Mining Machine and Method of Mining

Abstract

The invention provides a mining machine and a method of mining. The mining machine includes a body, an arm mounted on the body for angular displacement relative to the body, a mining head mounted on an end region of the arm for rotation relative to the end region of the arm, drive means for driving the mining head to rotate relative to the end region of the arm while the mining head is in abutment with a mining face, and drive means for driving the arm to displace angularly relative to the body, such that, in use, the arm can be driven to displace angularly relative to the body to sweep the mining head across a mining face while the mining head is driven to rotate and in abutment with the mining face, thereby to mine the mining face.

Description

[0001]The present invention relates to a mining machine. In particular, the invention relates to a method of mining and to a mining machine.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]It has been recognized for many years that mining machines greatly improve productivity in underground mines. For this purpose, continuous mining machines were developed fin particular for usage in coal mines. These mining machines utilize rotating teeth-faced drums or rotating borer heads that scrape coal from the seam.[0003]The inventors are aware of mining machines which date back to the early years of 1940. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,565,528 one particular example of such an early prior art mining machine is described.[0004]Another mining machine is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,560. A continuous mining machine is described having an elongated conveyor assembly for continuously conveying coal cut from a coal seam rearwardly away from the face of the coal seam being cut having a frame structure associated therewith. A ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a new mining machine and method that overcomes the disadvantages of current mining machines. The new mining machine includes an arm that can be driven to displace angularly relative to the body, and a mining head that can be driven to rotate relative to the end region of the arm. By driving the arm and mining head simultaneously, the machine can sweep the mining head across the mining face while maintaining contact with the mining face, resulting in more efficient mining. The new mining machine is also more versatile, as it can be used in different mining environments and can perform various mining tasks."

Problems solved by technology

A problem associated with this known prior art machine is that often the walls of the seam are not evenly scraped, as for example illustrated in FIG. 1 of the above disclosure.

A problem associated with this known prior art machine is that the machine experience large forces on the drum which have to be counter balanced by suitable anchoring of the machine to the ground.

Images