US1741134A

US1741134A - Mining machine

Info

Publication number: US1741134A
Application number: US165201A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles B Officer
Original assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Current assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Priority date: 1927-02-01
Filing date: 1927-02-01
Publication date: 1929-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1946-12-24

Description

Dec. 24, 1929. c. B. OFFICER MINING MACHINE Filed Feb. -1 1927 Invenior: Th

MA'MM w 'il-l' Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES B. OFFICER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR- TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS IVIINING MACHINE Application filed February 1, 1927. Serial No. 165,201.

This invention relates to mining machines and more particularly pertains to feeding mechanisms for coal mining machines.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal mining machine of the type slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom during cutting and having improved power operated feeding means therefor. Another object is to provide an improved power operated feed jack for a mining machine operated by the mining machine driving motor. Still another object of this invention is to provide improved feeding means for a mining machine of the room and pillar type, this improved feeding means includmg a ack operated by the flexible feeding means for the machine. Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved sumpmg jack for a room and pillar type coal cutter. Another object is to provide an lmproved feed chain jack. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will, however, subsequently appear.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of amining machine illustrating the improved feeding mechan sm applied thereto, a portion of the feedlng mechanism being shown in section to illustrate details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

.Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention the improved feeding mechanism is shown applied to a mining machine 1 of a well known room and pillar chain fed type having a frame 2 slidable on its bottom 3 over the mine bottom during cutting. Projecting forwardly from and rigidly secured to the frame 2 is a horizontal plane cutter bar 4 having a cutter bit carrying cutter chain 5 supported on its margin, the cutter chain being adapted to be rapidly circulated about the bar in a usual manner. A motor 6 is carried by the frame 2 and is adapted to drive the cutter chain 5 and also a feed operating member 7, herein a chain sprocket rotatable on a vertical axis. Cooperating with the feed operating member 7 is a usual flexible feeding memher 8 herein a flexible feed chain. As illustrated suitable guide sheaves or rolls 9 are located adjacent the feed sprocket 7 for guiding the feed chain 8 relative to the feed sprocket.

Heretofore the advance and receding portions of the feed chain 8 were anchored at their free ends adjacent the right and left hand ribs of the room and the machine fed in a well known manner relative to the feed chain as the feed sprocket 7 was rotated. However, under certain conditions it has been found impractical to extend the feed chain to the ribs, for instance when cutting a face where the coal has been shot down prior to the transverse cutting operation, and more especially in a machine of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 73,179 filed Dec. 4, 1925, where the coal is simul taneously cut and loaded. To overcome certain disadvantages of the usual flexible feeding means under such conditions the following improved feeding mechanism has been devised.

The improved feeding mechanism as shown in the drawings specifically comprises an elongated rack bar 10 having a hollow casing 11 in which a rack 12 is slidably guided. The bar 10 is pivotally connected at 13 to a usual telescopic screw operated roof jack 14 al though it is obvious that jacks of various types may be used with equal success. The rack bar 10 is positioned on the roof jack 14 by means of adjustable collars 15. Rotatably mounted on the casing 11 of the jack at 16 on a vertical axis is a chain sprocket 17 in use arranged substantially parallel with the feed sprocket 7 and in substantially the same horizontal plane. The sprocket 17 has secured thereto and rotatable therewith a spur pinion 18 disposed within the casing 11 and meshing with the teeth on the slidable rack 12. Also journaled on the casing 11 adjacent ichain jack when the feed sprocket 7 is rothe sprocket 17 is a guide sprocket 19. As shown, formed on the inner or machine end of the rack is a transverse machine abutting member 20 adapted to engage the end or sides of the machine as will later be described. If desired the member 20 may be bolted to the machine frame or a socket or clamp may be provided on the machine for receiving the member 20. The feed chain 8 is adapted to be extended from the feed sprocket 7 around the central guide sprocket 9 and between the sprockets 17 and 19 as clearly shown in Fig. 1, the free ends of the feed chain lyingslack on the mine bottom.

In the operation of the improved feed tated by the motor 6, the feed chain 8 is drawn 1n, and due to its connection with the sprocket 17 the pinion 18 is rotated and consequently the rack 12 is fed outwardly relative to the casing 11. The pitch of the rack and pinion is such as to cause the movement of the rack to be slower than the movement of the feed chain, that is, the feed chain is drawn in at a rate faster than the rate of movement of the rack 12, and consequently the rack 'will feed the machine forwardly relative to the casing 11 as the chain is drawn in by the sprocket 7. When the jack is in the position shown in Fig. 1 and the machine suitably positioned adqacent the face the cutter bar maybe sumped in under the coal at a cutting speed, the machine moving endwise atthat time. After the sumping cut is completed the jack may be suitably positioned with its transverse abutting member 20 engaging the side of the machine and upon continued rotation of the feed sprocket 7 the machine may be fed transversely relative to the coal face. W] hen the limit of feeding movement of the rack'12 is reached the roof jack 14 may be released and the chain rereeved relative to the sprocket 17 and upon rotation of the sprocket 7 the sprocket 17 will be rotated in a reverse direction and the casing 11 and jack 14L will be drawn toward the machine relative to the then stationary rack 12. The

roof jack 14 is then again set and the feeding operation is repeated until a cut of the desired length is obtained. Other uses and advantages of the improved feed chain jack driven thereby, and a rotatable chain sprocket driven by said motor adapted to cooperate with a flexible chain, of feeding means for the machine operated by said motor comprising a detachable power jack engaging the exterior of the machine and reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment, said jack including a rotatable chain sprocket cooperating with said chain.

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a driving motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, and a rotatable chain sprocket driven by said motor adapted to cooperate with a flexible feed chain, of feeding means for the machine operated by said motor comprising a. jack including a guide element reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment, a sliding rack carried by said guide element and engaging the machine, a pinion meshing with said rack, and a chain sprocket for rotating said pinion and with which the feed chain cooperates.

3. In a mining machine, the combination with a driving motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby and a rotatable feed operating member driven by said motor adapted to cooperate with a flexible feed element, of feeding means for the machine operated by said motor comprising a jack including a guide element reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment, a sliding rack carried by said guide element and engaging the machine, a pinion meshing with said rack, and a rotatable member for rotating said pinion and with which the flexible feed element cooperates.

4. In a mining machine, the combination with a driving motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby and a rotatable chain sprocket driven by said motor adapted to cooperate with a flexible feed chain, of feeding means for the machine operated by said motor comprising a jack including a guide element, a sliding rack element carried by said guide element, one of said elements reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment and the other element engaging the machine, a pinion meshing with said rack, and a chain sprocket for rotating said pinion and with which the feed chain cooperates.

5. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting, of supplemental positive feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodily over the mine bottom operated by said flexible feeding means.

6. The combmatlon with a mining machine comprising a machine frame shdable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting including a feed operating member and a cooperating flexible feeding member, of supplemental feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodily over the mine bottom comprising a feeding device operated by said flexible member.

7. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting including a feed operating member and a cooperating flexible feeding member, of supplemental feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodily over the mine bottom comprising a feeding device including a rotatable driving means operated by said flexible feeding member.

8. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting including a feed operating member and a cooperating flexible feeding member, of supplemental feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodily over the mine bottom comprising a feeding device including a rack and a cooperating pinion, a rotating member for said pinion operated by said flexible feeding member.

9. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting, of supplemental feeding means for the machine including a telescopic jack operated by said flexible feeding member.

10. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a driving motor, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means driven by said motor for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting including a rotatable feed operating member adapted to cooperate with a flexible feeding element, of supplemental feeding means for the machine operated by said motor comprising a power jack engaging the machine and reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment, said jack including a rotatable member operated by said flexible feeding element.

11. The combination with a mining machine comprising a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a driving motor, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means operated by said motor for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting, of supplemental feeding means for the machine operated by said motor for moving the machine either longitudinally to feed the cutter bar into the coal to effect a sumping cut or laterally relative to the coal face during cutting to effect a transverse cut comprising a power jack engaging the machine frame and reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment.

12. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and feeding means for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally during cutting including a terminal element adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, of supplemental positive feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodily over the mine bottom operated by said terminal feeding element of said first mentioned feeding means.

13. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machine bodily over the mine bottom during cutting, of supplemental positive feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodily over the mine bottom operated by said flexible feeding means.

14. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a driving motor, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means operated by said motor for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting, of supplemental feeding means for the machine operated by said motor for moving the machine longitudinally to feed the cutter bar into the coal or transversely relatively to the coal face to make a transverse cut comprising a power jack engageable with the machine frame either longitudinally or transversely thereof to effect feeding movement of the machine on the bottom in the aforesaid directions and reacting against a stationary extraneous abutment.

15. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom and an elongated kerf cutter projecting from said frame, of feeding means for the machine comprising a power jack including feeding elements having relative longitudinal movement, one of said elements engaging the machine while the other reacts against a stationary extraneous abutment, said feeding means being operative to move the machine upon the mine bottom bodily laterally transversely across the coal face to effect the transverse cutting operation.

16. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frame slidable on its bottom on tile mine bottom and an elongated kerf cutter projecting from said frame, of feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodily over the mine bottom and comprising a power jack including feeding elements having relative longitudinal movement, one of said elements engaging the "Q machine while the other reacts against a stationary extraneous abutment, said feeding means being disposable in different positions, in one postion longitudinally lengthwise of the machine to move the machine longitudinally to effect the sumping cut and in the other position transversely to said machine to move the machine transversely relative to the coal face to effect the transverse cut.

17. The combination with a mining machine including a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a cutter bar projecting from said frame, and flexible feeding means for normally feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom during cutting, of supplemental positive feeding means for the machine for feeding the latter bodily over the mine bottom operated by said flexible feeding means and including elements operated by said flexible feeding means to effect feeding of the machine at a speed slower than the normal rate of machine feed ing speed effected by said flexible feeding means.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

CHARLES B. OFFICER.