Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Wheel making
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-07
2001-06-19
Echols, P. W. (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Wheel making
C029S273000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247233
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a wheel assembly for a ground-driven work machine, such as a dump truck or the like, and a method for assembling such a wheel assembly.
BACKGROUND ART
Large earth working machines, such as mining dump trucks for example, typically have at least a pair of driven wheels which are rotatably mounted upon corresponding axle housings or spindles. Each wheel is driven through a final drive reduction gear train, which is typically a double-reduction planetary arrangement, drivingly connected with a cylindrical final drive adapter that partially surround the final drive ring gear. The final drive adapter connects planetary arrangement with the wheel and may be either a separate component fastened between the planet carrier of the planetary arrangement and the wheel or may be an integral portion of the planet carrier itself. The adapter is secured to the outboard end of the wheel, and a drive axle extending through the axle housing drives the final drive adapter, and thereby the wheel, via the final drive reduction gear train. Power to drive such earth working machines is typically provided by an internal combustion engine which drives the aforementioned drive axles either through a mechanical transmission and differential arrangement or through generation of electrical power to operate electric motors coupled with the drive axles.
It is common for each wheel to carry two rims with ground-engaging tires mounted thereto, namely an inboard rim and an outboard rim. Prior known configurations are typically assembled by sliding the inboard rim over the final drive adapter and along the wheel to a rim-mounting flange projecting radially from the wheel to which the inboard wheel is fastened. An outboard rim adapter, which comprises a one-piece ring, is then slid over the final drive adapter from the outboard end thereof and fastened thereto to provide a radially-projecting outboard rim-mounting flange. The outboard rim is then slid over the final drive adapter and fastened to the outboard rim-mounting flange. Alternatively, the adapter ring may be first fastened to the outboard rim, and the rim/adapter ring combination can then be slid over the final drive adapter and fastened thereto.
Wheel and rim configurations as described above are found, for example, on Model 793C mining trucks sold by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill., and on GDY85C AC motorized wheels manufactured by GE Transportation Systems, such wheels being found on Model 930E mining trucks sold by Komatsu Haulpak, Peoria, Ill.
Although the known wheel arrangement described above is satisfactory for current machine configurations, larger machines with larger payloads are considered desirable to achieve better hauling efficiency. As machines increase in size to accommodate larger payloads, the need for more robust drive train components is paramount, which typically means the use of larger components. For example, it is desirable in trucks which use a planetary final drive to utilize as large a ring gear as reasonably possible to reduce stress on the drive train and increase component life. However, prior art constructions limit the size of the final drive ring gear because the final drive housing must be small enough for the inboard rim to slide over the final drive adapter, which partially surround the final drive ring gear and for a one-piece rim adapter ring to be fitted around the final drive adapter from the outboard end thereof as described above.
In addition, because the outboard rim in known constructions is fastened to an adapter ring mounted to the outboard end of the final drive adapter, such known constructions require removal of the outboard rim prior to removal of the final drive ring gear for repair or replacement. As a result, it is necessary to raise the outboard tire from the ground and support the machine with jacks or the like in order to remove the outboard rim and service the final drive.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems described above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of this invention, a wheel assembly for a work machine comprises a rotatable wheel having at least one radially-outwardly projecting flange. A first rim is mounted to the wheel for rotation therewith at a location spaced from the at least one flange. Plural flange segments are fastened to the at least one wheel flange to form a segmented radially-outwardly projecting rim-mounting flange. A second rim is mounted to the wheel for rotation therewith, the second rim having a radially-inwardly projecting flange fastened to the segmented rim-mounting flange.
In another aspect of this invention, a wheel drive assembly for use in a ground-driven work machine comprises a rotatably-fixed axle housing and a rotatable drive axle extending through the axle housing. A wheel assembly as described above is mounted for rotation about the axle housing and drivingly connected with the drive axle.
In still another aspect of this invention, a work machine adapted to be propelled across ground comprises a frame, a drive power supply mounted to the frame, and at least one wheel drive assembly as described above mounted to the frame. The drive axle of the at least one wheel drive assembly is rotatably driven by the drive power system.
In another aspect of this invention, a wheel and reduction gear assembly for use in a ground-driven work machine comprises a rotatable wheel having inboard and outboard ends, a reduction gear assembly, and a generally cylindrical reduction gear adapter drivingly connected between the reduction gear assembly and the outboard end of the wheel for rotation therewith. Inboard and outboard rims are mounted to the wheel for rotation therewith. Each of the rims has a radially-inwardly projecting mounting flange fastened to the wheel, each of the mounting flanges having an inside diameter. The outside diameter of the reduction gear adapter is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the mounting flange of the inboard rim.
In a further aspect, a wheel and reduction gear assembly for use in a ground-driven work machine comprises a rotatable wheel having inboard and outboard ends, a reduction gear assembly, and a generally cylindrical reduction gear adapter drivingly connected between the reduction gear assembly and the outboard end of the wheel for rotation therewith. An inboard rim is mounted to the wheel for rotation therewith, and a rim mounting ring is fastened to the wheel for rotation therewith at a location spaced from the inboard rim. An outboard rim is mounted to the rim mounting ring. The rim mounting ring is fastened to the wheel at a location inboard of the reduction gear adapter such that the reduction gear assembly is removable from the wheel without removal of the rim mounting ring or the outboard rim from the wheel.
In yet another aspect of this invention, a method for assembling a wheel drive assembly for a ground-driven work machine is provided. A wheel having at least one radially-outwardly projecting flange is mounted on the axle housing for rotation about the housing. A first rim is mounted to the wheel for rotation therewith. Plural flange segments are secured to the at least one wheel flange to form a segmented rim-mounting flange on the wheel. A second rim is mounted to the wheel for rotation therewith, the second wheel being fastened to the segmented rim-mounting flange.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
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AR—Drawing showing wheel assembly for Caterpillar Model 793B and 793C mining tr
Hinton David R.
Morr Eric A.
Suelflow Thomas J.
Caterpillar Inc.
Cheek John J.
Derry Thomas L.
Echols P. W.
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