Trencher Roller and Pick Assemblies with Superhard Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trenching technologies face challenges in efficiently degrading hard materials and extending the life of picks and rollers due to wear and tear, particularly in the trenching industry where tungsten carbide tips show limited durability.
Innovation Solution
A trenching machine equipped with a roller assembly and a pick assembly, where the roller assembly features a plurality of pointed inserts with superhard materials and a lubrication system, and the pick assembly includes a spring mechanism and shear cutter, both designed to work in conjunction with a chain-driven assembly to degrade formations effectively and reduce wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If picks with tungsten carbide tips are used to break up hard materials, then the ability to degrade formations is improved, but the service life of the picks is limited due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the picks by using cubic boron nitride, which has superior hardness and wear resistance compared to tungsten carbide. This parameter change allows the picks to maintain their ability to break up hard materials while significantly extending their service life due to reduced wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction where cubic boron nitride is combined with a metal matrix or binder to create a composite pick material. This composite structure provides both the hardness needed to break up hard materials and the toughness required for sustained service life.
2Productivity
If roller assemblies with pointed inserts are used to degrade formations, then formation degradation efficiency is improved, but wear to the roller assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the pointed inserts by replacing conventional materials with cubic boron nitride. This parameter change maintains the effectiveness of formation degradation while dramatically reducing wear loss of the roller assembly components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a lubrication system that provides feedback-based wear protection. The system monitors and applies lubrication to the roller assembly and pointed inserts, creating a protective film that reduces direct contact and wear, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing substance loss.
3Reliability
If picks are made harder to resist wear, then durability is improved, but they become more prone to fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials where cubic boron nitride particles or layers are embedded in a tougher metal matrix. This composite structure provides the wear resistance of the hard cubic boron nitride while the metal matrix provides fracture toughness, preventing the pick from becoming overly brittle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies cubic boron nitride selectively to the cutting tip or wear surface of the pick, while the body of the pick retains a tougher material composition. This local quality approach provides maximum wear resistance where needed while maintaining overall fracture resistance of the pick 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 durability and efficiency of the trenching process by reducing wear on the roller and pick assemblies, allowing for longer tool life and improved formation degradation, with the superhard materials and lubrication systems effectively resisting wear and maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
The roller assembly may also comprise a lubrication system adapted to reduce wear to the roller assembly. The pick assembly may further comprise a lubrication system which may aid in resisting wear to the pick assembly.
Implementation Method 2
The pick assembly may further comprise a spring mechanism, which may aid in extending the life of the pick assembly.
Implementation Method 3
The pick assembly may comprise a superhard material selected from the group consisting of cubic boron nitride, diamond, diamond like material, or combinations thereof
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the present invention, a roller assembly on an excavator for degrading natural and man-made formations has a plurality of pointed inserts disposed along its outer diameter. The inserts have a tip adapted to impact the formation and at least one of the tips has polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented metal carbide segment. The diamond also has a substantially conical geometry with a 0.50 to 0.200 inch radius and a thickness greater that 100 inches at the apex. The diamond also has a volume that is 75 to 150 percent of a volume of a carbide substrate.