Patent ID: 6070944
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: E21C

Abstract:
A phasing valve assembly for supplying liquid to a cutter drum of a mining machine comprising,a machine body portion,a boom member extending forwardly from said body portion,a cutter drum assembly rotatably mounted on said boom member,said cutter drum assembly having a pair of end drums and a plurality of intermediate drums positioned between said pair of end drums, said end drums and said intermediate drum being independently rotatably supported on said boom member,cutting elements secured to said cutter drum assembly and extending therefrom,bearing means for rotatably supporting said cutter drum assembly on said boom member,power means mounted on said body portion for rotating said cutter drum assembly,drive means for transmitting rotation from said power means through said boom member to said cutter drum assembly,spray nozzles carried by said cutting elements for directing a liquid spray from said cutting elements during rotation of said cutter drum assembly,conduit means extending from said body portion through said boom member and stationary with respect to said boom member for supplying liquid to said spray nozzles on said cutter drum assembly,a valve mechanism positioned in said cutter drum assembly and connected to said conduit means for selectively limiting the flow of liquid from said conduit means to said spray nozzles,said valve mechanism includes an annular port plate positioned axially in said cutter drum assembly, said port plate being rotatable with said cutter drum assembly,said port plate having a plurality of ports therein,a plurality of liquid passageways connected to said ports and extending through said intermediate drums and said pair of end drums, said liquid passageways rotatable with said intermediate and end drums to direct liquid from said port plate to said spray nozzles,sealing means for directing liquid from said non-rotating conduit means to said rotatable liquid passageways while preventing leakage of liquid into contact with said bearing means, anddrainage means extending from said sealing means through said cutter drum assembly for diverting leakage away from said bearing means and externally out of said cutter drum assembly.