Patent Application
20190232298
This invention relates generally to gyratory cone crushers, and more particularly, to a system for retaining the bowl liner against rotational movement during operation of the crusher.
A gyratory cone crusher is suitable for crushing a variety of types of rock. It has the advantage of reliable construction, high productivity, easy adjustment and low operational costs. It operates by squeezing the rock between an eccentrically gyrating cone, which is covered by a wear-resistant mantle, and an enclosing concave bowl, which is covered by a stationary wear-resistant manganese bowl liner. As rock enters the top of the crusher, it becomes wedged and squeezed between the mantle and the bowl liner. Large pieces of rock are broken once, and then fall to a lower position (because they are now smaller) where they are broken again as the cone gyrates about the central axis of the bowl. This process continues until the pieces are small enough to fall through the narrow opening between the lower portions of the mantle and bowl liner. Both the mantle and the bowl liner are subject to wear as the crusher is operated, and both have to be replaced from time to time. The bowl of a gyratory cone crusher is typically supported by a bowl support. The bowl support is attached to the frame of the machine and is adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to the bowl liner in order to enlarge or reduce the opening between the mantle and the bowl liner.
The bowl liner must be retained within the bowl so that it can withstand the forces and impacts that are encountered during the crushing operation. Because the cone and mantle rotate as material is crushed between the mantle and the stationary bowl liner, the bowl liner is subjected to tangential or rotational forces exerted by the crushing action as the compressive load moves around the surface of the bowl liner. These tangential forces tend to cause the bowl liner to rotate within the bowl if the tangential load is high enough to overcome the frictional resistance resulting from the clamping load.
It is known to provide a mechanism to allow the bowl liner to self-tighten when rotation occurs by increasing the friction until rotation is arrested. Some of these conventional self-tightening mechanisms employ wedges that extend between the bowl and the bowl liner. For example, one such self-tightening mechanism is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 3,235,190, entitled “Bowl Liner for Gyratory Crusher” (the '190 Patent). In some cases, the upward thrust to hold the bowl liner in contact with the bowl is provided by an engaging flange or hook on the liner that moves circumferentially up the wedge until sufficient friction is developed to arrest further rotation. Other systems rely on engagement between the top surface of the wedge and a convoluted edge that is formed into the lower surface of a flange that extends around the entire circumference of the top opening of the bowl liner. Both of these systems require some degree of rotational movement by the bowl liner with respect to the bowl to achieve their full holding force. However, it is sometimes desirable to have a system that does not require rotation to achieve full holding force.
It is also known to provide systems that are not self-tightening. These known systems rely on interlocking components on the bowl and bowl liner that act to clamp the bowl liner securely to the bowl. One example of such a mechanism disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,040, entitled “Bowl Liner Retaining Method and Apparatus” (the '040 Patent). An example of an apparatus described by the '040 Patent is illustrated in
Since cone assembly 18 gyrates and crushes material between mantle 24 of the gyrating cone assembly and stationary bowl liner 22, tangential or rotational forces are applied to the bowl liner with respect to bowl 12 and may cause rotation. Certain portions of an outside surface 66 of the bowl liner 22 and the lower portion 64A of the inside surface 70 of the bowl 12 may be substantially adjacent and interlock with one another. This geometry assists in connecting the bowl liner 22 and bowl 12 together to prevent rotation. In this particular case, rotation is prevented by providing ears or bosses 60 in the outside surface 66 of the bowl liner 22 that are configured to engage corresponding detents or slots 62 that are formed in the conical lower portion 64A of the inside surface 70 of the bowl 12, such that rotation of the bowl liner within the bowl is resisted. Often, an epoxy 68 is deposited into and fills a space located between conical lower portion 64A of the inside surface 70 of the bowl 12 and the outside surface 66 of the bowl liner 22. However, some in cases, it may be desirable to have a bowl inside surface 64A and bowl liner outside surface 66 that are smooth and flat (i.e. without bosses 60 or slots 62) or clean (i.e., without epoxy 68) or both, while still preventing rotation of the bowl liner 22 with respect to the bowl 12.
The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and similar terms in the context of describing embodiments of the invention are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The terms “substantially”, “generally” and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. The use of such terms in describing a physical or functional characteristic of embodiments of the invention is not intended to limit such characteristic to the absolute value which the term modifies, but rather to provide an approximation of the value of such physical or functional characteristic.
Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “attached”, “connected” and “interconnected”, refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable and rigid attachments or relationships, unless otherwise specified herein or clearly indicated as having a different relationship by context. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.
The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as” and “preferably”) herein is intended merely to better illuminate preferred embodiments of the invention, and not to place a limitation on the scope of the invention. Nothing in the specification should be construed as indicating any element as essential to the practice of the invention unless so stated with specificity.
The terms “inner”, “inside” and similar terms, when used in reference to a relative position or direction on or with respect to a gyratory cone crusher, or a component or portion of such a crusher, refer to a relative position or direction that is towards axis 20.
The terms “outer”, “outside” and similar terms, when used in reference to a relative position or direction on or with respect to a gyratory cone crusher, or a component or portion of such a crusher, refer to a relative position or direction that is away from axis 20.
The term “upwardly extending”, when used in reference to components of a gyratory cone crusher, including wedges, lugs, spacers as well as interfaces between those various components, refers only to the orientation of those surfaces and interfaces and does not relate to their shape. The term “upwardly extending” means extending in a direction that is generally parallel with axis 20. As a non-limiting example, the term “upwardly extending” includes planar vertical surfaces as well as contoured, curved, angled surfaces or shapes that are oriented in a direction that is generally parallel with axis 20.
The above and other needs are met by a cone crusher apparatus having a bowl with an inside surface, a bowl liner having an outside surface and being removably mounted within the bowl along a central axis passing through the bowl and bowl liner such that the outside surface of the bowl liner is substantially adjacent the inside surface of the bowl, and a wedge that is radially adjustable between the inside surface of the bowl and the outside surface of the bowl liner for moving between a rotation-preventing position and a rotation-permitting position. In the rotation-preventing position, the wedge is in simultaneous abutment with the bowl and bowl liner and through that simultaneous abutment immediately develops a maximum holding force such that relative motion between the bowl liner and bowl in a first rotational direction about the central axis is prevented. In the rotation-permitting position, the wedge is not in simultaneous abutment with the bowl and bowl liner and at least some relative motion between the bowl liner and bowl in the first rotational direction about the central axis is permitted.
In some embodiments, when the wedge is in the rotation-preventing position, the bowl liner is in abutment with the wedge along a first upwardly extending liner-wedge interface and the bowl is in abutment with the wedge along a first upwardly extending bowl-wedge interface such that the wedge is sandwiched between the bowl and bowl liner. In certain preferred embodiments, a bowl liner protrusion extends radially outwards from the outside surface of the bowl liner. The bowl liner protrusion and the first upwardly extending liner-wedge interface is created when the bowl liner protrusion abuts the wedge. In other preferred embodiments, a bowl protrusion extends radially inwards from the inside surface of the bowl and the first upwardly extending bowl-wedge interface is created when the bowl protrusion abuts the wedge.
In certain embodiments, the wedge is configured to be radially positioned such that, with relative motion between the bowl liner and bowl in a second rotational direction about the central axis, the bowl liner abuts the wedge along a second upwardly extending liner-wedge interface and the bowl abuts a the wedge along a second upwardly extending bowl-wedge interface, such that the wedge is sandwiched between the bowl and bowl liner and prevents further relative motion between the bowl liner and bowl in the second rotational direction about the central axis. In certain preferred embodiments, a bowl liner protrusion extends radially outwards from the outside surface of the bowl liner and the first upwardly extending liner-wedge interface is created when the bowl liner protrusion abuts the wedge and the second upwardly extending liner-wedge interface is created when the bowl liner protrusion abuts the wedge.
In certain preferred embodiments, a bowl protrusion extends radially inwards from the inside surface of the bowl. The first upwardly extending bowl-wedge interface is created when the bowl protrusion abuts the wedge to prevent relative motion between the bowl liner and bowl in the first rotational direction about the central axis. The second upwardly extending bowl-wedge interface is created when the bowl protrusion abuts the wedge to prevent relative motion between the bowl liner and bowl in the second rotational direction about the central axis. In additional preferred embodiments, a gap area is defined by a pair of spaced apart upwardly extending surfaces formed by the bowl protrusion and that extend upwards from the inside surface of the bowl. The wedge is located within the gap area and travels over the inside surface of the bowl when moving radially between the inside surface of the bowl and the outside surface of the bowl liner. In certain embodiments, the wedge includes a first wedge for forming the first upwardly extending liner-wedge interface and the first upwardly extending bowl-wedge interface and a second wedge that is separate and independently radially adjustable from the first wedge for forming the second upwardly extending liner-wedge interface and the second upwardly extending bowl-wedge interface.
Certain embodiments of the invention include a retention ring surrounding a top end of the bowl liner and located above the wedge. Additionally, a plurality of fasteners that pass through the retention ring in a direction parallel with the central axis, including at least one fastener that exerts a force downwards onto the wedge. In certain preferred embodiments, one or more retention ring supports are located radially outside the retention ring and have a radially-oriented fastener for exerting a radial force on the retention ring.
Lastly, in certain embodiments, the wedge is radially moved between the rotation-preventing position and rotation-permitting position by a hydraulic linear actuator.
The presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which:
This description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features of embodiments of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
With reference now to
As shown best in
The lugs 28 include upwardly extending surfaces 32 that are adapted to abut corresponding upwardly extending surfaces 34 in each of the wedges 30 at an upwardly extending liner-wedge interface 72 when the wedge is in the rotation-preventing position. The spacers 38 also preferably have an upwardly extending surface 74 that abuts with a corresponding upwardly extending surface 76 of the wedges at an upwardly extending bowl-wedge interface 78 in the rotation-preventing position. In this particular illustrated embodiment, surfaces 32, 34, 74, and 76 and interfaces 72 and 78 are not only upwardly-extending but are also planar and vertical. However, in other embodiments, surfaces 32, 34, 74, and 76 and interfaces 72, 78 are upwardly extending at some other non-vertical angle or configuration (e.g., curved). Preferably, each surface 34, 76 of the wedges is angled inwards (when viewed from a top-down perspective, as shown best in the detail portion of
Preferably, in the rotation-preventing position, the wedge 30 is in simultaneous abutment with both (i.e., sandwiched between) the bowl 12 and bowl liner 22 and relative motion between the liner and bowl in at least a first rotational direction about the central axis (i.e., either clockwise or counter-clockwise) is prevented. The wedges 30 are placed into the rotation-preventing position under normal circumstances and during normal operation of the system 100. However, the wedges 30 are periodically moved to the rotation-permitting position, including when maintenance is to be performed to the system 100 such as when the bowl liner 22 is being replaced. When the wedge 30 is in the rotation-permitting position, it is not in simultaneous abutment with the bowl 12 and bowl liner 22 and at least some relative rotational motion between the bowl liner and bowl is permitted. More particularly, in many cases, when the wedge 30 is in the rotation-permitting position at least one of the following conditions is present, either (i) the surface 32 of lug 28 does not abut corresponding surface 34 of wedge 30, (ii) surface 74 of spacer 38 does not abut corresponding surface 76 of the wedge.
As illustrated in
Each wedge may be provided with an actuating means, such as a jack, hydraulic linear actuator, or other (including manually or electronically-controlled) means, for automatically or manually sliding the wedges towards and away from the bowl liner. In this particular case, as shown best in
An important aspect for preventing rotation in most cases is that, in the rotation preventing position, the wedge 30 fills in space in the gap area 36 that is located between the lug and at least one side 74 of the gap area. Also, the interfaces 72, 76 between the lug 28, wedges 30, spacers 38 are tight (i.e., the angles of the various components at these interfaces match the angle of the adjacent component). In the rotation permitting position, the wedges 30 are drawn back from the lug 28 so that the front portion of the gap space 36 is not completely filled. It may be apparent, therefore, that in certain cases the two wedges 30 could be replaced by a single wedge. In that case, one side of the lug 28 could be placed against the surface 74 of the gap area 36 and the single wedge 30 could be located on the opposite side of the lug. The opposite side of the single wedge 30 would be placed against the opposite surface 74 of the gap area 36. This arrangement would completely fill the front of the gap area 36 and would prevent rotation.
It may also be appreciated from the above discussion that the performance of the lug 28 is primarily dependent on the orientation of and spacing between its two side surfaces 32. For that reason, the single lug 28 discussed above can also be replaced by a pair of separate lugs (i.e., a left lug and a right lug) extending from the bowl liner 12 and separated by a fixed amount of space and each having a side surface 32 (i.e., the sides nearest the sides 74 of the gap area 36). By appropriately spacing and orienting those two separate side surfaces 32, the two lugs would function identically as a similar single lug.
With reference now to
As discussed above, the presently-disclosed system relies on contact or abutment between the surfaces of the wedge, lug and bowl to transmit a force acting approximately perpendicular to the radius of the bowl liner at the point of abutment to prevent rotation. In addition to rotational movement, it may also be desirable to resist or prevent motion of system components in a vertical direction as well. Accordingly, as depicted in
As shown, a plurality of axially oriented bolts 48, including at least one bolt 48W that is adapted to exert a downward clamping force on wedge 30, are inserted through the retaining ring 46. Preferably, at least one axially-oriented bolt 48W is provided for each wedge 30 and a pair of axially-oriented bolts 48 are spaced between each adjacent pair of wedges 30. It is also preferred that retaining ring 46 be provided with at least one radially directed jack screw 50 that is aligned with and adapted to engage a hole 52 in ring support 54 for use in centering portions of the system and restricting radial motion. Of course, other holding or actuating means known to those of skill in the art could be used in place of bolts 48, 48W and jack screw 50.
In order to assemble the bowl 12 and bowl liner 22 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bowl is set on the bowl liner and approximately centered thereon. The bowl 12 and bowl liner 22 are rotationally oriented such that the lug 28 is approximately centered in the gap area 36 formed by the spacer(s) 38 of the bowl 12. Pairs of wedges 30 are placed onto the inside surface 70 of the bowl 12 such that they rest on the horizontal middle portion 64B. When correctly positioned, one wedge 30 of each pair is located on opposite sides of the lug 28 and adjacent a spacer 38. The wedges 30 may be trimmed to fit, if necessary. Each radially directed jack screw 40 is then threaded into hole 42 in a retaining block 44 mounted on the bowl. Alternatively, other actuating means are mounted to the wedges 30. Optionally, retaining ring 46 is then installed over the bowl 12 and bowl liner 22, and jack screws 50 are threaded into holes 52 in ring supports 54 on the bowl. The axially oriented bolts 48 that are not associated with a wedge 30 are tightened to pull bowl liner 22 into contact or abutment with ring 46. The radially directed jack screws 50 can then be adjusted to center ring 46 with respect to bowl liner 22. Then, bolts 48W are threaded into contact or abutment with wedges 30, and the radially directed jack screws 40 are then tightened against their associated retaining blocks 44. Finally, all of the axially oriented bolts 48 and 48W are tightened.
Although this description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, as well as the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the invention. The embodiments of the invention, as described herein, are susceptible to various modifications and adaptations as would be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/624,356, filed on Jan. 31, 2018 and entitled MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF ROTATION OF BOWL LINER WITH RESPECT TO BOWL OF CONE CRUSHER, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62624356 | Jan 2018 | US |
