IES86326Y1 - Flushing system of breaking hammer - Google Patents

Description

Flushing system of breaking hammer Background of the invention The invention relates to a breaking hammer and especially to a flushing system in connection therewith, with which it is possible to supply flushing fluid to the object being broken so as to prevent the formation of dust during breaking.

The field of the invention is described in more detail in the preamble of the independent claim of the application.

A breaking hammer can be used for breaking stone material when soft rock is being tunnelled or when boulders are being broken into smaller pieces. A breaking hammer comprises a percussion device for delivering im- pact pulses to a tool that transmits the impact pulses to the material to be bro- ken and causes it to break. When stone material breaks, rock dust is formed at the same time and spreads to the working area. Rock dust is hazardous to health and also hampers visibility at the working site, which is why a flushing system has been developed to spray water to the object being broken. Defects have been noticed in the operation and strength of the components belonging to the flushing system.

Brief description of the invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and im- proved breaking hammer.

The breaking hammer of the invention is characterised in that the flushing channel is a tubular piece that is located on the outer surface side of the protective casing; and that the outer surface of the flushing channel is, when viewed in the transverse direction, farther in than the outer surface of the protective casing, whereby the flushing channel is protected by the protective casing.

The idea of the present solution is that one or more flushing chan- nels belonging to the flushing system is located on the outside of the inner part of the breaking hammer‘s protective casing, that is, on the side of the outer surface of the protective casing. However, the flushing channel is arranged in such a manner that it is protected by the outer surface of the protective casing, when viewed in the transverse direction.

An advantage of the present solution is that the flushing channel is protected against dents and impacts by the outer surface of the protective cas- 386326 ing. When the flushing channel is on the outside of the inner part of the protec- tive casing, the protective casing need not be opened for maintenance or re- pair of the flushing system. Further, it is easier to detect any defects. In addi- tion, when the maintenance or repair of the breaking hammer requires the opening of the protective casing, the work is easier and quicker done, when there are no flushing channels inside the protective casing. All in all, the solu- tion makes the flushing system strong and easy to maintain.

The idea of an embodiment is that the inner part of the protective casing is entirely free of components belonging to the flushing system.

"The idea of an embodiment is that a flushing pipe which is a sepa- rate longitudinal and rigid piece acts as the flushing channel.

The flushing pipe is, thus, not permanently fixed to the protective casing, but is an easily detachable component of the flushing system. The flushing pipe is, thus, not fastened to the protective casing by welding or a cor- responding joint, the opening of which requires breaking the joint.

The idea of an embodiment is that the flushing pipe is fastened by shape-locking to the protective casing. The flushing pipe is then simple and quick to mount and detach.

The idea of an embodiment is that the flushing pipe is fastened by shape-locking to the protective casing only at its ends. The fastening of the flushing pipe is then simple, and it has very few fastening parts that may be subjected to external impacts and forces.

The idea of an embodiment is that the flushing pipe is a straight unbent pipe with a straight centre axis. The flushing pipe is then as simple as possible in structure and shape.

The idea of an embodiment is that the flushing pipe is a thick—walled pipe with a wall thickness of at least 8 mm. The flushing pipe may be made of normal structural steel, in which case it is easy to machine for the required couplings. A thick-walled pipe endures well any impacts and forces directed to it.

The idea of an embodiment is that both ends of the flushing pipe have internal threads.

The idea of an embodiment is that a nozzle is fastened as a sepa- rate piece to the first end of the flushing pipe. The nozzle can be fastened to the flushing pipe with a threaded joint. This embodiment permits easy re- placement of the nozzle. In addition, the structure is simple and strong. If nec- essary, the flushing pipe and nozzle may be detached and replaced as one entity. When the nozzle is fastened to the flushing pipe, there is no need to form fastening elements to the base plate for fastening the nozzle.

The idea of an embodiment is that the longitudinal axis of the nozzle is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the flushing pipe. The flushing medium spray from the nozzle can then be directed by turning the flushing pipe around its longitudinal axis. The spray can be directed to the bottom end of the tool.

This embodiment permits a very simple and reliable adjustment.

The idea of an embodiment is that the nozzle is arranged to form a conical spray of the exiting flushing medium.

The idea of an embodiment is that the flushing channel is a hose.

The idea of an embodiment is that in the bottom part of the protec- tive casing, that is, at its tool-side end, there is a transverse base plate with space for the flushing channel. Said space is also equipped with an opening that extends to the side of the bottom surface of the base plate so that flushing medium can be supplied through the base plate. The base plate may be made of wear-resistant steel.

The idea of an embodiment is that in the bottom part of the protec- tive casing, that is, at its tool-side end, there is a base plate. The base plate extends in the transverse direction to the outer side of the side surface of the protective casing on at least the flushing system side. The protruding part of the base plate then forms a portion protecting the flushing system and protec- tive casing.

The idea of an embodiment is that the bottom part of the protective casing has a transverse base plate that extends outside the side surface of the protective casing on at least the flushing system side. Further, in the corner between the upper surface of the protruding portion of the base plate and the side surface of the protective casing, there is a guide piece with space for the flushing channel. The guide piece supports the bottom end of the flushing channel and protects it from impacts. The length of the guide piece upward from the base plate can be dimensioned as necessary.

The idea of an embodiment is that a second end of the flushing channel is fastened to the protective casing with a fastening piece that forms a protruding portion in the transverse direction of the protective casing. The fas- tening piece then protects the coupling of the flushing pipe against dents in the transverse direction of the protective casing.

The idea of an embodiment is that the fastening piece of the flush- ing channel is a plate-like piece that may be fastened with a screw joint to the side surface of the protective casing.

The idea of an embodiment is that the side of the protective casing has a pipe space in the longitudinal direction of the breaking hammer, into which the flushing pipe is arranged. The pipe space opens outward along at least some of its length. The pipe space may also open outward along its en- tire length. The pipe space is then a groove on the outer surface of the protec- tive casing.

The idea of an embodiment is that the side of the protective casing has a pipe space in the longitudinal direction of the breaking hammer, into which the flushing pipe is arranged. The pipe space is formed by fastening to the side surface of the protective casing elongated protective pieces at a dis- tance from each other. A gap between the protective pieces then serves as the pipe space. The thickness of the protective pieces in the transverse direction of the protective casing is dimensioned to be larger than the outer dimension of the flushing pipe, whereby the flushing pipe arranged into the gap is protected against external dents. This type of pipe space may be formed without machin- ing the protective casing. Fastening the protective pieces to the protective cas- ing by welding, for instance, is fast and inexpensive.

The idea of an embodiment is that the flushing system comprises two parallel flushing pipes.

The idea of an embodiment is that the protective casing of the breaking hammer comprises four sides. The components belonging to the flushing system are positioned on the first side of the protective casing. Fur- ther, the second side opposite the first side is furnished with a protective plate at least in its bottom part, whereby said second side is designed to receive greater impacts and stresses than the other sides.

The idea of an embodiment is that the present breaking hammer is intended for use in tunnelling or excavating a rock cavern. The breaking ham- mer can be used in excavating a rock cavern when the stone material is rela- tively soft. During excavation, the breaking hammer is mainly horizontal. The operating position of the breaking hammer is designed in such a manner that the components belonging to the flushing system reside below the breaking hammer when it is horizontal. Boulders detaching and falling from the rock above the hammer cannot then damage the flushing system. In addition, the opposite side of the protective casing, that is the side that is above it during use, may be furnished with a protective plate that may extend on the entire length of the protective casing or at least at a distance from the first end of the protective casing toward the second end.

The embodiments disclosed above may be combined in various ways to provide a combination of characteristics appropriate for each particular purpose.

Brief description of the figures Some embodiments are explained in more detail in the accompany- ing drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a breaking hammer that is ar- ranged to a boom of an excavator and used for breaking boulders, Figure 2 is a schematic cross—sectional view of a breaking hammer that is used for excavating a rock cavern, Figure 3 is a schematic cross—sectional view of an arrangement for protecting flushing channels, Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an arrangement for protecting the bottom end of a flushing channel and the nozzle therein by means of a guide piece, and Figure 5 is a schematic side View of an arrangement for fastening the top end of a flushing channel to a protective casing and for protecting hose couplings.

For the sake of clarity, the figures show some embodiments in a simplified manner. Like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures.

Detailed description of some embodiments Figure 1 shows an excavator 1 having a boom 2 provided with a breaking hammer 3 that may be used for breaking stone material 4, such as boulders or rock. The breaking hammer 3 comprises a percussion device 5 arranged inside a protective casing 6. The percussion device 5 is used for de- livering impact pulses to a tool 7, which transmits the impact pulses to the ob- ject to be broken. At the same time, the breaking hammer 3 is pushed towards the stone material 4. The tool 7 moves in a longitudinal direction thereof and along a limited distance in relation to the percussion device 5. The tool 7 is not rotated around its longitudinal axis.

When rock breaks, dust forms and spreads to the surroundings and may cause a health risk to the operator of the device. To prevent dust prob- lems, the breaking hammer 3 is equipped with a flushing system 8 that com- prises a pump 9 for pressurizing flushing medium and supplying it through one or more hoses 10 to the breaking hammer 3. The breaking hammer 3 has one or more flushing channels 11 arranged on the side of the outer surface of the protective casing 6. The hose 10 can be connected to the flushing channel 11 with a coupling 12. On the portion of the opposite end of the flushing channel 11, there is a nozzle 13, through which flushing medium is sprayed to the ob- ject being broken or to the outermost end of a tool 7. The flushing medium may be water or some other liquid suitable for the purpose. The flushing spray 14 is shown in the figure by a dashed line. Figure 1 also shows in the bottom part of the protective casing 6 a base plate 15, which may be of wear-resistant steel to protect the components of the breaking hammer 3 and flushing system 8 from dents. Further, the figure shows a control unit 16 that may be arranged to con- trol the operation of the flushing system 8.

Figure 2 shows an alternative use of the breaking hammer for exca- vating a rock cavern. The breaking hammer 3 may then be used for detaching stone material 4 from the surfaces of the rock cavern. In this embodiment, the breaking hammer 3 is used mainly horizontally. Therefore, there may be a pro- tective plate 17 in the bottom part of the protective casing 6 at least on the side surface of the protective casing that faces upward during use. Further, the flushing channel 11, couplings 12 and nozzle 13 belonging to the flushing sys- tem 8 can be positioned on the side surface of the protective casing 6 that fac- es downward during use, in which case these components are protected from falling stone material.

Figure 2 shows that the base plate 15 may have a protruding portion 18 on the flushing system 8 side. The base plate 15 has an opening 19 for the bottom end of the flushing channel 11 and nozzle 13. In addition, in the corner between the top surface of the base plate 15 and the side surface of the pro- tective casing 6, there may be a guide piece 20 with space for the flushing channel 11. The guide piece 20 may support the bottom end of the flushing channel 11 and also protect it from impacts and other stress. Figure 2 further shows that on the top end portion of the protective casing 6, there is a fas- tening piece 21, such as a fastening flange, with which the breaking hammer 3 can be fastened to the boom of a work machine.

In the solution shown in Figure 3, there are two parallel flushing channels 11a, 11b arranged in pipe spaces 22 on the outer surface of the side of the protective casing 6, where they are protected against dents. The pipe spaces 22 are open, so no dirt and moisture accumulate therein. The pipe space 22 can be formed by fastening to the side surface of the protective cas- ing 6 elongated protective pieces 23a to 230 at a distance from each other.

Gaps between the protective pieces 23 then serve as pipe spaces. The thick- ness of the protective piece 23 in the transverse direction of the protective cas- ing 6 is dimensioned larger than the outer dimension of the flushing channel 11, whereby the flushing pipe 11 arranged in the gap is embedded into the pipe space 22 by a distance H1. This type of pipe space 22 may be formed without machining the protective casing 6. in Figure 4, the flushing channel 11 is a thick—walled pipe, at the bot- tom end of which a nozzle 13 is fastened by a threaded joint 24. The guide piece 20 and base plate have openings 19, 25, through which the fiushing pipe 11 and nozzle 13 are arranged. The opening part 26 extending to the bottom surface of the base plate 15 can be dimensioned in such a manner that it co- vers part of the nozzle and only the flushing spray 14 goes through the open- ing 25. The nozzle 13 is then well protected against dents. The flushing chan- nei 11 and nozzle 13 need not necessarily be fastened at their bottom ends, since they remain shape—locked in place in the openings 19, 25. Figure 3 also shows channels 27, 28, through which fiushing medium is conveyed to form a spray 14.

Figure 5 shows an arrangement for fastening the top ends of the flushing channels 11a, 11b to the protective casing 6 and for protecting the hose couplings 12. The top end of the flushing channel 11 can be fastened by means of a substantially plate-like fastening piece 29 to the outer surface of the protective casing 6. The thickness of the fastening piece 29 in relation to the thickness of the flushing pipe 11 and coupling 12 can be dimensioned in such a manner that the fastening piece 29 forms a protruding portion in the transverse direction of the protective casing. The fastening piece 29 then forms a protection for the flushing pipe 11 and coupling 12. The fastening piece 29 can be fastened by detachable fastening elements, such as bolts 30, to the protective casing. The fastening piece 29 keeps the flushing channel 11 in place in both transverse and longitudinal directions. The fastening piece may press the flushing pipe 11 against the protective casing 6 or it may just prevent the flushing pipe 11 from exiting the pipe space 22.

This application also discloses a method for supplying flushing me- dium to an object being broken. This method may comprise all of the following features or just some of the features: - Supplying flushing medium through the base plate at the bottom end of the protective casing. o Supplying flushing medium to the nozzle along the flushing pipe outside the inner part of the protective casing.

- Using the breaking hammer substantially horizontally and in such a manner that the components belonging to the flushing system are on the bottom surface side of the breaking hammer. o Conveying flushing medium to the nozzle in a flushing pipe ar- ranged in a pipe space on the outermost surface of the protec- tive casing.

In some cases, features disclosed in this application may be used as such, regardless of other features. On the other hand, when necessary, fea- tures disclosed in this application may be combined in order to provide various combinations.

The drawings and the related description are only intended to illus- trate the idea of the invention. The details of the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A breaking hammer for breaking stone material, the breaking hammer (3) comprising: a percussion device (5) for delivering impact pulses to a tool (7) at- tachable to the breaking hammer (3); a protective casing (6) into which the percussion device (5) is ar- ranged and through a first end of which the tool (7) is arrangeable; a flushing system (8) for spraying flushing liquid to the object being broken, the flushing system (8) comprising at least one flushing channel (11) and at least one nozzle (13); characterised in that the flushing channel (11) is a tubular piece that is located on the outer surface side of the protective casing (6); and the outer surface of the flushing channel (11) is, when viewed in the transverse direction, farther in than the outer surface of the protective casing, whereby the flushing channel (11) is protected by the protective casing.

2. A breaking hammer as claimed in claim 1, c h a ra c t e ri s e d in that on the side of the protective casing (6), there is a longitudinal pipe space (22) of the breaking hammer (3), which is open to the outside at least along part of the length of the pipe space (22); in said pipe space (22), at least one flushing channei (11) is ar- ranged, the flushing pipe being a separate piece from the protective casing (6); and the outer surface of the flushing channel (11) is farther in than the outer surfaces of the protective casing (6) limiting the pipe space (22).

3. A breaking hammer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a ra cte r- i s e d in that the protective casing (6) comprises sides; the flushing channel (11) is arranged on one side of the protective casing (6); a first end of the protective casing (6) has a base plate (15); and the base plate (15) has a through—hole (19) at the location of the flushing channel (11).

4. A breaking hammer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised inthat the nozzle (13) is fastened to the first end of the flushing channel (11); and the second end of the flushing channel (11) has a coupling (12) for the supply of flushing medium.

5. A breaking hammer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, cha racte ri sed in that the breaking hammer (3) comprises a guide piece (20) that is fas- tened to the corner between the base plate (15) and protective casing (6) out- side the protective casing; the guide piece (20) has an opening (25) that is at the same location as the through-hole (19) on the base plate (15); and the first end of the flushing channel (11) is arranged in the opening (25) in the guide piece (20).