GB184264A - Improvements relating to coal cutting and similar machines - Google Patents

Abstract

184,264. Cowlishaw, Walker, & Co. (1920), Ltd., and Moore, M. S. May 6, 1921. Coal-cutting machines.-A coal-cutting or like machine is provided at the haulage end with an additional drum b, which has a surface adapted to be engaged by a brake band b<2> controlled by a screw b<4> passing through a centre post o and operated by a hand-wheel b<3>, while the lower end of the drum is provided with a ratchet-wheel b<5> adapted to be engaged by a spring pawl b<6>; when the machine is used for pillar and room working, a tail rope passes round the drum b, and the band brake and haulage drum c may be manipulated so that the cut is effected in a series of angular movements about the drum b; when the machine is used for long wall working in inclined seams, a safety rope engages the drum and is anchored fore and aft and the pawl b‹ and ratchet b<5> are engaged so as to permit advance of the machine and prevent reverse movement. The drums b, c are mounted on vertical axes in opposite laterally-disposed positions. The haulage drum c is mounted on a conical hollow shaft c<3> driven by a pinion c<2> and is frictionally engaged with the shaft, to a variable degree, by means of a wheel nut c<4>. The drums b, care readily interchangeable. When the machine is cutting, the haulage drum is driven from the main motor through worm gearing driving a shaft a carrying a crank a<2> which oscillates a lever b pivoted to a shaft g and driving this shaft through a pawl d and ratchet-wheel j', the shaft g conveying the motion to the drum through gears g', c<2>; a shield j<2> is carried by a plate j with a worm segment j<1> engaged by a worm k which is rotated by a handwheel k<2> to cause the shield j<2> to vary the range of action of the pawl d and so vary the speed of the haulage drum; a stop j<4> limits the movement oi the plate j. When the machine is to be moved to a fresh working place the haulage drum is continuously driven at high speed by moving a fork n<2> to cause a slidable pinion n<1> to convey rotation from a pinion a<4> on the shaft a to the gear g<1>. The ratchet mechanism and the cheek pawl e" therefor are reversably mounted and the stop j<4> and the boss for the support of the spindle of the worm k are provided in duplicate. At the sides of the machine are provided adjustable supports r. The machine may be adapted for chain haulage by replacing the drums b, c by chain drums or sprockets, and mounting chain sprockets on the shafts o, g.