Core Breaker With Dust Suppression System
A core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core. The core breaker includes an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums. In one aspect, the elongate support includes a channel formed therein. The core breaker further includes a plurality of tool components attached to the elongate support. The core breaker also includes a plurality of spray nozzles positioned adjacent to the tool components. In one aspect, the plurality of spray nozzles each have a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent an outer surface of the elongate support. The tool components may be, for example, a breaker wedge or a cutting tool such as a conical bit.
Latest Kennametal Inc. Patents:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/099,322 filed Sep. 23, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention pertains to a core breaker for use with an earth strata cutting assembly such as, for example, a continuous mining machine. More specifically, the invention pertains to a core breaker for use with such an earth strata cutting assembly wherein the core breaker incorporates a dust suppression system.
BACKGROUNDAs mentioned above, one example of an earth strata cutting assembly is a continuous mining machine. A continuous mining machine typically includes a plurality of rotatable cutting drums that are advanced so as to engage the earth strata (e.g., coal in a sediment layer) and cut or rip the same into fragments. U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,679 to Amoroso shows a continuous mining machine. The earth strata (e.g., coal) that is cut or ripped from the coal layer falls onto the floor of the mine, and is then handled in a suitable fashion so that it is removed from the vicinity of the continuous mining machine In a typical continuous mining machine, the cutting drums are spaced apart so that they do not cut across the entire face of the vein. Thus, after completion of the cutting by the cutting drums, there remains a volume of earth strata (e.g. coal) that needs to be removed in order for the continuous mining machine to continue to advance in the cutting operation. In order to remove the remaining earth strata, a core breaker is positioned between each one of the adjacent cutting drums whereby the core breaker includes a plurality of tool components, e.g. cutting tools or breaker wedges that impinge upon the remaining volume of coal so as to break it into fragments.
In operation of the core breaker to break the coal from the coal face, a substantial amount of coal dust is generated, as well as gases are released into the surrounding air. When the coal dust becomes airborne and the gases are released into the surrounding air, it becomes a risk for humans and equipment in the immediate area. For example, the coal dust and gases can be inhaled by humans (health risk) or the coal dust and gases can be ignited by mining activities causing an explosion (safety risk).
SUMMARYAn aspect of the present invention is to provide a core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core. The core breaker includes an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums. In one aspect, the elongate support includes a channel formed therein. The core breaker further includes a plurality of tool components attached to the elongate support. The core breaker also includes a plurality of spray nozzles positioned adjacent to the tool components. In one aspect, the plurality of spray nozzles each have a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent an outer surface of the elongate support. The tool components may be, for example, a breaker wedge or a cutting tool such as a conical bit.
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core. The core breaker includes an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums, wherein the elongate support includes a channel formed therein. The core breaker further includes a plurality of breaker wedges attached to the elongate support. Each of the breaker wedges include an outlet opening fowled therein. The core breaker further includes a plurality of spray nozzles each having a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent the respective outlet openings formed in each of the breaker wedges.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core. The core breaker includes an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums and a plurality of tool components attached to the elongate support. The core breaker further includes means for suppressing dust and/or dispersing airborne gases during operation of the core breaker. Advantageously, suppressing dust and dispersing gases generated during a cutting action assists in moving ventilation air around the machine and work environment.
These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from the following drawings and detailed description.
Referring to the drawings,
Referring to
As illustrated in
The inlet opening 48 provides for a dust suppression material to be inserted into the channel 42. In one aspect of the invention, the dust suppression material may be, for example, a liquid such as water. However, it will be appreciated that other types of liquids or other types of materials suitable for dust suppression may be used in accordance with the invention. In addition, it will be appreciated that the material used for dust suppression may also provide the additional benefit of dispersing gases generated during a cutting action. Advantageously, suppressing dust and/or dispersing gases generated during a cutting action assists in moving ventilation air around the machine and work environment and, thus, reducing the possibility of a hazardous environment.
Referring to
As shown in
As described herein, the spray nozzles 52 and 60 illustrated in
The implementation described above and other implementations are within the scope of the described invention and the following claims.
Claims
1. A core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata and wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced-apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core, the core breaker comprising:
- an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums;
- a plurality of tool components attached to the elongate support; and
- a plurality of first spray nozzles positioned adjacent to the tool components.
2. The core breaker of claim 1, wherein the elongate support includes a channel formed therein.
3. The core breaker of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first spray nozzles each include a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent an outer surface of the elongate support.
4. The core breaker of claim 3, wherein the plurality of tool components are breaker wedges.
5. The core breaker of claim 4, wherein each of the breaker wedges includes an outlet opening formed therein.
6. The core breaker of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of second spray nozzles each having a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent the respective outlet openings formed in each of the breaker wedges.
7. The core breaker of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tool components are breaker wedges.
8. The core breaker of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tool components are cutting tools.
9. A core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata and wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced-apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core, the core breaker comprising:
- an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums, the elongate support including a channel formed therein;
- a plurality of breaker wedges attached to the elongate support, each of the breaker wedges including an outlet opening formed therein; and
- a plurality of first spray nozzles each having a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent the respective outlet openings formed in each of the breaker wedges.
10. The core breaker of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of second spray nozzles positioned adjacent to the breaker wedges, wherein the plurality of second spray nozzles each include a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent an outer surface of the elongate support.
11. A core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata and wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced-apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core, the core breaker comprising:
- an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums;
- a plurality of tool components attached to the elongate support; and
- means for suppressing dust and/or dispersing airborne gases during operation of the core breaker.
12. The core breaker of claim 11, wherein the means for suppressing dust and/or dispersing airborne gases comprises:
- a channel formed in the elongate support; and
- a plurality of first spray nozzles positioned adjacent to the tool components, wherein the plurality of first spray nozzles each include a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent an outer surface of the elongate support.
13. The core breaker of claim 11, wherein the plurality of tool components are cutting tools.
14. The core breaker of claim 11, wherein the plurality of tool components are breaker wedges.
15. The core breaker of claim 14, wherein the means for suppressing dust and/or dispersing airborne gases further comprises:
- an outlet opening formed in each of the breaker wedges; and
- a plurality of second spray nozzles each having a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent the respective outlet openings formed in the breaker wedges.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 17, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 23, 2010
Applicant: Kennametal Inc. (Latrobe, PA)
Inventors: Donald E. Keller (Bedford, PA), Johan Bester (Boksburg)
Application Number: 12/561,518
International Classification: E21C 27/24 (20060101); E21C 35/187 (20060101);