Fluid conveyance system for earthmoving machine

Abstract

An earthmoving machine includes a frame, a boom, an elongated member, an attachment, a conduit, and a reel. The frame supports a fluid source. The boom includes a first end coupled to the frame and a second end opposite the first end. The elongated member is movably coupled to the boom and includes a first end and a second end. The attachment is coupled to the second end of the elongated member. The conduit is in fluid communication with the fluid source and conveys fluid between the fluid source and the attachment. The reel supports at least a portion of the conduit. The reel is rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the elongated member moves relative to the boom.

1 . An earthmoving machine comprising:
 a frame supporting a fluid source;   a boom including a first end coupled to the frame and a second end opposite the first end;   an elongated member movably coupled to the boom, the elongated member including a first end and a second end;   an attachment coupled to the second end of the elongated member;   a conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source, the conduit conveying fluid between the fluid source and the attachment; and   a reel supporting at least a portion of the conduit, the reel being rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the elongated member moves relative to the boom.   
     
     
         2 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment includes a hydraulic actuator coupled to the elongated member, the conduit providing fluid to the hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment includes a bucket pivotably coupled to the second end of the elongated member, the hydraulic actuator pivoting the bucket relative to the elongated member. 
     
     
         4 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 1 , wherein the boom includes a shipper shaft extending transversely through the boom, the elongated member engaging the shipper shaft such that rotation of the shipper shaft drives the elongated member for translational movement relative to the boom. 
     
     
         5 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 4 , wherein the reel is driven by rotation of the shipper shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 5 , further comprising a transmission including at least one gear driven by the rotation of the shipper shaft and thereby causing rotation of the reel. 
     
     
         7 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 1 ,
 further comprising a rotary union including a stationary portion and a rotating portion in fluid communication with the stationary portion, the rotating portion being coupled to the reel;   wherein the conduit includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion providing fluid communication between the fluid source and the stationary portion of the rotary union, the second portion providing fluid communication between the rotating portion of the rotary union and the attachment.   
     
     
         8 . An earthmoving machine comprising:
 a frame supporting a fluid source and a boom;   a handle movably coupled to the boom for translational and rotational movement relative to the boom, the handle including a first end and a second end;   an attachment coupled to the second end of the handle;   a rotary union including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion stationary relative to the boom and in fluid communication with the fluid source, the second portion in fluid communication with the first portion and movable relative to the first portion;   a conduit in fluid communication with the second portion of the rotary union and extending between the second portion of the rotary union and the attachment; and   a reel supporting at least a portion of the conduit, the reel being rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the handle moves relative to the boom.   
     
     
         9 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 8 , further comprising a hydraulic actuator coupled between the attachment and the handle, the conduit providing fluid communication between the rotary union and the hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment includes a bucket pivotably coupled to the second end of the handle, the hydraulic actuator pivoting the bucket relative to the handle. 
     
     
         11 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 8 , further comprising a shipper shaft extending transversely through the boom, the handle engaging the shipper shaft such that rotation of the shipper shaft drives the handle for translational movement relative to the boom. 
     
     
         12 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 11 , wherein the reel is driven by rotation of the shipper shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The earthmoving machine of  claim 12 , further comprising a transmission including at least one gear for transmitting rotation of the shipper shaft to rotation of the reel. 
     
     
         14 . A fluid conveyance system for an earthmoving machine, the earthmoving machine having a frame supporting a fluid source and a boom, an elongated member movably coupled to the boom and having a first end and a second end, and an attachment coupled to the second end of the elongated member, the fluid conveyance system comprising:
 a rotary union including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion stationary relative to the boom and in fluid communication with the fluid source, the second portion in fluid communication with the first portion and movable relative to the first portion;   a conduit for providing fluid to a portion of the attachment, the conduit in fluid communication with the second portion of the rotary union; and   a reel supporting at least a portion of the conduit and being coupled to the second portion of the rotary union, the reel being rotatable to reel in and pay out the conduit as the elongated member moves relative to the boom.   
     
     
         15 . The fluid conveyance system of  claim 14 , wherein the reel is adapted to be driven by a shipper shaft that drives the elongated member for translational movement relative to the boom. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid conveyance system of  claim 14 , further comprising a transmission adapted to drive the reel, the transmission including at least one gear for rotating the reel. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid conveyance system of  claim 16 , wherein the transmission includes an input gear driven by rotation of the shipper shaft, a spur gear engaging the input gear, and a ring gear coupled to the reel and engaging the spur gear, rotation of the ring gear causing rotation of the reel. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid conveyance system of  claim 16 , wherein the transmission includes an input gear driven by rotation of the shipper shaft, at least one planet gear engaging the input gear and revolving around the input gear, and a carrier supporting the at least one planet gear and coupled to the reel, wherein revolution of the at least one planet gear causes rotation of the carrier and the reel. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid conveyance system of  claim 16 , wherein the transmission includes a first shaft coupled to the shipper shaft and a second shaft coupled to the reel, the first shaft having a pinion engaging a first gear, the first gear being coupled to a second gear that rotates the second shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid conveyance system of  claim 14 , further comprising a second conduit extending between the fluid source and the first portion of the rotary union and being adapted to provide fluid communication therebetween. 
     
     
         21 . The fluid conveyance system of  claim 14 , wherein the reel defines a surface for supporting the conduit, the rotary union including a channel extending between the second portion of the rotary union and the surface, the channel providing fluid communication between the second portion of the rotary union and the conduit.