Patent Publication Number: US-9903202-B2

Title: Shield for sumping frame of mining machine

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present application relates to mining machines, and in particular to continuous mining and entry development machines. 
     Conventional underground mining machines include a cutting head supported for rotation on an arm or a boom. A continuous mining operation often includes alternating sump and shear cutting cycles wherein the cutting head is first actuated through a sump or horizontal cut into a mine face, and then the cutting head is moves in a shear or vertical direction across the mine face to cut mineral from the face. The mining apparatus is then moved forward using a drive system (e.g., tracks or the like) and is again positioned adjacent the face for another sump and shear cutting sequence. The mining machine may also include a gathering head to direct or load the cut material into a conveyor system or a haulage vehicle such as a shuttle car. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a mining machine includes a chassis, a boom, a cutting head, and a shield. The chassis includes a first end and a second end, and defines a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The boom includes a first end and a second end, and the boom is supported for movement relative to the chassis. The boom translates in a first direction and is pivotable relative to the chassis between a first position and a second position. The cutting head is coupled to the second end of the boom and is supported for rotation relative to the boom. The cutting head is rotatable about a cutting head axis. The shield is supported for movement relative to the chassis and positioned proximate the cutting head. 
     In another aspect, a sumping assembly for a mining machine having a chassis defining a longitudinal axis includes a boom, a cutting head, and a shield. The boom includes a first end and a second end, and the boom is configured to be supported for movement relative to the chassis. The boom translates in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The cutting head is coupled to the second end of the boom and is supported for rotation relative to the boom. The cutting head rotates about a cutting head axis. The shield is coupled to the boom and positioned proximate the cutting head. The shield is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 
     In yet another aspect, a mining machine includes a chassis, a sumping frame, a boom, a conveyor, a cutting head, and a shield. The chassis includes a first end and a second end and defines a chassis axis extending between the first end and the second end. The sumping frame is supported for movement relative to the chassis. The boom includes a first end and a second end, and the first end is pivotably coupled to the sumping frame. The conveyor is coupled to the sumping frame and includes flights for moving cut material toward the second end of the chassis. The conveyor is coupled to the sumping frame. The cutting head is coupled to the second end of the boom and is supported for rotation relative to the boom. The cutting head is rotatable about a cutting head axis. The shield is coupled to the sumping frame and positioned proximate the cutting head. The shield is oriented substantially perpendicular to the chassis axis. 
     Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mining machine with a sumping assembly in a retracted position and a cutting head in a lower position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mining machine of  FIG. 1  with the sumping assembly in an extended position and the cutting head in an upper position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the mining machine with the sumping assembly in the extended position and the cutting head in the upper position. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a cutter head and the sumping assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a portion of the sumping assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the mining machine of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected” and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical or hydraulic connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. Also, electronic communications and notifications may be performed using any known means including direct connections, wireless connections, etc. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an underground mining machine (e.g., a continuous miner) generally referred to as a mining machine  10 . The illustrated embodiment of the mining machine  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is configured to perform a cutting operation that includes simultaneously cutting material from a mine face, and directing the cut material onto a conveyor  12  to transfer the cut material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mining machine  10  includes a chassis  14  supported on a drive mechanism (e.g., tracks  18 ) to facilitate movement of the mining machine  10  and to position the machine  10  relative to a mine face (not shown) for performing the cutting operation. The chassis  14  includes a first or front end  26  and a second or rear end  30 , and a chassis axis  34  extends between the front end  26  and the rear end  30  along the length of the machine  10 . A conveyor  12  ( FIG. 6 ) may extend between the front end  26  and the rear end  30  to move cut material toward the rear of the machine  10  and onto another conveyance mechanism (e.g., a conveyor or a haulage vehicle). 
     In one embodiment, the axis  34  may be oriented generally perpendicular to the mine face. In the illustrated embodiment, the tracks  18  of the chassis  14  are oriented in a direction parallel to the chassis axis  34 . The machine  10  includes support mechanisms or anchors  22  for engaging a mine surface and providing additional stability for the chassis  14  once the chassis  14  is in a desired position. In some embodiments, additional support mechanisms such as roof bolts or cables may be inserted into the mine roof and/or rib to support the mine surfaces around the machine  10 . The roof bolting equipment may be positioned on the machine  10  or on a separate machine (not shown). An operator station  38  is positioned between the front end  26  and the back end  30  and includes controls for operating the mining machine  10 . In some embodiments, the mining machine  10  may be controlled remotely. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mining machine  10  further includes a sumping assembly, which may include a boom  50  and a sumping frame  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the sumping frame  54  is movably coupled to the chassis  14 , and the boom  50  is pivotably coupled to the sumping frame  54 . The sumping frame  54  and is supported for translational movement parallel to the chassis axis  34  (e.g., toward the first end  26  or toward the rear end  30  of the chassis) in a first direction  56  and a second direction  60  opposite the first direction  56 . The sumping frame  54  and boom  50  may move between a retracted position ( FIG. 1 ) and an extended position ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in the illustrated embodiment, the sumping frame  54  and boom  50  are extended and refracted relative to the chassis  14  via a first actuator (e.g., first hydraulic cylinder  46 ) coupled between the sumping frame  54  and the chassis  14 . The extension of the first cylinder  46  advances or sumps the sumping assembly toward the mine face to allow the cutting head  68  to cut material. In one embodiment, the chassis  14  may include one or more channels (not shown) extending parallel to the chassis axis  34 , and the boom  50  may include a projection (e.g., a pin—not shown) positioned in each channel. The projections may slide along the channel as the boom  50  extends or retracts relative to the chassis  14 . One example of such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,857, issued Apr. 27, 2010, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the boom  50  includes a first end  62  and a second end  64 , and the first end  62  is pivotably coupled to the sumping frame  54 . The boom  50  may pivot in a vertical plane (e.g., along a path  66 ) between a mine roof and a mine floor to facilitate cutting material at various heights on a mine face. The boom  50  may pivot relative to the sumping frame  54  between a lower position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and an upper position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . A second actuator (e.g., second hydraulic cylinder  58 ) is coupled between the boom  50  and the sumping frame  54  and moves the boom  50  between the lower and upper positions. The first and second hydraulic cylinders  46 ,  58  may be actuated separately, which may enable the boom  50  to pivot relative to the chassis  14  independently of the translational movement of the boom  50 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , a cutting head  68  is supported for rotation on the second end  64  of the boom  50 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting head  68  includes end portions  76  and an intermediate portion  72  between the end portions  76 . The cutting head  68  is generally formed as an elongated drum; in other embodiments, the cutting head may be formed in a different manner. For example, the cutting head may include structure to guide material toward the shield  92  and/or the conveyor  12 . In one embodiment, the end portions  76  are movable relative to the intermediate portion  72  and can extend outwardly along the rotational axis  80  (i.e., along the paths  82 ) by a linear distance  86 . Also, in one embodiment, a vane structure  84  extends around and along the surface of the cutting head  68  in a helical pattern. The vane structure  84  may be formed as two separate portions, each portion extending around the cutting head  68  from each end toward a center of the of the cutting head  68 . Cutting bit assemblies  88  are secured to the cutting head  68  at intervals along the vane structure  84 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the machine  10  (and particularly, the sumping assembly) further includes a shield  92  positioned between the cutting head  68  and the chassis  14 . The shield  92  blocks the material cut from the mine face and entraps the material in an area between the shield  92  and the mine face. In the illustrated embodiment, the shield  92  is coupled to the sumping frame  54 , and is therefore coupled to the boom  50 . The shield  92  may be positioned proximate the cutting head  68 . The shield  92  may be oriented in a substantially vertical plane and positioned substantially perpendicular to the chassis axis  34 , and may be oriented substantially parallel to the mine face during operation. The shield  92  includes a lower end  96  proximate the mine floor and an upper end  100 . The cutting head  68  is positioned adjacent the lower end  96  of the shield  92  in the lower position ( FIG. 1 ), whereas the cutting head  68  is positioned adjacent the upper end  100  of the shield  92  in the upper position ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The shield  92  includes a primary wall  104  and a secondary wall  108 . Both the primary wall  104  and the secondary wall  108  are oriented in the plane of the shield  92 . The secondary wall  108  is movably coupled to the primary wall  104 . The secondary wall  108  may be actuated to extend outwardly relative to the primary wall  104  in a direction transverse to the chassis axis  34  (e.g., along the paths  110 ). Stated another way, the secondary wall  108  may move in a direction parallel to the rotational axis  80  of the cutting head  68 . In the illustrated embodiment, the primary wall  104  includes lateral edges extending generally between the upper end  100  and the lower end  96 , and the secondary wall  108  extends and retracts relative to the lateral edges of the primary wall  104  in a direction parallel to the plane of the shield  92 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the secondary wall  108  is disposed behind the primary wall  104 , such that the secondary wall  108  is positioned between the primary wall  104  and the chassis  14 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , the shield  92  further includes a lip  112  proximate the lower end  96  of the shield  92 . The lip  112  extends outwardly from the plane of the shield  92  and forms an acute angle relative to the primary wall  104 . The lip  112  is configured to direct cut material away from the ground and onto the conveyor  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the primary wall  104  of the shield  92  is formed as two portions separated by a gap  116 . The gap  116  is aligned with the conveyor  12 , and the portions of the primary wall  104  adjacent the gap  116  are angled toward the chassis  14  to direct cut material through the gap  116  and onto the conveyor  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shield  92  further includes a light  120  on each side of the gap  116  for illuminating the mine face. Although the illustrated embodiment of the shield  92  includes a pair of lights  120 , in an alternative embodiment the shield  92  may include fewer or more lights  120  and the lights  120  may be arranged in a different manner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the conveyor  12  in the illustrated embodiment is coupled to the boom  50 , and the conveyor  12  and boom  50  translate together relative to the chassis  34 . Stated another way, the conveyor  12  and the boom  50  move generally parallel to the chassis axis  34 , which may be perpendicular to the mine face. The conveyor  12  includes a plurality of flights  124  ( FIG. 6 ) to move the cut material along a conveyor pan and toward the rear end  30 . 
     An operator (either locally or remotely) moves the mining machine  10  into a desired position, aligning the chassis  14  in a desired orientation relative to the mine face. Once the machine  10  is positioned, the anchors  22  may be extended to engage a mine roof (not shown) and further secure the chassis  14  against movement. At this point, the boom  50  may be at any position between the lower position and the upper position. The sumping frame  54  is advanced or sumped toward the extended position via actuation of the first hydraulic cylinders  46  so that the cutting head  68  engages the mine face. Once the cutting head  68  engages with the mine face, the boom  50  may pivot vertically between the mine roof and the mine floor via actuation of the second hydraulic cylinders  58 . More specifically, the boom  50  may pivot between the lower and upper positions. The cutting head  68  shear cuts the mine face such that the cutting bit assemblies  88  dislodge material (e.g., coal) from the face. 
     Frequently, the shear cutting operation causes the mined material to leave the mine face along various trajectories. Due to the location and geometry of the shield  92 , the dislodged mined material is deflected off the shield  92  and directed toward the area forward of the shield  92 . In other words, the shield  92  increases the amount of mined material entrained between the mine face and the shield  92 . 
     As the sumping frame  54  is further advanced into the mine face, the cutting head  68  continues to cut or dislodge material. The cut material falls to the floor in front of the shield  92 . The lip  112  of the shield  92  directs the cut material above the ground and toward the gap  116 , where the material is deposited onto the conveyor  12 . The cut material is subsequently transferred away from the front end  26  of the chassis  14 . In the illustrated embodiment the cut material is transferred via the conveyor  12  toward the rear end  30  to be further processed or conveyed out of the mine. 
     The end portions  76  of the cutting head  68  and the secondary wall  108  can be actuated or extended outwardly in order to adjust the width of the mining profile and dislodge material. The secondary wall  108  and the end portions  76  can also be retracted as the mining operation progresses. In one embodiment, the secondary wall  108  moves (i.e., extends or retracts) relative to the primary wall  104  at a similar rate and distance as the end portions  76  move relative to the intermediate portion  72  of the cutting head  68  to correspondingly deflect the mined material. In other embodiments, the end portions  76  and the secondary wall  108  may move at different rates and distances. 
     When the sumping frame  54  is extended a maximum distance (i.e., when it reaches the extended position), the cutting operation may be paused and the sumping frame  54  subsequently may be moved to the retracted position. The anchors  22  may be disengaged and the mining machine  10  is advanced to be positioned closer to the new mine face. The previously described process may be repeated. 
     The sumping frame  54  and shield  92  may reduce the distance between the mine face and the support mechanisms (e.g., anchors or roof bolts), and may reduce overall machine weight. In particular, the sumping frame  54  and shield  92  weight may be reduced, and the total distance or range of travel of the sumping frame  54  and the boom  50  may increase without requiring a corresponding increase in the length of the chassis  14 . Reducing the weight of the machine  10  also reduces the ground pressure. In addition, the compact design provides more room on the machine  10  for roof bolting equipment and storage space for the associated consumable products. Furthermore, in some embodiments the shield  92  and the cutting head  68  travel equal translational distances, thereby maintaining an efficient loading geometry. 
     Although the shield  92  has been described above with respect to a continuous mining machine  10 , it is understood that a similar structure could be incorporated into another type of mining machine including an entry development machine and/or a roadheader. 
     The embodiment described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present application. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features and advantages are set forth in the following claims.