Jaw crusher systems, methods, and apparatus

[0001] Aggregate is crushed by various types of crushers including jaw crushers.

[0010] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an embodiment of a jaw crusher 100. The jaw crusher 100 optionally comprises a moveable jaw 120 operably supported on an eccentric shaft 130. The moveable jaw 120 optionally comprises a removable jaw die 122 (e.g., optionally made of a wear-resistant material such as manganese and optionally having a corrugated surface facing the stationary jaw). The jaw crusher 100 optionally comprises a stationary jaw 140. The stationary jaw 140 optionally comprises a removable jaw die 144 (e.g., optionally made of a wear-resistant material such as manganese and optionally having a corrugated surface facing the moveable jaw). The stationary jaw 140 is optionally supported on spaced-apart sidewalls 110-1, 110-2. The eccentric shaft 130 is optionally rotatably supported on sidewalls 110-1, 110-2.

[0011] The sidewalls 110-1, 110-2 optionally cooperate with the moveable and stationary jaws 120, 140 to form both an upper opening O_U configured and disposed to receive aggregate material (e.g., rock, stone, gravel, sand, debris, etc.) and a lower opening O_L configured and disposed to release at least partially crushed aggregate material from the jaw crusher 100. The size of a gap G at the lower opening O_L optionally determines the size of material released from the lower opening; as the size of gap G varies during operation, a given size (e.g., minimum size) of gap G may be referred to in the art as the close-side setting. It should be appreciated that movement of the moveable jaw 120 about eccentric shaft (which is optionally driven by a motor such as an electric motor, not shown, which may drive the shaft via a flywheel, drive belt and/or other apparatus) includes movement toward and away from the stationary jaw 140 so as to crush material trapped between the moveable and stationary jaws.

[0012] In some embodiments, a link 150-1 is optionally pivotally coupled (e.g., at a first end thereof) to the moveable jaw 120. The link 150-1 is optionally pivotally coupled to the moveable jaw 120 via a crossbar 160 mounted to the moveable jaw 120 defining a pivot point 152-1. The link 150-1 is optionally pivotally coupled (e.g., at a second end thereof) to a support 255-1 (e.g., pin, bearing, shaft, etc.) defining a pivot point 154-1. Support 255-1 is optionally disposed on the opposite side of stationary jaw 140 relative to moveable jaw 120. Support 255-1 is optionally disposed outside of the space between sidewalls 110-1, 110-2. In some embodiments, supports 255 are optionally supported (e.g., welded, mounted with fasteners, etc.) with a breaking strength selected such that in the event the support 255 is broken to allow release of the movable jaw upon introduction of uncrushable material.

[0013] In some embodiments, a link 150-2 is optionally pivotally coupled (e.g., at a first end thereof) to the moveable jaw 120. The link 150-2 is optionally pivotally coupled to the moveable jaw 120 via crossbar 160 defining a pivot point 152-2. The link 150-2 is optionally pivotally coupled (e.g., at a second end thereof) to a support 255-2 defining a pivot point 154-2. Support 255-2 is optionally disposed on the opposite side of stationary jaw 140 relative to moveable jaw 120. Support 255-2 is optionally disposed outside of the space between sidewalls 110-1, 110-2.

[0014] Links 150-1, 150-2 are optionally or substantially equal length. Links 150-1, 150-2 are optionally disposed outside of the sidewalls 110-1, 110-2. Crossbar 160 optionally extends through openings 112-1, 112-2 in the sidewalls 110-1, 110-2, respectively. Openings 112-1, 112-2 optionally are optionally configured to permit motion of the crossbar 160 as the moveable jaw 120 moves during operation.

[0015] It should be appreciated that for a given length of links 150-1, 150-2, the position of pivot point 154-1 (which is optionally coaxial with pivot point 154-2) determines the minimum gap G (e.g., close-side setting) during operation.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 5, during operation the pivot point 152-1 (which is optionally coaxial with pivot point 154-2) moves through a path P_L. It should be appreciated that pivot point 152-2 (and thus the lower portion of jaw die 132) moves downward as it moves toward the fixed jaw (e.g., moves downward through at least part of the inward or “crushing” portion of the path). It should be appreciated that the direction of rotation of eccentric shaft 130 is reversed (and/or alternately reversible) to reverse the direction of the path P_L.

[0017] It should be appreciated that crushing of material between the moveable and stationary jaws will place the links 150-1, 150-2 in tension. In the event that an uncrushable object (e.g., “tramp” material such as metal or excessively tough aggregate material) enters the jaw crusher 100, the links 150-1 and/or 150-2 optionally break to release the moveable jaw (e.g., such that more catastrophic damage to the jaw crusher 100 is avoided). A toughness and/or cross-sectional dimension of the links 150-1 and/or 150-2 are optionally selected in order to maintain integrity of the links 150 during normal crushing operations but to allow the links 150 to break upon introduction of uncrushable material. In some embodiments, the links 150 are extendable (e.g., incorporates a tension spring and/or hydraulic cylinder) to allow the links to extend upon introduction of uncrushable material.

[0018] In some embodiments, the position of the pivot points 154-1, 154-2 is optionally adjustable (e.g., so as to modify the minimum gap G and/or path P_L). Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments the jaw crusher 100 comprises a pivot adjustment assembly 200. The pivot adjustment assembly 200 optionally comprises plates 257 each supporting an associated support 255. The plates 257-1, 257-2 are optionally supported on opposing sides of a shaft 250. The shaft 250 is optionally rotatably supported on the sidewalls 110-1, 110-2 (e.g., in openings, bearings, etc. provided in the sidewalls 110). In various embodiments, the shaft 250 is selectively rotatable in order to modify a location of the pivot points 154. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more actuators 230 (e.g., hydraulic cylinders, electric length-adjustable actuators, etc.) are supported on the jaw crusher (e.g., on a support plate 142 supported between sidewalls 110, etc.) at first ends thereof and pivotally coupled to the shaft 250 at second ends thereof. It should be appreciated that alternate extension and retraction of each actuator 230 rotates the shaft 250 and thus modifies the location of pivot points 154, thus modifying the minimum gap G (e.g., close-side setting of the jaw crusher).

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in some embodiments the jaw crusher 100 is disposed (e.g., on footings 114 provided on sidewalls 110) such that the direction of travel of material through the crusher (and/or the orientation of the moveable and/or stationary jaw dies) is closer to vertical than horizontal (e.g., less than 45 degrees from vertical, less than 40 degrees from vertical, less than 30 degrees from vertical, less than 20 degrees from vertical, less than 15 degrees from vertical, less than 10 degrees from vertical, etc.). Referring to FIG. 6, in some embodiments the jaw crusher is disposed (e.g., on footings 114′ provided on modified sidewalls 110′) such that the direction of travel of material through the crusher (and/or the orientation of the moveable and/or stationary jaw dies) is at 45 degrees from horizontal or closer to horizontal than vertical (e.g., less than 45 degrees from horizontal, less than 40 degrees from horizontal, less than 30 degrees from horizontal, less than 20 degrees from horizontal, less than 15 degrees from horizontal, less than 10 degrees from horizontal, etc.).

[0020] Referring to FIG. 7, in some embodiments the locations of pivot points 154 are not adjustable. In such embodiments an end of each link 150 is supported on a pin 118 supported by (e.g., supported on, mounted to, etc.) an associated sidewall 110″ (e.g., an external surface of the sidewall). In some embodiments, pins 118-1, 118-2 supported by the sidewalls 110″-1, 110″-2 are coaxial; in some embodiments, the pins 118 are not coaxial. Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments (e.g., embodiments with non-adjustable pivot points 154) the lengths the links 150′ are optionally adjustable. For example, each link 150′ optionally comprises a turnbuckle 158 configured to alternately extend or retract the link 150 (e.g., by rotating the turnbuckle 158).

[0021] In some embodiments, the jaw crusher 100 has one or more features or functionalities in common with U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,068, incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the jaw crusher 100 has one or more features or functionalities in common with U.S. Pat. No. 9,662,655, incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the crushing faces (e.g., faces of the jaw dies) are optionally curved or arched across the width of the jaw crusher. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the crushing faces have a variety of profiles such as flat, slotted, corrugated etc. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the crushing faces are be tapered (or more narrow width) along the sides thereof, e.g., to allow passage of fines along the sides of the crushing faces.

[0022] In various embodiments, the crusher embodiments described herein may be self-standing and/or may be incorporated in a plant having other equipment thereon (e.g., vibratory screens, vibratory feeders, crushers, impactors, hoppers, conveyors, etc.). The crusher embodiments and/or plant embodiments including such impactor embodiments may be stationary or portable (e.g., supported on skids, tracks, or wheels) according to various embodiments.

[0023] Ranges recited herein are intended to inclusively recite all values and sub-ranges within the range provided in addition to the maximum and minimum range values. Headings used herein are simply for convenience of the reader and are not intended to be understood as limiting or used for any other purpose.

[0024] Although various embodiments have been described above, the details and features of the disclosed embodiments are not intended to be limiting, as many variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, any feature described for one embodiment may be used in any other embodiment.