US3784256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dust control in longwall mining
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-01
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for removing dust ladened air from the vicinity of a moving mining machine engaged in longwall mining, wherein a conduit maintained at reduced pressure is parallel and fixedly positioned with respect to the path of operation of the longwall mining machine, and the machine activates ports in the section of the conduit adjacent to the mining machine irrespective of the location of the machine within its field of locomotion. The air is exhausted from the conduit and directed to the fallen roof area of the mine.
Inventors
- 👤 J Katlic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:33
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21F; E21F5/00; E21F5/20; B; B08; B08B; B08B15/00; E21C; E21C35/00; E21C35/22; E21C35/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for removing dust ladened air from the vicinity of a movable machine irrespective of the location of the machine within its field of locomotion, and conveying the dust ladened air to a selected area distant from the machine, comprising: a rigid conduit positioned adjacent to the path of operation of the machine; means for maintaining the conduit at a pressure lower than the pressure of the surrounding air; a series of normally closed ports along the conduit; means for opening ports adjacent to the machine, and for closing said ports when they are no longer adjacent to the machine because of its continuing travel; and at least one device for moving large volumes of air entering the conduit and discharging the air to a preselected area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for removing dust ladened air from the vicinity of a movable machine irrespective of the location of the machine within its field of locomotion, and conveying the dust ladened air to a selected area distant from the machine, comprising: a rigid conduit positioned adjacent to the path of operation of the machine; means for maintaining the conduit at a pressure lower than the pressure of the surrounding air; a series of normally closed ports along the conduit; means for opening ports adjacent to the machine, and for closing said ports when they are no longer adjacent to the machine because of its continuing travel; and at least one device for moving large volumes of air entering the conduit and discharging the air to a preselected area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the movable machine includes means for opening the ports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the movable machine includes means for closing the ports.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the preselected area for discharge of the dust ladened air is the fallen roof area of a mine, with a conduit employed to conduct this air from the device for moving large volumes of air to the fallen roof area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit assembly is adapted for use in the mining of minerals by longwall type methods, the machine being a device such as a shearer-loader, plow, or mining machine, and the conduit comprising a passageway built into the spill plate section which lies between the machine and the roof support area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a dust collector is in communication with the exhaust ports of the at least one device for moving large volumes of air entering the conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein conduit conducts exhaust air from the dust collector to the gob.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one device for moving large volumes of air is positioned with its intake opening in substantially air tight connection with one end of the conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the conduit is in the form of two substantially independent sections, the pressure of each section being maintained by a blower attached to the end of that section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the intake of the device is attached to the rigid conduit by flexible conduit to allow flexibility in the positioning of the blower, and minimize vibration transmitted from the device to the conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit has a face toward the machine, a series of flaps on the face, each being rotatably arranged for limited motion about an axis, from a position where it substantially blocks the influx of air through a corresponding port, and a second position wherein it admits a flow of air into the conduit through the port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the flaps are biased into a normally closed position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the flap is constructed so that the center of gravity is at all times in a position with respect to the axis, to induce rotation of the flap to the closed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the flaps pivot in grooved brackets for easy assembly and removal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
The appaRatus of claim 11 wherein the movable machine has an extending member to open the flaps in passing, by pressing inwardly, a portion of the pivoted flap in superior opposition to the biasing force, and when the extending member moves beyond the flap because of the movement of the machine to which it is attached, the unopposed biasing force closes the flap.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein an extension from the movable machine closes the flaps which have previously been opened.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the flap includes a latch which cooperates with a member extending from the conduit, said latch being spring biased to hold the flap in the closed position until said latch is forced open by a superior force.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the floor of the conduit slopes downwardly toward the bottom edge of the flaps, to aid in keeping the conduit free of deposit, and to aid in cleaning the conduit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein a perforate or slotted pipe extends within the conduit for the conduction of water to points along said conduit, for flushing it free of possible accumulations of dust.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the flaps are foraminous whereby a flow of dust ladened air into the conduit will occur at all times the apparatus is in operation, substantially throughout the length of the conduit.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of removing dust ladened air from the vicinity of a movable machine and a conduit associated with said machine and conveying the air to a selected area distant from the machine, comprising: maintaining a zone of air pressure lower than that of the surrounding air, fixedly positioned relative to, and adjacent to, the path of operation of the machine, admitting dust ladened air into the zone of lower pressure from the vicinity of the machine and points along the conduit, irrespective of the location of the machine within its field of locomotion, and discharging the air from the zone to the selected area; wherein the movable machine activates the opening and closing of ports in said conduit in the zone along its path of travel.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of removing dust ladened air from the vicinity of a movable machine and a conduit associated with said machine and conveying the air to a selected area distant from the machine, comprising: maintaining a zone of air pressure lower than that of the surrounding air, fixedly positioned relative to, and adjacent to, the path of operation of the machine, admitting dust ladened air into the zone of lower pressure from the vicinity of the machine and points along the conduit, irrespective of the location of the machine within its field of locomotion, and discharging the air from the zone to the selected area; wherein the movable machine activates the opening and closing of ports in said conduit in the zone along its path of travel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the dust ladened air within the zone is discharged into a fallen roof area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the zone is in the form of two substantially independent sections, the pressure of each being maintained by a blower connected to the end of that section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21 wherein water is forced into the zone to facilitate removal of dust therefrom.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for removing dust ladened air from the vicinity of a moving machine irrespective of the location of the machine within its field of locomotion and conveying the dust ladened air to a selected area distant from the machine, comprising: a rigid conduit positioned adjacent to the path of operation of the machine, said conduit having perforations along its length for admitting dust ladened air at points along the conduit; means for maintaining the conduit at a pressure lower than the pressure of the surrounding air; and at least one device for moving large volumes of air entering the conduit and discharging the air to a preselected area.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for removing dust ladened air from the vicinity of a moving machine irrespective of the location of the machine within its field of locomotion and conveying the dust ladened air to a selected area distant from the machine, comprising: a rigid conduit positioned adjacent to the path of operation of the machine, said conduit having perforations along its length for admitting dust ladened air at points along the conduit; means for maintaining the conduit at a pressure lower than the pressure of the surrounding air; and at least one device for moving large volumes of air entering the conduit and discharging the air to a preselected area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |