System and method of detecting dull and worn cutter bits

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9920624-B2
Application number	US-201615094037-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 8, 2016
Priority date	Apr 9, 2015
Publication date	Mar 20, 2018
Grant date	Mar 20, 2018

Abstract

A mining machine including a chassis, an actuator, a cutter drum supported by the chassis, the cutter drum driven by the actuator, a cutter bit coupled to the cutter drum, and a controller. The controller includes a processor and memory and is configured to measure a characteristic of the actuator, determine the cutter bit is worn based on the measured characteristic of the actuator, and output a signal when the cutter bit is determined to be worn.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mining machine comprising:
a chassis;
an actuator;
a cutter drum supported by the chassis, the cutter drum driven by the actuator;
a cutter bit coupled to the cutter drum; and
a controller, having a processor and memory, the controller configured to
measure a characteristic of the actuator,
determine a net cutting force,
determine a production rate,
determine the cutter bit is worn based on the measured characteristic of the actuator, the net cutting force, and the production rate of the mining machine, and
output a signal when the cutter bit is determined to be worn.

2. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a motor.

3. The mining machine of claim 2 , wherein the characteristic of the actuator is at least one selected from the group consisting of a voltage supplied to the motor and a current supplied to the motor.

4. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic system.

5. The mining machine of claim 4 , wherein the characteristic of the actuator is a pressure generated by the hydraulic system.

6. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the cutter bit is worn at a predetermined length of deterioration.

7. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the cutter bit is worn at a predetermined percentage of deterioration.

8. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a motor rotationally driving the cutter drum and the mining machine further comprises a hydraulic system positioning the cutter drum.

9. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine one or more cutting loads of the mining machine based on the net cutting force and the characteristic of the actuator.

10. The mining machine of claim 9 , wherein the cutter bit is determined to be worn based on changes in a relationship between the cutting loads and the production rate.

11. The mining machine of claim 9 , wherein the cutter bit is determined to be worn based on changes in a relationship between two or more cutting loads.

12. The mining machine of claim 1 , wherein the net cutting force is determined via a rotational angle of the cutter drum.

13. A method of detecting wear of a cutter bit driven by an actuator of a mining machine, the method comprising:
monitoring, via a sensor, a characteristic of the actuator;
determining, via a controller, a net cutting force of the mining machine;
determining, via the controller, a production rate of the mining machine;
determining, via the controller, the cutter bit is worn based on the characteristic of the actuator, the net cutting force of the mining machine, and the production rate of the mining machine; and
outputting, from the controller, a signal when the cutter bit is determined to be worn.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the actuator is a motor.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the characteristic of the actuator is at least one selected from the group consisting of a voltage supplied to the motor and a current supplied to the motor.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic system.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the characteristic of the actuator is a pressure generated by the hydraulic system.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the cutter bit is worn at a predetermined length of deterioration.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the cutter bit is worn at a predetermined percentage of deterioration.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the actuator is a motor rotationally driving a cutter drum and the method further comprises monitoring, via a second sensor, a second characteristic of a hydraulic system positioning the cutter drum.

21. The method of claim 13 , further comprising
determining one or more cutting loads of the mining machine based on the net cutting force and the characteristic of the actuator.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the cutter bit is determined to be worn based on changes in a relationship between the cutting loads and the production rate.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the cutter bit is determined to be worn based on changes in a relationship between two or more cutting loads.

24. The method of claim 13 , wherein the net cutting force is determined via a rotational angle of the cutter drum.

Assignees

• Joy Mm Delaware Inc

Inventors

• Doheny Ii Edward L
• SNYMAN Ben
• Stryffeler David
• Reid Anthony
• Van Dyk Hekkie

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

• G06F3/00

  Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements · CPC title

• E21C35/24 Primary

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

• E21C25/10 Primary

  Rods; Drums · CPC title

• E21C35/18 Primary

  Mining picks; Holders therefor (planing knives E21C27/44) · CPC title