Patent ID: 6652035
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: E21C

Abstract:
A highwall mining system particularly suitable for steep dip seams and of the type wherein multiple conveyor cars are connected together to form a conveyor train which extends into a seam being mined, comprising:(a) an elongated launch vehicle having a launch deck for receiving and supporting a conveyor car which is to be added to or removed from an outer end of the conveyor train when in operation, said launch deck having a conveyor belt running lengthwise thereof and and extending to an aft end of said launch vehicle; (b) a plurality of conveyor cars forming the conveyor train and adapted to convey mined material outwardly to the conveyor belt of said launch deck; (c) a miner attached to an inner end of said conveyor train for cutting material from the seam being mined and moving it to the inner end of the conveyor train for conveyance by the latter outwardly to said launch deck; (d) a pair of extendible support columns secured to an aft end portion of said launch deck in flanking relation thereto and having hydraulic cylinders associated therewith to effect controlled lifting and lowering of said aft end of the launch deck and to tilt the latter in a vertical plane as desired to accommodate the dip angle of the seam to be minded; and (e) a pair of elongated hydraulic conveyor car drive cylinders mounted to said launch deck and remaining in parallel relation thereto and to the last of said conveyor cars when supported on said launch deck throughout all tilt angles of said launch deck, said conveyor car drive cylinders each including a ram having activatible conveyor car engaging devices thereon such that actuation of said drive cylinders in conjunction with said engaging devices causes said conveyor cars to be advanced into a seam being mined or to be retracted therefrom as desired.