Cone crusher for rock

A cone crusher for rock that has a rotatable wedge plate that rotatably supports a cone for crushing rock. The wedge plate has bores for receiving sized weights for balancing the rotating assembly. The bores place the weights out of the travel path of the crushed material and are not subject to wear or abrasion during operation of the crusher.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a machine for crushing rock of a type referred to 
as a cone crusher wherein a crushing component is gyrated in a manner that 
affects weight distribution and causes vibration, the invention provides a 
way of balancing the weight distribution produced by such gyration. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Cone crushers are used for crushing large rock into small rock or gravel 
such as used for road beds. A fixed liner forms a conical-shaped cover 
under which a conical-shaped cone is gyrated in a circular or rolling 
action. The cone is moved in a circular pattern such that the peripheral 
surface of the cone moves in close proximity along the inner 
circumferential surface of the liner. Material flowing between the liner 
and cone is crushed by the movement of the cone relative to the liner. The 
rolling action is achieved by orienting the cone to have an axis at a 
slight angle from vertical and then applying a gyrating movement whereby 
the offset axis is rotated around the fixed vertical axis of the liner, 
e.g., at a rate of 300 rpm. 
The rotation of the offset axis is achieved by a cylinder-like support 
referred to as a wedge plate that rotates around the axis of the machine 
(also the axis of the liner). The cone has a center shaft and the cone and 
its shaft are symmetrical relative to the cone axis. The wedge plate 
confines the cone shaft within roller bearings that establish the axial 
position of the cone shaft at an offset relative to the wedge plate's axis 
of rotation. Rotation of the wedge plate thereby generates a rotation of 
the offset axis of the cone around the axis of the machine. The wedge 
plate is rotated at about 300 rpm and, therefore, the rotation of the 
cone's axis is also at 300 rpm. However, the cone itself does not rotate 
with the wedge plate and essentially rolls along the inner surface of the 
liner. 
The cone as explained is substantially symmetrical relative to its axis but 
by offsetting that axis, the weight of the cone is unbalanced relative to 
the axis of rotation. The unbalanced weight sets up undesired vibration. 
To balance the offset weight of the cone, weight is added to one side of 
the wedge plate, i.e., opposite the offset axis. Whereas the offset weight 
of the cone can be calculated, the offsetting weight to be added to the 
wedge plate can be somewhat determined and that added weight can be 
provided in the basic design of the wedge plate. However, there are too 
many variables to achieve a balance that is fully satisfactory and a fine 
tuning of the weight distribution is necessary for each machine after 
final assembly. 
Heretofore it was common to simply add weights to the wedge plate exterior, 
e.g., the weights were bolted onto the wedge plate. This process is time 
consuming and leaves the weight exposed to the crushed rock passing 
through the crusher which can erode or wear away at the weights and 
require replacement. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the wedge plate is provided 
with strategically located pockets of common size positioned at the 
periphery of the wedge plate in the area opposite the offset axis. Weights 
are provided to fit the pockets and the pockets are designed to each hold 
one or more of the weights. Once the machine is assembled, the weights are 
added based on projected weight distribution and the operation of the 
machine is tested. Weights are then added and/or redistributed to various 
pockets to achieve the desired balance. It will be appreciated that the 
weights can be readily removed and rearranged in the pockets for 
redistribution thereof following prolonged use, e.g., as may be required 
due to wearing or other factors such as a change in the linear 
configuration. The pockets (and the weights received therein) are 
accessible without dismantling of the crushing machine. Also, the pockets 
substantially enclose the weights and protect the weights from being 
impinged by the crushed rock. 
The invention and its advantages will be further appreciated upon reference 
to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 illustrates a cone-type crusher 10 arranged to reduce material such 
as rock into smaller particles. The crusher 10 has a conically-shaped 
entry 12 that has a replaceable conical liner 14. A crushing cone 16 
having a removable mantle 17 is movably mounted strategic to the liner 14. 
The cone 16 is arranged to crush the material against the liner 14 as the 
material flows through the entry 12. 
The liner 14 is mounted to a removable shroud 13 which is threadably 
secured to the main frame 11. Removal of the shroud 13 provides f or 
removal and replacement of the liner 14 as well as components of the cone 
16, e.g., the mantle 17. 
Secured to the main frame 11 is a center post 36 that defines a center axis 
20 of the machine. A wedge plate 18 (see also FIG. 2) consists of a bottom 
portion 34 having a cylindrical bore 35 and an upper portion 44 having a 
cylindrical bore 50. The bottom portion 34 is rotatably mounted to the 
center post 36 as provided by bearings 38 and 42. A bevel gear 31 having 
bevel teeth 32 is secured to the bottom of the wedge plate 18. 
A drive shaft 24 protrudes through the main frame 11. Bevel teeth 28 on 
shaft 24 engage teeth 32 of bevel gear 31 for rotating the wedge plate 34 
about the center post 36 and thus about the center axis 20. 
The cone 16 includes a mantle support 15 having a center post 26. The 
mantle support 15 is supported both within the bore 50 of the upper 
portion 44 and surrounding upper portion 44 as provided by bearings 54 and 
56. As particularly noted in FIG. 2, the axis 22 of cylindrical bore 50 is 
offset from axis 20 of cylindrical bore 35. It will be appreciated that as 
the wedge plate 18 rotates about post 36 and axis 20, axis 22 will 
similarly rotate about axis 20. 
It follows that cone 16, which is mounted relative to axis 22, will follow 
the rotation of axis 22 and produce a gyrating motion of the cone. As will 
be seen in FIG. 1, with the axis 22 tilted to the right of axis 20, the 
mantle 17 is cocked to the right and positions the mantle in close 
relation to the liner 14. The opposite side, i.e., the left side of FIG. 
1, illustrates the liner and mantle in spaced apart relation. The location 
of close relationship between the liner and mantle is dictated by the 
position of the axis 22 and thus rotates around the fixed liner at the 
rotation of the wedge plate, e.g., 300 rpms. 
Because of the rotatable relation between cone 16 and wedge plate 18, cone 
16 is not rotatably driven by the rotation of the wedge plate (which is 
rotatably driven by drive shaft 24). Nevertheless, axis 22 rotates around 
axis 20 as dictated by rotation of the wedge plate, and cone 16 rapidly 
gyrates but does not rotate to any significant degree. In practice, cone 
16 actually rotates in reverse by a small rpm, e.g., 7 rpm. This is 
because the mantle is in effective contact with the liner through the 
crushing of the rock, and rolls around the inside of the liner. The 
distance around the contacted surface of the liner is greater than the 
distance around the contacted surface of the mantle and thus a complete 
revolution of the wedge plate and axis 22 produces minor and reverse 
rotation of the cone. 
The cone is symmetrical about its axis 22, and because it is tilted as 
dictated by axis 22, there is an imbalance of weight relative to the axis 
of rotation, i.e., axis 20. The imbalance is always at the same radial 
location as axis 22 rotates around axis 20. No part of the cone 16 is 
fixed relative to axis 22 and thus adding offsetting weight to cone 16 is 
not an option. However, wedge plate 18 dictates the location of axis 22 
and is fixed relative to axis 22. Offsetting weight can be added to wedge 
plate 18 and produce the desired balance. Cylinder portion 44 of the wedge 
plate is designed to have offsetting weight as will be noted in FIG. 1 
(the wall thickness of portion 44 is greater at the position opposite axis 
22). 
Wedge plate design by itself cannot be established with precise offsetting 
weight (there are too many variables in the complexity of the components 
and assembly). It is thus necessary following assembly to further balance 
the assembly to alleviate undesired vibration. A test program has been 
established and weights are added (or redistributed) as needed to achieve 
balance. 
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wedge plate is designed to have a skirt 
portion 46 which, as will be noted in FIG. 1, is located substantially 
under the liner 17 but spaced below the liner for accessibility. The skirt 
portion is provided with pockets 48 in a pattern as seen in FIG. 3 and 
positioned opposite the position of the axis 22. Cylindrical disks such as 
indicated in FIG. 4 are sized in diameter to fit the openings 48 and are 
added to selective ones of the pockets until the desired balance is 
achieved. The pockets 48 are accessible without disassembly of the crusher 
to facilitate adding or removing weights from the pockets 48. 
The weights 40 are sized in height or vertical dimension to the convenience 
of the operator. Small disks as shown at the left side of FIG. 4 may be 
used exclusively or a combination of any or all of the disks may be used. 
It will be appreciated that the weights 40 may be provided at a height to 
fit the pocket 48. The weight 40 has material removed such as by 
counter-boring in a conventional manner to vary the net weight of each 
weight 40. 
In the process of building a cone crusher in accordance with the invention, 
the parts or components are assembled as previously indicated in the 
description of FIG. 1. Following assembly, from experience and 
calculation, a number of the pockets 48 are provided with weights 40 to 
achieve near balance. The machine is then placed on a test stand and the 
cone 16 is rotated. To the extent that unacceptable vibration still 
exists, e.g., movement exceeds 0.020 of an inch, the machine is stopped 
and weights are added or redistributed among the pockets 48. The machine 
is again tested and the process repeated until the desired balance is 
achieved. 
Those skilled in the art upon learning of the invention herein will 
conceive of numerous variations which are nevertheless encompassed by the 
inventions. The disclosed apparatus and process is presented herein by way 
of example only and the scope of the invention is to be determined from 
the claims appended hereto.