GB2123457A

GB2123457A - Excavating machine

Info

Publication number: GB2123457A
Application number: GB08220050A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard James Wootton; Stephen John Rose
Original assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Current assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
Priority date: 1982-07-09
Filing date: 1982-07-09
Publication date: 1984-02-01
Also published as: GB2123457B

Abstract

An excavating machine (1) for forming underground roadways (3) comprises a rigid frame (4) capable of being releasably anchored in a roadway and cutter carrying means (17) mounted for movement with respect to the frame (4), such movement being transverse to the longitudinal axis of the roadway. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Excavating machines This invention relates to excavating machines for forming underground roadways.

In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to excavating machines for forming roadways at face ends in underground mines.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mining machine capable of providing stable anchorage for a boom mounted rotary cutter enabling a relatively accurate roadway profile to be formed, the machine tending to provide improved and safer working conditions in the vicinity of the machine and greater operating efficiency.

According to the present invention, an excavating machine for forming an underground roadway comprises a rigid frame provided with hydraulic jack means for releasably anchoring the frame in the roadway, and cutter carrying means movably supported by the frame for movement relatively to the frame in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the roadway.

Preferably, the cutter carrying means is movably supported for movement relatively to the frame in a direction extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roadway.

Preferably, the cutter carrying means are slidably mounted on the frame.

Advantageously, the cutter carrying means are slid relatively to the frame under the action of hydraulic rams.

Conveniently, the hydraulic jack means provide feed means for the frame.

Alternatively, or in addition, the hydraulic jack means provide roof engaging canopy means.

Preferably, the cutter carrying means comprises a body slidably mounted with respect to the frame and a rotary shaft component supported by the body, the rotary axis of the shaft component substantially extending along the longitudinal axis of the roadway.

Preferably, the body comprises one body component slidably mounted in a slideway extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the roadway and a further body component slidably mounted in a slideway extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roadway.

Preferably, the frame defines a passageway for mine operators travelling along the roadway.

By way of example, three embodiments of excavating machines constructed in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows diagrammatically an incomplete, partly sectioned side elevation of a first embodiment of an excavating machine; Figure 2 shows diagrammatically an incomplete front end elevation of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows diagrammatically an incomplete front end elevation of an excavating machine constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows diagrammatically an incomplete, partly sectioned side elevation of an excavating machine constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention: and Figure 5 shows diagrammatically an incomplete front end elevation of Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 to 2 of the drawings, the first embodiment of excavating machine 1 is shown excavating rock or mineral from a working face 2 to extend an elongate, underground roadway 3 having a generally semi-circular crosssection as seen in Figure 2 and supported by arch beams 15 set at spaced intervals along the length of the roadway which may constitute a main communication tunnel or a service roadway to a longwall face in an underground mine.

The excavating machine comprises a rigid main frame 4 of a generally inverted "U" shape form as seen in Figure 2 with an outwardly extending flange 5 positioned at the leading end of the main frame to contact the mine roof 6 as will be explained later in the specification. The downwardly extending limbs of the main frame are provided with hydraulic jacks 7 constituting Pontoon feet for engaging the roadway floor 8.

A stay unit 9 having a generally inverted "U" shape form somewhat similar to that of the main frame is situated at the rear of the main frame.

The downwardly extending limbs of the stay unit are provided with floor engaging feet 10. A roof engaging canopy 11 is supported on hydraulic jacks 12 extending upwardly from the stay unit frame. The stay unit is connected to the machine's main frame by hydraulic machine advancing rams 13.

The machine 1 also includes cutter carrying means comprising a body having one body component 14 slidably mounted with respect to the main frame in generally horizontal slideways 1 6 provided on the main frame, the slideways 1 6 extending transverse to the roadway's longitudinal axis. The body further comprises a second body component 17 slidably mounted with respect to the main frame in a further generally horizontal slideway 1 8 provided on the body component 14, the further generally horizontal slideway extending substantially parallel to the roadway's longitudinal axis.

Movement of the body components 14 and 17 along the associated slideways is controlled under the action of hydraulic rams (not shown).

The body component 1 7 provides a rotary mounting for a rotary shaft assembly 1 9 supporting a boom 20 for pivotal movement about the shaft assembly axis 21, the axis 21 being arranged substantially co-axial with the roadway's longitudinal axis.

The boom 20 carries three rotary cutter heads or drums 22, 23 and 24 having cutter picks arranged to cut rock or mineral from the working face. In Figure 1 the outline of the boundary cutting picks are indicated at 25. The cutter heads are rotated about the axes 21,27, 28, respectively by a drive motor 30 carried by the body component 17, the drive gearing being mounted within the shaft assembly and boom.

The shaft assembly is rotated about its axis 21 by hydraulic drive means (not shown) provided on the body component 1 7. In operation, rotation of -the shaft assembly pivots the radially extending boom 20 about the shaft assembly axis 21 such that the rotating cutters excavate rock or mineral from the working face to leave a curved roadway roof profile suitable for close contact by the pre loaded arch beam 1 5 set on stilts 31.

The method of setting arches is outlined in our prior published patent specification GB 2 042 020A. Specially designed stilts 31 enable the arch beams to be raised by the action of hydraulic jacks in order to engage the roadway roof and thereby preload the beams. This can be done at any time after initial assembly of the beams.

In the installation shown in Figures 1 and 2, the roadway floor 8 is formed by a mineral winning machine (not shown) working in advance of the roadway forming machine 1. Thus, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 the cutters 22, 23, 24 are required to excavate rock or mineral only from the ripping lip, i.e. the working face 2.

In operation, the machine 1 is advanced along the roadway floor 8 until flange 5 is positioned between the uppermost members of the two most recently erected arch beams the former of which, together with all previous beams, is pre loaded. The machine is advanced under the action of the advancing rams 13 which are anchored by the stay unit 9, the rams 12 of the stay unit being extended such that the roof canopy 11 is urged to engage the mine roof. When the machine is advanced to the required position the jacks 7 which during the advance had been retracted, are extended to urge the upwardly extending flange 5 firmly into contact with the mine roof and permanent support lagging thereby anchoring the machine's main frame 4 in position within the roadway.Once the main frame is anchored the ram 12 is retracted and the stay unit 9 is advanced and reset to the mine roof.

The machine operator next checks that the rotational axis 21 of the shaft assembly is substantially co-axial with the roadway's desired longitudinal axis. If any misalignment is found the aforementioned rams are activated to urge the body component 14 along the transversely extending slideways 16.

Once the machine is aligned with axis 21 co axial with the roadway's longitudinal axis, the aforementioned rams are activated to urge the body component 17 along the longitudinally extending slideways 18. This sliding movement continues until the rotating cutter heads 22, 23, 24 are sumped fully into the working face. The boom 20 then is pivoted about the axis 21 such that the rotating cutters excavate all the working face constituting the ripping lip.During the sumping and traversing cutting actions the machine remains firmly anchored in the roadway enabling the cutting profile formed to be accurately determined to suit the profile of the arch beams 1 5. Thus, the arch beams canbe preloaded to the cut profile by the action of the stilts 31 tending to give early and efficient support to the adjacent rock strata.

As seen in Figure 2, the main frame provides an unobstructed passage 40 through the machine for mine operators and for supplies to the longwall face. If required a roadway conveyor for conveying cut mineral from the longwall face could be installed in the passage 40.

In addition to the provision of accurately controlled and efficient cutting the machine according to the present invention lends itself to installation in a service roadway adjacent to a longwall face, the anchored machine frame lending itself to the accommodation of well known face conveyor gearhead or debris pack forming equipment associated with longwall face ends.

Upon the cutters 22, 23, 24 finishing one traverse of the working face 2 or a required number of incremental advances, a new arch beam is installed adjacent to the working face providing rapid cover from the newly exposed roadway profile. As soon as the new arch beam is erected and lagged the previously erected arch beam situated immediately ahead of flange 5 is preloaded by activating its stilts 31. Flange 5 is then lowered by retracting rams 7 to enable the main frame 4 to be advanced. The advancing rams 13 are activated to advance the machine towards the newly exposed working face, the body component 17 previously being withdrawn along the slideways 1 8 so as not to impede advancement.As previously explained, when the machine is advanced and flange 5 urged into contact with the new lagging and roof, the stay unit 9 is released, advanced and reset to the mine roof before cutting operation recommence.

Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of excavating machine capable of excavating rock or mineral from a working face extending to the mine floor. The rigid boom 20 of the previously described embodiment is replaced by an articulated boom assembly 200, 201, the two boom components 200, 201 being pivotable about axes 21 and 202, respectively. Also, the three cutter head formation of the previously described embodiment is replaced by a single rotary cutter head 204 mounted on the end of the boom component 201. The same reference numbers are used for similar items to those described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

As illustrated in Figure 3, with the boom components 200, 201 fully extended the cutter 204 is able to cut the extreme corners of the mine floor. With the cutter in one extreme corner the mine floor is formed by traversing the cutter horizontally across the floor, the two boom components first folding about the pivotal axis 202 and then unfolding about the same axis.

During the traversing, the boom component 200 pivots about the shaft assembly axis 21.

Figures 4 and 5 show a third embodiment of the present invention in which the main frame 300 of the machine is floor mounted, the feet of the frame being provided with ski runners 301.

The frame is releasably anchored in the roadway by the action of upwardly directed hydraulic jacks 229 arranged to urge a roof engagirig canopy 302 into engagement with the roof.

The third embodiment of machine comprises a body assembly having one body component 314 slidably mounted with respect to the main frame.

The body component 314 is slidably mounted on slideway 31 8 extending longitudinally along the roadway. The body assembly also comprises a further body component 317 slidably mounted along slideways 316 provided on the first mentioned body component 314 and extending transversely across the roadway. Transverse sliding of the body component 317 is controlled under the action of a hydraulic ram 306. Sliding movement of the body component 314 along the slideway 318 is controlled under the action of hydraulic means (not shown).

The body component 317 supports a shaft assembly 320 rotatable about its axis 321 under the action of a hydraulic drive (not shown), the forward end of the shaft assembly 320 carrying a pivotally mounted, forwardly extending boom 330. Pivotal movement of the boom 330 about axis 331 is controlled under the action of rams 332. A rotary cutter head 335 is mounted on the leading end of the boom.

Advancement of the machine is similar to that previously described with reference to first described embodiment, floor mounted double acting advancing rams 333 being connected between stay unit 319 and the machine.

The machine shown in Figure 4 and 5 is suitable for excavating rock or mineral from a ripping lip or from a roadhead face extending to the mine floor. As with the previously described embodiments the machine of Figure 4 and 5 forms the curved roof profile by the boom rolling about the axis 321.

The body 317 can be aligned by using a laser beam sighted along the axis of the roadway, the cutter position being suitably adjusted by use of the horizontal slideway.

In other embodiments of the machine an upwardly directed stabilising flange similar to the aforementioned flange 5 is provided adjacent to the rear of the machine frame.

Further embodiments provide additional face end equipment or attachment points to be incorporated on the main frame of the machines.

This additional equipment may include hydraulically operated forepoling, debris handling and/or packing equipment, scaffolding, ventilation ducting and/or cable handling.

The main machine also can provide a firm anchorage point from which to advance other mining equipment.

Claims

1. An excavating machine for forming an underground roadway comprising a rigid frame provided with hydraulic jack means for releasably anchoring the frame in the roadway, and cutter carrying means movably supported by the frame for movement relatively to the frame in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the roadway.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the cutter carrying means is movably supported for movement relatively to the frame in a direction extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roadway.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2, in which the cutter carrying means are slidably mounted on the frame.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, in which the cutter carrying means are slid relatively to the frame under the action of hydraulic rams.

5. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the hydraulic jack means provide feed means for the frame.

6. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which hydraulic jack means provide roof engaging canopy means.

7. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the cutter carrying means comprises a body slidably mounted with respect to the frame and a rotary shaft component supported by the body, the rotary axis of the shaft component substantially extending along the longitudinal axis of the roadway.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 7, in which the body comprises one body component slidably mounted in a slideway extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the roadway and a further body component slidably mounted in a slideway extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roadway.

9. An excavating machine for forming an underground roadway, substantially as described herein and substantially as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 3 or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 8, in which the frame defines a passageway for mine operators travelling along the roadway.

10. An excavating machine for forming an underground roadway, substantially as described herein and substantially as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 3 or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on

7.1.83 Superseded claims 1. 7, 8, 9, 10 New or amended claims:-- (Filed on 7.1.83)

1. A roadway excavating machine for forming a generally semi-circular cross-section underground roadway comprising a rigid frame provided with hydraulic jack means for releasably anchoring the frame in the roadway, and cutter carrying means movably supported by the frame for movement relatively to the frame in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the roadway, the cutter carrying means comprising a body slidably mounted with respect to the frame and a rotary component supported by the body, the rotary axis of the rotary component substantially extending along the longitudinal axis of the roadway, in use a rotary cutter carried by the rotary component is arranged to cut at least a portion of the generally semi-circular crosssection upon the rotary component being rotated about its axis.

7. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body comprises one body component slidably mounted in a slideway extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the roadway and a further body component slidably mounted in a slideway extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roadway.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 7, in which the frame defines a passageway for mine operators travelling along the roadway.