U.S. patent number RE33,840 [Application Number 07/571,869] was granted by the patent office on 1992-03-10 for combination log debarker-chipper.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Peterson Pacific Corporation. Invention is credited to Arnold N. Peterson, Larry A. Sprague.
United States Patent |
RE33,840 |
Peterson , et al. |
March 10, 1992 |
Combination log debarker-chipper
Abstract
A combination log debarking, log chipping unit having a
debarking apparatus and a chipping apparatus mounted on a common
chassis, the two apparatus are aligned for conveying logs from the
debarking apparatus to the chipping apparatus. The two apparatus
are separated by a space of about 6-10 feet to permit loose bark to
be removed from the logs and thereby avoid bark contamination of
the chip. A conveyor system between the two apparatus guides and
conveys logs to the chipper. A single power source enables control
over the feeding of the logs to synchronize log feeding with the
chipper's chipping capability. A loader over the debarking
apparatus provides convenient loading of the logs into the
debarker. The power source and controls for the various operating
components are all under the common control of the loader
operator.
Inventors: |
Peterson; Arnold N. (Eugene,
OR), Sprague; Larry A. (Dexter, OR) |
Assignee: |
Peterson Pacific Corporation
(Eugene, OR)
|
Family
ID: |
26978617 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/571,869 |
Filed: |
August 22, 1990 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
312941 |
Feb 21, 1989 |
04889169 |
Dec 26, 1989 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
144/208.7;
144/176; 144/337; 144/341; 144/370; 144/4.1; 241/101.76 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B27L
1/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B27L
1/00 (20060101); B27L 007/00 (); B27L 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;144/2Z,3D,28R,28J,176,337,341,370,3R ;241/101.7 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bray; W. Donald
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harrington; Robert L.
Claims
We claim:
1. A mobile, combination log debarking and log chipping unit for
debarking and chipping multiple logs comprising;
a chassis including a support frame and wheels defining a front end
and rear end of the chassis,
a debarking apparatus mounted on the frame at one end of the
chassis, said debarking apparatus including a debarking station
having an entry and exit, and defining a pathway into and through
the debarking apparatus whereby logs can be directed from said one
end of the chassis, through the entry of the debarking station to
be directed out of the exit thereof and continuing along the
pathway toward the other end of the chassis,
means for removing bark chips from said barking station as the log
exits the debarking apparatus,
a chipping apparatus method on the frame at a location toward said
other end relative to the debarking apparatus, said chipping
apparatus including a chipping station having an entry that is
aligned with and spaced from the exit of the debarking station for
receiving logs therefrom, and a chip discharging chute for
directing the chips produced in the chipping station away from the
chassis,
conveyor means for conveying and guiding logs along said pathway
through the debarking station and into the chipping station,
and a power source mounted on the frame of the chassis for
providing operating power for operating the debarking station,
chipping station and conveyor means.
2. A mobile, combination log debarking and log chipping unit as
defined in claim 1 including a log loader mounted on the frame in
the proximity of the debarking station entry for feeding logs into
the debarking station.
3. A mobile, combination log debarking and log chipping unit as
defined in claim 1 wherein the power source dictates the rate of
movement of logs being conveyed through the unit, said power source
being responsive to overfeeding of the chipping station to slow the
rate of movement of the logs.
4. A mobile, combination log debarking and log chipping unit as
defined in claim 3 wherein the power source includes a common drive
means for the chipping apparatus and conveyor means whereby slow
down of the chipping apparatus correspondingly slows down the
conveyor means.
5. A mobile, combination log debarking and log chipping unit as
defined in claim 4 wherein a drive belt provides mechanical drive
to the chipping apparatus and a hydraulic motor driven by hydraulic
fluid from a pump provides hydraulic drive to the conveyor means,
said pump coupled to the drive shaf and driven thereby.
6. A mobile, combination log debarking and log chipping unit as
defined in claim 5 wherein an operator control cab is provided at
the location of the log loader, and a control panel in cab for
controlling the debarking, chipping and log conveying operations
and the log loading operation.
7. A mobile, combination log debarking and log chipping unit as
defined in claim 1 wherein the conveyor means includes upper and
lower conveyor rollers positioned above and below the pathway and
between the exit of the debarking station and the entry of the
chipping station, said rollers being driven to urge and guide the
logs emerging from the debarking station toward the entry of the
chipping station.
8. A mobile, combination log debarking and log chipping unit as
defined in claim 7 wherein the lower rollers are a plurality of
rollers spaced apart along said pathway and defining spaces through
which bark falling from the logs is disposed.
9. A mobile, combination log debarking and log chipping unit as
defined in claim 8 wherein the distance between the exit of the
debarking station and the entry of the chipping station is in
excess of six feet. .Iadd.
10. A mobile, combination log debarking and log chipping unit for
debarking and chipping multiple logs comprising;
a mobile chassis having opposed sides and ends that define a
pathway of log processing directed from a receiving end to a
discharging end of the chassis,
debarking flails mounted on the chassis in the pathway of
undebarked logs directed along said pathway,
a chipping member mounted on the chassis in the pathway of the logs
directed along said pathway, said debarking flails positioned for
receiving and debarking logs and said chipping member positioned
for chipping the logs after debarking,
conveyor means for conveying multiple logs along said pathway
through the debarking flails and into the chipping member, and
said conveyor means, debarking flails, chipping member and chassis
cooperatively organized and arranged to provide a spacing along the
pathway between the end of the flails and the chipping member, and
to provide a substantial discharge opening down through the defined
pathway within said spacing whereby bark carried by logs from the
debarking flails will be dropped from the logs through the defined
pathway to thereby avoid conveyance of the bark by said conveyor
means into the chipping member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. A combination
unit as defined in claim 10 wherein the conveyor means
discriminately conveys logs and not bark, said bark falling
through the conveyor means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A combination unit
as defined in claim 11 wherein logs are conveyed across said
spacing by spaced stationary rotating rollers to thereby provide
the substantial discharge opening down through the defined pathway
within said spacing. .Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to in-field processing of logs into chips,
and more particularly to the provision of a single mobile unit
incorporating both the debarking and chipping operations for such
processing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Chips produced from logs are used in making pulp which in turn is
used to make paper and chip board used primarily for construction.
In either case, it is undesirable to have tree bark mixed in with
the chips to ultimately end up in the paper or chip board produced
therefrom. Thus, it is a common practice to precede the chipping
operation with a debarking operation.
In the past, logs to be chipped were hauled from the logging site
to a pulp to chip board producing mill where the logs were
processed. It has been found, however, that the difficulties, and
accordingly the costs, of hauling full size logs can be
substantially reduced by processing the logs at the logging site.
Rather than using log hauling truck beds, trucks with large boxes
can be filled with the chips and hauled far more conveniently and
efficiently.
Accordingly, mobile chipper units and mobile debarking units have
been developed. Each includes a power source, control apparatus and
a substantial undercarriage. Each is hauled to the in-field
processing site and set up to perform, independently, its own
chipping or debarking function. Where logs are to be debarked and
then chipped, i.e. the combination of functions contemplated for
this invention, the two units are operated, still independently,
but cooperatively as will be hereafter explained.
For the operation of the debarking unit, tree stems or logs are
hauled from the cutting area and piled along side the unit. A
loader (a boom with a grapple) picks up the logs and feeds them
into the inlet of the debarking unit. As the logs are fed through
the debarking unit, bark removing elements, e.g. flails, break the
bond between the bark and the log core and the bark drops into a
bark removing chute. The feeding of the logs through the flails is
continuous with the logs being passed into and through the bark
flailing station and out the other side, i.e. the exit or outlet of
the debarking unit.
A debarking unit of the type herein contemplated is illustrated in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,729,415, 4,721,139 and 4,719,950.
The debarked logs are then fed into the chipping unit. Typically a
large number of knives or blades are mounted on a large, rigid
disc. There are a number of designs for this chipping disc but in
any event, it is of massive design to withstand heavy loads. The
knife carrying disc is rotated to drive the knives into the log as
the log is moved into the disc. This operation is capable of
reducing a large log or a plurality of small logs fed
simultaneously into the chipping unit, into small chips suitable
for pulp or chip board within seconds. This chipping operation has
very high power requirements with occasional power demands that
exceed the power source capability. When this happens, the power
source lugs down or slows up, a signal to the operator that the
feeding of the logs needs to be slowed.
To reduce handling of the logs, some in-field log processing
operators have arranged for the two units to be placed adjacent one
another in a manner where the functions are performed
cooperatively. The chipping apparatus is commonly equipped with a
loader. The exit end of the debarker is lined up and positioned
relative to the entry of the chipper to enable feeding directly
from the debarker into the chipper. The loader, mounted on the
chipper chassis, is used to reach over the debarking unit and feed
the logs into the debarking unit. The feed rolls of the debarking
unit simply continue the movement from the debarking unit into the
feed rolls of the chipper.
The problems with this "reduced handling" concept of infield
processing are several.
The chipping and debarking units must be placed close together or
the logs will not feed properly from the debarking unit into the
chipping unit. Also, if they are not close together, the loader
operator, in his cab positioned over the chipping unit, has
difficulty in maneuvering the logs for feeding them into the
debarking unit. A problem occurs with the close placement of the
units as it frequently happens that a small quantity of loose bark
from the debarking operation is carried by the logs out of the
debarking apparatus. This small quantity of bark is normally
dropped off the logs if there is an intermediate handling of the
logs. With the logs being fed directly into the chipping unit, the
bark can become fed with the logs in the chipping unit resulting in
a much greater contamination of the chips which is undesirable.
The power source of the chipping unit, as previously explained,
lugs down when being overfed. With the debarking unit feeding the
logs directly into the chipper, the log feeding process can get out
of sync, i.e. the debarking unit will push the logs into the
chipping unit at a rate faster than the chipping unit can process
the logs. The chips formed when the chipper is overfed and thus
lugged down will not be uniform which is undesirable. Also, the
overloading can be such as to cause the engine to stop. This
interruption of the process is also undesirable.
The in-field processing site is frequently a series of in-field
processing sites that are simply spaced locations along a road, and
most likely that road is a narrow rough logging road. Setting up
the units is time consuming when the units are operated totally
independently. To align them for continuous unit-to-unit feeding,
further complicates that procedure. One of the units may have to be
jacked up or the other lowered as by digging a trench under the
supporting wheels. When the procedure has to be repeated on a
frequent basis to process small stacks of logs spaced along the
roadway, the efficiency gained from unit-to-unit feeding is greatly
eliminated.
Considering the same frequent move of the units, the multiple
tractors used to move these units creates congestion. The roads are
narrow and frequently have no room to maneuver the units into the
proper space, disconnect them from the tractors and get the
tractors moved out of the way. Also, recall that a third vehicle is
involved. The chip hauling truck must also be maneuvered into
position for receiving the chips.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventio reduces or eliminates the above difficulties
and additionally provides the operations of debarking and chipping
in a more efficient and cost saving manner.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus of the
chipping unit and the apparatus of the debarking unit are mounted
on a common chassis. A single trailer carries a rear mounted
debarking apparatus with a loader positioned over the inlet of the
debarker. A chipping apparatus is placed forwardly of the exit end
of the debarking apparatus a sufficient distance to permit removal
of loose bark carried by the debarked logs before those logs enter
the chipping apparatus. Upper and lower feed rollers carried by the
trailer between the debarker and chipper maintain control over the
logs as they pass from the debarking apparatus to the chipping
apparatus. Loose bark that is jarred or brushed off the logs passes
through spaces between the lower rollers to the undercarriage or to
the ground.
The trailer carries a single power source, a single hydraulic
system, a single fuel supply and a single control panel to enable
operation of all units from the cab of the loader. The cost savings
of having one versus two or even three of each of these items is
substantial, not only in the purchase cost but in avoiding multiple
operators. Whereas the units are powered by a common power source,
they are maintained in sync to avoid overloading the chipper.
The single tractor for the combination unit can be left attached to
the trailer so that moving the entire operation reduces tear down
and set up time to minutes versus hours as was previously required.
Maneuvering one large unit versus two smaller units to be
interconnected is far simpler. Also, providing for the chip hauling
truck to have accessibility to the chip discharging chute of the
chipping apparatus is made simpler.
These and other advantages will become more apparent upon reference
to the following detailed description having reference to the
accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a combination debarking-chipping unit in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the conveyor system between debarking
and chipping apparatus as taken on view lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;
and
FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the inter-relationship of
the various components of the apparatus.
Reference is first made to FIG. 4 illustrating the concept of the
invention. In general, a debarking station 10 of a debarking
apparatus is positioned on the rear end of a trailer 12 supported
on wheels 13. Spaced forwardly of the debarking station 10 on the
trailer 12 is a chipping station 14 of a chipping apparatus.
Positioned forward of the chipping station 14 is the unit's power
source consisting of an engine 16 and a hydraulic fluid reservoir
18.
Positioned above the inlet to the debarking station 10 is a loader
20 which includes a cab 22, boom 24 and grapple 26. Controls for
operating all of the powered units is contained in the cab 22 and
operated by an operator 28.
In brief, the chipping disc 50 is driven directly from the engine
16 by shaft 32. The debarking flails 38 and feed rollers 6, 48 are
powered by hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 18. A hydraulic pump
33 is driven off shaft 22 by belt drive 35. Hydraulic fluid is
pumped through lines 30, 37 to the hydraulic drive motor 34 of the
flail drums 38 and to motors 39 of the feed rollers 46, 48. Returns
lines for the hydraulic fluid are not shown.
The loader 20 is typically provided with a separate power source
However, it may be powered by the same engine 16 but would likely
be powered through hydraulic lines and a pump independent of the
shaft leading to the chipper. They also are not shown. The operator
28, through lines 29 and a control panel in his cab 22, in addition
to the boom and grapple, controls all the powered operations
including engine 16, the chipping operator (14), debarking
operation (10) and the conveyor operation (rollers 46,48).
The operator 28 maneuvers the loader 20 to feed a log(s) 36 into
the entry of the debarking station 10 wherein debarking flails 38
remove the bark from the log 36. (In actuality, the loader 24 would
have released the log 36 by the time it got part way into the
debarking station where feed rollers take over feeding the log
through the system. In the position of the log 36 that is
illustrated, the loader would be moving back to the log pile to
pick up a succeeding log load.)
The removed bark 40 flails into a bark removing chute 42 (see FIG.
1) which directs the bark into a bark moving device 44 (also shown
in FIG. 1 and specifically disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 472,945). The
debarked log(s) is then conveyed by an upper drive roller 46 and
lower drive rollers 48, into a chipping disc 50. The log is chipped
by knives 52 mounted on the disc and the chips are discharged
through chip discharging chute 54 into a truck box 56 of a chip
hauling truck.
Having described the concept generally, the components of the above
detailed drawings 1-3 will now be described.
The debarking apparatus in and of itself is not new to this
invention The apparatus components as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 are
essentially shown and described in detail in the above referred to
patents. In brief, a log or a plurality of logs are directed into
the inlet defined by the converging top plate 58, bottom wall 60
and side walls 62. The top plate 58 carries a top feed roller 64
and the two pivot inwardly and upwardly to accommodate different
diameters of the log. A horizontal path is provided throughout the
system and is indicated in FIG. 1 by directional arrow 66.
The log or logs first engage the flails 38 of the lower flail drum
68 which is fixed. The upper flailing drum 70 also carrying flails
38, is mounted on a pivotal arm which is counter balanced by
cylinder 72. An adjusting plate or gate 74 is engaged by the logs
being moved along path 66 to raise the upper flailing drum to the
correct height. The flails 38 are cooperatively designed to cover
the entire diameter of the logs fed through the debarking station.
The bark is directed by the chute 42 into the bark remover 44. A
plunger 76 shoves the bark out the rear of the apparatus as
indicated by arrow 78. As previously explained, the above
components and their operations are largely explained in greater
detail in the prior listed patents.
The conveyor system that conveys the logs from the debarking
apparatus to the chipping apparatus will be explained in more
detail hereafter. At this point, the reader need only appreciate
that the logs are conveyed by the conveyor system from the
debarking station 10 into the chipper station 14, the internal
components of which are not shown. The chipping apparatus is of
conventional design and produced by several companies.
The chipping disc and the drive components are enclosed by the
shroud 80, with a chip discharge chute 82 being structed to allow
the chute end to swivel as may be required to accommodate the
location of the chip hauling truck. (See item 56 of FIG. 4) Mounted
just forward of the chipping apparatus (station 14) is a large
hydraulic fluid reservoir 18 and just forward of that is the engine
16. A fuel storage tank 86 for the engine is located on the trailer
frame 84.
The hydraulic lines are not illustrated in the detail drawings and
further explanation of the inter-relationship of the engine and
hydraulic drive system is being deleted. Power design engineers are
well familiar with the design requirements for accomplishing the
stated objectives as already explained in connection with FIG. 4,
and further detailed explanation herein is unnecessary.
The conveyor for transferring the logs from the debarking station
to the chipping station is uncomplicated but important to the
desired operations of debarking and chipping. This inter-apparatus
or station conveyor is more specifically disclosed in FIG. 3.
However, before explaining the conveyor system, the reader should
understand and appreciate that the common chassis, i.e. the
provision of a common frame 84, enables the builder to build in the
appropriate alignment and spacing as between the debarking station
and chipping station. The desired spacing from exit to entry
between these two units is about 6-10 feet. Even with the built in
alignment, additional guidance is necessary to avoid having the
logs escape from the path 66 while traveling from one unit to the
other. Such guidance is provided by the upper and lower drive
rollers 46, 48.
The upper guide roller 46 is mounted on an arm 88 that is pivoted
at pivot 90. The roller 46 is driven by motor 92. The multiple
bottom drive rollers 48 are spaced apart and span the distance
between the debarking station exit and the chipping station
entrance, as shown. They are driven by a common drive belt 94
driven by motor 96.
It will be understood that most of the bark from the debarking
operation is accumulated by the chute 42 as explained. However, a
small but significant percentage of the bark rides the log out of
the debarking station. A chain curtain 98 is provided primarily for
safety but it does drag along the top of the logs as the logs pass
through the curtain which dislodges much of the bark that remains
on the logs. Other aids for causing the bark to rub off or fall off
the logs before entering the chipper are, of course, also
available. However, it has been experienced that the action of the
log shifting and rolling as it is being conveyed through the system
is quite sufficient for dislodging the bark. With the 6-10 feet
provided between the units, substantially all of the bark will be
removed. Because it is important to avoid dragging the bark into
the chipping station, it is considered important to provide the
openings (indicated by arrows 100) between the bottom rollers for
removal of this bark.
It has been previously explained that a common power source for the
debarking and chipping units is important. The chipping disc 50
(see FIG. 4) will be unavoidably overloaded from time to time. When
this happens, the movement of the log or logs 36 must be slowed or
the chipping disc will simply be stopped. With the present linkage
of the disc drive shaft 32 and the hydraulic drive systems (belt
35, pump 33), such a slow down of the log movement is automatic.
The hydraulic drive to motor 39 of the drive rollers 46, 48 is
slowed by causing the slow down of the disc drive shaft 32.
Numerous modifications, variations and improvements will become
apparent to those skilled in the art without avoiding the concept
of the invention. Some have been mentioned as for example the
provision of a bark removing device located over the logs as the
logs emerge from the debarking station. Different arrangements and
organizations of the various components is also possible. Of
course, a number of conventional features have not been stressed
that will be evident. Stabilizers 102 are provided to stabilize the
trailer when set up for chip processing. The cab 22 is preferably
hingedly mounted to the trailer structure and folded down behind
the trailer during travel to meet highway heighth requirements.
Such a manner of mounting loader cabs is not uncommon.
Accordingly, it is necessary to refer to the claims appended hereto
to determine the scope and definition of the invention.
* * * * *