Mechanism that Continuously Adjusts a Drum Position
In one aspect of the invention, a degradation machine comprises motorized vehicle supported by a plurality of translation elements. A rotary degradation drum is attached to the vehicle. At least one device provides a subsurface boundary profile. An adjustment mechanism continuously adjusts a drum position to maintain a distance of the drum from the subsurface boundary profile.
1 . A degradation machine, comprising:
a motorized vehicle supported by a plurality of translation elements;
a rotary degradation drum attached to the vehicle;
at least one device that provides a subsurface boundary profile, and
an adjustment mechanism that continuously adjusts a drum position to maintain a distance of the drum from the subsurface boundary profile.
2 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment arm that is in communication with an axle of the drum.
3 . The machine of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment arm comprises multiple layers of piezoelectric material.
4 . The machine of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment arm comprises multiple layers of magnetostrictive material.
5 . The machine of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment arm comprises multiple layers of electrostrictive material, conducting polymers, dielectric elastomers, or combinations thereof.
6 . The machine of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment arm comprises a linear screw actuator.
7 . The machine of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment arm comprises a hydraulic system comprising a piston connected to the axle of the drum.
8 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein the machine is a road milling machine.
9 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein the machine is mining machine.
10 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein an axle of the drum is substantially normal to an underside of the machine.
11 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein an axle of the drum is substantially parallel to an underside of the machine.
12 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one device is a ground penetrating radar.
13 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one device is a GPS mounted on the machine.
14 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one device is a remote database with the subsurface boundary knowledge.
15 . The machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one device is an acoustic sensor mounted in front of the machine.
16 . A method of continuously adjusting a rotary degradation drum position of a motorized vehicle comprising the steps of:
providing a degradation drum attached to a degradation machine;
determining a subsurface boundary profile;
and continuously adjusting the depth of cut to maintain a distance of the drum from the subsurface boundary profile by an adjustment mechanism.
17 . The machine of claim 16 , wherein the subsurface boundary is a boundary of a coal or mineral seam.
18 . The machine of claim 16 , wherein the subsurface boundary is a boundary between layers of pavement.
19 . The machine of claim 16 , wherein torque applied to the drum continuously changes with respect to the depth of cut.
20 . The machine of claim 16 , wherein the adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the drum to maintain a distance above the reference, below the reference or combinations thereof.