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US 4,903,471 AGranted
Shaking method and apparatus for moving masses between balanced and unbalanced positions while rotating
AssigneeFMC Corporation
InventorPhilip R. Bunnelle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable force tree shaker is disclosed which includes a non-rotatable housing having a two-piece shaft journaled therein. A fixed weight is rigidly connected to the shaft and an adjustable weight is pivotally connected to the shaft. At least one hydraulic cylinder is formed in the fixed weight and receives a piston which is connected to the adjustable weight by a piston rod. While the shaft is driven, an hydraulic controller directs hydraulic fluid into said at least one piston which moves the adjustable weight between a balanced position diametrically opposed to the fixed weight providing no shaking forces to the shaft, and a plurality of unbalanced positions imparting shaking forces of different intensities to the shaft.
Claims24
A variable force shaking head comprising:
- means for rotating an eccentrically weighted member about the axis of a shaft;
- means for supporting an adjustable weight on said shaft for pivotal movement about the axis of said shaft;
- means defining at least one hydraulic cylinder in said eccentrically weighted member;
- means defining a piston in said cylinder and having a connecting rod connected to said adjustable weight;
- and
- controllable hydraulic power means for directing fluid into said cylinder for controllably moving said adjustable weight about said axis between a position in balance with said eccentrically weighted member for precluding shaking of said shaking head while rotating, and to any one of a plurality of positions out of balance with said eccentrically weighted member for causing said shaking head to shake about said axis when rotating.
3 more elements
A variable force shaking head comprising:
- means for rotating an eccentrically weighted member about the axis of a shaft;
- means for supporting an adjustable weight on said member;
- means defining at least one hydraulic cylinder in said eccentrically weighted member;
- means defining a piston in said cylinder and having a connecting rod connected to said adjustable weight;
- and
- controllable hydraulic power means for directing fluid into said cylinder for controllably moving said adjustable weight about said axis between a position in balance with said eccentrically weighted member for precluding shaking of said shaking head while rotating, and to any one of a plurality of positions out of balance with said eccentrically weighted member for causing said shaking head to shake about said axis when rotating, wherein a pair of hydraulic cylinders and pistons are provided in said eccentrically weighted member, and wherein said controllable hydraulic power means may be controlled to hydraulically lock said movable weight in any one of a plurality of positions relative to said eccentrically weighted member while said member is rotating.
3 more elements
A variable force shaking head comprising:
- means for rotating an eccentrically weighted member about the axis of a shaft;
- means for supporting an adjustable weight on said member;
- means defining at least one hydraulic cylinder in said eccentrically weighted member;
- means defining a piston in said cylinder and having a connecting rod connected to said adjustable weight;
- controllable hydraulic power means for directing fluid into said cylinder for controllably moving said adjustable weight about said axis between a position in balance with said eccentrically weighted member for precluding shaking of said shaking head while rotating, and to any one of a plurality of positions out of balance with said eccentrically weighted member for causing said shaking head to shake about said axis when rotating;
- a non-rotatable housing surrounding said eccentrically weighted member and said adjustable weight;
- and
- an elongated sleeve connected to said piston, and wherein a major portion of said connecting rod is disposed within said sleeve for minimizing the diameter of said eccentrically weighted member and said adjustable weight.
5 more elements
A variable force shaking head comprising:
- means for rotating an eccentrically weighted member about the axis of a shaft;
- means for supporting an adjustable weight on said member;
- means defining at least one hydraulic cylinder in said eccentrically weighted member;
- means defining a piston in said cylinder and having a connecting rod connected to said adjustable weight;
- controllable hydraulic power means for directing fluid into said cylinder for controllably moving said adjustable weight about said axis between a position in balance with said eccentrically weighted member for precluding shaking of said shaking head while rotating, and to any one of a plurality of positions out of balance with said eccentrically weighted member for causing said shaking head to shake about said axis when rotating, said at least one hydraulic cylinder being a single acting hydraulic cylinder which includes a cylinder head;
- and
- a spring disposed between said cylinder head and said adjustable weight for moving said adjustable weight from said imbalance position to said balanced position.
4 more elements
A variable force shaking head comprising:
- means defining a non-rotatable housing;
- means defining a rotatable shaft rotatable about an axis and journaled in said housing;
- means defining a fixed weight eccentrically secured to said shaft and having at least one cylinder therein:
- means defining a piston in said at least one cylinder;
- means defining ann adjustable weight pivotally supported on said shaft and operatively connected to said piston for movement about said axis between a position in balance with said fixed weight for providing shake free rotation of said shaking head, and a plurality of unbalanced positions for providing a plurality of shaking forces of different magnitude while the shake is driven;
- means defining flow passages in said housing means, said shaft means and said fixed weight for establishing flow communication in both directions from said non-rotatable housing means to at least one end of said at least one cylinder means;
- and
- hydraulic power means for controllably and selectively directing hydraulic fluid into said at least one cylinder means while said shaft is rotating for moving said movable weight between a balanced position for providing shake free rotation of the shaking head, and a plurality of shaking forces of different magnitude while the shaking head is being driven.
5 more elements
A variable force shaking head comprising:
- means defining a non-rotatable housing;
- means defining a rotatable shaft journaled in said housing;
- means defining a fixed weight secured to said shaft and having at least one cylinder therein;
- means defining a piston in said at least one cylinder;
- means defining an adjustable weight pivotally supported on said shaft and operatively connected to said piston for movement between a position in balance with said fixed weight for providing shake free rotation of the shaking head, and a plurality of unbalanced positions for providing a plurality of shaking forces of different magnitude while the shaft is driven;
- means defining flow passages in said housing means, said shaft means and said fixed weight for establishing flow communication in both directions from said non-rotatable housing means to at least one end of said at least one cylinder means;
- and
- hydraulic power means for controllable and selectively directing hydraulic fluid into said at least one cylinder means while said shaft is rotating for moving said movable weight between said balanced position for providing shake free rotation of the shaking head, and a plurality of imbalanced positions for providing a plurality of shaking forces of different magnitude while the shaking head is being driven, wherein two cylinders are provided in said fixed weight means and pistons are provided in each cylinder with each piston being operatively connected to said adjustable weight.
5 more elements
A variable force shaking head comprising:
- means defining a non-rotatable housing;
- means defining a rotatable shaft journaled in said housing;
- means defining a fixed weight secured to said shaft and having at least one cylinder therein;
- means defining a piston in said at least one cylinder, said at least one cylinder being a single cylinder including a cylinder head in said fixed weight;
- means defining an adjustable weight pivotally supported on said shaft and operatively connected to said piston for movement between a position in balance with said fixed weight for providing shake free rotation of the shaking head, and a plurality of unbalanced positions for providing a plurality of shaking forces of different magnitude while the shaft is driven;
- means defining flow passages in said housing means, said shaft means and said fixed weight for establishing flow communication in both directions from said non-rotatable housing means to at least one end of said at least one cylinder means;
- hydraulic power means for controllably and selectively directing hydraulic fluid into said at least one cylinder means while said shaft is rotating for moving said movable weight between said balanced position for providing shake free rotation of said shaking head, and a plurality of imbalanced positions for providing a plurality of shaking forces of different magnitude while the shaking head is being driven;
- wherein a single cylinder having a cylinder head is provided in said fixed weight, and additionally comprising a spring connected between said cylinder head and said adjustable weight for moving said adjustable weight from an imbalanced position to a balanced position.
5 more elements
A variable force shaker head comprising:
- means defining a non-rotatable housing;
- means defining a rotatable shaft journaled in said housing and having an axis;
- means defining a fixed weight rigidly secured to said shaft and having at least one double acting cylinder therein;
- means defining a piston in said at least one cylinder;
- means defining an adjustable weight pivotally supported on said shaft and operatively connected to said piston for movement between a position in balance with said fixed weight for providing shake free rotation of said head, and a plurality of imbalanced positions for providing a plurality of shaking forces of different magnitude while the shaft is driven;
- means defining flow passages in said housing means, said shaft means and said fixed weight for establishing flow communication in both directions from said non-rotatable housing means to opposite ends of said at least one cylinder means;
- and
- hydraulic power means for controllably and selectively directing hydraulic fluid into said at least one cylinder means while said shaft is rotating for moving said movable weight between said balanced position for providing shaker free rotation of the shaking head, and a plurality of imbalanced positions for providing a plurality of shaking forces of different magnitude while the shaker is being driven.
5 more elements
A variable force shaking head:
- means for rotating an eccentrically weighted member about the axis of a shaft;
- means for supporting an adjustable weight on said member;
- means defining at least one hydraulic cylinder in said eccentrically weighted member;
- means defining a piston in said cylinder and having a connecting rod connected to said adjustable weight;
- and
- controllable hydraulic power means for directing fluid into said cylinder for controllably moving said adjustable weight about said axis between a position in balance with said eccentrically weighted member for precluding shaking of said shaking head while rotating, and to any one of a plurality of positions out of balance with said eccentrically weighted member for causing said shaking head to shake about said axis when rotating;
- said connecting rod including frusto-conical surfaces on both ends thereof for providing multi-directional connections between said at least one piston means and said adjustable weight.
4 more elements
A variable force shaker head comprising:
- means defining a non-rotatable housing;
- means defining a rotatable shaft journaled in said housing;
- means defining a fixed weight secured to said shaft and having at least one cylinder therein;
- means defining a piston in said at least one cylinder having a connecting rod;
- means defining an adjustable weight pivotally supported on said shaft and operatively connected to said piston for movement between a position imbalance with said fixed weight for providing shake free rotation of the shaking head, and a plurality of unbalanced positions for providing a plurality of shaking forces of different magnitude while the shaft is driven;
- means defining flow passages in said housing means, said shaft means and said fixed weight for establishing flow communication in both directions from said non-rotatable housing means to at least one end of said at least one cylinder means;
- and
- hydraulic power means for controllably and selectively directing hydraulic fluid into said at least one cylinder means while said shaft is rotating for moving said movable weight between said balanced position for providing shake free rotation of the shaking head, and a plurality of imbalanced positions for providing a plurality of shaking forces of different magnitude while the shaker is being driven;
- wherein said connecting rod includes frusto-spherical surfaces on both ends thereof for providing multi-directional connections between said at least one piston means and said adjustable weight.
6 more elements
A variable force shaking method which comprises steps of:
- rotating an eccentrically weighted member secured to a shaft about the axis of the shaft with the eccentrically weighted member having at least one piston and cylinder therein;
- pivotally supporting an adjustable weight on the shaft;
- connecting the piston to said adjustable weight and
- selectively directing hydraulic fluid into said at least one cylinder for pivoting the adjustable weight about said axis between a position in balance with the eccentrically weighted member for precluding shaking about said axis when the shaft is rotating, and a plurality of selected imbalanced positions about said axis for imparting shaking forces of different intensities to said shaft.
1 more element
A variable force shaking method which comprises the steps of:
- rotating an eccentrically weighted member secured to a shaft about the axis of the shaft with the eccentrically weighted member having at least one piston and cylinder therein;
- pivotally supporting an adjustable weight on the shaft;
- connecting the piston to said adjustable weight;
- and
- selectively directing hydraulic fluid into said cylinder for moving the adjustable weight between a position in balance with the eccentrically weighted member for precluding shaking about said axis when the shaft is rotating, and a plurality of selected imbalanced position about said axis for imparting shaking forces of different intensities to the shaft, said at least one piston and cylinder including two pistons and cylinders.
2 more elements
A variable force shaking method which comprises the steps of:
- rotating an eccentrically weighted member secured to a shaft about the axis of the shaft with the eccentrically weighted member having a single piston and a single acting cylinder therein;
- pivotally supporting an adjustable weight on the shaft for pivotal movement about said axis;
- connecting the single piston to said adjustable weight;
- and
- directing hydraulic fluid into said cylinder for pivoting the adjustable weight from an in balance position with the eccentrically weighted member which precludes shaking about said axis when the shaft is rotating to one of a plurality of imbalanced positions;
- and
- releasing the hydraulic fluid from said cylinder while the shaft is rotating from returning the adjustable weight to a position in balance with the eccentrically weighted member.
4 more elements
A variable force shaking method which comprises the steps of:
- rotating an eccentrically weighted member secured to a shaft about the axis of the shaft with the eccentrically weighted member having a single piston and a single acting cylinder therein;
- pivotally supporting an adjustable weight on the shaft;
- connecting the piston to said adjustable weight;
- directing hydraulic fluid into said cylinder for moving the adjustable weight from an imbalanced position with the eccentrically weighted member which precludes shaking about said axis when the shaft is rotating to one of a plurality of imbalanced positions;
- releasing the hydraulic fluid from said cylinder while said shaft is rotating for returning the adjustable weight to a position in balance with the eccentrically weighted member;
- and
- applying a resilient force between the eccentrically weighted member and the adjustable weight for returning the adjustable weight to said in balanced position when the hydraulic fluid is released from said cylinder.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.