Patent Grant
11292150
The present disclosure relates to a portable chain flail debarking apparatus which has a movable flail assembly. In particular, the flail assembly is movable in a vertical direction, during operation, which assists with maintaining the log(s) and/or tree(s) being processed substantially centered with respect to the chains or chain flails of the flail assembly so that both the upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces of the log(s) and/or tree(s) being processed will be substantially equally treated.
Chain and chain flails have been used for many years in forestry equipment for removing bark from tree logs and/or tree trunks. Such systems have been particularly useful in removing bark and limbs from logs or trunks that are subsequently cut into chips for use in the making of wood pulp products.
Wood chip manufacturers are particularly conscious of the need to remove as much bark as possible so as to minimize the amount of bark which is contained in the pulp chips in order to obtain the highest price possible from the wood pulp manufacturer. If a load of wood chips contains too high a percentage of bark within the wood chips, then the wood pulp manufacturer pays a considerably lower price for such wood chips.
A conventional chain flail debarking apparatus typically has two or more flail assemblies which are located within a flail chamber through which the log(s) or trunk(s) will pass. Each of the fail assemblies supports a plurality of chains or chain flails for engaging, pounding and/or abrading against the exterior surface of the log(s) or trunk(s) to cut, dislodge and/or remove substantially all of the limbs and as much bark as possible as the log(s) or trunk(s) passes through the flail chamber.
Moreover, conventional chain flail debarking apparatuses typically have a drive associated with each one of the flail assemblies, which can lead to a complicated and expensive drive system for the flail assemblies.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved portable chain flail debarking apparatus that overcomes at least one issue associated with conventional systems.
Generally speaking, the embodiments herein are intended to reliably remove bark, limbs, leaves, branches and/or other debris, from log(s) and/or tree(s) being processed, while still being readily transportable from one job site to another job site. In at least some embodiments, the chain flail debarking apparatus utilizes a common drive which drives the disc chipper and all of the flail assemblies. This arrangement allows the apparatus to be more portable and also simplifies the design of the apparatus by minimizing the components of the hydraulic system, which lowers the overall cost of the chain flail debarking apparatus.
In some embodiments, the apparatus provides for the flail assemblies and flail drive input to be supported by a movable framework so that, as a log(s) and/or tree(s) passes through the flail chamber, the framework adjusts so that the log(s) and/or tree(s) remains centered between the upper and the lower flail assemblies so that both the upwardly and the downwardly facing surfaces of the log(s) and/or tree(s) being processed are substantially equally treated.
In some embodiments, a disc chipper is mounted on the base frame at a 38 degree angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the chain flail debarking apparatus, i.e., the rotational plane defined by the rotating chipping disc forms a 38 degree angle with the longitudinal axis of the chain flail debarking apparatus, and the apparatus utilizes a single motor or engine to drive both the rotatable chipping disc of the disc chipper as well as the flail assemblies which debark the log(s) and/or tree(s) being processed. In other embodiments, the disc chipper is driven by a first drive and the flail assembly/ies is driven by a second drive.
Still another object of the present disclosure is avoid power losses, which typically occur with hydraulic drives, and also minimize wear to the rotating horizontal flail shafts during operation of the chain flail debarking apparatus.
The present disclosure also relates to a chain flail debarking apparatus for removing limbs and bark from a log or a tree to be treated, the chain flail debarking apparatus comprising: a base frame supporting a flail chamber and at least one transfer roller to facilitate feeding of the log or tree into the flail chamber; a flail assembly framework being supported by the base frame within the flail chamber, and the flail assembly framework being vertically movable relative to the base frame by at least one displacement member; at least a first flail assembly comprising first and second rotatable flail shafts, the first and the second rotatable flail shafts being supported by the flail assembly framework so as to move along with the flail assembly framework, and each of the first and second rotatable flail shafts supporting a plurality of chains; and a movable guide being located adjacent an inlet of the flail chamber for determining a diameter of the log or tree entering into the flail chamber and activating the at least one displacement member so as to adjust a position of the flail assembly framework, relative to the base frame, and maintain the log or tree, entering into the flail chamber, substantially centered between at least the first and second rotatable flail shafts so that the log or tree, entering into the flail chamber, is substantially uniformly debarked.
The invention also relates to a method of forming a chain flail debarking apparatus for removing limbs and bark from a log or a tree to be treated, the method comprising: supporting, on a base frame, a flail chamber and at least one transfer roller, to facilitate feeding of the log or tree into the flail chamber; supporting a flail assembly framework on the base frame and within the flail chamber, and positioning at least one displacement member for moving the flail assembly framework relative to the base frame; forming at least a first flail assembly from first and second rotatable flail shafts, the first and the second rotatable flail shafts being supported by the flail assembly framework so as to move along with the flail assembly framework, and each of the first and second rotatable flail shafts supporting a plurality of chains; and locating a movable guide adjacent an inlet of the flail chamber for determining a diameter of the log or tree entering into the flail chamber and activating the at least one displacement member so as to adjust a position of the flail assembly framework, relative to the base frame, and maintain the log or tree, entering into the flail chamber, substantially centered between at least the first and second rotatable flail shafts so that the log or tree, entering into the flail chamber, is substantially uniformly debarked.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles herein. It is to be appreciated that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale. The accompanying drawings include:
The following detailed description should be read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that the following detailed description of various embodiments is by way of example only and is not meant to limit.
Generally speaking, the embodiments relate to a chain flail debarking apparatus which includes a common drive, for all of the flail assemblies, and a movable flail assembly framework. This arrangement assists with portability/maintenance as well as with maintaining the log(s) and/or tree(s) being processed substantially centered with respect to the chains of each flail assembly so that both the upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces of the log(s) and/or tree(s) being processed will be substantially equally treated so as to remove as much bark as possible therefrom.
As shown in
The chain flail debarking apparatus 2 has a flail chamber 16 which, in this embodiment, accommodates a first pair of flail assemblies 12, comprising first and second horizontal rotatable flail shafts 22, 24, and a second pair of flail assemblies 14, comprising third and fourth horizontal rotatable flail shafts 26, 28. The flail chamber 16 has a flail inlet, through which the log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4′ to be treated enters, and a flail outlet, through which the treated log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4′ exits (neither the flail inlet nor the flail outlet is shown in detail). Each of the first, the second, the third and the fourth horizontal rotatable flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28 are operatively connected to be driven by a drive assembly, and a further discussion concerning the drive supplied to each of the horizontal rotatable flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28 of the first and second flail assemblies 12, 14 will be provided below.
Each one of the horizontal flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28 supports a plurality of chains 32 (only diagrammatically shown in the drawings) on an exterior surface thereof. A first end of each one of the plurality of chains 32 is connected to one of the horizontal flail shafts 22, 24, 26 and 28. Each of the plurality of chains 32 are secured, at spaced apart locations, along the length of as well as around a circumference of each one of the horizontal flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28. As each horizontal flail shaft 22, 24, 26, 28 rotates in a desired (clockwise or counter clockwise) rotational direction, the second free ends of each of the supported chains 32 are flung radially outward, via centrifugal force, from the respective flail shaft 22, 24, 26, 28 in a substantially radial direction. As the log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ pass through the flail chamber 16, free ends of the rotating chains 32 engage, hit, pound and/or abrade against the exterior surface of the log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ to cut, dislodge and/or remove any remaining limbs as well as remove as much bark as possible therefrom.
Each opposed end of each one of the flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28, of the two pairs of flail assemblies 12, 14, is supported by the movable flail assembly framework 34 (only diagrammatically shown in the drawings). In addition, each one of the flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28 is rotatable relative to the flail assembly framework 34 by a set of bearing (not shown in detail. A flail drive input 33 of the drive assembly, for rotatably driving each one of the flail assemblies 12, 14, is supported by a vertically upper region of the movable flail assembly framework 34 so as move therewith, as discussed below in further detail.
At least one displacement member interconnects the movable flail assembly framework 34 with the base frame 6. The at least one displacement member comprises, for example, four framework hydraulic cylinders 36, only two of which are shown in
In a normal, vertically lower most, unactuated position of the movable flail assembly framework 34, a vertical spacing of a rotational axis of each one of the two axially adjacent upper (first and third) flail shafts 22, 26 away from the reference plane P is the same as a vertical spacing of a rotational axis of each one of the two axially spaced apart lower (second and fourth) flail shafts 24, 28 away from the reference plane P. Such uniform spacing of each one of the flail shafts 22, 24, 26 and 28, from the reference plane P, provides substantially equal treatment or processing of both the upwardly facing and the downwardly facing surfaces of the log(s) or trunk(s) being debarked in the flail chamber 16, assuming that the central axis of the log(s) or trunk(s) being processed is coincident with the reference plane P.
One or more spiked transfer roller(s) 38, 38′, or possibly a conveyor belt or some other conventional transfer mechanism, is/are located within a feed section 40 of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2 to assist with feeding log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″, to be debarked, into the flail chamber 16 via the flail inlet. As shown in
In addition, one or more spiked transfer roller(s) 38″, is/are located within the flail chamber 16 to assist with conveying of the log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ being processed within the flail chamber 16. As shown in
After sufficient processing within the flail chamber 16, the debarked log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ eventually exits therefrom, via the flail outlet, and is/are subsequently transferred, via one or more (fourth) spiked transfer roller(s) 38′″, or possibly a conveyor belt or some other conventional transfer mechanism, from the flail outlet and to an inlet 52 of a disc chipper 50. To assist with such transfer, a second pivotable spiked feed roller 46 typically is located above and overlying the (fourth) spiked transfer roller 38′″ located adjacent the flail outlet. The second spiked pivotable feed roller 46 is movable/pivotable toward and away from the (fourth) spiked transfer roller 38′″ adjacent the flail outlet 20, via a pivot 48, as one or more debarked log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ exit from the flail chamber 16 and is/are conveyed, between the second pivotable feed roller 46 and the (fourth) spiked transfer roller 38′″, toward the inlet 52 of the disc chipper 50.
Each one of the spiked transfer roller(s) 38, 38′, 38″, 38′″ is typically driven at the same speed and in a same rotational direction by a (hydraulic) drive (not shown in detail) in order to facilitate conveying the log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ from the feed section 40, into and through the flail chamber 16, and from the flail outlet into the inlet 52 of the disc chipper 50. It is to be appreciated that the top surface of each one of the spiked transfer roller(s) 38, 38′, 38″, 38′″ all generally lie within and are coincident with a (horizontal) plane P which extends horizontally through the chain flail debarking apparatus 2 to facilitate conveyance of the log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ though the chain flail debarking apparatus 2. This horizontal plane P defines the reference plane P of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2.
The flail chamber 16 is typically closed to the exterior environment on the top and along both the left and right sides thereof while a bottom portion of the flail chamber 16 is generally open (not shown in detail) so as to permit the removed/dislodged bark, limbs, leaves, branches and/or other debris D to fall through the open bottom, due to gravity, and collect in a debris collection area 56 located directly below the opening in the flail chamber 16. A hydraulically operated plunger 58 is supported by the base frame 6, below the opening formed in the bottom portion of the flail chamber 16 but above the ground which generally forms the debris collection area 56. The plunger 58 is normally located in a retracted position adjacent the left (or possibly the right) sidewall of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2. A pair of horizontal plunger hydraulic cylinders 60 interconnect the plunger 58 with the base frame 6. That is, a first end of each respective cylinder is connected to the base frame 6 while a second end of a first one of the cylinders 60 is connected to a first end of the plunger 58 and a second end of the other cylinder 60 is connected to a second end of the plunger 58. The plunger 58 and the cylinders 60 together form an extendible and retractable plunger assembly for clearing debris D.
Once a sufficient amount of removed/dislodged bark, limbs, leaves, branches and/or other debris D falls and collects in the debris collection area 56, during operation of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2, both of the plunger hydraulic cylinders 60 can be simultaneously supplied with hydraulic fluid to alter their length and move (cycle) the plunger 58 into an extended position in order to push and/or force the removed/collected bark, limbs, leaves, branches and/or other debris D away from the debris collection area 56 to a discharge area located along the right (or possibly the left) side of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2. Thereafter, the plunger 58 can be automatically retracted, by the plunger hydraulic cylinders 60, back into its normally retracted position for a further cycle once a sufficient amount of additional dislodged bark, limbs, leaves, branches and/or other debris D again collect within the debris collection area 56. This pushing process, which clears the debris which collects within the collection area 56 by cycling the plunger 58, is repeated numerous times during operation of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2, e.g., once every 5-10 seconds to a few minutes or so, in order to facilitate substantially continuous operation of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2 without an excessive build-up of bark, limbs, leaves, branches and/or debris D in the debris collection area 56. The bark, limbs, leaves, branches and/or other debris D contained within the discharge area can then be periodically removed, in a conventional manner, and property disposed of.
As shown in
The discharge chute 64 is typically pivotally supported on the disc chipper 50 and the discharge chute 64 may have a partially disassembled/folded storage position (not shown) and an in-use position, as shown in
The plunger assembly may be electrically connected with a control panel (not shown), which incorporates a conventional processor which periodically operates to automatically remove bark, limbs, branches and/or other debris D, which collect within the debris collection area 56. The control panel will periodically cycle the plunger 58, e.g., between 5 seconds and a few minutes or so, in order to remove a sufficient amount of the bark, limbs, branches, leaves and/or other debris D which accumulates in the debris collection area 56.
With reference now to
The rotatable shaft, supporting the internal chipping disc of the disc chipper 50, also forms a drive output from the disc chipper 50 for driving the first and second flail assemblies 12, 14 of the flail chamber 16. A drive shaft 78 couples the shaft output coupling 76 of the disc chipper 50 to the flail drive input 33 for the flail assemblies 12, 14. Preferably two or more universal joints 80, or other conventional coupling members, facilitate connecting the drive shaft 78 to the output coupling 76, of the disc chipper 50, with the flail drive input 33 for the flail assemblies 12, 14. The at least two or more universal joints 80 and the at least one drive shaft 78 facilitate converting the drive output from the disc chipper 50, which is arranged at 38 degrees, e.g., ±5 degrees, with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2, to the flail drive input 33 for the flail assemblies 12, 14.
The flail drive input 33 for the flail assemblies 12, 14 comprises a 90 degree drive which has a drive input which is connected with the drive assembly and has a common output double sheave 82 as the drive output therefrom. A first drive belt 84 couples the common output double sheave 82 with a double first sheave 86, supported adjacent one end of the rotatable first flail shaft 22, so as to drive that first flail shaft 22 in a counter clockwise rotation direction. A second drive belt 88 couples the double first sheave 86 with a first intermediate sheave 90 and the first intermediate sheave 90 is, in turn, directly coupled for driving an intermediate gear 92. The intermediate gear 92, in turn, is directly coupled for driving a second intermediate sheave 94. The second intermediate sheave 94 drives, via belt 95, a second sheave 96, supported adjacent one end of the rotatable second flail shaft 24, so as to drive that second flail shaft 24 in a clockwise rotational direction.
A third drive belt 98 couples the common output double sheave 82 with a double third sheave 100, supported adjacent one end of the rotatable third flail shaft 26, so as to drive the third flail shaft 26 also in a counter clockwise rotation direction. A fourth drive belt 102 couples the double third sheave 100 with a fourth sheave 104, supported adjacent one end of the rotatable fourth flail shaft 28, so as to drive that fourth flail shaft 28 in a clockwise rotational direction. It is to be appreciated that the common output double sheave 82, the rotatable first, the second, the third and the forth flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28, the first and the second intermediate sheaves 90, 94 and the intermediate gear 92 are all supported by the movable flail assembly framework 34 so as to move vertically up and down therewith.
The first pivotable spiked guide or feed roller 42 is coupled to a device (not shown in detail) which controls the quantity of hydraulic fluid which is permitted to flow to the hydraulic cylinders 36 (see
In the event that a smaller diameter log 4′, for example, is fed along the feed section 40 of chain flail debarking apparatus 2 and engages with first pivotable spiked feed roller 42 (see
Assuming that the smaller diameter log 4′ has a diameter of 10 inches, for example, then movement of the first pivotable spiked feed roller 42 vertically upward by a distance of about 10 inches causes a sufficient amount of hydraulic fluid to be supplied to the hydraulic cylinders 36 so as to move the entire movable flail assembly framework 34 a distance of 5 inches (i.e., % of the diameter of the smaller diameter log) vertically away from its lower most vertical position. As a result of such movement of the movable flail assembly framework 34, both the upwardly facing and the downwardly facing surfaces of the smaller diameter log 4′ will be substantially equally treated and processed by the chains 32 of the first and second flail shafts 22, 24 of the first flail assembly 12 and also by the chains 32 of the third and fourth flail shafts 26, 28 of the second flail assembly 14 as the smaller diameter log 4′ passes through the flail chamber 16. The position of the rotatable flail chamber spiked transfer roller 38″, located within the flail chamber 16 remains stationary and does not move with the movable flail assembly framework 34 but assists with maintaining the bottom surface of the smaller diameter log 4′ coincident with the reference plane P so that the smaller diameter log 4′ remains centered with respect to the upper first and third flail shafts 22, 26 and the lower second and fourth flail shafts 24, 28.
On the other hand, if a larger diameter log 4″, for example, is fed along the feed section 40 of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2 and engages with the first pivotable spiked feed roller 42 (see
Assuming that the larger diameter log 4″ has a diameter of 22 inches, for example, then movement of the first pivotable spiked feed roller 42 vertically upward by a distance of about 22 inches causes a sufficient amount of hydraulic fluid to be supplied to the hydraulic cylinders 36 so as to move the entire movable flail assembly framework 34 by a distance of 11 inches (i.e., % of the diameter of the larger diameter log 4″) vertically away from its lower most vertical position. As a result of such movement of the movable flail assembly framework 34, both the upwardly facing and the downwardly facing surfaces of the larger diameter log 4″ will still be substantially equally treated by the chains 32 of the first and second flail shafts 22, 24 of the first flail assembly 12 and also by the chains 32 of the third and fourth flail shafts 26, 28 of the second flail assembly 12 as the larger diameter log 4″ passes through the flail chamber 16. The position of the rotatable flail chamber spiked transfer roller 38″ remains stationary but assists with maintaining the larger diameter log 4″ centered with respect to the upper first and third flail shafts 22, 26 and lower second and fourth flail shafts 24, 28.
The hydraulic cylinders 36 typically have a vertical stroke about 15 to 16 inches in order to move the entire movable flail assembly framework 34 vertically by a distance of 15 to 16 inches away from its lower most vertical position to its highest most vertical position. Accordingly, the chain flail debarking apparatus 2 is typically able to process logs having a diameter of up to about 28-30 inches or so. It will be understood that longer or shorter cylinders may be utilized, depending on the types of logs/slabs/trees being processed, to accommodate different size log(s) or tree(s).
Turning now to
As with the previous embodiment, a single motor or engine 66 is supported adjacent the first (leading) end 7 of the debarking chain flail apparatus 2. The single motor or engine 66 drives, via a belt drive 74, the shaft supporting the internal rotating disc of the disc chipper 50 at a desired rotational speed.
As with the previous embodiment, the shaft supporting the internal rotating disc of the disc chipper 50 also forms a drive output from the disc chipper 50 for driving the first and second flail assemblies 12, 14 of the flail chamber 16. According to this embodiment, the drive output coupling is a disc sheave 76′ which is secured to the rotatable shaft supporting the internal chipping disc of the disc chipper 50. A conventional belt 106 couples the disc sheave 76′ of the internal rotating disc with a mating drive sheave 108. The mating drive sheave 108 is supported at one end of the drive assembly for supplying rotational drive thereto. The drive assembly further comprises at least one drive shaft 78 and typically at least two or more universal joints 80. The at least two or more universal joints 80 and the at least one drive shaft 78 facilitate transferring the drive output from the disc chipper 50, which is arranged at 38 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2, to the flail drive input 33 for driving the flail assemblies 12, 14.
It is also possible that a gearbox (not shown in detail), forming the drive output coupling 76, may be connected to rotatable shaft of the rotating disc, for supplying drive to the flail assemblies 12, 14. The gearbox is designed to compensate for the 38 degree angle of input drive from the disc chipper 50 and provide an input drive to the flail drive input 33 of the flail assemblies 12, 14. As with the previous embodiment, the drive assembly, which couples the gearbox to the flail drive input 33, would still typically comprise at least one drive shaft 78 and at least two universal joints 80 which facilitate transferring drive therebetween. Due to such arrangement, the gearbox/drive assembly would supply uninterrupted drive to the flail chamber 16, as the movable flail assembly framework 34 moves up and down during operation of the debarking chain flail apparatus 2.
According to this embodiment, the flail drive input 33 for the flail assemblies 12, 14 comprises a 90 degree drive which has a drive input which is connected with the drive assembly and has a common output double sheave 82 as the drive output therefrom. The first drive belt 4 couples the common output double sheave 82 with the double first sheave 86, supported adjacent one end of the first rotatable flail shaft 22, so as to drive that first flail shaft 22 in a counter clockwise rotation direction. The second drive belt 88 couples the double first sheave 86 with the first intermediate sheave 90 and the first intermediate sheave 90 is, in turn, directly coupled a reversing gearbox 92 which reverse the rotational drive. The reversing gearbox 92, in turn, is directly coupled for driving the second intermediate sheave 94. The second intermediate sheave 94 drives, via belt 95, the second sheave 96 supported adjacent one end of the second rotatable flail shaft 24 so as to drive that second flail shaft 24 in a clockwise rotational direction.
The third drive belt 98 couples the common output double sheave 82 with the double third sheave 100 supported adjacent one end of the rotatable third flail shaft 26 so as to drive the third flail shaft 26 also in a counter clockwise rotation direction. The fourth drive belt 102 couples the double third sheave 100 with the fourth sheave 104 supported adjacent one end of the rotatable fourth flail shaft 28 so as to drive the rotatable fourth flail shaft 28 in a clockwise rotational direction. It is to be appreciated that the common output double sheave 82, the rotatable first, second, third and fourth flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28, the first and the second intermediate sheaves 90, 94 and the intermediate gear 92 are all supported by the movable flail assembly framework 34 so as to move therewith.
Turning now to
The primary difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is a number of flail shafts which form the flail assemblies 12, 14. According to this embodiment, the chain flail debarking apparatus 2 has first set of flail assemblies 12, which still comprises first and second flail shafts 22, 24 and associated chains 32, but only a third flail shaft 26 and its associated chains 32 which form the second flail assembly 14. That is, the fourth flail shaft is completely eliminated in this embodiment. A flail chamber spiked transfer roller 38″ is located between the upper first and the third flail shafts 22, 26 to assist with maintaining the log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ centered with respect to the upper first and third flail shafts 22, 26 and the lower second flail shaft 24. The first, second and the third flail shafts 22, 24, 26 all rotate in the direction previously indicated with respect to the first embodiment.
As a result of this arrangement, when a log(s), slab(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ passes through the trailing portion of the flail chamber 16, only the chains 32 of the first and the third flail shafts 22 and 26 engage, hit, pound and/or abrade against the exterior surface of the log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ from above while only the chains 32 of the second flail shaft 24 engage, hit, pound and/or abrade against the exterior surface of the log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ from below. Each one of the first, the second and the third flail shafts 22, 24, 26 are driven at substantially the same rotational speed and in the same rotational direction as indicated in the first embodiment by either the drive assembly of
Turning now to
The primary difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiments is number of flail assemblies. According to this embodiment, the chain flail debarking apparatus 2 only has the first set of flail assemblies 12, which comprises the first and the second flail shafts 22, 24 as well as their associated chains 32. That is, according to this embodiment, both the third and the fourth flail shafts, as well as their associated chains 32, and the flail chamber spiked transfer 38″ are eliminated.
As a result of this arrangement, when a log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ passes through the flail chamber 16, only the chains 32 of the first and the second flail shafts 22, 24 engage, hit, pound and/or abrade against the exterior surface of the log(s) and/or tree(s) 4′, 4″ from above and below, respectively. Both the first and the second flail shafts 22, 24 are driven at substantially the same rotational speed and in the same rotational direction as indicated in the first embodiment by either the drive assembly of
Turning now to
A primary difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiments is that the base frame 6 is divided into two separate sections, namely, a leading base frame 6′ and a trailing base frame 6″. The trailing base frame 6″ is pivotably or hingedly connected to the leading base frame 6′ by a one or more mating hinges or trailer coupling members 110 which permit relative pivoting or turning movement of the leading base frame 6′ with respect to the trailing base frame 6″.
In addition, the leading base frame 6′ is supported by an independent drive unit, e.g., at least first and second sets of drivable wheels or first and second spaced apart and independently drivable tracks 112, 114. In the case of independently drivable tracks, each one of the first and second tracks 112, 114 is supported by a set of sprockets, or some other rotatable components, which facilitate rotation of the respective track relative to the leading base frame 6′. At least one of the sprockets, of each of the first and second tracks 112, 114, is coupled to the source of hydraulic pressure to facilitate supplying hydraulic pressure thereto and rotationally driving that respective sprocket and the associated track 112, 114 in a desired rotational direction. As a result of this arrangement, each of the first and second tracks 112, 114 can be independently driven in either a forward or a reverse driving direction as well as driven at a variety of different rotational speeds. In the case of the first and second sets of drivable wheels, at least one of the wheels, of each set of wheels, is coupled to the source of hydraulic pressure to facilitate supplying hydraulic pressure thereto and rotationally driving that respective wheel(s) in a desired rotational direction and at a desired rotational speed.
Each one of the first, the second, the third and the fourth flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28, as well as their associated chains 32, can be driven at substantially the same rotational speed and in the same rotational direction, as indicated in the first embodiment by the drive assembly of
According to this embodiment, the rear section of the trailing base frame 6″ is supported by at least one pair of wheels 10, e.g., two pairs of wheels are shown. The wheels 10, according to this embodiment, may be larger in diameter to provide additional ground clearance for the portable chain flail debarking apparatus 2 during transportation of the portable chain flail debarking apparatus 2 from one job site to another job site.
The chain flail debarking apparatus 2 of this embodiment, as well as any of the other embodiments, may possibly be equipped with a remote radio controller (not shown in detail) which communicates wirelessly with a control panel (not shown in detail) affixed to the base frame 6 of the portable chain flail debarking apparatus 2. The control panel controls operation of the engine 66, a hydraulic pump and the supply of the hydraulic pressure to the first and the second endless tracks 112, 114 in order to control forward and reverse travel, turning and/or repositioning of the portable chain flail debarking apparatus 2, as required or desired by the operator. As operation of tracked vehicles is conventional and well known in the art, a further detailed description concerning the same is not provided. Typically, the radio controller is configured to be small enough to be held in the hand of the operator so that the communicated inputted commands, from the operator, are transmitted wirelessly by the radio controller to the control panel which, in turn, implements the inputted commands to control remote operation of the portable chain flail debarking apparatus 2.
Turning now to
A primary difference between this embodiment and previously discussed embodiments is that the drive comprises separate first and second drives 66, 66′. That is, the first drive 66 drives the disc chipper in the manner previously discussed while the second drive 66′ drives the flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28 of the flail assemblies 12, 14. The second drive 66′ is supported by base frame 6, or possibly the trailing base frame 6′. The two separate drives 66, 66′ avoid the need to compensate for the 38 degree angle of the drive output from the rotating chipping disc with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the chain flail debarking apparatus 2. As such, the second drive 66′ merely supplies rotational drive, via a V-belt 122, for example, which drives a conventional jackshaft 33′ which, in turn, then conveys the rotational drive to the flail assemblies 12, 14 as discussed above.
As shown in
While the first, the second, the third and the forth flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28 are described a rotating in a specific rotational direction, it is to be appreciated that the rotational directions of one or more of the first, the second, the third and the forth flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28 can be easily and readily be modified, without departing form the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it is possible that one or more of the first, the second, the third and the forth flail shafts 22, 24, 26, 28 may be geared so as to be driven at different rotational speeds.
In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details may not be required. In other instances, well-known structures may be shown in simplified or block diagram form in order not to obscure the understanding.
While various embodiments have been described in detail, it is apparent that various modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to and be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. In addition, 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. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items while only the terms “consisting of” and “consisting only of” are to be construed in a limitative sense.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4719950 | Peterson | Jan 1988 | A |
| 5148844 | Robison | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5322104 | Morey | Jun 1994 | A |
| 5349999 | Peterson | Sep 1994 | A |
| 9738008 | Peterson | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 10052788 | Windrim | Aug 2018 | B2 |
| 20050034784 | Tapscott | Feb 2005 | A1 |
| 20170305032 | Ragnarsson | Oct 2017 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200338785 A1 | Oct 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62837982 | Apr 2019 | US |
