Earth working – Tool – standard or connection – Subsoilers
Patent
1991-12-02
1995-02-07
Reese, Randolph A.
Earth working
Tool, standard or connection
Subsoilers
A01B 1308
Patent
active
053868773
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to rippers for earthmoving equipment, and more particularly to a ripper using high voltage pulsed current to assist in the fracture of rock.
BACKGROUND ART
The need for efficient, cost effective, and reliable rock fracturing has gained priority, especially in mining operations. Typically, when a large rock or other especially hard material is found, conventional drill and blast methods using chemical explosives are used. These methods are not only potentially dangerous, but also time consuming.
Some earthmoving equipment, such as track type tractors come equipped with rippers. With conventional tractor/ripper arrangements, an operator will make at least two passes with the vehicle over the same ground area. During the first pass, the operator will engage the ripping apparatus. This is normally accomplished through actuation of a control lever within the operator's cab. As the ripper is pulled through the material, the material is fractured or broken up. This is an inefficient process, as most of the work is being done through the tip of the ripper. Consequently, the tip wears out at a fast rate and has to be replaced often. Furthermore, some material cannot be fractured or fragmented using conventional rippers.
One proposed solution is to use high voltage pulses through a pair of electrodes to fracture material. Most of these methods require that two electrodes be buried into the material to be fractured at a suitable depth. This frequency requires an additional drilling step to achieve that depth. Other pulsing methods require that the material to be fractured and the electrodes be immersed in water or other liquid.
The subject invention is directed at overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus to assist an earthmoving vehicle in the fracture of material is provided. The apparatus includes a ripping structure having at least one ripper and an electrode. The apparatus generates electrical energy and discharges the electrical energy into the material through the ripping structure.
In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus to assist an earthmoving vehicle in the fracture of material is provided. The apparatus includes a ripping structure having at least one ripper and an electrode. The apparatus heats the surface of the material and discharges electrical energy into the material through the ripping structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a stylized representation of an earthmoving vehicle, a trailer, and a ripping structure mounted to the trailer, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a stylized representation of an earthmoving vehicle and a ripping structure mounted to the vehicle, according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a stylized representation of the electrode of the ripping structure of FIGS. 1 and 2 having magnetic insulation, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3A is a stylized representation of a top view of a single ripper and electrode arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3B is a stylized representation of a top view of a dual ripper and single electrode arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3C is a stylized representation of a top view of a modular ripper and electrode arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electrical generating means having a power converting means, a rectifying means, an energy storing means, a protecting means, a switching means, and a controlling means, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic of the rectifying means of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6A is an electrical schematic of the energy storing means of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6B is an electrical schematic of the protecting means of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the switching means of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a stylized r
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Codina George G.
Grajales Liliana
Price Robert J.
Richards Thomas J.
Caterpillar Inc.
Novosad Christopher J.
Reese Randolph A.
Yee James R.
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