Patent ID: 8967730
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: E21C

Abstract:
1. A continuous mining machine, comprising: a stationary boom member; a stationary gear and bearing housing attached to the stationary boom member; a cutter drum assembly rotatably mounted on the stationary gear and bearing housing; cutting elements mounted on the rotatable cutter drum assembly, with spray nozzles mounted on or in close proximity to the cutting elements, the spray nozzles configured to direct liquid spray at a mine face as mine material is dislodged by rotation of the cutter drum assembly and contact of the cutting elements with the mine face; stationary liquid passageways provided through the gear and bearing housing; rotatable liquid passageways provided through the rotatable cutter drum assembly and configured to convey liquid to the spray nozzles; a liquid distribution cavity defined within the cutter drum assembly between two labyrinth-type, non-contacting seal assemblies, the liquid distribution cavity configured to convey liquid from the stationary liquid passageways to the rotatable liquid passageways and to the spray nozzles; and the two labyrinth-type, non-contacting seal assemblies configured to control at least one of liquid quantity and liquid pressure in the stationary and rotatable liquid passageways by providing a controlled leakage pathway configured for directing a portion of the liquid away from the stationary gear and bearing housing to outside of the continuous mining machine.