FLUID CONVEYANCE SYSTEM FOR EARTHMOVING MACHINE

Abstract

An earthmoving machine includes a frame, a boom, an elongated member, an attachment, a conduit, and a reel. The frame supports a fluid source. The boom includes a first end coupled to the frame and a second end opposite the first end. The elongated member is movably coupled to the boom and includes a first end and a second end. The attachment is coupled to the second end of the elongated member. The conduit is in fluid communication with the fluid source and conveys fluid between the fluid source and the attachment. The reel supports at least a portion of the conduit. The reel is rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the elongated member moves relative to the boom.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/636,418, filed Apr. 20, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the field of earthmoving machines. Specifically, the present invention relates to a fluid conveyance system for a machine attachment.

On a conventional rope shovel, a frame supports a boom, and a handle is coupled to the boom such that the handle can be moved rotationally and translationally relative to the boom. An attachment such as a dipper is coupled to a handle, and the dipper is supported by a cable, or hoist rope, that passes over an end of the boom. The rope is secured to a bail that is pivotably coupled to the dipper. During the hoist phase, the rope is reeled in by a hoist drum, lifting the dipper upwardly through a bank of material and liberating a portion of the material. Many of these components require frequent lubrication. However, any fluid conduit for providing a lubrication medium to the various points that require lubrication must be capable of accommodating the wide range of translational and rotation movement of the handle and dipper with respect to the frame.

Furthermore, the orientation of the dipper relative to the handle is generally fixed during a dig cycle such that the operator cannot control the motion of the dipper independent of the handle and hoist rope in response to variations in the digging conditions. It is possible to improve the shovel's versatility by replacing the dipper with a pivotable bucket and actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders, for pivoting the bucket relative to the handle. However, any fluid conduit or electrical wiring must be capable of accommodating the wide range of translational and rotation movement of the handle and bucket with respect to the frame.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides an earthmoving machine including a frame, a boom, an elongated member, an attachment, a conduit, and a reel. The frame supports a fluid source. The boom includes a first end coupled to the frame and a second end opposite the first end. The elongated member is movably coupled to the boom and includes a first end and a second end. The attachment is coupled to the second end of the elongated member. The conduit is in fluid communication with the fluid source and conveys fluid between the fluid source and the attachment. The reel supports at least a portion of the conduit. The reel is rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the elongated member moves relative to the boom.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an earthmoving machine including a frame, a handle, an attachment, a rotary union, a conduit, and a reel. The frame supports a fluid source and a boom. The handle is movably coupled to the boom for translational and rotational movement relative to the boom. The handle includes a first end and a second end. The attachment is coupled to the second end of the handle. The rotary union includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is stationary relative to the boom and is in fluid communication with the fluid source. The second portion is in fluid communication with the first portion and is movable relative to the first portion. The conduit is in fluid communication with the second portion of the rotary union and extends between the second portion of the rotary union and the attachment. The reel supports at least a portion of the conduit and is rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the handle moves relative to the boom.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a fluid conveyance system for an earthmoving machine having a frame supporting a fluid source and a boom, an elongated member movably coupled to the boom and having a first end and a second end, and an attachment coupled to the second end of the elongated member. The fluid conveyance system includes a rotary union, a conduit, and a reel. The rotary union includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is stationary relative to the boom and is in fluid communication with the fluid source. The second portion is in fluid communication with the first portion and movable relative to the first portion. The conduit provides fluid to a portion of the attachment and is in fluid communication with the second portion of the rotary union. The reel supports at least a portion of the conduit and is coupled to the second portion of the rotary union. The reel is rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the elongated member moves relative to the boom.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mining shovel.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handle, a saddle block, a shipper shaft, and a bucket.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the handle, saddle block, and shipper shaft, of FIG. 2 taken along section 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fluid conveyance system with a handle in an extended position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fluid conveyance system of FIG. 4 with the handle in a retracted position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a reel and a swivel.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the swivel of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the swivel of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a section view of the reel of FIG. 6 taken along section 9-9 and including a transmission.

FIG. 10 is a section view of the reel and swivel of FIG. 6 taken along section 10-10 and including the transmission of FIG. 9 and the saddle block and shipper shaft of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged section view of the transmission of FIG. 9 and the shipper shaft.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the reel of FIG. 6 coupled to a transmission according to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a reel according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a section view of the reel of FIG. 13 taken along section 14-14 and including a transmission according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the shovel including a fluid conveyance system according to another embodiment.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a mining shovel 10 rests on a support surface or floor, and includes a frame 22 supporting a boom 26, an elongated member or handle 30, an attachment or bucket 34 including pivot actuators 36, and a fluid conveyance system 38. The frame 22 includes a hoist drum 40 for reeling in and paying out a cable or hoist rope 42. The boom 26 includes a first end 46 coupled to the frame 22, a second end 50 opposite the first end 46, a boom sheave 54, a saddle block 58, and a shipper shaft 62. The boom sheave 54 is coupled to the second end 50 of the boom 26 and guides the rope 42 over the second end 50. The saddle block 58 is rotatably coupled to the boom 26 by the shipper shaft 62, which is positioned between the first end 46 and the second end 50 of the boom 26. The shipper shaft 62 extends through the boom 26 in a direction that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the boom 26, and includes at least one pinion 70 (FIG. 3). The rope 42 is coupled to the bucket 34 by a bail 66, and the bucket 34 is raised or lowered as the rope 42 is reeled in or paid out, respectively, by the hoist drum 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the handle 30 includes a pair of arms 78 defining a first end 82, a second end 86, and a rack 90 for engaging the pinion 70. The second end 86 is movably received in the saddle block 58, and the handle 30 passes through the saddle block 58 such that the handle is capable of rotational and translational movement relative to the boom 26. Stated another way, the handle 30 is linearly extendable relative to the saddle block 58 and is rotatable about the shipper shaft 62. The first end 82 is pivotably coupled to the bucket 34. The saddle block 58 is rotatable relative to the boom 26 (FIG. 1) about the shipper shaft 62, and the handle 30 rotates relative to the boom 26 while the arms 78 remain in the saddle block 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 30 is substantially straight. In other embodiments, the handle 30 may include a curved portion. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rack 90 engages the pinion 70, forming a rack and pinion coupling between the handle 30 (FIG. 2) and the boom 26 (FIG. 1). Rotation of the shipper shaft 62 facilitates translational movement of the handle 30 relative to the boom 26.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the bucket 34 is a clamshell-type bucket having a main body 98 and an end wall 102 that can be separated from the main body 98 to empty the contents of the bucket 34. In other embodiments, the shovel 10 may include other types of attachments, buckets, or dippers. Each pivot actuator 36 is coupled between the bucket 34 and the handle 30. The pivot actuators 36 actively control the pitch of the bucket 34 by rotating the bucket 34 about the handle first end 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot actuators 36 are hydraulic cylinders.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fluid conveyance system 38 includes a first conduit 106, a valve block 114 coupled to the handle 30 proximate the second end 86, a rotary union or swivel 118, a reel 122, a transmission 126 (FIGS. 9 and 10), and a second conduit 130. In other embodiments, a fluid conveyance system 38 is positioned on each side of the handle 30. The first conduit 106 extends between a fluid source 132 on the frame 22 and the swivel 118 and provides fluid communication therebetween. The second conduit 130 includes a first, stationary portion 130a that extends substantially along the handle 30 from the second end 86 toward the first end 82 (FIG. 2) and a second, adjustable portion 130b that is alternatively wrapped onto and paid out by the reel 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 130a is in fluid communication with the valve block 114 and is in fluid communication with the pivot actuators 36 to provide pressurized fluid to the actuators 36. The first portion 130a is also in communication with various mechanical connections on the bucket 34 and the handle 30 to provide a lubrication medium to the connections. It is understood that the first portion 130a is connected to the pivot actuators 36 and/or the mechanical connections on the bucket 34 by one or more conventional tubes or hoses 132 (shown schematically in FIG. 2), which may extend internally through the handle 30. In other embodiments, the second conduit 130 does not include a first portion 130a extending substantially along the handle 30 but instead only the second portion 130b extending directly from the reel 122 to the first end 82 of the handle 30. As discussed in further detail below, channels 166 (FIG. 6) provide fluid communication between the swivel 118 and the second conduit 130.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the swivel 118 includes a first, stationary portion or manifold 134 and a second, rotating portion or rotary housing 138 positioned around at least a portion of the manifold 134. The manifold 134 includes inlet ports 142 and passages 146 extending through the rotary housing 138. In one embodiment, the manifold 134 is coupled to a stationary portion of the frame 22 in order to support the manifold 134 and the first conduit 106 against torque caused by the rotation of the reel 122 and the rotating portion 138. The inlet ports 142 are in fluid communication with a fluid source 132 (FIGS. 4 and 5) or pump (not shown) via the first conduit 106. The passages 146 are in fluid communication with the inlet ports 142. The rotary housing 138 is rotatable relative to the manifold 134 and includes seals 152 (FIG. 8) to seal the internal passages 146 of the manifold 134 with respect to one another, and outlet ports 154 in fluid communication with the passages 146. The rotary housing 138 is coupled to the reel 122 (FIG. 7) such that the rotary housing 138 rotates with the reel 122 while the manifold 134 remains stationary.

Referring to FIG. 6, the reel 122 includes a body 158 and a surface 162 extending along the periphery of the body 158. Channels 166 are secured to the body 158 and are in fluid communication with the outlet ports 154 of the rotary housing 138. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 158 is circular and the channels 166 extend from the rotary housing 138 to the surface 162 in a generally radial direction. The second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 is in fluid communication with the channels 166, which secure the second portion 130b to the reel 122. The second portion 130b is also coupled to the valve block 114 (FIG. 5) proximate the handle second end 86 (FIG. 5) and is in fluid communication with the first portion 130a (FIG. 5). As the reel 122 rotates, the second portion 130b wraps around the surface 162. In the illustrated embodiment, a circumference of the reel 122 is approximately equal to a maximum extension length of the handle 30 (i.e., a length of the rack 90, also referred to as the crowd distance). As a result, the reel 122 rotates through approximately 360 degrees as the handle is retracted or extended, thereby causing the second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 to wrap substantially around the reel 122 when the handle 30 is fully extended. In other embodiments, the reel 122 may rotate through more or less than 360 degrees (i.e., more or less than one full rotation) as the handle 30 moves between the retracted and extended positions. Also, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the reel 122 rotates clockwise as the handle 30 is extended and counter-clockwise as the handle 30 is retracted. In other embodiments in which the second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 extends directly between the reel 122 and the first end 82 of the handle 30, the second portion 130b is wrapped around the reel 122 as the handle 30 is retracted.

As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the transmission 126 is a planetary gear system including an input gear or sun gear 174, spur or planet gears 178, a carrier 182 coupled to the planetary gears 178, and a ring gear 186 coupled to the saddle block 58 (FIG. 10). The sun gear 174 is coupled to the shipper shaft 62 (FIGS. 10 and 11) such that rotation of the shipper shaft 62 drives the sun gear 174. The carrier 182 rotates as the planet gears 178 revolve around the sun gear 174, and the carrier 182 is coupled to the reel 122 such that the rotation of the carrier 182 causes the reel 122 to rotate and pay out or reel in the second portion 130b of the second conduit 130. The transmission 126 therefore provides a speed reduction from the shipper shaft 62 to the reel 122 in order to match the length of second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 paid out by the reel 122 as the handle 30 moves in a linear manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the gear ratio is equal to a diameter of the reel 122 divided by a diameter of the pinion 70. In the illustrated embodiment, when the sun gear 174 rotates in a first direction, the carrier 182 and ring gear 186 rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. Thus, the reel 122 rotates in an opposite direction of the rotation of the shipper shaft 62. In other embodiments, the transmission is configured so that the reel 122 rotates in the same direction as the shipper shaft 62.

As the rack 90 (FIG. 10) travels over the pinion 70 (FIG. 10) and rotates the shipper shaft 62 and sun gear 174, the reel 122 pays out the appropriate amount of the second portion 130b of the second conduit 130. In the illustrated embodiment, an additional length of the second portion 130b is paid out by the reel 122 in order to prevent the second conduit 130 from being placed under excess tension. Because the reel 122 is centered on the rotation axis of the pinion 70 in the illustrated embodiment, the length of the second portion 130b that is paid out will remain relatively constant.

The fluid conveyance system 38 supplies pressurized fluid to the pivot actuators 36 and accommodates various extension conditions of the handle 30 relative to the saddle block 58 and boom 26. The second conduit 130 carries fluid in a manner that is functionally parallel to the rack and pinion interaction of the handle 30 and shipper shaft 62, and the pinion 70 of the shipper shaft 62 drives rotation of the reel 122 in order to take up or pay out the second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 as the handle 30 moves. The transmission 126 is configured to provide a desired timing relationship between the rotation of the shipper shaft 62 and the rotation of the reel 122. In this way, the fluid conveyance system 38 utilizes the rotation of the shipper shaft 62 to pay out and reel in the correct length of the second portion 130b. In some embodiments, the fluid conveyance system 38 supplies a lubrication medium, such as grease, to various connection points on the bucket 34, such as the coupling between the bucket 34 and the first end 82 of the handle 30, the coupling between the main body 98 and the end wall 102 of the bucket 34, and the coupling between the bail 66 and the bucket 34. In some embodiments, the lubrication medium includes a liquid, solid, or semi-solid lubricant.

FIG. 12 illustrates a transmission 526 according to another embodiment of the invention, and including a dual reduction parallel shaft configuration rather than a planetary gearbox. The transmission 526 includes a first shaft 532 coupled to the shipper shaft 62 and a second shaft (not shown) coupled to the reel 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the first shaft 532 is coupled to a pinion 540 that engages a first gear 544. The first gear 544 is coupled to a second gear 548 (for example, by mounting on a common shaft 536), which engages a final drive gear 552 coupled to the reel 122 via the second shaft. Rotation of the final drive gear 552 rotates the reel 122. The dual reduction transmission 526 permits the reel 122 to rotate in the same direction as the shipper shaft 62. The transmission 526 is coupled to the boom 26 (FIG. 1) or another structure that is unaffected by the motion of the rack 90 and pinion 70.

In other embodiments, the reel 122 is not positioned adjacent the shipper shaft 62 but in another location on the machine 10, such as near an upper portion of the boom 26 (FIG. 15), near a lower portion of the boom 26, or on the machine house on the frame 22. In still other embodiments, the reel 122 is driven by an alternative input instead of being driven by the shipper shaft 62. The alternative input includes a motor coupled to the reel to drive the reel 122 independently of the shipper shaft 62, or coupling the boom sheave 54 to the reel 122 to drive the reel 122. Also, other embodiments of the reel 122 include a constant tensioner (not shown) to control the length of the second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 that is paid out. As the handle 30 extends and retracts, the tensioner applies a torque to the reel 122 to keep the second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 taut as it is paid out or reeled in. In addition, the second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 may wrap around the reel 122 in various ways. This includes either single or multi-wrapping, and wrapping the second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 such that the second portion 130b exits the reel 122 either on the top or the bottom of the reel 122, or the second portion 130b exits the reel 122 on the side proximate the bucket 34 or the side proximate the frame 22 of the shovel 10. Furthermore, the second portion 130b may be coupled to the handle 30 proximate the first end 82 rather than being coupled to the first portion 130a extending along the handle 30 from the second end 86 toward the first end 82.

FIGS. 13-14 illustrate a reel 922 for supporting at least a portion of fluid conduit and a transmission 926 (FIG. 14) for driving rotation of the reel 922 according to another embodiment. The reel 922 includes a surface 962 defined by arms 970 positioned proximate a perimeter of the reel 922. The second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 wraps around the surface 962 as the reel 922 rotates. As shown in FIG. 14, the reel 922 also includes channels 966 and a valve block 968 positioned proximate the surface 962. In the illustrated embodiment, the channels 966 extend from the rotary housing 138 to the valve block 968. The channels 966 are in fluid communication with the outlet ports of the rotary housing 138 similar to the channels 166 described above with respect to FIG. 6. The second portion 130b is in fluid communication with the channels 966 via the valve block 968, which secures the second portion 130b to the reel 922. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the surface 962 has a spiral shape and the valve block 968 is positioned between the surface 962 and the swivel 118, allowing the second portion 130b to wrap onto the surface 962 and over the valve block 968. The position of the valve block 968 prevents the valve block 968 from interfering with or binding the second portion 130b as the reel 922 rotates, permitting the reel 922 to move through more than 360 degrees in at least one direction of rotation. Because the reel 922 can extend through more than one full rotation, the reel 922 can be sized such that the circumference of the surface 962 is smaller than the maximum length of the second portion 130b that is reeled in or paid out.

As shown in FIG. 14, the transmission 926 includes a carrier 960, a hub 964 supported for rotation relative to the carrier 960 (for example, by a bearing 974), an input gear 968 coupled to an end of the shipper shaft 62, and a pair of idler gears 972. The carrier 960 supports the input gear 968 for rotation. In one embodiment, the carrier 960 is coupled to the saddle block 58 (FIG. 10). The hub 964 is coupled to the reel 922. In the illustrated embodiment, an internal ring gear 976 is coupled to the hub 964 and rotation of the ring gear 976 causes rotation of the reel 922. The idler gears 972a, 972b are each supported for rotation by the carrier 960 and are mounted sequentially between the input gear 968 and the ring gear 976. As the shipper shaft 62 rotates, the input gear 968 rotates within the hub 964. The input gear 968 drives a first idler gear 972a, which rotates a second idler gear 972b. The second idler gear 972b engages the ring gear 976, causing the hub 964 (and therefore the reel 922) to rotate.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the idler gears 972 are approximately the same size, such that there is little, if any, speed reduction between the two gears 972. Rather, the provision of the pair of idler gears 972 produces a desired direction of rotation in the reel 922. In other embodiments, the idler gears 972 may be sized differently to produce a speed reduction. The embodiment of FIG. 14 improves the timing relationship between the shipper shaft 62 and the reel 922 to reduce the discrepancy between the amount of travel of the handle 30 and the amount of the second portion 130b of the second conduit 130 that is paid out by the reel 922.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a fluid conveyance system for an earthmoving machine. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

Claims

1. An earthmoving machine comprising:

a frame supporting a fluid source;

a boom including a first end coupled to the frame and a second end opposite the first end;

an elongated member movably coupled to the boom, the elongated member including a first end and a second end;

an attachment coupled to the second end of the elongated member;

a conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source, the conduit conveying fluid between the fluid source and the attachment; and

a reel supporting at least a portion of the conduit, the reel being rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the elongated member moves relative to the boom.

2. The earthmoving machine of claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a hydraulic actuator coupled to the elongated member, the conduit providing fluid to the hydraulic actuator.

3. The earthmoving machine of claim 2, wherein the attachment includes a bucket pivotably coupled to the second end of the elongated member, the hydraulic actuator pivoting the bucket relative to the elongated member.

4. The earthmoving machine of claim 1, wherein the boom includes a shipper shaft extending transversely through the boom, the elongated member engaging the shipper shaft such that rotation of the shipper shaft drives the elongated member for translational movement relative to the boom.

5. The earthmoving machine of claim 4, wherein the reel is driven by rotation of the shipper shaft.

6. The earthmoving machine of claim 5, further comprising a transmission including at least one gear driven by the rotation of the shipper shaft and thereby causing rotation of the reel.

7. The earthmoving machine of claim 1,

further comprising a rotary union including a stationary portion and a rotating portion in fluid communication with the stationary portion, the rotating portion being coupled to the reel;

wherein the conduit includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion providing fluid communication between the fluid source and the stationary portion of the rotary union, the second portion providing fluid communication between the rotating portion of the rotary union and the attachment.

8. An earthmoving machine comprising:

a frame supporting a fluid source and a boom;

a handle movably coupled to the boom for translational and rotational movement relative to the boom, the handle including a first end and a second end;

an attachment coupled to the second end of the handle;

a rotary union including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion stationary relative to the boom and in fluid communication with the fluid source, the second portion in fluid communication with the first portion and movable relative to the first portion;

a conduit in fluid communication with the second portion of the rotary union and extending between the second portion of the rotary union and the attachment; and

a reel supporting at least a portion of the conduit, the reel being rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the handle moves relative to the boom.

9. The earthmoving machine of claim 8, further comprising a hydraulic actuator coupled between the attachment and the handle, the conduit providing fluid communication between the rotary union and the hydraulic actuator.

10. The earthmoving machine of claim 9, wherein the attachment includes a bucket pivotably coupled to the second end of the handle, the hydraulic actuator pivoting the bucket relative to the handle.

11. The earthmoving machine of claim 8, further comprising a shipper shaft extending transversely through the boom, the handle engaging the shipper shaft such that rotation of the shipper shaft drives the handle for translational movement relative to the boom.

12. The earthmoving machine of claim 11, wherein the reel is driven by rotation of the shipper shaft.

13. The earthmoving machine of claim 12, further comprising a transmission including at least one gear for transmitting rotation of the shipper shaft to rotation of the reel.

14. A fluid conveyance system for an earthmoving machine, the earthmoving machine having a frame supporting a fluid source and a boom, an elongated member movably coupled to the boom and having a first end and a second end, and an attachment coupled to the second end of the elongated member, the fluid conveyance system comprising:

a rotary union including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion stationary relative to the boom and in fluid communication with the fluid source, the second portion in fluid communication with the first portion and movable relative to the first portion;

a conduit for providing fluid to a portion of the attachment, the conduit in fluid communication with the second portion of the rotary union; and

a reel supporting at least a portion of the conduit and being coupled to the second portion of the rotary union, the reel being rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the elongated member moves relative to the boom.

15. The fluid conveyance system of claim 14, wherein the reel is adapted to be driven by a shipper shaft that drives the elongated member for translational movement relative to the boom.

16. The fluid conveyance system of claim 14, further comprising a transmission adapted to drive the reel, the transmission including at least one gear for rotating the reel.

17. The fluid conveyance system of claim 16, wherein the transmission includes an input gear driven by rotation of the shipper shaft, a spur gear engaging the input gear, and a ring gear coupled to the reel and engaging the spur gear, rotation of the ring gear causing rotation of the reel.

18. The fluid conveyance system of claim 16, wherein the transmission includes an input gear driven by rotation of the shipper shaft, at least one planet gear engaging the input gear and revolving around the input gear, and a carrier supporting the at least one planet gear and coupled to the reel, wherein revolution of the at least one planet gear causes rotation of the carrier and the reel.

19. The fluid conveyance system of claim 16, wherein the transmission includes a first shaft coupled to the shipper shaft and a second shaft coupled to the reel, the first shaft having a pinion engaging a first gear, the first gear being coupled to a second gear that rotates the second shaft.

20. The fluid conveyance system of claim 14, further comprising a second conduit extending between the fluid source and the first portion of the rotary union and being adapted to provide fluid communication therebetween.

21. The fluid conveyance system of claim 14, wherein the reel defines a surface for supporting the conduit, the rotary union including a channel extending between the second portion of the rotary union and the surface, the channel providing fluid communication between the second portion of the rotary union and the conduit.