Underframes for longwall mineral mining machines

Claim 2

An underframe for a longwall mineral mining machine, comprising a hollow deck upon which the machine can be supported, and means which in operation enable the underframe to be mounted on, for movement along, an armored conveyor extending along a longwall face, the hollow deck providing an air flow guide duct extending along the underframe.

Claim 3

An underframe as claimed in claim 1, comprising an assembly for inducing air flow along the duct, the assembly being supported on the underframe adjacent to the air-outlet end of the guide duct.

Claim 4

An underframe as claimed in claim 2, in which a layer of filter material and a fan are provided in the assembly, the fan being arranged to draw the air flow through a layer of filter material.

Claim 5

An underframe as claimed in claim 3, in which guides are provided in the assembly to ensure that the air flow is distributed over substantially the whole area of the filter material.

Claim 6

An underframe for a longwall mineral mining machine, comprising a hollow deck upon which the machine can be supported, means which in operation enable the underframe to be mounted on, for movement along, an armored conveyor extending along a longwall face, the hollow deck providing an air flow guide duct extending along the underframe, and an assembly which is for inducing the air flow along the duct which is supported on the underframe adjacent to the air-outlet end of the duct, and which comprises an inlet chamber having a larger cross-sectional area than the guide duct.

Claim 7

An underframe for a longwall mineral mining machine, comprising a hollow deck upon which the machine can be supported, means which in operation enable the underframe to be mounted on, for movement along, an armored conveyor extending along a longwall face, the hollow deck providing an air flow guide duct extending along the underframe, and an assembly which is for inducing the air flow along the duct which is supported on the underframe adjacent to the air-outlet end of the duct, and which comprises an inlet chamber having a larger cross-sectional area than the guide duct.

Claim 8

An underframe as claimed in claim 5, comprises means for facilitating the removal of dust particles which in operation have been deposited in the chamber.

Claim 9

An underframe for a longwall mineral mining machine, comprising a hollow deck upon which the machine can be supported, and which provide an air flow guide duct extending along the underframe, an assembly for inducing the air flow along the duct, and a chamber arranged intermediate the cutter head of the machine and the air-inlet end of the guide duct, the chamber having a larger cross-sectional area than the guide duct.

Claim 10

An underframe for a longwall mineral mining machine, comprising a hollow deck upon which the machine can be supported, and which provide an air flow guide duct extending along the underframe, an assembly for inducing the air flow along the duct, and a chamber arranged intermediate the cutter head of the machine and the air-inlet end of the guide duct, the chamber having a larger cross-sectional area than the guide duct.

Claim 11

An underframe as claimed in claim 7, comprising a further guide duct extending from the chamber towards the cutter head of the mining machine.

Claim 12

An underframe for a longwall mineral mining machine, comprising a hollow deck upon which the machine can be supported, and which provides an air flow guide duct extending along the underframe, an assembly which is for inducing the air flow along the duct and which comprises an inlet chamber, and a second chamber arranged intermediate the cutter head of the machine and the air-inlet end of the guide duct, both said chambers having larger cross-sectional areas than the guide duct.

Claim 13

An underframe for a longwall mineral mining machine, comprising a hollow deck upon which the machine can be supported, and which provides an air flow guide duct extending along the underframe, an assembly which is for inducing the air flow along the duct and which comprises an inlet chamber, and a second chamber arranged intermediate the cutter head of the machine and the air-inlet end of the guide duct, both said chambers having larger cross-sectional areas than the guide duct.