U.S. patent application number 12/734619 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-16 for heading machine.
Invention is credited to Bernhard Ebner, Peter Kogler.
Application Number | 20100231026 12/734619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39944578 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100231026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ebner; Bernhard ; et
al. |
September 16, 2010 |
HEADING MACHINE
Abstract
In a heading machine (1) including a machine frame equipped with
a travelling mechanism (2), a cutting boom (3) carrying cutting
tools (5,8,10), and a hauling means (19) extending in the
longitudinal direction of the machine beyond the rear end of the
machine frame, the cutting tools (5,8,10) are formed by at least
two rotating cutting heads (5) having axes of rotation (6)
extending in the heading direction or enclosing acute angles with
the heading direction, and a unit (21) capable of being trailed
behind the machine frame and having a passage cross-section (33)
for the hauling means (19) is hingedly connected to the machine
frame by the aid of hydraulic piston cylinder units (29,30), which
unit comprises at least one anchor boring and setting device (23),
and at least one supporting device (24) which is braceable against
the roof (7) and the floor (9), each on both sides of the hauling
means (19).
Inventors: |
Ebner; Bernhard;
(Knittelfeld, AT) ; Kogler; Peter; (Knittelfeld,
AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
111 WEST MONROE STREET
CHICAGO
IL
60603
US
|
Family ID: |
39944578 |
Appl. No.: |
12/734619 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
November 5, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AT2008/000399 |
371 Date: |
May 12, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
299/33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21C 27/24 20130101;
E21D 20/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
299/33 |
International
Class: |
E21C 27/24 20060101
E21C027/24; E21D 20/00 20060101 E21D020/00; E21C 35/00 20060101
E21C035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 15, 2007 |
AT |
GM 700/2007 |
Claims
1. A heading machine including a machine frame equipped with a
travelling mechanism, a cutting boom carrying cutting tools, and a
hauling means extending in the longitudinal direction of the
machine beyond the rear end of the machine frame, wherein the
cutting tools are formed by at least two rotating cutting heads
having axes of rotation extending in the heading direction or
enclosing acute angles with the heading direction, characterized in
that a unit (21) capable of being trailed behind the machine frame
and having a passage cross-section (33) for the hauling means (19)
is hingedly connected to the machine frame by the aid of hydraulic
piston cylinder units (29,30), which unit comprises at least one
anchor boring and setting device (23), and at least one supporting
device (24) which is braceable against the roof (7) and the floor
(9), each on both sides of the hauling means (19), and that a
control device is provided, which is connected with a drive of the
travelling mechanism (2) and/or drives of the cutting tools
(5,8,10) as well as with a hydraulic control for the hydraulic
piston cylinder units (29) such that the hydraulic piston cylinder
units (29) are switched pressure-less or floating during the
heading of the machine (1).
2. A heading machine according to claim 1, characterized in that
the unit (21) capable of being trailed behind the machine frame is
hingedly connected to the machine frame by two hydraulic piston
cylinder units (29) symmetrically arranged relative to the
longitudinal central plane, and that the machine frame and the
trailable unit (21) are connected with each other by a further
hydraulic piston cylinder unit (30) extending inclinedly toward the
longitudinal central plane.
3. A heading machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in
that the hydraulic piston cylinder units (29,30) comprise
displacement-measuring means for detecting the respective stroke,
and the signals of the displacement-measuring means are fed to the
control device such that the drive of the travelling mechanism (2)
and/or the drives of the cutting tools (5,8,10) are interrupted as
soon as the displacement-measuring means have detected a maximum
stroke.
4. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that the trailable unit (21) rests on the floor
(7) by means of skids (22).
5. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the hauling means (19) comprises an end
portion (20) which is pivotable about a vertical axis (32) and
arranged behind the trailable unit (21) at a distance enlarged by
the maximum stroke of the hydraulic piston cylinder units
(29,30).
6. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that the trailable unit (21) comprises protective
shields (27) on both sides of the hauling means (19).
7. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that the trailable unit (21) comprises an
operator's stand (34) or a control platform (25), respectively.
8. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the hauling means (19) is designed to be
liftable and lowerable, and that the trailable unit (21) rests on a
frame of the hauling means (19).
9. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that the width of the trailable unit (21) does not
exceed the width of the heading machine (1).
10. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized in that the travelling mechanism (2) is comprised of
a crawler mechanism.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a heading machine including a
machine frame equipped with a travelling mechanism, a cutting boom
carrying cutting tools, and a hauling means extending in the
longitudinal direction of the machine beyond the rear end of the
machine frame, wherein the cutting tools are formed by at least two
rotating cutting heads having axes of rotation extending in the
heading direction or enclosing acute angles with the heading
direction.
[0002] Heading machines with cutting rotors whose axes of rotation
extend in the heading direction or enclose acute angles with the
heading direction are usually denoted as "Marietta drills", wherein
the cutting unit comprises two or several rotating cutting heads.
The two cutting heads define a cutting profile with a maximum
profile width, wherein the cutting tools are usually arranged on
the cutting heads in a manner that cutting tools of one of the
cutting heads engage between cutting tools of the other one of the
cutting heads during rotation such that the circular areas of the
respective cutting profiles will overlap one another. The common
cutting profile of the two or more cutting heads arranged
adjacently and, preferably, on the same level will, therefore, as a
rule, correspond to the respective number of partially overlapping
circular areas, with so-called profile gussets remaining between
the individual circular areas in the region of the floor and the
roof.
[0003] In order to secure an advanced tunnel, anchor boring and
setting devices have already become known, which are either
arranged on the machine itself or accordingly placed in separate
devices in the road so as to be movable separately from the heading
machine. In order to secure the roof during the drilling of anchor
bores and the setting of anchors, supporting devices which are
braceable between the roof and the floor to support the respective
region of the roof have become known.
[0004] From DE 31 08 877 A1, a heading machine has become known, in
which a gantry for the setting of the anchors is arranged above the
frame of the heading machine and a support frame capable of being
trailed by cables or chains and integrally including an anchor
boring and setting device for setting additional anchors is,
furthermore, provided at a distance from the heading machine.
[0005] From U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,958, a so-called hopper car can be
taken, on whose rear end anchor boring and setting devices are
positioned in the region of the central conveyor by being coupled
to the machine frame by the aid of joints. The two anchor boring
and setting devices are protected by a cover device on the side of
the roof.
[0006] In DE 28 51 443 A1, it is proposed to provide a roof support
system with integrated anchor boring and setting units behind a
shearing and hauling device. The advance movement of the excavation
tool mounted on a bottom plate and of the hauling device is
effected via the hydraulic cylinders that are coupled to the braced
roof support system. A displacement of the roof support system, or
the shearing machine, in that case is only possible by the aid of
an advancing mechanism formed by the hydraulic cylinders.
[0007] Finally, a heading machine has become known from U.S. Pat.
No. 4,865,390, in which two mutually coupled carrying frames with
integrated anchor boring and setting devices are provided laterally
of the crawler mechanisms, which anchor boring and setting devices
remain braced between the roof and the floor during the cutting
process so as to enable the introduction of anchors parallelly with
the cutting process.
[0008] The arrangement of anchor boring and setting devices
constitutes a challenge, in particular, with heading machines of
the initially defined kind of the "Marietta drill" type. Heading
machines of that type have cutting means equipped with several
rotors and additional cutters to cut large-area profiles. On
account of its construction width, this mode of construction is
only suitable for linear heading, wherein the cutting tools are
each retractable to a slight extent in order to enable the
displacement of the machine in the road. The arrangement of an
anchor boring and setting device laterally on the crawler mechanism
in most cases is impossible because of the limited distance to the
lateral wall. It is also difficult to integrate the anchor boring
and setting device directly in the heading machine in order to
enable parallel cutting and anchoring operations.
[0009] The present invention, therefore, aims to further develop a
heading machine of the initially defined kind to the extent that
anchors can be set as closely to the mine face as possible while,
at the same time, continuing the cutting process.
[0010] To solve this object, the heading machine of the initially
defined kind is essentially characterized in that a unit capable of
being trailed behind the machine frame and having a passage
cross-section for the hauling means is hingedly connected to the
machine frame by the aid of hydraulic piston cylinder units, which
unit comprises at least one anchor boring and setting device, and
at least one supporting device which is braceable against the roof
and the floor, each on both sides of the hauling means. The
arrangement of the anchor boring and setting device on a trailable
unit along with supporting devices allows for the setting of
anchors in a region immediately behind the heading machine,
wherein, due to the fact that the hinge connection of the trailable
unit with the machine frame is realized by the aid of hydraulic
piston cylinder units, the distance between the trailable unit and
the heading machine is variable such that heading can be continued
while setting anchors by the aid of the anchor boring and setting
device. Since the trailable unit has a passage cross-section for
the hauling means, the hauling means extending beyond the rear end
of the machine frame does not require any conversions. The hauling
means, thus, extends through the trailable unit, wherein, for the
protection of the operating crew from rock falling from the hauling
means, the configuration is preferably devised such that the
trailable unit comprises protective shields on both sides of the
hauling means.
[0011] As already mentioned, the coupling of the trailable unit to
the heading machine is effected by hydraulic piston cylinder units,
wherein a particularly preferred arrangement of the hydraulic
piston cylinder units, according to a preferred further
development, will result if the unit capable of being trailed
behind the machine frame is hingedly connected to the machine frame
by two hydraulic piston cylinder units symmetrically arranged
relative to the longitudinal central plane, and that the machine
frame and the trailable unit are connected with each other by a
further hydraulic piston cylinder unit extending inclinedly toward
the longitudinal central plane.
[0012] The two hydraulic piston cylinder units symmetrically
arranged relative to the longitudinal central plane preferably are
laterally hinged to the frame of the heading machine and serve to
trail the trailable unit. In addition, an accordingly obliquely
arranged further hydraulic piston cylinder unit is provided, which
is configured as a control cylinder to enable the positioning of
the trailable unit, and hence the anchor boring and setting device,
in correspondence with the anchor pattern. A lateral displacement
of the trailable unit within certain limits is feasible by the aid
of the control cylinder.
[0013] In order to enable parallel cutting and anchoring
operations, the heading machine is advantageously further developed
such that a control device is provided, which is connected with a
drive of the travelling mechanism and/or drives of the cutting
tools as well as with a hydraulic control for the hydraulic piston
cylinder units such that the hydraulic piston cylinder units are
switched pressure-less or floating during the heading of the
machine. The parallel cutting and anchoring operations in this case
are performed in a manner that the trailable unit is braced within
the road by the supporting device which is braceable between the
roof and the floor, and anchors are set, while the heading machine
is being advanced by the aid of the travelling mechanism and, in
particular, crawler mechanism. In doing so, the hydraulic piston
cylinder units by which the trailable unit is coupled to the
heading machine are switched pressure-less or floating so as to be
able to accomplish the length compensation between the heading
machine and the trailable unit braced within the road, possibly
without resistance, as a function of the forward movement of the
heading machine.
[0014] In order to enable a timely stop of the advancement of the
heading machine as soon as the hydraulic piston cylinder units have
reached the maximum stroke, a further development is preferred, in
which the hydraulic piston cylinder units comprise
displacement-measuring means for detecting the respective stroke,
and the signals of the displacement-measuring means are fed to the
control device such that the drive of the travelling mechanism
and/or the drives of the cutting tools are interrupted as soon as
the displacement-measuring means have detected the maximum
stroke.
[0015] After having stopped the heading machine, the supporting
devices of the trailable unit, which are bracable against the roof
and the floor, can be retracted so as to enable the trailable unit
to be trailed by the hydraulic piston cylinder units coupled to the
heading machine, and to be positioned accordingly by the
additionally provided control cylinder.
[0016] In order to avoid a collision between the trailable unit and
the hauling means extending beyond the rear frame end of the
heading machine and usually having an end portion pivotable about a
vertical axis, as the heading machine is being advanced with the
trailable unit braced within the road, the configuration is
preferably devised such that the hauling means comprises an end
portion which is pivotable about a vertical axis and arranged
behind the trailable unit at a distance enlarged by the maximum
stroke of the hydraulic piston cylinder units. Due to the fact that
the pivotable end portion of the hauling means is arranged behind
the trailable unit at an accordingly enlarged distance, a collision
during heading will be safely avoided.
[0017] According to a preferred further development, it is provided
that the trailable unit rests on the floor by means of skids. Such
skids will facilitate the trailing procedure. If, however, the
heading machine is to be moved over larger distances, the skid
conduct may involve problems such that, according to a preferred
further development, it is provided that the hauling means is
designed to be liftable and lowerable, and that the trailable unit
rests on a frame of the hauling means. Such a configuration enables
the trailable unit to be lifted in its entirety so as to ensure the
free floating of the skids relative to the floor as required for
the moving operation.
[0018] Due to the fact that, according to the invention, the anchor
boring and setting devices are arranged in a trailable unit
separate from the heading machine, sufficient space for the
operating personnel will be provided at the anchor boring and
setting device, wherein a preferred further development in this
context is characterized in that the trailable unit comprises an
operator's stand or a control platform, respectively.
[0019] In order to enhance the maneuverability of the heading
machine plus trailed unit, a configuration in which the width of
the trailable unit does not exceed the width of the heading machine
will be advantageous.
[0020] In the following, the invention will be explained in more
detail by way of an exemplary embodiment schematically illustrated
in the drawing.
[0021] Therein, FIG. 1 is a side view of the heading machine
according to the invention, including a trailable anchor boring and
setting unit;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a top view on the heading machine according to
FIG. 1; and
[0023] FIG. 3 is a view of the heading machine from behind in the
sense of arrow III of FIG. 1.
[0024] In FIG. 1, a heading machine is denoted by 1 and comprises a
travelling mechanism 2. The travelling mechanism in this case is
configured as a crawler mechanism. On the cutting boom 3, which can
be adjusted in the vertical direction in the sense of double arrow
4 by an appropriate adjusting apparatus, cutting bodies 5 are
mounted, which are rotationally driven about an axis of rotation
6.
[0025] Behind the cutting body 5 are arranged a cutting roll 8 to
be positioned on the roof 7, and a cutting roll 10 to be positioned
on the floor 9. The cutting rolls 8 and 10 are fixed to a pivot arm
11 or 12, respectively, which is pivotable relative to the cutting
boom 3 about an axis 13 or 14, respectively. Hydraulic cylinders 15
and 16, respectively, serve as pivot drives. Each of the two
cutting rolls 8 and 10 is associated with a single drive 17 or 18,
respectively.
[0026] FIG. 1 further depicts a hauling means 19, which extends in
the longitudinal direction of the machine as far as to beyond the
rear end of the machine and comprises a pivotable end portion
20.
[0027] Behind the heading machine, a trailable unit 21 is arranged,
which is guided on skids 22. The trailable unit 21 comprises anchor
boring and setting devices 23 as well as supporting devices 24,
which are braceable between the roof 7 and the floor 9.
Furthermore, a platform 25 for an operator 26 is provided.
Protective shields 27 are arranged on both sides of the hauling
means 19. Furthermore, a cover 28 is provided.
[0028] The trailable unit 21 is coupled to the frame of the heading
machine 1 by the aid of hydraulic piston cylinder units 29.
[0029] As is apparent from the top view according to FIG. 2, two
such hydraulic piston cylinder units 29 are arranged, i.e. one on
the left-hand side and one on the right-hand side of the heading
machine 1. Moreover, a further hydraulic piston cylinder unit 30 is
indicated, which extends obliquely to the longitudinal central
plane 31. The hydraulic piston cylinder unit 30 is designed as a
control cylinder and serves to enhance the positioning of the
trailable unit 21. From the illustration according to FIG. 2, it is
apparent that anchor boring and setting devices are arranged on
both sides of the hauling means 19. The same holds for the
supporting devices 24, which are each formed by a hydraulic piston
cylinder unit. It is, moreover, apparent that the hauling means 19
comprises an end portion 20 which is pivotable about a vertical
axis 32, the pivoted position being indicated by broken lines and
denoted by 20'. Moreover, the protective shields 27 arranged below
the cover 28 are indicated in broken lines, and it is apparent that
the protective shields 27 are arranged on both sides of the hauling
means 19 extending through the trailable unit 21.
[0030] In FIG. 3, the passage cross-section 33 for the hauling
means 19 is illustrated, the end portion 20 of the hauling means 19
being illustrated both in its non-pivoted position and in its
pivoted position 20'. In the elevational view according to FIG. 3,
the anchor boring and setting devices 23, two of which are each
arranged on both sides of the hauling means 19, are illustrated in
detail, the operating platform being again denoted by 25, with
space for two operators 26 being available on an operator's stand
34.
* * * * *