GB462943A - Improvements in and relating to mining apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

462,943. Coalcutting machines. SULLIVAN MACHINERY CO. May 13, 1936, No. 13526. Convention date, May 23, 1935. [Class 68 (i)] [Also in Groups XXVI and XXX] In a coal-cutting machine adapted to cut a series of parallel slots in a coal seam and having dislodging means for breaking down the cores left between the slots as cutting progresses, the cutting means comprises a series of parallel, spaced, endless-chain cutters ; each cutter chain has two parallel series of cutters which cut narrow slots spaced relatively far apart. In Figs. 1 and 2, a skid plate 1 slidably supports a plate 6, Fig. 7, supporting a scraper-bar conveyer 9 and also, through four hydraulic rams 25, 36 and brackets 33 with spherical bearings 35 for self-adjustment, supporting the machine body 7 for vertical adjustment and tilting ; hydraulic rams 10 connect the plates 1, 6, for alternately advancing the machine and the skid plate, hydraulic rams 18 taking the weight of the machine and conveyer when the skid plate is to be advanced. Independent valves. are provided whereby any of the rams 18, 25, 36 may be cut off from the supply. A frame 67 secured to the front of the frame 7 pivotally supports at each side a frame 74 carrying superposed jibs 76, 77, 81 guiding endlesscutter chains 82, 83, 84 ; the chains are formed as described in Specification 454,043 so that each makes two spaced cuts and wedging rollers 94 break down the material between the cuts. Hydraulic rams 127 are pivotally connected to the machine frame 7 and to the cuttersupporting frames 74 for moving the latter angularly. The rear end of the driving motor 50 drives the conveyer 9 through bevel gearing 52, 53, Fig. 1, clutch 57 and chain 60 and also through bevel gear 139 drives a pump 137 in a tank 138 for supplying fluid to the rams. The forward end of the motor 50, drives the lowest cutter chains 84 through bevel gear 103, Fig, 12, clutches 110, 111, bevel gears 114, 115, 116 and sprockets 118 ; the upper cutter chains are driven from the lowest cutter chains through shafts 122, Fig. 13. The fluid supply is controlled by valves 143, 144, 145, Fig. 15, adapted to connect the rams to the supply pipe 140 or exhaust 148. In another form, Figs. 20 and 21, the machine and a supporting skid plate 201 are alternately advanced by hydraulic rams 212, rams 221 taking the weight of the machine during advance of the skid plate. The machine includes a gear housing 230 with lateral trunnions 231, Fig. 25, supporting arms 234 of a cutter frame built of a transverse channel 236, longitudinal vertical bars 238, an outer transverse semicircular guide bar 239 and top and bottom plates 240, 241, preferably welded together, the top plate having a rear curved guide lip 242. Four double cutter chains 247 pass round the cutter frame and comprise side plates 248 with cutters 251 for forming narrow slots, and lateral wedge cutters 253 and breaking means 255 for breaking down the coal between the slots, the cutter chains then scraping the broken down coal rearwardly; alternatively, cutter chains as described in Specification 454,043 may be used. Hydraulic rams 280 are pivoted to the machine frame and to the cutter frame and swing the latter vertically. The cutter chains are driven from the motor 260 through bevel gearing 265, 266, Fig. 25, clutch 270, chain 277 and shaft 245. Secured to the machine are channel frames 295 of a chain conveyer 310 with serrated scrapers 304. The conveyer 310 discharges to a similar chain conveyer 321, Fig. 23, pivoted about a vertical shaft 350, Fig. 26, and moved laterally by opposed hydraulic rams 365, Fig. 23, and anchored cable 372; the rear part of the conveyer 321 is pivoted at 320 and adjustable vertically by hydraulic rams 376. The motor 260 drives the conveyer 310 through spur gears 325, 326, Fig. 26, bevel gears 329, 330, pinion 333, gear 348, clutch 342 and sprocket 341 ; the gear 348 also drives through gear 349 the shaft 350 which drives the rear conveyer 321 through clutch 356 and sprocket 354 and also, through sliding pinion 391 and gear 393, drives a drum 386 which hauls on an anchored cable 390 for rapid transport of the machine. The various hydraulic rams are controlled by valves as in Fig. 15 and the fluid supply is preferably from a triple-rotor gear pump with dual discharges 403, 404, Fig. 31, discharge 404 being controlled by valves 433, 434, and lever 435 for alternative connection with the supply pipe 407 or with a pipe 406 leading back to the supply tank. Instead of the mountings shown, the machines may be mounted on wheels or tractors.