Abstract:
A compacting apparatus includes a chassis, at least one drum supporting the chassis, a propel motor operatively associated with and adapted to rotate the at least one drum, a vibratory motor connected to the propel motor, a shaft, and an eccentric weight. The propel motor defines an aperture through which the shaft extends, drivably connecting the vibratory motor and the eccentric weight.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to machines and, more particularly, to compaction apparatuses and methods for compacting material next to a vertical obstruction. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    Utility roller compactors, and other machines, may be used to compact materials such as soil, rock, gravel, sand, asphalt, and the like during the construction or maintenance of a road, parking lot, or other area. For example, utility roller compactors may be used to flatten fresh asphalt to a consistent thickness for a new road. Typically, utility roller compactors include a chassis which supports an engine, a hydraulic pump, one or more drums, and an operator cab. A drum may include a hydraulic propel motor that turns the drum with respect to the rest of machine, causing the machine to move, and a vibratory system that shakes the drum to achieve a well-compacted layer of roadway material. 
         [0003]    During a work cycle, a utility roller compactor may need to compact roadway material directly next to a vertical obstruction. For instance, a parking lot under construction may extend to a vertical obstruction such as a curb or a wall of a building with no clearance between the vertical obstruction and the parking lot under construction. This situation requires that the utility roller compactor be configured so that a drum may roll flush along the vertical obstruction with nearly zero clearance between the vertical obstruction and the drum. Thus, no other part of the utility roller compactor, such as an axle support, may be further outboard than the end of the drum being run flush against a vertical obstruction. Otherwise, any part further outboard than the end of the drum being run flush against a vertical obstruction would collide with the vertical obstruction, damaging the vertical obstruction or utility roller compactor, or both. Such a configuration may also prevent the roller from accessing all pavement, thus increasing the use of manual labor to accomplish same. 
         [0004]    Systems and methods of compacting roadway with a utility roller compactor are available. Such utility roller compactors are often arranged with a propel motor and a vibratory system inside one or more drums. More specifically, the inside of the drum is equipped with structures to connect the drum to the propel motor and vibratory system and to connect the propel motor and vibratory system to the chassis. The structures transmit torque from the propel motor to the drum, moving the utility roller compactor, and vibration from the vibratory system to the drum, shaking the drum to achieve consistent compaction. 
         [0005]    Existing strategies for providing a utility roller with vibratory capabilities are well shown by Chisholm in U.S. Pat. No. 8,374,766 (hereinafter the &#39;766 patent). FIG. 3 of the &#39;766 patent discloses a propel motor connected to a drum via one bulkhead and a set of two eccentric weights powered by a vibratory motor connected to the same drum by two additional bulkheads. 
         [0006]    While effective, improvements in the arrangement of the propel motor, vibratory system, drum, and associated linking structures are desired to reduce complexity while still enabling the roller to maneuver immediately adjacent a vertical obstruction. Furthermore, reduced complexity may improve reliability, increase assembly efficiency, and reduce cost. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    In accordance with one embodiment, a compacting apparatus having at least one drum is disclosed. The apparatus may include a chassis with first and second sides, at least one support structure connected to a first side, a propel motor, and a vibratory system. The support structure may include a support plate connected to a support arm. The vibratory system may include a vibratory motor, a shaft, and an eccentric weight. The propel motor may define an aperture therethrough configured to accept the shaft. The shaft may extend through the aperture from a vibratory motor to an eccentric weight. The drum may define a cavity in which the propel motor, the support arm, and the vibratory system are at least partially contained. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another embodiment, a roller assembly is disclosed. The roller assembly may include a drum defining a cavity, a support arm, a propel motor, and a vibratory system. The support arm, propel motor, and vibratory system may be inside the cavity. The propel motor may define an aperture through it and may be connected to the support arm and the drum. The vibratory system may include a shaft connected to a vibratory motor, extending through the aperture, and further connected to an eccentric weight. 
         [0009]    In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method for compacting material proximate a vertical obstruction with a compacting apparatus is disclosed. The method may include configuring the compacting apparatus to include a drum supported from only one side, a propel motor, a shaft passing through the propel motor, a vibratory motor connected to the shaft at one end, and an eccentric weight connected to the shaft at a second end. The method may also include driving the compaction apparatus in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical obstruction and such that an end of the at least one roller opposite the support arm is immediately adjacent the vertical obstruction. 
         [0010]    These and other aspects and features will become more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In addition, although various features are disclosed in relation to specific exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the various features may be combined with each other, or used alone, with any of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a compacting apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2 . is a schematic representation of the compacting apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a detailed cross-sectional view of a roller assembly of the compacting apparatus, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic end view of a compacting apparatus compacting material directly next to a vertical obstruction. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5 . is a schematic perspective view of a compacting apparatus compacting material directly next to a vertical obstruction. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof will be shown and described below in detail. The disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but instead includes all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents thereof. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring now to the drawings and with specific reference to  FIG. 1 , a compacting apparatus consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure is generally referred to by reference numeral  100 . It is to be understood that although the compacting apparatus or vibratory compactor  100  is illustrated as having two drums  102 , the compacting apparatus  100  may have any combination of at least one drum  102  with any number of additional drums, wheels, or the like. As used herein, the term “compacting apparatus” refers to a mobile machine that performs a driven operation involving physical compaction of materials associated with a particular industry, such as, but not limited to, road construction, landscaping, transportation, etc. It is to be understood that the compacting apparatus  100  is shown primarily for illustrative purposes to assist in disclosing features of various embodiments, and that  FIG. 1  does not depict all of the components of a compacting apparatus  100 . 
         [0018]    The compacting apparatus  100  may include a chassis  104  supported by the drums  102 , an enclosure  106  with first and second ends  108 ,  110 , and an operator station  112  in between also carried by the chassis  104 . In the depicted embodiment, a second vibratory drum  114  is provided, but it is to be understood that the compacting apparatus can be manufactured with only one roller that vibrates and one roller that does not vibrate, two rollers that vibrate, one roller that vibrates and one alternate form of locomotion such as a tired wheel, or the like. The chassis  104  may be connected to at least one support plate  116 . A support plate  116  may support the drum  102  for rotation in one of two directions  118 ,  120  (i.e. clockwise and counterclockwise) relative to the enclosure  106 , thereby moving the compacting apparatus  100  alternatively forward and backward. The linking structures between the support plate  116  and the drum  102  are described more fully in conjunction with  FIG. 2  below. 
         [0019]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , the compacting apparatus  100  may also include first and second sides  200 ,  202 , a support arm  204 , a propel motor  206 , and a vibratory system  208 . The drum  102  may define a cavity  209 . The support arm  204  may extend from the support plate  116 , with the drum  102  being rotatably journaled about the support arm  204 , the propel motor  206 , and the vibratory system  208 . The propel motor  206  may be operatively associated with the support plate  116  and the drum  102 . More specifically, the propel motor  206  may also be configured to selectively turn in one of the two directions  118 ,  120  relative to the enclosure  106 , thereby turning the drum  102  and driving the compacting apparatus  100 . The propel motor  206  may also be linked to the vibratory system  208 , which may also be configured to selectively turn in one of the two directions  118 ,  120  relative to the chassis  104 , thereby inducing vibration in the drum  102 . 
         [0020]    So as to induce such vibration, the vibratory system  208  may include a shaft  210  connected to a vibratory motor  212  and an eccentric weight  214 . The shaft  210  may pass through the propel motor  206  as by, for example, an aperture  216 . In addition, the vibratory motor  212  may be connected to the propel motor  206 , the importance of which will be described in further detail below and by  FIG. 3 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a roller assembly  300  of the compacting apparatus  100  is shown to include additional structures that operatively associate the vibratory system  208 , the support arm  204 , the drum  102 , and the propel motor  206  together. Starting with the support arm  204 , it may terminate with an isolator flange  302  to which elastomeric isolators  304  may be mounted. Another support flange  306  may then be used to flank the elastomeric isolators  304 . 
         [0022]    As shown, the propel motor  206  may be operatively associated with the support flange  306 , thus connecting but vibrationally isolating the propel motor  206  and other structures to be described below from the overall compacting apparatus  100 . The propel motor  206  may also be operatively associated with a drive flange  308  which may in turn be connected to the drum  102 , thus providing a path for torque transmission to turn the drum  102 . For example, in some embodiments, the drive flange  308  may be connected to a center bulkhead flange  310  which is then in turn operatively associated with the drum  102 . Providing such an intermediary association between the drive flange  308  and the center bulkhead flange  310  may be advantageous when assembling a new compacting apparatus  100  or when performing repairs or maintenance. 
         [0023]    In order to allow the compacting apparatus  100  to have a flat end  311  and thus enable the compacting apparatus  100  to move flush up to a curb or other vertical obstruction, the present disclosure sets forth a number of unique features. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , not only is the vibratory motor  212  mounted directly to the propel motor  206  but, the shaft  210  of the vibratory motor  212  may pass directly through the propel motor  206 . This may be accomplished by providing an aperture  216  in the propel motor  206  such that the shaft  210  may freely rotate in the aperture  216 . More specifically, the shaft  210  may include a first end  312  connected to the vibratory motor  212  and an eccentric weight assembly  314  mounted thereto, such as at a second end  316 . The eccentric weight assembly  314  may be connected to the shaft  210  by a coupling  318  or the like. The coupling  318  is shown to include a transverse fastener  320  or bolt, but it is to be understood that any number of mounting mechanisms may be employed such as splines, keys, compression fittings, or the like. Passing the shaft  210  through the propel motor  206  and arranging the vibratory motor  212  and eccentric weight assembly  314  in this manner may provide a reduction in structural complexity inside the drum  102  and for the compacting apparatus  100 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , with a more specific look at the eccentric weight assembly  314 , it may include a housing  322  operatively associated with the coupling  318 . The housing  322  may then in turn be operatively associated with a collar  324 . In some embodiments, the eccentric weight  214  may be separate from the collar  324 , while in others, the eccentric weight  214  and the collar  324  may be one integral piece. 
         [0025]    In addition, the housing  322  and the collar  324  may be configured to capture an outer race  326  of a bearing  328 . In some embodiments, rolling elements  330  in the bearing  328  may be a cylindrical roller type, while in others, the rolling elements  330  may be a ball type. The outer race  326  may then be rotatably associated with an inner race  332  by the rolling elements  330 , with the inner race  332  being captured between a retention flange  334  and a hub  336 . 
         [0026]    Through the use of bearing  328  and associated structures, the shaft  210  and eccentric weight assembly  314  are supported both vertically and horizontally. These structures may also permit the vibratory system  208  to turn at a rotational speed different than the propel motor  206 , drive flange  308 , center bulkhead flange  310 , and drum  102 . 
         [0027]    As noted above, the drum  102  may at least partially surround the support plate  116  and the structures attached to it, for example, the elastomeric isolators  304 , the propel motor  206 , the vibratory system  208 , the drive flange  308 , and the center bulkhead flange  310 . The drum  102  may further include an end plate  338  and, in some embodiments, a strengthening flange  340  opposite the end plate  338  so as to provide the aforementioned flat end  311 . The axial placement of the end plate  338  and the strengthening flange  340  in the drum  102  may result in the formation of lips  342 ,  344 , but further configurations without lips  342 ,  344  are certainly possible. 
         [0028]    In order to provide power to the propel motor  206  and vibratory motor  212 , the roller assembly  300  may further include power supply and return lines  346 ,  348 ,  350 ,  352 . As the propel motor  206  and vibratory motor  212  may each be hydrostatically and/or electrically powered in multiple combinations in various embodiments, the power supply and return lines  346 ,  348 ,  350 ,  352  may, in some embodiments, be electrical wiring and/or hydrostatic tubing. In one embodiment, the power supply and return lines  346 ,  348 ,  350 ,  352  may be routed through the support plate  116  to prevent potential damage thereto caused by the turning drum  102  while the compacting apparatus  100  is in operation. The operation of the compacting apparatus  100  is more fully described below in conjunction with  FIG. 4 . 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0029]    In general, the foregoing disclosure finds utility in various industrial applications, such as, but not limited to, construction and road building. In particular, the disclosed compacting apparatus roller assembly may be applied to construction equipment and any other vehicle used to compact a surface such as a roadway, parking lot, or the like. By using the disclosed compacting apparatus and associated roller assembly, operators may compact a surface immediately adjacent a vertical obstruction without damaging the vertical obstruction or compacting apparatus. It should be noted that the term “immediately adjacent” as used herein is intended to mean as close to the vertical obstruction as possible without touching, contacting, or colliding, etc. with the vertical obstruction. As a non-exhaustive example, “immediately adjacent” may mean within one inch proximate to the vertical obstruction. Furthermore, a subsequent step to remove or compact material that would have been left uncompacted by a compacting machine with protruding dual-sided support arms is no longer necessary. Moreover, the reduced internal complexity of compacting apparatus may increase reliability and shorten maintenance procedures. The disclosed compacting apparatus and roller assembly may thus provide safety and cost saving measures. 
         [0030]    In general, as noted above, one of the benefits afforded by the present disclosure is its ability to compact material immediately adjacent the edge of a vertical obstruction.  FIG. 4  attempts to show this in a schematic fashion. More specifically, the compacting apparatus  100  is shown to be operable so as to compact roadway materials  400  and the like directly next to a vertical obstruction  402 . Because the support plate  116  is disposed on only one side  200 , an operator may drive the compacting apparatus  100  on a surface  404  to be compacted so that the drum  102  nearly touches the vertical obstruction  402 . It will be appreciated that the vertical obstruction  402  or wall may be any height, for example a small curb or an existing building. During operation, the operator may engage the vibratory system  208  inside the drum  102  to aid the drum  102  in achieving smooth and consistent compaction of roadway materials  400  on the surface  404 . 
         [0031]    The foregoing understanding is perhaps best depicted in the perspective view of  FIG. 5 . The compacting apparatus  100  thereof is shown being driven over the surface  404  with roadway materials  400  to be compacted immediately adjacent the vertical obstruction  402 . The compacting apparatus  100  is able to do so because, among other reasons, the roller assembly  300  is manufactured to have all components mounted on one end of the roller, thus leaving the opposite flat end  311  completely free and clear of apparatus that would otherwise hinder approach to the vertical obstruction  402 . In a further embodiment, the compacting apparatus  100  may be equipped with at least one mirror  500  to help the operator drive the compacting apparatus  100  backwards. 
         [0032]    While the foregoing detailed description has been given and provided with respect to certain specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the scope of the disclosure should not be limited to such embodiments, but that the same are provided simply for enablement and best mode purposes. The breadth and spirit of the present disclosure is broader than the embodiments specifically disclosed and encompassed within the claims appended hereto. Moreover, while some features are described in conjunction with certain specific embodiments, these features are not limited to use with only the embodiment with which they are described, but instead may be used together with or separate from, other features disclosed in conjunction with alternate embodiments.