Mineral Cutter Pick Heel Nozzle Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mineral cutter pick systems face issues with pick retention and protection, leading to potential exposure and damage of the water spray nozzle during mining operations, particularly due to failure of retention systems and accidental strikes, which compromises the effectiveness of air flow and methane dilution.
Innovation Solution
A mineral cutter pick with an elongate shank and heel featuring a through hole with upwardly inclined cheeks for nozzle protection, combined with a block having a circular aperture and transverse holes for a U-shaped latching system, ensuring secure pick retention and nozzle protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a through hole in the heel with upwardly inclined cheeks is provided for water spray nozzle protection, then the nozzle is protected from exposure and damage, but the pick structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The water spray nozzle is nested within the heel structure of the pick. The heel contains a recessed aperture that receives and protects the nozzle, with the nozzle head projecting into the through hole but remaining protected by the heel structure. This nesting arrangement protects the nozzle while integrating it into the pick's existing structure.
2Reliability
If a U-shaped latching system with transverse holes is used for secure pick retention, then pick loss and damage are prevented, but the block and pick structures become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system is segmented into separate components: the block contains transverse holes, the pick contains corresponding holes, and a separate U-shaped staple provides the latching function. This segmentation allows each component to remain relatively simple while achieving secure retention through their combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped staple acts as an intermediary element that connects the block and pick. It passes through aligned holes in both components and engages with retention features, providing secure pick retention without requiring complex integrated structures in either the block or pick.
3Reliability
If water spray system is used for air flow induction and methane dilution, then mining safety is improved, but the system becomes more complex and prone to nozzle damage
Solution Approach 1:
The water spray nozzle is nested within the heel structure, which provides physical protection. The heel's recessed aperture and surrounding structure shield the nozzle from direct exposure to debris and mechanical damage while still allowing water spray discharge for air flow induction and methane dilution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances air flow and methane dilution by creating finer water droplets, reduces the risk of nozzle exposure, and provides a secure latching mechanism to prevent pick loss and damage, thereby improving operational safety and efficiency in mineral mining.
Implementation Method 1
The emission of a spray of water, into, along and eventually from, the through hole of the heel induces an air flow, which is beneficial firstly in the creation of finer water droplets to suppress or control any propensity for incendive sparking
Implementation Method 2
the provision of an array of water sprays to induce an air flow from the goaf or gob side to the face side of the drum
Implementation Method 3
beneficial firstly in the creation of finer water droplets to suppress or control any propensity for incendive sparking or ignition in a zone immediately behind the pick head, and secondly for the dilution of methane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A water spray system particularly, but no exclusively, for mineral mining, comprising a pick (1) having an integral shank (4) by which it is releasably receivable in an aperture (17) of a block (16), a heel (7) extending rearwardly from the pick (1), a hole (9) passing through the heel (7) and a pair of spaced-apart cheeks extending beyond the hole, a spray nozzle (24) received in a bore (22) of the block (16) with a head (25) of the nozzle projection above an upper surface of the block (16) to a location between the cheeks (8), with a water discharge orifice of the head (25) so located beneath the heel (7) and with respect to the through hole (9) of the heel (7) that water discharged from the orifice into the through hole and exiting the through hole induces an air flow wholly or partially through the through hole. Other aspects of the invention are the pick (1), the block (6), a releasable latching system, and a drivable member.