U.S. patent number 4,097,854 [Application Number 05/774,354] was granted by the patent office on 1978-06-27 for sensing mechanism for mine roof bolting apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the. Invention is credited to Sigmund Black, James L. Finney.
United States Patent |
4,097,854 |
Black , et al. |
June 27, 1978 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Sensing mechanism for mine roof bolting apparatus
Abstract
The sensing mechanism of the present invention includes a probe
electrically connected to a mine roof bolting apparatus and adapted
to be embedded within a mine roof to sense any shifting of the
apparatus during an operative cycle. The probe is linked to a
360.degree. rotational toggle switch mechanism which controls an
alarm means. The probe is pivotably mounted within the roof bolting
apparatus and consequently, any effective movement of the apparatus
along any direction within a horizontal plane pivotably displaces
the probe and actuates the switch mechanism, energizing the alarm.
In this manner, personnel are apprised of conditions warranting
corrective measures in order to re-position the bolting apparatus
or the apparatus may be automatically halted so as to prevent
damage from being imparted thereto.
Inventors: |
Black; Sigmund (Belle Mead,
NJ), Finney; James L. (Cranbury, NJ) |
Assignee: |
The United States of America as
represented by the Secretary of the (Washington, DC)
|
Family
ID: |
25100997 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/774,354 |
Filed: |
March 4, 1977 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/690;
299/1.05; 405/259.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21D
20/003 (20130101); E21F 17/185 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21F
17/00 (20060101); E21F 17/18 (20060101); E21D
20/00 (20060101); G08B 021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/272,282,421
;61/35,45B,45C ;299/1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
3111655 |
November 1963 |
Kotarsky et al. |
|
Primary Examiner: Waring; Alvin H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Zack; Thomas Gardiner; Donald
A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In combination with a mine roof bolting apparatus, a sensing
mechanism comprising:
means secured to said roof bolting apparatus and operatively
engaged with the roof of a mine for sensing any shift of said roof
bolting apparatus with respect to said mine roof, in any direction
within a horizontal plane,
said means having a vertically movable probe assembly for embedding
and fixing the sensing mechanism in a fixed position with respect
to the mine roof,
said means including means actuated by the pivotal movement of the
probe assembly for generating a signal indicative of said
shift.
2. In combination with a mine roof bolting apparatus, a sensing
mechanism comprising:
means secured to said roof bolting apparatus an operatively engaged
with the roof of a mine for sensing any shift of said roof bolting
apparatus with respect to said mine roof, in any direction within a
horizontal plane, said means including means for generating a
signal indicative of said shift;
means embedded within said mine roof for establishing the relative
fixed position of said apparatus with respect to said mine roof for
said sensing function; and
means for embedding said embedded means within said mine roof
comprising an hydraulic cylinder means operatively connected to
said embedded means and mounted upon said roof bolting
apparatus.
3. The sensing mechanism as claimed in claim 2, further comprising
means pivotably mounting said hydraulic cylinder means within said
roof bolting apparatus.
4. The sensing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
sensing means comprises a 360.degree. rotational toggle switch
device.
5. The sensing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said signal
is supplied to an alarm device.
6. The sensing mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said alarm
device is of the audible type.
7. The sensing mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein said alarm
device is of the visual type.
8. In combination with a mine roof bolting apparatus, a sensing
mechanism comprising:
means secured to said roof bolting apparatus and operatively
engaged with the roof of a mine for sensing any shift of said roof
bolting apparatus with respect to said mine roof, in any direction
within a horizontal plane, said means including means for
generating a signal indicative of said shift;
said sensing means also comprising a spiked probe adapted to be
embedded within said mine roof for establishing the relative fixed
position of said apparatus with respect to said mine roof for said
sensing function;
hydraulic cylinder means operatively connected to said spiked probe
for embedding said probe within said roof;
a 360.degree. rotational toggle switch device operatively connected
to said hydraulic cylinder means;
means pivotably mounting said hydraulic cylinder means and said
spiked probe within said roof bolting apparatus; and
alarm means operatively connected to said switch device for
indicating any shift of said roof bolting apparatus as sensed by
said switch device in response to pivotable movement of said
cylinder and said probe.
9. The sensing mechanism of claim 8, further including control
means connected to said switch device for halting operation of said
bolting apparatus in response to pivotable movement of said
cylinder and said probe.
10. The sensing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
signal is supplied to a control means for halting operation of said
bolting apparatus.
11. For use in combination with a mine roof bolting apparatus, a
movement sensing mechanism comprising:
a frame;
said frame having means adapted for replaceably securing said frame
to a mine roof bolting apparatus;
means coupled to, and extensible from, said frame for engaging a
surface of a mine to establish a given fixed position on said frame
relative to any such mine surface; and
means coupled to said frame and to said surface engaging means
responsive only to substantially horizontal displacements between
said frame and said surface engaging means for causing a sensible
signalling of such displacements.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to mine roof bolting
apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus to be utilized in
conjunction with such roof bolting apparatus in order to sense or
detect any translational movement thereof during an operating cycle
and to indicate the same by a suitable alarm means or provide an
automatic halt function.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various devices are employed either independently of mining
apparatus in order to monitor operative conditions within a mining
environment, or in conjunction with such mining apparatus in order
to sense or detect different parameters during operation.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,817,578 discloses a conventional type
sensing mechanism which is adapted to control the steering
mechanism of the mine apparatus in order to maintain the thickness
of a coal layer within predetermined limits. If the detected
thickness is outside of the predetermined limits, then corrective
measures may be imparted to the cutter head.
A pendulum type control device, for controlling a guide mechanism
of a mining machine, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,915, the
control device seeking to maintain the guide mechanism within a
predetermined plane relative to the mine floor in order to properly
perform a cutting operation with respect to the mineral seam.
British Patent 1,141,191 discloses the use of strain gauge
apparatus for properly orientating the mineral cutting tool with
respect to a mineral seam.
Another type of device, which is designed to be operative
independently of mining apparatus, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,111,655 which includes a probe mechanism secured within the roof
or ceiling of the mine. The same is adapted to sense minor shifts
in the mine strata and generate a signal in response thereto such
that corrective measures may be taken, for example, by mine safety
engineers.
Since the inception of underground mining, the need to support the
overhead ceiling or roof in the underground passageways of a mine
has been recognized as essential in order to prevent failure or
collapse of the roof of the mine thereby jeopardizing the lives of
individuals working in the underground mine. Typically, elongated
roof bolts are inserted into openings drilled at predetermined
spaced apart intervals. These bolts tend to secure together thin
strata or bands of rock above the roof and prevent lateral shifting
of the strata, as well as, in some instances, to anchor the strata
to more massive overlying rock. The bolts are secured to the roof
by a roof bolting apparatus which drills the openings as mentioned
above, and then inserts the bolts into the openings, sometimes
filling the opening around the bolt with a resin. During the
bolting cycle, it is imperative that there be no shifting of the
roof relative to the apparatus in order to prevent substantial
damage from being imparted to the apparatus.
While the prior art includes various other sensing devices per se
as well as sensing mechanisms incorporated within mining machinery
for performing various types of sensing operations, there appears
to be substantial need for sensing or detecting means which may be
utilized in conjunction with mine roof bolting apparatus in order
to sense or detect any translational movement of a bolting
mechanism part of the apparatus relative to the mine roof during an
operating cycle.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved sensing mechanism.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved sensing mechanism which is to be utilized in conjunction
with mine roof bolting apparatus.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved sensing mechanism in conjunction with mine roof bolting
apparatus which is able to detect and indicate a shift of such
apparatus relative to the mine roof.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved sensing mechanism in conjunction with mine roof bolting
apparatus which is able to detect and indicate a shift of such
apparatus relative to the mine roof in any direction within a
horizontal plane.
Another object is to provide a new and improved sensing mechanism
which is able to detect and respond to a shift of such apparatus
relative to the mine roof so as to prevent the occurrence of damage
to such apparatus and the roof bolting mechanism thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The sensing mechanism of the present invention comprises a spiked
probe which is adapted to be embedded in a mine roof. The probe is
operatively connected with a hydraulic cylinder device mounted
within the roof bolting apparatus, and in this manner, the probe
may be projected outwardly from the bolting apparatus, under the
influence of the hydraulic cylinder forces, so as to be embedded in
the mine roof.
The probe and cylinder mechanism is pivotably mounted within the
bolting apparatus and is linked by a 360.degree. toggle switch
connected to an alarm system which may be of the audible or visual
type, and to a control for halting the apparatus. In this manner,
any translational movement of the bolting apparatus, in any
direction so as to have a force component in a horizontal plane,
will serve to pivotably move the cylinder-probe assembly. The
pivotable movement of the cylinder-probe assembly actuates the
switch mechanism thereby energizing the control for halting the
apparatus and the alarm system enabling personnel to take
corrective action.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention
will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description, wherein we have shown and
described, simply by way of illustration of the best modes
contemplated by us of carrying out our invention. It is to be
understood that the invention is capable of other and different
embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications
in various obvious respects, all without departing from the
invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a mine roof bolting apparatus
having incorporated therein the sensing mechanism of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as
viewed in the direction of arrows 2--2;
FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial, enlarged cross-sectional view of the apparatus
of FIG. 3 taken along the line 3--3 thereof; and
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the alarm and control
circuitry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof,
a sensing device in accordance with the present invention is
generally indicated by the reference character 10 and is seen to be
incorporated within a conventional mine roof bolting apparatus or
frame 12. The apparatus 12 is supported on the mine floor 14 by a
conventional foot pad or skid generally indicated at 16 and is
likewise provided with mine roof engaging devices or jack pads 18
which operatively engage the mine roof 20. In this manner, the
apparatus 12 is adequately supported with respect to the mine floor
14 and mine roof 20 so as to facilitate the performance of a mine
roof bolting operation by means of a conventional mine roof bolting
mechanism 22 of the bolting apparatus 12 through which bolts stored
in a cartridge 25 are applied to the roof 20. An access door 24 is
provided within a sidewall 26 of the apparatus 12 in order to
facilitate access to the interior of the apparatus 12, particularly
the bolt storage cartridge 25 thereof. A conventional draft
structure generally indicated at 28 (FIG. 2) is provided in
conjunction with the apparatus 12 in order to facilitate
transportation of the same within the mine.
As noted hereinabove, despite the presence or provision of foot pad
arrangement 16 and roof engaging devices 18 upon the bolting
apparatus 12, it has been found that such apparatus nevertheless
experiences some movement relative to the mine roof and
consequently, in accordance with the present invention, the sensing
device 10 is provided in conjunction with bolting apparatus 12 in
order to indicate to mine personnel that some shift or movement of
line apparatus 12 has in fact taken place relative to the mine
floor or roof and to halt operations. As also noted hereinabove, if
such a shift or movement does occur during the performance of the
mine bolting operation by means of mechanism 22, damage to the
latter and/or the apparatus 12 is likely to be experienced.
Considering then the apparatus of the present invention, it is seen
from the Figures that at least one shift sensor device 10 is
provided on the apparatus 12, and as disclosed, is disposed within
an upper corner region thereof. As best seen from FIGS. 3 and 4,
the sensor device 10 comprises an annular stepped or counterbored
bracket 30 which is secured to the underside surface 32 of the top
cover 34 of apparatus 12 by means of a plurality of bolt and nut
assemblies 36 disposed about the periphery of the bracket. The
bracket 30 is located on cover 34 such that a radially inwardly
projecting shoulder 38 is spaced from the underside surface 32 of
the cover 34.
A vertically extending tubular member 40, open at the upper end
thereof and closed at the lower end by means of an end wall 42, is
concentrically disposed with bracket 30. The upper end of member 40
is provided with a radially outwardly projecting annular flange 44
and the depth of the same is somewhat less than that of the spacing
defined between shoulder 38 of bracket 30 and the underside surface
32 of cover 34. In this manner, flanged portion 44 of tubular
member 40 is able to be seated on shoulder 38 whereby tubular
member 40 is supported thereon in a floating manner. It is to be
noted that the outer diametrical extends of tubular member 40 and
the flanged portion 44 thereof are less than the inner diametrical
extents, respectively, of the upper and lower sections of annular
bracket 30, and as a result, the tubular structure may be easily
accomodated within bracket 30.
A vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder 46 (FIG. 4) is secured to
the exterior surface of lower end wall 42 of tubular member 40 by
means of a plurality of blind bolt assemblies 48. End wall 42 is
provided with an axially located through bore 50 and apparatus
cover 34 is also provided with a through bore 52 which is aligned
with bore 50. An upwardly extensible piston 54 is operatively
disposed within cylinder 46 in a conventional manner, and the upper
end of piston 54 has fixedly secured thereon an upwardly extending
spike or sensing pole 56. The uppermost end 58 of pole 56 is
tapered so as to form a pointed end, and in this manner, when
hydraulic power is supplied to cylinder 46 in a suitable manner and
by means of suitable hydraulic circuitry, not shown, piston 54,
along with spike 56, will be actuated upwardly so as to project
spiked end 58 into the mine roof 20. It is, of course, to be noted
that the external diameters of piston 54 and pole 56 are somewhat
smaller than the diameters of bores 50 and 52 of end wall 42 and
cover 34 in order to permit the former to pass freely through the
latter.
An essentially triangular plate 60 is integrally secured to an
external peripheral portion of tubular member 40 at the lowermost
end thereof. The plate is disposed within a horizontal plane and is
provided with a vertically extending through bore 62 formed
essentially within the projecting apex portion thereof. A housing
64, having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped
configuration, is secured to a side wall 66 of apparatus 12 by
means of suitable fasteners which pass through vertically extending
flanged members 68 integrally formed on opposite sides of housing
64. The housing 64 is provided with electrical circuitry (FIGS. 4
and 5), and a vertically extending pin type member 70 such as, for
example, a 360.degree. rotational toggle member, which projects
upwardly through the upper wall 72 of housing 64.
Housing 64 is mounted on wall 66 of apparatus 12 within the
vicinity of horizontally extending plate 60, and the length of the
toggle 70 is such as to project upwardly through bore 62 of plate
60. The diametrical extent of bore 62 is somewhat greater than that
of toggle 70, and in this manner, toggle 70 is able to be easily
accomodated within plate 60. Toggle 70 is operatively associated
with a normally open (N.O.) switch 79 (FIG. 5) disposed within
housing 64, and such circuitry is, in turn, electrically connected
to a suitable alarm system schematically illustrated at 74, and to
a halt control schematically illustrated at 75. Halt control 75
(see FIG. 5) represents a conventional drop-out relay that connects
a heavy duty load, such as the motive system operating a roof
bolter, to a source of power when the relay system is energized,
but disconnects the load when the relay system is de-energized.
As shown in FIG. 5, alarm system 74 is connected to a voltage
source 77 through a normally open (N.O.) set of contacts 79. Halt
control 75 is connected to source 77 through a normally closed set
of contacts 81. Both contacts 79 and contacts 81 are controlled by
a relay coil 85 connected to source 77 through switch 87. Switch 87
is incorporated in housing 64 and is closed in response to pivoting
of the toggle 70. It is thus apparent that pivoting of toggle 70,
caused by shifting of the mine roof 20 relative to bolting
mechanism 22 causes switch 87 to close, permitting relay coil 85 to
be energized by voltage source 77. In response to energization of
coil 85, contacts 79 close, thereby energizing alarm system 74 and
contacts 81 open, removing power from halt control 75, thereby
halting apparatus 12.
In utilizing the apparatus of the present invention, when the roof
bolting apparatus 12, with its roof bolting mechanism 22, has been
secured at a predetermined position within the mine and relative to
the mine roof 20 and floor 14 by means of skid 16 and the jack pads
18, hydraulic cylinder 46 is actuated so as to project the piston
54 and sensing pole 56 upwardly. Spiked end 58 is thus embedded
within the mine roof 20, and the position of the bolting apparatus
12 relative to the mine roof and floor is now fixed for sensing
purposes.
Consequently, during the performance of the mine roof bolting
operation by means of mechanism 22, should the apparatus 12 tend to
lineally shift, rotate or tilt in any direction or angular mode so
as to deleteriously affect the mechanism 22 and/or the apparatus
12, then biasing forces will be developed between the upper wall or
cover 34 of apparatus 12 and the upper portion of piston 54. The
wall of cover 34 which defines bore 52 will serve as a fulcrum
about which the piston assembly 54-56 will be biased to pivot. As a
result of this tendency to pivot, and the resulting limited pivotal
movement of assembly 54-56, the lower portion of tubular member 40
will also experience some lineal displacement in view of the
structural interaction between the lowermost end of piston 54 and
end wall 42, particularly that portion of wall 42 which defines
bore 50, and the loose mounting at bracket 30.
In light of this displacement of end wall 42, plate 60 is similarly
moved so as to likewise bias toggle 70. Toggle 70 activates its
associated switching mechanism, not shown, which, in turn,
activates the alarm system 74 and halt control 75. Activation of
control 74 automatically halts operation of bolter apparatus 12.
Optionally, the halt control 75 may be omitted whereby only alarm
system 74 is operative. The alarm system 74 may, of course, have
incorporated therein any suitable type of alarm mechanism, the same
being either an audible buzzer or bell, a blinking light or the
like. Consequently, when the same is activated, mine personnel will
be made aware of the fact that the apparatus 12 has indeed shifted
and therefore, corrective measures taken.
In this disclosure there has been shown and described only the
preferred embodiment of the invention, but, as aforementioned, the
invention is capable of other and different embodiments and uses in
other environments, all without departing from the inventive
concept as expressed herein.
For example, it is apparent that housing 64 may be provided with
pneumatic elements rather than electrical circuitry whereby alarm
system 74 is pneumatically activated by toggle 70. Indeed, the
alarm system itself may be energized by by a pneumatic source,
whereby mechanism 10 is operated independently of any electrical
source of power.
* * * * *