US2199649A - Compaction machine - Google Patents

Description

J. W. POULTER I COMPACTION MACHINE May 7, 1940.

Filed Jan. 7, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 y7, 1940- J. w. POULTER 2,199,649

7 COMPACTION MACHINE Filed Jan. 7. 1937 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 7, 1940. J. w. POULTER COMPACTION MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 4 Sheet-Sheet s y 1940. J. w. POULTER I .1 .649

COMPACTLON MACHINE Filed Jan. '7, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JII/faulier Patented May 7, 1940 NITED STATES- COMPACTION mom John W. Poultcr, Milwaukee, Wis; assignorto Koehring Company, Milwaukee, Win, a corporation Application January I, 1937, Serial No. 119,519

1 Claim. My invention appertains to the art of soil mechanics, and comprises an "improved machine for compacting earth, the machine being designed primarily to facilitate soil compaction in the building of roads.

In the art of road building, more recent dc velopments of practice have shown that treatment of a road subgrade with a view to dense compaction of the soil preliminary to the building of the road wear surface to be carried, by the subgrade, affords material advantage in prolonging the life of the ultimate road constructed. Earth compaction, not only in respect to pavement laid on new fills, but also in relation to old established subgrades, acts as a preventive of settlement of the surface pavement, which difficulty has been encountered in recent years in the construction of roads and has necessitated expensive repair operations by way of elevating difierent sections of pavement that have become lowered or settled on acount of the inability of the subgrade to support the same.

With the foregoing in mind, the machine of the present invention has been designed, and said machine includes primarily novel rolling or rotary earth'compacting means mounted upon a suitable portable frame or support which may be operated to progress over the earth subgrade under its own power, or pulled in travel bymeans of a traction or draft vehicle in advance thereof.

The design of the rolling earth compacting members above referred to is unique in that the said members are operated at relatively high speed and are caused to act upon the soil or earth of the subgrade with a combined impact and kneading efi'ect, subserving the desired function of these members in accomplishing their function of densifying the said earth or soil of the subrade.

The compacting members aforesaid are constructed and mounted in a peculiar manner in accordance with the invention. In construction they comprise wheels or rollers which may be mounted upon a common shaft and are prefer-- ably disposed in spaced sets or pairs so that they are carried loosely upon eccentrics which are splined on the supporting shaft to rotate therewith. The sets or pairs of wheels or rollers thus eccentrically mounted have the eccentric members which support thesame disposed 180 apart I for balance purposes, and the arrangement is such also that the compacting wheels or rollers will strike the material to be compacted, in. a special consecutive order, as will more fully appear as this description proceeds.

The novel mounting of the wheels or rollers as above pointed out is such also that not'only do the same afford a highly efficient impact means in their action upon the soil or earth being treated, but said rollers, working in conjunction with theireccentric supporting means carried by the eccentric driving shaft which supports said members, operate with a peculiar kneading or pressing action supplementing the impact action above referred to and tending to increase the ultimate compaction effect desired to be obtained in the operation of the machine.

In the carrying out of my invention it is contemplated that the compacting members may be constructed in different ways. They may comprise wheels or rollers made up of a wheel structure equipped with pneumatic tires. Or, the compacting members may be provided with solid metal band or rim structures; again, if desired, solid rubber tire means may be employed for the impacting and kneading peripheries of the rolling compacting members.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying a preferred form of the invention,

though I do not wish to be restricted to the spe-' cial type of construction-depicted in this figure, said construction being further exemplified in Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a machine of the type shown in Figure 1, dotted lines illustrating the rear traction and steering wheels, dotted lines also illustrating the forward rolling compacting members, and other dotted lines illustrating certain steering and transmission features of the machine.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention, the same being of a trailer design intended to be pulled behind a suitable draft or traction vehicle which may comprise a vehicle structure andcompacting means'of the type shown in Figuresl and 2. K

I so

Figure 4 illustrates forward and trailing earth compacting machines, the compacting members of the trailing machine being shown in dotted.

lines and those of the forward or pulling machine being hidden by the encasing structure. In this figure the machines are so connected by the draft device or clevis that the compacting members of the trailing machine operate in staggered relation to the compacting members of the pulling or draft machine so that the spaces between the compacted portions of the earth treated by the forward compacting members will be compacted section illustrating certainof the compactingmembers in full lines and one of them in cross section, to bring out the mounting of the compacting member upon its supporting eccentric;

also illustrating the driving means for the shaft sections which carry the compacting members, and the relation of the various peripheries of a series of compacting members in reference to the surface being treated thereby.

Figure 6 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 5, but illustrating a modified form of compacting members, the same having metallic rims or rigid metallic peripheries as distinguished from the type of compacting member illustrated in the other figures of the drawings wherein pneumatic tires form the contacting peripheries of said members.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows and bringing out the relative mountings of the supporting eccentrics for the compacting members and the corresponding relationships established thereby, of the operating peripheries of the said compacting members.

Figures 8 and 9 are diagrammatic illustrations for explanatory purposes in this specification.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the exemplification of the invention shown thereby will be described. According to this construction, the earth compaction unitof the invention is incorporated in a vehicle construction comprising a suitable frame A or chassis mounted at its rear end upon driving and steering wheels B and supported at its front end by the compacting members, rollers, or wheels of the compacting unit, these latter compacting members being arranged in two series located at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine. The compacting members or wheels of each series are designated I, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and these designations indicate additionally the order in which the compacting members of each series perform their earth compacting function by initial impact and subsequent pressure or kneading effect upon the earth or soil of the subgrade which is being treated for the purpose of compacting or densifying the same.

The mode of operation of the two series of compacting members, each series designated I to 6 inclusive, will be more fully described hereinafter, but it suffices to state at this time that the frame or chassis A of the compacting machine is carried by the rear driving and steering wheels B and the front compacting members I to 6 inclusive in one or more series, dependent of course upon the size or width of the machine and other factors, including manufacturing, and other conditions.

The machine as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is intended to be a self-contained motor-operated type machine, the motor (not shown) being located near the rear central portion of the chassis. However, the motor shaft designated I is seen in Figures '1 and 2 as extending forwardly and connected by suitable chain or belt 8 with a drive shaft 9 leading to the rear axle unit that carries the driving and steering wheels B. Any suitable variable speed transmission mechanism may be employed for causing the driving of the rear axle at different speeds for the corresponding propulsion of the machine through the wheels B. A.drivers seat C is provided, also a steering wheel D which is connected by any conventional I or known means with the steering arms for the wheels B. The transmission and steering details are immaterial to the invention and may be of many different types available.

At the front end of the machine is located a scraper E, the same being adjustably mounted upon suitable supports at the front end of the machine by means of the bolts I6 adapted to pass through selected ones of a series of openings II of supporting plates which carry the said scraper E. The function of the scraper E is to level off the road subgrade or other surface which is being treated by the machine just previous to operation of the compacting members or wheels I to 6 inclusive upon the subgrade.

In addition to the engine driven transmission mechanism above described, suitable transmission devices are interposed between the engine shaft 1 and a transverse drive shaft I2, said transmission devices comprising the gears I3. 7

The transverse drive shaft I2 is connected at its opposite ends by belts or endless members I4 with a driven shaft unit made up of two aligned shaft sections I5 mounted in suitable bearings in the frame or chassis of the machine. Each of the driven shaft sections I5 is operated by the associated endless belt or chain means I I, which passes around a pulley I8 on the outer end of said shaft section. Each shaft section I5, according to the construction of Figures 1 and 2, carries one of the series of compacting members I to 6 inclusive, previously referred to. I

Any suitable provisions may be made for the quick removal of the ,shaft sections I5 for facilitating access to any one of the compacting members I to 6 inclusive of the several series which are carried by said shaft sections I5. Such provisions may be those available to mechanics versed in the automotive vehicle art.

According to the construction of the machine of Figures 1 andv 2, the machine is advanced 'over a road subgrade under power of its self-contained motor unit, the driving forward of the machine being effected through the steering and driving wheels B, and the machine being supported by said wheels B and the compacting wheels or members I to 6 inclusive in one or more series as desired or required, according to the size of the compacting machine used. As the machine is driven forward, the compacting members I to 6 operate upon the soil or earth over which they travel, while one or more of them is supporting the front end of the machine, the surface treated by the compacting members I to 6 inclusive being preliminarily levelled ofl by means of the scraper E. The detailed operation of the compacting members will be set forth hereinafter.

The machine of Figures '1 and 2 may operate as a traction or pulling machine for compacting units operating at the rear thereof, said compacting units being made up of compacting members Ito 6, substantially as previously described, together with a suitable draft frame and engine unit for operating the compacting members to perform their desired functions. At the rear end of the chassis or frame A, as seen in Figure 2,

will be observed a draft plate I1 having a'series of openings I8 for the connection of a draft clevls or similar device for pulling a trailing earth compaction unit built in accordance with the invention. The openings I8 afford an adjustment such that the compacting wheels or rollers of the trailing vehicle may. be staggered in relation to the rollers 'or wheels of the pulling machine or vehicle. whereby to ensure that the entire surface over which the compacting members or wheels I to 6 inclusive pass will be properly compacted by means of the invention.

Figures 3 to 6 inclusive illustrate the manner in which the compacting unit of the invention may be incorporated in trailing vehicles or machines, and, referring first to Figure 3. it will be observed that the compaction unit includes a suit: able frame G, at the front end of which is provided an adjustable draft arm I 8'-'which may be connected by a clevis or like connection I9 with the rear end of a compaction machine such' as shown in Figure 2, or the rear end of an ordinary traction vehicle of any kind having power sufficient to pull one or more of the compaction machines like that illustrated in Figure 3. The machine of Figure 3, details of which are shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, includes a motor H,,,the driving shaft of which is connected by suitable endless belts 20, see Figures 5 and 6, with a driving pulley 2I located at approximately the longitudinal center of the frame G of the compaction machine. The driving pulley 2| will be operated under manual control of a lever 22 adjacent to .the'. motor H, whereby the pulley 2| may be thrown into and out of action as desired. S'aidpulley 2| is engaged with the splined adjacent ends of driven shaftsections 23 and 24 somewhat similar to the shaft sections I5 previously described." The shaft sections 23and 24 each-carry a series of compacting members or wheels designated I to 6 inclusive and arranged to perform-their compacting functions upon-the subgrade or earthbeing treated, in the order of the designations I to 6 inclusivea's applied to the drawings, after a mannersh'ortly to be described. Each shaft section 23. and 24, according: to the illustrated device, carries six of the compacting members I to 6 inclusive,

and said shaft section is supported by an inboard vertical'bearing member 25 and an outboard vertical bearing member '26, said bearing members being equipped with the bearings-21 at their inner and outer ends, according to any well known 'tire peripheries, asseen'in most of the figures of .the drawings and designated in Figure '5 at 29,

it may be necessary to replace the peripheral tire l compaction elements atcertain intervals of'time,

due to wear thereon,

-' Construction and mounting of compacting-members The impact media comprising compacting members-I to Ginclusive are-mounted, as seen best in carried. by, an eccentric. hub 30.. This hub 36 is splinedion the'shaft section 23 or-Zl which happens-to carry the same, or the shaft section I5, 2 according to the constructionof Figure 2. .-In

.the'above manner the eccentric hub 30 will be caused to. turn or rotate with the shaft section :that carries the .same when the latter is driven by the power means, whether the same be the engine or motor H of Figure 3, or the .motor with the engine-shaft 10f Figure 2. The wheel structure of each compacting member I l to 6 inclusive is rotative on or aboutthe eccentric hub 30 which carries ture of the compacting-wheel or member. Roller bearings 32 are illustrated in this connection. The eccentrics 30 of each series of compacting features of members I to 6 inclusive are arranged in certain pairs with their high points 180 apart to afford a balanced rotation by the wheels carried thereby. Likewise, the eccentrics for the said series of compacting members I to 6 inclusive are so arranged in relation to one another that the impact and kneading actions of the compacting peripheriesof the compacting members will strike or engage the soil or earth to be compacted in the order of the numbers which are found applied to l the drawings in association with the said series of g order of their numbers/namely, 3, 4, 5, and. 6.

Figure '7 illustrates how the various eccentrics 30 are disposed in different relations to bring about'the operation of the compacting members I to 6 inclusive. upon the earth or soil being treated; in the proper order described above.

- General operation of machine Now as the machine of the invention comprising the compacting unit as described above,

travels over the road subgrade-or'other surface to be treated, there will always be a supporting of the frame of the machine by certain ones' of the compacting members I to 6 having engagement with the surface traversedu However, the positive rotation of the eccentrics which support the compacting members I to 6 imparts to these compacting members an up and down movement, and it is thismovement that creates thev desired impact 'or pressure effect upon the earth surface over which the compacting members travel. The compacting members are of course moved verti- (rally at a relatively high speed so that the impact I action of these compacting members is in the nature of an application of consecutive blows or impacts falling closely upon one another." It is found in the practical operation of a'machine of the type of 'my invention that the mode of operation of the compacting members by the eccentric members'30 afiords a tremendous increase in the densification of the soil or "earth being treated by amachine of the type of the invention,- owing to the relatively high powered quickly succeeding blows that are administeredincident tothe up anddownzdriving effects which "are applied to thecornpacting members during the rotation '-of the shaft parts that support and drive the eccentrio parts 30. It appears as a result of the practical operation of the invention th'at'the compacting treatment involves a combination impact and kneading effect upon the soil or earth according to the operation of a. machine incorporating the l I the invention as .hereinbeforexset forth.

' With further reference to theimpact and kneading effect previously referred to, it is notable that the eccentric'motionof eachroiler.

produces in addition-to the impact'efiect a rolling motion of the compacting members. If the axle member with the eccentrics thereon carrying the various compacting members are rotated in the direction as indicated in Figure 8, with the direction of travel of the mach ne according to the arrow 0. and moved ahead at the same time, each 7 l compacting member will be carried up over new material during each revolution of the axis.

If the rate of travel in the direction indicated; as above described, is less than that of the travel ofthe compacting members caused by the eccentrics about which they may rotate, there will be a slight backward rolling motion. However, if the rate of travel in the direction of the arrow a isgreater than the movement of the compacting members efiected by the eccentrics; there will be no backward rolling motion, but a change in the rate of rolling motion and pressure along 'with the impact action. The foregoing, together with the effects, derived from having the eccentrics spaced so that the adjacent compacting members do not contact with the earth, at the same'time will produce a soil movement after the manner illustrated in Figure 9 and thus'cau'se the desired kneading action of the compacting members in all directions. Thus, in effect, there are different kinds of movements caused on the partof the compacting members, including the main up and I down movement eifected whilst a, rolling move ment is at the same time produced so as to rendervery eflicient the compaction. operation due to the impact pressures produced downwardly as well as, the kneading effect upon the soil being treated. It is known that most soils are composed of many shapes and sizes of sand, silt, or clay particles that do'not fill entirely the space occupied by the soil. The spaces between the particles are known as the voids, and create the porosity of the soil. In the compacting of soils, especially of the above nature, it is desirable that the smaller particles be' moved into the spaces between the larger ones to increase the soil density and decrease the voids. By the machine of this invention the above result is very excellently achieved because there is combined with the downward impacting action, the result of the rolling motion of the compacting members that produces the kneading efiect found so desirable.

As regards the arrangement of the eccentrics to space the compacting members, if the eccentrics are set in pairs 180 apart for the purpose of balance, and then these pairs placed on the supporting axis or shaft at 60? apart, the'order of operation of the various compacting members I to 6 will be the orderas per the designations applied to these parts in said figure. There are many orders which might be worked out, but it seems best, according to'the invention, to use an order or an arrangement in line of the machine contact and treat the soil at the same time. If one of the I bers near the middle on one side and one near the outside on the other were to contact-with the soil drive the axis or axes of the eccentrics at high speed, probably as much as 3,000 to 4,000 R.P. M. and thus produce a corresponding number of im pacts all in the same general line, because the alignment of thecompacting members carried by the eccentrics and these-impacts may be dis 'tributedqver any desired distance as the 'ma-r 'or the compaction units G of Figure 4 may be pulled by any ordinary traction or draft machine" operating under suitable power.-

. H vi which the qomnacb a ng thus described my invention, what I ing members the same-distance from the centercompacting memchine moves ahead, or at a rate-which depends upon the nature of the material and the results acquired in respect primarily to the amount of' densification produced with the particular kinds of soil or earth conditions. I

The eccentric mountings andaxles described herein as provided for the compacting members I to 8 are to be driven, of course, at relatively high speed as intimated, but the compacting members themselves will rotate only as-the movement of the machine or the eccentric may cause tric supporting machines. 'It is contemplated that if the tendency of the compacting member to rotate because of the friction in the'eccentric mountings therefor is found excessive, suitable friction or brake means may be employed to hold back the too free rotative movement or reduceit as may be desired.

Efiectively speaking, this invention may be said to involve not only new mechanical means, but also a novel method of soil or earth treatment for compaction purposes.

Trailing compaction units Figures illustrates two compaction units of the type shown in Figure 3, connected up'in the relation of 'one trailing the other, the rear unit connected by the clevis' l9 to the front; unit.

Dotted lines show the frontunit in Figure 4 as when a turning operation. of the compaction units is being effected. The draft plates I! havcompaction of the whole surface which is to be treated. Two such compaction units, as illustrated in Figure 4', each being designated- G, may be employed in conjunction with a pulling compacting machine of the type shown in Figure 2,

claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent of the United States, isi

In an earth compacting apparatus of the class ing the openings l8 are similarto those previousdescribed, in combination, a portable support, a

straight drive shaft rotatably mounted on said support and disposed in a horizontal position,.a

plurality 'of angularly displaced eccentric mem- I bers mounted on said drive shaft in side -by-side relation to each other'and fixed to said drive v 'shattior rotation therewith, a wheel structure mounted on each eccentric member and free to' rotate relative thereto, and means for rotating said drive shaft to cause the peripheries of the wheel structures to intermittently and rapidly engage and disengage the earth in a predetermined order with an impingement and rolling motion, whereby to produce an earth compacting eflect, accompanied by a kneading efiect.

I JOHN W. POULTER.

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