INTERLOCKING BALLAST SYSTEM

A ballast system for a machine is provided. The ballast system includes a plurality of ballast assemblies interlocked with one another. Each of the plurality of ballast assemblies includes a body defining a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is distal to the second surface. The body includes a hollow configuration. The ballast assembly includes a first cover plate affixed to the first surface. The ballast assembly also includes a second cover plate affixed to the second surface. The ballast assembly further includes a passage provided on at least one of the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The passage is adapted to interlock with a passage of an adjacent ballast assembly of the plurality of ballast assemblies. The passage is further adapted to allow flow of a ballast material therethrough.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an interlocking ballast system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the interlocking ballast system for a machine.

BACKGROUND

Machines, such as a pneumatic compactor, include a ballast chamber for receiving a ballast for increasing a weight of the machine. The ballast may include blocks made of concrete, aluminum, cast iron, steel, and so on. Additionally, the ballast chamber may be filled with water to increase the weight of the machine. The blocks may include different shapes, material, and may be arranged in various configurations with respect to one another within the ballast chamber to optimize the space within the ballast chamber and/or to achieve a required weight of the machine.

In order to increase or decrease the weight of the machine, each block may have to be individually added or removed from the ballast chamber respectively. Based on a size of the ballast chamber and/or the required weight of the machine, a number of such blocks may have to be installed or uninstalled from within the chamber. The installation/uninstallation of the blocks is a time consuming and a labor intensive process which in turn may lead to machine downtime, reduced operational efficiency, increased operational cost, and so on.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,110 describes a ballast system for compacting machines. The machine comprises a chassis supported on front and rear wheel-axle assemblies longitudinally spaced from each other. The chassis includes a chassis median extension located between the front and rear wheel-axle assemblies defining a raised platform. The platform includes a ballast lateral retaining means. The retaining means include a plurality of modular ballast elements fitted and locked against downward vertical and horizontal displacements by respective lateral engaging means of modular ballast elements. The engaging means are disposed transversely under the chassis median extension and include a weight that is selectively determined in function of the characteristics of a compacting load desired for the wheel-axle assemblies. Each of the modular ballast elements includes a pair of identical ballast boxes. The ballast boxes are symmetrical to the machine longitudinal axis. Each of the ballast boxes include an internal end portion provided with a central engaging means coupled to a ballast central retaining means affixed under the chassis median extension.

Currently used ballast systems for the machines are complex, expensive, and require complicated installation techniques. Hence, there is a need for an improved ballast system.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a ballast system for a machine is provided. The ballast system includes a plurality of ballast assemblies interlocked with one another. Each of the plurality of ballast assemblies includes a body defining a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is distal to the second surface. The body includes a hollow configuration. The ballast assembly includes a first cover plate affixed to the first surface. The ballast assembly also includes a second cover plate affixed to the second surface. The ballast assembly further includes a passage provided on at least one of the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The passage is adapted to interlock with a passage of an adjacent ballast assembly of the plurality of ballast assemblies. The passage is further adapted to allow flow of a ballast material therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an exemplary machine, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2is a perspective view of a ballast system of the machine ofFIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3is a partial cross sectional view of the ballast system ofFIG. 2, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4is a perspective exploded view of a ballast assembly of the ballast system ofFIG. 2, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Referring toFIG. 1, an exemplary machine10is illustrated. More specifically, the machine10is a compaction machine. In other embodiments, the machine10may be any other machine such as a wheel loader, a tractor, a skid steer, a fork lift, a crane, and so on. The machine10may be any machine associated with an industry such as construction, mining, transportation, agriculture, material handling, marine, and so on.

The machine10includes a frame12. The frame12supports one or more components of the machine10. The machine10includes an enclosure14, The enclosure14encloses a power source (not shown) mounted on the frame12. The power source may he any power source known in the art such as an internal combustion engine, batteries, motor, and so on, or a combination thereof. The power source may provide power to the machine10for mobility and operational requirements.

The machine10includes an operator cabin16mounted on the frame12. The operator cabin16houses various controls (not shown) of the machine10. The controls may include a steering, levers, pedals, a control console, buttons, audio visual devices, and so on. The controls may control the machine10on ground. The machine10also includes rollers18mounted to the frame12. The rollers18support and provide mobility to the machine10on the ground. The rollers18also perform compaction of a surface, such as an asphalt surface, based on application requirements.

The machine10further includes a ballast compartment20provided within the frame12. The ballast compartment20has a hollow configuration. Referring toFIG. 2, the ballast compartment20may receive a ballast system22. The ballast system22provides a desired weight to the machine10during the compaction of the surface based on application requirements.

The ballast system22includes a number of vertical stacks24provided adjacent to one another. In other embodiments, the ballast system22may include a single vertical stack24. Each vertical stack24includes a first ballast assembly26, a second ballast assembly28, a third ballast assembly30, a fourth ballast assembly32, and so on stacked one over the other. Each of the first ballast assembly26, the second ballast assembly28, the third ballast assembly30, the fourth ballast assembly32, and so on are interlocked with one another and will be explained in more detail with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4. Also, a configuration of each of the first ballast assembly26, the second ballast assembly28, the third ballast assembly30, the fourth ballast assembly32, and so on is similar to one another.

Referring toFIG. 3, a partial cross sectional view of the ballast system22is illustrated. More specifically,FIG. 3includes a cross sectional view of the first ballast assembly26and the second ballast assembly28in an assembled position. The first ballast assembly26and the second ballast assembly28are interlocked with one another via a connection interface34. The connection interface34also provides a channel for a flow of a ballast material therethrough. The connection interface34will be explained in more detail with reference toFIG. 4. The arrows36depict the flow of the ballast material into the second ballast assembly28and further into the first ballast assembly26through the connection interface34. The connection interface34may also be present between the second ballast assembly28, the third ballast assembly30, and the fourth ballast assembly32of the ballast system22to provide interlocking and the channel for the flow of the ballast material therebetween.

Referring toFIG. 4, an exploded perspective view of the first ballast assembly26is illustrated. It should be noted that the configuration of the first ballast assembly26is similar to the configuration of each of the second ballast assembly28, the third ballast assembly30, the fourth ballast assembly32, and so on. The first ballast assembly26will now be explained in detail with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4. The first ballast assembly26includes a body38. The body38includes a hollow and rectangular configuration. In other embodiments, the first ballast assembly26may include any other configuration such as circular, trapezoidal, and so on without limiting the scope of the disclosure. More specifically, the body38includes a first surface40and a second surface42. The first surface40is distal to the second surface42.

Also, the body38includes a number of sidewalls44extending between the first surface40and the second surface42. The first surface40, the second surface42, and the sidewalls44are interconnected with one another in a manner such that a central cavity46is formed therebetween. The central cavity46receives the ballast material therein. The ballast material may be any material known in the art such as water, oil, metal, concrete, sand, gravel, soil, and so on, and/or a combination thereof.

Further, the first ballast assembly26includes a first cover plate48. The first cover plate48includes a flat and planar configuration. In other embodiments, the first cover plate48may include any other configuration such as a stepped configuration without limiting the scope of the disclosure. The first cover plate48is affixed to the first surface40of the body38. The first cover plate48may be affixed to the first surface40by any known fastening method such as bolting, riveting, and so on. The first cover plate48encloses the body38from a first direction50.

The first ballast assembly26also includes a second cover plate52. The second cover plate52includes a flat and planar configuration. In other embodiments, the second cover plate52may include any other configuration such as a stepped configuration without limiting the scope of the disclosure. The second cover plate52is affixed to the second surface42of the body38. The second cover plate52may be affixed to the second surface42by any known fastening method such as bolting, riveting, and so on. The second cover plate52encloses the body38from a second direction54.

Further, the first ballast assembly26includes the connection interface34provided on at least one of the first cover plate48and the second cover plate52. More specifically, the connection interface34includes a first passage56provided on the first cover plate48. The first passage56is connected to the central cavity46. Accordingly, the first passage56allows the flow of the ballast material therethrough and within the central cavity46.

The first cover plate48includes a first port58. The first port58is axially aligned with respect to the first passage56. The first port58provides connection between the first passage56and the central cavity46and allows the flow of the ballast material therethrough. The first passage56also interlocks with a second passage (not shown) of the adjacent second ballast assembly28of the ballast system22and will be explained later in detail. The first passage56may be interlocked with the second passage of the second ballast assembly28by any known coupling method such as bolting, threading, coupler, and so on.

The second cover plate52also includes the connection interface34provided thereon. More specifically, the connection interface34includes a second passage60provided on the second cover plate52. The second passage60is connected to the central cavity46. The second passage60allows the flow of the ballast material therethrough. Accordingly, the second cover plate52includes a second port62. The second port62is axially aligned with respect to the second passage60. The second port62provides connection between the second passage60and the central cavity46and allows the flow of the ballast material therethrough.

In the illustrated embodiment, as the second passage60is provided on the first ballast assembly26, the second passage60allows the flow of the ballast material out of the central cavity46as and when required. Accordingly, the second passage60of the first ballast assembly26is sealed by any known sealing element64such as a cap, a plug, a sealing compound, and so on. When the second passage is provided on the second ballast assembly28, the second passage of the second ballast assembly28is interlocked with the first passage56of the first ballast assembly26and allows the flow of the ballast material therethrough from the second ballast assembly28into the first ballast assembly26.

The first ballast assembly26additionally includes a first seal66provided between the first surface40and the first cover plate48. The first seal66also includes a first aperture68. The first aperture68is axially aligned with respect to the first passage56and/or the first port58of the first cover plate48. The first aperture68allows connection between the first passage56and the central cavity46. The first seal66provides a sealing surface between the first cover plate48and the first surface40.

The first ballast assembly26also additionally includes a second seal70provided between the second surface42and the second cover plate52. The second seal70includes a second aperture72. The second aperture72is axially aligned with respect to the second passage60and/or the second port62of the second cover plate52. The second aperture72allows connection between the second passage60and the central cavity46. The second seal70provides a sealing surface between the second cover plate52and the second surface42.

The first seal66and/or the second seal70described herein is optional based on application requirements. In some embodiments, the first seal66and/or the second seal70may be omitted. In such a situation, the first cover plate48may be directly affixed on to the first surface40, and the second cover plate52may be directly affixed on to the second surface42respectively. The first seal66and/or the second seal70may be any sealing means known in the art such as a gasket, a sealing plate, a sealing compound, and so on. The first seal66and/or the second seal70may be made of any material known in the art such as rubber, polymer, metal, and so on. Also, the first passage56and/or the second passage60may be any component adapted to provide a channel for the flow of the ballast material such as a tube, a pipe, a hose, a coupler, flange, and so on. The first passage56and/or the second passage60may be made of any material known in the art such as metal, polymer, rubber, and so on.

The first ballast assembly26also includes a recess74provided on the second surface42. The recess74includes an elongated and stepped configuration. The recess74engages with a lifting means (not shown) to lift the first ballast assembly26. In one embodiment, the lifting means may be a fork of a forklift. In another embodiment, the lifting means may be a chain, a belt, a rope, and so on to engage with the recess74to lift the first ballast assembly26. In yet another embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the first ballast assembly26may include a hook, an eyebolt, and an on to lift the first ballast assembly26.

It should be noted that the components of the first ballast assembly26viz. the first cover plate48, the first passage56, the first port58, the second cover plate52, the second passage60, the second port62, the first seal66, the first aperture68, the second seal70, and the second aperture72may also he provided on the second ballast assembly28, the third ballast assembly30, the fourth ballast assembly32, and so on. Also, the configuration, number, stacks, components, layout of the first ballast assembly26and/or the ballast system22disclosed herein is merely exemplary and may not limit the scope of the disclosure.

Industrial Applicability

The present disclosure relates to the ballast system22. In the illustrated embodiment, the ballast material is filled through a first passage76(shown inFIG. 2) of the fourth ballast assembly32. Due to the interlocked configuration of the ballast system22, the ballast material flows from the fourth ballast assembly32into the third ballast assembly30via a connection interface (not shown) therebetween. The ballast material then flows from the third ballast assembly30into the second ballast assembly28via a connection interface (not shown) therebetween. Further, the ballast material flows from the second ballast assembly28into the first ballast assembly26via the connection interface34(shown inFIG. 3) therebetween. The ballast system22may be filled with a required quantity of the ballast material based on the desired weight of the machine10. The number of the ballast assemblies and/or the vertical stacks24may be added or removed based on the desired weight of the machine10and/or a size and/or a dimension of the ballast compartment20. Additionally, the vertical stacks24of the ballast system22may also he interlocked with one another in order to improve connection within the ballast system22. In such a situation, the complete ballast system22may be filled with the ballast material through a single vertical stack24.

In other embodiments, the ballast system22may include the number of ballast assemblies interlocked with one another and disposed adjacent to one another in a horizontal configuration, in another embodiment, the ballast system22may include only the first ballast assembly26having a size and/or a dimension approximately equal to the size and/or the dimension of the ballast compartment20. In such a situation, the first ballast assembly26may be filled with the required quantity of the ballast material based on the required weight of the machine10.

The first ballast assembly26and/or the ballast system22described herein may include a number of design and/or layout configurations other than the ones described herein based on application requirements without limiting the scope of the disclosure. The ballast system22provides a simple, convenient, cost efficient, and space efficient design of the ballast system22. The ballast system22is easy to install reducing machine downtime and labor effort in turn leading to increased machine/operational efficiency, reduced costs, and so on.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.