Automatic Sprinkling Machine for Mines
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 4th Mar., 1899
Automatic Sprinkling Machine for Mines,
I, HEINRICH SCHÄFER, Master-miner, of Essenhorsterstrasse 181 II; Alten Essen,
near Essen, in the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what inanner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
-
The dust produced by the extraction of coal in anthracite and other coal mines
is exceedingly dangerous in connection with the working of the mines, as it is
likely to lead to highly destructive explosions, in the event of a naked light or
the flame of a blasting shot coming into contact with it, besides which, when
ignited, in consequence of explosions in one direction, it may, in certain meteo-
logical conditions, be the cause of explosions in other directions.
Accordingly, in the interest of the miners, as well as of the industry itself,
it is necessary that the utmost should be done to prevent any formation of dust,
or at least to keep such within the smallest possible limits. In order to prevent
as far as possible, the forming of dust and to keep the diverging levels and drifts,
as well as the stalls and the vacant places resulting from the working of a mine
which often extend over a considerable distance in a moistened condition, the
most varied experiments have been tried.
For instance, to the water-pressure pipes which are present in the shafts,
water reservoirs have been added in the higher galleries for the purpose of
sprinkling. The latter, however, in consequence of the enormous pressure in
such pipes etc. was exceedingly troublesome and moreover, owing to the many
connections, the danger of the bursting of pipes was increased: for example in
many coal-workings the partition rock is of such a brittle nature that the break-
ing of pipes cannot be avoided even with the greatest care: hence floodings and
accidents to the miners, particularly in the lower part of the mine, occur.
The employment of special pressure pumps and pipe conduits in the shaft
was also found to be impractical owing to the enormous cost connected therewith.
Besides, the necessity for sprinkling, constantly varied according to the working
and, owing to the often very considerable extent of mines at the present time,
a large number of inactive pipes were necessary.
The object of this invention is to provide a sprinkling machine, the body of
which serves to hold the water, such machine being mounted on wheels, so n
to be moved about in the drifts, and levels, and to automatically actuate a pres-
sure pump, which with the assistance of suitably formed sprinkling pipes
sprinkles the water on the desired places.
The arrangement moreover is such that the machine may be allowed to stand
in any desired place and the pumping apparatus be put in action by a workman,
so that by means of a hose pipe, parts lying higher than the top of a drift can
be sprinkled. In the same way parts lying lower than the galleries can be
sprinkled by means of a hose pipe attached to the bottom of the machine.
In the accompanying drawing:-

page_text: Fig. 1 is a side view of a sprinkling machine constructed according to this
invention.
Fig. 2 a plan and
Fig. 3 a front view of the same.
The machine 2 is moveable on the rails 1 laid in the drifts, levels etc. The
body of the machine serves as a tank for the water to be used in sprinkling. The
wheels 3 and 4 are suitably built into the body of the machine in order to make
this as large as possible.
The front wheels 4 run free and have nothing to do with the driving of the
pumping arrangement described further on. It is however, possible to apply
them so that they can be employed for the driving.
A passage 5 is formed in the water tank. In this passage runs a chain or other
suitable means of transmission, 6. The chain runs downwards over the chain
wheel 7, which is connected with the wheels 3 by means of the axle, so that, when
the machine moves, the chain wheel must be rotated.
On the top of the body of the machine are two bearing blocks 8 and 9, in
which the double crank shaft 10 rotates. On this is seated a chain wheel 11,
which is furnished with a disengaging coupling. When the machine moves, the
chain wheel 11 is rotated, under the action of the chain 6 and when the coupling
is connected, transmits its rotary motion to the shaft 10.
A suction and pressure pump 12 is set in motion by the two cranks, with the
assistance of the connecting rods 13, and conveys the expressed water, through
the medium of the valves and pipes 14, 15 and 16, to a sprinkling pipe 17 having
a somewhat semi-circular form corresponding to that of the machine. The pipe 17
is pressed against the front of the machine and furnished with perforations for
sprinkling purposes. It is divided in a suitable manner into three parts, which
can be separately used by means of the feed pipes 14, 15 and 16 and be applied
for sprinkling, this being effected by means of cocks or valves 14', 15 and 161
constructed in the pipes.
A pipe 18 with a cock or valve 18 is moreover attached to the feed pipe; this
pipe terminates in front in a screw-thread or worm for the fixing on of a hose
tube.
In order to set the suction and pressure pump in action without moving the
machine the shaft 10 should extend far enough on one side of the body for the
connecting therewith of a crank 19.
Low down on each side of the body of the machine a branch pipe 20, with a
cock or valve 20¹, is arranged, in the space between the wheels. These pipes
terminate in front with a worm or screw-thread for the fixing on of a hose pipe.
In the centre of the machine at the bottom a small downward projection or
bulging 21 is formed, in order that the pump may take up all the water in the
machine.
The connecting of the coupling to the chain-wheel is intended to enable the
machine to travel backwards without the pumps being used. The coupling is
likewise disconnected as soon as it is desired that the machine move forwards
without sprinkling.
As already mentioned, the machine illustrated in the drawing is only a form
of the apparatus given as an example, constructional alterations in the broadest
sense being possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. Automatic sprinkling machine for mines and the like, the distinguishing
feature of which is that a pump, coupled with the carriage-wheels of the machine
by means of suitable intermediate motion links, presses the water out of the
body of the machine, which serves at the same time as a water tank or reservoir, {

page_text: 5
into a hose pipe lying on the front side of the machine, this pipe being capable
of division, by means of valves, into three compartments, for the purpose of
enabling the sides or the tops of the levels, drifts or other tracks to be moistened
as may be desired.
2. In the apparatus distinguished under Claim 1, the employment of a dis-
engaging coupling in connection with the chain wheel seated on the pump driving
shaft, for the purpose of enabling the sprinkling machine to be moved backwards
or forwards as desired without the pump being put in action.
Dated this 16th day of November 1898.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.