Title of Invention

A CUTTING MACHINE WITH IMPROVED MOBILITY

Abstract In a cutting machine (1) with cutting heads or rollers (7) rotationally mounted on a pivotable cutting arm (6), including a loading ramp or a conveyor (9) extending in the direction to the mine face for receiving and removing the cut material, wherein the cutting arm (6) is mounted on a carriage (4) displaceable on guides extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine, the carriage (4) carries guide rods (12) extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine and engaging in tubular guides (13) of the machine frame (3) carrying a chassis (2).
Full Text Cutting Machine
The invention relates to a cutting machine with cutting heads or
rollers rotationally mounted on a pivotable cutting arm,
including a loading ramp or a conveyor extending in the
direction to the mine face for receiving and removing the cut
material, wherein the cutting arm is mounted on a carriage
displaceable on guides extending in the longitudinal direction
of the machine.
Cutting machines or mining machines in which the excavation
tools are displaceable relative to the machine frame on a
carriage may, for instance, be taken from AT 393295 B. In that
known mining machine, guide rods are provided on the frame of
the mining machine within the crawler mechanisms, on which guide
rods a carriage is displaced. To this end, the carriage
comprises tubular guides, whereby the respective displaceability
along the guide rods is ensured in that the axial lengths of the
tubular guides are shorter than the axial lengths of the guide
rods. In those known devices, haulage means are articulately
movable along with that carriage within links.
From AT 407422 B, a modified carriage with longitudinal beams
has become known, which comprises a portal-like cross member.
That carriage, by tube pieces or tubular guides, again
encompasses the guide rods arranged within the frame of the
crawler mechanism.
With particularly low-structured machines, the attainment of the
required rigidity and sturdiness is difficult because of the
reduced structural dimensions. For this reason, it has already
been proposed to design frame components as box sections. Thus,
a carriage formed as a self-supporting box section and mounted
on the frame so as to be displaceable in longitudinal guides

Page 2 as amended
formed by rods can, for instance, be taken from AT 404863 B
and AT 404282 B. The rod-shaped longitudinal guides are again
connected with the frame of the crawler mechanism, the con-
veyor in that configuration having to be moved through the
clear cross section of the carriage designed as a self-sup-
porting box section.
The invention aims to provide a mining machine including a
frame carriage structure for low seams, which is suitable for
particularly low seams and offers an improved mobility on
crowns and ditches. To solve this object, the mining machine
configuration according to the invention, of the initially de-
fined kind consists essentially in that the carriage carries
guide rods extending in the longitudinal direction of the ma-
chine and engaging in tubular guides of the machine frame car-
rying a chassis. Due to the fact that the construction princi-
ple for the frame carriage structure has now been modified to
the effect that the guide rods are connected with the carriage
and the tube is fixed to the frame, it has become feasible to
make the machine frame with the crawler mechanisms particu-
larly stable with relatively short tubular guides and, at the
same time, guide the carriage connected with the rod in an ac-
cordingly tiltable manner, since the relatively long guide
rods of the carriage are guided in relatively short tube
pieces of the machine frame. Such tiltability can be further
enhanced in that, as in correspondence with a preferred fur-
ther development of the configuration according to the inven-
tion, the tubular guides have curved generatrices while form-
ing spherical inner contours. The tubular guides are in a par-
ticularly simple manner suitable for the formation of a par-
ticularly stable, low-structured machine frame, wherein such a
machine frame may altogether be built in a relatively short-
structured fashion without losing the required rigidity and
strength. Concerning the use of conveyors, fewer limitations
are to be accepted than

3
with box sections, which form the carriage, since the conveyor
is actually taken along by the carriage in the longitudinal
direction of the machine. In accordance with the invention, the
configuration is, therefore, advantageously devised such that
the carriage is designed as an upwardly open chute in whose side
cheeks the pivot axis for the vertical pivoting of the cutting
arm is arranged. Such an upwardly open chute can be adjusted
over a relatively long axial displacement path without causing
collisions of the conveyor with frame components of the machine
frame.
In a particularly advantageous manner, the configuration is
devised such that the tubular guides are arranged between
crawler mechanisms and connected to a frame by braces or plates
extending transversely to the tube axes, whereby a high
stability of the machine frame will be safeguarded at small
dimensions. The tubular guides in this case may accordingly be
welded both with the crawler mechanisms and with the connection
plates so as to yield a particularly compact and torsion-stiff
structure.
The short mode of construction, at the same time, allows the
machine frame itself to be subdivided in the axial direction and
thereby enhance its flexibility, which, in turn, serves to
enhance the mobility on crowns and ditches. To this end, the
configuration is advantageously devised such that a frame part
capable of being pivoted about at least one pivot axis extending
transversely to the longitudinal direction of the machine is
articulately connected to the frame comprising the tubes. An
articulately pivotable frame part thus arranged in the rear part
of the machine can be lifted in the vertical direction in order
to reach the desired delivery height of the conveyor, wherein an
enhanced curve-going mobility is obtainable by an additional
pivotability of a frame part in the rear region of the machine.

4
In this respect, the configuration is advantageously devised
such that, on the rear end of the carriage facing away from the
cutting arm, a pivot axis extending transversely to the
longitudinal axis of the machine is arranged for the conveyor or
the conveying chute so as to enable relatively heavy components
such as the energy supply for the machine drives to be laterally
pivoted in curves. It is an essential advantage over known
constructions to ensure any pivotability without entailing the
risk of the conveyor colliding with other machine parts, to
which end, the configuration, as already mentioned, is
advantageously devised such that the conveyor chute is designed
as an upwardly open chute over the entire length of the
conveyor.
The pivotability of the rear machine part, or pivotable rear
frame part articulately connected with the machine frame, can
even be further enhanced in that said rear frame part is
cardanically connected to the frame part comprising the tubular
guide.
In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail
by way of an exemplary embodiment schematically illustrated in
the drawing. Therein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective overall view of the machine according to
the invention in a schematic illustration;
Fig. 2 shows the frame that is displaceable in the longitudinal
direction of the machine in an enlarged illustration;
Fig. 3 depicts the machine frame with the rear, pivotable frame
part articulately connected to the machine frame; and
Fig. 4 is a sectional illustration along line IV-IV of Fig. 3
with the carriage inserted in the machine frame.
Fig. 1 depicts a mining machine 1 whose crawler mechanism 2 is
connected with a machine frame 3. On this machine frame, a

5
carriage 4 is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the
machine, wherein a cantilever or cutting arm 6 including a
rotationally mounted cutting roller 7 is articulated to the
carriage 4 so as to be vertically pivotable about a horizontal
pivot axis schematically indicated at 5.
On the rear end of the carriage 4, which has an upwardly open
chute-shaped profile, is provided a further frame part 9, which
is vertically pivotable about a pivot axis 8 and by means of
which a conveyor arranged in the chute can be pivoted in the
vertical direction in order to adjust the desired delivery
height. On the machine frame 2, another pivotable rear frame
part 10 is, however, also arranged, which can laterally be
pivoted out in curves, as will be explained in more detail by
way of the following Figures.
In Fig. 2, the carriage 4 is illustrated on an enlarged scale
with the cantilever arm 6 having been removed. From this, the
end carrier 11 connected with the carriage 4 and carrying the
guide rods 12 is clearly apparent. These guide rods 12 are
inserted in appropriate, tubular guides of the machine frame,
said tubular guides being denoted by 13 in Fig. 3. From Fig. 3,
the machine frame with the crawler mechanism 2 is apparent, the
latter being comprised of a first frame 3 supporting the tubular
guides 13 and a frame part 10 which is pivotable about a
substantially vertical axis 14. The illustration according to
Fig. 3 depicts pivot cylinders 15 for the vertical pivoting of
the cantilever arm 6 as shown in Fig. 1 as well as further pivot
cylinders 16 for the respective adjustment of the second frame
part 10 relative to the first frame part 3 connected with the
crawler mechanism. To this end, the axis schematically indicated
by 14 is not designed as a merely vertical pivot axis, but as a
spherical bearing allowing for a cardanic pivotability even
transverse to the axis 14. Similarly, the inner contour of the

6
tubular guides is formed by curved generatrices rather than
straight generatrices, so that the rods 12 are guided with
appropriate plays within the guides 13, which allow for a
tilting movement about an axis extending substantially parallel
with the bottom plane.
The illustration according to Fig. 4 depicts the frame structure
in a sectional view, with the rods 12 of the carriage 4 being
now inserted in the tubular guides 13. The tubular guides are
each welded with the crawler mechanism 2 and interconnected via
plates 17 to form a particularly rigid, box-shaped frame
component. The guide rods 12, which are inserted in the tubular
guides 13 and whose axial lengths are larger than the axial
lengths of the tubular guides, can be guided within the tubular
guides with appropriate plays, and it is clearly apparent from
Fig. 4 that the carriage, in cross section, forms an upwardly
open U-section, thus constituting an upwardly open chute for the
conveyor.
Due to an extremely low mode of construction at a simultaneous
maximum of flexibility, the mobility on crowns and ditches as
well as the curve-going ability of the mining or cutting machine
are substantially enhanced in this configuration.

7
Claims:
1. A cutting machine with cutting heads or rollers rotationally
mounted on a pivotable cutting arm, including a loading ramp or
a conveyor extending in the direction to the mine face for
receiving and removing the cut material, wherein the cutting arm
is mounted on a carriage displaceable on guides extending in the
longitudinal direction of the machine, characterized in that the
carriage (4) carries guide rods (12) extending in the
longitudinal direction of the machine and engaging in tubular
guides (13) of the machine frame (3) carrying a chassis (2).
2. A cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that
the carriage (4) is designed as an upwardly open chute in whose
side cheeks the pivot axis (5) for the vertical pivoting of the
cutting arm (6) is arranged.
3. A cutting machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in
that the tubular guides (13) are arranged between crawler
mechanisms (2) and connected to a frame by braces or plates (17)
extending transversely to the tube axes.
4. A cutting machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized
in that a frame part (9) capable of being pivoted about at least
one pivot axis (8) extending transversely to the longitudinal
direction of the machine is articulately connected to the frame
(3) comprising the tubes (13) .
5. A cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that, on the rear end of the carriage (4)
facing away from the cutting arm (6), a pivot axis extending
transversely to the longitudinal axis of the machine is arranged
for the conveyor (9) or a conveying chute.

8
6. A cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that the conveyor chute is designed as an
upwardly open chute over the entire length of the conveyor.
7. A cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that the pivotable, rear frame part (10)
articulately connected with the machine frame (3) is
cardanically connected to the frame part comprising the tubular
guide (13).
8. A cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the tubular guides (13) have curved
generatrices while forming spherical inner contours.

In a cutting machine (1) with cutting heads or rollers (7) rotationally mounted on a pivotable cutting arm (6), including a loading ramp or a conveyor (9) extending in the direction to the mine face for receiving and removing the cut material, wherein the cutting arm (6) is mounted on a carriage (4) displaceable on guides extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine, the carriage (4) carries guide rods (12) extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine and engaging in tubular guides (13) of the machine frame (3) carrying a chassis (2).


Documents:

01811-kolnp-2007-abstract.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-claims.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.1.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.2.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-correspondence others.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-description complete.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-drawings.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-form 1.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-form 2.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-form 3.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-form 5.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-gpa.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-international publication.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-pct request form.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-priority document 1.1.pdf

01811-kolnp-2007-priority document.pdf

1756-KOLNP-2004-(18-12-2012)-FORM-27.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-(18-12-2012)-FORM-27.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-ABSTRACT-1.1.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE)-1.1.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-DRAWINGS-1.1.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED.PDF

1811-KOLNP-2007-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-FORM 1.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-FORM 18 1.1.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-FORM 2-1.1.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-FORM 26.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-FORM 3-1.1.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-FORM 3.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-FORM 5.pdf

1811-kolnp-2007-form-18.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-FORM-27.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-LETTER PATENT.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-OTHERS 1.1.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-OTHERS.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

1811-KOLNP-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT 1.1.pdf

abstract-01811-kolnp-2007.jpg


Patent Number 250448
Indian Patent Application Number 1811/KOLNP/2007
PG Journal Number 01/2012
Publication Date 06-Jan-2012
Grant Date 04-Jan-2012
Date of Filing 22-May-2007
Name of Patentee SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION G.M.B.H.
Applicant Address ALPINESTRASSE 1, A-8740 ZELTWEG, AUSTRIA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BRANDI, ERICH DORFPLATZ 3, A-8734 GROSSLOBMING, AUSTRIA
2 SCHAFFER, KURT DURNBERG 27 A, A-8732 SECKAU, AUSTRIA
PCT International Classification Number E21C 27/24
PCT International Application Number PCT/AT05/000476
PCT International Filing date 2005-11-24
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 A 1996/2004 2004-11-26 Austria