US2218492A

US2218492A - Mining apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2218492A
Application number: US128638A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles F Osgood
Original assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Current assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Priority date: 1937-03-02
Filing date: 1937-03-02
Publication date: 1940-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 1957-10-15

Description

5 Sheets-Sheet A1.

C. F. OSGQOD MINING APPARATUS A Oct. 15, 1940.

Filed March 2. 1957 Oct. 15, 1940. c. F. osGooD MINING APPARATUS Filed March 2, 193'? 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A Oct. 15, 1940. c. F. osGooD 2,218,492

mums APPARATUS Flint* llarch 2, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 (Zazfecs Z7 @Seynod Qua 4' Wwf y am Oct. l5, 1940. c. F. OSGOOD 2,218,492

mmm APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIII .rl

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Patented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,218,492 MINING APPARATUS Charles F. Osgood, Claremont, H., assigner to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 2, 1987,*seria1No. 128,888

4 Claims.

This invention relates to mining apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in a coal mining apparatus of the combined kerf cutting and drilling type for cutting kerfs in a coal seam and for drilling blast holes in the coal for receiving blasting charges for breaking down the coal previously cut.' 1

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal mining apparatus of the combined kerf cutting and drilling type, whereby blast holes may be drilledin the coal seam by drilling means associated with the kerf cutting means, whereby the coal may be drilled either during or subsequent to the kerf cutting operation. Another object is to provide an improved coal drilling means of the type particularly adapted to use with a coal cutting machine, .whereby during or subsequent to the kerf cutting operation a plurality of blast holes may be drilled in the coal. Still another object is to provide an improved drilling means particularly adapted to use with a coal cutting machine of the top cutting type,

whereby when the coal is being top-cut, blast holes may be drilled in the coal face below` the cut wherein and in adjacency to the mine floor. A further object is to provide an improved kerf cutting and drilling apparatus having improved means for mounting the drilling means on the coal cutting machine, whereby the drilling means may be adjusted into different.drillingpositions with respect to the kerf cutting means. A still further object is `to provide in a coal cutting machine of the combined horizontal and shear cutter type, an improved `drilling means, whereby blast 35 holes may be drilled in the coal face at various locations with respect to the horizontal and vertical kerfs cut by the kerf cutting means. Yet

another object` is to provide in a coal mining apparatus of the adjustable kerf cutter type'having a kerf cutter adjustable into either horizontal bottom or top cutting positions, an improved drilling means for drilling top holes during the bottom cutting operation and bottom holes during the `top `cutting operation. A -still further object is to provide in a coal `cutting machine of the so-called universal type having a rotatable cutter head for adjusting the kerf cutter into horizontal top and bottom cutting positions above and below the head axis and vertical shearing positions at either side of the head axis, an improved drilling means, whereby blast holes may be drilled in the coal face at various locations in any cutting position ofthe kerf cutter. Still another ob-ject is to provide an improved coal drill mounted in an improved manner on a coal cutting (Cl. 262-28l machine, whereby the drill may be adjusted'into different drilling positions about an axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the rotatable cutter head. A still further object is to provide an improved coal drill having an improved ad- 5` justable supporting structure, whereby the drill may be readily adjusted into different drilling positions, in `an improved manner. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appearl in the course of the following description and as lmore particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

I n the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration several forms which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings- .V

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a coal mining apparatus in which one illustrative form of the improved drilling means is embodied. i

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the coal mining apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig.` 3 is a front end elevational View of the mining apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, illus-r trating various positions `into which the improved drilling means may be adjusted.

Fig. 4 is'an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on lineI5--5 of Fig.' 1.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on line 6-.6 of Fig. 3, illustrating details of the drilling means.

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical sectional view taken 1 substantially on line 1 -1 of Fig. 1.` c

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken` substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. '7. l

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the improved coal mining apparatus operating in a mine entry` and showing various adjusted positions of the improved drilling means.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan View of the forward portion of the mining apparatus shown in Fig. 1, illustrating a modied form of the improved drilling means.

Fig. 11 is aidetail transverse vertical sectional View taken substantially on line I I-I l of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10, showing a further modiiied-form of the improved drilling means. Fig. 13 is` a fragmentary side elevational view of the mining apparatus shown in` Fig. 12.

Figs. 14 and 15 are diagrammatic views showing the coal mining apparatus in operating position in a mine entry, illustrating different adjusted positions of the improved drilling means.

In the several illustrative embodiments of the improved drilling means, the latter is associated with a coal cutting machine of the combined horizontal and shear cutter type commonly known as a universal track cutter, although it will be evident that the several forms of the improved drilling means may be associated with coal cutting machines of various other types. The coal cutting machine, in this particular instance, is of the same general type as that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,007,900, patented July 9, 1935, and generally comprises a portable base I mounted on wheels 2 adapted to travel along a mine trackway 3 laid on the mine floor. Mounted on the base, in overlying relation thereon, is a horizontal turntable 4 journaled for rotation in an annular frame 5 adjustably supported by three screw pedestals 6 mounted on the base. Supported on the turntable, and overhanging the annular turntable bearing frame 5 at the forward end of the base, is a horizontal arm structure 1, on which is supported a cutter carrying head 8 rotatable about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the arm structure 1. Supported by the rotatable cutter carrying head 8 is a transverse guiding frame 9, in which is slidably guided a supporting frame IG, and pivotally mounted on this supporting frame for swinging movement about an axis at right angles to the head axis, is a plane kerf cutter Ii. This kerf cutter is in the form of an elongated plane cutter bar i2 having guided for circulation about its margin an endless cutter chain I3. As shown in Fig. 5, the rotatable cutter carrying head 3 has an annular neck bearing portion i4 journaled for rotation in a bearing frame I5 supported by the arm structure 1. As clearly described in the patent above referred to, supported by the turntable 4 is a motor I6 having its power shaft connected through transmission gearing, including a horizontal shaft l1 journaled within the arm structure 1, a transmission shaft I8 and intermeshing spur gearing I9, for connecting the shafts I1 and I8 in driving relation, and the shaft I8 is operatively connected to the cutter chain for driving the latter, and the shaft I1 drives gearing comprising an internal gear 29 secured to the annular bearing frame I5, for rotating the cutter head. Also driven through the transmission shaft I8 is the mechanism for adjusting the sliding frame IG along its guiding frame 9 relative to the cutter head frame for adjusting the kerf cutter into parallel cutting planes toward and from the head axis. Supported on the truck frame is a motor 2| having its power shaft connected through transmission mechanism arranged within a transmission housing 22 for driving the truck wheels to propel the apparatus along the mine trackway and for adjusting the screw pedestals 6 for effecting vertical adjustment ment and universal tilting of the turntable 4 with respect to the portable base. As clearly described in the patent mentioned above, this coal mining apparatus is capable of cutting horizontal kerfs at the floor and roof levels and horizontal kerfs at any intermediate level, and parallel vertical shear kerfs at either side of the head axis; and in any adjusted position of the kerf cutter, the apparatus may be operated to sump the kerf cutter within the coal seam, swing the kerf cutter` accurately in its plane and to withdraw the kerf cutter from the coal seam in accordance with the well known arcwall method of cutting. As the specific structure of the coal mining apparatus does not enter into this invention, other than the particular cooperation thereof with the drilling means, and is clearly described in the above mentioned patent, further detailed description thereof is considered unnecessary.

Now referring to the illustrative embodiment of the improved drilling means shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, it will be noted that surrounding the neck bearing mounting of the cutter carrying head 8 supported on the arm structure 1 on the turntable 4, is an annular supporting and adjusting frame 25 journaled at 26 on a cylindrical bearing support 21 preferably formed integral with the arm structure 1, for rotation about an axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the cutter carrying head 8. This annular frame 25 is supported on its bearing mounting on the cylindrical support 21 by an annular retaining flange 28 secured to the support 21 and herein formed integral with the cylindrical bearing frame I5 of the rotatable cutter carrying head. The means for rotating the annular frame 25 on its bearing with respect to the support 21 may assume various forms and, in this instance, comprises a worm 29 journaled within a bearing bracket 3Q secured to the bottom of the arm structure 1 and meshing with worm gear teeth 3I formed on a sleeve-like portion 32 integral with the annular frame 25. This worm 29 is keyed to a horizontal operating shaft 33 projecting laterally in opposite directions through the opposite sides of the bearing bracket 30 in the manner shown in Fig. 4, and has fixed thereto at its opposite ends, operating handles 34. The teeth of the worm gearing are of the self-locking type and lock automatically the annular frame 25 in its adjusted position on its bearing on the support 21. In this construction, formed integral with the annular frame 25 and projecting laterally therefrom is an arm 35 lying in transverse planes at right anglesv to the axis of rotation of the rotatable frame 25. Swivelly mounted at 3i, in any suitable manner, on the outer extremity of the arm 35 is a support 3i, herein, for illustrative purposes, keyed to a horizontal shaft 38 (see Figs. '1 and 8) arranged with its axis parallel with the axis of rotation of the annular supporting frame 25 and journaled at 39 within bearing supports integral i' with the arm 35. The support 31 may be swung about its swivel mounting on the arm into different angularly related positions with respect thereto, and may be locked in adjusted position by a clamp member iii splined to the shaft 38 and having its inner surface serrated for engagement with the serrated outer surface of a plate 4I secured to the arm. Secured to the threaded reduced end 42 of the shaft is a nut 43 having an operating handle 44, for pressing the plates together to effect locking. Pivotally mounted at 45, in any suitable manner, on the swivel support 31 on an axis arranged at right angles to the swivel support axis, is an elongated arm 46, the arm swingable in planes parallel to a plane including the swivel supportaxis. Swivelled at 41 on the outer extremity of the arm 46 on an axis at right angles to the arm pivot axis is a support 48, and when the arm is arranged with its longitudinal axis disposed at right angles to the axis of the swiveled support 31, the axis 41 is parallel with the swivel axis 3S of the support '51, as shown in Fig. 3. The support 48 and the arm 46 may be locked in adjusted position about their respective pivotal axes by any suitable locking means, suchas friction locking plates I9 (see Fig. 6) interposed between the opposite faces of the bea-ring lug on `the support and the inner faces of the bearing lugs on the arm, and passing through apertures in the bearing lugs andplates is a shaft u keyed to the bearing portions of the arm and having `a threaded end 5l on which is threaded an` adjusting nut 52 provided with an operating handle 53. When the nut 52 is tightened, the plates are pressed together frictionally to hold theparts in adjusted position. The plates may, if desired, loe-serrated to provide for firm holding of the parts. Swiveled in a suitable manner on the support 48 at the outer extremity of the arm on an axis at right angles to the axis of the support 48 is a drill casing 54 of a coal drill generally designated 55. The drill casing has an annular bearing flange 56 rotatably mounted in a circular bearing recess 51 on the support 48 and retained therein by an annular retaining ring 59; Any suitable locking means may be employed for locking the swiveled drill casing to the suppo'rt 48, such as a clamping screw Gil having an operating handle 5I and engaging the serrated l eral manner as that disclosed in the Holmes Patent No. 1,903,648, patented `April 11, 1933.

vThe drill rotating and feeding `stern 63 has a chuck (i9 for receiving the shank of a usual auger drill steel 'NJ (see Fig. 6). When both clutches of the drill feeding and rotating mechanism are applied, the drill steel may be fed forwardly at a slow drilling speed, and when one or the other of the clutches is released, the drill steel may be fed either forwardly .or rearwardlyat a relatively high positioning speed.

The mode of operation of this embodiment of the invention will be clearly apparent from the description given.` The drilling means may be transported about the mi-ne from one working place to another while the drill is resting on the top of the turntable or in any other convenient manner. When the working place is reached, the cutter carrying head 8 of the coal cutting machine may be adjusted to position the cutter bar I2 into any desired horizontal or vertical cutting plane between the mine roof and mine oor and between the ribs, andthe cutterbar may be sumped in, swung arcuately in `.its plane and withdrawn from thecoal seam inaccordance With the arcwall method of cutting, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. When it is desired to cut a horizontal kerf at or near the level of the mine floor, the cutter head 8 is disposed in the position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 9, and the bar adjusting mechanism is operated to adjust the sliding frame l0 downwardly along the guiding frame 9 to lower the cutter bar into its bottom cutting position. During the bottom cutting operation, the operator may manipulate the handle 34 of the worm rotating shaft to adjust, through the worm gearing, the annular supporting frame 25 of the drill `supporting structure about its axis relative to the cutter head and turntable to locate` the drill in a position to drill `tegral with the sliding block 15.

blast holes at or near the mine roof and between and at the ribs of the entry. It is possible to operate the drill to effect its drilling function either during the bottom cutting operation orsubsequent to the bottom cutting operation. Thedrill may be swung into positions at either side of the coal cutting machine by rotation of the annular supporting frame, and the drill adjusted about the various pivotal axes of the supporting structure in the manners indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, to locate the drill to drill blast holes in any desired position in the coal face or in either rib of the entry. When it is desired to cut a hori- Zontal kerf at or nearthe roof level, the cutter head 8 of the coal cutting machine is rotated about its axis .to locate the cutter bar in horizontal top cutting position above the head axis. During the top cutting operation, the annular supporting frame 25 of the drill supporting structure may be rotated relative to the cutter head and turntableto locate the drill below the head axis in position to drill blast holes near the mine floor and between and at the ribs of the entry. If desired, the screw pedestals E of the turntable supporting means of the coal cutting machine may be adjusted to elevate the turntable 4 to provide more space beneath the cutter head, thereby to facilitate adjustment of the drill supporting structure during bottom hole drilling. During the vertical shear cutting operation at either side of the head axis, the drill may be adjusted to drill blast holes at either side of the vertical shear cut and at or near the roof and floor levels.

In lthe illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the drill arm and supporting structure, the drill, and the annular supporting frame surrounding the neck of the rotatable cutter head 8 are substantially the same4 as those 4above described. In this instance, however, the annular drill supporting frame is formed with a transverse guideway slidably receiving a block 16 on which is swivelly mounted at 'H on an axis lying in a transverse vertical plane at right angles to a plane including the axis of rotation of the annular drill supporting frame and the cutter frame, a support 18. In other words, the swivel axis l1 of the support is perpendicular to the plane of the sliding block guideway l5, as shown in Fig. 11. The support 'I8 is pivotally mounted on` a shaft 'i9 preferably formed in- Journaled on the guide frame in parallelism with the guideway is an adjusting screw 80 threaded at 8l within the sliding block and provided, at its opposite ends, with operating handles 82. Any suitable means may be employed for locking the swivel support 18 in its adjusted position, such as a serrated clamp 83 similar to the clamp shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the form ofthe invention above described. Secured to the swivel support 13 is an elongated arm 84 on whichthe drill 55 is swivelly mounted, in the same manner as that shown in Fig. 6. It will thus be seen that the drill has not only the adjustments of the form of the invention above described, but may also be adjusted transversely of the annular drill support- Otherwise the mode of operation of this form of the invention is the same as that above described.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 12 to 15, inclusive, the coal cutting machine is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this instance, however, the drill is supported by the rotatable cutter head 8 at the side of the latter opposite from the cutter bar and wholly independently of the cutter bar, so that when the cutter bar is in top cutting position, the drill is supported beneath the cutter head, and when the cutter bar is in bottom cutting position the drill is supported above the cutter head. Mounted for rotation on the cutter head frame about an axis alined with the pivotal axis of the cutter bar I2 is a turntable 86, a frame 81 secured to the head frame providing a journal for the turntable. The turntable may be locked in its adjusted position to the frame 81 and cutter head in any suitable manner, such as by a locking screw E8 provided with an operating handle S9 and engageable with the turntable. Swiveled at 9U on the turntable 86 on an axis at right angles to the turntable axis, is a support 9| carrying an elongated arm 92 on which the drill 55 is swivelly mounted in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 6. The

swivel support 9| may be locked in its adjusted position relative to the turntable by a serrated clamp 93 similar to that shown in Figs. '7 and 8, and the drill swivel clamp 94 at the outer extremity of the arm may be the sameas that shown in Fig. 6.

The mode of operation of this form of the invention is as follows: The coal cutting machine is operated in the same manner as that above described in connection with the other forms of the invention, and when the cutter head 8 is in the bottom cutting position shown in Fig. 14, or the top cutting position shown in Fig. 15, the cutter bar may be sumped in, swung arcuately in its plane and withdrawn from the coal face in an identical manner. During bottom cutting, the drill is disposed in the manner shown in Fig. 14, above the cutter head, and may be adjusted to drill top holes in the coal face at any desired location at or near the roof level and in the ribs. During top cutting, the drill is disposed beneath the cutter head, as shown in Fig, 15, and may be adjusted to drill bottom holes in the coal face at any desired location at or near the oor level and in the ribs. By the provision of the swivel supporting structure for the drill, the latter may be adjusted into positions to drill blast holes in the coal face at different inclinations or in parallelism at diierent locations and in either rib, and when the cutter head is turned into shear cutting position, holes may be drilled in the coal face at any desired point at either side of the vertical kerf, near the roof level or the floor level.

It is to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the particular drill and supporting structure shown, so long as the drill may be adjusted about the axis of the cutter head either with or independently of the cutter head, for drilling during the cutting operation or subsequently thereto. It will be evident that power rotation may be provided for rotating the drill supporting structure about the head axis, and in all forms of the invention the drill may be driven by a motor supported independently of the drill supporting structure through connections extending through the supporting structure or by flexible shafting in an obvious manner. Also the various forms of locking clamps may be substituted by other appropriate forms, and, in certain cases, the drill supporting structure may be hydraulically adjusted and locking eiected by hydraulically operated clamps, all in a manner Well known in the art.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved coal mining apparatus of the combined kerf cutting and drilling type is provided for cutting kerfs and drilling blast holes at any desired location in the coal seam. It will further be evident that an improved coal mining apparatus of the combined kerf cutting and drilling type is provided, having drilling means mounted on the coal cutting machine, whereby the coal may be drilled either during or subsequent to the kerf cutting operation. It will still further be evident that by the provision of the improved adjustable supporting structure for the drill and the improved manner of mounting the drill on the coal cutting machine, it is possible to quickly adjust the drill to drill holes at any desired location in the coal face and either rib of the mine entry. Other uses and advantages of the improved coal mining apparatus will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specically described several forms Which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining apparatus, the combination with a coal cutting machine comprising a rotatable cutter head having its neck rotatably mounted in a bearing on the machine and carrying a kerf cutter, said cutter head rotatable to adjust said kerf cutter into different cutting planes about the head axis, of a coal drill, and an adjustable supporting structure mounted on the front end of said cutting machine in adjacency to the cutter head neck for supporting said coal drill independently of said kerf cutter so that the drilling operation may occur simultaneously with the kerf cutting operation, said supporting structure comprising a member rotatably mounted on and surrounding the cutter head neck bearing mounting, and an arm structure pivotally mounted on said rotatable member, said supporting structure supporting the coal drill for adjustment relative to the coal cutting machine into horizontal drilling positions above and below the cutter head to drill horizontal holes in the coal face near the mine roof or mine floor, said supporting structure including elements for supporting said coal drill and through which the drill is connected to the cutting machine during adjustment thereof into any of aforesaid drilling positions.

2. In a mining apparatus, the combination with a coal cutting machine comprising a horizontal support swingable horizontally about a vertical axis and a cutter head having its neck rotatably mounted in a bearing on said horizontally swingable support and carrying a kerf cutter, said cutter head rotatable to adjust said kerf cutter into different cutting planes about the head axis relative to said4 support, of a coal drill, and an adjustable supporting structure mounted at the forward end of said cutting machine between said horizontally swingable support and said cutter head in adjacency to the cutter head neck for supporting said coal drill on the cutting machine independently of the kerf cutter so that the drilling operation may occur simultaneously with the kerf cutting operation, said supporting structure supporting said coal drill for adjustment relative to the coal cutting machine into horizontal drilling positions above and below the cutter head to drill horizontal holes in the coal face near the mine roof or mine oor, said supporting structure including a supporting member rotatably mounted on and surrounding the cutter head bearing mounting and an adjustable support carried by said rotatable member and on which said coal drill is mounted for supporting the coal drill and through which the drill is connected to the cutting machine during adjustment thereof into any 'of aforesaid drilling positions.

l 3. In a mining machine, the combination with a coal cutting machine having a rotatable cutter head carrying a kerf cutter and rotatable to adjust said kerf cutter into different cutting planes about the head axis, of a coal drill, and an adjustable` supporting structure` mounted on vthe front end of said cutting machine in adjacency to the cutter head for supporting said coal drill on the cutting machine independently of the kerf cutter so that the drilling operation may occur simultaneously with the kerf cutting operation, said supporting structure supporting said coal drill for adjustment relative to the cutting machine into horizontal drilling positions at the opposite sides of said cutter head and above and below the cutter head to drill horizontal holes in the coal face at either rib and near the mine floor and mine roof, said supporting structure including a guide frame providing a transverse guideway, means for adjusting said guide frame into positions above and below the cutter head axis, and a support mounted on said guideway for adjustment therealong and on which said coal 5 drill is mounted for supporting said coal drill and through which the drill is connected to the cutting machine during adjustment thereof intoy any of aforesaid drilling positions.

4. In a mining apparatus, the combination with 1 a coal cutting machine having a kerf cutter adjustable relative to the coal face into horizontal top cutting and horizontal bottom cutting positions near the roof and floor levels, of a coal drill, and an adjustable supporting structure mounted l at the frontend of said cutting machine in adjacency to the rear end of said kerf cutter for supporting said coal drill on the cutting machine independently of said kerf cutter so that the drilling operation may occur simultaneously With the kerf cutting operation, said supporting structure supporting said coal drill for adjustment relative to the cutting machine into drilling positions near the mine floor and near the mine roof and at either side of the machine, said supporting structure including an annular supporting frame journaled onsaid cutting machine about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine and a drill supporting structure adjustably mounted on said annular frame and adjustable upon rotation of the latter into diierent drill supporting positions relative to the cutting machine for supporting said coal drill and through which the drill is connected to the cutting machine during adjustment thereof into any of ,3 aforesaid drilling positions.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD.