GB160899A - Improved "picking" coal cutting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

160,899. Yorkshire Engine Co., Ltd., and Wood, J. W. Dec. 20, 1919. Coal-cutting machines.-A coal-cutting machine comprises a cutter bar actuated by positively-driven cranks, or by one positively-driven crank and one or more guide cranks, the cranks being arranged in the lower chamber of a twopart casing which is divided by a diaphragm and the transmission gearing being arranged in the upper chamber, the diaphragm and the base of the lower chamber having bearings for the cranks. In the machine shown in Fig. 1, a crank-shaft d<1>, driven by a bevel-wheel b combined with a flywheel c, drives the cutter bar f and the motion is controlled by idle guide cranks e. The cranks are enclosed in a casing a', which is rotatable relatively to the casing a containing the gearing whereby the cutter bar is enabled to dig itself into the coal, after which the casings a, a<1> are locked together by pins. Only one guide crank may be provided. The tail f<1> of the cutter bar envelopes the three cranks. In the modified form shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the cutter bar is controlled by two cranks e, e<1>, both positively driven through bevel-gear b and pinions g, h, i, one of the cranks may run idly. The gears run in oil which passes to the cranks through passages m, m<1>, each passage m<1> being normally closed by a ball m<2> which is displaced by centrifugal force when the crank is in motion; packings l prevent the passage of oil into the lower rotatable casing a<1>. The cranks are coupled by a tapering two-part casing n, itself embraced by the forked tail f<1> of the cutter bar which is secured by means of a cap-piece f<2>. The slot a<3>, through which the cutter bar works, is closed by a leather cover o. A distance-piece a<5> spaces the machine body from the coal. A clutch is provided between the motor and cutter bar. As shown in Fig. 4, the cutter bar is adapted for cutting in either direction; a serrated scraper bar for removing debris may be detachably and reversably secured to the cutter bar. The cutter bar may be arranged to yield a, tapered undercut. Two-speed haulage gear, with an interposed slipping clutch, may be provided.