Compression coupling means for a raise boring head
AssigneeIngersoll-Rand Company
InventorCharles R. Dively
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In the embodiment shown, the coupling means comprises an annular wedge which is insertable between the stem and the cutterhead of a raise borer, the wedge being bolted to the cutterhead to effect contact pressure in order that rotary torque will be transmitted from the stem to the cutterhead. A thrust plate is secured to the lower end of the stem in engagement with a lowermost surface of the cutterhead. In addition, a friction locking assembly is used on an underlying or protected portion of the cutterhead to center and locate the stem relative thereto.
Claims8
Compression coupling means for replaceably coupling a raise borer drive stem to a raise borer cutterhead, comprising:
- a plurality of first means for mutually and interpositionally engaging both a cutterhead element, and a drive stem element therefor, for effecting locking or clamping contact pressure therebetween at a plurality of locations spaced-apart lengthwise of a drive stem element;
- and
- second means for replaceably fastening one of said first means to at least one of said elements;
- wherein
- said one first means comprises a plurality of wedge sectors for effecting an interference fit between a cutterhead element and a drive stem element therefor;
- and
- said sectors are cooperative together to define a complete annulus for enveloping a portion of a drive stem element;
- each of said sectors defines a quadrant of said annulus;
- said sectors each having a first arcuate inner surface and a second arcuate outer surface for engaging a drive stem and a cutterhead, respectively;
- one of said inner and outer surfaces has a plurality of grooves formed therein to receive fasteners;
- and
- each of said grooves is interrupted by a channel formed in said one surface transverse of said grooves.
Wedge means for mutually and interpositionally engaging both a raise borer drive stem element and a raise borer cutterhead element, for effecting locking or clamping contact pressure therebetween, comprising:
- a wedge;
- said wedge defining an annulus having a first inner surface and a second outer surface for engaging a drive stem element and a cutterhead element, respectively;
- wherein
- one of said surfaces has a plurality of recesses formed therein in which to receive fasteners, in order to fasten said wedge to at least one of said elements;
- said recesses are formed as elongate grooves;
- each of said grooves is interrupted by a channel formed in said one surface transverse of said grooves;
- said channel is formed fully circmferentially in said second, outer surface of said wedge;
- said channel defines of said wedge a wedging portion to one side of said channel and an annular flange portion to the other side thereof;
- said wedging and flange portions have given radii;
- and
- said flange porton has a maximum radius which is less than a maximum radius of said wedging portion, whereby said flange portion is maintained in a spaced-apart relationship from a most adjacent or most proximate surface of a cutterhead upon the latter and said wedge being wedgingly forced into mutual engagement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.