GB1590321A

GB1590321A - Mining apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB1590321A
Application number: GB1955677A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Current assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Priority date: 1977-05-10
Filing date: 1977-05-10
Publication date: 1981-05-28
Also published as: DE2819802A1

Description

(54) MINING APPARATUS (71) We, COAL INDUSTRY (PA TENTS) LIMITED, a company organised in accordance with the laws of Great Britain of Hobart House, Grosvenor Place, London, S.W.1X 7AE, England, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to mining apparatus.

In particular, the invention has reference to such apparatus for supporting and transporting auxiliary mining equipment in an underground mine, for example a coal mine.

Modern mining methods require a considerable amount of auxiliary equipment for the machinery employed on a mineral face.

For example, hydraulic power packs for hydraulically operable self-advancing powered face supports have to be provided as do items of electrical apparatus such as switchgear and transformers. It is the general practice to locate such equipment in the gate roads leading to the mineral face. It will be understood that as the advance of the face into the mineral seam proceeds, an advance in the disposition of the auxiliary equipment is also necessary in order that the utility supplies for the face are maintained.

It will be appreciated that on a retreating face, the equipment will be required to retreat with the face.

Also located in at least one of the gate roads is generally a conveyor assembly known in the art as a stage loader which extends intermediate the face conveyor and the main conveyor, and this conveyor assembly is movable to compensate for the advance of the face to ensure continuity in the conveying line for mineral won on the face for transport outbye.

Both the auxiliary equipment and the above described conveyor assembly are of considerable weight and thus present difficulty in achieving the advance required.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide mining apparatus which facilitates the support and transport of auxiliary mining equipment.

Accordingly, the invention provides mining apparatus including a frame assembly for supporting auxiliary mining equipment, roller means on the assembly for engaging a conveyor structure and for enabling the assembly to be movable in relation to the structure when the structure is stationary, lifting means mounted on the assembly for lifting the assembly to a raised position, and engagement means on the assembly for engaging the structure such as to enable the structure to be moved in relation to the assembly when the assembly is stationary in the raised position.

The frame assembly conveniently includes at least two bridge units interconnected by support members, which in use serve as a base support for auxiliary mining equipment, the bridge units in use bridging the conveyor structure and incorporating the lifting means which are advantageously in the form of double-acting fluid-operable jacks. Each bridge unit is provided with at least two jacks, one located on each side of the unit.

The roller means on the assembly for engaging a conveyor structure and for enabling the assembly to be movable in relation to the structure conveniently comprises wheels which engage the structure which in turn may be provided with rails for the wheels.

The engagement means on the assembly may conveniently include idler wheels enageable with a track provided on the conveyor structure.

The mining apparatus may be provided with drive means for moving the frame assembly in relation to the conveyor structure and moving the structure in relationnto the assembly. The drive means may be a rack and pinion arrangement.

Such drive means may be in the form of haulage apparatus similar to that disclosed in our British Patent Specification No. 1 291 427, each hydraulically actuated ram being attachable at one end to the bridge units of the frame assembly and attached at the other end to separate track-engaging means for releasably engaging a track extending along the path of the frame assembly. The track is conveniently that provided for engagement by the idler wheels of the engagement means.

By way of example only, one embodiment of mining apparatus according to the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing a conveyor structure; Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus; and Figure 3 is an end elevation of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a mining apparatus includes a frame assembly depicted generally by the reference numeral 1.

The assembly 1 comprises two bridge units 2 interconnected by base supports which serve as supports for auxiliary equipment such as switchgear 6 or a transformer 7 shown in ghosted outline in Figure 1. Each bridge unit 2 includes a trunnion 8 to which is pivotally connected one end of a jack 10 carrying at its relatively lower end, as seen in Figure 1, a shoe 12 which is pivotally attached thereto. The jack 10 and trunnion 8 are located within a housing 14 provided with a removable cover plate 16.

Also mounted on limbs 19, 21 of bridge unit 2 are two wheels 18, 20 engageable with rails 22, 24 respectively provided on upstanding sides 26, 28 of a conveyor structure 30, comprising a plurality of pans 31. The wheel 18 has double flanges as at 32 to provide a positive guide as between the frame assembly 1 and the structure 30.

Engagement means in the form of idler wheels 34 are also rotatably mounted on limbs 19, 21 of the bridge units 2. Further idler wheels 36 are provided on outrigger frames 38 which are attached to the assembly 1 and can be seen more clearly from Figure 2. The idler wheels 34, 36 are so arranged as to be capable of engaging the undersides of tracks 40, 42 attached to the upstanding sides 26, 28 of the conveyor structure 30.

The frame assembly 1 may be articulatedly attached to a similar assembly as at 50 and for this purpose connectors are provided at 52 on cross beam 54 of the bridge unit 2.

In use, generally in a mine roadway leading to a mineral face, the frame assembly 1 is positioned straddling the conveyor structure 30 as can be seen from Figure 1 and more particularly Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the frame assembly 1 rests on the conveyor structure through the agency of the wheels 18, 20 engaging the rails 22, 24, the jacks 10 being retracted clear of the floor 60. The assembly 1 and thus the auxiliary equipment can be moved relative to the conveyor structure 30 and such movement is facilitated by the wheels 18, 20. If it is desired to move the structure 30 in relation to the assembly 1, the jacks 10 are pressurised and extended within the shoes in position 12 as shown in Figure 1 and 3. A suitable control valve (not shown) is provided in a fluid supply line (not shown) and the source of pressure fluid may itself be supported by the assembly 1.The extension of jacks 10 first causes the base supports 4 to rise together with the bridge units carrying the wheels 18, 20, to relieve the structure 30 of the loading of the assembly 1 and the equipment. Upon further extension the idler wheels 34, 36 engage beneath the tracks, 40, 42 and thereafter elevate the structure 30 above the floor 60. The structure 30 may now be moved on the wheels 34, 36 to any new desired position. Once repositioning has been effected the jacks 10 can be retracted to their original position as shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 3.

The mining apparatus of the present invention therefore provides a relatively simple and yet effective means supporting and transporting auxiliary equipment and for facilitating the advance of a conveyor structure with which the apparatus is normally associated in use.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Mining apparatus including a frame assembly for supporting auxiliary mining equipment, roller means on the assembly for engaging a conveyor structure and for enabling the assembly to be movable in relation to the structure when the structure is stationary, lifting means mounted on the assembly for lifting the assembly to a raised position, and engagement means on the assembly for engaging the structure such as to enable the structure to be moved in relation to the assembly when the assembly is stationary in the raised position.

2. Mining apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame assembly includes at least two bridge units interconnected by support members adapted in use to serve as a base support for auxiliary mining equipment.

3. Mining apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the bridge units are adapted to bridge the conveyor structure and incorporate the lifting means.

4. Mining apparatus as claimed in claim

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. assembly in relation to the conveyor structure and moving the structure in relationnto the assembly. The drive means may be a rack and pinion arrangement. Such drive means may be in the form of haulage apparatus similar to that disclosed in our British Patent Specification No. 1 291 427, each hydraulically actuated ram being attachable at one end to the bridge units of the frame assembly and attached at the other end to separate track-engaging means for releasably engaging a track extending along the path of the frame assembly. The track is conveniently that provided for engagement by the idler wheels of the engagement means. By way of example only, one embodiment of mining apparatus according to the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing a conveyor structure; Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus; and Figure 3 is an end elevation of Figure 1. Referring to the drawings, a mining apparatus includes a frame assembly depicted generally by the reference numeral 1. The assembly 1 comprises two bridge units 2 interconnected by base supports which serve as supports for auxiliary equipment such as switchgear 6 or a transformer 7 shown in ghosted outline in Figure 1. Each bridge unit 2 includes a trunnion 8 to which is pivotally connected one end of a jack 10 carrying at its relatively lower end, as seen in Figure 1, a shoe 12 which is pivotally attached thereto. The jack 10 and trunnion 8 are located within a housing 14 provided with a removable cover plate 16. Also mounted on limbs 19, 21 of bridge unit 2 are two wheels 18, 20 engageable with rails 22, 24 respectively provided on upstanding sides 26, 28 of a conveyor structure 30, comprising a plurality of pans 31. The wheel 18 has double flanges as at 32 to provide a positive guide as between the frame assembly 1 and the structure 30. Engagement means in the form of idler wheels 34 are also rotatably mounted on limbs 19, 21 of the bridge units 2. Further idler wheels 36 are provided on outrigger frames 38 which are attached to the assembly 1 and can be seen more clearly from Figure 2. The idler wheels 34, 36 are so arranged as to be capable of engaging the undersides of tracks 40, 42 attached to the upstanding sides 26, 28 of the conveyor structure 30. The frame assembly 1 may be articulatedly attached to a similar assembly as at 50 and for this purpose connectors are provided at 52 on cross beam 54 of the bridge unit 2. In use, generally in a mine roadway leading to a mineral face, the frame assembly 1 is positioned straddling the conveyor structure 30 as can be seen from Figure 1 and more particularly Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the frame assembly 1 rests on the conveyor structure through the agency of the wheels 18, 20 engaging the rails 22, 24, the jacks 10 being retracted clear of the floor 60. The assembly 1 and thus the auxiliary equipment can be moved relative to the conveyor structure 30 and such movement is facilitated by the wheels 18, 20. If it is desired to move the structure 30 in relation to the assembly 1, the jacks 10 are pressurised and extended within the shoes in position 12 as shown in Figure 1 and 3. A suitable control valve (not shown) is provided in a fluid supply line (not shown) and the source of pressure fluid may itself be supported by the assembly 1.The extension of jacks 10 first causes the base supports 4 to rise together with the bridge units carrying the wheels 18, 20, to relieve the structure 30 of the loading of the assembly 1 and the equipment. Upon further extension the idler wheels 34, 36 engage beneath the tracks, 40, 42 and thereafter elevate the structure 30 above the floor 60. The structure 30 may now be moved on the wheels 34, 36 to any new desired position. Once repositioning has been effected the jacks 10 can be retracted to their original position as shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 3. The mining apparatus of the present invention therefore provides a relatively simple and yet effective means supporting and transporting auxiliary equipment and for facilitating the advance of a conveyor structure with which the apparatus is normally associated in use. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Mining apparatus including a frame assembly for supporting auxiliary mining equipment, roller means on the assembly for engaging a conveyor structure and for enabling the assembly to be movable in relation to the structure when the structure is stationary, lifting means mounted on the assembly for lifting the assembly to a raised position, and engagement means on the assembly for engaging the structure such as to enable the structure to be moved in relation to the assembly when the assembly is stationary in the raised position.

4. Mining apparatus as claimed in claim

3 wherein the lifting means are in the form of double-acting fluid-operable jacks.

5. Mining apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein each bridge unit is provided with at least two jacks.

6. Mining apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the roller means comprises wheels engageable with rails provided on the conveyor structure.

7. Mining apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagement means on the frame assembly include idler wheels engageable with a track provided on the conveyor structure.

8. Mining apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein in use actuation of the lifting means causes the idler wheels to engage the track thereby to elevate the conveyor structure.

9. Mining apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein drive means are provided for effecting relative movement between the frame assembly and the conveyor structure.

10. Mining apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the drive means includes a rack and pinion arrangement.

11. Mining apparatus as claimed in claim 9, when dependent upon claim 2 or any claim appendant thereto, wherein the drive means is in the form of haulage apparatus according to U.K. Patent No. 1 291 427 whereby each hydraulically actuated ram is attachable at one end to the bridge units of the frame assembly and attached at the other end to separate track-engaging means for releasably engaging a track extending along the path of the frame assembly.

12. Mining apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.