TOOL SYSTEM AND TOOL FOR MINING MACHINE
A tool system for a mining machine. The tool comprises a tool holder (12) and a cutting tool pick (14) with a cutting tip (16). The mounting end of the tool comprises a tapered shank (18) in a corresponding tapered socket (20) of the tool holder (12). There may be a wear plate (24) situated between the tool holder (12) and the tool (14). There may be further removable wear plates (30) positioned between the tool holder and the tool in the shank region, these wear plates may have lateral projections (29) engaging corresponding recesses (32) in the shank region of the body (12). All these wear plates may be sacrificial and are able to be replaced upon wear, thus less damage will occur to the shank region of the tool or the holder body. The tool assembly may further include a pin (42) which can engage both the tool and holder by extending through aligned openings, opening (40) in the tool holder and opening (38) in the tool. The pin may be resiliently held in place. A spray unit (25) extends through the wear part (24) and has an outlet (25a) to direct fluid toward the cutting tip (16).
The present application is related to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2010901134, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by way of reference.
The present disclosure relates to a tool system for mining machines. The tool system has been developed primarily for use in longwall coal mining machines and iron ore mining machines. However, it will be appreciated that the tool system may also be used in other mineral winning machines, or indeed in excavation equipment, such as road headers, surface miners, continuous miners or tunnel boring machines.
Tool systems in known longwall coal mining machines are mounted on a shearer drum comprising a barrel around which extends a helical vane. The tool system is mounted on a radially outer edge of the helical vane and faceplate.
Tool systems in known iron ore mining machines are mounted directly on the cutterhead, commonly in a generally helical pattern along the length of the drum.
The tool system in known mining machines may include a spray unit for directing water toward a cutting end of the cutting tool. The spray unit is either threadedly engaged to a heel of the cutting tool or to the tool holder, or may be retained by a retaining device. A problem with known tool system however, is that the spray unit can blow out of engagement with the cutting tool or tool holder due to high spray water pressure or loss of the spray retaining device. Further, in embodiments where the spray unit is incorporated into the tool holder, the area around the spray unit is worn by the action of the base of the tool during operation of the mining machine.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a tool system for a mining machine, the tool system comprising:
a tool holder;
a tool having a cutting end for winning mineral from an ore body and a mounting end, the mounting end being adapted for engagement with the tool holder for securing the tool to the tool holder;
a set of removable plates having different lateral dimensions, each of the plates being engageable between the tool holder and the tool, such that a said plate of larger lateral dimension may be installed as the mounting end of the tool wears to take up an increased space between the mounting end and the tool holder caused by the tool wear.
The plates may each comprise a first lateral projection engageable with a corresponding first lateral indent on one of the tool holder and the tool. The plates may each be fastenable to one of the tool holder and tool. The first lateral projection may be resiliently snap-lockingly engageable with the first lateral indent. The removable plates may be engageable with a lateral edge of the mounting end of the tool.
The tool holder may include a socket for engagement by the mounting end of the tool. The mounting end of the tool may comprise a shank.
A second lateral projection may be provided on one of the tool holder and the tool, the second lateral projection being engageable with the other of the tool holder and the tool. The second lateral projection may be integrally formed in one piece construction with a body of the tool holder or may be in the form of a projection mounted to the tool holder. The second lateral projection may be provided on an opposite lateral side of the mounting portion of the tool to the first lateral projection.
A first laterally extending opening may be provided in the mounting end of the tool, the first opening being aligned with a second lateral opening in the tool holder when the tool is engaged in the tool holder, the second opening being open to an external surface of the tool holder, such that a pin may be engaged in both the first and second openings to secure the tool in the tool holder.
A pin may be resiliently slidably engaged in an opening in the tool holder and biased into engagement with an opening in the tool to secure the tool in the tool holder.
A recess may be defined by a space formed between the tool and the tool holder when the tool and the tool holder are engaged and a wear part may be adapted for engagement with the recess so as to be positioned between the tool holder and the tool. The wear part may be formed of a material that is less wear resistant than the tool holder, such that the wear part wears sacrificially to reduce wear of the tool holder. The wear part may be formed of a material that is more wear resistant than the tool, such that the tool wears sacrificially to reduce wear of the wear part. The wear part may be formed from a plastics material or from steel. The recess, and therefore the wear part, may be located adjacent a heel end of the tool. A spray unit may be engageable in an opening in the wear part and may have a outlet to direct fluid from the spray unit toward the cutting end of the tool. The spray unit may extend at least partially into a bore in the tool holder. A first laterally extending groove may be provided in the tool holder adjacent the bore and may align with a corresponding second laterally extending groove on the spray unit. The first and second grooves may together define a laterally extending opening for receiving a pin to lock the spray unit in the bore.
A line of weakness may be provided in the tool to define a predetermined failure point. The line of weakness may extend laterally across the tool. The line of weakness may be in the form of a groove in the tool. The line of weakness may be positioned so as to facilitate failure of the tool at a location that does not unduly inhibit removal of the tool from the tool, holder. The tool may comprise a laterally extending flange that is engageable by a lever to facilitate removal of the tool from the tool holder. The line of weakness may be positioned above the laterally extending flange such that the tool is adapted to fail at a position that leaves the laterally extending flange intact.
The tool holder may be adapted for connection to a rotatable head on a mining machine or may be integrally formed in a rotatable head on a mining machine. In some embodiments, the rotatable head may be, for example, a shearer drum on a mining machine for winning the likes of coal, potash, phosphate, salt or trona, or a cutter head on a mining machine. In other embodiments, the rotatable head may be, for example, a cutter head on a mining machine for winning minerals the likes of iron ore in harder ore bodies.
In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a tool for a tool system for a mining machine, the tool comprising:
a cutting end for winning mineral from an ore body and a mounting end, the mounting end being adapted for engagement with a tool holder of the tool system for securing the tool to the tool holder;
a plate removably fastened to the mounting end, the plate comprising a first lateral projection for engaging a corresponding first lateral indent in the tool holder to facilitate securing of the tool to the tool holder.
The first lateral projection may be resiliently snap-lockingly engageable with the first lateral indent. The plate may be engageable with a lateral edge of the mounting end of the tool. Plates of various lateral dimensions may be provided for fastening to the mounting end of the tool, such that a said plate of larger lateral dimension may be installed as the mounting end of the tool wears to take up an increased space between the mounting end and the tool holder caused by the tool wear.
The mounting end of the tool may comprise a shank for engaging a socket in the tool holder.
A second lateral projection may be provided on the tool, the second lateral projection being engageable with the tool holder. The second lateral projection may be provided on an opposite lateral side of the mounting portion of the tool to the first lateral projection.
A first laterally extending opening may be provided in the mounting end of the tool, the first opening being alignable with a second lateral opening in the tool holder when the tool is engaged in the tool holder, the second opening being open to an external surface of the tool holder, such that a pin may be engaged in both the first and second openings to secure the tool in the tool holder.
A pin may be resiliently slidably engaged in an opening in the tool holder and biased into engagement with an opening in the tool to secure the tool in the tool holder.
A recess may be defined by a space formed between the tool and the tool holder when the tool and the tool holder are engaged and a wear part may be adapted for engagement with the recess so as to be positioned between the tool and the tool holder. The wear part may be formed of a material that is less wear resistant than the tool holder, such that the wear part wears sacrificially to reduce wear of the tool holder. The wear part may be formed of a material that is more wear resistant than the tool, such that the tool wears sacrificially to reduce wear of the wear part. The wear part may be formed from a plastics material or from steel. The recess, and therefore the wear part, may be located adjacent a heel end of the tool. A spray unit may be engageable with an opening in the wear part and may have a outlet to direct fluid from the spray unit toward the cutting end of the tool. The spray unit may extend at least partially into a bore in the tool holder. A first laterally extending groove may be provided in the tool holder adjacent the bore and may align with a corresponding second laterally extending groove on the spray unit. The first and second grooves may together define a laterally extending opening for receiving a pin to lock the spray unit in the bore.
A line of weakness may be provided in the tool to define a predetermined failure point. The line of weakness may extend laterally across the tool. The line of weakness may be in the form of a groove in the tool. The line of weakness may be positioned so as to facilitate failure of the tool at a location that does not unduly inhibit removal of the tool from the tool holder. The tool may comprise a laterally extending flange that is engageable by a lever to facilitate removal of the tool from the tool holder. The line of weakness may be positioned above the laterally extending flange such that the tool is adapted to fail at a position that leaves the laterally extending flange intact.
The tool holder may be adapted for connection to a rotatable head on a mining machine or may be integrally formed in a rotatable head on a mining machine. In some embodiments, the rotatable head may be, for example, a shearer drum on a mining machine for winning the likes of coal, potash, phosphate, salt or trona, or a cutter head on a mining machine. In other embodiments, the rotatable head may be, for example, a cutter head on a mining machine for winning minerals the likes of iron ore in harder ore bodies.
In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a tool system for a mining machine, the tool system comprising:
a tool holder;
a tool having a cutting end for winning mineral from an ore body and a mounting end, the mounting end being adapted for engagement with the tool holder for securing the tool to the tool holder; and
at least three locking mechanisms for securing the tool to the tool holder, said at least three locking mechanisms comprising at least one of:
-
- a first lateral projection on one of the tool holder and the tool, and a corresponding first lateral indent on the other of the tool holder and the tool, the first lateral projection being engageable with the first lateral indent to facilitate securing of the tool to the tool holder,
- a first laterally extending opening in the mounting end of the tool, the first opening being aligned with a second lateral opening in the tool holder when the tool is engaged in the tool holder, the second opening being open to an external surface of the tool holder, such that a pin may be engaged in both the first and second openings to secure the tool in the tool holder, and
- a pin resiliently slidably engaged in an opening in the tool holder and biased into engagement with an opening in the tool to secure the tool in the tool holder.
The tool holder may include a socket for engagement by the mounting end of the tool. The mounting end of the tool may comprise a shank.
The first lateral projection may be resiliently snap-lockingly engageable with the first lateral indent. The first lateral projection may be provided on a removable plate engageable with a lateral edge of the mounting end of the tool. Plates of various lateral dimensions may be provided. A plate of larger lateral dimension may be installed as the mounting end of the tool wears to take up the increased space between the mounting portion and the tool holder caused by the tool wear.
A second lateral projection may be provided on one of the tool holder and the tool, the second lateral projection being engageable with the other of the tool holder and the tool. The second lateral projection may be integrally formed in one piece construction with a body of the tool holder or may be in the form of a projection mounted to the tool holder. The second lateral projection may be provided on an opposite lateral side of the mounting portion of the tool to the first lateral projection.
A recess may be defined by a space formed between the tool and the tool holder when the tool and the tool holder are engaged and a wear part may be adapted for engagement with the recess so as to be positioned between the tool and the tool holder. The wear part may be formed of a material that is less wear resistant than the tool holder, such that the wear part wears sacrificially to reduce wear of the tool holder. The wear part may be formed of a material that is more wear resistant than the tool, such that the tool wears sacrificially to reduce wear of the wear part. The wear part may be formed from a plastics material or from steel. The recess, and therefore the wear part, may be located adjacent a heel end of the tool. A spray unit may be engageable in an opening in the wear part and may have a outlet to direct fluid from the spray unit toward the cutting end of the tool. The spray unit may extend at least partially into a bore in the tool holder. A first laterally extending groove may be provided in the tool holder adjacent the bore and may align with a corresponding second laterally extending groove on the spray unit. The first and second grooves may together define a laterally extending opening for receiving a pin to lock the spray unit in the bore.
A line of weakness may be provided in the tool to define a predetermined failure point. The line of weakness may extend laterally across the tool. The line of weakness may be in the form of a groove in the tool. The line of weakness may be positioned so as to facilitate failure of the tool at a location that does not unduly inhibit removal of the tool from the tool holder. The tool may comprise a laterally extending flange that is engageable by a lever to facilitate removal of the tool from the tool holder. The line of weakness may be positioned above the laterally extending flange such that the tool is adapted to fail at a position that leaves the laterally extending flange intact.
The tool holder may be adapted for connection to a rotatable head on a mining machine or may be integrally formed in a rotatable head on a mining machine. In some embodiments, the rotatable head may be, for example, a shearer drum on a mining machine for winning the likes of coal, potash, phosphate, salt or trona, or a cutter head on a mining machine. In other embodiments, the rotatable head may be, for example, a cutter head on a mining machine for winning minerals the likes of iron ore in harder ore bodies.
In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a tool system for a mining machine, the tool system comprising:
a tool holder;
a tool having a cutting end for winning mineral from an ore body and a mounting end, the mounting end being adapted for engagement with the tool holder for securing the tool to the tool holder;
a recess defined by a space formed between the tool and the tool holder when the tool and the tool holder are engaged;
a wear part adapted for engagement with the recess so as to be positioned between the tool and the tool holder.
The wear part may be formed of a material that is less wear resistant than the tool holder, such that the wear part wears sacrificially to reduce wear of the tool holder. The wear part may be formed of a material that is more wear resistant than the tool, such that the tool wears sacrificially to reduce wear of the wear part. The wear part may be formed from a plastics material or from steel. The recess, and therefore the wear part, may be located adjacent a heel end of the tool.
A spray unit may be engageable in an opening in the wear part and may have an outlet to direct fluid from the spray unit toward the cutting end of the tool. The spray unit may extend at least partially into a bore in the tool holder. A first laterally extending groove may be provided in the tool holder adjacent the bore and may align with a corresponding second laterally extending groove on the spray unit. The first and second grooves may together define a laterally extending opening for receiving a pin to lock the spray unit in the bore.
The tool holder may include a socket for engagement by the mounting end of the tool. The mounting end of the tool may comprise a shank. One of the tool holder and the tool may have a first lateral projection and the other of the tool holder and the tool may have a corresponding first lateral indent that is engageable with the first projection to facilitate securing of the tool to the tool holder. The first lateral projection may be resiliently snap-lockingly engageable with the first lateral indent. The first lateral projection may be provided on a removable plate engageable with a lateral edge of the mounting end of the tool. Plates of various lateral dimensions may be provided. A plate of larger lateral dimension may be installed as the mounting end of the tool wears to take up the increased space between the mounting portion and the tool holder caused by the tool wear.
A second lateral projection may be provided on one of the tool holder and the tool, the second lateral projection being engageable with the other of the tool holder and the tool. The second lateral projection may be integrally formed in one piece construction with a body of the tool holder or may be in the form of a projection mounted to the tool holder. The second lateral projection may be provided on an opposite lateral side of the mounting portion of the tool to the first lateral projection.
A first laterally extending opening may be provided in the mounting end of the tool, the first opening being aligned with a second lateral opening in the tool holder when the tool is engaged in the tool holder, the second opening being open to an external surface of the tool holder, such that a pin may be engaged in both the first and second openings to secure the tool in the tool holder.
A pin may be resiliently slidably engaged in an opening in the tool holder and biased into engagement with an opening in the tool to secure the tool in the tool holder.
A line of weakness may be provided in the tool to define a predetermined failure point. The line of weakness may extend laterally across the tool. The line of weakness may be in the form of a groove in the tool. The line of weakness may be positioned so as to facilitate failure of the tool at a location that does not unduly inhibit removal of the tool from the tool holder. The tool may comprise a laterally extending flange that is engageable by a lever to facilitate removal of the tool from the tool holder. The line of weakness may be positioned above the laterally extending flange such that the tool is adapted to fail at a position that leaves the laterally extending flange intact.
The tool holder may be adapted for connection to a rotatable head on a mining machine or may be integrally formed in a rotatable head on a mining machine. In some embodiments, the rotatable head may be, for example, a shearer drum on a mining machine for winning the likes of coal, potash, phosphate, salt or trona, or a cutter head on a mining machine. In other embodiments, the rotatable head may be, for example, a cutter head on a mining machine for winning minerals the likes of iron ore in harder ore bodies.
Embodiments of a tool system according to the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference t the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to the drawings, and initially to
As shown in
A second lateral projection, in the form of a button 36, extends from an opposite lateral side of the mounting portion 18 to the first lateral projection 29. The button 36 is engageable with an inner wall of the socket 20 of the tool holder 12 to urge the tool 14 toward the first lateral indent 34.
As best seen in
As shown in
The wear part 24 is formed of a plastics material, such as polyoxymethylene (POM), typically known as Acetyl, Nylon or PTFE, that is less wear resistant than the tool holder, such that the wear part wears sacrificially to reduce wear of the tool holder. The plastics material of the wear part is also more wear resistant than the tool, such that the tool wears sacrificially to reduce wear of the wear part.
As shown in
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, which is for use in a longwall coal mining machine for winning minerals the likes of coal, potash, phosphate, salt or trona, the tool holder 12 is adapted for connection to a rotatable shearer drum of the mining machine.
It will be appreciated that the provision of the wear part 24 between the tool 14 and tool holder 12 advantageously reduces wear of the tool holder 12 and tool 14 due to the wear part 24 wearing sacrificially. Moreover, when the wear part 24 becomes worn, it can be replaced without requiring the entire tool holder 12 or tool 14 to be replaced, thereby reducing expense and down time. Furthermore, providing opening 24b in the wear part 24 for receiving the spray unit 25 creates a space between the spray unit 25 and the wear part 24 to facilitate replacement of the spray unit 25 without requiring removal of the wear part 24. Also, by locating the spray unit 25 in the tool holder 12, spray liquid is directed close to the tool tip 16. Prior art systems which do not position the spray on the tool holder lose this advantage. A further advantage of the illustrated tool system 10 is the provision of the line of weakness 44 in the tool 14, which promotes failure of the tool 14 at a convenient location. Without the line of weakness 44, there is a risk that the tool 14 will fail below the flange 14d, which would make removal of the failed tool 14 from the tool holder 12 difficult. The streamlined shape of the tool 14 provides reduced flank wear, reduced power consumption and reduced dust creation.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the specific embodiments described above without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Examples of possible modifications include, but are not limited to:
-
- the tool holder 12 may be integrally formed in, or connected to the rotatable cutting head of a mining machine for winning minerals such as iron ore from harder ore bodies;
- the pin 42 extendable through the first lateral openings 38, 40 in the tool 14 and tool holder 12 may be replaced or supplemented by another locking mechanism, such as a pin, staple, or buckle, that is resiliently slidably engaged in an opening in the tool holder 12 and biased into engagement with an opening in the tool 14 to secure the tool in the tool holder;
- the wear part 24 and spray unit 25 may be integrally formed, such that the wear part and spray unit are a single unit and are replaced as a single unit;
- the pin 42 and openings 38, 40 may be oriented at 90 degrees to the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings; the recess may be omitted and the removable plate 30 may be adapted to retain the spray unit 24;
- the removable plate 30 may be omitted;
- the projection 29 on the removable plate 30 may be omitted;
- the removable plate 30 may be fastened to the tool holder 12 and snap-lockingly engageable with a corresponding lateral indent on the tool 14;
- the socket 20 of the tool holder 12 may be fitted with a gap filling device, such as a sleeve, in which the tool 14 is engaged, which may act as an adaptor to allow the tool holder 12 to be used with a differently configured tool;
- the line of weakness may take an alternative form (eg. may be defined by a reduced thickness portion of the tool body, a hollow portion of the tool body, or a notch in the tool body);
- the streamlined shape of the tool 14 may be omitted;
- the wear part 24 may be formed from steel of other materials;
- plate 30 being formed from other materials, such as stainless steel or plastics (e.g. acetyl); and/or
- the spray unit 25 may be omitted, in which case the opening 24b in the wear part 24 may be omitted.
Claims
1-64. (canceled)
65. A tool for a tool system for a mining machine, the tool comprising:
- a cutting end for winning mineral from an ore body,
- a mounting end comprising a shank complementary with and engageable in a socket of a tool holder,
- a laterally extending flange between the mounting end and the cutting end, the flange being engageable by a lever to facilitate removal of the tool from the tool holder, and
- a line of weakness in the tool defining a predetermined failure point, the line of weakness being positioned on the cutting end side of the flange, such that the tool is adapted to fail at a position that leaves the flange intact.
66. A tool according to claim 65, wherein the line of weakness extends laterally across the tool.
67. A tool according to claim 65, wherein the line of weakness is in the form of a groove in the tool.
68. A tool according to claim 65, wherein the tool has a streamlined shape.
69. A tool according to claim 65, wherein the tool is non-circular in transverse cross section.
70. A tool according to claim 69, wherein the tool comprises a front end and a heel end, and opposite sides extending between the front end and the heel end, and wherein the cross section of a portion of the tool on the cutting end side of the line of weakness defines a shape having a width between the opposite sides and a length between the front end and the heel end, and wherein the width is less than the length.
71. A tool according to claim 70, wherein the width reduces from a point of maximum width near the front end to a point of reduced width near the heel end.
72. A tool according to claim 65, wherein the tool is connected to a rotatable head on a mining machine or is integrally formed in a rotatable head on a mining machine.
73. A tool system comprising:
- a tool holder including a body having a socket therein;
- a tool comprising:
- a cutting end for winning mineral from an ore body,
- a mounting end comprising a shank complementary with and engageable in the socket of a tool holder,
- a laterally extending flange between the mounting end and the cutting end, the flange being engageable by a lever to facilitate removal of the tool from the tool holder, and
- a line of weakness in the tool defining a predetermined failure point, the line of weakness being positioned on the cutting end side of the flange, such that the tool is adapted to fail at a position that leaves the flange intact.
74. A tool system according to claim 73, wherein the tool comprises an abutment surface adapted to engage a corresponding abutment surface on the tool holder when the tool shank is fully engaged in the socket, and wherein the laterally extending flange is spaced apart from the abutment surface of the tool toward the cutting end of the tool.
75. A tool according to claim 73, wherein the line of weakness extends laterally across the tool.
76. A tool according to claim 73, wherein the line of weakness is in the form of a groove in the tool.
77. A tool according to claim 73, wherein the tool has a streamlined shape.
78. A tool according to claim 73, wherein the tool is non-circular in transverse cross section.
79. A tool according to claim 78, wherein the tool comprises a front end and a heel end, and opposite sides extending between the front end and the heel end, and wherein the cross section of a portion of the tool on the cutting end side of the line of weakness defines a shape having a width between the opposite sides and a length between the front end and the heel end, and wherein the width is less than the length.
80. A tool according to claim 79, wherein the width reduces from a point of maximum width near the front end to a point of reduced width near the heel end.
81. A tool according to claim 73, wherein the tool is connected to a rotatable head on a mining machine or is integrally formed in a rotatable head on a mining machine.
82. A tool system according to claim 73, wherein the tool holder is connected to a rotatable head on a mining machine or is integrally formed in a rotatable head on a mining machine.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 18, 2011
Publication Date: Mar 28, 2013
Applicant: SOUTHERN ENGINEERING SERVICES PTY LTD (Fairy Meadow, New South Wales)
Inventors: Walter Pizzato (Kanahooka), Lincoln Kuiper (Figtree), Matthew Ross (Wollongong), Paul Wenham (Dover Heights), Richard Steel (Sheffield), Michael Johnson (Kiama Downs)
Application Number: 13/635,660
International Classification: E21C 35/18 (20060101);