WO2000078593A1

WO2000078593A1 - Multiple bolting platform improvements

Info

Publication number: WO2000078593A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/000686
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bradley Maxwell Neilson; Ed Wechner; Phillip Aidan O'meley
Original assignee: Joy Mm Delaware, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-06-17
Filing date: 2000-06-19
Publication date: 2000-12-28

Abstract

A mining vehicle (10) having a support frame or chassis, adapted to support one or more items of mining equipment or apparatus, said support frame or chassis being mounted on a pair of front wheels (16) and a steerable rear wheel assembly (18), the rear wheel assembly being located on or adjacent the longitudinal centre line of the frame or chassis. The mining vehicle has a generally triangular or delta shaped body (30) in plan view defining a relatively wide front end and a relatively narrow end, said vehicle including a support chassis having a structural spine (32) which run from said front end to said rear end, said support spine being aligned at an acute angle to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle. A steerable wheel assembly for a mining vehicle includes: a cylinder (101) with a closed end and an open end, said cylinder attachable to a chassis of said machine; a piston (103) slidable and rotatable in said cylinder, to form with said closed end a chamber which can be pressurised; a wheel support frame (104) attached to the distal end of said piston, said wheel support frame adapted to have a wheel rotatably mounted thereto; a steering plate (105) with an aperture which receives said cylinder, said steering plate being attached to an end of said wheel support frame opposite to the end attached to said distal end of said piston; said steering plate adapted to have motive power applied to it to rotate said piston and said wheel support frame around an axis or rotation defined by said cylinder.

Description

Multiple bolting platform improvements

Field of the invention

This invention relates to an underground mining machine and, more specifically, although not exclusively, to a mining machine used for the purposes of installing rock bolts into the hanging wall and side walls of a mine entry.

Background of the invention

Mining machines of the aforementioned type are frequently operated in relatively confined and inaccessible spaces. Typically such a machine might be used when driving an underground tunnel or the like in which case the machine would need only to be able to move backwards and forwards with manoeuvrability in a lateral direction not being particularly important. However, it does often occur that lateral manoeuvrability would be desirable and a typical mining machine with only limited lateral manoeuvrability would be unsuitable in such situations. Whilst some lateral manoeuvrability is generally possible, with typical prior art machines this is only achieved with some difficulty and can significantly delay the mining operation. In many mining and tunnelling operations the height of the excavation varies from one location within the mine or tunnel to another location. This may be the consequence, for example, of the seam being mined varying in thickness in different locations within a mine. It is desirable that a mining machine is able to operate effectively over a wide range of excavation heights. In particular it is desirable that the mining machine is able to operate in a relatively confined space, say not significantly more than one metre.

A further requirement for many mining machines is that the machine is stable. A mining machine, particularly a machine operating close to an excavation face, will typically operate on relatively uneven ground. Safety to personnel in such conditions is a most important consideration. It is therefore essential that the machine is stable and able to perform the functions for which it is intended irrespective of the fact that the ground on which the machine is operating may be uneven.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a mining vehicle comprising a support frame or chassis, adapted to support one or more items of mining equipment or apparatus, said support frame or chassis having a front end and a rear end, said support frame or chassis being mounted on a pair of front wheels spaced apart at or adjacent said front end, and a steerable rear wheel assembly located at or adjacent said rear end, the rear wheel assembly being located on or adjacent the longitudinal centre line of the frame or chassis. Preferably the rear wheel assembly is mounted to the frame or chassis through a pivotable mounting assembly defining a generally vertical pivot axis, said rear wheel assembly being pivotable about said axis to provide a steering facility for the vehicle.

Typically each of the wheels is independently driven by drive means which is operable so that the speed and/or direction of rotation of each of said wheels is independently controllable. The drive means may comprise a hydraulic motor and hydraulic drive arrangement associated with each wheel.

Preferably each of the front wheels are independently adapted to be moved towards or away from said support frame. It is further preferable that said rear wheel is adapted to be move towards or away from said support frame. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a mining vehicle having a generally triangular or delta shaped body in plan view defining a relatively wide front end and a relatively narrow rear end, said vehicle including a support chassis having a structural spine which runs from said front end to said rear end, said support spine being aligned at an acute angle to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle. Preferably the support spine is located near the longitudinal centre line at the front end of the machine and is displaced from the longitudinal centre line at the rear end of the vehicle thereby defining a storage space extending along the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle.

The structural spine preferably comprises a hollow box section structural member the interior of which defines a tank for hydraulic fluid. The tank may serve both as a storage vessel and as a means for cooling said hydraulic fluid in use.

Preferably the heavy equipment mounted on the vehicle is located within a triangle, the apexes of which are at or close to the wheel locations.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an underground mine vehicle comprising a frame or chassis supported on drive means and carrying one or more items of equipment or other apparatus thereon, said vehicle having a front end and a rear end and having dust collection apparatus mounted thereto on the front end thereof.

The dust collection apparatus can comprise a generally elongate unit mounted transverse to the length of the vehicle and having one or more inlet openings on the front face thereof through which dust is drawn into the unit. The unit preferably incorporates one or more filters and may incorporate a suction fan for drawing air and dust particles from the region forward of the vehicle, or from near to operating mining machinery, into the inlet openings. A dust storage region may be defined within the apparatus. The dust collection apparatus may further include an outlet assembly for discharging collected dust from the apparatus. The outlet assembly may have dust conveying and compacting means associated therewith and that dust conveying and compacting means may be in the form of an auger. Dust in use will be drawn into the apparatus, collected therein and intermittently, the auger will be operated to discharge dust in compacted form from the unit. The dust is preferably discharged towards the mine face so as to be collected/gathered in the mining operations.

A further feature of the invention provides an underground mine vehicle having a vehicle body supported on drive wheels or tracks and defining a work platform for one or more operators, a protective canopy being located over said work platform, the protective canopy being connected to the platform on extendible arms which are adjustable so as to provide an arrangement for varying the height of the protective canopy above the work platform. Preferably the arms comprise hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies the effective length of which may be varied to adjust the height of the canopy. Additionally the work platform may include a moveable floor, the front and the rear of which can be raised or lowered either jointly or independently of each other to adapt the interior of the work station where the vehicle is operating in different conditions. For example, the floor might be moveable to provide maximum space for the worker to operate the bolting equipment, or to provide maximum ground clearance for the vehicle, or to ensure that the worker platform remains horizontal when the vehicle is in an inclined position.

A steerable wheel assembly for a mining vehicle said assembly including: a cylinder with a closed end and an open end, said cylinder attachable to a chassis of said machine; a piston slideable and rotatable in said cylinder, said piston including a seal at its proximal end, to form with said closed end a chamber which can be pressurised; a wheel support frame attached to the distal end of said piston, said wheel support frame adapted to have a wheel rotatably mounted thereto; a steering plate with an aperture which receives said cylinder, said steering plate being attached to an end of said wheel support frame opposite to the end attached to said distal end of said piston; said steering plate adapted to have motive power applied to it to rotate said piston and said wheel support frame around an axis of rotation defined by said cylinder.

Pressurising said chamber will slide said piston relative to said cylinder and said wheel support frame and said steering plate relative to said cylinder, so as to change the distance of said wheel relative to the chassis. It should be noted that where in the specification the term "comprising" is used that term should be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively.

These and further features of the invention will be made apparent from the description of an embodiment thereof given below by way of example. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, but the specific features shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting on the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a side view of an underground mine vehicle in use operating in an intermediate height excavation; Figure 2 shows a similar view to that of figure 1 with the vehicle operating in a relatively high excavation;

Figure 3 shows a similar view to that of figure 1 with the vehicle operating in a relatively low excavation;

Figure 4 shows a front view of a vehicle of the type shown in figures 1 to 3 in operation; Figure 5 shows a plan view of the vehicle shown in figures 1 to 3; and

Figures 6 to 8 show details of the dust collection apparatus which in use would typically be mounted to the mine vehicle.

Figure 9 illustrates a side elevation of an underground mine vehicle housing with a height adjustable rear wheel showing maximum approach angle; Figure 10 illustrates a side elevation similar to Figure 9, showing maximum departure angle;

Figure 11 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism of the steerable rear wheel;

Figure 12 illustrates a front elevation of an assembly of the components of Figures 11 ;

Figure 13 illustrates a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 12; Figure 14 illustrates a cross section through line AA of Figure 12.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Illustrated in figures 1 to 5 is a mine vehicle 10 having a front end 12 and a rear end 14. The mine vehicle 10 is generally triangular in plan view and the front end 12 is significantly wider than the rear end 14. The mine vehicle 10 has a pair of front wheels 16 spaced apart from each other across the front end of the vehicle 10 and a single rear wheel 18. The rear wheel 18 is located to one side of the longitudinal centre line 20 of the vehicle 10. The rear wheel 18 is mounted on a vertically extending pivot assembly 22 which defines a vertical pivot axis 24 which intersects the longitudinal centre line 20. The rear wheel 18 is able to pivot between positions shown at 18a and 18b which define a pivot arc of approximately 150°. Thus, the wheel 18 is able to be aligned in an orientation which is generally transverse to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle 10.

The wheels 16 and 18 are all independently driven and are powered by a 150hp motor 26 and hydraulic drive assembly 28. Each of the wheels 16 and 18 can be driven in both a forward and reverse direction and is independently controllable. This arrangement allows for precise manoeuvrability, particularly given the steering capability of the single rear wheel 18. The rear wheel 18 acts very much in the manner of a castor wheel and allows the rear of the vehicle 10 to be swung either left or right. Coupled with independent drivability of the front wheels 16, it is envisaged that the vehicle 10 will be able to move and turn around in relatively confined spaces. This allows for precision positioning as might be required for roof bolting operations, or when manoeuvring within close proximity to other mining equipment in a mine.

The vehicle 10, in plan view, is of generally triangular shape and it is desirable that the majority of high mass components are located within the triangle, indicated by dotted lines 29, defined by the three support wheels. By locating high mass components within this triangle 29 the stability for the vehicle 10 is enhanced. Thus, even where the vehicle 10 is on irregular ground the three point support provided by the three wheels 16 and 18 ensures that the vehicle 10 is stable.

The vehicle body comprises a generally triangular or delta shaped frame or chassis 30 which incorporates a central structural spine 32 which extends from the front to the rear of the vehicle 10. The spine 32 is located on the longitudinal centre line 20 at the front end of the vehicle 10 and is acutely angled to the longitudinal centre line 20 as shown, so that at the rear end of the vehicle 10 the spine 32 is offset from the longitudinal centre line 20. The spine 32 is of relatively deep rectangular configuration in cross section and is hollow. The interior of the spine 32 can serve as a hydraulic oil tank, and if desired because of its location can act as cooler for the hydraulic oil contained therein.

The angled orientation of the spine 32 provides a space or zone 34 along the longitudinal centre line 20 on which the high mass items for the vehicle 10 can be positioned. For example, as shown, the power system 26, a 200 metre capacity cable reel 36 and the hydraulic drive assembly 28 are located in this space 34 along the longitudinal centre line 20. In addition, on either side of the spine 32, a pair of bolt storage pods 38 are located. Since these pods 38 are located on the sides of the vehicle 10 and the vehicle rear end is relatively narrow, these pods can be replenished easily from the rear side of the vehicle 10.

A pair of worker stations 42 are located on the upper side of the frame or chassis 30, one worker station on either side of the central spine 32. These worker stations 42 have a generally flat moveable floor 43 and each provides a worker with sufficient space to operate a pair of bolting machines 44 located on the front end of the vehicle 10. These bolting machines 44, two on each side of the spine 32, are controllable from the worker stations 42. Preferably the front and the rear of the moveable floor 43 can be raised or lowered either jointly or independently. As can be seen in figure 1, lowering both the front and rear of the moveable floor 43 maximises the operator' s working space allowing the worker to operate the bolting machines 44 more easily. To increase the operator safety and comfort the moveable floor 43 can also be tilted relative to the body of the vehicle so that the floor remains horizontal when the vehicle is in an inclined position as shown in figure 2. As mining machinery frequently operates on uneven ground, it is therefore advantageous that the moveable floor 43 can be adjusted to suit the operating conditions. A canopy 46 overlies the worker stations 42, the canopy 46 being supported on hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies 48 which allow the canopy 46 to be raised and lowered to thereby vary the overall height of the vehicle 10. It will be noted that figures 1 to 3 show the canopy 46 in three different positions. The height of the canopy 46 above the worker stations 42 is controllable by the workers from their stations within the vehicle 10. Turning now to figure 4 of the drawings, the front view of the vehicle 10 is depicted in more detail. As shown, the vehicle 10 includes a pair of temporary roof support jacks 50 located on either side of the vehicle 10. The support jacks 50 each have a pair of support pads 52 on the upper end thereof adapted to engage the roof 54 of an excavation and temporarily support that roof whilst anchor bolts are installed in the roof. The jacks 50 provide a safe working environment for the vehicle 10. There are four roof bolting rigs 56 attached to the front end of the vehicle 10. There are a pair of inner bolting rigs 58 mounted in fixed locations towards the front of the vehicle 10 and a pair of outer bolting rigs 60 located on each side of the vehicle 10. The outer bolting rigs 60 are mounted on extendible struts 62 which allow the lateral position of the outer bolting rigs 60 to be varied to suit different rig bolting configurations. A capacity to draw the outer bolting rigs 60 inwardly allows the overall width of the vehicle 10 to be reduced whilst the vehicle 10 is being moved around within an excavation. The laterally extending struts 62 are of rectangular configuration in cross section and the hydraulics for the outer bolting rigs 60 are contained within the struts 62. Thus, no hoses or other hydraulic fittings are exposed which could be damaged during bolting operations. The front wheels 16 are each mounted on a suspension arrangement 66 which is indicated generally in the figures. Each suspension arrangement 66 comprises two double acting hydraulic pistons and cylinder assemblies 68 for each wheel 16 which can be operated in order to change the position of each of the wheels relative to the vehicle body 30. The suspension arrangements 66 are configured to allow the position of the front wheels 16 to be moved relative to the vehicle body 30 in a vertical plane. Thus where the vehicle 10 is operated in a relatively high excavation the wheels 16 will be moved downwardly relative to the vehicle body 30 to increase the effective height of the vehicle 10. Similarly, where the vehicle 10 is operating in a relatively low excavation the wheels 16 will be lifted relative to the vehicle body 30, thereby decreasing the overall height of the vehicle 10. During bolting operations, as seen in figure 3, the wheels 16 and 18 will be kept in firm contact with the ground thereby providing added stability for the vehicle 10 during the said bolting operations. The suspension assembly of each wheel 16 and 18 can be operated independently of the other, thus where the ground on which the vehicle 10 is operated is uneven, one wheel might be slightly higher than the other wheel to thereby ensure that the platform defined by the vehicle body 30 is substantially level during bolting operations. The two bolting rigs on either side of the vehicle 10 are operated by a worker located on that side of the vehicle. Thus, each worker will be responsible for the operation of two bolting rigs. The controls 70 for operating the bolting rig are accessible from the worker station and the worker is able to operate those controls 70 from a position below the canopy.

A dust collection apparatus 72 is located at the forward end of the vehicle 10 and comprises a generally rectangular housing located immediately behind the jacks 50 and bolting rigs 58. The dust extraction assembly includes a pair of dust inlet openings 74 which face forwardly of the vehicle 10 and have a suction unit associated therewith which will extract air and dust from the front of the vehicle 10 during operation thereof. Air drawn into the assembly 72 will pass through filters 76 and pass out of the machine rearwardly. There are preferably a number of filters each having a filter bag which is mounted on a frame to keep the bag in an extended configuration. Each bag is adapted to be periodically cleaned by passing a pulse of high pressure air in a reverse direction into the bag, known as reverse pulse cleaning, in order to dislodge collected dust from the bag material. The dust dislodged in this way will fall to the base of the unit and will collect in that place until such time it is discharged from the unit.

The unit includes an auger 80 which is adapted to be rotated in order to drive the dust from the base of the unit out of the opening 82 located in an end wall thereof, the opening 82 being opened automatically on operation of the auger. Thus, from time to time, as the base of the unit fills up with dust the auger will be operated and discharge the collected dust from that opening. The auger, it is envisaged, will be operated at points where the dust can be collected and this will be particularly true where the material being mined contains elements of high value which could then be collected and processed for the extraction of those elements.

Illustrated in Figure 9 is a mining machine similar to that of previous figures. The difference between them is that the machine 100 of Figure 9 has a height adjustable rear steerable wheel assembly 180.

By providing all three wheels 16 and 180 with height adjustability the vehicle 100 is able to adopt a far greater range of orientations by comparison to the embodiment of previous figures.

As can be seen from Figure 9, with the front wheels 16 raised to their full height (relative to the chassis 30) and the rear wheel 180 lowered to its lowest height (relative to the vehicle chassis 30) the approach angle attained is approximately 39°.

Whilst in the opposite arrangement, as seen in figure 10, with the front wheels 16 lowered and rear wheel 180 raised, a departure angle of 35° can be attained.

The greater range of orientations ensures the bolting rigs at the front of the vehicle 100 can be positioned as close to the roof into which bolts will be installed, thus decreasing the amount of travel the drilling units will have to perform. This will help to increase productivity by reducing the travel required by the bolting rigs to install roof bolts.

Illustrated in Figures 11 to 14 are details of the steerable height adjustable rear wheel assembly 180 of Figures 10 and 11.

The steerable height adjustable rear wheel assembly 180 has a wheel arm 101 attached to the vehicle's chassis 30. The wheel arm 101 is generally L-shaped with the vertical portion of the L being formed from a cylinder 101 A.

The cylinder 101A receives a piston 103 which is able to slide and rotate in cylinder 101A to provide the steering and height adjustment capability. The piston 103 has two annular seals 110 on its upper end which seal the piston 103 to the internal wall of the cylinder 101 A to form a chamber between end plate 102 of cylinder 101A and the top end of piston 103 which is capable of being pressurised to thus slide the piston 103 relative to the cylinder 101 A.

The base of piston 103 connects to the horizontal portion of an L-shaped (in front elevation) wheel support frame 104 by means of eight bolts 104A.

The top of the wheel support frame 104 has bolted to it a steering arm plate 105, which has a centre circular aperture 105A therein to receive the outside of the cylinder 101A. A bearing means can be mounted on plate 105 around aperture 105A to assist the movement of the aperture 105A around and along the outer wall of the cylinder 101 A. The cylinder 101 A and its external circumference provides the axis of rotation of the steering arm plate 105 which is thus coaxial with the axis of rotation of the wheel support frame 104 which rotates with piston 103.

When the chamber below end plate 102 is pressurised, the piston 103, wheel support frame 104 and steering arm plate 105 will slide together relative to the cylinder 101A.

To the wheel support plate 104 is attached an outer stationary ring 107 of a hydraulic motor. Sixteen bolts 106 are used to bolt the items 104 and 107 together.

The inner rotating hub 112 of the hydraulic motor is rotatably held inside outer stationary ring 107 and to this hub 112 is attached a wheel and tyre 114. To provide a steering mechanism the portion 105B of steering arm plate 105 is attached to a distal end of a piston of a hydraulic cylinder whilst the proximal end of the cylinder is attached to the vehicle chassis. Retracting and extending the piston will cause steering arm plate 105 to rotate which in turn will cause wheel support frame 104 and thus piston 103 to rotate.

One of the advantages of this construction is that the wheel support frame 104 is supported at both its top and bottom ends, yet is still capable of axial and rotational movement as defined by piston 103.

The above assembly allows approximately 150° of rotation of the wheel and tyre 114 around rotation axis defined by piston 103.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

The foregoing describes embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mining vehicle having a support frame or chassis, adapted to support one or more items of mining equipment or apparatus, said support frame or chassis having a front end and a rear end, said support frame or chassis being mounted on a pair of front wheels spaced apart at or adjacent said front end, and a steerable rear wheel assembly located at or adjacent said rear end, the rear wheel assembly being located on or adjacent the longitudinal centre line of the frame or chassis.

2. A mining vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rear wheel assembly is mounted to the frame or chassis through a pivotable mounting assembly defining a generally vertical pivot axis, said rear wheel assembly being pivotable about said axis to provide a steering facility for the vehicle.

3. A mining vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein each of the wheels is independently driven by drive means which is operable so that the speed and/or direction of rotation of each of said wheels is independently controllable.

4. A mining vehicle as claimed in claim 3 wherein said drive means includes a hydraulic motor and hydraulic drive arrangement associated with each wheel.

5. A mining vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the front wheels are independently adapted to be moved towards or away from said support frame.

6. A mining vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said rear wheel is adapted to be move towards or away from said support frame.

7. A mining vehicle having a generally triangular or delta shaped body in plan view defining a relatively wide front end and a relatively narrow rear end, said vehicle including a support chassis having a structural spine which runs from said front end to said rear end, said support spine being aligned at an acute angle to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle.

8. A mining vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein said support spine is located near the longitudinal centre line at the front end of the machine and is displaced from the longitudinal centre line at the rear end of the vehicle thereby defining a storage space extending along the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle.

9. A mining vehicle as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein said structural spine includes a hollow box section structural member the interior of which defines a tank for hydraulic fluid.

10. A mining vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein said tank has one or more of the following functions: a storage vessel; a means for cooling hydraulic fluid in use.

11. A mining vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein heavy equipment mounted on the vehicle is located within a triangle, the apexes of which are at or close to the wheel locations.

12. A steerable wheel assembly for a mining vehicle said assembly including: a cylinder with a closed end and an open end, said cylinder attachable to a chassis of said machine; a piston slideable and rotatable in said cylinder, said piston including a seal at its proximal end, to form with said closed end a chamber which can be pressurised; a wheel support frame attached to the distal end of said piston, said wheel support frame adapted to have a wheel rotatably mounted thereto; a steering plate with an aperture which receives said cylinder, said steering plate being attached to an end of said wheel support frame opposite to the end attached to said distal end of said piston; said steering plate adapted to have motive power applied to it to rotate said piston and said wheel support frame around an axis of rotation defined by said cylinder.

13. A steerable wheel assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein pressurising said chamber will slide said piston relative to said cylinder and said wheel support frame and said steering plate relative to said cylinder, so as to change the distance of said wheel relative to the chassis.