VACUUM LIFT ATTACHMENT

Abstract

A vacuum lift attachment (10) for a hydraulic work machine, the hydraulic work machine including a control station, a lift arm to which the hydraulic work attachment can be coupled, an auxiliary hydraulic system for operating a coupled hydraulic work attachment and an auxiliary hydraulic actuator in the control station that upon actuation by an operator causes an auxiliary hydraulic control signal to generate. The vacuum lift attachment comprises a body (12) having an upper end (13) that is adapted to be coupled to the lift arm of the hydraulic work machine and for hydraulic fluid connection to the auxiliary hydraulic system of the hydraulic work machine, a vacuum pad (20) mounted to the lower end of the body (10), a hydraulic vacuum pump (34) fluidly connected to the auxiliary hydraulic system and an electronic controller (26) that is configured to receive an auxiliary hydraulic control signal and convert the auxiliary hydraulic control signal to an electronic signal for electronic control of the hydraulic vacuum pump (20) by an operator actuating the auxiliary hydraulic actuator in the control station.

Claims

1. A vacuum lift attachment for a hydraulic work machine, the hydraulic work machine including a control station, a lift arm to which the hydraulic work attachment can be coupled, an auxiliary hydraulic system for operating a coupled hydraulic work attachment and an auxiliary hydraulic actuator in the control station that upon actuation by an operator causes an auxiliary hydraulic control signal to generate; wherein the vacuum lift attachment comprises: a body having an upper end that is adapted to be coupled to the lift arm of the hydraulic work machine and for hydraulic fluid connection to the auxiliary hydraulic system of the hydraulic work machine; a vacuum pad operatively mounted to the lower end of the body; a hydraulic vacuum pump fluidly connected to the auxiliary hydraulic system; and an electronic controller that is configured to receive an auxiliary hydraulic control signal and convert the auxiliary hydraulic control signal to an electronic signal for electronic control of the hydraulic vacuum pump by an operator actuating the auxiliary hydraulic actuator in the control station.

2. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 1, wherein the vacuum lift attachment further comprises a hydraulic rotator mounted to the lower end of the body and between the body and the vacuum pad.

3. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 2, wherein the vacuum lift attachment includes a bidirectional valve system for splitting the auxiliary hydraulic fluid flow into a first stream that drives and controls the hydraulic vacuum pump and a second stream for operation of the hydraulic rotator.

4. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 2, wherein the hydraulic rotator has a two speed control valve function so that it can supply a greater flow of hydraulic fluid when the vacuum lift attachment is loaded when compared to the unloaded state.

5. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 1 wherein the vacuum lift attachment comprises a vacuum reservoir in fluid communication with the vacuum pad, in which the fluid communication is controlled by at least one air valve operable between an open and a closed positons so as to apply and close a supply of vacuum to the vacuum pad.

6. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 5, wherein the vacuum reservoir includes a first service reservoir and a second reserve reservoir and the second reserve vacuum reservoir is fluidly isolated from the vacuum pad (20) when the vacuum pad (20) is carrying a load at or above a predetermined safe vacuum level, and if the vacuum level falls below the predetermined safe vacuum level a second air valve is actuated to fluidly connect the reserve vacuum reservoir to the vacuum pad.

7. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is a programmable logic controller (PLC).

8. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 7, wherein the electronic controller is configured to remain in a sleep mode until an auxiliary hydraulic control signal is detected by the electronic controller and the electronic controller is activated to an operative mode.

9. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 8, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to operate the vacuum work attachment either in a vacuum control mode or a rotate mode.

10. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 9, wherein when the auxiliary hydraulic actuator is activated by an operator to cause a flow of auxiliary fluid to the hydraulic vacuum pump, the hydraulic vacuum pump builds up a vacuum until it reaches a predetermined operating level.

11. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 10, wherein the vacuum lift attachment further includes a vacuum sensor operatively connected to a vacuum gauge that is configured to produce an audio and/or visual signal that can be seen and/or heard by an operator in the control station of the work machine to indicate when the vacuum has reached the predetermined operating level.

12. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 11, wherein the vacuum lift attachment further includes a load sensor that is activated when the vacuum pad has contacted a load to be lifted and causes activation of an audio and/or visual signal that can be seen and/or heard by the operator in the control station.

13. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 12, wherein the electronic controller is configured to automatically disengage rotate mode when the load sensor is activated.

14. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 13, wherein when the vacuum is being applied to the load to be lifted, an audio and/or visual signal is generated so as to confirm to the operator that vacuum is being applied and a further signal is generated when there is sufficient vacuum applied to lift the object.

15. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 14, wherein when the load is lifted, the load sensor is deactivated and the electronic controller is configured to receive a signal that the load sensor is deactivated and prevents inadvertent operator release of the applied vacuum.

16. The vacuum lift attachment of claim 1, wherein, the electronic controller is battery powered and the vacuum lift attachment includes an alternator that is driven by a drive pulley operatively attached to the vacuum pump for charging the battery.

17. A vacuum lift attachment for a hydraulic work machine having a control station, a lift arm to which a hydraulic work attachment can be coupled; the vacuum lift attachment comprising: a body having an upper end having connecting a pair of connecting pins for coupling to a quick hitch on the lifting arm of the hydraulic work machine; a hydraulic rotator mounted to the lower end of the body; and a vacuum pad mounted to the hydraulic rotator for rotation relative to the body that is operable between a suction position and a release position.

18. A vacuum lift attachment for a hydraulic work machine having a lift arm to which the vacuum lift attachment can be coupled, the vacuum lift attachment comprising: a body having an upper end that is adapted to be coupled to the lift arm of the hydraulic work machine; a vacuum pad mounted to the lower end of the body; a vacuum pump in fluid communication with a first service vacuum reservoir; an air valve operable between an open position in which the first service reservoir is in fluid communication with the vacuum pad so as to apply a vacuum thereto and a closed position; and a second reserve vacuum reservoir that is fluidly isolated from the vacuum pad when the vacuum pad is carrying a load at or above a predetermined vacuum level, and if the vacuum level falls below the predetermined level a second air valve is actuated to fluidly connect the reserve vacuum reservoir to the vacuum pad.

19. An electronic controller for controlling a vacuum lift attachment that is adapted to be coupled to a lifting arm of a hydraulic work machine for hydraulic fluid connection to an auxiliary hydraulic system of the work machine, the vacuum lift attachment including an hydraulic pump, at least one vacuum reservoir and a vacuum pad and a sensor system; the electronic controller being configured to receive an hydraulic signal from the auxiliary hydraulic circuit and convert the hydraulic signal to an electronic signal so as to electronically control at least one of the following actions, opening of an air valve so as to allow fluid communication between the vacuum reservoir and the vacuum pad, closing of an air valve so as to close any fluid communication between the vacuum pad and the at least one vacuum reservoir and a sensor system that includes at least one sensor for sensing when the vacuum has reached a predetermined operating level and a sensor for sensing when the vacuum level has fallen below a predetermined safety level.

20. The electronic controller of claim 19, wherein the vacuum lift attachment includes a rotator and the electronic controller is suitably configured to electronically control a flow of hydraulic fluid to the rotator so as to control the supply of hydraulic fluid to the rotator to activate the rotator and to control the rotation and speed thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0063] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum lift apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0064] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the vacuum lift attachment;

[0065] FIG. 3 is a detail of the signal box of the vacuum lift attachment;

[0066] FIG. 4 is a view of part of the internal section of the body of the vacuum lift attachment; and

[0067] FIG. 5 shows another view of part of the internal section of the body of the vacuum lift attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0068] FIG. 1 shows a vacuum lift attachment 10 as disclosed herein. The vacuum lift attachment includes a body 12 having an upper end 13 and a lower end 17, connecting pins 14 on the upper end 13 of the body 12 for connection to a quick hitch 16. A rotator 18 is located on the bottom end of the body 12.

[0069] A vacuum pad 20 is mounted to the rotator 18. A vacuum pad pressure gauge 22 is located on the vacuum pad 20.

[0070] The vacuum lift attachment is hydraulically connected to the work machine through the auxiliary hydraulic fluid lines 24.

[0071] An electronic controller that is a PLC 26 is mounted on one side of the body 12. Signals 28 in the form of different coloured LED lights are located on the front of the PLC. The signals 28 are configured to be easily visible to an operator siting in the control station of an excavator. The signals 28 will be described in further detail below. Next to the signals 28 is a hydraulic fluid level indicator 30 and a vacuum gauge 32 showing the vacuum level in the service air tank or vacuum reservoir.

[0072] A hydraulic vacuum pump 34 is located on the other side of the body 12.

[0073] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the vacuum lift attachment 10. A load switch or sensor 36 is located at the upper end 13 of the body 12 and is mounted on a telescopic arm 38. In use, when the vacuum pad 20 is placed upon an object or load to be lifted, thereby applying a load to the vacuum pad 20, the telescopic arm 38 moves upward so as to activate the load sensor 36. When the vacuum pad 20 is lifted off the ground, either loaded or unloaded, the load sensor 36 will automatically deactivate.

[0074] FIG. 3 shows the signals 28 in detail. The signals include a green light 40. The PLC is configured to receive signals from a service tank vacuum sensor and cause the green vacuum light 40 to flash as the vacuum is increasing and to show a solid green light when the vacuum has reached the predetermined operating vacuum level.

[0075] A second red warning light 42 is located below green light 40. The PLC is configured to activate the red light when the vacuum level drops to a predetermined dangerous level. This signals to an operator to abort a lift immediately and lower a load safely to the ground.

[0076] A vacuum applied signal light 44 between the red 40 and 42 green lights will show blue when a vacuum is being applied.

[0077] The PLC is further configured to turn the light 46 on the upper right corner of the signals 28 to show amber when the load sensor 36 is activated, to turn the light 48 on the lower right corner to show amber when the auxiliary hydraulic fluid is being applied, to turn the light 50 on the lower left corner to show amber when the vacuum lift attachment 10 is in rotate mode (described below) and an alternator warning light 52 in the upper left corner.

[0078] FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of the inside of the body 12 showing the position of air filters 54, 56, air valves 58, 60 that are controlled by the PLC to open and close so as to apply and release vacuum to the vacuum pad 20; booster or emergency air valve 62 that allows fluid communication between the service and a reserve vacuum reservoirs in an emergency situation; junction box 67; a first hydraulic flow valve 64 that directs hydraulic flow to the hydraulic vacuum pump 34 and an emergency alarm 66 that alerts an operator to a low vacuum level.

[0079] FIG. 5 shows the location of first and second hydraulic switches 68, 70 that convert the hydraulic signal to an electronic signal, a second hydraulic flow valve 72 that directs auxiliary hydraulic fluid to the rotator circuit that includes a rotator activation valve 74, a rotator direction valve 76 and a rotator speed valve 78.

[0080] The operation of the vacuum lift attachment (10) will now be described. The vacuum lift attachment 10 is mounted to the stick of an excavator by means of the quick hitch coupling (16) and the auxiliary hydraulic lines (24) connected as per conventional hydraulic coupling to a hydraulic tool.

[0081] When hydraulically attached, the auxiliary hydraulic fluid first enters a two stage or bidirectional flow reducer. The flow from the second stage always supplies the vacuum pump drive. The surplus from the second stage is directed to the rotator directional control valves.

[0082] The vacuum pump has an output drive pulley that is used to drive an automotive type alternator. The alternator charges an on board battery that provides power to the PLC.

[0083] The PLC remains dormant or in sleep mode until it is actuated in response to a hydraulic signal in the auxiliary hydraulic lines in response to actuation of the auxiliary hydraulic system by an operator using the excavator's auxiliary hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic signals are converted to electronic signals by means of electro hydraulic pressure switches.

[0084] The operator turns the vacuum on by applying the auxiliary hydraulics. The green vacuum signal light 42 flashes showing that the vacuum is increasing. When the vacuum has reached the predetermined operating level, the green light 42wi11 show a solid colour. When the auxiliary hydraulic system is being used to operate the vacuum pump it is known as vacuum mode.

[0085] When the vacuum has built up, the PLC can be actuated to convert the mode of operation from vacuum mode to rotate mode. This is typically done by the operator giving two quick auxiliary hydraulic pulses (within one second). Rotate mode is indicated by amber light 50 turning on. Rotate mode is automatically cancelled by the PLC after four seconds of inaction.

[0086] The hydraulic rotator 18 can then be operated according to conventional activation of the auxiliary hydraulic system actuator of the excavator. The vacuum pad 20 can be rotated, lifted and lowered over an object to be lifted.

[0087] The vacuum pad 20 is lowered until the load sensor 36 is activated. Activation of the load sensor 36 shows that the vacuum pad 20 is in a vacuum seal position on the object or load. Further, the PLC is configured so that activation of the load switch automatically cancels rotate mode and reverts to vacuum mode.

[0088] The operator can then apply a hydraulic signal to control the PLC to cause the air valve(s) that direct vacuum to the vacuum pad 20 to open, thereby applying a vacuum. When the air valve(s) is opened and a vacuum is applied the blue vacuum applied light 44 will light up. The auxiliary hydraulics activates the vacuum pump 34 to build the vacuum in the system to the predetermined operating level. When this has been reached the green light 40 shows solid green. The auxiliary hydraulics lever can then be released; the operator should check the vacuum pad gauge 22 to ensure the vacuum level is stable prior to lifting the load.

[0089] When the load is lifted the load sensor 36 will be deactivated. The PLC is configured to automatically allow rotate mode to be activated as desired by the operator. The PLC is also configured such that after the load sensor 36 has been deactivated signalling that the load has been lifted, it is not possible for an operator to release the vacuum so as to avoid inadvertently closing the air valve(s) causing dangerous releasing of the load.

[0090] In order to release the load, the vacuum lift attachment (10) and load are lowered to a ground surface until the load switch indicator light 46 illuminates. The auxiliary hydraulics are applied so as to release the vacuum from the vacuum pad 20 by causing the PLC to send an electronic signal to close the air valve so as to isolate the vacuum reservoir from the vacuum pad 20. When the air valve(s) close, the blue vacuum applied indicator light 46 will turn off. The operator should check that the vacuum pad gauge 22 reads zero before lifting away from the load.

[0091] After the vacuum lift attachment (10) has unloaded, it will automatically shut down after about 2 minutes of inaction.

[0092] It will be appreciated that the vacuum lift attachments as disclosed herein provide a number of advantages over current vacuum lift attachments. Further, the vacuum lift attachment can be controlled entirely from the work machine's existing hydraulic circuit, instead of a separate remote control or hard wired control. This makes operation much simpler. Further, the ability to use a quick hitch coupler has significant advantages in terms of productivity optimisation of machine time, costs and the like.

[0093] Providing the rotator below the body means that the body does not rotate. This ensures that the signals 28 are always in the same place relative to the work station for easy view by an operator. Further, the auxiliary hydraulic lines are connected to the body in a fixed manner and there is no need to worry about the hydraulic connections being damaged during rotation (this is a common problem with hydraulic rotators).

[0094] The vacuum pump has a vacuum on demand capability that can extend pump life, is quieter, and uses less fuel and less pollution.

[0095] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention as disclosed and claimed herein without departing from the spirt and scope thereof.