US3779084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for controlling the working depth of an excavator
Assignee: EUROTRADE MACHINE POOL AB
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Filing: 1971-10-13
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1991-10-13
Abstract
Abstract System for controlling the working depth of an excavator of the type having a shovel or similar earth moving implement fitted at the end of an articulated jib the system including a device comprising a level indicator located at the turret of the excavator and a conduit extending therefrom to a receptacle, including an elastic member mounted on the shovel. The device being filled with a fluid or several non-mixable fluids, and the pressure thereof upon an elastic member varying with changes in the vertical distance between the shovel and the indicator causing a variation of the level within the indicator, which may be utilized for various control purposes, either manually or automatically. The device may be provided with means for compensating for variations in relation to different depths or grades of the excavation.
Inventors
- 👤 H Nilsson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:46
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/24; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/28; E02F3/30; E02F3/32; E02F9/26; G; G01; G01C; G01C5/00; G01C5/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S37/00; Y10S37/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
Earth-moving apparatus comprising in combination a chassis; a control turret rotatable about a vertical pivot axis; a jib structure mounted at said turret about a horizontal axis and having an earth-moving implement at the end remote therefrom, means for sensing the effective work position of said implement, and for aprizing an operator thereof, said means comprising a pressure-responsive sensing fluid receptacle on said implement, a pressure-responsive indicator means at said turret, and transmitting means comprising at least one fluid-filled conduit operatively connected to said receptacle and mounted on said jib structure for displacement therewith, said indicator means comprising a transparent tube operatively connected to said fluid conduit between the ends thereof and located in a substantially vertical position at the turret, and means to display a level of the fluid contained in said transparent tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
Earth-moving apparatus comprising in combination a chassis; a control turret rotatable about a vertical pivot axis; a jib structure mounted at said turret about a horizontal axis and having an earth-moving implement at the end remote therefrom, means for sensing the effective work position of said implement, and for aprizing an operator thereof, said means comprising a pressure-responsive sensing fluid receptacle on said implement, a pressure-responsive indicator means at said turret, and transmitting means comprising at least one fluid-filled conduit operatively connected to said receptacle and mounted on said jib structure for displacement therewith, said indicator means comprising a transparent tube operatively connected to said fluid conduit between the ends thereof and located in a substantially vertical position at the turret, and means to display a level of the fluid contained in said transparent tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said fluid-receptacle includes opposed variable-volume chambers, one of said chambers communicating with said indicator means, signal-emitting means operatively connected to said outer variable-volume chamber, and auxilliary pressure-imposing means operatively connected to said fluid conduit for providing a supplemental pressure for adjusting the fluid level corresponding to the effective work depth for said implement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said transparent tube includes float means therein for following changes of the fluid level, signal means responsive to the level of said float means, and control means operatively connected to said signal means for controlling movement of said jib structure in relation to the level of the fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as claimed in claim 3 in which said fluid receptacle on said implement includes a pressure-responsive partition defining variable-volume chambers, one of said chambers communicating with the fluid conduit and the other chamber communicating with another chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as claimed in claim 4 in which a sensing device is operatively connected in said other chamber and includes signal means for indicating when a desired implement depth is reached.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which said transparent tube comprises part of the fluid conduit and contains two distinct fluids which are incompatible for mixing, the liquids forming a plane of division visable at the transparent tube of said fluid conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination as claimed in claim 6 in which a compensation chamber is operatively connected to and remote from said fluid receptacle, said fluid receptacle includes opposed variable-volume chambers, one of said chambers communicating with said indicator means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination as claimed in claim 6 including means operatively connected to said transparent tube for absorbing fluid surges therein due to sudden movements of said implement or said jib structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination as claimed in claim 8 in which said last mentioned means comprises a fluid connection communicating upstream and downstream of said transparent tube, the fluid connection including an intermediate, flexible diaphragm for preventing direct communication between the ends of said transparent tube through fluid connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 including auxilliary pressure-imposing means operatively connected to said fluid tube for providing a supplemental pressure for adjusting the fluid level corresponding to the effective work depth for said implement, said auxiliary pressure imposing means comprising a fluid motor including cylinder and displaceable piston components, at least one of the fluid motor components being fixed in an eccentric position relative to the pivot axis of the turret, the other component being displaceable along a rectilinear path passing through said pivot axis, said other component being mounted in said turret for rotation relative said pivot axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination as claimed in claim 10, in which manually-operated force-transmitting means is disposed in said turret operatively connected to one of said fluid motor components for adjustably positioning the other component along said rectilinear path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as claimed in claim 10 in which said jib structure comprises articulated links, and force-transmitting meAns operatively connected to the rectilinear path for moving the same in relation to the position of one of said jib links.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as claimed in claim 12, including second manually-operable, force-transmitting means operatively connected to said means operatively connected to said rectilinear path for adjusting the same in relation to the jib position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as claimed in claim 12 including means for turning the fixed eccentric position of the one fluid motor relative to said pivot axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as claimed in claim 13 including means for turning the fixed eccentric position of the one fluid motor component relative to said pivot axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |