SELF-SHARPENING GROUND ENGAGING TOOLS

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to ground engaging tools, such as bucket teeth, and in particular to ground engaging tool designs that include wear resistant materials within the ground engaging tools in strategic locations to maintain the shape of the tool and digging performance as it wears. The ground engaging tools incorporate strategically placed wear resistant materials shaped to promote and maintain a sharp profile for penetrating the working material throughout the life of the tool.

BACKGROUND

Earth moving machines tools known in the art are used for digging into the earth or rock and moving loosened work material from one place to another at a worksite. These machines and equipment typically include a body portion housing the engine and having rear wheels, tracks or similar components driven by the engine, and an elevated cab for the operator. The machines and equipment further include articulating mechanical arms or other types of linkages, such as Z-bar linkages, for manipulating one or more implements of the machine. The linkages are capable of raising and lowering the implements and rotating the implements to engage the ground or other work material in a desired manner. In the earth moving applications, the implements of the machines or other equipment are buckets provided with a beveled lip or blade on a base edge for moving or excavating dirt or other types of work material.

To facilitate the earth moving process, and to prolong the useful life of the implement, a plurality of tooth assemblies are spaced along the base edge of the implement and attached to the surface of the implement. The tooth assemblies project forward from the base edge as a first point of contact and penetration with work material, and to reduce the amount of wear of the base edge. With this arrangement, the tooth assemblies are subjected to the wear and breakage caused by repetitive engagement with the work material. Eventually, the tooth assemblies must be replaced, but the implement remains usable through multiple cycles of replacement tooth assemblies. Depending on the variety of uses and work material for the equipment, it may also be desirable to change the type or shape of the tooth assemblies to most effectively utilize the implement.

The implements as discussed may be used in a variety of applications having differing operating conditions. In loader applications, buckets installed on the front of wheel or track loaders have the bottom surfaces and base edges scrape along the ground and dig into the earth or pile of work material as the loader machine is driven forward. The forces on the tooth assembly as the bucket enters the pile push the tip into engagement with the corresponding adapter. The bucket is then raised and racked with the load of work material, and the loader moves and dumps the work material in another location. As the bucket is raised through the work material, force is exerted downwardly on the tooth assembly. With the combination of scraping and engagement with the work material, and in other types of bottom-wearing applications in which the bottom surface typically wears more quickly due to more frequent engagement with the work material, the wear material of the tip wears away from the front of the tip and from the bottom surface of the tip and adapter. The loss of wear material at the front of the tip converts the initially pointed front end of the tip into a rounded, blunt surface, similar to changing the hand from having extended fingers to having a closed fist. The worn-down shape is less efficient at digging through the work material as the loader moves forward, though the tip may still have sufficient wear material to be used on the implement for a time before replacement.

It is therefore desirable that such digging implements should exhibit high abrasion resistance and some ductility to be able to withstand the mechanical stresses such as impacts. Given that these two properties are difficult to match with the same material composition, composite wear components have been proposed in the past with a matrix made of relatively ductile alloy in which ceramic inserts of good wear resistance are embedded.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 8,999,518 B2 discloses a hierarchical composite material comprising a ferrous alloy reinforced with titanium carbide in the form of a grain aggregate infiltrated during the casting of the ferroalloy. The reinforcement structure is positioned on the face the most exposed to wear.

Document WO 2010/031663A1 relates to a composite impactor for percussion crushers, said impactor comprising a ferroalloy which is at least partially reinforced with titanium carbide according to a defined geometry on the most stressed face of the wear part.

Document WO 2019/211268A1 relates to a composite tooth for working the ground or rocks, said tooth having a ferrous alloy reinforced at least in part by an insert, said part reinforced by the insert making it possible, after in situ reaction, to obtain an alternating macro/microstructure of concentrated millimetric zones of micrometric globular particles of titanium carbides separated by millimetric zones substantially free of micrometric globular particles of titanium carbides, said concentrated zones of micrometric globular particles of titanium carbides forming a microstructure in which micrometric interstices between said globular particles are also occupied by said ferrous alloy, characterized in that said macro/microstructure generated by the insert is spaced by at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, from the distal surface of said tooth.

Various experiments have shown that the composition and the positioning of ceramics or elements in the reinforced wear parts are important features to be focused on, as typical approaches for such wear elements typically results in continued blunting of the tooth profile and therefore do not maintain the digging performance and efficiency throughout the life of the implement. Examples of the present disclosure are directed toward overcoming the deficiencies described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In examples, the systems and devices described herein may provide a ground engaging tool configured to attach to a digging bucket of a machine. The ground engaging tool includes a cast body formed of a cast material and having a proximal end including an interface for releasably coupling to the digging bucket, and a distal end having a first shape configured for digging into material. The tool also includes a preform cast within the cast body, the preform having a second shape corresponding with the first shape and sized to fit within the distal end, positioned within the distal end at a first depth from a surface of the distal end, and formed of a wear resistant material.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The preform may include a composite including at least one of tungsten carbide; titanium carbide; cemented carbide; ceramic oxide, or metallic borides. The preform may include at least one of a honeycomb, a lattice, or an arrangement of geometric shapes. The cast body has a first length from the distal end to the proximal end and defines a wear zone having a second length extending from the distal end towards the proximal end, the wear zone may include a portion of the ground engaging tool configured to wear away before replacement. A length of the preform is in a range of twenty to eighty percent of the second length. The wear zone has a first thickness may include a thickness of the cast body; and the preform has a second thickness less than the first thickness. The second thickness may be in a range of five to eighty percent of the first thickness. The preform defines a first portion may include the wear resistant material and a second portion configured to receive the cast material, the first portion may include in a range of twenty-five to seventy-five percent of a volume occupied by the preform.

In examples, the systems and devices described herein may provide a ground engaging tooth for a digging implement of a machine. The ground engaging tooth includes an adapter at a proximal end of the ground engaging tooth configured for attachment to an edge of a ground engaging implement. The tooth also includes a ground engaging tip at a distal end of the ground engaging tooth, where the ground engaging tooth has a cast body component having a first profile from the proximal end to the distal end. The tooth includes a preform cast within the cast body, where the preform has a second profile corresponding with the first profile, is sized to fit within the ground engaging tip at a first depth, and is formed of a wear resistant material.

In examples, the systems and devices described herein provide a ground engaging tooth for a digging implement. The ground engaging tooth is formed of a body including an adapter at a proximal end of the ground engaging tooth configured for attachment to an edge of a ground engaging implement and a ground engaging tip at a distal end of the ground engaging tooth. The ground engaging tooth includes a cast body component having a first profile from the proximal end to the distal end. The tooth also includes a preform cast within the cast body, where the preform has a second profile corresponding with the first profile, is sized to fit within the ground engaging tip at a first depth, and is formed of a wear resistant material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items or features.

FIG. 1 illustrates a various machines having implements with ground-engaging teeth reinforced by preforms within the cast body of the teeth, according to at least one example.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a ground-engaging tooth having a preform cast therein, according to at least one example.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a ground-engaging tooth having a preform cast therein, according to at least one example.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a ground engaging tooth illustrating a range of thicknesses for an internally cast preform, according to at least one example.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a ground engaging tooth illustrating a range of thicknesses for an internally cast preform, according to at least one example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a ground engaging tooth illustrating a range of lengths for an internally cast preform, according to at least one example.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a ground engaging tooth illustrating a range of lengths for an internally cast preform, according to at least one example.

FIG. 8 illustrates a ground engaging tooth and example ranges of porosity for the internally cast preform, according to at least one example.

FIG. 9 illustrates a bar arrangement of preform material for casting within a ground engaging tooth, according to at least one example.

FIG. 10 illustrates a first honeycomb arrangement of preform material for casting within a ground engaging tooth, according to at least one example.

FIG. 11 illustrates a second honeycomb arrangement of preform material for casting within a ground engaging tooth, according to at least one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears.

FIG. 1 illustrates a various work machines 100 having implements with ground-engaging teeth 108 reinforced by preforms 112 within the cast body of the teeth, according to at least one example. The work machine 100 may embody a fixed or mobile machine that performs some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining, construction, farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. For example, the work machines 100 may include an earth moving machine such as an electric rope shovel 102A, a front-end loader 102B, an excavator 102C, a dozer, a loader, a backhoe, a motor grader, or any other earth moving machine.

The work machines 100 include buckets 104A, 104B, and 104C (collectively referred to as buckets 104). The buckets 104 are connected to a linkage system including, for example a boom and other linkages pivotally connected to a frame of the work machines 100. The buckets 104 are configured for scooping, digging, and engaging with material such as ground and include a cutting edge 106 having ground engaging teeth 108 connected to the buckets 104.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of ground engaging teeth 108 may be connected to the cutting edge 106 of the buckets 104. The ground engaging teeth 108 may also include surfaces along the cutting edge 106 as well as surfaces around a perimeter of an opening into the bucket, or other such surfaces. Each ground engaging tooth 108 includes an adapter 110 configured to engage the cutting edge 106 of the bucket 104. The ground engaging tooth 108 includes a preform 112 that is positioned within the ground engaging tooth 108 and is formed of a wear resistant material. Each ground engaging tooth 108 also includes a ground engaging tip 114 that endures the majority of the impact and abrasion caused by engagement with work material and wears down more quickly and breaks more frequently than the adapter 110. Consequently, multiple ground engaging teeth 108 may be worn down and replaced over a period of time.

In many instances, the ground engaging teeth 108 wear down or erode over a period of use, thereby necessitating periodic replacement. Replacement can occur on a regular basis, such as during regularly scheduled maintenance, or after a certain period of time, such as weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, etc. To ensure the full useful life of the ground engaging teeth 108 are utilized, thereby maximizing the economic value of each tooth, the ground engaging teeth 108 will remain sharp or pointed to efficiently penetrate into material for digging or other operations. The ground engaging teeth 108 described herein provide for teeth that remain sharp over the life of the ground engaging teeth 108 due to the shape and location of the preforms contained within the cast body, thereby ensuring that the ground engaging teeth 108 reach their full potential and use over their complete lifetime without dulling to the point of inhibiting production by the machine.

In particular, the ground engaging teeth 108 include wear resistant materials (e.g., carbides, borides, white iron, composites, tool steels, ceramics, recycled components, and other such materials) in strategic locations within the ground engaging teeth 108. The locations within the ground engaging teeth 108 may be determined based on wear simulations as well as based on promoting the ground engaging teeth to maintain their shape and sharpness for continued efficiency and performance throughout the life of the tooth. In examples, the shape of the preform 112 may be determined, as well as the location, to maintain digging performance as-new throughout the life of the tooth.

In examples, the ground engaging tooth 108 may be reinforced through brazing, plasma transferred arc welding, abrasion resistant materials, in-situ casting, and welding or laser cladding processes or any combination thereof. For example, through simulation of the wear on the ground engaging tooth 108, the locations where abrasion resistant material may be applied are identified and subsequently reinforced by adding the abrasion resistant material through one or more processes, either during formation of the body of the tooth or after the body is formed. In examples, a reinforcing wear resistant material may be applied to one or more external locations, and/or internal locations of a multi-part tooth, by brazing, welding, laser cladding, plasma transferred arc welding, or other such suitable permanent joining methods. In examples, the reinforcing wear resistant material, such as the preform 112 may be cast to a particular location within the body of the ground engaging tooth 108. The preform 112 has a particular shape and orientation within the body to ensure that the shape of the ground engaging tooth 108 maintains a sharp digging profile as the tooth wears through use.

In examples, the locations may be determined by performing a simulation of wear on the ground engaging tooth 108. In an example a computing device may be used to perform a simulation of wear on the ground engaging tooth 108 to simulate the wear and abrasion against the ground engaging tooth based on the type of tooth, shape of tooth, material and geometry, as well as the use and motion profile describing the arc or path of motion that the ground engaging tooth 108 takes through an abrasive material such as ground or dirt. The shape and configuration of the preform 112 is sized and shaped such that the ground engaging tooth 108 maintains a triangular and/or pointed profile rather than a blunted or rounded profile during use of the ground engaging tooth 108.

The preform 112 is formed of a wear resistant material such as a carbide, ceramic oxide, or other such material. In examples, the preform 112 may be formed of cemented tungsten carbide, tungsten, tungsten alloy, cemented carbide that is new or recycled, titanium carbide or other metallic carbides, ceramic oxides, metallic borides, and other such materials.

The preform 112 is positioned within the ground engaging tooth 108 such that the preform 112 can be located at the surface or subsurface of the ground engaging tooth 108. In examples, the preform 112 may be positioned in a range from on the surface to fifty millimeters beneath the surface of the ground engaging tooth 108. The preform 112 may be cast within the ground engaging tooth, such as within a cast steel body that may be formed of various steel alloys. The subsurface position of the preform 112 enables the ground engaging tooth 108 to maintain sharpness as the ground engaging tip 114 is blunted during use. The ground engaging tip 114 may have the material of the cast body that wears faster than the preform 112 and therefore during use, the preform 112 will maintain the shape and sharpness of the ground engaging tooth 108. The preform 112 may be cast within the ground engaging tooth 108 using static or centrifugal casting methods.

The geometry of the preform 112 may be generally shaped to maintain the sharp ground engaging tip 114. In examples, the preform 112 is positioned to avoid high stress locations within the ground engaging tooth 108, such as at and around the adapter 110 position where the ground engaging tooth 108 couples to the bucket 104. In this manner, the ground engaging tooth 108 may be reinforced and implement the wear resistant material without becoming brittle or risking breaking at or around the adapter 110. The high stress regions may include regions at or adjacent to stress concentration factors or zones such as corners, holes, openings, or other such features.

The preform 112 may include shapes such as bars, rods, grids, lattices, honeycombs, layers, sheets, triangles or other polygon shapes, or other varied geometry to contribute to the shape retention of the part. The placement of the preform 112 is determined to improve wear resistance without excessively reducing the strength or structural integrity of the component.

The preform 112 may occupy in a range of twenty to eighty percent of a wear zone of the ground engaging tooth 108. The wear zone may include a portion of the ground engaging tooth 108 that may be worn away or depleted before the ground engaging tooth 108 is replaced. In examples, the wear zone may include a portion from the ground engaging tip 114 along a length of the ground engaging tooth 108 that ends before reaching the adapter 110 and/or the high stress region adjacent the adapter 110. The preform 112 may cover in a range of twenty to eighty percent of a length of the wear zone. The preform 112 may cover a thickness in a range of five to eighty percent of the thickness of the wear zone. In examples, the preform 112 may have a profile that matches or corresponds to the shape of the ground engaging tooth 108, and in particular the wear zone thereof. In examples, the shape of the preform 112 may differ from the shape of the ground engaging tooth 108, for example based on a simulated wear pattern of the ground engaging tooth 108 over a lifetime of use to maintain the shape of the tooth including a sharp ground engaging tip 114.

Within the preform 112, the preform 112 may be formed of a material that is porous, or defines open areas to engage with the material of the cast body, and thereby integrate the preform 112 with the cast body. For example, the preform 112 may be formed of a carbide material that defines one or more openings or passages such that when cast within the body of the ground engaging tooth 108, the material of the cast body fills the one or more openings to integrally cast the preform 112 inside the cast body. In examples, the material of the preform 112 may be in a ratio of twenty-five to seventy-five percent of the material of the cast body for the ground engaging tooth 108.

In examples, the particle sizes of the material forming the preform 112 may be in a range of one to twelve millimeters in cross-section. This size range may enable the material of the cast body to engage with the particles of the preform 112 and secure the preform 112 and cast body into a single unified ground engaging tooth 108. The size of the particles for the preform 112 may also be sized to reduce or prevent dissolution of the material of the preform 112 during casting of the ground engaging tooth 108. The preform 112 may be composed of a material as described herein including carbides, metal oxides, oxides, and other such wear or abrasion resistant materials and a binder to maintain the shape of the preform 112 prior to and during casting of the ground engaging tooth 108.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates a side view and a top view of a ground-engaging tooth 200 having a preform cast therein, according to at least one example. The ground engaging tooth 200 may be an example of a section view of the ground engaging tooth 108 of FIG. 1. Though depicted herein having a regular triangular shape, the ground engaging tooth 108 and/or ground engaging tooth 200, or other ground engaging teeth described herein may have other shapes that may have regular or irregular geometric shapes or profiles based on particular use cases.

The ground engaging tooth 200 includes a base 202 at a distal end and a tip 204 at a proximal end of the ground engaging tooth 200. The ground engaging tooth 200 has an adapter 206 where the ground engaging tooth connects with a cutting edge of a bucket or other implement of a machine, as described herein. The adapter 206 is shown with a particular simplified geometry, through other shapes or geometry may be used for the ground engaging tooth 200. The adapter 206 is surrounded, at least partly, by high stress regions 208. The high stress regions 208 are associated with the adapter 206 and include areas such as areas of stress as a result of stress concentration factors from corners or openings as part of the adapter 206. The high stress regions of the ground engaging tooth 200 may be identified and determined based on simulation of the ground engaging tooth 200 during use. The simulation may be used to identify stresses that will occur during operation of the machine and stresses over a predetermined threshold may be used to identify the high stress regions 208. The high stress regions may be formed of a relatively elastic material, relatively elastic with respect to a material of a preform 210, that may be formed and shaped as described herein.

The preform 210 includes wear resistant materials (e.g., carbides, borides, white iron, composites, tool steels, ceramics, recycled components, and other such materials) in strategic locations within the ground engaging tooth 200. The locations within the ground engaging teeth 108 may be determined based on wear simulations as well as based on promoting the ground engaging teeth to maintain their shape and sharpness for continued efficiency and performance throughout the life of the tooth. In examples, the shape of the preform 210 may be determined, as well as the location, to maintain digging performance as-new throughout the life of the tooth.

In examples, the ground engaging tooth 200 may be reinforced through brazing, plasma transferred arc welding, abrasion resistant materials, in-situ casting, and welding or laser cladding processes or any combination thereof. For example, through simulation of the wear on the ground engaging tooth 200, the locations where abrasion resistant material may be applied are identified and subsequently reinforced by adding the abrasion resistant material through one or more processes, either during formation of the body of the tooth or after the body is formed. In examples, a reinforcing wear resistant material may be applied to one or more external locations, and/or internal locations of a multi-part tooth, by brazing, welding, laser cladding, plasma transferred arc welding, or other such suitable permanent joining methods. In examples, the reinforcing wear resistant material, such as the preform 210 may be cast to a particular location within the body of the ground engaging tooth 200. The preform 210 has a particular shape and orientation within the body to ensure that the shape of the ground engaging tooth 200 maintains a sharp digging profile as the tooth wears through use.

In examples, the location for the preform 210 may be determined by performing a simulation of wear on the ground engaging tooth 200. In an example a computing device may be used to perform a simulation of wear on the ground engaging tooth 200 to simulate the wear and abrasion against the ground engaging tooth based on the type of tooth, shape of tooth, material and geometry, as well as the use and motion profile describing the arc or path of motion that the ground engaging tooth 200 takes through an abrasive material such as ground or dirt. The shape and configuration of the preform 210 is sized and shaped such that the ground engaging tooth 200 maintains a triangular and/or pointed profile rather than a blunted or rounded profile during use of the ground engaging tooth 200.

The preform 210 is formed of a wear resistant material such as a carbide, ceramic oxide, or other such material. In examples, the preform 210 may be formed of cemented tungsten carbide, tungsten, tungsten alloy, cemented carbide that is new or recycled, titanium carbide or other metallic carbides, ceramic oxides, and metallic borides.

The preform 210 is positioned within the ground engaging tooth 200 such that the preform 210 may be subsurface of the ground engaging tooth 108. The preform 210 may be positioned such that surface 212 of the ground engaging tooth 200 has a thickness in a range of zero to fifty millimeters. For example, the preform 210 may reach a surface, as depicted with respect to preform 214, or may be positioned at a depth ranging from at the surface to fifty millimeters beneath the surface of the ground engaging tooth 200. The preform 210 may be cast within the ground engaging tooth 200, such as within a cast steel body that may be formed of various steel alloys. The subsurface position of the preform 210 enables the ground engaging tooth 200 to maintain sharpness as the tip 204 is blunted during use. The tip 204 may have the material of the cast body that wears faster than the preform 210 and therefore during use, the preform 210 will maintain the shape and sharpness of the ground engaging tooth 200. The preform 210 may be cast within the ground engaging tooth 200 using static or centrifugal casting methods.

The geometry of the preform 210 may be generally shaped to maintain the sharp shape of the tip 204. In examples, the preform 10 is positioned to avoid the high stress regions 208. In this manner, the ground engaging tooth 200 may be reinforced and implement the wear resistant material without becoming brittle or risking breaking at or around the adapter 206. The high stress regions 208 may include regions at or adjacent to stress concentration factors or zones such as corners, holes, openings, or other such features.

The preform 210 may include shapes such as bars, rods, grids, lattices, honeycombs, layers, sheets, triangles or other polygon shapes, or other varied geometry to contribute to the shape retention of the part. The placement of the preform 210 is determined to improve wear resistance without excessively reducing the strength or structural integrity of the component.

The preform 210 may occupy in a range of twenty to eighty percent of a wear zone of the ground engaging tooth 200. The wear zone may include the cross-hatched portion depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 and may include or define at least a portion of the ground engaging tooth 200 that may be worn away or depleted before the ground engaging tooth 200 is replaced. In examples, the wear zone may include a portion from the tip 204 along a length of the ground engaging tooth 200 that ends before reaching the adapter 206 and/or the high stress regions 208. The preform 210 may cover in a range of twenty to eighty percent of a length of the wear zone. The preform 210 may cover a thickness in a range of five to eighty percent of the thickness of the wear zone. In examples, the preform 210 may have a profile that matches or corresponds to the shape of the ground engaging tooth 200, and in particular the wear zone thereof. In examples, the shape of the preform 210 may differ from the shape of the ground engaging tooth 200, for example based on a simulated wear pattern of the ground engaging tooth 200 over a lifetime of use to maintain the shape of the tooth including a sharp shape of the tip 204.

Within the preform 210, the preform 210 may be formed of a material that is porous, or defines open areas to engage with the material of the cast body, and thereby integrate the preform 210 with the cast body. For example, the preform 210 may be formed of a carbide material that defines one or more openings or passages such that when cast within the body of the ground engaging tooth 200, the material of the cast body fills the one or more openings to integrally cast the preform 210 inside the cast body. In examples, the material of the preform 210 may be in a ratio of twenty-five to seventy-five percent of the material of the cast body for the ground engaging tooth 200.

In examples, the particle sizes of the material forming the preform 210 may be in a range of one to twelve millimeters in cross-section. This size range may enable the material of the cast body to engage with the particles of the preform 210 and secure the preform 210 and cast body into a single unified ground engaging tooth 200. The size of the particles for the preform 210 may also be sized to reduce or prevent dissolution of the material of the preform 210 during casting of the ground engaging tooth 200. The preform 210 may be composed of a material as described herein including carbides, metal oxides, oxides, and other such wear or abrasion resistant materials and a binder to maintain the shape of the preform 210 prior to and during casting of the ground engaging tooth 200.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a ground engaging tooth 400 illustrating a range of thicknesses for an internally cast preform, according to at least one example. The ground engaging tooth 400 may be an example of the ground engaging tooth 200 of FIG. 2 showing a range of thicknesses for the size and shape of the preform. The ground engaging tooth 400 includes the base 202, tip 204, and adapter 206 as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 herein.

The preform may have a shape that corresponds to a first shape 402, a second shape 404, or a shape in an intermediate position between the two. The preform having a first shape 402 may correspond to a scaled down shape of the ground engaging tooth 400. In an example, the first shape 402 may correspond to the tip portion (e.g., the portion of the ground engaging tooth 500 excluding the adapter 206) of the ground engaging tooth 400. In examples, the first shape 402 may be scaled to a range of between seventy-five and ninety-five percent of the size of the outside surface profile of the tip portion. The preform may be at or below the surface of the ground engaging tooth 400 as described herein. Accordingly, a first surface 406 and a second surface 408 that surround the preform having the first shape 402 may have a thickness that is equal or roughly equivalent. In some examples, the thickness of the first surface 406 may be greater than the thickness of the second surface 408 as a result of first surface 406 experiencing more wear than second surface 408. In examples, the thickness of the second surface 408 may be greater than the thickness of the first surface 406 if the wear pattern differs.

The first shape 402 has a first height 410 that may extend a distance of up to or around eighty percent of a height of the ground engaging tooth 400 at a base location of the first shape 402. In FIG. 4, the second shape 404 may have a second height 412 that is at or around twenty percent of the height of the ground engaging tooth 400 at the base of the preform (e.g., a proximal end of the preform). The preform may have a size in a range between the first height 410 and the second height 412. In examples, the length of the preform may remain unchanged between the first shape 402 and the second shape 404.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a ground engaging tooth 500 illustrating a range of thicknesses for an internally cast preform, according to at least one example. The ground engaging tooth 500 may be an example of the ground engaging tooth 200 of FIG. 3 showing a range of widths for the size and shape of the preform. The ground engaging tooth 500 includes the base 202, tip 204, and adapter 206 as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 herein.

The preform may have a shape that corresponds to a first shape 502, a second shape 504, or a shape in an intermediate position between the two. The preform having a first shape 502 may correspond to a scaled down shape of the ground engaging tooth 500. In an example, the first shape 502 may correspond to the tip portion (e.g., the portion of the ground engaging tooth 500 excluding the adapter 206) of the ground engaging tooth 500. In examples, the first shape 502 may be scaled to a range of between seventy-five and ninety-five percent of the size of the outside surface profile of the tip portion. The preform may be at or below the surface of the ground engaging tooth 500 as described herein. Accordingly, a first surface 506 and a second surface 508 that surround the preform having the first shape 502 may have a thickness that is equal or roughly equivalent. In some examples, the thickness of the first surface 506 may be greater than the thickness of the second surface 508. In examples, the thickness of the second surface 508 may be greater than the thickness of the first surface 506.

The first shape 502 has a first width 510 that may extend a distance of up to or around eighty percent of a width of the ground engaging tooth 500 at a base or proximal end location of the first shape 502. In FIG. 5, the second shape 504 may have a second width 512 that is at or around twenty percent of the width of the ground engaging tooth 500 at the base of the preform (e.g., a distal end of the preform). The preform may have a size in a range between the first width 510 and the second width 512. In examples, the length of the preform may remain unchanged between the first shape 502 and the second shape 504.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a ground engaging tooth 600 illustrating a range of lengths for an internally cast preform, according to at least one example. The ground engaging tooth 600 may be an example of the ground engaging tooth 200 of FIG. 2 and/or the ground engaging tooth 400 of FIG. 4 showing a range of lengths for the preform. The ground engaging tooth 600 includes the base 202, tip 204, and adapter 206 as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 2-5 herein.

The preform may have a shape that corresponds to a first shape 602, a second shape 604, or a shape in an intermediate position between the two. The preform having a first shape 602 and a second shape 604 may each correspond to a scaled down shape of the ground engaging tooth 600 having different lengths along a length of the ground engaging tooth 600. In an example, the first shape 602 and the second shape 604 may each correspond to the tip portion (e.g., the portion of the ground engaging tooth 600 excluding the adapter 206) of the ground engaging tooth 600. In examples, the first shape 602 and the second shape 604 may each be scaled to a range of between seventy-five and ninety-five percent of the size of the outside surface profile of the tip portion but have varying lengths. The preform may be at or below the surface of the ground engaging tooth 600 as described herein. Accordingly, a first surface 606 and a second surface 608 that surround the preform having the first shape 602 may have a thickness that is equal or roughly equivalent. In some examples, the thickness of the first surface 606 may be greater than the thickness of the second surface 608. In examples, the thickness of the second surface 608 may be greater than the thickness of the first surface 606.

The first shape 602 has a first length that may extend a distance of up to or around eighty percent of a length of a wear zone of the ground engaging tooth 600, such as a length between the tip 204 and the adapter 206. In FIG. 6, the second shape 604 may have a second length 612 that is at or around twenty percent of the length of the wear zone of the ground engaging tooth 600. The preform may have a size in a range between the first length 610 and the second length 612. In examples, the height and/or thickness of the preform may remain consistent with the profile of the preform between the first shape 602 and the second shape 604.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a ground engaging tooth 700 illustrating a range of lengths for an internally cast preform, according to at least one example. The ground engaging tooth 700 may be an example of the ground engaging tooth 200 of FIG. 3 and/or the ground engaging tooth 500 of FIG. 5 showing a range of lengths for the preform. The ground engaging tooth 700 includes the base 202, tip 204, and adapter 206 as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 2-6 herein.

The preform may have a shape that corresponds to a first shape 702, a second shape 704, or a shape in an intermediate position between the two. The preform having a first shape 702 and a second shape 704 may each correspond to a scaled down shape of the ground engaging tooth 700 having different lengths along a length of the ground engaging tooth 700. In an example, the first shape 702 and the second shape 704 may each correspond to the tip portion (e.g., the portion of the ground engaging tooth 700 excluding the adapter 206) of the ground engaging tooth 700. In examples, the first shape 702 and the second shape 704 may each be scaled to a range of between seventy-five and ninety-five percent of the size of the outside surface profile of the tip portion but have varying lengths. The preform may be at or below the surface of the ground engaging tooth 700 as described herein. Accordingly, a first surface 706 and a second surface 708 that surround the preform having the first shape 702 may have a thickness that is equal or roughly equivalent. In some examples, the thickness of the first surface 706 may be greater than the thickness of the second surface 708. In examples, the thickness of the second surface 708 may be greater than the thickness of the first surface 706.

The first shape 702 has a first length that may extend a distance of up to or around eighty percent of a length of a wear zone of the ground engaging tooth 700, such as a length between the tip 204 and the adapter 206. In FIG. 7, the second shape 704 may have a second length 712 that is at or around twenty percent of the length of the wear zone of the ground engaging tooth 700. The preform may have a size in a range between the first length 710 and the second length 712. In examples, the height and/or thickness of the preform may remain consistent with the profile of the preform between the first shape 702 and the second shape 704.

FIG. 8 illustrates a ground engaging tooth 800 and example ranges of porosity for the internally cast preform 804, according to at least one example. The ground engaging tooth 800 includes a cast body 802, a preform 804, and an adapter 806. The cast body, 802, preform 804, and the adapter 806 may be similar or identical to the elements of the ground engaging teeth described herein with respect to FIGS. 1-7. The ground engaging tooth 800 is illustrated with a first detail view 810 and a second detail view 816 showing examples of preform to cast material ratios within the preform after the preform is cast within the cast body 802.

In the first detail view 810, the preform 812 is illustrated as a hexagonal shape with the cast material 814 forming a honeycomb shape surrounding the preform 812. The preform 812 may be formed in a shape that is porous, or defines open areas to engage with the cast material 814, and thereby integrate the preform 812 with the cast material 814 in the cast body 802. For example, the preform 812 may be formed of a carbide material that defines one or more openings or passages such that when cast within the body of the ground engaging tooth 800, the material of the cast body fills the one or more openings to integrally cast the preform 812 inside the cast body 802.

In the second detail view 816, the preform 818 is similar to the preform 812 but occupies a smaller portion of the volume of the wear zone within the cast body 802. The preform 818 may be formed in a shape that is porous, or defines open areas to engage with the cast material 820, and thereby integrate the preform 818 with the cast material 820 in the cast body 802. For example, the preform 818 may be formed of a carbide material that defines one or more openings or passages such that when cast within the body of the ground engaging tooth 800, the material of the cast body fills the one or more openings to integrally cast the preform 818 inside the cast body 802. In examples, the material of the preform 812 and/or preform 818 may be in a ratio of twenty-five to seventy-five percent of the cast body 802 at the wear zone for the ground engaging tooth 800 with the cast material 814 and/or cast material 820 forming the balance of the volume.

In examples, the particle sizes of the material forming the preform 812 may be in a range of one to twelve millimeters in cross-section. This size range may enable the material of the cast body to engage with the particles of the preform 812 and secure the preform 812 and cast material 814 into a single unified ground engaging tooth 800. The size of the particles for the preform 812 may also be sized to reduce or prevent dissolution of the material of the preform 812 during casting of the ground engaging tooth 800. The preform 812 may be composed of a material as described herein including carbides, metal oxides, oxides, and other such wear or abrasion resistant materials and a binder to maintain the shape of the preform 812 prior to and during casting of the ground engaging tooth 800.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate example detail views of arrangements of preform material for casting within a cast material for forming a ground engaging tooth, such as the ground engaging tooth 800 of FIG. 8. In examples, the detail views of material may illustrate example geometries, but are not intended to be exhaustive of all potential geometries for the preforms, but instead are exemplary of different types of geometry that may be implemented for the preform within the cast body as described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates a bar arrangement 900 of preform material for casting within a ground engaging tooth, according to at least one example. The bar arrangement 900 includes preform material 902 arranged in rectangular bars having a thickness 906 with a spacing 904 between adjacent bars. In examples, the spacing 904 and the thickness 906 may be roughly equivalent. To increase a proportion of the preform material, the thickness 906 may be increased and/or the spacing 904 may be decreased. To decrease a proportion of the preform material, the thickness 906 may be decreased and/or the spacing 904 may be increased.

FIG. 10 illustrates a first honeycomb arrangement 1000 of preform material for casting within a ground engaging tooth, according to at least one example. The first honeycomb arrangement 1000 is shown with preform material 1002 in hexagons and cast material 1004 forming interstitial material between the preform material 1002. The first honeycomb arrangement 1000 includes the preform material 1002 having a diameter 1006 with the cast material 1004 filing a spacing 1008 between the preform material 1002. In examples, the preform material 1002 may occupy in a range of twenty-five to seventy-five percent of the wear volume of the ground engaging tooth. To increase a proportion of the preform material 1002, the diameter 1006 may be increased and/or the spacing 1008 may be decreased. To decrease a proportion of the preform material 1002, the diameter 1006 may be decreased and/or the spacing 1008 may be increased.

FIG. 11 illustrates a second honeycomb arrangement 1100 of preform material for casting within a ground engaging tooth, according to at least one example. The second honeycomb arrangement 1100 is shown with preform material 1102 forming interstitial space between open hexagons that may be filled by the cast material 1104. The second honeycomb arrangement 1100 includes the preform material 1002 having a thickness 1108 with the cast material 1104 filing a spacing between the preform material 1102. The diameter 1106 may define the size of the openings for the cast material 1104. In examples, the preform material 1102 may occupy in a range of twenty-five to seventy-five percent of the wear volume of the ground engaging tooth. To increase a proportion of the preform material 1102, the diameter 1106 may be decreased and/or the thickness 1108 may be increased. To decrease a proportion of the preform material 1102, the diameter 1006 may be increased and/or the thickness 1108 may be increased.

Reference was made to the examples illustrated in the drawings, and specific language was used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the technology is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the examples as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the description.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples. In the preceding description, numerous specific details were provided, such as examples of various configurations to provide a thorough understanding of examples of the described technology. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the technology may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, devices, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the technology.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure provides systems and components for ground engaging tools, such as bucket teeth, and in particular to ground engaging tools designs that include wear resistant materials within the ground engaging tools in strategic locations based on wear simulation to maintain the shape of the tool and digging performance as it wears. The ground engaging tools incorporate strategically placed wear resistant materials shaped to promote and maintain a sharp profile for penetrating the working material throughout the life of the tool.

By designing and forming the ground engaging teeth with the preform wear resistant materials within the body of the ground engaging tooth, the teeth maintain their shape, sharpness, and digging performance over the life of the ground engaging teeth, rather than becoming blunted and inefficient for digging operations throughout the life of the tool.

Downtime for machines associated with replacing ground engaging teeth reduces efficiency and productivity for machines, accordingly, maintaining the efficiency of the ground engaging teeth throughout their lifetime maintains digging efficiency and therefore prevents losses in production that result in wear on typical machines and ground engaging tools. In addition, during the lifetime of the teeth, the sharpness of the teeth is maintained, therefore improving digging efficiency and increasing production throughput and reducing downtime for machines.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.