Patent Grant
10227741
This patent disclosure relates generally to milling machines and, more particularly, to fluid tanks for milling machines.
When resurfacing an asphalt road surface, at least a portion of the upper surface of the roadway is milled by specialized equipment so a new layer of asphalt can be deposited. The milling operation, which can also be referred to as cold planing, asphalt milling, or profiling, can be carried out at any desired depth depending on the resurfacing operation. Typically, a road surface is milled, and the material removed from the road is collected for recycling. Material suitable for recycling is ground and used as aggregate in new pavement. Milling operations in general are also used to control heights and clearances of other road structures such as curb reveals, manhole and catch basin heights, shoulder and guardrail heights, overhead clearances and the like in both finished and unfinished road surfaces.
Milling is generally performed by construction equipment called milling machines, such as cold planers and rotary mixers. These machines typically use a large rotating drum for removing and grinding the road surface. The drum is usually enclosed in a drum enclosure that shields the surroundings from flying debris and contains the milled material, which, in the case of at least a cold planer, is collected and deposited on a conveyor for loading onto a waiting truck. Many milling machines use an up-cut configuration, in which the drum rotates in the reverse direction to the drive wheel or tracks, which helps drive the milled material up and into a conveyor. This configuration also creates considerable amounts of dust and other airborne debris, which can be controlled by various methods including fluid spraying and using vacuum collectors. The fluid spray operates to cool the cutting drum and also help contain or settle dust. A typical milling machine will carry a reservoir onboard that feeds the fluid spray system. However, milling machines may operate in remote areas where fluid is not readily accessible and must be delivered by truck. Fluid replenishment also requires the machine to stop operation and thus increase the time required to complete a project.
In one aspect, the disclosure describes a milling machine including a frame, a drum enclosure, and a drum positioned within the drum enclosure and arranged to rotate about a drum axis. The drum is carried by the frame and configured to plane a road surface during operation. The milling machine further includes a primary reservoir, a pump fluidly associated with the primary reservoir and configured to draw the fluid therefrom, and at least one auxiliary reservoir. The primary reservoir is mounted on the frame and configured to enclose a volume of fluid. The primary reservoir includes at least one fill port and is configured to receive fluid to be enclosed within the primary reservoir. The auxiliary reservoir is removably coupled to the frame, and includes at least one auxiliary air vent opening configured to permit the passage of air as the auxiliary reservoir is filled and drained. At least one fluid connection fluidly coupling the auxiliary reservoir to the primary reservoir. The primary reservoir and the at least one auxiliary reservoir are configured to equilibrate as the pump draws fluid from the primary reservoir.
In another aspect, the disclosure describes a milling machine that includes a frame, a drum enclosure, and a drum positioned within the drum enclosure and arranged to rotate about a drum axis. The drum is carried by the frame and configured to plane a road surface during operation. The milling machine also includes a primary reservoir mounted on the frame and configured to enclose a volume of fluid, a pump fluidly associated with and configured to draw fluid from the primary reservoir, and at least one auxiliary reservoir coupled to the frame. The primary reservoir includes at least one fill port configured to receive fluid to be enclosed within the primary reservoir. The auxiliary reservoir includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and at least one auxiliary air vent opening disposed in the upper portion. The at least one auxiliary air vent opening permits the passage of air as the at least one auxiliary reservoir is filled and drained. The milling machine also includes a sight gage fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir and the auxiliary reservoir. The sight gage includes a substantially transparent tube having an upper end and lower end. The sight gage further includes a lower fitting fluidly coupled with the lower end of the tube and with the primary reservoir, and an upper fitting fluidly coupling the upper end of the tube with the primary reservoir. A hose fluidly couples the lower portion of the auxiliary reservoir with the lower fitting of the sight gage whereby the sight gage fluidly couples the auxiliary reservoir and the primary reservoir to equilibrate fluid contained in the primary reservoir and the auxiliary reservoir as the pump draws fluid from the primary reservoir.
In yet another aspect, the disclosure describes a spray system for a milling machine including a drum rotatably mounted on a frame and configured to plane a road surface during operation. The spray system includes at least one spray bank, a primary reservoir, a pump, at least one auxiliary reservoir, and at least one fluid connection fluidly coupling a lower portion of the auxiliary reservoir to the primary reservoir. The at least one spray bank includes a spray manifold and a plurality of spray nozzles. The primary reservoir is configured to be mounted on the frame and to enclose a volume of fluid. The primary reservoir includes at least one fill port configured to receive fluid to be enclosed within the primary reservoir. The pump is fluidly associated with the primary reservoir and configured to draw the fluid therefrom and to supply fluid drawn from the primary reservoir to the at least one spray bank. The auxiliary reservoir is configured to be coupled to the frame, and includes at least one auxiliary air vent opening disposed in an upper portion of the auxiliary reservoir. The at least one auxiliary air vent opening permits the passage of air as the auxiliary reservoir is filled and drained. The primary reservoir and the at least one auxiliary reservoir are configured to equilibrate as the pump draws fluid from the primary reservoir.
The present disclosure relates to fluid controls for milling machines and, more specifically, to reservoirs for milling machines, such as cold planers and rotary mixers. Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,
For milling a road surface or any other surface, the milling machine 100 includes a milling drum 118 that is rotatably carried on the frame 102 and configured for powered rotation relative thereto during operation. The drum 118 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a plurality of cutting elements or teeth 120 that are disposed about a peripherally outer portion 122 thereof and contact the ground, and perform cuts as the drum 118 rotates and the milling machine 100 advances along a surface 124 to be milled. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, as shown in
Typically, the rotating drum 118 is enclosed within a shield or drum enclosure 128 that includes four walls surrounding the drum 118 around its sides, front and rear, and extend between the frame 102 and the ground or working surface 124. A front wall 130 of the drum enclosure 128 includes an opening 132, through which an intermediate stage conveyor 134 extends. The intermediate stage conveyor 134 is embodied in the illustrations as an endless-type conveyor that includes a conveyor belt (not visible) that continuously circulates around rollers (not visible), at least one of which is powered. The intermediate stage conveyor 134 has an input side 140, which is disposed close to the drum 118, and an output side 142, which is disposed further in the forward direction and higher relative to the frame 102 than the input side 140.
During operation, debris milled from the surface 124 by the rotating drum 118 is flung or otherwise directed towards the input side 140 of the intermediate conveyor 134 such that material removed from the surface 124 can be deposited on the belt (not visible). A final stage conveyor 144 is disposed adjacent the output side 142 of the intermediate stage conveyor 134. While a fragmentary portion of the final stage conveyor 144 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the final stage conveyor 144 includes an elongated structure, and is configured to receive material for delivery to a location off the milling machine 100, for example, into a leading truck (not shown), in the customary fashion. More specifically, the final stage conveyor 144 is arranged as an endless conveyor that includes a belt (not visible) circulating around rollers (not visible), at least one of which is powered. The final stage conveyor 144 includes a frame 150 that is pivotally connected at one end 152 to the frame 102 such that it can rotate and pivot relative to the frame 102 during operation. The one end 152, which is also an input side of the final stage conveyor 144, is disposed beneath the output side 142 of the intermediate stage conveyor 134 to receive material therefrom, which is then dropped off an output side (not shown) of the final state conveyor 144 into a waiting truck bed (not shown).
To control dust and airborne debris during operation, and to also lubricate and cool the drum 118, the milling machine 100 includes various sprays disposed to deliver a fluid spray of a predetermined pattern and flow rate to various operating portions of the machine. While the fluid is typically water, the fluid may be any appropriate fluid and may, for example, include additives. The milling machine 100 may include a variety of sprayer configurations providing fluid sprays at a variety of locations. An exemplary sprayer configuration and fluid distribution assembly 158 are illustrated in the embodiment of
The fluid is drawn from a primary reservoir 180 by a pump 182 through a supply pipe 184, and delivered on to the spray banks 160, 162 through a main distribution manifold 186. The illustrated pump 182 is embodied as a variable-speed pump, which can control the flow and/or pressure of fluid to any appropriate fluid distribution and spray arrangement utilized. Although the pump 182 is a variable-speed pump in the embodiment shown in
Returning to
The illustrated sight gage 200 includes a generally vertically disposed, clear or substantially transparent, elongated tube 204 that is fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir 180 by fittings 206, 208 disposed at either end. In this way, the level of fluid within the sight gage 200 equilibrates with the fluid within the primary reservoir 180 as fluid flows through the fitting 206 and air flows through the fitting 208. It will be appreciated, however, that an alternative sight gage may be provided. Additionally, while the sight gage 200 is fluidly coupled with and extends from a side wall 202 of the primary reservoir 180, it will be appreciated that the sight gage 200 may be alternatively disposed and have an alternative design.
According to this disclosure, there is provided at least one removable auxiliary reservoir 210 that is fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir 180. While only one such auxiliary reservoir is visible in
The auxiliary reservoir(s) 210, 212 may be of any appropriate design and shape. The auxiliary reservoir 210, 212 encloses a volume for holding a fluid for fluid connection to one or more manifolds 168, 170 supplying fluid to spray nozzles 164, 166. The auxiliary reservoir 210, 212 is configured to hold a volume of fluid, and may include an auxiliary fill port 214. The auxiliary reservoir 210, 212 may include structure to facilitate handling of the auxiliary reservoir 210, 212 during installation or the like. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the auxiliary reservoir 210 is provided with a handle-like structure 215 that includes a rod 224 extending through a number of support flanges 216.
The auxiliary reservoir 210, 212 may be coupled to the milling machine 100 and supported by the frame 102 by any appropriate arrangement. By way of example, the illustrated auxiliary reservoir 210 is coupled along an external surface of the primary reservoir 180, in this embodiment, to a side wall 202 of the primary reservoir 180. In the illustrated embodiment, in order to couple the auxiliary reservoir 210 to the primary reservoir 180, the auxiliary reservoir 210 is provided with a plurality of attachment flanges 220, 222.
The attachment flanges 220, 222 in this embodiment are disposed to couple the upper end of the auxiliary reservoir 210 and the lower end of the auxiliary reservoir 210 to the primary reservoir. Openings in the attachment flanges 220, 222 receive fasteners 226, here, bolts, that extend through the attachment flanges 220, 222 into a wall of the milling machine 100, for example, the primary reservoir 180, to couple the auxiliary reservoir 210 to the frame 102. In this embodiment, the auxiliary reservoir 210 is removably coupled to the primary reservoir 180. In this way, a milling machine 100 may be optionally fitted with one or more auxiliary reservoirs 210, 212 in order to increase the volume of fluid carried by the milling machine 100.
The auxiliary reservoir 210, 212 is additionally fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir 180 by at least one fluid connection 230, 232. In the embodiment illustrated in
The fluid connection 230, 232 is likewise fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir 180. As with the auxiliary reservoir 210, 212, the fluid connection 230, 232 is fluidly coupled to a lower portion of the primary reservoir 180 such that fluid may flow and equilibrate between the auxiliary reservoir 210, 212 and the primary reservoir 180. Because the primary reservoir and the auxiliary reservoir 210212 equilibrate, it will be appreciated that the sight gage 200 provides a visual indication not only of the fluid fill level of the primary reservoir 180, but also of the auxiliary reservoir 210, 212.
In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid connection 230 is fluidly coupled through a side wall 202 of the primary reservoir 180 at or near its lower end. While the fluid connection 230 could alternatively be fluidly coupled to the auxiliary reservoir 210 and the primary reservoir 180, by disposing the fluid connection 230 through the wall 202 near the bottom of the primary reservoir 180 and the lower portion of the auxiliary reservoir 210, the fluid connection 230 may facilitate a free flow of fluid between the auxiliary reservoir 210 and the primary reservoir 180 in some manners of mounting the auxiliary reservoir 210 with the primary reservoir 180.
In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid connection 230 is advantageously coupled to the primary reservoir 180 with the fitting 206 adjacent the sight gage 200. That is, an original elbow fitting (not shown) of the primary reservoir 180 may be removed and replaced with a fitting 206, such as a T-fitting, fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir 180. It will be appreciated that T-fittings may include three openings for connection to provide fluid communication. In an alternate embodiment, the original fitting (not shown) of the primary reservoir 180 maybe supplemented with a fitting that permits attachment to the fluid connection 230.
The auxiliary reservoir 210 additionally includes at least one auxiliary air vent having an auxiliary air vent opening in an upper portion of the auxiliary reservoir 210 in order to facilitate equilibration between fluid contained in the auxiliary reservoir 210 and fluid contained in the primary reservoir 180. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the auxiliary air vent may be disposed at any appropriate location, and that multiple such air vents may be provided. For example, the auxiliary air vent may be disposed through an opening in an optional fill port 214 in the auxiliary reservoir 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the auxiliary air vent 240 includes an auxiliary air vent opening 242 in an upper portion of the auxiliary reservoir 210. To further facilitate equilibration between the fluids contained in the auxiliary reservoir 210 and the primary reservoir 180, the auxiliary air vent 240 may be fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir 180. In this embodiment, a vent tube 244 is fluidly coupled to the auxiliary air vent opening 242 and to the primary reservoir 180. The vent tube 244 is coupled to the auxiliary air vent opening 242 at fitting 246, and to the primary reservoir 180 by way of fitting 208. In this way, fluid may flow between the auxiliary reservoir 210 and the primary reservoir 180 by way of fluid connection 230, and air may flow between the auxiliary reservoir 210 and the primary reservoir 180 by way of the vent tube 244, permitting the fluid levels between the auxiliary reservoir 210 and the primary reservoir 180 to equilibrate. While only one vent tube 244 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that multiple such vent tubes may be provided.
While the auxiliary air vent 240 may be fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir 180 by an alternate arrangement, the auxiliary air vent 240 may be advantageously fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir 180 with the fitting 208 adjacent the sight gage 200. That is, an original elbow fitting (not shown) of the primary reservoir 180 may be removed and replaced with a fitting 208, such as a T-fitting, fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir 180. In an alternate embodiment, the original fitting (not shown) of the primary reservoir 180 maybe supplemented with a fitting that permits attachment to the vent tube 244.
Turning to
In yet another embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, a milling machine 100 may be advantageously retrofit with one or more auxiliary reservoirs 210, 212. In some embodiments, such retrofitting may be accomplished in the field, minimizing down time.
In some embodiments, one or both of the fluid connection 230, 232 and the auxiliary air vent 240 may be fluidly coupled to the primary reservoir 180 by replacement of existing fittings on the primary reservoir 180. For example, the fittings at the upper and lower ends of a sight gage 200 may be replaced or supplemented with fittings 206, 208 that may further be coupled to the auxiliary reservoir 210, 212 by way of the vent tube 244 and/or the fluid connection 230, 232.
The use of some embodiments may facilitate improvements in the length of time of operation of the milling machine 100 between refills. In some embodiment, the length of time of operation between refills may be improved on the order of 50%.
While the arrangement of this disclosure is explained generally with regard to an auxiliary reservoir 210 disposed along one side of the milling machine 100, such an auxiliary reservoir 212 may be provided along the opposite side of the milling machine 100, as illustrated, for example, in
In some embodiments, both the primary reservoir 180 and the auxiliary reservoir(s) 210, 212 may be filled through a single fill port 190, 214. In some embodiments, both the primary reservoir 180 and the auxiliary reservoir(s) 210, 212 may be filled through either or both the fill port 190 of the primary reservoir 180, or the optional fill port 214 of the auxiliary reservoir 210, 212.
In some embodiments, fluid may be directed to one or more spray banks 160, 162 from one of the primary reservoir 180 or auxiliary reservoir(s) 210, 212, while fluid equilibrates between the primary reservoir 180 and the auxiliary reservoir(s) 210, 212. Thus, in some embodiments, the original fluid distribution assembly 158 may receive fluid from the primary reservoir 180, while the primary reservoir 180 receives fluid from the auxiliary reservoir(s) 210, 212.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4072435 | Coho et al. | Feb 1978 | A |
| 4325580 | Swisher, Jr. | Apr 1982 | A |
| 4588231 | Silay et al. | May 1986 | A |
| 5544971 | Huege et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
| 9457653 | Busley et al. | Oct 2016 | B2 |
| 9464390 | Kreutz | Oct 2016 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 106245561 | Dec 2016 | CN |
| 60018834 | Feb 2006 | DE |
| 1219355 | May 1960 | FR |
| Entry |
|---|
| Chinese document 203452898 (Year: 2014). |
