Stonecrusher with externally adjustable anvil ring

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6227472
  • Patent Number
    6,227,472
  • Date Filed
    Saturday, November 20, 1999
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 8, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
The present invention 10 discloses a device for crushing stone 12 having an externally adjustable anvil ring 22. The anvil ring 22 is contained within a drum 24 and has multiple lifts 26 mounted on hydraulic support members 32 which can be adjusted from a control panel 46 either manually 48 or automatically 50. The anvils 38 are spaced about the anvil zing 22 so that the faces 52 of the multiple anvils 38 are substantially perpendicular to the line of travel of the stones 12. The anvils 38 have anchors 64 for attachment to the anvil ring 22 whereby the worn anvils 38 can be easily inverted so as to prolong anvil life.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates generally to stonecrushers and, more specifically, to stonecrushers with an externally adjustable anvil ring that can be raised or lowered incrementally during operation to provide even wear on the anvils.




2. Description of the Prior Art




There are numerous stonecrushers which provide for the fragmentation of rocks. While these stonecrushers may be suitable for the purposes for which they where designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. It is thus desirable to provide a stonecrusher with an externally adjustable anvil ring that can be raised or lowered during operation to provide for even disintegration of the anvils caused by the impact of the stones being crushed. It is further desirable to provide a stonecrusher that utilizes the material being pulverized to protect components of the apparatus from the impact of the hurtling stones.




SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION




The present invention discloses a device for crushing stone having an externally adjustable anvil ring. The anvil ring is contained within a drum and has multiple lifts mounted on hydraulic support members which can be adjusted from a control panel either manually or automatically. The anvils are spaced about the anvil ring so that the face of the multiple anvils are perpendicular to the line of travel of the stones. The anvils have anchors for attachment to the anvil ring whereby the worn anvils can be easily inverted so as to prolong anvil life.




The present invention relates generally to stonecrushers and, more specifically, to a stonecrusher with an adjustable anvil ring which allows an operator to adjust the height of the anvil ring without having to disassemble the unit. This will permit the operator to make adjustments without shutting down operation.




A primary object of the present invention is to provide a stonecrusher with an externally adjustable anvil ring which will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a stonecrusher with an adjustable anvil ring that has anvils that are angled to directly receive the impact of the stones and increase the efficiency of the apparatus.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a stonecrusher with an adjustable anvil ring whereby the anvils are arranged to form a stepped cylinder with comers to accumulate stone fragments that will receive the impact of the shattering projectiles thereby reducing the wear of the anvil heads.




A still further object of the present invention is to provide a stonecrusher with an adjustable anvil ring that will contain a 90-degree lip at the end of each propulsion wall in the centrifugating head. Material will be forced against the lip and accumulate along the propulsion wall as the centrifugating head spins. The stone introduced into the head will then strike the accumulated material rather than wearing down the propulsion wall.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a stonecrusher with an adjustable anvil ring that can move the anvil ring at a pre-determined rate according to the amount of stone that has passed through or could be set by timer.




Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.




To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of the present invention in use. Stone is being dropped through the feeder tube into the rotating centrifugating head. The centrifugating head then propels the stone against the anvils in the anvil ring where fragmentation occurs resulting in smaller stone which drops through the bottom egress. The anvil ring is shown in hidden line inside the drum. The operator can raise the ring via the hydraulic lifts on the base. This can be done during operation instead of shutting down and disassembling the unit as in the prior art.





FIG. 2

is an illustrated view of the present invention in use, taken from

FIG. 1

as indicated, showing the path of the stone passing through the feeder tube and getting propelled from the centrifugating head into the anvils and shattering into smaller pieces.





FIG. 3

is a detailed sectional view, taken from

FIG. 2

as indicated, showing a stone being expelled from the centrifugating head and fragmenting upon impacting the anvil.





FIG. 4

is a detailed view, taken from

FIG. 2

as indicated, showing the anvil ring control panel consisting of a manual control and an automatic control that can be preset to raise and/or lower the anvil at variable rates depending on a timer or the volume of stone processed.





FIG. 5

is a sectional view of the present invention, taken from

FIG. 2

as indicated, showing the anvil ring without the anvils installed, set into the interior of the drum with four lifter arms extending to an exterior portion of the drum and affixed to hydraulic jacks.





FIG. 6

is a cross sectional view of the present invention, taken from

FIG. 2

as indicated, with all


20


anvils installed in the anvil ring. The anvil faces are situated at an angle that provides for the direct impact of the stone projectiles rather than the deflection characteristic of the centrally faced anvils found in the prior art.





FIG. 7

is a cross sectional view of the present invention, taken from

FIG. 2

as indicated, during the commencement of operation. The stone is dropped into the spinning centrifugating head where it is makes contact with one of the three propulsion walls. Centrifugal force then propels the stone along the propulsion wall until it is caught by a retainer lip at the end of the wall resulting in a build-up of material. The following stones will then roll over the accumulated material and be expelled toward the anvils with a force great enough to shatter the stones. For greater fragmentation of the stone being processed the operator would increase the rpm's of the centrifugating head. Some fragments will get jammed in the corners where the anvils meet resulting in an accumulation of material.





FIG. 8

is a cross sectional view of the present invention while fully operational. Material has accumulated on the propulsion wall in sufficient quantity to receive the impact of stones introduced into the centrifugal head before expelling them. Stone fragments have collected in the corners where the anvils meet partially covering the anvil heads to provide a surface for the stone projectiles to strike and thus reduce the wear on the anvils. Once the exposed anvil surface is thoroughly worm, the anvils can be removed and reinstalled in an inverted position thereby placing the worn section of the anvil face into a protected position.





FIG. 9

is a perspective view of an anvil removed from the anvil ring. The anchor portion is protruding from the anvil head and slides into the receiving groove of the anvil ring to lock into place prior to operation. The anvil is asymmetrical to allow a worn anvil to be inverted thus reversing the wear pattern on the anvil face and prolong longevity of the anvil.











LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS




With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.




















10 present invention







12 stone







14 conveyor belt







16 feeder tube







18 crushed stone







20 bottom egress







22 anvil ring







24 drum







26 lifts







28 base







30 means for attaching lifts







32 support members







34 support member base







36 means for connection







37 centrifugal head







38 anvil







40 drive shaft







42 smaller gear







44 larger gear







46 control panel







48 manual control







50 automatic control







52 anvil face







54 propulsion wall







56 direction arrow







58 retainer lip







60 material build up







61 following stone







62 corners of anvil







64 anvil anchor







66 anvil head







68 groove







70 power unit







72 cover for gear drive







74 apertures















DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)




In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

FIGS. 1 through 9

illustrate the present invention being a stone crusher with an externally adjustable anvil ring.




Turning to

FIG. 1

, shown therein


1


is a perspective view of the present invention


10


in use. Stone


12


is being dropped off conveyor belt


14


through the inlet feeder tube


16


into the rotating centrifugating head (not shown). The centrifugating head then propels the stone


12


against the anvils (not shown) in the anvil ring


22


where fragmentation occurs resulting in smaller crushed stone


18


which drops through the bottom outlet egress


20


. The anvil ring


22


is shown in hidden line inside the drum


24


. The operator can raise the ring


22


via the attached hydraulic lifts


26


attached to the base


28


, which pass through apertures


74


in the wall of drum


24


. This can be done during operation instead of shutting down and disassembling the unit as in the prior art. Rod-like lifts


26


have means


30


for connecting to vertically standing support members


32


which have a flanged base


34


having means


36


for connection to base


28


. A second conveyor belt


14


carries the crushed stone


18


away.




Turning to

FIG. 2

, shown therein is an illustrated view of the present invention


10


in use, taken from

FIG. 1

as indicated, showing the path of the stone


12


passing through the feeder tube


16


and getting propelled from the below situated generally horizontal centrifugating head


37


into the anvils


38


and shattering upon impact into smaller pieces


18


which fall by gravity onto a lower conveyor belt. Also shown is a rotatable drive shaft


40


connected to a power unit


70


, e.g., an internal combustion engine or diesel engine, having a smaller gear


42


connected to a larger gear


44


having a right angle orientation being a pair of bevel gears, said larger gear


44


driving a shaft


46


coupled to the head


37


. Other features previously disclosed are also shown. Gear drives


42


,


44


are protected by a cover


72


.




Turning to

FIG. 3

, shown therein is a detailed sectional view, taken from

FIG. 2

as indicated, showing a stone


18


being expelled from the centifugating head


37


and fragmenting upon impacting the anvil


38


. Other features previously disclosed are also shown.




Turning to

FIG. 4

, shown therein is a detailed view, taken from

FIG. 2

as indicated, showing the anvil ring control panel


46


consisting of a manual control


48


and an automatic control


50


that can be preset to adjust the height or raise and/or lower the anvil


22


at variable rates depending on a timer


52


or the volume of stone processed.




Turning to

FIG. 5

, shown therein is a sectional view of the present invention


10


, taken from

FIG. 2

as indicated, showing the anvil ring


22


with spaced apart receiving grooves


68


without the anvils installed, set into the interior of the drum


24


with four lifter arms


26


extending to an exterior periphery of the anvil ring


22


and affixed to hydraulic jacks or support members


32


. Other features previously disclosed are also shown. Multiple fasteners


76


attach arm


26


to supports


32


. Centifigal head


37


is also shown.




Turning to

FIG. 6

, shown therein is a cross sectional view of the present invention


10


, taken from

FIG. 2

as indicated, with all approximately


20


anvils


38


installed in the anvil ring


22


. The anvil faces


52


are situated at an angle that places the anvil face


52


substantially perpendicular to the line of travel of the stone projectiles rather than the deflection characteristic of the centrally faced anvils found in the prior art. Other features previously disclosed are also shown.




Turning to

FIG. 7

, shown therein is a cross sectional view of the present invention


10


, taken from

FIG. 2

as indicated, during the commencement of operation. The stone


12


is dropped into the spinning receiving means of the (see direction arrow


56


) centrifugating head


37


where it makes contact with one of the specially configured three propulsion walls


54


. Centrifugal force then propels the stone


12


along the propulsion wall


54


until it is caught by a retainer lip


58


at the end of the wall


54


resulting in a build-up of material


60


. The following stones


61


will then roll over the accumulated material


60


and be expelled toward the anvils


38


with a force great enough to shatter the stone


61


. For greater fragmentation of the stone being processed the operator would increase the rpm's of the centrifugating head


37


. Some fragments will get jammed in the corners


62


where the anvils


38


meet resulting in an accumulation of material. Other features previously disclosed are also shown.




Turning to

FIG. 8

, shown therein is a cross sectional view of the present invention


10


while fully operational. Material has accumulated on the propulsion wall


54


in sufficient quantity to receive the impact of stones


12


introduced into the centrifugal head


37


before expelling them. Stone fragments have collected in the corners


62


where the anvils


38


meet partially covering the anvil heads or faces


52


to provide a surface for the stone projectiles to strike and thus reduce the wear on the anvils


38


. Once the exposed anvil surface


52


is thoroughly worn, the anvils


38


can be removed and reinstalled in an inverted position thereby placing the worn section of the anvil face


52


into a protected position. The present invention


10


is designed so that about one-half of the anvil face


52


is covered by stone in the corners


62


so as to reduce wear on the anvil face


52


.




Turning to

FIG. 9

, shown therein is a perspective view of an anvil


38


removed from the anvil ring. The anchor portion


64


is protruding from the anvil head


66


and slides into the receiving groove


68


(not shown) of the anvil ring


22


(not shown) to lock into place prior to operation. The anvil


38


is symmetrical to allow a worn anvil to be inverted thus reversing the wear pattern on the anvil face


52


and prolong longevity of the anvil


38


. Anvil


38


has a front surface


52


, a rear surface opposite thereto, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of side surfaces, with front surface and rear surface being wider than the side surfaces being rectangular shaped. The means for anchoring


64


is a male-like protruding attachment member located on the back surface of the anvil


38


, the male-like members


64


having mating female members


68


on the anvil ring


22


.



Claims
  • 1. An apparatus for crushing stone, comprising:a) an inlet for the uncrushed stone through which said inlet the uncrushed stone falls by gravity; b) an outlet for the crushed stone through which said outlet the crushed stone falls by gravity; c) a centrifugating head, said head centrifugating in a generally horizontal plane, said head disposed beneath said inlet, said head having means for receiving stone therein, said head disposed above said outlet, said head having means for expelling stone therefrom; d) a plurality of anvils encircling said centrifugating head; e) an anvil ring for receiving said plurality of anvils in a spaced apart relationship, said anvil ring disposed so as to place said plurality of anvils in position to receive stone expelled from said centrifugating head; f) means for rotating said centrifugating head in generally horizontal plane; g) an outer drum for partially enclosing said anvil ring and said centrifugating head; h) a generally upstanding base upon which the apparatus is mounted; i) a first means for mounting said anvil ring onto said base and including means for adjusting height of said anvil ring whereby said height adjustment occurs while the apparatus is operating; and, j) a second means for mounting said drum onto said base.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1, said plurality of anvils being substantially rectangular in shape having a means for anchoring to said anvil ring.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 2, each said anvil defined by a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of side surfaces, said front surface and said rear surface being wider than said side surfaces, said means for anchoring further comprising a male-like protruding attachment member on said rear surface of said anvil, said male-like members having mating female members on said anvil ring.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said anvils can be inverted whereby anvil life is extended.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 3, said anvil ring having a plurality of female-like members for receiving said mating male-like members of said anvils.
  • 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said anvils are positioned on said anvil ring so that said front surface of said anvils are substantially perpendicular to the line of travel of the stone expelled from said centrifugating head.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 5, said anvils being about 20 in number.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 1, said means for adjusting height of said anvil ring further comprising a plurality of rod-like lifts attached to the external peripheral surface of said anvil ring.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising said drum having a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures for receiving said rod-like lifts, said lifts thereby passing through said apertures of said drum.
  • 10. The apparatus of claim 9, said first means for mounting said anvil ring onto said base further comprising said rod-like lifts.
  • 11. The apparatus of claim 10, said first means for connecting said anvil ring onto said base further comprises multiple hydraulic support members communicating between said rod-like lifts and said base.
  • 12. The apparatus of claim 1, said means for rotating said centrifugating head further comprising a pair of bevel gears, said bevel gears having a first shaft and a second shaft, said first and second shafts being generally perpendicular to each other, said first shaft connected to said centrifugating head, and said second shaft connected to a source of rotatable power.
  • 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said source of rotatable power is an internal combustion engine.
  • 14. The apparatus of claim 1, said centrifugating head having means for receiving stone therein, said means for receiving stone further comprising a plurality of vertical wall means disposed on the upper surface of said centrifugating head, said walls collecting the stone from said inlet and being configured, whereby said walls expel the stone from said centrifugating head toward said anvils.
  • 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting height is done manually.
  • 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting height is done automatically.
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number Name Date Kind
5533685 Heck Jul 1996
5806774 Vis Sep 1998
6070820 Young et al. Jun 2000