Power shovel and crowd system therefor

A power shovel comprising a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper;
• and means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for crowding said dipper;
• said crowding means including at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, said front end assembly correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement wherein said crowd system includes a mast pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to said body, a support link pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to said body and a crowd drive link pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to said mast and said support link;
• and wherein said working piston and cylinder assembly is pivotally connected at one end thereof to said body and pivotally connected at the opposite end thereof to one of said support link, crowd drive link and the pivotal connection between said support link and said crowd drive link.

A power shovel comprising a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper;
• and means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for crowding said dipper;
• said crowding means including at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, said front end assembly correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement, said power shovel including a second energy storing means and means responsive to a sudden decompression of fluid in said working cylinder and piston assembly for charging said second energy storing means.

A power shovel comprising a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper;
• and means mounted on said body said operatively connected to said front end assembly for crowding said dipper;
• said crowding means including at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, said front end assembly correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement wherein said crowd system includes a mast pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to said body longitudinally, forwardly of a vertical center line of said body, a pair of transversely spaced support links pivotally connected at lower ends thereof to said body longitudinally, rearwardly of said vertical center line, a pair of crowd drive links pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to said mast and said support links;
• and a pair of transversely spaced, fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assemblies pivotally connected at lower ends thereof to said body longitudinally, substantially at said vertical center line and pivotally connected at the opposite ends thereof to the pivotal connection between said support links and said crowd drive links.

A power shovel comprising a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper;
• and means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for crowding said dipper;
• said crowding means including at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, said front end assembly correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement wherein said means for selectively supply fluid under pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder of said working piston and cylinder assembly comprises a bi-directional, variable displacement pump and fluid supply lines operatively interconnecting said pump and opposite ends of said cylinder to provide a closed fluid circuit.

A power shovel comprising a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper;
• and means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for crowding said dipper;
• said crowding means including at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, said front end assembly correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement wherein said charging means includes means operatively connected to said actuating component of said front end assembly and a closed hydraulic circuit for transmitting a force from said connecting means to said energy storing means, said closed hydraulic circuit includes a cutoff valve disposed between said connecting means and said energy storing means, and said power shovel includes a first relief valve connected to said closed hydraulic circuit between said connecting means and said cutoff valve, adapted to open responsive to a predetermined pressure in said closed hydraulic circuit between said connecting means and said cutoff valve when said cutoff valve is closed, and a second relief valve connected to said closed hydraulic circuit between said energy storing means and said cutoff valve, adapted to open responsive to a predetermined pressure in said closed hydraulic circuit between said energy storing means and said cutoff valve, when said cutoff valve is closed.

A power shovel comprising a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper;
• and means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for crowding said dipper;
• said crowding means including at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, said front end assembly correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement wherein said fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly includes a cylinder, a fixed piston mounted in said cylinder and a movable piston mounted on said fixed piston within said cylinder providing a first variable volume chamber defined by said fixed and movable pistons, a second variable volume chamber defined by said movable piston and said cylinder and a third variable volume chamber defined by said movable and fixed pistons and said cylinder;
• said means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder communicating with said first and second variable volume chambers;
• and said charging means includes said movable piston, operatively connected to said actuating component of said front end assembly and a closed hydraulic circuit intercommunicating said third chamber and said energy storing means.

A crowd system for a power shovel having a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• and means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper, comprising at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder of said assembly, said front end system correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement, said crowd system including a mast pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to said body and a connecting link pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to said mast and said front end assembly;
• and wherein said working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnects said body and said mast.

A crowd system for a power shovel having a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• and means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper, comprising at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder of said assembly, said front end system correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement, said crowd system including a mast pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to said body, a support link pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to said body and a crowd drive link pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to said mast and said support link;
• and wherein said working piston and cylinder assembly is pivotally connected at one end thereof to said body and pivotally connected at the opposite end thereof to one of said support link, crowd drive link and the pivotal connection between said support link and said crowd drive link.

A crowd system for a power shovel having a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• and means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper, comprising at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder of said assembly, said front end system correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement, said crowd system including a mast pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to said body longitudinally, forwardly of a vertical center line of said body, a pair of transversely spaced support links pivotally connected at lower ends thereof to said body longitudinally, rearwardly of said vertical center line, a pair of crowd drive links pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to said mast and said support links;
• and a pair of transversely spaced, fluid actuated working piston and cylinder assemblies pivotally connected at lower ends thereof to said body longitudinally, substantially at said vertical center line and pivotally connected at the opposite ends thereof to the pivotal connection between said support links and said crowd drive links.

A crowd system for a power shovel having a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• and means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper, comprising at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder of said assembly, said front end system correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement, wherein said means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder of said working piston and cylinder assembly comprises a bi-directional, variable displacement pump and fluid supply lines operatively interconnecting said pump and opposite ends of said cylinder to provide a closed fluid circuit.

A crowd system for a power shovel having a body;

• a front end assembly mounted on said body including a stiffleg pivotally connected to said body, a dipper handle operatively connected to said stiffleg and a dipper operatively connected to said dipper handle;
• and means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said front end assembly for hoisting said dipper, comprising at least one fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly operatively interconnecting said body and said front end assembly whereupon selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder of said assembly, said front end system correspondingly will be caused to be lowered or raised, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, and an energy regeneration system including an energy storing means and means actuated by a predetermined movement of at least one component of said front end assembly for charging said energy storing means, said energy storing means providing in the charged condition a force applicable to a component of said front end assembly for biasing said component toward a predetermined movement wherein said fluid actuated, working piston and cylinder assembly includes a cylinder, a fixed piston mounted in said cylinder providing a first variable volume chamber defined by said fixed and movable pistons, a second variable volume chamber defined by said movable piston and said cylinder and a third variable volume chamber defined by said movable and fixed pistons and said cylinder;
• said means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder communicating with said first and second variable volume chambers;
• and said charging means includes said movable piston, operatively connected to said actuating component of said front end assembly and a closed hydraulic circuit intercommunicating said third chamber and said energy storing means.