Broken shear pin indicating system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A broken shear pin indicator system for use in a rotary snow blower vehicle comprising:
- a broken shear pin indicator;
a drive box;
a drive shaft with a first end and a second end, rotatably connected to said drive box at said first end;
a blower head cutter drum with a first end and a second end, rotatably connected to said drive box and constructed to encircle said drive shaft;
at least one shear pin attached to said second end of said drive shaft and said second end of said blower head cutter drum;
at least one target attached to said first end of said blower head cutter drum;
at least one proximity sensor attached to said drive box, positioned to focus on said at least one target and to detect signals issued therefrom; and
at least one timer in electrical communication with the broken shear pin indicator and constructed to measure the length of time between signals received by the proximity sensor;
wherein said timer transmits an electrical impulse to said broken shear pin indicator when said time between the signals received by said proximity sensor equals or exceeds a predetermined length of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a system and method for indicating a broken shear pin on a snow blower head cutter drum in a rotary snow blower. At least one shear pin connects the snow blower head cutter drum to a drive shaft on the snow blower. The indicator system utilizes a proximity sensor which is mounted on the drive box of the vehicle and focused on at least one target on the snow blower head cutter drum. As the snow blower head cutter drum rotates, the proximity sensor detects the passage of the target and resets a timer. When the shear pin breaks, the cutter drum stops rotating. Because the proximity sensor does not detect the target, the timer is not reset. When the elapsed time equals or exceeds a predetermined amount, an electrical impulse is transmitted, activating the broken shear pin indicator.
16 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A broken shear pin indicator system for use in a rotary snow blower vehicle comprising:
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a broken shear pin indicator;
a drive box;
a drive shaft with a first end and a second end, rotatably connected to said drive box at said first end;
a blower head cutter drum with a first end and a second end, rotatably connected to said drive box and constructed to encircle said drive shaft;
at least one shear pin attached to said second end of said drive shaft and said second end of said blower head cutter drum;
at least one target attached to said first end of said blower head cutter drum;
at least one proximity sensor attached to said drive box, positioned to focus on said at least one target and to detect signals issued therefrom; and
at least one timer in electrical communication with the broken shear pin indicator and constructed to measure the length of time between signals received by the proximity sensor;
wherein said timer transmits an electrical impulse to said broken shear pin indicator when said time between the signals received by said proximity sensor equals or exceeds a predetermined length of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for indicating a broken shear pin for use in a rotary snow blower vehicle, wherein said vehicle includes a drive shaft and a snowblower head cutter drum, constructed and arranged to encircle said drive shaft, said method comprising the steps of:
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connecting at least one shear pin to said drive shaft and said snow blower head cutter drum;
mounting a target on said snow blower head cutter drum;
mounting a proximity sensor on said vehicle to focus on said target;
detecting a signal from said target by said proximity sensor;
measuring the length of time between the signals from the target;
restarting the time measurement every time the target signals the proximity sensor; and
sending an electrical impulse to said broken shear pin indicator system when the length of time between signals equals or exceeds a predetermined amount of time. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for indicating a broken shear pin, said method comprising the steps of:
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measuring the rotational time between target points on a snow blower head cutter drum; and
triggering a broken shear pin indicator when said rotational time equals or exceeds a predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
utilizing a proximity sensor to detect the rotation of said target points on a snow blower head cutter drum.
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11. The method of claim 9, wherein said broken shear pin indicator illuminates.
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12. The method of claim 9, wherein said broken shear pin indicator emits a sound.
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13. A system for indicating a broken shear pin, said system comprising:
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a vehicle;
a broken shear pin indicator system attached to said vehicle, said broken shear pin indicator system including;
a broken shear pin indicator;
a drive box;
a drive shaft;
a snow blower head cutter drum;
a least one shear pin; and
at least one target, proximity sensor, and timer, constructed and arranged to monitor and detect the absence of rotation of the snow blower head cutter drum. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeStewart & Stevenson LLC (Kirby Corporation)
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Original AssigneeS&S Trust
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InventorsNoah, Greg
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Primary Examiner(s)TRIEU, VAN THANH
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Application NumberUS09/871,273Publication NumberTime in Patent Office698 DaysField of Search340/679, 340/680, 340/686.1, 340/686.3, 340/686.6, 340/309.15, 340/438, 372/57, 372/58, 372/19, 372/20, 372/23, 372/24, 372/50US Class Current340/679CPC Class CodesE01H 5/098 about horizontal or substan...F16D 9/06 by breaking due to shear st...
