CONDUIT CARTRIDGE

• US 20140099179A1
• Filed: 10/03/2013
• Published: 04/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joy Global Surface Mining Inc. (Komatsu Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies Inc. (Komatsu Ltd.)
• Inventors: Jones, Christopher S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,458,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/685
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/304 with the dipper-arm slidably mounted on the boom E02F3/305 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/306 with telescopic dipper-arm or boom
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/307 the boom and the dipper-arm being connected so as to permit relative movement in more than one plane
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/308 working outwardly
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/36 Component parts
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/425 Drive systems for dipper-arms, backhoes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/46 with reciprocating digging or scraping elements moved by cables or hoisting ropes ; Drives or control devices therefor E02F3/205, E02F3/905 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2275 Hoses and supports therefor and protection therefor

Abstract

An industrial machine includes a frame, an elongated member, an attachment, a plurality of fluid lines, and a cartridge. The frame includes a boom and a fluid source. The elongated member is movably coupled to the boom and includes a first end and a second end. The attachment is pivotably coupled to the first end of the elongated member. The plurality of fluid lines is coupled to the second end of the elongated member and is in fluid communication with the fluid source. The cartridge is removably coupled to the elongated member. The cartridge includes a housing and a plurality of conduits supported within the housing. The conduits are in fluid communication with the plurality of lines.

Claims

1. An industrial machine comprising:

a frame including a boom and a fluid source;

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

an attachment pivotably coupled to the first end of the elongated member;

a plurality of fluid lines coupled to the second end of the elongated member and in fluid communication with the fluid source;

a cartridge removably coupled to the elongated member, the cartridge including a housing and a plurality of conduits supported within the housing, the conduits in fluid communication with the plurality of lines.

2. The industrial machine of claim 1, wherein the elongated member includes an arm having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the cartridge is positioned between the first side and the second side.

3. The industrial machine of claim 2, wherein the cartridge is slidable between the first side and the second side of the arm, and at least one end of the cartridge is coupled to the elongated member.

4. The industrial machine of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes at least one support member positioned within the housing and supporting the conduits relative to one another.

5. The industrial machine of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is slidably inserted into the elongated member from the second end of the elongated member toward the first end of the elongated member.

6. The industrial machine of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a first end, a second end, and a manifold positioned proximate the first end, the manifold including multiple ports, each port in communication with one of the conduits.

7. A conduit cartridge removably coupled to an industrial machine, the cartridge comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end;

a plurality of conduits configured to be in communication with one or more lines positioned adjacent the first end of the housing, the conduits extending between the first end and the second end; and

at least one support member positioned within the housing and supporting the conduits relative to one another.

8. The conduit cartridge of claim 7, wherein at least one of the conduits conveys a fluid between the first end and the second end.

9. The conduit cartridge of claim 7, wherein the support member supports the conduits within the housing against forces exerted on the conduits.

10. The conduit cartridge of claim 7, further comprising a manifold positioned proximate the first end of the housing, the manifold including multiple ports, each port in communication with one of the conduits.

11. An industrial machine comprising:

a frame including a boom;

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

a plurality of lines coupled to the second end of the elongated member;

a cartridge removably coupled to the elongated member, the cartridge including a housing and a plurality of conduits supported within the housing, the conduits in communication with the plurality of lines.

12. The industrial machine of claim 11, wherein the cartridge is coupled to the elongated member by moving the cartridge relative to the elongated member parallel to the longitudinal axis.

13. The industrial machine of claim 11, wherein the cartridge includes at least one support member positioned within the housing and supporting the conduits relative to one another.

14. The industrial machine of claim 11, wherein at least one of the lines is in fluid communication with a fluid source, and wherein at least one of the conduits is in fluid communication between the at least one line.

15. The industrial machine of claim 11, wherein the elongated member includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and wherein the cartridge is positioned between the first side and the second side.

16. The industrial machine of claim 15, further comprising an attachment supported by the elongated member proximate the first end, and wherein the cartridge housing includes a first end and a second end and the conduits extend between the first end and the second end of the housing, wherein the cartridge is coupled to the elongated member by inserting the first end of the cartridge housing into the second end of the elongated member and moving the cartridge toward the first end of the elongated member.

17. The industrial machine of claim 16, wherein the cartridge includes a manifold positioned proximate the first end of the cartridge, the manifold including multiple ports, each port in communication with one of the conduits.

18. An attachment support member for an industrial machine, the support member movably coupled to a frame member, the support member comprising:

an arm having a first end and a second end;

a cartridge removably coupled to the arm, the cartridge including a housing and a plurality of conduits, the housing having a first end and a second end, the conduits extending between the first end and the second end of the housing.

19. The attachment support member of claim 18, wherein the arm defines an axis between the first end and the second end, wherein the cartridge is coupled to the arm by moving the cartridge relative to the arm parallel to the longitudinal axis.

20. The attachment support member of claim 18, wherein the arm includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the cartridge is supported between the first side and the second side.

21. The attachment support member of claim 18 wherein the cartridge includes at least one support member positioned within the housing and supporting the conduits relative to one another.

22. The attachment support member of claim 18, wherein at least one of the conduits is in fluid communication with a fluid source and conveys a fluid between the first end of the arm and the second end of the arm.

23. The attachment support member of claim 18, wherein the first end of the arm is configured to be coupled to an attachment, and wherein the cartridge is coupled to the arm by inserting the first end of the cartridge housing into the second end of the arm and moving the cartridge toward the first end of the arm.

24. The attachment support member of claim 18, wherein each end of the cartridge housing includes a manifold having multiple ports, each port in communication with one of the conduits.