Mining machine with adjustable hood-scoop assembly

The invention disclosed herein is a mining machine with an adjustable hood-scoop assembly. The machine provides a means to remove coal from the face of a seam and extract the removed coal to a position removed from the mining area utilizing a vacuum system. The instant mining machine encloses the total face of the mine seam and acts to remove all solid and gaseous material from the mining area. Use of this apparatus in the mining of coal will provide better insurance for a healthy methane-free environment for the miner. The hood-scoop assembly is constructed to provide both horizontal and vertical moving plates so as to encompass totally the area contacted by the coal removal means, such as a multitude of air hammers. The machine is both braced and made mobile by means of vertical hydraulic jacks. Hydraulic cylinder means on the hood-scoop assembly are provided with specific trackways to insure four-way movement of the adjustable plates as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7.

FIELD OF INVENTION 
The field of this invention concerns continuous deep mining of coal, 
especially as the same relates to the problem of air-born coal dust 
particles in the vicinity juxtaposed to the working area of the coal seam. 
The field of this invention also concerns the continuous deep mining of 
coal, especially as it relates to the problems of: transporting coal from 
the mine face to the land surface, the removal of hazardous gas and dust 
from the mine, providing sufficient fresh air to the immediate work area, 
elimination of high voltage electricity from the work area, protection of 
the environment in the vicinity of the mine, and the extraction of coal at 
a price which is competitive with that of other fuels. It is a well-known 
fact that indigenous problems of ubiquitous methane gas accumulation 
during the work of a deep shaft coal mine seam are of critical importance 
in the prevention of mine disasters. For many years detection devices have 
been available or developed in order to determine the extent of methane 
gas accumulation in a mine. Notwithstanding, mining disasters occur 
repeatedly causing much loss of life, imposing great liability on the part 
of the family of the miners and the mine owner/operator. 
It is most advantageous to provide a machine for coal removal wherein the 
problem of methane gas will be eliminated from the deep shaft mine at the 
very place of work. By this invention, methane gas is transported to an 
environment extrinsic from the mining area, such as ambient air. 
It is highly advantageous in mining coal that an inexpensive method be 
developed for the extraction and transmission of mined coal to an outside 
bin accessible for further transmission of the coal. As set forth in the 
prior art section which follows this discussion, there is nothing magical 
or novel about the use of a pneumatic conveyance system for the transport 
of coal or methane material from the area where the coal is mined to a 
point extrinsic therefrom. However, the prior art has failed to recognize 
or take cognizance of the importance and viability of an adjustable 
hood-scoop assembly, wherein four different plates are arranged for 
movement via hydraulic cylinder means to completely encompass the mine 
seam where the mine removal technique is performed. It would also be most 
advantageous if a system could be provided for the total surface 
installation of all electrical motors and internal combustion engines so 
that only pneumatic and/or hydraulic means is existent at the mine seam. 
It is also necessary to provide movement means for the mine removal 
equipment and adjustable hood-scoop assembly. The same can also serve as 
vertical jacks to support the mine tunnel. It is believed that this 
apparatus will provide a more viable and safer technique of mining, which 
will at least eliminate some of the hazards indigenous to this line of 
work. 
PRIOR ART 
Candor compels a recognition of applicable prior art of which there is 
actual cognizance. Without resort to a chronological discussion of the 
references, nor a rendition of the applicable pertinency of the prior art 
to the instant invention, the following is believed a succinct lithany of 
known patent disclosures concerning the use of pneumatic coal transport 
systems developed for below ground use or deep shaft mining. 
In 1973 a patent issued to Sheets, U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,356, which 
confronted the problem of face ventilation for a continuous mining system 
in order to remove indigenuous and extrinsic coal dust from a mine face 
subsequent to its contact with rotary ripper heads. The basic machine is 
propelled by means of tracks which traverse along the mine floor from one 
working area to another. Rotary cutter drums or ripper heads contact the 
coal seam working face after the devices are moved in position. The coal 
is dislodged by the cutting and breaking action of the individual ripper 
heads. The same are supported on the chasis of the continuous mine 
processing apparatus. As the coal falls, it is received by a gathering pan 
which is intercommunication with a conveyor to move the coal in a rearward 
manner. 
A hood enclosure, which has an open forward end, is located as close as 
possible to the ripper head mechanism and is hinged and surmounts the coal 
processing conveyor and subsequent pulverization entities. And the same is 
utilized in order to render the lump coal in a form more suitable for 
pneumatic pipeline passage. An axially disposed auger is placed in the 
lowermost portion of the hood structure wherein the coal particles after 
pulverization are small enough to enter into an air suspension that is 
ultimately fed through a pan chamber and then to a storage bin via a 
discharge pipe. The hood is surmounted over the entire continuous mining 
machine. This permits exorcism of any dust-ladden air in combination with 
heavier coal particles and the processing of both in order to remove the 
same from the mining area underground. 
Approximately twenty-eight (28) years previous to the issuance of the 
Sheets patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,375,689 issued to Reeder, whereby a coal 
vein is pulverized and the pulverized coal removed by suction. A grinding 
wheel is provided to grind the face of a coal vein to a finely pulverized 
coal dust. This coal dust is transmitted to a point removed from the seam 
face by means of a flexible suction conduit which is in direct 
communication with the rearward portion of the grinding wheel. Ambient air 
is sucked in immediately adjacent the grinding wheel by means of an 
exhaust motor attached to the far extremity of the flexible vacuum 
conduit. A screening means is provided in order to eliminate large chucks 
of coal from passage into the flexible vacuum conduit without first 
undergoing pulverizing. 
Approximately six (6) months subsequent to the Sheets patent, a patent was 
issued concerning a method of pneumaticly conveying coal by means of the 
degree of coarseness of the coal particles. This patent, to Wilcox, U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,857,490, is classified in Class 209 which generally relates to 
the separation of solid particulate matter. Cognizance is taken therein of 
the aforementioned Reeder patent. This disclosure is really a refinement 
in re the pneumatic transfer of materials wherein coarse and fine 
particles are separated in the flexible conduit by means of a screen and 
impeller. Succinctly, the smaller particles will transverse the screen and 
be jettisoned by the impeller to a fine coal conduit in deference to the 
larger particles which are via the action of gravity transmitted to the 
lower portion of a holding tank. It is contemplated that many of these 
separation units may be provided in series to concoct a continuous 
conveyor system. The digging apparatus of Wilcox is in direct 
communication with the vacuum conduit to pneumaticly form a conveyor which 
removes both the fine and the coarse particles from the mine face. 
In 1961 U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,627 issued to Tinlin for a tunneling machine 
having a suction exhaust means. Air hammers are provided to remove rock or 
other material from the face of the solid material. Surrounding these air 
hammers is axially positioned an air hood or shield which is by necessity 
of smaller diameter than the tunnel. As the air hammers or cutters operate 
against the tunnel face, a hollow central shaft is continuously rotated to 
insure that the entire surface area of the tunnel face is removed 
continuously. The material extracted from the tunnel face is removed 
through the air shield to move radially inward and rearward through 
openings in the air shield surrounding the air hammers. In this manner, 
pulverized rock from the tunnel face is continuously and uniformly removed 
and transmitted rearwardly via a pneumatic transport means. 
In 1968 U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,752, issued to Densmore disclosing a pneumatic 
conveyance system which is situated downstream of cutter units and an 
endless chain conveyor means to remove debris via pneumatic transport to a 
site outside of the mining area. The conveyor system is provided with 
mobility so as to follow the cutter and conveyance plus a pulverizing 
system through a bored-out area of the mine. Finally, in 1968 a patent 
issued to Ziemba, U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,889 which disclosed the use of a 
duct-like air chamber which is positioned adjacent the cutter heads of a 
mining machine and activated so as to create a vacuum to suck out any dust 
ladden air into a slurry area. Even in this plethora of references there 
is no disclosure of utilizing a completely adjustable hood-scoop for the 
advantageous extraction of all coal removed from a seam via air hammers as 
is more fully embodied in the description of the instant drawings. 
OBJECTS AND EMBODIMENTS 
One embodiment of this invention comprises an apparatus and a pneumatic 
coal mining machine which comprises a longitudinal mobile chasis having a 
pneumatic or compressed air inlet means and a vacuum outlet means at one 
extreme of said chasis, a pneumatic coal removal and pulverization means 
at the opposite extreme of said chasis to remove coal from a face of coal, 
and adjustable hood-scoop situated around the substantially complete 
perimeter and in juxtaposition with respect to said removal and 
pulverization means, and a vacuum conveyor means for extraction of (1) 
substantially all of said coal removed from said face and (2) indigenous 
gases created by said coal removed. In combination with this system an air 
cleaning system is provided for the removal of coal and dust before 
discharge of the air to its ambient environment. 
Another embodiment of this invention resides in a mining apparatus which 
comprises only pneumatic means and hydraulic means in the mine work area 
for removal of said coal from a seam of coal and conveyance of said 
removal coal to an area segregated from the work area. 
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and novel 
mining apparatus for the safer obtention of coal mineral from a deep shaft 
work area. 
It is also an object of this invention to provide a mining machine whereby 
all electrical motors and internal combustion engine parts are situated at 
the surface installation of the mine. 
A further object of this invention resides in a vacuum system having an 
adjustable hood-scoop assembly to totally enclose the face of a seam of 
coal being mined, whereby air is continuously being pulled into the 
hood-scoop assembly and a vacuum is formed to thereby remove all possible 
methane and/or dust from the work area and also to remove the coal 
particles to a bin serviceable by other coal movement means, such as 
railroad coal cars or surface-situated endless conveyors. An air cleaning 
system is provided at the surface of the mine where all solids are removed 
prior to the air being exhausted to the ambient atmosphere. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a mining machine where 
nearly all of the moving parts are hydraulic air jacks or air hammers to 
ensure quick repair or replacement of an inoperable part and therefore 
eliminate the malfunction down-time of the apparatus at the coal seam. 
Yet another object of this invention is the provision for a mining 
technique wherein constant spraying of water at the mine face is 
eliminated to provide a dryer, safer work place. 
Finally, another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and 
method of mining wherein reduction of man hours per ton can be achieved 
thereby making coal a more competitive fuel over other natural and 
synthetic fuel and making domestic coal more competitive with that mined 
in other countries such as Poland, Japan and Australia. 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The above objects of this invention are achieved as a derivative result of 
the adjustable hood-scoop assembly which is depicted in the instant 
drawings and which provides for a tight and secure fit of all areas of the 
seam being mined so that the vacuum system can quickly and efficienctly 
transport any loosened material to a point extrinsic from the work area. 
Thus, this apparatus provides a total enclosure or a mini-environment of 
the mine area to contain and eliminate all hazardous materials therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
FIG. 1 is a view of the instant mining machine from a position elevated 
with respect to the overall chasis 1. The dotted lines are shown for lines 
which can not be seen from above but are nevertheless existent. 
The rear of the machine shows the ingress of pressurized air for 
hereinafter described purposes and egress of a vacuum line for removal of 
the air input, dangerous gases and mined or acquired minerals. One 
advantage of the machine is the situs of all electrical motors and 
internal combustion engines on the surface or at least removed to a point 
away from the area being mined. It is preferred that the pressurized air 
be used for all movable parts. 
For this reason, the means for removal of the coal or other minerals from 
the mine seam is accomplished via air hammers 1. The hammers will be high 
speed reciprocating air activated chisels which tends to cleave-off or 
pulverize the coal to thereby remove it from the solid seam of the mineral 
shown as 20 in FIGS. 2 and 7. And during mining the unmined mineral 22 can 
be used as shaft supports. See FIG. 7. The air hammers are operated 
directly via the pressurized air. 
The underground mining machine can move by rolling on casters 6 and can be 
propelled by an inch-worm or accordian method. Vertical pneumatic jacks 14 
with jack pads 3 are mounted on each of the four corners of the chassis 
and each may be extended or retracted both above and below the chassis. 
Horizonal pneumatic cylinders 7 extend the length of the machine from 
front to rear. To move forward the rear vertical jacks are extended to 
prevent movement of the rear portion of the chassis. The horizonal 
front-to-rear cylinders are then extended. This moves the front portion of 
the chassis, which includes the front vertical jacks forward. The front 
vertical jacks are then extended, the rear vertical jacks are retracted, 
and the horizonal front-to-rear jacks are retracted to pull the rear 
portion of the chassis, which includes the rear vertical jacks, forward. 
The process is then reversed when the machine is moved backward. 
The machine can turn in either direction by following the above procedure 
on only one side, or end, of the machine while either front or rear jack 
on the other side of the machine is extended to provide a pivot. 
Other vertical jacks and horizonal cylinders may be added to the chassis as 
required by the size and weight of a machine which is necessary for the 
mining of a mineral bed of a particular height or density. Roof bolt 
machines 5 are used to provide top support after the chassis is 
established in a fixed position. Regardless of the position of the 
hydraulic cylinders 7, the hood-scoop will always remain juxtaposed to the 
mineral seam. The hood-scoop assembly 10 is movable and adjustable both 
vertically and horizontally. In this manner, the vacuum is always pulled 
juxtaposed to the seam of coal being mined. 
In FIG. 2 the vacuum and pneumatic pressure lines are not shown but would 
be located at the extremity oppposite to coal seam 20. A platform 12 is 
provided for the position of an operator of the machine. Vertical jacks 3 
are positioned against the roof of the mine shaft. A track way 16 is 
provided for the air-hammers. In operation the air flows through the 
machine to operate the air hammers pneumatically and to provide a vacuum 
for removal of air, dangerous gases and coal through the vacuum conduit. 
Of course, the vacuum is pulled in the direction away from the seam as 
shown in FIG. 5. 
The crux of this invention is the four way adjustability of the hood-scoop. 
The scoop portion is disposed beneath the air hammers while the hood 
portion surmounts the same. FIG. 3 shows the four moving parts of the 
hood-scoop, A,B,C, and D. Entites A and B correspond to the respective 
portions of the hood in FIG. 1. The movement means of A through D are 
shown in FIG. 4 looking at the rear of the machine. These portions can be 
made to adjust on a horizontal or vertical dimension, the dotted lines 
indicating the ultimate flexibility point of hood movement. 
The back chasis 40 of the machines is shown in FIG. 4, the same having 
positioned therein the pneumatic air line and hammers, vacuum line, and 
other necessary functioning parts which are not essential parts of this 
invention. A fixed horizontal plate 50 is provided with a horizontal 
keyway 52. One long path on the top and bottom with respective keyways may 
be provided or the same may be bifurcated to form four individual units 
(two on top- two on the bottom). Note that the keyway for Plate D is not 
visible in the perspective rear view. An overriding horizontally moving 
plate 54 traverses the keyway or keyways. This horizontal movement is 
activated by a horizontal movement means which is usually (although not 
exclusively) a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder with piston and cylinder as 
functioning parts. As each respective piston arm egresses from each 
respective cylinder, each respective plate moves horizontally as shown by 
the dotted line on Plate B. In other words, the hidden portion of the 
plate becomes smaller as the piston expands from the cylinder and 
vice-versa. A more exact description is shown in re plan view of FIG. 6. A 
mounting 58 is attached to an eccentric point 60, which in turn is in 
communication with a second eccentric point 62, to form an eccentric pivot 
of the cylinder. At the other extreme of the cylinder a third fixed point 
64 is provided. It is readily apparent to anyone skilled in the art that 
extension of the piston i.e., pneumatically forcing the same out of the 
cylinder, will cause the eccentric pivoting action and thereby the 
traversal of horizontal plate 54 across horizontal keyway 52. Thus, all of 
the Plates A,B,C and D are capable of horizontal expansion and 
contraction. 
Fixed plate 50 is attached to machine chasis 40. In this manner all of the 
plates also move individually vertically with respect to each other. 
Vertical quide 70 is provided attached to the fixed plate for traversal of 
the vertical plates. Four hydraulic cylinders 72A, 72B, 72C and 72D are 
shown as the vertical movement means. Each may be moved individual or in 
concert with one another. And each is attached at one end to the fixed 
plate or horizontal plate passing thereover and at the other extreme, at 
least indirectly, to the respective vertical plate which is to be 
adjusted. Each cylinder is nomenclated for the particular respective plate 
that it is responsible for moving. Thus, as each piston rod is elongated, 
the respective plate moves vertically up or down. 
It can be clearly seen that all four plates move two ways via eight 
hydraulic cylinders (the horizontal cylinders for plates C and D, of the 
scoop portion are not shown). Thus, the hood-scoop can be adjusted to 
directly and snugly surround the air hammers. 
In FIG. 5 the air inlet is denoted as 80 and the vacuum outlet as 82. The 
adjustable hood Plates A and B are shown but the plates beneath the air 
hammers 1 are not depicted. Air hammer trackway 16 is shown as set forth 
in FIG. 2. Thus, as the air enters at a pressure through conduit 80, it 
operates air hammers 1 (through other conduits) and is removed via vacuum 
tube 82 to a location adjacent from the area that is being mined. At first 
blush it may seem that the larger particles may not be viably removed 
simply from the use of the vacuum, however, it is contemplated that either 
screw crushers are situated at the openings in the vacuum conduit to 
pulverize the coal so that the vacuum will carry the coal particles and 
entrained gaseous material to the surface or in the alternative air 
hammers are reciprocated at such a high speed via the pneumatic air 
through conduit 80 that the coal is literally pulverized off the seam or 
wall and the screw crushers are not essential but do aid in the 
operability of the apparatus. 
FIG. 7 shows a multiplicity of mining units operating with air and vacuum 
conduits 80 and 82 respectively. It is contemplated that these conduits 
may be present in a multiplicity for a multiple number of mining units or, 
in the alternative, one central conduit either 80 or 82, or both, can be 
utilized for each different mining machine. As shown in FIG. 7 the unmined 
coal can be utilized as support pillars 22 in order to prevent collapse of 
the coal shaft during mining operations. It is also contemplated that 
after the seam has been worked and it is no longer viable to pull the 
mined coal through vacuum 82, that the multiple mining machine may be 
withdrawn and some of the support shafts 22 mined in retreat. 
FIG. 8 shows a portion of the machine extrinsic from the mining area. An 
air compressor 100 works in coordination with a mining machine 102, as 
above disclosed, via conduit 80 passing coal in a vacuum to the processing 
unit through conduit 82. The latter connects with a coal bin 104 
possessing baffles 106 and a level of coal in the bottom 108. The air flow 
shown via the arrows passes to a dust bin 110. Sprinkles 112 are attached 
to provide an aqueous stream for removal of the coal from the air. The 
coal bin is divided into various spraying areas provided with contact 
plates to aid in coal extraction. The bottommost portion of the coal bin 
has a level of coal 114. The serpentine flow of vapor passes to a water 
tank 120 having a rotating screen 122 to prevent coal dust from entering 
fan 130. Conduit 132 connects with fan 130 to exhaust opening 134. The fan 
is of sufficient size to provide adequate vacuum for both the mining 
machine and vapor processing at the surface. The air stream exited from 
exhaust 134 is environmentally clean. 
The instant drawings exemplify a viable adjustable hood-scoop as shown in 
the rearward perspective of FIG. 4 having the dotted lines showing at 
least two of the parameters of adjustability. All four Plates, A, B, C and 
D will act to move individually of one another or in concert with one 
another to surround the air hammers. It is this technique which allows a 
viable operating environment to fit snugly over the air hammers and 
positively withdraw all of the methane gas at the point of the mining 
seam. Other conventional techniques utilized in pneumatic mining of coal 
such as preliminary grinding wheels or pulverizing units in the bottom 
portions of the scoop feature of this invention have not been shown as 
being necessary for an understanding of this invention. FIGS. 1 through 7 
are but a replica of the contemplated apparatus and its method of use and 
should not be viewed as a limiting factor upon the following claims.