FLAIL CHAIN LINK WITH POLYGONAL CROSS-SECTION

Abstract

A flail assembly for a debarking machine includes a flail shaft that is adapted to be rotated about a flail axis of rotation. Attached to the flail shaft is a flail chain that includes a plurality of interconnected links, at least some of which have a polygonal cross-section.

Claims

1. A flail assembly for a debarking machine comprising: (a) a flail shaft that is adapted to be rotated about a flail axis of rotation; (b) a flail chain comprising: (i) an attachment end that is attached to the flail shaft; (ii) a free end; (iii) a plurality of interconnected links, at least some of which have a polygonal cross-section, which polygonal cross-section comprises a closed plane shape having at least three linear sides, with all of such linear sides being defined by straight lines.

2. The flail assembly of claim 1 wherein the flail chain comprises a plurality of interconnected links, all of which have a polygonal cross-section comprising a closed plane shape having at least three linear sides, with all of such linear sides being defined by straight lines.

3. The flail assembly of claim 1 wherein the flail chain comprises a plurality of interconnected links, at least some of which have a cross-section in a polygonal shape that is selected from the group consisting of equilateral and other triangles, squares, rectangles, rhombi, regular and irregular pentagons and hexagons.

4. The flail assembly of claim 1 wherein the flail chain comprises a plurality of interconnected links, all of which have a cross-section in a polygonal shape that is selected from the group consisting of equilateral and other triangles, squares, rectangles, rhombi, regular and irregular pentagons and hexagons.

5. A method for removing bark from a log, said method comprising: (a) providing a flail assembly comprising: (i) a flail shaft that is mounted for rotation about a flail axis of rotation; (ii) means for rotating the flail shaft about the flail axis of rotation; (iii) a plurality of flail chains, each of which has an attachment end that is attached to the flail shaft and a free end, wherein each of said flail chains comprises a plurality of interconnected links, at least some of which have a polygonal cross-section, which polygonal cross-section comprises a closed plane shape having at least three linear sides, with all of such linear sides being defined by straight lines; (b) moving the log in a processing direction that is generally perpendicular to the flail shaft axis so that rotation of the flail shaft will cause the flail chains to contact the log.

6. The method of claim 5 which includes providing a flail assembly having a plurality of flail chains, each of which comprises a plurality of interconnected links, all of which have a polygonal cross-section comprising a closed plane shape having at least three linear sides, with all of such linear sides being defined by straight lines.

7. The method of claim 5 which includes providing a flail assembly having a plurality of flail chains, each of which comprises a plurality of interconnected links, at least some of which have a cross-section in a polygonal shape that is selected from the group consisting of equilateral and other triangles, squares, rectangles, rhombi, regular and irregular pentagons and hexagons.

8. The method of claim 5 which includes providing a flail assembly having a plurality of flail chains, each of which comprises a plurality of interconnected links, all of which have a cross-section in a polygonal shape that is selected from the group consisting of equilateral and other triangles, squares, rectangles, rhombi, regular and irregular pentagons and hexagons.

9. The flail assembly of claim 4 wherein the flail chain comprises a plurality of interconnected links, all of which have a polygonal cross-section comprising a closed plane shape having four linear sides, with all of such linear sides being defined by straight lines.

10. The flail assembly of claim 9 wherein all of the links of the flail chain have a rectangular cross-section.

11. The flail assembly of claim 9 wherein all of the links of the flail chain have a square cross-section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a conventional debarking machine which includes an upper flail assembly and a lower flail assembly 14.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of a conventional flail chain comprised of a plurality of interconnected links that are oval in shape and have a generally circular cross-section.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a front view of a portion of a conventional flail chain comprised of a plurality of interconnected links that are circular in shape and have a generally circular cross-section.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a flail chain comprised of links having a polygonal cross-section, and more specifically, a square cross-section.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a link of the flail chain shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a link of a flail chain having a polygonal cross-section, and more specifically, a rectangular cross-section.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a link of a flail chain having a polygonal cross-section, and more specifically, a rhomboidal cross-section.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a link of a flail chain having a polygonal cross-section, and more specifically, a triangular cross-section.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a link of a flail chain having a polygonal cross-section, and more specifically, a hexagonal cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] This description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic four in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, flail chain 32 is comprised of a plurality of essentially identical chain links 34, each of which has a square cross-section, as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the chain link of the invention, comprising link 36 that has a rectangular cross-section. FIG. 7 illustrates a second alternative embodiment of the chain link of the invention, comprising link 38 having a cross-section in the shape of a rhombus. FIG. 8 illustrates a third alternative embodiment of the chain link of the invention, comprising link 40 that has a cross-section in the shape of an equilateral triangle. FIG. 9 illustrates a fourth alternative embodiment of the chain link of the invention, comprising link 42 that has a cross section in the shape of an irregular hexagon. Flail chains may be made, according to the invention, comprising a plurality of links having cross-sections of other polygonal shapes than those shown in the drawings. Such flail chain links may be oval in shape, circular in shape, rectangular in shape or of other conventional shapes.

[0034] The flail chains of the invention are adapted to be employed in the flail assembly of a debarking machine that is adapted to process a log such as log 22 shown in FIG. 1, as the log is carried through the machine in processing direction P. Each of the flail assemblies includes a flail shaft to which are operatively attached a plurality of flail chains, the links of at least some of which, and preferably all of which, have a polygonal cross-section. Each flail shaft of a flail assembly is driven by a motor or other known means so as to rotate about a flail axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the plane of the page of FIG. 1. Such flail axis of rotation is generally perpendicular to the processing direction and generally parallel to the surface on which the debarking machine is placed for operation. Each flail chain has an attachment end that is attached to the flail shaft, and a free end. Rotation of the flail shafts causes the flail chains to contact the bark on the log as it is moved in processing direction P, and thereby to flail the bark and limbs from the log.

[0035] Flail chains comprised of links, at least some of which have a polygonal cross-section, generate more tractive force as the chain strikes the bark, which improves the transfer of energy used to loosen and remove the bark. Furthermore, flail assemblies including chains comprised of links, at least some of which have a polygonal cross-section, are more efficient and can be operated at reduced speeds, thereby saving energy and reducing the maintenance required for long-term operation of the flail assembly.

[0036] Although this description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, as well as the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the invention. The invention, as described herein, is susceptible to various modifications and adaptations, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.