Abstract:
An improved locking device for a trim chain take-up for mining machines in which the trim chain extends around the auger and the auger support arms and is driven by the auger to cut clearance for the support arm. The take-up is slidably mounted behind the auger support arm in guide means affixed to the machine frame. When the take-up is moved away from the support arm to increase the tension on the chain, the locking device moves into the space developed between the take-up and support arm to prevent the take-up from backing off and reducing the chain tension. The locking device comprises a plurality of thin spacers pivotably retained in a side-by-side stacked relationship on a rod mounted to the support arm. The spacers are further disposed such that they are held in an inoperative position resting on the take-up until the take-up has moved past their respective positions whereupon they pivot about the rod into the operative position between the take-up and support arm.
Abstract:
An improved trim chain take-up is provided for mining machines in which the trim chain extends around the rotary cutting auger and the auger support arm and is driven by the auger to cut clearance for the support arm. The take-up includes a yoke slideably mounted behind each auger support arm in guide means affixed to the machine framework, and supports a cylindrical idler roller in a manner allowing free rotation of the roller. The idler roller bears against the inner side of the endless chain loop and tensions the chain when the yoke is pushed away from the auger support arm by push means mounted either on the frame or integral with the yoke. A locking device in the embodiment of a self-actuating wedge shaped spacer is included with the take-up to be positioned between the take-up and auger support arm to prevent the take-up from backing off even when the push means relaxes.
Abstract:
A fluid coupling interposed between an induction motor and a load has an impeller and a turbine together defining a working chamber connected via radially inward and radially outward passages with a delay chamber on the impeller side of a corotating housing. The two sets of passages are selectively blockable by shutters that are controlled by an evaluator, inserted in a space between the motor and load shafts, which also accommodates a power supply consisting of one or more batteries. The evaluator responds to several sensors, measuring such parameters as motor torque, load speed and acceleration, to drain or refill the working chamber.
Abstract:
A drive chain for transmitting power to a rotatable cutter head of a mining machine. The mining machine is of the type having a rotary cutter drum mounted at the forward end of the mining machine frame. The cutter drum has helical auger flights with cutter bits mounted on their periphery. Electric motors are provided on either side of the mining machine to provide power for rotating the cutter drum. A drive and cutter chain transmits the power from each electric motor to the rotary drum. The drive chain comprises roller chain links with offset sidebars. Each drive chain is relatively narrow having but a single row of links. Some of the links are cutter links which carry cutter bits. Selected portions of the cutter links and the sprockets are cut away to prevent entrapment and build up of foreign matter.
Abstract:
A linkage for moving material from a first end of a conveyor toward a second end of the conveyor includes a first link and a second link. The first link includes a first side edge and a first indicator. The second link includes a second side edge and a second indicator. The second link is coupled to the first link such that the first side edge of the first link overlaps with the second side edge of the second link. Elongation of the first link in the direction of movement causes the first indicator to move relative to the second indicator, and a position of the first indicator relative to the second indicator provides an indication of a wear condition of the first link. In some aspects, a first surface and/or a second surface of one of the links includes a wear indicator representing a surface wear condition.
Abstract:
A conveyor chain includes first link, a second link, a connecting link, a first flight, and a second flight. The first link includes a first side portion and a second side portion. The first side portion has apertures and a first drive pin disposed between the apertures. The first drive pin is configured to be driven by a first sprocket. The second side portion has apertures and a second drive pin disposed between the apertures and extending in a direction opposite the first drive pin. The second drive pin is configured to be driven by a second sprocket. The second link includes a first side portion and a second side portion. The first flight is cast integrally with an end of the first drive pin of the first link, and the second flight is cast integrally with an end of the second drive pin of the first link.
Abstract:
A continuous mining machine has a rotatable cutter head which is slidably mounted on a feed bar which in turn is slidably mounted on a support bar carried by a movable carrier. A cable extends over a sheave which is mounted on one end of the feed bar where one end of the cable is connected to the cutter head and the other end fixed with respect to the support bar. Means are provided for sliding the feed bar longitudinally with respect to the support bar whereby the cutter head will slide along the feed bar at twice the velocity that the feed bar slides with respect to the support bar.
Abstract:
A trim chain take-up sprocket assembly for a mining machine or the like. The sprocket assembly comprises a pair of opposed and axially aligned spindles constituting mirror images of each other, each spindle having a hub rotatively mounted thereon on suitable bearing means. Each hub has at its outboard end a plurality of sprocket teeth and at its inboard end an annular flange. The hub flanges lie in abutting relationship at the longitudinal center of the sprocket assembly and are detachably joined together. Each spindle at its outboard end has a hydraulically actuable piston-cylinder arrangement adapted to engage an abutment surface on the mining machine whereby the entire sprocket assembly may be shifted longitudinally of the mining machine to take up slack or impart slack to the one or more trim chains engaged by the sprocket assembly. Washer-like spacer means are removably affixable to the pistons of the sprocket assembly to retain the assembly in adjusted position. In another embodiment, the hubs themselves are free of sprocket teeth. The hub flanges are detachably joined to an intermediate sprocket wheel bearing sprocket teeth located at the longitudinal center of the sprocket assembly. In all embodiments the sprocket teeth may be eliminated and an annular flange substituted therefor serving as a roller for the chain engaged thereby.