Patent GB-211475-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in mining machines
IPC: E21C31/00
Filed: 1924-02-12
Abstract: 211,475. Sullivan Machinery Co., (Assignees of Holmes, M. P.). Feb. 19, 1923, [Convention date]. Coal-cutting machines.-A mining-machine, especially adapted to use in low vein work, comprises a frame carrying a cutting mechanism and is adapted in respect of lubricating means and arrangement of controls to operate when supported either in the normal or in an inverted position relative to the mine bottom. As shown in Fig. 1, the frame comprises motor, feed, and cutter carrying sections, 5, 6, 7, respectively, disposed to form a rigid low frame. Referring to Figs. 5, 7 a fluid pressure motor is journaled in the section 5 and is of the kind comprising double helical intermeshing rotors 9, 10 with meshing spur gears 13, the parts of each rotor being clamped by bolts 15. Fluid under pressure is supplied by a passage 33 and inlet 34 beneath the gears 13, causing the rotors to rotate in opposite directions, the exhaust passing to outlets 37. The supply pipe 25 is carried on whichever side of the machine is remote from the mine face and communicates through chambers 32 with the passage 33. A throttle 41 having a out away part 42 is controlled by a journaled rod 43 which is rotatable from a hand wheel 52 at the feed end of the machine. Lubricant chambers 53 - - 56 are provided, one, 53, having an air passage 57 through which air enters to force out oil from the chamber into the rotor chambers through a discharge 58 controlled by a screw 62. Only one chamber is in use at a time, namely the top one away from the mine face. The rotors 9, 10 carry pinions 68, 69, selectively co-operating with which is a pinion 72 splined on a shaft 73 and carrying a shipper ring 77. The hopper 78 is pivoted at 79 and operated from a hand-wheel 84 through worm gearing 80, 81. Guide means in the form of idler sprockets 228. 233, 234, 235 are provided for the feed chain 4 and disposed at the feed end of the machine adjacent the feed member 128. With the construction described the machine may be turned over to operate as a top or bottom cutter and can be mounted on a vertically adjustable skid for intermediate cutting; it is also adapted to longwall and room and pillar working. The feed chain 4 is engaged by a sprocket wheel 128. The Specification as open to public inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) comprises also the following, forming the subject matter of Specification 233,366. The shaft 73 which may be rotated in opposite directions from different rotors, drives the chain 65 and sprocket 66 through gearing 86, 87, 91, 92, and clutch connection 103 between the sleeves of the gears 66, 92. The cutter member 2 has a part 112 fixed thereto and journaled on a sleeve 107 on the frame, and a similar part 113 integral with the cutter member 2 is journaled on a cup bearing 109 so as to permit free swinging of the member 2. The member 112 carries a boss 119, grooved to overlie and be supported on the frame, and bored to receive a rotatable pin 120 which has cut-away parts 123 co-operating with similarly cut-away parts 124 on the frame so that the cutter can be locked in certain positions. An eccentrically mounted knob 125 on the pin 120 receives one end of a hook 126 connected with the feed chain 4, the construction being such that a pull on the chain 4 will tend to rotate the locking pin 120 to lock or unlock the cutter. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted. The Specification, as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) comprises also the following matter, forming the subject-matter of Speciiication 233,365. The feed end of the rotor 9 carries a pinion 131 driving an internal gear 149 through pinions 132, 136, 137, shaft 138, and pinion 148. For fast feeding, a series 154 of friction discs in connection with the gear 149 is clutched with a similar series 153 in connection with a shaft 146. For slow feed in the reverse direction, this clutch 153, 154 is thrown out and a similarly arranged clutch 200, 201 is thrown in. Under these conditions the gear 149 drives a gear 158, loose on the shaft 146, through an interlocking member 157 engaging slots in a sleeve of the internal gear 149, and the gear 158 drives another internal gear 188, gear 190, a gear wheel (not shown) disposed on a counter shaft for reversing the direction of rotation, gears 193, 195 and internal gear 196, to which shaft 146 can then be clutched by the clutch 200, 201 for slow or cutting feed. Keyed tc the shaft 146 is a pinion 164 driving the shaft 171 of the feed member 128 through pinions 165, 169, and internal gear 170. The speed of feed may be varied at will by slipping either of the clutches. The clutch controlling mechanism comprises a hand-wheel 227 rotating a shaft 216 on which nuts 214, 222 are moved by means of oppositely directed screw threads on the shaft. Engaging the nut 214 is one end of a pivoted lever 210 the free end of which carries a roller 209 which engages the operating member 160 of the clutch 153, 154. A similar lever 223 engages the operating member 205 of the clutch 200, 201, which latter by means of the threads on the shaft 216 will be disconnected when the other clutch is connected. and vice versa. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.