AU2008100727B4 - A drive for a cutting or grinding machine - Google Patents

Description

00 A DRIVE FOR A CUTTING MACHINE

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Field of the Invention The present invention broadly relates to a drive for a cutting machine. The present invention relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a drive for a cutting head of a vehicle for cutting rock or earth 00 formations.

Background of the Invention Various machines for cutting, grinding and fracturing hard earth formations and rock during excavations (e.g.

trimming or planing floor faces, rock side faces, trenching and general building footing detailing) are known in the prior art. Such machines can be removably mounted on the free end of an articulated arm of a tracked or conventionally wheeled excavator and the like.

Conventional grinding or cutting heads typically have a motor which is mounted separately from the tool on the excavator arm, and a gear train is used to transmit torque to the grinding wheels which are rotatably supported at a pedestal or housing bolted to a mounting base member at the linkage arm end remote from the drive. This arrangement considerably limits the grinding head positioning during operation.

Australian patent no. 762584 discloses a grinding head that incorporates the drive. By incorporating the drive into the head, there is no need for an additional gear train between the drive motor and the grinding drums when mounted and the grinding head with drive therefore offers improved flexibility.

2 o00 The present invention provides an improvement of the invention disclosed in Australian patent no. 762584.

0 z Summary of the Invention The present invention provides in a first aspect a drive unit for a rock or hard earth cutting machine on a c- vehicle, the drive unit comprising: Sat least one drive shaft; a drive comprising an electric or hydraulic motor and 00

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having a recess for receiving at least a portion of the at CI least one drive shaft and having a drive coupling arranged to inter-fit with a portion of the at least one drive shaft for transmitting drive to the at least one drive shaft; a mount for mounting the drive to a linkage arm of the cutting machine; and at least two substantially circular cutting blades; wherein each cutting blade is mounted to a or the drive shaft in a manner such that the cutting blades are spaced apart from one another and are drivable by the drive; and wherein an envelope defined by the projection of a periphery of at least one of the cutting blades in a direction parallel an axis of the drive shaft, on which the cutting blade is mounted, contains the drive.

In one embodiment the drive unit is arranged so that the envelope defined by the projection of a periphery of at least one of the cutting blades in a direction parallel an axis of the drive shaft, on which the cutting blade is mounted, contains the drive and the mount.

003 O The drive unit may comprise two parallel cutting blades and the drive may be positioned between the two cutting blades.

Cl For example, a cutting machine comprising such a drive Cunit having two cutting blades may be used to cut parallel cuts as part of a process for forming a trench. Using a 00

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conventional single blade cutting machines, it is CI necessary to cut a first cut, then move the cutting machine and cut a second cut, and then remove the rock or hard earth between the cuts to form the trench. As described above, the drive unit may comprise two cutting blades so that a "dual blade" arrangement may be formed, which simplifies cutting of parallel cuts procedure significantly. As two cuts are formed simultaneously, it is typically not necessary to move the drive unit with the cutting blades to cut the second cut. Further, it is possible to start removing the hard earth or rock between the cuts to start forming the trench immediately after only a portion of the length of the cuts has been formed which also has a significant practical advantage. In addition, if the relative position of the cutting blades is adjustable, the width of the trench is adjustable which relates to a further practical advantage. Alternatively, such a drive unit may be arranged to cut rock, such as sandstone, in an economic manner as more than one cut may be cut simultaneously.

The present invention provides in a second aspect a method of working hard rock or earth using a cutting machine comprising the drive unit in accordance with the first 004 aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the step of: 0 z simultaneously cutting at least two parallel cuts into the hard earth or rock.

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The method may also comprise the step of removing the rock Cl or hard earth between completed portions of the cuts so Cthat a trench is formed.

00 The invention will be more fully understood from the CI following description of specific embodiments of the invention. The description is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a drive according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a drive unit according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 shows a side view of a drive unit according to a further embodiment of the present invention, Figures 4 and show cross-sectional representations of drive shafts according to a further specific embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 shows a drive unit according to another specific embodiment of the present invention, Figures 6 shows a cross-sectional representations of 00 drive shafts according to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, o Figures 7 and show drive units according to further specific embodiments of the present invention, and Figure 8 shows a drive unit according to another specific embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments 00 Referring initially to Figure 1, a drive for a grinding or cutting machine according to a specific embodiment as now described. Figure 1 shows the drive 10 having a body (a portion of the body 11 is shown in Figure 1) and a coupling 12. In this embodiment, the drive 10 comprises a recess 17 that extends through the entire drive 10. The recess 17 is arranged to receive a draft shaft (not shown). The coupling 12 comprises a shrink disk 14 which is arranged to secure the drive shaft in the coupling 12.

The shrink disk has an aperture which reduces its diameter when bolts 15 are tightened. The shrink disk 14 comprises a rubber-like material that is clamped between disks 14A and 14B when bolts 15 are tightened so that the rubberlike material extends towards an axis of the recess 17 so that a drive shaft, when positioned in the recess 17, is clamped.

It is to be appreciated that in a variation of this embodiment the drive 10 may not comprise a shrink disk but other means may be used to secure a shaft such as nuts and bolts and/or flanges, splines or keyways.

In this embodiment the drive shaft may be clamped at a variety of positions along the length of the drive shaft so that the drive shaft is adjustable relative to the 00 6 drive 10. For example, the drive shaft may carry a _grinding drum or cutting blade. The drive 10 may also be 0 o attached to a mount (not shown) for mounting the drive to a linkage arm of an earth or rock cutting or grinding machine on a vehicle. Further, the body 11 has an outer housing portion (which is not shown in Figure 1 in order to facilitate illustration of other components).

OO It is to be appreciated that in a further variation of this embodiment the position of the drive shaft may not be adjustable relative to the drive.

In this embodiment the drive 10 comprises a hydraulic motor and has an opening 16 to receive the hydraulic fluid and an opening 18 that functions as an outlet for the hydraulic fluid. It will be appreciated, however, that in a variation of this embodiment the drive 10 may also comprise an electric motor.

Figure 2 shows the drive unit 10 with mount 19 for mounting the drive unit to a linkage arm of an earth or rock cutting or grinding machine such as a vehicle. Figure 2 also shows mounting flanges 21 and 23 for receiving cutting blades or grinding drums (not shown). In Figure 2 the outer housing portion 13 of the body 11 is also indicated. The housing portion 13 is in this embodiment cylindrical having wall portions 13a and 13b (a wall portion that opposes portion 13 b is formed by the body 11).

Figure 3 shows a drive unit according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the drive comprises a drive lla which does not comprise a 00 shrink disk. Shaft 25 has two threaded ends for receiving the flanges 21 and 23 and the shaft 25 is held in the

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o drive lla by the flanges 21 and 23. The flanges 21 and 23 are arranged to receive cutting blades or grinding drums.

Figure 4 shows drive shafts according to other embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 A shows a drive shaft that carries a cutting blade 24. In this embodiment, 00 the drive shaft 20 is hollow and is arranged to receive a further drive shaft 22 carrying a further blade 24. The drive shaft 20 is arranged to be received in the recess 17 of the coupling 12. The drive shaft 22 is securable in the drive shaft 20. In this embodiment, the drive shafts 22 and 20 are adjustable relative to each other so that the positions of the blades 24 can be adjusted relative to each other. In this embodiment the shafts are arranged so that the two blades 24 are positioned on the same side of the drive 10 shown in Figures 1 or 2.

Figure 4B shows a further arrangement of the drive shafts.

In this embodiment drive shaft 20 receives drive shaft 22 so that the blades 22 are positioned at opposing ends of the arrangement. Using the shaft and blade arrangements shown in Figures 4A and 4B, dual cutting heads can be formed with drive 10. In embodiment shown in Figure 4A, the two blades would be positioned on one side of the drive 10. The position of the two blades relative to the drive can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the outer shaft 20 relative to the drive coupling 12. Using the arrangement shown in Figure 4B a dual cutting head can be formed having one blade on either side of the drive Again, the relative position of the two blades relative to the drive 10 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of 8 the outer shaft 20 in the coupling 12.

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c o O Figure 5 shows a drive unit according to another embodiment of the invention. The coupling 23 of the drive unit has a drive shaft 21 fitted to it which carries a cutting blade 25. In this embodiment the drive shaft 21 comprises a thread 29 and is secured by a pair of nuts 27.

00 Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention. In this case hollow outer shaft 20 has received two inner shafts 22 from either end. Each inner shaft 22 carries a cutting blade 24. The inner shafts 22 are secured in the outer shaft 20 and the positions of the blades relative to the drive 10 are adjustable by adjusting outer shaft 20 in shrink disk 14.

It is to be appreciated that in a variation of this embodiment the shafts 22 may be directly inserted into the drive 10 without the hollow shaft 20. In this case the positions of the shafts relative to each other and relative to the drive body may or may not be adjustable.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 6, the shrink disks 14 are arranged so as to clamp the outer drive shafts 20 which in turn clamp respective inner drive shafts 22. Alternatively, the inner shafts 22 may also be secured in a respective outer drive shafts 20 by means of bolts, splines or keyways.

Figure 7 A shows drive unit 30 which is analogous to drive but in this case comprises a frame that is linked to a linkage arm of a cutting or grinding vehicle. In this embodiment, the drive unit 30 with blades 24 is relatively 00 9 narrow having a width that approximates that of a mount 32.

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0 Figure 7 B shows another embodiment of the invention. The embodiment shown in Figure 7 B is related to that shown in Figure 4 A. However, in this case the shaft 20 comprises two blades 24 and is secured by coupling 14 of drive Further, the machine comprises two shafts 22 which are 00 secured in hollow shaft 20 and which each comprise a blade 24. The relative position of the four blades relative to the drive 10 is adjustable by adjusting the position of the shaft in coupling 14. This arrangement therefore forms an adjustable quad blade cutting head.

It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to a particular number of shafts or cutting blades. Following the principle of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, a number of shafts may be inter-fitted and the head may comprise a number of cutting blades.

Further, each shaft may carry more than one cutting blade.

Figure 8 shows a drive unit according to a further specific embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the drive unit 60 comprises a drive shaft with cutting blade 24. The body lla with housing 13 of the drive unit 60 has a mount 19 for mounting to a linkage arm of a vehicle (not shown). In this embodiment the housing 13 of the body lla has two opposite side portions 64 and 66. The blade 24 is attached to the drive shaft 20 at the first side portion 64 via flange 21. The drive unit 60 is in this embodiment arranged so that a second body 68 can be attached to the second side portion 66. The second body 68 also comprises a mount 70 for attachment to the linkage 00 00 arm of the vehicle.

c o O The drive unit 60 is arranged so that, if the second body 68 is not attached to the side portion 66, a cutting blade 72 (or grinding drum) is attachable to the drive shaft at the second side portion 66 and via flange 23.

If the second body 68 is attached to the first body 11, a 00 user can choose which one of the mounts 19 and 70 he prefers to use for mounting the drive unit 60 to the linkage arm of the vehicle. For example, if mount 70 is used for mounting, the blade 24 is offset to one side of the vehicle. Alternatively, if the mount 19 is used for mounting the drive unit 60, the drive unit 60 may be positioned at a more central location. The drive unit therefore offers additional flexibility.

The second body 68 has a recess 74 at a side which forms a recessed flange. The side portion 74 has apertures for bolts via which the second body 68 is coupled to the first body lla. The flange is recessed and therefore the drive unit 60 has the advantage that no outer flange limits a cutting or grinding depth of the drive unit It is to be appreciated that in variations of the embodiment shown in Figure 8 at least one grinding drum may be attachable to the drive shaft 20 at either side portion of the body 11. Further, the drive unit 60 may be arranged for attachment of any number of cutting blades or grinding drums at either side portion.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular examples, it will be appreciated by those 00 -11 00 skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Further, the drive may not comprise a

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O recess but may alternatively comprise a projection over which a hollow portion of a drive shaft may be fitted. In addition the drive may be one of two or more drives forming a multi-drive cutting or grinding head.

Further, the reference that is being made to Australian 00 patent no. 762584 does not constitute an admission that this patent is a part of the common general knowledge in Australia or in any other country.

Claims (4)

1. A drive unit for a rock or hard earth cutting machine on a vehicle, the drive unit comprising: at least one drive shaft; Cl a drive comprising an electric or hydraulic motor and Chaving a recess for receiving at least a portion of the at least one drive shaft and having a drive coupling arranged 00 OC to inter-fit with a portion of the at least one drive CI shaft for transmitting drive to the at least one drive shaft; a mount for mounting the drive to a linkage arm of the cutting machine; and at least two substantially circular cutting blades; wherein each cutting blade is mounted to a or the drive shaft in a manner such that the cutting blades are spaced apart from one another and are drivable by the drive; and wherein an envelope defined by the projection of a periphery of at least one of the cutting blades in a direction parallel an axis of the drive shaft, on which the cutting blade is mounted, contains the drive.

2. The drive unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the drive unit is arranged so that the envelope defined by the projection of a periphery of at least one of the cutting blades in a direction parallel an axis of the drive shaft, on which the cutting blade is mounted, contains the drive and the mount. 00 13

3. The drive unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 comprising two parallel cutting blades and wherein the drive is 0 O positioned between the two cutting blades.

4. A method of working hard rock or earth using a cutting machine comprising the drive unit as claimed in C-i any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the step of: simultaneously cutting at least two parallel cuts 00 into the hard earth or rock. A drive unit or a method substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the drawings.