GB1600470A

GB1600470A - Drive unit for a mining machine

Info

Publication number: GB1600470A
Application number: GB2530078A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Dresser Europe SPRL
Current assignee: Dresser Europe SPRL
Priority date: 1978-05-31
Filing date: 1978-05-31
Publication date: 1981-10-14

Description

(54) DRIVE UNIT FOR A MINING MACHINE (71) We, DRESSER EUROPE S.A., a limited liability company incorporated in Belgium, of "Le Souverain", Boulevard du Souverain, 191-197 (B.3) B1160 Brussels, Belgium, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a drive unit for a mining machine e.g. of the shearer type, and a mining machine provided with such a unit.

It is known for shearer type mining machines to employ a first electric motor for driving at least one cutting unit incorp orating for example, a spiral vane shearer disc, and a second, smaller electric motor, for driving a machine haulage unit. Such machines have advantages over machines using a single electric motor for driving both the cutting element(s) and the haulage unit, principally in avoiding damage to elements of the haulage unit in the event of the latter developing a fault However, known twin motor machines, whilst exhibiting certain advantages over more conventional single motor machines, do introduce drawbacks from the viewpoints of machine manufacture, maintenance, compactness and adaptability. Thus in known twin-motor machines the first motor is housed in one unit and the second, haulage motor is housed in a separate unit.Both motors require separate water jackets and separate inlet and outlet connections. The second motor is located with its axis of rotation extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the machine, so that this motor is adapted for only one power take-off. Known arrangements also increase the bulk of the units, especially since the cross-sectional shape of each motor usually occupies only part of the internal volume of its unit.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a mining machine comprising a drive unit, a haulage unit and at least one mineral cutting unit, which units are connected together to form a unitary assembly, the drive unit having a first electric motor arranged to drive the cutting unit or units, and a second electric motor arranged to drive the haulage unit, these motors being housed within a common motor chamber.

Preferably, the chamber is defined by a prismatic casing, while the second motor may also be arranged to drive ancillary equipment e.g. a mineral lump breaker which may be mounted on and carried by, the machine.

Each end of the first electric motor, as well as each end of the second electric motor, may be connected to a power take-off coupling. Conveniently, a space may be provided between one of the electric motors and one of the interior end surfaces of the chamber there being control means in said space for controlling operation of at least one of the electric motors. The control means may be arranged to monitor continuously the current drawn, in use, by the second electric motor and, when the monitored current exceeds a predetermined threshold value, to bring about a speed reduction in that motor or to bring that motor to rest, while the machine is preferably provided with at least one spiral vane shearer disc e.g. mounted on a ranging arm. The first and second electric motors may have a common water jacket, with a single water inlet and a single water outlet.

Alternatively, the first and second electric motors may have individual water jackets, which are interconnected, so that one jacket may carry a water inlet and the other jacket a water outlet According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a drive unit for a mining machine, comprising a first electric motor for driving at least one mining machine mineral cutting unit and a second electric motor for driving a mining machine haulage unit, both electric motors being housed within a common motor chamber, the motors being rotatable about parallel axes and in contact with, or closely adjacent to, one another and also the side, top and bottom interior surfaces of the chamber, at least one of the motors also being in contact with, or closely adjacent to, the interior end surfaces of the chamber.

Again each end of the first electric motor, as well as each end of the second electric motor, may be connected to a power take-off coupling, and a space may be provided between one of the electric motors and one of the interior end surfaces of the chamber, there being control means in said space for controlling operation of at least one of the electric motors. As before, the control means may be arranged to monitor continuously the current drawn, in use, by the second electric motor and, when the monitored current exceeds a predetermined threshold value, to bring about a speed reduction in that motor or to bring that motor to rest.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example, to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, plan view of one form of mining machine in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-Il of Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a shearer type mining machine 1 is provided with shoes 19 by which it is mounted on, and guided by, the usual sigma section sidewalls of a plurality of conveyor pans, secured together end to end to form a scraper chain conveyor 16. The machine 1 is of the double ended ranging drum shearer type and comprises a number of units 2, 3 and 4 connected together to form an elongate unitary assembly, the unit 2 being a drive unit, the unit 3 being a haulage unit and the units 4 being mineral cutting units which each include a ranging arm 5 pivotable about a lateral axis and drivably carrying a mineral cutting, spiral vane disc 6.In a modification, the machine could be of the single ended ranging drum shearer type, by having just one mineral cutting unit The drive unit incorporates a first electric motor 8 for driving both cutting units 4 and a second electric motor 7 for driving the haulage unit 3, both motors being rotatable about parallel axes, which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine 1, and both motors being housed within a common motor chamber defined by a surrounding and prismatic casing 17. The motor 8 is of greater bulk and greater power output than the motor 7, typical power ratings for these motors being 250 horsepower and .50 horsepower respectively.At each end, the second motor 7 is connected to respective power take-off couplings 9, 10, the coupling 10 mechanically driving a haulage sprocket 11 of the haulage unit 3 by way of a mechanical transmission in the haulage unit, the transmission being indicated diagrammatically by a chain dotted line 12. The sprocket 11 is engaged either with a stationary haulage chain extending along the goaf side of the conveyor, or with pegs, projections or pockets of a "chainless" haulage system enabling the machine to haul itself along the conveyor.

The coupling 9 is available to drive any lump breaker (not shown) associated with the machine 1 e.g. by the lump breaker being mounted on, and carried by the machine 1.

At each end, the first motor 8 drives a coupling 13, 14 but in this case each coupling is mechanically coupled to each of the cutting units 4 and hence to the discs 6, in a known manner, by way of transmission 15. It is to be noted that the provision of the couplings 9, 10, 13 and 14 at both ends of the drive unit with a corresponding arrangement of couplings at the ends of the haulage unit enables the positions of the drive and haulage units to be interchanged to suit particular operating requirements.

As Figure 2 shows, both electric motors are arranged in parallel relationship within the casing 17 of the drive unit 2 in line contact (or closely adjacent) with one another and also with the side, top and bottom interior surfaces of the surrounding casing. In addition, the larger motor 8 is in contact (or closely adjacent) at its respective ends with the interior end surfaces of the casing 17 as Figure 1 shows.The smaller power output required from motor 7 results in the latter being of smaller dimension that the motor 8, so that the motor 7, although arranged in contact at one end with one interior end surface of the casing 17, provides space at the other end away from the second interior end face of the casing 17 and/or above the motor 7, such space serving for accommodating suitable control means (diagrammatically shown at 18) for controlling operation of at least one of the electric motors.

Conveniently, the control means is arranged to monitor continuously the current drawn by the motor 7. When the monitored current exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the control means responds either to bring about a reduction in the speed of the motor 7 and hence the haulage speed, or to bring the motor 7 to rest.

As is conventional with mining machines, it is necessary to provide for water cooling of the motor(s) and the proximity of the motors 8 and 7 in accordance with the present invention enables both motors to share a common water jacket (not shown) with the result that only one water inlet and one water outlet are required, or alternatively, both motors could be provided with individual and interconnected water jackets so as to maintain the advantage of a single inlet and a single outlet.

In principle, the second electric motor 7 may be a multi-pole motors that for instance machine start-up may occur with 8 poles with a speed change to four poles- or the motor 7 may be an infinitely variable speed motor e.g. employing thyristor control.

In one arrangement, the motor 7 is a twospeed motor driving a three-speed box in the haulage unit 3, thus giving a total of 6 possible speeds, the motor being caused to operate at its lower speed during any overload situation. The control means can be arranged such that on start-up, the motor 7 operates on slow speed for a predetermined period of time and then automatically proceeds to operate at its higher speed.

The disclosed machine employs mechanical drives i.e., using gearing, but alternatively, the electric motors 7 and 8 can drive hydras lic pumps used for operating hydraulic drives to the haulage unit and mineral cutting unit(s). In that event, the unoccupied space within the casing 17 can conveniently be utilised for housing the electro-hydraulic components.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the disclosed machine is advantageous in that it incorporates both drive motors within a single unit and yet enables the advantages of twin-motor drives to be obtained. In addition, the space within the drive unit casing is utilised to the maximum benefit, thus helping to keep the overall bulk of the machine to a minimum.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A mining machine comprising a drive unit, a haulage unit and at least one mineral cutting unit, which units are connected together to form a unitary assembly, the drive unit having a first electric motor arranged to drive the cutting unit or units, and a second electric motor arranged to drive the haulage unit, these motors being housed within a common motor chamber.

2. A mining machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first and second motors are rotatable about parallel axes.

3. A mining machine as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the chamber is defined by a prismatic casing.

4. A mining machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the second motor is also arranged to drive ancillary equipment.

5. A mining machine as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the ancillary equipment is a mineral lump breaker.

6. A mining machine as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the lump breaker is mounted on, and carried by, the machine.

7. A mining machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein each end of the first electric motor is connected to a power take-off coupling.

8. A mining machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein each end of the second electric motor is connected to a power take-off coupling.

9. A mining machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein a space is provided between one of the electric motors and one of the interior end surfaces of the chamber, there being control means in said space for controlling operation of at least one of the electric motors.

10. A mining machine as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the control means is arranged to monitor continuously the current drawn, in use, by the second electric motor and, when the monitored current exceeds a predetermined threshold value, to bring about a speed reduction in that motor or to bring that motor to rest.

11. A mining machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the first and second electric motors have a common water jacket, with a single water inlet and a single water outlet.

12. A mining machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the first and second electric motors have individual water jackets, which are interconnected, so that one jacket may carry a water inlet and the other jacket a water outlet.

13. A mining machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, provided with at least one spiral vane shearer disc.

14. A mining machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the second electric motor is a multi-pole motor.

15. A mining machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the second electric motor is an infinitely variable speed motor.

16. A drive unit for a mining machine, comprising a first electric motor for driving at least one mining machine mineral cutting unit and a second electric motor for driving a mining machine haulage unit, both electric motors being housed within a common motor chamber, the motors being rotatable about parallel axes and in contact with, or closely adjacent to, one another and also the side, top and bottom interior surfaces of the chamber, at least one of the motors also being in contact with, or closely adjacent to, the interior end surfaces of the chamber.

17. A drive unit as claimed in Claim 14, wherein each end of the first electric motor is connected to a power take-off coupling.

18. A drive unit as claimed in Claim 14, or Claim 15, wherein each end of the second electric motor is connected to a power takeoff coupling.

19. A drive unit as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 16, wherein a space is provided between one of the electric motors and one of the interior end surfaces of the chamber, there being control means in said space for controlling operation of at least one of the electric motors.

20. A drive unit as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 17, wherein the control means is arranged to monitor continuously the current drawn, in use, by the second electric

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. speed motor e.g. employing thyristor control. In one arrangement, the motor 7 is a twospeed motor driving a three-speed box in the haulage unit 3, thus giving a total of 6 possible speeds, the motor being caused to operate at its lower speed during any overload situation. The control means can be arranged such that on start-up, the motor 7 operates on slow speed for a predetermined period of time and then automatically proceeds to operate at its higher speed. The disclosed machine employs mechanical drives i.e., using gearing, but alternatively, the electric motors 7 and 8 can drive hydras lic pumps used for operating hydraulic drives to the haulage unit and mineral cutting unit(s). In that event, the unoccupied space within the casing 17 can conveniently be utilised for housing the electro-hydraulic components. It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the disclosed machine is advantageous in that it incorporates both drive motors within a single unit and yet enables the advantages of twin-motor drives to be obtained. In addition, the space within the drive unit casing is utilised to the maximum benefit, thus helping to keep the overall bulk of the machine to a minimum. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A mining machine comprising a drive unit, a haulage unit and at least one mineral cutting unit, which units are connected together to form a unitary assembly, the drive unit having a first electric motor arranged to drive the cutting unit or units, and a second electric motor arranged to drive the haulage unit, these motors being housed within a common motor chamber.

motor and, when the monitored current exceeds a predetermined threshold value, to bring about a speed reduction in that motor or to bring that motor to rest.

21. A drive unit as claimed in any one of Claims 16 to 20, wherein the second electric motor is a multi-pole motor.

22. A drive unit as claimed in any one of Claims 16 to 20, wherein the second electric motor is an infinitely variable speed motor.

23. A drive unit for a mining machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

24. A shearer type mining machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the acconipanying drawing.