Patent Publication Number: US-11021850-B2

Title: Conduit support structure for an industrial machine with pivot joint

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, prior-filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/174,577, filed Jun. 6, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/177,855, filed Feb. 11, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/763,099, filed Feb. 11, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/789,361, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/846,918, filed Jul. 16, 2013. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to industrial machines. Specifically, the present invention relates to a conduit support system for an earthmoving machine. 
     Conventional rope shovels include a boom and a handle coupled to the boom for rotational and translational movement. A bucket or dipper is attached to the handle and is supported by a cable or rope that passes over an end of the boom. The rope is secured to a bail that is pivotably coupled to the dipper. During the hoist phase, the rope is reeled in by a hoist drum, upwardly lifting the dipper through a bank of material and liberating a portion of the material. Generally, the orientation of the dipper relative to the handle is fixed and is not controlled independently of the handle and the hoist rope. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the invention provides an industrial machine including a frame having a base and a boom, an arm movably coupled to the boom, an attachment, a conduit, a first member, and a second member. The boom has a first end coupled to the base and a second end opposite the first end. The arm includes a first end and a second end. The attachment is coupled to the first end of the arm. The conduit extends from the frame to the attachment. The first member is pivotably coupled to the frame and supports a first portion of the conduit as the arm moves relative to the boom. The second member is pivotably coupled between the first member and the arm, and supports a second portion of the conduit as the arm moves relative to the boom. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a conduit support system for an industrial machine having a frame supporting a boom, an arm having a first end and a second end and supported for translational and rotational movement relative to the boom, and an attachment coupled to the first end of the arm. The conduit support system includes a conduit for providing communication between a source on the frame and the attachment, a first member, and a second member. The first member is configured to be pivotably coupled to the frame and supports a first portion of the conduit. The second member is configured to be pivotably coupled to the arm and is movable relative to the first member. The second member supports a second portion of the conduit. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention provides an industrial machine including a frame having a base and a boom coupled to the base, an arm movably coupled to the boom, a conduit extending between the frame and the arm, and a support structure. The boom has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The arm includes a first end, a second end, and an attachment coupled to the first end of the arm. The support structure is coupled to at least a portion of the conduit. The support structure is movable relative to at least one of the frame and the arm to support the conduit in response to movement of the arm relative to the frame. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mining shovel. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a handle, a bucket, saddle blocks, and a shipper shaft of the shovel shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a conduit support structure. 
         FIG. 4  is a lower perspective view of the conduit support structure of  FIG. 3  and a portion of a handle. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the shovel of  FIG. 1 , with the handle in a raised, retracted position. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the shovel of  FIG. 1 , with the handle in a lowered, extended position. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the shovel of  FIG. 1 , with the handle in a raised, extended position. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a mining shovel including a conduit support structure according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a portion of the shovel and the conduit support structure of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a mining shovel including a conduit support structure according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the mining shovel and conduit support structure of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the conduit support structure of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a mining shovel including a conduit support structure according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the mining shovel and conduit support structure of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of a portion of a mining shovel including a conduit support structure according to another embodiment, with the handle in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the portion of the mining shovel and the conduit support structure of  FIG. 15 , with the handle in an extended position. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of a portion of a mining shovel including a conduit support structure according to another embodiment, with the handle in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the portion of the mining shovel and conduit support structure of  FIG. 17 , with the handle in a lowered extended position. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the portion of the mining shovel and conduit support structure of  FIG. 17 , with the handle in a raised extended position. 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of a mining shovel including a conduit support structure according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the mining shovel and the conduit support structure of  FIG. 20 . 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an industrial machine, such as a mining shovel  10 , supported by tracks  14  a support surface or ground (not shown). The shovel  10  includes a frame  18  including a base  22  supporting a boom  26  and a fluid source  30  (e.g., a fluid pump and/or reservoir— FIG. 3 ). The shovel  10  further includes an elongated member or handle  34 , an attachment or bucket  38  including pivot actuators  42 , and a conduit support structure  46 . The base  22  includes a rotational structure for rotating about an axis of rotation (not shown) that is generally perpendicular to a plane corresponding to a grade of the support surface. The base  22  also includes a hoist drum  50  for reeling in and paying out a cable or rope  54 . Although the conduit support structure  46  is described with respect to the shovel  10 , the linkage  46  may be used on other industrial machines, including other mining machines. 
     The boom  26  includes a first end  58  coupled to the base  22  and a second end  62  opposite the first end  58 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first end  58  is pivotable relative to the base  22  by a pin joint. The boom  26  further includes a boom sheave  66  coupled to the second end  62 . The boom sheave  66  guides the rope  54  over the second end  62  of the boom  26 . The rope  54  is coupled to the bucket  38  by a bail assembly  70 , which is pivotably coupled to the bucket  38  in the illustrated embodiment. The bucket  38  moves toward the boom sheave  66  as the rope  54  is reeled in by the hoist drum  50  and the bucket  38  moves away from the boom sheave  66  as the rope  54  is paid out. In some embodiments, the bail assembly  70  includes an equalizer for maintaining the rope  54  in an orientation that is generally tangent to the boom sheave  66 . 
     The boom  26  also includes a shipper shaft  74  and a pair of saddle blocks  78 . The shipper shaft  74  extends through the boom  26  and is positioned between the first end  58  and the second end  62  of the boom  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shipper shaft  74  is rotatable about an axis defined by the shipper shaft  74  and oriented transverse to a longitudinal axis of the boom  26 . The shipper shaft  74  includes pinions  82  ( FIG. 2 ). The saddle blocks  78  are rotatably coupled to the shipper shaft  74  and are rotatable relative to the boom  26 . In one embodiment, each saddle block  78  is a three-piece saddle block having two parallel side portions and a top portion extending between the side portions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle  34  includes a pair of parallel arms  86  and defines a first end  90  and a second end  94 . The first end  90  is pivotably coupled to the bucket  38 . The second end  94  is movably received in the saddle blocks  78 . In the illustrated embodiment, the handle arms  86  are positioned on either side of the boom  26  ( FIG. 1 ) and movably pass through each saddle block  78  such that the handle  34  is capable of rotational and translational movement relative to the boom  26 . Hoisting of the ropes  54  rotates the handle  34  and saddle block  78  about the shipper shaft  74  relative to the boom  26 . The handle  30  is also linearly extendable relative to the saddle block  58 . In the illustrated embodiment, each arm  86  includes a rack  98  for engaging a pinion  82  of the shipper shaft  74 , forming a rack-and-pinion coupling between the handle  34  and the boom  26 . Rotation of the shipper shaft  74  about its axis moves the rack  98  along the shipper shaft  74 , facilitating translational movement of the handle  34  relative to the boom  26 . 
     The bucket  38  is used to excavate a desired work area, collect material, and transfer the collected material to a desired location (e.g., a material handling vehicle). The bucket  38  includes teeth  102  for engaging a bank of material. Each pivot actuator  42  is coupled between the bucket  38  and the handle  34  and actively controls the pitch of the bucket  38  (i.e., the angle of the bucket  38  relative to the handle  34 ) by rotating the bucket  38  about the handle first end  90 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot actuators  42  are hydraulic cylinders. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the bucket  38  is a clamshell-type bucket  38  having a rear wall  106  and a main body  110  movable relative to the rear wall  106 . The main body  110  is selectively moved away from the rear wall  106  to empty the contents of the bucket  38 . The main body  110  may be actuated by one or more bucket cylinders (not shown). In other embodiments, the shovel  10  may include other types of attachments, buckets, or dippers. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the conduit support structure  46  includes first member or link  118  and a second member or link  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure  46  includes a pair of links  118 ,  122 , each of which is coupled to one of the handle arms  86 . The first link  118  is pivotably coupled between the frame  18  and the second link  122 , and the second link  122  is pivotably coupled between the first link  118  and the handle arm  86 . The links  118 ,  122  are coupled to each other at a joint  154 . In the illustrated embodiment, the joint  154  and the joints coupling the links  118 ,  122  to the shovel are pin joints; in other embodiments, the joints may be a spherical bearing, a ball-in-socket connection, or some other type of joint. Conduits  126  extend substantially along the length of the first link  118  and the second link  122 . The conduits  126  are coupled to the first link  118  and the second link  122  and bend around the joint  154  between the first link  118  and the second link  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, the portions of the conduits  126  that are coupled to the links  118 ,  122  are fixed tubes, and a flexible portion extends around the connection between the links  118 ,  122 . The flexible portion is prevented from bending beyond a minimum bend radius of the conduit in response to movement of the handle  34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second link  122  includes a first portion  122   a , a second portion  122   b  pivotably coupled to the first portion  122   a , and an attachment plate  130  secured to the handle arm  86 . The attachment plate  130  is pivotably coupled to the second portion  122   b , such as by a spherical bushing or a cylindrical bushing. While the second link  122  pivots about a first axis  134  relative to the first link  118 , the second portion  122   b  pivots about a second axis  138  relative to the first portion  122   a . The conduits  126  bend around the connection between the first portion  122   a  and the second portion  122   b . During operation of the shovel  10 , the sides of the bucket  38  may be unevenly loaded, causing the handle  34  to deflect laterally relative to the saddle blocks  78  or move in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle  34 . The pivotable coupling between the first portion  122   a  and the second portion  122   b  provides an additional direction of articulation to accommodate lateral or torsional motion of the handle  34  and prevents the first link  118  and the second link  122  from binding. In the illustrated embodiment, the second axis  138  is perpendicular to the first axis  134 . In other embodiments, the second axis  138  may be positioned at another angle relative to the first axis  134 . In still other embodiments, the second link  122  may be formed as a solid member without articulating portions  122   a  and  122   b.    
     In one embodiment, the movement of the links  118 ,  122  relative to one another may be limited (e.g., by a mechanical stop) to never move beyond a minimum angle between the first link  118  and the second link  122  so that the conduits  126  do not bend beyond a minimum bend radius. In other embodiments, the coupling between the first link  118  and the second link  122  may include a rotary union or fluid swivel to provide fluid communication between the portion of each conduit  126  coupled to the first link  118  and the portion of each conduit  126  coupled to the second link  122 . The rotary union eliminates the need for a flexible conduit portion and provides fluid flow through the conduits  126  when the articulating links  118 ,  122  are in virtually any position, without being limited by a bend radius of the conduits  126 . Finally, in the illustrated embodiment, the conduit support structure  46  is not independently powered, but instead follows the motion of the handle  34  as the handle  34  is driven by the crowd and hoist forces. In other embodiments, the links  118 ,  122  are driven to pivot by an independent power source in response to movement of the handle  34 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the conduits  126  are in fluid communication with the fluid source  30  positioned on the base  22 . The conduits  126  are also in fluid communication with second conduits  140  extending along the handle  34  and providing fluid to the pivot actuators  42  ( FIG. 2 ) and bucket cylinders. In addition, the conduits  126 ,  140  may transmit multiple types of fluids in separate lines at different pressures. The conduits  126 ,  140  may convey lubricative medium (e.g., grease) to the handle  34  in order to lubricate mechanical connections on the handle  34  and bucket  38 . The lubrication medium may include liquid, solid, or semi-solid lubricant. In still other embodiments, the conduits  126 ,  140  provide electrical communication between the bucket  38  and the frame  18  to convey signals between the bucket  38  and a controller and/or to convey electric power to an electric actuator for operating the bucket  38 . In one embodiment, the conduits  140  are supported in a cartridge that is removably coupled to the handle arm  86 , similar to the cartridge described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/045,744, filed Oct. 3, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIGS. 5-7  illustrate multiple possible positions for the handle  34  during operation of the shovel  10 . The handle  34  rotates and moves translationally with respect to the frame  18 . The links  118 ,  122  define a first end of the support structure  46  coupled to the frame  18  and a second end coupled to the handle  34 . The distance between the first end and the second end is variable to accommodate the movement between the handle  34  and the boom  26  during operation. As the handle  34  moves from a retracted portion ( FIG. 5 ) to an extended position ( FIG. 6 ), the links  118 ,  122  move apart from one another, such that an included angle  142  between the links  118 ,  122  increases. As the handle  34  moves toward the retracted position ( FIG. 5 ), the links  118 ,  122  pivot toward one another, decreasing the angle  142 . In addition, as the handle  34  moves from a lowered position ( FIG. 6 ) to a raised position ( FIG. 7 ), the angle  142  decreases. The articulation of the links  118 ,  122  accounts for any “slack” in the conduits  126  and reduces the likelihood that the conduits  126  will snag on nearby obstacles or structures. The conduit support structure  46  simplifies the complexity of conveying fluid across the connection that permits rotational and translational movement of the handle  34  relative to the boom  26 , thereby providing pressurized fluid, electric power, or electrical signals to the attachment  38  throughout the full range of motion of the handle  34 . Among other things, the conduit support structure  46  permits active control of the attachment&#39;s movement, increasing the range of motion and efficiency of the attachment  38 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate another embodiment of the conduit support structure  46  in which the first link  118  is shaped as a chevron including a pair of legs  118   a ,  118   b  having ends that are each pivotably coupled to the base  22  at ball-in-socket joints. The legs  118   a ,  118   b  are joined together at an apex and are coupled to the second link  122  at a joint  154 . In the illustrated embodiment, the joint  154  is a pin connection; in other embodiments, the joint  154  may be a spherical bearing, a ball-in-socket connection, or some other type of joint. The chevron shape of the first link  118  distributes the stress in the couplings and reduces wear on the first link  118 . 
     In other embodiments, both the first link and the second link are formed as chevrons including a pair of legs and each leg of the second link is pivotably coupled to one of the handle arms  86 . The support structure  46  may include one first link and one second link that are pivotably coupled by, for example, a single spherical or ball-in-socket connection joining the apex of each link. 
       FIGS. 10-12  illustrate another embodiment of a conduit support structure  246 . For brevity, only differences between the conduit support structure  246  and the conduit support structure  46  will be described in detail. Similar parts are identified with the same reference number, plus 200. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , a first link  318  is coupled to the saddle block  78 , while a second link  322  is coupled between the first link  318  and a portion of the handle  34  between the first end  90  and the second end  94 . The first link  318  defines a first end of the support structure  246  that is pivotably coupled to the top of the saddle block  78 , and the second link  322  defines a second end of the support structure  246  that is pivotably coupled to the top of the handle  34 . Both links  318 ,  322  support fixed conduit portions for conveying hydraulic fluid, lubricative fluid, and/or electrical wire. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the conduits  326  include a flexible portion extending in a curved, S-shape manner from the base  22  along a side surface of the saddle block  78  to the first link  318 . As in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a flexible portion extends around the joint  328  between the first link  318  and the second link  322 . The conduits  326  include both fluid lines for conveying pressurized fluids and electrical lines. In the illustrated embodiment, the conduits  326  extend below the end of the second link  322  that is coupled to the handle  34 . The conduits  326  extend along an upper edge of the handle  34  to a manifold (not shown) positioned on the rear wall  106  of the bucket  38 . Fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid, lubricative fluid) is conveyed to the manifold where it is then diverted to the pivot actuators  42  or mechanical connections. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 12 , the first link  318  is pivotably coupled to the saddle block  78  by a pin joint or a cylindrical bushing, while the second link  322  is pivotably coupled to the arm  86  of the handle  34  by a universal joint or U-joint  324 . The U-joint  324  includes a first portion that pivots about a first axis and a second portion that pivots about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. The structure of a universal joint is well-known to a person of ordinary skill, and therefore is not described in further detail. In addition, the pivot joint  328  between the first link  318  and the second link  322  is a spherical coupling. As used herein, a spherical coupling may include a cylindrical pin extending between the ends of the first link  318  and the second link  322  and encapsulated within one or more spherical bushings that are pivotable relative to a first link  318  and the second link  322 . In other embodiments, the spherical coupling includes a ball-in-socket connection. In still other embodiments, the spherical coupling includes a roller bearing having a plurality of roller elements with a spherical shape or aspect. The types of couplings described above can be incorporated into any of the connection joints in the support structure  246 . For example, the connection between the second link  322  and the handle arm  86  could be a cylindrical pin joint instead of a U-joint  324 . 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate another embodiment in which the first link  318  is pivotably coupled to a side of the saddle block  78  by a first rotary union or fluid swivel  360  in fluid communication with the fluid source  30  (not shown). The second link  322  is pivotably coupled to the side of the handle  34  at a second rotary union  364 . The swivels  360 ,  364  convey fluid through the pivoting joints to the conduits  326  on the links  318 ,  322 . In other embodiments, the first link  318  is coupled to the shipper shaft  74  and the second link  322  is coupled between the first link  318  and the handle  34 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate another embodiment of a conduit support structure  446 . For brevity, only differences between the conduit support structure  446  and the conduit support structure  46  will be described in detail. Similar parts are identified with the same reference number, plus 400. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the conduit support structure  446  includes a third link  572  coupled between a first link  518  and a second link  522 . Conduits  526  are not coupled to the third link  572 . The third link  572  provides a minimum distance between the ends of the first link  518  and the second link  522 , preventing the conduit  526  from bending beyond a minimum bend radius. 
       FIGS. 17-19  illustrate another embodiment of a conduit support structure  646 . For brevity, only differences between the conduit support structure  646  and the conduit support structure  46  will be described in detail. Similar parts are identified with the same reference number, plus 600. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , a first link  718  is pivotably coupled to the boom  26  and a second link  722  is pivotably coupled between the first link  718  and a portion of the handle  34  at a position between the first end  90  and the second end  94 . In one embodiment, the first link  718  is pivotable through approximately 110 degrees, the second link  722  is pivotable through approximately 70 degrees, and the total rotation between the links  718 ,  722  is approximately 100 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the first link  718  is coupled to the boom  26  at a first swivel  760 , which is in communication with the fluid source  30 , while the second link  722  is coupled to the handle  34  by a second swivel  764 . In other embodiments, the links  718 ,  722  may be coupled to the boom  26  and handle  34 , respectively, by pin joints or another type of mechanical connection. The conduit support structure  646  may use one or two collinear pivot points on each of the boom  26  and the handle  30 . 
     The conduit support structure  646  provides a path for fluid lines to connect directly between the boom  26  and the handle  30 , and the links  718  and  722  have a shorter length than the links in the embodiments described above. In other embodiments, the pivot point of the first link  718  relative to the boom  26  may be located at a different position, including on the bottom of the boom  26 , underneath the handle  30 , or protruding from a side of the boom  26 . 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate another embodiment of a conduit support structure  846 . For brevity, only differences between the conduit support structure  846  and the conduit support structure  46  will be described in detail. Similar parts are identified with the same reference number, plus 800. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, at least one conduit  926  is in fluid communication with a fluid source  830 . The conduits  926  include a flexible portion  976  extending from the base  22  to the second end  94  of the handle  34 , where the conduits  926  are in fluid communication with conduits  140  extending along the handle  34 . The flexible portion  976  generally maintains a partially circular profile or loop shape in order to accommodate rotational and translational movement of the handle  34  relative to the boom  26 . 
     In addition, each end of the flexible portion  976  is supported away from the coupling between the conduits  926  and the base  22  and the coupling between the conduits  926  and the handle  34 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the support structure  846  also includes a first support block  944  coupled to the base  22  and a second support block  948  coupled to the second end  94  of each handle arm  86 . Each support block  944 ,  948  supports a portion of each conduit  926  against the lateral and torsional forces exerted on the conduit  926  due to the movement of the handle  34 , thereby reducing stress and wear on the conduits  926  and their associated fittings. 
     The flexible portion  976  has a length that is sufficient to accommodate any position/movement of the second end  94  of the handle  34 . The flexible conduit  976  is coupled directly to the second end  94  of the handle  34 , thereby reducing the range that the conduit  976  must accommodate. In one embodiment, the flexible portion  976  is long enough to accommodate the handle  34  and bucket  38  being positioned in a tuck position in which the bucket  38  is retracted inwardly to engage the front of the boom  26  proximate the base  22 , and the handle  34  is fully retracted and rotated to a substantially vertical orientation. 
     In other embodiments, the conduit support structure  846  includes a cable track (not shown) that at least partially supports the flexible portion  976 . The cable track allows movement of the conduits  926  within a defined range and guides the motion of the flexible portion  976  in response to motion of the handle  34 . In other embodiments, the flexible portion  976  is supported by, for example, a spring. 
     It is understood that features disclosed in one embodiment above are equally applicable to the other embodiments. 
     Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a conduit support structure for an industrial machine. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.