Disk Cutter Assembly With Adjustable Tool Orientation for Confined Mining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mining equipment used above ground is not suitable for confined subterranean environments, necessitating a compact and versatile cutting assembly for extracting rock formations both above and below ground.
Innovation Solution
A cutting assembly comprising a base unit with moveable support arms, a drive spindle, and disk cutters with cutting elements and tool holders, allowing for adjustable cutting orientations and tool configurations to accommodate various rock formations, including the use of polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDCs) for enhanced cutting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mining equipment is used above ground, then cutting power and extraction capability are sufficient, but the equipment size and complexity make it unsuitable for confined subterranean environments
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting assembly is divided into modular components including a base unit, moveable support arms, drive spindles, and disk cutters with replaceable tool holders. This segmentation allows the equipment to be configured for different mining environments while maintaining cutting effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting assembly is designed with universal applicability through adjustable support arms that can position disk cutters at various orientations, and tool holders that can accommodate different cutting element types (PDC, tungsten carbide, diamond) for different rock formations, enabling the same equipment to operate both above and below ground.
2Productivity
If the cutting assembly uses fixed tool holders, then structural simplicity is maintained, but cutting efficiency and adaptability to different rock formations are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holders are designed to be adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the cutting elements to be positioned at optimal angles for different rock formations. The support arms can be moved to various positions to accommodate different cutting orientations, enhancing cutting efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting assembly allows changing of cutting parameters by replacing cutting elements with different materials (PDC for soft rock, tungsten carbide for medium hardness, diamond for hard rock) and adjusting the orientation of tool holders and support arms to optimize cutting performance for specific rock conditions.
3Productivity
If cutting elements are oriented radially outwardly from the cutter body, then structural simplicity is maintained, but cutting performance and rock formation adaptability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seat orientation of each cutting element is specifically configured based on its position and the intended cutting application. Rather than uniform radial orientation, cutting elements can be angled to optimize cutting performance for different rock formations and cutting directions, with the seat geometry tailored to each specific cutting element's function.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a cutting assembly for mining or extraction. The cutting assembly comprises a circular disk cutter (18). Cutting elements are arranged around a circumferential surface of the disk cutter, each seated in a tool holder (24). The orientation of the seat is such that the cutting element (22) points tangentially in or towards the intended direction of rotation.