Abstract: A gyrasphere crusher includes a crusher frame, a crushing head, and a crusher bowl which is selectively locked to and released from the crusher frame via operation of a bowl lock assembly including a clamping ring or locknut and an inflatable bladder device. The bladder device, which preferably is formed from a plurality of discrete bladder segments mounted on an axial end of the locknut, applies sufficient clamping forces to the locknut when it is fully inflated to prevent rotation of the locknut and bowl, and can be partially deflated to permit precisely controlled rotation of the bowl and thus adjustment of the crushing gap under load. The bladder operated bowl lock assembly is simple, reliable, and operates at a fraction of the pressures typically required for conventional mechanically applied/fluid-pressure released lock assemblies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a jaw crusher wherein shims behind a toggle beam define various positions of its fore-and-aft adjustment along way slots in which its end portions are guided, and wherein the toggle beam is shifted forwardly away from the shims and rearwardly towards them by a pair of hydraulic rams, each connected between the housing and an end of the toggle beam. At each end the toggle beam has a forwardly-downwardly inclined surface slidingly overlain by a wedging member that cooperates with the upper surface of the adjacent way slot to wedgingly prevent forward shifting of the toggle beam and confine it against the lower surfaces of the way slots. Each ram has link connections with the toggle beam and with a wedging member whereby the latter is pulled forward out of wedging relationship before the toggle beam is shifted forward and is pushed back to wedging condition after the toggle beam engages the shims.

Abstract: In a crusher having a gyratory conical crushing head that cooperates with an annular bowl, the bowl has a threaded connection with a frame member, to be adjustable up and down by rotation. A clamping ring, acting like a jam nut, also has a threaded connection with the frame member and is so connected with the bowl as to be constrained to rotate with it; but normally the bowl and clamping ring are biased towards one another under clamping force, to prevent bowl rotation. To release the bowl for rotation, pressurized air is injected between the bowl and the clamping ring, acting directly on them to overcome clamping force and being introduced via the helical passage defined by the threaded connection between clamping ring and frame member. Seals between the bowl and clamping ring, and between the bowl and frame member, prevent escape of the air.