US2841376A - Method of and apparatus for forming a key-slot in a bore wall for guiding the apparatus and for inserting a flexible conductor into the slot - Google Patents

Description

July 1, 1958 F, JOY 2,841,376

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A KEY-SLOT IN A BORE WALL FOR GUIDING THE APPARATUS AND FOR INSERTING A FLEXIBLE CONDUCTOR INTO THE SLOT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1954 c 5:? :1 L M M W dfiozweif July 1, 1958 J. F. JOY 2,841,376

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A KEY-SLOT IN A BORE WALL FOR GUIDING THE APPARATUS AND FOR INSERTING A FLEXIBLE CONDUCTOR INTO THE SLOT Filed March 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Izwmziar: Jbsepizli' Toy (D ,I/ flarney July 1, 1958 J. F. JOY 2,841,376 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A KEY-SLOT IN A BORE WALL FOR GUIDING THE APPARATUS AND FOR INSERTING A FLEXIBLE CONDUCTOR INTO THE SLOT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 5 1954 ia fey In @622 $0 2: Jseyiafl' L709 tion within the slot.

Unite rates Patent Joseph F. 303], Pittsburgh, Pa, assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application lvl'arch 5, 1954, Serial No. 414,434

9 Claims. (Cl. 262-7) This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for forming a longitudinal key-slot in a wall of a subterranean bore for guiding the apparatus in the bore and for inserting a flexible conductor leading to the apparatus into the slot as the apparatus advances in the bore.

In my copending application Serial No. 296,324, filed June 30, 1952, now Patent No. 2,822,159 dated February 4, 1958, an apparatus of the type known as a bore miner forms a subterranean bore of circular cross section in the earth formation and since the bore is circular, means is provided to hold the apparatus against bodily rotation in the bore during its operation. a cutter for cutting a slot longitudinally along one wall of the bore as the miner advances and a key on the miner enters and rides in this slot. A flexible power conductor and other power lines or conductors lead from beyond the bore, such as from the mine entry, and extend into the bore and these conductors or power lines lead to the miner and are dragged or otherwise moved into the bore with the miner and the latter is provided with guiding and directing means for engaging these conductors or power lines and for directing the same into a protected position within the slot. Suitable detachable clamps or anchors are secured to the slot walls at proper intervals for retaining the conductors or lines within the slot.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of the application above referred to, and is directed not only to the method of and apparatus for forming the key-slot and inserting the conductors or power lines in the slot but further includes a modification of the apparatus for inserting the flexible conductors or power lines into the slot.

An object of the presentinvention is to provide an improved method of and apparatus for cutting a key-slot longitudinally in a side wall of a subterranean bore and for directing a flexible bore conductor or other flexible v element connected to the apparatus into the slot as the apparatus advances within the bore. Another object is to provide an improved wall-slotting or grooving mechanism'embodied in the machine for forming a key-slot with which the machine has keyed engagement for holding the machine against bodily turning within the bore 7 during its operation and this key-slot is formed to receive the power conductor cables, water lines or other flexible elements associated with the machine. Yet another object is to provide an improved mobile apparatus movable in a subterranean bore and having a flexible element connected thereto, and guiding and directing means for the flexible element for directing the latter into the slot in the bore-wall as the apparatus is advanced in the bore. adjustable anchor for the conductors or flexible elements of the machine for retaining the same in protected posi- These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear in the course of the ensuing description In the accompanying drawings in which for purposes This bore miner carries 2,341,378 Patented July 1, 1958 of illustration, two illustrative embodiments of vention from its apparatus aspect are shown:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mining machine constructed in accordance with a preferred illustrative form of the invention, with parts shown in horizontal section.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of a horizontal bore in a mine vein showing the machine in operating position therein, with the section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross section similar to Fig. 3 taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing the expansible anchor for holding the cables and hose lines in the key-slot in the bore-wall.

Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views showing the coacting toothed plate-like elements of the anchor shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section showing the slot-cutting means of. the modified form of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a detail view with parts in horizontal section of a portion ofthe modified machine, illustrating the pivotal mounting. structure of the key-slot mechanism and showing the machine-key riding in the slot.

In the illustrative embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the improved mobile machine for guiding and directing the flexible conductors or power lines is generally designated 1 and is associated with the Bore Miner disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 296,324, referred to above. This machine comprises a frame 2 mounted on pairs of rubber- tired wheels 3 and 4, and the front wheels 3 are swivelled steering wheels having associated steering gear and the rear wheels 4 are traction wheels. Carried by the machine frame is a motor 5 for driving a conventional pumping means 6 having its suction side suitably connected to a liquid tank 7 on the machine-base. Any suitable control valve means may be provided and the discharge side of the pumping means leads to a conventional reversible hydraulic motor 8 (Fig. 5). This motor drives aligned shaftings 9 suitably journaled within the machine frame and these shaftings drive any suitable transmission means such as chain sprockets 10 connected by endless drive chains 11 to chain sprockets 12 secured to the rear traction wheels 4. Also driven by these shaftings is suitable transmission means such as shiftable gears 13 splined to the shaftings respectively and respectively meshing with gears 14 and 15. The shiftable gears 13 are provided with any suitable means 16 for throwing the gears simultaneously into and out of mesh with the gears 14 and 15 and this shifting means herein desirably may comprise a reciprocable piston 17 contained in a hydraulic cylinder 18 and having an operating rod 19 connected to shifter elements 20 engaging the grooved hubs 21 of the shiftable gears 13. A coil spring 22 within the cylinder acts on the piston for urging the latter towards its innermost operating position, shown in Fig. 5.

The gears 14 and 15 are suitably journaled on upright axes on the machine frame and have secured to their respective hubs chain sprockets 23 and 24 which are conthe innected by endless drive chains 25 to chain sprockets 26 A further object is to provide an improved secured to horizontal winding drums or reels 27 and 28 respectively. These winding drums or reels are likewise suitably journaled on upright axes on the upper portion of the machine frame, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The rear reel 27 is an electric reel and the front reel 28 is a water reel and these reels have respectively wound thereon a flexible electric power conductor or power line 29 and a flexible water hose or conductor 30. The electric conductor 29 and the water hose 30 lead to suitable sources of power or supply beyond the bore in the mine entry and these conductor and hose are disposable in a or rollers 31 and 32 and a conventional. cabler layifig'device. 33. .for evenlaying the conductor and; hose ;onto

their respective (reels. Th'eelectric cable maym supply electricity to the motor 5, in a well-known-manner-. .The

electric cable 29 on the.reel'27 is connected toan electric cable 35.through.us ual slip rings, 36 (Fig. 3) and the water hose. wound on.the reel 28 is. connected to a water hose 37 through a suitable-slip seal 38 associated with avertical .shaftf 39 on which the ,water. reel is journaled (Fig; 4). The" electric cable 35 and the waterhose 37 are connficted through a suitable connector'device-41'to an electric cable 42 and a water hose 43 leading from the machine to the. .bore miner disclosed, in the copending application/mentioned above,, and the machinefiof t the present inventiontrails along within-thebore, just-,rearwardly of .the ;bore miner.

Theguidingand directing means forethe-power conductor and Water hose is..general ly designated 45; and herein desirably comprisesv a, tubular horizontal 'arnr or conduit 46 mounted on a swivelled bracket 4 7-siecured to .a vertical shaft 48 (Fig. journaled in .bearingsj49 suit ably supported within the machineframeJ .This tubular arm 46 is desirably composed of coiled wir'e tolproyide V for .limited flexibility in horizontal. and vertical planes andhas a bell-mounted inneiyend; 50,. andl thisarm ,carries. at its outer end a bracket 51on which coaxial .sheaves orrollers 52 and 53- are suitably journaled The conductor and water hose extend around the .sheaves'52,

' 53 and through the flexible hollow arm.4,,asjshown in Fig. 1. A guideroller54, likewise journaled withinthe bracket 51, is. rubber faced. and'holds the cable and hose in guided relation to the sheaves 52, 53: so thatthe power conductor and water'hose may be properly. directed into and from the slot. Bracket 51 i s swivelly I mounted on the outer end of the tubular arm14 6 ..and is adapted to be secured in either of two predetermined reversed positions, as by a set screw 55, so that the guide .sheavesmay operate in association with a slot disposed at' either side of the .bore.- Such flexibility of .th e armvenables the sheaves to automatically adjust themselves to varying height or unevenness of the key-slot andailsopermits yielding ofthearm .uponcontact .with anyobsjtruction. Suitable power means is provided for swinging'the tubular armkifi horiizontally about its swivel mounting and the swinging means disclosed' herein desirably. comprises a hydraulic cylinder 56'pivotal1ymounted at 57 on the machine frame and containing areciprocable piston 5%;having its piston rod. 59-pivotally connected at 69 to the swivelled bracket 47. Thus by properly supplying "liquid ,under pressure to the cylinder 56 the 'guidearm may beswung horizontally into operating positions at eithenside of they machine as desired. From the. foregoing it is-evident thatas the machine is advanced in the bore B the electric cable andwvater hose are properly laid within theslot in thebdre-wall as they are payed out by the reels and when themachine is reversed and moved r rearwardly in the bore {the electric cable and water hose may be properly directed from the slot as theyare V wound in. i

Anchor devices.65 rare-adapted tobe located at intervals along the length of: the slot for retaining-the power conductor and-water hose within the ;slot as the machine is advanced within-the bore and these anchor devices'each compriseyas shown in Figs..6; 7 and 8, expansible grippin'gmlementsfifi and 67 havingserrations or teeth 68.. :The gripping element 66 is in a form; of a plateand is slotted at fifi and -the gripping element 67 is likewise of platedike form and is provided Qflwith;.an opening 78. a When. these pla te like elements 'are in assembled relation, as shown inFig; 6 a.-screw ll-:passes thereon a wing nut '72 which engages an outwardly bent portion 73 of the plate-like element'66i" Thus'when the anchor device is inserted'in' the slot, as shown in Fig.6, the wing nut may be tightened to spread the toothed portions of the plate-like elements apart thereby to grip the upper and lower walls of the slot. By loosening the wingnut the plate-like elements may be released to per-' .;mit;ready detachment of the anchor.

'Inthemodified embodiment shown invFigsQ 9. and

10 the structure-disclosed may be associated with any suit-' able machine herein, for example, a machine similar to the,.b or e. miner of the application above referred to. The frame of the machine is designated 75, and mounted on this frame is a slot-cutting means generally designated 76'. -This slot-cutting means comprises a motor 77 pivotally mounted at 78 on brackets 79 secured to the machine frame 75, v Mounted on the.motor housing to swing horizontally with the motor is a gearhousing 80 on which a'rotary. cutter, 0 herein, desirably a c'utterwheel; 31, isijour'naled for roration about a vertical axis; -Secured to the motor shaft;

is a worm 82 meshing with a wormwheel83keyed to the upper .end; of a vertical. shaft 84.suitably journaled' in bearings supported within the gear housing'-80. The

rotary'cutter wheel is carried. at the lowerend' ofthe vertical shaftS in the manner shown in Fig. 9; Ahorizontal'fluid. cylinder"85 is pivotally mounted at86 on the adjacent; side of the machine fram'e'75 to. swing in horizontal planes. and reciprocablein this cylinder is a piston'87 having its piston rod pivotally connected to of themachine, as shown in Fig. 10, so as the bore rniner advances the key-slot or groove S is cut in the'bore wall.

.nearly at the. horizontal .center of the bore." Secured to theadjacentfside of .the machine is a projection in the form of a key:9t) which enters and rides in-the keyslo t S as'the machine advancesandithis key'not; only serves to :holdthe machine against bodily rotation within thebore but also to'clear the slot of cuttings. A power conductor "cable and a water line 91 and 92'lead to the .bore miner for, supplying power medium and water, under pressure thereto, and these cable and water lines are directed into the key-slots as the bore miner is advanced and are moved out. of the slot as the bore .miner is re.

traded in the bore; The key 99 is adjustably secured to the machine frame by bolts'93 which pass through transverse slots 94 in a support 95 on the machine frame,

and at times the key may be retracted within the lateral j limits'of the machine, as for example, prior toentry of the machine into its launching carriage, as described in ,the .above ment ioned copending application. j The com 5 ductors; 91 and 92 shown in Pig. 10Iare shown clamped a t 9 6 to, themachineframe aridare so arranged ins. t

vbe dragged or otherwisemoved. into the key-slot S asthe and. apparatus for forming a key-slot'in the side wall .of

a subterranean borefor guiding the: apparatus and for laying a fle xible element, such as a power conductor or' water line, }wit hin the slot as the machine is advanced .within therbore l-Ity the provision of the improved slotcutting means, a longitudinal; slot may be cut; in a side wall of the homes the machine is advanced and a; key 1 onqthe machine r ides in the key-slotfor holdingthemachine 'againstbodily rotation in-the bore.) Byj tlre prtr -,visionjofthe;improved =guidingaand directing rneans for 7Q; the :flexible-power1conducton and} Water; line',;' the; con- 'ductQr-;and--water- -lineare automatcially laid in the slot" 7 in; a protected position as the machine advances: These apl' flrenttoihose skilled in theart.

. through. the slot 69 and openingJQ andhasjhreaded 7 5 While1here1are in this-applicationspecifically described.

to swing in horizontal .planes.

two forms which the invention, from its apparatus aspect, may assume in practice and one mode of practice of the invention, from its method aspect, it will be understood that this invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms and operated in accord ance with other methods without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A machine movable in a bore formed in a mine vein and which here has a slot extending longitudinally along a wall thereof and having an upwardly facing lower well, said machine comprising, in combination, a mobile support moving within the bore, a flexible power conductor element leading from a power source beyond said bore to said support for supplying power medium to the machine, and guiding and directing means movable bodily with said support for engaging said conductor element to deflect the latter laterally beyond the bore-walls and for directing the conductor element into the slot in the bore-Wall as said support moves in the bore, the lower wall of said slot supporting the conductor element in position in said slot cxteriorly of the bore-walls.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said guiding and directing means includes an adjustable guiding element, and means for adjustably mounting said guiding element for movement in horizontal and vertical planes within the bore relative to said support for deflecting the conductor element laterally at diiferent points.

3. A machine movable in a subterranean bore which has a slot formed longitudinally in a wall thereof and having an upwardly facing lower wall, the machine comprising, in combination, a mobile support moving in the bore, a reel on said support, a flexible conductor element wound on said reel and'extcnding into the bore from beyond the bore, and guiding and directing means on said support for engaging said flexible element for deflecting the latter laterally beyond the bore-walls and for directing the flexible element into the slot in the bore-wall as the support moves bodily within the bore, the lower wall of said slot supporting the conductor element in position in said slot exteriorly of the bore-walls.

4. A machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said guiding and directing means includes an adjustable guiding and directing element mounted on said support and extending angularly from the mobile support Within the bore having adjustable mounting means for adjusting said guiding and directing element in vertical planes relative to said support for deflecting said conductor element laterally at different points.

5. A method of protecting a flexible conductor by deflecting the latter into a longitudinal slot formed in the wall of a subterranean bore, comprising forming a slot in the wall of a bore as the latter is formed with the slot at a point spaced from the floor and roof with the slot provided with an upwardly facing lower wall, and deflecting the conductor laterally beyond the bore-walls to position the conductor in the slot as the latter is formed so that the conductor is supported by the lower slot-wall exteriorly of the bore-walls.

6. A machine movable in a bore in an earth formation and comprising a mobile support moving Within the bore and advancing therein as the bore is formed, said support having a flexible power conductor connected thereto and extending into the bore-hole, mechanism on said support for forming a recess longitudinally in the borewall with the lower wall of the recess facing upwardly and in which recess said power conductor is received as the support advances in the bore, and means on said support for deflecting the conductor laterally into the recess so that the conductor is supported by the lower wall of the recess exteriorly of the bore-walls.

7. A machine for laying a flexible conductor in a slot formed in the Walls of a subterranean bore comprising a mobile base moving in the bore, a reel on said base on which the conductor is Wound, a guide for the conductor, and means for swivelly mounting said guide on said base to swing relative thereto and said guide extending angularly from said base within the bore and carrying a conductor guiding and deflecting element at its outer extremity for deflecting the conductor laterally into the slot whereby the lower wall of the slot provides a support for the conductor exteriorly of the bore-walls.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said guide is swingable to angularly disposed positions within the bore at either side of said base and said guiding element is provided with mounting means swivelled to turn about the longitudinal axis of said guide for reversing said guiding element relative to the outer extremity of said guide for directing the conductor laterally from either side of the base.

9. A machine movable in a subterranean bore of circu lar cross section, the machine comprising a mobile base moving in the bore, means on said base for cutting a slot longitudinally along one wall of the bore intermediate the floor and roof with the slot located a substantial distance above the floor, the slot having an upwardly facing lower wall, a sliding key on said base riding in the slot rearwardly of said cutting means for holding the machine against bodily rotation in the bore, said key serving to clear out the cuttings from the slot as it advances with the machine, a flexible conductor leading to said base and connected thereto, and guiding and directing means on said base rearwardly of and in alignment with said key for engaging the conductor for deflecting the latter laterally beyond the bore-wall to direct the conductor into the slot as said bore advances with the conductor supported by the lower wall of the slot exteriorly of the bore-wa1ls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 278,233 Goodridge May 22, 1883 356,152 Munsie Jan. 18, 1887 972,240 Potts Oct. 11, 1910 1,423,889 Townsend July 25, 1922 1,467,155 Hartley Sept. 4, 1923 1,674,870 Morgan June 26, 1928 1,815,532 Vesey July 21, 1931 2,118,490 Challacombe May 24, 1938 2,474,920 Stearns July 5, 1949 2,529,486 Clarkson et a1 Nov. 14, 1950 2,605,060 Bell July 29, 1952 2,633,309 Beck Mar. 31, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 694,195 France Sept. 15, 1930 612,185 Great Britain Nov. 9, 1948 672,403 Great Britain May 21, 1952 (Corresponding U. S. 2,699,328, Jan 11, 1955)

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