BEAM STRUCTURE

• US 20130078072A1
• Filed: 09/26/2011
• Published: 03/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Yelistratov, Alexei P., Forck, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,991,029 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/722
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 31/02 relating to soldering or welding dip or wave soldering in the manufacture of printed circuits H05K3/34
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/38 Cantilever beams , i.e. booms;, e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for booms for booms with cable suspension arrangements E02F9/14 takes precedence; Dipper-arms , e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for dipper-arms; Bucket-arms E02F3/34 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/425 Drive systems for dipper-arms, backhoes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/0413 being built up from several parts
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/0465 square- or rectangular-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/06 with substantially solid, i.e. unapertured, web E04C3/10, E04C3/11 take precedence honeycomb girders E04C3/083
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49892 Joining plate edge perpendicularly to frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49893 Peripheral joining of opposed mirror image parts to form a hollow body

Abstract

A beam structure of the present disclosure includes a baffle plate. A plurality of lap strips are attached around outer edges of the baffle plate. An adhesive layer is applied to outer surfaces of the lap strips. A plurality of sidewalls are assembled together around the adhesive layer, the lap strips and the baffle plate, thereby forming the beam structure. In an embodiment, the beam structure may be used as a boom assembly for a machine, such as an excavator machine.

Claims

1. A beam comprising:

a baffle plate;

a plurality of lap strips attached around outer edges of the baffle plate;

an adhesive layer applied to outer surfaces of the lap strips; and

a plurality of sidewalls assembled together around the adhesive layer, the lap strips, and the baffle plate.

2. The beam of claim 1, wherein the baffle plate, the lap strips, and/or the sidewalls include iron.

3. The beam of claim 1, wherein the lap strips are attached to the baffle plate at an angle substantially perpendicular to the baffle plate.

4. The beam of claim 1, wherein the lap strips are welded to the baffle plate.

5. The beam of claim 1, wherein the sidewalls are welded together.

6. The beam of claim 1, wherein the baffle plate is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of the sidewalls.

7. The beam of claim 1, further comprising a second layer of lap strips attached between the baffle plate and the sidewalls.

8. A boom assembly comprising:

a beam, the beam including

a baffle plate;

a plurality of lap strips attached around outer edges of the baffle plate;

an adhesive layer applied to outer surfaces of the lap strips; and

a plurality of sidewalls assembled together around the adhesive layer, the lap strips, and the baffle plate;

a stick pivotably attached to an end of the beam; and

a first hydraulic cylinder coupled between the beam and the stick and configured to pivot the stick with respect to the end of the beam.

9. The boom assembly of claim 8, further comprising a work tool pivotably coupled to an end of the stick substantially opposite where the stick pivotably attaches to the beam.

10. The boom assembly of claim 9, wherein the work tool is a bucket configured to dig earth material.

11. The boom assembly of claim 9, further comprising a second hydraulic cylinder coupled between the stick and the work tool and configured to pivot the work tool with respect to the stick.

12. The boom assembly of claim 8, wherein the lap strips are welded to the baffle plate at an angle substantially perpendicular to the baffle plate.

13. The boom assembly of claim 8, wherein the baffle plate is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of the sidewalls.

14. The boom assembly of claim 8, wherein the baffle plate is located within the beam at a location of higher stress relative to stress located along a length of the beam.

15. A machine comprising:

an undercarriage;

a frame pivotably connected to the undercarriage, the frame including a power system and an operator station; and

a boom assembly pivotably connected to the frame;

the boom assembly including,

a beam, the beam including

a baffle plate;

a plurality of lap strips attached around outer edges of the baffle plate;

an adhesive layer applied to outer surfaces of the lap strips; and

a plurality of sidewalls assembled together around the adhesive layer, the lap strips, and the baffle plate;

a stick pivotably attached to an end of the beam; and

a first hydraulic cylinder coupled between the beam and the stick and configured to pivot the stick with respect to the end of the beam.

16. The machine of claim 15, further comprising a work tool pivotably coupled to an end of the stick substantially opposite where the stick pivotably attaches to the beam and a second hydraulic cylinder coupled between the stick and the work tool, the second hydraulic cylinder configured to pivot the work tool with respect to the stick

17. The machine of claim 15, wherein the work tool is a bucket configured to dig earthen material.

18. The machine of claim 15, wherein the lap strips are welded to the baffle plate at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the baffle plate.

19. The machine of claim 15, wherein the sidewalls are welded together around the baffle plate.

20. The machine of claim 15, wherein the baffle plate is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of the sidewalls.