GB1231790A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,231,790. Mining ploughs. COAL INDUSTRY (PATENTS) Ltd. 3 Jan., 1969 [27 Oct., 1967], No. 49001/67. Heading E1F. A plough comprises a structure adapted to be guided by a face conveyor or by a member attached to a face conveyor, a cutter tool supported by the structure for upward and downward movement relative to at least part of the structure, mechanism for effecting the movement at will, and means for generating and/or storing power for actuating the mechanism. The structure is formed by a body 1 having an inclined bearing surface 2 for a head 3 carrying tools 5, 6 and connected by a pivot 4 to the body. Hydraulic means 7 and a linkage 8 are provided for moving the head 3, the means 7 being supplied with fluid from an accumulator 16 replenished from a reservoir 17 by a spring-loaded piston 9 operating in a cylinder 10 and actuated by a haulage chain 13 for the plough. The piston and cylinder may be replaced by a rack and pinion device driving a pump through a ratchet mechanism, and instead of actuation by the chain 13 fluctuations relative to the plough body produced on one or more of the tools may be used. In another embodiment, Fig. 2 (not shown), an accumulator is replenished from an external source at either end of the face, connection withthe sources being automatic. In other embodiments, Figs. 3, 4, 5 (not shown), a wheel on the plough engages a track on the conveyor or roof supports or engages the return run of the haulage chain, the wheel driving a pump. In another embodiment, Fig. 6 (not shown), the tools slide vertically relative to the body of the plough and are moved by a ram fed from a pressure cylinder. The tools may be pivoted instead of slidable. The ploughbody may be connected to a bridge member extending across the conveyor and having manually operable hydraulic controls including a hand lever projecting at the goaf side. An accumulator in the bridge member is fed from a larger accumulator at an end of the face. In another embodiment (not shown) a ram acting between the plough head and a shoe running on the goaf side of the conveyor is used, to pivot the head about a guide rail on the face side. The manual control lever may be replaced by radio control means for remote operation.