Abstrict A mobile rock crusher for crushing raw rock material which has
been windrowed on a roadway in the translation path of the crusher
includes a rigid supporting structure, which includes a frame, and
translation means for allowing translation of the frame over the
roadway. A selectively actuable scoop is pivotally mounted to the
frame for selectively actuable lowering over the roadway into sliding
engagement with, so as to collect, the windrowed raw rock material
onto the scoop. A first conveyor is mounted to the frame. An upstream
loading end of the first conveyor cooperates with the scoop for
conveying the raw rock material from the scoop onto a first screen
at a downstream depositing end of the first conveyor. The first
screen is for screening larger diameter material from smaller diameter
material in the raw rock material so that the smaller diameter material
falls through the first screen. The larger diameter material translates
over the first screen so as to fall into a first crusher mounted
to the frame beneath the first screen. A second conveyor mounted
to the frame beneath the first crusher is for conveying crushed
material from the first crusher into a second crusher mounted to
the frame for crushing the crushed material for deposition from
the second crusher onto the roadway.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A mobile rock crusher for crushing raw rock material which has
been windrowed on a roadway in the translation path of the crusher,
comprising: (a) a rigid supporting structure including a frame and
translation means for allowing translation of said frame over the
roadway, (b) a selectively actuable scoop pivotally mounted to the
frame for selectively actuable lowering over roadway into sliding
engagement with, so as to collect, the windrowed raw rock material
onto the scoop; (c) a first conveyor mounted to the frame, an upstream
loading end of said first conveyor cooperating a with said scoop
for conveying said raw rock material from said scoop onto a first
screen at a downstream depositing end of said first conveyor, said
first screen for screening larger diameter material from smaller
diameter material in said raw rock material so tat said smaller
diameter material falls through said first screen, and so that said
larger diameter material translates over said first screen so as
to fall into a first crusher mounted to said frame beneath said
first screen, (d) a second conveyor mounted to said frame beneath
said first crusher for conveying crushed material from said first
crusher into a second crusher mounted to said frame for crushing
said crushed material for deposition from said second crusher onto
the roadway,
said crusher further comprising a second screen mounted to said
frame and beneath said first crusher for screening fines from crush
resulting from said larger diameter material being crushed in said
first crusher, said second screen inclined so that said crush slides
from said second screen onto said second conveyor.
2. The rock crusher of claim 1 further comprising a third screen
mounted to said frame and beneath a downstream depositing end of
said second conveyor, said third screen for screening further fines
from said crush, said third screen inclined so that said crush slides
from said third screen into said second crusher.
3. The rock crusher of claim 2 further comprising a first conduit
mounted beneath said first screen for directing said smaller diameter
material out from a flow path of said larger diameter material passing
into said first crusher so as to fall to the roadway.
4. The rock crusher of claim 3 further comprising second and third
conduits mounted beneath said second and third screens respectively
for directing said fines and said further fines respectively out
of a flow path of said crush so as to fall to the roadway.
5. The rock crusher of claim 2 further comprising a first guide
mounted beneath said depositing end of said first conveyor and in
inclined opposed relation to said first screen so as to channel
said raw rook material into said first crusher.
6. The rock crusher of claim 5 further comprising second and third
guides mounted in inclined opposed relation to said second and third
screens respectively for channelling said crush along said flow
path of said crush.
7. A mobile rock crusher for crushing raw rock material which has
been windrowed on a roadway in the translation path of the crusher
comprising: (a) a rigid supporting structure including a frame and
translation means for allowing translation of said frame over the
roadway, (b) a selectively actuable scoop pivotally mounted to the
frame for selectively actuable lowering over roadway into sliding
engagement with, so as to collect, the windrowed raw rock material
onto the scoop; (c) a first conveyor mounted to the frame, an upstream
loading end of said first conveyor cooperating a with said scoop
for conveying said raw rock material from said scoop onto a first
screen at a downstream depositing end of said first conveyor, said
first screen for screening larger diameter material from smaller
diameter material in said raw rock material so tat said smaller
diameter material falls through said first screen, and so that said
larger diameter material translates over said first screen so as
to fall into a first crusher mounted to said frame beneath said
first screen, (d) a second conveyor mounted to said frame beneath
said first crusher for conveying crushed material from said first
crusher into a second crusher mounted to said frame for crushing
said crushed material for deposition from said second crusher onto
the roadway,
said crusher wherein said first crusher is forward of said second
crusher relative to a forward end of said frame, and wherein said
second conveyor transports said crash in a rearward direction, and
wherein a hopper and hopper conveyor are mounted under said depositing
end of said first conveyor, and said first screen is fed by said
hopper conveyor.
8. The rock crust of claim 7 wherein said hopper conveyor translates
said raw rock material in a forward direction relative to said forward
end of said frame.
9. A mobile rock crusher for crushing raw rock material which has
been windrowed on a roadway in the translation path of the crusher
comprising: (a) a rigid supporting structure including a frame and
translation means for allowing translation of said frame over the
roadway, (b) a selectively actuable scoop pivotally mounted to the
frame for selectively actuable lowering over roadway into sliding
engagement with, so as to collect, the windrowed raw rock material
onto the scoop; (c) a first conveyor mounted to the frame, an upstream
loading end of said first conveyor cooperating a with said scoop
for conveying said raw rock material from said scoop onto a first
screen at a downstream depositing end of said first conveyor, said
first screen for screening larger diameter material from smaller
diameter material in said raw rock material so tat said smaller
diameter material falls through said first screen, and so that said
larger diameter material translates over said first screen so as
to fall into a first crusher mounted to said frame beneath said
first screen, (d) a second conveyor mounted to said frame beneath
said first crusher for conveying crushed material from said first
crusher into a second crusher mounted to said frame for crushing
said crushed material for deposition from said second crusher onto
the roadway,
said crusher further comprising material urging means cooperating
with said scoop for urging the raw rock material onto said scoop
and said first conveyor,
wherein said material urging means is an actuable broom roller,
rotatably mounted above said scoop.
10. A mobile rock crusher for crushing raw rock material which
has been windrowed on a roadway in the translation path of the crusher
comprising: (a) a rigid supporting structure including a frame and
translation means for allowing translation of said frame over the
roadway, (b) a selectively actuable scoop pivotally mounted to the
frame for selectively actuable lowering over roadway into sliding
engagement with, so as to collect, the windrowed raw rock material
onto the scoop; (c) a first conveyor mounted to the frame, an upstream
loading end of said first conveyor cooperating a with said scoop
for conveying said raw rock material from said scoop onto a first
screen at a downstream depositing end of said first conveyor, said
first screen for screening larger diameter material from smaller
diameter material in said raw rock material so tat said smaller
diameter material falls through said first screen, and so that said
larger diameter material translates over said first screen so as
to fall into a first crusher mounted to said frame beneath said
first screen, (d) a second conveyor mounted to said frame beneath
said first crusher for conveying crushed material from said first
crusher into a second crusher mounted to said frame for crushing
said crushed material for deposition from said second crusher onto
the roadway,
wherein said first conveyor is pivotally mounted to said frame
and selectively actuable so as to pivot said scoop and first conveyor
into engagement with the roadway.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to rock crushing equipment which produces
aggregate for use during the construction of roadways. More specifically,
the invention relates to a self-propelled rock crusher for producing
aggregate suitable for the subbase of a roadway where the rock to
be crushed can be blasted rock, boulders and cobbles normally found
within the right-of-way of the road being constructed. The aggregate
is deposited along the length of the roadway as construction progresses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During the construction of roads and highways, large volumes of
aggregate having specific gradation and compaction specifications
are required for producing a firm, stable and moisture resistant
load bearing road bed. The road bed in most cases comprises a subgrade,
a subbase and a base layer over which a bituminous surface is spread.
Aggregate meeting the specifications for roadway construction is
usually produced by crushing rock material in a stationary crushing
machine that is permanently located at a remote site where a large
volume of such suitable rock material is in existence. A site having
such suitable material is usually remotely located from the site
of the roadway under construction, thereby requiring that the aggregate
be loaded on to trucks and transported to the roadway construction
site as required.
The present invention reduces the cost, transportation and timing
or scheduling of rock deliveries to the roadway site during the
initial stages of roadway construction by providing a self-propelled
rock crushing machine capable of producing aggregate on site which
meets the specifications for the initial subgrade layer of the roadbed
from native material found within the roadway right-of-way. The
self-propelled rock crusher can readily travel along the length
of the roadway to scoop-up and crush rock material which has been
loosened and collected into windrows by earth moving equipment such
as graders or the like. The rock crusher then deposits the crushed
material on the surface of the roadway for subsequent spreading
and compaction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A tractor unit tows a rock crushing apparatus mounted on a separate
frame. The tractor unit is conventionally pivotally mounted to the
frame so as to provide mobility for the frame. The tractor unit
has positioned within reach of the operator an electrical control
panel through which the crushing apparatus can be remotely operated
and regulated. Hydraulic controls permit the operator to raise or
lower the forward end of the frame to control the position of an
inlet portion of the crushing apparatus relative to the ground surface
of the roadway.
The crushing apparatus is operated by a number of electrical motors
which receive electrical power from a diesel generator mounted on
the rear frame. The electrical motors drive several rock moving
conveyors to transport material to be crushed from the surface of
the roadbed to a first coarse rock crusher then to a second fine
rock crusher for deposition to the ground. Also mounted on the frame,
in proximity to the diesel generator, are separate compartments
containing transformers, breakers and relays as would normally be
associated with an electric drive system.
In summary, the mobile rock crusher of the present invention for
crushing raw rock material which has been windrowed on a roadway
in the translation path of the crusher includes a rigid supporting
structure, which includes a frame, and translation means for allowing
translation of the frame over the roadway. A selectively actuable
scoop is pivotally mounted to the frame for selectively actuable
lowering over the roadway into sliding engagement with, so as to
collect, the windrowed raw rock material onto the scoop. A first
conveyor is mounted to the frame. An upstream loading end of the
first conveyor cooperates with the scoop for conveying the raw rock
material from the scoop onto a first screen at a downstream depositing
end of the first conveyor. The first screen is for screening larger
diameter material from smaller diameter material in the raw rock
material so that the smaller diameter material falls through the
first screen. The larger diameter material translates over the first
screen so as to fall into a first crusher mounted to the frame beneath
the first screen. A second conveyor mounted to the frame beneath
the first crusher is for conveying crushed material from the first
crusher into a second crusher mounted to the frame for crushing
the crushed material for deposition from the second crusher onto
the roadway. The first conveyor may be pivotally mounted to the
frame and selectively actuable so as to pivot the scoop and first
conveyor into engagement with the roadway.
In one embodiment, a second screen is mounted to the frame and
beneath the first crusher for screening fines from crush resulting
from the larger diameter material being crushed in the first crusher.
The second screen may be inclined so that the crush slides from
the second screen onto the second conveyor.
In another embodiment, a third screen is mounted to the frame and
beneath a downstream depositing end of the second conveyor. The
third screen is for screening further fines from the crush. The
third screen may be inclined so that the crush slides from the third
screen into the second crusher. A first conduit may be mounted beneath
the first screen for directing the smaller diameter material out
from a flow path of the larger diameter material passing into the
first crusher so that the smaller diameter material falls to the
roadway. Second and third conduits may be mounted beneath the second
and third screens respectively for directing the fines and the further
fines respectively out of a flow path of the crush so as to fall
to the roadway.
A hopper may be mounted at the depositing end of the first conveyor,
the hopper for directing the raw rock material for deposit onto
the first screen. A hopper conveyor may also be mounted under the
depositing end of the first conveyor so that the first screen is
fed by the hopper conveyor. The hopper conveyor may translate the
raw rock material in a forward direction relative to the forward
end of the frame. A first guide may be mounted beneath the depositing
end of the first conveyor and in inclined opposed relation to the
first screen so as to channel the raw rock material into the first
crusher. Second and third guides may be mounted in inclined opposed
relation to the second and third screens respectively for channelling
the crush along the flow path of the crush.
In one embodiment the first crusher may be a jaw crusher the second
crusher may be a roll crusher. In one preferred embodiment the first
crusher is aft of the second crusher relative to a forward end of
the frame, and the second conveyor transports the crush in a forward
direction. In another preferred embodiment the first crusher is
forward of the second crusher relative to the forward end of the
frame, and the second conveyor transports the crush in a rearward
direction.
The rock crusher of the present invention may also include material
urging means cooperating with the scoop for urging the raw rock
material onto the scoop and the first conveyor. The material urging
means may be an actuable broom roller, rotatably mounted above the
scoop.
The rock crusher of the present invention may further include a
tractor means mounted to the forward end of the frame. The tractor
means may be a self-powered two wheel tractor pivotally mounted
to the forward end of the frame. The translation means may be at
least one pair of rear wheels mounted on the frame.
Both the screen and the crushers may be hopper-fed from hoppers
mounted to catch and channel material moving along the processing
path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the rock crusher of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rock crusher of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 3a is a view corresponding to the view of FIG. 3 of an alternative
embodiment of the rock crusher of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the mobile rock crusher 10 of the present
invention may have a tractor means such as the forwardly positioned
self-propelled tractor unit 12 which provides self-propelled mobility
to a rigid supporting structure which includes frame 14. The supporting
structure and Frame 14 is mobile by the operation of translation
means such as the pair of rear wheels illustrated, although this
is not intended to be limiting. Self contained crushing machinery
is mounted on frame 14. The crushing machinery is operated by electricity
produced through a diesel generator 16. Such electricity is firstly
directed to conventional transformers, breakers and relays contained
in a regulating compartment 18. Secondly, the electricity is routed
to a control panel 20 mounted on tractor unit 12 within reach of
the operator (not shown). Control panel 20 allows the electrical
power to be selectively provided to electrical motors 50 and 72
which operate the crushing machinery on frame 14. Frame 14 is pivotally
mounted or mountable to tractor unit 12 through forward yolk 24.
The forward end of yolk 24 is pinned to tractor 12 by pin 26. Hydraulic
actuators 28 rotate tractor 12 relative to yolk 24 about pin 26.
Frame 14 is mounted to yolk 24 on pivot pins 25.
As also seen in FIG. 3 the crushing machinery includes a first
endless belt conveyor 30 mounted generally along the longitudinal
median of frame 14. Forward end 30a of first conveyor 30 is selectively
elevatable in a generally vertically plane by operation of hydraulic
cylinder 36 pivotally mounted on forward yolk 24 acting through
linkage 34. Linkage 34 includes a rocker arm 34a and rods 34b. Rocker
arm 34a is pivotally mounted at one end to yolk 24 and at its other
end to a forward end of frame 14 through lifting rods, bars or struts
34b. Actuation of cylinder 36 rotates rocker arm 34a relative to
yoke 24 and translates rods 34b resulting in rotation or pivoting
of frame 14 about pivot pins 26 to vertically reposition first conveyor
30 and in particular forward end 30a.
As frame 14 is translated forwardly on a translation path in direction
A along a roadbed 32 forward end 30a of first conveyor 30 is vertically
positioned to scoop windrowed boulders, cobbles or the like (hereinafter
rock material 33) which have been loosened from the roadbed and
collected into windrows by earth moving equipment (not shown). This
material is picked up by a forwardly inclined horizontally disposed
platform 38 and passes onto forward end 30a of first conveyor 30.
As seen in FIG. 3a, material urging means such as a hydraulic auger
or broom roller 80 may be mounted to frame 14 and hydraulically
driven so as to rotate in direction E in co-operation with platform
38. Broom roller 80 assists platform 38 in its function as a scoop
loading material 33 onto the front end 30a of conveyor 30.
Conveyor 30 is manufactured from durable, flexible material as
would be known to one skilled in the art. It extends generally across
the width of inclined platform 38 and extends rearwardly and upwardly
therefrom to its depositing end. Flexible paddles 40 (as better
seen FIG. 5) mounted about the circumference of conveyor 30 assist
in moving the rock material 33 from roadbed 32 up the incline of
first conveyor 30 in direction B. Inclined side rolls 42 mounted
to conveyor housing 43 beneath conveyor 30 deform the side edges
44 of conveyor 30 so as to bow conveyor 30 about the longitudinal
medial center line of the conveyor to prevent spillage of rock material
33 as it travels along the conveyor. Conveyor 30 deposits rock material
33 from its depositing end into surge hopper 46 in the embodiment
of FIG. 3 and into housing 46' in the embodiment of FIG. 3a. Hopper
46 and housing 46' have sufficient capacity to compensate for variations
in the volume of rock material 33 picked up by conveyor 30. Conveyor
30 passes over drive roller 48. Drive roller 48 is driven by electric
drive motor 50 via drive belt 50a.
In the embodiment of FIG. 3 raw rock material 33 within surge
hopper 46 is moved horizontally along the floor thereof, in direction
C on a hopper conveyor 54. In one embodiment, a gate (not shown)
may be mounted in the downstream wall of hopper 46. Partially opening
or closing the gate regulates the volume of flow of material 33
from the hopper on conveyor 54. Conveyor 54 is driven by electric
drive motor 56 via drive belt 56a. Raw rock material 33 exiting
from conveyor 54 falls onto a first screen such as a separator or
"grizzly" 58 comprising a plurality of laterally spaced
apart rods 60 as better seen in FIG. 4. Separator 58 allows only
rock material 33 which has a diameter greater than the lateral distance
between the rods 60 to be directed by gravity over the top surface
of the separator 58 to a first crush such as a coarse, jaw-type
crusher 62 for reduction of rock material 33 into smaller sized
particles 33'. Jaw crusher 62 is generally in the shape of an inverted
cone, one side of which is cyclically agitated by eccentrically
lobed shaft 64. In this embodiment, both small diameter material
33 passing through the grid of rods 60 in separator 58 and larger
diameter material 33 which passes through jaw crusher 62 (collectively
rock material 33'), falls by gravity onto a second conveyor 66.
Conveyor 66 carries the smaller diameter rock material 33 rearwardly
(relative to the front of frame 14) to a second hopper 68 which
feeds material 33' into a second crusher such as a counter-rotating
drum crusher 70 also shown in FIG. 6 mounted at the rear of frame
14. Conveyor 66 is driven by electric drive motor 72 via drive belt
72a. Conveyor 66 may also have flexible paddles 40 mounted about
its circumference to assist in moving rock material 33' up inclined
conveyor 66 in direction D.
In the embodiment of FIG. 3a, raw rock material 33 falling from
the depositing end of conveyor 30 into housing 46' is directed against
an upper inclined screen 82 so as to initially screen fines 33a
from material 33. Fines 33a drop through screen 82 and are directed
by first conduit such as conduit 84 from housing 46', for example
rearwardly in direction F so as to fall down onto road bed 32. The
remainder of material 33 slides off screen 82 and is channelled
between a first guide such as guide 86 and screen 82 so as to fall
between jaws 62a and 62b of a first crusher such as jaw crusher
62. Guide 86 and screen 82 are in opposed inclined relation to another
to form a funnel. As in the embodiment of FIG. 3 jaw 62a oscillates
relative to fixed jaw 62b by the action of a rotating eccentric
shaft 64. Again, crusher 62 reduces the particle sizes of material
33 into smaller particles 33'. Material 33' falling from the lower
end of crusher 62 is directed against a second screen such as lower
inclined screen 88 which, similar to the operation of screen 82
allows fines 33b to pass through the screen so as to be directed
from housing 46' by a second conduit such as conduit 90 in direction
G. Crush material 33' (alternatively referred to as simply crush)
is channelled between screen 88 and a second guide such as guide
92 onto conveyor 66'. Material 33' on conveyor 66' is conveyed forwardly
in direction H so as to be deposited from the forward or depositing
end of conveyor 66' onto a third screen such as screen 94. Further
fines 33c are screened from material 33' so as to fall through screen
94 and be directed by conduit 96 in direction I onto the roadway.
The remainder of the material is channelled by the inclination of
screen 94 and a third guide such as guide 98 into a second crusher
such as into the nip 70b between the drums 70a of drum crusher 70.
Material 33' is channelled between screen 94 and guide 98 into nip
70b so as to be crushed by drum crusher 70. The second and third
guides are in opposed inclined relation to the second and third
screens respectively so as to form funnels. Thus as may be seen,
in this embodiment material 33 is screened and filtered in stages.
A primary screening removes primary fines prior to pre-crushing
by a jaw crusher, whereupon secondary screening removes secondary
fines from the crush prior to a third screening to remove remaining
fines from the crush prior to final crushing in a drum or roll crusher.
In this fashion, the volume of crush is reduced by sequential screening
so as to reduce the volume of material required to be crushed by
the drum or roll crusher.
Drum crusher 70 is operated by a separate electric drive motor
74. Drum crusher 70 discharges further crushed material 33"
meeting the specifications for roadway subgrade directly onto roadbed
32 for spreading and compaction by ancillary road building equipment.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of
the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are
possible in the practice of this invention without departing from
the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention
is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the
following claims. |