Boom assembly

Abstract

A boom assembly for a machine is provided. The boom assembly comprises a mount, a boom, and a linear actuator. The boom comprises an upper end configured to be connected to an arm, a lower end that is pivotably connected to the mount about a mount-boom pivot, an actuator attachment point located between the upper end and the lower end of the boom, and a bifurcated portion of the boom comprising two legs. The bifurcated portion extends between the actuator attachment point and the lower end of the boom. The linear actuator comprises a first end that is pivotably connected to the mount about a mount-actuator pivot, and an opposing second end that is pivotably connected to the boom at the actuator attachment point. The linear actuator is connected between the boom and the mount in a plane normal to an axis of rotation of the boom about the mount-actuator pivot, wherein the plane extends between the two legs of the boom.

1 . A boom assembly for a machine, the boom assembly comprising a mount, a boom, and a linear actuator,
 the boom comprising:   an upper end configured to be connected to an arm;   a lower end that is pivotably connected to the mount about a mount-boom pivot;   an actuator attachment point located between the upper end and the lower end of the boom; and   a bifurcated portion of the boom comprising two legs, the bifurcated portion extending between the actuator attachment point and the lower end of the boom, and   the linear actuator comprising:   a first end that is pivotably connected to the mount about a mount-actuator pivot; and   an opposing second end that is pivotably connected to the boom at the actuator attachment point,   wherein the linear actuator is connected between the boom and the mount in a plane normal to an axis of rotation of the boom about the mount-actuator pivot, wherein the plane extends between the two legs of the of the boom.   
     
     
         2 . The boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 an external width of the bifurcated portion of the boom in a direction of the axis of rotation of the boom is greater than a width of the upper end of the boom in the direction of the axis of rotation of the boom.   
     
     
         3 . The A boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the linear actuator is connected between the mount and the boom such that the linear actuator extends between the two legs of the bifurcated portion of the boom.   
     
     
         4 . The A boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the mount-actuator pivot is provided below the mount-boom pivot such that lowering the upper end of the boom causes the linear actuator to contract.   
     
     
         5 . The A boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the mount-actuator pivot is provided above the mount-boom pivot such that lowering the upper end of the boom causes the linear actuator to extend.   
     
     
         6 . The A boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the two legs of the bifurcated portion of the boom extend along the boom at least: 50, 60, 70, or 80% of the distance along the boom between the mount-boom pivot and the actuator attachment point.   
     
     
         7 . The boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a stiffening member is provided between the two legs to partially close a region of the bifurcated portion between the two legs towards the lower end of the boom.   
     
     
         8 . The boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 only one linear actuator configured to control the rotational position of the boom is connected between the mount and the boom.   
     
     
         9 . The boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the linear actuator is a hydraulic linear actuator or an electromechanical linear actuator.   
     
     
         10 . The boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each leg of the bifurcated portion comprises a box section extending along the boom.   
     
     
         11 . The boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the two legs of the bifurcated portion of the boom extends along the boom beyond the actuator attachment point such that the actuator attachment point is provided between the two legs of the bifurcated portion.   
     
     
         12 . The boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the two legs of the bifurcated portion of the boom join together at a point along the boom between the bifurcated portion of the boom and the actuator attachment point.   
     
     
         13 . The boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the two legs of the bifurcated portion of the boom extend to the mount-boom pivot such that each leg is pivotably connected to the mount.   
     
     
         14 . The boom assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the two legs of the bifurcated portion of the boom join at a point along the boom towards the lower end such that the lower end of the boom is pivotably connected to the mount-boom pivot by a single pivotable connection.   
     
     
         15 . The machine comprising the boom assembly of  claim 1 .