Hydraulic Dipper Actuator System for Power Shovel Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dipper latch systems in power shovels suffer from high-cycle fatigue due to continuous strain, leading to frequent servicing and machine downtime, and while hydraulic solutions have improved durability, they increase complexity and potential for malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A linear hydraulic actuator system connected to the dipper with an overcenter link and piston assembly, where the hydraulic system directs fluid to the actuator to transition the dipper door between open and closed positions, reducing mechanical complexity and strain on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cable is used to manually actuate the dipper latch, then the operator can control the door from inside the cabin, but the latch and cable linkage suffer high-cycle fatigue and require frequent servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable linkage system with a hydraulic actuator system. The hydraulic cylinder receives fluid pressure from a hydraulic pump to actuate the latch mechanism, eliminating the continuous mechanical strain on cables and linkages. This substitution maintains operator control while dramatically improving component reliability and reducing servicing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hydraulic system using fluid pressure to control the dipper door latch. A hydraulic pump delivers pressurized fluid to a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the dipper assembly, which then actuates the latch. This hydraulic approach provides reliable, controlled operation while avoiding the high-cycle fatigue problems of mechanical cable systems.
2Reliability
If a double-acting hydraulic cylinder is used to control the dipper door latch, then durability is improved, but the complexity of the latch system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hydraulic actuation system from the traditional cable linkage system, isolating the hydraulic components (pump, cylinder, control valve) into a separate, self-contained unit mounted on the dipper assembly. This extraction simplifies the overall system architecture by removing complex mechanical linkages while maintaining the durability benefits of hydraulic actuation.
3Ease of operation
If a hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the dipper to control the latch, then the latch can be actuated remotely from the cabin, but the location and configuration may result in elevated wear
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is designed to be self-contained on the dipper assembly, with the pump, cylinder, and control valve forming an integrated unit. This self-service configuration allows the system to be remotely actuated from the cabin while protecting the hydraulic components from excessive wear through proper mounting and configuration on the dipper structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the longevity and reliability of the dipper actuator system by reducing the need for frequent servicing, minimizing machine downtime, and maintaining the door in a closed position until actuated, thus improving overall machine performance.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic system fluidly connected to the actuator and configured to selectively direct fluid to the actuator
Implementation Method 2
The hydraulic system is configured to selectively direct fluid to the actuator to transition the piston assembly and overcenter link
Implementation Method 3
A piston assembly of the actuator is configured to move the overcenter link in a first direction, via contact between the piston assembly and the overcenter link
Implementation Method 4
an overcenter link coupled to a door of the dipper and biased to maintain the door in a closed position
Implementation Method 5
an overcenter link coupled to a door of the dipper and biased to maintain the door in a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator system for a machine includes a linear hydraulic actuator connected to a dipper of the machine, and a hydraulic system fluidly connected to the actuator and configured to selectively direct fluid to the actuator. A component of the hydraulic system is mounted on the dipper. The system also includes an overcenter link coupled to a door of the dipper and biased to maintain the door in a closed position. A piston assembly of the actuator is configured to move the overcenter link in a first direction, via contact between the piston assembly and the overcenter link, thereby transitioning the door from the closed position to an open position.