Abstrict An apparatus for selectively relieving the load on the adjusting
rods of a horizontal shaft impact crusher is disclosed. The apparatus
includes a linear actuator mounted to the exterior of the crusher
frame. It also includes a bridge having a bearing section disposed
adjacent the linear actuator. The bridge is secured to the adjusting
rods such that, energizing the linear actuator applies a force to
the bearing section of the bridge to thereby at least partially
relieve the load on the adjusting rods. The bridge is sized such
that, when the linear actuator is in the released state, the bridge
does not add to the height of the crusher.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. For use with a horizontal shaft impact crusher having a frame
defining a cavity, a breaker plate and a pair of adjusting rods
supporting the breaker plate within the cavity, the adjusting rods
extending out of the cavity, an apparatus for selectively relieving
the load on the adjusting rods comprising:
a first linear actuator mounted to the frame outside of the cavity,
the first linear actuator having a first position and a second position;
and
a bridge having a first bearing section disposed adjacent the first
linear actuator, the bridge being secured to each of the adjusting
rods such that, as the first linear actuator moves from the first
position to the second position, the first linear actuator applies
a force to the first bearing section to thereby at least partially
relieve the load on the adjusting rods, the bridge being sized such
that, when the first linear actuator is in the first position, the
bridge does not add to the height of the crusher.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the first linear
actuator is disposed on a first side of the frame, wherein the bridge
includes a second bearing section, and wherein the apparatus further
comprises a second linear actuator disposed on a second side of
the frame opposite the first side, the second linear actuator having
a first position and a second position and being positioned to apply
a force to the second bearing section as the second linear actuator
moves from the first position to the second position.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the first and second
linear actuators are actuated between their first and second positions
in substantial synchronization.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the first bearing
section has a first bearing surface located for contacting the first
linear actuator.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the portions of the
bridge secured to the adjusting rods have U-shaped cross-sections
comprising a first arm, a second arm and a base joining the first
and second arms.
6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein each of the adjusting
rods is mounted to a respective one of the first arms at a mounting
point and is disposed against a respective one of the second arms
at a support point.
7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein each of the second
arms defines a recess dimensioned to receive at least a portion
of an adjusting rod at the support point.
8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the first bearing
section is positioned out of alignment with the mounting points.
9. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the first linear
actuator is disposed substantially parallel to and adjacent one
of the adjusting rods.
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 further comprising a support
plate disposed between the first and second arms in proximity to
the first bearing section.
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the bridge comprises
a first end having a first height, a second end disposed opposite
the first end and having a second height, and a spine joining the
first and second ends, the spine having a third height which is
smaller than the first and second heights.
12. For use with a horizontal shaft impact crusher having a frame
defining a cavity, a breaker plate, a pair of adjusting rods supporting
the breaker plate within the cavity and extending out of the cavity,
and a pair of linear actuators, a bridge comprising:
a first boxed section having a first arm, a second arm and a first
base joining the first and second arms, the first arm including
a first bearing section disposed adjacent a first one of the linear
actuators and a first mounting point disposed adjacent the first
bearing section for securing the first boxed section to a first
one of the adjusting rods, the second arm including a first support
point disposed in substantial alignment with and separated a first
distance away from the first mounting point for supporting the first
one of the adjusting rods;
a second boxed section having a third arm, a fourth arm and a second
base joining the third and fourth arms, the third arm including
a second bearing section disposed adjacent a second one of the linear
actuators and a second mounting point disposed adjacent the second
bearing section for securing the second boxed section to a second
one of the adjusting rods, the fourth arm including a second support
point disposed in substantial alignment with and separated a second
distance away from the second mounting point for supporting the
second one of the adjusting rods; and
a spine joining the first boxed section and the second boxed section.
13. The bridge as defined in claim 12 wherein the first and second
distances are substantially the same.
14. The bridge as defined in claim 12 wherein the second arm defines
a recess for at least partially receiving the first adjusting rod
and the third arm defines a recess for at least partially receiving
the second adjusting rod.
15. The bridge as defined in claim 12 wherein the first boxed section
further comprises a first support disposed between the first and
second arms.
16. The bridge as defined in claim 15 wherein the first support
is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first
base, to the first arm
and to the second arm.
17. The bridge as defined in claim 16 wherein the first support
is disposed between the first bearing section and the first mounting
point.
18. The bridge as defined in claim 16 wherein the first boxed section
further comprises a second support disposed between the first and
second arms in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first
base, to the first arm and to the second arm, the first support
being disposed on a first side of the first bearing section and
the second support being disposed on a second side of the first
bearing section, the second side being located opposite the first
side.
19. A bridge as defined in claim 18 wherein the second boxed section
further comprises a third support disposed between the third and
fourth arms, and the third support is disposed in a plane substantially
perpendicular to the second base, to the third arm and to the fourth
arm.
20. A bridge as defined in claim 19 wherein the second support
is disposed between the second bearing section and the second mounting
point.
21. A bridge as defined in claim 20 wherein the second boxed section
further comprises a fourth support disposed between the third and
fourth arms in a plane substantially perpendicular to the second
base, to the third arm and to the fourth arm, the third support
being disposed on a first side of the second bearing section and
the fourth support being disposed on a second side of the second
bearing section, the second side being located opposite the first
side.
22. A bridge as defined in claim 12 wherein the first boxed section
has a first height, the second boxed section has a second height,
and the spine has a third height, the third height being smaller
than the first and second heights.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to horizontal shaft impact crushers,
and, more particularly, to an apparatus for selectively relieving
the load on the adjusting rods supporting a breaker plate of such
a crusher to facilitate adjustment of the rods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Horizontal shaft impact crushers are commonly employed to pulverize
many different types of materials including, by way of examples,
not limitations, asphalt, concrete, and rock. Such crushers typically
include a frame defining a cavity. A rotating impeller driven by
an external drive mechanism is disposed within the cavity. The frame
includes an opening through which the material to be crushed is
inserted into the cavity. One or more breaker plates are generally
disposed within the cavity. The rotating impeller repeatedly throws
the material to be crushed against the breaker plate(s) thereby
breaking the material into small particles.
Each of the breaker plates is generally pivotally mounted within
the cavity such that its angular position may be changed to suit
the type of material being crushed. To this end, each breaker plate
is typically supported within the cavity by a number of adjusting
rods (typically two). The adjusting rods extend out of the frame.
By adjusting the position of the rods (e.g., pulling the rods further
out of the cavity or pushing them further into the cavity), an operator
can adjust the position of the associated breaker plate.
Breaker plates are generally relatively heavy. Therefore, it is
difficult to adjust the position of the adjusting rods without reducing
or relieving the weight of the breaker plate from the adjusting
rods. To this end, some prior art devices employ one or more hydraulic
cylinders which act as jacks to support the breaker plate weight
during the adjustment procedure. Such cylinders are traditionally
mounted to a bridge which is, in turn, mounted to the adjusting
rods. Unfortunately, these prior art bridges add to the overall
height of the crusher and leave the cylinders exposed to damage,
especially during transport of the crusher.
The present invention allows the weight of the breaker plates to
be supported during adjustment of the adjusting rods without materially
adding to the overall height of the crusher.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an apparatus is
provided for selectively relieving the load on the adjusting rods
of a horizontal shaft impact crusher. The apparatus includes a first
linear actuator mounted to a frame of the crusher outside of a cavity
of the crusher. The first linear actuator has a first position and
a second position. The bridge has a first bearing section disposed
adjacent the first linear actuator. The bridge is secured to each
of the adjusting rods such that, as the first linear actuator moves
from the first position to the second position, the first linear
actuator applies a force to the first bearing section to thereby
at least partially relieve the load on the adjusting rods. The bridge
is sized such that, when the first linear actuator is in the first
position, the bridge does not add to the height of the crusher.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a bridge is
provided for use with a horizontal shaft impact crusher having a
frame defining a cavity, a breaker plate, a pair of adjusting rods
supporting the breaker plate within the cavity and extending out
of the cavity, and a pair of linear actuators. The bridge includes
a first boxed section having a first arm, a second arm and a first
base joining the first and second arms. The first arm includes a
first bearing section disposed adjacent a first one of the linear
actuators and a first mounting point disposed adjacent the first
bearing section for securing the first boxed section to a first
one of the adjusting rods. The second arm includes a first support
point disposed in substantial alignment with and separated a first
distance away from the first mounting point for supporting the first
one of the adjusting rods. The bridge also includes a second boxed
section having a third arm, a fourth arm and a second base joining
the third and fourth arms. The third arm includes a second bearing
section disposed adjacent a second one of the linear actuators and
a second mounting point disposed adjacent the second bearing section
for securing the second boxed section to a second one of the adjusting
rods. The fourth arm includes a second support point disposed in
substantial alignment with and separated a second distance away
from the second mounting point for supporting the second one of
the adjusting rods. The bridge is also provided with a spine joining
the first boxed section and the second boxed section.
Other features and advantages are inherent in the apparatus claimed
and disclosed or will become apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crusher employing bridges constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention.
FIG. 2 is a left-side elevational view of the crusher and bridges
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the crusher and bridges of
FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of the crusher of FIG. 1
with the bridges and adjusting rods removed.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the primary bridge of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the bridge of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the bridge of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the bridge of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the secondary bridge of FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is a top view of the bridge of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the bridge of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the bridge of FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Apparatus 10 20 constructed in accordance with the teachings of
the invention are shown in FIG. 1 in a preferred environment of
use, namely, mounted on a horizontal shaft impact crusher 22. While
for clarity of illustration, the apparatus 10 20 are shown herein
mounted on a specific type of crusher 22 persons of ordinary skill
in the art will readily appreciate that the teachings of the invention
are in no way limited to use with that crusher 22 or to any other
particular environment of use. On the contrary, apparatus constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the invention may be used with
any crusher which would benefit from the advantages they offer without
departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
The illustrated crusher 22 is a horizontal shaft impact crusher.
Thus, as is well known in the art, the crusher 22 includes a frame
or housing 24 that defines an internal cavity (not shown). An impeller
shaft 26 is shown journalled in a bearing 28 mounted adjacent an
opening 30 in the frame 24 in FIGS. 1 and 4. The impeller shaft
26 is connected to an impeller assembly (not shown) having a plurality
of bars or hammers extending radially from the impeller shaft 26
(not shown) and disposed within the chamber of the crusher 22 for
striking and propelling aggregate material. The impeller assembly
and the hammers are of the type commonly employed in the art. The
impeller shaft 26 is mounted for rotation and extends across the
cavity in a generally horizontal position and is coupled to a drive
mechanism (not shown) through a drive system, such as a V-belt drive
system of the type commonly employed in the art, which imparts rotational
movement to the impeller shaft 26 via a drive wheel 32 (see FIG.
3). Material to be crushed is inserted into the cavity through an
insertion opening (not shown) defined in the frame 24.
In order to provide a striking surface to break material propelled
by the impeller 26 within the cavity, the crusher 22 is further
provided with conventional breaker plates (not shown). As is conventional,
the illustrated crusher 22 has a primary breaker plate and a secondary
breaker plate, both of which are suspended within the cavity adjacent
the motion path of the impeller hammers. When material is inserted
into the crusher 22 the impeller strikes and propels the material
against the breaker plates.
The breaker plates are suspended within the cavity by adjusting
rods 38. To this end, the frame 24 is provided with a number of
adjusting rod bores 40 (see FIG. 4). The adjusting rods 38 extend
through the bores 40 and are secured to the breaker plates within
the cavity. As shown in FIG. 1 the rods 38 extend out of the crusher
22. By adjusting the position of the adjusting rods 38 one can
adjust the position of the breaker plates within the cavity. To
this end, as most easily seen in FIG. 3 each of the adjusting rods
38 is provided with two locking support nuts 39 41. Each adjusting
rod may also be provided with an end cap 43 which may be threaded
onto or welded onto the end of the adjusting 38. The operation of
the support nuts 39 41 is explained in further detail below.
For the purpose of selectively relieving the load on the adjusting
rods 38 the apparatus 10 20 are respectively provided with a primary
bridge 50 and a secondary bridge 52. As shown in FIG. 1 the primary
bridge 50 is mounted to the two adjusting rods 38 that support the
primary breaker plate and the secondary bridge 52 is coupled to
the two adjusting rods 38 that support the secondary breaker plate
within the cavity of the crusher 22. Preferably, the bridges 50
52 do not add to the height or width of the crusher 22.
To apply a force to the bridges 50 52 sufficient to at least partially
relieve the loads on the adjusting rods 38 to thereby facilitate
adjustment of the rods 38 the apparatus 10 20 are further provided
with linear actuators 56. The linear actuators 56 (which are preferably
implemented by conventional hydraulic cylinders sized to the weight
of the breaker plates, adjusting rods 38 and bridge 50 or 52 they
are intended to support), are linearly extendable from a retracted
position to an extended position. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 the bridges
50 52 are each provided with two bearing sections 60 and each apparatus
10 20 is preferably provided with two linear actuators 56 each
of which is disposed to contact a
corresponding one of the bearing sections 60 as it moves from the
retracted to the extended position. Energizing the linear actuator
56 will, therefore, move the corresponding bridge 50 52 away from
the crusher frame 24 to thereby transfer at least some of the load(s)
on the adjusting rods 38 to the linear actuator 56.
As shown in FIGS. 1 2 and 4 the frame 24 of the crusher 22 is
preferably provided with cut outs or depressions 62. The cut outs
62 define pockets in which the adjusting rods 38 supporting the
primary breaker plate are mounted. Locating the primary adjusting
rods 38 in the cut outs 62 serves to reduce the amount the rods
38 extend above the frame 24 thereby effectively reducing the height
of the crusher 22.
Providing each bridge 50 52 with two linear actuators 56 one
at each end, enhances the stability of the apparatus 10 20. Operating
the paired actuators 56 in substantial synchronization is preferred
to prevent binding and to ensure even load distribution.
Turning to the structure of the primary bridge 50 in more detail,
the bridge 50 is preferably provided with a first boxed section
70 a second boxed section 72 and a spine 74 joining the first and
second boxed sections 70 72 (FIGS. 5-7). As shown in FIGS. 6-7
the boxed sections 70 72 are preferably substantially identical
and arranged as mirror images of one another. Each boxed section
70 72 has a generally C-shaped or U-shaped cross-section (see FIG.
8) defined by an upper flange or arm 76 a lower flange or arm 78
and a web or base 80 joining the upper and lower arms 76 78.
The lower arm 78 includes the bearing section 60 mentioned above.
It also includes a bore 84 sized to slidably receive one of the
adjusting rods 38. The support nuts 39 41 are preferably too large
to pass through the bore 84. As shown in FIG. 3 a first support
nut 39 is threadably disposed on the rod 38 beneath the lower arm
78 of the bridge 50. The second support nut 41 is threadably disposed
on the rod 38 above the lower arm 78 but beneath the upper arm 76.
The end cap 43 is located at the top of the rod 38 above the upper
arm 76. The first nut 39 forms a stop limiting the distance the
adjusting rod 38 can move into the cavity. Thus, when the actuators
56 are in their retracted positions, the weight of the corresponding
breaker plate is carried by the adjusting rods 38 and the first
nuts 39.
By extending the actuators 56 the bridge 50 will apply an upward
directed force against the second nuts 41. Since the second nuts
41 are also mounted to the adjusting rods 38 this upward movement
of the bridge 50 will move the rods 38 upwards thereby transferring
the weight of the breaker plate from the first nuts 39 to the second
nuts 41. As a result of this weight transference, the position of
the first nuts 39 can be adjusted without interference from the
weight of the plates such that, when the bridge 50 is lowered and
the weight of the breaker plate is again returned to the first nuts
39 the rods 38 will extend a different distance into the cavity
to support the breaker plate in a different position. Specifically,
if the first nuts 39 are moved upward relating to the rods 38 the
rods will ultimately extend further into the cavity. If the first
nuts 39 are moved downward relative to the rods 38 the rods will
ultimately extend a shorter distance into the cavity. Of course,
when the weight of the plate is born by the first nuts 39 the position
of the second nuts 41 can be easily adjusted to permit subsequent
upward adjustment of the first nuts 39 to lower the rods 38 further
into the cavity.
Returning to FIGS. 5-8 because the second nut 41 abuts against
the area above and adjacent the bore 84 when the actuators 56 are
extended, the area of the lower arm 78 adjacent the bore 84 forms
a mounting point for securing the corresponding boxed section 70
72 to one of the adjusting rods 38.
To increase the stability of the bridge 50 the upper arm 76 of
each boxed section 70 72 defines a recess 88. Each recess 88 is
preferably disposed in substantial alignment with a corresponding
bore 84. Each of the recesses 88 is dimensioned to slidably receive
at least a portion of a corresponding one of the adjusting rods
38. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 88 are sized to
receive approximately one-half of a transverse section of an adjusting
rod 38. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 each adjusting rod 38 of the
primary breaker plate, thus, simultaneously extends through a bore
84 and recess 88 of a respective one of the boxed sections 70 72.
When the adjusting rods 38 are so disposed, they contact the areas
of the upper arm 76 immediately adjacent the recesses 88. These
areas of the upper arm 76 thus, act as support points which enhance
the stability of the primary bridge 50 during the adjustment procedure.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 the support points of the boxed sections
70 72 are located like distances away from their corresponding
mounting points. Preferably, the adjusting rods 38 are located so
their range of angular motion through the adjustment range is minimized.
To increase the rigidity of the boxed sections 70 72 each boxed
section 70 72 is further provided with a pair of supports 90 92.
As most easily seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 the supports 90 92 are preferably
implemented as plates disposed in parallel planes which are each
perpendicular to the upper arm 76 the lower 78 and the base 80.
One of the supports 92 is located between the bearing section 60
and the mounting point. The other support 90 is located adjacent
an end of the bridge 50 on a side of the bearing section 60 opposite
the other support 92.
As mentioned above, the linear actuators 56 are each positioned
to contact a bearing surface of the bearing section 60 of the boxed
sections 70 72 of the bridge 50. To increase the stability of the
bridge 50 the linear actuators 56 are preferably disposed parallel
to, and out of alignment with, the adjusting rods 38. In other words,
the bearing sections 60 are disposed adjacent the mounting points
(i.e., not in vertical alignment with the mounting points). This
geometry provides the bridge 50 with enhanced stability.
Significantly, the spine 74 of the primary bridge 50 has a much
smaller height than the boxed sections 70 72. More specifically,
as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 when viewed from the front, the bridge
50 has a contoured profile wherein a recess 96 is formed adjacent
and below the spine 74 between the lower portions of the boxed section
70 72. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 the length of the spine 74 and,
thus, the length of the recess 96 is such that, when used with
the crusher 22 of FIG. 1 the boxed sections 72 simultaneously extend
downwardly into respective ones of the cut-outs 62 while the recess
96 of the bridge 50 receives a portion of the frame 24. This geometry
ensures the bridge 50 does not add to the overall height of the
crusher 22.
The structure of the secondary bridge 52 is illustrated in greater
detail in FIGS. 9-12. Since the secondary bridge 52 has much of
the same structure as the primary bridge 50 like structures will
be referred to herein with like reference numerals preceded by a
"1". For example, the boxed sections of the primary bridge
50 were referred to above using reference numerals 70 and 72. Thus,
the boxed sections of the secondary bridge 52 shall be referred
to with reference numerals 170 and 172.
Turning to FIGS. 9-10 the secondary bridge 52 like the primary
bridge 50 includes two boxed sections 170 172 and a spine 174.
However, unlike the primary bridge 50 the boxed sections 170 172
and spine 174 of the secondary bridge 52 preferably have the same
height.
As with the primary bridge 50 the boxed sections 170 172 of the
secondary bridge 52 have a substantially U-shaped cross-section
formed by an upper arm 176 a lower arm 178 and a base 180 (see
FIG. 12). However, since the spine 174 has the same height as the
boxed sections 170 172 in the secondary bridge 52 the upper arms
176 the lower arms 178 and the base 180 extend the entire length
of the bridge in one, unitary structure having a U-shaped cross-section.
As with the primary bridge 50 the boxed sections 170 172 of the
secondary bridge 52 include bores 184 for receiving adjusting rods
38 recesses 188 in substantial alignment with the bores 184 and
supports 190 192 which function like the similarly numbered portions
of the primary bridge 50. The boxed sections 170 172 also include
bearing sections 160 mounting points and support points which function
substantially identically to the like numbered parts of the primary
bridge 50. In view of the close similarities between these parts,
in the interest of brevity, the description of these parts will
not be repeated here. Instead, the interested reader is referred
to the above description of the primary bridge 50 for a complete
discussion of these parts.
One difference between the primary bridge 50 and the secondary
bridge 52 bears further mention here. In particular, the bores 184
recesses 188 mounting points and support points of the secondary
bridge 52 are located closer to the center of the bridge 52 than
the like structures in the primary bridge 50. As a result, the boxed
sections 170 172 of the secondary bridge 52 are longer than the
boxed sections 70 72 of the primary bridge 50 and the spine 174
of the secondary bridge 52 is shorter than the spine 74 of the primary
bridge 50. This difference in geometry accommodates the size difference
of the primary and secondary breaker plates while still permitting
the mounting of the hydraulic cylinders adjacent the sides of the
frame 24.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that
bridges constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention
can be retrofit on many different crushers and breaker plates without
departing from scope or spirit of the invention.
Although certain instantiations of the teachings of the invention
have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent
is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all
instantiations of the teachings of the invention fairly falling
within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under
the doctrine of equivalents.
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