EP0718078A1 - Appareil destiné à fendre les bûches - Google Patents

Appareil destiné à fendre les bûches Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0718078A1
EP0718078A1 EP94309714A EP94309714A EP0718078A1 EP 0718078 A1 EP0718078 A1 EP 0718078A1 EP 94309714 A EP94309714 A EP 94309714A EP 94309714 A EP94309714 A EP 94309714A EP 0718078 A1 EP0718078 A1 EP 0718078A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
fluid
spring
cylinder
valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94309714A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0718078B1 (fr
Inventor
Robert H. Green
Dennis D. Price
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Clarke Power Products Inc
Original Assignee
Clarke Power Products Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Clarke Power Products Inc filed Critical Clarke Power Products Inc
Priority to EP94309714A priority Critical patent/EP0718078B1/fr
Priority to DE69423636T priority patent/DE69423636T2/de
Priority to AT94309714T priority patent/ATE190896T1/de
Publication of EP0718078A1 publication Critical patent/EP0718078A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0718078B1 publication Critical patent/EP0718078B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27L—REMOVING BARK OR VESTIGES OF BRANCHES; SPLITTING WOOD; MANUFACTURE OF VENEER, WOODEN STICKS, WOOD SHAVINGS, WOOD FIBRES OR WOOD POWDER
    • B27L7/00—Arrangements for splitting wood

Definitions

  • Hydraulically actuated log splitters are known, and are normally provided with a ram extended under a hydraulically generated force to drive a log into a splitting wedge. After the log is split, the ram is retracted utilizing hydraulic force acting in the opposite direction. Typically, if the ram should be obstructed during retraction, hydraulic pressure builds up, and the force exerted to retract the ram increases. This presents a safety concern if a portion of the operator's body were to be accidently engaged by the ram during retraction.
  • a device which senses the pressure developed during ram retraction.
  • the device diverts hydraulic fluid from the ram if a pressure buildup is sensed during retraction, for example by repositioning the control valve to a neutral position.
  • Such a device is not passively safe; it requires a positive action of the device to perform the safety function.
  • the force developed by the fluid pressure in the hydraulic intensifier is insufficient to overcome the force exerted by the spring, and the ram remains retracted. If the control valve is placed in the "extend" position, the path to the return conduit is blocked off, and hydraulic pressure builds up in the hydraulic intensifier. The force developed by the fluid pressure overcomes the spring pressure, and the ram extends towards the wedge. A log placed between the ram and the wedge will be split by the wedge. After the log is split, the control valve is taken out of the extend position, and the path to the return line is opened. Hydraulic pressure decreases, and the force the fluid exerts decreases to less than the force developed by the spring, causing the ram to retract.
  • the log splitter includes an improved wedge having a lower end secured to the frame and a free upper end.
  • the diverging faces of the wedge form a greater angle at the free end than at the secured lower end. This causes a log to be split more rapidily by the free end of the wedge, thereby forcing the log downwardly against the frame.
  • a support member 26 extends vertically from the frame 14.
  • the support member 26 preferably is a length of channel iron having a generally C-shaped cross section, with a middle section oriented perpendicular to the axis of the log splitter 10.
  • the cylinder 24 extends through an opening (not shown) in the support member 26 and the flange 25 on the cylinder 24 is secured by bolts 27 (Fig. 2) to the support member 26.
  • the flange 25 is secured to the side of the support member 26 facing the wedge 18. It will be appreciated that this arrangement permits large reaction forces generated on the cylinder 24 during log splitting operations to be transmitted directly from the flange 25 to the support member 26, and not through the threaded fasteners 27.
  • the frame 14 supports an engine 28.
  • the engine 28 in a preferred embodiment is a vertical shaft gasoline internal combustion engine.
  • engine other types of prime movers, such an electric motor, may be utilized and are intended to be broadly encompassed by the term "engine”.
  • the engine 28 drives a hydraulic pump 30.
  • the pump 30 depends from the frame 14 below the engine 28. This permits the pump 30 to occupy a low position relative to the rest of the hydraulic system, thereby permitting the pump 30 to prime more easily.
  • a vertical engine shaft facilitates placement of the pump 30 in a low position.
  • vertical shaft engines are typically less expensive and have a lower center of gravity which improves the overall stability of the log splitter 10.
  • hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 38 is supplied to the pump 30 via a suction conduit or line 42.
  • the pump 30 discharges pressurized fluid through a supply conduit or line 44 to a control valve 46.
  • the control valve 46 directs the fluid either back to the reservoir 38 via a return conduit or line 48 or to the cylinder 24.
  • the conduits 42, 44 and 48 are preferably rigid metallic tubing.
  • control valve 46 is threaded onto an end 47 of the cylinder 24 opposite from the end 23.
  • the control valve 46 is supported by the cylinder 24.
  • the control valve 46 includes a body 50 and a valve piston 52 which is manually operated by a handle 54.
  • the control valve 46 may be operated in an extend mode to direct the flow of fluid from the supply conduit 44 into the cylinder 24, or in a neutral mode in which the fluid flows into the return conduit 48.
  • the collar 58 positions and supports an interior end 64 of the piston tube 56.
  • a bushing 62 is positioned about the piston tube 56 within the end 23 of the cylinder 24.
  • the bushing 62 provides additional positioning and a sliding support for the piston tube 56.
  • the bushing 62 also keeps contaminants, such as wood chips, off of the interior surfaces of the cylinder 24, where they might damage the seal 60 or jam the piston 22.
  • a drain opening 64 drains any hydraulic fluid which may leak into an annular space 66 between the collar 58 and the bushing 62. Hydraulic fluid might enter the space 66 if the seal 60 were damaged. There is a possibility that the piston 22 may draw contaminants past the bushing 62 and into the space 66, contaminating any fluid in the space 66. Therefore, the drain 64 directs fluid for disposal outside of the log splitter 10, rather than back to the reservoir 38, for example. The drain 64 additionally acts to vent the space 66, preventing hydraulic lock as the collar 58 moves relative to the bushing 62, changing the volume of the space 66.
  • the second spring retainer 76 is similar in design to the first spring retainer 75. Also, the arrangement for securing the spring retainer 76 is generally the same as for securing the spring retainer 75.
  • the ram 20 has an internally threaded coupling 86 which engages a threaded piston end 81.
  • An O-ring seal 87 is seated in an annular groove 88 formed in the coupling 86 to provide a fluid-tight seal between the piston tube 56 and the coupling 86.
  • a flange 88 on the spring retainer 76 is captured between the piston end 81 and the ram 20.
  • a bowed tab 89 extends diametrically across the spring retainer 76.
  • the piston 22 and the cylinder 24 cooperate to define an expansion chamber 96 extending between the spring retainer 75 and the spring retainer 76.
  • the spring 72 is located within the chamber 96 for urging the piston 22 toward a retracted position abutting the spring retainer 75.
  • the spring 72 includes hooked ends 98 or other means for engaging the tab 79 of the spring retainer 75 and the tab 89 of the spring retainer 76.
  • the valve piston 52 slides in the second bore portion 104.
  • the valve piston 52 has a reduced diameter portion 112 adjacent an end 113 and an enlarged diameter head 114 adjacent an end 115.
  • the reduced diameter portion 112 is greater in diameter than the first central bore portion 102.
  • the wedge 18 is a plate extending vertically between two horizontal flanges 126.
  • the flanges 126 are welded or otherwise secured to the bulkhead 37 proximate the upper surface 34 of the tubing 32.
  • a fixed end 127 of the wedge 18 is is attached, preferably by welding, both to the flanges 126 and to the bulkhead 37.
  • the wedge 18 extends above the plane of the upper surface 34 of the tubing 32 and includes a splitting edge 128 formed by two intersecting surfaces 129 generally perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface 34. The splitting edge 128 faces the ram 20.
  • the engine 28 is started to drive the pump 30.
  • the pump 30 draws hydraulic fluid through the suction line 42 from the reservoir 38 and supplies the fluid to the control valve 46 via the supply conduit 44.
  • the control valve 46 With the control valve 46 in the retract position, the fluid is returned from the central bore 100 to the reservoir 38 via the outlet 110 and the return line 48, as seen in Fig. 4.
  • the central bore 100 is in communication with the chamber 96.
  • the fluid path through the outlet 110 bleeds off pressure from the central bore 100.
  • the force exerted by the hydraulic fluid within the chamber 96 on the piston 22 is consequently insufficient to overcome the force exerted on the piston 22 by the piston return spring 72.
  • the spring 72 thus maintains the piston 22 and the attached ram 20 in the retracted position.
  • fluid pressure in the first portion 102 of the bore 100 acts in a manner tending to unseat the piston 52.
  • the axial face of the reduced diameter portion 112 of the piston 52 presents a relatively small surface area on which pressurized fluid in the bore 100 can act.
  • the valve spring 124 also exerts a force on the valve piston 52 tending to unseat the piston 52.
  • Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate an alternate embodiment of a control valve 46' of the present invention.
  • the control valve 46' is threaded onto the cylinder 24 in a manner similar to the control valve 46 previously described.
  • the control valve 46' includes a body 50' and a rotary spool 52' which may be operated by a handle 54', As with the control valve 46 discussed above, the control valve 46' may be operated in an extend mode to direct the flow of fluid from the supply conduit 44 via an inlet 108' into the cylinder 24. Similarly, the control valve 46' may be place in a neutral mode in which the flow of fluid out of a fluid outlet 110' to the return conduit 48 is permitted.
  • the spool 52' is rotatable in the second portion 104', with the second end thereof abutting the shoulder 106'.
  • the spool 52' is rotated to align the slot 146 with a fluid outlet 110' formed through the valve body 50'.
  • the spool 52' permits communication from the supply conduit 44 to the fluid outlet 110', which in turn communicates with the return conduit 48.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Fluid-Pressure Circuits (AREA)
  • Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)
  • Chemical And Physical Treatments For Wood And The Like (AREA)
  • Safety Valves (AREA)
EP94309714A 1994-12-22 1994-12-22 Circuit hydraulique pour fendeuses à bois oléodinamiques Expired - Lifetime EP0718078B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP94309714A EP0718078B1 (fr) 1994-12-22 1994-12-22 Circuit hydraulique pour fendeuses à bois oléodinamiques
DE69423636T DE69423636T2 (de) 1994-12-22 1994-12-22 Hydraulikkreislauf für hydraulischem Holzspalter
AT94309714T ATE190896T1 (de) 1994-12-22 1994-12-22 Hydraulikkreislauf für hydraulischem holzspalter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP94309714A EP0718078B1 (fr) 1994-12-22 1994-12-22 Circuit hydraulique pour fendeuses à bois oléodinamiques

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0718078A1 true EP0718078A1 (fr) 1996-06-26
EP0718078B1 EP0718078B1 (fr) 2000-03-22

Family

ID=8217958

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94309714A Expired - Lifetime EP0718078B1 (fr) 1994-12-22 1994-12-22 Circuit hydraulique pour fendeuses à bois oléodinamiques

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0718078B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE190896T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69423636T2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007075905A1 (fr) * 2005-12-22 2007-07-05 Mtd Products Inc. Conception de verin a soupape solidaire pour fendeuse de buches
WO2010122225A1 (fr) * 2009-04-21 2010-10-28 Maaselän Kone Oy Procédé pour réaliser du bois de chauffage avec une machine à couper du bois, et machine à couper du bois

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH244777A (de) * 1945-02-01 1946-09-30 Sueffert Buerner Fritz Holzspaltmaschine.
DE908790C (de) * 1945-01-03 1954-04-08 Adolf Hoeschle Verfahren und Einrichtung zur Herstellung von Tankholz
US3077214A (en) * 1959-08-27 1963-02-12 Waco Aircraft Co Log splitter
US3640323A (en) * 1969-11-05 1972-02-08 Sawmill Hydraulics Inc Apparatus for splitting and chopping timber
EP0051853A1 (fr) * 1980-11-10 1982-05-19 Zanutto, Gabriella née Marigonda Fendeuse hydraulique munie d'un entraînement à partir d'une tronçonneuse à chaine
FR2504053A1 (fr) * 1981-04-16 1982-10-22 Unicum Sa Appareil a fonctionnement hydraulique destine a fendre les buches
US4615366A (en) * 1985-07-08 1986-10-07 Scarbrough Jr John D Log splitter with rapid return hydraulic cylinder
WO1992011980A1 (fr) * 1991-01-04 1992-07-23 Jerzy Janczak Fendeur de bois
WO1993015886A1 (fr) * 1992-02-18 1993-08-19 Jerzy Janczak Outil a actionnement hydraulique

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE908790C (de) * 1945-01-03 1954-04-08 Adolf Hoeschle Verfahren und Einrichtung zur Herstellung von Tankholz
CH244777A (de) * 1945-02-01 1946-09-30 Sueffert Buerner Fritz Holzspaltmaschine.
US3077214A (en) * 1959-08-27 1963-02-12 Waco Aircraft Co Log splitter
US3640323A (en) * 1969-11-05 1972-02-08 Sawmill Hydraulics Inc Apparatus for splitting and chopping timber
EP0051853A1 (fr) * 1980-11-10 1982-05-19 Zanutto, Gabriella née Marigonda Fendeuse hydraulique munie d'un entraînement à partir d'une tronçonneuse à chaine
FR2504053A1 (fr) * 1981-04-16 1982-10-22 Unicum Sa Appareil a fonctionnement hydraulique destine a fendre les buches
US4615366A (en) * 1985-07-08 1986-10-07 Scarbrough Jr John D Log splitter with rapid return hydraulic cylinder
WO1992011980A1 (fr) * 1991-01-04 1992-07-23 Jerzy Janczak Fendeur de bois
WO1993015886A1 (fr) * 1992-02-18 1993-08-19 Jerzy Janczak Outil a actionnement hydraulique

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007075905A1 (fr) * 2005-12-22 2007-07-05 Mtd Products Inc. Conception de verin a soupape solidaire pour fendeuse de buches
WO2010122225A1 (fr) * 2009-04-21 2010-10-28 Maaselän Kone Oy Procédé pour réaliser du bois de chauffage avec une machine à couper du bois, et machine à couper du bois

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69423636D1 (de) 2000-04-27
EP0718078B1 (fr) 2000-03-22
DE69423636T2 (de) 2000-11-23
ATE190896T1 (de) 2000-04-15

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