Solid material comminution or disintegration – Apparatus – Cooperating comminuting surfaces
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-14
2001-04-10
Husar, John M. (Department: 3725)
Solid material comminution or disintegration
Apparatus
Cooperating comminuting surfaces
C241S208000, C241S210000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213418
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of crushers used to crush aggregate or ore into smaller pieces. More specifically, the present invention relates to cone crushers which afford variation of the throw and speed of the crusher and a method for operating such crushers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
Crushers are used to crush larger aggregate and ore particles (e.g., rocks) into smaller particles. One particular type of crusher is known as a cone crusher. A typical cone crusher includes a frame supporting a crusher head and a mantle secured to the head. A bowl and bowl liner are supported by the frame so that an annular space is formed between the bowl liner and the mantle. In operation, larger particles are fed into the annular space between the bowl liner and the mantle. The head, and the mantle mounted on the head, gyrate about an axis, causing the annular space to vary between a minimum and a maximum distance. As the distance between the mantle and the bowl liner varies, the larger particles are impacted and compressed between the mantle and the bowl liner. Through a series of blows, the particles are crushed and reduced to the desired product size, and then discharged from between the mantle and the bowl liner.
The throw of the cone crusher is the difference of the maximum distance between the bowl liner and the mantle (the open side setting) and the minimum distance between the bowl liner and the mantle (the closed side setting). Typically, the throw of a cone crusher is set by the degree of eccentricity of the eccentric member which transforms the rotational motion of a drive member into the gyrating motion of the head and mantle. It is possible, however, to vary the throw of the cone crusher. To change the throw in such a typical cone crusher, an eccentric member with a different degree of eccentricity must be substituted for the original eccentric member.
2. Related Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,053, which issued to Ganser, IV, discloses a cone crusher with adjustable stroke. In this cone crusher, a stroke control assembly is adjustable to change the angular motion of the crusher head relative to the central crusher axis to change the stroke (or throw) of the crusher head with respect to the bowl assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One of the problems with existing cone crushers is that the adjustment of the throw (if possible) may require extensive down time. For example, a substitution of eccentric support members requires the disassembly of the cone crusher, removal of the original eccentric support member (and possibly other components), replacement of the new eccentric support member (and other components, if necessary), and re-assembly of the cone crusher. This substitution causes a loss in production time and a corresponding increase in the cost of production. In addition, an inventory of different eccentric support members must be kept on hand.
To overcome the problems associated with existing cone crushers, the present invention provides a variable throw eccentric cone crusher. More particularly, the present invention provides a cone crusher comprising a frame, a crusher head supported on the frame for gyrating motion about an axis, a bowl supported on the frame in spaced relation to the crusher head, and means supported on the frame for varying the eccentricity of the gyration of the crusher head.
The means for varying the eccentricity may include an eccentric member supporting the crusher head and being eccentrically pivotable about a second axis angularly offset from the first axis. Preferably, the eccentric member has an outer surface with a circular cross-section, and the outer surface is eccentric with respect to the second axis. The cone crusher may further comprise a second eccentric member defining the second axis and being eccentrically rotatable about the first axis.
Also, the means for varying the eccentricity may preferably include an inner eccentric member supported by the frame for eccentric rotation about the axis, and an outer eccentric member pivotably supported by the inner eccentric member for eccentric movement relative to and about the inner eccentric member. The outer eccentric member supports the crusher head and is pivotable relative to the first eccentric member to vary the eccentricity of the gyration of the crusher head.
Preferably, the outer surface of the inner eccentric member defines an inner eccentric member centerline, and the outer eccentric member is eccentrically pivotable about the inner eccentric member centerline. Also, the outer surface of the outer eccentric member defines an outer eccentric member centerline. The inner eccentric member centerline, the outer eccentric member centerline and the crusher axis extend through a fixed point, the virtual pivot point of the crusher head.
Further, the cone crusher preferably comprises a drive mechanism for rotatably driving the inner eccentric member and the outer eccentric member together to gyrate the crusher head. In addition, a fixed center support shaft preferably defines the crusher axis.
The cone crusher also preferably comprises a locking assembly operable to prevent relative rotation of the inner eccentric member and the outer eccentric member. The outer surface of the inner eccentric member and the inner surface of the outer eccentric member are preferably tapered so that a locking taper is formed therebetween to prevent relative rotation of the inner eccentric member and the outer eccentric member during crusher operation. The cone crusher also preferably comprises an indicator for indicating the pivoted position of the outer eccentric member relative to the inner eccentric member and, thereby, indicating the amount of throw. A lubrication system preferably provides lubricant between relatively moving surfaces of the cone crusher.
A method for maximizing the production capacity is also provided by the present invention. The method of operating the crusher permits optimization of crusher performance and product yield through recognition of the more significant variables that affect the performance of the crusher, and through recognition of the relationships between these factors. One aspect of the invention is the selection of a maximum power rating of the crusher drive and operation of the drive at 100% of the power rating. Another aspect of the invention is the isolation of power-related variables and product related variables which are present in crushing operations, and variation of speed and throw settings, i.e., crusher-related variables to optimize the resultant crusher operation and product yield.
Also, the present cone crusher is designed such that productivity is limited only by the selected horsepower applied to the crusher. Traditional cone crushers are designed such that either the crushing force or the volumetric capacity are reached before the maximum horsepower limit for the cone crusher is attained. This hierarchy of design criteria ensures that the cone crusher can be operated at the full power, and affords variation of the volumetric capacity to optimize thruput tonnage capacity.
One advantage of the present invention is that the throw of the cone crusher is infinitely adjustable between the maximum and the minimum amounts of throw. In this manner, the operation of the cone crusher can be optimized.
Another advantage of the present invention is that throw of the cone crusher is more easily adjustable.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the crusher head is better supported at each setting for throw because the eccentric members are moved rotationally rather than axially or angularly with respect to the central crusher axis.
A further advantage of the present invention is that adjustment of the throw of the cone crusher does not require extensive disassembly and re-assembly of the cone crusher. This reduces the down time of the cone crusher and the costs associated with operating the cone crusher.
Another advantage of the present invention is that additional eccentric support
Ambrose David W.
Gabriel Michael R.
Sawant Ulhas S.
Husar John M.
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
McDermott & Will & Emery
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