Self-Powered Lubrication Pump for Mining Shovel Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric mining shovels require manual lubrication of pinned joint connections, leading to excessive wear and increased complexity, cost, and maintenance, especially when pin joints are not easily connected to lubrication distribution systems.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered lubrication system for mining shovels, comprising a dipper assembly with a fluid source, a pivotable arm, and pump assemblies that utilize the movement of the dipper door to drive pistons within cylinders, changing the volume of pump chambers and generating pressure to distribute lubricant to joints, eliminating the need for external energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual lubrication is used for pinned joints, then the shovel structure remains simple, but excessive wear occurs and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system uses the existing motion of the dipper door to automatically pump lubricant to the pinned joints without requiring external power sources or manual intervention. The system serves itself by converting the mechanical energy already present in the shovel's operation into useful lubrication delivery.
2Ease of operation
If powered lubrication systems are installed to automate lubrication distribution, then maintenance frequency decreases, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for external power sources by using the dipper door's own motion to drive the lubrication pump. This self-powered approach maintains automation benefits while avoiding the complexity of motors, electrical systems, or external power connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The dipper door serves dual functions: its primary function for shovel operation and its secondary function as the driving mechanism for the lubrication pump. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by repurposing existing components rather than adding dedicated lubrication machinery.
3Ease of manufacture
If pinned joints are designed for dry operation to simplify structure, then manufacturing cost decreases, but wear rates increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables these simple dry-operation joints to receive automatic lubrication by using the joints' own operational motion to drive the lubrication pump, maintaining structural simplicity while improving reliability through automated lubrication.
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 system provides efficient and reliable lubrication to dynamic pinned joints, reducing wear and maintenance costs by utilizing the energy generated from the dipper door's motion, thereby simplifying the lubrication process and reducing the complexity of the shovel's systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring biased in a first direction, and a piston movable within the cylinder and biased in the first direction by the spring
Implementation Method 2
generating pressure to distribute lubricant to joints
Data Source
AI summary
A dipper assembly for a mining shovel includes a dipper body, a dipper door pivotably coupled to the dipper body, an arm, a housing coupled to one of the body and the door, and a piston. The arm includes a first end pivotably coupled to the body and a second end pivotably coupled to the door. The movement of the door relative to the body drives the arm to pivot relative to the body. The housing includes an inlet in fluid communication with a fluid source, an outlet, and a cylinder partially defining a pump chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The piston is movable within the cylinder and biased in a first direction. The pivoting movement of the arm causes the piston to move in a second direction opposite the first direction. The movement of the piston changes a volume of the pump chamber.