Bucket lip shroud and bucket lip assembly for machine

Abstract

A shroud for a bucket lip assembly in a bucket of a machine includes a leading edge, a shroud lower surface, a shroud upper surface, and a shroud back surface forming an installation pocket. The shroud further includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a central wedge portion, a first material channel formed between the central wedge portion and the first sidewall and a second material channel formed between the central wedge portion and the second sidewall. The leading edge may form lead-in cutouts in communication with the respective material channels.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to protective structures for a bucket lip in a machine, and more particularly to a bucket lip shroud for shielding a bucket lip and facilitating flow of material during operation.BACKGROUND

[0002] Many different types of heavy-duty machinery are known throughout the world for use in material handling, construction, demolition, forestry, and mining, for example. Such machines are typically equipped with an implement system, commonly hydraulically actuated, including a bucket that captures material to be lifted and dumped. In mining applications, it is common for such machines to be built quite large and robust, with large bucket capacities configured for capturing, lifting, and dumping enormous amounts of material at a working face of a mine.

[0003] Operating conditions in such applications can be extremely harsh, with the material captured and moved being heavy, hard, abrasive, and sometimes needing to be broken apart by action of the bucket. One type of mining machine widely deployed in the field is generally known as a hydraulic mining shovel and includes a large bucket mounted to a boom assembly and operated to capture, lift, and dump blasted material at the working face of a mine. Buckets in such applications are often built, sometimes on-site, from multiple different parts including a so-called bucket lip that is arranged at a forward edge of the bucket. Such bucket lips are typically equipped with various protective structures, often replaceable, including edge shrouds, wing shrouds, and various wear plates, as well as ground-engaging tip structures for penetrating the blasted material to be moved. In modern hydraulic mining shovels and similar equipment, the bucket lip and attachments can be among the more complex components of the machine.

[0004] Due to the demands placed upon such machines the bucket components are typically built quite robust, often necessitating their being quite heavy, difficult to manufacture and / or install, or having other shortcomings. While efforts are sometimes made to reduce bucket or bucket lip weight, or optimize still other characteristics, the art provides ample room for improvements and development of alternatives to known strategies. One bucket lip is known from U.S. Pat. No. 9,404,240B2 to Kunz.SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, a bucket lip shroud includes a shroud body having a leading edge, a shroud lower surface, a shroud upper surface, and a shroud back surface forming a mounting pocket. The shroud body further includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and the shroud upper surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and being contoured so as to form a first material channel adjacent to the first sidewall, and second material channel adjacent to the second sidewall, and a central wedge portion. The central wedge portion extends laterally between the first material channel and the second material channel, and rearwardly and upwardly from the leading edge at a wedge angle relative to the shroud lower surface.

[0006] In another aspect, a bucket lip shroud includes a shroud body having a forward nose portion including a leading edge, and upper leg and a lower leg each extending from the forward nose portion, and a mounting pocket extending rearward of the forward nose portion and vertically between the upper leg and the lower leg. The shroud body further includes a shroud upper surface contoured so as to form a central wedge portion, and each of the first material channel and the second material channel flanking the central wedge portion, originating at the leading edge, and extending upwardly and rearwardly upon the forward nose portion and the upper leg.

[0007] In still another aspect, a bucket lip assembly includes an elongate bucket lip having a forward lip edge including a plurality of coupler stations in an alternating arrangement with a plurality of shroud stations. The bucket lip assembly further includes a shroud mounted upon one of the plurality of shroud stations, and including a leading edge, a shroud lower surface, a shroud upper surface, and a shroud back surface. The shroud further includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a central wedge portion, a first material channel formed between the central wedge portion and the first sidewall, and a second material channel formed between the central wedge portion and the second sidewall. The leading edge forms a first lead-in cutout in communication with the first material channel and a second lead-in cutout in communication with the second material channel.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a machine, according to one embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a bucket lip, according to one embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a bucket lip assembly, according to one embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a shroud positioned for installation on a bucket lip, according to one embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of a shroud, according to one embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a back view, in perspective, of a shroud, according to one embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view of a shroud, according to one embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of a shroud installed on a bucket lip, according to one embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 9 is a sectioned side view of a shroud, according to one embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a shroud installed on a bucket lip adjacent to a coupler station, according to one embodiment; and

[0018] FIG. 11 is a partial view showing leading edge features of a shroud, according to one embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a machine 10 according to one embodiment. Machine 10 includes a frame 12 supported upon ground-engaging elements 14, for example, to parallel endless ground-engaging tracks. Machine 10 also includes a hydraulicly actuated implement system 16. Implement system 16 includes a boom assembly 18 and a bucket 20. An operating cab or station may be supported upon frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment, machine 10 is a hydraulic mining shovel commonly employed to capture, lift, and dump material at the working face of a mine. Alternative machine types and / or service applications are within the scope of the present disclosure. Bucket 20 is shown attached is a forward or front arrangement, however, in an alternative, bucket 20 could be reversed from the configuration illustrated and arranged similarity to certain backhoe or excavator applications. Bucket 20 includes a forwardly positioned bucket lip 22.

[0020] Referring also now to FIG. 2, bucket lip 22 may include an elongate one-piece casting 24. Casting 24 may be formed as a single cast piece of a suitable metallic material, such as an iron or a steel. Elongate casting or body 24 may include an upper surface 26 extending laterally between a first lateral wing 28 and a second lateral wing 30. In a practical implementation, first lateral wing 28 and second lateral wing 30 can be attached such as by welding to a plurality of bucket panels or body pieces to form forward constructed bucket 20. Elongate body 24 also includes a plurality of coupler stations 32 in an alternating arrangement with a plurality of shroud stations 34, forwardly positioned upon elongate body 24 and potentially arranged in a variety of staggered fore-aft positions and / or forwardly biased such that centrally located coupler stations 34 and centrally located shroud stations are positioned relatively more forward than coupler stations and shroud stations closer to first and second lateral wings 28 and 30.

[0021] Referring also now to FIG. 3, there is shown a view of elongate body 24 coupled with several components and illustrating a lower side view 37 of a bucket lip assembly 36. Lower side 37 may have a segmented structural beam structure in some embodiments as illustrated. A plurality of couplers 38 are positioned upon the respective plurality of coupler stations 32. A plurality of tips 40 are coupled to and supported by the plurality of couplers 38. A plurality of shrouds 42 are also coupled to elongate body 24 in an alternating arrangement with the paired couplers 38 and tips 40. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that during operation of machine 10 with bucket assembly 36 installed in bucket 20 tips 40 can penetrate material to assist in capturing a load of material to be lifted and dumped. As bucket lip assembly 36 penetrates material, such as blasted material as the working face of a mine, the coarse, hard material can be understood to flow across tips 40, couplers 38 and shrouds 42 into bucket 20. Over the course of operation, relatively fine particles of material can be forced into various cervices, cracks, and gaps between and amongst the components of bucket 20 and bucket assembly 36 in particular. The material can also subject components of bucket lip assembly 36 to significant wear. As will be further apparent from the following description, bucket lip assembly 36 and components thereof can be structured for advantageous operation in respect of limiting intrusion of material into undesired locations as well as promoting a desirable flow of material to optimize wear and thereby service life.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 4-7, there is shown a bucket lip shroud 44 including further features and details thereof. FIG. 4 shows shroud 42 as it might appear positioned for installation upon a shroud station 34 of bucket lip 22. Shroud 42 includes a shroud body 44 having a leading edge 46, a shroud lower surface 48, a shroud upper surface 50, and a shroud back surface 52 forming a mounting pocket 54. Shroud body 44 may include a forward nose portion 87 including leading edge 46, an upper leg 88, and a lower leg 90 each extending from the forward nose portion 87. Mounting pocket 54 extends rearward of forward nose portion 87 and extends vertically between upper leg 88 and lower leg 90. Shroud body 44 further includes a first sidewall 56 and a second sidewall 58. Shroud upper surface 50 extends laterally between first sidewall 56 and second sidewall 58. Shroud upper surface 50 is contoured so as to form a first material channel 60 adjacent to first sidewall 56, a second material channel 62 adjacent to second sidewall 58, and a central wedge portion 64. First material channel 60 and second material channel 62 may be understood as flanking central wedge portion 64 and originating at leading edge 46. First material channel 60 and second material channel 62 extend upwardly and rearwardly upon forward nose portion 87 and upper leg 88. Central wedge portion 64 extends laterally between first material channel 60 and second material channel 62 and rearwardly and upwardly from leading edge 46.

[0023] Referring also now to FIG. 8-11, central wedge portion 64 may extend at a wedge angle 66 relative to shroud lower surface 48. Wedge angle 66 may be from 30° to 60° in some embodiments. As can be noted from FIG. 9, central wedge portion 64 may have a linear profile in a vertical plane. Shroud body 44 may also include a nose surface 68 extending between leading edge 46 and shroud lower surface 48. Nose surface 68 defines a nose angle 70 relative to shroud lower surface 48. In a practical implementation nose angle 70 is from 25° to 50°. FIG. 9 also shows a wedge thickness dimension 72 defined between shroud back surface 52 and central wedge portion 64. FIG. 9 also shows a sidewall protrusion distance 74 defined between wedge portion 64 and each respective one of first sidewall 56 and second sidewall 58. Sidewall protrusion distance 74 may be from 25% to 100% of wedge thickness dimension 72.

[0024] Still referring to the drawings generally, but focusing on FIG. 5, first sidewall 56 may form a first shroud body lateral surface 76 and second sidewall 58 may form a second shroud body lateral surface 78. A shroud lift dimensions 80 is defined between first shroud body lateral surface 76 and second shroud body lateral surface 78. Central wedge portion 64 may define a wedge width dimension 82 that is from 30%-60% of shroud width dimension 80.

[0025] It can also be appreciated from the drawings that leading edge 46 forms a first lead-in cutout 84 in communication with first material channel 60, and a second lead-in cutout 86 in communication with second material channel 62. As can be noted from FIG. 11 first lead-in cutouts 60 and second lead-in cutouts 62 may extend to concave portions of shroud lower surface 48. As also shown in FIG. 11 each of first lead-in cutout 60 and second lead-in cutout 62 may include linear edges 92 extending to a curvilinear junction 94. FIG. 5 shows an angle 95 defined between the respective linear edges 92 of each respective cutout. Angle 95 may be from 60°-100° in some embodiments.

[0026] Still focusing on FIG. 5, it will be understood that first sidewall 56 and second sidewall 58 are dispersed laterally outward, respectively, of first material channel 60 and second material channel 62. It can further be understood from FIG. 5 that, in elevation, each of first sidewall 56 and second sidewall 58 forms a rearwardly swept-in profile. Central wedge portion 64 forms, in elevation, a rearwardly swept-out profile. In elevation means in an elevational view. Central wedge portion 64 can also be seen to originate at leading edge 46 and forms a planer face 96 between first material channel 60 and second material channel 62.

[0027] Still referring to the drawings generally, but focusing now on FIG. 8, there can be seen that bucket lip 22 defines a lip thickness dimension 104. Shroud 42 defines a pocket nose dimension 106. In a practical implementation, pocket-nose dimension 106 is from 75%-125% of lip thickness dimension 104. FIG. 8 also shows a first draft angle 108 defined between upper leg 88, in particular shroud back surface 52 upon upper leg 88, and a horizontal plane. FIG. 8 also illustrates a draft angle 110 defined between shroud back surface 52 upon lower leg 90 and a horizontal plane. Each of draft angle 108 and draft angle 110 may be from 1°-5° in a practical implementation strategy. Providing a draft as disclosed can assist in removal of shroud 42 from bucket lip 72 for servicing, inspection, or replacement.

[0028] As discussed above, bucket lip assembly 36 can be subjected to extremely harsh conditions during service. It has been observed that material can find its way and be packed into gaps, etc., between components. Material can also cause wear over time of material of bucket lip assembly 36 itself. FIG. 10 shows a vertically orientated surface 102, which may be a casted surface, of bucket lip 22 and in more particularly coupler station 32. It can be appreciated that shroud 42 extends across and at least partially obscures vertically oriented surface 102. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that shrouds 42, tips 40, and couplers 38 are all components that can be periodically replaced, at the same service interval, or typically at different service intervals. Bucket lip 22, however, is not desirable to replace given the size, complexity, and cost of the component. Accordingly, providing protection from wear for casted material of bucket lip 22 can provide for an extended service life.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0029] Referring to the drawings generally, during operation implement system 18 can be operated to tilt, lift, and untilt bucket 20 many times over the course of a working cycle or shift. Each time bucket 20 is engaged to capture material, bucket lip assembly 36 can penetrate into the material, causing material to flow over and across surfaces of bucket lip assembly 36. It can be noted that a bucket lip lower surface 98, coupler lower surfaces 100, and each respective shroud lower surface 48, may all be positioned in a common plane. Lower surfaces of tips 40 might be similarly arranged. As such, the coplanar arrangement can assist in obtaining bucket penetration smoothly into the material. Opposite to the respective lower surfaces, material will flow against and over shrouds 42. It is contemplated that the relatively high sidewalls 56 and 58 in conjunction with material channels 60 and 62 can assist in a relatively smooth and even flow of material over shroud 42 and in a manner biased away from contact with other components, including vertically oriented surfaces of the respective coupler stations 32. It is also contemplated that lead-in cutouts 84 and 86 can assist in guiding material into the respective material channels 60 and 62. Furthermore, central wedge portion 64 provides a thickness of rare material in shroud 42 that is contemplated to provide robust resistance to excessive wearing down.

[0030] The present description is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and fair scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent upon an examination of the attached drawings and appended claims. As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,”“have,”“having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0019]Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a machine 10 according to one embodiment. Machine 10 includes a frame 12 supported upon ground-engaging elements 14, for example, to parallel endless ground-engaging tracks. Machine 10 also includes a hydraulicly actuated implement system 16. Implement system 16 includes a boom assembly 18 and a bucket 20. An operating cab or station may be supported upon frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment, machine 10 is a hydraulic mining shovel commonly employed to capture, lift, and dump material at the working face of a mine. Alternative machine types and / or service applications are within the scope of the present disclosure. Bucket 20 is shown attached is a forward or front arrangement, however, in an alternative, bucket 20 could be reversed from the configuration illustrated and arranged similarity to certain backhoe or excavator applications. Bucket 20 includes a forwardly positioned bucket lip 22.

[0020]Referring also now to FIG. 2, bucket lip 22...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to protective structures for a bucket lip in a machine, and more particularly to a bucket lip shroud for shielding a bucket lip and facilitating flow of material during operation.BACKGROUND

[0002] Many different types of heavy-duty machinery are known throughout the world for use in material handling, construction, demolition, forestry, and mining, for example. Such machines are typically equipped with an implement system, commonly hydraulically actuated, including a bucket that captures material to be lifted and dumped. In mining applications, it is common for such machines to be built quite large and robust, with large bucket capacities configured for capturing, lifting, and dumping enormous amounts of material at a working face of a mine.

[0003] Operating conditions in such applications can be extremely harsh, with the material captured and moved being heavy, hard, abrasive, and sometimes needing to be broken apart by action of the bucket. One type of mining machine widely deployed in the field is generally known as a hydraulic mining shovel and includes a large bucket mounted to a boom assembly and operated to capture, lift, and dump blasted material at the working face of a mine. Buckets in such applications are often built, sometimes on-site, from multiple different parts including a so-called bucket lip that is arranged at a forward edge of the bucket. Such bucket lips are typically equipped with various protective structures, often replaceable, including edge shrouds, wing shrouds, and various wear plates, as well as ground-engaging tip structures for penetrating the blasted material to be moved. In modern hydraulic mining shovels and similar equipment, the bucket lip and attachments can be among the more complex components of the machine.

[0004] Due to the demands placed upon such machines the bucket components are typically built quite robust, often necessitating their being quite heavy, difficult to manufacture and / or install, or having other shortcomings. While efforts are sometimes made to reduce bucket or bucket lip weight, or optimize still other characteristics, the art provides ample room for improvements and development of alternatives to known strategies. One bucket lip is known from U.S. Pat. No. 9,404,240B2 to Kunz.SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, a bucket lip shroud includes a shroud body having a leading edge, a shroud lower surface, a shroud upper surface, and a shroud back surface forming a mounting pocket. The shroud body further includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and the shroud upper surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and being contoured so as to form a first material channel adjacent to the first sidewall, and second material channel adjacent to the second sidewall, and a central wedge portion. The central wedge portion extends laterally between the first material channel and the second material channel, and rearwardly and upwardly from the leading edge at a wedge angle relative to the shroud lower surface.

[0006] In another aspect, a bucket lip shroud includes a shroud body having a forward nose portion including a leading edge, and upper leg and a lower leg each extending from the forward nose portion, and a mounting pocket extending rearward of the forward nose portion and vertically between the upper leg and the lower leg. The shroud body further includes a shroud upper surface contoured so as to form a central wedge portion, and each of the first material channel and the second material channel flanking the central wedge portion, originating at the leading edge, and extending upwardly and rearwardly upon the forward nose portion and the upper leg.

[0007] In still another aspect, a bucket lip assembly includes an elongate bucket lip having a forward lip edge including a plurality of coupler stations in an alternating arrangement with a plurality of shroud stations. The bucket lip assembly further includes a shroud mounted upon one of the plurality of shroud stations, and including a leading edge, a shroud lower surface, a shroud upper surface, and a shroud back surface. The shroud further includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a central wedge portion, a first material channel formed between the central wedge portion and the first sidewall, and a second material channel formed between the central wedge portion and the second sidewall. The leading edge forms a first lead-in cutout in communication with the first material channel and a second lead-in cutout in communication with the second material channel.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a machine, according to one embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a bucket lip, according to one embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a bucket lip assembly, according to one embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a shroud positioned for installation on a bucket lip, according to one embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of a shroud, according to one embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a back view, in perspective, of a shroud, according to one embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view of a shroud, according to one embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of a shroud installed on a bucket lip, according to one embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 9 is a sectioned side view of a shroud, according to one embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a shroud installed on a bucket lip adjacent to a coupler station, according to one embodiment; and

[0018] FIG. 11 is a partial view showing leading edge features of a shroud, according to one embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a machine 10 according to one embodiment. Machine 10 includes a frame 12 supported upon ground-engaging elements 14, for example, to parallel endless ground-engaging tracks. Machine 10 also includes a hydraulicly actuated implement system 16. Implement system 16 includes a boom assembly 18 and a bucket 20. An operating cab or station may be supported upon frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment, machine 10 is a hydraulic mining shovel commonly employed to capture, lift, and dump material at the working face of a mine. Alternative machine types and / or service applications are within the scope of the present disclosure. Bucket 20 is shown attached is a forward or front arrangement, however, in an alternative, bucket 20 could be reversed from the configuration illustrated and arranged similarity to certain backhoe or excavator applications. Bucket 20 includes a forwardly positioned bucket lip 22.

[0020] Referring also now to FIG. 2, bucket lip 22 may include an elongate one-piece casting 24. Casting 24 may be formed as a single cast piece of a suitable metallic material, such as an iron or a steel. Elongate casting or body 24 may include an upper surface 26 extending laterally between a first lateral wing 28 and a second lateral wing 30. In a practical implementation, first lateral wing 28 and second lateral wing 30 can be attached such as by welding to a plurality of bucket panels or body pieces to form forward constructed bucket 20. Elongate body 24 also includes a plurality of coupler stations 32 in an alternating arrangement with a plurality of shroud stations 34, forwardly positioned upon elongate body 24 and potentially arranged in a variety of staggered fore-aft positions and / or forwardly biased such that centrally located coupler stations 34 and centrally located shroud stations are positioned relatively more forward than coupler stations and shroud stations closer to first and second lateral wings 28 and 30.

[0021] Referring also now to FIG. 3, there is shown a view of elongate body 24 coupled with several components and illustrating a lower side view 37 of a bucket lip assembly 36. Lower side 37 may have a segmented structural beam structure in some embodiments as illustrated. A plurality of couplers 38 are positioned upon the respective plurality of coupler stations 32. A plurality of tips 40 are coupled to and supported by the plurality of couplers 38. A plurality of shrouds 42 are also coupled to elongate body 24 in an alternating arrangement with the paired couplers 38 and tips 40. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that during operation of machine 10 with bucket assembly 36 installed in bucket 20 tips 40 can penetrate material to assist in capturing a load of material to be lifted and dumped. As bucket lip assembly 36 penetrates material, such as blasted material as the working face of a mine, the coarse, hard material can be understood to flow across tips 40, couplers 38 and shrouds 42 into bucket 20. Over the course of operation, relatively fine particles of material can be forced into various cervices, cracks, and gaps between and amongst the components of bucket 20 and bucket assembly 36 in particular. The material can also subject components of bucket lip assembly 36 to significant wear. As will be further apparent from the following description, bucket lip assembly 36 and components thereof can be structured for advantageous operation in respect of limiting intrusion of material into undesired locations as well as promoting a desirable flow of material to optimize wear and thereby service life.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 4-7, there is shown a bucket lip shroud 44 including further features and details thereof. FIG. 4 shows shroud 42 as it might appear positioned for installation upon a shroud station 34 of bucket lip 22. Shroud 42 includes a shroud body 44 having a leading edge 46, a shroud lower surface 48, a shroud upper surface 50, and a shroud back surface 52 forming a mounting pocket 54. Shroud body 44 may include a forward nose portion 87 including leading edge 46, an upper leg 88, and a lower leg 90 each extending from the forward nose portion 87. Mounting pocket 54 extends rearward of forward nose portion 87 and extends vertically between upper leg 88 and lower leg 90. Shroud body 44 further includes a first sidewall 56 and a second sidewall 58. Shroud upper surface 50 extends laterally between first sidewall 56 and second sidewall 58. Shroud upper surface 50 is contoured so as to form a first material channel 60 adjacent to first sidewall 56, a second material channel 62 adjacent to second sidewall 58, and a central wedge portion 64. First material channel 60 and second material channel 62 may be understood as flanking central wedge portion 64 and originating at leading edge 46. First material channel 60 and second material channel 62 extend upwardly and rearwardly upon forward nose portion 87 and upper leg 88. Central wedge portion 64 extends laterally between first material channel 60 and second material channel 62 and rearwardly and upwardly from leading edge 46.

[0023] Referring also now to FIG. 8-11, central wedge portion 64 may extend at a wedge angle 66 relative to shroud lower surface 48. Wedge angle 66 may be from 30° to 60° in some embodiments. As can be noted from FIG. 9, central wedge portion 64 may have a linear profile in a vertical plane. Shroud body 44 may also include a nose surface 68 extending between leading edge 46 and shroud lower surface 48. Nose surface 68 defines a nose angle 70 relative to shroud lower surface 48. In a practical implementation nose angle 70 is from 25° to 50°. FIG. 9 also shows a wedge thickness dimension 72 defined between shroud back surface 52 and central wedge portion 64. FIG. 9 also shows a sidewall protrusion distance 74 defined between wedge portion 64 and each respective one of first sidewall 56 and second sidewall 58. Sidewall protrusion distance 74 may be from 25% to 100% of wedge thickness dimension 72.

[0024] Still referring to the drawings generally, but focusing on FIG. 5, first sidewall 56 may form a first shroud body lateral surface 76 and second sidewall 58 may form a second shroud body lateral surface 78. A shroud lift dimensions 80 is defined between first shroud body lateral surface 76 and second shroud body lateral surface 78. Central wedge portion 64 may define a wedge width dimension 82 that is from 30%-60% of shroud width dimension 80.

[0025] It can also be appreciated from the drawings that leading edge 46 forms a first lead-in cutout 84 in communication with first material channel 60, and a second lead-in cutout 86 in communication with second material channel 62. As can be noted from FIG. 11 first lead-in cutouts 60 and second lead-in cutouts 62 may extend to concave portions of shroud lower surface 48. As also shown in FIG. 11 each of first lead-in cutout 60 and second lead-in cutout 62 may include linear edges 92 extending to a curvilinear junction 94. FIG. 5 shows an angle 95 defined between the respective linear edges 92 of each respective cutout. Angle 95 may be from 60°-100° in some embodiments.

[0026] Still focusing on FIG. 5, it will be understood that first sidewall 56 and second sidewall 58 are dispersed laterally outward, respectively, of first material channel 60 and second material channel 62. It can further be understood from FIG. 5 that, in elevation, each of first sidewall 56 and second sidewall 58 forms a rearwardly swept-in profile. Central wedge portion 64 forms, in elevation, a rearwardly swept-out profile. In elevation means in an elevational view. Central wedge portion 64 can also be seen to originate at leading edge 46 and forms a planer face 96 between first material channel 60 and second material channel 62.

[0027] Still referring to the drawings generally, but focusing now on FIG. 8, there can be seen that bucket lip 22 defines a lip thickness dimension 104. Shroud 42 defines a pocket nose dimension 106. In a practical implementation, pocket-nose dimension 106 is from 75%-125% of lip thickness dimension 104. FIG. 8 also shows a first draft angle 108 defined between upper leg 88, in particular shroud back surface 52 upon upper leg 88, and a horizontal plane. FIG. 8 also illustrates a draft angle 110 defined between shroud back surface 52 upon lower leg 90 and a horizontal plane. Each of draft angle 108 and draft angle 110 may be from 1°-5° in a practical implementation strategy. Providing a draft as disclosed can assist in removal of shroud 42 from bucket lip 72 for servicing, inspection, or replacement.

[0028] As discussed above, bucket lip assembly 36 can be subjected to extremely harsh conditions during service. It has been observed that material can find its way and be packed into gaps, etc., between components. Material can also cause wear over time of material of bucket lip assembly 36 itself. FIG. 10 shows a vertically orientated surface 102, which may be a casted surface, of bucket lip 22 and in more particularly coupler station 32. It can be appreciated that shroud 42 extends across and at least partially obscures vertically oriented surface 102. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that shrouds 42, tips 40, and couplers 38 are all components that can be periodically replaced, at the same service interval, or typically at different service intervals. Bucket lip 22, however, is not desirable to replace given the size, complexity, and cost of the component. Accordingly, providing protection from wear for casted material of bucket lip 22 can provide for an extended service life.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0029] Referring to the drawings generally, during operation implement system 18 can be operated to tilt, lift, and untilt bucket 20 many times over the course of a working cycle or shift. Each time bucket 20 is engaged to capture material, bucket lip assembly 36 can penetrate into the material, causing material to flow over and across surfaces of bucket lip assembly 36. It can be noted that a bucket lip lower surface 98, coupler lower surfaces 100, and each respective shroud lower surface 48, may all be positioned in a common plane. Lower surfaces of tips 40 might be similarly arranged. As such, the coplanar arrangement can assist in obtaining bucket penetration smoothly into the material. Opposite to the respective lower surfaces, material will flow against and over shrouds 42. It is contemplated that the relatively high sidewalls 56 and 58 in conjunction with material channels 60 and 62 can assist in a relatively smooth and even flow of material over shroud 42 and in a manner biased away from contact with other components, including vertically oriented surfaces of the respective coupler stations 32. It is also contemplated that lead-in cutouts 84 and 86 can assist in guiding material into the respective material channels 60 and 62. Furthermore, central wedge portion 64 provides a thickness of rare material in shroud 42 that is contemplated to provide robust resistance to excessive wearing down.

[0030] The present description is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and fair scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent upon an examination of the attached drawings and appended claims. As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,”“have,”“having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0019]Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a machine 10 according to one embodiment. Machine 10 includes a frame 12 supported upon ground-engaging elements 14, for example, to parallel endless ground-engaging tracks. Machine 10 also includes a hydraulicly actuated implement system 16. Implement system 16 includes a boom assembly 18 and a bucket 20. An operating cab or station may be supported upon frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment, machine 10 is a hydraulic mining shovel commonly employed to capture, lift, and dump material at the working face of a mine. Alternative machine types and / or service applications are within the scope of the present disclosure. Bucket 20 is shown attached is a forward or front arrangement, however, in an alternative, bucket 20 could be reversed from the configuration illustrated and arranged similarity to certain backhoe or excavator applications. Bucket 20 includes a forwardly positioned bucket lip 22.

[0020]Referring also now to FIG. 2, bucket lip 22...

Claims

1. A bucket lip shroud comprising:a shroud body including a leading edge, a shroud lower surface, a shroud upper surface, and a shroud back surface forming a mounting pocket;the shroud body further including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and the shroud upper surface extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and being contoured so as to form a first material channel adjacent to the first sidewall, a second material channel adjacent to the second sidewall, and a central wedge portion; andthe central wedge portion extending laterally between the first material channel and the second material channel, and rearwardly and upwardly from the leading edge at a wedge angle relative to the shroud lower surface.

2. The shroud of claim 1 wherein the wedge angle is from 30° to 60°.

3. The shroud of claim 2 wherein the central wedge portion has a linear profile in a vertical plane.

4. The shroud of claim 2 wherein the shroud body includes a nose surface extending between the leading edge and the shroud lower surface, and the nose surface defines a nose angle relative to the shroud lower surface.

5. The shroud of claim 4 wherein the nose angle is from 25° to 50°.

6. The shroud of claim 1 wherein a wedge thickness dimension is defined between the shroud back surface and the central wedge portion, and a sidewall protrusion distance is defined between the wedge portion and each respective one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

7. The shroud of claim 6 wherein the sidewall protrusion distance is from 25% to 100% of the wedge thickness dimension.

8. The shroud of claim 1 wherein:the first sidewall forms a first shroud body lateral surface and the second sidewall forms a second shroud body lateral surface;a shroud width dimension is defined between the first shroud body lateral surface and the second shroud body lateral surface; andthe central wedge portion defines a wedge width dimension that is from 30% to 60% of the shroud width dimension.

9. The shroud of claim 1 wherein the leading edge forms a first lead-in cutout in communication with the first material channel, and a second lead-in cutout in communication with the second material channel.

10. The shroud of claim 9 wherein each of the first lead-in cutout and the second lead-in cutout includes linear edges extending to a curvilinear junction, and an angle defined between the linear edges of each respective cutout is from 60° to 100°.

11. A bucket lip shroud comprising:a shroud body including a forward nose portion including a leading edge, an upper leg and a lower leg each extending from the forward nose portion, and a mounting pocket extending rearward of the forward nose portion and vertically between the upper leg and the lower leg; andthe shroud body further including a shroud upper surface contoured so as to form a central wedge portion, and each of a first material channel and a second material channel flanking the central wedge portion, originating at the leading edge, and extending upwardly and rearwardly upon the forward nose portion and the upper leg.

12. The shroud of claim 11 wherein the leading edge forms a first lead-in cutout in communication with the first material channel, and a second lead-in cutout in communication with the second material channel.

13. The shroud of claim 12 wherein the shroud body further includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed laterally outward, respectively, of the first material channel and the second material channel.

14. The shroud of claim 12 wherein a sidewall protrusion distance, in an upward and forward direction, is defined between the central wedge portion and each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

15. The shroud of claim 14 wherein each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall forms, in elevation, a rearwardly swept-in profile, and the central wedge portion forms, in elevation, a rearwardly swept-out profile.

16. The shroud of claim 11 wherein the central wedge portion originates at the leading edge and forms a planar face between the first material channel and the second material channel.

17. A bucket lip assembly comprising:an elongate bucket lip including a forward lip edge having a plurality of coupler stations in an alternating arrangement with a plurality of shroud stations;a shroud mounted upon one of the plurality of shroud stations, and including a leading edge, a shroud lower surface, a shroud upper surface, and a shroud back surface;the shroud further including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a central wedge portion, a first material channel formed between the central wedge portion and the first sidewall, and a second material channel formed between the central wedge portion and the second sidewall; andthe leading edge forming a first lead-in cutout in communication with the first material channel, and a second lead-in cutout in communication with the second material channel.

18. The bucket lip assembly of claim 17 further comprising a coupler mounted upon one of the plurality of coupler stations; andthe elongate bucket lip including a bucket lip lower surface, the coupler including a coupler lower surface, and each of the bucket lip lower surface, the coupler lower surface, and the shroud lower surface being arranged in a common plane.

19. The bucket lip assembly of claim 17 wherein the plurality of coupler stations includes a coupler station having a vertically oriented casted surface, and the first sidewall at least partially obscures the vertically oriented casted surface.

20. The bucket lip assembly of claim 17 wherein the elongate bucket lip defines a lip thickness dimension, and the shroud defines a pocket-nose dimension that is from 75% to 125% of the lip thickness dimension.

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