Wear part removal system

Abstract

The wear part removal system includes a first wedge assembly configured to engage a first interface associated with the wear part, a second wedge assembly configured to engage a second interface associated with the wear part, a ram component configured to engage the first wedge assembly with the first interface associated with the wear part and the second wedge assembly with the second interface associated with the wear part, and a frame configured to hold the first wedge assembly, the second wedge assembly, and the ram component. The wedge assembly of the first wedge assembly or the second wedge assembly includes a wedge component configured to engage a interface associated with the wear part and a wedge component saddle configured to hold the wedge component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to wear part removal, for example, to a wear part removal system.

Background Art

[0002] Earth moving machines such as excavators, wheel loaders, track type tractors, and loaders generally include implements constructed to excavate, cut, break up, remove, destroy, transport, or otherwise handle materials such as rock, soil, sediment, or waste. As a result of engagement with the material, the edges of the implements often wear periodically and repeatedly along the edges of the implements. To protect the edges, the implements can include one or more replaceable wear parts (also called ground engaging tools (GET)), such as teeth, couplers, adapters, lip shrouds, and / or caps. The one or more replaceable wear parts then withstand most of the wear, impact, or other forces that normally cause wear or damage during use of the implement.

[0003] Over time, due to wear or damage of the replaceable wear parts, the replaceable wear parts may deteriorate, fail, or otherwise need to be replaced. To replace the replaceable wear parts, it is necessary to remove the replaceable wear parts from the adapter or mount. However, this is often difficult because dust, dirt, or debris adhering to the replaceable wear parts can cause the replaceable wear parts to adhere (e.g., stick) to the adapter or mount. This requires a large tensile force or other means to remove or loosen the fine powder, dust, or debris that has received an impact to enable removal of the replaceable wear parts. For example, an operator can physically loosen and / or remove the replaceable wear parts using hand tools (e.g., using a sledgehammer to pound on the wear part and remove the wear part from the adapter). Additionally, high or low temperatures, rain, snow, sleet, ice, rough terrain, limited work areas, and / or similar environmental conditions can make it difficult and / or time consuming to remove the replaceable wear parts.

[0004] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0222335 (‘335 application) discloses a tool for facilitating the disassembly of components such as a cutting tooth assembly. According to the ‘335 application, the disassembly tool includes a first leg and a second leg, each leg comprising a robust body and an integrally formed flange with a wedge portion in the form of a ramp surface. The ramp surface of the leg can engage the side of the collar of the cutting point, and the disassembly tool is adapted to be struck vertically downward with a hammer to separate the cutting point from the adapter.

[0005] The ‘335 application discloses a disassembly tool for separating a cutting point from an adapter, but this disassembly tool requires the operator to manually apply a hammer blow or impact force to the disassembly tool to separate the cutting point from the adapter. Further, in some cases, when the cutting point is worn and / or damaged, or when the cutting point is wet or covered with ice, etc., the ramp surface of the leg of the disassembly tool may not be able to maintain the position of the side of the collar of the cutting point. Thus, in such cases, the disassembly tool cannot separate the cutting point and the adapter. The worn component removal system of the present disclosure solves one or more of the above-mentioned problems and / or other problems in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The worn component removal system includes a first wedge assembly configured to engage a first joint associated with the worn component, a second wedge assembly configured to engage a second joint associated with the worn component, a ram component configured to engage the first wedge assembly with the first joint associated with the worn component and the second wedge assembly with the second joint associated with the worn component, and a frame configured to hold the first wedge assembly, the second wedge assembly, and the ram component.

[0007] The wear part removal system includes a first wedge assembly configured to engage a first joint associated with the wear part, a second wedge assembly configured to engage a second joint associated with the wear part, and a ram component configured to engage the first wedge assembly with the first joint associated with the wear part and the second wedge assembly with the second joint associated with the wear part.

[0008] The wedge assembly includes a wedge component configured to engage a joint associated with the wear part and a wedge component saddle configured to hold the wedge component.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

FIG. 1A-1B

FIG. 2A-2C

FIG. 3A-3C

FIG. 4A-4D

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The present disclosure relates to a wear part removal system suitable for any machine that requires removal of wear parts. The term "machine" means any machine that performs operations related to industries such as mining, construction, agriculture, transportation, or other industries. For example, the machine may be, in other examples, an earthmoving machine or a material moving machine such as an excavator, a wheel loader, or a tractor-type tractor and loader.

[0011] Figures 1A - 1B are diagrams of an exemplary wear part assembly 100. As shown in Figures 1A - 1B, the wear part assembly 100 can include an adapter 102 for a wear part 104 (also referred to as a tip, tooth, or ground engaging tool (GET) for example). The adapter 102 may be configured to attach to and / or cover an edge of an implement 106 (such as a blade, loader bucket, excavator bucket, or any other implement having a ground engaging edge or material engaging edge that is subject to wear during use). The wear part 104 can be configured to attach to the adapter 102 and may be configured to protect the edge of the implement 106 by covering the edge of the implement 106 and engaging with soil or material while the implement 106 is in use.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1A - 1B, when attached to the adapter 102, the wear part 104 can extend outwardly from the edge of the implement 106 to engage with the ground or material (not shown). Further, at least one joint 108 can be formed at the interface between the wear part 104 and the adapter 102 (such as where a portion of the wear part 104 contacts a portion of the adapter 102). For example, as shown in Figures 1A - 1B, the joint 108 - 1 can be formed on the upper surface of the wear part assembly 100 where the upper portion of the wear part 104 contacts the upper portion of the adapter 102, and the joint 108 - 2 can be formed on the lower surface of the wear part assembly 100 where the lower portion of the wear part 104 contacts the lower portion of the adapter 102.

[0013] The wear part 104 can include a retaining mechanism (not shown) for securing the wear part 104 to the adapter 102. As shown in Figures 1A - 1B, the retaining mechanism can utilize aspects of the adapter 102 and the wear part 104, such as one or more retaining openings 110 on the side surface of the wear part 104, to secure the wear part 104 to the adapter 102 while the implement 106 is in use.

[0014] Figures 1A - 1B show a particular wear part assembly 100, an adapter 102, and a wear part 104, although the expected embodiments include any type of wear part assembly, adapter, wear part, and / or the like related to a machine's instrument (e.g., any coupler, mount, adapter, tooth, tip, lip shroud, cap, or any other GET).

[0015] As described above, FIGS. 1A - 1B are provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the examples described with reference to FIGS. 1A - 1B.

[0016] FIGS. 2A - 2C are diagrams of an exemplary wear part removal system 200 described herein. FIGS. 2A - 2C show front views of the wear part removal system 200 from different angles. The wear part removal system 200 can be used to remove or facilitate the removal of the wear part 104 from the adapter 102 of the part assembly 100. As shown in FIGS. 2A - 2C, the wear part removal system 200 includes one or more wedge assemblies 202 (shown as wedge assembly 202 - 1 and wedge assembly 202 - 2), a ram component 204, and a frame 206. As shown in FIG. 2B, the wear part removal system 200 may include a guide component 208. As shown in FIG. 2C, the wear part removal system may include at least one attachment component 210.

[0017] Frame 206 includes one or more structural components 212 that provide a physical structure for holding one or more wedge assemblies 202 and ram components 204. As shown in FIGS. 2A - 2C, frame 206 can include an upper structural component 212-1 (e.g., an upper horizontal beam) configured to hold (and / or attach to) wedge assembly 202-1 and a lower structural component 212-2 (e.g., a lower horizontal beam) configured to hold (and / or attach to) wedge assembly 202-2. The upper structural component 212-1 can be configured to be substantially parallel to, and / or (e.g., within a vertical plane) substantially aligned with, the lower structural component 212-2. Thus, the upper structural component 212-1 can hold wedge assembly 202-1 above wedge assembly 202-2 such that wedge assembly 202-1 is arranged substantially parallel to, and / or substantially aligned with, wedge assembly 202-2. As shown in FIGS. 2A - 2C, the upper structural component 212-1 can be configured to hold (and / or attach to) ram component 204.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2A - 2C, frame 206 can include a first side structural component 212-3 (e.g., a left vertical beam) and / or a second side structural component 212-4 (e.g., a right vertical beam) configured to attach to the upper structural component 212-1 and the lower structural component 212-2, respectively. The first side structural component 212-3 and / or the second side structural component 212-4 can be configured to be substantially perpendicular to the upper structural component 212-1 and the lower structural component 212-2.

[0019] The first side structure component 212-3 and / or the second side structure component 212-4 may be configured to separate the upper structure component 212-1 from the lower structure component 212-2, such that the distance between the wedge assembly 202-1 and the wedge assembly 202-2 (e.g., when the ram component 204 is not actuated or pressurized as described hereinafter) may meet (or be greater than) a first distance threshold (associated with, for example, the height of the wear part 104 and / or the height of the wear part assembly 100). In some embodiments, the distance between the first side structure component 212-3 and the second side structure component 212-4 may meet (or be greater than) a second distance threshold (associated with, for example, the width of the wear part 104 and / or the width of the wear part assembly 100). In this way, the frame 206 may be configured to fit around the wear part 104 and / or the wear part assembly 100 (e.g., such that the wear part removal system 200 can interact with the wear part 104 to remove the wear part 104).

[0020] The first side structure component 212-3 and / or the second side structure component 212-4 may be configured to prevent the wear part removal system from contacting other components of the instrument 106 (e.g., another wear part assembly adjacent to the wear part assembly 100) when the wear part removal system 200 is in a position to interact with the wear part 104 (e.g., to remove the wear part 104). For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the first side structure component 212-3 and the second side structure component 212-4 may have a "C" shape to provide a gap around other components of the instrument 106 when the wear part removal system 200 is in a position to interact with the wear part 104. Further details regarding the shape of the first side structure component 212-3 and the second side structure component 212-4 are described herein in connection with FIG. 3C.

[0021] The ram component 204 can include, for example, a mechanical ram, a hydraulic ram, a pneumatic ram, or an electromechanical ram. For example, if the ram component 204 is a hydraulic ram, the ram component 204 can be connected to a hydraulic pump (not shown) configured to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the ram component. A control component (e.g., included in the exemplary wear part removal system 200 or part of another component such as a hydraulic pump) can control the electromechanical ram. For example, an operator of the wear part removal system 200 can interact with the control component to actuate or stop the ram component 204 and / or pressurize or depressurize it, among other examples.

[0022] The ram component 204 can be configured to move at least one of the one or more wedge assemblies 202. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A - 2C, the ram component 204 can be connected to the wedge assembly 202-1 and can be configured to move the wedge assembly 202-1 downward (e.g., when the ram component 204 is actuated and / or pressurized). Thus, when the ram component 204 is actuated and / or pressurized, the ram component 204 moves the wedge assembly 202-1 downward to contact and / or engage the first joint 108 (e.g., joint 108-1) of the wear part assembly 100 (e.g., generate and apply an engagement force to the wear part 104 and / or the adapter 102 via the first joint 108 as described herein). Additionally or alternatively, this can cause the wedge assembly 202-2 to engage the second joint (e.g., joint 108-2) of the wear part assembly 100. For example, the downward movement of the wedge assembly 202-1 can reduce the distance between the wedge assembly 202-1 and the wedge assembly 202-2, which can cause the wedge assembly 202-2 to contact and / or engage the second joint 108 (e.g., generate and apply an engagement force to the wear part 104 and / or the adapter 102 via the second joint 108 as described herein).

[0023] One or more of the wedge assemblies 202 can include a wedge component 214 and / or a wedge component saddle 216. The wedge component 214 can be configured to engage the joint 108 of the wear part assembly 100. For example, the wedge component 214 can be inserted into (or onto) the joint 108, and due to the physical properties of the wedge component 214, an engaging force (e.g., a vertical force) that generates a pushing force (e.g., a horizontal force) (e.g., a pushing force that pushes the wear part out of the adapter 102) against the wear part 104 and / or the adapter 102 is applied. The wedge component saddle 216 can be configured to hold the wedge component 214 (e.g., provide structural support to the wedge component 214) and attach the wedge component 214 to the frame 206. Further description regarding the wedge assembly 202, the wedge component 214, and the wedge component saddle 216 is described herein in connection with FIGS. 4A-4D.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2B, the guide component 208 can be connected to the frame 206 (e.g., the upper structure component 212-1). The guide component 208 can include a slide guide and / or other components configured to facilitate the linear movement of the ram component 204 and / or the wedge assembly 202-1 (e.g., when the ram component 204 is actuated and / or pressurized). In this way, the guide component 208 can prevent the ram component 204 and / or the wedge assembly 202-1 (e.g., including the wedge component 214 and / or the wedge component saddle 216) from twisting and / or bending when the wedge assembly engages the joint 108 of the wear part assembly 100. Further, the guide component 208 can assist the wedge assembly 202-1 in generating an engagement force in the intended direction (e.g., vertical, downward direction) with respect to the joint 108, and can generate a pushing force in the intended direction (e.g., horizontal direction) with respect to the wear part 104 and / or the adapter 102.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2C, at least one attachment component 210 can be connected to the frame 206 (e.g., the upper structure component 212-1). The at least one attachment component can include one or more points (e.g., suspension points) configured to be attached to a lifting device (e.g., a crane boom) via rigging or other support materials. Thus, the wear part removal system 200 can be positioned (e.g., suspended) above or near the wear part 104 and / or the wear part assembly 100 by a lifting device via at least one attachment component 210 (e.g., to enable the wear part removal system 200 to interact with the wear part 104 to remove the wear part 104).

[0026] As described above, FIGS. 2A-2C are provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the examples described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C.

[0027] Figures 3A - 3C are diagrams of an exemplary wear part removal system 200 at a position 300 that interacts with a wear part 104 of a wear part assembly 100. FIG. 3A is a front view of the wear part removal system 200 at the position 300. As shown in FIG. 3A, the frame 206 can fit (e.g., surround) around the wear part 104. For example, the wear part removal system 200 can be positioned (e.g., by a lifting device) such that an upper structure component 212 - 1 is disposed above the upper surface of the wear part 104, a lower structure component 212 - 2 is disposed below the lower surface of the wear part 104, a first side structure component 212 - 3 (e.g., a left side structure component) is disposed beside (e.g., to the left of) the first surface (e.g., the left surface) of the wear part 104, and a second side structure component 212 - 4 (e.g., a right side structure component) is disposed beside (e.g., to the right of) the second surface (e.g., the right surface) of the wear part 104. In this way, the wedge assembly 202 - 1 can be aligned (e.g., disposed thereon) with a first joint 108 (e.g., joint 108 - 1, not shown in FIG. 3A) associated with the wear part 104, and the wedge assembly 202 - 2 can be aligned (e.g., disposed thereunder) with a second joint 108 (e.g., joint 108 - 2, not shown in FIG. 3A) associated with the wear part 104. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the ram component 204 is not actuated and / or pressurized, and thus, the wedge assembly 202 - 1 and the wedge assembly 202 - 2 are not in contact with or engaged with the first joint 108 and the second joint 108.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3A, the wear component may be adjacent to one or more other wear components 302 (e.g., lip shrouds) associated with the instrument 106. Thus, depending on the location 300 of the wear part removal system 200, the first side structure component 212-3 and / or the second side structure component 212-4 may be disposed above and / or below one or more other wear components 302. As further described herein, the first side structure component 212-3 and / or the second side structure component 212-4 may be configured to avoid contact with one or more other wear components 302 when the wear part removal system 200 is at the location 300 (e.g., having a "C" shape).

[0029] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the worn part removal system 200 and the worn part 104 along line A-A of Figure 3A. As shown in Figure 3B, the worn part removal system is at a position 300 that interacts with the worn part 104 of the worn part assembly 100. Further as shown in Figure 3B, the wedge assembly 202-1 can be aligned with (e.g., placed on) the joint 108-1 of the worn part assembly 100, and the wedge assembly 202-2 can be aligned with (e.g., placed under) the joint 108-2 of the worn part assembly 100. As described above, when the ram component 204 is actuated and / or pressurized, the ram component 204 can move the wedge assembly 202-1 to engage with the joint 108-1 and can also engage the wedge assembly 202-1 with the joint 108-2. When the wedge assembly 202-1 engages with the joint 108-1 (e.g., the wedge assembly 202-1 is pushed into the joint 108-1), the wedge assembly 202-1 can generate a first engagement force (e.g., substantially parallel to the moving direction of the wedge assembly 202-1 and / or the ram component 204) on the worn part 104 and / or the adapter 102 of the worn part assembly 100. When the wedge assembly 202-1 engages with the joint 108-2, the wedge assembly 202-2 can generate a second engagement force (e.g., substantially parallel to the first engagement force but in the opposite direction to the first engagement force) on the worn part 104 and / or the adapter 102. The generation of the first engagement force at the joint 108-1 can generate a first pushing force (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first engagement force) on the worn part 104 and / or the adapter 102. The generation of the second engagement force at the joint 108-1 can generate a second pushing force (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first engagement force) on the worn part 104 and / or the adapter 102. For example, as shown in Figure 3B, due to the first pushing force and / or the second pushing force, the worn part 104 can move leftward from the adapter 102. In this way, the worn part 104 can be removed from the adapter 102.

[0030] Figure 3C is a perspective side view of the worn part removal system 200 at position 300. As shown in Figure 3C, the worn part removal system 200 can fit around the worn part 104 when the worn part removal system 200 is at position 300. Further as shown in Figure 3C, the worn part 104 may be adjacent to one or more other worn components 302. In some implementations, the first side structure component 212-3 and / or the second side structure component 212-4 may be disposed above and / or below one or more other worn components when the worn part removal system 200 is at position 300 and may be configured to avoid contact with one or more other worn components 302. For example, as shown in Figure 3C, each of the first side structure component 212-3 and the second side structure component 212-4 may be configured to have a "C" shape that allows the first side structure component 212-3 and the second side structure component 212-4 to be disposed around one or more other worn components 302 when the worn part removal system 200 is at position 300. Thus, the first side structure component 212-3 and / or the second side structure component 212-4 may maintain at least a distance 304 from one or more other worn components 302.

[0031] As described above, FIGS. 3A-3C are provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the examples described with reference to FIGS. 3A-3C.

[0032] FIGS. 4A-4D are diagrams of an exemplary embodiment 400 of the wedge assembly 202. FIG. 4A is a perspective front view of the wedge assembly 202. FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective front view of the wedge assembly 202. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the wedge assembly 202 taken along line B-B of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4D is a perspective top view of the wedge component saddle 216 of the wedge assembly 202.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, the wedge assembly 202 can include a wedge component 214, a wedge component saddle 216, and / or a mounting component 402. As described above, the wedge component 214 can be configured to engage the joint 108 of the wear part assembly 100. For example, the wedge component 214 can be inserted into (or onto) the joint 108, and due to the physical properties of the wedge component 214, an engaging force (e.g., a vertical force) that generates a pushing force (e.g., a horizontal force) (e.g., a pushing force that pushes the wear part 104 out of the adapter 102) on the wear part 104 and / or the adapter 102 of the wear part assembly 100 can be applied. The wedge component saddle 216 can be configured to hold the wedge component 214 (e.g., within a recess of the wedge component saddle 216). The wedge component saddle 216 can be configured to be attached to the mounting component 402, and the mounting component 402 can be configured to be attached to the frame 206 of the wear part removal system 200. For example, the mounting component 402 can include a first threaded portion configured to be screwed into a threaded receptacle of the wedge component saddle 216 and / or a second threaded portion configured to be screwed into a threaded receptacle of the frame 206. In this way, the mounting component 402 can facilitate the attachment of the wedge assembly 202 to the frame 206.

[0034] The wedge component saddle 216 may include one or more attachment holes 404 that enable one or more removable attachment components 406 to secure the wedge component 214 to the wedge component saddle 216 (e.g., when the wedge component 214 is disposed within the wedge component saddle 216). For example, the one or more removable attachment components 406 may include one or more set screws configured to be inserted and threaded into the one or more attachment holes 404 to maintain secure attachment of the wedge component 214 to the wedge component saddle 216. The one or more removable attachment components 406 may be removed (e.g., the screws may be removed) to enable removal of the wedge component 214. In this way, a new wedge component can replace an old wedge component 214 that has worn or been damaged by operation of the wear component removal system 200. Thereby, the performance of the wear component removal system 200 can be improved over the operating life of the wear component removal system 200.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 4B - 4C, the wedge component 214 may include a first orientation component 408 configured to engage a second orientation component 410 of the wedge component saddle 216. For example, the first orientation component 408 may be a protrusion (e.g., a dowel or other protrusion), and the second orientation may be an opening (e.g., a recess or an aperture). Thus, the first orientation component 408 and the second orientation component 410 may be configured to engage with each other (e.g., the first orientation component 408 may be inserted into the second orientation component 410). In this way, the first orientation component 408 and the second orientation component 410 may be configured to maintain the position of the wedge component 214 within the wedge component saddle 216 and / or to ensure the proper orientation of the wedge component 214 within the wedge component saddle 216 (e.g., to ensure that the front face of the wedge component faces forward within the wedge component saddle 216).

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4D, the wedge component saddle may include one or more attachment holes 412 to facilitate attachment of the wedge component 214 to the wedge component saddle 216. The one or more attachment holes 412 allow one or more additional removable attachment components (not shown), such as one or more bolts, to attach the wedge component 214 to the wedge component saddle 216, and they are configured to maintain a secure attachment of the wedge component 214 to the wedge component saddle 216.

[0037] As described above, FIGS. 4A - 4D are provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the examples described with reference to FIGS. 4A - 4D. Industrial Applicability

[0038] Some embodiments described herein provide a wear part removal system that can remove a wear part of a wear part assembly (e.g., from an adapter of the wear part assembly). The wear part removal system includes a first wedge assembly configured to engage a first joint of the wear part assembly (e.g., a joint on the upper surface of the wear part assembly), and a second wedge assembly configured to engage a second joint of the wear part assembly (e.g., a joint on the lower surface of the wear part assembly). The wear part removal system also includes a ram component configured to move the first wedge assembly (e.g., downward toward the first joint) to engage the first wedge assembly with the first joint and the second wedge assembly with the second joint, thereby generating engagement forces at the first joint and the second joint respectively, which in turn generates a pushing force on the wear part, and the wear part is removed from the adapter of the wear part assembly.

[0039] In this way, the wear part removal system enables the removal of the wear part regardless of whether the wear part is stuck to the adapter or mount (e.g., due to impacted fines, dust, or dirt). Further, the wear part removal system allows the wear part to be removed without the operator of the wear part removal system manually applying force to the wear part removal system using a hand tool (e.g., a sledgehammer that strikes with a hammer) or other tool (e.g., a jackhammer that applies an impact force). Further, since the wear part removal system is configured to engage multiple joints of the wear part assembly and generate a pushing force on the wear part by multiple different engagement forces, the wear part removal system can quickly and efficiently remove wear parts that are difficult or time-consuming to remove using conventional removal techniques. Further, the wear part removal system can engage at least one joint of the wear part assembly even when the wear part is smooth due to wear or other damage, and / or when the wear part is wet, muddy, or covered with ice, thereby facilitating the removal of the wear part even under adverse environmental conditions.

Claims

1. A worn part removal system (200), comprising: A first wedge assembly (202-1) configured to engage a first joint (108-1) associated with a worn part (104); A second wedge assembly (202-2) configured to engage a second joint (108-2) associated with the worn part (104); A ram component (204) configured to engage the first wedge assembly (202-1) with the first joint (108-1) associated with the worn part (104) and the second wedge assembly (202-2) with the second joint (108-2) associated with the worn part (104); A C-shaped frame (206) configured to hold the first wedge assembly (202-1), the second wedge assembly (202-2), and the ram component (204), wherein the worn part (104) is attached to an adapter (102) associated with a mechanical instrument (106), the frame (206) is configured to hold the first wedge assembly (202-1) above an upper surface of the worn part (104) and the second wedge assembly (202-2) below a lower surface of the worn part (104) when the worn part removal system (200) is in a position to interact with the worn part (104), and the frame (206) is configured to prevent the worn part removal system (200) from contacting other components associated with the instrument (106) when the worn part removal system (200) is in a position to interact with the worn part (104).

2. The ram component (204) is a mechanical ram, a hydraulic ram, a pneumatic ram, or an electromechanical ram, and the worn part removal system (200) according to claim 1.

3. The wear component removal system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the ram component (204) is configured to generate a pushing force on the wear component (104) when the ram component (204) engages the first joint (108-1) associated with the wear component (104) with the first wedge assembly (202-1) and engages the second wedge assembly (202-2) with the second joint (108-2) associated with the wear component (104).

4. The wear component removal system (200) according to claim 3, wherein the direction related to the pushing force is substantially perpendicular to the direction related to the engaging force generated by the first wedge assembly (202-1) when the first wedge assembly (202-1) engages the first joint (108-1) associated with the wear component (104).

5. The wear component removal system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first joint (108-1) associated with the wear component (104) is disposed on the upper surface of the wear component assembly (100) including the wear component (104), and the second joint (108-2) associated with the wear component (104) is disposed on the lower surface of the wear component assembly (100).

6. The wear component removal system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the frame (206) is configured to hold the first wedge assembly (202-1) above the upper surface of the wear component (104) and hold the second wedge assembly (202-2) below the lower surface of the wear component (104) when the wear component removal system (200) is at a position where it interacts with the wear component (104).

7. A wedge assembly (202), a wedge component (214) configured to engage the first joint (108-1) and the second joint (108-2) associated with the wear component (104), and a wedge component saddle (216) configured to hold the wedge component (214). A wedge assembly (202) further comprising an attachment component (402) configured to attach the wedge component saddle (216) to the frame (206) of the wear part removal system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 6. **Claim 8** The wedge component (214) includes a first orientation component (408), and the wedge component saddle (216) includes a second orientation component (410), The wedge assembly (202) according to claim 7, wherein the first orientation component (408) is configured to engage with the second orientation component (410) to facilitate positioning of the wedge component (214) within the wedge component saddle (216).

Images