US2280329A - Excavator - Google Patents

Description

F. L. WHITE April 21, 1942,

EXCAVATOR Filed Aug. 25, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l Gttorneg April 21,, 1942. F. L. WHITE 2,280,329

EXCAVATOR Filed Aug. 25, 1941 3 SheetsSheet 2 M/mentor 8g Q 64, W Gnomes F. L. WHITE EXCAVATOR April 21, 1942.

Filed Aug. 25, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented-oApr. 21, 1942 v v2,230,329 UNITED STATES I PATENT orr cs amaze EEXCAVATOR of Ohio Application August 25, 1941, Serial No. 408,181 9 Claims. (01. 214-135) This invention relates to power shovels, excavators and hoists and in its more specific aspects relates to a means for controlling the clutching of 'the principal power drive for the travelling mechanism and for the rotating mechanism of the platform of the hoist, shovel or excavator.

The object of the invention is to produce a power control mechanism selectively applicable to the traversing and for the cab platform rotating mechanisms of the power excavator or hoist.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clutch control for the power transmission of a portable excavator that will produce a smooth transmission of power for either light or heavy loads.

Another object of the invention to provide a pressure fluid clutch'shifting device which will cause a given fluid pressure to to be applied for low power requirements and will cause a higher given pressure fluid to be applied when high power requirements are in demand.

A still further'object of the invention is ,to provide a pressure fluid clutch shifting device for the transmission of a power excavator or hoist that is instantaneously adjustable in pressure to either high or low power requirements and which will afiord a smooth, even, steady drive under all conditions.

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide a pressure fluid operated clutch shifter for the reversing mechanism of a power drive of a power shovel or hoist that will cause a high pressure to be used when traversing the shovel and will cause a low pressure to be applied to the shifter when the cab and platform is being rotated.-

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide a power operated clutch shifter for the reversing mechanism of a. power shovel or hoist transmission which will make available one pressure value on the clutch plates when they are rotating the cab deck and will make troublesome but for some of the available a pressure value on the plates about.

double the value of the first pressure when they are traversing the hoist or excavator.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear to those skilled in the arts to which this invention pertains as the description proceeds which taken in connection with the accompanying drawings sets forth a preferred embodiment of the invention but such disclosure is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention which is limited only by the appended claims and anyand all modifications, alterations and variations of structure coming within the spirit and scope 'thereof are deemed to be included herein.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a somewhat schematic side elevational view of a mechanism incorporating the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a somewhat schematic plan view of the mechanism incorporating the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a somewhat schematic end elevational view of the mechanism incorporating the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the hydraulic controls incorporated into the mechanism of the invention. Modern power hoists, cranes, excavators etc. have incorporated into various parts of their transmissions clutch shifters and gear shifters that are preferably p wer operated to control the various elements of the transmission. The operating characteristics of these clutches under high unit pressure is undesirable for lower rates of power transmission, 1. e.; when only a small amount of power is required and which usually requires that power be transmitted in a smooth,

constant and unvarying rate. The principal,

element in this transmission is the reversing mechanism for the traction or travelling element of the hoist and for the rotating of the cab deck and which may also be employed for the rotation of the winch. This reversing mechanism is common to all those mechanisms and all transmissions to those devices include the reversing mechanism. It is essential that the reversing mechanisms deliver a smooth, unvarying and constant power and unless proper precautions are taken this power flow will be jerky. Jerkiness is prevented by permitting a certain amount of slip in the plates of the clutches. For certain of the moving elements this jerkiness is not transmissions it is highly undesirable. Translated into specific instances it is no serious handicap when the winch or the travelling elements are driven but it becomes highly troublesome and annoying when applied to the transmission for rotating the deck.

,While this is true of the reversing mechanism or clutch it is likewise true of the selector clutches and the solution applied to the one set of circumstances applies also to the other.

The applicant has therefore solved this problem by providing a hydraulic circuit in which the pressures can be controlled for actuating the clutch or clutches and in which a smooth flow of power can be supplied. In the instant illustration the method is applied to but one set of clutches inasmuch as if smooth power is provided 'at one point it can be supplied at others. It is possible to provide for a smooth flow of power to the several transmissions by a slow application of pressure to the cylinders or motors actuating the clutch and it is also possible to prevent a jerky transmission by keeping the pressure in proportion to the power transmitted or in other words to. employ a high unit pressure on the clutch plates when large quantities of power are r quired and a low unit pressure on the clutch may be applied to all or any clutches and is not limited to the specific one illustrated.

The invention is embodied into a hoist which originates in a crawler mechanism i having a power receiving wheel 2 mounted on a shaft 3 driving crawler i and which is operatively associated with a power transmitting wheel 4 mounted on a transverse shaft 5 parallel to shaft 3 and by a power transmitting element 6 schematically represented in Fig. l and also schematically illustrated in Fig. 3. Fixed to shaft 5 is a bevel gear 1 that meshes with another bevel gear 8 fixed to a vertical shaft 3. Shaft 9 is driven from a gear ill through the medium of a clutch II which is shown as of the jaw variety but may be of the cone or disc type especially if itis to be pressure fiuid actuated.

The gear It is rotatably supported in an appropriate bearing fixed in the deck or platform l2 and meshes with a second gear II also rotatably supported in' an appropriate bearing in deck i2 and this gear likewise meshes with a third gear [4 similarly supported for rotation in the deck l2 as are gears II and I3. Gear l4 meshes with gear I5 fixed to a shaft l6 rotatably supported in reversing mechanism l1. The gear I 4 has a shaft l8 concentrically disposed thereof and which has a clutch element l9 provided thereon for the purpose of selectively applying power to the shaft i8. The comments above regarding clutch il apply to clutch IS. The shaft i8 has a gear 28 fixed thereon which meshes with the bull gear 2i that is integrally associated with frame 22 for rotating the deck 12 about element 22 rigidly fixed to the portion 23 of the frame supporting the traction elements. An appropriate bearing surface is provided between the deck i2 and element 22 with which the bull gear 2! is integrally associated.

The platform or deck i2 supports a swingable or tiltable boom 24 on pin 25 fixed in a bracket 26 secured to the deck i2. The deck also supports a pair of bracket elements 21 only one of which is shown between which is mounted a winch or winding reel 28 having cable thereon and at the outer extremities of the brackets a sheave and bracket element 29 is provided for raising and lowering the boom 24, all of this mechanism being more or less conventional in character.

From the foregoing it should be apparent that power may be selectively applied to bull wheel 2i ,for rotating the deck 12 or traction elements or crawlers l, i to traverse the mechanism. The

winch or reel 28 may also be selectively driven but this mechanism is not shown as it may be similar acter. This shaft has supported thereon apair of bevel gears 3i and 32 each of which are rigidly connected to clutch elements 33 and 34. The gears 3| and 32 mesh with a bevel gear 33 secured to shaft l6 and therefore transmitting power to the previously described mechanisms. The clutches 33 and 34 are preferably of the disc variety although cone type or band type clutches could be employed with equal facility.

Clutches 33 and 34 are selectively engaged by a pair of pressure fluid actuated motors 36 and 31 which in the instant illustration are of the single acting type, the clutches containing a spring for causing them to disengage. The pistons 38 and 39 are connected'to bell crank levers 48 and 4| through'the medium of piston rods 42 and 43.- Each of the levers 40 and M have convenient clutch sleeve or collar engaging elements 44 and 45 which engage sleeve or collar elements 46 and 41 that rotate relatively of the shaft 38 but which are operatively associated with the clutches 33 and 34 as illustrated. Actuation of either of the motors 36 and 31 will selectively reversely rotate the shaft i 6 and thereby correspondingly move deck l2 or travelers l, I.

The pressure fluid supply for the clutch shifting devices originates in a pressure pump 46 mounted on the deck l2 and by means of conduit 41 leads to a reserve tank 48 and from thence is lead by means of conduit 49 to one side of an adjustable reducing valve 50 and thence to one side of a three-way selector valve 5|. The conduit 49 leads to and connects with reducing valve 50 and thence leadsto the other side of selector valve 51 by means of conduit 49a. Conduit 52 connects the low pressure side of the valve 59 to the other side of valve 5!. The unit pressure in conduits 49 and 49a is about twice that of the pressure in conduit 52 although valve 50 may be set at any desired value depending upon individual circumstances.

Pressure fluid is then lead to the metering distributing valve 53 through conduit 54 as illustrated and thence by conduits 55 and 56 is selectively lead to motors 36 and 31. Distributing valve 53 is manually operated by a handle 51 and is adjustable to selectively apply pressure fluid to either of motors 36 and 31. Valve 5i is manually operated by means of handle 58 and is adapted to connect the lines of conduit to the motors 36 and 31 to either the high pressure conduit 49 or the low pressure conduit 52. It should be apparent from the foregoing that by the simple manipulation of one valve the operator can instantly select one of two pressures and that by means of another valve he can selectively apply the selected pressures to the motors 36 and 31, and thereby use the desired unit pressure to secure the smooth and unvarying delivery of power to the particular transmissions. prevent the jerk in power transmission when for instance the deck is being rotated and since valve 53 is of the metering type apply a low initial pressure and gradually step up the pressure as Patent of the United States is as follows;

1. In a power crane; a traveller and a transmission therefor; a deck mounted on said traveller and a transmission to rotate same; a reversing mechanism common to each of said transmissions; a pair of clutches in said. reversing mechanism; pressure fluidmotors to actuate each of said clutches; a source of pressure fiuid sup- It will thereby duits; .a valvein to; selectiv ly svplya high-or s low unitpressure fluid to said motors; and a I metering distributing valve toa transmission with means to selectively apply.

, power thereto; a deck rotatably mounted on said ,ing transmission.

device having a transmission therefor and means to apply it to said deck; clutch and gear mechanisms connected to said ns; pressure fluid motors to selectively engage said clutches; a source of pressure fluid; conduits connecting said source and said motors; a selector-valve connected to one of said conduits: a reducing valve connected to said source and adapted to supp y a low pressure fluid to said selector valve; and-a metering valve in t said conduits to distribute pressure fluid selectively to said motors; said metering valve admitting high pressure fluid P y; conduits connecting souicerapre'ssurereducing'valveinsaid cong no slip in'sjaid'cluteheswhen driving -6. In a material handling devicelahigh transmission; a low-power transmission; a double clutch actuated gear mechanism common to both' transmissions; a sourceof high pressure fluid; a source oflow pressure fluid; a selector valve; a metering distributor valve; a pair ofpressure fluid motors to actuate said clutches; conduits when said clutch and gear mechanism. is connected to said traction transmission and low pressure fluid when connected to said deck rotat- 3. In a power crane system; a crawler unit and 'a clutchable power transmission therefor; a deck unit on said crawler and a clutchable power transmission therefor; a reversing mechanism connected to said transmissions; pressure fluid actuated means to selectively engage said clutches; a low pressure fluid source; a high pressure fluid source; a selector valve for said high and low pressure fluid sources; a metering distributing valve to selectively apply said sources of pressure fluid to said pressure fluid actuated means; said low pressure fluid applied when said reversing mechanism'is connected to said deck transmission and said high pressure fluid applied when said reversing mechanism is connected to said tion device transmission;

crawler transmission; and'said metering valve gradually applying pressure fluid of either source until said pressure fluid sources are fully selectively applied to said clutch-actuating, means.

4. In a transmission system for a power holsting crane; a traveller and a transmission therefor; a deck on said traveller and a transmission therefor; a reversible unit adapted to selectively actuate said transmissions; pressure fluid operated means to selectively apply said reversible unit to said transmissions; a high pressure fluid supply; a low pressure fluid supply; a selector valve connected to said high and low pressure fluid supply; and .a distributor valve to selectively distribute high and low pressure fluid to said pressure fluid operated means; said low pressure fluid active when said reversible unit is driving said deck transmission and said high pressure fluid active hen said reversible unit is driving said traveller transmission.

5. In a power hoist and excavatingdevice; a

traveller and a transmission therefor; a rotatable deck on said traveller and a transmission therefor; a double clutch actuated reversing mechanism to drive said transmissions; means to selectively engage said reversing clutches which includes to selectively engage said clutches when driving the other of said transa double clutch reversing mechanism common to said transmissions; pressure fluid motors connected to each of saidreversing clutches; a low pressure fluid-source of supply; a high pressure fluid source of supply; a metering distributing valve; a three-way valve selectively admitting high pressure fluid-.and a low pressure fluid to said distributing metering valve; said distributing metering valve selectively admitting pressure fluid to said motors; said motors selectively receiving high pressure fluid when said reversing mechanism is connected to said traction transmission through its clutch and said motors selectively receiving low pressure fluid when said reversing mechanism is connected to said deck transmission through its clutch.

8. In a material handling mechanism; a traca deck transmission; a

double clutch mechanism common to-both transmissions; a high pressure fluid supply; a low pressure fluid supply; a. pair or pressure, fluid motors to selectively actuate said clutches; means to selectively apply low'pressure fluid to said motors when either of said clutches is connected to said deck transmission; means to selectively apply high pressure fluid to said motors when either of said clutches is connected tosaid traction transmission;

metering mechanism to gradually apply said pressure fluids to said motors.

9. A power transmission combination; a traveller including a transmission therefor; a deck on said traveller and a transmission for rotating said deck on said geared reversing mechanism common to both transmissions; power means to selectively actu'- ate each of said clutches; a first source of energy for said power means; a second source or energy for said power means; said energysources being adjusted such that one a low pressure fluid means to selectively engage said clutches when they driving one of said transmissions; and a high pressure fluid means been selectively applied .to

nect one source of energy to said clutches when the reversing mechanism is connected to said traveller transmissiom/and means to selectively connect said other source or energy to said clutcheswhensaid reversing mechanism is connected to said deck transmission; said sources of energy being applied gradually to said clutchesuntil the full force or each source of energy has said. clutches.

. in when driving andsaid-highpres'surefluidmeans and said means including traveller; a double clutch,

is at a substantially highmam."

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