AU2019257453A1 - Linking member - Google Patents

Abstract

A linking member and wear member combination (10) is disclosed. The linking member has a body (12) with two looped end portions (14) and two opposing arm members (16) that connect the looped end portions (14). A wear member (22) is mounted on each arm member (16). Each wear member (22) has an outer wear surface (36), an inner bedding surface (26), opposing side edges (46) and end edges (48). Each arm member (16) configured to receive the wear member (22) such that the side (46) and end edges (48) of the wear member are substantially flush with the arm (16) of the linking member body (12). Figure 1 t 23Fi. Fig.2

Description

LINKING MEMBER

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a link member of the type used in heavy duty load bearing applications such as log-haul chains, ship and buoy anchor chains, conveyor chains and drag line chains.

BACKGROUND [0002] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

[0003] The present disclosure will describe link members having a particular application for dragline chains. However, it will be readily appreciated that the link members and wear members and combinations thereof as disclosed herein have broader application to any heavy duty application.

[0004] Chain link members used for heavy load applications are subject to extreme conditions and are subject to wear. The major points for wear are the inner bite or crutch area where adjacent chains contact each other and the sides or rails. The wear of the respective parts can vary depending on the use of the link. For example hoist chains generally experience most wear in the bite or crutch area and drag chains generally experience most wear on the outer sides or rails that contacts an abrasive surface in use.

[0005] Wear of link members is addressed in a number of ways including increasing the thickness at the wear points (that is offset by additional weight that reduces payload and adds to manufacturing costs), hard facing wear areas with hard wearing materials such Mig carbide hardfacing that deposits tungsten carbide chips onto the wear surface and manufacturing the link from proprietary alloys that increase hardness at the wear areas.

[0006] Dragline machines are employed in surface mining to remove overburden and dig out coal. A large bucket is suspended from a boom by hoist chains and is pulled through the overburden by drag chains. The rails of the drag chain links and in particular, the lower drag links are subjected to high levels of abrasion. In use, only the rail that is in contact with the ground becomes warn. Thus, in order to extend chain life, links are rotated.

[0007] Dragline chains are usually been made by placing individually cast links in a mold, placing cores around them and pouring the connecting link. Repair and rebuilding of such chains

2019257453 30 Oct 2019 has been a problem in that an adjoining link can never be moved completely out of the way to weld a worn area.

[0008] Dragline chains are design to “wear until fail” at which point the chains are replaced. This is considered more cost effective than repair and also reduces down time.

[0009] Dragline chain link wear is monitored by measuring the reduction in thickness of the link in the crotch and rail areas. When the thickness of the links in these areas reaches about 50%, the chain is replaced. In some cases, one link may wear to failure before the remaining links in the chain. This may occur for example in the drag chain links that are closer to the bucket and are subject to more abrasion. In this case, the wear life of the chain may be extended by replacing the worn link with a repair link. A repair link is a two part link in which each part is inserted into an adjacent link and the two parts are pinned or bolted together.

[0010] Generally dragline chains are replaced every 18 months to two years.

[0011] It will be appreciated that there is compromise between link strength and weight. The weight of the chain contributes to the overall payload of the bucket. The links are designed to be able to maintain strength over the wear life and the link thickness, and weight, when new is stronger than necessary. Making thicker links will increase wear life at the cost of payload.

[0012] Down time adds significant costs to a mining operation. Accordingly, it is highly desirable to maximize the wear life of dragline chains to reduce costs associated with maintenance and downtime without compromising payload and capital costs.

SUMMARY [0013] The present disclosure is directed to a linking member and wear member combination, a wear member, a linking member for use with a wear member, and a chain comprising at least one linking member and wear member combination, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided in combination, a linking member body having two looped end portions and two opposing arm members connecting the looped end portions and a wear member mounted on one or each arm member, wherein the or each wear member has an outer wear surface, an inner bedding surface, opposing side edges and end edges and the or each arm is configured to receive the wear 2

2019257453 30 Oct 2019 member such that the side and end edges of the wear member are substantially flush with the linking member body.

[0015] Suitably, a wear member is mounted on each arm member.

[0016] The wear member may be formed from a material having a greater degree of hardness or abrasion resistance than the linking member body.

[0017] The combination may comprise a locating arrangement for locating the wear member on the arm member.

[0018] The locating arrangement may comprises at least one projection and/or or recess on the wear member and at least one recess and/or or projection on the arm member.

[0019] Suitably the locating arrangement comprises at least one projection on the wear member and a complementary at least one recess on the arm member.

[0020] The combination may comprise three or four locating arrangements.

[0021] The opposing arm members of the linking member body may diverge outwardly from the away from the looped end portions and the distance separating the opposed arms is greatest at a point intermediate between the looped end portions.

[0022] Conventional linking members for heavy duty applications such as drag chains for draglines are rectangular shaped that is with parallel side arms. The reason for this is that this is the most cost effective shape to produce. However under heavy load conditions tensile forces may elongate the link and draw the sides of the link together. For this reason conventional drag chain links have a brace or reinforcing member between opposing arms or rails. The brace however adds to the overall weight of the chain.

[0023] In the preferred embodiment in which the arms of the linking member body diverge and the away from the looped ends widest spacing of the arms there is a point at which the arm is curved. This curvature may resist deformation.

[0024] Although these preferred links may be more expensive to manufacture than conventional mechanical, this cost may be more than offset by the increase in the wear life of the links.

[0025] Suitably, the cross section of the arm member in combination with the wear member is substantially ovoid in shape.

2019257453 30 Oct 2019 [0026] The wear member may extend about one third to one half of the distance around the perimeter of the arm member to which it is mounted.

[0027] The wear member suitably extends along the length of each arm member and around at least a part of each looped end portion.

[0028] The wear member may be retained on the linking member by means of one or more pins. In this case the pins may pass through aligned apertures in the wear member and arm member.

[0029] The pins may be configured such they can be installed and removed with the use of hand held tools.

[0030] The outer wear surface of the wear member may be profiled so as to allow retention of compacted particulate matter therein so as to protect or shield the wear surface.

[0031] The combination may further comprise a wear crotch member mounted to the inner of each looped end portion. The wear crotch member is suitably that described in applicants’ Australian patent No. 2011129314.

[0032] Also disclosed herein is a wear member for use with a linking member with a linking member body having two looped end portions and two opposing arm members connecting the looped end portions and a recess along the or each arm member, wherein the wear member has an outer wear surface, an inner bedding surface, opposing side edges and end edges and is configured to be received within the recess of the linking member body such that the side and end edges of the wear member are substantially flush with the linking member body.

[0033] The wear member may comprise a locating arrangement for locating the wear member on the arm member.

[0034] The locating arrangement may comprises at least one projection and/or or recess on the wear member.

[0035] The wear member may comprises three or four locating arrangements.

[0036] Suitably, the cross section of the arm member in combination with the wear member is substantially ovoid in shape.

[0037] The wear member may be configured to extend about one third to one half of around the perimeter of the arm member to which it is mounted.

2019257453 30 Oct 2019 [0038] The wear member is suitably configured to extend along the length of an arm member of the linking member body and around at least a part of each looped end portion.

[0039] The wear member may be retained on the linking member by means of one or more pins. In this case the pins may pass through aligned apertures in the wear member and arm member.

[0040] The outer wear surface of the wear member may be profiled so as to allow retention of compacted particulate matter therein so as to protect or shield the wear surface.

[0041] The profile may be of any suitable configuration that may retain and compact particulate matter in use. In one aspect, the profile may comprises a series of land and valley portions across the wear surface of the wear member. The land and valley may be generally aligned transvers to the longitudinal axis of the wear member.

[0042] In another aspect, there may be a plurality of projections that are arranged so as trap particulate matter therebetween.

[0043] Also disclosed here is a linking member body having two looped end portions and two opposing arm members connecting the looped end portions and a recess along the or each arm member configured to receive a wear member having an outer wear surface, an inner bedding surface, opposing side edges and end edges such that the side and end edges of the wear member are substantially flush with the linking member body.

[0044] Also disclosed herein is a chain of linking members, wherein at least one member of the chain is a linking member and wear member combination as disclosed herein.

[0045] Also disclosed is a method of repairing the linking members, the method comprising the steps of removing a worn wear member from one of the linking members of the chain and replacing the worn wear member with a new wear member.

[0046] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0047] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

2019257453 30 Oct 2019

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0048] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the disclosure may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0049] Figure 1 is a top plan view of a linking member and a wear member according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0050] Figure 2 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a linking member and wear member of the discourse;

[0051] Figure 3 is a cross section through A-A of the linking member of Figure 1 and Figure 2;

[0052] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the linking member and wear member as shown in Figure 1;

[0053] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the linking member and wear member as shown in Figure 1;

[0054] Figure 6 is a top plan view of a linking member with a wear member of a further embodiment as disclosed herein; and [0055] Figure 7 is a cross section of the link through A-A as shown in Figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0056] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0057] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any

2019257453 30 Oct 2019 suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0058] Figure 1 shows a linking member and wear member combination 10 as disclosed herein. The linking member combination 10 is a chain link suitably of the type for use in heavy service applications and in particular a drag chain link for a drag chain of a dragline.

[0059] The linking member combination 10 has a main body 12 and wear members mounted thereon as will be discussed below.

[0060] The linking member body 12 has two closed loop end portions 14 joined by two opposing arm members or rails 16. The arm members 16 diverge outwardly from the looped end portions 14. The distance separating the arm members 16 is greatest at the mid portion marked by A-A.

[0061] The linking member body 12 has a longitudinal wear member 22 mounted on and covering the outer surface of each arm member 16. The inner surface 24 of the arm members 16 that are not subjected to abrasion are uncovered.

[0062] The wear member 22 has a substantially straight rail section 23 that extends along the length of each arm member 16 and ends in two end sections 25 that are curved inwardly so as to conform to the looped ends 14 of the linking member body 12. The ends 25 sit flush against the outer looped ends 14 of the linking member body 12.

[0063] Figure 2 shows an alternative linking member 50 in the form of a pear link that joins the end of a chain to a work member. The linking member 50 also has two wear member 22 mounted on each arm 16 in the same manner as shown in Figure 1.

[0064] Figure 3 shows that the wear member 22 has a curved outer wear surface 36 that in use is subjected to abrasion and wear as a result of contact with overburden and an inner curved bedding surface 26. The arm 16 of the linking member body 12 is configured to be complimentary to the inner bedding surface 26 so that the bedding surface 26 beds snugly onto the outer surface 27 of the arm member 16 of the linking member body 12. The outer 36 and inner 26 surfaces connect at rounded edges 28. These rounded edges 28 are received within a complimentary U shaped rail 31 of the arm 16.

[0065] Figure 3 shows that the wear member 22 extends about half the distance around the circumference of the arm 16.

[0066] It may be seen that when the arm 16 and wear member 22 are bedded together, the combined cross section forms an oval shape and the outer surface 36 of the wear member is 7

2019257453 30 Oct 2019 flush with the surface of the arm 16. This presents a smooth surface and protects against the two parts being forced part in use and/or aggregation of particulates between the parts.

[0067] A wear thickness is defined between the outer surface 36 and the inner surface 26 of the wear member 22. The wear thickness is thicker towards the middle section that experiences the most wear.

[0068] The wear member 22 has a series of four spaced locating members in the form of rounded projections or plugs 32. The arms 16 of the link body 12 have four rounded recesses 34 complimentary to each plug 32.

[0069] Figure 5 also shows more clearly that the wear member 22 has opposing side edges 46 and end edges 48.

[0070] The alignment and location of the plugs 32 and recesses 34 may be more easily seen in Figure 5. The plugs/recesses assist in location of the wear member 22 on the body 12 and further resist relative movement of the two parts in use.

[0071] The wear member 22 is secured to the linking member body 12 by means of pins or other suitable fastener. The wear member 22 has a series of spaced apertures 40 along each side thereof.

[0072] The combination of the mating end surfaces, plugs and pins allows the linking member body 12 and the wear member 22 to be securely joined together without requiring welding parts together. Welding of wear members to work machine parts such as buckets, spacers and the like is well known. This is a time consuming process requiring the welds holding the wear plate in plate in place to be gouged out and a fresh plate welded thereon. This must be done off site and thus causes considerable downtime for the work machine part. It would be appreciated that such repair of a drag chain with up to 17 or 20 links would be completely impractical.

[0073] In contrast, the present wear members 22 may be removed and replaced without the need for welds and with readily available tools. Change of wear members may be done on site with minimum downtime.

[0074] The combination 10 further includes a wear crotch 42 at the inner part of each looped end. The wear crotch 42 reduces wear in the bite or crotch area where adjacent chains contact each other. The wear crotch can also be mounted and removed from the linking member body without welding. The wear crotch may be replaced with a new wear crotch.

2019257453 07 Nov 2019 [0075] Figure 6 shows another embodiment of a linking member body and wear member combination with an alternative wear member 100. The linking member body 12 is the same as that of the combination shown in Figure 1.

[0076] The wear member 100 has a profiled wear surface 102 with land 106 and valley 108 areas transverse to the longitudinal axis of the linking member body 12 and transverse to the general direction of travel during the dragging process. In use, overburden is impacted and impacted particulate matter will become trapped in the valleys and will cover at least part of the wear surface, thereby protecting the wear surface.

[0077] It will be appreciated that the combination of linking member body and wear member as disclosed herein may have certain advantages over the prior art.

[0078] The ability to replace worn wear members may increase the wear life of a chain. The present inventor believes wear life may be increased by up to 50% or more.

[0079] Further, because the wear members are replaceable, and the actual linking member body is not subject to significant wear, the overall thickness of the link member body can be less than for conventional chin link members, thereby reducing weight.

[0080] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (19)

1. In combination, a linking member body having two looped end portions and two opposing arm members connecting the looped end portions and a wear member mounted on one or each arm member, wherein the or each wear member has an outer wear surface, an inner bedding surface, opposing side edges and end edges and the or each arm member is configured to receive the wear member such that the side and end edges of the wear member are substantially flush with the linking member body.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein a wear member is mounted on each arm member.

3. The combination of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wear member is formed from a material having a greater degree of hardness or abrasion resistance than the linking member body.

4. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 3, that comprises at least one locating arrangement for locating the wear member on the arm member.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein each locating arrangement comprises at least one projection and/or or recess on the wear member and at least one recess and/or or projection on the arm member.

6. The combination of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the locating arrangement comprises at least one projection on the wear member and a complementary recess on the arm member.

7. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the opposing arm members of the linking member body may diverge outwardly from the away from the looped end portions and the distance separating the opposed arms is greatest at a point between the looped end portions.

8. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cross section of the arm member in combination with the wear member is substantially ovoid in shape.

9. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the wear member may extend about one third to one half of the distance around the perimeter of the arm member to which it is mounted.

10. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wear member extends along the length of each arm member and around at least a part of each looped end portion.

11. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the wear member is retained on

2019257453 07 Nov 2019 the linking member by means of one or more pins.

12. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the outer wear surface of the wear member is profiled so as to allow retention of compacted particulate matter therein so as to protect or shield the wear surface.

13. The combination of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a wear crotch member mounted to the inner of each looped end portion.

14. A wear member for use with a linking member with a linking member body having two looped end portions and two opposing arm members connecting the looped end portions and a recess along the or each arm member, wherein the wear member has an outer wear surface, an inner bedding surface, opposing side edges and end edges and is configured to be received within the recess of the linking member body such that the side and end edges of the wear member are substantially flush with the linking member.

15. The wear member of claim 14 comprising a locating arrangement for locating the wear member on the arm member.

16. The wear member of claim 14, wherein the locating arrangement comprises at least one projection and/or or recess on the wear member.

17. A linking member body having two looped end portions and two opposing arm members connecting the looped end portions and a recess along the or each arm member configured to receive a wear member having an outer wear surface, an inner bedding surface, opposing side edges and end edges such that the side and end edges of the wear member are substantially flush with the linking member body.

18. A chain of linking members, wherein at least one member of the chain is a linking member and wear member combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

19. A method of repairing the chain of claim 18, comprising the steps of removing a worn wear member from one of the linking members of the chain and replacing the worn wear member with a new wear member.