CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 62/645,153 filed on March 19, 2018 and entitled “CONE CRUSHER WITH EXTERNAL PISTONS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to crushers, and, in particular, to linear actuators used in crushers. BACKGROUND

A crusher is a machine designed to reduce larger raw materials (e.g., rock ore, large rocks, etc.) into smaller materials such as smaller rocks, gravel, sand, and/or dust, for example so particulates of different composition can be separated by beneficiation processes. Crushers are sometimes used to reduce the size or change the form of waste materials, for example. One example of a crusher is a cone crusher. Another example of a crusher is a gyratory crusher.

Cone crushers crush incoming feed material by squeezing the material between a mantle and the bowl liner of a bowl. The mantle moves in a rotary pattern to crush the incoming feed material between the bowl liner and the bowl. Specifically, the mantle does not rotate, but rather is configured to gyrate in a circular pattern via an eccentric arrangement with the rotating main shaft of the crusher. As the incoming feed material enters the top of the crusher, the feed material becomes wedged and squeezed between the mantle and the bowl liner. The feed material is broken down (e.g., crushed, etc.) until the material is small enough to fall through a gap between the bottom of the mantle and the bottom of the bowl liner.

Crushers periodically require a clearing operation. Specifically, material may become trapped in the crushing chamber defined between the mantle and the bowl liner. For example, material can become trapped between the crushing surfaces of the mantel and bowl liner and/or within the gap between the bottoms of the mantle and bowl liner. Such trapped material may be caused by the crusher being overloaded, for example, and can result in the crusher jamming, seizing momentarily, or completely stalling. The clearing operation is performed to remove trapped material (e.g., tramp iron, feed material that has not be adequately crushed to fall through the gap, other debris, etc.) from the crushing chamber.

Some known crushers include a first set of dedicated hydraulic cylinders that extend in a clearance stroke to push on an adjustment ring of the crusher and thereby raise the bowl relative to the mantle. The clearance stroke separates the bowl liner from the mantle to thereby open the crushing chamber and allow any trapped material to be removed therefrom. A second set of dedicated hydraulic cylinders is provided that extend to pull the bowl and bowl liner toward the mantle and thereby close the crushing chamber to enable crushing operations. But, having two sets of hydraulic cylinders increases the cost, complexity, and failure modes of the crusher. Moreover, additional components such as dedicated sets of hydraulic cylinders increases the number of components that must be removed and reinstalled during maintenance of the crusher, which may increase the downtime of the crusher and thereby increase operational costs and/or decrease the operational efficiency of the crusher.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In a first aspect, a crusher includes a lower member having a lower flange, and an upper member having an upper flange that includes an upper face and a lower face. The lower face of the upper flange faces the lower flange of the lower member. The crusher includes a linear actuator extending a length from a lower end portion to an upper end portion. The lower end portion of the linear actuator is secured to the lower flange of the lower member. The upper end portion of the linear actuator is secured to the upper face of the upper flange. The linear actuator is configured to move along a central longitudinal axis of the linear actuator in a clearing direction. The linear actuator remains disengaged from the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

In some embodiments, the linear actuator does not include a securing member that is engaged with the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

In some embodiments, the linear actuator does not include a collar that is engaged with the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

In some embodiments, the upper member includes a dust cap of the crusher.

In some embodiments, the upper member includes at least one of a dust cap, an adjustment ring, a bowl, or a bowl liner of the crusher.

In some embodiments, the linear actuator is a bi-directional linear actuator that is configured exert a clearing force on the upper member in the clearing direction and to exert a closing force on the upper member in an opposite closing direction.

In some embodiments, the linear actuator includes at least one of a piston, a pneumatic linear actuator, a hydraulic linear actuator, a magnetically moveable linear actuator, an electrically moveable linear actuator, a mechanically moveable linear actuator, a solenoid, or a screw type linear actuator.

In some embodiments, the upper flange of the upper member includes a clevis extending along the upper face of the upper flange. The crusher also includes a clevis pin extending through the clevis and the upper end portion of the linear actuator to secure the upper end portion of the linear actuator to the upper face of the upper flange.

In some embodiments, the lower member includes a main frame of the crusher.

In some embodiments, the crusher includes a cone crusher.

In a second aspect, a crusher includes a lower member having a lower flange, and an upper member that includes an upper flange having an upper face and a lower face. The lower face of the upper flange faces the lower flange of the lower member. The crusher includes a linear actuator extending a length from a lower end portion to an upper end portion. The lower end portion of the linear actuator is secured to the lower flange of the lower member. The upper end portion of the linear actuator is secured to the upper face of the upper flange using a clevis that extends along the upper face and a clevis pin that extends through the clevis and the upper end portion of the linear actuator. The linear actuator is a bi-directional linear actuator that is configured to exert a clearing force on the upper member in a clearing direction and exert a closing force on the upper member in an opposite closing direction.

In some embodiments, the linear actuator remains disengaged from the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

In some embodiments, the linear actuator does not include any structure that is engaged with the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

In some embodiments, the upper member includes a dust cap of the crusher. In some embodiments, the lower member includes a main frame of the crusher and the upper member includes at least one of a dust cap, an adjustment ring, a bowl, or a bowl liner of the crusher.

In some embodiments, the linear actuator includes at least one of a piston, a pneumatic linear actuator, a hydraulic linear actuator, a magnetically moveable linear actuator, an electrically moveable linear actuator, a mechanically moveable linear actuator, a solenoid, or a screw type linear actuator.

In some embodiments, the crusher includes a cone crusher.

In a third aspect, a crusher includes a lower member having a lower flange, and a dust cap that includes an upper flange having an upper face and a lower face. The lower face of the upper flange faces the lower flange of the lower member. The crusher includes a linear actuator extending a length from a lower end portion to an upper end portion. The lower end portion of the linear actuator is secured to the lower flange of the lower member. The upper end portion of the linear actuator is secured to the upper face of the upper flange of the dust cap. The linear actuator is configured to move along a central longitudinal axis of the linear actuator in a clearing direction. The linear actuator is a bi-directional linear actuator that is configured to exert a clearing force on the upper member in a clearing direction and exert a closing force on the upper member in an opposite closing direction. The linear actuator remains disengaged from the lower face of the upper flange of the dust cap as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

In some embodiments, the lower member includes a main frame of the crusher.

In some embodiments, the linear actuator includes at least one of a piston, a pneumatic linear actuator, a hydraulic linear actuator, a magnetically moveable linear actuator, an electrically moveable linear actuator, a mechanically moveable linear actuator, a solenoid, or a screw type linear actuator. Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of the inventions disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a cone crusher according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away perspective view illustrating a cross-section of the cone crusher shown in FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of cone crusher shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cone crusher shown in FIGS. 1-3 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 illustrating a linear actuator of the cone crusher according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a linear actuator according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cut-away perspective view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 illustrating a cross section of the linear actuator shown in FIG. 5.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain aspects of the disclosure provide a crusher includes a lower member having a lower flange, and an upper member having an upper flange that includes an upper face and a lower face. The lower face of the upper flange faces the lower flange of the lower member.

The crusher includes a linear actuator extending a length from a lower end portion to an upper end portion. The lower end portion of the linear actuator is secured to the lower flange of the lower member. The upper end portion of the linear actuator is secured to the upper face of the upper flange. The linear actuator is configured to move along a central longitudinal axis of the linear actuator in a clearing direction. In some embodiments, the linear actuator remains disengaged from the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction. In some embodiments, the upper member includes a dust cap of the crusher. In some embodiments, the linear actuator is a bi-directional linear actuator that is configured exert a clearing force on the upper member in the clearing direction and to exert a closing force on the upper member in an opposite closing direction.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure enable the elimination of one or more other components of a crusher and thereby reduce the cost, complexity, and/or failure modes of the crusher. Certain embodiments of the disclosure reduce the number of components that must be removed and reinstalled during maintenance of a crusher, which in turn decreases the downtime of the crusher and thereby decreases operational costs and/or increases operational efficiency.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an illustrative embodiment of a cone crusher 100 is presented. The cone crusher 100 includes a main frame 102, a hopper assembly 104, a dust cap 106, and a bowl 108. As will be described in more detail below, the cone crusher 100 is configured to break up (e.g., crush, etc.) incoming feed material 152 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; e.g., rock ore, large rocks, etc.) by squeezing the incoming feed material between a mantle 110 (not visible in Figure 1) and a bowl liner 112 (not visible in FIG. 1) of the bowl 108. As will also be described in more detail below, the cone crusher 100 includes a clearing system 114 having one or more linear actuators 116 that are operatively connected between the main frame 102 and the bowl 108 for moving the bowl 108 relative to the main frame 102 to enable the cone crusher 100 to be cleared of trapped material (e.g., jammed material, etc.). The embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to cone crushers. Rather, the embodiments disclosed herein may be used with any other type of crusher (e.g., a gyrator crusher, etc.).

Referring now solely to FIGS. 2 and 3, the mantle 110 is supported by a head 118 that is mounted over the top of a main shaft 120. The head 118 includes a head bore 122 that receives an eccentric 124 that spins around the main shaft 120 via a drive shaft 126 and one or more transmission members 128 and 130 (e.g., bevel gears, drive pinions, etc.). Specifically, a counterweight 132 and the eccentric 124 are each connected to the transmission member 128 (e.g., to a top side, a side, a bottom side, etc. of the transmission member 128). The transmission member 128 engages the drive shaft (e.g., though a series of gear teeth, etc.) to receive rotational force supplied by a motor and/or pump (not shown). In some examples, a countershaft 134 (not shown in FIG. 2) is used to absorb axial forces caused from other gear sets. Optionally, an eccentric bushing 136 is disposed between the inner surface of the eccentric 124 and the main shaft 120, and/or a lower head bushing 138 is disposed between the outer surface of the eccentric 124 and the head 118. In some examples, connecting both the eccentric 124 and the counterweight 132 to the transmission member 128 enables the cone crusher 100 to be provided with a larger main shaft 120, for example as compared to at least some known crushers.

The eccentric 124 includes a bore 140 that accepts the main shaft 120. In some examples, a socket liner 142 (not visible in FIG. 2) is mounted to the top of the main shaft 120 over an intermediate socket 144 (not visible in FIG. 2), for example with an interference fit with the main shaft 120. The socket 144 supports the head 118 and thus the mantle 110. In some examples, the socket 144 includes a concave upper surface to accommodate oscillatory movement from the eccentric 124. An upper bush 146 optionally bears against the outer surface of the socket 144. In operation, rotational motion of the drive shaft 126 (e.g. , driven by the motor or pump described above, etc.) is conveyed to the transmission member 128 via the transmission member 130. In turn, the rotation of transmission member 128 rotates the eccentric 124 and the counterweight 132. The eccentric 124 operates, in some examples, as a type of cam. For example, a central axis 148 (not shown in FIG. 2) of the eccentric 124 is offset from a central axis 150 of the main shaft 120. Accordingly, rotation of the eccentric 116 causes the mantle 308 in a circular oscillatory fashion. Specifically, as the eccentric 124 rotates around the main shaft 120, the eccentric 124 causes the head 118 and thus the mantle 110 to in a circular pattern with respect to the bowl liner 112. As material 152 enters the cone crusher 100 through the hopper assembly 104, the material 152 becomes wedged and squeezed between the mantle 110 and the bowl liner 112 (i.e., within a crushing chamber 154 defined between the mantle 110 and the bowl liner 112).

The circular oscillating movement of the mantle 110 toward and away from the bowl liner 112 causes the material 152 to be crushed between the mantel 110 and the bowl liner 112 and thereby broken down until the material 152 is small enough to fall through a gap 156 defined between the bottom of the mantle 110 and the bottom of the bowl liner 112. For example, as the material 152 breaks up into smaller pieces, the material falls downwardly under the influence of gravity to either be crushed again at a narrower region between the mantle 110 and the bowl liner 112 or to fall through the gap 156 if sufficiently small enough. The size of pieces of the material 156 that are permitted to leave the cone crusher 100 are determined by the size of the gap 156 (i.e., the clearance between the bottom of the mantle 110 and the bottom of the bowl liner 112), which may be selected to achieve a desired particulate size exiting the cone crusher 100.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, as described above the cone crusher 100 includes the clearing system 114 with linear actuators 116 operatively connected between the main frame 102 and the bowl 108 for moving the bowl 108 relative to the main frame 102 to enable the cone crusher 100 to be cleared of trapped material (e.g., jammed material, etc.). Specifically, the clearing system 114 enables the performance of a clearing operation that allows any material (e.g., the feed material 152, tramp materials such as tramp iron and/or the like, other debris, etc.) that is trapped within the crushing chamber 154 (e.g., between the crushing surfaces of the mantle 110 and bowl liner 112, within the gap 156, etc.) to be removed from the crushing chamber 154 (not visible in FIG. 1). In other words, the clearing operation enables trapped material to be freed from between the mantle 110 and the bowl liner 112 to thereby clear the crushing chamber 154 of trapped material.

The clearing operation is performed using the clearing system 114 by moving the bowl

108 and thus the bowl liner 112 along the central axis 150 in a clearing direction 158. Movement of the bowl 108 in the clearing direction 158 moves the bowl liner 112 up and away from the mantle 110 to thereby separate the crushing surfaces of the mantle 110 and the bowl liner 112 from each other along the central axis 150. By increasing the separation between the mantle 110 and the bowl liner 112, the clearing operation increases the size of the gap 156 (not visible in FIG. 1) and of the crushing chamber 154, thereby enabling trapped material to fall away through the gap 156 and/or be forcibly removed from the crushing chamber 154 (e.g., through the gap 156, through the top of the crushing chamber 154, etc.).

After the trapped material has been freed from the crushing chamber 154, the bowl 108 is moved along the central axis 150 in a closing direction 160 that is opposite the clearing direction 158. Movement of the bowl 108 along the central axis 150 in the closing direction 160 moves the bowl liner 112 down and toward the mantle 110 and thus reduces the amount of separation between the crushing surfaces of the mantle 110 and the bowl liner 112 along the central axis 150. Moving the bowl 108 in the closing direction 160 thereby reduces the size of the gap 156 and the crushing chamber 154 to configure the cone crusher 100 for crushing operations. In some examples, the size of the gap 156 determines the size of the resulting crushed material, and may be selected by moving the bowl 108 relative to the mantle 110, for example using the clearing system 114, the dust cap 106, an adjustment ring (not shown), etc.

Each linear actuator 116 is operatively connected between the main frame 102 and the bowl 108 such that the linear actuator 116 is configured to move the bowl 108 relative to the mantle 110 in the clearing direction 158 and/or in the closing direction 160. As shown herein, each linear actuator 116 is secured to the main frame 102 at an end portion 162 thereof. In the exemplary embodiments, each linear actuator 116 is secured to the dust cap 106 at the opposite end portion 164 of the linear actuator 116. In other embodiments, in addition or alternative to being secured to the dust cap 106, one or more of the linear actuators 116 is secured to an adjustment ring, directly to the bowl 108, directly to the bowl liner 112, and/or the like. Moreover, in addition or alternatively to being secured to the main frame 102, in other embodiments one or more of the linear actuators 116 is secured directly to the head 118, directly to the mantle 110, and/or the like. The end portions 162 and 164 may each be referred to herein as an“upper end portion” and/or a“lower end portion”.

In the exemplary embodiments, each linear actuator 116 is a bi-directional linear actuator that is configured to both: (1) exert a clearing force on the dust cap 106 (and/or another structure such as an adjustment ring, directly to the bowl 108, directly to the bowl liner 112, etc. ) in the clearing direction 158 that moves the bowl 108 and the bowl liner 112 in the clearing direction 158; and (s) exert a closing force on the dust cap 106 (and/or other structure) in the closing direction 160 that moves the bowl 108 and the bowl liner 112 in the closing direction 160.

In other embodiments, one or more of the linear actuators 116 is a uni-directional linear actuator that is configured to exert only the clearing force that moves the bowl 108 and bowl liner 112 in the clearing direction 158 or only the closing force that moves the bowl 108 and bowl liner 112 in the closing direction 160. For example, the clearing system 114 of the cone crusher 100 may include a first set of uni-directional linear actuators 116 dedicated to moving the bowl 108 and bowl liner 112 only in the clearing direction 158, and a second set of uni directional linear actuators 116 dedicated to moving the bowl 108 and bowl liner 112 only in the closing direction 160. Each set may include any number of uni-directional linear actuators 116. The clearing system 114 may include any number of uni-directional linear actuators 116, any number of bi-directional linear actuators 116, and any number of linear actuators 116 overall.

Providing one or more of the linear actuators 116 as a bi-directional linear actuator enables the elimination of one or more other components (e.g., may reduce the overall number of linear actuators 116 required, etc.) and thereby reduces the cost, complexity, and/or failure modes of the cone crusher 100. Moreover, the elimination of one or more components via the use of one or more bi-directional linear actuators 116 reduces the number of components that must be removed and reinstalled during maintenance of the cone crusher 100, which decreases the downtime of the cone crusher 100 and thereby decreases operational costs and/or increases the operational efficiency of the cone crusher 100.

In some embodiments, the clearing system 114 includes protection functionality that automatically actuates the linear actuators 116 to move the bowl 108 and bowl liner 112 in the clearing direction 158, for example when the cone crusher 100 has been overloaded, has jammed (e.g., with tramp material, feed material 152, and/or other debris), has seized, has stalled, and/or the like. Another example of the clearing system 114 automatically actuating the linear actuators 116 includes when the reaction forces between the mantle 110 and the bowl liner 112 increase beyond a predetermined threshold, for example because of non-crushable tramp material that has entered the crushing chamber 154. The automatic protection functionality of the clearing system 114 may be provided by any suitable structure, device, and/or the like (e.g., computer control, a hydraulic pressure system, etc.)·

Each linear actuator 116 may include any type of linear actuator. In the exemplary embodiments, the linear actuators 116 are hydraulic linear actuators, and more specifically hydraulic pistons that are actuated using hydraulic forces (e. g. , using one or more accumulators, pumps, etc.). Other examples of type of linear actuators 116 that can be used include, but are not limited to, non-hydraulically actuated pistons (e.g., mechanically and/or electrically actuated pistons, pneumatically actuated pistons, etc.), pneumatic linear actuators, other types of hydraulic linear actuators, magnetically moveable linear actuators, electrically moveable linear actuators (electrical motors, linear motors, solenoids, etc.), mechanically moveable linear actuators (e.g. screw type actuators, wheel and axle actuators, cam actuators, etc.), electro -mechanical linear actuators, telescoping linear actuators, and/or the like.

As described above, the linear actuators 116 of the clearing system are secured to the dust cap 106. Accordingly, the dust cap 106 of the embodiments disclosed herein is stronger as compared to at least some known dust caps for cone crushers to enable the dust cap 106 to carry the load of lifting the bowl 108, the bowl liner 112, and any other components of the cone crusher 100 that move with the bowl 108 and bowl liner 112 along the central axis 150 (e.g., an adjustment ring assembly, any securing members, etc.). For example, the dust cap 106 may be provided with a greater mass, a larger size, an increased thickness, and/or a different geometry as compared to at least some known dust caps to provide the increased strength over at least some known dust caps. Moreover, and for example, the dust cap 106 may be fabricated from one or more materials that are stronger than the materials of at least some known dust caps.

Known conventional dust caps are dedicated dust caps that are only used (i.e., dedicated) to prevent or reduce contamination of the internal components of the corresponding crusher (e.g., reduce or eliminate unwanted particulate dirt, dust, and/or other debris from entering the crusher, etc.). The increased strength of the dust cap 106 that is disclosed herein enables the dust cap 106 to perform a dual purpose, namely to: (1) prevent or reduce contamination of the internal components of the crusher 100; and (2) act as a lifting member for the bowl 108 and bowl liner 112 that moves the bowl 108 and bowl liner 112 in the clearing direction 158, as is described above.

The dual use of the dust cap 106 disclosed herein enables the elimination of one or more other components (e.g., an adjustment ring, a dust cap, etc.) and thereby reduces the cost, complexity, and/or failure modes of the cone crusher 100. Moreover, and for example, in some embodiments the dust cap 106 defines an adjustment ring of the cone crusher 100 such that the dust cap 106 provides the functionality of an adjustment ring. By providing the functionality of both a dust cap and an adjustment ring, some embodiments of the dust cap 106 enable the elimination of a dedicated adjustment ring (e.g., a known conventional adjustment ring, etc.) and a dedicated dust cap (e.g., a known conventional dust cap, etc.). In other words, instead of having two discrete components (i. e. , the dedicated adjustment ring and the dedicated dust cap) that each perform a different function, some embodiments of the dust cap 106 enable the cone crusher 100 to utilize a single component that performs both the function(s) of a dust cap and the function(s) of an adjustment ring. In addition to reducing the cost, complexity, and/or failure modes of the cone crusher 100, the elimination of one or more components via the dust cap 106 disclosed herein reduces the number of components that must be removed and reinstalled during maintenance of the cone crusher 100, which decreases the downtime of the cone crusher 100 and thereby decreases operational costs and/or increases the operational efficiency of the cone crusher 100.

Referring now to the Detail A shown in FIG. 4, connection of an exemplary embodiment of a linear actuator 116 to the main frame 102 and the dust cap 106 will now be described according to an exemplary embodiment. The linear actuator 116 shown in the embodiment of Figure 4 includes a piston rod 166 and a hydraulic pump 168. The piston rod 166 extends a length along a central longitudinal axis 170 from the end portion 162 to the end portion 164. The piston rod 166 is configured to move along the central longitudinal axis 170 in the clearing direction 158 and the closing direction 160. The hydraulic pump 168 is operatively connected to the piston rod 166 such that the hydraulic pump 168 is configured to actuate movement of the piston rod 166 along the central longitudinal axis 170 using hydraulic force. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the hydraulic pump 168 is configured to use hydraulic force to actuate movement of the piston rod 166 along the central longitudinal axis 170 in both the clearing direction 158 and the closing direction 160 such that the linear actuator

116 is a bi-directional linear actuator. But, as described above, in other embodiments the linear actuator 116 is a uni-directional linear actuator wherein the hydraulic pump 168 is configured to use hydraulic force to actuate movement of the piston rod 166 in only the clearing direction 158 or only the closing direction 160. As discussed above, the linear actuator 116 is not limited to being actuated by a hydraulic pump 168, but rather additionally or alternatively may include any other type of actuator (e.g., a hydraulic accumulator, a non-hydraulic actuator such as one or more of the other actuators listed above, etc.).

The main frame 102 includes a lower member 172 that includes a lower flange 174. The lower flange 174 of the lower member 172 includes a lower face 176 and an upper face 178 that is opposite the lower face 176. The dust cap 106 includes an upper member 180 that includes an upper flange 182. The upper flange 182 of the upper member 180 includes a lower face 184 and an opposite upper face 186. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the lower face 184 of the upper flange 182 of the upper member 180 generally faces the upper face 178 of the lower flange 174 of the lower member 172. The piston rod 166 is secured to the upper face 186 of the upper flange 182 of the upper member 180 at the end portion 164 of the piston rod 166. The piston rod 166 is secured to the lower flange 174 of the lower member 172 at the end portion 162 of the piston rod 166. In the exemplary embodiment, the end portion 162 of the piston rod 166 is secured to the lower flange 174 along the lower face 176 of the lower flange 174. In other embodiments, the end portion

162 of the piston rod 166 is secured to the lower flange 174 along the upper face 178 of the lower flange 174 in addition or alternatively to being secured to the lower flange 174 along the lower face 176.

Thus, the piston rod 166 of the linear actuator 116 is operatively connected between the upper and lower members 180 and 172, respectively, such that when the piston rod 166 is actuated to move along the central longitudinal axis 170 in the clearing direction 158, the piston rod 166 exerts a clearing force on the upper member 180 of the dust cap 106 that moves the upper member 180, and therefore the bowl liner 112, in the clearing direction 158. Similarly, the piston rod 166 exerts a closing force on the upper member 180 of the dust cap 106 that moves the upper member 180 and therefore the bowl liner 112 in the closing direction 160 when the piston rod 166 is actuated to move along the central longitudinal axis 170 in the closing direction 160.

In the exemplary embodiment, the piston rod 166 exerts the clearing force on the upper member 180 by extending such that the piston rod 166 pushes the upper member 180 in the clearing direction 158; and the piston rod 166 exerts the closing force on the upper member 180 by retracting such that the piston rod 166 pulls the upper member 180 in the closing direction 160. But, alternatively one or more of the linear actuators 116 is operatively connected between the upper member 180 and the lower member 172 in the reverse arrangement wherein: (1) the piston rod 166 exerts the clearing force on the upper member 180 by retracting and thereby pulling on the upper member 180; and (2) the piston rod 166 exerts the closing force on the upper member 180 by extending and thereby pushing on the upper member 180.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the upper member 180 is a portion of the dust cap 106 and the lower member 172 is a portion of the main frame 102. But, as described above, the upper member 180 may be a portion of an adjustment ring, the bowl 108, and/or the bowl liner 112 in other embodiments. Moreover, the lower member 172 may be a portion of the head 118 and/or the mantle 110 in other embodiments.

As described above, the end portion 164 of the piston rod 166 is secured to the upper flange 182 of the upper member 180 along the upper face 186. In the exemplary embodiment, the piston rod 166 is secured to the upper face 186 of the upper flange 182 using a threaded fastener 188 (e.g., a nut, etc.) and a bushing 190. But, in addition or alternatively to the fastener 188 and/or the bushing 190, any other type of securing member can be used to secure the piston rod 166 to the upper flange 182, for example another type of threaded fastener (e.g., a screw, a bolt, a stud, etc.), a weld, a tack, an adhesive, a clevis, a clip, a pin, a latch, a clamp, a collar, an interference fit, a press fit, etc.

Another exemplary embodiment of securing the piston rod 166 to the upper flange 182 of the upper member 180 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Specifically, an upper flange 282 of an upper member 280 of a cone crusher (e.g., the cone crusher 100 shown in FIGS. 1-4, etc.) includes a clevis 200 that extends along an upper face 286 of the upper flange 282. The clevis 200 includes a pair of ears 202 that each include a corresponding opening 204 that extends therethrough. An end portion 264 of a piston rod 266 includes an opening 206 (not visible in FIG. 5) extending therethrough. A clevis pin 208 is received (i.e., extends) through the opening 206 of the piston rod 266 and through the openings 204 of the ears 202 to secure the end portion 264 of the piston rod 266 to the upper face 286 of the upper flange 282. The clevis pin 208 may be held in place within the openings 204 and 206 using any suitable securing member, such as, but not limited to, a threaded fastener (e.g., a bolt, a screw, a set screw, a stud, a nut, etc.), a weld, a tack, an adhesive, a clevis, a clip, a pin, a latch, a clamp, a collar, an interference fit, a press fit, and/or the like. Each of the end portion 264 and/or an opposite end portion 262 of the piston rod 266 may be referred to herein as an“upper end portion” and/or a“lower end portion”.

Optionally, an extension bushing 210 that provides the opening 206 of the piston rod 266 is secured to the end portion 264 of the piston rod 266. In the exemplary embodiment, the clevis 200 is shown as being an integral portion of the upper flange 282 that is formed as a single, unitary structure with the upper face 286 of the upper flange 282. But, alternatively the clevis 200 is a separate component from the upper flange 282 that is secured to the upper flange 282 along the upper face 286 using any suitable securing member, for example a threaded fastener (e.g., a bolt, a screw, a set screw, a stud, a nut, etc.), a weld, a tack, an adhesive, a clevis, a clip, a pin, a latch, a clamp, a collar, an interference fit, a press fit, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 4, an optional cap 192 is provided in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4. The cap 192 coves the end portion 164 of the piston rod 166 to prevent or reduce the ingress of dirt, dust, and/or other debris. The cap 192 may be secured to the upper face 186 of the upper flange 182 using any suitable securing member, for example a threaded fastener (e.g. , one or more of the bolts 194 shown in FIG. 4, a screw, a stud, a nut, etc.), a weld, a tack, an adhesive, a clevis, a clip, a pin, a latch, a clamp, a collar, an interference fit, a press fit, etc.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the end portion 162 of the piston rod 166 is secured to the lower flange 174 of the lower member 172 along the lower face 176, as is described above. The piston rod 166 is secured to the lower face 176 of the lower flange 174 using a threaded fastener 196 (e.g., a nut, etc.) and a bushing 198. In addition or alternatively to the fastener 196 and/or the bushing 198, any other type of securing member can be used to secure the piston rod 166 to the lower flange 174, such as, but not limited to, another type of threaded fastener (e.g., a screw, a bolt, a stud, etc.), a weld, a tack, an adhesive, a clevis, a clip, a pin, a latch, a clamp, a collar, an interference fit, a press fit, etc.

As is shown in FIG. 4, the linear actuator 116 remains disengaged from the lower face 184 of the upper flange 182 of the upper member 180 as the linear actuator 116 moves along the central longitudinal axis 170 in the clearing direction 158. For example, the piston rod 166 of the linear actuator 116 remains disengaged from the lower face 184 of the upper flange 182 of the upper member 180 as the piston rod 166 moves along the central longitudinal axis 170 in the clearing direction 158. Indeed, the linear actuator 166 does not include any structure (e.g., a securing member, a collar, a flange, etc.) that is engaged with the lower face 184 of the upper flange 182 as the linear actuator 116 moves along the central longitudinal axis 170 in the clearing direction 158, whether such structure is integrally formed as a single, unitary structure with a component (e.g., the piston rod, a body, a housing, a case, etc.) of the linear actuator 116 or is a separate structure that is secured (e.g., removably secured, welded, etc.) to a component of the linear actuator 116. For example, the piston rod 166 does not include a collar or any other type of securing member (whether integrally formed with or secured to the piston rod 166) that is engaged with the lower face 184 of the upper flange 182 as the piston rod 166 moves along the central longitudinal axis 170 in the clearing direction 158. Accordingly, and for example, the linear actuator 116 is not secured to the lower face 184 of the upper flange 182 of the upper member 180 in any manner (e.g., using a securing member, etc.).

By providing no securement of the linear actuator 116 to the lower face 184 of the upper flange 182, the embodiments disclosed herein enable the elimination of one or more other components (e.g., a securing member, etc.) and thereby reduce the cost, complexity, and/or failure modes of the cone crusher 100. Moreover, the elimination of one or more components via not securing the linear actuator 116 to the lower face 184 of the upper flange 182 reduces the number of components that must be removed and reinstalled during maintenance of the cone crusher 100, which decreases the downtime of the cone crusher 100 and thereby decreases operational costs and/or increases the operational efficiency of the cone crusher 100.

The following clauses describe further aspects of the disclosure:

Clause Set A:

Al. A crusher comprising:

a lower member comprising a lower flange;

an upper member comprising an upper flange having an upper face and a lower face, the lower face of the upper flange facing the lower flange of the lower member; and

a linear actuator extending a length from a lower end portion to an upper end portion, the lower end portion of the linear actuator being secured to the lower flange of the lower member, the upper end portion of the linear actuator being secured to the upper face of the upper flange, the linear actuator being configured to move along a central longitudinal axis of the linear actuator in a clearing direction, wherein the linear actuator remains disengaged from the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

A2. The crusher of clause Al, wherein the linear actuator does not include a securing member that is engaged with the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

A3. The crusher of clause Al, wherein the linear actuator does not include a collar that is engaged with the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

A4. The crusher of clause Al, wherein the upper member comprises a dust cap of the crusher. A5. The crusher of clause Al, wherein the upper member comprises at least one of a dust cap, an adjustment ring, a bowl, or a bowl liner of the crusher.

A6. The crusher of clause Al, wherein the linear actuator is a bi-directional linear actuator that is configured to exert a clearing force on the upper member in the clearing direction and to exert a closing force on the upper member in an opposite closing direction.

A7. The crusher of clause Al, wherein the linear actuator comprises at least one of a piston, a pneumatic linear actuator, a hydraulic linear actuator, a magnetically moveable linear actuator, an electrically moveable linear actuator, a mechanically moveable linear actuator, a solenoid, or a screw type linear actuator.

A8. The crusher of clause Al , wherein the upper flange of the upper member comprises a clevis extending along the upper face of the upper flange, the crusher further comprising a clevis pin extending through the clevis and the upper end portion of the linear actuator to secure the upper end portion of the linear actuator to the upper face of the upper flange.

A9. The crusher of clause Al, wherein the lower member comprises a main frame of the crusher.

A10. The crusher of clause Al, wherein the crusher comprises a cone crusher.

Clause Set B:

Bl. A crusher comprising:

a lower member comprising a lower flange;

an upper member comprising an upper flange having an upper face and a lower face, the lower face of the upper flange facing the lower flange of the lower member; and

a linear actuator extending a length from a lower end portion to an upper end portion, the lower end portion of the linear actuator being secured to the lower flange of the lower member, the upper end portion of the linear actuator being secured to the upper face of the upper flange using a clevis that extends along the upper face and a clevis pin that extends through the clevis and the upper end portion of the linear actuator, wherein the linear actuator is a bi-directional linear actuator that is configured to exert a clearing force on the upper member in a clearing direction and exert a closing force on the upper member in an opposite closing direction.

B2. The crusher of clause Bl, wherein the linear actuator remains disengaged from the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

B3. The crusher of clause Bl, wherein the linear actuator does not include any structure that is engaged with the lower face of the upper flange as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

B4. The crusher of clause Bl, wherein the upper member comprises a dust cap of the crusher.

B5. The crusher of clause Bl, wherein the lower member comprises a main frame of the crusher and the upper member comprises at least one of a dust cap, an adjustment ring, a bowl, or a bowl liner of the crusher.

B6. The crusher of clause Bl, wherein the linear actuator comprises at least one of a piston, a pneumatic linear actuator, a hydraulic linear actuator, a magnetically moveable linear actuator, an electrically moveable linear actuator, a mechanically moveable linear actuator, a solenoid, or a screw type linear actuator.

B7. The crusher of clause Bl, wherein the crusher comprises a cone crusher.

Clause Set C:

Cl. A crusher comprising:

a lower member comprising a lower flange;

a dust cap comprising an upper flange having an upper face and a lower face, the lower face of the upper flange facing the lower flange of the lower member; and a linear actuator extending a length from a lower end portion to an upper end portion, the lower end portion of the linear actuator being secured to the lower flange of the lower member, the upper end portion of the linear actuator being secured to the upper face of the upper flange of the dust cap, the linear actuator being configured to move along a central longitudinal axis of the linear actuator in a clearing direction, the linear actuator being a bi directional linear actuator that is configured to exert a clearing force on the upper member in a clearing direction and exert a closing force on the upper member in an opposite closing direction, wherein the linear actuator remains disengaged from the lower face of the upper flange of the dust cap as the linear actuator moves along the central longitudinal axis in the clearing direction.

C2. The crusher of clause Cl, wherein the lower member comprises a main frame of the crusher.

C3. The crusher of clause Cl, wherein the linear actuator comprises at least one of a piston, a pneumatic linear actuator, a hydraulic linear actuator, a magnetically moveable linear actuator, an electrically moveable linear actuator, a mechanically moveable linear actuator, a solenoid, or a screw type linear actuator.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, invention(s) have been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention(s). Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes other technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as“clockwise” and“counterclockwise”,“left” and right”,“front” and “rear”, “above” and“below”, “upper” and“lower”, and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

When introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or the examples thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Further, references to “an embodiment”, "one embodiment", and “some embodiments” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. For example, in this specification, the word“comprising” is to be understood in its“open” sense, that is, in the sense of“including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of“consisting only of’. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words“comprise”,“comprised”,“comprises”,“havin g”,“has”, “includes”, and“including” where they appear. The term“exemplary” is intended to mean“an example of.” The phrase“one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means“at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

Although the terms“step” and/or“block” may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. The operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the disclosure may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. It is therefore contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the disclosure.

Having described aspects of the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.