Patent Publication Number: US-2021179209-A1

Title: Shoe trimming tool

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/947,109, filed Dec. 12, 2019, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a mining machine, and more specifically to a mining shovel that utilizes a roller track or belt with shoes having lugs. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The weight of a mining shovel and traveling from location to location progressively compresses (e.g., crushes) and wears the shoes of a roller track or belt as the mining shovel is used. As the roller track is compressed and worn, a clearance between drive lugs on the shoes and a frame of the mining machine is reduced. Over time, the drive lugs will begin to unintentionally contact and interfere with the frame and/or a lower roller hub limiting the life and/or requiring time consuming maintenance. 
     To prevent or stop the drive lugs from prematurely contacting the frame and/or the lower roller hub, the drive lugs are trimmed so that space between the drive lugs and the frame is once again present. Trimming the drive lugs is a time consuming process, and creates excessive down time for the mining shovel when the shovel is unable to perform work. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one construction, a mining machine includes a frame having a guide rail, the guide rail having a central portion. The mining machine also includes a shoe having a recessed area that defines a roller path, the shoe further having a drive lug, wherein the central portion of the guide rail is configured to be disposed within the recessed area. The mining machine also includes a cutting tool coupled to the frame and positioned such that the cutting tool is configured to abrasively remove material from the drive lug as the drive lug passes by the cutting tool. 
     In accordance with one construction, a guide rail for a frame of a mining machine includes a central portion, a side portion extending from the central portion, and a cutting tool coupled to the side portion. The cutting tool is configured to abrasively remove material from a drive lug of a shoe as the shoe moves along the guide rail. 
     In accordance with one construction, a cutting tool is configured to be coupled to a frame of a mining machine. The cutting tool includes a surface configured to abrasively remove material from a drive lug of a shoe as the shoe moves along frame. 
     Other constructions and aspects of various constructions 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. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a shoe of the mining machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the shoe of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the shoe in a first position and a second position. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a guide rail received within a recessed area of the shoe of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the guide rail of  FIG. 4  according to one construction. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cutting tool of the guide rail of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7 a    is a side view of the guide rail and the shoe of  FIG. 4  is a first position. 
         FIG. 7 b    is an enlarged view of the guide rail and shoe of  FIG. 7   a.    
         FIG. 8 a    is a side view of the guide rail and the shoe of  FIG. 4  is the second position. 
         FIG. 8 b    is an enlarged view of the guide rail and shoe of  FIG. 8   a.    
         FIG. 9 a    is a side view of the guide rail and the shoe of  FIG. 4  is a third position. 
         FIG. 9 b    is an enlarged view of the guide rail and shoe of  FIG. 9   a.    
         FIG. 10  is a partial view of a guide rail according to another construction, having an integrally-formed cutting tool with a hatched cutting face with angled lead. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial view of a guide rail according to another construction, having a mechanically-attached cutting tool with a fluted cutting face with angled lead. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial view of a guide rail according to another construction, having a mechanically-attached cutting tool with a knurled cutting face with radiused lead, and piloted shear ledge. 
         FIGS. 13-16  illustrate additional constructions of cutting tools that are positioned on one or more regions of the frame other than the guide rail. 
     
    
    
     Before any constructions are explained in detail, it is to be understood that constructions are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. Other constructions are possible and constructions described and illustrated are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a mining machine  10  that includes a prime mover (not shown), which propels the mining machine  10 . A frame  14  of the mining machine  10  is supported by a first track  18  and a second track  22 . Shoes  26  are coupled together to form the first track  18  and the second track  22 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , each shoe  26  includes a first or inner side  30  ( FIG. 2 ) and a second or outer side  34  ( FIG. 4 ). In the illustrated construction, the inner side  30  faces the frame  14  of the mining machine  10  and the outer side  34  faces away from the frame  14  and contacts the ground as the mining machine  10  propels. The outer side  34  includes a substantially flat surface, allowing the mining machine  10  to evenly traverse the ground. The inner side  30  includes a recessed area or shoe roller path  38 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the shoe roller path  38  extends across a width of the inner side  30  of the shoe  26 . The shoe roller path  38  includes two walls or side surfaces  46  (only one shown) and a lower surface  50 . In the illustrated construction, the side surfaces  46  are substantially parallel to one another, and perpendicular to the inner side  30  of the shoe  26 , although other constructions include different arrangements of side surfaces and a lower surface than that illustrated. In the illustrated construction, the lower surface  50  is curved between the side surfaces  46 . The lower surface  50  is also curved along the width of the shoe  26  (e.g., in an orthogonal direction to the direction between the side surfaces  46 ). 
     The shoe  26  also includes drive lugs  54 . The drive lugs  54  are positioned on either side of the shoe roller path  38 . In the illustrated construction, the side surfaces  46  form a surface of each of the drive lugs  54  respectively. An upper surface  58  of the drive lug  54  is substantially flat (e.g., substantially parallel with the inner side  30 ). The drive lugs  54  may be made of any of a number of materials. In some constructions the drive lugs  54  are made at least partially from manganese or manganese steel. In some constructions the drive lugs  54  are made at least partially from Hadfield Manganese Steel (otherwise known as Austenitic Manganese Steel). The drive lugs  54  may include, for example, between 0.8% and 1.25% carbon and between 11% and 15% manganese. Other constructions include different values and ranges of values for carbon and manganese. In some constructions, the drive lugs  54  are made of materials other than carbon and/or manganese. 
     Over time, the weight of the mining machine  10  ( FIG. 1 ) on the shoes  26  degrades (e.g., crushes) the shoe roller path  38 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 3 , the original profile of the roller path and drive lugs are shown in dashed lines. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the shoe roller path  38  becomes deeper and wider as it experiences the weight of the mining machine  10  (represented by the shoe roller path  38   a  after being worn down). Additionally, the drive lugs  54  naturally grow vertically due to deformation processes (represented by the drive lugs  54   a  with upper surfaces  58   a  after use of the machine). A total displacement of the shoe  26  is equal to an amount that the shoe roller path  38  degrades plus an amount that the drive lugs  54  grow. The drive lugs  54  need to be trimmed and their length reduced so that the drive lugs  54  do not contact and damage the frame  14  and lower roller hubs (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a guide rail  62  is received within the shoe roller path  38  of the shoe  26 . The guide rail  62  is part of the frame  14  ( FIG. 1 ) and moves through shoe roller paths  38  of successive shoes  26  as the prime mover propels the mining machine  10 . The guide rail  62  includes a central portion  66  and two side portions (e.g.,wings)  70 . The central portion  66  is curved along both its length and its width in a complementary manner to the shoe roller path  38  (i.e., the central portion  66  is convex and has generally the same radius of curvature as the concave shoe roller path  38 ). In the illustrated construction, the central portion  66  is hard-faced or overlayed to target predictable friction and wear between the central portion  66  of the guide rail  62  and the shoe roller path  38 . 
     The side portions  70  extend from sides of the central portion  66 , in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction which the central portion  66  extends. Each wing  70  includes a cutting tool  74 . The cutting tools  74  are disposed so that they align with the drive lugs  54  when the central portion  66  is received within the shoe roller path  38 . In the illustrated construction, the cutting tool  74  is generally flush with the surface of the wing  70 . In some constructions, the cutting tool  74  is formed with the wing  70 , while in other constructions, the cutting tool  74  is coupled to the wing  70  (e.g., by fasteners). As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in some constructions, the wing  70  includes a portion  76  that is angled in a direction parallel to the direction of the central portion  66 . The angled portion  76  may provide a better lead in angle for the drive lug  54  as the drive lug  54  passes across the wing  70  to the cutting tool  74 . A curved or radiused lead in may also accomplish the same benefits. 
     In some constructions, the cutting tool  74  (or tools  74 ) is not coupled to the side portion  70 . For example, the cutting tool  74  may instead be coupled to the central portion  66  of the guide rail  62 , at a location that still enables the cutting tool  74  to contact and abrade drive lug  54 . In yet other constructions, the cutting tool  74  is not coupled at all to the guide rail  62 . Rather, the cutting tool  74  is coupled to another area of the frame  14  (e.g., adjacent the guide rail  62 ), at a location that still enables the cutting tool  74  to contact and abrade the drive lug  54 . 
     In some constructions, the cutting tool  74  is releasably coupled to the frame  14  (e.g., to the guide rail  62  or to another area of the frame  14 ) via a fastener (e.g., a bolted or other structure), or via another mechanical structure. In some constructions the frame  14  may include a shear ledge or ledges, to facilitate mechanical coupling and/or alignment of the cutting tool  74  to the frame  14 , and/or to provide support for the cutting tool  74 . Overall, it may be desirable to remove, replace, and/or add cutting tool(s)  74  at multiple points during the life of the tracks on the mining machine  14 , depending on the relative condition of different components in the lower works of the mining machine  14  (e.g. the guide rails  62 , rollers, idlers, or shoes  26 ). Releasably coupling the tools  74  facilitates this type of maintenance. 
     In some constructions, the cutting tool  74  is instead permanently coupled to the frame  14  (e.g., to the guide rail  62  or to another area of the frame  14 ). For example, the cutting tool  74  maybe welded, or fused, directly to the frame  14 . In yet other constructions, the cutting tool  74  is integrally formed as a single piece with the frame  14  (e.g., cast during a manufacturing process). 
     The cutting tool  74  may include any of a number of materials. For example, in some constructions the cutting tool  74  is made at least in part of tool steel. In some embodiments the cutting tool  74  is made at least in part of a standard low alloy steel to cut the manganese (or other material) off of the drive lug  54 . In some constructions, the material of the cutting tool  74  is similar to or identical to the material of the guide rail  62  itself and/or another portion of the frame  14 . In some constructions, the cutting tool  74  is made at least in part of a carbide or technical ceramic cutting tool. Alternatively, the cutting tool  74  may be made for example from a highly-durable abrasive material (e.g., aluminum oxide or boron nitride) that is able to abrasively remove the manganese (or other material) from the drive lugs  54 . In some constructions, and as described above, the cutting tool  74  is applied directly to the finished wing  70  of the guide rail  62  (e.g., integrally formed as a single piece with the wing  70 ). In yet other constructions, the cutting tool  74  is separate, and is mechanically attached to the guide rail  62 . In some constructions, the material of the cutting tool  74  may be made, for example, by Plasma Transfer Arc (PTA), laser cladding, High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) spray, electroplating, MIG welding (hard facing with traditional MIG welding techniques), sintering &amp; hot pressing, selective melting processing (via electron beam), abrasive particle suspension in a substrate (i.e. abrasive particles suspended in a casting or resin/fiberglass body, much like a grinding disk), or abrasive attachment via brazing. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in the illustrated construction, the cutting tool  74  is generally rectangular in shape, and includes a hatch pattern  78  on an outer surface. The hatch pattern  78  includes channels that help direct debris (e.g., cut manganese) away from the cutting tool  74  so that the cutting tool  74  remains generally clean (i.e., the outer surface is free of debris so that the cutting tool  74  can continue to make cuts into the drive lugs  54 ). The channels of the hatch pattern  78  also create edges on the outer surface of the cutting tool  74 . The edges provide additional cutting surfaces and assist in removing more material. In other constructions, the cutting tool  74  has other shapes and sizes than that illustrated, as well as other hatch patterns  78 . In some constructions the cutting tool  74  does not include a hatch pattern  78 . 
     In the illustrated construction, a backing plate  82  and a backer  86  are mounted to the guide rail  62  ( FIG. 4 ) between the wing  70  ( FIG. 4 ) and the cutting tool  74 . The backing plate  82  is made of steel, and contacts the wing  70  directly, although other constructions include different materials. The backing plate  82  may have shear ledges to provide support for shearing forces. In the illustrated construction, the backer  86  is made of urethane, and is sandwiched between the cutting tool  74  and the backing plate  82 . The backer  86  is used to bias or spring load the cutting tool  74  (e.g., away from the backing plate  82 ). Spring loading the cutting tool  74  may prevent overloads on the outer surface of the cutting tool  74  by allowing the cutting tool  74  to bias out of the way in the event of an excessive overload. Other constructions do not include a backing plate  82  and/or backer  86 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 7   b , in some constructions a gap  90  exists between the drive lugs  54  and the side portions  70  when the shoes  26  of the mining machine  10  are new and in a first or non-degraded position. There is almost zero or zero contacting pressure between the cutting tool  74  and the drive lugs  54 . As the mining machine  10  moves, there is only contact between the shoe roller path  38  and the central portion  66  of the guide rail  62 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 a   - 9   b,  a deeper shoe roller path  38   a  reduces a clearance between the side portions  70  and the drive lugs  54 . As the mining machine  10  moves, contact is shared between the guide rail  62  and shoe roller path  38   a , and the drive lugs  54  and the cutting tools  74 . There is also a high contact pressure between the drive lugs  54  and the cutting tools  74 . 
     The shoe roller path  38  degrades and the drive lugs  54  grow gradually over the course of using the mining machine  10  (e.g., the degradation process may take several thousand hours). The drive lugs  54  gradually come into contact with the cutting tools  74  as the gap  90  is reduced. A small, controlled amount of material is removed (e.g., via friction) from the drive lugs  54  every time they pass over the cutting tools  74 . The amount of material trimmed from the drive lugs  54  depends on the amount that the shoe roller path  38  has been degraded (e.g., more material would be removed the more the shoe roller path  38  has been degraded). As material from the drive lugs  54  is abraded, the contact pressure between the drive lugs  54  and the cutting tool  74  is reduced, and the gap  90  may return. 
     The cutting tools  74  allow the drive lugs  54  to be trimmed maintenance free. While the mining machine  10  moves, material is continuously trimmed off of the drive lugs  54  so that the drive lugs  54  do not grow to an excessive length. The tracks  18 ,  22  do not need to be split so that the drive lugs  54  can be manually trimmed down. This saves money on maintenance costs and allows the mining machine  10  to continue to operate without the need for down time caused by service on the drive lugs  54 . 
       FIGS. 10-16  illustrate other exemplary constructions of cutting tools that may be coupled to the frame  14  (e.g., to a guide rail or other component of the frame  14 ). Similar to the cutting tool  70  described above, the cutting tools in  FIGS. 10-16  also abrade the drive lugs  54 , and may have at least some of the same features and advantages as those described above for the guide rail  62  and cutting tool  70 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a guide rail  162  for the frame  14 . The guide rail  162  has an integrally-formed cutting tool  170  with hatched cutting faces  172  and an angled lead. As seen in  FIG. 10 , the cutting tool  170  is integrally formed as a single piece with (e.g., cast during a manufacturing process) the guide rail  162 . The guide rail  162  includes a central portion  166  and at least one side portion  168 . The cutting tool  170  is formed as part of the side portion  168 , although as noted above in other constructions the cutting tool  170  may instead be formed as part of or otherwise coupled to a different area of the guide rail  162  or the frame  14 . In some constructions two side portions  168  are provided on opposite sides of the central portion  166 , each having its own cutting tool  170 . In the illustrated construction, the central portion  166  extends along a longitudinal direction  180 . The cutting faces  172  of the cutting tool  170  are generally planar and each extend at an angle of between 40-50 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction  180 . Other constructions include different angles or ranges of angles for the cutting faces  172 , as well as different shapes than that illustrated for the cutting tool  170  and cutting faces  172 . In some constructions only a single cutting face  172  is provided on the cutting tool  170 , or more than two faces  172  are provided. 
       FIG. 11  is a partial view of a guide rail  262  for the frame  14 . The guide rail  262  has a mechanically-attached cutting tool  270  with fluted cutting faces  272  and an angled lead. As seen in  FIG. 11 , the cutting tool  270  is a separate component that is mechanically, and releasably, coupled to the guide rail  262  with one or more bolts  278  or other fasteners. In some constructions the cutting tool  270  is made of a material different than the guide rail  262 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the guide rail  262  includes a central portion  266 . The cutting tool  270  is coupled directly to the central portion  266 , although as noted above in other constructions the cutting tool  270  could instead be formed as part of or otherwise coupled to a different area of the guide rail  262  or the frame  14 . In some constructions another similar cutting tool  270  is coupled to an opposite side of the central portion  266 . Other constructions also include different shapes and sizes for the cutting tools  270  than that illustrated. 
       FIG. 12  is a partial view of a guide rail  362  for the frame  14 . The guide rail  362  has a mechanically-attached cutting tool  370 . The cutting tool  370  has a knurled cutting face  372  with a radiused lead, and the guide rail  362  includes a piloted shear ledge  374  shaped to receive a portion of the cutting tool  370 . The shear ledge  374  provides support for the cutting tool  370 . At least one bolt  378  or other fastener extend through the cutting tool  370  to releasably fasten the cutting tool  370  to the guide rail  362 . The guide rail  362  includes a central portion  366 . The cutting tool  370  is coupled to the central portion  366 , although as noted above in other constructions the cutting tool  370  could instead be formed as part of or otherwise coupled to a different area of the guide rail  362  or the frame  14 . In some constructions another similar cutting tool  370  is coupled to an opposite side of the central portion  366 . Other constructions also include different shapes and sizes for the cutting tools  370  than that illustrated. 
       FIGS. 13-15  illustrate a rear guide rail  462  coupled to the frame  14 , and cutting tools  470  that are separately coupled to the frame  14  adjacent the rear guide rail  462  (e.g., on opposite sides of the rear guide rail  462 ). The cutting tools  470  are mechanically coupled to the frame  14  with bolts  478  or other fasteners that extend through the cutting tools  470  to releasably fasten the cutting tools  470  to the frame  14 , although in other constructions the cutting tools  470  are integrally formed as a single piece with the frame  14  (e.g., integrally cast), or are otherwise permanently coupled to the frame  14  (e.g., via welding). The illustrated cutting tools  470  include knurled cutting faces  472 , although other constructions include hatched or fluted cutting faces or other cutting faces that facilitate cutting. In some constructions, the cutting tools  470  include angled leads, similar to the cutting tools  170  or  270 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , when the mining machine  10  moves, the shoes  26  pass over the rear guide rail  462 , and material is continuously trimmed off of the drive lugs  54  of the shoes  26  so that the drive lugs  54  do not grow to an excessive length. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates cutting tools  570  that are mechanically attached to an underside of the frame  14 , between a tumbler  574  and a rear idler  576 . The cutting tools  570  are mechanically coupled to the frame  14  with bolts  578  or other fasteners that extend through the cutting tools  570  to releasably fasten the cutting tools  570  to the frame  14 , although in other constructions the cutting tools  570  are integrally formed as a single piece with the frame  14  (e.g., integrally cast), or are otherwise permanently coupled to the frame  14  (e.g., via welding). The illustrated cutting tools  570  include knurled cutting faces  572 , although other constructions include hatched or fluted cutting faces or other cutting faces that facilitate cutting. In some constructions, the cutting tools  570  include angled leads, similar to the cutting tools  170  or  270 . 
     Although various constructions have been described in detail with reference to certain examples illustrated in the drawings, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects described and illustrated.