Earth Conditioning Apparatus with Adjustable Ground Engaging Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rock crushing and scarifying technologies, such as rotary type rock grinders, are inefficient and costly, and struggle with wet conditions, mixed rock and soil, and surface vegetation, while rippers leave large rock pieces that require further processing.
Innovation Solution
An earth conditioning system with a ground engaging tool arrangement and a rotary device, featuring adjustable height and depth engagement, a drum or roller with ribs, and a release mechanism, allowing for effective crushing, mixing, and leveling of rock and soil in situ, even in challenging conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rotary type rock grinders are used for rock crushing, then rock can be crushed and removed, but the equipment is slow and expensive to purchase and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The rock grinding function is segmented into multiple independently rotating discs with grinding elements, allowing parallel processing of rock material. This segmentation increases productivity while keeping each disc relatively simple in design, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground engaging tool arrangement can be configured with different tools (rippers, crushers, scarifiers) depending on the specific application requirements. This multi-functionality allows a single machine to handle various rock and soil conditions, improving productivity across different tasks while avoiding the need for multiple specialized expensive machines.
2Device complexity
If alternative crushing equipment is used for rock removal, then equipment cost may be reduced, but the equipment does not cope well with certain rock and soil mix conditions, wet working conditions, residue and surface vegetation, and viable crushing depth
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding elements on the discs are designed to be adjustable and replaceable, allowing the machine to adapt to different rock types, soil mixes, and working conditions. The depth of engagement and the configuration of grinding elements can be dynamically changed to handle wet conditions, vegetation, and varying crushing depth requirements, maintaining versatility while using simpler, more cost-effective equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine allows changes in operational parameters such as disc rotation speed, grinding element configuration, and engagement depth to optimize performance for different conditions including wet ground, various rock types, and presence of vegetation. This parametric adaptability ensures effective operation across diverse conditions without requiring complex specialized equipment for each scenario.
3Ease of operation
If rippers are used for breaking up rock, then rock can be lifted to the surface, but the rock is left in large regular pieces that need further processing or removal
Solution Approach 1:
The machine combines multiple functions in one system: ripping, crushing, and grinding. The ground engaging tools first break up rock and soil, then the rotating discs with grinding elements immediately process the material into smaller, more uniformly sized pieces. This merging of operations eliminates the need for separate processing steps, improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
4Productivity
If rotary machines are used for rock crushing, then rock can be processed, but the land becomes difficult to develop without added costs of clean up and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding elements are designed to process rock and soil locally at the point of contact, creating a more uniform and finer end product compared to traditional rotary machines. This localized precision grinding reduces the creation of large irregular rock fragments and excessive dust, minimizing land damage and reducing cleanup and repair costs while maintaining effective rock processing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an earth conditioning system/apparatus which removes/break-ups rock in the ground and has a front drawbar, a ground engaging tool arrangement and a rear rotary device (drum). A ground engaging tool arrangement includes a frame supporting ground engaging tools each mounted at a pivot. Actuators raise/lower the ground engaging tool(s) for desired depth control of the ground engaging tools. The rotary device slotted or ribbed drum acts as a crushing drum rolled over earth that has been broken up by the ground engaging tools. Actuators, provide height adjustment of the ground engaging tools relative to the ground engaging tool support frame and by adjusting the height from the ground of the ground engaging tool arrangement by operating the at least one adjuster acting between the rotary device and the ground engaging tool arrangement.