U.S. patent application number 15/293275 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-13 for axially compressive degradation picks and holders.
The applicant listed for this patent is Smith International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Braedon Brown, David R. Hall, Francis E. Leany, Gary Peterson.
Application Number | 20170101867 15/293275 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58498958 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170101867 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; David R. ; et
al. |
April 13, 2017 |
AXIALLY COMPRESSIVE DEGRADATION PICKS AND HOLDERS
Abstract
A degradation pick or holder shank for facilitating
installation, retention and removal is disclosed. The shank may
comprise an axially compressive portion that may contract radially
when stretched axially and then expand again radially when
released. An installation tool may be used to stretch the shank
axially during insertion into a bore and then release the shank to
retain it within the bore.
Inventors: |
Hall; David R.; (Provo,
UT) ; Leany; Francis E.; (Salem, UT) ;
Peterson; Gary; (Salem, UT) ; Brown; Braedon;
(Provo, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Smith International, Inc. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58498958 |
Appl. No.: |
15/293275 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62240932 |
Oct 13, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21C 35/1933 20130101;
E21C 35/191 20200501 |
International
Class: |
E21C 35/18 20060101
E21C035/18 |
Claims
1. A degradation pick, comprising: an axially compressive
region.
2. The degradation pick of claim 1, wherein the axially compliant
region comprises an axially-variable cross section.
3. The degradation pick of claim 2, wherein the axially-variable
cross section comprises a bellows shape.
4. The degradation pick of claim 2, wherein the axially-variable
cross section comprises an accordion shape.
5. The degradation pick of claim 1, wherein when the axially
compressive portion contracts radially when extended axially, and
wherein the axially compressive portion expands radially when
contracted axially.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/240,932, filed Oct. 13, 2015,
the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Degradation picks are known to be used in such fields as
road milling, mining, and trenching to engage and degrade tough
materials such as asphalt, concrete, and rock. In use, such
degradation picks may be secured to an exterior of a rotatable drum
or continuous chain so as to be repeatedly brought into contact
with a surface of a material to be degraded.
[0003] Degradation picks are known to take several forms. One form
of degradation pick, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,086 to
Hall, et al., comprises a shank attached to a base of a steel body.
A cemented metal carbide core with an impact tip comprising a
diamond material may be press fit into the steel body opposite the
shank. The shank may be secured within a holder or block attached
to a milling drum leaving the impact tip exposed.
[0004] Such degradation picks and holders may dislodge from their
respective bore holes due to the repeated impact forces experienced
while in use. Also, it is often necessary to replace degradation
picks as they wear which can be a dangerous, time consuming and
expensive process. Consequently, efforts have been made to provide
more secure connections between degradation pick and holder shanks
and bore holes that may also allow for quick removal and
replacement.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2011/0254349 to Hall et al.,
describes a pick assembly comprising a pick shank configured to be
press fit in a bore within a block. The shank comprises at least
one longitudinal recess extending along the shank from a distal end
of the shank. The recess allows the shank to resiliently collapse
upon insertion into the bore while maintaining a press fit between
the bore and the shank.
[0006] Despite these advancements in the art, designs such as these
comprising uneven perimeter thicknesses may lead to uneven stresses
and thus premature failure. Thus, improvements allowing for more
secure connections between degradation pick or holder shanks and
bore holes that also allow for quick removal and replacement and
even perimeter thicknesses are desired.
SUMMARY
[0007] A degradation pick or holder shank for facilitating
installation, retention and removal is disclosed. The shank may
comprise an axially compressive portion that may contract radially
when stretched axially and then expand again radially when
released. An installation tool may be used to stretch the shank
axially during insertion into a bore and then release the shank to
retain it within the bore.
[0008] Such a shank may comprise at least one compliant region
comprising an axially-variable cross section. The axially-variable
cross section may comprise a bellows shape, an accordion shape, or
other shapes to facilitate compliance. To form such a compliant
region, a machining tool may be inserted to machine crevices into
an interior of a shank.
[0009] A shank of a degradation pick or holder may be inserted into
a bore disposed within a holder or block wherein an installation
tool may pull a distal end of the shank further into the bore.
Pulling the distal end further into the bore may cause axial
expansion within the shank and radial contraction within the
compliant region. When the installation tool is withdrawn, the
compliant region may expand radially to secure the shank within the
bore.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a formation degradation
machine.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a rotatable drum.
[0012] FIGS. 3a-3b illustrate a degradation pick, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4a-4b illustrate a holder, according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 5a-5b illustrate a perspective cross-sectional view of
an embodiment of a holder.
[0015] FIG. 6a-d illustrates a perspective cross-sectional views of
embodiments of a holder.
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional views of
embodiments of a holder.
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional views of
embodiments of a holder.
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective partially cross-sectional
view of another embodiment of a holder.
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of
embodiments of a portion of a holder.
[0020] FIG. 11a-11b illustrates a perspective cross-sectional views
of embodiments of a compliant region.
[0021] FIG. 12a-c illustrates a perspective cross-sectional views
of various embodiments of installation tools.
[0022] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of an
embodiment of a pick.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In the following detailed description, only certain example
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are shown and
described, by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art
would recognize, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as being limited
to the embodiments set forth herein. Also, in the context of the
present application, when a first element is referred to as being
"on" a second element, it can be directly on the second element or
be indirectly on the second element with one or more intervening
elements interposed therebetween.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a formation degradation
machine 1000 comprising a plurality of degradation picks 1100
secured to an exterior of a rotatable drum 1200. Rotation of the
rotatable drum 1200 by the formation degradation machine 1000 may
bring the degradation picks 1100 repeadedly into contact with a
surface of a material 1300. This repeated engagement of the
degradation picks 1100 to the material 1300 may degrade the
material 1300 causing it to break up into aggregate 1301. In the
present embodiment, the formation degradation machine 1000 is
located in an underground mine and the material 1300 to be
degraded, coal for example, is contained in a wall of the mine.
Once a portion of the material 1300 is degraded into aggregate 1301
it may be captured by a conveyor 1001 and removed for processing.
While the embodiment shown depicts a rotatable drum 1200 on a
formation degradation machine as part of a mining operation, it
should be understood that the present invention may also be used in
conjunction with rotatable drums or continuous chains being used in
mining, road milling, trenching or other operations where it is
desirable to degrade tough materials such as asphalt, concrete or
rock.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a rotatable drum 2200 as seen
by a material to be degraded. A plurality of blocks 2201 may be
disposed around an exterior of the rotatable drum 2200. Each of the
blocks 2201 may have a bore disposed therein to receive a shaft
2101 from each of a plurality of degradation picks 2100. Rotation
of the rotatable drum 2200 may cause the degradation picks 2100 to
engage and degrade a material. The blocks 2201 may be positioned
around the exterior of the rotatable drum 2200 to optimize
degradation and/or transport aggregate away from the material being
degraded.
[0026] FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a
degradation pick 3100a and a pick block 3201a. The degradation pick
may comprise a shank 3101a that may be inserted into a bore 3202a
of the pick block 3201a.
[0027] FIG. 3b shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a
degradation pick 3100b, a holder 3400b, and a pick block 3201b. The
pick block 3201b may comprise a bore 3202b for receiving a shaft
3401b of the holder 3400b. The holder 3400b may comprise a hole
3402b for receiving a shank 3101b of the degradation pick 3100b.
Different holders may comprise bores of various diameters so as to
accommodate degradation picks of various sizes to attach to a
degradation drum (shown in FIG. 1).
[0028] FIG. 4a discloses a perspective view of an embodiment of a
holder 100a. The holder 100a may comprise a body 101a attached to a
shank 111a. The shank 111a may comprise a compliant region 110a
with an axially-variable cross section. In the embodiment shown,
the compliant region 110a comprises a bellows shape. When the shank
111a is urged into a bore (as shown in FIG. 3b) the compliant
region 110a may radially compress facilitating entry into the
bore.
[0029] FIG. 4b discloses a perspective cross-sectional view of
another embodiment of a holder 100b comprising a body 101b and
shank 111b. A compliant region 110b with a bellows shape may
comprise a thin wall 112b that may flex when subjected to radial or
axial compression or expansion.
[0030] FIG. 5a discloses a perspective cross-sectional view of an
embodiment of a holder 200a and a block 220a. The holder 200a may
comprise a shank 211a with a compliant region 210a shaped to fit
within a bore 221a of the block 220a. A bellows shape of the
compliant region 210a may comprise a radius 212a, wherein the
radius 212a may compress when urged into the bore 221a. Due to a
tapering 222a of the bore 221a, the radius 212a may compress
further when the holder 200a is urged into the bore 221a of the
block 220a, as shown in FIG. 5b.
[0031] FIG. 5b discloses a perspective cross-sectional view of an
embodiment of a holder 200b inserted into a bore 221b within a
block 220b. An internal radius of the bore 221b may be narrower
than an external radius 212b of a compliant region 210b of the
holder 200b when not disposed within the bore 221b (as shown in
FIG. 5a). Thus the external radius 212b of the compliant region
210b may contract when urged into the bore 221b. Contraction of the
radius 212b may cause the holder 200b to elongate along a central
axis 202b thereof, enabling the holder 200b to extend farther into
the bore 221b.
[0032] FIGS. 6a through 6d are perspective cross-sectional views of
embodiments of holders comprising compliant regions of various
geometries. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6a a
holder 300a has a compliant region 310a comprising a pleat 313a
that creates additional surface area allowing for more axial
expansion when inserted into a bore (shown in FIG. 5). In FIG. 6b,
another embodiment of a compliant region 310b comprises a sharp
accordion shape 314b with three pleats 315b. Another embodiment
shown in FIG. 6c comprises a compliant region 310c comprising a
smooth accordion shape 316c comprising three pleats 315c. In yet
another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6d, a compliant region 310d
comprises a barbed shape 317d comprising three pleats 315d. Each of
these various geometries may contribute to compliance.
[0033] FIG. 7 discloses a perspective cross-sectional view of an
embodiment of a holder 400 comprising a shank 401 with a compliant
region 410. The compliant region 410 may comprise a barbed shape
417 with one or more pleats 415. A distal end 402 of the shank 401
may comprise a threaded portion 403, wherein threaded components
(shown in FIG. 9) for holder installation and removal may be
utilized.
[0034] FIG. 8 discloses a perspective cross-sectional view of a
holder 500 disposed in a bore 521 within a block 520. An
installation tool 540, such as a bolt, may be inserted through a
hole 504 in a front portion of the holder 500. The installation
tool 540 may pass through a compliant region 510 and apply pressure
to a barrier 505 on a distal end of a shank of the holder 500. The
installation tool 540 may be pressed against the barrier 505 by,
for example, a hammer (not shown), whereby the holder 500 may
elongate axially while the compliant region 510 is compressed
radially to facilitate installation. As the installation tool 540
is removed the holder 500 may retract axially while the compliant
region 510 expands radially to facilitate retention of the holder
500 within the bore 521. To remove the holder 500 from the bore
521, pressure may again be applied to the barrier 505 by the
installation tool 540 to radially constrict the compliant region
510 while the holder 500 is withdrawn.
[0035] FIG. 9 discloses a perspective partially cross-sectional
view of another embodiment of a holder 600 disposed in a bore 621
within a block 620. An installation tool 640 with a threaded end
641 may be inserted through a hole 604 and a compliant region 610
of the holder 600 whereby the threaded end 641 may be secured to a
threaded portion 603 at a distal end of the holder 600. In this
configuration, the installation tool 640 may apply pressure against
the threaded portion 603 which may radially constrict the compliant
region 610 to facilitate installation. As the installation tool 640
is removed the compliant region 610 may radially expand to
facilitate retention of the holder 600 within the bore 621. For
removal, pressure may again be applied to the threaded portion 603
by the installation tool 640 while the holder 600 is withdrawn.
[0036] FIG. 10 discloses a perspective cross-sectional view of
embodiments of a portion of a holder 700 comprising a compliant
region juxtaposed with a portion of a holder 750 lacking a
compliant region, both disposed in a bore within a block 720. As
can be seen, the holder 700 comprising the compliant region may
extend further into the block 720 than the holder 750 without the
compliant region.
[0037] FIGS. 11a and 11b discloses perspective cross-sectional
views of embodiments of a compliant region 810a, 810b comprising a
sharp accordion shape 814a, 814b. To form an interior of the sharp
accordion shape 814a, 814b, a machine tool 850a, 850b may be
inserted into an opening 819a, 819b to machine an interior
thereof.
[0038] FIGS. 12a through 12c disclose perspective cross-sectional
views of various embodiments of installation tools. For example,
FIG. 12a shows a holder 900a disposed in a bore within a block
920a. The holder 900a may comprise a threaded portion 906a disposed
within the holder 900a for receiving a threaded end of an
installation tool 940a. The installation tool 940a may be inserted
through a compliant region 910a and into the threaded portion 906a.
In this configuration, the installation tool 940a may axially
compress the compliant region 910a expanding it radially to help
retain the holder 900a within the block 920a.
[0039] FIG. 12b shows a holder 900b disposed in a bore within a
block 920b. The holder 900b may comprise a threaded portion 906b
disposed within the holder 900b mating with a threaded part of an
installation tool 940b. The installation tool 940b may pass through
the threaded portion 906b and press against a barrier 905b on a
distal end of the holder 900b causing a compliant region 910b
disposed between the threaded portion 906b and barrier 905b to
expand axially. This axially expansion may radially constrict the
compliant region aiding in installation or removal of the holder
900b.
[0040] FIG. 12c shows a holder 900c disposed in a bore within a
block 920c. The holder 900c may comprise a hole 904c running
therethrough to a compliant region 907c. An retention tool 940c may
be disposed in the hole 904c and thread into a threaded portion
903c disposed at a distal end of the holder 900c. By so doing, the
retention tool 940c may axially compress the compliant region 907c
causing it to expand radially and aiding in retaining the holder
900c within the block 920c. In this embodiment, the retention tool
940c may remain with the holder 900c until removal.
[0041] FIG. 13 discloses a perspective cross-sectional view of a
pick 4100 disposed directly in a bore within a block 4120 without
the use of a holder. The pick 4100 may comprise a body 4101
attached to a shank 4160. The shank 4160 comprises a compliant
region 4110 wherein axial and radial expansion or contraction may
occur. The shank 4160 may further comprise a threaded hole 4106
disposed therein for receiving an installation tool 4140. The
installation tool 4140 may be inserted through the compliant region
4110 and into the threaded hole 4106 and may axially compress the
compliant region 4110 causing it to expand radially to aid in
retaining the pick 4100. Alternatively, unthreading the
installation tool 4140 may allow the compliant region to axially
expand and radially contract allowing for removal of the pick
4100.
[0042] Although only a few example embodiments have been described
in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate
that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments
without materially departing from the subject matter of this
disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the
following claims. Throughout the text and claims, use of the word
"about" reflects the penumbra of variation associated with
measurement, significant figures, and interchangeability, all as
understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which
this disclosure pertains. Additionally, throughout this disclosure
and the accompanying claims, it is understood that even those
ranges that may not use the term "about" to describe the high and
low values are also implicitly modified by that term, unless
otherwise specified.
* * * * *