GB2397313A

GB2397313A - A remotely operated or a fully automated mining machine

Info

Publication number: GB2397313A
Application number: GB0302799A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Richard Swift
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-14
Filing date: 2003-02-07
Publication date: 2004-07-21
Also published as: GB0302799D0; GB0300769D0

Abstract

A remotely operated or a fully automated mining machine comprises a body 8 mounted on endless tracks 17, a shovel 7 is mounted pivotally at the front of the body 8 for channelling the material from the rock face onto a conveyor belt 9. The drilling mechanism comprises a drill 3 mounted on a swivel mount 4. The remotely operated mining machine further comprises lighting 1 and cameras 2 for viewing and arms 6 for propping the ceiling and the side walls. In another embodiment, the shovel 7 mounted on a retractable mounting 10 for sliding the shovel 7 into the body 8, and the drill 3 mounted on an extendable arm 13 which in then mounted onto a rotating sponson mounting 11.

Description

Remote Controlled or Fully Automatic Mining Machine This invention relates

to a remote controlled or fully automatic mining machine.

Mining can be a dangerous activity so a surface controlled or fully automatic machine is needed If the price of say coal from overseas goes up this machine and related technology will become more valuable. Pit head mine access gear might have to be altered to accommodate some of the latest equipment.

According to the present invention there is track mounted vehicle which might be electronically powere d with a shovel mounted at the front together with pneumatic drills and or other mineral cutting equi- -pment. Then there is a conveyor belt running throng h the middle of the machine to carry the minerals to other equipment- conveyor belts etc to carry the minerals to the surface. Arms on top and by the sides of this machine may carry pit-prop gear to shore up the tunnel as the machine moves along it. Lights and TV gear may be mounted on the front of this machine for operation by remote control not to mention dust extractors etc. The invention may be seen in Fig 1 which shows the tracked vehicle 5 with shovel 7, drills or other mineral cutting gear 3, on moveable mounts 4, the minerals being conveyed to the rear of the vehicle by a conveyor belt 9, there being arms on the sides and top of the vehicle for pit- props etc 6, TV cameras 2 may be fitted to the vehicle for remote operation together with lights 1.

The mining machine may war k underneath a shield of some kind which may be moved forwards as the machine works.

New shielding being added behind the machine by other machines.

This machine may be made in two main versions - version (A) or as version (B) having stronger drill holding arms and retractable shovel so that this vehicle may work in the gold mines of the Republic of South Africa.

Figure 3shows the (B) version of this vehicle with its TV cameras 2, lights 1, with its mineral drilling or cutting gear hard points 3 on both of its arms 13 fitted into sponsor mountings 11, able to allow the vehicl e to cut into rock all over its frontal area the arms bei ng able to move left and right to about 180 and able to be elevated and depressed, there being another fitting 12 consisting of retractable arms of a more dexterous nature able to hold and plant explosive charges into holes drilled into the rock by the mineral cutting / drilling equipment. This vehicle having pit prop carrying arms 6 able to hold adapted folding pit prop gear which is able to expand and contract by parts of it sliding over one another ( see Fig 4) , this vehicles control computer shown at 15, the vehicle having sensors 16 able to help to guide it along the tunnels of its mine. In Figure 3 the tracks 17 being shown as cut away to reveal its front retractable shovel mount 10 and shovel 7. ( this may be ably shown schematically in fact the real machine might need more ground clearance than actuall y shown to allow for the shovels hydrolic movement equipme nt). Both (A) and (B) machines having pit prop holding arms 6 on the ends of which are pit-prop spreaders 14 Figure 4 shows the vehicles special pit prop equipment 18 with parts which may slide over one another but will lock into place once sited, there may be strengtheners 19 and location points for the vehicles arms 20.

It being fitted with a driving engine 21 and an air compressor 22.

The vehicle may also be made as a plastic construction kit.

Claims

1. A remote controlled or fully automatic mining machine comprising a body mounted on tracks with a shovel, which may be retractable in the (B) version, together with arms at the front of the vehicle able to turn left and right to about 180 mounted in swivel posts in the (A) version or in sponsor mounts in the (B) version allowing the arms to elevate and depress to some extent such that the machines arms may be able to reach and thus drill into or cut the mineral face in front of the vehicle.

2. A remote controlled mining machine as claimed in claim 1 with a conveyor belt running through the middle of the machine. The machine also being fitted with lights and TV cameras or other sensors to monitor the mineral drilling / cutting processes with other sensors able with its computer to guide this vehic,le along the tunnels of a mine. The vehicle may also be fitted with dust and gas extracting equipment.

3. A remote controlled mining machine as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein it is able to carry and to put into place associated pit- prop equipment by the use of its robotic arms on its top and sides. This equipment being specially made to fit this vehicles arms, it being able to contract and extend as required by the use of spreader fittings on the ends of this vehicles pit-prop carrying arms.

4. A remote controlled or fully automatic mining machine as claimed in claims 1-3 and as substantially described herein with reference to figures 1-4 of the enclosed drawings.

5. A remote controlled mining machine as claimed in claims 1-4 wherein it may be fitted with a radio and / or televis ion transmitter / receiver so that it may be remotely controlled and / or so that some or all of its automatic or semi-automatic functions may be monitored and / or adjusted accordingly.

6. A remote controlled mining vehicle as claimed in claims 1-5 wherein it may be fitted with a driving engine and an air compressor.