U.S. patent application number 14/810733 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-02 for oscillation with vibratory pod design.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.. Invention is credited to John Marsolek.
Application Number | 20170030029 14/810733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57882392 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170030029 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marsolek; John |
February 2, 2017 |
OSCILLATION WITH VIBRATORY POD DESIGN
Abstract
A vibratory pod system for a vibratory compactor includes a
central bulkhead defining a first mounting orifice and a plurality
of second mounting orifices. The first mounting orifice is defined
at a center of the central bulkhead and the second mounting
orifices are defined at a location radially outward from the first
mounting orifice. The vibratory pod system includes a transfer
bearing hub supporting a transfer shaft for transferring rotary
motion, and the transfer bearing hub is mounted within the first
mounting orifice. The vibratory pod system includes a plurality of
vibratory pods, each of the vibratory pods having a pod shell for
rotatably supporting an eccentric mass. Each of the vibratory pods
is partially inserted through one of the plurality of second
mounting orifices and mounted to the central bulkhead.
Inventors: |
Marsolek; John; (Watertown,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. |
Brooklyn Park |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Paving Products
Inc.
Brooklyn Park
MN
|
Family ID: |
57882392 |
Appl. No.: |
14/810733 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16H 7/02 20130101; E01C
19/282 20130101; E01C 19/286 20130101; F16H 57/023 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01C 19/28 20060101
E01C019/28; F16H 7/02 20060101 F16H007/02; F16H 57/023 20060101
F16H057/023; E01C 19/26 20060101 E01C019/26 |
Claims
1. A vibratory pod system for a vibratory compactor machine, the
vibratory pod system comprising: a bulkhead defining a first
mounting orifice and a plurality of second mounting orifices, the
first mounting orifice being defined at a center of the bulkhead
and the second mounting orifices being defined radially outward
from the first mounting orifice; a transfer bearing hub supporting
a transfer shaft for transferring rotary motion, the transfer
bearing hub being mounted within the first mounting orifice; and a
plurality of vibratory pods, each of the vibratory pods having a
pod shell for rotatably supporting an eccentric mass, wherein each
of the vibratory pods is partially inserted through one of the
plurality of second mounting orifices and mounted to the
bulkhead.
2. The vibratory pod system of claim 1, wherein each of the
vibratory pods includes a pod shaft rotatably supporting the
eccentric mass within the pod shell, and the pod shaft includes a
receiving end extending from the pod shell of the vibratory pod,
and wherein the pod shaft is rotatably coupled to the transfer
shaft of the transfer bearing hub to transfer rotary motion from
the transfer shaft to the eccentric mass.
3. The vibratory pod system of claim 2, wherein the pod shaft is
rotatably coupled to the transfer shaft via a drive belt, a drive
chain, or a drive gear system.
4. The vibratory pod system of claim 1, wherein at least one
vibratory pod of the plurality of vibratory pods includes a flange
for securing the at least one vibratory pod to a face of the
bulkhead, and the at least one vibratory pod partially extends
through one of the second mounting orifices beyond an opposite face
of the bulkhead.
5. The vibratory pod system of claim 4, wherein the flange radially
extends from the at least one vibratory pod to prevent the at least
one vibratory pod from passing through the one of the second
mounting orifices.
6. The vibratory pod system of claim 4, wherein the at least one of
the plurality of vibratory pods includes a pod shaft rotatably
supporting the eccentric mass within the at least one vibratory
pod, and the pod shaft includes a receiving end extending from the
pod shell of the at least one vibratory pod, and wherein the pod
shaft extends through the one of the second mounting orifices
beyond an opposite face of the bulkhead.
7. The vibratory pod system of claim 1, wherein the bulkhead
defines an outer perimeter sized for insertion into and secured to
an inner circumferential surface of a drum roller of the vibratory
compactor machine.
8. The vibratory pod system of claim 7, wherein the outer perimeter
of the bulkhead is sized to abut the inner circumferential surface
of a drum roller.
9. The vibratory pod system of claim 1, wherein the first mounting
orifice and the plurality of second mounting orifices are
circular.
10. The vibratory pod system of claim 9, wherein an outer diameter
of the first mounting orifice is smaller than an outer diameter of
the plurality of second mounting orifices.
11. A vibratory compactor machine comprising: a frame including a
plurality of support arm members; a drum roller having a
cylindrical drum shell housing a pair of outer supporting bulkheads
and a central bulkhead, the drum roller being supported by the
plurality of support arm members on opposite axial sides of the
drum rollers via the pair of outer supporting bulkheads; and a
vibratory pod system including a plurality of vibratory pods
supported on the central bulkhead, wherein the central bulkhead
defines a first mounting orifice and a plurality of second mounting
orifices, the first mounting orifice being defined at a center of
the central bulkhead and the second mounting orifices being defined
radially outward from the first mounting orifice, and wherein each
of the vibratory pods have a pod shell for rotatably supporting an
eccentric mass, and each of the vibratory pods is partially
inserted through one of the plurality of second mounting orifices
and mounted to the central bulkhead.
12. The vibratory compactor machine of claim 11, wherein the
vibratory pod system includes a transfer bearing hub for supporting
a transfer shaft to transfer rotary motion from a motor, the
transfer bearing hub being mounted within the first mounting
orifice.
13. The vibratory compactor machine of claim 12, wherein each of
the plurality of vibratory pods includes a pod shaft rotatably
supporting the eccentric mass within the vibratory pod, and the pod
shaft includes a receiving end extending from the pod shell of the
vibratory pod, and wherein the pod shaft is rotatably coupled to
the transfer shaft of the transfer bearing hub to transfer rotary
motion from the transfer shaft to the eccentric mass.
14. The vibratory compactor machine of claim 13, wherein the pod
shaft is rotatably coupled to the transfer shaft via a drive belt,
a drive chain, or a drive gear system.
15. The vibratory compactor machine of claim 11, wherein at least
one vibratory pod of the plurality of vibratory pods includes a
flange for securing the at least one vibratory pod to a face of the
central bulkhead, and the at least one vibratory pod partially
extends through one of the second mounting orifices beyond an
opposite face of the central bulkhead.
16. The vibratory compactor machine of claim 15, wherein the flange
radially extends from the at least one vibratory pod to prevent the
at least one vibratory pod from passing through the one of the
second mounting orifices.
17. The vibratory compactor machine of claim 15, wherein the at
least one of the plurality of vibratory pods includes a pod shaft
rotatably supporting the eccentric mass within the at least one
vibratory pod, and the pod shaft includes a receiving end extending
from the pod shell of the at least one vibratory pod, and wherein
the pod shaft extends through the one of the second mounting
orifices beyond an opposite face of the central bulkhead.
18. The vibratory compactor machine of claim 11, wherein an outer
diameter of the first mounting orifice is smaller than an outer
diameter of the plurality of second mounting orifices.
19. The vibratory compactor machine of claim 11, wherein an outer
perimeter of the central bulkhead is sized to abut an inner
circumferential surface of a drum roller.
20. A method of performing maintenance on a vibratory pod system of
a vibratory compactor machine, the method comprising: locating the
vibratory pod system mounted to a central bulkhead of a drum
roller, the drum roller being rotatably mounted to the vibratory
compactor machine via support arm members, supporting bulkheads,
and transfer plates; and removing a drive belt, a drive chain, or a
drive gear system associated with the vibratory pod system via an
opening defined between the supporting bulkheads and the transfer
plates, while the drum roller is rotatably mounted to the vibratory
compactor machine via the support arm members, the supporting
bulkheads, and the transfer plates.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a vibratory
compactor machine, and more particularly, to a vibratory compactor
machine generating oscillation with a vibratory pod design.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Compactors are machines used to compact initially loose
materials, such as asphalt, soil, gravel, and the like, to a
densified and more rigid mass or surface. For example, during
construction of roadways, highways, parking lots, and the like,
loose asphalt is deposited and spread over the surface to be paved.
One or more compactors, which may be self-propelled machines,
travel over the surface whereby the weight of the compactor
compresses the asphalt to a solidified mass. The rigid, compacted
asphalt has the strength to accommodate significant vehicular
traffic and, in addition, provides a smooth, contoured surface that
may facilitate traffic flow and direct rain and other precipitation
away from the road surface. Compactors are also utilized to compact
soil or recently laid concrete at construction sites and on
landscaping projects to produce a densified, rigid foundation on
which other structures may be built upon.
[0003] Various types of compactors are known in the art. For
example, some compactors include a rotatable roller drum that may
be rolled over the surface to compress the material underneath. In
addition to utilizing the weight of the roller drum to provide the
compressive forces that compact the material, some compactors are
configured to also exert a vibratory three on the surface. As can
be appreciated, the vibratory forces assist in further compacting
the loose materials into a dense, uniformly rigid mass. To generate
the vibratory forces, one or more weights or masses may be disposed
inside the roller drum at a position off-center from the axis line
around which the roller drum rotates. As the roller drum rotates,
the off-center or eccentric position of the masses induce
oscillatory or vibrational forces to the drum that are imparted to
the surface being compacted. In some applications, the
eccentrically positioned masses are arranged to rotate inside the
roller drum independently of the rotation of the drum.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,479 discusses and shows a vibratory
mechanism in which two vibratory shafts are housed within a roller
drum. The two vibratory shafts are supported by and disposed
between a first bulkhead and a second bulkhead of roller drum. The
two vibratory shafts are driven via a drivetrain using a hydraulic
motor. However, maintenance of the vibratory shafts and/or the
associated drivetrain may be cumbersome and time consuming due to
the location, mass, and assembly of the vibratory mechanism within
the roller drum. Thus, performing even minor repairs to the
vibratory mechanism could take days. This resulting down time may
result in extended loss of use of the machine and increased repair
labor costs.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a vibratory pod
system for a vibratory compactor machine includes a central
bulkhead defining a first mounting orifice and a plurality of
second mounting orifices. The first mounting orifice is defined at
a center of the central bulkhead and the second mounting orifices
are defined radially outward from the first mounting orifice. The
vibratory pod system includes a transfer bearing hub supporting a
transfer shaft for transferring rotary motion, and the transfer
bearing hub is mounted within the first mounting orifice. The
vibratory pod system includes a plurality of vibratory pods, each
of the vibratory pods having a pod shell for rotatably supporting
an eccentric mass. Each of the vibratory pods is partially inserted
through one of the plurality of second mounting orifices and
mounted to the central bulkhead.
[0006] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a vibratory
compactor machine includes a frame having a plurality of support
arm members, a drum roller having a cylindrical drum shell housing
a pair of outer supporting bulkheads and a central bulkhead, and a
vibratory pod system including a plurality of vibratory pods
supported on the central bulkhead. The drum roller is supported by
the plurality of support arm members on opposite axial sides of the
drum rollers via the pair of outer supporting bulkheads. The
central bulkhead defines a first mounting orifice and a plurality
of second mounting orifices, the first mounting orifice being
defined at a center of the central bulkhead and the second mounting
orifices being defined radially outward from the first mounting
orifice. Each of the vibratory pods have a pod shell for rotatably
supporting an eccentric mass, and each of the vibratory pods is
partially inserted through one of the plurality of second mounting
orifices and mounted to the central bulkhead.
[0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of
performing maintenance on a vibratory pod system of a vibratory
compactor machine includes a step of locating the vibratory pod
system mounted to a central bulkhead of a drum roller while the
drum roller is rotatably mounted to the vibratory compactor machine
via support arm members, supporting bulkheads, and transfer plates.
The method further includes a step of removing a drive belt, a
drive chain, or a drive gear system associated with the vibratory
pod system via an opening defined between the supporting bulkheads
and the transfer plates, while the drum roller is rotatably mounted
to the vibratory compactor machine via the support arm members, the
supporting bulkheads, and the transfer plates.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary vibratory compactor
machine including at least one roller drum in accordance with
aspects of the disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary roller drum
including a vibratory pod design in accordance with aspects of the
disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the roller drum taken
along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 illustrating an exemplary internal
arrangement of the roller drum in accordance with aspects of the
disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exemplary internal
arrangement of the roller drum of FIG. 3, with the external roller
drum shell hidden, in accordance with aspects of the
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary arrangement of
vibratory pods mounted to a central bulkhead in accordance with
aspects of the disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the exemplary
arrangement of vibratory pods mounted to the central bulkhead of
FIG. 5 in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view of the exemplary arrangement of
vibratory pods mounted to the central bulkhead of FIG. 5 in
accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Aspects of the disclosure will now be described in detail
with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
refer to like elements throughout, unless specified otherwise.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a compactor machine 10 in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the compactor
machine 10 may be operated to travel over a ground surface 20 in
order to compact and/or increase a density of the ground surface
20, which may include loose material, such as soil, gravel, sand,
landfill, and/or other bituminous mixtures. The compactor machine
10 may include a plurality of drum rollers 100, and the plurality
of drum rollers 100 may be mounted to a body or frame 30 of the
compactor machine 10. The frame 30 of the compactor machine 10 may
support and house an engine 40 for generating motive power for
rotating one or more of the drum rollers 100. The compactor machine
10 may further include an operator's cab 50 which may include
mechanical and/or electric controls 60 associated with the
compactor machine 10. Although the compactor machine 10 of FIG. 1
is illustrated with two drum rollers 100, it can be appreciated by
one skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure that the
compactor machine 10 may include a single drum roller 100, or more
than two drum rollers 100 depending on the application for the
machine.
[0017] Each of the drum rollers 100 may be rotatably supported by
the frame 30 via one or more support arm members 35. In one aspect,
a pair of support arm members 35 may rotatably support each drum
roller 100 on opposite axial sides of the drum rollers 100.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the drum roller 100 may include
a cylindrical drum shell 110 secured to and housing a pair of outer
supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b within an inner circumference of
the cylindrical drum shell 110. In one aspect, the outer supporting
bulkheads 120a, 120b may be formed integrally with the cylindrical
drum shell 110. Alternatively, the outer supporting bulkheads 120a,
120b may be separately fastened or welded to the cylindrical drum
shell 110. In one aspect, the outer supporting bulkhead 120a
located on a non-driven side of the cylindrical drum shell 110 may
be rotatably supported by the support arm member 35 via a transfer
plate 130a and a bearing 140. In one aspect, a plurality of
elastomeric isolation mounts 150 may be mounted to and provided
between the outer supporting bulkhead 120a and the transfer plate
130a to isolate vibratory forces that would otherwise be
transmitted to an operator and the compactor machine 10 via the
frame 30.
[0019] In one aspect, the outer supporting bulkhead 120b located on
a driven side of the cylindrical drum shell 110 may be rotatably
supported by the support arm member 35 via a transfer plate 130b, a
drive motor 160, and a gearbox 165. The drive motor 160 may be
fluidly or mechanically connected to the engine 40 of the compactor
machine 10 to rotate and drive the drum roller 100. In one aspect,
a plurality of elastomeric isolation mounts 150 may be mounted to
and provided between the outer supporting bulkhead 120b and the
transfer plate 130b to isolate vibratory forces that would
otherwise be transmitted to the compactor machine 10 via the frame
30.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the transfer plates 130a, 130b and
the outer supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b may be configured to
define at least one opening 125 for providing access to one or more
vibratory pods 210, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
In one aspect, the transfer plates 130a, 130b may include a
plurality of radially outward extending portions 132, and each of
the radially outward extending portions 132 may include at least
one attachment point for at least one of the plurality of
elastomeric isolation mounts 150. In one aspect, the outer
supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b may include a plurality of radially
inward extending portions 122, and each of the radially inward
extending portions 122 may include at least one attachment point
for at least one of the plurality of elastomeric isolation mounts
150. In one aspect, each of the outward extending portions 132 and
each of the inward extending portions 122 may include at least two
attachment points for securing a pair of the elastomeric isolation
mounts 150 therebetween.
[0021] In one aspect, each of the outer supporting bulkheads 120a,
120b may include a plurality of the radially inward extending
portions 122, and each of the transfer plates 130a, 130b may
include a corresponding number of radially outward extending
portions 132. In one aspect, each of the radially inward extending
portion 122 may be paired up with and mounted to an outward
extending portion 132 in order to rotatably couple the drum roller
100 to the support arm members 35 of the compactor machine 10. In
one aspect, the outer supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b may define a
generally clover-shaped cutout, while the transfer plates 130a,
130b may define a generally clover-shaped outer perimeter. Other
shapes defining a plurality of lobes or petals are of course
contemplated. In one aspect, the openings 125 may be defined
between each pair of coupled radially outward extending portions
122 and radially outward extending portions 132. In one aspect, the
openings 125 may provide access to internal components with little
to no disassembly of the drum rollers 100 or associated support and
mounting structures. Although four radially inward extending
portions 122 and four radially outward extending portions 132 are
shown, other numbers of extending portions, such as 3, 5, 6, 7, or
8 extending portions, are of course contemplated.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, in one aspect, the drum roller 100
may include a central bulkhead 170 for supporting a vibratory
system 200. The central bulkhead 170 may define a first mounting
orifice 171 and a plurality of second mounting orifices 172. In one
aspect, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the first mounting orifice
171 may be defined at a center of the central bulkhead 170. In one
aspect, the plurality of second mounting orifices 172 may be
defined radially offset from the first mounting orifice 171 and
offset from a central axis of the central bulkhead 170. In one
aspect, the first mounting orifice 171 and the plurality of second
mounting orifices 172 are circular. In one aspect, an outer
diameter of the first mounting orifice 171 is smaller than an outer
diameter of the plurality of second mounting orifices 172.
[0023] In one aspect, the drum roller 100 may include only a single
central bulkhead 170 for supporting the vibratory system 200. In
one aspect, the central bulkhead 170 may define an outer perimeter
sized for insertion into and secured to an inner circumferential
surface of the cylindrical drum shell of the drum roller 100. In
one aspect, the outer perimeter of the central bulkhead 170 is
sized to abut the inner circumferential surface of a drum roller
100.
[0024] In one aspect, the vibratory system 200 may include at least
one vibratory pod 210 and a transfer bearing hub 220. The transfer
bearing hub 220 may include a transfer shaft 221 for transferring
rotary motion to the at least one vibratory pod 210. The transfer
shaft 221 may be rotatably supported by a plurality of transfer hub
bearings 222 mounted at opposite ends of the transfer bearing hub
220. In one aspect, the transfer shaft 221 is sized to extend
beyond both planar sides of the central bulkhead 170 while the
transfer bearing hub 220 is mounted to the central bulkhead 170. In
one aspect, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (which is illustrated
with the cylindrical drum shell 110 hidden to show greater detail),
the transfer shaft 221 may be coupled to a vibratory drive shaft
230, which in turn may be coupled to a motor 300 for driving the
vibratory system 200. In one aspect, the motor 300 may be a
hydraulic motor, and the hydraulic motor may be fluidly driven via
the engine 40 of the compactor machine 10. In one aspect, the motor
300 may be mounted to one of the support arm members 35. In one
aspect, the motor 300 may be mounted to the non-driven side of the
cylindrical drum shell 110.
[0025] In one aspect, the vibratory system 200 may include between
2 to 16 vibratory pods 210 mounted to the central bulkhead 170. In
one aspect, the vibratory system 200 may include 2, 4, 6, or 8
vibratory pods 210 depending on the application and size of the
compactor machine 10 and the drum roller 100. In one aspect, the
vibratory system 200 may include a total of 2 or 4 vibratory pods
210. Of course, other numbers of vibratory pods, including an odd
number of pods may be selected depending on the application as will
be appreciated by one skilled in the art in view of the present
disclosure. In one aspect, where an even number of vibratory pods
210 is selected, each vibratory pod 210 of the plurality of
vibratory pods may be mounted opposite or diametrically opposed to
another pod 210 of the plurality of vibratory pods to form a pair.
As shown in FIG. 3, the central bulkhead 170 may include a first
face 173 and a second face 174. In one aspect, each pair of
vibratory pods 210 may be mounted on opposite faces 173, 174 of the
central bulkhead 170, or they may be mounted on a same face of the
central bulkhead 170.
[0026] In one aspect, each pod 210 of the plurality of vibratory
pods may be at least partially inserted through one of the
plurality of second mounting orifices 172 and mounted to the
central bulkhead 170. In one aspect, at least one vibratory pod 210
of the plurality of vibratory pods may include a flange 215 for
securing the at least one vibratory pod to the first face 173 or to
the second face 174 of the central bulkhead 170. The flange 215 may
include a plurality of holes or apertures for receiving fasteners
to secure the flange 215 of the vibratory pods 210 to the central
bulkhead 170. In one aspect, the fasteners may include bolts,
screws, rivets, anchors, and the like.
[0027] In one aspect, the at least one vibratory pod 210 of the
plurality of vibratory pods partially extends through the one of
the plurality of second mounting orifices 172 and is attached to
the central bulkhead 170. In one aspect, the flange 215 may
radially extend from the vibratory pods 210 to prevent the at least
one vibratory pod 210 from passing through the one of the plurality
of second mounting orifices 172. In one aspect, the flange 215 may
be a continuously extending radial flange, and the flange 215 may
define an outer radius that is larger than an inner radius of the
plurality of second mounting orifices 172.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the vibratory system 200 may include
a total of four vibratory pods 210. A first pair of the vibratory
pods 210a, 210b may be mounted opposite from one another, in a
radial direction, onto the central bulkhead 170, for example, at a
12 o'clock and 6 o'clock position, respectively. A second pair of
the vibratory pods 210c, 210d may be mounted opposite from one
another, in a radial direction, onto the central bulkhead 170, for
example, at a 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position, respectively. In
one aspect, each vibratory pod 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d may be
rotationally offset from an adjacent pod by 90 degrees. However, it
is contemplated that a rotational offset may be reduced if more
than four vibratory pods 210 are employed, such as by 45 degrees if
eight vibratory pods 210 are used, or the rotation offset may be
increased if two or three vibratory pods 210 are used.
[0029] In one aspect, each vibratory pod 210 of the plurality of
vibratory pods may include an eccentric mass 211, which may be
rotatably supported by a pod shaft 212. The eccentric mass 211 and
the pod shaft 212 may be housed within a pod shell 213 (as shown in
FIG. 3). The pod shell 213 may include one or more fins 214 to
provide structural rigidity and to direct a flow of lubrication as
the eccentric mass 211 is rotated. In one aspect, the pod shaft 212
may include a receiving end 216 extending from the pod shell 213 of
the vibratory pod 210, and the receiving end 216 may include a gear
or pulley 217. The pod shaft 212 may be rotatably coupled to the
transfer shaft 221 to transfer rotary motion from the transfer
shaft 221 to the eccentric mass 211. In one aspect, the pod shaft
212 may be rotatably coupled to the transfer shaft 221 via a drive
belt or a drive chain 240a, 240b, or a drive gear system (not
shown). In one aspect, the transfer shaft 221 may include a gear or
pulley 223. In one aspect, the gear or pulley 223 of the pod shaft
212 may be drivingly coupled to the gear or pulley 223 of the
transfer shaft 221 via the drive belt 240a. Other force transfer
mechanisms such gears and sprockets are of course contemplated.
[0030] As discussed above, each pair of vibratory pods 210, which
are disposed diametrically opposite from one another on the central
bulkhead 170, may be mounted on opposite faces 173, 174 of the
central bulkhead 170. In one aspect, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
vibratory pods 210a, 210c may be mounted onto the first face 173
and may be driven by a common drive belt 240a located on a side of
the second face 174. In one aspect, the vibratory pods 210b, 210d
may be mounted onto the second face 174 and may be driven by a
common drive belt 240b located on a side of the first face 173. In
one aspect, where only two vibratory pods 210a, 210b are employed
and mounted to the central bulkhead 170, as generally shown in FIG.
3, the drive belts 240a, 240b may be configured to drive only a
single vibratory pod 210.
[0031] Referring back to FIG. 4, a cover 250 may be mounted to the
vibratory pods 210a, 210c, which share the drive belt 240a.
Similarly, the cover 250 may be mounted to the vibratory pods 210b,
210d, which share the drive belt 240b. In one aspect, the cover may
prevent debris or foreign objects from striking, contacting, or
collecting on drive train components associated with the vibratory
pods 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d. The cover 250 may be configured to
provide protection while enabling simple access to the drive train
components, as will be discussed in further detail below.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0032] This present disclosure relates generally to vibratory
compactor machines, and more particularly, to a vibratory compactor
machine generating oscillation using a vibratory pod design. As
discussed above, the present disclosure is applicable to machines,
which may include a drum roller, and may be operable for compacting
and densifying a loose material such as asphalt, soil, gravel, and
the like. For operators of such machines, it may be critical to
reduce machine down time during maintenance and repairs in order to
minimize repair duration and costs.
[0033] Installation and maintenance aspects of the vibratory system
200 housed within the drum roller 100 will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 1-4.
[0034] During installation or maintenance of the vibratory system
200, it may be necessary for an operator to add, replace, and/or
remove components associated with the vibratory system 200. In one
aspect, it may be necessary to inspect, install, clean, or
lubricate one or more vibratory pods 210, the transfer bearing hub
220, the transfer shaft 221, the transfer hub bearings 222, the
gears or pulleys 217, 223, the vibratory drive shaft 230, the drive
belt or chain 240a, 240b, and the cover 250.
[0035] As discussed above, the openings 125 may be defined between
each pair of coupled radially outward extending portions 122 and
radially outward extending portions 132. In one aspect, the
openings 125 are generally bounded by an inner perimeter of the
outer supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b and an outer perimeter of the
transfer plates 130a, 130b. In one aspect, the openings 125 may be
size to allow at least one vibratory pod 210 to pass therethrough.
In one aspect, the openings 125 may enable the operator to reach
into the drum roller 100 and access the vibratory system 200
without uninstalling or removing any other components or supporting
structure of the drum roller 100. In one aspect, if the cover 250
is mounted to one or more of the vibratory pods 210a, 210b, 210c,
210d, the openings 125 may each be configured to enable the
operator to reposition or remove the cover 250 to enable access to
the vibratory system 200 without uninstalling or removing any other
components or supporting structure of the drum roller 100.
[0036] In one aspect, a method of performing maintenance on the
vibratory pod system 200 mounted to the central bulkhead 170 of the
drum roller 100 may include one or more steps. The method may
include locating the vibratory pod system 200 mounted to the
central bulkhead 170 of the drum roller 100, the drum roller 100
being functionally and rotatably mounted to the vibratory compactor
machine 10 via support arm members 35, outer supporting bulkheads
120a, 120b, and transfer plates 130a, 130b. The method may include
removing the cover 250 from the vibratory pod system 200 without
uninstalling or removing any components or supporting structure of
the drum roller 100.
[0037] The method may include removing the drive belt or a drive
chain 240a, 240b, or a drive gear system (not shown), associated
with the vibratory pod system 200 via the opening 125 defined
between the outer supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b and the transfer
plates 130a, 130b, while the drum roller 100 is functionally and
rotatably mounted to the vibratory compactor machine 10 via the
support arm members 35, the outer supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b,
and the transfer plates 130a, 130b. The method may further include
passing the drive belt or the drive chain 240a, 240b, or a drive
gear system (not shown), generally axially outward away from a
center of the drum roller 100 through the at least one of the
openings 125.
[0038] The method may include removing the one or more of the gears
or pulleys 217, 223 associated with the vibratory pod system 200
via the opening 125 defined between the outer supporting bulkheads
120a, 120b and the transfer plates 130a, 130b, while the drum
roller 100 is functionally and rotatably mounted to the vibratory
compactor machine 10 via the support arm members 35, the outer
supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b, and the transfer plates 130a,
130b. The method may further include passing the gears or pulleys
217, 223 generally axially outward away from the center of the drum
roller 100 through the at least one of the openings 125.
[0039] The method may include replacing the drive belt or a drive
chain 240a, 240b, or a drive gear system (not shown), associated
with the vibratory pod system 200 via the opening 125 defined
between the outer supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b and the transfer
plates 130a, 130b, while the drum roller 100 is functionally and
rotatably mounted to the vibratory compactor machine 10 via the
support arm members 35, the outer supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b,
and the transfer plates 130a, 130b. The method may further include
passing the drive belt or the drive chain 240a, 240b, or a drive
gear system (not shown), generally axially inward toward the center
of the drum roller 100 through at least one of the openings
125.
[0040] The method may include replacing the one or more of the
gears or pulleys 217, 223 associated with the vibratory pod system
200 via the opening 125 defined between the outer supporting
bulkheads 120a, 120b and the transfer plates 130a, 130b, while the
drum roller 100 is functionally and rotatably mounted to the
vibratory compactor machine 10 via the support arm members 35, the
outer supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b, and the transfer plates
130a, 130b. The method may further include passing one or more of
the gears or pulleys 217, 223 generally axially inward toward the
center of the drum roller 100 through the at least one of the
openings 125.
[0041] The method may include securing the cover 250 back on to the
vibratory pod system 200. Each of the above steps may be performed
individually in any order, and may be performed without
disassembling the drum roller 100 from the support arm members 35,
the outer supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b, and/or the transfer
plates 130a, 130b. In one aspect, the step of replacing the drive
belt or a drive chain 240a, 240b, or a drive gear system (not
shown), or replacing the one or more of the gears or pulleys 217,
223 may include providing a repaired, refurbished, or a new drive
belt, drive chain, gear, or pulley.
[0042] It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in view of
the present disclosure that any number of components associated
with the vibratory pod system 200 may be removed and/or replaced
via the openings 125 without disassembly or adjustment of support
components, such as the support arm members 35, the outer
supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b, and/or the transfer plates 130a,
130b. In one aspect, any number of components associated with the
vibratory pod system 200 may be removed and/or replaced via the
openings 125 while the drum roller 100 remains functionally
supported and coupled to one or more of the support arm members 35,
the outer supporting bulkheads 120a, 120b, and the transfer plates
130a, 130b.
[0043] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description
provides examples of the vibratory pod design as implemented in a
vibratory compactor machine. However, it is contemplated that other
implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the
foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples
thereof are intended to reference the particular example being
discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any
limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All
language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain
features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those
features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure
entirely unless otherwise indicated.
[0044] Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to
serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each
separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated
herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the
specification as if it were individually recited herein. All
methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order
unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by context.
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