Improvements in Coal Cutting Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 18th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 20th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coal Cutting Machines.
I ARTHUR GREENWOOD of Albion Works, Leeds in the County of York,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to coal cutting machines to be used in mines, which
consist of a motor and a rotating cutting bar, mounted on a carriage, and travelled
into working position.
66
The object of my invention is to provide, in addition to the swivelling motion of
the motor and cutter upon the carriage, which is usual, in order to allow of the
cutter being wiped into a seam of coal, other adjustments, which will permit of
the working path of the cutter being raised or lowered, or set on an incline, so as
to follow more readily the seam being cut.
In carrying out my invention, enclose the motor centrally within a metal
casing, which casing also supports, on a different line, the cutter spindle, the motor
and the cutter being geared together within the casing by suitably proportioned
gearing. This casing, at a part where it is circular in cross section, is embraced
by a steel ring, having trunnions thereon, which rest in bearings carried by
brackets upstanding from a swivelling bed plate, supported by the travelling
carriage of the machine.
It will thus be seen, that the cutter spindle is mounted upon what is practically
a universal joint. The swivelling bed plate gives any desired sweep on a vertical
axis. The movement of the ring which supports the casing upon its trunnions, will
cant the said casing, and with it the motor and cutter spindle, to an inclined
position, up or down, and the working level of the cutter is changed by rotating
the casing within its ring, and thereby moving the cutter spindle around the motor
axis; the spindle and the driving axle of the motor being central, the cutter
spindle rotates round it when the vertical height of the cutter spindle is desired to
be changed.
To effect these various changes of position, and to secure the same when effected,
mechanical contrivances of suitable character are employed.
Dated this 29th day of July 1892
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coal Cutting Machines.
1, ARTHUR GREENWOOD of Albion Iron Works, Leeds, in the County of
York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to coal cutting machines to be used in mines, consisting of
a motor and a rotating cutting bar mounted on a carriage which is travelled into
working position.
The object of my invention is to provide, in addition to the swivelling motion of
the motor and cutter upon the carriage, which is usual, in order to allow of the
cutter being "wiped into a seam of coal, other adjustments which will permit of
::

page_text: the working path of the cutter being raised or lowered, or set on an incline, so as
to follow more readily the seam being cut.
In carrying out my invention, I enclose the motor centrally within a metal casing,
which casing also supports, on a different line, the cutter spindle, the motor and the
cutter being geared together within the casing by suitably proportioned gearing.
This casing, at a part where it is circular in cross section, is embraced by a steel
ring, having trunnions thereon, which rest in bearings carried by brackets
upstanding from a swivelling bed plate, supported by the travelling carriage of the
machine.
In the accompanying drawings,—
Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a machine for cutting coal, embodying my
invention
Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; and
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the carriage.
In the Figures 1 and 2, the motor which I have indicated is an electrical motor,
mounted upon the spindle B, extending across the casing A, and capable of rotation
in bearings b. a is a steel wheel fast on the motor spindle, having teeth in
permanent engagement with the toothed wheel c, fast on the spindle e¹ of the
cutter C. D is a steel hoop or ring, which embraces the casing A at a part where
the latter is circular in cross section. d. d. are a pair of trunnions fixed upon the
ring D, and resting in the bearings e. e. of the brackets E E, which brackets stand
upon the swivelling bed plate F supported by the under carriage G. The
carriage G, which is provided with a set of wheels y, to run on rails laid up to the
position where the machine is required to work, consists of a rectangular frame g',
and a circular portion or ring bolted thereon, and provided with teeth on its
inner circumference. is a socket formed in a cross piece carried by the frame g',
central to the circular portion 2. Into this socket is dropped the pivot of the
circular swivelling bed plate F, which supports the cutting machine proper. Near
the circumference of the plate F, there is mounted a pinion which engages with
the internal teeth of the ring g². g is a circular strip bolted upon the ring g² ;
and overlying the periphery of the bed plate F, so as to keep the latter firmly in
place.
To rotate the swivelling bed plate Fon a vertical axis, and with it the casing A,
and all the parts contained therein, or carried thereby, a ratchet wheel is provided
on the spindle of the pinion f', and a lever H, best seen in Fig. 1.
I is a rack upon the circumference of the casing A, by means of which the latter
is rotated within the ring D. In engagement with the said rack is a pinion i, fast
on a spindle, which turns in a bearing carried by the ring D. The spindle i¹
also carries a worm wheel in engagement with a worm worked by a hand wheel,
also mounted on the ring D; movement for the machine being thus provided on
both vertical and horizontal axes. The cutter may be turned, or "wiped," into a
seam of coal at any desired level, within the limits of the height of the machine.
To give, however, an additional adjustment diagonally, or on an incline, the
trunnions d. d. of the ring D are called into play, so as to tilt the casing bodily in
its supporting brackets E E, and cant the cutter bar up or down, no matter what
position, as to height, it at the moment occupies. To fix the casing at the required
tilted position, bolts J are provided on the ring D, and curved slots e¹ e' in the
brackets E E, so that, by means of nuts, the ring may be set, as desired.
A portion of the swivelling bed plate F is cut away (see Fig. 3) to give full
scope to the downward movement of the cutter bar.
It will thus be seen that the cutter spindle is mounted upon what is practically
a universal joint. The swivelling bed plate gives any desired sweep on a vertical
axis. The movement of the ring which supports the casing upon its trunnions will
cant the said casing, and with it the motor and cutter spindle, to an inclined
position up or down, and the working level of the cutter is changed by rotating
the casing within its ring, and thereby moving the cutter spindle around the
motor axis.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A machine for cutting coal, consisting of a casing carrying the motor and
working parts, said casing being mounted on a swivelling bed, and provided, in
addition, with means of adjustment in horizontal and diagonal directions,
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings, for the
purpose set forth.
2. In a machine for cutting coal, the combination of a casing carrying the
working parts, with an embracing hoop and trunnions supported by brackets
on a swivelling bed, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
10.1. I
1 1009
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.