INTERLOCKING BALLAST SYSTEM

Abstract

A ballast system for a machine is provided. The ballast system includes a plurality of ballast assemblies interlocked with one another. Each of the plurality of ballast assemblies includes a body defining a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is distal to the second surface. The body includes a hollow configuration. The ballast assembly includes a first cover plate affixed to the first surface. The ballast assembly also includes a second cover plate affixed to the second surface. The ballast assembly further includes a passage provided on at least one of the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The passage is adapted to interlock with a passage of an adjacent ballast assembly of the plurality of ballast assemblies. The passage is further adapted to allow flow of a ballast material therethrough.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an interlocking ballast system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the interlocking ballast system for a machine.

BACKGROUND

Machines, such as a pneumatic compactor, include a ballast chamber for receiving a ballast for increasing a weight of the machine. The ballast may include blocks made of concrete, aluminum, cast iron, steel, and so on. Additionally, the ballast chamber may be filled with water to increase the weight of the machine. The blocks may include different shapes, material, and may be arranged in various configurations with respect to one another within the ballast chamber to optimize the space within the ballast chamber and/or to achieve a required weight of the machine.

In order to increase or decrease the weight of the machine, each block may have to be individually added or removed from the ballast chamber respectively. Based on a size of the ballast chamber and/or the required weight of the machine, a number of such blocks may have to be installed or uninstalled from within the chamber. The installation/uninstallation of the blocks is a time consuming and a labor intensive process which in turn may lead to machine downtime, reduced operational efficiency, increased operational cost, and so on.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,110 describes a ballast system for compacting machines. The machine comprises a chassis supported on front and rear wheel-axle assemblies longitudinally spaced from each other. The chassis includes a chassis median extension located between the front and rear wheel-axle assemblies defining a raised platform. The platform includes a ballast lateral retaining means. The retaining means include a plurality of modular ballast elements fitted and locked against downward vertical and horizontal displacements by respective lateral engaging means of modular ballast elements. The engaging means are disposed transversely under the chassis median extension and include a weight that is selectively determined in function of the characteristics of a compacting load desired for the wheel-axle assemblies. Each of the modular ballast elements includes a pair of identical ballast boxes. The ballast boxes are symmetrical to the machine longitudinal axis. Each of the ballast boxes include an internal end portion provided with a central engaging means coupled to a ballast central retaining means affixed under the chassis median extension.

Currently used ballast systems for the machines are complex, expensive, and require complicated installation techniques. Hence, there is a need for an improved ballast system.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a ballast system for a machine is provided. The ballast system includes a plurality of ballast assemblies interlocked with one another. Each of the plurality of ballast assemblies includes a body defining a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is distal to the second surface. The body includes a hollow configuration. The ballast assembly includes a first cover plate affixed to the first surface. The ballast assembly also includes a second cover plate affixed to the second surface. The ballast assembly further includes a passage provided on at least one of the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The passage is adapted to interlock with a passage of an adjacent ballast assembly of the plurality of ballast assemblies. The passage is further adapted to allow flow of a ballast material therethrough.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary machine, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ballast system of the machine of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the ballast system of FIG. 2, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a ballast assembly of the ballast system of FIG. 2, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary machine 10 is illustrated. More specifically, the machine 10 is a compaction machine. In other embodiments, the machine 10 may be any other machine such as a wheel loader, a tractor, a skid steer, a fork lift, a crane, and so on. The machine 10 may be any machine associated with an industry such as construction, mining, transportation, agriculture, material handling, marine, and so on.

The machine 10 includes a frame 12. The frame 12 supports one or more components of the machine 10. The machine 10 includes an enclosure 14, The enclosure 14 encloses a power source (not shown) mounted on the frame 12. The power source may he any power source known in the art such as an internal combustion engine, batteries, motor, and so on, or a combination thereof. The power source may provide power to the machine 10 for mobility and operational requirements.

The machine 10 includes an operator cabin 16 mounted on the frame 12. The operator cabin 16 houses various controls (not shown) of the machine 10. The controls may include a steering, levers, pedals, a control console, buttons, audio visual devices, and so on. The controls may control the machine 10 on ground. The machine 10 also includes rollers 18 mounted to the frame 12. The rollers 18 support and provide mobility to the machine 10 on the ground. The rollers 18 also perform compaction of a surface, such as an asphalt surface, based on application requirements.

The machine 10 further includes a ballast compartment 20 provided within the frame 12. The ballast compartment 20 has a hollow configuration. Referring to FIG. 2, the ballast compartment 20 may receive a ballast system 22. The ballast system 22 provides a desired weight to the machine 10 during the compaction of the surface based on application requirements.

The ballast system 22 includes a number of vertical stacks 24 provided adjacent to one another. In other embodiments, the ballast system 22 may include a single vertical stack 24. Each vertical stack 24 includes a first ballast assembly 26, a second ballast assembly 28, a third ballast assembly 30, a fourth ballast assembly 32, and so on stacked one over the other. Each of the first ballast assembly 26, the second ballast assembly 28, the third ballast assembly 30, the fourth ballast assembly 32, and so on are interlocked with one another and will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Also, a configuration of each of the first ballast assembly 26, the second ballast assembly 28, the third ballast assembly 30, the fourth ballast assembly 32, and so on is similar to one another.

Referring to FIG. 3, a partial cross sectional view of the ballast system 22 is illustrated. More specifically, FIG. 3 includes a cross sectional view of the first ballast assembly 26 and the second ballast assembly 28 in an assembled position. The first ballast assembly 26 and the second ballast assembly 28 are interlocked with one another via a connection interface 34. The connection interface 34 also provides a channel for a flow of a ballast material therethrough. The connection interface 34 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 4. The arrows 36 depict the flow of the ballast material into the second ballast assembly 28 and further into the first ballast assembly 26 through the connection interface 34. The connection interface 34 may also be present between the second ballast assembly 28, the third ballast assembly 30, and the fourth ballast assembly 32 of the ballast system 22 to provide interlocking and the channel for the flow of the ballast material therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 4, an exploded perspective view of the first ballast assembly 26 is illustrated. It should be noted that the configuration of the first ballast assembly 26 is similar to the configuration of each of the second ballast assembly 28, the third ballast assembly 30, the fourth ballast assembly 32, and so on. The first ballast assembly 26 will now be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The first ballast assembly 26 includes a body 38. The body 38 includes a hollow and rectangular configuration. In other embodiments, the first ballast assembly 26 may include any other configuration such as circular, trapezoidal, and so on without limiting the scope of the disclosure. More specifically, the body 38 includes a first surface 40 and a second surface 42. The first surface 40 is distal to the second surface 42.

Also, the body 38 includes a number of sidewalls 44 extending between the first surface 40 and the second surface 42. The first surface 40, the second surface 42, and the sidewalls 44 are interconnected with one another in a manner such that a central cavity 46 is formed therebetween. The central cavity 46 receives the ballast material therein. The ballast material may be any material known in the art such as water, oil, metal, concrete, sand, gravel, soil, and so on, and/or a combination thereof.

Further, the first ballast assembly 26 includes a first cover plate 48. The first cover plate 48 includes a flat and planar configuration. In other embodiments, the first cover plate 48 may include any other configuration such as a stepped configuration without limiting the scope of the disclosure. The first cover plate 48 is affixed to the first surface 40 of the body 38. The first cover plate 48 may be affixed to the first surface 40 by any known fastening method such as bolting, riveting, and so on. The first cover plate 48 encloses the body 38 from a first direction 50.

The first ballast assembly 26 also includes a second cover plate 52. The second cover plate 52 includes a flat and planar configuration. In other embodiments, the second cover plate 52 may include any other configuration such as a stepped configuration without limiting the scope of the disclosure. The second cover plate 52 is affixed to the second surface 42 of the body 38. The second cover plate 52 may be affixed to the second surface 42 by any known fastening method such as bolting, riveting, and so on. The second cover plate 52 encloses the body 38 from a second direction 54.

Further, the first ballast assembly 26 includes the connection interface 34 provided on at least one of the first cover plate 48 and the second cover plate 52. More specifically, the connection interface 34 includes a first passage 56 provided on the first cover plate 48. The first passage 56 is connected to the central cavity 46. Accordingly, the first passage 56 allows the flow of the ballast material therethrough and within the central cavity 46.

The first cover plate 48 includes a first port 58. The first port 58 is axially aligned with respect to the first passage 56. The first port 58 provides connection between the first passage 56 and the central cavity 46 and allows the flow of the ballast material therethrough. The first passage 56 also interlocks with a second passage (not shown) of the adjacent second ballast assembly 28 of the ballast system 22 and will be explained later in detail. The first passage 56 may be interlocked with the second passage of the second ballast assembly 28 by any known coupling method such as bolting, threading, coupler, and so on.

The second cover plate 52 also includes the connection interface 34 provided thereon. More specifically, the connection interface 34 includes a second passage 60 provided on the second cover plate 52. The second passage 60 is connected to the central cavity 46. The second passage 60 allows the flow of the ballast material therethrough. Accordingly, the second cover plate 52 includes a second port 62. The second port 62 is axially aligned with respect to the second passage 60. The second port 62 provides connection between the second passage 60 and the central cavity 46 and allows the flow of the ballast material therethrough.

In the illustrated embodiment, as the second passage 60 is provided on the first ballast assembly 26, the second passage 60 allows the flow of the ballast material out of the central cavity 46 as and when required. Accordingly, the second passage 60 of the first ballast assembly 26 is sealed by any known sealing element 64 such as a cap, a plug, a sealing compound, and so on. When the second passage is provided on the second ballast assembly 28, the second passage of the second ballast assembly 28 is interlocked with the first passage 56 of the first ballast assembly 26 and allows the flow of the ballast material therethrough from the second ballast assembly 28 into the first ballast assembly 26.

The first ballast assembly 26 additionally includes a first seal 66 provided between the first surface 40 and the first cover plate 48. The first seal 66 also includes a first aperture 68. The first aperture 68 is axially aligned with respect to the first passage 56 and/or the first port 58 of the first cover plate 48. The first aperture 68 allows connection between the first passage 56 and the central cavity 46. The first seal 66 provides a sealing surface between the first cover plate 48 and the first surface 40.

The first ballast assembly 26 also additionally includes a second seal 70 provided between the second surface 42 and the second cover plate 52. The second seal 70 includes a second aperture 72. The second aperture 72 is axially aligned with respect to the second passage 60 and/or the second port 62 of the second cover plate 52. The second aperture 72 allows connection between the second passage 60 and the central cavity 46. The second seal 70 provides a sealing surface between the second cover plate 52 and the second surface 42.

The first seal 66 and/or the second seal 70 described herein is optional based on application requirements. In some embodiments, the first seal 66 and/or the second seal 70 may be omitted. In such a situation, the first cover plate 48 may be directly affixed on to the first surface 40, and the second cover plate 52 may be directly affixed on to the second surface 42 respectively. The first seal 66 and/or the second seal 70 may be any sealing means known in the art such as a gasket, a sealing plate, a sealing compound, and so on. The first seal 66 and/or the second seal 70 may be made of any material known in the art such as rubber, polymer, metal, and so on. Also, the first passage 56 and/or the second passage 60 may be any component adapted to provide a channel for the flow of the ballast material such as a tube, a pipe, a hose, a coupler, flange, and so on. The first passage 56 and/or the second passage 60 may be made of any material known in the art such as metal, polymer, rubber, and so on.

The first ballast assembly 26 also includes a recess 74 provided on the second surface 42. The recess 74 includes an elongated and stepped configuration. The recess 74 engages with a lifting means (not shown) to lift the first ballast assembly 26. In one embodiment, the lifting means may be a fork of a forklift. In another embodiment, the lifting means may be a chain, a belt, a rope, and so on to engage with the recess 74 to lift the first ballast assembly 26. In yet another embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the first ballast assembly 26 may include a hook, an eyebolt, and an on to lift the first ballast assembly 26.

It should be noted that the components of the first ballast assembly 26 viz. the first cover plate 48, the first passage 56, the first port 58, the second cover plate 52, the second passage 60, the second port 62, the first seal 66, the first aperture 68, the second seal 70, and the second aperture 72 may also he provided on the second ballast assembly 28, the third ballast assembly 30, the fourth ballast assembly 32, and so on. Also, the configuration, number, stacks, components, layout of the first ballast assembly 26 and/or the ballast system 22 disclosed herein is merely exemplary and may not limit the scope of the disclosure.

Industrial Applicability

The present disclosure relates to the ballast system 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the ballast material is filled through a first passage 76 (shown in FIG. 2) of the fourth ballast assembly 32. Due to the interlocked configuration of the ballast system 22, the ballast material flows from the fourth ballast assembly 32 into the third ballast assembly 30 via a connection interface (not shown) therebetween. The ballast material then flows from the third ballast assembly 30 into the second ballast assembly 28 via a connection interface (not shown) therebetween. Further, the ballast material flows from the second ballast assembly 28 into the first ballast assembly 26 via the connection interface 34 (shown in FIG. 3) therebetween. The ballast system 22 may be filled with a required quantity of the ballast material based on the desired weight of the machine 10. The number of the ballast assemblies and/or the vertical stacks 24 may be added or removed based on the desired weight of the machine 10 and/or a size and/or a dimension of the ballast compartment 20. Additionally, the vertical stacks 24 of the ballast system 22 may also he interlocked with one another in order to improve connection within the ballast system 22. In such a situation, the complete ballast system 22 may be filled with the ballast material through a single vertical stack 24.

In other embodiments, the ballast system 22 may include the number of ballast assemblies interlocked with one another and disposed adjacent to one another in a horizontal configuration, in another embodiment, the ballast system 22 may include only the first ballast assembly 26 having a size and/or a dimension approximately equal to the size and/or the dimension of the ballast compartment 20. In such a situation, the first ballast assembly 26 may be filled with the required quantity of the ballast material based on the required weight of the machine 10.

The first ballast assembly 26 and/or the ballast system 22 described herein may include a number of design and/or layout configurations other than the ones described herein based on application requirements without limiting the scope of the disclosure. The ballast system 22 provides a simple, convenient, cost efficient, and space efficient design of the ballast system 22. The ballast system 22 is easy to install reducing machine downtime and labor effort in turn leading to increased machine/operational efficiency, reduced costs, and so on.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A ballast system for a machine, the ballast system comprising:

a plurality of ballast assemblies interlocked with one another, each of the plurality of ballast assemblies including: a body defining a first surface and a second surface, the first surface distal to the second surface, the body having a hollow configuration; a first cover plate affixed to the first surface; a second cover plate affixed to the second surface; and a passage provided on at least one of the first cover plate and the second cover plate, the passage adapted to interlock with a passage of an adjacent ballast assembly of the plurality of ballast assemblies, the passage further adapted to allow flow of a ballast material therethrough.

2. The ballast system of claim 1 further including a first seal provided between the first surface and the first cover plate.

3. The ballast system of claim 2 further including a second seal provided between the second surface and the second cover plate.

4. The ballast system of claim 1 further including a recess provided on the second surface, the recess adapted to engage with a lifting means adapted to lift the ballast assembly.