GB1563448A

GB1563448A - Vibratory plough

Info

Publication number: GB1563448A
Application number: GB3690277A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: JI Case Co
Current assignee: Case LLC
Priority date: 1976-09-23
Filing date: 1977-09-05
Publication date: 1980-03-26
Also published as: FR2372580A1; JPS5339614A; AU2886577A; AU508695B2; DE2742988A1

Description

(54) VIBRATORY PLOUGH (71) We, J. I. CASE COMPANY, a corporation organised and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America, of 700 State Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53404, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following state ment:- This invention relates generally to a plough of the type which is vibrated to reduce the drawbar pull and limit ground disturbance.

Ploughs having an elongated vertical blade have been used to lay cables, flexible pipe, etc. The cable or pipe may either be pulled through the cut of the plough blade or cable chute may be provided on the trailing edge of the blade which guides the cable into the ground from a drum mounted on the prime mover, More recently, various types of vibrators have been mounted on the plough blade or the supporting frame to reduce the drawbar pull or force required to pull the blade through the ground, and one such is disclosed in United States Patent No.

3,363,423. For the same reason, vibration has been utilized in other plough applications, including rippers, etc. Vibration of the blade of a cable laying plough has also resulted in other advantages, including less ground disturbance, faster cable laying installation, etc.

Following the development of vibratory cable laying ploughs, several improvements have been made particularly relating to isolation of the vibrating blade and it has been proposed to provide the frame support of a cable laying plough with torque cushioning elements which absorb the reciprocable motion of the support and substantially isolate the frame from the supporting structure. The vibrator or shaker of such proposal includes two eccentrically mounted weights which rotate in opposite directions to impart vertical vibration to the shaker.

The eccentric weights are mounted on parallel shafts. One shaft is driven by a motor and the opposed shaft is driven in the opposite direction by a gearing arrangement.

However the gear drive is relatively inexpensive and results in noise and heat and requires maintenance. Further, the vibrator or shaker must be isolated from the tractor or prime mover, requiring a relatively complex, expensive frame support.

As stated, an important advantage of vibratory ploughs is the reduction in drawbar pull, however in wet gumbo or soil containing heavy sod or roots, a vibratory plough has difficulty because the soil tends to warp around the blade and follow its vibratory motion. Where the plough can not shear the mass, the plough must be lifted over the obstruction and reset.

The general object of this invention is therefore to eliminate such problems and to provide a vibrating drive for the blade or blades which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and which eliminates the requirement for a complex frame assembly to isolate the vibrator or shaker from the prime mover and to enable two blades to be incorporated to provide a shearing action, permitting the blade to pass through wet and heavy soil and soil containing roots and other obstructions.

According to the present invention, a vibratory plough has a frame; a generally vertical plough blade; and a vibrator therefor, the vibrator comprising a weight rotatable in a housing to produce oscillation of the housing about a neutral axis and being supported by means on said axis fixed in relation to the frame but permitting such oscillation, the blade being carried by the frame and coupled to the housing on one side of said neutral axis whereby such oscillation of the housing causes vertical oscillation of the blade, the plough including means supported on the vibrator housing on the other side of said neutral axis to counterbalance the blade. The plough is intended to be drawn by a prime mover or vehicle, such as a conventional tractor or bulldozer.

When the vibratory plough of this invention is to be used as a cable laying plough, the assembly may also include a cable chute on the trailing edge of the blade which receives and guides the cable into the slit cut by the plough blade. It will be understood that the vibratory cable laying plough may be used to lay any flexible elongated element in the ground, including flexible pipe, electrical cables and the like.

The vibrator is normally supported on the frame by resilient bushes which permit the vibrator to oscillate and the blade is supported on the vibrator housing, spaced from the neutral axis, resulting in generally vertical vibration of the blade.

Where only one blade is incorporated, a counter-weight is supported on the vibrator housing on the opposed side of the neutral axis, counter-balancing the blade.

Where two blades are used to impart a shearing action, the blades are supported on the vibrator housing on opposed sides of the neutral axis, preferably equidistant from the neutral axis. The blades are thus vibrated in opposite directions to impart a shearing action to the soil.

The vibrator or shaker preferably includes a pair of weights eccentrically mounted on parallel shafts within the vibrator housing. The weights are driven in the same direction, 180 degrees out of phase by a simple belt drive, imparting an oscillating motion to the vibrator housing having a varying and reversing moment about the neutral axis. The amplitude of the oscillatory motion may be adjusted by a pair of weights supported on the vibrator housing equi-distant from the neutral axis and an adjustment means is preferably provided to vary the distance between the amplitude adjustment weights and the neutral axis of the vibrator to adiust the amplitude of the oscillating motion.

The vibratory plough of the present invention may be driven by a simple belt drive which rotates the weights in the same direction, 180 degrees out of phase to substantially reduce, or perhaps eliminate the gearing, noise and maintenance of prior proposals.

The vibratory plough of the invention is relatively simple in construction and results in several advantages over the prior art.

The frame for example, may be a single plate having resilient bushings which receive the vibrator or shaker with the neutral axis in the plane of the frame plate.

The vibrator may be driven by a motor and belt drive because the weights are driven in the same direction, thus eliminating costly gears and castings, as well as limiting noise, heat and maintenance. Isolation of the vibrator from the prime mover is not required since all acceleration forces within the vibrator are equal and opposite, providing greater operator comfort and a low noise level.

The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partial side elevation of one embodiment of cable laying vibrating plough in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the vibratory plough shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial side view of the vibratory plough, illustrating the blade support; Fig. 4 is a top view, partially cross sectioned, of one embodiment of a vibrator or shaker; Fig. 5 is a partial rear view of an embodiment of the double blade assembly shown in Figs. 1 to 4; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the blade assembly shown in Fig. 5, in the direction of view arrows 6--6; Fig. 7 is a partial side view of one blade of the assembly shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a side elevation, similar to Fig.

1, illustrating another embodiment of a vibratory plough in accordance with this invention; Fig. 9 is a rear view of the vibratory plough shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is an enlarged side elevation of the blade assembly shown in Figs. 8 and 9; and Fig. 11 is a partially cross-sectioned top elevation of the vibrator or shaker shown in Fig. 9.

The embodiment of cable-laying plough shown in Figs. 1 to 4 includes a prime mover 22 and a vibratory plough assembly 24. It will be understood that the prime mover may be any suitable vehicle, including bulldozers, tractors and the like. The vibratory plough assembly generally includes a frame 26, a vibrator or shaker 28 and a plough assembly 30. As described, the plough of this invention may be used to lay cable, flexible pipe or hose underground. In a conventional application, the cable is supported on a drum at the forward end of the prime mover, not shown. The cable 32 is then received over suitable reels to the cable chute 34 on the rearward end of the plough assembly as described more fully hereinbelow.

The vibrator 28 which is best shown in Fig. 4, comprises a housing 38 and a pair of weights eccentrically mounted for rotation within the housing. One weight 42 is split and mounted in spaced relation on the shaft 44 and the opposed weight 46 is mounted near the centre of shaft 48 so that the weight 46 will pass between the halves of weight 42. The shafts 44 and 48 are mounted in suitable bearings 50, such as roller bearings, to permit free rotation of the weights 42 and 46. The shaft 48 is driven by a motor 52 and the shaft 44 is driven in the same rotational direction by a belt 54 which is received on suitable rollers 56 on the shafts. A counterweight 58 is provided to counterbalance the mass of the motor 52.

The weights rotate in the same direction, 180 degrees out of phase and this allows the weights to be belt driven, thus eliminating costly gears and limiting noise, heat and maintenance. Where the weights are timed as described, the vibrator oscillates about a central or neutral axis 60 with a varying and reversing moment as shown by arrows 62 in Fig. 2. The shaker oscillaes from a maximum clockwise moment to zero moment and reversing to a maximum counter clockwise moment to zero moment as the weights rotate about their respective axes. This varying and reversing oscillation is then utilized to vibrate the plough blades generally vertically as described hereinbelow.

The vibrator 28 is mounted on the frame 26 in the neutral axis 60 to permit oscillation of the vibrator. The vibrator includes a support shaft on opposed sides of the vibrator coaxially aligned with the neutral axis. The input shaft 64 includes a resilient bushing 66 which is secured to the forward end 68 of the frame 26 as shown in Fig. 1 and the output shaft 70 includes a resilient bushing 72 which is mounted on the rearward end of the frame 26. Rotation of the weights 42 and 46 thus results in the oscillatory motion described above.

The shaker also includes an amplitude adjustment mechanism as shown in Figs. 2 to 4. A pair of weights 76 having equal mass are adjustably supported on the shaker housing equidistant from the neutral axis 60.

The shaker housing includes a channel 78 which slidably receives the weights 76 as best shown in Fig. 3. The weights each include a threaded bore which receives a threaded adjustment rod 80. The bores of the weights 76 are oppositely threaded to maintain the weights equidistant from the neutral axis as the rod 80 is turned. The rod 80 is rotatably supported on end brackets 82 and the rod includes a flat end portion 84 which may receive a crank handle 86 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Rotation of the crank handle 86 thus rotates rod 80 to adjust the distance between amplitude adjustment weights 76 and the neutral axis.

These weights change the shaker's rotational inertia as they are moved, thereby changing the shaker's natural frequency, resulting in a change in the amplitude of oscillation. As the weights are moved outwardly from the neutral axis, the amplitude of oscillation is decreased. The adjustment of the amplitude of oscillation of the shaker also results in an adjustment of the amplitude of vertical vibration of the plough blades.

Plough blades 90 are supported on the vibrator as described below. Blade mounting plates 92 are supported on the output shaft 70 of the vibrator by shaft 94 and spherical bushings 96 and the plates are connected to the rigid frame by needle bearing rollers 98. The outer race of the spherical bushings must be free to slide within the support bracket to prevent binding. The blades 90 are then connected to the blade support plates 92 by a tongue and groove joint 100 as shown in Fig. 2 and by bolts 102. (It will be understood that the cable guide 34 in Fig. 1 has not been shown in Figs. 2 to 4 to more clearly illustrate the structure of the assembly).

The operation of the vibratory plough assembly shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is as follows. Motor 52 and belt drive 54 rotate weights 42 and 46 in the same direction.

180 degrees out of phase. This rotation of the vibrator weights results in oscillation of the vibrator about neutral axis 60 with a varying and reversing moment. The blades 90 and support plates 92 are supported on the vibrator housing on output shaft 70 on opposed sides of the neutral axis, resulting in opposite vibration of the blades.

That is, one blade is moving upwardly as the opposed blade is moving downwardly.

With the two blades 90 moving in opposite directions, any material in contact with the blade will be pulled tight across the leading edges of the blade and then drawn downwardly by one blade and simultaneously upwardly by the opposed blade. This results in a shearing action which is very desirable in a plough, particularly in a cable laying plough.

The frame 26 is supported on the hitch 104 of the prime mover by a drawbar pivot 106. The upper edge of the frame is connected by hydraulic cylinder 108 to the prime mover as shown in Fig. 1, such that the blade assembly may be tipped upwardly as shown in Fig. 1 by retracting cylinder 108.

The blade 90 may be lowered into the soil by operating motor 52 which transmits vertical vibrations to plow blades 90. The cylinder 108 is then extended and the blades cut into the soil as the blade is lowered. The prime mover 22 is then moved forwardly and the cable 32 is disposed in the slot cut by the blades.

A suitable embodiment of the blade assembly 30 is shown in Figs. 5 to 7. In this embodiment, the blades are supported in bearing relation to prevent separation of the blades in the soil. The blades are each tapered at the forward or leading edge 110 as shown in Fig. 6. Each blade includes a channel 112 which receives the cable guide 114 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The blades each include a carbide insert 116 which is received in a slot at the forward edge of the blade and brazed or otherwise secured in place. A bearing insert 118 is provided between the blades to provide bearing contact.

The bearing material is preferably a fluorinated hydrocarbon, such as Delrin which is rivetted, bolted or otherwise secured in place as shown at 120 (Delrin is a registered Trade Mark). The carbide insert limits damage to the blade when the blade engages an obstacle in the soil and the bearing insert 118 prevents damage to the blades as the blades are moved in opposite directions in bearing contact. The cable is received in cable guide 114 and guided from guide channel 34 as shown in Fig. 1 to the lower edge of the blade, As described above, the blades 90 are connected to support plates 92 by a tongue and groove joint 100 and bolts 102. The blades each include a notch 122 which receives the tongue of the support plates 92 and an aperture 124 may be threaded to receive the mounting bolts.

Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate another embodiment of vibratory plough in accordance with this invention. As described, the assembly includes a prime mover 222 and a vibratory plough assembly 224 including a frame 126, vibrator 128 and plow assembly 130. It will be seen that the reference characters, where possible, are in the same sequence as in Figs. 1 to 4.

The vibrator 128 includes a frame 138 having a pair of rotatable eccentrically mounted weights 142 and 146. As described above, the motor 152 and belt drive 154 will rotate weights 142 and 146 in the same direction, 180 degrees out of phase, to oscillate the vibrator housing with a varying and reversing moment. The vibrator is mounted on frame 126 as described above by resilient bushings 166 and 172 on input shaft 164 and output shaft 170, respectively. The vibrator is thus permitted to oscillate as described above.

This embodiment of the vibratory plough utilizes only one blade 190 which is mounted to the vibrator housing 138 and frame 126 by spherical bushings 196 and needle bearings 198, respectively. Oscillation of the housing thereby results in generally vertical vibration of the blade 190 as described above.

In this embodiment, however, the mass of the blade assembly must be counterbalanced. A large counterweight 250 is therefore supported on the vibrator in a manner similar to the left blade in Fig. 2.

The counterweight balances the accelerating forces when moving the single blade 190 and the associated members 192, etc. It will also be noted that the vibratory plough embodiment shown in Figs. 8 to 11 does not include the amplitude adjustment mechanism of Figs. 1 to 4. Otherwise, the details of the vibratory plough assembly may be identical to the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 and has been numbered in the same sequence. The operation of the single blade vibratory plough is substantially as described above. The weights 142 and 146 impart an oscillatory motion to the vibrator housing as shown by arrows 162. The blade support plate 192 is supported on the housing spaced from the neutral axis 160, resulting in vertical vibration of the blade 190.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the vibratory plough and shaker of this invention.

Although the vibrator embodiments disclosed in Figs. 4 and 11 are preferred, other vibrators may be utilized provided the vibrator imparts an oscillating motion to the housing as described. Further, other blade configurations may be utilized, such as where the blade is supported directly on the vibrator housing.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A vibratory plough having a frame; a generally vertical plough blade; and a vibrator therefor, the vibrator comprising a weight rotatable in a housing to produce oscillation of the housing about a neutral axis and being supported by means on said axis fixed in relation to the frame but permitting such oscillation, the blade being carried by the frame and coupled to the housing on one side of said neutral axis whereby such oscillation of the housing causes vertical oscillation of the blade, the plough including means supported on the vibrator housing on the other side of said neutral axis to counterbalance the blade.

2. A vibratory plough according to Claim 1, characterized in that the counterbalance means is a second blade carried by the frame and generally parallel to the first blade, and coupled to the vibrator housing such that said oscillation of the housing causes vertical oscillation of the blades which are 1800 out of phase.

3. A vibratory plough according to Claim 2, characterized in that the blade each include opposed bearing surfaces and are carried on the frame in bearing contact, permitting the blades to vibrate vertically in opposite directions.

4. A vibratory plough according to any preceding Claim, in which the frame supports the vibrator housing on resilient bushes.

5. A vibratory plough according to any preceding Claim, characterized in that the vibrator housing is supported on a shaft coaxial with said neutral axis.

6. A vibratory plough according to any preceding Claim, whereinn the vibrator includes two eccentric weights supported respectively on spaced parallel shafts and power means for rotating the weights in the same direction 180 degrees out of phase.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The bearing material is preferably a fluorinated hydrocarbon, such as Delrin which is rivetted, bolted or otherwise secured in place as shown at 120 (Delrin is a registered Trade Mark). The carbide insert limits damage to the blade when the blade engages an obstacle in the soil and the bearing insert 118 prevents damage to the blades as the blades are moved in opposite directions in bearing contact. The cable is received in cable guide 114 and guided from guide channel 34 as shown in Fig. 1 to the lower edge of the blade, As described above, the blades 90 are connected to support plates 92 by a tongue and groove joint 100 and bolts 102. The blades each include a notch 122 which receives the tongue of the support plates 92 and an aperture 124 may be threaded to receive the mounting bolts. Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate another embodiment of vibratory plough in accordance with this invention. As described, the assembly includes a prime mover 222 and a vibratory plough assembly 224 including a frame 126, vibrator 128 and plow assembly 130. It will be seen that the reference characters, where possible, are in the same sequence as in Figs. 1 to 4. The vibrator 128 includes a frame 138 having a pair of rotatable eccentrically mounted weights 142 and 146. As described above, the motor 152 and belt drive 154 will rotate weights 142 and 146 in the same direction, 180 degrees out of phase, to oscillate the vibrator housing with a varying and reversing moment. The vibrator is mounted on frame 126 as described above by resilient bushings 166 and 172 on input shaft 164 and output shaft 170, respectively. The vibrator is thus permitted to oscillate as described above. This embodiment of the vibratory plough utilizes only one blade 190 which is mounted to the vibrator housing 138 and frame 126 by spherical bushings 196 and needle bearings 198, respectively. Oscillation of the housing thereby results in generally vertical vibration of the blade 190 as described above. In this embodiment, however, the mass of the blade assembly must be counterbalanced. A large counterweight 250 is therefore supported on the vibrator in a manner similar to the left blade in Fig. 2. The counterweight balances the accelerating forces when moving the single blade 190 and the associated members 192, etc. It will also be noted that the vibratory plough embodiment shown in Figs. 8 to 11 does not include the amplitude adjustment mechanism of Figs. 1 to 4. Otherwise, the details of the vibratory plough assembly may be identical to the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 and has been numbered in the same sequence. The operation of the single blade vibratory plough is substantially as described above. The weights 142 and 146 impart an oscillatory motion to the vibrator housing as shown by arrows 162. The blade support plate 192 is supported on the housing spaced from the neutral axis 160, resulting in vertical vibration of the blade 190. It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the vibratory plough and shaker of this invention. Although the vibrator embodiments disclosed in Figs. 4 and 11 are preferred, other vibrators may be utilized provided the vibrator imparts an oscillating motion to the housing as described. Further, other blade configurations may be utilized, such as where the blade is supported directly on the vibrator housing. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A vibratory plough having a frame; a generally vertical plough blade; and a vibrator therefor, the vibrator comprising a weight rotatable in a housing to produce oscillation of the housing about a neutral axis and being supported by means on said axis fixed in relation to the frame but permitting such oscillation, the blade being carried by the frame and coupled to the housing on one side of said neutral axis whereby such oscillation of the housing causes vertical oscillation of the blade, the plough including means supported on the vibrator housing on the other side of said neutral axis to counterbalance the blade.

7. A vibratory plough according to

Claim 6 wherein one of the weights comprises two eccentric bodies spaced on the respective supporting shaft a distance sufficient to allow the weight on the other shaft passage therebetween as the shafts rotate, the mass of the two bodies on said one shaft being equal to that of the weight on the other shaft.

8. A vibratory plough according to any preceding Claim, wherein the vibrator includes two amplitude adjustment weights supported on the housing equidistant from said neutral axis, and means for adjusting the distance between the amplitude adjustment weights to vary the amplitude said oscillation of the vibrator housing.

9. A vibratory plough according to any preceding Claim, including means adapted to guide cable from the upper edge to the bottom of the blade or blades to lay same as the plough proceeds.

10. A vibratory plough substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Figures 1 to 7 or 8 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.