Filter assembly and scrubber section for a continuous miner

A filter assembly includes a first screen, defining a first flow passageway, a second screen, defining a second flow passageway, and a third screen defining a third flow passageway. The second screen is positioned between the first screen and the third screen. The first flow passageway is aligned with the third flow passageway and the second flow passageway is offset from the first flow passageway and the third flow passageway.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to the filtering field and, more particularly, to a new and improved filter assembly and a scrubber section for a continuous miner incorporating that filter assembly.

BACKGROUND

Dust generated on underground mechanized coal-mining faces is a health and safety hazard. Continuous miners deployed underground usually have an integrated flooded-bed dust scrubber mounted onto the machine that arrests the generated dust from close to the face and cleanses the air around it. However, the impingement screen might get clogged depending on the coal seam being worked. This necessitates the cleaning of the screen which in turn, reduces the overall availability of the scrubber and, hence the continuous miner.

This document relates to a new and improved filter assembly as well as to a scrubber section for a continuous miner incorporating that filter assembly. The novel non-clogging filter assembly incorporates three aluminum filter screens and represents a significant advance in the art.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a new and improved filter assembly is provided. That filter assembly comprises a first screen defining a first flow passageway, a second screen defining a second flow passageway and a third screen defining a third flow passageway. The second screen is positioned between the first screen and the third screen. The first flow passageway is aligned with the third flow passageway and the second flow passageway is offset from the first flow passageway and the third flow passageway.

More particularly, in one or more of the possible embodiments, the first screen is spaced from the second screen by a distance D1and the second screen is spaced from the third screen by a distance D2where D1≥D2. In addition, the first flow passageway includes a first plurality of slits formed the first screen. The second flow passageway includes a second plurality of slits formed in the second screen. The third flow passageway includes a third plurality of slits formed in the third screen.

The first plurality of slits may all be parallel. The second plurality of slits may all be parallel. The third plurality of slits may all be parallel. The first, second and third plurality of slits may all have longitudinal axes running parallel to one another.

Each slit of the first plurality of slits may have a width W. Similarly, each slit of the second plurality of slits and the third plurality of slits may also have a width W. Further, the second flow passageway may be offset by an offset distance OD from the first flow passageway and the third flow passageway where OD=W.

In at least one of the many possible embodiments of the filter assembly, the ratio of D1to D2is 3:2. Further, the ratio of W to D1is 2:1. In addition, the first screen, the second screen and the third screen all have a thickness T where the ratio of W to T is 4:1.

In one or more of the many possible embodiments of the filter assembly, the width W is greater than 6.0 mm. In still other embodiments the width W is equal to 6.0 mm.

The filter assembly may also include a plurality of fasteners and cooperating spacers that secure the first screen, the second screen and the third screen together.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a new and improved scrubber section is provided for a continuous miner. That scrubber section comprises an air duct having an air intake at a first end and an air discharge at a second end and a filter assembly in the air duct between the first end and the second end. As set forth above, that filter assembly includes a first screen defining a first flow passageway, a second screen defining a second flow passageway and a third screen defining a third flow passageway. The second screen is positioned between the first screen and the third screen. The first flow passageway is aligned with the third flow passageway and the second flow passageway is offset from the first flow passageway and the third flow passageway.

The scrubber section further includes a water spray jet configured to spray water over the first screen, the second screen and the third screen whereby accumulation of dust on the first screen, the second screen and the third screen is prevented.

In addition, the scrubber section further includes an air fan in the air duct downstream from the filter assembly. That air fan functions to draw air into the air duct through the air intake past the filter assembly and to discharge that air from the air discharge.

In addition, the scrubber further includes a demister. The demister is provided in the air duct between the air filter assembly and the air fan. The demister functions to capture mist from the airstream and maintain that mist and entrained dirt within the scrubber section of the continuous miner.

In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the filter assembly and the related scrubber section for a continuous miner. As it should be realized, the filter assembly and the scrubber section are capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the filter assembly and scrubber section as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the filter assembly and scrubber section, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made toFIGS. 1 and 2illustrating a new and improved filter assembly10including a first screen12, a second screen14and a third screen16. Each of the screens12,14,16may be made from aluminum or other appropriate material.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4, the first screen12includes a first flow passageway18comprising a first plurality of slits20. In the illustrated embodiment, the first plurality of slits20are elongated and parallel to one another.

The second screen14includes a second flow passageway22taking the form of a second plurality of slits24. In the illustrated embodiment the second plurality of slits24are all elongated and parallel to one another.

Similarly, the third screen16includes a third flow passageway26. In the illustrated embodiment the third flow passageway26comprises a third plurality of slits28. In the illustrated embodiment those third plurality of slits28are all elongated and parallel to one another.

As further illustrated inFIG. 4, the second screen14is positioned between the first screen12and the third screen16. Further, the first flow passageway18and all of the first plurality of slits20are aligned with the third flow passageway26and all of the third plurality of slits28while the second flow passageway22and all of the second plurality of slits24are offset from the first flow passageway/first plurality of slits and the third flow passageway/third plurality of slits.

As should be appreciated, the resulting filter assembly10is blind and does not allow for air to flow straight through the screens (note action arrows A). The offsetting of the second flow passageway22/second plurality of slits24from the first flow passageway18/first plurality of slits20and third flow passageway26/third plurality of slits28forces dust laden air passing through the filter assembly10to make sharp turns. The dust particles cannot change directions rapidly and, accordingly impact one of the screens12,14,16and are separated from the air.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the first screen12is spaced from the second screen14by a distance D1and the second screen is spaced from the third screen16by a distance D2where D1≥D2. In order to achieve this configuration, the filter assembly10includes a plurality of fasteners30and cooperating spacers32,34securing the screens12,14,16together. SeeFIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners30comprise screws and cooperating nuts and the spacers32are longer than the spacers34. More particularly, the spacers32have a length equal to D1while the spacers34have a length equal to distance D2. In one particularly useful embodiment of the filter assembly, the ratio of D1to D2is 3:2. In other embodiments, D1>D2

In one particularly useful embodiment of the filter assembly illustrated inFIG. 4, each slit of the first plurality of slits20has a width W. In some embodiments each slit of the second plurality of slits24and the third plurality of slits28also has a width W. Further, in one particularly useful embodiment of the filter assembly, the second flow passageway22/second plurality of slits24are offset by an offset distance OD from the first flow passageway18/first plurality of slits20and the third flow passageway26/third plurality of slits28where OD=W.

In one particularly useful embodiment of the filter assembly, the ratio of W to D1is 2:1. Further, each of the first screen12, second screen14and third screen16has a thickness T where the ratio of W to T is 4:1. In one particularly useful embodiment of the filter assembly, the width W is greater than 6.0 mm. In one useful embodiment of the filter assembly10, the width W is equal to 6.0 mm. In such an embodiment, D1may equal 3.0 mm, D2may equal 2.0 mm, OD may equal 6 mm and T may equal 1.5 mm.

Reference is now made toFIG. 5which illustrates a continuous miner50including a new and improved scrubber section52. That scrubber section52comprises an air duct54having an air intake56at a first end and an air discharge60at a second end. The filter assembly10is provided in the air duct between the air intake56at the first end and the air discharge60at the second end.

The scrubber section52also includes a water spray jet62configured to spray water over the three screens12,14,16of the filter assembly10whereby accumulation of dust on the first, second and third screens is prevented. As a result, the filter assembly10remains clog free at all times.

The scrubber section52also includes an air fan64in the air duct54downstream from the filter assembly10. The air fan functions to draw air into the air duct through the air intake56then through and past the filter assembly10before pushing that air through the air discharge60.

Still further, the scrubber section52also includes a demister66in the air duct54between the filter assembly10and the air fan64. Demister66functions to remove mist from the airstream along with any dust particles entrained within the mist before that air passes through the air fan for discharge through the air discharge60.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example,FIG. 2clearly illustrates an embodiment of the filter assembly including fasteners30and spacers32,34. In other embodiments, the screens12,14,16may be held together by welding or otherwise bonded together and the spacers may be separate components or integral portions of the screens. Further, the illustrated embodiment of the filter assembly10includes three screens12,14,16. It should be appreciated that the filter assembly10may include more than three screens and still incorporate the offset screen construction described in this document. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.