IMPROVEMENTS IN MINING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, SEBASTIAN STUTZ, of No. 326 Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, in the County
of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, and United States of America, Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
MINING MACHINES and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to coal and ore mining machines for undercutting or
undermining, slotting and excavating, of the class in which a pick or cutting tool
is operated by a piston reciprocated in a cylinder by fluid pressure. My improve-
ments are designed to simplify and economize the construction, and increase the
facility and effectiveness in operation, of machines of such character, and consist in
certain novel devices and combinations of mechanism hereinafter set forth, relating,
respectively, to the support, adjustment, and movement of the machine, the
construction and operation of the pick holder and picks or cutting tools, and
the construction and operation of means for actuating the distribution valve
by which the admission and exhaust of motive fluid to and from the cylinder are
effected.
In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1, is a side view, in elevation of a
mining machine embodying my invention, in position for operation upon a vein of
mineral; Fig. 2, a plan or top view of the same; Figs. 3 and 4, side and top views,
respectively, of a machine, showing a different construction of the pick holder, the
valve mechanism of said machine being a modification of that of the machine
shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 5, a vertical longitudinal central section through the
cylinder and valve chest of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 6, a vertical
transverse section through the same; Fig. 7, a plan view of the cylinder, with the
valve chest removed; Fig. 8, an end view of the machine as seen from the right;
Fig. 9, a vertical longitudinal central section through the cylinder and valve chest
of the machine shown in Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 10, a vertical transverse section
through the same; Fig. 11, a plan view of the cylinder with the valve chest
removed; Fig. 12, an end view of the machine as seen from the right.
To carry out my invention, I provide a main or working cylinder 1, which is
bored out truly to receive a piston 2, formed with or secured to a piston rod 3,
which fits, so as to move freely, in a long guide 4, projecting centrally from the
Din 627

page_text: front end of the cylinder, the rod being, by preference, cast with the cylinder, to
afford an accurate bearing and reduce labor and expense in construction. The
outer end of the piston rod 3, carries a pick holder 5, in which are secured one or
more picks or cutting tools 7, which act upon the material to be cut by the
reciprocation of the piston 2, in the cylinder 1, by fluid pressure, as steam or
compressed air. The motive fluid is admitted from the valve chest 15, to the
cylinder, through supply ports 8, 9, and is exhausted from the cylinder through
exhaust ports 10, 11, all of said ports being governed by a slide distribution
valve 12. The supply of motive fluid to the valve chest is effected through a
flexible pipe connected to either of two nozzles 13, opening into a supply pipe 14,
controlled by a suitable cock or valve 16, and the exhaust from the valve chest is
led through an exhaust pipe 17.
The machine is mounted and supported upon. front wheels 18, and rear
wheels 19, fitted to rotate upon journals on the ends of transverse axles 21,
secured to the under side of the cylinder, or fitting in bearings thereon, the front
pair of wheels 18, being concentric with their journals, and the rear wheels 19, of
which there may be either one or a pair, eccentric thereto. By such construction,
the operator, when sitting in working position behind the apparatus, can readily
direct the point of the pick either upward or downward, or to one side or the
other, as may be required, by applying his hands to the rear wheels and turning
them either backward or forward, or swinging the machine upon them. The rear
wheels will thus serve as the handles of the machine, and the same being light and
compact, can be operated by one man with great ease. Undercutting or "bearing
in" is quickly performed by bringing the tool close to the face of the material and
directing its blows at the proper place. The length of the pick which is to be
secured to the holder will vary correspondingly with the depth of the undercutting
or slotting to be done.
To enable the vertical and lateral adjustments of the machine to be more readily
and conveniently effected by the operator, a hub or boss 22, having a series of
radial recesses, is formed upon each of the rear wheels 19, the recesses of the
hubs 22, being adapted to receive the forward ends of a pair of operating
handles 23, which project rearwardly for such distance as to be grasped by the
operator when seated in position for governing the machine. The handles 23,
may be entered into whichever of the recesses that will serve to bring their ends
into the most convenient position for the operator, and are made of such length
as to obviate the necessity of his reaching forward or moving from his seat in
changing the direction of the pick.
In lieu of supporting the rear end of the machine upon a pair of wheels, as
shown in the drawings, a single wheel may be used, if preferred, and it is not
essential that the rear wheel or wheels should be made cylindrical on their
peripheries, any form being adaptable that will enable them to serve for raising
and lowering the rear end of the cylinder by being turned upon their axle. I
prefer, however, to use cylindrical wheels, as affording better facilities for
transporting the machine.
In the operation of machines of this character, the recoil or reaction, after each
blow of the pick, tends to push the apparatus away from the face of the material
on which it operates, to counteract which, as well as to provide an abutment for
the feet of the operator, I provide a chock or abutment 24, the forward portion of
which is recessed, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, in correspondence with the curvature of
the peripheries of the forward wheels 18, of the machine, against which the
abutment is applied, resting upon the ground immediately in rear thereof. The
rear side of the abutment presents a bearing surface, against which the operator
applies his feet, supplementing thereby the resistance presented by the abutment
to the backward movement of the machine. A stirrup may be secured to each
side of the abutment to enable the operator to move the same in either direction,
when desiring to change the direction of the application of the pick, without
requiring him to move from his working position.

page_text: In order to counteract the tendency of the blows of the pick to raise the rear
end of the machine when cutting upwardly, a handle 26, is secured to the rear
cylinder head 27, projecting therefrom so as to be grasped by the operator with
one or both hands. By means of said handle he can press downwardly to resist
any tendency to upward movement of the machine, and can also use it in
connection with one of the side handles 23, for moving the machine laterally
to change the position of the pick relatively to the material to be cut.
The piston rod 3, is guided and supported in its reciprocating movements by the
guide 4, and to prevent its axial movement, and thereby maintain the cutting edges
of the picks continuously in their established relation to the horizontal central plane
of the cylinder, it may be grooved longitudinally to fit a series of bushings 43,
secured in the guide 4, and projecting within the circumference of the rod, as seen
in end view in Fig. 10. An alternative construction for preventing the turning of
the rod, and one which I consider more desirable, is shown in Fig. 5. For this
purpose, as well as to assist in ensuring accurate longitudinal movement of the
piston and rod, a rear guide 44, is secured to the rear cylinder head 27, and
projects inwardly therefrom, coincidently with or parallel to the axial line of the
cylinder, said guide fitting a corresponding opening in the piston and rod. The
form of the guide shown in transverse section, is a. square, but it may be a segment,
zone, or any other figure differing from a circle, and in lieu of employing a central
rear guide, a rod or bar, of cylindrical or any other desired section, set outside of
the axial line of the cylinder, may be used, if preferred.
The pick holder 6, is so connected to the piston rod 3, that it may be readily
removed and replaced, or another substituted, whenever required, a suitable
connection being a transverse key 45, as shown, and, in the operation of the
machine, several pick holders, of different lengths, may be provided, that the
machine may perform its work when located at a greater or less distance from the
material to be cut, as circumstances may require. The cutting tool or pick 7, is of
rectangular transverse section, and substantially similar to one half of an ordinary
miners pick, and in the instance illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the connection of the
pick 7, and pick holder 5, is effected by inserting a cylindrical shank, on the rear
end of the pick, into a corresponding socket in the front of the pick holder, the
latter being divided at each side, by a slot 46, and provided with clamping bolts 47,
by which it may be closed tightly on the pick. The latter will thus be firmly
held, and may, by slackening the clamping bolts, be turned in its socket so as to
vary the position of its cutting edge as desired.
In Figs. 3 and 4, the pick is secured by a key 48, or otherwise, so as to be
readily removed and replaced, as required, to the front end of an arm 6, which
projects laterally and longitudinally from one side of the pick holder 6. The
connection of the pick holder and piston rod is effected by means of ribs or tongues
on the rear end of the pick holder, which .fit into grooves on the piston rod, and by
a key 45, passing through the rod and holder. The pick holder may be made
either single or double, and may carry either one or two picks, as indicated in
Fig. 4, and, by the location of the picks as described, outside of the centre line of
the machine, the operator is enabled to better observe and direct the movements
of the tool.
3
The distribution valve 12, of the machine shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8, is
actuated to impart the required reciprocating movement to the main piston 2, and
the pick connected to the rod thereof, in the following manner.
In the proper
operation of machines of the class to which my invention relates, it is desirable
that the movements of the distribution valve should be independent of those of the
main piston, inasmuch as the length of stroke of the latter will vary, from time to
time, in correspondence with the constantly varying distance between the working
face of the material to be cut and the edge of the cutting tool or pick. The main
piston, in its movements, always reaches the same point in the cylinder, as the
rearward extremity of its traverse, but may move, in the opposite direction, only a
fraction of its greatest admitted stroke, when the pick will strike the material to

page_text: be cut, and require that the distribution valve shall open the supply port at the
forward end to move the piston back to its starting point for striking another
blow. Such independent operation of the distribution valve is effected by the
construction now to be described.
Two valve operating pistons 50, 51, are formed on or secured to the hollow
stem 52, of the piston distribution valve 12, which works in the valve chest 15, over
a valve face in which are the upper openings of the supply ports 8, 9, and exhaust
ports 10, 11. The larger piston 50, fits accurately in a chamber 53, at the forward
end of the valve chest, from which chamber, an auxiliary exhaust port 54, governed
by a cock or valve 55, leads to the inner surface of the piston rod guide 4.
Ports 56, lead from the internal passage of the stem 52, to the periphery thereof,
and are closed, when the stem is at and near the extremity of its traverse to the
right, by a socket in the right hand end of the valve chest, within which the stem
fits. Operating fluid is admitted to the valve chest by a cock or valve 16,
governing two side nozzles 13, to either of which a flexible supply pipe may be
connected, and the opening of the ports 56, for supply, may be increased or
diminished, as desired, by a plug 57. A lateral exhaust port 58, formed in the main
piston rod 3, communicates with a longitudinal passage 59, therein, said passage
extending to and through the main piston 2, and, being enlarged for a portion of
its length, to receive the rear guide 44, previously described. The guide 44, passes
through an opening of corresponding section in a nut 60, screwed into the right
hand side of the main piston and made fast therein by a pin or key. Openings 61,
in the nut 60, establish communication between the passage 59, and the cylinder 1,
on the right hand side of the main piston.
Referring to Fig. 5, the main piston 2, is shown at the extremity of its traverse
to the right. When, in its movement towards the right, it brings the lateral
port 58, of its rod into communication with the auxiliary exhaust port 54, an
outlet is opened through the ports 54, 58, 59, 61, 9, and 11, which relieves pressure
on the left hand side of the larger valve operating piston 50. The preponderance
of pressure in the valve chest, on the right side of the piston 50, due to the excess
of its diameter above that of the piston 51, will then force said pistons, and their
stem 52, to the left, carrying with them the distribution valve 12, and thereby
opening the right hand inlet port 9, to the cylinder. This movement brings the
inlet ports 56, into communication with the cylinder, thus admitting motive fluid,
through the stem 52, to the left side of the larger valve operating piston 50. When,
by the movement of the main piston 2, and its rod 3, exhaust is closed through the
auxiliary exhaust port 54, the exhaust of fluid pressure passing through the hollow
stem 52, is prevented, and a preponderance of pressure is thereupon exerted on the
left side of the valve operating piston 50, by which the valve operating pistons,
and valve 12, are moved to the right, opening the left hand supply port 8, for the
next right hand stroke of the main piston. It will thus be seen that the movements
of the distribution valve 12, effected by the operating pistons 50, 51, are governed
entirely by the fluid admitted to and exhausted from the left side of the piston 50.
The speed of the valve can be accurately regulated, as required, by increasing or
diminishing the area of the supply or the exhaust passages, or both, by the
Cocks 57, 55.
The valve operating mechanism of the machine shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is
illustrated, in detail, in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive. Referring to said figures, two valve
operating pistous 62, and 63, of unequal areas, the latter being about twice that
of the former, are formed upon or secured to a common stem 64, and are fitted to
reciprocate in chambers or sockets in the valve chest 15. Collar 65, on the stem 64,
engage shoulders on the back of the valve 12, which will, consequently, be caused
to move coincidently with the pistons 62, 63, the traverse of which may be
regulated as required, by set screws 66. A piston valve formed in one piece with
the stem, as in Figs. 5 and 6, may be substituted for the separate D slide valve
shown, if preferred.

page_text: In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 9, the main piston 2, is at or near the
commencement of its backward stroke. The preponderance of pressure upon the
inside of the larger valve operating piston 63, has moved the pistons 62, 63, and
the connected valve 12, to the right, and operating fluid is being supplied to the
left side of the main piston through the port 8, and exhausted from the right side
through the ports 9, and 11. The piston 2, will consequently continue to move
backward until it reaches the extremity of its backward stroke, adjacent to the
rear cylinder head 27.
The valve 12, is moved to the left, to effect the forward stroke of the piston 2,
by means of two auxiliary valve operating pistons, 67, 68, of unequal areas
respectively, fixed upon a common stem 69. The pistons 67, 68, work in communi-
cating chambers or sockets 70, formed in the rear head 27, of the cylinder, and
their stem 69, projects through said head into the cylinder. Ports 71, lead from
the chambers 70, to the valve chest, into which they open on the left side of the
larger valve operating piston 63, and a port 72, extends from the valve chest, on
the right hand side of the piston 63, to the chambers 70, in which its opening is
so located that the smaller auxiliary piston 68, when at the left hand end of its
stroke, will be interposed between it and the openings of the ports 71. An exhaust
port 74, leads outwardly from the chamber of the piston 68, at or near the right
hand end thereof, and a port 73, which is designed to prevent back pressure, leals
outwardly from the left hand end of the chamber of the piston 67.
At the termination of the right hand or backward stroke of the main piston 2,
the latter by its contact with the inner end of the stem 69, moves said stem and its
pistons 67, and 68, to the right, thereby placing the ports 71 and 72, in communi-
cation. Motive fluid, steam or compressed air, from the valve chest, will then be
admitted, through said ports, to the right hand of the larger valve operating
piston 63, and will move the pistons 63, 62, stem 64, and distribution valve 12, to
the left, thereby opening the right hand supply port 9, and admitting motive fluid
to the right hand side of the main piston 2. The latter will then receive pressure
from the right, over its full area, and will effect a powerful stroke of the pick
against the material to be acted on. During this stroke, the auxiliary pistons
67, 68, are returned to the position shown in Fig. 9, by the excess of pressure
upon the larger piston, the operating fluid is exhausted from behind the larger
valve operating piston 63, through the ports 72, 74, and the distribution valve 12
is thrown to the right to effect the next backward stroke of the piston.
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. In a mining machine, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a steam or
air cylinder, a piston and rod working therein and adapted to reciprocate a pick or
cutting tool, a pair of supporting wheels mounted concentrically on the cylinder
near its forward end, and one or a pair of supporting wheels mounted eccentrically
on said cylinder near its rear end.
2. In a mining machine, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a cylinder,
a piston and rod working therein and adapted to reciprocate a pick or cutting tool,
a pair of supporting wheels mounted concentrically on the cylinder near its forward
end, a supporting wheel or wheels mounted eccentrically on the cylinder near its
rear end, and one or a pair of operating handles fitting sockets in the hubs of the
rear supporting wheels.
3. In a mining machine, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a cylinder,
a piston and rod working therein and adapted to reciprocate a pick or cutting tool,
supporting wheels mounted on said cylinder adjacent to its front and its rear ends
respectively, and a transverse chock or abutment which is recessed on its forward
side in conformity with the curvature of the supporting wheels, so as to bear against
the same when resting on the ground, and which presents a rear bearing surface
for the feet of the operator.

page_text: 4. In a mining machine, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a cylinder
supported on front and rear wheels, a piston and rod working in said cylinder and
adapted to reciprocate a pick or cutting tool a transverse chock or abutment
recessed to receive the front supporting wheels, and a pair of stirrups adapted to
receive the feet of an operator when seated in working position in rear of the
machine.
5. In a mining machine, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a cylinder,
a piston and rod working therein and adapted to reciprocate a pick or cutting tool,
wheels supporting the cylinder, one or more side operating handles extending rear-
wardly therefrom, and an operating handle connected to the rear head thereof.
6. In a mining machine, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a steam or
air cylinder, a piston and rod working therein, a pick holder having a lateral arm
and secured upon the outer end of the piston rod, and a pick or cutting tool
secured to the outer end of the arm of the pick holder, substantially in line with
said arm.
7. In a mining machine, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a steam or
air cylinder, a piston fitting therein, a longitudinally grooved piston rod fixed to
said piston, a guide projecting from one end of the cylinder and enclosing the piston
rod, and a series of bushings secured within said guide and fitting a groove or
grooves in the piston rod.
8. In a mining machine, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a longi-
tudinally grooved piston rod, and a pick or tool holder, having an arm extending
laterally and longitudinally from a socket which surrounds the piston rod and is
provided with ribs or projections fitting into a groove or grooves therein.
9. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a cylinder, a piston and rod
working therein, and a guide bar or rod connected to the rear head of the cylinder
and entering a longitudinal opening or socket in the piston and rod, said guide
acting to prevent axial rotation of said piston and rod and ensure accurate longi-
tudinal movements thereof.
10. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a steam or air cylinder, a
piston and rod working therein, a main slide distribution valve governing the
supply and exhaust of the main piston, a pair of differential valve operating pistons
connected to said main valve, and auxiliary valves or pistons operated by the
movement of the main piston and governing supply and exhaust openings leading
to and from the valve operating pistons.
11. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a steam or air cylinder, a
piston and rod working therein, a main slide distribution valve governing the
supply and exhaust of the main piston, a pair of differential valve operating pistons
connected to said main valve, a pair of auxiliary differential pistons working in a
chamber in the rear head of the cylinder, ports connecting the chamber of the
valve operating pistons with the chambers of the auxiliary pistons, and an exhaust
port leading from the chamber of the auxiliary pistons to the atmosphere.
12. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a distribution valve, working
in a valve chest and adapted to govern the supply and exhaust passages of a steam
or air cylinder, a pair of differential pistons connected with said valve, said pistons
having their inner sides exposed continuously to the pressure in the valve chest,
and means for reciprocating said pistons and valve by alternately applying a pre-
ponderance of fluid pressure to the inner and to the outer sides, respectively, of the
larger piston, by the opening and closing of an auxiliary exhaust passage leading
therefrom.
13. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a valve chest, a distribution
valve, a pair of differential valve operating pistons fixed on a hollow stem which is
connected with said valve, a supply port in said stem through which fluid pressure
from the chest may be exerted upon the outer side of the larger piston, and an
auxiliary exhaust port for releasing pressure upon the outer side of said piston.
..14. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a distribution valve adapted
to govern the supply and exhaust passages of a steam or air cylinder, a pair öf

page_text: differential pistons connected with said valve, a supply port and passage adapted
to conduct motive fluid to the outer side of the larger valve operating piston, an
auxiliary exhaust passage leading therefrom, and cocks or valves by which the
opening of said supply and exhaust passages, or either, may be increased or
diminished as desired.
15. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a cylinder, a main piston and
rod adapted to reciprocate therein, a distribution valve governing the supply and
exhaust passages of the cylinder, a valve chest, a pair of differential valve operating
pistons secured to a hollow stem which is connected with said distribution valve, a
port in said stem adapted to alternately open and close communication between its
bore and the valve chest, a chamber fitting the larger valve operating piston, an
auxiliary exhaust port connecting said chamber with a guide or casing enclosing
the main piston rod, and an exhaust passage extending from a point in the peri-
phery of said rod to the opposite side of the main piston.
16. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a cylinder, a piston and rod
working therein, a rear guide having a section which is different from a circle, a
nut or cap having a similarly formed opening and secured to the piston, and one or
more side openings or passages, and an exhaust passage of greater sectional area
than that of the guide, said passage being formed in the piston rod, and communi-
cating with the side passage or passages of the nut or cap in the piston.
Dated this fourteenth day of May 1884.
SEBASTIAN STUTZ.
Carpmael & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
25 Witnesses:
J. SNOWDEN BELL.
R. H. WHITTLESEY.