Wing Shroud
The wing shroud design addresses uneven wear issues by incorporating specific geometric features, resulting in extended wear life, reduced replacement needs, and improved material flow for ground engaging tools.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024568150
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-05-24
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing wing shrouds for ground engaging tools experience uneven wear, leading to reduced lifespan and increased replacement costs.
The wing shroud design features a body with a side portion and a floor portion, including a mounting recess and a leading edge with specific geometric features such as upper and lower transition portions and a lower curved portion, which promotes even wear distribution and material flow.
The design extends the wear life of the wing shroud, reduces replacement frequency, and enhances material flow to the ground engaging tool, while being compatible with existing systems.
Smart Images
Figure 2025517331000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to replaceable wear parts, and more specifically to replaceable wing shrouds for protection of the leading and side edges of work implements such as dipper buckets used on electric rope shovels. [Background technology]
[0002] A ground engaging tool (GET), such as a bucket, is attached to a machine and used to excavate and move material, such as sand, gravel, stone, soil, or rubble. Over time, as the GET engages the material, accelerated wear can occur on the GET, resulting in a reduced lifespan of the GET. Replacing a GET is costly due to the cost of a new GET, the downtime during replacement, and the labor and costs associated with the replacement process. To extend the lifespan of the GET and reduce the costs associated with replacing the GET, wear members, protectors, adapters, or shrouds are attached to the edges of the GET. These wear members are easier to replace than the entire GET, and replacement of the shroud or protector may extend the overall lifespan of the GET and bucket.
[0003] Wing shrouds are used on the wings or corners of the GET. Wing shrouds may experience uneven wear, with certain locations on the shroud having relatively more wear, also called sun spots. For example, the wing shroud described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,995,022 may experience uneven wear. The '022 patent describes side walls and abutment surfaces of the wing shroud that provide ease and efficiency in mounting and removing the wing shroud from the GET. However, such wing shrouds may experience the uneven wear described above.
[0004] The wing shrouds of the present disclosure may solve one or more of the problems set forth above and / or other problems in the art, however, the scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and not by the ability to solve any particular problem. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In one aspect, a wing shroud has a body including a side portion having a side inner surface, a side abutment surface, a side outer surface, and a side rear surface; a floor portion having a floor upper surface, a floor lower surface, a floor front surface, a floor outer surface, and a floor rear surface; a mounting recess defined by a plurality of inner surfaces on the side portion and the floor portion; and a leading edge extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the floor front surface, the floor upper surface, and the floor outer surface, the leading edge having an upper end centered about 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] In another aspect, a wing shroud has a body including a side portion having a side inner surface, a side abutment surface, a side outer surface, and a side rear surface; a floor portion having a floor upper surface, a floor lower surface, a floor front surface, a floor outer surface, and a floor rear surface; a mounting recess defined by a plurality of inner surfaces on the side portion and the floor portion; and a leading edge extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the floor front surface, the floor upper surface, and the floor 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 an angle 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] In yet another aspect, a wing shroud has a body including a side portion having a side inner surface, a side abutment surface, a side outer surface, and a side rear surface; a floor portion having a floor upper surface, a floor lower surface, a floor front surface, a floor outer surface, and a floor rear surface; a mounting recess defined by a plurality of inner surfaces on the side portion and the floor portion; and a leading edge extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the floor front surface, the floor upper surface, and the floor 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 at an angle 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 embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 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 an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic detail view of a corner of a GET including a wing shroud, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the wing shroud shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic isometric view of the wing shroud shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic rear view of the wing shroud shown in FIGS. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic bottom view of the wing shroud shown in FIGS. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a wing shroud according to an additional embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of a wing shroud according to yet another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Both the general description above and the detailed description below are merely exemplary and explanatory and do not limit the claimed features. As used herein, "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes," "including," or other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, whereby a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements does not merely include those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus. In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, relative terms such as "about," "substantially," and "approximately" are used to indicate a possible variation of ±10% of the stated value. Furthermore, in this disclosure, references to widths, depths, and lengths provided for various parts 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.
[0011] 1 shows an electric rope shovel 100 as an example of a machine having a ground engaging tool (GET) 105 in the form of a bucket having a shroud 110. The shroud 110 is attached to leading edges and corners 115 of the GET 105. The shroud 110 may be formed of steel, for example, although the material forming the shroud 110 is not limited to steel and other materials may be used.
[0012] 2-6 are various views of a lower wing shroud 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the wing shroud 200 attached to the corner 115 of the GET 105. The lower wing shroud 200 may be adjacent to an upper wing shroud 205 and another shroud or adapter 210 provided on the tip of the GET 105. The lower wing shroud 200 has a body 215 including a side portion 220, a floor portion 225, and a leading edge 230. The side portion 220 and the floor portion 225 each include a number of surfaces, which are shown in FIGS. 2-7 and described below. In particular, FIG. 2 shows the side inner surface 235, the side abutment surface 240, and the side outer surface 245 of the side portion 220, as well as the floor upper surface 250, the floor front surface 255, and the floor inner surface 260 of the floor portion 225. This view also shows a leading edge 230 extending between a side inner surface 235, a side outer surface 245, a floor front surface 255, and a floor upper surface 250. Leading edge 230 has an upper end 265 adjacent upper wing shroud 205 of FIG. 2, a transition portion 270 extending from upper end 265, a lower curved portion 275 extending from the transition portion, and a lower end 280 at an end of lower curved portion 275. Additionally, body 215 may include at least one mounting opening, such as mounting opening 285 provided on side inner surface 235 of side portion 220 shown in FIG. 2.
[0013] The upper end 265 of the leading edge 230 is aligned with axis AA shown in FIG. 2, which may be the centerline between the lateral inner surface 235 and the lateral outer surface 245. The leading edge 290 of the upper wing shroud 205 is also aligned with axis AA, such that the lower wing shroud 200 may be used with an existing upper wing shroud 205. Additionally, the transition portion 270 of the leading edge 230 in this embodiment extends away from or at an angle θ to the axis AA shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, the lower curved portion 275 extends from the transition portion 270 to the lower end 280 along a curve BB, which is shown and described in more detail with respect to FIG. 3.
[0014] Additionally, the portion of body 215 corresponding to lateral inner surface 235 in region F shown in FIG. 2 may have a relatively greater thickness as compared to existing shrouds. For example, body 215 may have an additional 10 mm of material in region F, which may result in a relatively more uniform wear pattern on the surface of lower wing shroud 200.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view of the lower wing shroud 200 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the floor portion 225 further includes a floor outer surface 295 in addition to the floor upper surface 250, the floor front surface 255, and the floor inner surface 260 described above with respect to FIG. 2. FIG. 3 also shows a curve BB of the lower curved portion 275 of the leading edge 230, the curve BB being defined in the XY plane of FIG. 3 along the horizontal width and vertical height of the shroud 200 (i.e., the curve BB is defined by the x-axis and the y-axis). The curve BB may have a constant or varying radius of curvature, with a relatively small radius of curvature at the center of the curve BB and a gradually increasing radius of curvature toward the ends of the curve BB (i.e., the ends where the lower curved portion 275 meets the transition portion 270 and the lower end 280). The radius of curvature of the curve BB may be maximized to promote material flow into the GET when the lower wing shroud 200 is used with the GET. The lower curved portion 275 of the leading edge 230 also provides ample protection for the lip (not shown) of the GET 105 .
[0016] FIG. 3 also shows a curve CC of the floor upper surface 250 defined in the XY plane of FIG. 3 or along the horizontal width and vertical height of the shroud 200. Similar to the curve BB, the curve CC may have a constant or varying radius of curvature, with a relatively small radius of curvature at the center of the curve CC and a gradually increasing radius of curvature near the side abutment surface 240 and near the side inner surface 235 toward the ends of the curve CC, as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, FIG. 3 shows a curve DD of the floor upper surface 250 defined in the YZ plane or along the vertical height and depth of the lower wing shroud 200. The curve DD may have a varying radius of curvature and may include a downward curved portion D1 toward the aft surface of the body 215 (the floor aft surface 320 shown in FIG. 5 and described below), and an upward curved portion D2 toward the leading edge 230. Additionally, FIG. 3 shows another mounting opening 300 provided in the side outer surface 245 of the side portion 220. 3 further illustrates the lower wing shroud 200 along with the adapter 210, the shim 305 located therebetween, and the 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 gap G are provided as part of an energy attenuation system to prevent the adapter 210 from moving laterally and to prevent the shim 305 from falling off the GET during use of the GET. The side abutment surface 240 has a size and shape configured such that the lower wing shroud 200 may be used with an existing energy attenuation system. Still further, the depth of the floor inner surface 260 provides sufficient material to protect the lip of the GET 105.
[0017] Figure 4 is an isometric view of the lower wing shroud 200 shown in Figures 2 and 3. In particular, Figure 4 shows the side outer surface 245 of the side portion 220 and the floor outer surface 295 of the floor portion 225. Figure 4 also shows the mounting opening 300, as well as additional mounting opening 305. This view also shows the alignment between axis AA and the upper end 265 of leading edge 230 and leading edge 290 of the upper wing shroud 205.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic rear view of the lower wing shroud 200 shown in FIGS. 2-4. In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates the side aft surface 315, the floor aft surface 320, and a number of interior surfaces, including an inner interior surface 325, an aft interior surface 330, an outer interior surface 335, a lower interior surface 340, and an upper interior surface 345, that are provided on the side portion 220 and the floor portion 225 of the body 215. FIG. 5 also illustrates the mounting openings 285 that extend from the inner interior surface 325 to the side inner surface 235. These interior surfaces define mounting recesses 350 that may be used in conjunction with the mounting openings (including the mounting openings 285 shown in FIG. 5) to mount the lower wing shroud 200 to the corner 115 of the GET 105. For example, the lower wing shroud 200 may be mounted to the corner 115 using a retention system such as the retention mechanism shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 9,970,181 to Kunz. Other means of attaching the lower wing shroud 200 to the corner 115 of the GET 105 may be used. Further, for example, the lower wing shroud 200 may be attached to the corner 115 using a hammer-type or hammerless retention mechanism.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the lower wing shroud 200 shown in FIGS. 2-5. In particular, FIG. 6 shows the underfloor surface 355 of the floor portion 225 of the body 215. FIG. 6 also provides another view of the side portion 215 of the body 215 and the multiple inner surfaces, including the aft inner surface 330, the outer inner surface 335, and the lower inner surface 340, of the floor portion 225, as well as the mounting recess 350 defined by the mounting opening 310 extending from the outer inner surface 335 toward the side outer surface 245. In addition, FIG. 6 shows the thickness t of the body 215, measured as the length between one corner 360 of the mounting recess 350 and an edge 365 between the underfloor surface 355 and the floor outer surface 295. The thickness t may be in the range of about 80 mm to about 120 mm, for example, about 98.4 mm.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a lower wing shroud 700 according to an additional embodiment. The lower wing shroud 700 includes many of the features of the lower wing shroud 200 described above and shown in FIGS. 2-6. However, the lower wing shroud 700 differs from the lower wing shroud 200 in that the lower wing shroud 700 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 an 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. Additionally, the lower transition portion 720 extends along an axis EE that is parallel to the axis AA as shown in FIG. 7. Additionally, the lower curved portion 725 extends along a curve BB, similar to the lower curved portion 275 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-6.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of a lower wing shroud 800 according to yet another embodiment. The lower wing shroud 800 includes many of the features of the lower wing shroud 200 described above and illustrated in FIGS. 2-6. However, the lower wing shroud 800 differs from the lower wing shroud 200 in that the lower wing shroud 800 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 an 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 illustrated in FIG. 8. Additionally, the lower curved portion 825 extends along a curve BB, similar to the lower curved portion 275 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 and similar to the lower curved portion 725 of the embodiment of FIG. 7. [Industrial Applicability]
[0022] The disclosed aspects of the lower wing shroud of the present disclosure may be used as a replaceable wear part having a relatively long wear life compared to known wing shrouds and may be used to extend the life of the GET 105. In particular, the relationship between the various surfaces of the body 215 of the lower wing shroud 200 and the configuration of the leading edge 230, which transitions outwardly relative to the GET 105 and has more material compared to existing shrouds, provides a replaceable wear member that can withstand wear with a more even distribution across its surface, thereby requiring less frequent replacement compared to known shrouds. The lower wing shrouds of the present disclosure also promote the flow of material to the GET 105 by their leading edges having a lower curved portion and a curved floor. The arrangement of the surfaces also provides protection for the lip of the GET 105. Additionally, the lower wing shroud of the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with existing GETs and in combination with existing upper wing shrouds by the alignment of the upper ends of the leading edges of the lower wing shroud and the shape of the multiple inner surfaces that form the mounting recesses. Additionally, the lower wing shroud of the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with existing energy attenuation systems due to the shape and size of the side abutment surfaces.
[0023] The lower wing shrouds discussed herein may have a relatively increased weight as compared to existing shrouds. For example, the weight of the lower wing shrouds discussed herein may be approximately 35.8% greater than the weight of existing lower wing shrouds, with the added material on the lower wing shroud being located only on the portion of the lower wing shroud that experiences the relatively increased wear. In this manner, wear efficiency, as determined by dividing the wear life by the initial weight of the shroud, may be optimized.
[0024] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the system will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A wing shroud (200) 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 floor portion (225) having an upper floor surface (250), a lower floor surface (355), a front floor surface (255), an outer floor surface (295), and a rear floor surface (320); a mounting recess (350) defined by a plurality of inner surfaces on said side portion and said floor portion; and a leading edge (230) extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the floor forward surface, the floor upper surface, and the floor outer surface, the leading edge having an upper end (265) centered about 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 surface is also curved relative to the plane defined by the horizontal width and the vertical height of the shroud.
4. The wing shroud of claim 3 , wherein the floor 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 surface includes a downward curve and an upward curve relative to the plane defined by the vertical height and the 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) provided in the side portion.
8. The wing shroud of claim 7 , wherein the one or more attachment openings extend from one of the inner sides to one of the outer side surface and the inner side 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 floor portion (225) having an upper floor surface (250), a lower floor surface (355), a front floor surface (255), an outer floor surface (295), and a rear floor surface (320); a mounting recess (350) defined by a plurality of inner surfaces on said side portion and said floor portion; a leading edge (705) extending between the side inner surface, the side outer surface, the floor forward surface, the floor upper surface, and the floor 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 an angle 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.