Technical Field

The present invention relates to machines that form passages in a rock layer and insert bolts therein, and more particularly but not exclusively to machines that form passages in a rock layer surrounding a mine tunnel and inserting a roof bolt therein.

Background of the Invention

In a mining operation a shearer is moved along a mine face, such as a coal face. A tunnel is formed in the direction of movement of the shearer. As the tunnel is formed, passages are drilled in the mine roof and bolts inserted. Frequently the bolts also secure in position mesh that lines the roof.

Extending longitudinally of the tunnel is a conveyor that removes the mined material. The conveyor incorporates a pair of parallel spaced rails upon which the shearer is mounted. The shearer moves longitudinally along the rails to move the cutting drum through the coal face.

Adjacent the conveyor, passages are drilled and bolts inserted. Hydraulically operated (chocks) aid in retaining the rock structure of the roof in position until the bolts are inserted. The chocks include a ground engaging base and a roof support, with a hydraulic ram extending between the base and roof support to urge the roof support and base apart so as to support the mine roof till the bolts are inserted and tensioned.

A disadvantage of the above described method of drilling and inserting the bolts is that frequently the operator of the drill rig is not protected. Still further, the drill rig is difficult to move and relocate.

Object of the Invention

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

There is disclosed herein in combination, a mine shearer and drill rig:

the mine shearer including a body to be mounted on a pair of generally parallel rails for movement along the rails, a cutting drum rotatably mounted on the body for rotation about a rotational axis that is to extend generally transverse to the rails, and motor means to drive the drum about said axis and to drive the body along the rails; and a drill rig mounted on the body and operable to form passages in a rock layer surrounding the tunnel being formed by the drum.

Preferably, said drill rig has a control console, the console being displaced laterally from the body so as to project therefrom in a direction opposite said drum.

Preferably, said body has a plurality of wheels to engage the rails.

Preferably, the combination further includes an articulated arm having an end extremity, and a support frame mounted on said end extremity to receive a drill bit, with the articulated arm providing for angular movement of the support frame about a plurality of pivot axes, at least one of the pivot axes being generally perpendicular relative to said rotational axis.

Preferably, the pivot axes include at least one pivot axis that is movable in a plane generally parallel to the rotational axis.

Preferably, the drill rig includes at least one hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder attached to the support frame, a beam attached to each cylinder and moved longitudinally relative to the cylinder by operation of the cylinder, a drill motor mounted on the beam to cause longitudinal movement of the drill bit.

Preferably, the drill rig includes a drill motor mounted on the beam to cause rotational movement of the drill bit.

Preferably, the above combination further includes the abovementioned rails with the body mounted on the rails.

Preferably, the above combination further includes a conveyor to remove mined material, the conveyor being at least partly supported by the rails.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a mine shearer, drill rig and chock;

Figure 2 is a further schematic side elevation of the mine shearer, drill rig and chock of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a further schematic view of the shearer and drill rig of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a schematic still further isometric view of the shearer and drill rig of

Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a mine shearer 10. The shearer 10 is forming a tunnel 11 having a roof 12 and floor 13. The shearer 10 includes a body 14 that rotatably supports a drum 15 having cutting picks 16. The drum 15 is rotated about a rotational axis 17 by a motor (not illustrated) incorporated in the body 14. The drum 15 removes material (such as coal) from the mine face 32.

The shearer 10 is mounted on a pair of generally parallel longitudinally extending horizontal rails 18 that are transversely spaced. The shearer 10 moves longitudinally of the rails 18 so as to move the drum 15 through the material being mined and thereby forming the tunnel 11. The tunnel 11 being formed extends parallel to the rails 18.

Supported by the rails 18 is a conveyor 19, while secured to the rails 18 is a shield 20 that inhibits mined material moving beyond the rails 18 to thereby aid in protecting an operator 21. The body 14 is supported on the rails 18 by a plurality of wheels (not illustrated).

The body 14 also incorporates a further motor (not illustrated) that is attached to the drum 15 to cause rotation of the drum 15 as described above.

At spaced locations longitudinally of the tunnel 11 are chocks 22. The chocks 22 include a base 23 and a roof support 24 with a hydraulic ram 25 extending therebetween. The hydraulic ram 25 urges the base 23 and roof support 24 apart so as to support the roof 12 until bolts are inserted.

The abovementioned bolts are inserted by a drill rig 26. The drill rig 26 includes an articulated arm 27 and a drill bit 28. The drill bit 28 is rotated by a motor 29, with the arm 27 being manipulable to locate the drill bit 28 in a desired location and inclination. Operation of the drill bit 28 drills passages in the roof 12 or other tunnel wall to enable a bolt to be inserted therein by the drill rig 26.

The drill rig 26 includes a control console 30 positioned so that it can be easily accessed by the operator 21. Preferably, the operator 21 is located between the base 23 and roof support 24. Accordingly, the roof bolts can be inserted with the operator 21 essentially protected by the chock 22. The control console 30 is spaced laterally from the body 14 in a direction opposite the drum 15 so that the control console 30 is positioned adjacent the shield 20.

As best seen in Figure 2, the arm 27 is manipulable so that the drill bit 28 is positioned adjacent the operator 21 so that the drill bit 28 can be removed and a roof bolt mounted so as to be rotatably driven by the motor 29. Fixed to the end extremity of the arm 27 is a support frame 40 that supports a pair of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 33. In this embodiment, the cylinders 33 have "through" rods 34. One extremity the rods 34 has secured to it an end assembly 35 through which the drill bit 28 extends so as to be at least partly supported and guided thereby. The other end of each rod 34 is fixed to a base 36, with a beam 37 extending between the base 36 and end assembly 35.

Mounted on the base 36 is a thrust motor 38 that, via a power screw assembly, moves the motor 29 longitudinally of the beam 37 to cause the drill bit 28 to drill into the rock layer.

The end assembly 35 and end extremity of the drill bit 28 are located adjacent the rock face by operation of the cylinders 33.

An advantage of the above described preferred embodiment is that the drill rig 26, by being supported on the body 14, is easily moved to a desired location at which roof bolts are to be inserted by movement of the shearer 10. A further advantage of the above described preferred embodiment, is being able to locate the end of the drill bit 28 adjacent the rock layer by operation of the cylinders 33.

The arm 27 has a base 41 fixed to the body 14, with a first arm portion 42 pivotally attached to the base 41 for angular movement about a generally upright axis 43, and an axis 44 generally perpendicular to the axis 43. Attached to the end extremity of the arm portion 42 is a second arm portion 45. The arm portions 42 and 45 are pivotally connected for relative angular movement about an axis 46 and an axis 47 generally perpendicular to the axis 46. The axis 46 is generally parallel to the axis 43. Attached to the end extremity of the arm portion 45 is a mounting 50 to which the frame 40 is attached. The mounting 50 is attached to the arm portion 45 for angular movement about an axis 48. The axis 48 is generally parallel to the axis 43. The mounting 50 is attached to the arm portion so that the frame 40 can move angularly about an axis 49 that is generally perpendicular relative to the axis 43. Hydraulic motors are used to cause the above angular movements.

The axes 43, 47 and 48 are generally perpendicular relative to the axis 17, while the axes 44, 46 and 49 move in planes generally parallel to the axis 17 and floor 13.

It should be appreciated that each motor, or hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, may as an alternative, be an electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically driven device.