Patent Application
20100200116
This invention relates to debarking machines generally referred to as “mechanical ring” debarkers. Debarkers of this type have a ring rotor into and through which successive logs are fed to be engaged and stripped of bark. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an improved debarking blade for mechanical ring debarking machines wherein the tip of the blade is designed so that it can be quickly and easily removed from the blade and replaced
In debarking machines of the ring rotor type, several debarking tools are circularly arranged around the central opening of the rotor and extend generally radially inwardly with their cutting edges positioned adjacent to the axis of the rotor. As they are rotated by the ring rotor, the blades follow the periphery of the logs while the cutting tips remove the bark. When the rotor is rotated and a log is being fed into the rotor inlet, the leading butt end of the log engages the debarking tools and causes them to move outwardly as they rotate so that the opening edges of the tools climb upwardly onto the peripheral surfaces of the log, progressively peeling the bark from the log as it moves past the rotating tools. Conventional debarking machines have tools with a climbing blade and a removable and replaceable blade tip. The blade tip is positioned in such a way that it is difficult to remove and replace, because the attachment bolts are positioned on the side of the blade perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of movement of the log through the rotating tools. For this reason, the tools adjacent to the tool whose tip is being removed and replaced interfere with proper access to the bolts for removal and replacement. Typically, therefore, hand-operated tools are used, or the tension on the tools is released in order to move adjacent tools out of the way. The weight of a single blade is typically between 15 and 125 pounds. The process of removing and replacing the tool tips as described above becomes progressively more difficult as the weight of the tools increases.
Blade tips should be tightened to a specified torque to prevent damage to the tip and tool, and to prevent the tip from becoming loose during use. Conventional blade tip location makes placing proper torque on the blade tip difficult by preventing or impeding use of an impact wrench with torque settings.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a debarking tool for a ring-type debarker that has both a field-replaceable cutting tip with bolts oriented for easy and efficient access, removal and replacement.
It is another object of the invention to provide a debarking tool for a ring-type debarker that can be properly power-torqued while the tool is in operating position on the debarker.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a tool for a ring-rotor log debarker, comprising an elongate, curved body for being attached by one end to a ring rotor of a log debarker, that includes first and second opposed faces oriented upstream and downstream in general axial alignment with a direction of travel of a log transiting the log debarker from an upstream to a downstream side, and first and second opposed faces oriented radially inwardly and outwardly in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the log. At least one attachment hole extends through the curved body of the tool on a free end opposite the one end attached to the ring rotor, and communicates with the first and second upstream and downstream oriented surfaces. A tip is provided for being placed onto the free end of the tool body. The tip has an attachment hole sized and positioned for alignment with at least one attachment hole in the tool body for receiving a bolt through the aligned attachment holes for securing the tip to the tool body with the bolt extending between the first and second upstream and downstream facing surfaces of the tool body.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the free end of the tool body comprises an extension onto which the tip is curved.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the free end of the tool body comprises an extension having a pair of spaced-apart attachment holes therein and the tip includes a pair of spaced-apart attachment holes sized and positioned for alignment with the pair of attachment holes in the tool body for receiving respective bolts through the aligned pairs of attachment holes for securing the tip to the tool body with the bolts extending between the first and second upstream and downstream facing surfaces of the tool body.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the free end of the tool body comprises an extension having a pair of spaced-apart attachment holes therein and the tip includes a pair of spaced-apart attachment holes therethrough sized and positioned for alignment with the pair of attachment holes in the tool body and for receiving respective bolts through the aligned pairs of attachment holes for securing the tip to the tool body with the bolts extending between the first and second upstream and downstream facing surfaces of the tool body.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the extension includes first and second opposed faces oriented upstream and downstream in general axial alignment with a direction of travel of a log transiting the log debarker from an upstream to a downstream side, and first and second opposed faces oriented radially inwardly and outwardly in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the log.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the extension includes first and second opposed faces having the same thickness in relation to the thickness of other portions of the tool body. The extension is oriented upstream and downstream in general axial alignment with a direction of travel of a log transiting the log debarker from an upstream to a downstream side, and first and second opposed faces oriented radially inwardly and outwardly in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the log.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tip includes a pair of spaced-apart legs defining a slot sized and shaped to receive the extension of the tool body.
Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description of the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
Referring now to the drawings,
As shown more clearly in
In contrast with the prior art described immediately above, a ring rotor 30 is shown in
The tool tip 34 as shown in
As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
Alternatively, a tool tip in accordance with another embodiment of the invention can be attached to the tool from the front, omitting the rear leg and using only a single front leg for attachment. The debarking edge would otherwise be as shown in the drawings, i.e., perpendicular to the front leg.
Another alternative would be to form the tool tip as a two piece tip with one attachment leg that attaches from the front of the tool and a rear leg with the debarking edge attached and protruding only towards the outfeed of the debarker. This alternative is potentially desirable in applications where the debarking edge must be longer to properly debark logs moving at a relatively high rate through the debarker.
An improved log debarking tool and tool tip is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.
