Patent Application
20050207267
This invention relates generally to mixing equipment, and relates more particularly to concrete mixers.
Although concrete and mortar are sometimes thought of as being interchangeable, a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that there are various differences between the two materials. As an example, mortar is best mixed in a mortar mixer, characterized by a stationary drum having blades that turn inside the drum, rather than in a concrete mixer, which is characterized by a turning drum and stationary blades. A concrete mixer, for example, cannot give mortar the same thorough consistency that a mortar mixer can. Similarly, a mortar mixer cannot mix concrete as well as a concrete mixer can.
The hydraulic mortar mixer is becoming increasingly popular in the mortar industry because of the various advantages it offers over other kinds of mortar mixers. For example, compared to other mortar mixers, hydraulic mortar mixers typically have fewer parts to wear out, and thus are more efficient and reliable, can handle larger loads, are easier to maintain, and can clear jams much more easily. A hydraulic concrete mixer would offer the same advantages to the concrete industry, yet the existing concrete mixers are direct drive mixers that are incompatible with hydraulic apparatus. Accordingly, there exists a need for a concrete mixer having a drive train that is compatible with a hydraulic motor.
The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures in the drawings in which:
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprise,” “include,” “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in an electrical, mechanical, or other manner.
In one embodiment of the invention, a hydraulic concrete mixer comprises a drum having a mixing blade attached to an interior thereof, a frame supporting the drum, an engine mounted on the frame, and a drive train extending through at least a portion of the drum. The drive train comprises: a hydraulic motor; a first rigid plate between the hydraulic motor and the drum; a second rigid plate inside the drum and coupled to the first rigid plate such that a portion of the drum is held between and in fixed relationship to the first rigid plate and the second rigid plate; a first shaft inside the drum and adjacent to the second rigid plate; a second shaft adjacent to the first shaft; and a mounting plate coupled to the second shaft.
Frame 130 comprises a mounting bar 131 and further comprises a fluid reservoir 132 capable of containing hydraulic fluid. In the embodiment illustrated in
As an example, drum 110 can be constructed of plastic, fiberglass, or a similar material. Drums constructed of the foregoing materials are lighter, less expensive, and easier to clean than are drums constructed of metal. However, plastic, fiberglass, and similar drums, without support, are not sturdy enough to withstand the forces to which they are subjected during hydraulic rotation. Such support for drum 110 of hydraulic concrete mixer 100 is supplied by portions of drive train 150. Because only a portion of drive train 150 is visible in
Referring still to
As mentioned above, drum 110 may be formed from plastic, fiberglass, or a similar material so as to be, among other possible advantages, lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to clean. As also mentioned above, drums constructed of such materials require support in order to be able to withstand the forces to which they are subjected during hydraulic rotation. In the embodiment illustrated in
In one embodiment, rigid plate 220 and rigid plate 230 are bolted to each other such that rigid plate 220 and rigid plate 230 maintain a fixed relationship to each other. In the same or another embodiment, rigid plates 220 and 230 are steel plates having a diameter of approximately 30 centimeters (approximately 12 inches) and a thickness between one and two centimeters (approximately half an inch).
As further illustrated in
Drive train 150, in the embodiment illustrated in
As an example, mounting plate 275 and mounting plate 260 can be bolted together using bolts 261. In one embodiment, sleeve 270 is welded to rigid plate 220. In a particular embodiment, mounting plate 275 is welded or otherwise attached to sleeve 270, and sleeve 270 is welded or otherwise attached to rigid plate 220, such that mounting plate 275, sleeve 270, and rigid plate 220 form a single component of drive train 150.
Drive train 150 still further comprises a bearing 290 inside sleeve 270. As an example, bearings 265 and 290 can be devices capable of or adapted to support, guide, and/or reduce friction associated with one or more components of hydraulic concrete mixer 100. As a particular example, bearings 265 and 290 can be tapered roller bearings having taper angles that allow bearings 265 and 290 to handle a combination of radial and thrust loads.
In operation, hydraulic motor 210 turns coupler 280, which turns shaft 250 and mounting plate 260. The rotation of mounting plate 260 causes the rotation of rigid plate 220, sleeve 270, and mounting plate 275, which in turn causes the rotation of rigid plate 230. Because drum 110 is mounted between rigid plates 220 and 230 in such a way that drum 110 remains in fixed relationship to rigid plates 220 and 230, drum 110 rotates along with rigid plates 220 and 230. Mixing blade 120, along with additional mixing blades as described below, all of which are fixed to drum 110, rotates with drum 110, thus providing for the mixing of concrete within drum 110.
A step 502 of method 500 is to attach to the frame a first shaft having a passageway extending therethrough. As an example, the first shaft can be similar to shaft 240, first shown in
A step 503 of method 500 is to provide a first bearing on the first shaft. As an example, the first bearing can be similar to bearing 290, first shown in
A step 504 of method 500 is to provide a drum for the hydraulic concrete mixer. As an example, the drum can be similar to drum 110, first shown in
A step 505 of method 500 is to provide components for a drive train of the hydraulic mixer, including at least a hydraulic motor, a first rigid plate, a second rigid plate, the first shaft, a second shaft, the first bearing, a second bearing, and a mounting plate. As an example, the hydraulic motor, the first rigid plate, the second rigid plate, the first shaft, the second shaft, the first bearing, the second bearing, and the mounting plate can be similar to, respectively, hydraulic motor 210, rigid plate 220, rigid plate 230, shaft 240, shaft 250, bearing 290, bearing 265, and mounting plate 260, all of which were first shown in
A step 506 of method 500 is to attach the first rigid plate and the second rigid plate to each other such that a portion of the drum is held between and in fixed relationship to the first rigid plate and the second rigid plate. As an example, the portion of the drum held between and in fixed relationship to the first and second rigid plates can be similar to portion 211 of drum 110, which portion is first shown in
A step 507 of method 500 is to place the drum on the first shaft. As an example, step 507 can comprise passing the first and second rigid plates, which were attached to the drum in step 506, over at least a portion of the first shaft until the drum is close to or adjacent to the frame.
A step 508 of method 500 is to place the second bearing on the first shaft.
A step 509 of method 500 is to place the second shaft in the passageway extending through the first shaft.
A step 510 of method 500 is to couple the mounting plate to the first rigid plate. In one embodiment, the coupling performed in step 510 can be accomplished via a coupling between the mounting plate and a second mounting plate that is attached to a sleeve that is in turn attached to the first rigid plate. As an example, the second mounting plate can be similar to mounting plate 275, and the sleeve can be similar to sleeve 270, both of which were first shown in
A step 511 of method 500 is to attach the hydraulic motor to the frame. As an example, the hydraulic motor can be welded to the frame.
It will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the steps of method 500 discussed above can in certain embodiments be performed in an order other than that presented above. As an example, in one embodiment step 508 can be performed before step 507. In the same or another embodiment, step 509 can be performed before step 507 and/or step 508. In the same or another embodiment, step 511 can be performed before one or more of steps 502, 503, 504, 506, 507, 508, and 509. Further examples of a different order for the steps of method 500 may also be possible.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Various examples of such changes have been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that the hydraulic concrete mixer discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, and may disclose alternative embodiments of the invention.
All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the invention claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
