-
sure at the rod end of the cylinder S0 again reaches the
21 predetermined level required to close switch 558 and the
22 whole operation may be completed again, etc., to move
Z3 the ejection panel 12 in small incremental steps from
2~ its rearward position 12 to its forward position 12'
(see Figure 1) as the storage body 8 is progressively
26 filled with refuse.
27 ///
2~ ///
29
31
32 J'
-108-
~142~
~ .~
1 ~hen the packin~ panel 44 has completed its
2 movement in a working direction as shown in Figure 13
3 the rod 206 may then be returned to a neutral position
by contact of the pin 442 with the end of the slot 450
in the rod 206 as describéd in regard to Figures 21 21a
6 21b and 21c. This may then overGome the detent
7 mechanism 448 such that the spring-centered valve 466 may
be returned to its neutral position shown in Figure 22.
9 With the packing panel positioned as shown in
Figure 13 the rods 206 and 207 may then be moved down-
11 wardly from their positions shown in Figure 22 to actuate
12 movement of the panel 44 in a return direction to its
13 rest position shown in Figure 10~ The simultaneous move-
14 ment of the rods 206 and 207 may move the valves 538 and
~5 466 to their lowered positions from that shown in Figure
16 22 with hydraulic fluid passing from line 534 through
17 check valve 536 and valve 538 into :Line 542 to the head
1~ end of the retainer panel cylinder ;5. This may cause
19 the retainer panel cylinder 55 to expand with hydraulic
fluid exhausted from the rod end of the retainer panel
21 cylinder passing through line 540 valve 538 and into
22 line 544 to the reservoir 348. With the volume of the
23 retainer cylinder 55 being relatively small the expan-
24 sion of the retainer cylinder to return the retainer
panel 5~ to its closed position shown in Figure 10 may
26 occur relatively quickly.
27 ///
29
31
32
-109-
D-llOl
1 The control member 356 (see Figure 19) may
then be returned to its neutral position by moving
3 the control me~ber in a directioll opposite to that in-
4 dicated by arrow C. This may permit the spring-centered
valve 538 and the control rod 207 to return to their
6 neutral positions as described in E'igures 21, 21a, 21b
7 and 21c with the rod 206 being retained in a direction op
8 posite that of arrow H through the detent mechanism 448.
9 llydraulic fluid may then pass throuyh valve 538 in its neu-
tral position to ~ine 545, through check valve 548, and
11 valve 466 into line 574 to the rod end of the relatively
12 small retuxn cylinder 52. As described previously,
13 cylinders 52 and 50 may be mechanically interconnected.
14 Thus, as cylinder 52 is contracted, the relatively large
drive cylinder 50 may be expanded. ~Iydraulic fluid
16 which is exhausted from the rod end of the cylinder 50
17 during its expansion may be conducted through lines 552
1~ and 550 to valve 466 and into line 557 to the reservoir
19 348. However, due to the relatively large volume of
hydraulic fluid which may be contained at the rod end of
21 cylinder 50, the resistance to fluid flow encountered by
22 the fluid within lines 552, 550, etc., may oppose the
23 expansion of hydraulic cylinder 50. This may increase
the resistance to contraction of the return cylinder 52
which may increase the pressure of hydraulic fluid fed
26 to the rod end of the return cylinder through line 574.
27 ///
29
31
32
-11 O-
0 1
2~
1 ~ pilot line 569 leading from line 574 to the
2 pilot-operated check valve 562 may transmit pressure to
3 the chec~ valve which may be set to open at a relatively
~` 4 low pressure of about 500 psi. On opening of the
check valve 562, fluid which is exhausted from the rod
~,~ 6 end of cylinder 50 may then flow from line 552 through
h, 7 the check valve 562 into the line 560 for return to the
8 head end of cylinder 50. In this manner, the relatively
9 large drive cylinder 50 may act as its own accumulator
during expansion of the cylinder. Hydraulic fluid which
11 is exhausted from the head end of the return cylinder
;s~ 12 52 during i-ts contraction may also flow through the line
13 560 into the head end of the drive cylinder 50 with the
14 drive cylinder, therefore, also acting as an accumulator
for the return cylinder 52. Additionally, hydraulic
16 fluid may flow through line 561 into the return line 511
17 to the reservoir 348. However, as stated, the size of
1~ line 560 may be larger than that of line 561 to encourage
19 the flow of hydraulic fluid between the cylinders 52 and
50 through the line 560.
21 Figure 23 illustrates an alternative hydraulic
22 circuit which may be used in controlling the present
23 apparatus. While the hydraulic circuit of Figure 23 is
24 similar to that of Figure 22, it also differs in a num~er
of important respects. As indicated, a reservoir 576 may
26 supply hydraulic fluLd through a supply line 578 to a
27 valve 580 and then to a pump 582. Leading from the pump
28 ///
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31
32
~, --111-
' ~L3L~L2l~390
1 582 is a line 584 which is joined to an au~iliary line
2 586, may be used for operating conventiollal auxiliary
3 equipment. The supply line 584 may then lead to a
4 branch line 588 joined to a pressure-operated pilot
valve 590. The valve 590 may be set to open at a given
6 pressure level such as 2950 psi and a pressure
7 line 591 may be used to transmit pressure from the line
8 588 to open the valve when the predetermined pressure
9 level is reached. Valve 590 may, thereby, function as
a safety valve for the entire hydraulic system with the
11 pressure for opening the valve being the maximum system
12 pressure.
13 After passing branch line 588, the line 584 may
14 then lead to a spring-centered valve 592 which may be
operated by movement of a handle 594. With the valve
16 592 in its neutral position, as shown in Figure 23,
17 hydraulic fluid may flow through the valve. I-lowever,
18 when valve 592 is moved to a raised position from that
19 shown in Figure 22, pressurized fluid may then flow
through a line 596, a check valve 598, and then through
21 valve 592 into a line 600. The line 600 may lead to
22 a branch line 602 which is directed to a solenoid valve
23 606 and also to a line 604 which is directed to the large
24 area end of the telescopic hydraulic cylinder 14 as shown
in Figure 1. With pressurized hydraulic fluid being fed
26 through line 604 to the large area end of telescopic
27 cylinder 14 the telescopic cylinder may be expanded to
28
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32
-112-
IJ--llUl
4~ 0
1 provide movement of the ejection panel-12. ~Iydraulic
2 fluid which may be exhAusted from the small area end of
3 the telescopic cylinder 14 may flow through a line 6û8
4 to a line 618 and throuc3h the valve 592 to a return
line 62û. The line 620 may lead to`a return line 622
6 whicll may, in turn, lead to a line'616 through a check
7 valve 617 and strainer 619 and into the reservoir 576.
8 When the valve 592 is moved to its lowered
9 position from that shown in Figure 23, hydraulic fluid
may flow from line 596 through check valve 598 and
11 valve 592 into lines 618 and 608 to the small area end
12 of telescopic cylinder 14. This may produce contrac-
13 tion of the telescopic cylinder 14 with hydraulic fluid
14 being exhausted from the large area end of the telescopic
cylinder througll lines 604 and 600, valve 592 and into
16 line 62û to return line 622.
17 When valve 592 is in its'neutral position
18 shown in Fiyure 23, the telescopic cylinder 14 is iso-
19 lated from line 584 and pressure buildup may occur at
20 the small area end of the telescopic cylinder because
~:~ 21 of an increase in the a~bient temperature. If a pres- :
22 sure buildup occurs in the large area end of the cylinder
23 14, this may, for example, cause a tenfold pressure
24 buildup in the small area end of the cylinder because of
the area ratio between the pressure area at the large area
26 end and the yressure area at the small area end. To
2~ relieve such a pressure buildup, a branch line 610 from
28
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32
' -113-
.: .,, . " .............. :'1 `
~ 4~
1 line 608 may lead to the pilot-operated val.ve 612 with a
2 pressure transmitting line 613 from line 610 to the valve
3 to control its operation. The valve 612 may be set, for
example, to open at a pressure of about 3100 psi to
permit the exhaust of hydraulic ~luid from line 610
6 t~rough the valve and into a line 614 which leads to
7 return line 616.
~fter passing beyond valve 592 in its neutral
9 posltion, the supply line 584 may lead to a spring-cen-
tered valve 624 which is shown in its neutral position
11 in Figure 23. The valve 624 may include an operating
12 handle 626 which may be actuated to move the valve to
13 its lowered position from that shown. With the valve
14 624 in its lowered position, pressurized hydrauli.c fluid
may then pass from line 584 to line 6~B, through a chec~
16 valve 630, and valve 624 and into a line 632. The line
17 632 may leacl through a pressure choke 634 to the hydrau-
18 lic cylinder 26 which may be used for lifting of the
19 tailgate 10 as illustrated in Figure 1.
As hydraulic fluid is fed through line 632 to
21 the head end of the cylinder 26, the cylinder may be
22 expanded to raise the tailgate to its position 10' shown
23 in Figure 1. The valve 624 may then be returned to its
24 neutral position to isolate the cylinder 26 and insure
that the tailgate remains in its raised position 10'.
26 When it is desired to lower the tailgate to its position
27 10 shown in Fi~ure 1, the valve 624 may then be moved
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31
32
-114-
1 to its raised position from that shown in Figure 23 with
2 hydraulic fluid passing from the cylinder 26 through the
3 choke 634, the line 632 and valve 624 and into a return
line 636. ~s described in regard to Figure 22, the
weight of the tailgate 10 (Figure 1) may be used to advan-
6 tage in contracting the hydraulic cylinder 26 during
7 lowering of the tailgate. 5ince the weight of the tail-
~ ga-te 10 may ~e borne by the c~ylinder 26, the weight of the
9 tailgate may force fluid from tl-e head end of the cylinder
whell the valve 624 is in its raised condition. ~lowever, be-
11 cause of the presence of the hydraulic choke 634, fluid flow
12 through the line 632 may be maintained at a relatively slow
13 rate to insure that the tailgate is not lowered too rapidly.
4 Proceeding beyond valve 624 in its neutral
position, the supply line 584 may lead to a branch line
1~ 638 to a pilot-operated valve 690 controlled through a
17 pressure line 641. The pilot-operal:ed valve 640 may be
1~ set to open at a pressure of about 31~0 psi to permit
19 exhaust of hydraulic fluid through the valve to a line
642 leading to return line 616 to the reservoir 576.
21 rhe pilot-operated valve 640 may, thus, be set to deter-
22 mine the maximum pressure of hydraulic fluid which is
23 supplied to the retainer panel cylinder 55, the return
24 cylinder 52 and the drive cylinder 50 during movement
of the packing pane] 44 as illustrated in Figures 10-13.
26 The supply line 584 may then lead to a spring-
27 centered detent valve 648 which may control the flow of
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-115-
~ D~ J1
28~ -
~W
1 llyclraulic fluid to cylinders 55, 52 and 50. In this re-
2 spect, valve 64g may perform the functions of both the
3 valves 538 and 966, as discussed in ~igure 22. The use
of a single spring-centered detent valve 648 ln the
circuit of Figure 23, thus, represents an improvement
6 over the hydraulic circui-t of Figure 22. With valve 648
7 in its neutral position shown in Figure 23, hydraulic
8 fluid may flow throuc3h the valve from line 584 to line
9 616. However, when valve 648 is moved to its raised
position from that shown, hydraulic fluid may flow from
11 line 584 through a line 644 and a check valve 646. Valve
12 G48 may be moved to its raised position by an operating
~3 roc7 650 with the rod being held in a raised position ~y
14 a detent mechanism 651 which is similar in its operation
to the detent mechanism 448 described in Figures 21 and
16 21c and Figure 22. That i5 to say, notches may be formed
17 in operating rod 650 which may be engaged by a roller
1~ positioned on a spring biased arm to maintain the opera-
19 ting rod in a desired position with the valve 648 in a
raised or a lowexed position as compared with its neutral
21 position shown in Figure 22.
22 With valve 648 in its raised position from that
23 shown in Figure 23, pressurized hydraulic fluid Dassing
24 through check valve 646 may pass through valve 64~ into
a line 652. ~ branch line 654 leading from line 652 may
26 lead to tl-e rod enc7 of the retainer panel cylinder 55.
27 Tllus, flow of hydraulic fluid through line 654 may cause
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32
-116-
.
.
,, 01
. .
~ .
1 the cylinder 55 to contract to move the'retainer panel 54
2 from a closed to an openecl position as illustrated in
Figures 10 and 11. ~s tlliS is occurring, h,ydraulic fluid
may be exhausted from the head end of cylinder 55 to a
line 696 which leads to a line 686, through the valve
6 648 and to a line 687. Line 687 is joined to return
7 line 642 which conveys the hydraulic fluid to line 616
8 and to reservoir 576. Since the hydrauli.c cylinder 55
9 may be relatively small in comparison with the relatively
large drive cylinder 50, the contraction of cylinAer 55
11 may occur prior to contraction of the drive cylinder.
12 Pressuri~ed hydraulic fluid flowing through
13 line 652 with valve 648 in its raised position may flow
14 into a line 656, through a check valve 658 and into a
line 660 leadinc3 to the rod end of drive cylinder 50.
16 This may cause the cylir~der 50 to contract in moving
17 the packing panel 44 in a working direction as described
18 in Figures 10-13. When the packing panel 44 reaches the
19 approximate position shown in Figure 12, a piston 662
2.0 within cyllnder 50 may uncover a port 663 leading to a
21 pressure line 674 to a pressure-actuated switch 676. The
22 switch is in its open position as shown in Figure 23.
23 However, when the pressure at the rod end of cylinder 50
24 reaches a predetermined level. such as 2400 psi, a
switch member 677 may be rotated downwardly into contact
2G with a pole 679 to close the switch 676 with the switch re-
27 maining closed until.the pressure at the rod end falls to
28 a pressure level such as 2150 psi. The switch 676
29 may be connected through an electrical power source 678
///
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32
-117-
J 1
~2~39C~
1 with the solenoicl valve 606 through wi.res 680, 682 and
2 684. The functioning of the switch 676 in conjunction
3 with the soler)oid 606 is the same as described for
4 switch 558 in conjunction with solenoicl 495 in regard
to Figure 22. That i5, closing of the switch 676 may
6 close the solenoicl valve 606 to provide rapid dumping
7 of hydraulic fluid from the large area end of rapid
8 telescopic cylinder 14 in response to pressures at the
g rod end of drive cylinder 50. This rapid d~mping of
hydraulic fluid permits controlled incremental movement
11 of the ejection panel from its rearward position 12 to
12 its forward position 12' as indicated in Figure 1 during
13 filling of the storage body 8 with refuse.
14 ~s described, the relatively large drive cylinder
50 may ~e mechanically interconnected with the relatively
16 small return cylinder 52. As the drive cylinder 50 under-
17 goes contraction, the return cylinder 52 may, thus, under-
18 go expansion with hydraulic fluid from the rod end of
19 return cylinder 52 being exhausted through a line 694, a
chec~ valve 688 and into the line 686. The fluid flow
21 from line 686 may pass through the valve 648 in its raised
22 position and through the line 687 to return lines 642 and
23 616 leading to the reservoir 576. A line 664 from line
2~ 660 to a pilot-operated check valve 666 may remain closed
as pressurized hydraulic fluid is fed through line 660 to
26 to the rod end of cylinder 50. ~ line 672 may interconnect
2~ the head ends of the cylinders 50 and 52 such that fluid
2~ ///
29 //
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32
~ ..~. D-llOl
~ 421~9~
1 ~isc}larged from the head end of the contracting drive
2 cylinder 50 may flow through line 672 to the expandiny
3 head end of the return cylinder 52. In this manner, the
cylinder 52 may act as an accumulator for exhausted oil
from the head end of cylinder 50 during its contraction.
6 Additionally, a line 658 may lead from the head
7 end of the cylinder 52 to a line 670 which may be joined
8 to return line 616. Hydraulic fluid may, then, also flow
9 through lines 668 and 670 to the reservoir 576. I~owever,
to encourage flow between the cylinders 50 and 52 rather
11 than to the reservoir 576, the line 672 may be relatively
12 large as compared with the size of line 670. ~fter con-
13 traction of the drive cylinder 50 is completed, the
l~s packing panel 44 may occupy a position as shown in Figure
13. At this point, as wi].l be described, the operating
~6 rod 650 may be moved to disengage the rod from the detent
17 mechanism 651 with the valve 648 being to its neutral
18 position.
19 io cause movement of the packing panel 44
in a return direction from its position shown in Fig~re
21 13 to its rest position shown in Figure 10, the rod 650
22 may be moved downwardly to move the valve 648 to a lowered
23 position from that shown in Figure 23. Hydraulic fluid
24 may then pass from line 6~4, through check valve 646 and
valve 648 and into line 686. Line 686 may lead to a
26 branch line 696 through which hydraulic fluid may be
27
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29
31
32
- 1 1 9 -
~ ~jD-llOl
~ Z89~
1 conve~ed to the llead end of the retainer panel cylinder
2 55. 'I'his may cause expansion of the retainer panel
3 cylinder 55 Witll hydraulic fluid being exhausted from the
rod end of the cylinder through a line 654 leading to
line 652 and tllrough the valve 648 to line 687. Line
6 687 may convey the exhausted fluid through lines 642 and
7 616 for return to the reservoir 576. ~s discussed, since
8 the volume of the retainer panel cylinder 55 may be re-
9 latively small, its movement may take place relatively
rapidly such that the retainer panel 54 will complete
11 its movement from an opened to a closed position (see
12 Figures 13 and 10) prior to the movement of the packing
13 panel 4~ in a return direction.
14 Pressurized hydraulic fluid flowing through
line 68fi may also flow to the pilot~-operated check valve
1~ 688 which may be connected through a pressure-sensing
17 line 690 to line 686. Wherl the pressure in line 686
18 reaches a predetermined level, such as 1500 psi,
19 pressure transmitted through line 690 may then open the
valve 688. Fluid passing through the line 690 for opera-
21 tion of the valve 688 may then be exhaused through a
22 pressure bleeding line 692 to the return line 616. The
23 function of the pilot-operated check valve 688 may,
2~ thus, promote the movement oE retainer panel cylinder
55 prior to movement o~ the return cylinder 52.
2~ With the pilot-operated check valve 688 moved
27 to i~s closed position, fluid may flow from line 686
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32
-120-
Lj-- i.L
"" ~ 8C10
1. tllrough the valve 688 and into line 694. Line 694 may
2 convey the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the rod end of
3 return cylinder 52 to, thereby, contract the return
4 cylinder. As the return cylinder 52 contracts, the drive
cvlinder 50 may expand due to the mechanical connection
6 between the cylinders as discussed previously. On expan-
7 sion of the drive cylinder 50, there may be a pressure
8 buildup at the rod end of the drive cylinder since the
9 ourflow of oil from the rod end is blocked by the check
valves 658 and 666. Ilowever, the chec~ valve 666 may be
11 set to open at a pressure of about 250 psi in
12 the line 694 which may be conveyed to the valve through
13 a pressure sensing line 698. Thus, the check valve 666
]-4 may be opened quickly to permit -the flow of hydraulic
fluid from the rod end of the cylinder 50 through line
16 664 and check valve 666 into line 668 to the head end of
17 the cylinder 50. Cylinder 50 may, thus, act as its own
18 hydraulic accumulator during its expansion, with hydraulic
19 fluid being circulated from the rod end to the head end
of the cylinder. Also, hydraulic fluid discharged from
21 the rod end of drive cylinder 50 may flow through line
22 670 to return line 616 and the reservoir 576. However,
23 to encourage flow of hydraulic fluid from the rod end to
24 the head end of cylinder 50 during its expansion, the
lines 664 and 668 may be relatively large as compared
26 with line 670. Thus, there may be less resistance to
27 flow of fluid from the rod end in-to the head end of
28 ///
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~1
32
-121-
- ~ ~J. O 1 -
~31.a~r2~39~
1 cylinder 50 as compared with resistance to flow through
2 line 670 to the reservoir 576.
3 As the drive cylinder 50 is expanding, the re-
turn cylinder 52 may be contracting due to the mechanical
interconnection between the cylinders. During contraction
6 of the return cylinder 52, fluid may be exhausted from the
q head end of the return cylinder through line 672 and into
the head end of the drive cylinder 50. Thus, the drive
9 cylinder 50 may also act as an accumulator for hydraulic
fluid discharged from the return cylinder 52 during its
11 contraction. When the return cylinder 52 has completed
12 its contraction in moving the packing panel 44 to its rest
13 positlon, as shown in Figure 10, the operating rod 650 may
14 be moved to disengage the detent mechanism 651 from the
rod and to return the valve 648 to its neutral position
16 shown in Fic3ure 22.
17 Figure 24 is a detailed view similar to
18 Figure 21, which illus~rates the manner in which the rod
19 650 may be actuated in controlling the movement of the
~ valve 648 as described in Figure 23. In view of the simi-
21 larity between Figures 24 and 21, like reference numerals
22 have been used in Figure 24 for ease of description. As
23 previously described, movement of the control member 356 in
2~ the direction of arrow B (Figure 19) causes rotational
movement of the rod 362 in the direction of the arrow G
26 (Figure 21). This, in turn, causes translational movement
27
28
29
31
32
-122-
,~- 1 1 0 1
1 of the rod 650 i.n the direction of the arrow 11 (Figure 24)
2 to move the valve 648 to a raised position as compared with
3 its neutral position shown in Figure 23. In its raised
4 position, the valve 648 functions to provide contraction
of the drive cylinder 50 and movement of the packing panel
6 44 in a working direction through the hopper 34 as described
q in Figures 10-13.
~ fter movement of the control member 356 in the
9 direction of the arrow B, the member may remain in this
position with the rod 650 moved in the direction of the
11 arrow ~. The member 356 is not returned to its neutral
.2 position as in the apparatus of Figures 21, 21a, 21b, 21c
13 and 22 where two rods 206 and 207 may be actuated by move-
14 ment o~ the member 356. With the member 3S6 positioned in
the direction of the arrow B to cause movement of the rod
16 650 in the direction of the arrow Hv the member may remain
17 in this position until returned to Lts neutral position
18 through contact of the tab 393 with stop members 406 or
19 412 as described in Figure 19. As described in Figure 19,
to avoid contact of the tab 393 with stop member 406, the
21 handle member 376 may be pulled downwardly to cause rotation
22 of the rod 382 in the direction of the arrow F.
23 When the member 356 is returned to its neutral
24 position by stop member 412 after movement of the packing
panel 44 in a working direction through the hopper 34 (see
26 Figures 10-13), the rod 650 sXown in Figure 24 may be
~7 moved in a direction opposite to that of the arrow ll and
29
31
32
-123-
,~ ~L101
1.42~
1 and the rod 362 may be rotated in a direction opposite
2 to that indicated by arrow G to return the rod 650
3 to its neutral position as illustrated. As the rod
4 650 is moved in a direction opposite to arrow ~l, the
~tent mec~anism 651 may become disengaged from the
.
; 6 rod 650.
7 With reference to Figure 19, when the control
8 member 356 is moved in the directlon of the arrow C, this
9 may cause rotation of the rod 362 from its neutral posi- :
tion in Figure 24 in a direction opposite to that indicated
ll by arrow G to provide movement of the rod 650 from its
12 neutral position in a direction opposite to that of
13 arrow l~. This may move the valve 648 to its lowered pQSi-
l~ tion from its neutral position shown in Figure 23. The
15 valve 648 may then remain in its lowered position until
~ lG the stop member 414 contacts the tab 393 to return the con-
: ~ 17 trol member 356 to its neutral posi-t:ion (E'igure l9). As
l~ the control member 356 is returned to its neutral position,
l9 the rod 650 may also be returned to its neutral position .
~ as silown il~ F'igure 24.
In the foregoing descri.ption, the movement of
22 structural elements, such as valves, etc., has been des-
23 cribed by referring to the valves as being i.n a raised po-
"~ sition or a lowered position with respect to a neutral posi-
tion. This terminology has been used in regard to Figures 22
26 and 23. It should be understooA that the terms "raised"
27 and "lowered" Ao not.imply that the valves are positioned
28
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31
32
-124-
~ D-llOl
~" ~ 2~9~
1 in a particular manner or that the valves are raised or
2 lowered in the sense of being moved to a higher or
3 lower elevation. The terms "raised" and "lowered" are,
4 therefore, used merely in a relative sense with respect
to the way in which the valves are illustrated in the
6 figures of the drawihgs. The valves may, however, be
7 mounted any desired manner such that movement of the
8 valves need not have any necessary relation to their
9 being raised or lowered.
Similarly, in the drawings, lettered arrows
11 have been used to illustrate movement of various struc-
12 tural elements. It should be understood that the move-
13 ments illustrated by these arrows are intended merely
14 to demonstrate relative movement of the structural ele-
~5 ments. I~owever, depending upon the physical placement
16 Of the structural elements, the movement of the elements
17 in a particular direction may vary depending upon the
18 placement of the structural elements with respect to
19 the overall structure of the apparatus.
In Figures 22 and 23, reference has been made to
21 the telescopic cylinder 14 as illustrated in Figure 1 for
22 providing movemen-t of the ejection panel 12. The telescopic
23 cylinder 14 may, however, be replaced with the conventional
2~ cylinder 62 mounted on the support member 60 as shown in
Figure 2. With this substitution, the pilot-operated valve
26 508 (Figure 22) and pilot-operated valve 612 (Figure ~3)
~7 may be eliminated since use of the conventional cylinder 62
28 may avoid the problem of pressure buildup that can occur in
29 the telescopic cylinder 14 with changes in the ambient
temperature.
31
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-125-
