Patent Publication Number: US-11649606-B2

Title: Dragline bucket

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a dragline bucket and a machine including the dragline bucket. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Machines, such as dragline excavators, typically include a dragline bucket associated therewith. The dragline bucket may be used in mining and earth moving operations. For example, the dragline bucket may be used to capture materials such as rocks/aggregate, or other large finds. The dragline bucket is suspended from a boom of the machine by a rigging assembly. The dragline bucket is maneuvered by means of the rigging assembly. 
     An amount of material that can be carried by the dragline bucket is typically governed by a volume of the dragline bucket. Further, the volume of the dragline bucket may vary based on a shape of the dragline bucket. Conventionally, the dragline bucket includes a pair of side walls, a base member, and an end wall/rear wall. The end wall of the bucket is generally curved. Such a curved profile of the end wall may reduce the volume of the dragline bucket. Reduction in the volume may in turn reduce a productivity at a worksite as the conventional dragline bucket may hold reduced amount of material therein, which is not desirable. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,544,562 describes a dragline bucket including a base member. A first side member extends from the base member. The dragline bucket further includes a first top edge. A second side member extends from the base member. Further, a rear member extends from the base member. Further, the dragline bucket includes a second top edge, a mouth for receiving material into the bucket. The dragline bucket includes a first beveled wall extending from the first side member forming a first compound angle with the base member. Moreover, a second beveled wall extends from the rear member proximate the first beveled wall forming a second compound angle with the base member. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, a dragline bucket is provided. The dragline bucket includes a base member defining a first end, a second end, and a third end. The dragline bucket also includes a first side wall extending from the base member proximate to the first end of the base member. The first side wall defines a first edge that is distal to the base member. The dragline bucket further includes a second side wall extending from the base member proximate to the second end of the base member. The first side wall is laterally spaced apart from the second side wall. The second side wall defines a second edge that is distal to the base member. The dragline bucket includes an end wall extending from the base member proximate to the third end of the base member such that the end wall is connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall. The base member, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the end wall define a material receiving portion of the dragline bucket. The end wall includes a first portion connected to the base member. The first portion is disposed such that a first angle is defined between the base member and the first portion. The end wall also includes a second portion extending from the first portion. The second portion is substantially perpendicular to the base member. The end wall further includes a third portion extending from the second portion such that the second portion is disposed between the first portion and the third portion. The third portion is disposed such that a second angle is defined between the second portion and the first portion. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure a machine is provided. The machine includes a boom. The machine also includes a rigging assembly adapted to be coupled to the boom. The machine further includes a dragline bucket adapted to be coupled to the rigging assembly. The dragline bucket includes a base member defining a first end, a second end, and a third end. The dragline bucket also includes a first side wall extending from the base member proximate to the first end of the base member. The first side wall defines a first edge that is distal to the base member. The dragline bucket further includes a second side wall extending from the base member proximate to the second end of the base member. The first side wall is laterally spaced apart from the second side wall. The second side wall defines a second edge that is distal to the base member. The dragline bucket includes an end wall extending from the base member proximate to the third end of the base member such that the end wall is connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall. The base member, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the end wall define a material receiving portion of the dragline bucket. The end wall includes a first portion connected to the base member. The first portion is disposed such that a first angle is defined between the base member and the first portion. The end wall also includes a second portion extending from the first portion. The second portion is substantially perpendicular to the base member. The end wall further includes a third portion extending from the second portion such that the second portion is disposed between the first portion and the third portion. The third portion is disposed such that a second angle is defined between the second portion and the first portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a side view of a machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of a rigging assembly and a dragline bucket associated with the machine of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of the dragline bucket of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a side view of the dragline bucket of  FIG.  2   ; and 
         FIG.  5    illustrate a schematic view of the dragline bucket of  FIG.  2   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an exemplary machine  100 . The machine  100  is embodied as a dragline excavator herein. Alternatively, the machine  100  may include another type of earthmoving machine that employs a dragline bucket  102  that will be explained later in this section. The machine  100  may perform one or more operations associated with an industry such as mining, construction, forestry, farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. The machine  100  may be embodied as a manual, autonomous, or semi-autonomous machine, without any limitations. 
     The machine  100  includes a house  104 . The machine  100  further includes a power source (not shown) supported by the house  104 . The power source may supply power to various components of the machine  100  for operation, movement, and the like. In one example, the power source may include an engine, such as a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine, or any other type of combustion engine known in the art. In other examples, the power source may include an electric drive assembly having an electric motor (not shown). 
     The machine  100  includes a boom  106 . The boom  106  is controlled by a suspension system  108  connected to a mast  110  and a gantry frame  112 . The machine  100  further includes a rigging assembly  114  coupled to one or more hoist ropes  116 . Moreover, the machine  100  includes the dragline bucket  102  coupled to the rigging assembly  114 . The rigging assembly  114  includes a drag socket  118  and one or more drag ropes  120 . The hoist ropes  116  pass over a boom point sheave  122  of the boom  106  and suspends the dragline bucket  102  therefrom. Further, the dragline bucket  102  is coupled to the drag ropes  120  by the drag socket  118 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates the rigging assembly  114  and the dragline bucket  102 . As illustrated, the rigging assembly  114  includes a hoist socket  124  and a spreader bar  126 . A link  186  is connected to a trunnion attachment structure  128  of the dragline bucket  102  by a pair of lower hoist chains  130 . Further, a pair of upper hoist chains  132  are disposed between the spreader bar  126  and a bracket  134 . The spreader bar  126  along with the lower and upper hoist chains  130 ,  132  suspends the dragline bucket  102 . Further, the dragline bucket  102  can be moved by drag chains  136  and a dump rope  138  that is connected to the dragline bucket  102  by a dump sheave  140 . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of the dragline bucket  102 . The dragline bucket  102  defines a first height “H 1 ” (shown in  FIG.  4   ). In the illustrated example, the first height “H 1 ” is defined as an average height of the dragline bucket  102 . Alternatively, the first height “H 1 ” may be defined as a maximum height of the dragline bucket  102 . The dragline bucket  102  includes a base member  142 . The base member  142  defines a first end  144 , a second end  146 , and a third end  148 . The dragline bucket  102  also includes a first side wall  150 , a second side wall  152 , and an end wall  154 . The base member  142 , the first side wall  150 , the second side wall  152 , and the end wall  154  define a material receiving portion  156  of the dragline bucket  102 . The material receiving portion  156  is embodied as a hollow space for receiving material  157  (shown in  FIG.  4   ) therein. Further, the first side wall  150 , the second side wall  152 , and the base member  142  define a mouth portion  158  for receiving the material  157  in the material receiving portion  156 . 
     The base member  142  defines a fourth end  160  proximate to the mouth portion  158 . The fourth end  160  of the base member  142  is covered by various devices such as edge protectors or shrouds  164  and ground engaging tools  166 . The ground engaging tools  166  may be attached to the fourth end  160  using tool adapters (not shown). In other embodiments, the base member  142  may include a continuous edge protector proximate to the fourth end  160  of the base member  142 . Alternatively, any form of protection proximate to the fourth end  160  may be omitted. Moreover, the base member  142  includes a number of wear bars  168 . The wear bars  168  extend from a bottom surface  170  of the base member  142 . 
     The dragline bucket  102  includes the first side wall  150  extending from the base member  142  proximate to the first end  144  of the base member  142 . The first side wall  150  defines a first edge  172  that is distal to the base member  142 . The first edge  172  is a top edge of the first side wall  150 . Further, a curvature (not shown) is defined between the first side wall  150  and the base member  142 . The dragline bucket  102  also includes the second side wall  152  extending from the base member  142  proximate to the second end  146  of the base member  142 . The first side wall  150  is laterally spaced apart from the second side wall  152 . The second side wall  152  defines a second edge  174  that is distal to the base member  142 . The second edge  174  is a top edge of the second side wall  152 . Further, a curvature  176  is defined between the second side wall  152  and the base member  142 . 
     Further, each of the first side wall  150  and the second side wall  152  includes the trunnion attachment structure  128  disposed proximate to the end wall  154 . The trunnion attachment structure  128  associated with the first side wall  150  is illustrated herein. However, it should be noted that the trunnion attachment structures  128  associated with each of the first and second side walls  150 ,  152  have a similar design. The trunnion attachment structure  128  is coupled with a portion (described as the lower hoist chains  130  shown in  FIG.  2   ) of the rigging assembly  114 . More particularly, the trunnion attachment structure  128  allows coupling of the dragline bucket  102  with the lower hoist chains  130 . The trunnion attachment structure  128  includes an aperture  178  defined in the respective first and second side walls  150 ,  152  and an aperture  180  defined in a plate member  182  that is spaced apart from the respective first and second side walls  150 ,  152 . Further, the trunnion attachment structure  128  defines a trunnion slot  184  between the respective first and second side walls  150 ,  152  and the plate member  182 . The trunnion slot  184  receives the link  186  (see  FIG.  2   ) associated with the lower hoist chains  130 . Further, an aperture (not shown) in the link  186  aligns with the apertures  178 ,  180  to receive a pin  187  (shown in  FIG.  2   ) therethrough for coupling the respective lower hoist chains  130  with the dragline bucket  102 . 
     Moreover, each of the first and second side walls  150 ,  152  includes a bracket member  188 . The bracket members  188  are disposed proximate to the mouth portion  158 . The bracket members  188  define an opening  190  that allows connection of the dragline bucket  102  with the drag chains  136 . Further, an arch portion  192  is disposed between the first side wall  150  and the second side wall  152 . The arch portion  192  includes an attachment structure  194  that allows coupling of the dragline bucket  102  with the dump rope  138 . 
     Further, each of the first side wall  150 , the second side wall  152 , and the end wall  154  defines a number of perforations  196 . As illustrated, the perforations  196  in the first side wall  150  and the second side wall  152  are provided proximate to the end wall  154  of the base member  142 . In some examples, the base member  142  may also include the perforations  196 . When the dragline bucket  102  is used to excavate material  157  from water bodies, excess liquid contained in the dragline bucket  102  may drain out of the dragline bucket  102  via the perforations  196 . In this embodiment, the perforations  196  are depicted as circular holes. In other embodiments, the perforations  196  may be embodied as slots. In some embodiments, the dragline bucket  102  may omit the perforations  196 . 
     The dragline bucket  102  includes the end wall  154  extending from the base member  142  proximate to the third end  148  of the base member  142  such that the end wall  154  is connected to each of the first side wall  150  and the second side wall  152 . As illustrated, a curvature  198  is defined between each of the first and second side walls  150 ,  152  and the end wall  154 . The end wall  154  defines a third edge  200  proximate to the base member  142  and a fourth edge  202  distal to the base member  142 . The fourth edge  202  is connected to each of the first edge  172  of the first side wall  150  and the second edge  174  of the second side wall  152 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a side view of the dragline bucket  102 . As illustrated herein, the end wall  154  includes a first portion  208  connected to the base member  142 . The first portion  208  is disposed such that a first angle “A 1 ” is defined between the first portion  208  and the base member  142 . The first angle “A 1 ” ranges from 130 degrees to 170 degrees. In some examples, the first angle “A 1 ” ranges from 140 degrees to 150 degrees. The first portion  208  defines a first inner surface  210  (shown in  FIG.  3   ) and a first outer surface  212 . The first portion  208  defines the third edge  200  of the end wall  154  that is connected to a rear edge (not shown) of the base member  142  by a curvature (not shown). Although the first portion  208  described herein omits the perforations  196 , in some examples, the first portion  208  may also include the perforations  196 , without any limitations. 
     Further, the end wall  154  includes a second portion  214  extending from the first portion  208 . The second portion  214  is substantially perpendicular to the base member  142 . Further, the second portion  214  includes the perforations  196 . The second portion  214  defines a second inner surface  216  (shown in  FIG.  3   ) and a second outer surface  218 . The second portion  214  defines a second height “H 2 ”. More particularly, the dragline bucket  102  defines the first height “H 1 ” and the second portion  214  defines the second height “H 2 ” such that the second height “H 2 ” is approximately equal to 20% to 55% of the first height “H 1 ”. In some examples, the second height “H 2 ” is approximately equal to 25% to 50% of the first height “H 1 ”. 
     Further, the end wall  154  includes a third portion  220  extending from the second portion  214  such that the second portion  214  is disposed between the first portion  208  and the third portion  220 . The third portion  220  is disposed such that a second angle “A 2 ” is defined between the second portion  214  and the third portion  220 . The second angle “A 2 ” ranges from 170 degrees to 180 degrees. In some examples, the second angle “A 2 ” ranges from 175 degrees to 180 degrees. The third portion  220  defines a third inner surface  222  (shown in  FIG.  3   ) and a third outer surface  224 . It should be noted that each of the first, second, and third inner surfaces  210 ,  216 ,  222  together define an inner surface of the end wall  154 . Further, the first, second, and third outer surfaces  212 ,  218 ,  224  together define an outer surface of the end wall  154 . 
     Further, the second portion  214  includes the perforations  196 . The third portion  220  defines the fourth edge  202  of the end wall  154  that is connected to each of the first edge  172  of the first side wall  150  and the second edge  174  of the second side wall  152 . Further, in the illustrated example, each of the first portion  208 , the second portion  214 , and the third portion  220  of the end wall  154  includes a substantially planar profile. The planar profile relates to the inner surfaces  210 ,  216 ,  222  and the outer surfaces  212 ,  218 ,  224  of the first, second, and third portions  208 ,  214 ,  220 . More particularly, the inner surfaces  210 ,  216 ,  222  and the outer surfaces  212 ,  218 ,  224  of the first, second, and third portions  208 ,  214 ,  220  are embodied as flat surfaces. Each of the first portion  208 , the second portion  214 , and the third portion  220  is embodied as a substantially rectangular plate. 
     Further, the dragline bucket  102  may hold an amount of the material  157  in the material receiving portion  156 . The amount of the material  157  held in the dragline bucket  102  may be adjudged by a struck capacity “Sc” of the dragline bucket  102  or a rated capacity “Rc” of the dragline bucket  102 . The struck capacity “Sc” may be defined as an actual measured or calculated box volume of the dragline bucket  102 . The struck capacity “Sc” may relate to a volume of the material receiving portion  156  between a first line “L 1 ” and the end wall  154 . Further, the rated capacity “Rc” may relate to a volume of the material receiving portion  156  between a second line “L 2 ” and the end wall  154 . When the material  157  is received within the material receiving portion  156 , an angle of repose “A 3 ” is defined by a heap of the material  157 . The angle of repose “A 3 ” may be defined as an angle formed by the material  157  proximate to the mouth portion  158 . The angle of repose “A 3 ” may be measured between the first line “L 1 ” and the second line “L 2 ”. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a schematic view of the dragline bucket  102 . In  FIG.  5   , solid lines depict an area of the dragline bucket  102  proximate to the mouth portion  158  (see  FIG.  3   ) whereas broken lines depict an area of the dragline bucket  102  proximate to the end wall  154 . The struck capacity “Sc” (in cubic feet) of the dragline bucket  102  is calculated using following equation (1), 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     S 
                     ⁢ 
                     c 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       Wa 
                       × 
                       Ha 
                       × 
                       L 
                       × 
                       F 
                     
                     
                       1 
                       ⁢ 
                       7 
                       ⁢ 
                       2 
                       ⁢ 
                       8 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Equation 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     ( 
                     1 
                     ) 
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     In the equation (1), “Ha” is an average inside height of the dragline bucket  102 , “L” (shown in  FIG.  4   ) is a length between an edge of a cutting lip (not shown) and the end wall  154 , and “F” is a corrective factor/form factor. It should be noted that the term “form factor” as referred to herein may be defined as a mathematical factor expressing a loss of the capacity of the dragline bucket  102  due to presence of various curvatures in the dragline bucket  102 , such as the curvatures  176 ,  198  (see  FIG.  3   ). Further, “Wa” is an average inside width of the dragline bucket  102 . It should be noted that the average inside height “Ha”, the length “L”, and the average inside width “Wa” are measured in inches. The value of “Wa” is calculated using following equation (2), 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   Wa 
                   = 
                   
                     
                       
                         W 
                         ⁢ 
                         
                             
                         
                         ⁢ 
                         b 
                       
                       + 
                       Wc 
                       + 
                       Wd 
                       + 
                       We 
                     
                     4 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Equation 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     ( 
                     2 
                     ) 
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     In the equation (2), “Wb” is an inside width of the base member  142  (see  FIGS.  3  and  4   ) measured proximate to the fourth end  160  (see  FIG.  3   ) of the base member  142 , “Wd” is an inside width of the base member  142  measured proximate to the third end  148  (see  FIGS.  3  and  4   ) of the base member  142 , “We” is an inside width of the end wall  154  measured proximate to the fourth edge  202  (see  FIG.  3   ), and “Wc” is an inside width between the first and second side walls  150 ,  152  proximate to the first and second edges  172 ,  174  (see  FIG.  3   ) of the respective first and second side walls  150 ,  152 . The inside width “Wc” is measured proximate to the mouth portion  158 . Further, the rated capacity “Rc” (in cubic yards) of the dragline bucket  102  may be calculated using following equation (3), 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   Rc 
                   = 
                   
                     
                       S 
                       ⁢ 
                       c 
                       × 
                       
                         0 
                         . 
                         9 
                       
                     
                     
                       2 
                       ⁢ 
                       7 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Equation 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     ( 
                     3 
                     ) 
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     In the above equation (3), the factor “0.9” expresses a 10% loss of the struck capacity “Sc” due to the angle of repose “A 3 ” (see  FIG.  4   ). It should be noted that the dragline bucket  102  may be manufactured by any known manufacturing process generally known in the art. In some embodiments, the dragline bucket  102  may be made up of a material, such as, iron, steel, aluminum, or any other metal or alloy. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present disclosure relates to the dragline bucket  102  that may be associated with a number of different machines. The dragline bucket  102  includes an improved design that may lead to an increase in the struck capacity “Sc” and therefore the rated capacity “Rc” of the dragline bucket  102 . More particularly, the dragline bucket  102  includes the end wall  154  having an improved design. The end wall  154  includes a tight wall profile. The design of the first portion  208 , the second portion  214 , and the third portion  220  of the end wall  154  may collectively reduce the form factor “F” which may in turn increase the struck capacity “Sc” and the rated capacity “Rc” of the dragline bucket  102 . In an example, a total volume deduction in the form factor “F” observed in the dragline bucket  102  described herein may be less than 3%. Further, in some examples, the design of the first portion  208 , the second portion  214 , and the third portion  220  may increase the total volume of the dragline bucket  102  by 2% to 10%, however, this value may vary based on a size of the dragline bucket  102 . Further, the increase in the struck capacity “Sc” and the rated capacity “Rc” of the dragline bucket  102  may in turn increase a productivity of operations that employ the dragline bucket  102  described herein. 
     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 what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.