Tunnel support installation apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus to install structural supports in a mine tunnel is conveniently mountable on a mining machine having a cutting head mounted at one end of a boom. An extendable and slewing manipulator arm of the apparatus is mounted on a support platform that is slidable in the axial forward and rearward direction and includes a grasping device to hold the structural supports in a plurality of different positions.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to apparatus to install structural supports in a mine tunnel and in particular, although not exclusively, to a mining machine mounted assembly having an extendable arm to transport and hold the supports for attachment to the tunnel roof or walls.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Mobile mining machines have been developed to provide both direct cutting at the rock face and rapid road and tunnel development within the mine. Typically, a mobile tunnel development machine comprises a rotatable cutting head having bits provided on rotating drums to break the rock face. The cutting head is mounted at a movable boom to create the tunnel with the desired width and height. As the cutting head is rotated and advanced into the face, extracted material is gathered by a gathering head and conveyed rearwardly via machine mounted conveying apparatus.[0003]To secure the tunnel as the mining machine is advanced, it is common to support the roof and walls with ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The objectives are provided via the present apparatus in which an extendable roof support manipulator arm and optionally a personnel working platform are movably mounted relative to a fixed base. Accordingly an assembly is provided of reduced weight relative to existing manipulator assemblies that offers a greatly extended range of movement of the manipulator arm. Such an arrangement provides for the efficient and reliable carriage and support of roof and wall lining members. Additionally where the apparatus comprises a working platform personnel are enabled to access a greater range of locations at the raised and forward position of the mining machine in close proximity to the roof and wall where the support members are to be affixed.

[0024]Preferably, the mining machine further comprises a cutting boom pivotally mounted at a mainframe and configured to support and allow a raising and lowering of a rotatable cutting head provided at a forward end of the machine. Preferably, the base is mounted on the mainframe such that the working platform is positionable substantially vertically above the cutting boom and / or the cutting head. The sliding guiderail is advantageous to greatly extend the range of travel of the extendable arm and working platform in the forward and rearward direction by providing a telescopic sliding support arrangement for the arm and working platform. In the fully extended position the guiderail is cantilever mounted at the base via a plurality of guiderail support mounts. Preferably, the apparatus comprises at least two and preferably at least four support mounts positioned approximately at each corner of the base so as to provide an effective cantilever mounting of the guiderail. Accordingly, the weight of the support platform, the extendable arm and working platform may be transferred reliably by a guiderail to the underlying base when moved to it fully forwardmost position.

Problems solved by technology

However, conventional mining machine arrangements are disadvantageous for a number of reasons.

Due to the positional and movement limitations of such personnel working platforms, mounted at the machine, it is often difficult for the personnel to work safely and comfortably for sustained periods.

Existing structural support manipulators are therefore heavy and add considerable load and stress to the machine frame and motor.

In particular, it is not uncommon for parts of the machine frame or components of the motor to crack due to stress concentrations when supporting the considerable mass of the manipulator assembly.

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