CA2947231C - Trim chain guard assemblies for a mining machine - Google Patents
Trim chain guard assemblies for a mining machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2947231C CA2947231C CA2947231A CA2947231A CA2947231C CA 2947231 C CA2947231 C CA 2947231C CA 2947231 A CA2947231 A CA 2947231A CA 2947231 A CA2947231 A CA 2947231A CA 2947231 C CA2947231 C CA 2947231C
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- machine
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- trim chain
- trim
- rotor arm
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- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 title description 4
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 title description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 47
- KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M Potassium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[K+] KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 6
- 229940072033 potash Drugs 0.000 claims description 6
- 235000015320 potassium carbonate Nutrition 0.000 claims description 6
- BWHMMNNQKKPAPP-UHFFFAOYSA-L potassium carbonate Substances [K+].[K+].[O-]C([O-])=O BWHMMNNQKKPAPP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000422980 Marietta Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008676 import Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21C—MINING OR QUARRYING
- E21C27/00—Machines which completely free the mineral from the seam
- E21C27/20—Mineral freed by means not involving slitting
- E21C27/24—Mineral freed by means not involving slitting by milling means acting on the full working face, i.e. the rotary axis of the tool carrier being substantially parallel to the working face
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21C—MINING OR QUARRYING
- E21C25/00—Cutting machines, i.e. for making slits approximately parallel or perpendicular to the seam
- E21C25/22—Machines slitting solely by one or more cutter chains moving unidirectionally along jibs
- E21C25/28—Chains or chain guides
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Shovels (AREA)
Abstract
A trim chain guard assembly mounted on a mining machine configured to protect the trim chain from mined material directed against the trim chain at at least one of the non-cutting sections along the trim chain path of travel. The present invention is also directed to miners comprising a trim chain and at least one rotor arm for breaking mined material away from a target surface. The mined material broken from the target surface is directed toward the trim chain thereby potentially damaging the trim chain. The miner further comprises a guard positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain blocking at least some of the mined material directed to the trim chain by the at least one rotor arm.
Description
TRIM CHAIN GUARD ASSEMBLIES FOR A MINING MACHINE
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to trim chain guards for a mining machine, and more specifically to guards that are positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain at at least some of its non-cutting sections.
Back2round of the Invention It is known in the art of mining that some potash mining machines (i.e., miners) use a trim chain to cut the outer profile of the mine drift that they are excavating. However, damage to the trim chain during operation has been a source of much down time and increased risk to safety of the operator and maintenance personnel.
A miner may comprise rotor arms for breaking mined material away from a target surface. The rotor arms are usually configured to direct the mined material broken from the target surface behind the rotor arms such that the material reaches a conveyer area. The trim chain typically travels behind the rotor arms and is thus vulnerable to the mined material being directed toward it by the rotor arms, causing the trim chain to break. Trim chain breakage could occur from the impact of the mined material against the trim chain or the material being forced against the trim chain causing the load on it to increase. There may be locations along a path of travel of the trim chain wherein the direction of travel of the trim chain opposes the direction in which rotor arms travel, causing greater vulnerability in the trim chain when mined material is directed towards it;
this is because the mined material may be directed towards the trim chain with a greater force, by the mined material either impacting or being pushed against the trim chain travelling in an opposed direction.
There may also be locations along the path of travel of the trim chain wherein the trim chain naturally has a high load. A greater vulnerability to the mined material directed towards the trim chain may also be present at these locations. For example, a high load may be present at certain locations along the path of travel of the trim chain that may be attributed to areas where the trim chain changes directions. This may occur in areas where the trim chain turns around a sprocket.
To reduce damage to a trim chain, a shear pin is typically used to lock the set of shear pin plates together such that the trim chain is engaged to the rotational force of the miner's motor and rotates upon actuation of the motor. When the chain is under a heavy load due to mined material being thrown by the rotor arms, the shear pin should ideally break every time without the trim chain breaking. However, the shear pin quite often does not break and the trim chain breaks instead. In this situation, mechanics need to be called out to the miner unit to repair the trim chain. This typically can take several hours depending on how long it takes mechanics to get to the machine, how long it takes to get the machine in place for them to work on it, and the extent of the damage. Repairing the trim chain can also be difficult since the chain may be very hot and heavy to lift. Sometimes the chain has to be taken apart into smaller sections to be able to lift these back into place.
Furthermore, every time the chain is broken there can be undetected damage to some of the unbroken chain portions because the unbroken chain portions have been subjected to the same force that caused the break. After a chain has been damaged, it often breaks more readily and typically a decision will be made to install a new chain.
All of the problems associated with breakage of the trim chain may result in significant down time, increased safety issues and additional costs to mine owners.
What is needed, therefore, is an improved means for protecting the trim chain, and avoiding trim change damage and personnel safety risks.
Summary of the Invention The present invention therefore seeks to provide trim chain guard assemblies that protect the trim chain from mined material directed towards it.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to trim chain guards for a mining machine, and more specifically to guards that are positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain at at least some of its non-cutting sections.
Back2round of the Invention It is known in the art of mining that some potash mining machines (i.e., miners) use a trim chain to cut the outer profile of the mine drift that they are excavating. However, damage to the trim chain during operation has been a source of much down time and increased risk to safety of the operator and maintenance personnel.
A miner may comprise rotor arms for breaking mined material away from a target surface. The rotor arms are usually configured to direct the mined material broken from the target surface behind the rotor arms such that the material reaches a conveyer area. The trim chain typically travels behind the rotor arms and is thus vulnerable to the mined material being directed toward it by the rotor arms, causing the trim chain to break. Trim chain breakage could occur from the impact of the mined material against the trim chain or the material being forced against the trim chain causing the load on it to increase. There may be locations along a path of travel of the trim chain wherein the direction of travel of the trim chain opposes the direction in which rotor arms travel, causing greater vulnerability in the trim chain when mined material is directed towards it;
this is because the mined material may be directed towards the trim chain with a greater force, by the mined material either impacting or being pushed against the trim chain travelling in an opposed direction.
There may also be locations along the path of travel of the trim chain wherein the trim chain naturally has a high load. A greater vulnerability to the mined material directed towards the trim chain may also be present at these locations. For example, a high load may be present at certain locations along the path of travel of the trim chain that may be attributed to areas where the trim chain changes directions. This may occur in areas where the trim chain turns around a sprocket.
To reduce damage to a trim chain, a shear pin is typically used to lock the set of shear pin plates together such that the trim chain is engaged to the rotational force of the miner's motor and rotates upon actuation of the motor. When the chain is under a heavy load due to mined material being thrown by the rotor arms, the shear pin should ideally break every time without the trim chain breaking. However, the shear pin quite often does not break and the trim chain breaks instead. In this situation, mechanics need to be called out to the miner unit to repair the trim chain. This typically can take several hours depending on how long it takes mechanics to get to the machine, how long it takes to get the machine in place for them to work on it, and the extent of the damage. Repairing the trim chain can also be difficult since the chain may be very hot and heavy to lift. Sometimes the chain has to be taken apart into smaller sections to be able to lift these back into place.
Furthermore, every time the chain is broken there can be undetected damage to some of the unbroken chain portions because the unbroken chain portions have been subjected to the same force that caused the break. After a chain has been damaged, it often breaks more readily and typically a decision will be made to install a new chain.
All of the problems associated with breakage of the trim chain may result in significant down time, increased safety issues and additional costs to mine owners.
What is needed, therefore, is an improved means for protecting the trim chain, and avoiding trim change damage and personnel safety risks.
Summary of the Invention The present invention therefore seeks to provide trim chain guard assemblies that protect the trim chain from mined material directed towards it.
- 2 -According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mining machine comprising a trim chain and at least one rotor arm for breaking mined material away from a target surface, the at least one rotor arm rotating in a first direction, wherein at a first location along a path of travel of the trim chain the trim chain travels in a second direction, such that the s mined material broken from the target surface by the at least one rotor arm is directed toward the trim chain at the first location, wherein the mining machine further comprises:
a guard member positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain at the first location to block at least some of the mined material directed by the at least one rotor arm.
Preferably, the guard member is mounted on the mining machine. The guard member may be of unitary construction. The guard member may comprise a two-piece assembly. The guard member may cover the trim chain at only the first location.
Preferably, the mining machine is a potash mining machine.
The at least one rotor arm may be a plurality of rotor arms, only some of which are rotating in the first direction.
In some exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the first and second directions are opposed at the first location. The first and second directions may be opposed where a path of travel of the at least one rotor arm is adjacent the path of travel of the trim chain at the first location.
The path of travel of the at least one rotor arm may be horizontally spaced from but vertically overlaps with the path of travel of the trim chain at the first location.
According to a second broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mining machine comprising a trim chain and at least one rotor arm for breaking mined material away from a target surface, wherein the trim chain has a path of travel comprising cutting sections for cutting into the target surface and non-cutting sections, such that the mined material broken from the target surface by the at least one rotor arm is directed toward the trim chain, wherein the mining machine further comprises:
a guard member positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain at the first location to block at least some of the mined material directed by the at least one rotor arm.
Preferably, the guard member is mounted on the mining machine. The guard member may be of unitary construction. The guard member may comprise a two-piece assembly. The guard member may cover the trim chain at only the first location.
Preferably, the mining machine is a potash mining machine.
The at least one rotor arm may be a plurality of rotor arms, only some of which are rotating in the first direction.
In some exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the first and second directions are opposed at the first location. The first and second directions may be opposed where a path of travel of the at least one rotor arm is adjacent the path of travel of the trim chain at the first location.
The path of travel of the at least one rotor arm may be horizontally spaced from but vertically overlaps with the path of travel of the trim chain at the first location.
According to a second broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mining machine comprising a trim chain and at least one rotor arm for breaking mined material away from a target surface, wherein the trim chain has a path of travel comprising cutting sections for cutting into the target surface and non-cutting sections, such that the mined material broken from the target surface by the at least one rotor arm is directed toward the trim chain, wherein the mining machine further comprises:
- 3 -a guard member positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain at at least one of the non-cutting sections to block at least some of the mined material directed by the at least one rotor arm.
Preferably, the guard member is mounted on the mining machine. The guard member may be of unitary construction. The guard member may comprise a two-piece assembly. The guard member may cover the trim chain only at the at least one of the non-cutting sections of the path of travel of the trim chain.
Preferably, the mining machine is a potash mining machine.
In some exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, a path of travel for the at least one rotor arm is between the target surface and the at least one of the non-cutting sections of the path of travel of the trim chain.
In some embodiments, the at least one rotor ann rotates in a first direction while the at least one of the non-cutting sections of the trim chain travels in a second direction.
The first and second directions may be opposed at the at least one of the non-cutting sections.
The at least one rotor arm may be a plurality of rotor arms.
In some exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the first and second directions are opposed where a path of travel of the at least one rotor arm is adjacent the path of travel of the trim chain at the at least one of the non-cutting sections.
In some exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the path of travel of the at least one rotor arm is horizontally spaced from but vertically overlaps with the path of travel of the trim chain at the at least one of the non-cutting sections.
A detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is given in the following. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be construed as being
Preferably, the guard member is mounted on the mining machine. The guard member may be of unitary construction. The guard member may comprise a two-piece assembly. The guard member may cover the trim chain only at the at least one of the non-cutting sections of the path of travel of the trim chain.
Preferably, the mining machine is a potash mining machine.
In some exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, a path of travel for the at least one rotor arm is between the target surface and the at least one of the non-cutting sections of the path of travel of the trim chain.
In some embodiments, the at least one rotor ann rotates in a first direction while the at least one of the non-cutting sections of the trim chain travels in a second direction.
The first and second directions may be opposed at the at least one of the non-cutting sections.
The at least one rotor arm may be a plurality of rotor arms.
In some exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the first and second directions are opposed where a path of travel of the at least one rotor arm is adjacent the path of travel of the trim chain at the at least one of the non-cutting sections.
In some exemplary embodiments of the first aspect, the path of travel of the at least one rotor arm is horizontally spaced from but vertically overlaps with the path of travel of the trim chain at the at least one of the non-cutting sections.
A detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is given in the following. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be construed as being
-4-limited to these embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are directed to a particular application of the present invention, while it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention has applicability beyond the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.
Brief Description of the Drawings In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention:
Figure I is a perspective view of a conventional miner with two rotor arms;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a conventional miner with four rotor arms;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a conventional miner with two rotor aims;
Figure 4a is a front perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4b is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4e is a bottom view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4d is an exploded view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4e is an exploded view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a front view of a miner;
Figure 6a is a front view of a rotor arm of a miner;
Brief Description of the Drawings In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention:
Figure I is a perspective view of a conventional miner with two rotor arms;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a conventional miner with four rotor arms;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a conventional miner with two rotor aims;
Figure 4a is a front perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4b is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4e is a bottom view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4d is an exploded view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4e is an exploded view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a front view of a miner;
Figure 6a is a front view of a rotor arm of a miner;
- 5 -Figure 6b is a front perspective view of an optional aspect of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6c is a side perspective view of a rotor mitt of a miner; and Figure 6d is a side perspective view of a modified rotor mitt of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well-known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. The following description of examples of the technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form of any exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
The present invention is directed to miners comprising a trim chain and at least one rotor arm for breaking mined material away from a target surface, such that the mined material broken from the target surface is directed toward the trim chain, wherein the miner further comprises a guard positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain blocking at least some of the mined material directed to the trim chain by the at least one rotor arm.
Typical miners that utilize a trim chain to cut the outer profile of a mine drift are shown in Figures 1 to 3. The miners illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 have two rotor arms 102, 302 for cutting into a mineable surface such as a potash face, while the miner in Figure 2 has four rotor arms 202. Miners 100, 200, 300 have a trim chain 104, 204, 304 for cutting the outer profile of a
Figure 6c is a side perspective view of a rotor mitt of a miner; and Figure 6d is a side perspective view of a modified rotor mitt of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well-known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. The following description of examples of the technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form of any exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
The present invention is directed to miners comprising a trim chain and at least one rotor arm for breaking mined material away from a target surface, such that the mined material broken from the target surface is directed toward the trim chain, wherein the miner further comprises a guard positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain blocking at least some of the mined material directed to the trim chain by the at least one rotor arm.
Typical miners that utilize a trim chain to cut the outer profile of a mine drift are shown in Figures 1 to 3. The miners illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 have two rotor arms 102, 302 for cutting into a mineable surface such as a potash face, while the miner in Figure 2 has four rotor arms 202. Miners 100, 200, 300 have a trim chain 104, 204, 304 for cutting the outer profile of a
- 6 -mine drift. Optionally, a miner may have multiple trim chains. Marietta (from National Mine) and Xcel (from PM&P) are continuous boring miners that are examples of such typical miners.
The present invention involves the use of trim chain guard assemblies to at least partially cover the trim chain, for blocking at least some of the mined material directed towards the trim chain by the rotor arms.
A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directed to a trim chain guard assembly that is mounted on a miner.
Turning to Figure 4a to 4e, a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A trim chain guard assembly 400 for a miner is shown. The assembly comprises a mounting plate 402 that may be mounted on the bottom bar of the miner (not shown) as close above the trim chain guide as possible. Mounting may occur by welding, however, a person skilled in the art would know of other means for mounting the plate 402 to the miner suitable for application to embodiments of the present invention. The mounting plate 402 may be mounted at different locations as described below. Mounting plate 402 may have a protrusion 404 on one end of it.
Preferably, the mounting plate 402 is mounted such that the protrusion 404 is oriented away from the direction the rotor arms are rotating. This is to provide additional support to the slide rail 406 (described below) since the slide rail 406 may be pushed towards that the protrusion 404 as mined material is directed it by the rotor arms. Optionally, mounting plate 402 may have a protrusion on both ends.
The assembly 400 also comprises a slide rail 406 that is mounted on the mounting plate 402 as illustrated in Figures 4a to 4e. It may be mounted by bolts 408 or other means known to a skilled person. The rail 406 is preferably removable so that it can replaced if needed. The slide rail 406 has a rail protrusion 410 that extends down the center of slide rail 406. The rail protrusion 410 extends above the trim chain when the assembly is mounted such that mined material is blocked from contacting the trim chain. The slide rail 406 causes mined material to slide along it while the material is moved along by a rotor arm and mined material is blocked from contacting the trim chain. Preferably, the assembly 400 is configured such that the rail protrusion 410 is as
The present invention involves the use of trim chain guard assemblies to at least partially cover the trim chain, for blocking at least some of the mined material directed towards the trim chain by the rotor arms.
A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directed to a trim chain guard assembly that is mounted on a miner.
Turning to Figure 4a to 4e, a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A trim chain guard assembly 400 for a miner is shown. The assembly comprises a mounting plate 402 that may be mounted on the bottom bar of the miner (not shown) as close above the trim chain guide as possible. Mounting may occur by welding, however, a person skilled in the art would know of other means for mounting the plate 402 to the miner suitable for application to embodiments of the present invention. The mounting plate 402 may be mounted at different locations as described below. Mounting plate 402 may have a protrusion 404 on one end of it.
Preferably, the mounting plate 402 is mounted such that the protrusion 404 is oriented away from the direction the rotor arms are rotating. This is to provide additional support to the slide rail 406 (described below) since the slide rail 406 may be pushed towards that the protrusion 404 as mined material is directed it by the rotor arms. Optionally, mounting plate 402 may have a protrusion on both ends.
The assembly 400 also comprises a slide rail 406 that is mounted on the mounting plate 402 as illustrated in Figures 4a to 4e. It may be mounted by bolts 408 or other means known to a skilled person. The rail 406 is preferably removable so that it can replaced if needed. The slide rail 406 has a rail protrusion 410 that extends down the center of slide rail 406. The rail protrusion 410 extends above the trim chain when the assembly is mounted such that mined material is blocked from contacting the trim chain. The slide rail 406 causes mined material to slide along it while the material is moved along by a rotor arm and mined material is blocked from contacting the trim chain. Preferably, the assembly 400 is configured such that the rail protrusion 410 is as
- 7 -close to the trim chain as possible to prevent mined material from contacting the trim chain.
Optionally, the rail protrusion is L-shaped so that it extends above the trim chain when the guard assembly is mounted and at least partially covers the front face of the trim chain.
-- In some embodiments, the rail protrusion 410 comprises breaker bits on the front surface of the protrusion 410 that faces the back of the rotor arms. This may facilitate the breakup of mined material broken from the target surface by the rotor arms that is directed toward the trim chain and guard assembly 400. There may be a breaker bit at the end of assembly 400 towards the direction from where mined material is directed from to also facilitate the breakup of mined material.
A person skilled in the art would know of other means for mounting the guard assembly 400 to the miner suitable for application to embodiments of the present invention.
Optionally, the guard assembly 400 may be of unitary construction. A miner may have more than one guard assembly -- 400 to protect the trim chain.
The guard assembly 400 may be mounted to the miner at any suitable location that may need protection. Preferably, the at least one guard assembly 400 is mounted in a manner to cover all or most of the areas where the trim chain does not cut and where the trim chain needs protection.
Turning to Figure 5, the front of a typical 2-rotor arm 504a, 504b miner 500 is illustrated. There may be locations 512 along a path of travel of the trim chain 502 wherein the direction of travel 506 of the trim chain 502 opposes the direction 510 in which the rotor arm 504b travels, causing greater vulnerability in the trim chain when mined material is directed towards it. This is because -- the mined material may be directed towards the trim chain 502 with a greater force, either by the mined material impacting or being pushed against the trim chain 502 which is travelling in an opposed direction. In some preferred embodiments, the guard assembly 400 is mounted to the miner at these locations 512. Preferably, the guard assembly 400 is mounted in a manner to cover these locations 512 where the trim chain does not cut.
Optionally, the rail protrusion is L-shaped so that it extends above the trim chain when the guard assembly is mounted and at least partially covers the front face of the trim chain.
-- In some embodiments, the rail protrusion 410 comprises breaker bits on the front surface of the protrusion 410 that faces the back of the rotor arms. This may facilitate the breakup of mined material broken from the target surface by the rotor arms that is directed toward the trim chain and guard assembly 400. There may be a breaker bit at the end of assembly 400 towards the direction from where mined material is directed from to also facilitate the breakup of mined material.
A person skilled in the art would know of other means for mounting the guard assembly 400 to the miner suitable for application to embodiments of the present invention.
Optionally, the guard assembly 400 may be of unitary construction. A miner may have more than one guard assembly -- 400 to protect the trim chain.
The guard assembly 400 may be mounted to the miner at any suitable location that may need protection. Preferably, the at least one guard assembly 400 is mounted in a manner to cover all or most of the areas where the trim chain does not cut and where the trim chain needs protection.
Turning to Figure 5, the front of a typical 2-rotor arm 504a, 504b miner 500 is illustrated. There may be locations 512 along a path of travel of the trim chain 502 wherein the direction of travel 506 of the trim chain 502 opposes the direction 510 in which the rotor arm 504b travels, causing greater vulnerability in the trim chain when mined material is directed towards it. This is because -- the mined material may be directed towards the trim chain 502 with a greater force, either by the mined material impacting or being pushed against the trim chain 502 which is travelling in an opposed direction. In some preferred embodiments, the guard assembly 400 is mounted to the miner at these locations 512. Preferably, the guard assembly 400 is mounted in a manner to cover these locations 512 where the trim chain does not cut.
- 8 -There may also be locations along the path of travel of the trim chain 502 wherein the trim chain naturally has a high load. A greater vulnerability to the mined material directed towards the trim chain may be present at these locations. For example, a high load may be present at certain locations 512 along the path of travel of the trim chain that may be a attributed to areas where the -- trim chain changes directions. In some preferred embodiments, the at least one guard assembly 400 is mounted to the miner at these locations 512. Preferably, the guard assembly 400 is mounted in a manner to cover these locations 512 where the trim chain does not cut.
Turning to Figure 6a, the front view of a rotor arm 600 is illustrated. The rotor arm 600 shown -- has three mitts 602. As shown in Figures 6c and 6d, each mitt 602 has a cutting face 604, a leading edge 606 and a backside slope 608. The backside slope 608 of the mitt 602 tends to direct the mined material toward the area where trim chain or guard assembly 400 would be.
The miners according to the present invention may be modified such that the back slope 608 of the rotor arm mitts 602 are squared off so that they tend to carry the mined material past the area -- behind the rotor arms without putting excessive force against the trim chain or guard assembly 400. As shown in Figures 6b and 6d, a panel 610 is mounted to the backside slope 608 causing it to be squared off at an edge of the mitt 602. This may potentially increase the guard assembly's 400 lifetime, A person skilled in the art would know of various assemblies suitable for application to embodiments of the present invention.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims;
= "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to -- an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".
= "connected", "coupled", or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof.
= "herein", "above", "below", and words of similar import, when used to describe this -- specification shall refer to this specification as a whole and not to any particular portions of this specification.
Turning to Figure 6a, the front view of a rotor arm 600 is illustrated. The rotor arm 600 shown -- has three mitts 602. As shown in Figures 6c and 6d, each mitt 602 has a cutting face 604, a leading edge 606 and a backside slope 608. The backside slope 608 of the mitt 602 tends to direct the mined material toward the area where trim chain or guard assembly 400 would be.
The miners according to the present invention may be modified such that the back slope 608 of the rotor arm mitts 602 are squared off so that they tend to carry the mined material past the area -- behind the rotor arms without putting excessive force against the trim chain or guard assembly 400. As shown in Figures 6b and 6d, a panel 610 is mounted to the backside slope 608 causing it to be squared off at an edge of the mitt 602. This may potentially increase the guard assembly's 400 lifetime, A person skilled in the art would know of various assemblies suitable for application to embodiments of the present invention.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims;
= "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to -- an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".
= "connected", "coupled", or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof.
= "herein", "above", "below", and words of similar import, when used to describe this -- specification shall refer to this specification as a whole and not to any particular portions of this specification.
- 9 -= "or", in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list, = the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" also include the meaning of any appropriate plural forms.
Words that indicate directions such as "vertical", "transverse", "horizontal", "upward", "downward", "forward", "backward", "inward", "outward", "vertical", "transverse", "left", "right", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "below", "above", "under", and the like, used in this description and any accompanying claims (where present) depend on the specific orientation of the apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not strictly defined and should not be interpreted narrowly.
Where a component (e.g. a circuit, module, assembly, device, etc.) is referred to herein, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a "means") should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Specific examples of methods and apparatus have been described herein for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided herein can be applied to contexts other than the exemplary contexts described above. Many alterations, modifications, additions, omissions and permutations are possible within the practice of this invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled person, including variations obtained by: replacing features, elements and/or acts with equivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing and matching of features, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combining features, elements and/or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements and/or acts of other technology; and/or omitting combining features, elements and/or acts from described embodiments.
Words that indicate directions such as "vertical", "transverse", "horizontal", "upward", "downward", "forward", "backward", "inward", "outward", "vertical", "transverse", "left", "right", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "below", "above", "under", and the like, used in this description and any accompanying claims (where present) depend on the specific orientation of the apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not strictly defined and should not be interpreted narrowly.
Where a component (e.g. a circuit, module, assembly, device, etc.) is referred to herein, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a "means") should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Specific examples of methods and apparatus have been described herein for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided herein can be applied to contexts other than the exemplary contexts described above. Many alterations, modifications, additions, omissions and permutations are possible within the practice of this invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled person, including variations obtained by: replacing features, elements and/or acts with equivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing and matching of features, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combining features, elements and/or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements and/or acts of other technology; and/or omitting combining features, elements and/or acts from described embodiments.
- 10 -The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments set forth in the foregoing, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole.
-11-
Claims (21)
1. A mining machine comprising a trim chain for cutting an outer profile of a mine drift and at least one rotor arm for breaking mined material away from a target surface, the at least one rotor arm rotating in a first direction, wherein at a first location along a path of travel of the trim chain the trim chain travels in a second direction, the mined material broken from the target surface by the at least one rotor arm is directed toward the trim chain at the first location, wherein the mining machine further comprises:
a guard member positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain at the first location to block at least some of the mined material directed by the at least one rotor arm, wherein the first and second directions are opposed at the first location.
a guard member positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain at the first location to block at least some of the mined material directed by the at least one rotor arm, wherein the first and second directions are opposed at the first location.
2. The mining machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one rotor arm comprises only two or four rotor arms.
3. The machine of claim 1 or 2 wherein the guard member is of unitary construction.
4. The machine of claim 1 or 2 wherein the guard member comprises a two-piece assembly.
5. The machine of claim 1 or 2 wherein the guard member is mounted on the ruining machine.
6. The machine of claim 1 or 2 wherein the guard member covers the trirn chain at only the first location.
7. The machine of claim 1 or 2 wherein the mining machine is a potash mining machine.
8. The machine of claim 1 or 2 wherein the at least one rotor arm is a plurality of rotor arms, only some of which are rotating in the first direction.
9. The machine of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first and second directions are opposed where a path of travel of the at least one rotor arm is adjacent the path of travel of the trim chain at the first location.
10. The machine of claim 1 or 2 wherein a path of travel of the at least one rotor arm is horizontally spaced from but vertically overlaps with the path of travel of the trirn chain at the first location.
11. A mining machine comprising a trim chain for cutting an outer profile of a mine drift and at least one rotor arm for breaking ruined material away from a target surface, wherein the trim chain has a path of travel comprising cutting sections for cutting into the target surface and non-cutting sections, the mined material broken from the target suiface by the at least one rotor arm is directed toward the trim chain, wherein the mining machine further comprises:
a guard member positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain at at least one of the non-cutting sections to block at least some of the mined material directed by the at least one rotor arm, wherein the at least one rotor arm rotates in a first direction and at the at least one of the non-cutting sections the trim chain travels in a second direction, and wherein the first and second directions are opposed at the at least one of the non-cutting sections.
a guard member positioned to at least partially cover the trim chain at at least one of the non-cutting sections to block at least some of the mined material directed by the at least one rotor arm, wherein the at least one rotor arm rotates in a first direction and at the at least one of the non-cutting sections the trim chain travels in a second direction, and wherein the first and second directions are opposed at the at least one of the non-cutting sections.
12. The mining machine of claim I 1 wherein the at least one rotor arm comprises only two or four rotor arms.
13. The machine of claim 11 or 12 wherein the guard member is of unitary construction.
14. The machine of claim 11 or 12 wherein the guard member comprises a two-piece assembly.
15. The machine of claim 11 or 12 wherein a path of travel for the at least one rotor arm is between the target surface and the at least one of the non-cutting sections of the path of travel of the trim chain.
16. The machine of claim 11 or 12 wherein the guard member is mounted on the mining machine.
17. The machine of claim 11 or 12 wherein the guard member covers the trim chain at only the at least one of the non-cutting sections of the path of travel of the trirn chain.
18. The machine of claim 11 or 12 wherein the mining machine is a potash mining machine.
19. The machine of claim 11 or 12 wherein the at least one rotor arm is a plurality of rotor arms.
20. The machine of claim 11 or 12 wherein a path of travel of the at least one rotor arm is adjacent the path of travel of the trim chain at the at least one of the non-cutting sections.
21. The machine of claim 11 or 12 wherein a path of travel of the at least one rotor arm is horizontally spaced from but vertically overlaps with the path of travel of the trim chain at the at least one of the non-cutting sections.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2947231A CA2947231C (en) | 2016-11-02 | 2016-11-02 | Trim chain guard assemblies for a mining machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2947231A CA2947231C (en) | 2016-11-02 | 2016-11-02 | Trim chain guard assemblies for a mining machine |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2947231A1 CA2947231A1 (en) | 2018-05-02 |
| CA2947231C true CA2947231C (en) | 2021-03-02 |
Family
ID=62068352
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2947231A Active CA2947231C (en) | 2016-11-02 | 2016-11-02 | Trim chain guard assemblies for a mining machine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2947231C (en) |
-
2016
- 2016-11-02 CA CA2947231A patent/CA2947231C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2947231A1 (en) | 2018-05-02 |
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