Patent ID: 12209394

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some cases, a reference number will be indicated in this specification and the drawings will show the reference number followed by a letter for example,100a,100betc. It is to be understood that the use of letters immediately after a reference number indicates that these features are similarly shaped and have similar function as is often the case when geometry is mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification, letters will often not be included herein but may be shown in the drawings to indicate duplications of features discussed within this written specification

Starting withFIGS.1and2, there is shown a machine100(e.g., an electric rope shovel with a dipper that may use any of the embodiments discussed herein) having a carbody102(which may include a turntable108) with a track system including a first track chain104aand a second track chain104bpositioned at opposite sides of carbody102. Machine100is shown in the context of an electric rope shovel having an operator cab106, a boom110, a lower end112of the boom110(also called a boom foot), an upper end114of the boom110(also called a boom point), tension cables116, a gantry tension member118, a gantry compression member120, a sheave122rotatably mounted on the upper end114of the boom110, a dipper200, a dipper door202pivotally coupled to the dipper200, a hoist rope128, a winch drum (not shown), and a dipper handle130. An electric motor controls the winch drum, causing the lowering or raising of the boom, dipper, and upward and downward movement of the dipper handle relative to the boom.

Tracks104aand104bare part of a machine undercarriage132coupled with carbody102in a conventional manner. Each of tracks104aand104binclude a plurality of coupled together track shoes forming endless loops extending about a plurality of rotatable elements. In a typical design, an idler134and a drive sprocket136will be associated with each of tracks104aand104band mounted to a track roller frame138. A plurality of track rollers140may also be mounted to roller frame138, and are associated with each of tracks104aand104bto support machine100and guide tracks104aand104bin desired paths, as further described herein. One or more carrier rollers142(or track sliders) may also be associated with each of tracks104aand104bto support and guide the tracks opposite rollers240during operation.

The unique design of tracks104aand104band the overall track and undercarriage system of which they are a part are contemplated to enable machine100to operate in certain environments such as oilsands. While use in the machine environment of an electric roper shovel and dipper is emphasized herein, it should be understood that machine100might comprise a different type of machine. For instance, track-type tractors or even half-track machines are contemplated herein. Further still, machine100might consist of a conveyor or other type of machine wherein tracks are used for purposes other than as ground engaging elements. Also, the machine might be some type of hydraulic shovel, bulldozer, excavator, back hoe, etc.

The dipper200is suspended from the boom110by the hoist rope128. The hoist rope128is wrapped over the sheave122and attached to the dipper200at a bail144. The hoist rope128is anchored to the winch drum (not shown). The winch drum is driven by at least one electric motor (not shown) that incorporates a transmission unit (not shown). As the winch drum rotates, the hoist rope128is paid out to lower the dipper200or pulled in to raise the dipper200. The dipper handle130is also coupled to the dipper200. The dipper handle130is slidably supported in the saddle block146, and the saddle block146is pivotally mounted to the boom110at the shipper shaft (not clearly shown). The dipper handle130includes a rack and tooth formation thereon that engages a drive pinion (not shown) mounted in the saddle block146. The drive pinion is driven by an electric motor and transmission unit (not shown) to extend or retract the dipper handle130relative to the saddle block146.

An electrical power source (not shown) is mounted to the carbody102to provide power to a hoist electric motor (not shown) for driving the hoist drum, one or more crowd electric motors (not shown) for driving the crowd transmission unit, and one or more swing electric motors (not shown) for turning the turntable208. In some cases, one electric motor powers all of the moving components of the shovel. Each of the crowd, hoist, and swing motors is driven by its own motor controller, or is alternatively driven in response to control signals from a controller (not clearly shown).

The track chains104aand104bare considered to be well suited for work in hard underfoot conditions. To this end, the track chains104aand104bmay be “high ground pressure” tracks, each having track members durable enough to support a relatively large weight of machine100. Each of track shoe members has a footprint defined in part by front and back edges, and also defined in part by outboard edges and inboard edges. Each of track shoe members may further include a ground contact area that is equal to its footprint, or less than its footprint only to an extent that adjacent track shoes overlap one another or due to voids disposed on the bottom surface of the track shoe member. Other configurations of the track shoes and track chain assemblies are possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown best inFIG.2, the dipper may have a plurality of tips204, adapters206, and shrouds208that are attached to its front lip210. Focusing onFIGS.6,7, and8, the retaining mechanism300may be described as follow with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 9,957,696 B2. The retaining mechanism300may include a wedge302defining a fastener and slider receiving aperture304, a slider306that is configured to fit into the fastener and slider receiving aperture304, and a first fastener308(may take the form of a cap screw or the like) that is configured to fit in the fastener and slider receiving aperture304of the wedge302. Also, a first adapter retention plug400athat includes a slot402having a first stop surface404(may face toward the right), a top slot surface406, and a second stop surface408that is oblique to the first stop surface404(may also face toward the left). More specifically, the first stop surface404may be vertical (i.e., within 7.0 degrees of vertical to accommodate a draft angle), while the top slot surface406may be horizontal.

In addition as best seen inFIG.6, the first fastener308may include external threads310, while the slider306includes internal threads312that mate with the external threads of the first fastener308. Moreover, the slider306has external ridges314that mate with a clamp315that includes angled ridges316that engage the external ridges of the of the slider306. As a result of this construction, rotation of the first fastener causes it and the wedge to move upward or downward, and axially away or toward the clamp, allowing locking or unlocking of the adapter to the front lip of the dipper.

Looking atFIGS.6and8together, the wedge302may include a lifting eye318, and an adapter retention plug400may include a first fastener receiving aperture410with a first strut412that is disposed vertically above the lifting eye318. A second fastener414that is provided that is configured to engage the lifting eye318, and the first412strut.

As best seen inFIG.8, the second fastener414may take the form of a zip tie (e.g., may be made from plastic, stainless steel, etc.) or may take other forms such as wire, clips, etc. The retaining mechanism300may also include another adapter retention plug400athat is identically that is configured to the first adapter retention plug400including a second fastener receiving aperture410awith a second strut412athat is disposed vertically in line with the first strut, contacting the first adapter retention plug (directly or indirectly), As shown, the zip tie includes a head416that sits in the aperture that acts like a counterbore417to protect the head416of the zip tie. This may not be the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, only the top and bottom adapter retention plugs may have the struts, etc.

Focusing now onFIGS.11thru15, an adapter retention plug400that may be provided as a retrofit or replacement part will now be described as follows. The adapter retention plug400may comprise an elongated body (so called since it defines a longitudinal axis418defining its greatest extent) defining a right extremity419axially (i.e., along axis418), and a left extremity421disposed along the longitudinal axis418. The elongated body may include a right vertical undercut forming void420as formed by a right ledge422(best seen inFIG.8), as well as a left vertical undercut forming void424as formed by a left ledge426. Also, a tab428may extend along the longitudinal axis418defining the right extremity419.

More particularly, the left vertical undercut forming void424may extend from the left extremity421, while the right vertical undercut forming void420may be disposed axially between the tab428, and the left vertical undercut forming void424. As alluded to earlier herein, the elongated body may further define a fastener receiving aperture410that includes a strut412that splits the fastener receiving aperture410into a front slot430and a rear slot432. In addition, the elongated body may include a top surface434, a bottom surface436, and the strut412may extend from the bottom surface436(e.g., may be coplanar) but terminates short of the top surface434, thereby forming a possible counterbore417to protect the head of the zip tie as mentioned earlier herein.

Furthermore, the elongated body may include a left L-shaped projection438extending from the bottom surface436. The left L-shaped projection438may be at least partially complementarily shaped to the left vertical undercut forming void424(or completely complementarily shaped as shown since the void is at the left extremity). Other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Similarly, a right L-shaped projection440may also extend from the bottom surface436that is at least partially complementarily shaped to the right vertical undercut forming void420. As shown, this projection440may also be axially (i.e., along longitudinal axis418) undersized compared to the right vertical undercut forming void420. This allows the projection440to slide vertically down into the void and then slide right to lock vertically adjacent plugs together as represented byFIGS.9and10.

Both the right L-shaped projection440, and the left L-shaped projection438includes a right angled vertical member442, and a left vertical member444respectively. The right angled vertical member442may be angled more relative to the vertical direction446(seeFIG.12, e.g., about 30.0 to 50.0 degrees, or about 40.0 degrees) than the left vertical member448(e.g., less than 20.0 degrees, or about 10.0 to about 15.0 degrees). This may not the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

As best seen inFIGS.11thru15, the elongated body may include a top rib448, and a bottom rib450that extend from the tab428. These ribs may be omitted in other embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, the elongated body may define a front groove452that extends vertically from the top surface434, and axially from the left extremity421to the right extremity419. Symmetrically, a rear groove454that extends vertically from the top surface434, and axially from the left extremity421to the right extremity419. A front rail456or a rear rail458extends from the bottom surface436that are configured to fit with the aforementioned slots452,454. The front rail or the rear rail may also include a pry slot460including an angled pry surface462that may help the assembly or disassembly of one plug from an adjacent vertical plug. Alternatively, the right vertical undercut forming void420may be used as a pry slot, etc.

Moreover, the elongated body may include a convex arcuate surface464that forms the left extremity421, and that is drafted to enlarge axially from the top surface434toward the bottom surface436. On the other hand, the elongated body ma include a planar surface466that is disposed proximate to the right extremity419, and that is drafted to decrease axially from the top surface434toward the bottom surface436. InFIG.15, the draft angles of these surfaces464,466are parallel. This may not be the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Alternatively, an adapter retention plug400according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise an elongated body as previously described herein with reference toFIGS.11thru15, defining a right extremity419, and a left extremity421disposed along the longitudinal axis418. At least a first vertical undercut forming void (may take the form of the right vertical undercut forming void420, and/or the left vertical undercut forming void424) is provided, as well as a tab428extending axially, defining the right extremity419. In addition, at least one L-shaped projection (may take the form of the left L-shaped projection438, and/or the right L-shaped projection440) that is configured to at least complementarily fit into the at least first vertical undercut forming void may be provided.

As also previously alluded to herein, a fastener receiving aperture410,410amay be provided with a strut412,412adisposed in the fastener receiving aperture for engaging a fastener such as a zip tie (e.g., see414) or the like. When two voids420and424are provided, then the fastener receiving aperture412,412amay be disposed axially between the first and the second vertical undercut forming voids. This may not be the case for other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Moreover, the elongated body of the plug400may include at least a first keyway (may take the form of the front groove452, and/or or the rear groove454), and at least a first key (may take the form of the front rail456, and/or the rear rail458) that is configured to fit within the first keyway. These features may be symmetrical, but not necessarily so.

Any of the embodiments of the plug as discussed herein may be made from a suitably durable and rigid material such as iron, grey cast-iron, stainless steel, tool steel, etc. The initial blank of the plug may be cast and then rough and/or finish machined, etc.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In practice, various embodiments of the plug and/or the retaining mechanism may be supplied as a retrofit or replacement part in the field, or may be sold with a work implement, or a machine in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) contexts.

While the arrangement is illustrated in connection with an electric rope shovel, the arrangement disclosed herein has universal applicability in various other types of machines commonly employ track systems, as opposed to wheels. The term “machine” may refer to any machine that performs some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining or construction, or any other industry known in the art. For example, the machine may be an excavator, wheel loader, cable shovel, or dragline or the like. Moreover, one or more implements may be connected to the machine. Such implements may be utilized for a variety of tasks, including, for example, lifting and loading.

Generally, the retention of adapter takes time because of material packs above it and prevents a maintenance team to follow proper adapter retention maintenance procedures during scheduled maintenance periods. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to an electric rope shovel adapter that includes a ground engaging tool (GET) stackable retention plug. The stackable plug prevents excess material from being packed into the retention area and allows easy access to the retention during maintenance periods.

The aforementioned plug(s) may be able to help protect the retaining mechanism along a full depth range from a top position (such as shown inFIG.6) to a bottom position (such as shown inFIG.8) depending on the position of the retaining mechanism and/or wear of the top strap/leg of the adapter. Due to the clamp angle, it is desirable for the plug(s) to fit in an ever decreasing volume, while filling most of the volume. Also, it is desirable for the plug(s) to be easily accessed and removed regardless and the vertical position in the aperture.

Also, providing identical parts for the plugs allows only one part number to be used, decreasing logistical and manufacturing costs. The plug also fits over the existing locking cap320, allowing the plug to be used as a retrofit to retaining mechanism already in the field.

As illustrated inFIGS.8thru10, one more plugs are first lowered onto the wedge302and the cap320(seeFIG.9). At about the same time, the zip tie is threaded through each successive plug and its fastener receiving aperture. Then, the plug is slid to the left (seeFIG.10), locking the plugs together as the tab fits into the slot of the clamp. This process is repeated until the topmost plug is positioned near the top of the top adapter strap and shown inFIG.8. Then, the zip tie is tightened until its head contacts the strut of the topmost plug. At this point, the plugs are secured to the wedge and will not fall out of the strap aperture. Removal may be achieved by unlocking or cutting the zip tie and reversing the horizontal and vertical steps just described to disengage one plug from the vertically adjacent plug.

Alternatively, after the zip tie is cut or unlocked, one or more plugs that are still horizontally interlocked may be lifted out as a subassembly, and then separated horizontally if desired, etc.

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has”, “have”, “having”, “with” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of assembly as discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention(s). Other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some of the equipment may be constructed and function differently than what has been described herein and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in an order that is different than what has been specifically mentioned or in some cases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps. Furthermore, variations or modifications to certain aspects or features of various embodiments may be made to create further embodiments and features and aspects of various embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments in order to provide still further embodiments.

Accordingly, it is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention(s) being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.