Patent GB-281480-A (GB)
Title: Improved conveyor for mining coal
IPC: B65G21/06
Filed: 1926-12-13
Abstract: 281,480. Suppes, R. A. Dec. 13, 1926. Endless-chain push-plate conveyers; portable conveyers; sectional framework; guiding endless chains; idler rollers; standards, feet and the like; tensioning; discharging devices; driving-gear.-A conveyer system for use in the room and pillar method of mixing coal comprises a main conveyer A extending from the heading 20 into the room and extensible lengthwise as the face 25 is advanced, and one or more extensible cross conveyers B for feeding the main conveyer. The main conveyer, shown with the delivery end to the right in Fig. 3, comprises head and tail sections 31, 33, which may be connected together or to one or more intermediate sections 32. A loading conveyer 70 is pivoted to the head section for delivery into cars 22. The head section is mounted on a base 38 and carries a countershaft 40 adapted to be driven from a portable power unit comprising motor, reduction gear, and a clutch; mounted on a separate base. The shaft 40 carries sprockets for driving the conveyer chains which pass over adjustable idler sprockets on the tail section 33. The tail section is mounted on runners 45, and a capstan 59 on the head section, driven from the power unit, is provided for moving the tail section after removal of intermediate sections. Each section of the main conveyer comprises a trough 46, Fig. 6, supported midway of its length on legs 47, 48 fitted with axles 50 and flanged rollers, the flanges 51 resting on the ground and the hubs 52 supporting the return rim of the conveyer chain. The abutting edges of adjacent trough sections are curved back as at 53, Fig. 9, to prevent overlapping of the sections when laid on an uneven floor, and the abutting flanges 54 on the sides 46 of the trough, Fig. 12, are formed with bends as at 54<1> to increase the flexibility of the trough. The flanges are secured together by wedges engaging within U-bolts 55. The loading conveyer 70 is sectional and rests upon a support 86, Fig. 3, the short lower end section 70<1> pivoting on a sprocket shaft 73 carried in brackets on the head section 31 of the main conveyer. As shown, the section 70<1> is in a pit, but it may rest upon the floor, the section 31 being raised. The scraper chain of the loading conveyer runs horizontally beneath the section 31 a sufficient distance to prevent spilling of fine coal, and the lower run of the chain is guided beneath curved angle-bars 87. An adjustable pan or shoot at the top of the loading conveyer catches fine coal dropping through and discharges it to the centre of the wagon. The cross-conveyer B, shown separately in Figs. 4 and 13, is also made with head and tail sections and removable intermediate sections, and the various sections are supported on legs 92 on wheeled runners 93 so that the cross-conveyer may be moved laterally on rails 95 towards the face 25 as work proceeds. The rails 95 are laid loosely on the floor, but correct alignment is ensured by placing the rail nearest the main conveyer in guide brackets 114 secured to the latter. The cross conveyer comprises a scraper chain 98 working in a trough 99 with splash-board 126, and the lower run of the chain is supported on rollers 96 mounted in brackets on the runners 93. The conveyer rises at the delivery end to discharge directly into the trough of the main conveyer, which is provided with a splash-board 125. An adjustable pan 116 on the cross-conveyer catches fine coal and directs it on to the main conveyer. The chain is guided at the head section by curved bars 109, 110. The head section is provided with a motor 101 and reduction gear for driving the head sprockets 104, and the tail sprockets 107 are adjustable for tensioning. The head and tail shafts are provided with capstans 127, Fig. 1, whereby the motor 101 may haul on anchored ropes for moving the conveyer on the rails 95. A jack 130, Fig. 4, is provided for taking the weight of the head section of the cross-conveyer whilst advancing the tail section of the main conveyer.