GB2180281A

GB2180281A - Extraction machine for minerals

Info

Publication number: GB2180281A
Application number: GB08620967A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Friedrich Wilhelm Paurat; Roland Paurat
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-09-11
Filing date: 1986-08-29
Publication date: 1987-03-25
Also published as: GB2180281B; GB8620967D0; DE3532307C1

Abstract

An extraction machine for minerals, comprises a crawler traction mechanism with two separate power-driven crawler track units (1,2), connected together to form an articulated parallelogram by an extraction head (3) at one end and a rear crossbar (7) at the other end whereby a single- or multi-section extraction roll (4) extending across the breadth of the machine can be rocked horizontally to effect partial concentrated attack on the cutting face, so that it is possible to extract rock of virtually any hardness encountered in mineral deposits. At the same time the breadth of the cutting face is increased. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Extraction machine for minerals This invention relates to an extraction machine for minerals, more particularlyforthe continuous extraction of minerals in underground mine workings, having a crawlertraction mechanism with two powerdriven crawlertracks, an extraction head with singleor multi-section extraction roll extending across the breadth ofthe machine, and a conveyor disposed between the crawler tracks to offload the extracted minerals.

In a know extraction machine ofthe generic type (DE-PS 35 18 691), the crawlertraction mechanism constitutes a mechanically integrated rigid system, even though the crawler tracks can be driven independently in the conventional manner known in crawler tractor operation. Also, this known extraction machine is a section-cutting machine equipped with conventional cutters, and is regarded as capable of cutting rock provided a frontal pressure of about 500 kg can be exerted on every cutter and cutting path.

There is consequently a definite relationship between the size ofthe cutting system on the one hand and the size or mass of the machine on the other hand. if the extraction head encounters very hard minerals, ex ceedingthe maximum hardness limitfora machine designed to cut over the entire length ofthe extraction roil, the necessary frontal pressure cannot be applied, so this machine is incapable of cutting such minerals.

The object ofthe invention is to provide an improved extraction machine of the type initially described which can extract minerals of hardness exceeding that corresponding to the previous design limit.

According to the present invention, the crawler tractor mechanism is divided into two separate traction units having one crawlertrackeach and are connected togetherto form an articulated parallelogram by the extraction head at one end and a rear crossbar atthe other end, and at lest one cylinder and piston unit is provided for advancing and retracting the traction units singly and independently.

The invention utilises the recognition that a partial attack by the extraction roll on the part ofthe rockface can develop the necessary cutting capacity, since the entire frontal pressureforwhich the machine is designed is concentrated on the attacked part of the rock face. Partial attack is effected by rocking the extraction roll horizontally in relation to the crawler tracks which individually provide the forward motion.

As a result, it is possible to extract rock of virtually any hardness encountered in mineral deposits, by manoeuvring the separate traction units relative to each other. At the same time, the breadth ofthe cutting face is also increased.

An embodiment ofthe invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure lisa plan view of an extraction machine in accordance with the invention, in one operating position; and Figures 2 and 3 correspond to Figure 1 butshowthe extraction machine in further operating positions.

The extraction machine shown in the drawings is intended for the extraction of minerals, more particularlyforthe continuous extraction of minerals in underground mine workings. Its basic construction comprises a crawler traction mechanism with two power-driven crawler tracks 1,2, an extraction head 3 with an extraction roll 4 of the multi-section type and a conveyor 5 disposed between the crawler tracks for offloading the extracted minerals.

In accordance with the invention, the crawlertractor mechanism is divided into two separate traction units 1 and 2 having one crawler track each, which can be advanced and retracted singly and independently by a cylinder and piston unit 6. The traction units 1 and 2 are connected togetherto form an articulated parallelogram by the extraction head 3 atone end and a rear crossbar 7 at the other end. The joints 8 contain pints which are vertical when the extraction machine is on horizontal ground.

In Figure 1 the broken lines A indicate the breadth B1 of cut effected if the machine was to be advanced with the extraction roll 4 maintained in its mid-position indicated by the broken lines C. However, in Figure 1 the left hand traction unit 2 in relation to the direction ofdvance of the extraction machine is retracted by extending the cylinder and piston unit 6, whereby the extraction head 3 is rocked horizontally.Then both traction units 1 and 2 advance simultaneously in the extraction direction. The wedge WR shown in black in Figure 1 indicates where the extraction roll 4 partially attacks the face at the right in this mode of operation.

In Figure 2,the right hand traction unit 1 has been retracted, by retracting the cylinder and piston unit 6, and then both tractions units 1 and 2 again advance simultaneously, whereby the extraction roll 4 now partially attacks the face at the left as indicated by the wedge WL shown in black in Figure 2. In Figure3the traction units 1 and 2 have been brought into alignment with each other, so that the extraction roll 4 is in its mid-position, and, when the traction units 1 and 2 yet again advance simultaneously, the extraction roll 4attacks the face inthethreewedgesWM and WS (two) shown in black in Figure 3.

Thethree modes of operation indicated by Figures 1,2 and 3 are repeated cyclically, so that as the machine advances it can extract rock of virtually any hardness encountered.

The broken lines DL and DR in Figures 1 and 2 respectively indicate the extent to which the breadth ofthe cutting face is increased to each side ofthe machine by the rocking ofthe extraction roll 4with the extraction head 3, and in Figure3theselinesDLand DR have been extended sothatthetotal increased breadth B2 can be compared with the breadth B1 in Figure 1.

1. An extraction machine for minerals, having a crawler traction mechanism with two power-driven

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Extraction machine for minerals This invention relates to an extraction machine for minerals, more particularlyforthe continuous extraction of minerals in underground mine workings, having a crawlertraction mechanism with two powerdriven crawlertracks, an extraction head with singleor multi-section extraction roll extending across the breadth ofthe machine, and a conveyor disposed between the crawler tracks to offload the extracted minerals. In a know extraction machine ofthe generic type (DE-PS 35 18 691), the crawlertraction mechanism constitutes a mechanically integrated rigid system, even though the crawler tracks can be driven independently in the conventional manner known in crawler tractor operation. Also, this known extraction machine is a section-cutting machine equipped with conventional cutters, and is regarded as capable of cutting rock provided a frontal pressure of about 500 kg can be exerted on every cutter and cutting path. There is consequently a definite relationship between the size ofthe cutting system on the one hand and the size or mass of the machine on the other hand. if the extraction head encounters very hard minerals, ex ceedingthe maximum hardness limitfora machine designed to cut over the entire length ofthe extraction roil, the necessary frontal pressure cannot be applied, so this machine is incapable of cutting such minerals. The object ofthe invention is to provide an improved extraction machine of the type initially described which can extract minerals of hardness exceeding that corresponding to the previous design limit. According to the present invention, the crawler tractor mechanism is divided into two separate traction units having one crawlertrackeach and are connected togetherto form an articulated parallelogram by the extraction head at one end and a rear crossbar atthe other end, and at lest one cylinder and piston unit is provided for advancing and retracting the traction units singly and independently. The invention utilises the recognition that a partial attack by the extraction roll on the part ofthe rockface can develop the necessary cutting capacity, since the entire frontal pressureforwhich the machine is designed is concentrated on the attacked part of the rock face. Partial attack is effected by rocking the extraction roll horizontally in relation to the crawler tracks which individually provide the forward motion. As a result, it is possible to extract rock of virtually any hardness encountered in mineral deposits, by manoeuvring the separate traction units relative to each other. At the same time, the breadth ofthe cutting face is also increased. An embodiment ofthe invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure lisa plan view of an extraction machine in accordance with the invention, in one operating position; and Figures 2 and 3 correspond to Figure 1 butshowthe extraction machine in further operating positions. The extraction machine shown in the drawings is intended for the extraction of minerals, more particularlyforthe continuous extraction of minerals in underground mine workings. Its basic construction comprises a crawler traction mechanism with two power-driven crawler tracks 1,2, an extraction head 3 with an extraction roll 4 of the multi-section type and a conveyor 5 disposed between the crawler tracks for offloading the extracted minerals. In accordance with the invention, the crawlertractor mechanism is divided into two separate traction units 1 and 2 having one crawler track each, which can be advanced and retracted singly and independently by a cylinder and piston unit 6. The traction units 1 and 2 are connected togetherto form an articulated parallelogram by the extraction head 3 atone end and a rear crossbar 7 at the other end. The joints 8 contain pints which are vertical when the extraction machine is on horizontal ground. In Figure 1 the broken lines A indicate the breadth B1 of cut effected if the machine was to be advanced with the extraction roll 4 maintained in its mid-position indicated by the broken lines C. However, in Figure 1 the left hand traction unit 2 in relation to the direction ofdvance of the extraction machine is retracted by extending the cylinder and piston unit 6, whereby the extraction head 3 is rocked horizontally.Then both traction units 1 and 2 advance simultaneously in the extraction direction. The wedge WR shown in black in Figure 1 indicates where the extraction roll 4 partially attacks the face at the right in this mode of operation. In Figure 2,the right hand traction unit 1 has been retracted, by retracting the cylinder and piston unit 6, and then both tractions units 1 and 2 again advance simultaneously, whereby the extraction roll 4 now partially attacks the face at the left as indicated by the wedge WL shown in black in Figure 2. In Figure3the traction units 1 and 2 have been brought into alignment with each other, so that the extraction roll 4 is in its mid-position, and, when the traction units 1 and 2 yet again advance simultaneously, the extraction roll 4attacks the face inthethreewedgesWM and WS (two) shown in black in Figure 3. Thethree modes of operation indicated by Figures 1,2 and 3 are repeated cyclically, so that as the machine advances it can extract rock of virtually any hardness encountered. The broken lines DL and DR in Figures 1 and 2 respectively indicate the extent to which the breadth ofthe cutting face is increased to each side ofthe machine by the rocking ofthe extraction roll 4with the extraction head 3, and in Figure3theselinesDLand DR have been extended sothatthetotal increased breadth B2 can be compared with the breadth B1 in Figure 1. CLAIMS

1. An extraction machine for minerals, having a crawler traction mechanism with two power-driven crawler tracks, an extraction head with single- or multi-section extraction roll extending across the breadth ofthe machine, and a conveyor disposed between the crawler tracks to offload the extracted minerals, the crawlertraction mechanism being divided into two separate traction units having one crawlertrack each and being connected together to form an articulated parallelogram bythe extraction headatoneend and a rearcrossbaratthe otherendt and at least one cylinder and piston unit being provided for advancing and retracting the traction units singly and independently.

2. An extraction machine for minerals substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.