Patent GB-155822-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the method of and apparatus for mining and loading
IPC: E21C27/18
Filed: 1920-12-06
Abstract: 155,822. Morgan, E. C. Dec. 23, 1919, [Convention date]. Breaking-down appliances; digging, picking, and channelling or slitting apparatus; coal-cutting machines.-A coal mining and loading machine comprises a frame carrying digging tools arranged for operation on an upright mine wall, and poweroperated means for moving the frame to cause the tools to dislodge the material. The machine comprises a main frame 28, Figs. 1 and 2, mounted on tractor belts 29 and held during mining operations by pivoted jacks 34. At the front of the main frame is a hopper 53 to which coal is delivered by a conveyer 57 which, with the coal-dislodging means, is rotatable about the hopper; from the hopper 53, the coal is carried by a conveyer 52 to a pivoted hopper 42 containing a conveyer 44 which delivers to trams 51. The conveyer 57 is provided with a scoop-plate 59, is carried by horizontal pivots at its upper end, and is fed with coal by means of a jigging conveyer comprising a plate 193, Fig. 6, which is moved forwardly by a spring 196 and rearwardly by a crank 198 driven by a motor 201; the plate 193 has teeth 192 adapted to engage slots in a scoop 190 at the foot of the conveyer 57. The coal-dislodging means comprises chisel-edge or pointed cutters 62, 83, 64, 65, arranged in a vertical series, a roof-cutter 66, and a floor cutter 67. The intermediate cutters 62, 65 may be in advance of the outer cutters 63, 64. The cutters may be carried by superposed holders 60, 61, the upper holder 61 being adjustably supported by rams 70, 71 from the lower holder 60; these rollers may have fluid-pressure jacks 82, 81 engaging the roof and floor for steadying &c. purposes. The roof and floor cutters 66, 67 are pivoted and may be adjusted by fluid-pressure motors 87, 98, Fig. 4. The cutters are advanced into the coal by two sets of fluid-pressure motors 123, 113 connected to fluid-pressure jacks 99, 100 while one of these jacks engages the roof and floor to form an abutment and enable one set of motors to advance the cutters, the other jack, after being released from the roof and floor, is advanced by the other set of motors and again fixed. After completing a cut, the dislodging-means and conveyer 57 are returned by a rope 220, Fig. 2, on a drum 221 driven by a motor 222. In a modified construction, the motor 222 and drum 221 act also tarough a number of ropes to advance the dislodging- means &c., the jacks 99, 100 and motors 123 and 213 then being omitted. if desired. one or more kerfs are cut in the coal before advance of the dislodging means. The kerf cutting mechanism is connected to a frame 229, Fig. 2, by a gimbal ring structure 225, 240, Fig. 13, the frame being raised or lowered by rack-and-pinion mechanism operated by a motor, and the gimbal rings. being adjustable by screws 268. The kerf-cutter comprises a cutter ring 259 supported on balls 258 and directly engaged by a sprocket 262 mounted in an oil bath 253 and driven by a motor carried by a disc 243, supported by the gimbal ring 240, a further motor 245 carried by the disc 243 driving a pinion 248 engaging an internal gear 249 in the ring 240 to advance the kerf cutter into the coal. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specifications 23168/13 and 117,552.