GB2118996A

GB2118996A - Self-advanceable mining apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2118996A
Application number: GB08306334A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gladwyn Raymond Hunt
Original assignee: PERARD TORQUE TENSION Ltd
Current assignee: PERARD TORQUE TENSION Ltd
Priority date: 1982-04-24
Filing date: 1983-03-08
Publication date: 1983-11-09
Also published as: GB8306334D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a stage- loader conveyor frame (11) having a platform (15) for electrical gear (21). The conveyor frame has extensible and retractable legs (22) at each side of the conveyor. The legs are supported by wheeled trolleys, which are received in channel guides (29). A hydraulic ram (35a) is mounted between a leg and each channel guide. With the legs extended, the conveyor frame is raised and operating the rams advances the frame. With the legs retracted, the guides are raised and operating the rams advances the guides. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Self-advanceable mining apparatus This invention relates to self-advanceable mining apparatus.

In a mine, power supply equipment is housed in one of the gates, or roads, near to the mine face. This equipment includes hydraulic power packs, for supplying self-advancable roof supports, and switchgear and transformers for supplying electrical power to face equipment. As mining proceeds, the face advances and the equipment has to be advanced accordingly.

A stage loader conveyor assembly is arranged between a main outbye conveyor and a face conveyor and this assembly is also movable to compensate for advancement of the face conveyor.

Both the assembly and the power supply equipment are heavy and difficult to move and apparatus has been produced to facilitate movement. Such apparatus is described in U.K.

Patent Specification No. 1605001. This apparatus comprises the conveyor assembly itself and a vehicle supported on and movable along the conveyor. The vehicle has drive means engageable with a rack provided on the conveyor assembly and is provided with extensible and retractable legs. The legs can be extended to raise the vehicle together with the conveyor assembly, which is captivated to the vehicle. The drive means can then serve to advance the conveyor assembly relative to the vehicle. On retraction of the legs, the vehicle can be driven along the advanced conveyor. The vehicle carries the power supply equipment.

Another such apparatus is disclosed in U.K.

Patent Specification No. 1 590321. This apparatus also includes a vehicle supported on and driven along the conveyor assembly, but the drive means in this case is a ram propulsion system.

The present invention provides a simplified apparatus which may be used to move a conveyor assembly and auxiliary equipment, such as power supply equipment.

The present invention provides selfadvanceable mining apparatus comprising a frame provided with extensible and retractable legs, guide means alongside the frame, and drive means engaged between the legs and the guide means, whereby, in the retracted state of the legs, the guide means is raised and the drive means is operable to advance the guide means relative to the frame and, in the extended state of the legs, the frame is raised and the drive means is operable to advance the frame relative to the guide means.

Preferably, the guide means comprises a channel at each side of the conveyor frame and the legs carry wheels or rollers which engage in the channels.

The drive means may comprise at least one hydraulic ram mounted between a leg and the guide means and, advantageously, a pair of such rams are provided, one in each of said channels.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective general view of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a detail view of a part of the apparatus; and Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

The apparatus shown comprises a stage-loader conveyor assembly 11 including a conveyor frame 12 having opposite, longitudinal, upright side walls 13a,13b. A chain conveyor 14 is housed in the frame 12.

The upright side walls 13a,13b support a platform 1 5 which is seated on top of the frame and secured to the side walls. In the example shown, portions 16a,16b of the side walls are extended upwardly to support the platform at a greater height. The platform carries switchgear 20 and hydraulic power supplies 21. Other platforms may be provided, if required.

The platform 1 5 has fixed to it hollow leg portions 22 of non-circular (e.g. rectangular) section. In the example shown, two pairs of leg portions 22 are provided spaced longitudinally of the conveyor frame. The leg portions of each pair are located at opposite sides of the upright side walls 13a,13b and extend downwardly.

Slidably engaged in each leg portion 22 is a movable leg part 23, which defines with the portion 22 an extensible and retractable leg. Each leg portion 22 houses a hydraulic ram (not shown) connected between the leg portion and its movable leg part to effect such movement.

Each leg part 23 has a foot 24 secured to a trolley 25, the two legs at each side of the conveyor frame being secured to a common trolley. Each trolley comprises a body 26 and a set of four wheels 27 at each end. The wheels roll on a bottom plate 28 of a channel guide 29. Two such guides are provided, one at side of the conveyor frame 12. Each trolley runs in the respective channel guide, which has side walls 30 with inwardly directed flanges 31 to captivate the trolley in the guide. Stop members 32, on each trolley body 26, limit lateral movement of the trolley in the corresponding guide by cooperation with the flanges 31 and inhibit ingress of dust.

In each channel guide 29, a hydraulic ram 35a, 35b is connected between an end of the guide and the respective trolley, the ram cylinder being housed in the trolley.

In order to advance the conveyor with simultaneous advancement of the auxiliary equipment on the platform 15, the rams in the leg portions 22 are extended, so that the conveyor frame 12 is lifted clear of the floor and is supported on the trolleys 25. The rams 35a, 35b are then retracted and move the trolleys along the guides and hence to advance the conveyor frame.

For further advancement, the leg rams are retracted, so that the conveyor frame is seated on the ground and the guides 29 are raised off the ground by engagement of the trolley wheels 27 with the flanges 31. The rams 35a, 35b are then extended to advance the guides relative to the trolley wheels and the conveyor frame. The legs can then be re-extended to lower the guides and to raise the conveyor frame for further advancement of the conveyor frame relative to the guides.

In the example shown, the leg portions 22 lie wholly beneath the platform 1 5. Where there is less height available, the upright side wall portions of the conveyor frame, which support the platform, may be of lower height, with the leg portions 22 extending above the platform.

Claims

1. Self-advanceable mining apparatus comprising a frame provided with extensible and retractable legs, guide means alongside the frame, and drive means engaged between the legs and the guide means, whereby, in the retracted state of the legs, the guide means is raised and the drive means is operable to advance the guide means relative to the frame and, in the extended state of the legs, the frame is raised and the drive means is operable to advance the frame relative to the guide means.

2. Self-advanceable mining apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the frame is a stage-loader conveyor frame.

3. Self-advanceable mining apparatus according to Claim 2, where the frame has a platform for carrying auxiliary equipment.

4. Self-advanceable mining apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the guide means comprises a channel and the legs carry wheels or rollers which engage in the channel.

5. Self-advanceable mining apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the drive means is a hydraulic ram mounted between a leg and the channel.

6. Self-advanceable mining apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a pair of guide means, one at each side of the frame, and drive means associated with each guide means.

7. Self-advanceable mining apparatus constructed substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.