Rotary mixer and system and method thereof

Abstract

A rotor assembly includes a generally cylindrical rotor having a drive end and a bearing end opposite to the drive end. The rotor is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotor assembly further includes a transmission contained substantially within the rotor at the drive end. The transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft offset from the input shaft. The output shaft is operatively coupled to the rotor and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the rotor. The rotor assembly further includes a bearing assembly contained substantially within the rotor at the bearing end. The rotor assembly has a mounting axis and a bearing axis offset from the mounting axis. The bearing assembly further has a rotatable bearing operatively coupled to the rotor and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the rotor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotary mixer comprising:
 a frame;   a drive train journaled within a drive train housing pivotably mounted to the frame;   a bearing housing pivotably mounted to the frame;   a generally cylindrical rotor having a drive end and a bearing end opposite the drive end, the rotor being rotatable about a longitudinal axis;   a transmission contained substantially within the rotor at the drive end and having an input shaft operatively coupled to the drive train and having an output shaft, offset from the input shaft, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the rotor and wherein the output shaft is operatively coupled to the rotor; and   a bearing assembly contained substantially within the rotor at the bearing end and having a mounting axis and a bearing axis, offset from the mounting axis,   wherein the bearing assembly is fixedly mounted around the mounting axis to the bearing housing, and   wherein the bearing assembly has a rotatable bearing coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the rotor and operatively coupled to the rotor.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary mixer of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission is adapted to operate at one of a first predetermined speed and a second predetermined speed. 
     
     
         3 . The rotary mixer of  claim 1  further comprising a mixing chamber coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounding the rotor. 
     
     
         4 . The rotary mixer of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of traction units configured to support the frame on a ground surface. 
     
     
         5 . The rotary mixer of  claim 1  further comprising an engine mounted on the frame and operatively coupled to the drive train. 
     
     
         6 . The rotary mixer of  claim 1  further comprising a means for varying the height of the rotor above or below a ground surface. 
     
     
         7 . The rotary mixer of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor is provided with a plurality of cutting tools. 
     
     
         8 . The rotary mixer of  claim 1 , wherein the drive train housing and the bearing housing are attached to hydraulic cylinders, the hydraulic cylinders are coordinated to raise and lower each of the drive train housing and the bearing housing together. 
     
     
         9 . A rotor assembly for a rotary mixer, the rotor assembly comprising:
 a generally cylindrical rotor having a drive end and a bearing end opposite the drive end, the rotor being rotatable about a longitudinal axis;   a transmission contained substantially within the rotor at the drive end and having an input shaft and an output shaft, offset from the input shaft, wherein the output shaft is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the rotor and wherein the output shaft is operatively coupled to the rotor; and   a bearing assembly contained substantially within the rotor at the bearing end and having a mounting axis and a bearing axis, offset from the mounting axis,   wherein the bearing assembly has a rotatable bearing coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the rotor and operatively coupled to the rotor.   
     
     
         10 . The rotor assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the transmission is adapted to operate at one of a first predetermined speed and a second predetermined speed. 
     
     
         11 . The rotor assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a mixing chamber coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounding the rotor. 
     
     
         12 . The rotor assembly of  claim 9  further comprising an engine mounted on a frame and operatively coupled to the drive train 
     
     
         13 . The rotor assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of traction units configured to support the frame on a ground surface. 
     
     
         14 . The rotor assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a drive train journaled within a drive train housing pivotably mounted to the frame and a bearing housing pivotably mounted to the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The rotor assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a means for varying the height of the rotor above or below a ground surface. 
     
     
         16 . The rotor assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the drive train housing and the bearing housing are attached to hydraulic cylinders, the hydraulic cylinders are coordinated to raise and lower each of the drive train housing and the bearing housing together. 
     
     
         17 . A rotary mixer, comprising:
 a frame;   an engine mounted on the frame;   a drive train journaled within a drive train housing pivotably mounted to the frame and operatively coupled to the engine;   a bearing housing pivotably mounted to the frame;   a generally cylindrical rotor having a drive end and a bearing end opposite the drive end, the rotor being rotatable about a longitudinal axis;   a transmission contained substantially within the rotor at the drive end and having an input shaft operatively coupled to the drive train and having an output shaft, offset from the input shaft, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the rotor and wherein the output shaft is operatively coupled to the rotor;   a mixing chamber coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounding the rotor;   a means for varying a height of the rotor above or below a ground surface; and   a bearing assembly contained substantially within the rotor at the bearing end and having a mounting axis and a bearing axis, offset from the mounting axis,   wherein the bearing assembly is fixedly mounted around the mounting axis to the bearing housing, and   wherein the bearing assembly has a rotatable bearing coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the rotor and operatively coupled to the rotor.   
     
     
         18 . The rotary mixer of  claim 17 , wherein the transmission is adapted to operate at one of a first predetermined speed and a second predetermined speed. 
     
     
         19 . The rotary mixer of  claim 17 , wherein the rotor is provided with a plurality of tools. 
     
     
         20 . The rotary mixer of  claim 17 , wherein the drive train housing and the bearing housing pivot on a common axis.