The present invention relates to the field of mining machines. Specifically, the present invention relates to a hoist drive for a mining machine such as a rope shovel.
On a conventional mining machine, such as a rope shovel, a mining implement such as a dipper is attached to a handle, and the dipper is supported by a cable, or rope, that passes over a boom sheave. The rope is coupled to the dipper on one end and is wrapped around a hoist drum on the other end. A drive system rotates the hoist drum to reel in or pay out the rope, raising or lowering the dipper, respectively. The drive system typically includes at least one electric motor that is coupled to a speed-reducing gear transmission. The final gear is coupled to the hoist drum to transmit torque to the hoist drum. The drive system is typically large and complicated, and replacing components of the drive system is difficult.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a hoist system for a mining shovel hoist system for reeling in and paying out a cable. The hoist system includes a drum, a motor, and a transmission. The drum includes a hollow shell, a first end, a second end, and an internal web. The drum defines a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The internal web extends across an interior portion of the shell in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, thereby defining a first portion of the shell and a second portion of the shell. The motor is coupled to the first end and includes an output shaft. The transmission is driven by the motor and includes a planetary gear train positioned within the interior portion of the shell. The planetary gear train includes an input gear coupled to the motor output shaft and an output gear coupled to the internal web to rotate the drum about the longitudinal axis. The planetary gear train is positioned in a first portion of the shell.
In another embodiment, the invention provides an industrial machine including a boom having a boom end, a cable extending over the boom end, a member movably coupled to the boom, and a hoist system for reeling in and paying out the cable in order to move the implement relative to the boom end. The member includes a distal end and an implement coupled to the distal end and coupled to the cable. The hoist system includes a drum, a motor, and a transmission driven by the motor. The drum includes a hollow shell, a first end, a second end, and an internal web, and defines a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The internal web extends across an interior portion of the shell in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, thereby defining a first portion of the shell and a second portion of the shell. The motor is coupled to the first end and includes an output shaft. The transmission includes a planetary gear train positioned within the interior portion of the shell. The planetary gear train includes an input gear coupled to the motor output shaft and an output gear coupled to the internal web to rotate the drum about the longitudinal axis, thereby reeling in or paying out the cable. The planetary gear train is positioned in a first portion of the shell.
In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a hoist drive system for reeling in and paying out a cable on a drum. The drum includes a shell having an interior portion, a first end, and a second end, and defines a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The hoist drive system includes a motor coupled to the first end, a transmission, a manifold, and a valve. The motor includes a rotatable output shaft. The transmission is driven by the motor output shaft and includes a planetary gear train positioned within the interior portion of the shell. The planetary gear train includes an input gear coupled to the motor output shaft and an output gear to rotate the drum about the longitudinal axis. The manifold is coupled to the motor output shaft and rotates with the motor output shaft. The manifold includes a port and a channel in fluid communication with the port. The channel is in fluid communication with the interior portion of the shell. The valve is in fluid communication with a lubrication medium source and is positioned adjacent the manifold such that the valve is in fluid communication with the port when the port moves past the valve.
In still another embodiment, the invention provides a mining shovel including a boom having a boom end, a cable extending over the boom end, a member movably coupled to the boom, and a hoist system. The member includes a distal end and an implement coupled to the distal end. The implement is coupled to the cable. The hoist system reels in and pays out the cable in order to move the implement relative to the boom end. The hoist system includes a drum, a first motor, a second motor, a first transmission positioned within an interior portion of the drum, and a second transmission positioned within an interior portion of the drum. The drum includes a first end and a second end and defines a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The first motor is positioned proximate the first end of the drum and includes a first output shaft. The second motor is positioned proximate the second end of the drum and includes a second output shaft. The first transmission includes a first input gear coupled to the first motor output shaft and a first output gear coupled to the drum to rotate the drum about the longitudinal axis. The second transmission includes a second input gear coupled to the second motor output shaft and a second output gear coupled to the drum to rotate the drum about the longitudinal axis.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, 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.
As shown in
The handle 30 is movably coupled to the boom 26 and includes a first end 58 and a second end 60. The first end 58 is moveably received in the saddle blocks 52, and the handle 30 passes through the saddle block 52 such that the handle 30 is configured for rotational and translational movement relative to the boom 26. Stated another way, the handle 30 is linearly extendable relative to the saddle block 52 and is rotatable about the shipper shaft 56.
The rope 42 is secured to the hoist system 38, passes over the boom sheave 54, and is coupled to the dipper 34. The dipper 34 is raised or lowered relative to the boom sheave 54 as the rope 42 is reeled in or paid out, respectively, by the hoist system 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the dipper 34 is fixed relative to the handle 30. In other embodiments, the machine 10 includes a bucket that is pivotable relative to the handle 30 about the second end 60.
As shown in
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the first transmission 90a is a planetary gear train. The first transmission 90a includes an input pinion 106a coupled to the motor output shaft 98a, multiple first planet gears 110a coupled to a first carrier 114a, a first ring gear 118a, a sun gear 122a, multiple second planet gears 126a, and a second ring gear 130a. The second planet gears 126a are coupled to the web 78. In the illustrated embodiment, the input pinion 106a includes an external spline 138 (
Referring to
Coupling the second planet gears 126a, 126b to a common pin 146 on either side of the web 78 provides a double-supported condition on the pins 146, reducing the bending moment on the web 78 that would otherwise occur if the pins 146 were cantilevered. As a result, the pins 146 and the web 78 are primarily subjected to only shear loads. This configuration balances the load on the pin 146 and the web 78 by reducing the reaction bending moments that otherwise would arise due to the gear forces. The reduced moment permits a reduction of the web's thickness without loss of strength, and therefore reduces the weight of the drum 62. In addition, the balanced condition reduces deflection and misalignment of the gears during operation.
During operation, the motor output shaft 98a rotates the input pinion 106a, causing rotation of the first planet gears 110a. As the first planet gears 110a rotate, the first planet gears 110a revolve around the input pinion 106a, causing rotation of the first carrier 114a. The rotation of the first carrier 114a drives the sun gear 122a, which in turn rotates the second planet gears 126a. As the second planet gears 126a rotate, the second planet gears 126a revolve around the sun gear 122a. The revolution of the second planet gears 126a exerts a rotational force on the planet pins 146 and the web 78, thereby cause the drum 62 to rotate in a desired direction to either reel in or pay out the hoist rope 42. Simultaneously, the motor output shaft 98b rotates the input pinion 106b in a direction opposite the rotation of the input pinion 106a in order to exert a similar rotational force on the planet pins 146 via second planet gears 126b. In one embodiment, the gear ratio between each motor output shaft 98a, 98b and the drum 62 is approximately 70:1.
The valve 166 is positioned adjacent to the rotating manifold 170. The manifold 170 includes at least one port 182, a first channel 186, a second channel 190, and a third channel 194. Each port 182 is positioned such that the port 182 is aligned with the valve 166 periodically. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating manifold 170 is separated from the valve 166 by a small clearance such that the manifold 170 and the valve 166 do not contact. The first channel 186 is in fluid communication between the port 182 and the sealed chamber 174. The second channel 190 is in fluid communication between the sealed chamber 174 and the internal spline 142 of the motor output shaft 98a. The third channel 194 is schematically parallel to the second channel 190 and is in fluid communication between the sealed chamber 174 and the transmission channel 178. As shown in
During operation, the motor output shaft 98a drives the rotating manifold 170. During each rotation of the manifold 170, the port 182 is placed in communication with the valve 166 at least once, allowing fluid to enter the first channel 186. The fluid is pumped through the first channel 186 to the sealed chamber 174. From the sealed chamber 174, the fluid either enters the second channel 190 or the third channel 194. Fluid flowing through the second channel 190 provides lubrication to the connection between the internal spline 142 of the rotating manifold 170 and the external spline 138 of the input pinion 106a. Fluid flowing through the third channel 194, on the other hand, enters the transmission channel 178 and provides lubrication to the other connections in the transmission 90, including thrust plugs or other connections between the gears 110, 126 and the carriers 114, 134.
Positioning the transmissions 90a, 90b within the drum 62 provides a compact hoist system 38 with a self-contained drive system that occupies less space and weighs less than prior art hoist systems. This reduces the amount of time required to service or replace the hoist system 38. Furthermore, the common pin mounting for the second gear drive of each transmission 90a, 90b balances bending loads on the components of hoist system 38. In addition, the lubrication circuit 94 provides better lubrication for the rotating components, reducing the amount of wear on the components of the drive system 70.
As shown in
Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a hoist system for an industrial machine. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/618,029, filed Mar. 30, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61618029 | Mar 2012 | US |