Wing shroud

Abstract

A wing shroud (200) has a body (215) including a side portion (220) having a side inner surface (235), a side abutment surface (240), a side outer surface (245), and a side rear surface (315), a floor portion (225) having a floor upper surface (250), a floor lower surface (355), a floor front surface (255), a floor outer surface (295), and a floor rear surface (320), and an attachment recess (350) defined by a plurality of inward facing surfaces on the side portion and the floor portion. The body also has a leading edge (230) extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the floor front surface, the floor upper surface, and the floor outer surface, and includes an upper end (265), a transition portion (270), a lower curved portion (275), and a lower end (280).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to replaceable wear parts and, more particularly, to replaceable wing shrouds for protecting the leading and side edges of a work implement, such as a bucket used on an electric rope shovel. Background Art

[0002] A ground engaging tool (GET), such as a bucket, is mounted to a machine and used to dig and move material, such as sand, gravel, stone, soil, or debris. Over time, as the GET engages with the material, accelerated wear may occur on the GET, and thus, the life of the GET is shortened. Replacing the GET is expensive due to the expense of a new GET, downtime during replacement, and the effort and expense associated with the replacement process. In order to extend the life of the GET and reduce the expenses associated with replacing the GET, wear members, protectors, adapters, or shields are attached to the edges of the GET. These wear members are easier to replace than the entire GET, and the overall life of the GET and bucket can be extended due to replacement of the shield or protector.

[0003] Wing shrouds are those used on the wings or corners of a GET. Wing shrouds may suffer from uneven wear, with relatively more wear at specific locations on the shroud, also known as sun spots. For example, the wing shrouds described in U.S. Patent No. 9,995,022 may suffer from uneven wear. The '022 patent describes sidewalls and abutting surfaces of the wing shrouds that provide ease and efficiency in installing and removing the wing shrouds from the GET. However, such wing shrouds may experience the above-mentioned uneven wear.

[0004] The wing shrouds of the present disclosure may address one or more of the above problems and / or other problems in the art. However, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and is not limited by the ability to solve any particular problem. Summary of the invention

[0005] In one aspect, a wing shield has a main body, which includes a side portion having a side inner surface, a side adjacent surface, a side outer surface and a side rear surface, a bottom plate portion having a bottom plate upper surface, a bottom plate lower surface, a bottom plate front surface, a bottom plate outer surface and a bottom plate rear surface, an attachment recess defined by multiple inward surfaces on the side portion and the bottom plate portion, and a leading edge extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the bottom plate front surface, the bottom plate upper surface and the bottom plate outer surface, the leading edge having an upper end centered relative to an axis between the side inner surface and the side outer surface, a transition portion extending from the upper end away from the axis, and a lower curved portion extending from the transition portion to a lower end.

[0006] On the other hand, a wing shield has a main body, which includes a side portion having a side inner surface, a side adjacent surface, a side outer surface and a side rear surface, a bottom plate portion having a bottom plate upper surface, a bottom plate lower surface, a bottom plate front surface, a bottom plate outer surface and a bottom plate rear surface, an attachment recess defined by multiple inward surfaces on the side portion and the bottom plate portion, and a leading edge extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the bottom plate front surface, the bottom plate upper surface and the bottom plate outer surface, the leading edge having an upper end centered along an axis between the side inner surface and the side outer surface, an upper transition portion extending from the upper end at a certain angle relative to the axis, a lower transition portion extending from the upper transition portion and parallel to the axis, and a lower curved portion extending from the lower transition portion to a lower end.

[0007] On the other hand, a wing shield has a main body, which includes a side portion having a side inner surface, a side adjacent surface, a side outer surface and a side rear surface, a bottom plate portion having a bottom plate upper surface, a bottom plate lower surface, a bottom plate front surface, a bottom plate outer surface and a bottom plate rear surface, an attachment recess defined by multiple inward surfaces on the side portion and the bottom plate portion, and a leading edge extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the bottom plate front surface, the bottom plate upper surface and the bottom plate outer surface, the leading edge having an upper end centered along an axis between the side inner surface and the side outer surface, an upper transition portion extending from the upper end and parallel to the axis, a lower transition portion extending from the upper transition portion and at a certain angle relative to the axis, and a lower curved portion extending from the lower transition portion to a lower end. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of an electric rope shovel as an example of a machine having a shrouded ground engaging tool (GET) according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic detailed view of a corner of a GET including a wing shroud according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic front view of the wing shroud shown in .

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 and 3 A schematic isometric view of the wing shroud shown in FIG.

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figures 2 to 4 A schematic rear view of the wing shroud shown in FIG.

[0014] Figure 6 yes Figures 2 to 5 Schematic bottom view of the wing shroud shown in .

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic front view of a wing shroud according to an additional embodiment.

[0016] Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a wing shroud according to yet another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative only and do not limit the claimed features. As used herein, the terms "comprise," "comprising," "has," "having," "include," "including," or other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusions such that a process, method, article, or device that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements, but may include other elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, articles, or devices. In this disclosure, unless otherwise indicated, relative terms, such as, for example, "about," "substantially," and "approximately" are used to indicate a possible variation of ±10% of the stated value. In addition, in this disclosure, references to widths, depths, and lengths provided with respect to various portions and / or surfaces are consistent, i.e., all widths are defined along the Y axis, all depths are defined along the Z axis, and all lengths are defined along the X axis.

[0018] Figure 1 An electric rope shovel 100 is shown as an example of a machine having a ground engaging tool (GET) 105 in the form of a bucket with a shroud 110. The shroud 110 is attached to the leading edge and corners 115 of the GET 105. The shroud 110 may be formed of, for example, steel, however the material forming the shroud 110 is not limited to steel and other materials may be used.

[0019] Figures 2 to 6 are various views of the lower wing shroud 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, Figure 2 1 is a detailed view of a wing shroud 200 mounted to a corner 115 of a GET 105. The lower wing shroud 200 may be adjacent to an upper wing shroud 205 and another shroud or adapter 210 disposed on a front edge of the GET 105. The lower wing shroud 200 has a body 215 including side portions 220, a floor portion 225, and a leading edge 230. Each of the side portions 220 and the floor portion 225 includes Figures 2 to 7 In particular, Figure 2 The side inner surface 235, the side abutment surface 240 and the side outer surface 245 of the side portion 220 are shown, as well as the bottom plate upper surface 250, the bottom plate front surface 255 and the bottom plate inner surface 260 of the bottom plate portion 225. The figure also shows the leading edge 230 extending between the side inner surface 235, the side outer surface 245, the bottom plate front surface 255 and the bottom plate upper surface 250. The leading edge 230 has a Figure 2 The main body 215 may include an upper end 265 adjacent to the upper wing shroud 205, a transition portion 270 extending from the upper end 265, a lower curved portion 275 extending from the transition portion, and a lower end 280 at the end of the lower curved portion 275. In addition, the main body 215 may include at least one attachment opening, such as an attachment opening 285 provided on the side inner surface 235 of the side portion 220, such as Figure 2 as shown in .

[0020] The upper end 265 of the leading edge 230 is Figure 2 , which may be the centerline between the side inner surface 235 and the side outer surface 245. The leading edge 290 of the upper wing shroud 205 is also aligned with the axis AA so that the lower wing shroud 200 can be used with the existing upper wing shroud 205. In addition, the transition portion 270 of the leading edge 230 of this embodiment extends away from the axis AA or extends at an angle θ relative to the axis AA, such as Figure 2 In addition, the lower curved portion 275 extends from the transition portion 270 to the lower end 280 along the curve BB, which is about Figure 3 shown and described in more detail.

[0021] In addition, corresponding to Figure 2 The portion of the body 215 of the side inner surface 235 in the region F shown in FIG. 2 may have a relatively greater thickness than existing shields. For example, the body 215 may have an additional 10 mm of material in the region F, which may produce a relatively more uniform wear pattern on the surface of the lower wing shield 200.

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A front view of the lower wing shroud 200 is shown in FIG. Figure 3 In addition to the above Figure 2 In addition to the described bottom panel upper surface 250 , bottom panel front surface 255 , and bottom panel inner surface 260 , bottom panel portion 225 also includes a bottom panel outer surface 295 . Figure 3 Also shown is a curve BB of the lower curved portion 275 of the leading edge 230, which is defined along the horizontal width and vertical height of the shield 200. Figure 3275 of the leading edge 230 also provides adequate protection for the lip (not shown) of the GET 105.

[0023] Figure 3 Also shown is the curve CC of the upper surface 250 of the bottom plate, which is Figure 3 The curve CC may be defined in the XY plane of the shield 200, or defined along the horizontal width and vertical height of the shield 200. Like the curve BB, the curve CC may have a constant radius of curvature or a variable radius of curvature, wherein the radius of curvature is relatively small at the center of the curve CC, and the radius of curvature gradually increases toward the end of the curve CC near the side abutment surface 240 and near the side inner surface 235, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 In addition, Figure 3 The curve DD of the bottom plate upper surface 250 defined in the YZ plane or along the vertical height and depth of the lower wing shroud 200 is shown. The curve DD may have a varying radius of curvature and may include a rear surface (bottom plate rear surface 320, at Figure 5 2 and described below), and an upward curved portion D2 toward the leading edge 230. In addition, Figure 3 Another attachment opening 300 is shown disposed in the side outer surface 245 of the side portion 220. In addition, Figure 3 The lower wing shroud 200 is shown next to the adapter 210 with the shim 305 therebetween and a space or gap G provided between the side abutment surface 240 and the shim 305. The gap may be, for example, about 2 mm. The shim 305 and the gap G are provided as part of an energy damping system to prevent the adapter 210 from moving laterally and to prevent the shim 305 from falling off the GET when the GET is in use. The side abutment surface 240 has a size and shape configured so that the lower wing shroud 200 can be used with existing energy damping systems. Further, the depth of the bottom plate inner surface 260 provides sufficient material to protect the lip of the GET 105.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 and 3 An isometric view of the lower wing shroud 200 is shown in FIG. In particular, Figure 4The side exterior surfaces 245 of the side portions 220 and the floor exterior surface 295 of the floor portion 225 are shown. Figure 4 Also shown is the attachment opening 300 , as well as an additional attachment opening 305 . The figure also shows the alignment between the axis AA and the upper end 265 of the leading edge 230 and the leading edge 290 of the upper wing shroud 205 .

[0025] Figure 5 yes Figures 2 to 4 Schematic rear view of the lower wing shroud 200 shown in FIG. In particular, Figure 5 Shown are a side rear surface 315, a bottom rear surface 320 and a plurality of inward surfaces, including an inner inward surface 325, a rear inward surface 330, an outer inward surface 335, a lower inward surface 340 and an upper inward surface 345, disposed in the side portion 220 and the bottom portion 225 of the body 215. Figure 5 Also shown are attachment openings 285 extending from the inner inward surface 325 to the side inner surface 235. These inward surfaces define attachment recesses 350 that can be attached to attachment openings (including attachment openings 285, in the Figure 5 181 to Kunz) to attach the lower wing shroud 200 to the corner 115 of the GET 105. For example, the lower wing shroud 200 can be attached to the corner 115 using a retention system such as the retention mechanism shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,970,181 to Kunz. Other means of attaching the lower wing shroud 200 to the corner 115 of the GET 105 can be used. Additionally, for example, the lower wing shroud 200 can be attached to the corner 115 using a hammer or hammerless retention mechanism.

[0026] Figure 6 yes Figures 2 to 5 200. In particular, Figure 6 A floor lower surface 355 of the floor portion 225 of the body 215 is shown. Figure 6 Another view of the attachment recess 350 defined by a plurality of inwardly facing surfaces including the rear inwardly facing surface 330, the outer inwardly facing surface 335, and the lower inwardly facing surface 340 of the side portion 215 and the bottom plate portion 225 of the body 215 is provided, and the attachment opening 310 extends from the outer inwardly facing surface 335 toward the side outer surface 245. In addition, Figure 6 The thickness t of the body 215 is shown, which is measured as the length between one corner 360 of the attachment recess 350 and the edge 365 between the bottom plate lower surface 355 and the bottom plate outer surface 295. The thickness t is in the range of about 80 mm to about 120 mm, and can be about 98.4 mm, for example.

[0027] Figure 7is a schematic front view of a lower wing shroud 700 according to an additional embodiment. The lower wing shroud 700 includes the above-discussed and Figures 2 to 6 700 has many features of the lower wing shroud 200 shown in FIG. However, the lower wing shroud 700 differs from the lower wing shroud 200 in that it includes a leading edge 705 having an upper end 710, an upper transition portion 715, a lower transition portion 720, and a lower curved portion 725. The upper end 710 is aligned with the axis AA along which the leading edge 290 of the upper wing shroud 205 is aligned. The upper transition portion 715 extends at an angle α relative to the axis AA. In addition, the lower transition portion 720 extends along an axis EE that is parallel to the axis AA, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 In addition, the lower curved portion 725 extends along the curve BB, Figures 2 to 6 The lower curved portion 275 is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0028] Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of a lower wing shroud 800 according to yet another embodiment. The lower wing shroud 800 includes the components discussed above and described in Figures 2 to 6 800 has many features of the lower wing shroud 200 shown in FIG. However, the lower wing shroud 800 differs from the lower wing shroud 200 in that it includes a leading edge 805 having an upper end 810, an upper transition portion 815, a lower transition portion 820, and a lower curved portion 825. The upper end 810 and the upper transition portion 815 are aligned with the axis AA along which the leading edge 290 of the upper wing shroud 205 is aligned. The lower transition portion 820 extends at an angle β relative to the axis AA, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 In addition, the lower curved portion 825 extends along the curve BB, Figures 2 to 6 The lower curved portion 275 and Figure 7 The lower curved portion 725 is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0029] Industrial Applicability

[0030] The disclosed aspects of the lower wing shroud of the present disclosure can be used as a replaceable wear part having a relatively longer wear life than known wing shrouds, and can be used to extend the life of the GET 105. In particular, by virtue of the relationship between the various surfaces of the body 215 of the lower wing shroud 200 and the configuration of the leading edge 230 that transitions outwardly relative to the GET 105 and has more material than existing shrouds, a replaceable wear member is provided that can maintain wear with a more even distribution on its surface, thereby requiring less frequent replacement than known shrouds. The lower wing shroud of the present disclosure also promotes the flow of material into the GET 105 by virtue of its leading edge having a lower curved portion and a curved floor surface. The arrangement of the surfaces also provides protection for the lip of the GET 105. In addition, by virtue of the alignment of the upper end of the leading edge of the lower wing shroud and the shape of the multiple inwardly facing surfaces that form the attachment recess, the lower wing shroud of the present disclosure can be used with an existing GET and in combination with an existing upper wing shroud. Furthermore, the lower wing shroud of the present disclosure may be used with existing energy damping systems by virtue of the shape and size of the side abutment surfaces.

[0031] The lower wing shroud discussed herein may have a relatively increased weight compared to existing shrouds. For example, the weight of the lower wing shroud discussed herein may be approximately 35.8% greater than the weight of existing lower wing shrouds, wherein the added material on the lower wing shroud is placed only on portions of the lower wing shroud that are subject to relatively increased wear. In this manner, the wear efficiency determined by dividing the wear life by the initial weight of the shroud may be optimized.

[0032] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the system will be apparent to those skilled in the art through careful consideration of the description and practice of the system disclosed herein. The specification and examples are intended to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A wing shroud (200) having a main body (215), the main body comprising: a side portion (220) having a side inner surface (235), a side abutment surface (240), a side outer surface (245), and a side rear surface (315); A bottom plate portion (225), the bottom plate portion having a bottom plate upper surface (250), a bottom plate lower surface (355), a bottom plate front surface (255), a bottom plate outer surface (295) and a bottom plate rear surface (320); an attachment recess (350) defined by a plurality of inwardly facing surfaces on the side portions and the floor portion; as well as A leading edge (230) extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the bottom plate front surface, the bottom plate upper surface and the bottom plate outer surface, the leading edge having an upper end (265) centered relative to an axis between the side inner surface and the side outer surface, a transition portion (270) extending from the upper end away from the axis, and a lower curved portion (275) extending from the transition portion to a lower end (280). 2 . The wing shroud of claim 1 , wherein the lower curved portion of the leading edge is curved relative to a plane defined by a horizontal width and a vertical height of the shroud.

3. The wing shroud of claim 2, wherein the floor upper surface is also curved relative to the plane defined by the horizontal width and vertical height of the shroud.

4. A wing shroud according to claim 3, wherein the floor upper surface is also curved relative to a plane defined by the vertical height and depth of the shroud.

5. The wing shroud of claim 4, wherein the floor upper surface includes a downward curve and an upward curve relative to the plane defined by the vertical height and depth of the shroud.

6. The wing shroud of claim 1 wherein the transition portion extends between the upper end and the lower curved portion at an angle relative to the axis.

7. The wing shroud of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises one or more attachment openings (285, 300, 310) disposed in the side portion. 8 . The wing shroud of claim 7 , wherein the one or more attachment openings extend from one of the plurality of inwardly facing surfaces to one of the side outer surface and the side inner surface.

9. A wing shroud (700) having a body (215), the body comprising: a side portion (220) having a side inner surface (235), a side abutment surface (240), a side outer surface (245), and a side rear surface (315); A bottom plate portion (225), the bottom plate portion having a bottom plate upper surface (250), a bottom plate lower surface (355), a bottom plate front surface (255), a bottom plate outer surface (295) and a bottom plate rear surface (320); an attachment recess (350) defined by a plurality of inwardly facing surfaces on the side portions and the floor portion; as well as A leading edge (705) extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the bottom plate front surface, the bottom plate upper surface and the bottom plate outer surface, the leading edge having an upper end (710) centered along an axis between the side inner surface and the side outer surface, an upper transition portion (715) extending from the upper end at a certain angle relative to the axis, a lower transition portion (720) extending from the upper transition portion and parallel to the axis, and a lower curved portion (725) extending from the lower transition portion to a lower end.

10. The wing shroud of claim 9, wherein the lower curved portion of the leading edge is curved relative to a plane defined by a horizontal width and a vertical height of the shroud.

Images