US1902148A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

March 21, 1933. F, w, VODOZ 1,902,148

MINING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l im/Mwg/a W/W March 21, 1933. w vogoz 1,902,148

- MINING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented i Mar. 21, 1933 UNETED STATES PATENT FREDERICK W. VODOZ, OF WILMETTE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR To GOODMAN oF -IcE.

' IN G COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF 'IIJLIIJ'OIS MINING MACHINE Application filed November 5, 1927, Serial No. 231,213. Renewed October 21, 1931;

This invention relates to improvements in mining machines and more particularly to machines of the truck mounted type having a projecting kerf cutting element adjustable in varying positions relative to the main frame for making various vertical orshearing cuts.

More specifically, the-present invention relates to improvementsin a type of mining machine provided with trunnions disposed both forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse axis of rotation of a cutter bar pivotally mounted on said head, and having means for raising and lowering said cutter bar, consisting of a pair of vertically disposed screw devices mounted forwardly of the foremost trunnion bearings ofthe cutter head.

In the present invention I provide an improved form of operative connection between the screw devices at the front end of the frame and the main drive gearing carried on the body of the machine frame whereby greater simplicity and flexibility of operation is afforded. r

I The invention may be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: V.

Figure 1 is a vertical section'following gen erally the longitudinal center line of the machine and showingthe cutter bar in substantially horizontal position at one side of the frame; s 1

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the front part of the framewith parts broken away to show the operating connections to the raising and lowering devices, forming the principal feature of the present invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lineV3'-3 of Figure and Figure 4- is a detailed section taken on line 4% of Figure 2.

The main elements'of the machineinclude a main frame 10 having a forwardly projecting rigid supporting member'26iat its front end. The machineis moved from :place to place and into angular cutting position by suitable traction means, herein comprising a pair of continuous tread mechanisms generally indicated at l8, 13 although it is manifest that a machine of this character might also be mounted for movement ontrack guided truck wheels, if desired. A cutter head indicated generally at 20 has a cutter bar iw v V gotally mounted thereon which cutter bar may carry an endless cutter chain about its periphcry in a usual manner and is coaxial with a cutter chain drive shaft 29. A'pair of trunnion bearings are provided for the cutter head 20. One of these hearings comprises a cylindrical bearing 22 formed near the front of the main framelO in which a, cylindrical neck 21 is journaled. ,An auxiliary bearing" member 23 is connected toforwardly extending arms 24, 24, forming part of thecutter head 20 and is journaledin a cylindrical out.-

board support or bearing 25 upstandingon the rigid supporting member 26.

The arrangement is such. that the cutter bar 14 and cutter head 20 may be bodily ro-. tated relative to the main frameon an axis extendinglongitudinally of the latter'from a point at one sideof the frame through an are extending over the top of the frame toa corresponding position at the opposite side of the frame on the bearings22 and 23 forwardly and rearwardly of the axis of the cutterbar 14 in a manner which will hereinafter be more clearly described. V i The cutter bar 14 is pivotallymounted on thecutter head 20 for swinging,movement '84 is journaled on the forward end of the rod 33 andhas a pair of oppositely disposed pins 35, 35, forming pivotal connection with a pair of vertically disposed links 36, 36.-

.80 in aplane parallelto the axis of rotation of j These links are connected at their upper ends by a tie rod 37 and are pivotally secured at their lower ends on a shaft 38 carried byia cross member generally indicated at 39 and best shownin Figures 1 and 3 which is not described in detail but is'only. described in so far as is necessary to illustrate my pres-' ent inventlon.

Power connections are provided for positively swinging the cutter bar on its pivotal axis by means of a pair of screw shafts 40, 40, having threaded connection at opposite ends of the cross member 39. These screw members have bearing at their upper ends in brackets 41, 41, projecting forwardly from the cylindrical bearing support 25 and their lower ends in the forwardly projecting supporting member 26.

Referring now to the novel features of the present invention, which relates to'the driving connections for the screw shafts 40, 40, I provide each of the screw shafts with chain sprockets 42, 42, disposed within the supporting member 26 and a co-operating drive sprocket 43 disposed on vertical shaft 44, having suitable bearings 44 44 in the main frame and preferably disposed rearwardly of the pivotal axis of the cutter bar 14 in the cutter head 20. An endless drive chain 45 is trained about sprockets 42, 42. and the drive sprocket 43, as is best shown in Figures 1 and 2. An idler tension adjusting sprocket 46 is also provided intermediate the sprockets 42,. 42. This sprocket is preferably mounted on a shaft 46 carried in a longitudinally adjustable support 4'? slidable along guides 48, 48, formed on the under surface of the supporting member 26, as best shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4.' Longitudinal adjustment of the idler sprocket 46 is afforded through a screw shaft 49 threaded in enlarged hub portion 49 on the upper end of shaft 46. By manipulation of the screw shaft 49 the idler sprocket 46 may be shifted to adjust the tension of the drive chain 45, as desired.

On account of the relatively restricted shape of the projecting supporting member 26,'the chain 45-is also trained over idler rollers 45*, 45 ,at opposite sides of the frame, as best shown in Figure 2.

Referring now to the power connections for performing the various operations of the machine above described, I rovide a motor 50, preferably mounted ad acent the rear of the main frame 10 and having a driving pin on 51 meshed with a gear 52 on a longitudinal shaft 53. This shaft is connected for driving the cutter chain through a bevel pinion 55 and bevel gear 56, keyed on the shaft 29, A cutter chain sprocket of an ordinary construction (not shown herein since it is no part of my invention) is mounted on the outer end of'the shaft 29 to drive the cutter chain (not shown).

The driving connections for rotating the cutter head 20 in its trunnion bearings 22 and 23 include a pinion 57 on the shaft 53 meshing with a gear 58 keyed to a sleeve 59 on a shaft 63. The sleeve159 forms a partof a planetary gear reduction device 62 of the type widely used in mining construction, details of which need not herein be described. The planetary gear reduction device 62 is mounted on and is adapted to drive the shaft 63 at-aplurality of speeds in a usual manner (not shown), which shaft extends forwardly through abearing support 64 and has a beveled gear 65 at its forward end meshing with a beveled gear 66 on a transverse shaft 67. The beveled gear 66 is loosely mounted on the transverse shaft 67 and is operatively connected therewith by clutch means of an ordinary construction (not shown). A worm 68 is keyed on the transverse shaft 67 and mesheswith a worm gear 69 secured to and concentric with the neck 21 of the cutter head 20. The worm 68 and worm gear 69 are of the self-locking type so the cutter head will be locked for cutting operations in any position to which it may be rotated.

Reversible driving connections for rotating the elevating screw shafts 40 are taken off the shaft 63 through pinions'90 and 91 and a spur gear 92. The pinion 91 is driven from thepinion 90 andis meshed with the gear 92 which is keyed on a sleeve 93 loosely mounted on a longitudinal shaft 94. The sleeve 93 is operatively connected to the shaft 94 by means of a suitable jaw clutch 95 of an ordinary construction. A beveled gear 96 is keyed on the forward end of the shaft 94 and is meshed with mitre gears 97 and 98 loosely mounted on the upright shaft 44 and selectively engageable therewith by means of an intermediate reversing clutch member 99 so the drive chain 45 may be driven in either direction relative to the shaft 94 or disconnected therefrom when the clutch member 99 is held in neutral position, as best shown in Figure 1.

Through the drive 'COIIIIQCtlOHS ust def scribed, the screw shafts 40 may be rotated at either high or low speeds controlled by the planetary-gear reduction device 62 and in reverse directions without reversing the motor to raise or'lower the cross member 39' and thus pivotally move the cutter bar 14 about the axis of the shaft 29 for feeding sald cutter bar vertically in the coal.

Means for driving the traction devlces 13, 13 are also provided herein consisting of a beveled pinion 105 keyed on the rearward end of the shaft 94 and meshed with a beveled gear 106 on a transverse shaft 107 at the rearward end of the machine frame. pinion 108 on the opposite side of the planetary gear reduction device 62 from the pinion 90 is keyed on the shaft 63 and drives a spur gear 109 keyed on a sleeve 110 loosely mounted on the shaft 94. A suitable clutch member, indicated by reference character 111, is pro vided to selectively connect. the sleeve 110 and spur gear 109 to the shaft 94 for driving said shaft. It may be seen that the shaft 94 may be driven in one direction through the pinion 108 and spur gear 109, or in an opposite direction through the pinions 90 and 91 and the spur gear 92, so the machine may be driven in opposite directions without reversing the motor and independently of-the screw shafts 40. Suitable driving and control connections are provided between the shaft 107 and'the endless treads 13, 13, details of which need not be described herein as they form no part of the present invention. 7 v

Although I have shown and-described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the con struction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be alteredlwithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not 'wish to be construed as limiting myself to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mining machine, a main frame, a motor, a cutter head mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said main frame including a cutting element offset from and mounted for pivotal swinging movement in planes substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of said cutter head, coacting power means including screw devices carried, on said main frame in advance of said cutter head for swinging said cutting element, and operative connections between said motor and said screw devices including a chain drive for said screw devices extending rearwardly beneath said cutter head, and a drive sprocket therefor on said main frame.

2. In a mining machine, a main frame, a motor, a cutter head mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said main frame including a cutting element offset from and mounted for pivotal swinging movement in planes substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of said cutter head, coacting power means including screw devices carried on said main frame in advance of said cutter head for swinging said cutting element, operative connections between said motor and said screw devices including a chain drive for said screw devices extending rearwardly beneath said cutter head, a drive sprocket therefor on said main frame, and reversible power connections mounted concentrically with said drive sprocket.

3. In a mining machine, a main frame, a motor, a cutter head mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said main frame including a cutting element offset from and mounted for pivotal swinging movement in planes substantially arallel with the axis of rotation of said outter head, coacting power means including screw devices carried on said main frame in advance of said cutter head for swinging said main frame in advance'ofsaid cutter head and on opposite sides of the axis of rotationthereof for swinging said cuttingeIement,ai1d operative connections between said motor and said screw devices including a smglecontinuous chain drivefoperatively connected with both of said screw devices and extending rearwardly beneath said cutter head, and a drive sprocket therefor on said main frame. I

5. In a mining machine, 'a main frame, a mot-or, cutting mechanism therefor including a sprocket, a cutter arm pivotally mounte'd onsaid frame for pivotal movement about the axis of-said sprocket, means carried on said main frame in advance of said sprocket for moving said cutter arm about its axis of pivotal connection to said frame, and operative connections between said motor and saidmeans for pivotally moving said cutter arm including an endless chain drive 'movable in a closed orbital path andoperatively connectible with said means for pivotally moving said cutter arm, said endless chain extending rearwardly from said means beneath said cutter arm; V

6. In a mmlngmachine, a Ina1n'frame,a motor," cutting mechanism' therefor ncludits ing asprocket, a cutter arm pivotally mount= ed'on said frame for pivotalmovement'about the axis of said sprocket, means carried on said main frame in advance of said sprocket for moving said cutter arm about its axis of pivotal connection to said frame, and operative connections between saidmotor' and said means for pivotally moving said cutter arm including a chain'drive for said means extending rearwardly from said means beneath said cutter arm, a drive sprocket therefor on said main frame, and reversible power con-v nections mounted concentrically with said drive sprocket. V V .7. In a mining machine, amain'frame, a motor, cutting mechanism therefor including a sprocket, a cutter arm pivotally mount-1 ed onsaid frame for pivotal'movement about the axis of said sprocket, coactingf power said main frame in advanceof said sprocket for swinging said cutter arm, and operative connections betwen said motor and said screw deviceincluding achain drivefor said screw 1:25 meansincluding a scr'ew device carried-on device extending rearwardly beneath said cutter arm, and a drive sprocket therefor on saidmain frame;

8. In a mining machine, a main frame, a motor, cutting mechanism therefor including a sprocket, a cutter arm pivotally mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about the axis of said sprocket, coacting power means including a screw device carried-on said main frame in advance of said sprocket for swinging said cutter arm and operative connections between said motor andsaidscrew device including a chain drive for said screw device extending rearwardly beneath said cutter arm, a drive sprocket therefor on said main frame and reversible power connections mounted concentrically with said drive sprocket. i

9. In a mining machine,a main frame, a motor, cutting mechanism therefor including a sprocket, a cutter arm pivotally mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about the axis of said sprocket, coacting power means including screw devices carried on said main frame in advance of said sprocket for swinging said cutter arm and operative connections between said motor and said screw devices including a chain drive for said screw devices extending rearwardly between 'said cutter arm, and a-drive sprocket therefor on said main frame.

10. In a mining machine, a main frame, a motor, cutting mechanism therefor including a sprocket, a cutter arm pivotally mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about the axis of said sprocket, coacting power means including screw devices carried on said main frame in advance of said sprocket for swinging said cutter arm, and operative connections between said'motor and said screw devices including a chain drive for said screw devices extending rearwardly beneath said cutter arm, a drive sprocket'therefor on said main frame and reversible power connections mounted concentrically with said drive sprocket.

11. In a mining machine, a main frame, a motor, cutting mechanism therefor including a sprocket, a cutter arm pivotally mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about the axis of said sprocket, coacting power means including screw devices carried on said main frame in advance of said sprocket for swinging said cutter arm, and operative connections between said motor and said screw devices including a single continuous chain drive operatively connected with all of said screw devices and extending rearwardly be neath said cutter arm, and a drive sprocket therefor on said main frame.

12. In a mining machine, a main frame, a

motor, cutting mechanism therefor including a sprocket, a cutter arm pivotally mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about the axis of said sprocket, coacting power means including screw devices carried on said main frame in advance of'said sprocket for swinging said cutter arm and operative connections between said motor and said screw devices including a single continuous chain drive operatively connected with all of said screw devices and extending rearwardly beneath said cutter arm, a drive sprocket therefor onsaid mainframe and reversible power connections mounted. concentrically with said drive sprocket.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 26th day of October, A. D. 1927.

' FREDERICK W. VODOZ.

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