Suspension system for a pneumatic compactor

• US 9,931,891 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2016
• Issued: 04/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Power Systems Incorporated (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Power Systems Incorporated (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ries, Michael W., Knopp, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Addie, Raymond W
• Application Number:
  US15/263,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20180072122A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 404122, 404132
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 9/02 Carcasses
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/09 Construction vehicles, e.g. graders, excavators
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/003 the axle being rigidly connected to a trailing guiding device
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/02 the axle or housing being pivotally mounted on the vehicle , e.g. the pivotal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle B60G9/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/27 with elastically-deformable rolling elements, e.g. pneumatic tyres E01C19/231 takes precedence ; vibrating or impacting E01C19/28

Abstract

A suspension system for a pneumatic compactor includes a bolster frame and a steering input member coupled to the bolster frame. The suspension system includes at least one support member coupled to the bolster frame. The suspension system includes a support arm coupled to the at least one support member. The suspension system further includes a vibration absorber having a first end coupled to the bolster frame and a second end coupled to the support arm.

Claims

1. A suspension system for a pneumatic compactor, the suspension system comprising:

a bolster frame;

a steering input member coupled to the bolster frame;

at least one support member coupled to the bolster frame and including a first support member and a second support member, the second support member having a first arm and a second arm, the first arm connected to the second arm via a connecting portion, wherein the second support member is connected to the bolster frame via the connecting portion at a second oscillation point;

a support arm coupled to the at least one support member; and

a vibration absorber having a first end coupled to the bolster frame and a second end coupled to the support arm.

2. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the steering input member is coupled to the bolster frame at a first oscillation point.

3. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the second end of the vibration absorber is coupled to the support arm through a pivot joint.

4. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first support member has a first end coupled to the bolster frame and a second end coupled to the support arm.

5. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the vibration absorber is a cylinder-piston assembly.

6. The suspension system of claim 5, wherein the vibration absorber is actuated by at least one of a hydraulic means or a pneumatic means.

7. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the support arm is coupled to the at least one support member by a pivot joint.

8. A suspension system for a pneumatic compactor, the suspension system comprising:

a bolster frame;

a steering input member coupled to the bolster frame;

at least one support member coupled to the bolster frame;

a support arm coupled to the at least one support member, wherein the support arm includes a drive axle coupled to the support arm; and

a vibration absorber having a first end coupled to the bolster frame and a second end coupled to the support arm.

9. A suspension system for a pneumatic compactor, the suspension system comprising:

a chain case having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to a frame of the pneumatic compactor; and

a vibration absorber having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the frame of the pneumatic compactor and the second end coupled to the second end of the chain case.

10. The suspension system of claim 9, wherein the chain case includes means for mounting a motor and a drive axle.

11. The suspension system of claim 9, wherein the first end of the chain case is coupled to the frame of the pneumatic compactor by a pin joint.

12. The suspension system of claim 9, wherein the first end of the vibration absorber is coupled to the frame of the pneumatic compactor by a pin joint.

13. The suspension system of claim 9, wherein the vibration absorber is a cylinder-piston assembly.

14. The suspension system of claim 13, wherein the vibration absorber is actuated by at least one of a hydraulic means or a pneumatic means.

15. The suspension system of claim 9, wherein the chain case encloses a chain assembly, the chain assembly adapted to transfer driving power to rear wheels.

16. A pneumatic compactor comprising:

a power source;

a frame having a front end and a rear end;

a first suspension system coupled to the frame towards the front end, the first suspension system including;

a bolster frame;

a steering input member coupled to the bolster frame;

at least one support member coupled to the bolster frame;

a support arm coupled to the at least one support member; and

a first vibration absorber having a first end coupled to the bolster frame and a second end coupled to the support arm; and

a second suspension system coupled to the frame towards the rear end, the second suspension system including;

a chain case having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the frame;

a second vibration absorber having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the frame and the second end coupled to the second end of the chain case.

17. The pneumatic compactor of claim 16, wherein the first vibration absorber and the second vibration absorber are cylinder-piston assemblies.