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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-30 Filed 04/12/24 Page 1 of 9 PagelD #: 34228
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`EXHIBIT 30
`EXHIBIT 30
`
`

`

`USOO8408659B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Busley et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8.408,659 B2
`*Apr. 2, 2013
`
`(54) CONSTRUCTION MACHINE, IN
`PARTICULAR ROAD MILLING MACHINE,
`RECYCLER OR STABILIZER, AS WELLAS
`DRIVE TRAIN FOR CONSTRUCTION
`MACHINES OF THIS TYPE
`
`(75) Inventors: Peter Busley, Linz/Rhein (DE); Dieter
`Simons, Buchholz (DE)
`(73) Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH (DE)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/985,400
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 6, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2011 FOO95594 A1
`Apr. 28, 2011
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 1 1/918,247, filed as
`application No. PCT/EP2006/060907 on Mar. 21,
`2006, now Pat. No. 7,891,742.
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(30)
`
`Apr. 15, 2005 (DE) ......................... 10 2005 O17754
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`EOIC 23/088
`(52) U.S. Cl. ...................................................... 299/.39.1
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 299/36.1,
`299/.39.1 41.1
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,779,608 A 12/1973 Hatcher et al.
`3,796.462 A
`3, 1974 Staab
`4,929, 121 A
`5/1990 Lent et al.
`4,934,978 A
`6/1990 Arzberger et al.
`5,378,080 A
`1/1995 Dickson
`5,383,743 A
`1/1995 Swisher, Jr.
`5,809,985 A
`9/1998 Kingsley et al.
`7,891,742 B2 *
`2/2011 Busley et al. ................ 299/.39.1
`2004/0021364 A1
`2/2004 Busley et al.
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`606626 A5 11, 1978
`CH
`10031195 C1
`1, 2002
`DE
`O305658 A1
`3, 1989
`EP
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — John Kreck
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Waddey & Patterson, P.C.;
`Lucian Wayne Beavers
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A construction machine, in particular road milling machine,
`recycler or stabilizer, with a machine frame (4) that is carried
`by a chassis (2) with a working drum (6) and a drive train (8)
`comprising at the least a drive engine (10), a traction mecha
`nism (12) for the mechanical drive of the working drum (6)
`with a drive element, an output element and a traction element
`(30), a device (14) for switching the torque between the drive
`engine (10) and working drum (6), and device (16) for driving
`at least one hydraulic pump; it is provided that elements of the
`drive train (8) are divided into at least two groups, the first
`group (3) shows at least the drive engine (10), the second
`group (5) shows at least the drive element (11) of the traction
`mechanism, and where the first and the second groups (3,5)
`are connected to one another via an articulated coupling
`device (20).
`
`21 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-30 Filed 04/12/24 Page 2 of 9 PageID #: 34229
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-30 Filed 04/12/24 Page 3 of 9 PageID #: 34230
`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-30 Filed 04/12/24 Page 3 of 9 PagelD #: 34230
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
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`US 8,408,659 B2
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` Fig.1
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 2, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
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`US 8.408,659 B2
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`
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-30 Filed 04/12/24 Page 4 of 9 PageID #: 34231
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`Fig.4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 2, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 8.408,659 B2
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-30 Filed 04/12/24 Page 5 of 9 PageID #: 34232
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`

`

`US 8,408,659 B2
`
`1.
`CONSTRUCTION MACHINE, IN
`PARTICULAR ROAD MILLING MACHINE,
`RECYCLER OR STABILIZER, AS WELLAS
`DRIVE TRAIN FOR CONSTRUCTION
`MACHINES OF THIS TYPE
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 1 1/918,247 entitled “Construction Machine. In
`Particular Road Milling Machine, Recycler Or Stabilizer, As
`Well AS Drive Train For Construction Machines Of This
`Type', of Busley et al., filed Oct. 11, 2007, which is a U.S.
`National Stage filing of PCT/EP2006/060907 having an
`international filing date of Mar. 21, 2006, which claims pri
`ority to DE 102005017754.9 filed Apr. 15, 2005.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`The invention provides in an advantageous manner that the
`elements of the drive train are divided into at least two groups,
`that the first group shows, i.e. includes, at least the drive
`engine, the second group shows at least the drive element of
`the traction mechanism, and that the first and the second
`group are connected to one another via an articulated cou
`pling device. Dividing the drive train into two groups makes
`it possible to support the groups of the drive train with differ
`ent degrees of rigidity on the machine frame for the purpose
`of reducing the transmission of vibrations from the drive
`engine to the machine frame. The articulated coupling device
`between the first and the second group is capable of balancing
`the different vibrational behavior of the first group and the
`second group due to its articulation, without impeding a high
`transmission of power.
`In conclusion, this means that the Support of the combus
`tion engine, possibly with further elements of the drive train,
`in the first group may be considerably softer than the Support
`of the elements of the drivetrain accommodated in the second
`group, which are to be attached to the machine frame in an as
`stiff manner as possible or in a rigid manner.
`The first group with the drive engine is attached to the
`machine frame elastically with low spring stiffness that
`damps the vibrations from the drive engine for the purpose of
`reducing the transmission of vibrations to the machine frame,
`and the second group is attached to the machine frame with
`high spring stiffness or in a rigid manner.
`Dividing the drive train into two groups makes it possible
`to achieve in an advantageous manner that, on the one hand,
`the one group that comprises the drive engine, preferably a
`combustion engine, is Supported in a relatively soft manner at
`the machine frame, by way of which the vibrations from the
`drive engine that are transmitted to the machine frame are
`damped considerably, and that, on the other hand, the other
`group can be supported at the machine frame with high spring
`stiffness in a nearly rigid or rigid manner, by way of which
`higher forces are Supported and higher outputs are transmit
`table as a result. In doing so, the first and the second group,
`which are attached to the machine frame with different
`degrees of rigidity, are connected to one another via an articu
`lated coupling device so that a slight dynamic axle offset
`and/orangular error of the output shaft of the first group with
`the drive engine is permissible vis-a-vis the drive shaft of the
`Second group.
`In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first
`group comprises at least the drive engine and the device for
`driving at least one hydraulic pump, and the second group
`comprises the device for Switching the torque and/or the
`Support of a drive element of the traction mechanism on the
`drive side, preferably a belt drive. In this embodiment, the
`drive engine is coupled in a rigid manner with the device for
`driving the at least one hydraulic pump, and is Supported
`together with that device elastically vis-a-vis the machine
`frame.
`The second group shows the device for Switching the
`torque, by means of which the power flow can be interrupted,
`and/or the support of the drive element of the traction mecha
`nism on the drive side. This second group may be attached to
`the machine frame in a rigid or at least nearly rigid manner.
`This embodiment offers the advantage that the device for
`driving the at least one hydraulic pump, which also generates
`vibrations, can be supported together with the drive engine,
`preferably a combustion engine, in a soft manner in the first
`group of the drive train. This embodiment offers the addi
`tional advantage that, in spite of the drive train for the milling
`drum being disengaged, the hydraulic Supply of the machine
`is ensured when the drive engine is running. Those elements
`
`The invention concerns a construction machine, in particu
`lara road milling machine, a recycleror a stabilizer, as well as
`a drive train for construction machines of this type.
`Construction machines of this type are known, for instance,
`from DE 10031195 C1. The construction machine for work
`ing ground Surfaces shows a chassis that carries a machine
`frame. A working drum is driven mechanically by a drive train
`that comprises a drive engine, a pump transfer case, a clutch
`and a belt drive. The direct mechanical drive of the working
`drum, which consists of a milling drum, can be engaged or
`disengaged again by means of the clutch.
`The Support of the drive engine must be designed in a very
`stiffmanner, as this is also the support for the belt pulley of the
`belt drive on the drive side relative to the machine frame. It is
`understood that a coaxial, rigidly Supported arrangement of
`the shafts connecting the elements of the drive train is
`required and that, with regard to the belt drive, a rigid, track
`aligned arrangement of the belt pulley on the drive side and on
`the output side is a basic requirement for the functional per
`formance and long life of such a belt drive. A soft, elastic
`support is not feasible in particular for the reason that the belt
`pulley on the drive side is Supported in a cantilevered manner.
`This means that the two Supporting points of the Support are
`located on one side of the belt pulley, with the belt pulley itself
`projecting freely on that side that lies opposite the Support.
`Supporting the belt pulley on both sides is not desired
`because of the transport width of the machine that has to be
`adhered to. The stiff support of the drive train is disadvanta
`geous in that vibrations from the drive engine are transmitted
`to the machine frame to a greater extent. The vibrations are
`not only unpleasant for the machine operator, in the form of
`the vibrations transmitted to him, but impair the working
`conditions because larger flat machine components like, for
`instance, hoods or tanks, are stimulated to Sound vibrations
`that are disturbing during the operation of the machine.
`The effort to increase the performance results in an
`increased space requirement for the drive engine that needs to
`be accommodated within the pre-determined fixed transport
`width.
`
`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-30 Filed 04/12/24 Page 6 of 9 PageID #: 34233
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The purpose of the invention is, therefore, to further
`develop a construction machine of the type first mentioned
`above, as well as a drive train for construction machines of
`that type, in such a manner that less vibrations from the drive
`engine are transmitted to the machine frame, with the drive
`train being Sufficiently rigid at the same time to be capable of
`transmitting high mechanical power.
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`US 8,408,659 B2
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`10
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`3
`of the drive train, however, that generate only slight vibrations
`are combined in the second group.
`In accordance with an alternative embodiment, it may be
`provided that the first group comprises at least the drive
`engine and the device for Switching the torque, and the second 5
`group comprises the device for driving at least one hydraulic
`pump and/or the Support of a drive element of the traction
`mechanism on the drive side.
`In accordance with yet another alternative embodiment, it
`is provided that the first group comprises at least the drive
`engine, and the second group comprises the device for driving
`the at least one hydraulic pump, as well as the device for
`Switching the torque and/or the Support of the drive element
`of the traction mechanism on the drive side.
`The articulated coupling device may be torsionally rigid. 15
`The articulated coupling device may, for instance, be a cardan
`shaft. Alternatively, the articulated coupling device may also
`be torsionally flexible and may, for instance, be an elasto
`meric coupling.
`The device for driving the at least one hydraulic pump and
`the device for Switching the torque, as well as the Support of
`the drive element of the traction mechanism on the drive side
`may form an entity that is jointly attached to the machine
`frame with high spring stiffness or in a rigid manner.
`The device for driving the at least one hydraulic pump may
`consist of a pump transfer case for several hydraulic pumps.
`The device for switching the torque is preferably arranged
`between the device for driving the at least one hydraulic pump
`and the drive element of the traction mechanism on the drive
`side.
`The transfer casing may show a gearbox casing with sev
`eral hydraulic pumps arranged at an outer circumference of
`the gearbox casing, the said hydraulic pumps being capable of
`being jointly driven by means of the transfer case. The
`hydraulic pumps project from the gearbox casing, pointing 35
`towards the drive engine or pointing away from the drive
`engine. The coupling device extends in the interior space of
`the gearbox casing that is free from hydraulic pumps. The
`arrangement of the coupling device in the free interior space
`of the gearbox casing enables a compact design.
`In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the coupling
`device permanently couples an output shaft of the drive
`engine with an input shaft of the device for driving the at least
`one hydraulic pump and/or an input shaft of the device for
`Switching the torque. The arrangement of the coupling device 45
`in the radially inner intermediate space of the gearbox casing,
`which is free from hydraulic pumps, enables a compact
`design of the drive train, both in that case in which the transfer
`case is a part of the first group, in which the hydraulic pumps
`point away from the drive engine, as well as in that case in 50
`which the transfer case forms the input element of the second
`group, in which the hydraulic pumps project in the direction
`of the drive engine.
`The coupling device permanently couples an output shaft
`of the drive engine, or of the first group, with an input shaft of 55
`the device for driving the at least one hydraulic pump, or an
`input shaft of the device for switching the torque, or of the
`Second group.
`
`4
`FIG.3 a third embodiment,
`FIG. 4 a fourth embodiment, and
`FIG. 5 a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 4.
`FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-section of a construction
`machine, and namely in particular a road milling machine, a
`recycler or a stabilizer with a working drum 6 that is sup
`ported in a machine frame 4. Alternatively, the working drum
`6 may be supported in a drum housing that is in turn firmly
`attached to the machine frame or may also be Supported to
`pivotata machine frame 4. The machine frame 4 is carried by
`a chassis that is not depicted in the drawings. The working
`drum 6 may consist of for instance, a milling drum. The
`working drum 6 of the construction machine is driven by a
`drive train 8 that shows at least the following elements:
`The drive train 8 includes a drive engine 10 that preferably
`consists of a combustion engine.
`A traction mechanism 12 for the mechanical drive of the
`working drum 6 shows a drive element 11 that is coupled in a
`non-rotatable manner with an output shaft 17, and an output
`element 13 that is coupled in a non-rotatable manner with the
`drive shaft 15 of the working drum 6. A planetary gear may
`additionally be arranged between the drive shaft 15 and the
`working drum 6.
`The traction mechanism 12 preferably is a belt drive where
`the drive and output elements 11, 13 consist of belt pulleys,
`with several drive belts 30 revolving around the said belt
`pulleys. Alternatively, the traction mechanism 12 may also
`consist of a chain drive, where the drive and output elements
`11, 13 then consist of the corresponding sprockets.
`The drive train 8 further shows a device for switching the
`torque 14, which is arranged in the drive train 8 between the
`drive engine 10 and the working drum 6 and preferably con
`sists of a clutch.
`The drive train 8 further includes a device 16 for driving
`hydraulic units, for instance, hydraulic pumps 18, where the
`said device 16 for driving hydraulic units is coupled with the
`drive engine 10.
`The entire drive train 8 is divided into at least two groups,
`with the first group showing at least the drive engine 10 and
`the second group showing at least the drive element 11 of the
`traction mechanism 12. The first and the second groups 3,5
`are connected to one another mechanically via an articulated
`coupling device 20. The articulated coupling device 20 trans
`mits the power supplied by a not depicted output shaft of the
`drive engine 10 to the second group 5 of the drive train 8.
`In FIG. 1, the first group comprises the combustion engine
`10 only, which is coupled with the second group 5 via the
`coupling device 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the second
`group 5 comprises the device 16 for driving at least one
`hydraulic pump 18, namely a pump transfer case, the clutch
`14 and the belt pulley 11 of the belt drive 12.
`The combustion engine 10 is attached to the machine frame
`4 by means of elastic spring/damping elements 22 showing
`low spring stiffness, in Such a manner that the vibrations
`occurring in particular in a combustion engine 10, as well as
`structure-borne Sound, are transmitted to the machine frame 4
`to the smallest possible extent.
`The second group 5, on the other hand, is attached to the
`machine frame 4 by means of spring/damping elements 24
`showing high spring stiffness, so that the second group 5 is
`attached to the machine frame 4 in a nearly rigid manner. The
`different manner of support or attachment of the first and the
`second groups 3,5 of the drive train 8 has the effect that, when
`in operation, the not depicted output shaft of the combustion
`engine 10 is not permanently in precise alignment with the
`also not depicted input shaft of the pump transfer case 16,
`with the articulated coupling device 20 balancing the
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`60
`
`In the following, embodiments of the invention are
`explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. The
`following is shown:
`FIG. 1 a first embodiment of the invention in the example 65
`of a road milling machine,
`FIG. 2 a second embodiment,
`
`

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`US 8,408,659 B2
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`50
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`dynamic misalignment occurring during operation without
`the flow of power in the drive train 8 being disturbed.
`Dividing the drive train and Supporting the components of
`the drive train 8 in a different manner achieves that consider
`ably less vibrations are transmitted from the combustion
`engine 10 to the machine frame 4. In this way, it is further
`prevented that larger flat machine components are stimulated
`to Sound vibrations that are disturbing during the operation of
`the machine.
`The articulated coupling device 20 may be torsionally
`rigid, and may consist of a cardan shaft.
`Alternatively, the articulated coupling device 20 may also
`be torsionally flexible, where the coupling device then con
`sists of an elastomeric coupling.
`FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment, in which the first
`group 3 comprises the combustion engine 10 and the pump
`transfer case 16. As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the pump
`transfer case 16 shows several hydraulic pumps 18 that axi
`ally project from the gearbox casing 26 of the pump transfer
`case 16, preferably in a circumferentially uniformly distrib
`uted manner.
`A spur gear is arranged inside the pump transfer case,
`which jointly drives the individual hydraulic pumps. The
`arrangement of the hydraulic pumps 18 results in a central
`free interior space 28 between the hydraulic pumps 18, in
`which the coupling device 20 may extend which serves to
`connect the first and the second groups 3,5 of the drive train
`8. This design of the pump transfer case 16 with a free interior
`space 28 enables the available space for arranging the drive
`train 8 across the width of the machine to be used in a better
`way, so that a more powerful combustion engine 10 can be
`used due to the space-saving arrangement of the components
`of the drive train 8.
`In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the pump transfer case 16 is
`also included in the first group, so that vibrations that might
`be coming from the pump transfer case can also be absorbed
`by the spring/damping element 22.
`The second group 5 is formed by the clutch 14 and the belt
`pulley 11 of the belt drive 12. By means of the coupling device
`20, the power of the combustion engine is first transmitted to
`the clutch 14 and then to the belt pulley 11.
`Insofar as the drive belts 30 and the second belt pulley 13,
`which serves as output element, are also part of the drive train
`8, it is to be stated that these are also supported rigidly vis-a-
`vis the machine frame 4, namely in that the second belt pulley
`13 is arranged on the drive shaft 15 of the working drum 6.
`In a further, not depicted variant of the embodiment of FIG.
`2, the pump transfer case 16 may be arranged on that side of
`the combustion engine 10 that lies opposite the coupling
`device 20, so that in this case the combustion engine 10 and
`the pump transfer case 16 also form the first group 3 of the
`drive train. This embodiment is advantageous when a good
`accessibility of the components of the drive train 8 is desired.
`In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the first group 3 of the drive
`train comprises the combustion engine 10 and the clutch 14.
`This embodiment also offers the advantage of a good usabil
`ity of the available width of the machine frame 4.
`FIGS.4 and 5 show an embodiment in which the first group
`3 of the drive train 8 is formed by the combustion engine 10
`that is coupled with the pump transfer case 16 via the coupling
`device 20. With the belt pulley 11 of the belt drive 12, the
`pump transfer case forms the second group 5 of the drive train
`8, which is Supported on the machine frame 4 in a rigid or
`nearly rigid manner.
`As can be seen from FIG. 5, the pump transfer case shows,
`for instance, six hydraulic pumps 18 that are arranged in a
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`circular manner and with, for instance, the same mutual dis
`tance to one another around the output shaft 17 of the second
`group 5 of the drive train 8.
`The clutch 14 is formed by the tensioning idler 32 of the
`belt drive 12, which can be actuated in the idling condition of
`the combustion engine 10. When the tensioning idler32 is in
`that position in which the drive belts 30 are tensioned, then the
`power of the combustion engine 10 can be transmitted to the
`working drum 6. When the tensioning idler 32 is swivelled
`against the direction of the arrow that can be seen in FIG. 5,
`then no power can be transmitted any longer, so that the
`tensioning device with the tensioning idler 32 can be used as
`a clutch.
`Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has
`been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be
`understood that minor variations may be made in the appara
`tus without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven
`tion, as defined by the appended claims.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method of operating a construction machine, the con
`struction machine including a machine frame carried by a
`chassis, a working drum, and a drive train, the drive train
`including at least a drive engine component, a traction drive
`component for driving the working drum, a clutch compo
`nent, and a hydraulic pump drive component, the method
`comprising:
`(a) driving a Subset of the components of the drive train
`from the drive engine component with an articulated
`coupling connected between the drive engine compo
`nent and the subset of the components, the subset includ
`ing at least the traction drive component for driving the
`working drum;
`(b) Supporting the drive engine component from the
`machine frame elastically with a first spring stiffness;
`and
`(c) Supporting the Subset of the components from the
`machine frame with a second spring stiffness, the second
`spring stiffness being relatively higher than the first
`spring stiffness.
`2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
`in step (a), accommodating movement of the drive engine
`component relative to the Subset of the components of
`the drive train by articulation of the articulated coupling.
`3. The method of claim 1, wherein:
`step (c) further comprises rigidly Supporting the Subset of
`the components from the machine frame.
`4. The method of claim 1, wherein:
`in step (a) the articulated coupling is torsionally rigid.
`5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
`in step (a), the articulated coupling comprises a cardan
`shaft.
`6. The method of claim 1, wherein:
`in step (a), the articulated coupling is torsionally flexible.
`7. The method of claim 6, wherein:
`in step (a), the articulated coupling comprises an elasto
`meric coupling.
`8. The method of claim 1, wherein:
`in step (a), the Subset of the components further includes
`the clutch component, and the hydraulic pump drive
`component, and wherein the traction drive component,
`the clutch component and the hydraulic pump drive
`component are jointly Supported as a combined Subset
`entity; and
`step (c) further comprises Supporting the combined Subset
`entity from the frame with the second spring stiffness.
`
`

`

`7
`9. The method of claim 1, wherein:
`in step (a), the subset of the components of the drive train
`further includes the clutch component and the hydraulic
`pump drive component, with the clutch component
`being located between the hydraulic pump drive com
`ponent and the traction drive component.
`10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
`operating the clutch component and thereby Switching on
`and off the torque from the drive engine component to
`the working drum.
`11. The method of claim 1, wherein:
`in step (a), the clutch component is connected to the drive
`engine component, and the articulated coupling is
`located between the clutch component and the subset of
`the components of the drive train.
`12. The method of claim 1, wherein:
`in step (a), the subset of the components of the drive train
`further includes the clutch component, and the articu
`lated coupling is connected between the hydraulic pump
`drive component and the Subset of the components.
`13. The method of claim 1, wherein:
`the traction drive component includes a drive pulley, a
`driven pulley attached to the work drum, and a drive belt
`connecting the pulleys.
`14. A construction machine, comprising:
`a machine frame carried by a chassis;
`a working drum;
`a drive train including at least the following elements:
`a drive engine;
`a traction drive assembly for mechanically driving the
`working drum, the traction drive assembly including a
`drive element, an output element, and a traction ele
`ment,
`a clutch for switching the torque between the drive
`engine and the working drum; and
`a hydraulic pump drive; and
`wherein the elements of the drive train are divided into at
`least a first Subset and a second Subset; and
`wherein the drive train further includes an articulated cou
`pling connecting the first Subset to the second Subset;
`40
`and
`
`30
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`8
`wherein the first subset includes at least the drive engine;
`and
`wherein the second subset includes at least one element
`Selected from the group consisting of:
`the hydraulic pump drive;
`the clutch; and
`the drive element of the traction drive assembly; and
`wherein the first subset is attached to the machine frame
`elastically with a lower spring stiffness so that transmis
`sion of vibrations to the machine frame is reduced, and
`the second subset is attached to the machine frame with
`a higher spring stiffness or in a rigid manner.
`15. The construction machine of claim 14, where:
`the second subset includes the hydraulic pump drive, the
`clutch, and the drive element of the traction drive assem
`bly; and
`the clutch is connected between the hydraulic pump drive
`and the drive element of the traction drive assembly.
`16. The construction machine of claim 14, wherein the
`articulated coupling is torsionally rigid.
`17. The construction machine of claim 14, wherein the
`articulated coupling includes a cardan shaft.
`18. The construction machine of claim 14, wherein the
`articulated coupling is torsionally flexible.
`19. The construction machine of claim 18, wherein the
`articulated coupling comprises an elastomeric coupling.
`20. The construction of claim 14, wherein:
`the first subset further includes the clutch.
`21. The construction machine of claim 14, wherein:
`the hydraulic pump drive includes:
`a gearbox casing having an outer circumference and
`having an interior space; and
`a plurality of hydraulic pumps arranged radially outward
`from the interior space so that the interior space is free
`from hydraulic pumps, the pumps projecting from the
`gearbox casing and pointing either towards or away
`from the drive engine; and
`the articulated coupling extends into the interior space of
`the gearbox casing.
`
`k
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`k
`
`k
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`k
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`k
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`US 8,408,659 B2
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`35
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW Document 369-30 Filed 04/12/24 Page 9 of 9 PageID #: 34236
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