Air flow system for mining machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9291052-B2
Application number	US-201414180725-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 14, 2014
Priority date	Feb 15, 2013
Publication date	Mar 22, 2016
Grant date	Mar 22, 2016

Abstract

A mining machine includes a boom, a cutter head, a valve, and an actuator. The boom defines an internal chamber and includes a first end coupled to a frame, a second end, and an opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bits and is supported on the second end of the boom. The valve is coupled to the boom and is movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered. The actuator is coupled to the valve to selectively move the valve between the closed position and the opened position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A mining machine comprising:
a frame;
a boom defining an internal chamber, the boom including a first end coupled to the frame, a second end, and an opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber;
a cutter head including a plurality of cutting bits and supported on the second end of the boom;
an endless conveyor for transporting cut material away from the cutter head, the endless conveyor supported on the frame;
a collecting mechanism including an arm for contacting and directing cut material onto the endless conveyor;
a valve coupled to the boom, the valve movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered; and
an actuator coupled to the valve to selectively move the valve between the closed position and the opened position.

2. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the boom defines a lower surface, and the opening is located on the lower surface.

3. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the valve includes a plate that is pivotably coupled to the boom by a hinge such that the plate pivots relative to the boom through an angle.

4. The mining machine of claim 3 , wherein the hinge is positioned proximate the cutter head, such that the plate pivots toward the cutter head when the plate is moved to the open position.

5. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the valve is progressively opened as the boom is raised.

6. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes an arm and a linearly movable member, the arm including a first end coupled to the valve and a second end coupled to the member, the arm being pivotable relative to the boom about a pin.

7. The mining machine of claim 6 , wherein the linearly movable member includes a fluid piston and cylinder device.

8. The mining machine of claim 1 , further comprising a control system for operating the actuator and a sensor for detecting a position of the cutter head relative to the frame.

9. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the internal chamber is in fluid communication with a suction source such that a suction force is applied at the opening when the valve is in the open position.

10. A boom for a mining machine having a frame and a cutter head, the boom comprising:
an elongated shell having a first end configured to be coupled to the frame and a second end configured to support the cutter head, the shell defining an upper surface, a lower surface, and an internal chamber;
an opening positioned on the lower surface and in fluid communication with the internal chamber;
a valve movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered; and
an actuator coupled to the valve to selectively move the valve between the closed position and the opened position;
a control system for operating the actuator and a sensor for detecting a position of the second end of the boom relative to the first end of the boom.

11. The boom of claim 10 , wherein the valve includes a plate that is pivotably coupled to the shell by a hinge such that the plate pivots relative to the shell through an angle.

12. The boom of claim 11 , wherein the opening and the plate are positioned proximate the second end of the shell, and wherein the plate opens away from the second end of the shell.

13. The boom of claim 10 , wherein the actuator includes an arm and a linearly movable member, the arm including a first end coupled to the valve and a second end coupled to the member, the arm being pivotable relative to the boom about a pin.

14. The boom of claim 13 , wherein the linearly movable member includes a fluid piston.

15. The boom of claim 10 , wherein the actuator is positioned within the shell.

16. The boom of claim 10 , further comprising boom actuators for moving the boom relative to the frame, wherein the sensor detects the extension of the boom actuators.

17. The boom of claim 10 , wherein the elongated shell is pivotable between a first position and a second position, wherein the plate is in the opened position when the elongated shell is in the first position, and the plate is in the closed position when the elongated shell is in the second position.

18. The boom of claim 10 , wherein the sensor includes an inclinometer for detecting the orientation of the boom.

19. The boom of claim 10 , wherein the sensor detects the position of the second end of the boom relative to the first end of the boom by sensing a rotation angle of the boom.

20. The boom of claim 10 , wherein the internal chamber is in fluid communication with a suction source such that a suction force is applied at the opening when the valve is in the open position.

21. A mining machine comprising:
a frame;
a boom defining an upper surface, a lower surface, and an internal chamber, the boom including a first end coupled to the frame, a second end, and an opening positioned on the lower surface and in fluid communication with the internal chamber;
a cutter head including a plurality of cutting bits and supported on the second end of the boom;
a plate coupled to the boom, the plate being movable from a closed position in which the opening is covered toward an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered;
an actuator coupled to the plate to selectively move the plate between the closed position and the opened position;
a sensor for detecting a position of the cutter head; and
a control system for operating the actuator based on the sensed position of the cutter head.

22. The mining machine of claim 21 , wherein the plate is pivotably coupled to the boom by a hinge such that the plate pivots relative to the boom through an angle.

23. The mining machine of claim 22 , wherein the actuator includes an arm and a linearly movable member, the arm including a first end coupled to the plate and a second end coupled to the member.

24. The mining machine of claim 23 , wherein the arm is pivotable relative to the boom about a pin.

25. The mining machine of claim 21 , further comprising boom actuators for moving the boom relative to the frame, wherein the sensor detects the extension of the boom actuators.

26. The mining machine of claim 21 , wherein the internal chamber is in fluid communication with a suction source such that a suction force is applied at the opening when the plate is in the open position.

Assignees

• Joy Mm Delaware Inc

Inventors

• Willison John
• Boyd Richard D
• Neilson Brad

Classifications

• E21C27/24

  by milling means acting on the full working face {, i.e. the rotary axis of the tool carrier being substantially parallel to the working face (similar machines for tunneling E21D9/1026)} · CPC title

• E21C35/223 Primary

  Equipment associated with mining machines for sucking dust-laden air from the cutting area, with or without cleaning of the air · CPC title

• E21F5/20

  Drawing-off or depositing dust ({dust-removing while drilling E21B21/011}; while slitting E21C35/22) · CPC title

• E21C35/22

  Equipment for preventing the formation of, or for removal of, dust (picks with arrangement of fluid-spraying nozzles E21C35/187; {removing dust while drilling E21B21/011}) · CPC title

• E21C35/24

  Remote control specially adapted for machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral (control in general G05) · CPC title