US3876252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mining machine with apparatus for conveying pressurized fluid between movable frames
Assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-05
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1993-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A sliding fluid joint for transfer of hydraulic fluid described in relation to a mining machine. The mining machine has a main frame with drive means for propelling the machine. A second frame, or sump frame, extends forwardly from the main frame. A rotary drum for cutting and breaking material out of a mine face is pivotally mounted on the front end of the sump frame. The sump frame is slidably mounted on the main frame so the propelling means may be locked and the rotary drum advanced into the mine face by moving the sump frame forward away from the main frame. The main frame carries an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump for supply of fluid under pressure to fluid activated devices such as cylinders and hydraulic motors which are mounted on the main frame and on the sump frame. To connect the hydraulic pump on the main frame to fluid activated devices on the movable sump frame, sliding fluid joints are provided which eliminate the need for long flexible hose. The joints permit the frames to move relative to each other while maintaining a constant flow of fluid between the devices on the main frame and those on the sump frame. The sliding fluid joint comprises a cylinder and a longer hollow rod which passes longitudinally through the cylinder. Fluid flows into the rod and passes through holes in the rod into the cavity formed between the rod and the cylinder. From there the fluid flows out of an opening in the cylinder sidewall to the fluid activated devices on the second frame. This structure allows the rod and cylinder to move relative to each other without affecting the flow of fluids between the main frame and sump frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur L Cilles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:23
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C27/00; E21C27/20; E21C27/24; E21C31/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A mining machine, comprising: a main frame having a hydraulic pump mounted thereon for supply of hydraulic fluid under pressure; a sump frame slidably mounted on the main frame to allow movement of the sump frame relative to the main frame, the sump frame having fluid activated devices mounted thereon; a sliding fluid joint for transfer of hydraulic fluid from the pump on the main frame to the fluid activated devices on the sump frame, comprising: a hollow longitudinal rod having an opening near one end for connection to fluid conveying means on one of the frames, the rod also having an opening in its sidewall near the center of the rod; a hollow cylinder having an opening in each end for passage of the rod therethrough, the inner surface of the cylinder walls being spaced a sufficient distance from the outer surface of the rod sidewalls to allow flow of fluid in the space formed therebetween, the cylinder also having another opening in its sidewall for connection to fluid conveying means on the other frame; and means allowing movement of the rod relative to the cylinder while maintaining the opening in the rod sidewall in communication with the space between the cylinder and rod, such that the hydraulic fluid can flow at a constant rate and pressure through the sliding joint notwithstanding movement of the sump frame relative to the main frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
A mining machine, comprising: a main frame having a hydraulic pump mounted thereon for supply of hydraulic fluid under pressure; a sump frame slidably mounted on the main frame to allow movement of the sump frame relative to the main frame, the sump frame having fluid activated devices mounted thereon; a sliding fluid joint for transfer of hydraulic fluid from the pump on the main frame to the fluid activated devices on the sump frame, comprising: a hollow longitudinal rod having an opening near one end for connection to fluid conveying means on one of the frames, the rod also having an opening in its sidewall near the center of the rod; a hollow cylinder having an opening in each end for passage of the rod therethrough, the inner surface of the cylinder walls being spaced a sufficient distance from the outer surface of the rod sidewalls to allow flow of fluid in the space formed therebetween, the cylinder also having another opening in its sidewall for connection to fluid conveying means on the other frame; and means allowing movement of the rod relative to the cylinder while maintaining the opening in the rod sidewall in communication with the space between the cylinder and rod, such that the hydraulic fluid can flow at a constant rate and pressure through the sliding joint notwithstanding movement of the sump frame relative to the main frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mining machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the rod is at least twice the length of the cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A mining machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the cross sectional area of the end opening in the rod, the area of the side opening in the rod, the area of the cylinder opening, and the cross sectional area of the space between the rod and the cylinder are approximately equal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A mining machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the connections of the rod and the cylinder to their respective frames are flexible mounts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
273 words
In a mining machine comprising a main frame having hydraulic fluid supply means mounted thereon, a sump frame supporting a mining head and mounted on the main frame in a manner allowing movement of the sump frame relative to the main frame for sumping the mining head into a mine face, and fluid actuated means mounted on the sump frame, wherein the improvement comprises: means for conveying hydraulic fluid from the supply means to the fluid actuated means without any change in pressure or flow rate regardless of position or movement of the sump frame relative to the main frame, including: a first rigid tube mounted on one of the frames and having an opening at one end connected to the fluid means on said one frame; a second larger tube mounted on the other frame in sliding concentric spaced relationship about the first tube, the second tube being shorter than the first tube and having an opening in its sidewall connected to the fluid means on said other frame; sliding fluid seals between the tubes at each end of the second tube forming the ends of an annular fluid transfer zone between the tubes, the first tube further having an opening in its sidewall in communication with the fluid transfer zone, said tubes being adapted to slide relative to each other when the sump frame moves relative to the main frame such that the opening in the sidewall of the first tube always remains in communication with the fluid transfer zone, and fluid under pressure can flow steadily through one tube, the fluid transfer zone, and the other tube at all times.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
273 words
In a mining machine comprising a main frame having hydraulic fluid supply means mounted thereon, a sump frame supporting a mining head and mounted on the main frame in a manner allowing movement of the sump frame relative to the main frame for sumping the mining head into a mine face, and fluid actuated means mounted on the sump frame, wherein the improvement comprises: means for conveying hydraulic fluid from the supply means to the fluid actuated means without any change in pressure or flow rate regardless of position or movement of the sump frame relative to the main frame, including: a first rigid tube mounted on one of the frames and having an opening at one end connected to the fluid means on said one frame; a second larger tube mounted on the other frame in sliding concentric spaced relationship about the first tube, the second tube being shorter than the first tube and having an opening in its sidewall connected to the fluid means on said other frame; sliding fluid seals between the tubes at each end of the second tube forming the ends of an annular fluid transfer zone between the tubes, the first tube further having an opening in its sidewall in communication with the fluid transfer zone, said tubes being adapted to slide relative to each other when the sump frame moves relative to the main frame such that the opening in the sidewall of the first tube always remains in communication with the fluid transfer zone, and fluid under pressure can flow steadily through one tube, the fluid transfer zone, and the other tube at all times.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a mining machine as recited in claim 5, the further improvement wherein the area of each of the openings in said tubes and the area of the cross section of the annular fluid transfer zone between said tubes are approximately equal such that there is no change in the pressure or flow rate of fluid flowing through the fluid conveying means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US732326A
Cited
US3209786A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |