US2375045A - Kerf-cutting machine - Google Patents

Description

May l, 19454.

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KERF-CUTTING MACHINE original Filed laren 19. 1945 5 sheets-sheet 4 .In Y Nfur r rap/vir KERF-CUTTING MACHINE Original Filed March 149, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5y 11./ flea/ l Tram/fr Patented I May 1, 19145 Klaar-CUTTING MACHINE William W. Sloane, Chicago, Ill., assig'nor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago Ill., a corporation of Illinois original application March .19, 1943, serial No.

479,717, now Patent No. 2,339,523, dated January 18, 1944.

Divided and this application December 15, 1943, Serial No. 514,321

9 claims. (ci. 2oz-t) AThis invention relates to improvements in kericutting machines and `more particularly relates to an improved kerl-cutting machine of the room and pillar type which is adapted to cut a. horizontal kerf in the mine Wall.

This application is a division of applicationSerial No. 479,717, filed March 19,` 1943, now Patent No. 2,339,523, dated January 18, 1944.

The principal objects of my present invention are to provide a new and improved fluid control for a nerf-cutting machine of the class described, so arranged that the machine can be controlled from either side thereof.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with referenceto` the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of akerf-cutting machine constructed in accordance with my invention, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in horizontal section;

vFigure 2 is an enlarged detail fragmentary plan view of a. portion of the machine shown in Figure 1, illustrating certain details of the support for one of the fluid pressure jacks;

Figure 3 is a partial fragmentary front end Figure lllis4 a sectional view taken substantially along line II-I I of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along line I2-I2 of Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along line Il--Il of Figure 12; and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the control valve, illustrating certain details of the spring connections to the control handle, for holding the control handle in a predetermined position when'the hand is removed therefrom,

vThe invention illustrated in the drawings is shown as being embodied in av top cutting kericutting machine of the room and pillar type. Said kerf-cutting machine'includes a, main frame lll, having a horizontally extendingcutter bar II projecting from the front end thereof. Said cutter bar has a cutter chain I2 guided for orbital movement thereabout, and as herein shown, is

,'mounted at. the rear end of said main frame Vand view of the kerf-cutting machine embodying my invention, with certain parts shown in substantially transverse section;

Figure 4'is an enlarged fragmentary view of the front end of the machine, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail par- 5- tial transverse sectional view of the machine, illustrating certain details of the planetaries for driving the feed drums of the machine, and certains ofthe control means for said planetaries;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view illustrating certain details of the control means for oneof the planetaries, not shown in Figure 5;

Figure? is a partial fragmentary -transverse sectional view, illustrating the drive to the fiuidpumps which supply fluid under pressure to the machine; y l

.Figure 8 is`a fluid Adiagram illustrating the huid pressure system, for controlling operation of the machine;

Figure 9 is alongitudinal sectionalview taken i through one of the control valves for controllingl operation of one of the feed drums `for the machine, with the valve rotor shown 'in full;

lvFigure l0 is a sectional view' tially along line Il -Il of Figure 9 talren substan- A* forms a means for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar, through a sprocketill meshing Y ground, on its bottom, during the cutting operation, forms a mounting for said kerf-cutting machine on the ground. The kerf-cutting machine is mounted on said base for vertical adjustment and for tilting. movement with respect thereto by e means of three fluid pressure jacks I7, I1, two

- shaft Il and sprocket- I4, for driving the cutter chain I2 about the cutter bar II, includes an 1 of vwhich are mounted at opposite sides of the forward end of said base and the third of which is mounted at the central rear end of said base,

to provide a three-point mounting for said kericutting machine on said base. The supporting connection between said jacks and said kerf-cutting machine will hereinafter be more clearly described as this specification proceeds. The drive connection from the motor` Il to the intermediate shaft Il extending longitudinally of the main frame I0 and Journaled thereinand driven from said mptor through a gear train indlcated generallyby reference character Il. A bevel pinion 20 on the forward end of said intermediate shaft meshes with and drives a bevel gear 2 I journaled onthe vertical shaft Il, for rotatable movement with respect thereto. a sliding clutch 22, herein shown as being a jaw clutch,

is provided to selectively drive said shaft and sprocket from said bevel gear.

The feeding means for the machine includes a Y -drums 23, 23 includes a worm 21 on the intermediate shaft I8, which meshes with a worm gear 29 on a transversely extending sleeve 30. Said sleeve 30 is journaled in the main frame |Ill and forms a drive means for a pair of coaxial planetary gear reduction devices indicated generally at 3|, 3|, arranged at opposite sides of said sleeve.. The form of planetary gear shown herein is of the same general type commonly used in kerf-cutting machines, so need not be described in detail except to point out that planetary pinions 32 and 33 of different pitch diameters and mounted in a cage 34 for rotation together are meshed respectively with internal gears 35 and 36 (see Figure 5).

The internal gear 36 has a hub 31 keyed on a driven shaft 39. The cage 34 has a driven portion 40 which encloses the internal gear 36 and which has a friction band 4| extending thereabout, for holding said cage from rotation. A similar friction band 42 surrounds and is adapted to hold the internal gear 35 from' rotation. The planetary pinions 32, 32 are meshed with and driven from a sun gear 43 on the sleeve 30, and when the friction band 4I is loose' so the cage 34 may freely rotate, and the friction band 42 is tightened to hold the internal gear 35 from rotation, said planetary pinions will orbitally move about said internal gear, to drive the shaft 39 at a slow frictionally controlled speed throughv the internal gear 36, keyed on said shaft. When the friction band 42 is loosened-and the friction band 4| is tightened, the cage 34 will be held from rotation and the shaft 39 will be driven at a fric. tionally controlled high speed.

The driven shaft 39 is journaled in a side wall 44 of the main frame IIl and has a pinion 45 keyed on its outer end, which meshes with aninternal gear 46, journaled on its hub on a stub shaft 41, mounted in and projecting outwardly from said main frame. The winding drum 23 is freely mounted on an outwardly projecting hub 49 of said internal gear and has a pin 50 mounted therein for transverse slidable movement with respect thereto. The inner end of said pinis adapted to engage any one of a plurality of apertures I, 5I formed in the web of said internal gear, to form a selective drive connection from said internal gear to said winding drum.

The-friction bands 4| and 42 are engaged with their respective drums, to hold the cage 34 or internal gear 35 from rotation by means of fluid' cylinders 55 and 56, having pistons 59 land 60 `movable therein. Each set of said cylinders is limited slidable movement with respect thereto. Said "plunger is slidably guided in a lower wall 61 of said frame and has engagement at its outer end with an abutment member 63, projecting outwardly from one end of the friction band 42.

The opposite end of said friction band has a lug 53 thereon, which abuts anotched portion of an inner wall 54 of said housing (see Figure 4). A pair of concentric compression springs 64 and 65'encircle said plunger and are interposed between the inside of said piston and a collar 66, mounted on said plunger, to serve as a cushioning means when pressure is applied on said piston to engage said friction band with its associated drum. Said springs are provided to provide elasticity in said friction band, to prevent a sudden gripping of the friction drum by said friction band as fluid, is supplied to said cylinder 55 and to enable said band to be uniformly engaged with said friction drum by said uid cylinder and piston. Said springs also serve to return the pistons 59 and 66 to the head ends of their respective cylinders, and to empty fluid from said cylinders wheniluid pressure is re-` lieved therefrom.

In a like manner, a plunger 61 -is mounted in the piston for limited slidable movement with respect thereto and is slidably guided in the wall 51 of the frame 6|. posite from said piston abuts a lug 69 projecting outwardly from the free end of the friction band 4|. A pair of coaxial compression springs 10 and 1| encircle said plunger and serve as a cushioning means, effective when applying-said friction band through the associated piston 60, and 'permitting uniform engagement of said friction band with its associated drum. T'he uid pressure system for selectively controlling the admission and release of fluid under pressure to and from said cylinders and pistons will hereinafter be more fully described as this specification proceeds.

Each of the three jacks I1, I1, mounted on the base. I6 and forming a vertically adjustable and tilting ysupport for the cutting element, includes Aa fluid cylinder 14 having a piston 15' extensible therefrom. Said cylinders are secured to said main frame in a suitable manner clearly disclosed in my application Serial No. 479,717, of lwhich this is a division, and not herein shown or described since it isY no part of my present invention.

The lower ends ofthe pistonsv 15, 15 are suitably pivoted to the base I6 for universal .pivotal movement with respect thereto in a manner clearly disclosed in my aforementioned parent application, and no part of my present invention so not herein shown or described in detail.

When fluid under pressure is simultaneously admitted to the three cylinders 14, 14 at the same pressure, the cutter bar will be elevated in a plurality of parallel planes and tilting of said cutter bar may be effected' by admitting fluid under pressure to any of said cylinders while the other cylinders are stationary, or by cutting off the ow of uidl to any one or more cylinders, or by releasing fluid pressure therefrom, while the entire cutting element is being elevated or lowered by the other cylinders.

Referring now in particular to the fluid pressure system and the means for controlling the admission and release of fluid to the cylinders 55,

55 and 56, 56, for controlling operation of the planetaries 3|, 3|, and to the fluid cylinders 14,

14 for controlling the elevation or tilting of the cutter bar II, three fluid pumps 9| 92 and 93 are provided. Said fluid pumps are shown as being The ends of said plunger opthe fluid system when' the motor I3 is rotating in a forward or reverse direction, and lare herein shown as being mounted in a casing 34 and as being driven from a common drive shaft 96.

The drive to the pumps 3|, 92 and 93 from the motor I3 includes a pinion 36 driven from the gear train I9 and meshing with and driving a gear 31 on the pump drive shaft 95 (|ee Figure 7).

Fluid is supplied to the pumps 3|, 3! andes through a suction lineJ |00 leading from a fluid storage tank IOI. Said suction line I 00 is connected to oppositesides of each one of the pumps 3|, 32 and 93, for supplying fluid thereto, when the motor I3 is rotating in a forward or `reverse direction. Check-valves indicated generally by reference characters |04, |04 and |05. |05 are provided within said casing, for each pump, to control the direction of the flow of fluid to each pump, when the direction of rotation of the pump is reversed.J Said check valves serve a well known function andmay be of any well known form and are no part of my present invention, so are not herein shown or described in detail.

Fluid is supplied to the rear uid cylinder 14 by means of the fluid pump 9| through a pressure form and is normally in a position to release fluid to the return. When'said valve is in the position shown in Figure 8, which is the position saidl valve will assume when the hand is removed from its control lever, fluid will flow from the line |06 through a passageway II2 to a chamber II3.- Fluid will then flow through a hollow piston II4 of said valve, through a passageway |I5 in said vvalve manifold, to return to the tank IBI through` a return line H6. When said valve |I0 is in a depressed position, the piston- I|4 will block thel passageway II2, and

fluid under pressure will flow through a pressure line |I1, a non-reversible check valve IIB, a pressure linel H3, to the rear elevating cylinder 14, for supplying fluid under pressure thereto.

, 3 is like the valve |24y and is provided to permit operation of the planetaries 3|, 3| from either side of the machine. Said valves |24 and'I26 are so arranged as to be yieldably held in a neutral position, when the hand is removed from the associated control handle thereof, and to hold pressure on theI desired planetary operating cylinder when in a neutral position,'so uid under pressure will pass through said valves to supply pressure to the associated forward -jack jack cylinder 14, during operation of the machine, as will hereinafter more clearly appear as this specification proceeds. A pressure'line |21 leads from the valve |26 to a valve |20 in the valve manifold III. Said valve operates in the same manneras the valve I I0 and is adapted to by-pass fluid from the pump 02 and valves |24 and |26, or to release fluid from the fluid cylinder 14 in the same manner as the. valve I I0, so will not herein be described in detail. A pressure line |30 leads from the pressure line |21 to the right-hand forward fluid cylinder 14, for supplying 4fluid under pressure thereto. A non-reversible check valve I3I is provided in said pressure line to hold pressure in said cylinder and to permit fluid under pressure to pass therein whenthe valve |23 is depressedto close the passageway to return. A return line |32 is connected with the pressure line |30, on the pressure side of the check 'valve I3I, to permit the release of fluid pressure from said right-hand cylinder 14 through said valve |23. i

The left-hand cylinder 14 is'supplied with fluid under pressure from the pump 93. A relief valve |31 is provided for said pump. A pressure line I 331eads from said pump to a valve |34, adjacent the valve |24, and provided for controlling the operation of the left-hand planetary 3|. Said valve is herein shown as being a rotary valve like the valve |24. A pressure line |35 connect-s sai'd valve |34 with a valve |36 on the opposite side of the machine, to Asupply fluid under -pressure thereto The valve |36 is like the valve |26 and is provided to permit operation of the left-hand `planetary 3| from either side of the machine. Said valves |34 and |36, like the valves |24 and |26, are yieldably held in a neutral position when the hand is removed from the associated control handle thereof, to permit fluid under pressure to pass through said valves to When it is desired to release pressure from the cylinder 14, the piston I I4 is moved in an upward direction to uncover a passageway |20, leading to the chamber [I3 and directly connected with the pressure line I3. When said valve is in this position, the passageway, II2 will also be open and fluid will pass through the pressure line A| I0, port |20, through the hollow piston |I4, passageway IIS, and return line |I6, to 'the tank IOI. When the hand is removed from the control handle for said valve, the piston |I4 is lmoved to the neutral position shown. The passageway |20 will then be closed and pressure will .be held in the fluid cylsupply fluid under pressure to the forward righthand cylinder 14. A relief valve |22 is provided in the pump casing and'is' connected between a pressure line '|23 and the suctionline III.- Said pressureline |23 leads to a vvalve |24, which is provided to control operation of the right-hand planetarylh pressure line I2l-connects-said the associated jack cylinder 14, during operation of the machine. A pressure line |30 leads from the `valve I36'to a valve |40 in the manifold III. Said valve is similar to the valves |I0 and*` I 29- and isprovided to control the admission and release of' fluid under pressure to the left-hand front cylinder 14 in the same manner the valves IIO and |20. control the admission andV release of fluid under pressure to the rear and vright-hand front cylinders respectively. A pressure line I4I is' connected to the pressure line |33 and-has a non-reversible check valve |42 '-thereinl Said pressure line leads to the'left-hand forward cylinder 14. for supplying fluid under pressure thereto.. Areturn line |43 is connected tol said presvalve vm u a 'inve m on nie opposite uae or sure line and to the valve |40, to permitthe re turn of fluid from 'the cylinder 14 to the ltankl I0| through the yalve I40,-when it is desired to release pressure from said left-hand forward cyl- :irate fluid cylinder 14, and that a separate control valve associated with each one of said pumps His provided to control the admission' and release of fluid Ato said separate cylinders. It may fur= is being elevated or lowered, to readily position it for cutting.

rotor |15 through the passageways |83, |83 and leave said rotor through the exhaust port |86.

Thus in the extreme clockwise position ofthe control handle |81, the cylinder 56 for the lefthand speed planetary will be charged and the cylinder 55 for the low speed planetary will be discharged to cause the left-hand feed drum to In order that the fluid circuits to the cylinders be driven at a high positioning speed.

The valve rotor |15 and the passageways |80, |80 therein are so arranged, however, that when the valve handle |81 is turned in an opposite dlrection the port |86 will be blocked by said rotor until said rotor. has been turned beyond a neutral position, and the port |88 will be open to exhaust during the same period of movement o'f said rotor. Also, during this period of movement of said rotor, when the port |86 has been blocked,

v `fluid will pass directly through said valve from rotor when the pressure line is blocked by said rotor. Said passageways extend diametrically through said rotor in different angular direc tions. Said rotor is also provided with a pair of oppositely disposed milled fluid Passageways |80, |80 extending across an outer portion thereof and in line with the balancing passageway |18. `Said milled passageways |80, |80 are connected together by a plurality of ,passageways |8|, |8| extending across the rotor and spaced from said balancing passageway |18, to permit the passage of-luid from one side of the rotor to the other (see Figure 10). Said rotor is likewise provided with a lpair of oppositely disposed milled passageways |82, |82 in line with the balancing passageway |19. Passageways 83, |83 connect said milled passageways together (see Figure 12).

Fluid under pressure enters the valve |34 through the pressure line |33. Said press/ure line is connected with a port |84 extending into the casing |11 parallel to the rotor |15 and opening into the chamber |16, in alignment with the pas-- sageways |80 and |82 (see Figure 11). Fluid is exhausted from saidvalve through a port |85 communicating with the exhaust line |35 and extending into said casing parallel to said rotor and opening into the chamber |18 vin alignment with the passageways |80 and |82.

Fluid under pressure passes through the valv |34 and is conducted to the cylinder 56, for controlling operation of the high speed friction band for the 'left-hand planetary 3|, when a control handle |81 for said valve is turned to an extreme position in a clockwise direction ,or to the left, as indicated in Figure 10. When said valve is in this position, fluid will enter 'the passageway |80 through the port |84, It willk then pass through the'passageways |8|, |8| to the passageway |80, which communicates with a port |86 communicatingwith a pressure line |56. Fluid will thus be conducted through said port |86 and pressure line |56 to the cylinder 56, to charge said cylinder and apply the brake band 4| for the left-hand planetary in an obviousmanner.

When the valve |34 is in this last vnamed position, fluid will be exhausted from the cylinder 85 'controlling operation of the low speed friction band 42 for the left-hand planetary 3| through a pressure line |53 .leading `from said cylinder and .communicating with a port |88 in the valve casing |11. 'Said port opens into the chamber |16 in alignment with the passageway |82 in the rotor |15 (see' Figures 12 and 13). Fluid will thus enter the-passageway |82 and pass through'the the pressure line |33 to the exhaust line |85. When said valve rotor is in a neutral position the ports |86 and |88 will be blocked, 'to hold pressure on the cylinder 56 and to prevent'uid from entering the cylinder 55. In this position fluid will pass from the pressure port |84 through the passageways |82, 82 and out the exhaust port |85, where it may either be returned to the tank |0| or be used to operate the left-hand forward jack |1, in the hereinbefore described manner.

A pair of coil springs |90, |90 are provided to return the valve rotor |15 to any neutral position as soon as the hand is removed from the control handle. Said springs each have an outwardly turned inner end |9|, which inner ends abut opposite sides of a lug |92 projecting downwardly from said control handle. The opposite ends of said springs abut spaced stops |93, |93 projecting.. d

outwardly from said valve casing (see Figure 14).

When it is desired to supply fluid under pressure to the cylinder 55, for applying the low speed left-hand frictionv band 42, the valve rotor |15 is turned in a clockwise direction to an extreme position to the right. In this position fluid will pass from the pressure passageway |84, the milled passageway |82, through the passageways |83, |83, the opposite passageway |82, and out through the port |88, to and through the pressure line |53, to charge said cylinder. In this position .of said valve rotor and control handle, fluid will be exhausted from the left-hand high speed control cylinder 56 through the milled passageway |80, passagewayl |8I, and exhaust passageway |85. As soon as the hand is removed from the control handle, however, said valve r0- tor will be returned to a neutral position, holding l pressure on the low speed control cylinder 55 and permitting fluid topass through the exhaust port |85 to operate the left-hand jack |1, vduring operation of the machine at a slow feeding speed.

When it is desired to release lpressure from the cylinder 55 the control handle |81 is turned to the left to an intermediate position between an extreme open position and a neutral position. In a like manner, when it is desired to release pressure-from the cylinder 56, said control handle is turned to the right to an intermediate poleaking by the rotors of said valves to drain backtothetankll.

ner the left-hand `planetary is operated by the valves |34 or |36. When the valve |24 is in a full open position to one side of its neutral p0- .'sition, pressure will pass from the pressure line |23 through a pressure line |44 to the right-hand cylinder 55, to charge said valve and apply the right-hand low speed friction band. When the hand is removed from the control handle for said valve, saidcont'rol handle and valve will go to a neutral position holding pressure in the pressure line |44 and cylinder 55, but permitting fluid to by-pass through said valve through the pressure line |25, the valve |26 andA return to the tank IUI, or to operate the right-hand jack I1, upon closing the valve |29,to prevent the return of uid through said valve.

When the valve |24 is turned to an extreme position in an opposite direction, fluid under pressure will be admitted through said valve from thev pressure line |23, through a pressure line |41, to charge the right-hand cylinder 56 and apply the high speed friction band for the right-hand planetary 3|. When the hand is released from the valve control handle, said valve will return to a neutral position to hold pressure in said pressure line |41 and the cylinder 56 and to permit fluid to by-pass from the pressure line |23 through said valve to the return. Y

Fluid pressure is released from either of said cylinders 55 or 56 by moving the valve control handle in one direction or another to a position between the neutral and full open positions of said valve, as has before been described with reference to' the valve |34. Fluid leaking past the valves |24 and |26 may at the same time hold pressure on the desired associated high-or low speed planetary operating cylinder, the high and low speeds of one planetary 3I can be controlled from' the valve |24 on one side of the machine or from the valve |26 on the opposite side of the machine and the eassociated jack |`1 can be 0perated during operation of the machine; The valves |34 and |36 being the same as, and being connected together in the same manner as the valves |24 and |26, can thus control operation of the other planetary 3|, from either side of the machine. TheV fluid connections between the,

valves on opposite sides of the machine are thus so arranged thateach valve is supplied with` pressure whenever the hand is removed from-the control handle of the valve on the opposite side ofthe machine, thus permitting the associated planetary operating cylihder to be charged or discharged from either side 4of the machine and per- .mitting operation of the jacks |1,- |1 during op.

eration of the machine.

It may be seen from `the foregoing that the valves |24, |26, |34 and |36 are so arranged-,that uid under pressure may be supplied to operate the Jacks |1, |1 when any one of said valves-is in 75 a neutral position. holding pressure on an assoelated high or low speed friction band, thus permitting operation of said jacks while the machine is being positioned for cuttingor is being fed across a working place during the cutting operation, and permitting the cutter bar tobe readily accommodated to cut out a band of impurities, where the bottom does not conform thereto. may further be seen that the foregoing arrangement of valves permits the two planetaries to be operated together or independently of each other at either high or low frictionally controlled speeds, and that said valves are so arranged as to pre-v vent the engagement of the high and low'speed friction 4bands ofy said planetaries at the same time. s

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting my invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, vexcepting as it may be limited in the appended claims,

I claim as my invention:

l. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control operation of a kerf-cutting machine having a projecting chain carrying cutter bar and having flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face with means for operating said flexible feeding means at high and low speeds, a fluid pump, a tank, highand low speed fluid-operated control means for said feed operating means, two control valves for said-:duid

operated control means, each of which are adapted to control operation of said feed operating means at either a high or a low speed, one of said valves being on one side ofthe machine and the other of said valves Ibeing on the opposite side of the machine. a connection from said pump to one of said valves to supply fluid under pressure thereto, a connection from the discharge side 'of said one valve to the pressure side vof said other valve, to supply fluid under pressure thereto, said lvalves being so constructed and arranged that when said valves are in a neutral position, said valves will hold pressure on'either said highor said low speed uid operated control means for said feed operating means, and fluid under pressure will pass through one of said valves to the other of said valves and will pass through the other of said valves to said tank, and means for returning said valves. to a yneutral position when the hand is removed from the operating handle thereof, to permit operation of 'said feed operatingmeans by means of eitherof said valves from either side of the machine at either a high or a low speed. l.,

2. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control operation of a korf-cutting machine having a projecting chain carrying cutter bar and having flexible feeding means for feeding' said cutter bar 'acrossa coal face with means for operating said flexible feeding means at high and low speeds, a fluid pump, a tank, high and low speed fluid operated controlmeans for said feed operating means, two` control valves for said fluid operated control means,- each of said valves hav ing an operating handle adapted to operate .said

valve and control operation of said feed operating means at either a high or low speed,jone of said valvesbeing on one side of the machine and the Itv to,- a connection from the discharge side of said one valve to the pressure side of said other valve, to supply fluid under pressure to said other valve through said one valve, said valves being so constructed and arranged that when said valves are in a neutral position, said valves will hold pressure on either said high or said low speed fluid operated control means for said feed operating means, and fluid under pressure will pass through one of said valves to the other of said valves and will pass through the other of said valves to said tank,- and spring means having operative connection with said operating handles of said valves,

' ing said cutter bar across a coal face and means for operating said flexible feeding means at high and low speeds, a fluid storage tank, a fluid pump, fluid pressure operating means for controlling operation of said feed operating means at either a high or low speed including a iluid pressure cylinder and piston for controlling operation of said feed operating means at a high speed, another fluid pressure cylinder and piston for controlling operation of said feed operating means at a low speed, two control valves for controlling operation of said high and` low speed controlling cylinders and pistons, one of said valves being on one side of .the machine and the other of .said valves being on the opposite side of the machine, a pressure connection from said pump to one of said valves, a connection from the exhaust side of said one valve to the pressure tion of said high and low speed controilmg cylinders and pistons, one of said valves being on one side of the machine and the other of said valves being on the opposite side of the machine,

a pressure connection from said pump to one of said valves, a connection from the exhaust side a common fluid connection between said valves side of said other valve, for supplying fluid under y will exhaust fluid therefrom when in another position, and will hold pressure in said cylinders when in a neutral position, and so uid will pass from one valve to the other when in a neutral position, so the operation of said feed operating means can be controlled from either side of the machine. v

4. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control operation of a kerf-cutting machine having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar with flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face and means for operating said ilexible feeding means at high and low speeds, afluid storage tank, a fluid pump, fluid pressure operating eans for controlling operation of said feed operating means at either a high or low speed including a. fluid pressure cylinder and piston for controlling operation of said feed operating means at a high speed, anotherh fluid pressure cylinder and piston for controlling operation of said feed operating means at a low speed, two control valves for controlling operaand said low speed controlling cylinder, so arranged that either of said valves may supply fluid under pressure to either of said cylinders, or may hold pressure therein, said valves each being so constructed and arranged that either of said valves will supply fluid under pressure to one of said cylinders when in one position and will exhaust fluid therefrom when in another position, andwill hold pressure in the desired cylinder when in a neutral position, and means for returning said valves to a neutral position the instant the hand is removed from the operating handle thereof, so fluid under pressure will pass from one valve to the other, to permit operation of said feed operating means from either side of the machine.

5. Ina uid control system particularly adapted to control operation of a kerf-cutting machinehaving a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar with exible feeding -means for feeding said cutter bar-across-a coal face and means for operating said flexible feeding means at high and low speeds, a fluid storage tank, a fluid pump, fluid pressure operating means for controlling operation of said feed operating means at either a high or low speed including a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for controlling operation of said feed operating means at a high-speed, another fluid pressure cylinder and piston for controlling operation of said feed operating means at a low speed, two control valves for controlling operation of said cylinders and pistons, one of said valves being on one side of the machine and the other of said valves being on the opposite side of the machine and each of said valves having an operating handle for controlling operation thereof, a pressure connection from said pump to one of said valves, a connection from the exhaust side of said valve to the pressure side of said other valve, for supplying fluid under pressure to said other valve through said first mentioned valve, a return connection from said other valve to said tank, a common fluid connection between said valves and said high speed controlling cylinder, a common fluid connection between said valves and said low speed controlling cylinder, so arranged that either of said valves may supply fluid under pressure. to either of said cylinders, or may hold pressure therein, said valves each being so constructed and arranged that either of position when the hand is removed from the conl trol handle thereof, so .fluid under pressure will pass from one valveto the other, to permit operation of said feed operating means from either side of the machine.

6. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control operation of a kerl-cutting machine having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar with flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter -bar across a coal face, a plural speed planetary geared reduction device for operating said flexible feeding means, said planetary geared reduction device having a high speed friction band and a low speed friction band, for controlling operation thereof, to cause said planetary .to drive said feed operating means at either a high or' a low speed, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for applying said high speed friction band, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for applying said low speed friction band, a fluid'storage other valve through said first valve, a return connection from said other valve to said tank, a common fluid connection from said valves to said high speed. controlling cylinder, a common fluid connection from said valves to said low speed controlling cylinder, said valves being so constructed and arranged that either of said valves may supply fluid under pressure to one of said cylinders when moved in one direction into one position and will exhaust `fluid therefrom when moved in another direction into another position, and will hold pressure in the desired cylinder when moved to a neutral position, and means perable to return said valves to a neutral position the instant the lhand is removed from the operating handle thereof, so fluid under pressure will pass from one valve to the other, to permit operation of said planetaries. from either side of the machine. i

'7. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control operation of a kerf-cutting machine having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar with flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face, a plural speed planetary geared reduction device for operatingsaid flexible feeding means, said planetary geared reduction device having a high speed'frictionl band and a low speed friction band, for controlling operation thereof, to cause said planetary to drive said feed operating means at either a high or a low speed, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for applying said high speed friction band, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for applying said low speed friction band, a fluid storage tank, a-pump, two control valves for conone of said cylinders when turned in one direction and will exhaust fluid therefrom when turned in another direction, and will hold pressure inthe desired cylinder when turned toria i neutral position, and spring 'means engageable with said operating handles and operable to pivot said operating handles to return said valves to a neutral position when the hand is removed therefrom, so fluid under pressure will pass from one valve to the other, to permit operation of said planetaries from either side of the machine.

8. Ina fluid control system particularly adapt-V ed to control operation of a kerf-cutting machine having a projectingcutter chain carrying cutter` bar with flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face, a plural speed planetary geared reduction device for operating said flexible feeding means, said planetary geared reduction device having a high speed friction band and a low speed friction band, for controllingoperation thereof, to cause said planetary to drive said feed operating means at either a high or a low speed, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for applying said high speed friction band, a fluidppresvsure cylinder and piston for applying said low speed friction band, a fluid storage tank,

a pump, two control valves for controlling operation of said cylinders and pistons, said valves trolling operation of said cylinders and pistons,

said valves being on opposite' sides of the machine, and each of saidvalves being adapted to selectively supply fluid to both of said cylinders, a fluid connection from said pump to one of y said valves, a fluid connection from said one valve to said other valve. for supplying uid.

under pressure to said other valve through said flrst valve, a return connection from said other valve to said tank, a common fluid connection from said valves to said high speed controlling cylinder, a common fluid connection from said ing so constructed and arranged that either ofV said valves may supply fluid under pressureto being on opposite sides of the machine, and each of said valves being adapted to selectively supply fluid to both of said cylinders,ra fluid connectionV from said pump to one of said valves, a fluid connection from said one valve to said other valve, for supplying fluid under pressure thereto, a return connection from said other valve to said tank, a common fluid connection from said valves to said high speed controlling cylinder, a common uid connection from said valves i to said low speed controlling cylinder, so arranged that either' of said valves may supply so arranged that either of said valves will supply fluid under pressure to one of said cylinders when turned to one position in one direction and will exhaust fluid therefrom when turned to onev position `in an opposite direction, and will supply fluid under pressure to the other of said cylinders when turned to one position in one direction and will exhaust fluid from said other cylinder when turned to another position in an opposite direction, and both of said valves will hold pressure in the charged cylinder when in a nent/ral position, and said valves being arranged so that fluid will pass from one valve through the other to said tank, when in a neutral position, so the operation of said friction bands can be controlled from either side of the machine.

9. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control' operation of a kerf-cutting machine having a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar with'flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across a coal face, a plural speed planetary geared reduction device for operating said flexible feeding means, said planetary geared reduction device having a high speed friction band and a low speed friction band, for controlling operation thereof, to cause said planetary to drive said feed operating means at either a high or a low speed, a' fluid pressure cylinder and piston for applying said high speed friction band, a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for applying said low speed friction band, a fluid storage tank, a pump, two control valves for controlling operation of said cylinders and pistons,

said valves being on opposite sides oi' the machine, and each of said valves being adapted to selectively supply fluid to both of said cylinders, a iluid -connection from said pump to one of said valves, a fluid connection from said one valve to said other valve, for supplying fluid under pressure thereto, a return connection from said other valve to said tank, a common fluid connection from said valves to said high speed controlling cylinder, a common uid connection from said valves to said low speed controlling cylinder, so arranged that either of said valves may supply fluid under pressure to either of said cylinders, or may hold pressure therein, said valves being so arranged that either of said valves will supply fluid under pressure to one'ot said cylinders when turned to one positionin one direction and will v exhaust iiuid therefrom when turned to one position in an opposite direction, and will supply fluid under pressure to the other of said cylinders when turned to one position in one direction and will exhaust fluid from said cylinder when turned to another position in an opposite direction and both of said valves will hold pressure in the charged cylinder when in a neutral position, and so fluid will pass from onevalve through the other to said tank, when in a neutral position, and means for returning said valves to a neutral position when the hand is removed from the control handle thereof, so iiuid under pressure will pass from one valve to the other, to permit operation of said planetaries from either side of the machine.

WILLIAM W. SLOANE.

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