US3776592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remotely controlled mining machine
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-10-12
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A coal mining machine operated by remote control to cut coal lying in thick or thin seams and to convey the cut coal out of the shaft cut thereby. The machine can be manipulated to move forward or rearward and can be directed to the left and right. Cutter bits in a cutting assembly mounted on the machine frame are moved in a predetermined path through an angle of 180* as they cut a first cut and are then elevated and moved back along 180* in the opposite direction from the first cut to cut a second cut higher than the first cut. The cutter bits are then lowered to the original level completing their predetermined path. Both the upper and lower limits of the cuts can be adjusted and the base upon which the cutting assembly is connected can be tilted to allow the cutter bits to follow the contour of the coal seam and have its predetermined path varied. The machine comprises a main machine frame mounted on power-driven wheels for movement in forward and rearward directions; a base pivotably mounted to the frame so that it can be tilted relative thereto; a turntable rotatably mounted on the base and carrying a cutting assembly thereon for rotation through 180*, the cutting assembly having cutting bits at one end capable of being moved upwards and downwards; and a control system for actuating a motor for rotating the turntable through a cycle consisting of two opposite and coincident 180* reciprocations, for actuating a hydraulic cylinder to allow the cutting assembly to be pivoted so that the cutting bits are moved to a higher or lower elevation at the end of a 180* reciprocation, and for actuating the wheels to move the frame forward after the turntable and cutting assembly have moved through a complete cycle. Two ammeters measure the current magnitude in the cutter motor along each half of the cycle and indicate to the operator on increases of the load imposed on the cutter motor that the machine is cutting into substances other than coal and that, therefore, some adjustment is necessary to the path of the cutting bits at the end of a shaft mounted on the cutter motor.
Inventors
- 👤 A Ewing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:58
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C35/00; E21C35/24; E21C35/302; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/10; E21D9/1006; E21D9/1013; E21D9/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for cutting coal, the combination comprising: a machine frame; driving means for moving said frame in a forward direction; a base pivotally mounted to said frame; first means for pivoting said base relative to said frame; a turntable rotatably mounted on said base; second means for rotating said turntable relative to said base; a cutting assembly means pivotally mounted to said turntable for cutting coal; third means for pivoting said cutting assembly means to an upper and lower position; first control means for actuating said second means to rotate said turntable in a fIrst and second direction through a cycle consisting of two opposite reciprocations; second control means for actuating said third means for pivoting said cutting assembly means after each reciprocation so said assembly means cuts in said lower position when said turntable is rotating in said first direction and in said upper position when said turntable is rotating in said second direction; third control means for actuating said driving means for moving said frame forward after said turntable has moved through a complete cycle; and fourth control means for actuating said first means to tilt the base so the cutting assembly means can cut on a course diagonal to the plane of the machine frame.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for cutting coal, the combination comprising: a machine frame; driving means for moving said frame in a forward direction; a base pivotally mounted to said frame; first means for pivoting said base relative to said frame; a turntable rotatably mounted on said base; second means for rotating said turntable relative to said base; a cutting assembly means pivotally mounted to said turntable for cutting coal; third means for pivoting said cutting assembly means to an upper and lower position; first control means for actuating said second means to rotate said turntable in a fIrst and second direction through a cycle consisting of two opposite reciprocations; second control means for actuating said third means for pivoting said cutting assembly means after each reciprocation so said assembly means cuts in said lower position when said turntable is rotating in said first direction and in said upper position when said turntable is rotating in said second direction; third control means for actuating said driving means for moving said frame forward after said turntable has moved through a complete cycle; and fourth control means for actuating said first means to tilt the base so the cutting assembly means can cut on a course diagonal to the plane of the machine frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 and further including conveyor means mounted to said machine frame for moving cut coal from said cutting assembly means to the rear of said machine frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first, second, third and fourth control means are located remotely from said machine frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second means includes a unidirectional rotating motor slidably mounted to said turntable and having a shaft thereon passing through said turntable; a gear rigidly mounted to said shaft, and a cam follower rigidly mounted to said shaft; cam track means rigidly mounted to said base for receiving said cam follower; and a geared track mounted to said base for receiving said gear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said third control means includes a valve means mounted on said base and connected to said driving means; and an actuating extension means mounted to said turntable and operative to actuate said valve means on reciprocation of said turntable through a complete cycle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said second control means includes a second valve means mounted to said base and connected to said third means; and a second actuating extension means mounted on said turntable and operative to actuate said second valve means on rotation of said turntable through one reciprocation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 and further including scoop means mounted to said turntable and extending on both sides of a portion of said cutting assembly means for pushing coal cut by said assembly means to said conveyor means; and sectional conveyor means communicating with said conveyor means for transferring coal received therefrom to a location remote from said machine frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 and further including guide light means mounted on said frame for indicating the direction of travel of said frame; and steering means mounted on said frame for altering the forward direction of travel of said frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 and further including indicating means connected to said cutter assembly means for indicating when the cutting assembly means is cutting substances harder than coal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for mining coal, the combination comprising: a substantially planar machine frame; a base pivotally mounted to said frame along the longitudinal axis of said frame; a turntable rotatably mounted on said base; means for rotating said turntable relative to said base through a predetermined cycle consisting of two opposite reciprocations; cutting assembly means, mounted to said turntable and rotatable therewith, for cutting coal along a predetermined path; and means for pivoting said base so said predetermined path is diagonal to the plane of said machine frame.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for mining coal, the combination comprising: a substantially planar machine frame; a base pivotally mounted to said frame along the longitudinal axis of said frame; a turntable rotatably mounted on said base; means for rotating said turntable relative to said base through a predetermined cycle consisting of two opposite reciprocations; cutting assembly means, mounted to said turntable and rotatable therewith, for cutting coal along a predetermined path; and means for pivoting said base so said predetermined path is diagonal to the plane of said machine frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, further including: means, coupled to said machine frame and responsive to rotation of said turntable, for advancing said machine frame at the completion of said predetermined cycle.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for mining coal, the combination comprising: a machine frame; a turntable rotatably coupled to said Machine frame; means for rotating said turntable relative to said machine frame in first and second directions through a cycle consisting of two opposite reciprocations; cutting assembly means, pivotally mounted to said turntable and rotatable therewith, for cutting coal; and means, responsive to rotation of said turntable, for pivoting said cutting assembly means after each reciprocation so said cutting assembly means cuts in a first path when said turntable is rotating in said first direction and in a second path when said turntable is rotating in said second direction, said first path being parallel to said second path.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for mining coal, the combination comprising: a machine frame; a turntable rotatably coupled to said Machine frame; means for rotating said turntable relative to said machine frame in first and second directions through a cycle consisting of two opposite reciprocations; cutting assembly means, pivotally mounted to said turntable and rotatable therewith, for cutting coal; and means, responsive to rotation of said turntable, for pivoting said cutting assembly means after each reciprocation so said cutting assembly means cuts in a first path when said turntable is rotating in said first direction and in a second path when said turntable is rotating in said second direction, said first path being parallel to said second path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 and further including: indicating means, connected to said cutting assembly means, for indicating when said cutting assembly means is cutting substances harder than coal along said predetermined paths; and means, connected to said cutting assembly means, for varying said predetermined paths when said indicating means indicates that said cutting assembly means is cutting substances harder than coal.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for mining coal, the combination comprising: a machine frame; a base pivotally mounted to said frame along the longitudinal axis of said frame; a turntable rotatably coupled to said base; cutting assembly means, coupled to said turn-table, for cutting coal along a predetermined path; means, coupled to said machine frame, for varying the path of said cutting assembly means; indicating means, connected to said cutting assembly means, for indicating when said cutting assembly means is cutting substances harder than coal along said predetermined path; and control means for actuating said means to vary said predetermined path when said indicating means indicates that said cutting assembly means is cutting substances harder than coal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for mining coal, the combination comprising: a machine frame; a base pivotally mounted to said frame along the longitudinal axis of said frame; a turntable rotatably coupled to said base; cutting assembly means, coupled to said turn-table, for cutting coal along a predetermined path; means, coupled to said machine frame, for varying the path of said cutting assembly means; indicating means, connected to said cutting assembly means, for indicating when said cutting assembly means is cutting substances harder than coal along said predetermined path; and control means for actuating said means to vary said predetermined path when said indicating means indicates that said cutting assembly means is cutting substances harder than coal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein: said cutting assembly means includes an electrical motor; and said indicating means includes means for detecting variation in the amperage across said electrical motor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said means for varying includes means, coupled to said machine frame, for pivoting said base.
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) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |