US2389921A - Apparatus for mining - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 27, 1945. J. B. MAVOR APPARATUS FOR MINING Filed July 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Nov. 27, 1945 APPARATUS FOR MINING John Bridle Mavor, Glasgow, Scotland, assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, Franklin, Pa.

Application July 18, 1944, Serial No. 545,435

- In Great Britain June 26, 1943 10 Claims.

A method of and apparatus for mining coal has been proposed in which the cutting of the coal at the coal face is effectedby a direct shearing action due to thrust upon the coal, the shearing action, which is somewhat analogous to the action of a chisel, taking place in or substantially in a plane more or less parallel with the front of the coal face and being effected by a thrust approximately parallel with the floor. A machine for carrying out this method comprises one or more power operated ram with a shearing head (or heads) adapted to be thrust by the ram directly into the coal.

in a modification. of this apparatus there is associated with the said head or heads a shearing cutter of the cutter-chain or cutter-disc type which moves bodily with the head or heads but in advance thereof so as to make a more or less vertical longitudinal incision in the coal into which incision the head or heads enter and part the coal from the seam.

In either of these cases the apparatus may comprise a main part, which carries the head (or heads) and the shearing chain or disc, assuming the latter to be provided, and a secondary part whose principal function is to jam. between the roof and the floor and provide a support to take the reaction of a hydraulic ram (or rams) which thrusts the main part, with the head and cutter chain or disc, forward relative to the secondary part so that the cutting operation is efiected. One element of the ram, 1. e. either the piston rod or the cylinder, is connected to the main part of the apparatus and the other element of the ram is connected to the secondary part.

According to this invention mining apparatus of the construction referred to in the previous paragraph is characterised by the secondary part comprising mechanism in the nature of a hydraulic jack with manually operable means whereby a limited amount of pressure can be initially'applied to the jack to bring it into, and hold it in, contact with the roof, whereafter, on the application of fluid pressure to the hydraulic ram, that fluid pressure is transmitted to and intensifles the upward thrust of the jack while the ram is thrusting forward the main part to efiect cutting.

Generally, the initial pressure is applied to the jack by means of a hand-operated hydraulic pump and liquid reservoir mounted on the Secondary part of the apparatus. Alternatively, however, an initial thrust can be applied by mechanical means, for example, in the nature of a lever, the arrangement being such that liquid flows from a reservoir into the cylinder of the jack behind the piston as the piston is mechanically moved.

In both cases the fluid pressure from the ram 1 intensifies the fluid pressure in the jack cylinder.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in general of certain noveldetails of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views and:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of what may be termed the rear portion of such a machine.

Fig. 3 is a detail section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the rear portion of such a machine and showing part of the forward portion thereof.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the forward portion of the machine.

In the form of the invention herein shown there is provided a rear or holdin mechanism indicating in general at A and a forward or operating mechanism indicated in general at B. The rear mechanism comprises a base member ID the under side of which has its edges curved upward at the front and rear as shown at l I in Fig. 4. This base member forms a skid or sliding device adapted to rest on the floor C of the mine, the roof of the mine being indicated at D. The side wall of the mine is shown at E, the device being peculiarly adapted for what is known as long wall mining. On the side of the'base against the wall E is an outstanding flange 9 the face of which adjacent the wall E has curved ends l3. The purpose of the curved ends H and i3 is to permit the rear element A to glide readily over the mining floor in constant spaced relation to the wall E.

Extending upward from the base It is a cylinder l4 wherein is mounted a hollow plunger [2.

This plunger is held from contact with the bottom of the cylinder It bymeans of an annular bearing plate iii.- The lower part of the cylinder is of greater diameter than the plunger l2 as is also the upper part of the cylinder but in the upper part of the cylinder is provided packing Hi the detail formation of which constitutes no part of the present invention. On top of the cylinder 7 is fitted an annular ring IT for retaining the to the cylinder by any suitable means such as indicated by the bolts l8. From the plunger l2 there extends upwardly a neck l9 carrying on its upper end a ball which is turn supports a socket member consisting of an upper part 2| and a lower part 22 held together by suitable means such as the bolts 23. The upper part 2| of the socket member carries a pressure plate 24 provided with longitudinal ribs 25 the purpose of which is to prevent sideway slipping of the element A from the side wall E. Mounted on the base It] at the side opposite the flange 9 is a tank or reservoir 26 and mounted on the rear side of the cylinder I4 is a hydraulic pump 21 which is manually operated by a pump handle 28. This pump is connected by a suppl line 29 to the reservoir 26. In the larger diameter, lower part of the cylinder there is provided a port 29 constituting an inlet port through which liquid under pressure from the pump 21 is received, a suitable pipe connection 30 being provided for the purpose of conducting such liquid from the pump 21 to the port 29.

The forward element B is likewise supported on a base or skid member 3| having upturned ends 32, this base or skid member likewise resting on the floor C of the mine. Secured to the cylinder l4 on its forward side is a plate 33 carrying a heav eye 34. At 35 is a forked member having eye portions wherein eyes align with the eye of the part 34 so that a pivot bolt 36 may pass therethrough and secure the forked member to the cylinder l4,

Extending upwardly from the base member 3| is a web or other like support 3'l which carries a cylinder 38 having its rear end provided with a head 39in turn provided with a suitable packing gland 40 the internal construction of which is not deemed necessary here to be shown as the same forms no part of the present invention. Secured by any suitable means to the forked member 35 is a piston rod 4| which has a passage or opening 42 extending from a point near its rear end to the forward opposite end through which it opens.

The cylinder [4 is provided, opposite the port 29 with a port 43 whichis connected by a somewhat flexible pipe 44 with a port opening into the rear end of the passage 42. On the forward end of the piston rod 4| is mounted a piston 46.

As previously stated this device is intended to operate a chiseling element and this element is here indicated in general at 58, it being understood that the particular form of this element does not constitute any part of the present invention but, on the contrary, that the present invention may be used with any type desired of chiseling element. Mounted on the skid or base 3| is a pump 41 which may be of any preferred type but which is here shown as being of a rotary type driven by an electric motor 48. Again this motor may be of whatever type is necessary to operate the pump 41 as the type of pump and motive means forms no part of the present invention.

At 49 is a main reservoir provided, as is common in such devices, with a filling plug 50. This reservoir is preferably mounted on the cylinder 38by a saddle .45 or the like although again the particular form of mounting such a cylinder may be any of the well known types. The reservoir -49 supplies the pump 41 through a pipe 5| and from the pump 41 extends a pipe 52 which leads to a valve 53 provided with an operating handle 54 This valve is of any well known type adapted to supply, in one position of the handle a pipe 55 leading to the forward end of the cylinder 38 and,

in another position, a pipe 58 leading to the rear end of the cylinder 38.

A pipe connection 51 leads from the tank 49 to the tank 26.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Assuming apparatus to be in the initial posi-' tion with the piston 46 in its forward position the parts A and B will be close together. At this time it is also to be assumed that the chiselin member 58 is in position to begin its chiseling stroke. The lever 28 is now operated to draw liquid such as oil or other suitable liquid from reservoir 26 and pump it through the port 29 into the lower part of the cylinder l4. It there effects pressure on the base of the plunger l2 which causes the plunger to rise and brings the member 24 and its ribs 25rinto contact with the roof D. Now since this is a hand operation it is obvious that there are limits to the convenient amount of force that can be applied through the hand pump. Nevertheless, the rear member A may be locked against rearward movement sufficiently by the action of this hand pump to permit motive power to be brought into play. When the rear element has thus been secured against movement by ordinary force the motor 48 is started with the valve handle 54 turned in such position as to supply liquid under pressure through the pipe 55. Under these circumstances a pressure channel is established between the piston 46 and the chisel element 58 which forms the head for the front of the cylinder 38. Since the piston, through its connection with the rear element A,

is held substantially immovable the forward element B tends to move forwardly. At the same time the fact that pressure exists between the piston and the chisel elements, causes fluid under equal heavy pressure to flow through the passage 42, pipe connection 44 and port 43 to the lower part of the cylinder l4. Thus whatever the unit pressure is exerted to move the element B forwardly a like unit pressure is exerted by the action of the pump on the bottom of the plunger l2 and the rear element is thereby clamped securely between the bottom and top walls of the mine.

When the stroke has been completed and the chisel moved forwardy as far as desired the valve handle 54 is moved to cause flow of the fluid .under pressure through the pipe 56. Therebypressure is exerted between the piston and the head 39. Now the chisel member, the forward cylinder and these parts all combine to form a much heavier structure than the cylinder l4 and its associated parts. At the same time the suction through the pipe 5| causes a suction on the pipe connection which draws liquid from the reservoir 26 and thus not only relieves pressure in the forward face of the piston but also relieves pressure below the plunger l2 so that the latter, through its weight, settles in the cylinder |4 whereby the plate 24 dips below the roof eyes and thus relieves the rear member from clamping effect so that the action of the piston draws this rear member forwardly ready for a renewal of the operation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiseling element, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring the rear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydraulic cylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein, a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure in said jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure in an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move away from said rear structure, and conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder.

' 2. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiseling element, a rear structure ineluding a hydraulic jack for anchoring the rear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydraulic cylinder carried by one of said structures'and having a piston therein, a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure in said jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure in an end of said cylinderfor causing said forward structure to move away from said rear structure, conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, said last pressure producing means including valve means for shifting the fluid under pressure from one side of the piston to the other.

3. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiseling element, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring the rear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydraulic cylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein, a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressure producing means to produce init al actuating fluid pressure in said jack, other fluid pres sure producing means producing fluid pressure in an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move away from said rear structure, and conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, said flrst fluid pressure producing means including a manually operable pump operable while the second fluid pressure producing means is idle.

4. In a mining machine; a forward structure including a chiseling element, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring the rear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydraulic cylinder carried b one of said structures and having a piston therein, a piston rodconnecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure in said jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure in an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move away from said rear structure, conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, said last pressure producing means including valve means for shifting the fluid under pressure from one side of the piston to, the other, said first fluid pressure producing means including a manually operable pump operable while the second fluid pressure producing -means is idle,

5. Ina mining machine, a forward structure including a chiseling element, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring the rear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydraulic cylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein, a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure in said jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure in an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move. away from said rear structure, and conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said'jack from said end of said cylinder, said conduit means including a passage extending axially through said piston rod and a pipe connection between said passage and said jack.

6. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiseling element, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring the rear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydraulic cylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein, a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure in said jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure in an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move away from said rear structure, conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, said last pressure producing means including valve means for shifting the fluid under pressure from one side of the piston to the other, said conduit means including a passage extending axially through said piston rod and a pipe connection between said passage and said jack.

7. In a mining machine, a forward structure ating fluid pressure in said jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure in an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move away from said rear structure, and conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said jack from said end of .7

said cylinder, said first fluid pressure producing means including a manually operable pump operable while the second fluid producing means is idle. said conduit means including a passage extending axially through said piston rod and a pipe connection between said passage and said jack.

8. In a mining machine, .a forward structure including a chiseling element, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring the rear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydraulic cylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein, a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure in said jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure in an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move away from said rear structure, conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, said last pressure producing means including valve means for shifting the fluid under pressure from one side of the piston to the other, said first fluid pressure producing means including a manually operable pump operable while the second fluid pressure producing means is idle, said conduit means including a passage extending axially through said piston rod and a pipe connection between said passage and said jack.

9. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiseling element, a rear structure ineluding a hydraulic jack for anchoring the rear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydraulic cylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein, a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure in said Jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure in an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move away from said rear structure,

conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, said first fluid pressure producing means including a manually operable pump while the second fluid pressure producing means is idle, a reservoir supplying the manually operable pump, a second reservoir supplying the other fluid pressure producing means, and a conduit connecting said reservoirs.

10. In a mining machine, a forward structure including a chiseling element, a rear structure including a hydraulic jack for anchoring the rear structure between the floor and roof of a mine, a hydrauliccylinder carried by one of said structures and having a piston therein, a piston rod connecting the piston to the other structure, fluid pressure producing means to produce initial actuating fluid pressure in said jack, other fluid pressure producing means producing fluid pressure in an end of said cylinder for causing said forward structure to move away from said rear structure, conduit means to conduct fluid under pressure to said jack from said end of said cylinder, said first fluid pressure producing means including a manually operable pump operable while the second fluid producing means is idle, said .conduit means including a passage extending axially through said piston rod and a pipe connection between said passage and said jack, a reservoir supplying the manually operable pump, a second reservoir supplying the other fluid pressure producing means, and a conduit connecting said reservoirs.

JOHN BRIDIE'MAVOR.

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