Patent EA-002315-B1 (EA)
Title: Mining machine and method for retreat cutting of material
Inventor: MULLET MERLE R
IPC: E21C27/24
Filed: 1999-09-07
Abstract: 1. A mining machine for combined entry and retreat cutting of material located in underground seams comprising, a movable mainframe, a wing extending ahead of said movable mainframe, a cutter assembly positionable proximate the end of said wing for entry cutting a hole in the material when said wing is aligned with the direction of movement of said mainframe, a pivotal connection between said mainframe and said wing for orienting said wing at an angle to the direction of movement of said mainframe, and a carriage mechanism for moving said cutter assembly along said wing for cutting of the material in proximity to said wing during retreat cutting of the material. 2. A mining machine according to claim l, wherein said cutter is a drum cutter. 3. A mining machine according to claim 2, wherein said drum cutter has a vertical axis of rotation. 4. A mining machine according to claim 2, wherein said drum cutter produces a square entry hole. 5. A mining machine according to claim 1, wherein said cutter is part of a cutter assembly having a carriage assembly for moving said cutter assembly along said wing. 6. A mining machine according to claim 5, including a cutting arm carrying said cutter assembly and mounted for travel on rails affixed to and extending longitudinally of said wing. 7. A mining machine according to claim 6, wherein said carriage is selectively driven by a drive motor mounted on said wing. 8. A mining machine according to claim l, wherein said wing has a wing conveyor for transfer of the material cut by said cutter assembly to said mainframe. 9. A mining machine according to claim 8, wherein said mainframe has a mainframe conveyor for receiving and transferring the material received from said wing conveyor. 10. A mining machine according to claim 9, including a conveyor interconnect mechanism joined to said wing conveyor and said mainframe conveyor by universal joints, thereby permitting angular spreading of said wing relative to said mainframe. 11. A mining machine according to claim 1, wherein said wing has a wing clamping assembly for selectively anchoring and releasing said wing relative to the material. 12. A mining machine according to claim 11, wherein said wing clamping assembly includes front and rear clamping cylinders each moving upper and lower clamping plates. 13. A mining machine according to claim 1, wherein said wing has a wing spreader assembly for orienting said wing at selected angles with respect to said mainframe. 14. A mining machine according to claim 13, wherein said wing clamping assembly includes at least one spreader cylinder pivotable about said wing for positioning to selectively angularly move said wing. 15. A mining machine according to claim 14, wherein one end of said spreader cylinder is affixed to a pivot shaft mounted on said wing and a clamping cylinder selectively anchors said spreader cylinder. 16. A mining machine according to claim 1, further comprising a second wing paralleling said wing when both are aligned with said mainframe. 17. A mining machine according to claim 16, wherein said second wing is pivotally connected to said mainframe for orienting said second wing at an angle to the direction of movement of said mainframe in a direction opposite the orienting of said wing. 18. A mining machine according to claim 16, including means for maintaining said wing and said second wing equiangularly displaced during retreat cutting. 19. A mining machine according to claim 16, wherein said wing and said second wing are separately individually positioned and controlled. 20. A mining machine according to claim 1, wherein said cutter assembly includes a drum cutter having a motor mounted therein for rotating said drum cutter. 21. A method of mining minerals located in underground seams comprising the steps of: cutting an entry hole with a cutter assembly mounted on a wing preceding a mainframe assembly, moving said cutter assembly lengthwise of said wing to effect a widening cut of the entry hole in the area adjacent to said wing, spreading said wing angularly into the widening cut effected by said cutter assembly, sequentially repeating the moving of said cutter assembly lengthwise of said wing to effect a further widening cut to the entry hole and the spreading of said wing angularly into widening cuts until said wing is displaced through a desired angle, instituting retreat motion increments of said mainframe assembly and said wing subsequent to advance cuts by said cutter assembly lengthwise of said wings, whereby a retreat cut of a width exceeding the width of the entry hole is accomplished. 22. A method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of orienting said cutter assembly in longitudinal alignment with said wing during the effecting of the entry cut hole. 23. A method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of forming a rectangular entry cut hole by employing a cylindrical cutter rotating on a vertical axis. 24. A method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of retracting said wing angularly toward alignment with .said mainframe assembly prior to completing a retreat cut, whereby the entry area is maintained substantially intact. 25. A method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of pivoting said cutter assembly into alignment with said wing attendant moving of said cutter assembly lengthwise of said wing. 26. A method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of employing a pair of wings, each mounting a cutter assembly. 27. A method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of orienting each of said cutter assemblies in longitudinal alignment with its respective wing during the cutting of the entry hole. 28. A method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of spreading said wings in opposite angular directions prior to instituting said retreat motion increments. 29. A method according to claim 28 further comprising the step of leveraging a spreading mechanism of one of said wings against the other of said wings to initiate angular separation between said wings. 30. A method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of fully spreading said pair of wings prior to instituting said retreat motion increments. 31. A mining machine for combined entry and retreat cutting of material located in underground seams comprising, a movable mainframe, a wing extending from said movable mainframe, a first cutter assembly positioned on said mainframe for entry cutting a hole in the material when said wing is aligned with the direction of movement of said mainframe, a pivotal connection between said mainframe and said wing for orienting said wing at an angle to the direction of movement of said mainframe, and second cutter assembly for cutting of the material in proximity to said wing during retreat cutting of the material. 32. A method of mining minerals located in an underground seam comprising the steps of: cutting an entry hole in the underground seam, locating a mining machine having a wing-mounted cutter assembly in the entry hole, moving said cutter assembly lengthwise of said wing to effect a widening cut of the entry hole in the area adjacent to said wing, spreading said wing angularly into the widening cut effected by said cutter assembly, sequentially repeating the moving of said cutter assembly lengthwise of said wing to effect a further widening cut to the entry hole and the spreading of said wing angularly into widening cuts until said wing is displaced through a desired angle, instituting retreat motion increments of said mining machine and said wing subsequent to advance cuts by said cutter assembly lengthwise of said wings, whereby a retreat cut of a width exceeding the width of the entry hole is accomplished.