US1875351A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 6, 1932. c, OSGOQD 1,875,351

MINING MACHINE Filed March 31, 1930- '2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 6, 1932. c, OSGQOD 1,875,351

MINING MACHINE Filed uarcn'al, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 U/zarlasl? 0490063.

Patented Sept. 6, 1932 PATENT OFFICE; g

uivrrim ST -res" CHARLES E. oseoon' or CLARE ONTQNEW. HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR 'ro SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION or MASSACHUSETTS MINING MACHINE i Application filed March 31, 1930. Serial No. 440,809.

' an improved mining machine feeding mechanism. Another object is to provide an improved flexible feed ng means for a coal mining machine of the continuous cutter, bottom cutting type. A further object is to provide an improved flexiblefeeding means for a mining machine adapted to operate in accordance with the usual room and pillar practice wherein relatively rotatable feeding members respectively cooperate with advance and receding flexible feeding elements in the feeding and guiding of the machine across the coal face. A still further "object is to pro vide in a feeding mechanismof the aforesaid character a separate anddi'stinct plural speed transmission mechanism for each feed mem ber whereby the latter may be rotated in winding direction either separately or simultaneously at relatively high speed or at rela tively low speed or-may'rotate inunwinding direction under various degrees of frictional resistance or freely as conditions may require. Yet another object is to provide a separate and distinct plural speed planetary transmission for each of the feed members, the planetary transmission mechanisms and feed members being arranged in a novel and improved manner on the machine. 1 These and other objects of th s invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown one form which the invention may assume in practice. I

In these drawings,

Fig. 1-is a plan view of a coal mining machine having embodied therein an illustrative form of the improved flexible feeding mechanism. V

2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view, with partsshown in plan, illustrating the improved flexible feeding mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinally extending vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4% is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and illustrating one of the planetary transmission mechanisms. I

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view takensubstantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, with parts omitted to facilitate illustration.

As illustrated inthe drawings, the improved flexible feeding mechanism is shown embodied in a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, room and pillar type whichgenerally comprises a low compact machine frame or body 1 slidable on its bottom 2'over the mine bottom and having projecting forwardly therefrom a horizontal plane cutterbar 3 carrying on its margin a cutter bit carrying cutter chain 4 of a usual design. Arranged at the opposite sides of the rear end of the machine frame'are feed operating and con: trolling members 5 and 6 herein in the form of cable winding or haulage drums respectively cooperating with feed and controlling cables 7 and 8. Carried centrally of the machine frame is a motor 9 having itspower shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine frame and operatively connected at its forward end, through usual driving connections, to the cutter chain 4. The rear end of the motor is operatively connected to the feed drums 5 and 6 in an improved manner as hereinafter described. Arranged at the rear end of the machine frame are guide sheaves 10, 11, 12, and 13, while attached at the opposite sides of the front end of the machine frame are similar guide sheaves 14 and .15, and the feed cables are adapted to pass around any preferred guide sheaves during the various operations of the machine in the manner well understood in the mining machine art.

Now referring to the improved driving connections between the rear end of the motor and the feed drums 5 and 6, it will herein be noted that fixed to the rear end of the motor shaft 16 is a spur pinion 17 driving through an intermediate gear 18 a spur gear 19 fixed to a horizontal longitudinally extending shaft 20 suitably journaled within the feedframe section 21. Fixed to this shaft isa worm 22 meshing with a worm wheel 23 which drives, as willhereinafter bedescribed, through separate, plural speed planetary transmission mechanisms the feed drums 5 and 6, these planetary mechanisms being generally designated 24 and 25-respectively. The planetary mechanism 24 is adapted to effect a plural predetermined speed drive under frictional control .of a coaxially arranged horizontal shaft 26 extending transversely of the machine and suitably ournaled within the feed frame section 21. Fixed to this shaftis aspur pinion 27 meshing with van internal .gear .28 secured to the feed drum 6. The planetary transmission mechanism 25 drives inn-similar manner a shaft 29 alined with the shaft 26 and similarly journaled' within the feed frame section. This shaft likewise has fixed thereto a spur pinion 3l'meshing with an internal gear 32 secured to the feed drum 5. Each of the "feed drums -is journaled on a shaft 33 formed integral with a detachable side plate 34 securedto the vertical side wall o'fthe machine and is rotatablysupported on this shaft by antifriction bearings 35 and maintained against displacement from the shaftbysuitable retaining devices 36.

As the planetary transmission mechanisms 24 and 25 are generally of the same construction, the description of one will suflice for both. Now referring to thespecific structure of the planetary transmission mechanism 24, it will be noted that the worm wheel -23 -is keyed at 37 to a sleeve 38 carryingat itsouter end ,a driving pinion 39. The sleeve 38 is journaled uponaibus'hing 40 which surrounds the enlarged inner end 41 of the shaft 26. A

' bushing 42 surrounds the sleeve 38 immediately at one side of the worm wheel 23. An annular casing 43 is rotatably mounted-on the exterior of the bushing 42 and has a bearing thereon intermediate the worm wheel 23 and the gear39. The hub of this casing .is journaled within asuitable bearing supported by an upstanding :bearingbracket formed integral .Withthe feed frame section. The casing 43 comprises a web portion '44 and a cylin-. drical portion 45 having a suitable friction band 46 on its outer periphery for controlling the rotation of the" casing. Mounted within the casing and concentrictherewith is a ring-shaped cage 47 in which is carried a plurality of planetary gear pairs 48 (three sets being present'but only one shown) rotatable on suitable pins 49 mounted at their ends in the lateral faces of the cage. Each of'the members ,48 comprises two pinions '50, 51 connectedtogether so as to rotate as a single unit. "The pinion 50 of each planetary gear unit has a pitch diameter largerthan its companion pinion 51 and is meshed with the 'drivinggear 39. An internalgear ring 52 is arranged within the casing 43' and 'lreyed as indicated at .53 to rotate therewith. I Said internal gear meshes with pinions 50 of the planetary gear units. .Adjacent the internal gear .52 is a second internal gear 54 free to turn in the casing 43. This internal gear has the gearing therein.

retaining ring 57 is attached to the periphery ofthe. casing 43 by means of suitable bolts ..58. and engages the outer. face of the ring to form an oil and dust proof enclosure for The high speed connection to the shaft 26 comprises an annular 'clutchring 59 seated within the cage 47 and keyed thereto. This clutch ring is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending clutch jaws 60 adapted to engage with outwardly extending clutch jaws 61 carried by a clutch member '62 slidable longitudinall-y'of the shaft 26. The-clutch member 62-is splined to connectionand the-clutch member 55 of the low speedco'nnectionL The driving connec tion with the 'high speed and low speed connections ismadeby shifting the clutch member 62to the left or right ofits neutral position. to the outer face of the end platej55 adjacent the clutc'hm emberto form a closure between the end plate 55 and the clutch member 62. The friction band 46 maybe of any suitable design and is controlled by apair of nut 1ne1nbers .67 attached to the opposite ends of the brake band and internally threaded with threads of opposite inclination and cooperating with oppositely threaded screw portions 68 upon an inclined operating shaft 69 suitably rotatably mounted within theend wall of the feed frame section. Attached to the upper end of this operating shaft is a hand wheel 70. The planetary transmission mechanism 25 for the feed drum "5 provided with similar clutch mechanism 71 having an operating handle 72 and a similar brake mechanism 73 having an operating hand wheel '74 conveniently arranged adjacent the operating members and of the trans mission mechanism 24.

The operation of the mechanism for effectin g rotation at different speeds of the shaft 26 may now be described. High speed drive of this shaft takes place through tl e pinion 39, planetary gears 50, cage 47, clutch ring 59 andclutch member 62. When the clutch member 62 engages the-clutch ring 59 the pinion'39 rotatesthe planetary gearsabout their respective axes-and as the latter are meshed A second retaining ring 66 is attached l es with the internal gear 52 keyed to the casing 43 they will either rotate this c'asin'g,if the brake band 46 is loose, in the direction opposite to the direction of rotationof the pinion they are mounted.

39, or if the friction band 46 is tightened, undergo orbital motion themselvesabout the axis of the pinion 39 and carry. with them at an equal angular rate the cage 47 on which The cage 47 will of course rotate at a rate less than the rate of angular rotation of the pinion 39. The clutch ring 59 being keyed to the cage 47 will be carried thereafter and in turn may be connected to the shaft 26 by means of the clutch member 62. When a slow speed rotation of the shaft 26 is desired, the clutch.62 will beshifted'to the right and low speed driving will then take place through gearing as follows: pinion 39, planetarygears 50 and 51, internal gear 54, end plate 55, clutch member 56 and clutch member 62. Under these circumstances there will be a compound epicyclic reduction and the shaft 26 will be rotated at a slow'speed in the samedirection it previously turned at a high speed.

The planetary transmission mechanism 25 operates in asimilar manner and it will thus be seen that upon suitable control -of the clutch devices and brake bands the feed drums 5 and 6 may be driven in winding direction either separately or simultaneously atv relatively high haulage speed or at rela tively low speed appropriate for cutting. It will also be noted that under certain conditions either of the feed-drums may rotate in unwinding direction under various degrees of frictional resistance under the control of the brake bands 46 or without such resistance upon release of these brake bands.- As the general mode of operation of a room and pillar mining machine is well-known in the art, and as the operation of the improved transmission mechanism for the feed drums has been clearly described above, further description of the operation of the machine is thought unnecessary. I i

While there is in this application specifi cally described one form which this invention may assume in practive, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and. that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable .feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and separate and distinct motor driven driving connections for said feed members including a plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member, said planetary transmission mechanisms being arrangedon alined axes.

2. Amining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and separate and dis tinct motor driven driving connections for said feed members including a plural predeermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member, said planetary trans mission mechanisms being arranged on alined horizontal axes. l

3. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate di ectly with flexible feeding means, and separate and distinct motor driven driving connections for said feed members including a plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member, said planetary transmission mechanisms being" arranged on alined horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine.

4. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted t'o'cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, and separate and distinct driving connections be tween said motor and each of said feed members including a plural predetermined. speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member disposed on a horizontal axis, said planetary transmission mechanisms each having a single friction controlling device forcontrolling the drive through its different speeds.

.5. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate-directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, and separate and distinct driving connections between said motor and each of said. feed members including a plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member disposed on a horizontal axis. said planetary transmission mechanisms each including a shiftable clutch device for selectively effecting different speeds,

6."-A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means. a motor, and separate and distinct driving connections between said motor and each of said feed members including a plural predetermined members arranged in coaxial relationand each adapted to cooperate directly with flexinc iio

ible feeding means, a motor, and a separate and distinct drivlng connectlon between said motor and each of said members moluding a plural predetermined speed planetary trans mission mechanism for each member, said planetary transmission mechanisms being arranged on axes parallel to a line parallel to said feed member axes.

8. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, and a separate and distinct driving connection between said motor and, each of said members including a plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member, said planetary transmission mechanisms being arranged on alined axes parallel to a line parallel to the feed member axes.

9. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to-cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, and separate and distinct driving connections between said motor and each of'said feed =mem-' bers includinga plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member disposed on a horizontal axis, each transmission mechanism including a single clutch element slidable in opposite directions to effect CllITGIEHlJ 'S OQGdS.

10. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, motor, and separate and distinct driving connections be tween said motor and each of said feed members including a plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member disposed on a horizontal axis, each transmission mechanism including a single clutch'element arranged in axial alinement with the planetary mechanism and slidable in opposite directions to effect different speeds.

11. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members disposed on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, a gear driven by said motor, and separate and distinct plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanisms one individual to each member and both driven by said gear.

12. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, a Worm driven thereby, a worm wheel-driven by said worm, and separate and distinct plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanisms one individual to each feed member and both driven by said worm wheel.

13. A mining machine feeding mechanism inf/5,851

comprising relatively rota-table feed'membel's each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, a gear driven thereby, and separate and distinct plural predetermined aspeed planetary transmission'mechanisms one individual to each member, each frictionally controlled at all speeds and both coaxial with and driven by said gear.

14. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to -.-cooperate directly with flexible. feeding means, a motor, a worm driven-thereby, a worm wheel meshing therewith, and separate and distinct plural predetermined s'p'eed planetary transmission mechanisms one individual to each member, each frictionally controlled at-all speeds and bothdriven by said worm Wheel.

'15. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible. feeding means, awmotor, a gear rotatable on a horizontal transversely extending axis, and separate and distinct plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanisms one individual to each member and both drivenby said gear.

16. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexi'ble feeding means, a motor, a Worm rotatable on a'horizontal axis, a wormwheel mesh-ing therewith, and separate and distinct' plural predetermined speed transmission mechanisms one individual to each memberand both driven bysaid worm wheel.

17 A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, a gear rotatable on a horizontal transversely extending axis, and separate and distinct plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanisms one individual to each member, each frictionally controlled at all speeds and both driven by said gear."

18. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, a worm rotatable on a horizontal axis, a worm wheel rotatable on a horizontal axis and driven by said Worm, and separate and distinct plural predetermined speed transmission mechanisms one individual to each feed member and both driven by said Worm wheel.

19. A mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feed members disposed on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, and separate and distinct plural speed driving connections between said motor and each of said members and including a planetary transmission mechanism for Mill each member, each transmission mechanism lncludmg arotatable casing, a brake band for controlling casing rotation, and a, shiftable' on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means,

a motor, and separate and distinct plural speed driving connections between said motor and each of said members and including a planetary transmission mechanism for each member, each transmission mechanism including a rotatable casing, a brake band for controlling casing rotation, a rotatable cage mounted in said casing and carrying planetary gears, and a shiftable clutch for selectively effecting different speeds.

21. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feed members of the same size and diameter and rotatable at like peripheral speeds, said members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, a gear driven by said motor, and separate and distinct plural predetermined speed transmission mechanisms one individual to each member and both coaxial with and driven by said gear, each transmission mechanism including a frictionally controlled reaction member for controlling all speeds and adapted to be held stationary or freely rotate at will.

22. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feed members of the same size and diameter and rotatable at like peripheral speeds, said members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, a worm driven thereby, a worm wheel driven by said worm, and separate and distinct plural predetermined speed transmission mechanisms one individual to each feed member and both driven by said worm wheel.

23. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and separate and distinct motor driven driving connections for said feed members including a plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member, said planetary transmissions being arranged on horizontal axes.

24. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and separate and distinct motor driven driving connections for said feed members including a plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member, said planetary transmission mechanisms being arranged on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine.

25. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedin members disposed on horizontal axes exten ing transversely of the'ma'chine and each adapted to cooperatedirectly with flexible feeding means, and sep arate and distinct motordriven driving connections for said feeding membersincludinga plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member whereby'said members may be rotated either separatelyor simultaneously at either of two speeds, I I T '26. In a mining machine feeding'mechanism, relatively rotatable-feeding members disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and separate and distinct motor driven driving connections for said feed members including a plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member whereby said members may be rotated either separately or simultaneously at either of two speeds, said planetary mechanisms being arranged generally on horizontal axes parallel to a line parallel to the feed member axes. I

27. In a mmlngmachine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feeding ,members disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and separate and distinct motor driven driving connections for said feed members including a plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each member wherebysaid members may be ro- .tated either separately or simultaneously at either of two speeds, each-of said planetary mechanisms includinga rotatable reaction member controlling the drive at both speeds,

and a brakeband fox-"controlling rotation of said reaction member.

28. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatablevfeed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor, separate and distinct .plural predetermined speed transmission mechanisms one individual to each member, and driving connections between said motor and said transmissionmechanisms including a gear coaxial with said transmis sion, mechanisms and driving both ofthe same. n a

29. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexiblefeeding means and motor operated devices for driving said members either separately'or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively high speed or atrelatively low speed including a motor shaft, a horizontal shaft extending longitudinally of the machine and driven by said motor shaft, a transverse shaft driven by said longitudinal shaft,

and separate and distinct plural predeterwhereby saidxshafts may be independently .130. Acmining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding mem bers each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for drivlng said members ei'ther sepa- Qmi'ned speed transmission mechanisms one indriven at a wide range of speeds between zero dividualto each member andboth driven by and a predetermined maximum. said transverse shaft.

In testimony whereof I aflixmysignature.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD.

ratel'y or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexibl'eafeeding means atfrelativ'ely' high speed or at relatively low speed including alined shafts one connected to each member, and a separate and distinct" plural predetermined speed plane'- tary transmission mechanism for each shaft.

31. mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding. members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for driving said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction. to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at, relatively high speed or at relatively low speed including alined horizontal shafts one, connected to each member, and a separate and distinct plural predetermined speed planetary transmissionmechanism for each shaft. 7

32. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for driving said members either separately or simultaneously in. a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at relatively highspeed or at relatively low speed including alined horizontal shafts extending transversely'of the machine one connected to each member, and a separate I and distinct plural predetermined speed planetary transmission mechanism for each shaft. I v p p 33. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feeding members rotating on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and separate and distinct plural speed transmission mechanisms one individual to each member, each operative to provide a plurality of predetermined speeds and also including speed varying means whereby said members may be independently driven at a wide range of speeds between zero and a predetermined maximum.

34. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rota-table feeding means rotating on horizontal axes and each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, ali-ned shafts one connected to each member, and separate and; distinct plural speed transmission mechanisms one individual to each shaft and each operative to provide a plurality of predetermined! speeds and also including speed varying means

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