Abstract: A cutter bit assembly for use in underground mining, road grading, and the like includes a water spray assembly having a water nozzle in a first chamber that discharges a water spray through an air gap and into the open end of a second chamber facing the air gap. Air is drawn into the water spray entering the second chamber from the air gap to produce a finer spray that is discharged from a second open end of the second chamber. The water spray helps clear the second chamber of any dirt or debris drawn by the air into the second chamber.

Abstract: A cutter bit assembly for use in underground mining, road grading, and the like includes a water spray assembly having a water nozzle in a first chamber that discharges a water spray through an air gap and into the open end of a second chamber facing the air gap. Air is drawn into the water spray entering the second chamber from the air gap to produce a finer spray that is discharged from a second open end of the second chamber. The water spray helps clear the second chamber of any dirt or debris drawn by the air into the second chamber.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system for extraction of a mineral cutter pick (1), and optionally any interposed sleeve (19), the pick (1) comprises an elongate shank (4) extending from an enlarged head (2), has a piston (12) coaxial with the shank (4), with one end face (16) of the piston (12) subjectable to hydraulic pressure fluid, and with another, opposite end face (15) of the piston (12) capable of engaging an end face (5) of the shank (4), a sealing ring (14) to prevent passage of hydraulic fluid being carried by the piston (12), whereby axial movement of the piston (12), under hydraulic pressure, in turn axially displaces the pick (1), while further movement of the piston (12) results in extraction, if required, of sleeve (19).

Abstract: A water spray assembly for replaceable location in a receiving bore of a pick box, which pick box is also adapted to receive a replaceable mineral cutter pick, is constructed from two components. One component is a spray body and the other component is a co-axial spray nozzle. The two components are releasably connected together by screw threads, whereby the spray assembly may either be removed from or inserted into, its receiving bore as a whole, or alternatively as individual components.

Abstract: A cutting tool has a holder block and a sleeve. The sleeve includes a shank and an enlarged flange at an end of the shank. The sleeve shank is received in a hole in the holder block, with the flange against a surface of the holder block and the sleeve shank facing the holder hole wall. A first fillet extending between the holder bore wall and a second fillet extending between the sleeve shank and sleeve flange cooperatively form an annular flow passage for flow of water from the holder into the sleeve.

Abstract: A system for extraction of a mineral cutter pick (1), and optionally any interposed sleeve (19), the pick (1) comprises an elongate shank (4) extending from an enlarged head (2), has a piston (12) coaxial with the shank (4), with one end face (16) of the piston (12) subjectable to hydraulic pressure fluid, and with another, opposite end face (15) of the piston (12) capable of engaging an end face (5) of the shank (4), a sealing ring (14) to prevent passage of hydraulic fluid being carried by the piston (12), whereby axial movement of the piston (12), under hydraulic pressure, in turn axially displaces the pick (1), whilst further movement of the piston (12) results in extraction, if required, of sleeve (19).

Abstract: A cutting tool has a holder block and a sleeve. The sleeve includes a shank and an enlarged flange at an end of the shank. The sleeve shank is received in a hole in the holder block, with the flange against a surface of the holder block and the sleeve shank facing the holder hole wall. A first fillet extending between the holder bore wall and a second fillet extending between the sleeve shank and sleeve flange cooperatively form an annular flow passage for flow of water from the holder into the sleeve.

Abstract: A water spray assembly for replaceable location in a receiving bore of a pick box, which pick box is also adapted to receive a replaceable mineral cutter pick, is constructed from two components. One component is a spray body and the other component is a co-axial spray nozzle. The two components are releasably connected together by screw threads, whereby the spray assembly may either be removed from or inserted into, its receiving bore as a whole, or alternatively as individual components.

Abstract: An elongate water spray nozzle (8) for use with mining equipment, comprises a cylindrical body member (9) having a leading end (10) and a trailing end (11), with a circumferential groove (12) provided in the body member (9) towards the trailing end (11), the groove (12) housing firstly an inner, resiliently deformable ‘O’-ring (13), and secondly an outer, split spring steel latching ring (14), the ‘O’-ring (13) being resiliently operable on the steel ring (14) to bias the steel ring (14) concentrically with the longitudinal axis (15) of the nozzle (8). The invention also includes a pick box (6) provided with nozzles (8). The invention also includes a pick box provided with a nozzle (8), and a rotary cutting head provided with a plurality of such pick boxes.

Abstract: An elongate water spray nozzle (8) for use with mining equipment, comprises a cylindrical body member (9) having a leading end (10) and a trailing end (11), with a circumferential groove (12) provided in the body member (9) towards the trailing end (11), the groove (12) housing firstly an inner, resiliently deformable ‘O’-ring (13), and secondly an outer, split spring steel latching ring (14), the ‘O’-ring (13) being resiliently operable on the steel ring (14) to bias the steel ring (14) concentrically with the longitudinal axis (15) of the nozzle (8). The invention also includes a pick box (6) provided with nozzles (8). The invention also includes a pick box provided with a nozzle (8), and a rotary cutting head provided with a plurality of such pick boxes.

Abstract: A mounting member (1), for a mineral cutting apparatus (2), has an enlarged head (3) incorporating an annular seating shoulder (4), whilst a circular section pin (5) extends integrally from the head (3) and is adapted to be received in a circular section socket (11) of a pick box (12) and to be retained therein, a circumferential groove (16) being provided intermediate the ends of the pins (5) to receive a fluid sealing member (17), with a first portion (24) of the pin (5) being of such diameter that, in use, it is a slide fit within a pick box socket (11), and with a second portion (25) of the pin (5), being of such diameter that, in use, it is an interference fit within a a pick box socket (11). The invention also includes a pick box; a mounting member and a pick box combination; a drum for a mineral cutting apparatus; mineral cutting apparatus; a road planing machine; a mining machine, and a tunnelling machine.

Abstract: A push-in, prise-out, clip (1) for releasably retaining a replaceable water spray nozzle (2) in a receiving bore (3), comprises a plate-like member of suitable resilient material, generally of “V” or “U”-shape having “C”-shaped recess (6) subtending an arc greater than 180° and adapted, in use, to engage a correspondingly arcuate waist portion (7) of the water spray nozzle (2). The recess (6) is defined in part by arcuate profiles (8) on mutually facing, inner surfaces (9) of each arm (10) of the “V” or “U”, which arms (10) are adapted to splay apart resiliently during the fitting and the removal of a clip on the water spray nozzle (2), whilst a portion of the clip (1) is provided with a clip retraction surface (12). The invention also includes a water spray nozzle (2), a pick box (4), and a rotary mineral cutting head (36).

Abstract: A continuous type mining machine which includes a pair of articulated support arms extending forwardly from a self-propelled chassis and rotatably carrying a transverse drive shaft divided into two half-shafts, on which a central drum between the two arms, and an end drum beyond each arm, are mounted, the drums being provided externally with a plurality of replaceable mineral cutter picks, and with a plurality of water spray nozzles, and also having a water supply network to the nozzles. The machine includes a third support arm, which incorporates a water supply, located between the pair of articulated support arms.

Abstract: A water seal arrangement for use at a water transfer zone between a static member (2) and an associated rotary member (16) comprises a water delivery network (13) in the static member (2) including a water delivery port in fluid flow communication with a water receiving port of a water distribution network (12) in the rotary member (16), pairs of spaced-apart, circumferential seals (20) carried by the static or the rotary member (2 or 16), with each pair located to opposite sides of the ports (14), and in sealing engagement with a peripheral portion (22) of the rotary or static member (16 or 2); an oil supply network (27) to a zone (25) between each pair of seals (20), and an intensifier (30) to pressurize the oil of the oil supply network (27) to a higher pressure than the water pressure. Also, the water seal arrangement above includes a machine.

Abstract: A pick box (3) and sleeve (6) combination comprises a sleeve-receiving aperture (5) in the box (3), with the sleeve (6) located in the aperture (5) and adapted, in use, to receive the shank (17) of a mineral cutter pick (7). A zone (33) of differential area is provided between the external periphery of the sleeve (6) and the aperture (5). A fluid sealing ring (29) is located to each side of the zone (33) of differential area, and a hydraulic fluid entry bore (30) is located intermediate the two sealing rings (29) and is in fluid flow communication with the zone (33), whereby upon admission of hydraulic fluid under sufficient pressure to the zone (33) via the entry bore, the fluid, being confined by the sealing rings (29), effects hydraulic, axial displacement of the sleeve (6) with respect to the box (3). The invention also includes a mineral cutting drum (1) provided with a plurality of such pick and box combinations, and also to a machine provided with at least one such drum.