Quarrying of Coal or other Minerals.
Year: 1886

page_text: Quarrying of Coal or other Minerals.
j
i
I, RODOLPHE CHEVALIER DE WALCHER-UYSDAL, of Teschen, in the Empire of
Austria do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for facilitating mining operations.
The usual method of mining consists in undermining the mass to be removed (by
manual labour or by mechanical means) by cutting a groove in a horizontal or
inclined direction, and in forming above or beside this groove bore-holes into
which wedges are driven by means of hydraulic pressure, or into which are placed
explosive materials for blasting.
According to this invention I insert into the said bore-holes a peculiarly con-
structed tool which nearly fills the same. This tool under the action of a relatively
small power is adapted to expand in the direction of the groove so considerably
that the material between the groove and the bore-hole is broken away from that
surrounding it.
In order to enable the expansion of this tool it is preferably made in two parts
adapted to slide longitudinally one upon the other, which parts are connected by
links between the contact surfaces, or are provided with inclined teeth, so that
under the action of a power causing the longitudinal displacement of one part upon
the other, the two parts recede from each other laterally. For diminishing the
friction, balls can be placed between the surfaces sliding upon one another in tools
having inclined teeth.
In order to be able to effect the displacement of one part of the tool relatively to
the other, and the consequent expansion of the same with little power, one part
has at the rear end a guide provided with an elongated opening adapted to receive
a prolongation of the other part which is screw threaded, so that by turning a nut
upon the screw the desired displacement can be effected; the said guide serves as
an abutment for the nut.
In order that the workman manipulating the tool can, when turning the nut,
take his position at some distance from the bore-hole, the nut may be provided
with a tubular prolongation having holes for receiving hand-levers.
I sometimes modify the apparatus in such a manner that the part adapted to be
moved longitudinally operates upon several parts arranged around it, by means of
links or inclined surfaces, Moreover the longitudinal movement of the said part

page_text: can be effected not only by means of a screw but by hydraulic pressure without
departing from the nature of the invention.
In carrying my said invention into practice, I provide a rod, hereinafter termed
the expanding rod, divided into two equal parts longitudinally. The adjacent
surfaces of these parts touch each other in the closed position of the tool, and have
a number of cavities in which are located links. On moving one part of the
expanding rod relatively to the other part, the said links gradually assume a more
inclined position than before, whereby the two parts are caused to recede from one
another. One part of the expanding rod has at its upper end an eye through
which extends a screw forming the prolongation of the other part and upon which
is placed a nut. This nut is prolonged to form a tube which has holes at the outer
end for the insertion of hand-levers.
By providing the tubular prolongation of the screw nut the workman is enabled
to stand at a distance from the material which is being loosened and is thereby
protected from injury.
Instead of the mechanism having the screw röd the usual ratchet mechanism can
also be used.
I sometimes modify the mechanism for forcing the two parts of the expanding
rod apart by inserting wedge shaped pieces in corresponding cavities of the said
parts, which wedge shaped pieces are displaced relatively to each other in pairs,
balls or rollers being arranged between the same to reduce the friction.
According to another modification the wedge-shaped pieces just mentioned are
dispensed with and the contact surfaces of the two parts are formed with inclined
teeth, whereby, on moving one part longitudinally the two parts are caused to
move asunder. The friction can here be considerably reduced by the insertion of
rollers or balls.
According to another modification the longitudinally movable part which, in this
modification, is operated by means of hydraulic power, is arranged in the centre of
the tool and surrounded by two or more parts provided with links, teeth or the
like, so that on lifting the longitudinally movable part in the manner set forth, the
separation of the two or more parts laterally from the central piece is effected.
The movement of the central longitudinally movable portion is best effected by
a hydraulic pump fastened to a tube upon the apparatus, and which by the action
of a piston operated by a lever, in combination with two valves, forces liquid in a
chamber behind the forcing piston upon the movement of which the central part is
also moved. The laterally moving parts of the expanding rod are guided in
grooves of a sleeve fastened to the lower end of the pump carrying tube.
A pointer arranged at the upper end of the central movable part shows, in
combination with the division lines on a scale, the position of the apparatus, whilst
an adjusting screw situated in a bow limits the movement of the movable part.
The liquid forced under the operating piston can, after the cleaving is completed,
be caused to flow back again into the said chamber through a communicating tube
provided with a cock, so that the same liquid can be used in the operation for a
considerable time, which liquid can from time to time be withdrawn and renewed
through an opening in the said chamber.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.

page_text: Quarrying of Coal or other Minerals.
I, RODOLPHE CHEVALIER DE WALCHER-UYSDAL of Teschen in the Empire of
Austria, 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 apparatus for facilitating the mining or quarrying of
coal or other materials.
The usual method of mining consists in first cutting or hewing (by manual labour
or by mechanical means) a groove in a horizontal or inclined direction in the mass
to be loosened, and in forming above or beside this groove bore-holes into which
wedges are driven by means of hydraulic pressure, or into which are placed
explosive materials for blasting.
This
According to this invention I insert into the said bore-holes a peculiarly,
constructed tool of sufficiently large diameter to fill or nearly fill, the same.
tool is adapted to expand, under the action of a relatively small power, so
considerably in the direction of the groove that the material between the said
groove and the bore-hole is broken away from that surrounding it.
In order to enable the expansion of this tool, it is preferably divided longitudinally
into two parts and connected by links between the contact surfaces, or provided
with inclined teeth, so that under the action of a power tending to longitudinally
displace one part along the other the two parts recede from each other laterally.
For diminishing the friction, balls can be placed between the surfaces sliding upon
one another in tools having inclined teeth. When links are used, it is of special
advantage to make the successive links gradually longer from the rear to the front
portion of the tool in order that the parts of the tool in expanding may diverge
slightly instead of remaining parallel.
To effect the displacement of one part of the tool relatively to the other, and the
consequent expansion of the same with little power, one part has at the rear end a
guide provided with an elongated opening adapted to receive a prolongation of the
other part which is screw-threaded, so that by turning a nut upon the screw, the
desired displacement can be effected the said guide serving as an abutment for
the nut.
In order that the workman manipulating the tool, can, when turning the nut,
take his position at some distance from the bore-hole, the nut may be provided
with a tubular prolongation having holes for receiving hand-levers.
It is obvious however that the longitudinal movement of one part of the tool
can be effected not only by means of a screw but by hydraulic pressure without
departing from the nature of the invention.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tool in its closed position the two parts of which
have links located between them..
-.

page_text: position.
Figure 3 is a cross-section of this tool on the line x, x Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a cross section on the line x, x¹ Figure 1.
Figure 5 is an end view of the tube connected to the nut.
Figure 6 is a cross-section on the line y, y Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of a tool in its closed position provided with
inclined surfaces and having anti-friction balls inserted between the corresponding
inclines.
Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of the same tool in its open position.
Figure 9 is a cross section on the line z, z Figure 7.
Figure 10. is a cross section on the line z¹, e¹ Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a sectional elevation of a portion of a two part tool in its open or
expanded portion and having its links hinged to one part.
Figure 12 is a cross section of this tool on the line y¹, y¹.
Figure 13 is a side elevation of a modified form of the tool in the open or
expanded position, the contact surfaces of both parts having inclined teeth.
Figure 14 is a cross section on the line y³, y' Figure 13.
Figure 15 is a sectional elevation of a tool formed in three parts and adapted to
have its middle portion drawn outwards by hydraulic pressure, the said tool being
shown in its closed position.
Figure 16 is a cross section through the expanding portion of said tool.
Figure 17 is a sectional elevation of the expanding portion of the said tool in its
open or expanded position.
Figure 18 is a cross section through the three parts of the opened tool.
Figure 19 is a front elevation of this tool operated by hydraulic pressure.
In carrying this invention into practice I provide a rod A hereinafter termed
the expanding rod. This rod is divided longitudinally into two parts a, a' the
contact surfaces of which have each a series of corresponding notches a' formed in
them and designed to receive in a position inclined to the axis of the tool, small
cylindrical bars a³, Figures 2, 4 and 6; or flat pieces a Figures 11 and 12
hinged to one half; loosely inserted bars are however preferred. In consequence
of this arrangement the bars a³ or flat links a* will gradually assume a position
more or less inclined to the two parts a, a¹ when the part a¹ is displaced relatively
to the other as above described, so that the said two parts will recede from each
other, as shown in Figures 2, 6, 11 and 12.
As already stated, and as clearly shown in Figure 2 the links a are by preference,
not all of the same length, but successively increase in length towards the free
ends of the parts a, a¹. By reason of this arrangement the two parts will some-
what diverge when the tool is operated.
Obviously any suitable means may be employed for causing the necessary
displacement of one half of the tool relatively to the other. In Figures 1, 2, 3
and 6 an eye a³ is shown for this purpose. This eye is connected to the part a
and is provided with an aperture through which the screw-threaded extension a®
of the other half a¹ passes, upon which extension a, a nut b is screwed. Said nut
is provided with a tubular extension 61 having holes 62 bored in its rear end in
order to admit of hand levers being inserted. By providing the tubular pro-
longation of the screw-nut, the workman is enabled to stand at a distance from the
material which is being loosened and is thereby protected from injury.
Instead of the described screw-mechanism acting upon the screw-threaded rod a®
ratchet mechanism may be used.
Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 show modified means for forcing apart the two parts of
the expanding rod. According to this modification, wedges a7 are fastened in
longitudinal grooves of the contact surfaces of both parts, in such a manner as to
form corresponding inclined faces which register in pairs in the closed tool and
slide upon each other while the tool is being expanded. Balls a or rollers may
be arranged between the sliding faces to reduce the friction.

page_text: Figures 13 and 14 show another modification of the tool; in this case, the
parts a, a, instead of having wedge-shaped pieces inserted in longitudinal grooves,
have their whole contact surfaces formed with inclined teeth so that on the
endwise displacement of one part upon the other the surfaces of its teeth are
caused to slide along the inclines of the other, whereby the cross sectional area of
the tool is increased. In this modification too, the friction may be reduced by
balls or rollers inserted between the sliding surfaces.
According to the modification shown in Figures 15 to 19, the part a¹, which in
this case is adapted to be withdrawn by means of hydraulic pressure, is located
in the axis of the tool between two laterally movable portions a a. It is to be
understood however, that more than two laterally movable portions may be
arranged in connection with the part a¹ if desired. The parts a a are designed to
be simultaneously moved apart by the described means, viz. by bars a³ freely
inserted in cavities a³, or by flat links a hinged to the middle part al or by
inclined surfaces sliding upon each other suitable means; but links freely inserted
into grooves are preferred.
The rear ends of the parts a, a, are provided with dove-tailed tongues, free to
move in corresponding radial grooves of a sleeve c through which passes the rod
of a piston c said piston-rod being rigidly connected to the central portion a¹ of the
tool. A tube c screwed to the sleeve c carries the cylinder C of a hydraulic ram
within which the aforesaid piston c³ is movable. The force pump of this hydraulic
ram comprises the hollow piston c* adapted to be reciprocated within a small
cylinder by means of the lever c', a suction-valve c having its seat in the bore of
the piston c', and a discharge valve c³ at that end of the barrel of the forcing pump,
which is connected to the large cylinder C. This force pump is enclosed in the
liquid reservoir B, and when actuated, it forces the liquid to the front side of the
piston thereby withdrawing the central portion a¹ of the tool. The piston-rod
extends beyond the piston c³, and its outwardly extending end carries an index
finger a pointing to a scale a¹0 from which the amount of expansion of the tool
may be ascertained. The screw c screwed in a bow c' over the outwardly
extending end of the piston-rod limits the throw of the piston.
The liquid forced under the operating piston cs can after the cleaving is completed,
be caused to flow back into the reservoir B through a communicating tube provided
with a cock, so that the same liquid can be used in the operation for a considerable
time; the liquid can however from time to time be withdrawn and renewed through
a screw-plugged opening in the side of the reservoir B.
I am aware that machinery for cleaving coal has heretofore been constructed
with parts adapted to move apart under the action of links or toggles, but in all
cases these links or toggles were jointed to the said parts by means of bolts, which
are likely to break under the heavy strain, exerted on them while the apparatus is
operated. But as far as I am aware I am the first to replace these links by plain
rods or the like loosely inserted into corresponding cavities extending into two
adjacent parts of the tool. Besides that, a series of links, gradually growing in
length and producing diverging positions of the parts or legs of the tool have not
been employed heretofore.
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:-
First. In apparatus for cleaving coal ironstone or other minerals, the combination
with a longitudinally divided bar, adapted to be inserted in a bore hole and having
a series of cavities formed in the adjacent surfaces of the different parts of the
said bar, (the axes of the said cavities being inclined to the axis of the bar, of a
series of short bars or plates located in said cavities the said short bars or plates
being of the same length or successively increasing in length, all substantially as,
and for the purpose, set forth.

page_text: Second. In a tool for bringing down coal, ironstone or other minerals, the com-
bination with a longitudinally slit bar or rod inserted into a bore-hole near a trench,
of a series of cylindrical or prismatic cavities, formed partly in the middle part or leg
of the bar or rod and partly in an outer part of the bar, the axes of these cavities
being inclined toward the axes of the tool under angles turning their vertexes
toward the head of the bore-hole, and both ends of each cavity being rounded and
widened toward the abutting-joint of the two legs within which the cavity extends,
of small rods fitting the said cylindric or prismatic cavities but the widened
portions and of means for withdrawing the middle part or leg from out the other
parts of the rod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. In a tool for bringing down coal, ironstone or other minerals, the
combination with a rod or bar, divided into several parts or legs by means of
longitudinal cuts, and inserted in a bore-hole near a trench, of a series of cylindric
or prismatic cavities, each formed partly in the middle part or leg of the bar or rod
and partly in an outer part or leg of the bar or rod, the axes of the cavities, which
grow in length from the rear toward the front end of the tool, being inclined
toward the head of the bore-hole, and both ends of each cavity being rounded and
widened toward the abutting-joint of the two legs within which the cavity
extends, of small rods fitting the said cylindric or prismatic cavities but the
widened portions, and of means for withdrawing the middle part or leg from out
the other parts of the rod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.