APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TERMINATION OF A WIRE ROPE USED FOR

MINING EQUIPMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for terminating a wire rope and connecting it to various pieces of equipment. In a preferred embodiment, the termination is used in association with a dump bucket or socket in the field of mining.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Methods for forming wire terminations and connections are taught in U.S. Patent No. 6,170,145 to Lucas, U.S. Patent No. 6,035,692 to Lucas; U.S. Patent No. 2,151,032 to Jensen, U.S. Patent No. 6,156,975 to Roose, U.S. Patent No. 5,499,448 to Tournier, U.S. Patent No. 3,844,601 to Rochester, U.S. Patent No. 2,038,535 to Brenizer, Campbell U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0093714, Gloaguen U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0121658 and Fujiwara U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0162683.

A need has existed for a wire rope termination made by a fast process resulting in a light-weight, heavy duty termination. A further need has existed for connecting wire rope terminations to mining and other equipment quickly and safely. For example, for connecting to mining rigging, such as a dragline bucket rigging for open pit mining or operations in other industries. A further need has existed for a method to create wire rope terminations which result in great strength. The present invention meets these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 depicts an exploded isometric view of the apparatus used in the method for making a termination for a wire rope using an exothermic metallic material.

FIGURE 2 depicts an isometric view of the apparatus used in the method.

FIGURE 3 depicts a front view of the assembled apparatus used in the method.

FIGURE 4 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the assembled apparatus used in the method. FIGURE 5 depicts a perspective view of a socket usable with the termination.

FIGURE 6a is a cutaway plan view of an alternate embodiment of a socket usable with the termination.

FIGURE 6b depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of a socket usable with the termination. FIGURE 7 depicts an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a socket usable with the termination.

FIGURE 8a depicts a side view of two frustroconical wedges usable with the socket of the present invention.

FIGURE 8b depicts a plan view of three frustroconical wedges used with the termination of the present invention.

FIGURE 9a depicts an isometric assembly view of a wire rope, termination, several frustroconical wedges and a socket.

FIGURE 9b represents an isometric partially assembled assembly view of a wire rope, termination, several frustroconical wedges and a socket.

FIGUEE 9c represents an isometric partially assembled view of a termination, socket and wire rope.

FIGURE 10 depicts a mining system employing the wire rope termination

The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the particular descriptions and that the embodiments can be practiced or carried out in various ways. The invention relates to a method for making terminations on wire rope for use on dragline buckets, or similar earth relocating components.

The termination described herein is made by a labor saving process for use with mining equipment. The termination for wire rope is lighter than conventional terminations used on drag lines in the mining industry, but has the same or greater strength. The terminations for wire rope for the mining industry must be capable of sustaining a large break force. The termination of the present invention weighs appreciably less than similarly sized wire ropes with typical terminations, up to or exceeding 50% less. For example, a current style termination could weigh 6000 pounds for a 4-3/8 inch diameter wire rope. In contrast certain embodiments of the invention utilize a termination weighing only about 1500 - 2800 pounds for the same diameter wire rope.

In the preferred embodiment , the terminations are for use with wire ropes with a diameter between ¹ A inches and 7 inches. The terminations will work equally well with smaller and larger diameter wire rope. Typical wire ropes are made of steel, alloys of steel and combinations thereof. The wire rope can be a single strand rope or a multi-strand rope. The terminations are made using the equipment of FIG. 1. In a first embodiment, the termination 10 is formed on the end of a wire rope 15 using an exothermic metallic material. In an alternative embodiment, a liquid adhesive can be used to make the termination for the wire rope. The termination formed from the liquid adhesive has additional safety advantages as the termination can be made without heat in the field, preventing burns to workers, which is a much needed benefit.

For terminations made using the exothermic metallic material, one end of the wire rope is inserted into a mold 25. FIG. 1 depicts the mold 25 as a two part mold with a top part 25a and a bottom part 25b, but a one piece mold can also be used. For large diameter wire ropes, a three piece mold may be used. In this embodiment, the top half of the mold is segmented along the axis of the wire rope opening 27. For extremely large diameter ropes, a several piece mold may be used.

The pieces of mold 25 are held together with toggle-type latches (not shown) spaced around the periphery of the mold. In the preferred embodiment, using two pieces for the mold, there are four latches, two on each side. For the preferred embodiment where the mold is made in three pieces, six latches are used, two on each side and two on the top to hold the top two pieces of the top section of the mold together. The latches are placed so that leakage of molten metal between the seams of the pieces of the mold and down the access of the wire rope is minimized or preferably prevented.

The mold has a mold opening 35. The mold opening can be rectangular, but an elliptical shape or round shape or other shape can be used. The opening should have a diameter that is adequate to permit molten metal to flow into the mold.

The mold has a cavity formed with two connected chambers, a wire rope opening 27 and a termination cavity 28. Wire rope opening 27 is cylindrical and formed to the diameter of the wire rope. Termination cavity 28 in the preferred embodiment is also cylindrical having a diameter approximately two inches greater than the diameter of wire rope 15. The dimensions of the termination cavity are a matter of design choice. In the preferred embodiment of a termination cavity for a 4 ^-inch diameter wire rope, the cavity is 7 % inches in diameter and 4 inches long

The termination cavity can have a conical, cylindrical, or even rectangular shape. The cavity dictates the resultant shape of the termination. For example, the termination can

include a hole perpendicular to the axis of the wire rope form or form a particular shape for connection to other equipment dependent on the shape of the termination cavity.

The external shape of the mold can be any functional shape but is preferably rectangular. The overall external dimensions of the mold of a preferred embodiment are between about 6 inches and about 20 inches; 10 inches is a preferred example. The width of the mold of a preferred embodiment can range from about 6 to about 16 inches; 8 inches is a preferred example. The length of a preferred embodiment can range from about 8 to about 24 inches; 12 inches is a preferred example.

The mold is preferably made of graphite or other materials that are very heat resistant. FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of wire rope 15 inserted into mold 25. FIG. 2 also shows a crucible 45, baffle 47 and baffle opening 51.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of baffle 47 and crucible 45 with the mold 25 and a preferable circular opening for engaging the wire rope.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the mold, crucible and wire rope. The crucible provides a reaction chamber for the exothermic material. The crucible dimensions preferably coincide with or are slightly larger than the dimensions of the mold. The dimensions of the crucible of a preferred embodiment are between 10 and 18 inches in height (preferably 12 inches), between 10 and 20 inches in width (preferably 14.5 inches), and between 10 and 30 inches in length (preferably 15 inches). In the preferred embodiment, the walls of the crucible are one inch thick. The floor of the crucible is angled to assist the molten metal flowing out of the crucible through crucible opening 50. The crucible can have a cylindrical shape, a rectangular shape, but generally it is hollow to receive material. The crucible opening has a shape that can be rectangular, ellipsoid, or another usable shape for flowing molten metal into the crucible. The crucible is preferably made of graphite or a heat resistant material that will not deform in the presence of high heat.

A separator 55 is disposed over the crucible opening 50. The purpose of the separator is to keep the exothermic metallic material separate from the mold until ignition of the exothermic metallic material. Typically, separator 55 is a mild steel material; however, any sacrificial material can be used. In a preferred embodiment, the separator has a width between 2 inches and 6 inches in width and a length between 4 inches and 8 inches with a thickness that can range in a corresponding manner. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the separator is 10 gauge.

The terminations are made using an exothermic metallic material 40 that is placed into the crucible. The exothermic metallic material is preferably a powdered metallic material. Examples of usable powdered metals include aluminum, copper, tin, alloys of aluminum and alloys of copper, oxides of these metals, particularly including copper oxide. The material can be granules, a powder, or small metal chips. Different sizes of granules, powder or small metal chips can be used in the same crucible. In the preferred embodiment, the material is provided in two phases. The first phase has a fine granularity to promote ease of ignition. The second phase has a coarse granularity to slow burning of the material and provide for adequate bulk to sustain the reaction. In the preferred embodiment, the first phase has granules of approximately 1/100 of an inch in diameter and the second phase granules have the size of approximately 1/10 an inch in diameter. In the preferred embodiment, the exothermic metallic material is sold under the trademark "Cad Weld", available from ERICO, Inc. of Solom, Ohio.

A baffle 47 is inserted over the crucible 45 to contain the heat and direct any resulting vapors out a baffle opening 51. The baffle is preferably the same of similar shape to that of the crucible. The baffle is preferably made from steel plate. As shown in FIG. 4, the baffle 47 has at least one internal baffle 61 for deflecting the heat and hot reaction gasses from the crucible.

In a preferred embodiment, the baffle can have a length ranging between 11 inches to 31 inches, a width ranging between 11 inches to 21 inches, and a height ranging between 11 inches to 19 inches in length. The preferred dimensions are 16 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 18 inches in height. The preferred thickness of the baffle is 10 gauge. The process of making a termination in the preferred embodiment begins by clamping the mold together by closing the appropriate toggle clamps. Crucible 45 and baffle 47 are then appropriately assembled. Assembly requires insertion of separator 55 in between crucible 45 and termination cavity 28. Crucible 45 and mold 25 must be positioned so that ducted communication, through separator 55 is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the end of wire rope 20 is cleaned before the termination is formed. The cleaning step can be performed by any normal means of cleaning a substance. The preferred methods for cleaning are either by using a torch, by using chemicals to remove dirt, and combinations thereof.

After cleaning, wire rope 15 is inserted into wire rope opening 27 far enough to extend into termination cavity 28. In the preferred embodiment of the method, the wire rope is extended approximately two thirds of the width of termination cavity 28.

Exothermic metallic material 40 is then added to crucible 45 in at least one phase. When additional phases of exothermic metallic material 40 are desired in crucible 45, the bulk phases are added first and allowed to settle. The fine phases are then added and allowed to settle.

The exothermic metallic material 40 is kindled in the crucible 45. The exothermic metallic material 40 can be kindled using a striker, a torch, a flame, or other similar heat sources, and combinations thereof. Once kindled, the exothermic metallic material 40 burns very hot and very fast. The exothermic metallic material forms a ductile and malleable material and liquefies the separator 55 forming a molten material 60.

Molten material 60 flows into mold 25 through mold opening 35 and comes into contact with end 20 of wire rope 15. Molten material 60 is of such a temperature that is partially melts and fuses to the wire rope. Molten material 60 takes the form of mold 25 around end 20 forming termination 10. Molten material 60 is allowed to cool which in the preferred embodiment can take approximately 15 minutes. Crucible 45 and baffle 47 are then removed from mold 25. Mold 25 is then separated into pieces by disconnecting the latches which hold the pieces of the mold together. If the mold is a single piece, it may need to be broken away from the termination. In cooling, exothermic material 60 slightly contracts, allowing the pieces of the mold to be removed easily.

The resultant termination 10 is lighter than conventional terminations and is typically capable of sustaining a higher break force than the wire rope.

A termination according to the present invention may be made using a liquid adhesive. If the termination is formed using a liquid adhesive, the wire rope first end is place in a mold. A liquid adhesive is then poured into the mold 25 through the mold opening 35 covering the end of the wire rope. The liquid adhesive may need to be heated to room temperature if the method is performed in a cold climate. Examples of usable liquid adhesives include an epoxy, such as a Devcon™ aluminum epoxies from Illinois Tool Work, of Devcon, Illinois. Epoxies from 3-M of Minneapolis, Minnesota are also contemplated as usable herein, as well as other epoxies that are strong and bond to steel.

The liquid adhesive is allowed to cure in the mold 25 forming a cured termination typically capable of sustaining a higher break force than the wire rope.

In the preferred embodiment the formed termination is inserted into a socket. The socket has an equipment connector on one end adapted to engage mining equipment and a

wire rope connector on the other end adapted to engage the termination. Of course, the termination provided by the preferred embodiments of the invention does not necessarily need to be inserted into a socket to operate and is useful by itself in other applications which do not require a socket. FIG. 5 shows the wire rope with termination engaging a socket 89. The socket has a first connector end 90 adapted to engage mining equipment; and a second connector end 80 to engage the termination 10 on wire rope 15. First connector end 90 includes hole 92, connector 105 and connector hole 106. Hole 92 is sized to include a bushing 100 for connection to mining equipment. Connector hole 106 is similarly sized for connection to the mining equipment. Second connector end 80 includes an upward facing opening 95 which is sized to permit an insertion of wire rope 15 and termination 10.

Socket 89 is preferably formed from ANSI 4140 steel or EN30B material. The dimensions of socket 89 are a matter of engineering choice. However, in the preferred embodiment for a wire rope of 4 ¹ A inch diameter, socket 117 is approximately 35 inches long and 13 % inches wide.

Moving to FIG. 6a, an alternate embodiment of a socket is shown as socket 117. Socket 117 has body 115. In the preferred embodiment, body 115 is formed from ANSI 4140 steel or EN30B material. First connector end 113 comprises socket ear 116 and socket ear 118 which are used for connection to mining equipment. Socket ear 116 includes hole 125. Similarly, socket ear 118 includes hole 130. Copper alloy bushing 131 is placed in hole 125. Similarly, copper alloy bushing 130 is placed in hole 126. The size and composition of the bushings are a matter of engineering choice.

Body 115 includes ear support 135 and ear support 140. Ear support 135 and ear support 140 strengthen body 115 to prevent spreading of the ears during operation. Guide set 120 is used during operation of the mining equipment to locate a connector (not shown)

during operation. The inclusion of the ear supports and guide set are optional depending on the forces applied to the system and connection pins used in operation.

Body 115 includes a bore 160 opening into frustroconical bore 165. Bore 160 is approximately the same diameter as wire rope 15. Frustroconical bore 165 includes circumferential slots 145, 150 and 155. The circumferential slots allow for lubrication of the frustroconical wedges (not yet shown). The inclusion of the circumferential slots is optional.

Body 115 further includes lateral opening 157. Lateral opening 157 is sized to allow entry and exit of the termination.

FIG. 6b shows cradles 161 and 162 formed in body 115 of socket 117. The cradles are provided in the preferred embodiment to reduce weight and are optional.

FIG. 7 shows alternate embodiment of the socket for the termination, socket 117. Socket 117 includes upward connector 175 for connection to mining equipment. Upward connector 175 includes through hole 180 and bushing 185. Socket 117 also includes sled 170. In the preferred embodiment, sled 170 is welded to socket 117 to protect the socket and its internal pieces from the elements during mining operations.

FIGs. 8a and 8b show frustroconical wedges 190, 195 and 200. The frustroconical wedges are designed to fit into frustroconical bore 165 and around wire rope 15. Frustroconical wedge 190 includes surface slot 192. Similarly, frustroconical wedge (195) includes surface slot 197 and frustroconical wedge 200 includes surface slot 202. The surface slots are provided to allow a circular retaining tie to be applied to the frustroconical wedges to hold them together around wire rope 15 during insertion into frustroconical bore 165.

In the preferred embodiment, of frustroconical wedges for use with a 4 ¹ A inch wire rope, each frustroconical wedge is 8 5/8 inches long and has an outer diameter of 5 7/8 inches and in inner diameter of 3 1/8 inches. Frustroconical wedge 190 also includes mating surface

191, similarly, frustroconical wedge 195 has mating surface 196 and frustroconical wedge 200 has mating surface 201. Each of the mating surfaces is designed to contact the termination during operation of the invention.

FIG 8b shows that the three frustroconical wedges of the preferred embodiment are equal in size, being separated by gaps at 120 degrees. For example, gap 205 separates frustroconical wedge 190 and frustroconical wedge 195 when inserted into frustroconical bore 165. The gaps allow for radial contraction of each frustroconical wedge toward the other frustroconical wedges toward the wire rope during operation of the invention. Gap 205 is typically 3/8 of an inch. In the preferred embodiment, there are three equally spaced and identical frustroconical wedges. However, in alternate embodiments, there can be two or more frustroconical wedges divided axially to provide compression forces to wire rope 15.

In the preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination of the frustroconical wedges is about 96 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees. Of course, other angles of inclination will function according to engineering choice. Also in this embodiment each end of each frustroconical wedge is flat.

Each of the dimensions of the frustroconical wedges, gaps and slots can differ, depending on the size of the wire rope and the frustroconical bore. Each of the frustroconical wedges are preferably made of mild steel or an aluminum ally.

Turning to FIGs. 9a, 9b and 9c, the assembly and usage of the termination, fmstroconical wedges and socket can be seen.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of socket 117, wire rope 15 and termination 10, as well as frustroconical wedges 190, 195 and 200. In operation, wire rope 15 is threaded through bore 160 in socket 117. Termination 10 is then formed on wire rope 15 as previously described.

Frustroconical wedges 190, 195 and 200 are then assembled onto wire rope 15 as shown in FIG. 9b. A circular retaining tie 169 is then fitted into the surface slots to hold the frustroconical wedges in place on the wire rope. If desired, lubrication is placed in circumferential slots 145, 150 and 155. The wire rope, frustroconical wedges and termination are then pulled into socket 117. The termination seats on mating surfaces 191, 196 and 202 on frustroconical wedges 190, 195 and 200, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the mating surfaces are flat and seat against a flat surface on the termination. In turn, the frustroconical wedges seat inside frustroconical bore 165.

FIG. 9c shows the forces applied to wire rope 15 and socket 117 during operation. Force (Fl) is applied axially along the wire rope resisted by force (F3) applied to through hole 125. A lifting force (F2) is then applied to hole 180 resulting in lifting and pulling of mining equipment. Force (F2) and (F3) are resisted by a combination of the friction on the wire rope resulting from the inward radial pressure of the frustroconical wedges on the wire rope. In turn, the inward radial pressure is created by the force (Fl) acting through the contact between the termination and the mating surfaces of the frustroconical wedges. As force (Fl) is increased, the radial pressure on the wire rope is also increased.

FIG. 10 depicts a mining system 1000 employing the wire rope termination that can be used with excavation equipment of various types, particularly draglines for earth moving mining equipment. The mining system 1000 utilizes wire ropes with a diameter between 1/4 inches and 7 inches. The wire rope can be a single or multi-stranded and are made of steels, alloys of steel or combinations thereof.

In the mining system 1000, termination 1001 is disposed on one end of dump rope 1020 as shown. Termination 1001 is engaged with dump rope socket 1002. Dump rope socket 1002 connects to a bucket rigging device thru drag rope socket 1004. Sockets such as

those generally shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 or any other sockets known to be compatible in the art may be used as a dump rope socket or a drag rope socket.

Referring to the socket of FIG. 7 as an example, drag rope socket 1004 has ears 118 and bushing 185 with a hole 180. The sockets are connected in operation by aligning the ears of the dump rope sockets 1002 with the hole of the bushing of the drag rope socket 1004. When the three holes are aligned, a throughpin is inserted to connect the ears of the dump rope socket 1002 to the upper hole in the bushing of the drag rope socket.

Drag rope socket 1004 is connected to drag rope 1026 with a termination 1010. A drag rope link 1092 connected to drag rope socket 1004 links the socket to drag chain 1085. On the other end of drag chain 1085, drag hitch link 1052 connects chain 1085 to drag hitch 1054. Drag hitch 1054 is mounted to mining bucket 1088.

A mirror opposite of the above is also depicted in FIG. 10. Termination 1030 is disposed on one end of dump rope 1022. Termination 1030 is engaged with dump rope socket 1089. Dump rope socket 1089 connects to a bucket rigging device thru drag rope socket 1006. Similarly, dump rope socket 1089 connects to drag rope socket 1006 by aligning the ears of the dump rope socket 1089 to a hole in the bushing of drag rope socket 1006.

Dump ropes 1020 and 1022 also have terminations 1018 and 1016 engaged with arch anchor sockets 1009 and 1008. Arch anchor sockets 1009 and 1008 are connected to arch anchors 1058 and 1060. Arch anchors 1058 and 1060 are mounted on arch 1066. Arch 1066 is attached to the upper outside corners of mining bucket 1088. In a preferred embodiment, arch 1060 is welded to mining bucket 1088.

Attached to mining bucket 1088 is a trunion 1062. Trunion 1062 has a trunion pin 1062 inserted in the trunion 1062 which allows for rotation of mining bucket 1088. A second trunion and trunion pin are located on the opposite side of mining bucket 1088. Trunion

1062 connects to lower hoist chain 1070. Similarly lower hoist chain 1068 is connected to a trunion on the opposite side of mining bucket 1088. Lower hoist chains 1068 and 1070 are connected to spreader bar 1072. Also connected to spreader bar 1072 are upper hoist chains 1074 and 1076. Mounted on upper hoist chains 1040 and 1042 are dump sheaves 1040 and 1042.

Dump sheaves 1040 and 1042 are pulleys through which the dump ropes 1020 and 1022 are threaded. Connected at the other ends of the upper hoist chains 1040 and 1042 is a hoist rigging cluster 1085. Hoist rigging cluster 1085 may vary significantly in design. Hoist ropes are freely connected to hoist rigging cluster 1078. Hoist ropes 1078 typically connect to a crane used in the operation of the mining system.

In exemplary embodiments, the mining bucket is used for dirt or ore. In the preferred embodiment, the mining system is suspended from a crane by the hoist ropes 1078. In operation of the mining system, the mining bucket is lowered near or set on the surface to be mined. The crane exerts a pulling force on the drag ropes which in turn pull the drag chains and the mining bucket. This process sets out to cause dirt or ore or any other materials to be collected from the surface. Once the mining bucket has collected the substances to be mined, an upward force is exerted by the crane at the hoist ropes which elevates the rear portion of the mining bucket. Simultaneously, a pulling force is exerted on the drag ropes. As the tension on the drag rope increases, the tension in the dump rope will increase resulting in the elevation of the front of the mining bucket. By increasing the elevation of the front, the collected substances are trapped in the mining bucket. Since, tension in the dump rope and its termination increases as elevation of the mining bucket is increased, frustroconical wedges are used to reduce tension. In a preferred embodiment, the elevation of the front of the mining bucket is approximately 26 degrees.

The mining bucket is dumped out by decreasing the force on the drag ropes which causes the tension in the dump ropes to decrease. This process subsequently lowers the front of the mining bucket and releases the contents of the bucket. The mining bucket is returned to its original mining position by releasing the tension in the hoist ropes and drag ropes.

The embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the embodiments, especially to those skilled in the art.