US2297894A

US2297894A - Coal mining machine

Info

Publication number: US2297894A
Application number: US301652A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph F Joy
Original assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Current assignee: Sullivan Machinery Co
Priority date: 1936-05-27
Filing date: 1939-10-27
Publication date: 1942-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 1959-10-06

Description

oct. s, 1942. J, F. JGY -2,297,894

-CQAL MINING MACHINE Original Filed May 27,' 1936 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 6, 1942. l J. F. JOY 2,297,894

COAL MINING MACHINE Original Filed May 2'7, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 6, 1942 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COAL MINING MACHINE Joseph F. Joy, Franklin, Pa., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Original .application May 27, 1936, Serial No. 82,153, now Patent No. 2,205,012, dated June 18, 1940. Divided and this application October 27, 1939, Serial No. 301,652

9 Ciaims.

An object of this invention is to provide anl improved coal mining machine. Another object is to provide `an improved feeding mechanism for a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, oor cutter type. A further object is to provide an improved mining machine feeding mechanism embodying an improved mounting arrangement for the feeding and controlling drums. Yet another object is to `provide an improved driving means for the feeding and controlling drums, embodying improved means for releasing the drums from their respective driving means. A further object is to provide an improved mining machine feeding mechanism embodying improved control means for the feeding and controlling drums, the improved control means being associated with the drum mounting means in an improved manner.Y Still .another object is to provide improved drum braking means, whereby the drums may rotate in cable-unwinding direction under the control. of frictional resistance. Other objects and advantages of the invention Will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

This application is a division of my. copending application Serial N-o. 82,153, led May 27, 1936, now matured into Patent No. 2,205,012, granted June 18, 1940.

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

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view-of a coal mining machine inv which the illustrative embodiment of the improved feeding mechanism is incorporated, part of the frame being broken away to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the mining machine shown in Fig. 1, part of the frame being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged View in horizontal section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, with parts omitted.

Fig. 5 is a view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, the invention is shown embodied in a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, room and pillar, floor cutter type, although it Will be evidentthat various features of the invention may be vincorporated in coal mining machines of various other types.

The coal mining machine as disclosed herein comprises a machine frame I having a plane bottom surface 2 and adapted to rest upon and slidev in any direction over the mine floor. The machineI frame comprises a front feed and cutter frame section 3, a Arear motor frame section 4, a

bottom skidV plate 5, and a detachable top plate B, the

frame sections

3 and 4 and the

plates

5 and 6 `being rigidly united to form a compact unitary structure. Projecting horizontally from and rigidly secured tothe machine frame is an elongated, horizontal, plane cutter bar I having guided on its margin, for circulation thereabout, an endlesscutter chain il. Arranged within the motor frame section 4 is a motor 9 having a horizontal power shaft l5, and keyed to the front end of the motor -power shaft is a bevel gear II (Figs. 1 and 4) meshing with a large horizontal bevel gear I2. The 'bevel gear I2 is connectible by a suitable clutch to a Vertical shaft which -drives a chain sprocket, the latter in turn engaging and driving the endless cutter chain 8, in the manner clearly described in the copending application, Serial No. 82,153, mentioned above.

The improved feeding mechanism for the machine comprises a vertical worm I3 driven by the bevel gear VI2 and meshing with a Worm wheel I4, the latter being keyed to a horizontal shaft I5 extending across the machine above the bevel gear I2 and suitably journaled within the opposite sides of the cutter and feed frame section 3. Formed integral with and driven by the shaft vI5 is a spur gear I5 meshing with a spur gear I'I keyed to a shaft I8, the latter extending Ytransversely of the machine in parallelism with and at therear of the shaft I5. Fixed to and driven by the shaft I8 is a spur gear I9 meshing, vas shown most clearly in Fig. 5, with the teeth of an internal gear 2B formed on a feed drum 2|. This drum is journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the machine on bearing sleeves supported by a stub shaft 22, .the latter being arranged parallel with the kshafts I5 and I8 and secured within a bore 23 formed Within a supporting boss 24 integral with a vertically swingable frame 25 in the form of a bell crank. This frame is pivoted at 25 on a horizontal, transversely extending vshaft 2l` arranged parallel with the shafts 'I8 and 22 and herein secured within a bore y28 formed Within a boss 2%! integral with the adjacent side of the cutter and feed frame section. The swingable frame 25 is provided with an operating lever 39 projecting rearwardly along the side of the machine frame and having a grasping handle 3l. Suitable releasable locking means is provided for locking the lever in its different positions. The operator, by vertically swinging the lever 30, may rock the frame 25 about its pivotal mounting on the shaft 21 to move the internal gear 2i] on the drum into and out of meshing engagement with the teeth of the spur driving gear I9. Formed integral with the swingable frame 25 is a stop lug 33 engageable with spaced stops 34 rigidly secured to the adjacent side of the machine frame, and this stop lug limits the amount of swinging movement of the frame 25.

In accordance also with this invention, keyed to the shaft I5, at the opposite side of the machine from the spur gear I6, is a relatively large spur gear 36 meshing, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3, with a spur gear 31 keyed to the hub of a control drum 38, the latter arranged at the opposite side of the machine from the feed drum 2l, as shown in Figs. 1Y and 4. The drum 38 is journaled for rotation on a horizontal axis extending transversely of the machine on bearings supported by a stub shaft 39 secured to a vertically swingable frame 40 in the form of a bell crank, the latter being pivotally mounted at 4I (Fig. 3) on a horizontal transverse shaft 42 arranged parallel with the shafts I5l and 38 and, like the shaft 21, rigidly secured within the adjacent side of the machine frame. The swingable frame 4i! is formed with a lever 43 projecting rearwardly along the side of the machine frame and having an operating handle 44. This lever likewise has suitable releasable means for locking the lever in its different positions. This lever, upon swinging thereof, effects rocking of the frame 40 about its pivot to move the spur gear 31 into and out of meshing engagement with the spur driving gear 35. This swingable frame 49 is likewise provided with a stop lug 56 engageable with spaced stops 41 rigidly fixed to the adjacent side of the machine frame; and these stops limits the amount which the frame 4|] can be swung. It will thus be seen that the feeding and controlling drums 2| and 38 may be quickly thrown into engagement with or disconnected from their drives simply by releasing the leverlocking means and swinging the levers to rock the drum-carrying

frames

25 and 40 about their pivotal mountings.

The spur gearing I6, l1, I9 and 2U constitutes low speed driving means Vfor the feed drum 2|, while the

spur gears

36, 31 constitute high speed driving means for the control drum 38. A friction brake is provided for retarding rotation of the control drum 38 when the latter is disconnected from its driving gear 33, comprising a series of brake discs 49 (Fig. 4) housed within the drum and keyed to the shaft 39; and these brake discs are interleaved with a series of brake discs 50 keyed to the controlling drum 38. Mounted centrally within the shaft 39 is a screw 5| having threaded thereon an adjusting nut 52 having an operating handle 53. This nut is provided with a collar 54 engageable with the exterior surface of a pressure plate 55, the latter in turn engaging the inner face of the adjacent drum bearing. The opposite side of the inner bearing race engages a pressure-applying plate 56. When the nut 52 is screwed inwardly along the screw 5l, the pressure plate 55, the drum bearing, and the plate 56 are moved inwardly, thereby frictionally to connect the braking plates t0- gether, and as a result rotation of the control drum 38 is frictionally braked. By regulating the application of the braking pressure, the control drum may rotate in unwinding direction, i. e. a direction to unwind the cable, under various degrees of frictional resistance. This enables the Icontrolling cable to be payed out, from the control drum under the control of frictional resistance as the feed cable is wound in by the feed drum, thereby to control the angle of the machine with respect to the coal face during the cutting operation.

Means is provided for frictionally resisting rotation of the feed drum 2i so that when the latter is suddenly released from its drive undue spinning thereof and a resultant undesirable un- Y winding of the feed cable are prevented. This "splnning brake comprises a braking plunger 5S mounted in a sleeve 6I guided within a bore 62 formed Within a cylindrical guide 83 secured Within the swingable drum-carrying frame 25. Engaging a flange 64 on the sleeve 6| and the inner wall of the guide bore is a coil spring 65 for constantly yieldingly urging the braking plunger into frictional engagement with the adjacent plane surface 63 of the feed drum 2l.

Wound on the feed drum 2l is a flexible feeding cable 58, while wound on the controlling drum 38 is a flexible controlling cable 69; and guiding means is provided for these cables for guiding the latter during the various operations of the machine, in the manner clearly described in the above-mentioned copending application.

From the foregoing, it is evident that by releasing the lever-locking means and swinging the

levers

30 and 53 to rock the drum-carrying frames 25 and ell about their respective pivots, the drum gears may be moved out of mesh with their driving gears, thereby to interrupt drum drive. When the feed drum 2| is disconnected from its drive, the spinning brake 6D automatically prevents undue spinning of the drum so that undesirable unwinding of the feed cable is prevented. By adjusting the retarding brake 39, 55 for the controlling drum 38, the latter, when it is disconnected from its drive, may be permitted to rotate in unwinding direction under various degrees of frictional resistance, thereby to control unwinding of the controlling cable. By mounting the drums on swingable frames in the manner described, an extremely simple means is afforded for disconnecting the drums from, or connecting the same to, their respective driving means. Other uses and advantages of the improved feeding mechanism will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form is shown for purposes of illustration only, and that the invention may be modified 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 combination, a cable winding drum, a rotatably supported drum driving gear, a second gear secured t0 said drum in coaxial relation therewith and adapted to mesh with said drum driving gear, an element providing a bearing in laterally offset relation to said drum driving gear, a frame in the form of a bell crank mounted for swinging movement upon said bearing and having angularly related arms one of which is longer than the other, said longer arm serving as a lever to eect swinging of said bell crank frame about its pivot, a second bearing on said bell crank frame whose axis is parallel to the axis of said drum driving gear and which is laterally offset from and lies outside said rst mentioned bearing, said drum being journaled upon said second mentioned bearing on said bell crank frame, said arms being so related that a plane passing throughsaid bearing axes when extended lies between said arms, means associated with said longer lever arm of said bell crank frame for swinging the latter oppositely into different positions about said first mentioned bearing respectively to effect engagement and to effect disengagement of said second mentioned `gear and said drum driving gear, and associated means for locking said bell crank frame in said different positions.

2. In combination, a cable winding drum, a rotatably supported drum driving gear, a second gear secured to said drum in coaxial relation therewith and adapted to mesh with said drum driving gear, an element providing a bearing in laterally offset relation to said drum driving gear, a frame in the form of a bell crank mounted for swinging movement upon said bearing and having angularly related arms one.

of `which is longer than the other, said longer arm serving as a lever to eect swinging of said bell crank frame about its pivot, a second bearing on said bell crank frame whose; axis is parallel to the axis of said drum drivinggear` and which is laterally offset from and lies outsider said rst mentioned bearing, said drum being journaled upon said second mentioned bearing on said bell crank frame, said arms being so related that a plane passing through saidbearing axes when extended lies between said arms, means associated with said longer lever arm of said bell crank frame for swinging the latter oppositely into different positions about said first mentioned bearing respectively to effect engagement and to effect disengagement of said second mentioned gear and said drum driving gear, associated means for locking said bell crank frame in said different positions, and stop means associated with the other arm of said bell crank frame for limiting swing movement of the latter.

3. In combination, a cable winding drum, a rotatably supported drum driving gear, a second gear secured to said drum in coaxial relation therewith and adapted to mesh with said drum driving gear, an element providing a bearing in laterally offset relation to said drum driving gear, a frame in the form of a bell crank mounted for swinging movement upon said bearing and having angularly related arms one of which is longer than the other, said longer arm serving as a lever to eect swinging of said bell crank frame about its pivot, a second bearing on said bell crank frame whose axis is parallel to the axis of said drum driving gear and which is laterally offset from and lies outside said first mentioned bearing, said drum being journaled upon said second mentioned bearing on said bell crank frame, said arms being so related that a plane passing through said bearing axes when extended lies between said arm, means associated with said longer lever arm of said bell crank frame for swinging the latter oppositely into different positions about said first mentioned bearing respectively to effect engagement and to effect disengagement of said second mentioned gear and said' drum driving gear, associated means for locking said bell crank frame in said different positions, and a brake on said bell crank frame at a point spaced from the crank pivot and engaging said drum for frictionally resisting rotation thereof when said gears are moved out of engagement.

4. In combination, a cable winding drum, a rotatably supported drum driving gear, a second gear secured to said drum in coaxial relation therewith and adapted to mesh with said drum driving gear, an element providing a bearing in laterally offset relation to said drum driving gear, a frame in the form of a bell crank mounted for swinging movement upon said bearing and having angularly related arms one of which is longer than the other, said longer arm serving as a lever to effect swinging of said bell crank frame about its pivot, a second bearing on said bell crank frame whose axis is parallel to the axis of said drum driving gear and which is laterally offset from and lies outside said first mentioned bearing, seid drum being journaled upon said secon-d mentioned bearing on said bell crank frame, said being so related that a plane passing through said bearing axes when extended lies between said arms, means associated with said longer lever arm of said bell crank frame for swinging the latter oppositely into different positions about said first mentioned bearing respectively to effect engagement and to effect disengagement of said second mentioned gear and said drum driving gear, associated means for locking said bell crank frame in said different positions, and a brake on said bell crank frame at a point spaced from the crank pivot nearer said shorter arm and engaging said drum for frictionally resisting rotation thereof when said gears are moved out of engagement.

5. In combination, a cable winding drum, a rotatably supported drum driving gear, a second gear secured to said drum in coaxial relation there vith and adapted to mesh with said drum driving gear, an element providing a bearing in laterally offset relation to said drum driving gear, a frame in the form of a bell crank mounted for swinging movement upon said bearing and having an elongated arm serving as a lever to effect swinging of said bell crank frame about its pivot, a second bearing on said bell crank frame whose axis is parallel to the axis of said drum driving gear and which is laterally offset from and lies outside said first mentioned bearing, said drum being journaled upon said second mentioned bearing on said bell crank frame, means associated with said elongated lever arm of said bell crank frame for swinging the latter oppositely 4into different positions about said first mentioned bearing respectively to eifect engagement and to effect disengagement of said second mentioned gear and said drum driving gear, associated means for locking said bell crank frame in said different positions, and means for frictionally resisting rotation of said drum when said gears are out of engagement including a brake mounted on said bell crank frame in coaxial relation with said drum.

6. In combination, a cable winding dru'm having a coaxial driven gear, supporting means for said drum including a frame in the form of a bell crank mounted for pivotal movement and having angularly related arms, said drum being journaled on said bell crank frame on an axis parallel to the pivotal axis of the bell crank frame '7. In combination, a cable winding drum having a coaxial driven gear, supporting means for said drum including a frame in the form of a bell crank mounted for pivotal movement and having angularly related arms, said drum being journaled on said bell crank frame on an axis parallel to the pivotal axis of the bell crank frame and between lines extending from said crank pivot t0 the extremities of the arms oi said bell crank frame, a driving gear into mesh with which said driven gear is movable on swinging of said bell crank frame about its pivot, means associated with one arm of said bell crank frame for swinging the latter about its pivot and for locking said bell crank frame in its different positions, means associated with the other arm of said bell crank frame for limiting swinging movement thereof, and means on said bell crank frame between the arms thereof and associated with said drum for frictionally controlling rotation of said drum.

8. In combination, a cable winding drum, a rotatably supported drum driving gear, a gear secured to said drum in coaxial relation therewith and adapted to mesh with said drum driving gear, an element providing a bearing in laterally oiset relation to said drum driving gear, a frame in the form of a bell crank mounted for swinging movement upon said bearing and having angularly disposed arms, a bearing on said bell crank frame between said arms, the axis of said second mentioned bearing being parallel to the axis of said drum driving gear and being laterally oiiset from and lying outside of said iirst mentioned bearing, said drum being journaled upon the bearing on said bell crank frame, said arms being so related that a plane passing through said bearing axes when extended lies between said arms, means associated with one of the arms of said bell crank frame for swinging the latter oppositely into diierent positions about said iirst mentioned bearing respectively to eiect engagement and to effect disengagement of said second mentioned gear Yand said drum driving gear, and means associated with the other arm of the bell crank frame for limiting swinging motion of said bell crank frame.

9. In combination, a cable winding drum, a rotatably supported drurn driving gear, a gear secured to said drum in coaxial relation therewith and adapted to mesh with said drum driving gear, an element providing a bearing in laterally oiset relation to said drum driving gear, a frame in the form of a bell crank mounted for swinging movement upon said bearing and having angularly disposed arms, a bearing on said bell crank frame between said arms, said second mentioned bearing axis being parallel to the axis of said drum driving gear and laterally offset from and lying outside of said rst mentioned bearing, said drum being journaled upon the bearing on said bell crank frame, means associated with one of the arms oi said bell crank frame for swinging said bell crank frame oppositely into different positions about said rst mentioned bearing respectively to eiect engagement and to effect disengagement of said second mentioned gear and said drum driving gear, means associated with the other arm of the bell crank frame for limiting swinging motion of said bell crank frame, and a brake on said bell crank frame at a point located at the side of said drum bearing opposite from the crank pivot between the crank arms and engaging said drum for frictionally resisting rotation of said drum when said gears are moved out of mesh.

JOSEPH F. JOY.