US3909147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable amplitude vibration generator
Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-07
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A variable amplitude vibration generator especially adapted for use with compacting machines in which a primary weight is eccentrically fixed to a power driven rotatably mounted shaft and a secondary weight eccentrically freely rotatably mounted on the shaft is releasably securable to the shaft by activating a remotely controllable detent connection, in an in-phase relationship with the primary weight to provide high amplitude vibration, and in which - upon rotation of the shaft in either direction though slightly less than 180* - with the detent connection deactivated, an out-of-phase relationship is established between the primary and secondary weights to provide for low amplitude vibration.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry H Takata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:56
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/10; B06B1/16; B06B1/161; B06B1/162; E; E01; E01C; E01C19/00; E01C19/22; E01C19/23; E01C19/28; E01C19/286
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A variable amplitude vibration generator comprising: A. a rotatably mounted shaft; B. a primary weight eccentrically fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith; C. a lighter secondary weight; D. means freely rotatably mounting the secondary weight eccentrically on the shaft, said weights occupying pendent inphase positions when the shaft is not turning; E. power means to impart rotation to the shaft in either direction; the freedom for relative rotation between the secondary weight and the shaft enabling the secondary weight to remain in its pendent position while the shaft begins to turn and moves the primary weight out of phase with the secondary weight; and F. means to limit relative rotation in either direction between the shaft and the secondary weight to substantially less than 360*, so that upon rotation of the shaft in either selected direction, the two weights become connected in an out-of-phase partially counterbalancing relationship placing the vibration generator in a low amplitude mode of substantially the same magnitude regardless of the direction of rotation which mode it retains as long as the shaft continues to turn in said selected direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A variable amplitude vibration generator comprising: A. a rotatably mounted shaft; B. a primary weight eccentrically fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith; C. a lighter secondary weight; D. means freely rotatably mounting the secondary weight eccentrically on the shaft, said weights occupying pendent inphase positions when the shaft is not turning; E. power means to impart rotation to the shaft in either direction; the freedom for relative rotation between the secondary weight and the shaft enabling the secondary weight to remain in its pendent position while the shaft begins to turn and moves the primary weight out of phase with the secondary weight; and F. means to limit relative rotation in either direction between the shaft and the secondary weight to substantially less than 360*, so that upon rotation of the shaft in either selected direction, the two weights become connected in an out-of-phase partially counterbalancing relationship placing the vibration generator in a low amplitude mode of substantially the same magnitude regardless of the direction of rotation which mode it retains as long as the shaft continues to turn in said selected direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 1, wherein relative rotation in either direction between the shaft and the secondary weight is limited to a few degrees less than 180 so that in each case said out-of-phase relationship is slightly less than complete.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
an abutment on said arm in position to collide with a surface on the secondary weight that is spaced from the axis of the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
an abutment on said arm in position to collide with a surface on the secondary weight that is spaced from the axis of the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
a crossbar connectinG the outer end portions of said extensions; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
a crossbar connectinG the outer end portions of said extensions; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
in a second position of the actuating rod neither of the hubs of the secondary weights is secured to the shaft,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
in a second position of the actuating rod neither of the hubs of the secondary weights is secured to the shaft,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
a radial bore in the shaft opening to the surface thereof that is within the hub to align with the socket in the hub, and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
a radial bore in the shaft opening to the surface thereof that is within the hub to align with the socket in the hub, and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
a locking member movably received in the socket means in the shaft for movement between a retracted position disengaged from the socket means in said hub and a projected position engaging both socket means; and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
a locking member movably received in the socket means in the shaft for movement between a retracted position disengaged from the socket means in said hub and a projected position engaging both socket means; and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
actuating means longitudinally shiftably carried by the shaft to move said locking member to and hold it in its projected position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
actuating means longitudinally shiftably carried by the shaft to move said locking member to and hold it in its projected position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
139 words
a movable element in said radial bore movable between an operative position projecting into the socket and an inoperative position free of the socket in the hub, the shaft having an axial bore which communicates with said radial bore; C. a rod axially slidable in said axial bore, said rod having a small diameter portion flanked by large diameter portions for each of said two secondary weights, alignment of a small diameter portion of the rod with a radial bore enabling said movable element therein to move to its inoperative position, and alignment of a large diameter portion of the rod with said radial bore holding said movable element in its operative position, said small diameter portions of the rod being so spaced with respect to one another and the two secondary weights, and being of such length that
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
139 words
a movable element in said radial bore movable between an operative position projecting into the socket and an inoperative position free of the socket in the hub, the shaft having an axial bore which communicates with said radial bore; C. a rod axially slidable in said axial bore, said rod having a small diameter portion flanked by large diameter portions for each of said two secondary weights, alignment of a small diameter portion of the rod with a radial bore enabling said movable element therein to move to its inoperative position, and alignment of a large diameter portion of the rod with said radial bore holding said movable element in its operative position, said small diameter portions of the rod being so spaced with respect to one another and the two secondary weights, and being of such length that
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
in a third position of the rod only the hub of the heavier of the two secondary weights is secured to the shaft, and
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
in a third position of the rod only the hub of the heavier of the two secondary weights is secured to the shaft, and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 1, further characterized by detent means for releasably securing the secondary weight against rotation relative to the shaft in a position in which it is in phase with the primary weight, so that upon rotation of the shaft while the secondary weight is thus secured thereto the vibration generator operates in a high amplitude mode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
a lug on the secondary weight spaced from the axis of the shaft a distance to have said crossbar collide therewith upon rotation of the shaft in either direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
a lug on the secondary weight spaced from the axis of the shaft a distance to have said crossbar collide therewith upon rotation of the shaft in either direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the primary weight and the means to limit relative rotation between the shaft and the secondary weight are at opposite sides of the shaft and wherein said means to limit relative rotation between the shaft and the secondary weight comprises:
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
in a fourth position of the rod only the hub of the lighter one of the two secondary weights is secured to the shaft; and D. means for selectively moving the rod to any one of said four positions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
in a fourth position of the rod only the hub of the lighter one of the two secondary weights is secured to the shaft; and D. means for selectively moving the rod to any one of said four positions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 4 wherein said surface with which said abutment collides is on a lug that projects from the radially outermost portion of the secondary weight.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 1, wherein the primary weight is a U-shaped member with spaced arms that have a fixed connection with the shaft and that project radially from the shaft in the same direction, and wherein the secondary weight is located between said arms.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 6, wherein the means to limit relative motion between the shaft and the secondary weight comprises:
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 3, wherein the secondary weight has a hub in the bore of which the shaft is freely rotatably received, and wherein said detent means comprises:
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
58 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 8, wherein the socket means in said hub comprises diametrically opposite sockets opening to the bore of the hub, wherein the socket means in the shaft comprises a cross bore extending diametrically through the shaft, and wherein said locking member comprises a ball in each end portion of said cross bore.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
100 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 9, wherein said actuating means comprises a round rod slidable in an axial bore in the shaft that intersects said cross bore, said rod having large and small diameter portions either of which can be brought into alignment with the cross bore by axially shifting the rod, so that in one axial position of the rod with respect to the shaft, said balls are free to leave engagement with the sockets in said hub, while in another axial position of the rod the balls are held seated in said sockets in the hub.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 10, further characterized by means for imparting axial movement to said rod with respect to the shaft.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
72 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 11, wherein at least one of the steps between the large and small diameter portions of the shaft is conical, so that during axial movement of the rod in the direction to align its large diameter portion with which said conical step connects, with the cross bore, said step serves as a cam to effect projection of the balls into said sockets in the hub.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 12, wherein a second pair of balls is located in said cross bore, one between each of the first named balls and the rod.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 11, wherein the means for imparting endwise movement to the rod comprises a fluid pressure cylinder fixed against movement axially of the shaft, and a piston in the cylinder connected with the rod to impart movement thereto upon connection of the cylinder with a source of fluid pressure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
97 words
The invention defined by claim 11, further characterized in that the variable amplitude vibration generator is associated with a compacting machine having a frame and a drum rotatably and supportingly connected with the frame, with the shaft of the vibration generator coaxial with and inside the drum, wherein said means for imparting axial movement to the rod is carried by the frame of the machine at one end of the drum, and wherein said power means to impart rotation to said shaft is carried by the frame of the machine at the other end of the drum.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
154 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 11, wherein the variable amplitude vibration generator is associated with a compacting machine having a frame and a drum rotatably and supportingly connected with the frame, with the shaft of the vibration generator coaxial with and inside the drum, wherein a motor carried by the frame of the machine at one end of the drum is drivingly connected with the drum to impart rotation to the drum, wherein a motor carrieD by the frame of the machine at the other end of the drum is coupled to the shaft of the vibration generator to impart rotation to it, and wherein said means for imparting axial movement to the rod is carried by the frame of the machine at said last named end of the drum, and so located that it does not interfere with the driving connection between the shaft of the vibration generator and its motor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
56 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of secondary weights eccentrically freely rotatably mounted on the shaft, and separate detent means for each secondary weight, so that by selective actuation of said separate detent means, the vibration generator can be set to produce vibration at more than two different amplitudes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 17, wherein the secondary weights differ in weight.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 17, wherein there is but one primary weight that is heavier than any of the secondary weights.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
58 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 19, wherein A. there are two secondary weights each of which is eccentrically mounted on the shaft by a hub in the bore of which the shaft is freely rotatably received, and detent means for releasably securing said hub against rotation relative to the shaft; B. wherein said detent means comprises
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
59 words
The variable amplitude vibration generator of claim 20, wherein said radial bore of each of the detent means is a cross bore extending through the shaft, wherein the hub of each secondary weight has two diametrically opposite sockets opening to its bore, and wherein each detent means has two balls, one in each end portion of its cross bore.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |