US3771830A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mining machine sensing signal transmission connection
Assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-12-07
•
Granted: 1973-11-13
•
Expires: 1991-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A mineral mining machine having a rotary cutter and a probe on the cutter head which senses the cutting horizon of the cutter head relative to boundaries of the mineral seam and which derives an electric signal which is fed to control means on the body of the machine for controlling the machine''s steering mechanism. The signal is conveyed from the rotating cutter to the non-rotating body via two spaced annular plates arranged as a capacitor.
Inventors
- 👤 D Hartley
- 👤 N Plumpton
- 👤 D Alford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:24
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C39/00; E21C35/00; E21C35/302; E21C35/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A mineral mining machine comprising a body, a rotary drive shaft extending from the body, a rotary cutter mounted on the shaft, means sensitive to a characteristic feature existing adjacent to the cutter and adapted to produce an electric signal indicative of the feature, receiver means mounted on the body and adapted to receive electric signals, and first and second electrically conductive annular elements co-axial with the drive shaft and spaced from, but adjacent to, each other, the first element being in electrical contact eith the means and mounted for rotation with, but electrically insulated from, the cutter, the second element being mounted on, but electrically insulated from, the machine body being in electrical contact with the receiver means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A mineral mining machine comprising a body, a rotary drive shaft extending from the body, a rotary cutter mounted on the shaft, means sensitive to a characteristic feature existing adjacent to the cutter and adapted to produce an electric signal indicative of the feature, receiver means mounted on the body and adapted to receive electric signals, and first and second electrically conductive annular elements co-axial with the drive shaft and spaced from, but adjacent to, each other, the first element being in electrical contact eith the means and mounted for rotation with, but electrically insulated from, the cutter, the second element being mounted on, but electrically insulated from, the machine body being in electrical contact with the receiver means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising two housing members which form a housing within which the first and second elements are located, one of the housing members being secured to the cutter and the other housing member being secured to the machine body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2, in which the housing is packed with an epoxy resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2, in with the housing is packed with grease.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
A mineral mining machine comprising a body, a rotary drive shaft extending from the body, a rotary cutter mounted on the shaft, means sensitive to the cutting horizon of the cutter relative to the mineral seam and adapted to produce an electric signal indicative of the cutting horizon, receiver means mounted on the body and adapted to receive the electric signals, first and second electrically conductive annular elements co-axial with the drive shaft and spaced from, but adjacent to, each other, the first element being in electrical contact with the means and mounted for rotation with, but electrically insulated from, the cutter, the second element being mounted on, but electrically insulated from, the mahcine body and being in electrical contact with the receiver means, and two housing members which form a housing within which the first and second elements are located, one of the housing members being secured to the cutter and the other housing member being secured to the machine body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
162 words
A mineral mining machine comprising a body, a rotary drive shaft extending from the body, a rotary cutter mounted on the shaft, means sensitive to the cutting horizon of the cutter relative to the mineral seam and adapted to produce an electric signal indicative of the cutting horizon, receiver means mounted on the body and adapted to receive the electric signals, first and second electrically conductive annular elements co-axial with the drive shaft and spaced from, but adjacent to, each other, the first element being in electrical contact with the means and mounted for rotation with, but electrically insulated from, the cutter, the second element being mounted on, but electrically insulated from, the mahcine body and being in electrical contact with the receiver means, and two housing members which form a housing within which the first and second elements are located, one of the housing members being secured to the cutter and the other housing member being secured to the machine body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A machine as claimed in claim 5, in which the hoUsing is packed with a non-electrically conductive material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A machine as claimed in claim 5, in which the radially outer portions of the two housing members form a labyrinth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A machine as claimed in claim 6, in which at least one resiliently urged seal is located so as to act between the two housing members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |