Patent GB-514946-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to powder and like distributing machines
IPC: E21F5/10
Filed: 1938-04-22
Abstract: 514,946. Distributers for stone dust &c. BAKER, R. G. April 22, 1938, No. 12041. [Class 6 (i)] A machine for distributing stone dust in coal mines is provided with a nozzle which is rotated about an axis inclined to the axis of the nozzle so that a jet of dust is produced which revolves conically. As the machine travels the walls of the mine are thus sprayed in the form of a helix the turns of which may overlap to produce a continuous coating of the dust. The means for rotating the nozzle and for delivering the dust to the nozzle may be interconnected with the means for. propelling the machine so that the speed of rotation of the nozzle and the rate of delivery of dust are proportional to the velocity of the machine. The dust may be delivered from a hopper by a screw conveyer and projected through the nozzle by an air current produced by ,a fan or injector. Fig. 1 shows a machine in which stone dust is stored in a hopper 1 and delivered by a rotating screw 11 through an adjustable opening into a chamber 7 connected to an air pipe 6 and fan 5 and a flexible pipe 8 leading to an inclined nozzle 18. The nozzle is rotated about a fixed tubular member 14 attached to the pipe 8 by means of a toothed wheel 19 attached to the nozzle and driven by a pinion 20 which is rotated by a flexible drive 21 connected to the shaft of the screw 11. The member 14. is attached to the vehicle by a parallel link mechanism 16 so that the member 14 can be raised and lowered while remaining in a horizontal position. The links 16 are raised and lowered by a winch 23. The fan 5 and screw 11 are driven by motors 4, 26, the latter also propelling the machine by means of a chain 30. Instead of the fan 5, an injector nozzle may be situated in the chamber 7, compressed air being delivered to the injector from a pump. Fig, 4 shows a modification in which the machine is propelled and all the rotating parts actuated by hand. A main shaft 44 is rotated either directly or through reduction gearing 49 by a handle 47. One of the wheels 43 of the vehicle is driven from the shaft 44 through sprockets, chains and gearing. The forward end of the shaft 44 carries a sprocket which drives two wheels 66. 67 through a chain 65. The wheel 66 rotates the nozzle 68 while the wheel 67 rotates the screw conveyer 69 which delivers stone dust to a U-shaped member 71. The limbs of the member 71 are vertical, one being open to the atmosphere and the other connected to the nozzle 68. Air is drawn into the open limb by an injector 73 supplied with compressed air through a pipe 74. The amount of dust delivered by each revolution of the screw 69 is controlled by a guard 76 of inverted V-shape covering the screw. The guard rises and falls once for each revolution of the screw and the extent of the movement is regulated by an adjustable arm 78 attached to the guard and projecting into the path of the screw. The movement of the guard also agitates the dust in the hopper. Brake blocks 82, 83 acting simultaneously on the front and rear wheels of the machine are actuated by a lever 80 pivoted at 81. Another form of machine is described in which the machine is propelled by rope haulage and the fan, dust conveyer and rotating nozzle are all driven from the road wheels. Alternatively, the fan may be driven by hand mechanism which also drives the other rotating parts of the machine. The machine may also be propelled by pedals. Instead of a screw conveyer for the dust a belt conveyer or reciprocating plate may be employed.