Mining machine with spray nozzles for supply of dust suppression liquid
United States Patent Parker Apr. 8, 1975 MlNlNG MACHINE WITH SPRAY NOZZLES Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser FOR SUPPLY OF DUST SUPPRESSION Attorney, Agent, or FirmSteven R. Gustafson; John LIQUID M. Lorenzen [75] Inventor: John R. Parker, Columbus. Ohio [57] ABSTRACT [73] Ass1gnee: Dresser Industries, Inc., Dallas, Tex.  
  A rotary cutter head for a mining machine with noz- [22] Fled: 1973 zles mounted thereon for supply of dust suppression 2 App] 412 7 fluid to the cutting zone of the cutter head. The nozzles are disposed in front of the cutter bits of the head in the plane of rotation of the bits. Each nozzle com- [52] US. Cl. 299/81; 175/393; 239/5903; prises a block having a nuHike head portion and 3 239/600 screw thread portion. The block is hollow to accom- [51] hit. Cl. E216 /22 modate internal nozzle components Such as an orifice [58] Field of Search 299/81; 175/340, 393; di 3 core and a Saab-en The block also has both 239/590 5903&#34; 596 ternal and internal threads. A cap is threaded into the internal threads to hold the internal nozzle compol56l References C&#39;ted nents in their relative positions. The external threaded UNITED STATES PATENTS portion is screwed into an appropriate opening in the 2.774.631 12/1956 Wahlin 239/5903 Surface Of the Cutter head Presenting a low Profile of 3,563,324 2/1971 Lauber 299/81 X less than one quarter inch above the surface of the 3.672.578 6/1972 Wayne 239/590 opening. 3.753.597 8/1973 French 299/8] 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures MINING MACHINE WITH SPRAY NOZZLES FOR SUPPLY OF DUST SUPPRESSION LIQUID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to continuous mining machines and more specifically to apparatus for suppressing the dust which typically arises during the operation of such mining machines. In particular the invention relates to rotary cutters which are provided with fluid nozzles for supplying dust suppression liquid into the cutting zone.  
  During the operation of continuous miners large amounts of dust are inherently generated. This dust unless suppressed, collected or removed may present a hazard to the health and safety of the personnel in the mine. Conventionally means such as large vaccuum devices or banks of water spray nozzles mounted behind the rotary cutting heads have been used. However, more recent work has been directed at mounting the spray nozzles on the rotating cutter heads or augers. Such machines are generally called wetheads&#34; or wet auger mining machines. These wet auger machines are effective at dust suppression. The reason is evidently because the water is directed more closely to the cutting zone and suppresses the dust before it becomes airborne. Thus, the water is more efficiently used. However, the success of the wet auger is yet to be proven as far as operating life and maintenance requirements are concerned. One particular difficulty is that the nozzles which are located on the cutting head tend to be plugged by fine materials moving opposite to the waterflow. Also to be most effective the nozzles should be located just forward of the cutter bits in the plane of rotation of the bits. It is critical that the nozzles be protected from being destroyed during the mining operation. At the same time it is essential the nozzles be accessible for replacement with minimal time investment.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved nozzle means for use on rotary cutting heads of mining machines.  
  Another object of the invention is to provide a nozzle for supply of dust suppression liquid which presents a low profile which is easily protected from destruction and less prone to be plugged by fine material.  
  A further object of the invention is provide a low profile water spray nozzle which is easily mounted on the surface of the cutter head and which is easily replaced and maintained.  
  The invention accomplishes the above and other objectives by providing a water spray nozzle having a heavy duty body and cap. The nozzle body is a nut-like block that has a hollow interior to accommodate the orifice disc, core and strainer of the nozzle. The body also has an internal screw thread for insertion of the cap which holds the internal pieces of the nozzle together. In addition, the body also has an external screw thread so that it may be screwed into a corresponding opening in the auger surface. This nozzle presents a very low profile extending less than one quarter inch above the mating thread. It may be easily changed with channel locks or socket wrenches. Because of its low profile the nozzle may be positioned directly in front of the bit and aimed slightly in advance of the nearest trailing bit. Also, because of the low profile, the nozzle presents a minimum of interference to the cuttingfunction of the bit. And the nozzle is more easily protected by a small raised portion which preceeds the nozzle in its plane of rotation.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mining machine incorporating the water spray nozzles of the present invention.  
  FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the mining machine illustrated in FIG. 1.  
  FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view with part in section of a portion of the mining machine shown in FIG. 1.  
  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.  
  FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a liquid spray nozzle incorporating the features of the invention.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A continuous mining machine 10 incorporating the improved dust suppression system and low profile nozzle of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The mining machine is a continuous type in which the mining apparatus 11 is disposed at the forward end of the machine to be advanced into a mine face for cutting and breaking material out of the mine face. The mining machine is supported on endless traction treads 12 which are disposed one on each side of the machine and are suitably driven for propelling the mining machine.  
  The mining head 11 has a boom 20 that extends forwardly to support the rotary cutting and breaking drum 22 at the front end of the mining machine. The boom extends rearwardly and is supported on a pivot structure 25. The mining head 11 includes a plurality of spirally arranged cutter bits 26 and cutting chains 27 arranged for cutting and breaking material from the mine face. A plurality of liquid spray nozzles 40 are mounted on the rotating mining head 22. Where possible the nozzles 40 are mounted in front of a cutter bit 26 and are pointed to spray dust suppression liquid in the plane of rotation of the bit. The forward rotation direction is indicated by the arrow 13. Each nozzle is mounted in a housing which projects from the mining head 11.  
  The mining head 11 is driven by electric motors (not shown) which are on opposite sides of the main frame. The drive from the motors is delivered to a transmission and then to universal shafts (not shown). Each universal shaft is connected to a drive shaft which is rotatably mounted in the drive housing and main support.  
  The mining head 11 is moved upwardly and downwardly by hydraulic clyinders 25 pivotally attached at the lower ends to clevices on the main frame 10 and at the upper ends to the boom 20.  
  A gathering head 14 is at the forward end of the mining machine 10 beneath the mining head 11 and is pivotally supported at the pivot structure 24. Two gathering arms (not shown) on the gathering head 14 gather the mined materials and sweep the material in toward the center of the gathering head onto an endless chain and flight conveyor 17.  
  The endless chain and flight conveyor 17 extends longitudinally through the mining machine 10 from the gathering head 14 to the rear end of a discharge conveyor boom 18 which is pivotally supported on the pivot structure 24.  
  Dust suppression liquid for the nozzles is supplied by an auxiliary booster pump through appropriate hosing (not shown) to the miner. The liquid flow is controlled by a shut-off valve (not shown) at the operators pit. The water then passes through a 50 mesh filter under the conveyor 17 and is divided to supply cooling liquid for both the right and left side motors. Once past the motors, a 50 mesh filter and flow control valve (not shown) is located within each of the housings to provide separate flow control and filtration for each side of the cutting head. From the valves, the water is piped along the side of the housing along a channel 58 to a forward housing extension and support member 30 as shown in FIG. 3. From this stationary support member, the liquid is supplied through an appropriate rotary seal to the rotating auger head. My co-pending application (26,893) illustrates an effective liquid transfer and sealing device. Once delivered to the rotating cutting head the liquid is conveyed through channels 75 welded to the surface of the auger 22.  
  FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the details of the structure which conveys the dust suppression lqiuid along the rotating mining head 22 to the liquid spray nozzles 40. The structure is the same on each side of the mining machine except that the elements are oppositely disposed. Therefore, this description will proceed with respect to the liquid conveying structure and nozzles 40 on one side only of the mining machine 10 with the understanding that the description applies equally to the liquid conveying structure and nozzles on the other side of the mining machine.  
  FIG. 5 illustrates the details of the low profile nozzle 40. Each nozzle 40 comprises a body portion 80, an orifice disc 81, a core 82, a slotted strainer 83, and a cap 84. The body 80 is a bolt-like device having a hexagonal head 85 and an extended body portion 86 which has both external threads and internal threads. The structure 80 is hollow and adapted to receive a conventional orifice disc 81, core 82, and slotted strainer 83 which are retained at their upper surfaces by an annular ridge 87. The orifice disk, core and slotted strainer are inserted into the body 80 and are held in place along their lower region by the cap 84 which is screwed into the internal threads of the cap. The external threads on the body are screwed into appropriate openings on the auger head 22. Once assembled and screwed into the auger head 22 the only portion of the nozzle 40 which protrudes into the cutting zone is the narrow hexagonal head 85. Typically, the height of the head 85 is less than one quarter inch.  
  The nozzle head 85 although presenting a low profile, is large enough to be grasped by a socket wrench or similar tool so that sufficient torque may be applied for removal of the nozzle 40 while in the harsh environment. It is not necessary to handle or reassemble the internal nozzle components 81, 82, 83, each time a particular nozzle is replaced. Each nozzle assembly 80 is an individual, self-contained unit that may be replaced by a similar unit. However, the design of the nozzle 40 is flexible in that the internal components 81, 82, 83 may be replaced with other conventional components to adapt the internal nozzle structure to varying liquid or mine conditions.  
 FIG. 4 illustrates the protective housing 90 into which the low profile nozzles 40 are inserted. The nozzles are preferably aimed in the direction opposite to the rotation of the auger head 22. Each nozzle housing has a front protruding portion which helps protect the nozzles 40 and cut a path for the nozzle where necessary. The nozzles are preferably located just forward of the cutter bits 26 in the plane of rotation of the bits. In this manner the dust suppression liquid is directed very near the point of the bit and its immediate cutting zone.  
  The nozzles 40 may be located on the back side of the cutting bit holder 50 and the liquid may be directed therefrom at an angle toward the following auger bit 26. The position within the bit holder housing 50 offers more room for the nozzle. However, such a large space is not required for the nozzles of the present invention. Therefore, it is preferable that the low profile nozzles 40 be located in the more efficient position in front of the auger bits 26.  
  Having thus described the invention those skilled in the art will recognize various uses for and changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention as it is defined in the appended claims. It is, therefore, respectfully requested that the invention be interpreted as broadly as possible according to the provisions of the patent statutes and limited only by the scope of the appended claims.  
 I claim:  
  1. In a rotatable mining head for a mining machine including means for supplying dust suppression liquid to the mining zone through nozzles mounted in openings in the surface of the rotatable mining head, wherein the improvement comprises a low profile nozzle structure comprising:  
 a hollow body externally threaded at one end for insertion into threaded openings in the mining head and having a flat low profile geometrically shaped head at the other end, said geometric head being diametrically larger than the opening in the mining head such that in the installed position it rests tightly against the surface of the mining head forming a low profile projection adapted for engagement by a wrench for quick and easy removal of the nozzle,  
 said nozzle also having an orifice adjacent to the outermost surface of said geometric head and internal nozzle components for insertion in said hollow body and a removable retaining cap adapted for engagement within the hollow body at the end op-&#39; posite the orifice and effective to hold the internal components within said nozzle.  
  2. In a rotatable mining head as recited in claim 1, the further improvement wherein the removable retaining cap is externally threaded for threaded engagement with internal threads within the end of the hollow body of the nozzle.  
  3. In a rotatable mining head as recited in claim 1, the further improvement wherein said orifice is in a removable orifice disc retained by said removable cap against a retaining lip formed in the end of said hollow body.  
  4. A rotatable mining head as recited in claim 3, wherein the internal nozzle components include an orifice disc, a core and a strainer.