Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02660669 2009-03-27
VEHICLE HAVING AUXILIARY STEERING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] It is well known that many tasks such as: the construction of
driveways, roadways, and asphalt surfaces; the back filling of retaining
walls; and the
distribution of aggregate, mulch, soil and the like, can be extremely labor
intensive.
For example, delivery of aggregate to a roadway construction site typically
involves:
(i) loading a dump truck at an aggregate storage facility, (ii) transporting
the
aggregate to the construction site, (iii) dumping the aggregate in a mound,
(iv)
manually filling a wheelbarrow, (v) wheeling the aggregate to a selected
location, and
(iv) dumping the wheelbarrow load at that location. Each of these steps
involves a
great deal of time and labor. Furthermore, at each of these steps material may
be
spilled, wasted or otherwise strewn about the construction site. This waste
results in
an unsightly and potentially environmentally hazardous construction site and
can
create a potential road hazard if gravel material is picked up by the tires of
passing
vehicles and thrown into the air. This picked-up material can injure
unprotected
pedestrians or damage property such as the windshields of passing vehicles.
[0002] To address the inefficiencies inherent in these steps, a number of
mobile material placers have been designed. Certain of these known mobile
placers
include an auxiliary power train and an auxiliary steering system to enable
remote
operation of the vehicle. The auxiliary power train or drive train enables an
operator
to drive the vehicle back and forth at a controlled velocity. The auxiliary
steering
system enables an operator to remotely rotate the steering column to turn or
steer the
moving vehicle.
[0003] Certain known auxiliary steering systems unitize an indirect driving
mechanism to rotate the steering column. These auxiliary steering systems
having an
indirect steering drive generally incorporate a sprocket, chain and jackshaft
combination. However, when the material placer is operated, foreign material
or the
conveyed material, such as sand, rocks or dirt can become caught or otherwise
interfere with the moving parts of the auxiliary steering mechanism. In
particular, the
material may become caught between the chain, sprocket and jackshaft. This
causes
excessive wear of the indirect driving mechanism, thus leading to high costs
in
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excessive wear of the indirect driving mechanism, thus leading to high costs
in replacement
parts and increased downtime. When the steering angle changes with the known
chain and
sprocket system, binding or breakage in the moving parts can occur which can
cause
reliability issues. Moreover, slack in the chains can cause reduced steering
precision.
[0004] It would be advantageous to provide a system, apparatus and/or method
that
addresses these limitations and simplifies the process of constructing and/or
maintaining a
roadway or distributing material around a construction site.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] In one embodiment, a vehicle is provided with an auxiliary steering
system
having a direct hydraulic drive motor and auxiliary drive system for remotely
controlling
both the direction and forward and backward motion of the vehicle. The vehicle
can be
operated in a manual mode by a driver in a cab of the vehicle, or in a remote
mode. In the
manual mode, the operator steers the vehicle by turning a steering wheel
connected to a
steering shaft, and operates the accelerator to move the vehicle forward and
backward. In the
remote mode, the auxiliary drive and auxiliary steering systems enable remote
control of the
vehicle speed and direction by a vehicle operator located out of the vehicle
cab.
[0006] The auxiliary steering system includes a direct hydraulic drive motor
coupled
to the steering column. A remote control unit transmits signals wirelessly to
a receiver and a
control box, which regulates the valves to direct fluid flow through the
direct drive hydraulic
motor. The flow of hydraulic fluid through the direct hydraulic drive motor is
controlled by
directional valves. Accordingly, the mobile placer having an auxiliary
steering system with a
direct hydraulic drive enables the vehicle to be steered remotely from the
vehicle cab.
[0007] In one embodiment, there is provided a vehicle comprising: a frame; a
vehicle
steering system, at least a portion of the vehicle steering system mounted to
the frame, the
vehicle steering system including a rotatable steering column; wheels coupled
to the steering
column and configured to turn in response to a rotation of the steering
column; and an
auxiliary steering system configured to rotate the steering column during
remote vehicle
operation, the auxiliary steering system including a direct hydraulic drive
motor directly
coupled to the steering column, wherein the direct hydraulic drive motor
includes a rotor
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mounted to a drive shaft, a plurality of vanes operatively coupled to the
rotor, a seal plate
mounted about the rotor, and a plurality of rotational seal members that
cooperate with the
seal plate and the plurality of vanes.
[0008] In an embodiment, the vehicle is a mobile material placer. In an
embodiment,
.. the vehicle includes a remote control system configured to wirelessly
transmit signals to a
controller, the controller configured to control at least the operation of the
auxiliary steering
system. In an embodiment, the vehicle includes control means for remotely
transmitting
signals to the auxiliary steering system, the signals causing hydraulic fluid
to flow in a
bidirectional manner through the direct hydraulic drive mechanism. In an
embodiment, the
.. auxiliary steering system further includes, a hydraulic pump, and a
hydraulic fluid reservoir,
the hydraulic drive motor and the hydraulic pump fluidly connected to the
hydraulic fluid
reservoir.
[0009] In one embodiment, there is provided a mobile material placer
comprising: a
body; a material hopper coupled to the body and configured to receive and
store material; a
.. feeder conveyor coupled to the body and configured to receive material
stored by the
material hopper; a placer conveyor coupled pivotably to the body, the placer
conveyor
including an in-feed end and a discharge end; the in-feed end of the placer
conveyor is
alignable with a discharge end of the feeder conveyor; an auxiliary steering
system including
a direct hydraulic drive motor directly coupled to a steering column of the
mobile material
.. placer, the auxiliary steering system configured to cause rotation of the
steering column,
wherein the direct hydraulic drive motor includes a rotor mounted to a drive
shaft, a plurality
of vanes operatively coupled to the rotor, a seal plate mounted about the
rotor, and a plurality
of rotational seal members that cooperate with the seal plate and the
plurality of vanes; and
an auxiliary drive mechanism configured to cause the mobile material placer to
move
.. forward and backward.
[0010] In an embodiment, the mobile material placer further includes a
hydraulic
drive motor coupled to the steering column, a hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic
fluid
reservoir, the hydraulic drive motor and the hydraulic pump fluidly connected
to the
hydraulic fluid reservoir.
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[0011.1 In an embodiment, hydraulic drive motor includes a first hydraulic
fluid port
and a second hydraulic fluid port, and rotates the steering column in a
bidirectional manner in
response to hydraulic fluid flow from the hydraulic pump.
[0012] In an embodiment, the direct hydraulic drive mechanism is mounted to
the
steering column in an inline fashion.
[0013] In an embodiment, the mobile material placer includes a remote control
system configured to control at least the operation of the auxiliary steering
system.
[0014] In an embodiment, the direct hydraulic drive motor is a rotary vane
type
motor.
[0014A] There is also provided a vehicle comprising: an auxiliary steering
system
including a direct hydraulic drive motor directly coupled to a steering column
of the vehicle,
wherein the direct hydraulic drive motor includes a rotor mounted to a drive
shaft, a plurality
of vanes operatively coupled to the rotor, a seal plate mounted about the
rotor, and a plurality
of rotational seal members that cooperate with the seal plate and the
plurality of vanes; an
auxiliary drive mechanism; and a manual mode that enables an operator to: (i)
steer the
vehicle by turning a steering wheel connected to the steering column, and (ii)
move the
vehicle forwards and backwards by operating an accelerator, and a remote mode
that enables
the operator to: (i) steer the vehicle via remote operation of the auxiliary
steering system, and
(ii) move the vehicle forwards and backwards via remote operation of the
auxiliary drive
mechanism.
[0015] In an embodiment a method of dispensing material using a mobile
material
placer is described. The method includes: loading material into a material
hopper; conveying
the material from an in-feed end of a feeder conveyor to a discharge end of
the feeder
conveyor; discharging the material from the discharge end of the feeder
conveyor to an in-
feed end of a placer conveyor, said placer conveyor including an endless
conveyor belt
frictionally driven about a plurality of rollers; transmitting a signal
remotely to cause
hydraulic fluid to be pumped through a direct drive hydraulic motor coupled to
a steering
column, thus causing rotation of the steering column; conveying the material
from the in-feed
end of the placer conveyor to a discharge end of the placer conveyor; and
discharging the
material from the discharge end of the placer conveyor to a worksite. In an
embodiment, the
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direct drive hydraulic motor is coupled to the steering column, a hydraulic
pump, and a
hydraulic fluid reservoir, the direct drive hydraulic motor and the hydraulic
pump fluidly
connected to the hydraulic fluid reservoir. In an embodiment, the method
includes
bidirectionally pumping fluid through the direct drive hydraulic motor,
wherein the hydraulic
motor includes a first hydraulic fluid port and a second hydraulic fluid port.
In an
embodiment, the method of dispensing material includes controlling remotely at
least the
operation of the steering column.
[0016] In the embodiments described above, because the direct hydraulic drive
motor
of the auxiliary steering system does not include exposed moving parts such as
chains and
sprockets, wear and tear of the steering system due to any dislodged conveyed
material or
other foreign material can be substantially avoided. Moreover, the turning
precision of the
vehicle can be improved due to the direct hydraulic drive motor.
[0017] Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be
apparent
from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of a mobile placer with a placing conveyor and
an auxiliary steering system having a direct hydraulic drive mechanism.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top view of a mobile placer with a placing conveyor and an
auxiliary steering system having a direct hydraulic drive mechanism.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a mobile
placer with an auxiliary steering system having a direct hydraulic drive
mechanism.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an auxiliary drive and auxiliary steering
system.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a direct hydraulic drive motor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] A mobile material placer or slinger constructed according to the
teachings of the present disclosure includes a body coupled to a frame, a
material
hopper attached to the body, a primary conveyor coupled to the body, where the
primary conveyor is positioned and arranged to receive material from the
material
hopper. A placer conveyer is pivotally coupled to the body and adjustable side-
to-
side and up and down relative to the body. The placer conveyor is positioned
and
arranged to receive material from the primary conveyor and rapidly discharge,
sling
or fling material to a worksite. Accordingly, the material placers of the
present
embodiments are able to rapidly direct and project material such as, for
example,
aggregate, across a job site to a desired location that may not be accessible
to the
mobile placer, while also having the ability to simultaneously move or drive.
[0024] It should be appreciated that although the direct drive hydraulic motor
is described below with respect to an auxiliary steering system of a mobile
material
placer, the direct drive mechanism may be used in an auxiliary steering system
of
other commercial vehicles that use a remote steering function. Such vehicles
can
include, but are not limited to, cement mixing trucks, pavers, seeders, water
trucks,
and material spraying vehicles.
Mobile Placer
[0025] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a
mobile placer 100 or slinger according to one embodiment, which includes an
auxiliary steering system 200. The auxiliary steering system 200 enables the
mobile
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placer 100 to be remotely steered by transmitting radio signals from a remote
control
unit or transmitter 300 (FIG. 4). As described in further detail below,
auxiliary
steering system 200 is driven by a direct drive hydraulic motor 202 (FIG. 3).
Mobile
placer 100 in the illustrated embodiment further includes a truck chassis, an
operator
cab 124, a body 102 coupled to and carried by a frame 104, a material hopper
106
mounted integrally to the frame 104, a primary conveyor 108, and a high-speed
placing or placer conveyor 110 which is mounted pivotally to frame 104. It
should be
appreciated that in other embodiments, the mobile placer does not have a cab
124 and
is driven instead remotely by an operator.
[0026] In one embodiment, mobile placer 100 is configured to operate on a
truck chassis such as, for example, a KENWORTHO T-800 premium truck chassis.
Other truck or heavy-duty chassis may be used alternatively. In one exemplary
embodiment, mobile placer 100 is mounted to a truck frame 104, which includes,
for
example, a SPICER EFA twenty-thousand pound (lb) front axel and a SPICER
DSH forty-thousand pound (lb) rear axel. Mounted to the rear axel is at least
one set
of rear tires 122, and mounted to the front axel is a set of front tires 123.
Mobile
placer 100 also includes a truck cab 124, an engine (not shown), and a drive
train 112.
In one example, the engine is a CATERPILLAR C-13 engine with four hundred-
thirty horsepower ("hp") and sixteen-hundred and fifty lb-ft of torque. The
engine is
alternatively a CATERPILLAR model 3054C 86HPTM Tier 2 compliant engine.
Other truck or heavy-duty engines may be used alternatively. The engine moves
or
drives mobile placer 100 in a forward or reverse direction. The engine also
drives a
hydraulic motor which in turn drives the auxiliary steering system 200 and
other
components of mobile placer 100.
[0027] In operation, the material to be conveyed or dispensed is loaded into
the material hopper 106 by, for example, a back how, skid steer or excavator,
and is
gravity fed onto a first end 114 of the primary conveyor 108. The material
hopper
106 may be constructed of a high tensile strength steel, such as ten gauge
sheeting,
that meets required ratings for a load capacity of at least six cubic meters
in one
embodiment. It is contemplated to construct material hopper 106 from lighter,
high-
strength materials, such as a high strength plastic hopper. Hipper 106 can be
sized for
other load capacities depending on the applications and equipment. The hopper
106
may further include one or more hopper extensions (not shown) that increases
or
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extends the width of the hopper opening to facilitate loading and to increase
load
capacity. Hopper 106 may still further include a vibratory agitator with a
timer to
facilitate the transport of material from hopper 106 down to primary conveyor
108.
In other exemplary embodiments, hopper 106 may be spring mounted to frame 104
to
control vibration and assist with material transport, and/or may include
exterior
mounted skirt adjustments to increase hopper 106 capacity (not shown).
[0028] In an embodiment, the primary conveyor 108 includes a primary
conveyor belt 116 that can, for example, be driven by the hydraulic motor (not
shown). The primary conveyor belt 116 travels around a primary conveyor head
roller 120 and a primary conveyor tail roller 118. The primary conveyor belt
116 is
further supported by several sets of troughing rollers (not shown). In one
example,
the primary conveyor belt 116 is an eighteen inch wide two-ply troughing belt.
The
primary conveyor belt 116 includes adjacently placed cleats to convey the
material.
Primary conveyor belt 116 may have larger or smaller widths as needed.
[0029] In an alternative embodiment, primary conveyor 108 is a positive start
cartridge type with a non-troughing conveyor belt. In this embodiment, the
track of
the primary conveyor 108 is at least twenty inches wide to accommodate a
larger
variety of materials that spin through a bottom opening (not shown) in the
material
hopper 106. The cartridge type primary conveyor can be a self-contained unit
or
stand-alone unit that is slid into the body 102 of the mobile placer 100. The
cartridge
type primary conveyor can therefore be slid out of the body 102 for repair or
replacement. The cartridge type primary conveyor can be cleated as discussed
above.
[0030] In an embodiment, the primary conveyor 108 is chain driven and
includes a plurality of chain links extending around a gear and linked to form
a
continuous chain (not shown). Here, primary conveyor 108 includes a conveyor
mount, a drive assembly (not shown) and a primary conveyor belt 116. The
conveyor
mount (not shown) can be mounted to the frame 104 of the mobile placer 100.
The
drive assembly is mounted to the conveyor mount. In one embodiment, the drive
assembly includes a set of gears (not shown) having teeth that engage the
links of the
chain and drive the chain in a particular direction.
[0031] As seen in FIG. 1, the head roller 118, the tail roller 120, the
troughing
rollers, and the primary conveyor belt 116 cooperate to convey material up an
incline
from an in-feed end 113 of the primary conveyor 108 to a discharge end 114 of
the
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primary conveyor 108. If, for example, troughing rollers are to be used in an
application, several sets of troughing rollers may be arranged along the
length of the
primary conveyor 108 to help support the weight of the material being
conveyed.
Moreover, additional sets of troughing rollers may be positioned near the in-
feed end
114 of the primary conveyor 108. Here, the greater number of troughing rollers
at the
in-feed end 114 of the primary conveyor 108 helps to support the greater mass
of
material contained in the material hopper 106 at that position. In one
embodiment,
the primary conveyor 108 includes one or more skirts and one or more primary
conveyor skirt supports to at least partially contain the conveyed material.
After the
material has been conveyed to the discharge end 114 of the primary conveyor
108,
the material is discharged onto the placing or placer conveyor 110, as
described in
further detail below.
[0032] In an embodiment, the mobile placer 100 does not include a cab and is
operated entirely by a remote control, such as the HETRONICTm radio remote
control. The remote control can be configured with separate controls for
operating
the primary conveyor 108 and the placer conveyor 110. The remote control also
includes one or more controls to enable the entire mobile placer 100 to move
forward
and reverse and to be steered in different directions. Additionally, the
remote control
includes one or more controls to enable the placer conveyor 110 to pivot from
side-to-
side and tilt up and down.
[0033] In another embodiment, the mobile placer 100 includes a four-wheel
steering system to facilitate maneuvering in relatively confined areas. In
this
embodiment, the front and rear axles may, for example, be twenty thousand
pound
crab steering axles or any other type suitable axle. Wheels 122 and 123 may be
15" x
19.5" flotation tires. The front wheels 123 may pivot independently from rear
wheels
122, or either the front 123 or rear 122 wheels may pivot while other of the
wheels do
not pivot.
[0034] In one embodiment, the mobile placer includes an additional feeder
conveyor that feeds material from a separate feed hopper (not shown) into the
main
material hopper 106.
[0035] The placer conveyor 110 functions in a similar manner to the primary
conveyor 108, the functioning of which is discussed above with reference to
FIG. 1.
As mentioned above, the primary conveyor 108 conveys material that is gravity
fed
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from the hopper 106 up an incline and then discharges the material onto an in-
feed
end 140 of the placer conveyor 110. In general, the placer conveyor 110
includes at
least the following elements; (a) a frame; (b) a plurality of axles rotatably
mounted to
the frame, each axle having at least one roller coupled to the axle; (c) an
endless belt
driven around the rollers; and (d) a direct hydraulic drive operatively
coupled to one
of the axles.
[0036] In an embodiment, the placer conveyor 110 mounts to the body 102 of
the mobile placer 100 via a swing arm assembly 130. The swing arm assembly 130
includes a swing arm hinge 132 mounted to define a substantially vertical
axis, a
swing arm yoke 134 mounted to define a substantially horizontal axis, and a
swing
arm mounting bumper 136 coupled thereto. The placer conveyor 110 is pivotally
mounted to the swing arm yoke 134 at an in-feed end 140 of the placer conveyor
110.
A conveyor lift cylinder 142 also supports placer conveyor 110, so that
discharge end
144 of the conveyor 110 can be free to move side-to-side and up and down. The
placing conveyor lift cylinder 142 is coupled to the swing arm assembly 130
mounted
to placer conveyor 110 via a placer conveyor upper cylinder mount 146.
[0037] The swing arm hinge 132 allows the placer conveyor 110 to rotate
about a vertical axis defined by a centerline of the swing arm hinge 132. The
placer
conveyor 110 may therefore rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise
direction,
relative to the swing arm hinge 132, to convey and dispense material in an arc
around
the mobile placer 100 (FIG. 2). Similarly, the placer conveyor lift cylinder
142
elevates or lowers the placer conveyor 110 relative to a pivot axis defined
along the
swing arm yoke 134. Alternative arrangements of pivot points, hinges, or ball
joints
may be employed alternatively to allow the placer conveyor 110 to rotate about
both
horizontal and vertical axes.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the placer conveyor 110
includes a shield 154 or secondary conveyor mounted adjacent to the in-feed
end 140
of the placer conveyor 110. When material is first deposited on the placer
conveyor
110, the moving belt of the placer conveyor 110 rapidly accelerates the
material to the
velocity of the moving belt. The shield 154 is mounted above the placer
conveyor
110 and guides the conveyed material and also restricts conveyed material from
bouncing or deflecting out of the placer conveyor 110 when the material is
initially
deposited on the moving belt. The shield 154 also settles the material and
assists in
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guiding the material down the placer conveyor 110. The shield 154 includes a
conveyor belt (not shown), which drives at substantially the same velocity and
in the
same direction as the placer conveyor belt (not shown), such that the material
is
conveyed between a region defined by the lower surface of the conveyor belt of
shield 154 and the upper surface of the placer conveyor belt. In this
embodiment, the
conveyor belt of the shield 154 is driven by a motor and operated so that the
velocity
of this conveyor belt is approximately equal to the velocity of the conveyor
belt of the
placer conveyor 110. In an alternate embodiment, the shield 154 is unpowered
and
the conveyor belt of the shield is able to freely travel around a plurality of
shield
rollers 170. The region defined between the shield conveyor belt and the
placer
conveyor belt 172, in this example, is a substantially parallel area spaced
apart and
arranged to partially compress, settle, and/or shape the conveyed material.
Because
the shield 154 is not powered, the conveyor belt of the shield 154 is driven
passively
by the friction of the material forced into the space between the belt of the
placer
conveyor 110 and the belt of the shield 154. The shield 154 may further be
mounted
removably to the placer conveyor 110 and adjustable with respect to the placer
conveyor 110 to accommodate different types of material.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the placer conveyor 110 includes a
drive axle 186 and drive roller 160. Placer conveyor 110 includes at least one
additional axle 198 and roller 180 combination that is located at the opposite
end of
the placer conveyor frame 196 from the drive axle 186 and roller 160 (FIG. 1).
The
additional axle 198 and roller 180 combination is a passive assembly. That is,
it is
not driven. The two rollers 160 and 180 provide a path around which the placer
conveyor belt 172 can be driven at a high velocity as the drive axle 186 is
rotated by a
hydraulic motor (not shown).
[0040] In an embodiment, the placer conveyor 110 includes a plurality of sets
of placer conveyor rollers or troughing rollers 174 that support the placer
conveyor
belt 172. The placer conveyor rollers 174 are mounted below the upper surface
of the
placer conveyor belt 172. At least some of the rollers 174 define axes oblique
from
the placer conveyor belt 172 such that the placer conveyor belt 172 forms a
general
trough-like or v-like shape. Rollers 174 could alternatively be slightly
conically
shaped to form the trough or v-like shape. Alternatively, rollers 174 and
positioned
and arranged so that placer conveyor belt 172 forms a flat profile.
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[0041] Troughing rollers 174 facilitate the conveyance of material from the
in-feed end 140 of the placer conveyor 110 to the discharge end 144 of the
placer
conveyor 110. Several sets of troughing rollers 174 are arranged along the
length of
the placer conveyor 110 to help support the mass of the material. The placer
conveyor belt 172 can convey material regardless of whether placer conveyor
110 is
in an inclined, horizontal or declined position. In operation, the rollers 174
guide and
facilitate the movement of material from the in-feed end 140 of the placer
conveyor
110 to the discharge end 144 of the placer conveyor 110.
[0042] The placer conveyor belt 172 may be a fourteen inch wide two-ply
belt, and/or may include cleats (not shown) extending from and permanently
mounted
to the placer conveyor belt 104. Placer conveyor belt 172 can be widened as
necessary.
[0043] A deflector 182 is optionally attached to the discharge end 144 of the
placer conveyor 110 to further direct or deflect the conveyed material in a
specific
direction. In one example, the deflector 182 is arranged to deflect material
projected
from the discharge end 144 of the placer conveyor 110 downwardly into the
ground.
Downward deflection is used in, for example, a roadside application where it
is not
necessary to project the material over a long distance. In another example,
the
deflector 182 is adjusted so deflect the material upward to discharge the
material into
the air. This may be appropriate in an application with limited access where
the
placing conveyor 110 may not be able to pivot vertically. Deflector 182 may be
one
or more of adjustable, removable, and permanently fixed to placer conveyor
110.
[0044] In one embodiment, the in-feed end 140 of the placer conveyor 110 is
located below a head roll 120 of the primary conveyor 108. As the material is
conveyed over the discharge edge of the primary conveyor 108, the material
drops
accordingly from the primary conveyor belt 116 onto the placer conveyor 110.
[0045] In one embodiment, the placer conveyor 110 is able to rotate
approximately one-hundred eighty degrees, that the placer conveyor can be
turned to
be positioned adjacent to the primary hopper. The mobile placer thereby
becomes a
relatively compact unit that can be driven along a roadway.
Auxiliary Steering System Having Direct Hydraulic Drive System
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the overall steering
system 206 of the mobile placer 100 includes a steering column 208, a steering
wheel
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210, a power steering manifold 212, steerable wheels 123 (FIG. 1) mounted on
an
axle 150 (FIG. 1), and an auxiliary steering system 200, which are operatively
coupled together to steer the mobile placer 100 in either a manual drive mode
or a
remote drive mode.
[0047] Power steering manifold 212 is mounted to the frame 104 of the
mobile placer 100 and is pressurized via hydraulic fluid supplied from fluid
reservoir
250 and through power steering hydraulic conduit 214. In an embodiment, the
hydraulic fluid reservoir 250 supplying the power steering manifold 212 is
separate
from the hydraulic fluid reservoir 232 supplying the auxiliary steering system
200.
The power steering manifold 212 provides steering assistance in either the
manual
drive mode or the remote drive mode. The steering wheel 210 is coupled to the
steering column 208, and the upper portion of the steering column 208 is
supported
by a bearing (not shown) mounted to a portion of the frame 104 of the mobile
placer
100. A direct drive hydraulic motor 202 is mounted in-line between the power
steering manifold 212 and the steering column 208.
[0048] Direct drive hydraulic motor 202 is one component of the auxiliary
steering system 200 and provides additional steering assistance (i.e.,
supplementing
the steering assistance provided by power steering manifold 212) when the
mobile
placer 100 is operated in the remote drive mode. In the manual drive mode, the
vehicle operator is located in the vehicle cab 124 (FIG. 1) and is manually
manipulating the steering wheel 210 to steer the mobile placer 100. In the
remote
drive mode, the vehicle operator is re-located out of the cab 124 of the
mobile placer
100 and is remotely controlling the auxiliary steering system 200 to cause the
direct
hydraulic drive motor 202 to steer the mobile placer 100. That is, in the
remote drive
mode, the direct hydraulic drive motor 202 provides remote steering control of
the
mobile placer 100 in the absence of direct operator control of the steering
wheel 210.
In the remote drive mode, because the steering column 208 and the steering
wheel
210 are operatively coupled to the direct drive hydraulic motor 202, the
steering
wheel 210 turns passively in response to the remote operator control of the
direct
drive hydraulic motor 202.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, a drive shaft 218 couples the power steering
manifold 212 to the direct drive hydraulic motor 202. In an embodiment, a u-
joint
216 is mounted to the power steering mechanism 212 to allow for any
misalignment
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between the power steering manifold 212 and the direct drive hydraulic motor
202.
The direct drive hydraulic motor 202 is also mounted to the frame 104 of the
mobile
placer 100 via a mounting bracket 224. Another u-joint 220 is coupled to the
opposite side of the direct drive hydraulic motor 202. This u-joint 220 allows
for any
misalignment between the direct drive hydraulic motor 202 and the steering
column
208. In an embodiment, the steering column 208 includes a spline adjuster 222
to
allow for lateral movement of the steering column 208 and steering wheel 210
relative to the mounting bracket 224 and frame 104 of the mobile placer 100.
Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the direct drive hydraulic motor 202 is
mounted in
an inline fashion between the power steering manifold 212 and the steering
column
208. Drive shaft 218 in one embodiment runs directly through the interior
portion
270 (FIG. 5) of the direct drive hydraulic motor 202, as described further
below.
[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, auxiliary steering system 200 further
includes: (a) a hydraulic pump 230; (b) a hydraulic fluid reservoir 232; (c) a
direct
drive hydraulic motor 202; (d) a remote signal transmitter 300; (e) a signal
receiver
302; (f) a controller 304; (g) a plurality of valves 306; (h) a power take-off
312; (i) a
bypass valve 314; and (j) hydraulic fluid conduits 234, 236, 314 and 320. The
fluid
conduits 234, 236, 314 and 320 can include any of a hydraulic hose, tube, or
any
other conduit type that is capable of containing and transmitting hydraulic
fluid at the
required operating pressures. The power take-off 312 draws mechanical power
from
the main engine 310 of the mobile placer 100 and uses it to power the
hydraulic pump
230. The hydraulic pump 230 pumps hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid
reservoir 232 through fluid conduits 234, 236, 314 and 320 to maintain the
auxiliary
steering system 200 at a desired operating pressure. A pressure regulator may
be
used to control the hydraulic pressure of the auxiliary steering system 200.
The fluid
conduits 320, 234, 236 and 314 are connected to a set of valves 306 or valve
manifold. Fluid conduits 234 and 236 are also coupled to ports 242 and 240,
respectively, (FIG. 3) of the direct drive hydraulic motor 202. The hydraulic
fluid
can be pumped in either direction through the direct drive hydraulic motor 202
depending on the steering commands provided by the signal transmitter 300 and
the
corresponding valves activated in valve manifold 306.
[0051] In operation, a vehicle operator operates a signal transmitter 300
(e.g.,
a remote control) to send radio signals to a signal receiver 302. In an
embodiment,
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CA 02660669 2009-03-27
the remote control maybe either a HETRONICTm or OmnexTM radio remote control.
Besides the remote control of auxiliary steering system 200, remote
transmitter 300
also switches valves in valve manifold 306 via electrical controller 304 to an
auxiliary
drive motor 340, which causes the entire mobile placer 100 to move forwards
and
backwards. As shown in FIG. 4, fluid conduits 330 and 332 connect the
auxiliary
drive motor 340 to valve manifold 306, which enables the auxiliary drive motor
340
to be powered by the same hydraulic pump 230 that powers the direct drive
hydraulic
motor 202 for steering.
[0052] Regarding the auxiliary steering system 200, to turn the wheels 123
(FIG. 1) of the mobile placer 100 in one direction, the signal receiver 302
receives a
signal sent by the signal transmitter 300 (and operator) and transmits the
signal to
controller 304. The controller 304 in turn electrically causes certain valves
in the
valve manifold 306 connected to fluid conduits 234 and 236 to open or close.
To
steer the wheels 123 in a first direction, the hydraulic pump 230 pumps the
hydraulic
fluid through, e.g., hydraulic line 234 and into port 242 (FIG. 3) of the
direct drive
hydraulic motor 202. The force of the pressurized hydraulic fluid is
transmitted to
drive shaft 218 as the fluid travels in a given direction through the direct
drive
hydraulic motor 202. The force of the hydraulic fluid transmitted to the drive
shaft
218 causes the steering column 208 to rotate and also causes the wheels 123 of
the
mobile placer 100 to steer in a first direction with the aid of power steering
mechanism 212. The hydraulic fluid then flows through port 240 of the direct
drive
hydraulic motor 202 and flows through valve manifold 306, thus completing a
closed
hydraulic circuit.
[0053] To steer the wheels 123 in the opposite direction, the direction of
flow
of hydraulic fluid through the closed hydraulic circuit is reversed. Here for
example,
hydraulic pump 230 pumps the hydraulic fluid from the fluid reservoir 232,
through
fluid conduit 236 and into port 240 of the direct drive hydraulic motor 202.
As
described above, the force of the pressurized hydraulic fluid is transmitted
to the drive
shaft 218 as the fluid travels through the direct drive hydraulic motor 202.
The force
of the hydraulic fluid transmitted to the drive shaft 218 causes the steering
column
208 to rotate in the reverse direction and also causes the wheels of the
vehicle to turn
in the opposite direction via the aid of the power steering manifold 212. The
hydraulic fluid then flows through port 242 of the hydraulic motor 202, and
flows
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CA 02660669 2009-03-27
through hydraulic line 234 back to the hydraulic valve manifold 306 for reuse,
thus
completing a closed hydraulic circuit.
[0054] Thus, it should be appreciated that the direct drive hydraulic steering
motor 202 can be operated in a bidirectional manner such that the drive shaft
218 is
rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise manner, causing the wheels
123 of
the mobile placer 100 to turn to the right or the left. Pump 230 supplies
hydraulic
power and the switching of hydraulic valves in valve manifold 306 via operator
and
remote controller 300 determines which way drive shaft 218 of the direct drive
hydraulic steering motor 202 spins.
[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the auxiliary steering system 200
includes a bypass valve 308 that is opened when the vehicle is operated in
manual
drive mode (i.e., where the vehicle operator is located in the cab). As
illustrated in
FIG. 4, bypass valve 308 is coupled to fluid conduit 314. Fluid conduit 314 is
fluidly
coupled between fluid conduits 234 and 236. The rotation of the drive shaft
218
inside the direct drive hydraulic motor 202 forces hydraulic fluid to open
bypass
valve 308, and the remaining valves in valve manifold 306 which are connected
to
fluid conduits 234 and 236 are closed. In manual drive mode, therefore when
the
operator of the vehicle is turning the steering wheel 210, the drive shaft 218
in the
direct hydraulic drive motor 202 is being rotated by the operator only, with
auxiliary
steering system 200 being neutralized.
[0056] Thus, even when the mobile placer 100 is being operated in remote
drive mode, the vehicle operator can enter the cab 124 (FIG. 1) of the mobile
placer
100 and physically turn the steering wheel 210 to override the commands sent
by the
controller 304. As discussed, the operating hydraulic pressures of the
auxiliary
steering system 200 may be overcome manually by a vehicle operator so as not
to
prevent a vehicle operator from climbing in the cab 154 of the vehicle and
manually
turning the steering wheel while system 200 is being activated. This feature
is needed
so that a vehicle operator of average strength can quickly climb into the
vehicle and
take control.
[0057] As mentioned above, direct drive hydraulic motor 202 transforms fluid
energy from the hydraulic fluid pressurized via pump 230 into rotary
mechanical
power. The rotary mechanical power is applied to the shaft or drive axle 218
of the
auxiliary steering system 200. In general, the direct drive hydraulic motor
202
CA 02660669 2009-03-27
includes: (a) a driving surface area or pressure surface that is subject to a
pressure
differential; (b) a means for porting pressurized hydraulic fluid to the
pressure surface
to achieve either a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the drive shaft;
and (c) a
mechanical connection between the pressure surface and the drive shaft. In an
example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the direct drive hydraulic motor 202
is a
rotary vane type motor that includes: (a) a rotor 284 mounted to the drive
shaft 218
and having a plurality of rotary vanes 288a, 288b and 288c mounted or coupled
to
rotor 284; (b) inlet/outlet port 240 and inlet/outlet port 242; (c) a seal
plate 282
mounted about the rotor 284; and (d) a plurality of rotational seal members
280 and
281 that cooperate with the seal plate 282 and the rotary vanes 288a, 288b and
288c.
[0058] Seal members are driven in a 1:1 ratio with shaft 218 and include
openings as shown that allow vanes 288a to 288c to pass through the seal
member as
shaft 218 spins. Seal member 280 and 281 are accordingly positioned in geared
relationship with vanes 288a to 288c to enable such a meshed combination of
rotation
to occur. Seal members contact both seal plate 282 and the inside wall of
housing
290, which defines an interior hydraulic fluid space 270 between housing 290
and
shaft 218. Seal members 280 and 281 accordingly force hydraulic fluid entering
from
either port 240 or 242 to flow in one of clockwise and counterclockwise
direction to
exit the other of port 242 or 240. Hydraulic fluid flowing in the
counterclockwise
direction causes a corresponding directional rotation of shaft 218. Hydraulic
fluid
flowing in the clockwise direction causes a corresponding directional rotation
of shaft
218.
[0059] In an alternate embodiment, the overall steering system of the vehicle
includes the auxiliary steering system 200 described above, but which does not
use or
require a power steering manifold 212. Here, the differential pressure for the
auxiliary steering system 200 needs to be higher without the aid of the power
steering
manifold 212. The bypass system operates the same as above, allowing the
higher
pressures to reach both ports 240 and 242 of the motor 202 so that no
differential
pressure or resulting auxiliary hydraulic force is realized within the motor
202, which
the operator would have to overcome assuming the cab operator is attempting to
steer
in an opposite direction than the remove operation.
[0060] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the
presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those
skilled in
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CA 02660669 2015-06-18
the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the
scope
of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages.
It is
therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the
appended
claims.
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