Patent Publication Number: US-2012027533-A1

Title: Rotary Drive Device within a Rotary Cylinder

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for degrading natural and manmade formations. Moreover, the present invention is related to a heavy drum supporting an array of picks and a light weight machine combination for optimum performance in asphalt, mining, construction, drilling, and excavation industries. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,616 to Delli-Gatti, Jr., which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses a cutting drum for a mining machine that requires only a single supporting arm, and single interior motor for rotation of the cutting drum. The drum has two body portions which are spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the supporting arm along the axis of the drum. A cutting chain is operatively connected by sprocket teeth to each of the body portions, one of the body portions being driven by a shaft of the interior motor through reduction planetary gears. Only a single stage reduction need to be provided. One of the body portions may be formed so that it is longitudinally reciprocal along the axis of the drum to vary the cutting height or width. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,084 to Diver, which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses an axially rotatable groundworking implement mountable to a host vehicle. The groundworking implement is powered by two hydraulic motors between the side ends of the groundworking implement. The shaft of each motor includes a bore which functions as either the hydraulic fluid input port or output port for that motor. Each hydraulic motor shaft is nonrotatably affixed to a groundworking implement protective cover. The groundworking implement can be removed from its supporting mechanism without detaching the motor from the work implement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,387,345 B2 to Hall, which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains, discloses a degradation drum comprising a generally cylindrical body comprising inner and outer diameters. At least one degradation assembly is disposed on the outer diameter and it comprises a holder and a pick shank secured within a bore of the holder. At least one lubricant reservoir is disposed within the inner diameter and is in fluid communication with the bore of the holder through a fluid pathway. In some embodiments, the lubricant reservoir maintains a fluid pressure on the pick shank. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the invention, a motorized machine comprises at least one rotary assembly supported by a frame of the machine. A rotary drive device is disposed within an inner diameter of the rotary assembly. The rotary drive device is configured to rotate the rotary assembly with respect to the frame. 
     The rotary assembly may be a degradation drum with a plurality of cutting elements. The rotary assembly may also be a compactor. The rotary drive device may be an electric motor, an axial vector engine, wankel engine, or hydraulic motor. The rotary drive device may be interlocked within an inner diameter of the rotary assembly. The rotary drive device may comprise a connecting rod that connects to the inner surface of the rotary assembly. The rotary drive device may comprise a gear set that connects to the inner surface of the rotary assembly. The rotary assembly may further comprise a hydraulic reservoir. The hydraulic reservoir may be connected to a hydraulic circuit supported by the frame of the machine. 
     The rotary drive device may be in electrical communication with a power source supported by the frame of the machine via an electrically conductive medium. The electrically conductive medium may comprise a swivel joint located along a rotational axis of the rotary assembly. The rotary assembly may weigh at least 30 percent of the total weight of the motorized machine. The machine may comprise a light truss that supports the rotary drive device. The truss may comprise carbon fiber, aluminum, aerogels, metal matrix composites, or combinations thereof. The rotary drive device may be controlled by an operator via a control panel, remote control, or combinations thereof. The rotary drive device may be powered by an external power source. The rotary drive device may be held stationary with respect to the frame. 
     A milling machine may comprise at least one milling drum supported by a frame of the machine. An engine may be disposed within an inner diameter of the drum. The engine may be configured to rotate the drum with respect to the frame. A combined weight of the engine and the drum may amount to at least 30 percent of the total weight of the milling machine. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an orthogonal diagram of an embodiment of a milling machine. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a cross-sectional diagram of an embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 4  is an orthogonal diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 5   a  is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 6  is an orthogonal diagram of an embodiment of milling machine and a truck. 
         FIG. 7   a  is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 7   b  is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 9  is an orthogonal diagram of an embodiment of a milling machine. 
         FIG. 10  is an orthogonal diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 11   a  is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 11   b  is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a degradation drum. 
         FIG. 12  is an orthogonal diagram of an embodiment of a mining machine. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a steam roller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  is an orthogonal diagram of an embodiment of a milling machine  100 . The milling machine  100  may be an asphalt planar used to degrade man-made formations  110  such as pavement prior to placement of a new layer of pavement. A degradation drum  120  may be attached to the underside of the milling machine  100 . The degradation drum  120  may comprise an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The outer diameter may comprise a plurality of cutting elements. A holder, such as a block welded or bolted to the drum  120  may hold the cutting elements at an angle offset from a direction of rotation of the drum  120 , such that the cutting elements engage the formation  110  at a preferential angle. The milling machine  100  may further comprise a truss structure  130  comprising a light weight material such as carbon fiber, aluminum, aerogels, metal matrix composites, or combinations thereof. The truss structure  130  may reduce the weight of the milling machine  100  without compromising its strength. The arrow  140  shows the direction of travel of the machine  100 . 
       FIG. 2   a  discloses a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the degradation drum  120  comprising an axial vector engine  200  interlocked within the inner diameter of the drum  120 . An axial vector engine  200  is a type of reciprocating engine that replaces the common crankshaft with a circular plate. One end of the engine  200  may comprise a rotating shaft  210 . The direction of rotation of the shaft  210  is shown by an arrow  260 . The rotating shaft  210  may be connected to a first connecting rod  220  that connects the engine  200  to the inner diameter of the drum  120 , thereby transferring the torque from the shaft  210  of the engine  200  to the drum  120 . The shaft  210  may comprise a square cross-section such that the first connecting rod  220  may rotate along with the shaft  210 . In some embodiments, the shaft  210  and the first connecting rod  220  may comprise key and keyway mechanism. The end of the rotating shaft  210  may be connected to an axle  250  of the degradation drum  120 . The first connecting rod  220  and a second connecting rod  240  may be connected to the inner surface of the drum  120  by a mechanism such as welding, bolt, or combinations thereof. Other end of the engine  200  may also comprise a non-rotating shaft  280  supported by the second connecting rod  240  and a second axle  270  of the degradation drum  120 . The non-rotating shaft  280  may comprise a threaded end  290  that fits inside the engine  200 . Such an embodiment of the degradation drum  120  is believed to rotate the drum  120  as well as increase the weight of the drum  120 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2   b , the rotating shaft  210  may be connected to the first axle  250  by a bearing mechanism such that the shaft  210  is free to rotate. The second connecting rod  240  may also be connected to the non-rotating shaft  280  by a bearing mechanism. The engine  200  may extend longitudinally through the body of the degradation drum  120 . The cylindrical shape of the engine  200  may help to place the engine  200  easily inside the degradation drum  120 . In some embodiments, the shape of the engine  200  may be rounded, rectangular, or combinations thereof. The engine  200  may occupy most of the volume of the drum  120 , thereby increasing the weight of the drum  120  drastically. The engine  200  may be controlled by an operator via a control panel, remote control, or combinations thereof. The control panel may be positioned within the milling machine  100  or held separately. 
       FIG. 3   a  discloses a perspective diagram of another embodiment of the degradation drum  120  comprising the axial vector engine  200  and a plurality of gear sets. A first gear set may comprise a first gear wheel  300  attached to the rotating shaft  210  of the engine  200  and a second gear wheel  310  attached to the inner diameter of the drum  120 . The torque produced by the shaft  210  of the engine  200  may be transferred to the drum  120  via the first gear set. The first gear wheel  300  and second gear wheel  310  may remain interlocked while the drum  120  is in operation. The first gear wheel  300  may comprise a solid disc structure, optimized structure, or combinations thereof. The weight of the degradation drum  120  may also depend on a thickness of the gear wheels. The gear wheels may be individually replaceable. A second gear set may also comprise a first gear wheel  370  and a second gear wheel  380 . The gear sets may help to stabilize the engine, and increase the weight of the drum  120  as well. The axial vector engine  200  may comprise an intake port  350  and an exhaust port  360 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3   b , the axial vector engine  200  may be further supported by a support  320 . The support  320  may be connected to the engine  200  by a bearing mechanism such that the support  320  may rotate when the drum  120  rotates while the engine  200  remains stationary. The second gear set may be connected to the non-rotating shaft  280  by a bearing mechanism. Such an embodiment may keep the engine  200  stable while the drum  120  is rotating, and increase the weight of the drum  120 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an orthogonal diagram of an embodiment of the degradation drum  120  comprising the engine  200  is disclosed. The inner diameter of the degradation drum  120  may comprise a plurality of fins  400 . The shaft  210  of the engine  200  may be connected to a circular disc  410  comprising a plurality of slots  420 . The fins  400  may interlock with the slots  420  while the drum  120  is in operation, thereby transferring torque from the shaft  210  to the drum  120 . The circular disc  410  may be welded to the shaft  210 . Thus, the drum  120  may rotate as long as the shaft  210  of the engine  200  rotates. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5   a , a wankel engine  500  inside the degradation drum  120  is disclosed. The wankel engine  500  is a type of internal combustion engine which uses a rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating pistons. The engine  500  may be supported by the connecting rods  220 ,  240 .  FIG. 5   b  discloses a cross-sectional diagram on an embodiment of the drum  120  with the wankel engine  500  interlocked inside the drum  120 . The engine  500  may also comprise a rotating shaft  510  and a non-rotating shaft  520 . Such an embodiment is believed to increase the weight of the drum  120  such that the drum  120  weighs at least 30 percent of the total weight of the machine  100 . In some embodiments, the weight of the drum  120  may exceed 50 percent of the total weight of the machine  100 . 
       FIG. 6  discloses the milling machine  100  comprising a degradation drum  120  in connection with a truck  600  comprising a diesel engine  610  and a generator  620 . The degradation drum  120  may comprise a rotary drive device such as a motor. A cable  630  may connect the rotary drive device to the diesel engine  610  and the generator  620 . Thus, the rotary drive device may be powered by the diesel engine  610  placed on the back of the truck  600 . Both milling machine  100  and the truck  600  may move simultaneously while the drum  120  is in operation. Thus, the degradation drum  120  may also be powered by an external source such as the diesel engine  610 . 
       FIG. 7   a  discloses the degradation drum  120  comprising a plurality of electric motors  700 ,  710  as the rotary drive device. The electric motors  700 ,  710  may generate enough torque to rotate the drum  120 . The electric motors  700 ,  710  may be powered by an external device such as the diesel engine  610  shown in  FIG. 6 . The electric motors  700 ,  710  may be supported by connecting rods  740 ,  750 . The rotation of the drum  120  is shown by an arrow  760 . The electric motors  700 ,  710  may comprise a swivel wire connection located at an axle  730  of the degradation drum  120  as shown in  FIG. 7   b . Such an embodiment may prevent twisting of wires  720  while the degradation drum  120  is rotating. The motors  700 ,  710  may comprise shafts  770 ,  780  connected to the connecting rods  740 ,  750  by a key and keyway mechanism  780 . Such a mechanism may transfer the torque from the shaft  770 ,  780  to the drum  120 , thereby rotating the drum  120 . The plurality of electric motors  700 ,  710  may increase the weight of the drum  120 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the degradation drum  120  comprising a hydraulic motor  800  is disclosed. The hydraulic motor  800  may be powered by an external device such as the diesel engine  610  shown in  FIG. 5 . The hydraulic motor  800  is believed to generate enough torque to rotate the degradation drum  120 . The hydraulic motor  800  may be connected to a hydraulic pump  810  which is further connected to the external power source via wires  820  through the axle of the degradation drum  120 . The hydraulic motor  800  along with the hydraulic pimp  810  and the gear wheels  300 ,  310  may increase the weight of the degradation drum  120 . The hydraulic motor  800  may be further supported by the support  320  comprising a bearing mechanism. The hydraulic motor  800  and the hydraulic pump  810  may add weight to the degradation drum  120 . 
       FIG. 9  discloses the milling machine  100  comprising a diesel engine  610  and a generator  620 . The milling machine  100  may also comprise a truss structure  130 . A degradation drum  120  may be attached to the underside of the milling machine  100 . The degradation drum  120  may comprise a rotary drive device such as a motor to rotate the drum  120 . The degradation drum  120  may be connected to the diesel engine  610  via cable  630 . Such an embodiment may avoid the necessity of using an extra vehicle to carry the engine  610  and the generator  620 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an orthogonal diagram of an embodiment of a degradation drum  120  comprising a gear box  1000  is disclosed. The gear box  1000  may comprise a plurality of gear wheels of same or different diameters. The gear box  1000  may allow an operator of the machine  100  to adjust the rotational speed of the degradation drum  120 . The rotation of the gear wheels inside the gear box  1000  is shown by arrows  1010 . 
       FIG. 11   a  discloses a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the degradation drum  120  comprising the engine  200  and a plurality of hydraulic reservoirs  1100 . The hydraulic reservoir  1100  may be positioned on both sides of the engine  200  such that load on the drum  120  is uniformly distributed. The hydraulic reservoir  1100  may be connected to a hydraulic circuit of the milling machine  100  via pipes  1110 . The hydraulic reservoir  1100  may be supported by at least one supporting rod  220  attached to the inner diameter of the degradation drum  120 . The hydraulic reservoirs  1100  along with the engine  200  are believed to increase the weight of the degradation drum  120 . Thus, the drum  120  is much heavier compared to the rest of the machine  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11   b , the rotating shaft  210  may be connected to the hydraulic reservoirs  1100  by a bearing mechanism such that the shaft  210  may rotate while keeping the reservoir  1100  stationary. The non-rotating shaft  280  may be connected to the reservoir by a bolt or welding mechanism. The reservoirs  1100  may remain disconnected to the inner surface of the drum  120  so that the reservoirs  1100  may remain stationary. 
       FIG. 12  is an orthogonal diagram of an embodiment of a coal excavator  1200 . The present invention may be incorporated into the coal excavator  1200 . The cutting elements may be connected to the degradation drum  1230  that is degrading the coal  1220 . The rotating drum  1230  is connected to an arm  1240  that moves the drum  1230  vertically in order to engage the coal  1220 . The arm  1240  may move by a hydraulic arm  1250 , it may also pivot about an axis or a combination thereof. The coal excavator  1200  may move about by tracks, wheels, or a combination thereof. The coal excavator  1200  may also move about in a subterranean formation. 
       FIG. 13  discloses a perspective diagram of an, embodiment of a steam roller  1300  comprising a rotary drive device such as engine  200  inside one of its drums  1310 . The present invention may be incorporated into a compactor such as the steam roller  1300 . The engine  200  may be supported by an axle  1320  of the drum  1310 . In some embodiments, both the drums  1310  may comprise a rotary drive device such as engine, motor, or combinations thereof. The rotary drive device inside the drum  1310  may increase the weight of the drum  1310 . The steam roller  1300  comprising heavy drums  1310  may be beneficial in leveling surfaces such as roads or airfields. 
     Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the score and spirit of the present invention.