Abstract: A mining machine that includes a rotor assembly disposed on a mobile frame. A cutter drum assembly includes an intermediate drum section and a pair of end drum sections. The end drum sections are drivingly connected by the intermediate drum section. The end drum sections include an axially fixed drum portion and a drum extension that is axially movable on the drive shaft to extend the length of the cutter drum assembly. A hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement is disposed in shafts supporting the end drum sections, and extends and retracts the drum extension with respect to the fixed drum portion. A torque transfer arrangement is disposed between the fixed and extension drum portions for mutual rotation.

Abstract: A mining machine that includes a rotor assembly disposed on a mobile frame. A cutter drum assembly includes an intermediate drum section and a pair of end drum sections. The end drum sections are drivingly connected by the intermediate drum section. The end drum sections include an axially fixed drum portion and a drum extension that is axially movable on the drive shaft to extend the length of the cutter drum assembly. A hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement is disposed in shafts supporting the end drum sections, and extends and retracts the drum extension with respect to the fixed drum portion. A torque transfer arrangement is disposed between the fixed and extension drum portions for mutual rotation.

Abstract: An extendable rotor arm for a mining machine includes a rotor arm having an end portion, a sleeve removably secured on at least part of the end portion, a rotor arm extension having an internal opening in which the sleeve and the end portion of the rotor arm are axially slidably received and nonrotatable, and a seal between an internal surface of the internal opening of the rotor arm extension and the sleeve. Methods of repairing an extendable rotor arm for a mining machine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prime mover of an underground mining machine is propelled by motor driven endless tracks that are operated in unison or independently to effect forward and reverse movement of the machine and turning of the machine. Drive is transferred to each track from a motor mounted in a traction case on each side of the machine to an input shaft through first and second stage planetary assemblies to a sprocket assembly that rotatably supports the respective tracks. A planetary carrier of the first stage planetary assembly is longitudinally movable under a spring force to apply a braking force through a brake disc to a brake plate extending from the input shaft. Fluid pressure in the traction case opposes the spring force to normally maintain the planetary carrier removed from braking engagement with the brake disc.

Abstract: A boom mounted cutter drum assembly of a continuous mining machine includes a center drum section, a pair of intermediate drum sections, and a pair of end drum sections. Spray nozzles on the cutting elements of the cutter drum assembly phasingly direct liquid spray at the mine face as mine material is dislodged to suppress dust and frictional ignition. Liquid for the spray nozzles is supplied on the mining machine through stationary annular housings positioned between the intermediate drum sections and the end drum sections. Water is conveyed through passageways in the annular housings to corresponding passageways in a sealing and valving assembly located in the end drum sections having stationary and rotating components. The gear case is surrounded on one side by a cat seal and on the other side by a lip seal to prevent liquid leakage from flowing into the gear case.

Abstract: A self-propelled boring type mining machine includes a mobile frame and a pair of spaced apart rotor drive shafts extending forwardly from the mobile frame. Rotary cutter arms are nonrotatably connected to the rotor drive shafts for cutting a pair of overlapping bores in a mine face to dislodge solid material. Cusps formed at the mine roof and floor are dislodged by upper and lower cutter drum assemblies pivotally mounted transversely on the frame front end portion. The lower cutter drum assembly includes an intermediate drum section separated by gaps from a pair of end drum sections. Gear cases extend into the gaps to rotatably support a transverse drive shaft that is drivingly connected to the intermediate and end drum sections. The centerlines of the gear cases are spaced inboard of the centerlines of the rotor drive shafts.

Abstract: A boom mounted cutter drum assembly of a continuous mining machine includes an intermediate drum section and a pair of end drum sections. Spray nozzles on the cutting elements of the cutter drum assembly direct liquid spray at the mine face as mine material is dislodged to suppress dust and frictional ignition. Liquid for the spray nozzles is supplied on the mining machine through a stationary housing positioned between the intermediate drum section and the end drum sections. Water is conveyed through ports in the housing to a rotary seal assembly having stationary and rotating components. The ports are sealed by O-rings which communicate with passageways that divert liquid leakage at the rotary seal assembly away from the gearcase. The rotary seal assembly is surrounded by lip seals in the gearcase to separate the liquid passageways to the spray nozzles from the lubricant supplied to the gearcase.

Abstract: A mining machine is controlled by a fiber optic controlled remote control system that includes one or more fiber optic cables that extend from a remote control station through a hose supplying water to the mining machine. The fiber optic cables exit the water hose for connection to electrically operated equipment onboard the mining machine. Connectors having sealing glands with apertures therethrough allow for insertion of the cables into the water hose and exiting of the cables from the hose at the mining machine while preventing the escape of water from the hose at the points of insertion and exiting. The fiber optic cable is supported and positioned for movement in the hose to relieve tension on the cable when the hose is stretched.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a material dislodging mechanism and a cascading conveyor system extending rearwardly on a mobile frame. The cascading conveyor system includes a fixed, main conveyor and a discharge conveyor underlying the main conveyor and pivotally connected to a stabilizer shoe of the machine for lateral swinging movement 90.degree. on either side of the longitudinal axis of the mining machine. The fixed conveyor and the discharge conveyor are in linear alignment in a first mode of operation. The discharge conveyor is also vertically pivotal on the stabilizer shoe to permit lateral and vertical displacement of the discharge conveyor relative to the main conveyor in a second mode of operation. A dust collecting system includes a longitudinal duct extending beneath the fixed, main conveyor with dual inlets extending above the tracks of the mining machine rearwardly of the dislodging mechanism.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine is provided with dual ductwork having reversible fans. The ductwork extends longitudinally along each side of the continuous mining machine. Each fan is positioned in a duct at the rear end of the frame of the mining machine. A crossover duct connects in fluid communication with longitudinally extending ducts. The crossover duct includes pivotal gates positioned adjacent to the connection of the crossover duct to the longitudinal ducts. Each of the longitudinal ducts includes a pivotal gate positioned between the connection of the crossover duct to the duct and the fan positioned in the duct. By selecting which gates are opened and closed the flow of air through the ducts can be directed to either side of the mining machine.

Abstract: A cylindrical drum assembly is rotatably mounted transversely on the front of the boom member of a continuous miner. The drum assembly comprises a pair of independently operable drum sections. Each drum section is driven through an input shaft connected to a motor. The drum sections may be connected by a coupler to form a unitary drum assembly which may be operated by only one of the motors. Torque is transmitted from the input shafts to a bevel gear rotatably supported in the drum section. The bevel gear is nonrotatably connected to a sun gear which in turn drives a plurality of planetary gears connected to a cylindrical planetary cage with a bore defining an inner surface. The cage is connected to a cylindrical inner housing on its outer surface and to an output shaft on its inner surface through a cylindrical shear coupler. A puller shaft is provided to remove the output shaft and the shear coupler.

Abstract: A self-propelled continuous mining machine which includes a mobile frame assembly having a material dislodging device, and a conveying system. A dust collecting system is positioned on the mobile frame assembly for inducing a flow of air through a duct system. As material is dislodged from a mine face, the dust collecting system draws airborne dust created by the dislodging device through the duct system and into the collecting system mounted on the mobile frame assembly. The duct system has two sets of vertical walls each connected to and spaced by a horizontal wall with one set of vertical walls fitting channel-like into the other set of vertical walls. The duct assembly has a gasket, seal or other means of preventing airborne dust from escaping through the two sets of vertical walls. The duct assembly is expandable to increase the capacity of the duct system.

Abstract: A self propelled continuous mining machine includes a mobile frame assembly having a first pivot point for a boom assembly or an end of a piston cylinder assembly and a second pivot point for pivotally connecting an end of a piston cylinder assembly or pivotally connecting an end portion of a lever member which may be interchangeably utilized to provide the continuous mining machine with boom assemblies of different cutting heights. The first pivot point is located at an elevation higher than the elevation of the second pivot point. This arrangement of interchangeable boom pivot points permits for low and high cutting height boom assemblies to be utilized with the same continuous mining machine.

Abstract: A self-propelled continuous mining machine includes a mobile frame assembly having a front end portion with a boom assembly pivotally retained thereon. A dust collecting system is positioned on the mobile frame assembly for inducing a flow of air through a hollow interior portion of the boom assembly. As a dislodging head removes material from a mine face, the dust collecting system draws airborne dust created by the dislodging head through a hollow interior of the boom assembly and into the collecting system mounted on the mobile frame assembly. Two portions of the boom assembly are pivotally connected to portions of the collecting system mounted on the mobile frame assembly to provide pivoting joints to allow the collecting system to draw airborne dust through the boom assembly with the boom assembly in any preselected position relative to the mobile frame assembly.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a frame with a material dislodging head mounted on the end of the frame. Ground engaging tracks propel the machine within a mine along the floor of the mine to advance the dislodging head into the face of the mine to dislodge material therefrom. Roof bolting apparatus is employed for installing roof bolts at predetermined locations in the roof of the mine above the mining machine. The roof bolting apparatus is supported by a drill pit which is positioned within the frame and movable relative to the frame. The roof bolting apparatus is arranged to install roof bolts at predetermined locations above the mining machine while the mining machine is being propelled through the mine to dislodge material from the mine face.

Abstract: A self-propelled continuous mining machine includes a mobile frame assembly having a front end portion with a boom assembly pivotally retained thereon. A dust collecting system is positioned on the mobile frame assembly for inducing a flow of air through a hollow interior portion of the boom assembly. As a dislodging head removes material from a mine face, the dust collecting system draws airborne dust created by the dislodging head through a hollow interior of the boom assembly and into the collecting system mounted on the mobile frame assembly. Two portions of the boom assembly are pivotally connected to portions of the collecting system mounted on the mobile frame assembly to provide pivoting joints to allow the collecting system to draw airborne dust through the boom assembly with the boom assembly in any preselected position relative to the mobile frame assembly.

Abstract: A self-propelled continuous mining machine includes a mobile frame assembly having a front end portion with a boom assembly pivotally retained thereon. The outer end portion of the boom assembly carries a dislodging head for removing material from a mine face. A plurality of connections pivotally connects the boom assembly to the mobile frame assembly. A dust collecting system is positioned on the mobile frame assembly for inducing a flow of air through a hollow interior portion of the boom assembly. As the dislodging head removes material from a mine face, the dust collecting system draws airborne dust created by the dislodging head through a hollow interior of the boom assembly and into the collecting system mounted on the mobile frame assembly.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a frame with a material dislodging head mounted on the end of the frame. Ground engaging tracks propel the machine within a mine along the floor of the mine to advance the dislodging head into the face of the mine to dislodge material therefrom. Roof bolting apparatus is employed for installing roof bolts at predetermined locations in the roof of the mine above the mining machine. The roof bolting apparatus is supported by a drill pit which is positioned within the frame and movable relative to the frame. The roof bolting apparatus is arranged to install roof bolts at predetermined locations above the mining machine while the mining machine is being propelled through the mine to dislodge material from the mine face.

Abstract: An improved material gathering device is for a mining machine or the like of the type which includes a mobile body supporting a mining head at a forward end thereof for dislodging material from a mine face. A gathering platform is on the mobile body adjacent and below the mining head for receipt of the dislodged material thereon. An endless conveyor extends longitudinally of the mobile body to convey the dislodged material away from the forward end to the rearward end of the mobile body. A pair of oscillating arms are on transversely opposite sides of the gathering platform and are driven by a gear train including a transversely extending shaft to cause the arms to feed the dislodged material onto the endless conveyor. The endless conveyor includes a sprocket and drive shaft at a forward end thereof to cause the endless conveyor to extend into the gathering platform to terminate near a forward edge thereof.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine includes a mobile body portion with a cutter drum member rotatably mounted on the front of a boom member which extends forwardly of the body portion. The cutter drum member has an intermediate drum section and a pair of canted end drum sections. Driven input shafts extend through openings between the intermediate section and the end drum sections. Each input shaft is drivingly connected to a first stage of a two stage planetary gear assembly which surrounds an end drum drive shaft that extends the length of each end drum section. A second stage of the planetary gear assembly is drivingly connected to and is axially aligned with the first stage to transmit rotation outwardly to the end of the end drum section. A shearable driving coupling is axially positioned on the end drum drive shaft at the end of the end drum section. An external portion of the drive coupling is connected to the second stage and an internal portion is connected to the end drum drive shaft.