Road structure – process – or apparatus – Apparatus – Rotating drum – roller or tire
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-03
2001-04-17
Bagnell, David (Department: 3673)
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Apparatus
Rotating drum, roller or tire
C404S124000, C404S122000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217255
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a compacting machine, and more particularly to a cleaner module for a compacting machine and an associated method of operating a compacting machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Work machines, such as compacting machines, are utilized to compact material disposed in a land fill. Compacting such material decreases its volume and thus increases the amount of disposed material the land fill is capable of accepting.
Compacting machines typically include compaction wheels having a plurality of compaction tips secured to each compaction wheel. Each compaction tip is spaced apart from the adjacent compaction tip such that a space is defined therebetween. During use, the compacting machine is driven over the surface of the land fill such that the compaction tips engage and compact the material contained within the land fill.
However, a problem with the above described arrangement is that the space defined between each adjacent pair of compaction tips tends to collect material as the compacting machine is driven over the land fill. Collecting material in this space tends to decrease the compactive pressure of the compacting machine. In addition, collecting material in this space tends to cause the compaction wheels of the compacting machine to slip and loose traction.
In an attempt to address the above described problem some compacting machines are equipped with cleaner rods. The cleaner rods are attached to the compacting machine such that the cleaner rods are permanently positioned within the space defined between each adjacent pair of compaction tips. Each cleaner rod operates to dislodge material collected within the space as the compacting machine is driven over the surface of the land fill.
However, having cleaner rods permanently positioned within the space defined between each adjacent pair of compaction tips also has disadvantages. For example, when the compacting machine is driven forward, the direction of rotation of the compaction wheel relative to the cleaner rods is such that the cleaner rods effectively dislodge material from the space so that the material falls to the ground. However, when the compacting machine is driven in reverse, the direction of rotation of the compaction wheel relative to the cleaner rods is such that the material dislodged from the space accumulates on top of the cleaner rods. Having the material accumulate on top of the cleaner rods can cause maintenance problems. For instance, having the material accumulate on top of the cleaner rods increases the probability that some of the material may become wrapped around an axle of the compacting machine. Having the material wrapped around the axle inhibits the rotation of the compaction wheel. In addition, the wrapped material can eventually destroy the compaction wheel by constantly rubbing against a side structure thereof. Furthermore, having the material accumulate on top of the cleaner rods increases the probability that some of the material may bridge between the cleaner rods. Having the material bridged in the aforementioned manner causes excessive mechanical loads to be imparted to the cleaner rods as the compaction wheel rotates. These excessive mechanical loads can eventually cause the cleaner rods to fail structurally and become detached from the compacting machine.
What is needed therefore is a cleaner module for a compacting machine and an associated method of operating a compacting machine which overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cleaner module adapted for use on a compacting machine having (i) a compaction wheel and (ii) a pair of compaction tips secured to a peripheral surface of the compaction wheel such that the pair of compaction tips are spaced apart from each other so as to define a wheel space interposed therebetween. The cleaner module includes a cleaner rod having a cleaning end. The cleaner module also includes a first bearing member which supports the cleaner rod. The cleaner module further includes an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the cleaner rod for positioning the cleaner rod between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein (i) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D
1
from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the extended position, (ii) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D
2
from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the retracted position, and (iii) the distance D
2
is greater than the distance D
1
.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a compacting machine. The compacting machine includes a frame and a compaction wheel rotatably secured to the frame. The compaction machine also includes a first compaction tip secured to a peripheral surface of the compaction wheel. The compacting machine further includes a second compaction tip secured to the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel such that the second compaction tip is spaced apart from the first compaction tip so as to define a wheel space interposed therebetween. The compacting machine also includes a cleaner module attached to the frame. The cleaner module includes (i) a cleaner rod having a cleaning end, (ii) a first bearing member which supports the cleaner rod, and (iii) an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the cleaner rod for positioning the cleaner rod between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein (i) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D
1
from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the extended position, (ii) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D
2
from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the retracted position, and (iii) the distance D
2
is greater than the distance D
1
.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a compacting machine having (i) a compaction wheel, (ii) a first compaction tip secured to a peripheral surface of the compaction wheel, and (iii) a second compaction tip secured to the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel such that the second compaction tip is spaced apart from the first compaction tip so as to define a wheel space interposed therebetween. The method includes the step of providing a cleaner module attached to the compacting machine. The cleaner module having (i) a cleaner rod having a cleaning end, (ii) a first bearing member which supports the cleaner rod, and (iii) an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the cleaner rod for positioning the cleaner rod between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein (i) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D
1
from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the extended position, (ii) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D
2
from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the retracted position, and (iii) the distance D
2
is greater than the distance D
1
. The method also includes the step of operating the compacting machine for a first time period with the cleaner rod located in the extended position. The method further includes the step of locating the cleaner bar in the retracted position. The method also includes the step of operating the compacting machine for a second time period with the cleaner rod located in the retracted position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1942655 (1934-01-01), McCormick et al.
patent: 2108291 (1938-02-01), McNally
patent: 3085484 (1963-04-01), McAdams et al.
patent: 3633471 (1972-01-01), Randour
patent: 3802339 (1974-04-01), Andersson et al.
patent: 3875666 (1975-04-01), Cline
patent: 4040762 (1977-08-01), Nilsson
patent: 4348134 (1982-09-01), Goehle
Halvorsen Daryl
Knell Harvey
Ohlrogge Gary
Addie Raymond W
Bagnell David
Caterpillar Inc.
Maginot Addison & Moore
Meyers Liza J.
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