Patent Application
20190127096
The present invention relates to a modular baler.
Industrial balers are used in a variety of industries to compact various types of waste, such as office paper, fiberboard, plastic, metal (including foil and can for sale to recycling companies). These balers are made of steel with a hydraulic ram to compress the material loaded. Some balers are simple and labor-intensive, but are suitable for smaller volumes while other balers are very complex and automated, and are used where large quantities of waste are handled.
In the demolition, construction, remediation, or remodeling of structures, waste metal is generated. Balers are generally made of steel with a hydraulic ram to compress the waste material loaded onto the baler. In the prior art, a variety of baler designs exist. However, across these designs, common problems exist.
First, balers often are sized to not easily fit inside elevators or smaller interior spaces or are sized such that the movement of the baler into/out of an elevator or into/out of the interior space causes damage to the elevator or interior space. As such, there is a need in the art for balers that can be sized or modularized to allow for ease of transport into/out of elevators and into/out of smaller interior spaces.
Secondly, balers are volume limited, that is, limited in the amount of volume of waste metal material the baler can have loaded and thereafter compressed. The smaller the volume of the waste metal material compressed by the baler, the more waste metal material the baler can compress without having to stop or interrupt baling and unload the compacted waste metal material from the baler and the related lost time waiting for baler unloading/loading operations or elevator transport. As such, there is a need in the art for balers that are able to maximize the compression ability of the baler and compress as much waste metal material ((by weight) into as small a volume as possible, i.e., maximize the density of the compressed waste metal material (weight of waste metal material compressed by the baler per volume of the resultant compressed waste metal material).
Thirdly, balers require the use of trained professionals. The larger the number of professionals needed to operate the baler (i.e., the more complex) for any given project, the less amount of available labor exists for other needed work associated with the project. Moreover, the more difficult it is to assemble/disassemble the baler, the more time is needed for assembly/disassembly and the less time exists for the available labor to complete other needed work associated with the project. As such, there is a need in the art for balers that are simple to operate, assemble, and disassemble.
Fourthly, each individual baling cycle (loading of material, compressing of material, unloading of compressed material) should be as short as possible. The longer the baling cycle, the longer project completion time will be. As such, there is a need in the art for balers capable of compressing material in as short an individual baling cycle time as possible while not sacrificing volume-maximization capabilities.
Fifthly, the compressed baled material has to be transported from the project site to ultimate disposition. Often, balers do not have the transport volume necessary to accomplish this task, which requires the use of a dumpster and the related dumpster rental or purchase cost, increasing the cost of the overall job. As such, there is a need in the art for balers capable of providing sufficient compressed waste metal material storage volume so as to obviate or minimize the need for separate dumpster use.
Sixthly, the waste metal material to be compressed and the compressed baled material must be handled by personnel in many instances. Often, such material, which can comprise studs, conduit, ceiling grid, hanger wires, light fixtures, HVAC components, and ductwork, has sharp edges/surfaces or contain or comprise dangerous, sharp, toxic, noxious, or other harmful materials or substances. Moreover, many such materials are bulky and hard to handle. Further, many of these materials may inadvertently damage interior walls or surfaces of elevators given their rough or sharp nature. As such, there is a need in the art for modular balers capable of minimizing the exposure of personnel to such material during baler operations and risk of such materials causing damage to other structures while sized or modularized to allow for ease of transport into/out of elevators and into/out of smaller interior spaces.
A first aspect of the invention comprises a modular baler comprising a baling chamber with a substantially hollow interior; a pusher block positioned in the baling chamber interior that is displaceable; a cylinder frame; a hydraulic cylinder attached to the cylinder frame comprising a cylinder rod that is hydraulically displaceable into and out of a cylinder casing and a plurality of hydraulic oil ports attached to the cylinder casing; an electrical power/hydraulic system module comprising (i) a source of hydraulic oil; (ii) means for connecting to an electrical power source; (iii) an electrical motor electrically connected to an electrical power source through such means; (iv) a hydraulic oil pump physically connected to the electrical motor and in fluid communication with the source of hydraulic oil and the hydraulic cylinder through the plurality of hydraulic oil ports; a shear module electrically connected to an electrical power source through such means for connecting to an electrical power source and in fluid communication with the source of hydraulic oil; and wherein the baling chamber is attachable to the cylinder frame at a plurality of baling chamber-cylinder frame attachment points and wherein one such attachment point comprises the attachment of the cylinder rod to the pusher block.
A second aspect comprises a modular baler comprising (a) a baling chamber with a substantially hollow interior, anterior and posterior and comprising a front structural member and a rear structural member; a front wall attached to the front structural member and a rear wall attached to the rear structural member; a top door hingedly attached to the rear wall; means for locking the top door; an upper structural member and a lower structural member each attached to the front wall and the rear wall; a plurality of top door hydraulic cylinders for hydraulically moving the top door attached to at least one of the lower structural member, rear structural member, and rear wall; an anterior door frame attached to one or more of the rear wall, the front wall, the upper structural member, and the lower structural member; an anterior door hingedly attached to the anterior door frame wherein the anterior door is closable on the anterior door frame so as to close off the substantially open anterior; and a pusher block positioned in the substantially hollow baling chamber interior between the front wall and rear wall wherein the pusher block (i) is in contact with at least one wall, (ii) is displaceable, and (iii) has positioned in the pusher block interior a pusher block hub; (b) a cylinder frame comprising a front structural member, a rear structural member, and a posterior structural member attached to the front structural member and the rear structural member; a hydraulic cylinder attached to the cylinder frame comprising a cylinder rod that is hydraulically displaceable into and out of a cylinder casing and wherein a plurality of hydraulic oil ports is attached to the cylinder casing; (c) an electrical power/hydraulic system module attached to the cylinder frame and comprising (i) a source of hydraulic oil, (ii) means for connecting to an electrical power source, (iii) an electrical control panel attached to such means, (iv) an electrical motor electrically connected with the electrical control panel, (v) a hydraulic oil pump physically connected to the electrical motor, (vi) a control valve for operation of the top door hydraulic cylinders and the cylinder rod, (vii) a shear valve electrically connected with the electrical control panel, and (viii) wherein the hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with the source of hydraulic oil, the hydraulic cylinder through the plurality of hydraulic oil ports, the top door hydraulic cylinders, the control valve, and the shear valve; (d) a shear module (i) attached to the cylinder frame, (ii) in fluid communication with the source of hydraulic oil through the shear valve, and (iii) electrically connected to the control panel; and (e) wherein the baling chamber is attachable to the cylinder frame at the posterior of the baling chamber and the anterior of the cylinder frame comprising a plurality of baling chamber-cylinder frame attachment points and wherein one such attachment point comprises the attachment of the cylinder rod to the pusher block hub.
A third aspect comprises a modular baler comprising a baling chamber with a substantially hollow interior, a top door that is movable, and means for hydraulically moving the top door; a pusher block positioned in the interior of a baling chamber that is displaceable; a pusher block hub positioned in the interior of the pusher block; a cylinder frame comprising one or more structural members, and one or more lateral support bars, each bar attached to at least one structural member; a hydraulic cylinder (i) attached to at least one of one or more lateral support bars (ii) comprising a cylinder rod that is displaceable into and out of a cylinder casing, wherein a plurality of hydraulic oil ports is attached to the cylinder casing; an electrical power/hydraulic system module attached to the cylinder frame comprising (i) a source of hydraulic oil, (ii) means for connecting to an electrical power source, (iii) an electrical motor electrically connected to an electrical power source through such means; and (iv) a hydraulic oil pump physically connected to the electrical motor and in fluid communication with the source of hydraulic oil, means for hydraulically moving the top door, and the hydraulic cylinder through the plurality of hydraulic oil ports; a shear module (i) electrically connected to an electrical power source through such means for connecting to an electrical power source and (ii) in fluid communication with the source of hydraulic oil through the hydraulic oil pump; and wherein the baling chamber is attachable to the cylinder frame at a plurality of the baling chamber-cylinder frame attachment points and wherein one such attachment point comprises the attachment of the cylinder rod to the pusher block hub.
Further additional, advantageous aspects of the invention, such as variants of the aspects of the invention disclosed above, will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of the embodiments of the invention and the claims and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
By way of example only, specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings:
Orientation: As used in this specification and with respect to modular baler 1, the terms anterior and posterior refer to the right and left sides of the modular baler 1, respectively, along a longitudinal axis from the perspective of a person facing the modular baler 1 and viewing the modular baler 1 such that the modular baler 1 is oriented as in
With reference to the above-described figures, modular baler 1 comprises (i) baling chamber 100, (ii) cylinder frame 200 attachable to baling chamber 100 wherein the anterior of cylinder frame 200 is attachable at one or more, preferably a plurality of, attachment points to the posterior of baling chamber 100, (iii) shear module 280 positioned at and attachable to the anterior of cylinder frame 200, and (iv) electrical power/hydraulic system module 202, positioned at and attached to the posterior of cylinder frame 200, that provides a source of electrical power and hydraulic oil via electrical and hydraulic line connections, respectively, to elements of baling chamber 100 and cylinder frame 200. Preferably, each of baling chamber 100 and cylinder frame 200 has one or more fork pockets, as further described herein, below their respective front or rear ends, preferably the front ends, to accommodate the ends of a forklift fork.
Baling Chamber: With reference to
Baling chamber lower structural member 102 is a solid (non-hollow interior) structure and has an anterior lateral end, a front longitudinal end in contact with the anterior lateral end at the lower front anterior corner of baling chamber 100, a posterior lateral end in contact with the front longitudinal end at the lower front posterior corner of baling chamber 100, and a rear longitudinal end in contact with the posterior lateral end at the lower rear posterior corner of baling chamber 100 and in contact with the anterior lateral end at the lower rear anterior corner of baling chamber 100. Preferably and with reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With respect to
The upper perimeter segment of rear structural member 108 has aperture 122 and the lower perimeter segment has aperture 123 that is substantially concentric with aperture 122. Preferably, each of apertures 122 and 123 are substantially circular in cross section. More preferably, a cylindrical structural member extends vertically upward from aperture 122 and a cylindrical structural member extends vertically downward from aperture 123.
Baling chamber front structural member 106 and baling chamber rear structural member 108 can be comprised of either (i) one integral structure, wherein structural member 106 is formed from one structure, or (ii) a plurality of structural members attached together. Moreover, baling chamber front structural member 106 and baling chamber rear structural member 108 can comprise either solid or hollow structures anterior of the apertures at the posterior ends of structural members 106 and 108. Preferably, members 106 and 108 are substantially hollow anterior the apertures at the posterior ends of members 106 and 108, more preferably such hollowness extending substantially the longitudinal length of members 106 and 108.
With respect to
With reference to
With reference to
The baling chamber rear wall 110 and baling chamber front wall 104 are laterally spaced apart and the baling chamber lower structural member 102 and baling chamber upper structural member 185 are vertically spaced apart. This spacing creates a hollow interior of baling chamber 100 with a substantially open posterior and a substantially open anterior.
The posterior of the upper longitudinal end of baling chamber rear wall 110 can be attached to the underside of the posterior lateral segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185 or alternatively not attached to the underside of baling chamber upper structural member 185 and positioned to the rear of posterior lateral segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185, with the posterior of the upper longitudinal end of baling chamber rear wall 110 flush with (at the same vertical position of) and attached to the posterior lateral segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185. The posterior of the upper longitudinal end of baling chamber front wall 104 can be attached to the underside of the posterior lateral segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185. Preferably, the upper longitudinal end of baling chamber front wall 104 is positioned to the rear of the front longitudinal segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185.
With reference to
Preferably, the upper longitudinal ends of baling chamber front wall 104 and baling chamber rear wall 110 are attached to the underside of one or more segments of baling chamber upper structural member 185. More preferably, the upper longitudinal ends of baling chamber front wall 104 and baling chamber rear wall 110 are attached to the underside of at least the front longitudinal segment and rear longitudinal segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185, respectively, substantially along the entire longitudinal length of walls 104 and 110. Alternatively, baling chamber front wall 104 can be positioned to the rear of the front longitudinal segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185 and the baling chamber rear wall 110 can be positioned to the front of rear longitudinal segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185. Moreover and alternatively, baling chamber rear wall 110 is positioned to the posterior of baling chamber upper structural member 185 anterior lateral segment and baling chamber front wall 104 is positioned to the posterior of baling chamber upper structural member 185 anterior lateral segment.
In an alternative preferred embodiment, baling chamber upper structural member 185 comprises perimeter segments (anterior lateral segment, front longitudinal segment, and a posterior lateral segment) comprising a substantially inverse L shape with no rear longitudinal segment. Preferably, the upper longitudinal end of baling chamber front wall 104 is attached to the underside of one or more segments of baling chamber upper structural member 185. Additionally, and preferably, the upper longitudinal end of baling chamber front wall 104 is attached to the underside of at least the front longitudinal segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185, with such attachment more preferably occurring substantially along the entire longitudinal length of wall 104. Alternatively, the baling chamber front wall 104 is positioned to the rear of the front longitudinal segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185. Moreover and alternatively, baling chamber rear wall 110 is positioned to the posterior of baling chamber upper structural member 185 anterior lateral segment and baling chamber front wall 104 is positioned to the posterior of baling chamber upper structural member 185 anterior lateral segment.
Preferably, along the longitudinal axis of baling chamber 100 are positioned a one or more upper front gussets 128, each such upper front gusset 128 having an anterior and a posterior face and an upper lateral end, a front vertical end, a lower lateral end, and a rear vertical end, such one or more upper front gussets 128 joining and extending between baling chamber upper structural member 185 and baling chamber front structural member 106, with the upper lateral end of each upper front gusset 128 attached to and in contact with the underside of the front longitudinal segment of baling chamber upper structural member 185 and the lower lateral end of each upper front gusset 128 attached to and in contact with baling chamber front structural member 106.
Preferably, along the longitudinal axis of baling chamber 100 are positioned one or more lower front gussets 126, each such lower front gusset 126 having an anterior and a posterior face and an upper lateral end, a front vertical end, a lower lateral end, and a rear vertical end, such one or more lower front gussets 126 joining and extending between baling chamber front structural member 106 and baling chamber lower structural member 102, with the upper lateral end of each lower front gusset 126 attached to and in contact with baling chamber front structural member 106 and the lower lateral end of each lower front gusset 126 attached to and in contact with the baling chamber lower structural member 102.
Preferably, along the longitudinal axis of baling chamber 100 are positioned one or more lower rear gussets 127, each such lower rear gusset 127 having an anterior and a posterior face and an upper lateral end, a front vertical end, a lower lateral end, and a rear vertical end, such one or more lower rear gussets 127 joining and extending between baling chamber rear structural member 108 and baling chamber lower structural member 102, with the upper lateral end of each lower rear gusset 127 attached to and in contact with baling chamber rear structural member 108 and the lower lateral end of each lower rear gusset 127 attached to and in contact with the baling chamber lower structural member 102.
With reference to
Moreover, with reference to
With reference to
With reference to
In a preferred embodiment and with reference to
In a preferred embodiment and with reference to
In a preferred embodiment, the underside of anterior top door arm 174 is also attached to the topside of the most anterior top door hinge arm 194 which extends from the most anterior top door hinge knuckle. In a preferred embodiment, the underside of posterior top door arm 172 is also attached to the topside of the most posterior top door hinge arm 194 which extends from the most posterior top door hinge knuckle.
With respect to
The top door 170 is movable manually or, preferably, hydraulically in accordance with operation of the modular baler 1 as discussed below, preferably with top door 170 anterior end in contact with upper structural member 185 anterior lateral segment, top door 170 posterior end in contact with baling chamber upper structural member 185 posterior lateral segment, top door 170 front end in contact with baling chamber front wall 104, and top door 170 rear end is in contact with baling chamber rear wall 110 when top door 170 is closed. Moreover, in addition to preferable hydraulic closure, top door 170 is preferably locked shut using any one of many methods known in the art, including but not limited to manually, hydraulically, electrically, or electronically. In a preferred embodiment and with reference to
Additionally, and preferably, locking handle 192 comprises a substantially hollow structure with an open upper end and a lower end. The open lower end of locking handle 192 is removably placed over locking handle mate structure (not numbered or depicted in the figures) which has a cross sectional area approximating but less than the cross-sectional area of the open lower end of locking handle 192 to allow for a tight or transition fit of open lower end of locking handle 192 over locking handle mate structure. The locking handle mate structure is attached to the topside of top door 170 or a structure attached to the topside of top door 170 selected from the group comprising a top door knuckle hinge aim 194 or top door front brace 195. Locking handle pin (not pictured in figures or numbered) comprises a structure with a cross sectional area approximating the cross sectional area of locking handle mate structure and is inserted into locking handle 192 when it is in a substantially vertical position so as to close top door 170, with the lower end of locking handle pin fitting tightly into locking handle mating structure to maintain locking handle 192 in a substantially vertical position to prevent locking handle 192 to be vertically lowered to unlock top door 170. To unlock top door 170, locking handle pin is removed from locking handle 192, thereby disengaging the lower end of locking handle pin from locking handle mating structure, and locking handle 192 is vertically lowered.
Preferably, locking handle 192 is attached to top door front brace 195. More preferably, locking handle 192 is attached to top door front brace 195 via locking handle connecting arm 196 (see
In a preferred embodiment and with reference to
In a preferred embodiment and with reference to
More preferably, locking handle connecting arm 196 is comprised of an internal and external cylinder as described above, and attached, either directly or indirectly via a separate structure, to the front end of internal cylinder of locking handle connecting arm 196 is anterior locking rod 148 and posterior locking log arm 149, with the posterior end of anterior locking rod 148 and the anterior end of posterior locking rod 149 attached, either directly or indirectly via a separate structure, to the front end of the internal cylinder of locking handle connecting arm 196. In one preferred embodiment, the attachment of the locking rods 148 and 149 to the front end of internal cylinder of locking handle connecting arm 196 can comprise a direct connection, wherein the posterior end of anterior locking rod 148 is attached to the front end of the internal cylinder of locking handle connecting arm 196 and the anterior end of posterior locking rod 149 is attached to the front end of the internal cylinder of locking handle connecting arm 196, or an indirect connection, wherein the posterior end of anterior locking rod 148 and the anterior end of posterior locking rod 149 are each attached to locking handle-locking rod attachment plate and the locking handle-locking rod attachment plate is attached to the front end of the internal cylinder of locking handle connecting arm 196.
In this preferred embodiment and with reference to
In a preferred embodiment and with reference to
In a preferred embodiment, the anterior end of posterior top door stop 156 is attached to posterior top door arm 172. The underside of posterior top door stop 156 at the posterior end of posterior top door stop 156 abuts the topside of upper structural member 185 when top door 170 is closed, with posterior top door stop 156 extending over the juncture of top door 170 with upper structural member 185 resulting from the underside of posterior lateral end of top door 170 abutting the topside of posterior lateral segment of upper structural member 185. More preferably, the posterior end of posterior top door stop 156 abuts posterior flange 187 when top door 170 is closed. Additionally, and more preferably, the underside of posterior top door stop 156 at the anterior end is attached to the most posterior knuckle hinge arm 194.
Positioned in the open (hollow) interior of baling chamber 100 is pusher block 140. Pusher block 140 is sized to be longitudinally displaceable and slidably fit in the open (hollow) interior between baling chamber front wall 104 and baling chamber rear wall 110. Preferably, the width (lateral dimension) of pusher block 140 approximates but is less than the lateral distance separating baling chamber front wall 104 from baling chamber rear wall 110.
Pusher block 140 comprises (i) pusher block anterior surface having an upper end, a lower end, a front end, and a rear end, (ii) pusher block lower surface with posterior end, anterior end, front end, and rear end, (iii) pusher block front surface with an upper end, anterior end, lower end, and posterior end, (iv) pusher block rear surface with an upper end, anterior end, lower end, and posterior end, (v) pusher block upper surface with an anterior end, front end, posterior end, and rear end, and (vi) a substantially open posterior surface bounded by the posterior ends of pusher block upper surface, pusher block front surface, pusher block rear surface, and pusher block lower surface. Preferably, (i) pusher block anterior surface extends vertically from upper end to lower end and laterally from front end to rear end, (ii) pusher block lower surface extends longitudinally from anterior end to posterior end and laterally from front end to rear end, (iii) pusher block upper surface extends longitudinally anterior end to posterior end and laterally from front end to lower end, (iv) pusher block rear surface extends vertically from upper end to lower end and longitudinally from anterior end to posterior end, and (v) pusher block front surface extends vertically from upper end to lower end and longitudinally from anterior end to posterior end. Pusher block 140 upper surface, rear surface, front surface, and lower surface comprise pusher block 140 surfaces.
Additionally and preferably, (i) pusher block upper surface front end is coterminous with pusher block front surface upper end, (ii) pusher block upper surface rear end is coterminous with pusher block rear surface upper end, (iii) pusher block lower surface front end is coterminous with pusher block front surface lower end, (iv) pusher block lower surface rear end is coterminous with pusher block rear surface lower end, (v) pusher block anterior surface front end is coterminous with pusher block front surface anterior end, (vi) pusher block anterior surface rear end is coterminous with pusher block rear surface anterior end, (vii) pusher block upper surface anterior end is coterminous with pusher block anterior surface upper end, and (viii) pusher block anterior surface lower end is coterminous with pusher block lower surface anterior end.
In a preferred embodiment, positioned in the interior of pusher block 140 is pusher block hub 142 and one or more upper joints and one or more lower joints, each joint extending from the juncture of two pusher block 140 surfaces to pusher block hub 142. Preferably, positioned in the interior of pusher block 140 are two upper joints and two lower joints. Pusher block hub 142 may take any one of multiple known shapes in the art, including substantially rectangular polygonal or, more preferably, substantially cylindrical.
In a preferred embodiment where pusher block hub 142 has a substantially rectangular polygonal shape, pusher block hub 142 comprises (i) an upper surface with aperture 145 and extending longitudinally from pusher block anterior surface to the substantially open posterior of pusher block 140 and having an anterior end, posterior end, front end, and rear end, (ii) a lower surface extending longitudinally from pusher block anterior surface to the substantially open posterior of pusher block 140 and having an anterior end, posterior end, front end, and rear end, (iii) a front surface extending vertically from pusher block hub 142 upper surface to pusher block hub 142 lower surface and longitudinally from pusher block anterior surface to the substantially open posterior of pusher block 140 and having an upper end, anterior end, posterior end, and lower end, (iv) a rear surface extending vertically from pusher block hub 142 upper surface to pusher block hub 142 lower surface and longitudinally from pusher block anterior surface to the substantially open posterior of pusher block 140 and having an upper end, lower end, anterior end, and posterior end, (v) a substantially open (hollow) posterior bounded by pusher block hub 142 upper surface posterior end, pusher block hub 142 front surface posterior end, pusher block hub 142 lower surface posterior end, and pusher block hub 142 rear surface posterior end, and (vi) an anterior surface of pusher block hub 142. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anterior surface of pusher block hub 142 is a portion of pusher block 140 anterior surface.
Additionally and preferably, (i) pusher block hub upper surface front end is coterminous with pusher block hub front surface upper end, (ii) pusher block hub upper surface rear end is coterminous with pusher block hub rear surface upper end, (iii) pusher block hub lower surface front end is coterminous with pusher block hub front surface lower end, (iv) pusher block hub lower surface rear end is coterminous with pusher block hub rear surface lower end, (v) pusher block hub anterior surface front end is coterminous with pusher block hub front surface anterior end, (vi) pusher block hub anterior surface rear end is coterminous with pusher block hub rear surface anterior end, (vii) pusher block hub upper surface anterior end is coterminous with pusher block hub anterior surface upper end, and (viii) pusher block hub anterior surface lower end is coterminous with pusher block hub lower surface anterior end.
In a preferred embodiment, pusher block 140 has two upper joints (front and rear) and two lower joints (front and rear). Upper front joint has an anterior end, upper end, posterior end, and lower end and extends from pusher block hub 142 upper surface-front surface juncture (pusher block hub 142 upper surface front end-front surface upper end) to pusher block 140 upper surface-front surface juncture (pusher block 140 upper surface front end-front surface upper end). Preferably, the posterior end of upper front joint coincides with the substantially open posterior o pusher block 140 and the anterior end of upper front joint coincides with pusher block 140 anterior surface. More preferably, upper front joint upper end coincides with the pusher block 140 upper surface-front surface juncture (pusher block 140 upper surface front end-front surface upper end) and the upper front joint lower end coincides with the pusher block hub 142 upper surface-front surface juncture (pusher block hub 142 upper surface front end-front surface upper end).
Upper rear joint has an anterior end, upper end, lower end, and posterior end and extends from pusher block hub 142 upper surface-rear surface juncture (pusher block hub 142 upper surface rear end-rear surface upper end) to pusher block 140 upper surface-rear surface juncture (pusher block 140 upper surface rear end-rear surface upper end). Preferably, the posterior end of upper rear joint coincides with the substantially open posterior of pusher block 140 and the anterior end of upper rear joint coincides with pusher block 140 anterior surface. More preferably, upper rear joint upper end coincides with the pusher block 140 upper surface-rear surface juncture (pusher block 140 upper surface rear end-rear surface upper end) and upper rear joint lower end coincides with the pusher block hub 142 upper surface-rear surface juncture (pusher block hub 142 upper surface rear end-rear surface upper end).
Lower front joint has an anterior end, upper end, lower end, and posterior end and extends from pusher block hub 142 front surface-lower surface juncture (pusher block hub 142 front surface lower end-lower surface front end) to pusher block 140 lower surface-front surface juncture (pusher block 140 front surface lower end-lower surface front end). Preferably, the posterior end of lower front joint coincides with the substantially open posterior of pusher block 140 and the anterior end of upper rear joint coincides with pusher block 140 anterior surface. More preferably, lower front joint upper end coincides with the pusher block hub 142 front surface-lower surface juncture (pusher block hub 142 front surface lower end-lower surface front end) and lower front joint lower end coincides with pusher block 140 front surface-lower surface juncture (pusher block 140 front surface lower end-lower surface front end).
Lower rear joint has an anterior end, upper end, lower end, and posterior end and extends from pusher block hub 142 rear surface-lower surface juncture (pusher block hub 142 rear surface lower end-lower surface rear end) to pusher block 140 lower surface-rear surface juncture (pusher block 140 rear surface lower end-lower surface rear end). Preferably, the posterior end of lower rear joint coincides with the substantially open posterior of pusher block 140 and the anterior end of lower rear joint coincides with pusher block 140 anterior surface. More preferably, lower rear joint upper end coincides with the pusher block hub 142 rear surface-lower surface juncture (pusher block hub 142 rear surface lower end-lower surface rear end) and lower rear joint lower end coincides with pusher block 140 rear surface-lower surface juncture (pusher block 140 rear surface lower end-lower surface rear end).
Preferably, the lateral distance separating pusher block hub 142 front surface from rear surface and the lateral distance separating pusher block hub 142 upper surface from lower surface each approximate but are more than the diameter of cylinder rod 216 of cylinder 213 of cylinder frame 200 to allow for a secure fitting of cylinder rod 216 within pusher block hub 142. Preferably, the lateral distance separating pusher block hub 142 front surface from rear surface and the lateral distance separating pusher block hub 142 upper surface from lower surface are substantially similar, more preferably equal.
In an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, pusher block hub 142 is a substantially cylindrical structure with an open posterior at the posterior of pusher block 140 and a closed anterior, preferably coinciding with pusher block 140 anterior surface, with the lower end of upper front joint, lower end of upper rear joint, upper end of lower front joint, and upper end of lower rear joint preferably extending along the outer (cylindrical) surface of pusher block hub 142, more preferably such ends extending along the entire longitudinal length of pusher block hub 142 from the posterior of pusher block hub 142 to pusher block 140 anterior surface. Additionally and more preferably, the posterior of pusher block hub 142 coincides with the substantially open posterior of pusher block 140 and comprises a substantially circular structure bounding an open (hollow) interior. Moreover, and more preferably, the anterior surface of pusher block hub 142 coincides with a substantially circular cross-sectional portion of pusher block 140 anterior surface. In a preferred embodiment, the inner diameter of pusher block hub 142 approximates but is but is more than the diameter of cylinder rod 216 of cylinder 213 of cylinder frame 200 to allow for a secure fitting of cylinder rod 216 within pusher block hub 142.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
The one or more anterior locking lugs 169 is or are attached to the anterior of anterior door frame 180, preferably on the front perimeter segment of anterior door frame 180. In a preferred embodiment and with reference to
Baling chamber anterior door is closed by positioning each panel 150 and 160 over the substantially hollow interior bounded by the perimeter segments of anterior door frame 180, handle 165 is displaced, causing displacement of the one or more hooks 168 on anterior door closure device 161 to a position to allow for such one or more hooks 168 to mate with the one or more anterior door frame locking lugs 169. More preferably, the vertical member of anterior door closure device 161 is rotatable, with displacement of handle 165 causing rotation of vertical member of anterior door closure device 161 which in turn causes rotation of the one or more hooks 168 on the ends of vertical member of anterior door closure device 161 into a position to mate with the one or more anterior door frame locking lugs 169.
In a preferred embodiment, when anterior door frame is closed, one of front and rear panels 150 and 160 is an interior panel and the other is an exterior panel, with the panels secured in a nested arrangement, with anterior door closure device 161 positioned on the exterior panel, with the interior panel closed first and the exterior panel closed second. More preferably, the inner (posterior) surface of the interior panel is in contact with the anterior of anterior door frame 180, with at least a portion of the outer (anterior) surface of the interior panel in contact with the posterior of the exterior panel. Additionally and more preferably, at least a portion of the outer (anterior) surface of the interior panel is not covered by the exterior panel. In a preferred embodiment, the interior panel is the anterior front door panel 150 and the exterior panel is the anterior rear door panel 160. More preferably, anterior door closure device 161 is positioned on the rear panel 160 and rear panel 160 is the exterior panel when baling chamber anterior door is closed.
As indicated above, top door 170 of baling chamber 100 is preferably hydraulically moved with means for hydraulically moving baling chamber 100 positioned at the rear of baling chamber 100, more preferably such means for hydraulically moving baling chamber 100 positioned at the anterior rear and the posterior rear of baling chamber 100. In a preferred embodiment, positioned at and attached to the posterior rear of baling chamber 100 is posterior hydraulic cylinder 178 and positioned at and attached to the anterior rear of baling chamber 100 is anterior hydraulic cylinder 179.
Posterior hydraulic cylinder 178 has an exterior and an interior and an upper end and a lower end and houses in its interior posterior hydraulic rod 171 which extends out of and retracts into posterior hydraulic cylinder 178 at the upper end of cylinder 178, with posterior hydraulic rod 171 extending out of posterior hydraulic cylinder 178 during top door 170 opening operation and posterior hydraulic rod 171 retracting into posterior hydraulic cylinder 178 during top door 170 closing operation. Anterior hydraulic cylinder 179 has an exterior and an interior and an upper end and a lower end and houses in its interior anterior hydraulic rod 177 which extends out of and retracts into anterior hydraulic cylinder 179 at the upper end of anterior hydraulic cylinder 179, with anterior hydraulic rod 177 extending out of anterior hydraulic cylinder 179 during top door 170 opening operation and anterior hydraulic rod 177 retracting into anterior hydraulic cylinder 179 during top door 170 closing operation.
Preferably, the attachment of the hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179 to baling chamber 100 comprises hydraulic cylinder support bar 109 having an anterior end and a posterior end, with the exterior lower end of posterior hydraulic cylinder 178 attached to the posterior end of hydraulic cylinder support bar 109 and the exterior lower end of anterior hydraulic cylinder 179 attached to the anterior end of hydraulic cylinder support bar 109, and the hydraulic cylinder support bar 109 attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102. More preferably, hydraulic cylinder support bar 109 attaches to baling chamber lower structural member 102 at a plurality of positions along the longitudinal length of hydraulic cylinder support bar 109. More preferably, the exterior lower end of posterior hydraulic cylinder 178 attaches to a posterior hydraulic cylinder support flange (not pictured or numbered) that is attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102 and the exterior lower end of anterior hydraulic cylinder 179 attaches to anterior hydraulic cylinder support flange (not pictured or numbered) that is attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102, and hydraulic cylinder support bar 109 extends between and is attached to each of posterior hydraulic cylinder support flange (not pictured or numbered) and anterior hydraulic cylinder support flange (not pictured or numbered).
Attached to the upper end of each of anterior hydraulic rod 177 and posterior hydraulic rod 171 is anterior hydraulic rod bracket 113 and posterior hydraulic rod bracket, respectively. Anterior hydraulic rod bracket 113 attaches to anterior door arm rear projection 175 of anterior top door arm 174 and posterior hydraulic rod bracket 115 attaches to posterior door arm rear projection 173 of posterior door arm 172. In a preferred embodiment, each bracket 113 and 115 has anterior plate and a posterior plate spaced apart from anterior plate, with each plate having an aligned and co-axial aperture. The posterior door arm rear projection 173 is positioned in the open space between the posterior and anterior plates of posterior hydraulic rod bracket 115, with the aperture of posterior door arm rear projection 173 positioned coaxially and aligned with the apertures of the anterior and posterior plates of posterior hydraulic rod bracket 115, and a pin is passed through each aperture and secured to one or more plates of posterior hydraulic rod bracket 115. The anterior door arm rear projection 175 is positioned in the open space between the posterior and anterior plates of anterior hydraulic rod bracket 113, with the aperture of anterior door anti rear projection 175 positioned coaxially and aligned with the apertures of the anterior and posterior plates of anterior hydraulic rod bracket 113, and a pin is passed through each aperture and secured to one or more plates of anterior hydraulic rod bracket 113.
Each upper end and each lower end of each hydraulic cylinder 178 and 179 has a hydraulic oil port which allow for hydraulic oil to flow into and out of the interior of hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179 from a source of hydraulic oil of electrical/hydraulic system module 202. Each port is connected via a hydraulic oil line to baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147, which comprises a plate attached to one or more of baling chamber rear structural member 108 and baling chamber rear wall 110, preferably 108, the plate comprising (i) a plurality of hydraulic cylinder ports attached to hydraulic oil lines connected to hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179 and (ii) a plurality of hydraulic oil source ports, each of which is in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of hydraulic cylinder ports, with one or more hydraulic oil source ports connected via one or more hydraulic oil lines to a source of hydraulic oil from electrical power/hydraulic system module 202. More preferably, the plurality of hydraulic source ports of baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147 comprises two ports, with one port connected to first hydraulic oil line 198 and one port connected to second hydraulic oil discharge line 199, each of lines 198 and 199 connected to a source of hydraulic oil from electrical power/hydraulic system module 202. Additionally, and more preferably, the plurality of hydraulic cylinder ports of baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147 comprises four ports, with one port for each of the upper and lower ends of hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179.
During top door 170 opening operations in the preferable method of hydraulically moving top door 170, hydraulic oil flows from the source of hydraulic oil from electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 through hydraulic oil lines to baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147 and then to hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179 where hydraulic oil causes rods 171 and 177 to lower and retract into hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179, respectively, which causes posterior and anterior top door arms 173 and 172, respectively, which are connected to rods 171 and 177 by the securing of posterior and anterior door arm rear projections 173 and 175 to posterior and anterior hydraulic rod brackets 115 and 113, respectively, to be lifted vertically and distally to rear of baling chamber 100. During top door 170 closing operations in a preferred embodiment where top door 170 is hydraulically movable, hydraulic oil, flowing from a source of hydraulic oil from electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 to hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179 via lines 198199 which are connected to baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147 connected via hydraulic oil lines to hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179, causes rods 171 and 177 to raise and extend out of hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179, respectively, which causes posterior and anterior top door arms 173 and 172, respectively, which are connected to rods 171 and 177 by the securing of posterior and anterior door arm rear projections 173 and 175 to posterior and anterior hydraulic rod brackets 115 and 113, respectively, to be lowered vertically and distally to the front of baling chamber 100.
With reference to
In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of sets of wheels are attached to baling chamber 100 via wheel axles. In this embodiment, each wheel axle comprises a lateral bar having a front end and a rear end, a front vertical bar with an upper end and a lower end and that is attached at front vertical bar upper end to lateral bar at lateral bar front end, and a rear vertical bar with an upper end and a lower end and that is attached at rear vertical bar upper end to lateral bar at lateral bar rear end, and one or more front wheels attached to front vertical bar lower end and one or more rear wheels attached to rear vertical bar lower end. Preferably, the lateral bar spans substantially the lateral dimension of baling chamber lower structural member 102. Preferably, front and rear vertical bars are laterally aligned and directly below baling chamber front structural member 106 and baling chamber rear structural member 108, respectively. Alternatively and preferably, front and rear vertical bars are laterally unaligned and to the front or rear of baling chamber front structural member 106 and baling chamber rear structural member 108, respectively, with the upper end of front and rear vertical bar vertically aligned, below, or above baling chamber lower structural member 102.
Preferably, anterior set of wheels comprises one or more anterior front wheels 134 proximal the anterior front of baling chamber 100 and one or more anterior rear wheels 136 proximal the anterior rear of baling chamber 100. Anterior set of wheels is attached to baling chamber 100 via anterior wheel axle comprising an anterior lateral bar, anterior front vertical bar, and anterior rear vertical bar as described above.
Further, in this preferred embodiment, posterior set of wheels comprises one or more posterior front wheels 130 proximal the posterior front of baling chamber 100 and one or more posterior rear wheels 132 proximal the posterior rear of baling chamber 100. Posterior set of wheels is attached to baling chamber 100 via posterior wheel axle comprising a posterior lateral bar, posterior front vertical bar, and posterior rear vertical bar as described above.
Further, in this preferred embodiment, center set of wheels comprises one or more sets of wheels, each longitudinally between anterior and posterior sets of wheels, preferably comprising one or more center front wheels 138 proximal the front of baling chamber 100 and positioned longitudinally between the one or more posterior front wheels 130 and the one or more anterior front wheels 134 and one or more center rear wheels 139 proximal the rear of baling chamber 100 and positioned longitudinally between the one or more posterior rear wheels 132 and the one or more anterior rear wheels 136. Center set of wheels is attached to baling chamber 100 via center wheel axle comprising a center lateral bar longitudinally between anterior lateral bar and posterior lateral bar, center front vertical bar longitudinally between anterior front vertical bar and posterior front vertical bar, and center rear vertical bar longitudinally between anterior rear vertical bar and posterior rear vertical bar as described above.
Alternatively, and in a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of sets of wheels is attached to baling chamber 100 via vertical support bars, each vertical support bar having an upper end and a lower end. In this embodiment, each of the sets of wheels, each set comprising one or more wheels, is attached to the lower end of a vertical support bar, with the upper end of each such vertical support bar attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102. Preferably, in this embodiment, baling chamber 100 is fitted with an anterior set of wheels proximal the anterior of baling chamber 100, a posterior set of wheels proximal the posterior of baling chamber 100, and a center set of wheels between the anterior set of wheels and posterior set of wheels, with any wheels proximal the front of baling chamber 100 attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102 via front vertical support bars and any wheels proximal the rear of baling chamber 100 attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102 via rear vertical support bars. The front and rear vertical support bars are, in a preferred embodiment, laterally aligned and directly below baling chamber front structural member 106 and baling chamber rear structural member 108, respectively. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the front and rear vertical support bars are laterally unaligned with baling chamber front structural member 106 and baling chamber rear structural member 108 and positioned to the front or rear of baling chamber front structural member 106 and baling chamber rear structural member 108, respectively. In an alternative preferred embodiment, front and rear vertical support bars are laterally aligned with the front longitudinal end and rear longitudinal end of baling chamber lower structural member 102, respectively. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment where the front and rear vertical support bars are laterally unaligned with baling chamber front structural member 106 and baling chamber rear structural member 108, respectively, the upper ends of the vertical support bars extend vertically above baling chamber lower structural member 102. Moreover, and alternatively, the vertical support bar upper ends can be comprised of perimeter (hollow) segments.
Preferably, in an embodiment where baling chamber wheels are attached via vertical support bars, anterior set of wheels comprises (i) one or more anterior front wheels 134 proximal the anterior front of baling chamber 100 and attached to the lower end of anterior front vertical support bar and the upper end of anterior front vertical support bar is attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102 proximal to baling chamber lower structural member 102 front longitudinal end, and (ii) one or more anterior rear wheels 136 proximal the anterior rear of baling chamber 100 and attached to the lower end of anterior rear vertical support bar and the upper end of anterior rear vertical support bar is attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102 proximal to baling chamber lower structural member 102 rear longitudinal end. Preferably, the anterior front vertical support bar is attached to the front longitudinal end of baling chamber lower structural member 102 and the anterior rear vertical support bar is attached to the rear longitudinal end of baling chamber lower structural member 102.
Moreover, in this embodiment, posterior set of wheels comprises (i) one or more posterior front wheels 130 proximal the posterior front of baling chamber 100 and attached to the lower end of posterior front vertical support bar and the upper end of posterior front vertical support bar is attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102 proximal to baling chamber lower structural member 102 rear longitudinal end, and (ii) one or more posterior rear wheels 134 proximal the posterior rear of baling chamber 100 and attached to the lower end of p[posterior rear vertical support bar and the upper end of posterior rear vertical support bar is attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102 proximal to baling chamber lower structural member 102 rear longitudinal end. Preferably, the posterior front vertical support bar is attached to the front longitudinal end of baling chamber lower structural member 102 and the posterior rear vertical support bar is attached to the rear longitudinal end of baling chamber lower structural member 102.
Moreover, in this embodiment, center set of wheels comprises (i) one or more center front wheels 138 proximal the front of baling chamber 100 and positioned longitudinally between the one or more posterior front wheels 130 and the one or more anterior front wheels 134, the one or more center front wheels 138 attached to the lower end of center front vertical support bar and the upper end of center front vertical support bar is attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102 proximal the front longitudinal end of baling chamber lower structural member 102 and (ii) one or more center rear wheels 139 proximal the rear of baling chamber 100 and positioned longitudinally between the one or more posterior rear wheels 132 and the one or more anterior rear wheels 136, the one or more center rear wheels 139 attached to the lower end of center rear vertical support bar and the upper end of center rear vertical support bar is attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102 proximal the rear longitudinal end of baling chamber lower structural member 102. Preferably, the posterior front vertical support bar is attached to the front longitudinal end of baling chamber lower structural member 102 and the posterior rear vertical support bar is attached to the rear longitudinal end of baling chamber lower structural member 102.
In another preferred alternative embodiment, the plurality of sets of wheels are comprised of one or more sets of wheels attached to baling chamber 100 via wheel axles as described above and one or more sets of wheels attached to baling chamber 100 via vertical support bars attached to baling chamber lower structural member 102 as described above.
With reference to
Cylinder frame: With reference to
Preferably, and as shown in
With reference to
In a preferred embodiment and with reference to
With reference to
With reference to
Cylinder casing 218 is hollow comprising a thin shell structure at the portions of cylinder casing 218 at which ports 209 and 219 are positioned such that hydraulic oil flowing through such ports 209 and 219 into the interior of cylinder casing 218 are in fluid communication with the outer surface of cylinder rod 216. Preferably, cylinder casing 218 is hollow substantially the entire longitudinal length of cylinder casing 218.
Cylinder rod 216 is a solid (integral) structure and is sheathed within cylinder casing 218 except at the anterior portion of cylinder rod 216 that is unsheathed by cylinder casing 218. Cylinder rod 216 is extendable out of cylinder casing 218, being displaced longitudinally to the anterior of cylinder frame 200 and causing more of cylinder rod 216 to be unsheathed by cylinder casing 218, when pressurized hydraulic oil flowing from a source of hydraulic oil of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 through at least one hydraulic oil port on cylinder casing 218 and into the interior of cylinder casing 218 applying force on a surface of cylinder rod 216, preferably such one or more hydraulic oil ports comprising one or more posterior cylinder hydraulic oil ports 209 and such surface comprises a surface of cylinder rod 216 positioned at the posterior of hydraulic cylinder 213.
This extension of cylinder rod 216 out of cylinder casing 218 is performed during operation of modular baler 1 to compress uncompressed metal in baling chamber 100. Cylinder rod 216 retracts into cylinder casing 218, being displaced longitudinally to the posterior of cylinder frame 200 and causing more of cylinder rod 216 to be sheathed by cylinder casing 218, when hydraulic oil under pressure lower than the hydraulic oil pressure during metal compression operation of modular baler 1 when uncompressed metal is placed in baling chamber 100, flows from a source of hydraulic oil of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 through at least one hydraulic cylinder oil port 211 of cylinder casing 218 and into the interior of cylinder casing 218 applying force on a surface of cylinder rod 216, preferably such surface of cylinder rod 216 and port 211 positioned at the anterior of hydraulic cylinder 213. This retraction of cylinder rod 216 into cylinder casing 218 is performed during operation of modular baler 1 after compression of metal in baling chamber 100 in preparation for metal compression operation during the next baling cycle.
The upper surface of the anterior portion of cylinder rod 216 has aperture 217, preferably substantially circular in cross section. Preferably, aperture 217 is positioned longitudinally anterior of apertures 240 and 242 of the upper perimeter segments of front structural member 210 and rear structural member 214, respectively. The anterior portion of cylinder rod 216 extends longitudinally beyond the anterior ends of front structural member 210 and rear structural member 214.
With reference to
Hydraulic cylinder 213 is secured to posterior structural member 212 to prevent vertical, lateral, or longitudinal displacement of cylinder casing 218. In a preferred embodiment, tang 207 is attached to the posterior of cylinder casing 218. In embodiments where tang 207 is attached to cylinder casing 218 and one or more posterior cylinder hydraulic oil ports 209 is positioned at the posterior of cylinder casing 218, the one or more posterior cylinder hydraulic oil ports 209 of cylinder casing 218 is or are positioned anterior of the tang 207-cylinder casing 218 attachment. Tang 207 has an aperture extending vertically through the tang 207 from the upper to the lower surfaces of the tang 207. Preferably, posterior structural member 212 is comprised of upper and lower posterior structural members 215 and 211, respectively, each with an aperture substantially in the lateral midpoint of the members 211 and 215. Hydraulic cylinder 213 is secured to posterior structural member 212 via pin 201 extending vertically and through the aperture on upper posterior structural member 215 of posterior structural member 212, through the tang 207 aperture, and through the aperture on lower posterior structural member 211 of posterior structural member 212. Preferably, the upper end of pin 201 is flush, at the same vertical position, as upper posterior structural member 215. More preferably, a plate is attached over the lower end of pin 201, with the plate welded to the underside of the lower posterior structural member 211 of posterior structural member 212.
With reference to
With reference to
In a preferred embodiment, front vertical portion of cylinder support ring 238 is attached to anterior support bar 229 at a lateral position on anterior support bar 229 between front structural member 210 and hydraulic cylinder 213. Rear vertical portion of cylinder support ring 238 is attached to anterior support bar 229 at a lateral position on anterior support bar 229 between hydraulic cylinder 213 and rear structural member 214. The substantially half-circular middle portion of cylinder support ring 238 extends (i) over hydraulic cylinder 213 and, (ii) from, front to rear, front vertical portion of cylinder support ring 238 to rear vertical portion of cylinder support ring 238. Preferably, the substantially half-circular middle portion of cylinder support ring 238 has a diameter, defined by the vertical distance from the upper surface of anterior support bar 229 to the upper-most portion of cylinder support ring 238, slightly greater than diameter of cylinder shell 218 of hydraulic cylinder 213 in order to extend over hydraulic cylinder 213 and laterally and vertically secure hydraulic cylinder 213 in the substantially half-circular interior space between support ring 238 and anterior support bar 229 while allowing for the longitudinal displacement of cylinder rod 216 via extension of cylinder rod 216 out of cylinder casing 218 of hydraulic cylinder 213. Preferably, cylinder support ring 238 is positioned longitudinally on cylinder casing 218 posterior of the longitudinal position where cylinder rod 216 emerges unsheathed from cylinder casing 218. More preferably in an embodiment where support ring 238 further comprises a horizontal portion 236, such horizontal portion has one or more apertures, preferably with an aperture on horizontal portion to the front of front vertical portion and an aperture on horizontal portion to the rear of cylinder casing 218 but to the front of rear vertical portion. Such one or more apertures on horizontal portion of cylinder support ring 238 is or are positioned over one or more apertures on the lateral support bar to which cylinder support ring 238 is attached, preferably anterior lateral support bar 229, with bolts, pins, screws, or other attaching structures inserted through each horizontal portion aperture and lateral support bar aperture to laterally secure cylinder support ring 238 to the lateral support bar.
With reference to
In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of sets of wheels are attached to cylinder frame 200 via wheel axles. In this embodiment, each wheel axle comprises a front vertical bar beneath and attached to front structural member 210, a rear vertical bar beneath and attached to rear structural member 214, and a lateral cross member spanning the lateral distance between front structural member 210 and rear structural member 214, with the upper end of the front vertical bar attached to the front end of lateral cross member and the upper end of the rear vertical bar attached to the rear end of lateral cross member, and one or more wheels attached to the lower end of each of the front and rear vertical bars. The lateral cross member of each wheel axle of cylinder frame 200 may or may not provide lateral support to hydraulic cylinder 213. Preferably, a wheel axle of cylinder frame 200 provides lateral support of hydraulic cylinder 213.
Preferably, anterior set of wheels comprises one or more anterior front wheels 230 beneath front structural member 210 proximal the anterior end of cylinder frame 200 and one or more anterior rear wheels 231 beneath rear structural member 214 proximal the anterior end of cylinder frame 200. Anterior set of wheels is attached to cylinder frame 200 via anterior wheel axle comprising (i) an anterior front vertical bar beneath and attached to front structural member 210, (ii) an anterior rear vertical bar beneath and attached to rear structural member 214, and (iii) an anterior lateral cross member spanning the lateral distance between front structural member 210 and rear structural member 214, with the upper end of the anterior front vertical bar attached to the front end of anterior lateral cross member and the upper end of the anterior rear vertical bar attached to the rear end of the anterior lateral cross member. Attached to the lower end of each of the anterior front and rear vertical bars is one or more anterior front wheels 230 and one or more anterior rear wheels 231, respectively.
Further, in this preferred embodiment, posterior set of wheels comprises one or more posterior front wheels 234 beneath front structural member 210 proximal the posterior end of cylinder frame 200 and one or more posterior rear wheels 233 beneath rear structural member 214 proximal the posterior end of cylinder frame 200. Posterior set of wheels is attached to cylinder frame 200 via posterior wheel axle comprising (i) a posterior front vertical bar beneath and attached to front structural member 210, (ii) a posterior rear vertical bar beneath and attached to rear structural member 214, and (iii) a posterior lateral cross member spanning the lateral distance between front structural member 210 and rear structural member 214, with the upper end of the posterior front vertical bar attached to the front end of posterior lateral cross member and the upper end of the posterior rear vertical bar attached to the rear end of the posterior lateral cross member. Attached to the lower end of each of the posterior front and rear vertical bars is one or more posterior front wheels 234 and one or more posterior rear wheels 233, respectively.
Further, in this preferred embodiment, center set of wheels comprises one or more front wheels 232 beneath front structural member 210 between the one or more anterior front wheels 230 and the one or more posterior front wheels 234 and one or more rear wheels 235 beneath rear structural member 214 and between the one or more anterior rear wheels 233 and the one or more posterior rear wheels 231. Center set of wheels is attached to cylinder frame 200 via center wheel axle comprising (i) a center front vertical bar beneath and attached to front structural member 210 and between the anterior front vertical bar of anterior wheel axle and the posterior front vertical bar of posterior wheel axle, (ii) a center rear vertical bar beneath and attached to rear structural member 214 and between the anterior rear vertical bar of anterior wheel axle and the posterior rear vertical bar of posterior wheel axle, and (iii) a center lateral cross member spanning the lateral distance between front structural member 210 and rear structural member 214 and between the anterior lateral cross member of anterior wheel axle and the posterior lateral cross member of posterior wheel axle, with the upper end of the center front vertical bar attached to the front end of center lateral cross member and the upper end of the center rear vertical bar attached to the rear end of the center lateral cross member. Attached to the lower end of each of the center front and rear vertical bars is one or more center front wheels 232 and one or more center rear wheels 235, respectively.
Alternatively to wheel axles, and in a preferred embodiment, the plurality of sets of wheels are attached to cylinder frame 200 via a plurality of lateral support bars, with the lateral support bars serving as wheel axles. In another preferred alternative embodiment, the plurality of sets of wheels are comprised of one or more sets of wheels attached to cylinder frame 200 via wheel axles as described above and one or more sets of wheels attached to cylinder frame 200 via lateral support bars as described above. In another preferred alternative embodiment, the plurality of sets of wheels are comprised of one or more sets of wheels attached to cylinder frame 200 via vertical bars directly attached to one of structural members 210, 212, and 214 wherein each vertical bar has an upper end and a lower end and wherein the vertical bar is attached to a structural member at its upper end and the one or more wheels are attached to the vertical bar lower end.
With reference to
Electrical Power/Hydraulic System Module: With reference to
Preferably, the amperage draw (power consumed by) of the electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 is in the range of approximately 10 amps to approximately 15 amps at 480 volts and provides sufficient power to generate a hydraulic cylinder 213 pressure (the pressure inside the cylinder casing 218 of hydraulic cylinder 213 acting on a surface of cylinder rod 216 of cylinder 213) to longitudinally displace cylinder rod 216 in the anterior direction.
Control panel 204 is attached to one or more of front structural member 210, rear structural member 214, and posterior structural member 212. Control panel 204 preferably is attached to front structural member 210 and rear structural member 214 of cylinder frame 200. Additionally, and preferably, in an embodiment where posterior structural member 212 comprises an upper posterior structural member 215 and a lower posterior structural member 211, (i) control panel 204 is attached to upper posterior structural member 215, and (ii) support 251 is attached to upper posterior structural member 215.
Preferably, support 251 comprises one or more horizontal members attached to one or more of members 210, 212, and 214 and that supports at least electrical motor 250a, more preferably and additionally hydraulic oil pump 250b. More preferably, support 251 also comprises one or more posterior vertical members that attach to the anterior of control panel 204. Additionally, control panel 204 can be attached to one or more of posterior structural member 212 and support 251, with any attachment of control panel 204 to posterior structural member 212 occurring on the underside of control panel 204 and any attachment of control panel 204 to support 251 occurring at one or more of the anterior of control panel 204 or the underside of control panel 204.
The components of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 comprise conventional electrical and hydraulic oil system components known in the art. The electric motor 250a can be any one of multiple known electric motors or hydraulic pumps used in the art. Preferably, electric motor 250a is a three phase (3ph) motor that provides approximately ten hp (10 horsepower) that electrically drives hydraulic oil pump 250b to which it is physically connected, electrically operates shear valve 206, and provides power at least one or more other components of modular baler 1 as described herein. Hydraulic oil pump 250b can be any one of multiple known hydraulic oil pumps used in the art. Preferably, hydraulic oil pump 250b is a rotary vane pump. Control valve 205 can be any one of multiple known valves used in the art. Preferably, control valve 205 is a manually operated hydraulic control valve. Shear valve 206 can be any one of multiple known valves used in the art. Preferably, shear valve 206 is a solenoid valve.
Hydraulic oil tank 272 can be any one of multiple known hydraulic oil tanks used in the art. Preferably, hydraulic oil tank 272 provides a hydraulic oil capacity of approximately thirty (30) U.S. gallons. Any known hydraulic oil used in the art can be filled into hydraulic oil tank 272. Preferably, a hydraulic oil that includes anti-wear (AW) additives is used. Preferably, hydraulic oil pump 250b provides a pressurized hydraulic oil flow in the range of approximately five (5) U.S. gallons per minute to approximately fifteen (15) U.S. gallons per minute. Hydraulic oil tank 272 extends longitudinally along cylinder frame 200, preferably to the anterior of cylinder frame 200 to a position posterior of apertures 240 and 242 on front structural member 210 and rear structural member 214, respectively. Preferably, hydraulic oil tank 272 is removably attached to cylinder frame 200.
As indicated earlier herein, hydraulic oil tank 272 has hydraulic connections, via hydraulic oil lines, to multiple components of modular baler 1. Preferably, hydraulic oil tank 272 provides a low pressure hydraulic oil flow, first from hydraulic oil tank 272 to hydraulic oil filter 252 via hydraulic pump feed line 255 connecting hydraulic oil tank 272 to hydraulic oil filter 252, and then from hydraulic oil filter 252 to the intake (low pressure side) of hydraulic oil pump 250b. Hydraulic oil pump 250b pressurizes hydraulic oil entering hydraulic oil pump 250b and discharges pressurized hydraulic oil through the outtake of hydraulic oil pump 250b to control valve 205 via control valve hydraulic oil feed line 256 between the outtake of hydraulic oil pump 250b and control valve 205.
Control valve 205 has a plurality of outlet ports in fluid communication with, via one or more hydraulic oil lines 254, (i) hydraulic cylinder 213, with one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 connecting one or more control valve 205 outlet ports to one or more posterior cylinder hydraulic oil ports 209 on cylinder casing 218 and one or more control valve 205 outlet ports to one or more anterior cylinder hydraulic oil ports 219 on cylinder casing 218, (ii) hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179 on baling chamber 100, with one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 connecting one or more control valve 205 outlet ports to cylinders 178 and 179 for top door 170 opening operations and one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 connecting one or more control valve 205 outlet ports to cylinders 178 and 179 for top door 170 closing operations, and (iii) shear valve 206, with one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 connecting one or more of control valve 205 outlet ports to shear valve 206. Preferably, the one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 connecting the one or more control valve 205 outlet ports to cylinders 178 and 179 are connected to baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147, with one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 connecting control valve 205 to baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147 and one or more hydraulic oil lines connecting baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147 to cylinders 178 and 179. More preferably, the one or more hydraulic oil lines connecting the one or more control valve 205 outlet ports to cylinders 178 and 179 comprise one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 connected first to baling chamber hydraulic oil line connection plate 246 and one or more hydraulic oil lines 198 and 199 connecting hydraulic oil line connection baling chamber hydraulic oil connection plate 246 to baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147, with baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147 connected to cylinders 178 and 179 via one or more hydraulic oil lines.
In a preferred embodiment, control valve 205-baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147 connections comprise a connection via one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 connecting one or more outlet ports of control valve 205 to first hydraulic oil line 198 and one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 connecting one or more outlet ports of control valve 205 to second hydraulic oil line 199, more preferably one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 connecting one or more outlet ports of control valve 205 to one or more inlet ports of baling chamber hydraulic oil connection plate 246 and lines 198 and 199 connected to one or more outlet ports of baling chamber hydraulic oil connection plate 246 and baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147, with baling chamber hydraulic oil hub 147 connected to cylinders 178 and 179 via one or more hydraulic oil lines.
Control valve 205 further comprises one or more of levers 253 to control hydraulic oil flow between a source of hydraulic oil of electrical/hydraulic system module 202 and hydraulic cylinder 213 and a source of hydraulic oil of electrical/hydraulic system module 202 and top door hydraulic cylinders 198 and 199 which allow an operator to control modular baler 1 operations. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more levers 253 of control valve 205 comprises (i) a first lever to control hydraulic oil flow to hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179 to allow for closure and opening of top door 170, and (ii) a second lever to control hydraulic oil flow to allow to cylinder 213 for extension and retraction of cylinder rod 216 out of and into cylinder casing 218 of cylinder 200 for baling (compression of uncompressed metal) operations (extension of cylinder rod 216 out of cylinder casing 218) and preparation for the next baling cycle (retraction of cylinder rod 216 into cylinder casing 218).
Pressurized hydraulic oil flows into shear valve 206 from control valve 205 via one or more hydraulic oil lines 254. Shear valve 206 is electrically connected to electrical motor 250a and comprises a plurality of hydraulic oil outlet ports, with one or more shear valve 206 outlet ports connected to shear module 280 via one or more hydraulic oil lines for shear module opening operations and with one or more shear valve 206 outlet ports connected to shear module 280 via one or more hydraulic oil lines for shear module closing operations. In a preferred embodiment, shear valve 206-shear module 280 connections comprise one or more hydraulic oil lines connecting one or more outlet ports of shear valve 206 to one or more inlet ports of shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244 and one or more hydraulic oil lines connecting to one or more outlet ports of shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244 to shear module 280. Preferably, the one or more hydraulic oil lines from shear valve 206 to shear module 280, whether connected directly to shear module 280 or indirectly via shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244, extend longitudinally to the anterior of cylinder frame 200 beneath hydraulic oil tank 272 and above cylinder 213. In an embodiment comprising a shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244, the one or more hydraulic oil lines from shear valve 206 attach to inlet ports on the underside of shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244.
Shear valve 206 is operated by shear module foot pedal control 282, with depression of shear module foot pedal control 282 opening shear valve 206 which allows for pressurized hydraulic oil to flow through shear valve 206 and into shear module 280 for shear module 280 operations. Shear module foot pedal control 282 is electrically connected to shear valve 206.
Preferably, the outtake (high-pressure side) of hydraulic oil pump 250b is, in addition to fluid communication with control valve 205 via one or more hydraulic oil lines 256, in fluid communication with hydraulic oil tank 272, more preferably with such fluid communication comprising hydraulic oil overflow line 273 connecting the outtake of hydraulic oil pump 250b to hydraulic oil tank 272. Additionally, and more preferably, hydraulic oil overflow line 273 is in fluid communication with an overflow valve (not pictured in the figures), with the outtake of hydraulic oil pump 250b connected via a first portion of hydraulic oil overflow line 273 to the inlet port of overflow valve 274 and the outlet port of overflow valve 274 connected via another portion of hydraulic oil overflow line 273 to hydraulic oil tank 272.
Preferably, attached to a surface at the anterior of cylinder frame 200 are baling chamber hydraulic oil line connection plate 246 and shear module hydraulic oil line connection plate 244, each plate 244 and 246 comprising one or more structural members. Such attaching surface is selected from a group comprising hydraulic oil tank 272 and shear base 284. More preferably, such surface comprises the anterior end of hydraulic oil tank 272.
Baling chamber hydraulic oil line connection plate 246 comprises at least one inlet port in fluid communication with a source of hydraulic oil and at least one outlet port in fluid communication with the at least one inlet port, the plurality of ports connectable with hydraulic oil lines. Preferably, baling chamber hydraulic oil line connection plate 246 comprises two underside ports and two topside ports, more preferably the underside ports being the inlet ports and the topside ports being the outlet ports. In a preferred embodiment, hydraulic oil lines in fluid communication with hydraulic oil tank 272 connect to the inlet ports of baling chamber hydraulic oil line connection plate 246, with the inlet ports preferably being underside ports. Preferably, such fluid communication is via one or more hydraulic oil lines 254 from the outlet of control valve 205. Hydraulic oil lines 198 and 199 from baling chamber 100 connect to the outlet ports of hydraulic oil line connection plate, with the outlet ports preferably being topside ports. More preferably, hydraulic oil lines 198 and 199 in fluid communication with hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179 and from hydraulic oil hub 147 of baling chamber 100 connect to the outlet ports of baling chamber hydraulic oil line connection plate 246, with the outlet ports preferably being topside ports. Preferably, baling chamber hydraulic oil connection plate 244 is attached to shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 246.
Shear module hydraulic oil line connection plate 244 comprises at least one inlet port in fluid communication with a source of hydraulic oil and at least one outlet port in fluid communication with the at least one inlet port. Preferably, shear module hydraulic oil line connection plate 244 comprises two underside ports and two topside ports, more preferably the underside ports being the inlet ports and the topside ports being the outlet ports. In a preferred embodiment, hydraulic oil lines in fluid communication with hydraulic oil tank 272 connect to the inlet ports of shear module hydraulic oil line connection plate 244, with the inlet ports preferably being underside ports. Preferably, such fluid communication is via one or more hydraulic oil lines from the outlet of shear valve 206. One or more shear module hydraulic oil lines 245 of shear module 280 connect to the outlet ports of shear module hydraulic oil line connection plate 244, with the outlet ports preferably being topside ports.
Shear Module: With reference to
Preferably, shear module 280 comprises a metal-cutting shear with a hinged jaw, comprising one or more cutting arms, powered by a hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with a source of hydraulic oil. More preferably, shear module 280 comprises an alligator-type shear as is known and used in the art to cut steel members, such as rebar, pipe, angle iron or 1-beam and long-length metal stock or scrap. Additionally and more preferably, shear module 280 is provided with an adjustable safety guard over the one or more cutting arms. The cutting force of shear module 280 is created by a hydraulic oil system that acts on one or more hydraulic cylinders of the one or more cutting arms, preferably approximately 2500 psig and with a maximum pressure of 3000 psig.
When the cutting of metal by shear module 280 begins, a hydraulically operated hold-down arm of shear module 280 securely locks the metallic piece in place as the one or more cutting arms descends to cleanly shear the metallic piece at the desired angle. At any time during the cutting, a readily accessible emergency stop 248 can be activated to halt the one or more cutting arms of shear module 280 in place if readjustment is required or a potential safety risk has arisen. In a preferred embodiment, emergency stop 248 is directly electrically connected with one or more of electrical motor 250a and control panel 204.
Shear module 280 is controlled by shear module foot peal control 282 which is electrically connected to a source of electricity, preferably via an electrical line from shear valve 206 which is electrically connected with electrical motor 250a. Additionally and preferably, shear module 280 further comprises a lubrication system that provides periodic lubrication of the one or more cutting arms.
Preferably, the electrical line between shear module foot pedal control 282 and shear module 280 is sufficiently long and flexible to allow for shear module foot pedal control 282 to be positioned below and in front of shear module 280, more preferably sufficiently far enough in front of shear module 280 to safely operate shear module 280. Preferably, when modular baler 1 is not in operation, shear module foot pedal control 282 is stored in the open (hollow) interior of shear base 284, with shear module foot pedal control 282 is removed from the open (hollow) interior of shear base 284 during modular baler 1 operations and placed on a level surface, such as the ground, in the vicinity of the anterior front corner of cylinder frame 200 but to the front and below shear module 280, with the electrical connection between shear module foot pedal control 282 and shear module 280 comprising a flexible electrical line long enough to accommodate placement of shear module foot pedal control 282 on the ground.
Hydraulic oil flows into, through, and out of shear module 280 via one or more shear module hydraulic oil lines 245. Preferably, pressurized oil flows into shear module 280 in one or more shear module hydraulic oil lines 245 flowing from shear valve 206 when an operator depresses shear module foot pedal control 282, which electrically opens shear valve 206, allowing pressurized hydraulic oil to flow through shear valve 206 into shear module 280 in one or more shear module hydraulic oil lines 245. Preferably, hydraulic oil flows from shear valve 206 in hydraulic oil lines that attach to one or more inlet ports on shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244, with hydraulic oil flowing out of outlet ports on shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244 to shear module 280 via one or more shear module hydraulic oil lines 245. More preferably, the hydraulic oil lines from shear valve 206 to the inlet ports on shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244 extend longitudinally to the anterior of cylinder frame 200 beneath hydraulic oil tank 272 and above cylinder 213 and attach to inlet ports on the underside of shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244, with the outlet ports of shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244 positioned on the topside of shear module hydraulic oil connection plate 244. More preferably, the one or more shear module hydraulic oil lines 245 comprises two lines, with one line providing hydraulic oil to shear module 280 for opening of the one or more cutting arms and another line providing hydraulic oil to shear module 280 for closing of the one or more cutting arms.
Cylinder Frame Cover: With reference to
In a preferred embodiment, cover 270 comprises partial perimeter segments (upper, front, rear), with front perimeter segment attached to front structural member 210, rear perimeter segment attached to rear structural member 214, and upper perimeter segment having a front end and a rear end and that is attached to front perimeter segment at its front end and attached to rear perimeter segment at its rear end. Cover 270 can be comprised of one integral structure or multiple structures attached together. Additionally, and in a preferred embodiment, cover 270 does not have a posterior perimeter segment at the posterior of cylinder frame 200 to allow for ease of access to controls positioned at the posterior of cylinder frame 200 on electrical power/hydraulic system module 202. Cover 270 can also include an anterior perimeter segment proximal the shear module 280. Further, and in a preferred embodiment, cover 270 does not have an anterior perimeter segment.
Moreover, and in a preferred embodiment, cover 270 extends longitudinally from the posterior of cylinder frame 200 to shear base 284 and covers all or a portion of hydraulic oil tank 272. Moreover, and in a preferred embodiment, cover 270 front segment has a cutout to allow for operation of the one or more levers 253 of control valve 205 of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 by an operator positioned at the front of cylinder frame 200. Furthermore, and in a preferred embodiment, cover 270 rear segment is partially open, preferably with cover meshing 271, to allow for venting of heat coming off electrical motor 250a. More preferably, one or more perimeter segments of cover 270 comprises in part meshing 257 to allow for further venting of heat from components of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202. More preferably, meshing 257 is integrated into upper perimeter segment of cover 270.
Attachment of Baling Chamber to Cylinder Frame: With reference to
Operation of Modular Baler: Each of the baling chamber 100 and cylinder frame 200 of modular baler 1 are sized to allow for each to individually fit inside most freight elevators. To operate modular baler 1, cylinder frame 200 and baling chamber 100, having top door 170 open and baling chamber anterior door, comprising baling chamber anterior front door panel 150 and baling chamber anterior rear door panel 160, closed, are positioned in the desired location of operation and attached to each other as described earlier. An electrical connection between electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 and the electricity source is then established via a power cord 203 connected to control panel 204 of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 and an electricity source. Electrical connections between control panel 204 of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 and at least electrical motor 250a, shear module foot pedal control 282, and emergency stop 248 are established.
An operator utilizes shear module 280, which is in fluid communication with a source of hydraulic oil of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202, to cut uncompressed material which is placed manually by the operator into the open (hollow) interior of baling chamber 100, the open (hollow) interior of baling chamber 100 extending longitudinally from the anterior of pusher block 140, which is positioned at the posterior of baling chamber 100, to baling chamber anterior door and laterally from the baling chamber front wall 104 to the baling chamber rear wall 110, and vertically upward from baling chamber lower structural member 102. Preferably, the operator cuts uncompressed material with shear module 280 to be the approximate length of the open (hollow) interior of baling chamber 100. Moreover, and preferably, the operator distributes uncompressed material uniformly along the longitudinal length of baling chamber 100. When the interior of baling chamber 100 is full or if the operator has completed cutting of material with shear module 280 before completely filling baling chamber 100, the operator stops the operation of shear module 280 and closes top door 170 of baling chamber 100, preferably hydraulically. Preferably, the hydraulic closing of top door 170 is accomplished by hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179 on baling chamber 100 in fluid communication with a source of hydraulic oil on electrical power/hydraulic system module 202, with hydraulic oil flowing to cylinders 178 and 179 and shear module 280 as a result of hydraulic pump 250b, which is physically connected to electrical motor 250a, pumping hydraulic oil from a source of hydraulic oil to cylinders 178 and 179 and shear module 280. In a preferred embodiment, the operator is able to accomplish the closing of top door 170 by manipulating one or more control levers 253 positioned on a control valve 205 of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 which regulates flow of hydraulic oil to hydraulic cylinders 278 and 179. More preferably, the operator additionally locks top door 170 through locking handle 192, with such locking accomplished using any one of the multiple known methods in the art.
Baling chamber 100 and cylinder frame 200 are attached at a plurality of attachment points as described above which includes the attachment of hydraulic cylinder 213 to pusher block 140. In a preferred embodiment, cylinder rod 216 of hydraulic cylinder 213 is attached to pusher block 140 by the displacement of cylinder rod 216 in the anterior direction until its anterior end is positioned within pusher block 140. More preferably, the anterior end of cylinder rod 213 is positioned within pusher block hub 142 and a pusher block pin is passed through aperture 145 on pusher block hub 142 and is securely engaged in aperture 217 on cylinder rod 213. Hydraulic oil pump 250b causes pressurized hydraulic oil to flow into cylinder 213 via one or more posterior cylinder hydraulic oil ports 209 which allow for the interior of cylinder casing 216 to be in fluid communication with a source of hydraulic oil. The force of pressurized hydraulic oil on cylinder 213, preferably a surface of cylinder rod 216 in the interior of cylinder casing 218, causes the longitudinal displacement of cylinder 213 in the anterior direction, which resultingly causes the longitudinal displacement of pusher block 140 in the same direction, thereby compressing the uncompressed material in the baling chamber 100. More preferably, cylinder rod 216 extends out of cylinder casing 218 and, as a result of attachment to pusher block 140, preferably at the interior of pusher block hub 142, causes the longitudinal displacement of pusher block to the anterior of baling chamber 100, thereby compressing the uncompressed material in the baling chamber 100. In a preferred embodiment, the operator is able to accomplish the longitudinal displacement of hydraulic cylinder 213, preferably cylinder rod 216 of cylinder 213, in the anterior direction by manipulating one or more control levers 253 positioned on a control valve 205 of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 which regulates flow of hydraulic oil to hydraulic cylinder 213 flowing through one or more posterior cylinder hydraulic oil ports 209.
Hydraulic cylinder 213 operated to push pusher block 140 until a set pressure is reached. Preferably, the set pressure is approximately 2150 psig. Additionally and preferably when hydraulic cylinder 213 has reached a set pressure, a pressure switch sends a signal to light signal 298 to activate light signal 298, such as through the flashing of a lightbulb in light signal 298, to notify the operator that the set pressure has been reached. Once such set pressure is reached, the operator ceases the longitudinal displacement of hydraulic cylinder 213-pusher block 140. The operator opens top door 170, and preferably unlocks top door 170. More preferably, top door 170 is hydraulically moved, with the hydraulic moving of top door 170 accomplished by hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179 on baling chamber 100 in fluid communication with a source of hydraulic oil on electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 and top door 170 is manually unlocked through operator manipulation of top door locking handle 192. More preferably, in a preferred embodiment, the operator is able to accomplish the opening of top door 270 by manipulating one or more control levers 253 positioned on a control valve 205 of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 which regulates flow of hydraulic oil to hydraulic cylinders 178 and 179.
The operator opens the baling chamber anterior door, preferably by manipulating handle 165 which causes anterior door closure device 161 to effect the disengagement of baling anterior front door from anterior front door frame 180. The operator then removes the compressed material from baling chamber 100, preferably by using the anterior movement of hydraulic cylinder 213-pusher block 140 to push compressed material out of baling chamber front door, more preferably by the operator manipulating one or more control levers 253 positioned on a control valve 205 of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 which regulates flow of hydraulic oil to hydraulic cylinder 213.
To end baling operations, the operator disestablishes the attachment points between cylinder frame 200 and baling chamber 100 and retracts hydraulic cylinder 213 out of the interior of baling chamber 100 by the longitudinal displacement of cylinder rod 216 in the posterior direction. In a preferred embodiment, the retraction of hydraulic cylinder 213 comprises the retraction of cylinder rod 216 out of the interior of baling chamber 100 and into the interior of cylinder casing 218 as a result of longitudinal displacement of cylinder rod 216 in the posterior direction resulting from the force of hydraulic oil on an anterior surface of cylinder rod 216, with such hydraulic oil preferably flowing from a source of hydraulic oil of electrical power/hydraulic system module 202 into cylinder casing 218 via one or more anterior cylinder hydraulic oil ports 219.
Modular baler 1 provides significant volume reduction of scrap waste metal and produces as a byproduct of operation a cube of compacted scrap waste metal. Preferably, modular baler 1 provides volume reduction of approximately 2:1 to approximately 6:1, with resulting byproduct preferably comprising compacted scrap waste metal cubes of approximately 10 inches to approximately 20 inches on its side.
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention.
