US3032325A

US3032325A - Mining apparatus having tubular digging tool

Info

Publication number: US3032325A
Application number: US760258A
Authority: US
Inventors: Peterson Richard William
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-09-10
Filing date: 1958-09-10
Publication date: 1962-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 1979-05-01

Description

May 1, 1962 R. w. PETERSON 3,032,325

MINING APPARATUS HAVING TUBULAR DIGGING TOOL Filed Sept. 10, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

/l l B Om rmnueys May 1, 1962 R. w. PETERsoN 3,032,325

MINING APPARATUS HAVING IUBULAR DIGGING TOOL Filed Sept. lO, 1958 l l I; I u `5 @a g 5 150 i 5125/193 g e7 e2 W H4 INVENTOR.

rmeugs United States Patent Orifice 3,3Z,325 Patented May 1, 1962 3,032,325 MENING APPARATUS HAVEN@ 'IUBULAR DIGGING T0912 Richard William Peterson, 12d Atkinson Lane, Watsonvilie, Calif. Filed Sept. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 760,258 1 Claim. (Cl. 262-5) This invention relates to mining apparatus and more particularly to an earth digging apparatus for excavating earth and rock formations containing valuable mineral and non-metallic compounds.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a mining apparatus which will excavate the softer rock formation containing valuable mineral and nonmetallics and which will in addition, remove the broken debris in the manner of a mucking machine.

An object of this invention is to provide an earth digging machine for tunneling generally horizontal mine shafts underground without the necessity of blasting or explosive digging. Such a digging operation obviates the necessity of slioring and similar mine shaft reinforcement and construction which is necessary when explosives are used.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved mine digging and excavating apparatus by which the material removed in digging the shaft is conveyed to a point of disposal. The operation of the apparatus as a mucking machine is faster, more eiiicient, and more economical than present devices for that purpose and has greater maneuverability and flexibility of operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved earth digging apparatus which is flexible in operation and control and which is adapted for use in underground mines having low head room in the shafts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an excavation apparatus, for removal without prior blasting, materials such as: coal, gypsum, diatomite, bentonite, shale, volcanic tuffs, loosely consolidated conglomerates, volcanics, clays, sandstones, serpentines, laterites, mudstone, talc, decomposed igneous rocks, and related mineral bearing rocks. The apparatus is particularly adapted to mercury mining, where a high degree of selectivity is required to remove the valuable product in a clean and uncontaminated state and yet the disturbance of the surrounding rock material is not desirable because of the added mechanical support necessary where it is disturbed by the shattering action of explosives. The same is true of other mining operations such as talc mining.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for underground, as well as surface operation, the very great force which is necessary to excavate. As an example, in the present state of the art, gypsum requires prior blasting for excavation while the present invention eliminates the need for such blasting. The present invention is particularly advantageous for mining those formations which are not friable and therefore consume large amounts of explosives due to the resilience of the material.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mine digging apparatus which will dig generally horizontal mine shaft having smooth walls and accurate dimensions.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mine digging apparatus which exerts a high digging thrust, both horizontally and vertically, upon relatively hard formations to achieve fast and eflicient digging through hard formations.

It is a still further object of the' present invention to provide a mine digging apparatus which will dig generally horizontal mine shafts at a rate of speed far in excess of that achieved by the use of explosives or other means heretofore known to the art.

The present invention is an improved mine digging apparatus adapted to be moved within an underground mine shaft, and includes a formation breaking or digging tool which is mounted upon the chassis of the apparatus. Means are provided for pivotally moving the digging tool about a horizontal axis and about a vertical axis. Means are also provided to move and thrust the digging tool radially in the vertical plane of movement. Anchoring means are engageable with the side walls of the mine shaft to maintain the position of the apparatus against any moving forces exerted by the digging tool. Means are included for conveying the material removed by the digging tool and for moving the apparatus within the mine shaft.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which several embodiments of the method of the present invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and example only, and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is an overall view in elevation of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention shown in operative position within a mine shaft;

FIGURE 2 is an end view taken along line 2 2 oi FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 FIGURE 6 is a partially sectional view of the anchoring cylinder of the present invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic view of the hydraulic system of the apparatus.

ln the illustrative embodiment of the invention as shown in the drawings a chassis frame 10 is mounted upon a self-propelled base. in the embodiment shown the selfpropelled base comprises a forward endless tread section 11 and a rear endless tread section 12. The forward section is pivotally mounted to the chassis frame lt!` and is pivotally movable in response to steering means described hereinafter to steer the apparatus when in motion. The rear tread section 12 is stationary with respect to the frame 10 and is driven -by an electric motor (not shown), or similar prime mover means to propel the apparatus during movement of the apparatus about the mine and during digging operations. As shown in FIGURE 1, the Vforward and rear treads can be interconnected by a drive shaft 15, to provide more positive movement of the apparatus. Various means of propelling and moving the apparatus chassis which are well known to the art may suitable material is mounted upon a plurality of idler f rollers Ztl and a friction driving roller 21 by means well known to the art. That is, the conveyor belt 13 is extended beneath and over the lowermost idler roller 23 and over the series of idler rollers 213 upon which it is supported. The conveyor belt 11% then passes over and is frictionally engaged with the driver roller 21 which is in turn driven by an electric motor 24 through suitable interconnecting means such as a belt drive 2S. The motor 24 then drives the driving roller counterclockwise in FIG URE 1 to engage the belt and move it upward and away from the lowermost roller 23. Surrounding the conveyor belt 13 proximate the lower end thereof is a bottomless material receiving hopper 27. That is, the hopper 27 denes an end wall 29 and sides which are inclined downward and toward a portion of the conveyor belt which tforms the bottom of the hopper. Material which is deposited in the hopper 27 is accordingly deposited upon the conveyor belt 18 and conveyed out of the hopper when the belt is in motion. The material is conveyed upward and over the driving roller 21 where it is `allowed to fall into a mine car 30. The speed of the electric motor 24 and thus of the conveyor belt 18 may be varried to remove varying amounts of material which are loaded into the hopper 27.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2, 3, and 5, the digging tool 32 in accordance with this invention and the means by which it is mounted upon the chassis 107 is shown in detail. The digging tool 32 comprises a tubular member 33 which is of substantially square cross-section in this embodiment and open at both ends thereof. The tubular member is formed, for example, of one half inch steel plate. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 5, the outer end of the tubular member 33 is coextensive with the digging member 35 which defines Ia lower surface 36 extending toward the longitudinal axis of the digging tool from the lower surface thereof and terminating in digging teeth 37. The digging member further defines an opening 39 coextensive with the tubular member 33 at an angle extending from the upper surface of the square tubular member and toward the longitudinal axis. Thus, the digging member comprises in general a scoop for mate- :rial loosened or dislodged by the digging teeth whereby the material is caused to be moved into the tubular member.

The digging tool is slidably mounted by means of roller guide bearings 40' within a mounting member 42. The mounting member 42 has an inside configuration of square cross-section in this embodiment with inside dimensions substantially equal to but greater than the outside dimensions of the tubular member 33. The mounting member 42 defines a plurality of spaced protrusions 43 Within which gmide rollers `40 are rotatably mounted. In the embodiment shown at two longitudinally spaced positions, yfour pairs of guide rollers 40 are atlixed to the mounting member 42 at the vcorners thereof, with each pair being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tubular member and mateable with adjacent faces of the tubular member 33. That is, in this embodiment the rollers 40 in each pair are positioned in perpendicular planes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member 33 such that each corner of the tubular member is supported by a pair of rotatable bearings 40. As shown in FIGURE 1 two sets of such guide rollers are utilized and are longitudinally spaced at opposite ends of the mounting member 42. Thus, the digging tool 32 is slidably movable along the longitudinal centerline of the mounting member 42 and the longitudinal spacing between the sets of roller bearings is such that the tubular member 32 is slidably `supported at two longitudinal positions regardless of its position of travel within the mounting member 42. It may -be seen that by supporting the tubular member -at each corner of the square crosssection and .at two longitudinal positions large forces acting upon the digging tool will be supported by the support member 42. In addition, a bearing roller 46 may be mounted beneath the tubular member 33 substantially in the vertical plane through the centerline of the tubular member to provide additional support of the tubular member against excess weight and downward thrust against the digging tool. The bearing roller 46 is rotatably mounted by means of a bracket 47 extending outwardly from the mounting bracket 4S of the mounting member described hereinafter.

The mounting member 42 is pivotally mounted for pivoted movement substantially in a vertical plane. In this embodiment the mounting member 42 is supported by a mounting bracket 4S which is atiixed to the mounting member and extends downwardly therefrom as shown particularly in FIGURES 1 and 3. That is, the mounting bracket is formed by vertical mounting plates 5t) which are atlixed to, and integral with, the mounting member and are spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to the width of the mounting member. As shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2 the mounting plates S0 extend downward and deiine a bearing opening by which the mounting bracket 48 is pivotally mounted upon a horizontal bearing pin 52.

The bearing pin 52 is in turn carried and supported by a supporting frame which includes supporting plates 53. The supporting plates are spaced apart and extend upward from the chassis 10 to position the bearing pin in a horizontal plane a substantial distance above the chassis as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The supporting plates 53 are in turn mounted upon and aixed to a turret plate 54 which is rotatably aiiixed to the chassis frame 10 for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. The turret plate can be aixed to the chassis frame by any suitable means known to the art to 'accomplish such rotation. However, in this embodiment the turret plate 54 is mounted upon a `symmetrically positioned vertical shaft 58 which is rotatably mounted within suitable vertical thrust bearings 59 afIixed to the chassis frame 10. As shown in FIGURE 4, the periphery of the turret plate 54 is provided with gear teeth adapted to be engaged by a chain drive 56 as a means for rotating the turret plate and the digging tool 32. That is, means are providedfor rotating the turret plate through any `required angle. The rotation is accomplished by means of a hydraulic motor 55 which is connected to the chain drive 56 of the turret plate through suitable gearing such as the worm gear box 57. Thus, in response to hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic motor, as described hereinafter, the turret plate is driven through a desired angle of rotation.

The digging tool 32 is pivotable in a substantially vertical plane about the horizontal axis extending through the bearing pin 52. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 the means for providing the vertical pivotal movement comprises a hydraulic cylinder 60 of the type well known to the art which is pivotally connected at the first end 61 thereof to a shaft 62 mounted between the supporting plates 53. Reciprocable within the pivot cylinder 60 is a piston 63 having a piston rod 64 extending upwardly through the packed head of the cylinder. The piston rod is pivotally connected to the digging tool mountingr bracket 48 at a position a substantial distance forward of the pivot point 52. The piston rod is connected by means of a mounting shaft 65 extended between the mounting plates 50. It may be seen that when hydraulic fluid is supplied to the cylinder at one side of the piston, as described hereinafter, the digging tool will be pivoted upward or downward as desired, dependent upon the side of the piston to which fluid is supplied, or the tool may be locked in position. The hydraulic cylinder is of the type well known to the art wherein a uid inlet and

outlet port

66 and 67 are positioned at opposite ends of the cylinder and thus at opposite sides of the piston. The piston is free to travel within the cylinder in either direction and will be moved in one direction when fluid under pressure is admitted at one port of the cylinder `and exhausted at the other port. Thus, when fluid under pressure is supplied to the iirst fluid port 66 the digging tool is pivoted upward and fluid is exhausted from the second iiuid port 67. Conversely, fluid supplied to the second port 67 will cause the digging tool to be pivoted downward.

Similar hydraulic cylinders are affixed to the mounting member 42, as shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3, to cause reciprocation and thrust of the digging tool within the mounting member. In this embodiment two such cylinders are used and are mounted at opposite sides of the digging tool. That is, a first thrust cylinder 70 is affixed to the mounting cylinder 42. while the piston rod 72 which extends from the piston '73 is connected to the tubular member 33 of the digging tool at the connecting bracket 74. A first fluid port 75 is provided to the cylinder proximate the rst end thereof while a second fluid port 77 is provided proximate the second end of the cylinder 70. Similarly, a second thrust cylinder 80 is affixed to the opposite side of the mounting cylinder 42 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The construction and operation of the second thrust cylinder Sil is identical to the first thrust cylinder 70 and will not be described in detail. Thus, when fluid under pressure is admitted to the first fluid ports 75 at the rearward end of the

thrust cylinders

70 and 80 the pistons 73 are forced forward and a forward thrust is imparted to the digging tool 32. Since the digging tool is freely slidable within the mounting member by means of the tubular member 33 sliding upon the rollers 40 the digging tool will be moved forward in response to the hydraulic pressure. Conversely, when fluid is supplied to the second ports 77 at the forward end of the thrust cylinders 7i) and 80 the digging too-l will be retracted in the mounting cylinder.

From the foregoing it will be seen that three movements can be imparted to the digging tool independently or in combination. That is, the digging tool can be rotated about the vertical axis extending through the center of the turret plate 54; it can be pivoted in a vertical plane about the horizontal axis extending through the bearing pin 52; and it can be reciprocated in the vertical plane by forward or rearward motion within the mounting cylinder. Each of the movements is in response to hydraulic fluid under pressure as described hereinafter.

In order to prevent movement of the apparatus in response to the reaction of the digging thrust, means are provided for anchoring the chassis at a predetermined position in the mine shaft. That is, if the digging tool is moved forward to exert cutting force against the mine face 81 an equal force will be created tending to move the apparatus from right to left in FIGURE l. In order to prevent such movement an anchoring force in excess of the thrust must be provided. As shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and 6, such anchoring is accomplished in this embodiment by two longitudinally spaced double ended

hydraulic anchoring cylinders

85 and 85A which are similar in construction and which are mounted upon the chassis frame in a substantially horizontal position transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the apparatus. Referring particularly to FIGURE 6, one of the two anchoring cylinders which are double acting hydraulic cylinders of the type well known to the art is shown in detail and comprises a cylinder divided by a fluid tight wall 86 which forms a left cylinder 88 and right cylinder 89. 'Ihe wall 86 is the inner end of each. A left piston 90 and a right piston 91 are reciprocally mounted within the anchoring cylinder 85.

Piston rods

92 and 93 are affixed to the

pistons

90 and 91 respectively and extend horizontally through the ends of the cylinder 85. Formation engaging teeth 94 are formed upon the outer end of the piston rods or upon an engaging plate afHXed thereto. In the presently preferred embodiment an

engaging plate

150 and 150A is used at each side of the chassis and is extended longitudinally and aflixed to the

piston rod

92 and 93 respectively of each of the

cylinders

85 and 85A. The engaging plate 150, 159A is substantially rectangular in configuration and is of sufficient length to be connected to both of the anchoring cylinders 85, SSA which are in turn longitudinally spaced apart by a distance dependent upon the construction of the chassis and forward trend of the apparatus as well as the size of the engaging plate required to anchor the apparatus as described hereinafter. The optimum distance between cylinders and the size of the engaging plate for a given application can be readily determined by one skilled in the art, it being understood that for some applications a single anchoring cylinder is sufficient. In this embodiment the forward anchoring cylinder is aflixed to the chassis such that it extends through the forward tread 11 between the drive wheels while the rearward anchoring cylinder 85A is rearward of the tread. The engaging teeth 94 are such that they will enter into and engage the side wall formation of the mine shaft. Fluid inlet and outlet ports are positioned at opposite sides of the center wall 86 and proximate the ends of the

cylinder

85 and 85A to provide fluid inlet and outlet ports for the left and right fluid chambers at each side of the cylinders. Again the

pistons

90, 91 are free to move within the respective chambers of both cylinders and both will be moved outward when fluid is admitted under pressure through the

inner fluid ports

96 and 97 and exhausted at the outer ports 9S and 99. Similarly, the piston and piston rods Will be retracted when the fluid is admitted through the outer ports.

In the embodiment shown the engaging

plates

150 and 150A are generally channel shaped steel webs having replaceable engaging teeth 94 of hard faced carbon steel on the outer surface thereof. The engaging plates are pivotally affixed at the ends of the piston rod such that the web construction of the plates and the pivotal mounting gives sufficient freedom of movement to allow suficient deformation of the plates to insure firm engagernent with the side walls of the mine shaft. Since the digging apparatus will not always be at the center of the mine shaft it is preferable to provide for unequal movement of the right and left pistons and 91, and the plates 156) and 159A attached thereto, by suitable fluid For example, referring to valving or similar means. FIGURES 6 and 7, fluid is supplied at pressure as described hereinafter to a fluid manifold 10'1. Shut off valves 102 are connected to the inlet lines to the

inlet ports

96 and 97. As fluid is admitted to move the

pistons

90 and 91 outward one engaging plate 150 will engage the mine Wall before the other. In order to prevent the hydraulic force from urging the apparatus sideways the fluid flow to the engaged pistons is shut off to allow fluid to flow only to the unengaged pistons until it has engaged the other mine wall. The valve 102 is then opened to maintain equal fluid pressure on each piston and accordingly on each

wall engaging plate

150 and 150A. The area of the

pistons

90 and 91 and the fluid pressure acting thereon is determined such that the engagement with the side walls will be maintained regardless of the amount of direction of thrust of the digging tool. The optimum area required to be under fluid pressure can be determined by one skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, the presently preferred embodiment of the hydraulic system used in conjunction with the apparatus described hereinabove is shown. Hydraulic fluid reservoir 1116 is positioned upon the frame of the apparatus and is connected through suitable ilexible hydraulic lines to the various hydraulically actuated components as shown schematically in FIGURE 7. Suitable valving is provided by means of a selector valve 111 which contains a plurality of valve components for admitting fluid under pressure to the various cylinder lines. A motor driven hydraulic pump 112 is connected between the fluid reservoir and the valve 111. The pump is driven by an electric motor 113 and is a high pressure pump of the type well known to the art. Thus, fluid under pressure is conducted from the reservoir 110 to the valve 111 through the pump 112. From the valve 111, by the actuation of one or more of its valving components, fluid under pressure is admitted to the fluid inlet line 114 which is in turn connected at the iiuid inlet port 66 of the pivot cylinder 6i). The second side of the iiuid valve component 115 for conducting fiuid under pressure to the pivot cylinders 6i) is connected to the second iiuid port 67 of the pivot cylinder 60. The valve component 1115 in the selector valve 111 is of the type whereby fluid under pressure may be admitted to the fluid line 114 or the second fluid line 116 to in turn conduct iiuid to the

ports

66 or 67 as desired. The line which does not conduct fiuid under pressure then serves as a iiuid return line to the valve 111. Thus, as described hereinabove, the direction in which the piston 63 of the pivot cylinder 612 is moved is determined by the direction of iiuid iiow and the

port

66 or 67 to which the fluid is admitted. Similarly, second `fluid valve component 118 in the selector valve 111 is provided for determining the direction of fluid flow to the thrust cylinders '76 and 80. A fiuid line 119 extends from the valve to the first ports 75 of the thrust cylinders 7i) and S0 while a second line 120 extends from the other side of the valve 118 to the second ports 77 of the thrust cylinders 79 and Si). By means of the valve 11S it is determined that fluid will flow under pressure to either the ports 75 or the ports 77 to cause the thrust cylinder pistons 73 to move in the desired direction as disclosed hereinabove. Accordingly, it may be seen that by actuating the valve i115 by means of the lever 121 the digging tool 32 may be caused to move up and down in a vertical plane dependent upon which direction the lever 121 is pivoted to select the direction of fluid flow land thus the direction of movement of the pistons 63. Similarly, by actuating the lever 122 to determine the direction of iiuid flow to the thrust cylinders, the digging tool may be caused to move inward or outward in the vertical plane. A third control lever 123 in the selector valve 111 determines the direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor 55 to cause rotation of the digging tool upon the turret plate 54 through fiuid inlet 124 and outlet 125' lines to the hydraulic motor 55. Fluid lines 126 and y127 are provided for determining the direction of movement of the hydraulic steering cylinder 128 which is aiiixed to the forward steering tread 11 of the chassis in a manner well known to the art. A uid return line 129 interconnects the selector valve return manifold for valve 111 and the steering cylinder valve to return excess fluid therefrom to the reservoir 110.

A high pressure line is directly connected between the fiuid reservoir 11G and the anchoring cylinder manifold and reservoir 101 through a check-valve 13@ and a pressure accumulator 131. Therefor, the pressure available to the anchoring cylinder manifold is always a peak pressure equal to the greatest pressure which is utilized to actuate any of the hydraulic components used to move the digging tool 32. Accordingly, the pressure available to move the

anchoring cylinder pistons

90 and 91 into engagement with the side walls of the mine shaft is sufficiently greater to cause their engagement with enough force to counteract any forces exerted in the digging operation and maintain the apparatus in position.

Accordingly, it may lbe seen that by means of the present invention a mining apparatus is provided in which the digging tool may be moved in a horizontal plane with respect to the apparatus in a vertical plane for extracting mine formations and in a radial line of the vertical plane.

In addition, means are provided for maintaining the apparatus in a constant position within the mine shaft although high digging forces-are exerted by the digging tool. The machine operates under a fast cycle, because there is no dela-y in passing the excavated debris to discharge and therefore has an economic advantage as well as a capacity advantage for each operation. Thus, the machine is more efiicient not only for handling excavated materials, but for the actual excavation itself. The excavation can .be done in a manner which permits, in tunneling or drifting, a higher cut to `be taken from the center of the roof or backs; this assists the natural arching effect which is of major importance in the matter of ground support and eliminates much of the need for timbering, or the shoring of the ground.

What is claimed is:

A mining apparatus comprising: an apparatus chassis, a digging tool mounted thereon, said digging tool including an open ended tubular member and means for slidably mounting said tubular member, said mounting means being a sleeve within which said tubular member is longitudinally slidable, said mounting means being pivotally connected for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis with respect to said apparatus, a formation engaging member affixed to said tubular member at a first open end thereof and coextensive therewith, said formation engaging member having means at the periphery thereof for breaking a mine formation, said mounting means being affixed to said chassis upon a horizontally rotatable turret, hydraulically responsive means for rotating said turret, hydraulically responsive means for pivoting said digging tool about said horizontal axis with respect to said mounting means, hydraulically responsive means for slidably moving said tubular member longitudinally within said mounting means, a conveyor for moving said broken formation, said conveyor co-operatively mounted upon said apparatus and extending from a first receiving position to a second discharging position, said first position being located upon said apparatus to receive `broken formation discharged from the second open end of said tubular member whereby broken formation is conducted through said second end, and from said second end to said conveyor, and means for anchoring said apparatus chassis within a mine shaft, said anchoring means including a cylinder affixed to said chassis substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof, first and second pistons positioned within said cylinder and extending therefrom, said pistons being slidably movable in response to hydraulic pressure admitted to said cylinder, means for conducting fluid under pressure toV References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,601,134 Mattinson Sept. 28, 1926 1,665,378 Peterson Apr. 10, 1928 1,987,982 Wheely Jan. 15, 1935 2,760,766 Mayo Aug. 28, 1956