Patent US3856357A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3856357A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination rotor-box cutter mining machine and method of mining
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-08-22
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A mining machine for the cutting and removal of coal from a coal seam comprising a plurality of rotary kerf cutting means, wherein the latter are utilized together with a surrounding ''''box'''' kerf cutter adapted to cut a rectangularly shaped kerf surrounding the bores and circular cuts of the rotors, thus enabling the ''''corners'''' and intermediate areas of the kerf to be effectively removed. The rectangular cutting mechanism is caused to vibrate or oscillate responsive to rotation of the drive shafts of the rotors via an eccentric drive means incorporated in the said shafts. The rectangular cutter box is rendered adjustable in height by adjusting means in interconnection with cams riding upon an eccentric portion of the drive shafts, thus enabling the ''''box'''' to accommodate different heights of coal seams. The cutter box is also devised to follow irregularities in the seam, and this by forwardly extending and hinged cutting media on the forward cutting end of the box. Also, each rotary cutter is equipped with means to apply suction or pressure at the forward cutting end thereof, to thus remove resultant dust as well as liberated noxious fumes, such as methane gas.
Inventors
- 👤 G Wharton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:07
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C27/00; E21C27/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In a coal mining machine the combination comprising a rotor means having a burster element on the forward end thereof, a tubular element with forwardly extending cutting means surrounding and in axial alignment with said burster element, means to rotate said rotor means and said tubular element including a drive shaft means therefor, a rectangular cutter box means having forwardly extending cutters at the forward end thereof, said cutter box means being of a dimension exceeding the crosssectional area of said tubular element, and means in interconnection with said drive shaft to impart oscillatory motion to said cutter box means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a coal mining machine the combination comprising a rotor means having a burster element on the forward end thereof, a tubular element with forwardly extending cutting means surrounding and in axial alignment with said burster element, means to rotate said rotor means and said tubular element including a drive shaft means therefor, a rectangular cutter box means having forwardly extending cutters at the forward end thereof, said cutter box means being of a dimension exceeding the crosssectional area of said tubular element, and means in interconnection with said drive shaft to impart oscillatory motion to said cutter box means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive shaft means is provided with air delivery means therewithin to exit air to or withdraw air from an area immediately adjacent the rearward end of said cutter box means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a coal mining machine the combination comprising a rotor means having a burster element on the forward end thereof, a tubular element with forwardly extending cutting means surrounding and in axial alignment with said burster element, means to rotate said rotor means and said tubular element including a drive shaft means therefor, a rectangular cutter box means having forwardly extending cutters at the forward end thereof, said cutter box means being of a dimension exceeding the cross-sectional area of said tubular element, means in interconnection with said drive shaft to impart oscillatory motion to said cutter box means, and air delivery means within said shaft means to exit air to or withdraw air from an area immediately adjacent the rearward end of said cutter box means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a coal mining machine the combination comprising a rotor means having a burster element on the forward end thereof, a tubular element with forwardly extending cutting means surrounding and in axial alignment with said burster element, means to rotate said rotor means and said tubular element including a drive shaft means therefor, a rectangular cutter box means having forwardly extending cutters at the forward end thereof, said cutter box means being of a dimension exceeding the cross-sectional area of said tubular element, means in interconnection with said drive shaft to impart oscillatory motion to said cutter box means, and air delivery means within said shaft means to exit air to or withdraw air from an area immediately adjacent the rearward end of said cutter box means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein there is provided at least two rotor means in side by side relationship and said cutter box means is of a dimension to exceed overall the size of the kerf cut by said bursters and said tubular element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said drive shaft means is provided with helical conveyor means to convey the material cut to the outby end of said mining machine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said helical conveyor means is provided with cutter bits on the edges thereof to permit facile retraction of said mining machine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein there is provided a plurality of helical conveyor means, each of said drive shaft means having an axial bore for air delivery therethrough, and means to interconnect each of said conveyor means, said interconnecting means including means to render said air delivery of one drive shaft means airtight with respect to an interconnecting, adjacent drive shaft means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said burster element has a forwardly extending, axially positioned cutter bit, and said cutter box means is provided with rearwardly extending cutter bits to thereby facilitate withdrawal of said mining machine from the mine face.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein the said two rotOr means are driven in opposite directions to thereby force cut material therebetween into the area between said conveyor means to thereby facilitate transport of said material to the rear of said mining machine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said means to impart oscillatory motion comprises an eccentric drive means on said drive shaft means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said cutter box means is entirely supported by said drive shaft means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of mining into a mineral seam comprising driving a rotating bursting element into the face of said seam to fracture the seamm into particulates at points of contact thereof, simultaneously rotating a tubular cutting element in axial alignment with said bursting element to cut a circular kerf around said burster element to thereby fracture the seam into particulates between said cutting element and said bursting element, immediately following said simultaneous bursting and cutting operation by cutting a rectangular kerf larger in dimension than the cross-sectional area of said circular kerf around the fractured zone of the seam resultant upon said bursting and cutting steps, said rectangular kerf cutting being accomplished via oscillatory motion of a closed, rectangular cutter, said rectangular cutter being oscillated by off-center rotation of the axes of rotation of said cutting and bursting elements, simultaneously conveying the said particulates away from said seam, and applying air pressure or vacuum at a point adjacent said bursting, cutting, and rectangular kerf cutting operations to thereby simultaneously remove fine dust particles and noxious fumes therefrom.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of mining into a mineral seam comprising driving a rotating bursting element into the face of said seam to fracture the seamm into particulates at points of contact thereof, simultaneously rotating a tubular cutting element in axial alignment with said bursting element to cut a circular kerf around said burster element to thereby fracture the seam into particulates between said cutting element and said bursting element, immediately following said simultaneous bursting and cutting operation by cutting a rectangular kerf larger in dimension than the cross-sectional area of said circular kerf around the fractured zone of the seam resultant upon said bursting and cutting steps, said rectangular kerf cutting being accomplished via oscillatory motion of a closed, rectangular cutter, said rectangular cutter being oscillated by off-center rotation of the axes of rotation of said cutting and bursting elements, simultaneously conveying the said particulates away from said seam, and applying air pressure or vacuum at a point adjacent said bursting, cutting, and rectangular kerf cutting operations to thereby simultaneously remove fine dust particles and noxious fumes therefrom.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |