Crusher for crushing bulk materials into smaller pieces

Abstract

To provide a low-speed shredder for comminuting a bulk material.SOLUTION: A shredder includes a shredder box 22, and a shredder rotor 38 disposed within an interior of the shredder box. The shredder rotor is rotatable about a rotor axis and has a plurality of rotor teeth 42. An access door 46 is pivotally moveable between an open position and a closed position, the access door defining a side wall of the shredder box when in the closed position. A shredder comb is disposed at an interior side of the access door and includes a plurality of shredder comb teeth. When the access door is in the closed position, the shredder comb is positioned at a shredding location to intermesh with the plurality of rotor teeth for shredding material input to the shredder box. The plurality of shredder comb teeth are removable and reversible for use in two orientations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [[ID=)) (Cross - reference to related applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 212,850, filed on June 21, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates to a crusher for finely crushing bulk materials.

Background Art

[0003] This application relates to a low - speed crusher for finely crushing bulk materials. Low - speed crushers are used to reduce the shred size of certain wastes, such as large landfill waste. U.S. Patent No. 9,573,137, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021 / 0069721, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015 / 0217299 are examples of such crushers. These crushers are robust machines constructed using heavy components because high loads and forces are applied to the equipment during the crushing process. The waste is often fed from the top of the crusher, typically by dropping the material into the hopper with a front - end loader. The hopper holds the material while the rotor / drum, which is typically located below the hopper, rotates at a speed that varies from zero RPM to 40 RPM. The crusher rotor has a plurality of rigid teeth that engage the waste material and ultimately push the material through the toothed comb section, causing shearing and tearing of the material. The finely crushed waste then falls onto a conveyor for discharge. A screen may be used between the rotor and the conveyor to control the size of the material discharged from the crusher. The screen allows small shreds to pass through while preventing large shreds from passing through and being discharged through the conveyor. Large shreds that do not pass through the screen are recycled by the rotor back to the hopper for further size reduction.

[0004] Due to harsh operating conditions, crusher components such as the teeth of the comb will experience wear. For this reason, the comb may be configured so that the comb teeth are individually replaceable. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,573,137 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0069721 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0217299 Specification [Overview of the Initiative]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a low-speed shredder comprising a shredder box and a shredder rotor disposed inside the shredder box. The shredder rotor is rotatable about a rotor axis and has a plurality of rotor teeth. An access door is pivotally movable between an open position and a closed position, and when the access door is in the closed position, it defines the side wall of the shredder box. A shredder comb is disposed on the inner side of the access door and includes a plurality of shredder comb teeth. When the access door is in the closed position, the shredder comb is positioned in a shredding location that meshes with the plurality of rotor teeth to shred the material fed into the shredder box. The plurality of shredder comb teeth are removable and reversible for use in two orientations.

[0007] In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a shredder comprising a shredder box and a shredder rotor disposed inside the shredder box. The shredder box is rotatable about a rotor axis and has a plurality of rotor teeth. An access door is pivotally movable between an open position and a closed position, and when the access door is in the closed position, the access door defines the side wall of the shredder box. A shredder comb unit is disposed on the inner side of the access door, and when the access door is in the closed position, the shredder comb of the shredder comb unit, which has a plurality of shredder comb teeth, is positioned in a shredding location to mesh with the plurality of rotor teeth to shred the material fed into the shredder box. The shredder comb unit includes a frame on which a plurality of shredder comb teeth are fixedly supported through a plurality of corresponding comb tooth bases that are removable from the frame.

[0008] The various benefits of this disclosure are presented in part in the following description, will become apparent from the description, and will also be known by practicing the various aspects of this disclosure. Please understand that both the above general description and the following detailed description are for illustrative and explanatory purposes only and do not limit the broad progressive concepts on which the examples are based. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] These are rear, top, and left side perspective views of a crusher based on the principles of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows perspective views of the rear, top, and right side of the crusher. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a right side view of the crusher. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a left side view of the crusher. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows rear, top, and left side perspective views of the crusher with the access door in the open position. [Figure 6] This is a rear view of a portion of the crusher in Figure 1, showing the access door in the open position. [Figure 7] This is a top view of a portion of the crusher in Figure 1, showing the access door in the open position. [Figure 8]Top view of a portion of the crusher of FIG. 1 showing that the access door is in the closed position. [Figure 9] Perspective view of the comb assembly of the crusher of FIG. 1 taken from the working side. [Figure 10] Front end view of the comb assembly of FIG. 9 with a portion removed to more clearly illustrate the removable and reversible comb teeth. [Figure 11] Similar to FIG. 10, perspective view of the comb assembly of the crusher of FIG. 9 taken from the non - working side with a portion removed. [Figure 12] Cross - sectional view taken along cutting line 12 - 12 of FIG. 9. [Figure 13] Detailed perspective view of the comb section showing, from left to right, several attached comb teeth, the tooth base with the comb teeth removed, and the frame receptacle with the tooth base removed. [Figure 14] Exploded perspective view including the comb frame, a single comb tooth, and related mounting hardware. [Figure 15] Perspective view of a comb tooth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] Side view of the comb tooth of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] Cross - sectional view of the comb tooth taken along line 17 - 17 of FIG. 18. [Figure 18] Top view of the comb tooth of FIG. 15. [Figure 19] First perspective view of the comb tooth base. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ [Figure 26] Rear view of a crusher according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, with the end face wall removed to illustrate the internal components of the rotor and the comb unit. The comb unit generally follows the principle of the previous embodiment and additionally includes a plurality of removable limiters extending below the comb teeth. [Figure 27] Perspective view of an end portion of the comb unit of FIG. 26 with some components removed to more clearly illustrate the lower structure of the comb unit frame. [Figure 28] Perspective view of the comb unit of FIG. 26. The comb unit is shown with a single limiter, a pair of associated retainers, and a pair of associated fasteners disassembled from the comb unit frame. [Figure 29] One perspective view of a limiter of the comb unit of FIG. 26. [Figure 30] End face view of the limiter of FIG. 29 taken from its proximal end. [Figure 31] Side view of the limiter of FIG. 29. [Figure 32] Cross-sectional view of the limiter taken along line 32 - 32 of FIG. 31. [Figure 33] Perspective view of a comb unit of an alternative embodiment in which the limiter is attached to the comb unit in line with the comb teeth. [Figure 34] Bottom view of the comb unit of FIG. 33.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings, and like reference numerals represent like parts and like assemblies throughout several of the figures. Additionally, none of the examples described in this specification are intended to be limiting, and only some of many possible embodiments for practicing aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0011] The present invention relates to a crusher 20. In one embodiment shown in Figure 1, the crusher 20 may comprise a crusher box 22 including first and second opposing end walls 24, 26 and first and second opposing side walls 28, 30 extending between the first and second end walls 24, 26. The crusher box 22 further includes an upper hopper 32 for receiving material to be crushed. The crusher box 22 may further include a lower discharge port 33 (Figure 5) which can cooperate with a chute 34 for discharging the crushed material from the crusher box 22. Referring again to Figure 1, the first and second opposing side walls 28, 30 are located on the first and second sides 201, 202 of the crusher box 22, respectively.

[0012] Figure 1 shows that the crusher 20 may further comprise a conveyor system 159 including a lower conveyor 160 located below the lower discharge chute 34 and an outer conveyor 162 located adjacent to one end of the lower conveyor 160. The outer conveyor 162 may be pivotally movable between a storage or transport position and an operating position relative to the crusher box 22. The crusher box 22 may further comprise a base 50 supported on wheels 52. The discharge chute 34 may be part of the crusher box 22, part of the base 50, or part of both the crusher box 22 and the base 50. The crusher 20 includes a crusher housing 54 that encloses a powertrain 56 for rotating the crusher rotor 38. In some embodiments, the front of the crusher 20 may be provided with a trailer tongue / hitch 59 together with a support jack 51.

[0013] As shown in Figure 5, the crusher box 22 may further include an inspection platform 36 extending between the first and second end walls 24, 26, and a crusher rotor 38 located inside the crusher box 22 adjacent to the lower end of the upper hopper 32. To expose the inspection platform 36, the access door 46 is moved to a lowered or open position as shown in Figure 5. The inspection platform 36 may be substantially flat (i.e., horizontal) and can allow access to several components of the crusher 20. For example, when an operator stands on the inspection platform 36, the operator may be able to look in a first direction toward the crusher rotor 38, or the operator may be able to look in a second direction toward the crusher comb 58, which is described in more detail below. The operator can access the full length of the crusher comb 58 by walking along the inspection platform 36. The operator can also access the full length of the rotor 38 by walking along the inspection platform 36. The crusher 20 further includes a flow control comb 150 connected to a first side wall 28 on the opposite side of the inspection platform 36. The flow control comb 150 meshes with the crusher rotor 38 to prevent the material to be crushed from moving downward from the upper hopper 32 into the area between the crusher rotor 38 and the first side wall 28. The flow control comb 150 further has comb elements that can pivot upward relative to the first side wall 28 to allow the material to be recirculated upward by the crusher rotor 38 past the flow control comb 150 and back into the upper hopper 32.

[0014] The crusher rotor 38 may include a rotor body and a plurality of rotor teeth 42 attached to the rotor body. The crusher rotor 38 may be rotatable about a rotor axis 40 oriented to extend from a first end wall 24 to a second end wall 26. The first and second side walls 28, 30 are depicted as oriented to extend in the direction of the rotor axis 40 (i.e., along or parallel to the rotor axis 40). The crusher rotor 38 may be rotatable about the rotor axis 40 in the forward volume reduction direction F or in the reverse direction, or may be rotatable in either direction. Although not shown, the crusher 20 may further include a screen unit that can be attached to a screen mounting location for sieving the crushed material that has passed through the crusher comb section 58. The screen mounting location may be located above the lower discharge port 33 and chute 34 and below the rotor 38.

[0015] The access door 46 of the crusher is pivotally movable between an open position (see Figure 5) and a closed position (see Figure 1) relative to the first end wall 24, the second end wall 26, and the inspection platform 36. When the access door 46 pivots between the open and closed positions, it pivots around a door shaft 48. The door shaft 48 extends between the first and second end walls 24, 26 in the direction of the rotor shaft 40 (i.e., along or parallel to the rotor shaft 40). In the embodiment depicted, the door shaft 48 is horizontal. When the access door 46 is in the closed position, it defines the second side wall 30 of the crusher box 22. The access door 46 may further include first and second latches 400 (Figure 5) for securing the access door 46 to the first and second end walls 24, 26, respectively, when the access door 46 is in the closed position. The latch 400 can interlock with the opening 401 in the end walls 24, 26 to fix the door 46 in the closed position. In one exemplary embodiment, the access door 46 is vertical in the closed position and horizontal in the open position. In another embodiment shown in Figure 5, the latch 400 is formed to include an extendable pin that operates horizontally to extend into and retract into the opening 401 in each end wall 24, 26. Figure 6 shows an access door 46 having an alternative type of latch 400A that extends into and retracts from the vertical opening 401A in the end walls 24, 26.

[0016] Referring to Figure 5, the crusher 20 further comprises a crusher comb 58 which may be positioned on the inner side 404 of the access door 46. The crusher comb 58 may be supported together with the access door 46 when the access door 46 is pivoted between an open position and a closed position. The crusher comb 58 includes crusher comb teeth 60. When the access door 46 enters the closed position, the crusher comb 58 is positioned between the first and second end walls 24, 26 at a crushing location adjacent to the lower end of the upper hopper 32. In some embodiments, the crusher comb 58 is configured to cooperate with the crusher rotor 38 to crush material from the upper hopper 32. The crusher comb 58 may be positionable at a crushing location (see Figure 8) where the comb teeth 60 mesh with the rotor teeth 42 and the comb teeth 60 are located within the cylindrical reference boundary of the crusher rotor 38 as defined below. The crusher comb section 58 may also be positioned in an open position (not shown) where the comb teeth 60 are outside the cylindrical reference boundary 44 when the access door 46 is closed. The cylindrical reference boundary can be defined by the swept dimension of the rotor teeth 42 of the crusher rotor 38 as the crusher rotor 38 rotates around the rotor shaft 40. In some embodiments, the rotor shaft 40 may be located higher than the inspection platform 36.

[0017] When the crusher comb 58 is in the crushing position, the crusher comb teeth 60 can cooperate with the rotor teeth 42 to crush the material to be crushed when the crusher rotor 38 rotates around the rotor axis 40. In contrast, when the access door 46 is in the open position, the crusher comb 58 is displaced laterally outward from between the first and second end walls 24, 26 to the crusher comb inspection area outside the interior of the crusher box 22. Figures 5 to 14 depict the crusher comb 58 as part of a crusher comb unit 78 supported by the access door 46. The crusher comb unit 78 includes a crusher comb unit frame 80 to which the crusher comb teeth 60 are attached. The crusher comb unit 78 may be pivotally movable around an axis 81 (Figure 6) between the crushing position and the open position relative to the support frame of the access door 46. The shaft 81 may be parallel to the rotor shaft 40. To enable the pivoting motion of the shredder comb unit 78, the frame 80 may include a pivot shaft supported in a bearing sealed within a bearing housing 410 (see Figure 5) mounted to the frame of the door 46. When the door 46 is closed, the bearing housing 410 fits into corresponding notches 412 defined by the end face walls 24, 26 of the shredder box. As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the shredder comb unit 78 may further include a first plate structure 82 supported above the shredder comb 58 by the shredder comb unit frame 80. The first plate structure 82 defines the lower portion of the hopper defining surface 76. The access door 46 may further include a second plate structure 84 fixed to the support frame of the access door 46. The second plate structure 84 defines the upper portion of the hopper defining surface 76.

[0018] When the access door 46 is closed and the shredder comb 58 is in the shredding position, the shredder comb unit 78 enters the shredding position and the shredder comb teeth 60 are positioned within the cylindrical reference boundary of the shredder rotor 38. When the shredder comb unit 78 enters the open position, the shredder comb teeth 60 are placed outside the cylindrical reference boundary of the shredder rotor 38. As shown in Figure 6, the shredder 20 may further include at least one hydraulic cylinder 87 for holding the shredder comb unit 78 in the shredding position. One or more hydraulic cylinders 87 may be configured to retract to allow the shredder comb unit 78 to move from the shredding position to the open position. One or more additional hydraulic cylinders 90 may be configured to move the access door 46 from the closed position to the open inspection position or vice versa.

[0019] The configuration of the comb teeth 60 for forming the comb section 58 and their assembly to the crusher comb section unit 78 are described here with reference to Figures 9 to 25. As shown in Figure 9, a row of comb teeth 60 is provided, and each comb tooth is individually mounted to the frame 80 of the crusher comb section unit 78. Thus, the comb teeth 60 are individually replaceable on the comb section unit 78. As will be described in more detail below, each comb tooth 60 is configured to be mounted in two different orientations, and the comb teeth 60 are reversible for use in two different orientations. Each comb tooth 60 is not mounted directly to the frame 80 but is supported by a comb tooth mounting base or base 170, one of which is visible in the foreground of Figure 9. The comb tooth base 170 is also shown individually in Figures 19 to 25. The working end of each comb tooth 60 has an upper surface that faces the approaching rotor teeth 42 and a lower surface that interfaces with the comb tooth base 170. The working end is the portion of the comb teeth 60 that protrudes outward from the operating side of the frame 80 and is exposed to engage with the rotor teeth 42 when the crusher comb unit 78 is in the crushing position with the access door 46 closed (the working end is shown on the left side of Figures 9 and 10). As will be described below, each mounted comb tooth 60 also has a non-working end (right side of Figure 10) that cannot engage with any of the rotor teeth 42, regardless of the position of the access door 46 and the position of the crusher comb unit 78 relative to the access door 46. The non-working end of each comb tooth 60 extends to the non-operating side of the frame 80 and is shielded from the inside of the crusher box by the frame 80, as shown in Figures 10-13. The working end and non-working end are determined by how the comb teeth 60 are mounted to the frame 80. Therefore, by changing the orientation of the comb teeth 60, it is possible to reverse which end is the working end and which is the non-working end. The working end and non-working end of the comb teeth 60 can be identical in their physical configuration. Therefore, to avoid confusion, the working end and non-working end are not assigned separate symbols.

[0020] The working end of the comb teeth 60 provides a cutting portion on its upper surface that is at least partially defined by one or more cutting edges. The comb teeth 60 may define a pocket 178 (Figure 12) on the lower surface of the working end to receive a central projection 182 of the comb tooth base 170. The central projection 182 may have a reduced thickness compared to the surrounding portion of the comb tooth base 170. Thus, additional lateral support surfaces 186 may be formed on the comb tooth base 170 at each step where the central projection 182 intersects with the body of the comb tooth base 170. These stepped surfaces 186 can support the portion of the comb teeth 60 extending along the pocket 178. In the side views shown in Figures 12 and 25, the central projection 182 may exhibit an arched convex interface surface 190 that is complementary to the arched concave interface surface 192 formed in the pocket 178 of the comb teeth 60. Both surfaces 190 and 192 may optionally have portions of at least 90 degrees that trace a certain radius. The radius section may extend to the uppermost end of a primary fastener hole 196 used to accommodate fasteners 200 that secure the comb teeth 60 to the base 70. The fasteners 200 are screwed in from the bottom of the hole 196 upward, through the top of the hole 196, and into the threaded holes 204 of the comb teeth 60, as shown in Figure 12. The hole 196 may be a clearance hole for the fasteners 200.

[0021] Although the fastener 200 can be tightened to bring the comb teeth 60 and the base 170 together at the interface surfaces 190 and 192, the fastener 200 is not configured to bear the cutting load caused by the rotary drum teeth 42 pushing the material across the comb teeth 60. Rather, after the fastener 200 is tightened to bring the interface surfaces 190 and 192 together closely, it is relatively separated from the cutting load. For reasons further described below, even though the fastener 200 is separated from the cutting load, the sum of contact points between the comb teeth 60 and the base 170 does not have a positive locking effect on its own. Rather, the interface surfaces 190 and 192, when considered individually, can be fully engaged simply by bringing the comb teeth 60 and the base 170 together in a straight line, and can be separated from full engagement simply by pulling them apart. The interface surfaces 190 and 192 may define tapered or wedge-shaped profiles, but their shapes do not require a multi-stage arrangement such as a specific rotation of one relative to the other.

[0022] The load applied to the comb teeth 60 is transmitted to the base 170, and from the base 170 to the frame 80 of the comb unit 78. The frame 80 can be constructed as a single, integral weld to support all of the comb teeth 60 of the comb unit 78. As shown in Figure 12, the comb base 170 has three separate engagement or support points with the frame 80. The first contact point may be established between a rounded bump 208 of the frame 80 and a complementary receptacle or pocket 210 formed at the bottom of the base 170 adjacent to the fastener hole 196, which is far from the comb teeth 60. The second contact point may be defined between an inward-facing end face 212 (e.g., formed flat) and an adjacent reaction face 214 (e.g., also formed flat) on the frame 80 side. In addition, the threaded fastener 218 engages with the threaded hole 220 in the frame 80 such that the end of the fastener 218 presses against the foot portion 224 of the comb-tooth base 170. Although shown with an opening (optionally for screw-receiving the threaded fastener), the foot portion 224 in the illustrated embodiment is configured to receive the pushing force from the fastener 218 as it is screwed into the frame hole 220 in the depicted configuration. This action ensures that any clearance at other contact points between the frame 80 and the base 170 is eliminated, so that the load is efficiently transmitted to the frame 80 and wear can be reduced. The fastener 218 may have a fine thread pitch to allow for fine adjustment of the pushing force resulting from turning the fastener 218. If the fastener 218 has a relatively small length-to-diameter ratio, resulting in a relatively small number of complete thread turns, a retainer 228 that engages with the head of the fastener 218 to prevent it from rotating and reversing after assembly may slide into a predetermined position within the channel of the frame 80. The fastener 218 in the illustrated configuration may be called a “push bolt” because it only pushes the comb base 170 without extending into or through the comb base 170.

[0023] Referring further to Figures 10-12 and 14, each comb tooth 60 is also supported in a position separated from the comb tooth base 170 relative to the frame. Support can be provided by a support member or a support "ring" 232, which is separated from the comb tooth base 170 and from the frame 80, but is fixedly attached to them. Figure 12 shows that the window 236 of the frame 80 and the central portion 240 of the comb tooth 60 separating the working end and the non-working end are very close together, but clearance is provided between the central portion 240 of the comb tooth and the window 236 when the comb tooth 60 is attached to the comb unit 78. Multiple support rings 232 corresponding to each of the multiple comb teeth 60 are fixedly attached to the frame 80 by a rod 244 and at least one fastener 248. In the depicted configuration, one rod 244 supports half of the support rings 232 of the comb unit 78, and another rod 244 (not shown) supports the other half. The support rods 244 may have internally threaded ends for engaging with fasteners 248 that first extend through holes in the side plates of the frame 80. The threaded ends of the support rods 244 may also be used to facilitate engagement with a portable power cylinder during assembly / disassembly, for example, for pushing the support rods 244 into / out of the assembly position. In other configurations, other components having similar features for supporting the support rings 232 or the comb teeth 60 are integrally incorporated into the welds of the frame 80. The support rings 232 may be of a hardened steel construction, for example, heat-treated SAE4140 steel. Each support ring 232 is formed as a single piece that rotates a full 360 degrees around its central axis and opening.

[0024] The portion of the support ring 232 facing the non-working end of the comb teeth 60 is provided in a shape that mimics the central projection 182 of the comb tooth base 170. In other words, the non-working end pocket 178 receives at least a portion of the support ring 232 so as to define a close interface between the pocket interface surface 192 and the interface surface of the support ring 232, and the interface surface of the support ring 232 has the same shape as the interface surface 190 of the central projection 182 of the comb tooth base 170, that is, it is complementary to the pocket interface surface 190, and each may be tapered or wedge-shaped. Due to the presence of the attached support ring 232, the comb teeth 60 can be assembled into the comb unit 78 by inserting the non-working end through the frame window 236 at a first angular position, in which case the working end is pivoted away from the tooth base 170 around the first axis A of the comb teeth 60 (and the non-working end is also pivoted away from the support ring 232). After being inserted longitudinally along its second axis B, the comb teeth 60 are pivoted around the first axis A to a second angular position in which the pocket 178 at the working end is brought closer to the tooth base 170 and rests on the tooth base 170, and the pocket 178 at the non-working end is brought closer to the support ring 232 and rests on the support ring 232. As shown in Figure 12, the comb unit frame 80 has a curved guide surface 238 formed as an installation slide to guide the non-working end of the comb teeth 60 to the mounting position. Next, fasteners 200 and 218 are installed, followed by a holder 228 for the second fastener 218. When the second fastener 218 is tightened (for example, only after torque has been applied to fastener 200), it causes rotation (counterclockwise in Figure 12) around the knuckle 208 of the tooth base 170. This not only brings the inward end face 212 into contact with the frame 80, but also slightly pushes the entire comb teeth 60 outward away from the frame 80, further ensuring close contact and clearance at both pockets 178 (against the tooth base 170 and the support ring 232, respectively). The depicted arrangement allows the pockets 178 at the non-working ends to be pressed into contact with their respective support rings 232 without being fastened. No fasteners are used at the non-working ends of the comb teeth 60.

[0025] The comb portion that holds the holder 228 may also be used to hold a limiter or other sieving attachment that helps control the movement of the crushed material below the comb teeth 60. At least one such embodiment is described in more detail below with reference to Figures 26 to 32.

[0026] As mentioned above, each comb tooth 60 to be attached will have a working end and a non-working end. The initial assembly of the comb unit 78 is indifferent to which end of the comb tooth 60 is set as the working end. In other words, the two cutting sections 174 have the same physical configuration and will exhibit the same crushing performance when used with the rotor teeth 42. Regardless of which orientation is chosen for the initial assembly, one pocket 178 receives the central projection 182 of the comb tooth base 170, and the other pocket 178 receives the support ring 232. As can be seen from Figures 15-18, when the comb tooth 60 is rotated 180 degrees around the first axis A, the orientation of the part becomes exactly the same as the original orientation, even though the positions of the two ends have been swapped. Therefore, when it is desired to reorient the comb teeth 60 to reverse the working end and non-working end (for example, after the service life of the first cutting section 174 has expired), the original comb tooth mounting orientation and the next comb tooth mounting orientation differ by only 180 degrees around the first axis A. When the comb teeth 60 are mounted, the first axis A extends parallel to the axis 81 on the access door 46 around which the crusher comb unit 78 can pivot. The original (worn) cutting section 174, once moved to the next comb tooth mounting orientation, is positioned adjacent to the support ring 232 but facing away from the support ring 232. As can be seen from Figures 12 and 18, the comb teeth 60 include two fastener holes 204 (for example, identical fastener holes), both of which are offset from the first axis A. Due to the engagement of the comb teeth 60 and the support ring 232 at the non-working end, only the first hole of the holes 204 is used in the original or first comb tooth mounting orientation, and only the other one of the holes 204 is used in the next or second comb tooth mounting orientation.

[0027] Although not depicted, other embodiments of the comb teeth 60 provide dissimilar cutting portions 174 at two opposite ends (e.g., differing in one or more of the following: size, shape, and hardness). The comb teeth 60 having dissimilar cutting portions 174 can be reconfigured by inversion of the comb teeth 60 to suit different materials, such as wood versus rubber. The comb teeth 60 having dissimilar cutting portions 174 may still have two identical mounting surfaces (e.g., pockets 178) at the two ends, so that the comb teeth 60 can be mounted in the same way regardless of which of the cutting portions 174 is used. In some configurations, only one cutting portion 174 of the comb teeth 60 may be serrated, or both cutting portions 174 may have dissimilar serrated structures. In some configurations, inversion of the comb teeth 60 having dissimilar cutting portions 174 can be reconfigured to match different rotor configurations (e.g., rotor tip height and / or shape).

[0028] Figures 26 to 32 depict a crusher 320 of another embodiment, which may be similar in all respects to the crusher 20, apart from what is explicitly noted herein. In some embodiments, the crushers 320 of Figures 26 to 32 may be modified or reconfigured versions of the same crusher 20, but they may be considered entirely separate crushers. Similarly, the comb unit 378 may be entirely different components from the comb unit 78, or it may be simply a reconfiguration of the comb unit 78, including a group of added and / or replaced components. As shown in Figure 26, the comb unit 378 includes a number of limiters 333 that extend at least partially below the rotor 38. In some situations, the limiters 333 can facilitate a more complete splitting of the crushed material before it is sent to the conveyor 160, and / or reduce the possibility of fragments or pulp being pushed into the conveyor 160. The limiter 333 can facilitate deflection and, in some cases, facilitate further splitting of the material after the shredded material has passed the interface point between the rotor teeth 42 and the comb teeth 60. The limiter 333 may, in some cases, be configured to extend further across the width of the shredder box 22, for example, across most of the width, and / or can work with an additional limiter or screen to facilitate complete recirculation of the shredded material to the upper surface of the rotor 38 above the comb teeth 60. The limiter 333 is particularly useful when shredding railroad ties or other long, splitting types of wood, but can be used in any desired application where better size sorting can be beneficial. Generally, screens and limiters are used to improve material size sorting, however, the limiter is less restrictive as it does not wrap around the underside of the rotor 38 as much. The limiter 333 depicted is positioned to remain completely outside the cylindrical reference boundary of the crusher rotor 38, but similar limiters may be provided in a form that extends across or into the cylindrical reference boundary of the crusher rotor 38.

[0029] As shown in Figure 27, the limiter 333 may extend longitudinally, mainly parallel to the longitudinal comb tooth axis B. The limiter 333 may have a separation distance between limiters that matches the separation distance between the comb teeth 60. However, the limiter 333 is not in a straight line with the comb teeth 60, but rather offset from the comb teeth 60 so that a given limiter 333 is equidistant from the two nearest adjacent comb teeth 60. In the alternative embodiments of Figures 33 and 34, the limiter 433 is positioned at the same separation distance as the comb teeth 60 and is aligned with the comb teeth 60. The limiter 333 may have a rotor-facing surface or edge 33 that faces generally upward when the limiter 333 is mounted below a portion of the rotor 38. The limiter 333 has a claw or loose hook shape, and the rotor opposing edge 337 has a concave shape, the shape of which approximates or matches the contour curve traced at a fixed distance from the rotor shaft 40, as can be understood from Figure 26. Returning to Figure 27, the frame 80, which may be a frame common to both comb units 78, 378 or which may be specific to comb unit 378, includes a support surface 339 having threaded holes 220 for fasteners 218. The support surface 339 may be flat or otherwise configured. Multiple flanged columns or bosses 341 are spaced apart from the support surface 339 and configured to define slots or receptacles 343 between them. As shown in Figure 27, one hole 220 for one fastener 218 is located in each receptacle 343.

[0030] Each retainer 328 is held by a pair of laterally spaced slots formed by a pair of adjacent, spaced-out flanged bosses 341, each having flanges extending toward each other with respect to the support surface 339. The receptacle 343 for retainer 328 is formed between two flanged bosses 341, with each flange extending over the edge portion of the receptacle 343, and this arrangement is repeated for each retainer 328. In addition, one limiter 333 is attached to one of the flanged bosses 341, in this example only one. As will be described in more detail below, the limiter 333 is configured to engage with two laterally opposite flanges on one flanged boss 341. The retainers 328 and each receptacle 343 are centered between adjacent flanged bosses 341, while the limiter 333 is centered on a flanged boss 341. The limiter 333 or a portion of the limiter 33 can be stacked with the retainer 328 during assembly, as can be seen in Figure 27. In Figure 27, the two leftmost flanged bosses 341 are shown without the limiter 333 installed. The leftmost retainer slot is also shown without the retainer 328 and fastener 218 to expose the threaded hole 220 and support surface 339. According to the above disclosure, each receptacle 343 can accept one retainer 328 (e.g., the entire retainer) and two adjacent portions of limiters 333 (e.g., side edges).

[0031] With respect to Figures 29 to 32, one of the limiters 333 is shown in more detail. Although alternative configurations are optional, the limiter 333 is assumed to be a one-piece construction and can be integrally welded from, for example, a plate portion that is cut and / or bent into a desired shape. The limiter 333 has a proximal or attachment end 345 opposite to the distal tip 335, which has a structure defined as an interface for coupling with the shape of a flanged boss 341. The structure of the attachment end 345 may include a closed slot 347 at the end. The slot 347 is open on the lower side opposite to the rotor-facing edge 337 and closed on the upper side adjacent to the rotor-facing edge 337. The slot 347 provides space for accommodating one of the flanged bosses 341 when mounted.

[0032] The limiter 333 and the retainer 328 can be assembled to the comb unit frame 80 by sliding onto the flanged boss 341 or into the receptacle 343 in a direction parallel to the support surface 339. The limiter 333 is installed first, i.e., before the fasteners 218 are installed. Once the limiter 333 is in place, the adjacent (one or more) limiter retainers 328 slide into place between the support surface 339 and the limiter 333, and as soon as the fasteners 218 are installed (e.g., as soon as the fasteners 218 are installed so as to remove play from the comb base 170 as described above), they lock the limiter 333 in place (e.g., prevent the limiter 333 from sliding out of the slot). For example, as indicated by the reference numerals in Figures 29-31, the lip 349 protrudes outward from the proximal end of the limiter 333, generally opposite to the portion forming the rotor-facing edge 337. In the assembled position, the lower edge of the limiter holder 328 is in contact with the lip 349, or positioned directly in front of the lip 349 in a direction parallel to the support surface 339 passing through the receptacle 343. Once the fastener 218 is installed, the head of the fastener 218 prevents the holder 328 from slipping out of the receptacle 343. With the lip 349 of the limiter sandwiched under the lower edge of the holder 328, the holder 328 prevents the limiter 333 from slipping and falling off the flanged boss 341. The lip 349 is positioned to catch on the holder 328 if an upward sliding force is applied to the limiter 333 that could cause it to slip out of place. As shown in the figure, each limiter 333 is provided with a lip 439 on each of its lateral sides, so as to engage with each adjacent holder 328. As described above, the retainer 328 is assembled after the limiter 333 and before the fastener 218 due to interference with the limiter lip 349. However, in an alternative configuration, the comb unit 378 may not have the limiter 333 and may be provided with multiple retainers, which may function as anti-rotation clips for the fastener 218, similar to the retainer 228 described above (for example, Figure 14).

[0033] As briefly described above, Figures 33 and 34 depict a crusher comb unit 478, which is similar to comb units 78 and 378, except that the limiters 433 are located directly below each comb tooth 60. To achieve this arrangement, each limiter 433 is attached to a receptacle 343 between two adjacent flanged bosses 341 on a support surface 339. The fastener 218 can extend through an opening in the proximal portion of the limiter 433. Thus, the limiter 433 can be held in the assembled position by the fastener without any separate additional retainers, although alternative arrangements are optional.

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention are, for example, as follows: [Embodiment 1] In a crusher, Crusher box and A crusher rotor disposed inside the crusher box, which is rotatable around its rotor axis and has multiple rotor teeth, An access door that is pivotally movable between an open position and a closed position, and which, when in the closed position, defines the side wall of the crusher box, The crusher comb section, which is located on the inner side of the access door and includes multiple crusher comb teeth, Equipped with, When the access door is in the closed position, the crusher comb is positioned to engage with the plurality of rotor teeth to crush the material fed into the crusher box. The aforementioned multiple crusher comb teeth are removable and reversible for use in two orientations, in a crusher. [Embodiment 2] The crusher according to Embodiment 1, wherein the plurality of crusher comb teeth are fixedly supported on the comb unit frame through a plurality of corresponding comb tooth bases that are removable from the comb unit frame. [Embodiment 3] The crusher according to Embodiment 2, wherein the entire crusher comb section is supported by the comb section unit frame, which is configured as a single, integrated welded piece. [Embodiment 4] The crusher according to Embodiment 2, wherein the plurality of comb teeth bases are arranged on the operating side of the comb unit frame. [Embodiment 5] The crusher according to Embodiment 2, wherein each of the plurality of comb tooth bases is positioned between the comb unit frame and the respective comb teeth. [Embodiment 6] The crusher according to Embodiment 2, wherein each of the plurality of crusher comb teeth is fixed to a corresponding one of the plurality of comb tooth bases using a fastener. [Embodiment 7] The crusher according to Embodiment 6, wherein the fastener extends at least partially from one corresponding lower surface of the comb tooth base, through a clearance hole therein, into a hole in one of the plurality of crusher comb teeth. [Embodiment 8] The crusher according to Embodiment 1, wherein each of the plurality of crusher comb teeth includes a first end having a cutting portion and a mounting pocket, and a second end having a cutting portion and a mounting pocket. [Embodiment 9] The crusher according to Embodiment 8, wherein the cut portion of the first end and the cut portion of the second end are not only at opposite ends to each other, but also on opposite sides to each other. [Embodiment 10] The crusher according to embodiment 8, having a first configuration in which the first ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth are mounted on the crusher comb frame so as to be positionable to mesh with the plurality of rotor teeth, and the second ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth are shielded from the inside of the crusher box by the frame. [Embodiment 11] The crusher according to Embodiment 8, having a first configuration in which the first ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth are fastened to a plurality of comb tooth bases, thereby being attached to the operating side of the comb unit frame, and the plurality of comb tooth bases are at least partially received into the respective first end mounting pockets, such that the first ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth can be positioned to mesh with the plurality of rotor teeth. [Embodiment 12] The crusher according to Embodiment 11, wherein in the first configuration, the second ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth are attached to the non-operating side of the comb unit frame, the second ends are in contact with each of the plurality of support rings, and the plurality of support rings are at least partially received into second end mounting pockets without being fastened. [Embodiment 13] The crusher according to Embodiment 1, wherein when the access door is in the open position, the crusher comb is displaced laterally outward to a crusher comb inspection area separated from the inside of the crusher box. [Embodiment 14] The crusher according to Embodiment 1, wherein a curved guide surface is formed within the comb unit frame as an installation slide for guiding each of the non-working ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth to the mounting position. [Embodiment 15] The crusher according to Embodiment 1, wherein the plurality of crusher comb teeth are fixedly supported on a comb unit frame having a support surface and a plurality of flanged bosses extending therefrom, and the crusher further comprises a plurality of limiters attached to each of the plurality of flanged bosses and protruding around the lower portion of the crusher rotor to close the throat space and facilitate the recirculation of the crushed material. [Embodiment 16] In a crusher, Crusher box and A crusher rotor disposed inside the crusher box, which is rotatable around its rotor axis and has multiple rotor teeth, An access door that is pivotally movable between an open position and a closed position, and which, when in the closed position, defines the side wall of the crusher box, A crusher comb unit, wherein when the access door is in the closed position, the crusher comb of the crusher comb unit, which has a plurality of crusher comb teeth, is positioned on the inner side of the access door so as to be positioned in a crushing location where it engages with the plurality of rotor teeth to crush the material fed into the crusher box, Equipped with, The crusher comb unit includes a frame, on which the plurality of crusher comb teeth are fixedly supported through a plurality of corresponding comb tooth bases that are removable from the frame. [Embodiment 17] The crusher according to Embodiment 16, wherein each of the plurality of comb-tooth bases is fixedly positioned with respect to the frame, without any direct fastening to the frame, and solely through a plurality of contact points between the comb teeth and the frame. [Embodiment 18] The crusher according to embodiment 16, wherein, for each of the plurality of comb-tooth bases, the rounded bumps of the frame are received into complementary receptacles formed within the comb-tooth base. [Embodiment 19] The crusher according to embodiment 18, further comprising a push bolt screwed into the frame for each of the plurality of comb-tooth bases, the push bolt configured to apply an adjustable pushing force to the feet of the comb-tooth base that are offset from the receptacle that receives the round bumps. [Embodiment 20] The crusher according to embodiment 16, wherein each of the plurality of crusher comb teeth is fixed to a corresponding one of the plurality of comb tooth bases using a fastener. [Embodiment 21] The crusher according to Embodiment 20, wherein the fastener extends at least partially from one corresponding lower surface of the comb tooth base, through a clearance hole therein, into a hole in one of the plurality of crusher comb teeth. [Embodiment 22] The crusher according to embodiment 16, wherein each of the plurality of crusher comb teeth is removable and reversible with respect to the plurality of comb tooth base to provide two working orientations. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without adhering to the exemplary embodiments and applications shown and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the progressive aspects disclosed herein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 20 Crusher 22 Crusher Box 24, 26 First and second opposing end walls 28, 30 First and second opposing side walls 32 Top hopper 33 Lower outlet 34 Lower-exit shot 36 Inspection Platform 38 Crusher rotor 40 rotor shaft 42 rotor teeth 44 Cylindrical reference boundary 46 Access Doors 48 Door Axle 50 base 51 Support Jack 52 wheels 54. Crusher housing 56 Powertrain 58 Crusher comb section 59 Trailer Tan / Hitch 60 Crusher comb teeth 76 Hopper drawing surface 78 Crusher comb unit 80 Crusher comb unit frame 81 Pivot shaft of the crusher comb unit 82 First plate structure 84. Second plate structure 87 Hydraulic Cylinder 90 Hydraulic Cylinder 150 Comb section for flow control 159 Conveyor System 160 Lower conveyor 162 Outer conveyor 170 Comb tooth base 174 Cutting part 178 pockets 182 Central protrusion 186 Lateral support surface 190 Arch-shaped convex interface surface 192 Arch-shaped concave interface surface 196 Primary fastening holes 200 fasteners 201, 202 First and Second Aspects 204 Fastener holes, threaded holes 208 Round bumps 210 Receptacle or pocket 212 Inward end face 214 Reaction surface 218 Fasteners 220 frame holes, threaded holes 224 Foot part 228 Holder 232 Support member or support "ring" 236 windows 238 Guide surface 240 Center part of comb teeth 244 rods 248 Fasteners 320 Crusher 328 Holder 333 Limiter 335 Distal tip 337 Rotor opposing surface or edge 339 Support surface 341 Flanged column or boss 343 Receptacle 345 Proximal end or attachment end 347 slots 349 Lip 378 Comb Unit 400, 400A latch above 401, 401A opening 404 Internal side 410 Bearing Housing 412 Notches 433 Limiter 478 Crusher comb unit A. The first axis of the comb teeth B. Second axis of the comb teeth, longitudinal comb axis. F Forward volume reduction direction

Claims

1. In a crusher, Crusher box and A crusher rotor disposed inside the crusher box, which is rotatable around a rotor axis and has multiple rotor teeth, The crusher includes a crusher comb section, which is positioned on the side of the crusher box and includes a plurality of crusher comb teeth configured to mesh with the plurality of rotor teeth in order to crush the material fed into the crusher box, The plurality of crusher comb teeth are removable and reversible for use in two orientations, and each of the plurality of crusher comb teeth includes a first end having a cutting portion and a mounting pocket, and a second end having a cutting portion and a mounting pocket. The cut portion of the first end and the cut portion of the second end are not only on opposite ends to each other, but also on opposite sides to each other. The mounting pocket at the first end and the mounting pocket at the second end are not only at opposite ends to each other, but also on opposite sides. A crusher in which the aforementioned cut portion and the aforementioned mounting pocket at the same end are located on opposite sides from each other.

2. The crusher according to claim 1, wherein the crusher comprises a comb unit frame, and the plurality of crusher comb teeth are fixedly supported on the comb unit frame through a plurality of corresponding comb tooth bases that are removable from the comb unit frame.

3. The crusher according to claim 2, wherein the entire crusher comb section is supported by the comb section unit frame, which is configured as a single, integrated welded product.

4. The crusher according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of comb tooth bases are arranged on the operating side of the comb unit frame.

5. The crusher according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of comb tooth bases is positioned between the comb unit frame and each of the comb teeth.

6. The crusher according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of crusher comb teeth is fixed to a corresponding one of the plurality of comb tooth bases using a fastener.

7. The crusher according to claim 6, wherein the fastener extends at least partially from one corresponding lower surface of the comb tooth base, through a clearance hole therein, into a hole in one of the plurality of crusher comb teeth.

8. The crusher according to claim 1, having a first configuration in which the first ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth are mounted on a crusher comb frame so as to be positionable to mesh with the plurality of rotor teeth, and the second ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth are shielded from the inside of the crusher box by a comb unit frame.

9. The crusher according to claim 1, having a first configuration in which the first ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth are fastened to a plurality of comb tooth bases, thereby being attached to the operating side of the comb unit frame, and the plurality of comb tooth bases are at least partially received into the mounting pockets of the respective first ends.

10. The crusher according to claim 9, wherein in the first configuration, the second ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth are attached to the non-operating side of the comb unit frame, the second ends are in contact with each of the plurality of support rings, and the plurality of support rings are at least partially received into mounting pockets of the second ends without being fastened.

11. The crusher comb section is movable between a crushing location where the crusher comb teeth are positioned to mesh with the rotor teeth and a release position where the crusher comb teeth are positioned outside a cylindrical reference boundary defined by the rotor teeth, according to claim 1.

12. The crusher according to claim 1, wherein a curved guide surface is formed within the comb unit frame as an installation slide for guiding each of the non-working ends of the plurality of crusher comb teeth to the mounting position.

13. The crusher according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of crusher comb teeth are fixedly supported on a comb unit frame having a support surface and a plurality of flanged bosses extending therefrom, and the crusher further comprises a plurality of limiters attached to each of the plurality of flanged bosses and protruding around the lower portion of the crusher rotor to close the throat space and facilitate the recirculation of the crushed material.

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