Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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The world energy crisis has renewed the emphasis on
mining coal as a primary source of energy, both domestically and
abroad. In order to obtain coal economically from deep sources
wheremost coal reserves are now located, there is an urgent need
to modernize and improve on traditional mining methods and mach-
inery which are costly, inefficient and notoriously hazardous to
human life. Also, it is known that traditional mining procedures
recover only about 50%-55% of existing coal from deep mines,
which is intolerably wasteful in the present day economy.
Ideally, a mining method for deeply embedded coal or
other solid materials involves the recovery of substantially all
coal rom a given subterranean location without the necessity for
human work~rs to descend below ground level during the mining
operations. It is the~reore the primary object of this invention
15 to provide a coal mining method and apparatus for practicing the `
method which will closely approximate the ideal in terms of the
above economics and safety requirements.
In accordance with the present invention, subterranean
seams of coal or other solids of almost any thickness are located
and measured with accuracy and a network of shafts on known
centers are formed rom yround level into the coal seam. Mining
modules are placed individually at the bottom of one shaft by a
module placement and advancing unit and the modules in rigidly
coupled relationshi~ are forced into the coal seam on a radial
path extending outwardly ~rom the shaft. The leading module
has forward and side cutting heads, and all trailing modwles have
side cutting heads only. When all mining modules of the string
are embedded in the shaft and coupled with the rearmost module and
is operated to drive the coupled string of modules through the
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coal seam in one direction on an arcuate path of movement centered
on the shaft. During pene.tration of -the coal seam radially and
on the arcuate path, coal cuttings are continuously removed from
the seam and delivered above ground in water slurry form, water
S for this purpose being supplied downwardly through the shaft and
through passages of the modules to also drive the cutting head
motors and cool the cutting heads of the individual mining ~ .
modules.
When the leading mining module reaches a sec.ond shaft
at the coal seam, such module lS extracted from the second shaft
and coupled to the next adjacent module in the rigid str:ing for
driving the modules on a second arcuate path through the coal
seam centered on the second shaft. This procedure is repe~ted
at subsequent shafts in order to mine practically all o the coal
in the seam. The apparatus may also be operated in a complete
circle mode centerbd on one shaft t~ bore out the coal from a
deep seam over a wide circular area surrounding the shaft.
Other features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent during the course of the following description
when considered in conjunct.ion with the accompany drawin~s in
which:
Figure 1 is a partly schematic fragmentary cross ...
section through irregular terrain having a deep coal seam ~nd ~ ~;
showing plural shafts on measured centers extending from ground
level into the coal seam; ~:~
Figures 2a, 2b and 2c are diagrammatic plan views
showing variations in the method of mining coal from the seam
by driving a rigid string of modular mining elements on arcuate
paths through the seam while centered on various shafts;
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Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through the coal
seam showing a module placement and advancing unit near the
bottom of a shaft forcing coupled mining modules radially into
the top of the seam from said shaft;
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a
rotational driving unit for coupled mining :modules near the
bottom of the shaft to drive the modules on ~ arcuate path
through the seam centered on the shaft;
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a
leading module and an adjacent side cutting module and associated
coupling means;
Figure 6 is an enlarged fragment.ary vertical section
taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5 showing spring-ury~d interface
fluid passage seals;
Figure 7 is a transverse vertical cross section through
a side cutting module taken on line 7-7 of Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a rear side elevational view of the side
cutting module taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a fragmentary ~ottom plan view taken on
line 9-9 of Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a ~ragmentary longitudinal vertical section
through the leading module taken on line 10-10 of Flgure 5;
Figure 11 is a vertical cross sectional view through a
module placement and advancing unit with a side cutting mining
module in transit thereon ready for coupling with the next
forwardmost mining module in the coal seam near the bottom of
a shaft;
Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on line 12-12
of Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 11 showing the
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module placement and advancing unit ascending in the shaft with
its ram and coupling head extended, after having placed and
advanced a mining module in the coal seam;
Figure 14 is a further view similar to Figure 13 show-
ing a rotational driving unit for coupled mining modules at thebottom of the shaft and coupled with the rearmost side cutting
module for driving a string of coupled modules through the seam
on an arcuate path centered on said shaft;
Figure 15 is a plan view of the lower rotational section
of the rotational driving unit and associated fluid passage
means;
Figure 16 is a bottom plan v.iew O;e the upper non-
rotatable section oE the :rotatlonal dr:iving unit;
Figure 17 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view show-
ing a coupled string of mining modules at the bottom of a coalseam after having been rotated as a unit around the center of
one shaft by the rotational driving unit in such shaft, the
: leading module having reached a second shaft where it is about
to be extracted through the second shaft by a module lifting
unit;
Figure 18 is a similar view showing the rotational
unit being lowered in the second shaft for coupling with the
adjacent side cutting module at such shaft, the remote side -~ :
cutting module at the first shaft receiving an end sealing device
being lowered in the first shaft by an elevating and lowering
unit;
Figure l9 is a fragmentary vertical section through
a deep coal seam and intersecting shaft and showing a coupled
string of mining modules having a horizontal axis swiveled
connection with a rotational driving unit whereby the string
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of modules can turn somewhat on its axis responsive to angular
adjustment of side cutting heads during full circle boring of
the deep coal seam; and
Figure 20 is a fragmentary vertical cross section
showing a pivoted side cutting head on a mining module and power
operated head angle adjusting means.
As employed herein, the term "coal" is meant to include
all minable solids and the terms "coal mining" and "~ining of
coal" are intended to include the mining of any and all solids.
Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like num-
erals designate like parts, and referring initially to Figure 1
wherein the numeral 25 designates a well-defined coal seam at a
considerable depth below ground lev~l in an irregular terrain
region. One eature of the present invention is that the method
employed renders it economical and feasible to mine coal from
relatively narrow seams of the order of 18 inches to two feet in
thickness. The invention is also applicable to coal mining
situations where very thick seams are involved, as will be further
explained in the application.
Following an aerial survey, core sampling and seismo-
graphic survey procedures, a plurality of comparatively narrow
shafts 26 on measured centers are formed from ground level
downwardly through the coal seam 25, as illustrated. The forma-
tion of one shaft 26 by conventional drilling equipment 27 is
indicated in Figure 1. The number and spacing of the sha~ts 26
as well as their diameter will vary depending upon such factors
as the established area of the coal seam, its thickness and its
depth below ground level. Such factors will dictate the size of
mining machinery modules to be placed in the coal seam and this
in turn will dictate the size of the shafts 26, which in general
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are small compared to traditional mine shafts. Typically, the
shafts 26 are large enough to accommodate approximately cubical
machinery modules of about two feet along any side.
Following formation of the several shafts 26, certain
ground level equipment shown schematlcally in Figure 4 is placed.
More particularly, a preferably mobile ingress-egress unit
28 is positioned at the top of one shaft 26 and this equipment
unit contains hoisting means for raising and lowering mining
machine modules, yet to be described, storage and handling means
for such rnodules, and internal connections ~or a multiconductor
sensing cable 29, a driving fluid conduit 30, a mined slurry
removal conduit 31, and a back filling material conduit or line
32. The elements 29, 30, 31 and 32 extend into the shaft 26,
FLgur~ ~, for connection with certain machinery units, to be
described, and also have above ground extensions, as illustrated.
The ground level equipment further comprises an
electrical power source 33 having an output cable 34 includ-
ing branches 35 which are connected to several ground level
components which require electrical energy to operate. Among
these components is a pump 36 connected in the mined slurry
conduit 31 for constantly delivering mined coal in water slurry
form to a transporting pipe line 37 during the coal mining
operation. A manned control center 38 is provided and has
electrical connections with the sensing cable 29. The con-
trol center 38 also includes geophone means 39, as shown.Load cells or other known types of sensing devices placed on
the subterranean mining modules, yet to be described, operate
in conjunction with the sensing cable 29 and geophone means 39
to constantly feed into the control center 38 electrical signals
which are indicative of the positions of mining modules relative
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to the coal seam and the shafts 2~. By means of continuous sensor
readouts, an operator in the control center 38 can monitor the
unmanned mining modules far below ground level while remotely
controlling the same from the control center.
An above ground reservoir 40 and delivery pump 41
for driviny fluid in the conduit 30 are provided, as well as a
reservoir 42 and mixing and pumping unit for back filling slurry
in the line 32. Back filling solids, chemicals or additives are
delivered at proper times from a hopper 44 to a conveyor 45
which supplies the unit 43.
A feature of the inven-tion is -that the back illing
materials employed to fill the subterranean mined cavity can
~ctually be beneficia:L to khe environment a~ by improviny the
quality of ground water and restoring certain minerals or the
like in which the surrounding area may be deficient. This is
in marked contrast to traditional coal mining procedures which
notoriously damage the environment.
The below ground unmanned remotely controlled modular
apparatus employed in the practice of the method, and forming
the main subject matter of the invention comprises a single
leading mining module 46 which has the ability to cut forwardly
inthe coal seam 25 on a radial path away from the shaft 26 and
also to cut laterally at one side of the leading module. Behind
the leading module 46 in rigidly coupled relationship is a
plurality of identical side cutting mining modules 47 whose
number will vary according to prevailing conditions in the coal
seam 25, its size and thickness. The modules 46 and 47 are
generally cubical in formation, or block-like, as best shown
in Figure 5. Their details o~ construction ancl operation will
be fully described. The apparatus further includes a mining
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module placement and advancing unit 48 adap~ed to be raised and
lowered in the shaft 26 by suspension cable means 49 connected
with hoisting means of the ingress-egress unit 28. The unit 48
is adapted to transpor-t the mining modules 46 and 47 one at a
time to the coal seam 25 near the bottom of a shaft 26 and to
advance them radially of the shaft into the coal seam in coupled
relationship, as will be described~ Additionally, the apparatus
comprises a rotational driving unit 50 also adapted to be raised
and lowered in the shaft 26 by cable means 51 winched from the
ingress-egress unit 28 at ground level. The rotational unit 50
is adapted to be coupled to the rearmost side cutting module 47
in the rigid string of mining modules to drive the string on an
arcuate path through the coal seam centered on a part:icular
sha~t 26, as will also be Eully described.
15The previously-mentioned leading mining module 46 has
a forward cutting head 52 and a single side cutting head 53, both
adapted to be vibrated or oscillated in a known manner by a fluid
driven motor 54 inside of the module 46, Figure 10. A separate
motor 54 is provided for each movable cutting head 52 and 53.
The leading module 46 has an integral pipe section 55 ~or driving
~luid (water) delivered at all times from ground level through
the driving fluid conduit 30. The pipe section or passage means ;~
55 is closed within the leading module 46 by a cap 56. An elbow -~
57 serves to connect the pipe section 55 with cutter head drive
motor 54 so that driving fluid may be delivered thereto. The
elbow 57 has an electrically controlled valve 58 connected there-
in whose operation will be further described.
The leading module 46 further includes a conduit
section 59 for mined coal and water in slurry form which is
closed at its forward end and has a short la-teral branch 60
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leading to an enlarged downwardly open slurry intake recess 61
at the bottom of the leading module. The branch condult 60 has
an electrically con-trolled valve 62 therein to regulate the
volume of mined slurry entering the conduit 59 and ultimately
delivered to the conduit 31 leading through the shaft 26 to the
- above ground transport pipe 37.
Near its side which is remote from the cutting head
52, the leading module has top and bottom seal plates 63 and 64
which are urged outwardly by spring means or fluid pressure
means so that their edges will seal with the top and bottom
faces of the mined cavity 65, Figure 10. The module 46 is
mounted on caster wheels 66 adapted to rota~te freel~ through
nine-ty degrees of rotation to enable the module 46 to move
radially :in a linear path through the coal seam awa~ from one of
the shafts 26 and subsequently to move laterally behind the side
cutting head 53 on an arcuate path centered on the shaft 26.
The leading mining module 46 has a rear end female
coupling means 67 including a top-to-bottGm coupling slot 68 as
shown in Figure 5. As will become apparent, this female coupling
means interlocks rigidly with a m~ating male coupling means on
the forward end o~ a side cutking module 47.
Each side cutting mining module 47 is similar to the
leading module 46 but differs principally therefrom by having a
vertical side cutting head 69 only and no forward cutting head.
Each module 47 has a forward end male coupling head 70 including
- a lower tapered terminal 71 for guided entry into the coupling
slot 68 of leading module 46, or into a like slot of another
module 47. As depicted in Figure S, each module 47 has a rear
end female coupling slot 72 identical to the slot 68 of leading
module 46. At its side away from the cutting head 69, each
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56
module 47 has upper and lower longitudinal mined cavity seal
plates 73 and 74 identical to the seal plates 63 and 64 and being
aligned therewith to form continuous cavity.seals when the modules
are coupled in assembled relationship, Figu:res 9 and 10.
Each module 47 has a fluid-operated drive motor 75 for :
its side cutting head 69, Figure 7, and connected through an
elbow 76 with a driving fluid conduit section 77 in the module
47. The conduit section 77 is adapted to register with the
sim.ilar conduit section 55 of leading module 46 as shown in
Figure 6 when the modules are rigidly coupled in end-to-end
relationship. The elbow 76 has an electrically controlled valve
78 connected therein. Each module 47 has a mined slurry conduit
seation 79 therein extending lengthwise through the moduLe and
adapted to register with the slurr~ condu.it section S9 of leading
module 46 or with the conduit section 79 of another module 47.
The conduit 79 is connected by a short branch section 80 having
an electrically controlled valve 81 with a 1ared inlet 82 for
slurry which opens through the bottom of each module 47 rear-
wardly of side cutting head 69. A flexible sealing flap 83 is
preferably provided on the rear side of inlet 82 to wipe the
bottom of cavity 65 and assist in guiding the mined slurry
through the inlet 82. A similar flap 84, Figure 10, is provided ~:
on the leading module 46.
A third longitudinal back filling material conduit 85
25 is provided in each module 47 but is absent in the leading
module 46. Back filling slurry from the shaft conduit 32 is
delivered through the condu.it section.s 85 of -the side cutting
modules 47 to back fill the mined cavity 65 with suitable ..
material shown at 86 in Figure 7. The back filling slurry
.: 30 passes from conduit section 85 and through a branch pipe 87 to
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113'7~'7S6
a wide outlet slot 88 in the rear side of each module 47.
Branch pipe 87 also has an electrically operated valve 89 con-
nected therein so that the volume of flow of back filling material
can be regulated remotely.
Like the leading module 46 r each side cutting module 47
has bottom corner caster wheels 90 adapted to turn freely through
ninety degrees ~or the purpose explained in relation to the
module 46. Each module 46 and 47 has a longitudinal front-to
back multiconductor cable section 91 extending therethrough,
Figures 5 and 7, so as to form continuations of the sensing
cable 29 when the modules are coupled as a rigid string end-to-
end. ~n addition to conduct.ing l.oad cell or sensor signals
back ~o ~he control center 38 At all ~imes, the cable sections
91 are also electr:ically connected by wires 92 to the described
electrically operated fluid flow control va1ve of modules 47
and 46.
As depicted in Figure 7, the cutting head 69 of each
module 47 has passages 93 continuously receiving driving :E;luid
exhausted from the cutter head driving motors 75. This exhaust
~luid (water) cools the coal cutting heads and flushes the coal
cuttings in water slurry form into the slurry intakes 82 and 61
which intakes are under vacuum due to the action of the pump 36
and other booster pumps, not shown, which the slurry delivery
system may embody. The front and side cutter heads 52 and 53
of leading module 46 are similarly equipped with passages 93
for the purposes described immediately above in connection with
the cutting heads 69 of side cutting modules 47.
Figure 6 shows interface fluid passage sealing:means
between leading module 46 and the adjacent module 47, and
:30 identical sealing means is included at the interfaces of all
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3L~'7~75~;
modules 47. This sealing means comprises at each communicating
and registering fluid passage 77-55, 79-59 and 85-85 a spring-
uryed sleeve 94 carried by the rear side of each module 46 and
47 for entry into a recess 95 in the forward face of the next
rearmost mining module. Each recess 95 contains a 0-ring seal
96 or the like which is engaged and compressed by the end flange
of spring-urged sleeve 94 to thus seal and maintain the integrity
of the three fluid passages through thestring of modules 47 and
the tWG passages or conduits 55 and 59 of leading module 46.
Other forms of interface seals may be used, if desired. When
adjacent modules are coupled by downward entry of a coupling head
70 into a coupling slot 68 or 72, the tapered portion 71 will
en~Ag~ and retract a door bolt, and then the sLeeves will snap
into their respective recesses 95 of coupling heads 70.
The previously-noted mining module placement and ad-
vancing unit 48 is particularly shown in Figuresll through
13 and comprises an elevator carriage body 97 having a level
floor 98 and having a mining module transport cavity 99 above
the floor 98 which is forwardly open as shown. The unit 48
additionally comprises a forwardly and rearwardly shiftable male
coupling head 100 essentially identical to the described coupling
had 70 of the mining modules 47. The head 100 is connected to
the forward end of an extensible and retractable fluid pressure
operated ram 101 whose base section is securely anchored to the
back wall 102 of carriage body 97. Flexible bellows-like conduits
103 have their forward ends coupled with registering passages 104
in the head 100, which passages are adapted for connection with
the driving fluid and mined slurry passages 77 and 79 of mining
module 47 so that these fluid circuits may be maintained during
the radial advancement of the string of modules46 ancL 47 into
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the coal seam 25 under influence of the ram 101 while the for-
ward cutting head 52 of the leading module is activated.
To temporarily suppor-t the coupling head 100 of unit
48 when the ram 101 is extended, Figure 13, a remotely controlled
retractable and rotatable support lug 105 on the carriage body 97
near the top and mouth of the module cavity 99 enters a bayonet
slot 106, Figure 12 at the top of the head 100. When the coupling
head 100 is retracted as in Figure 12, the support luy 105 is
rotated and withdrawn from the slot 106.
The rear ends of bellows conduits 103 are connected
with rising passages 107 and 108 for driving fluid and mined
slurry respectively. These fluid passages are formed in the
back wall 102 and lead to and connect with the conduits 30 and
31 within shaft 26. ~ddi-tionally, the floor 98 o~ carxiacJe body
97 is preferably e~uipped with remotely controlled retractable
caster wheel chocks or latches 109 although these elements may
be omitted in some instances.
In operation, the mining module placement and advancing
unit 48 has its male head 70 coupled with the rear slot 72 of a
module 47 or with a comparable slot 68 of the module 46 at ground
level with the ram 101 and he~ 100 extended. The ram is then
retracted to draw a mining module onto the Eloor 98 and within
the chamber 99 or cavity of the unit 48, see Figure 11. The unit
48 is then lowered in the shaft 26 to a point immediately above
the coal seam and the male coupling head 70 of the transported
module is slowly introduced into the female coupling slot 72 of
the next module 47 immediately ahead in the coal seam, which is
the rearmost module 47 of the string already advanced radially
into the coal seam. When the coupling procedure is completed,
the ram 101 is extended to force or advance the transported
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756
module 47 radially into the coal seam and when ~his has been
done, the unit 48 is elevated as shown by the arrow in Figure
13, thus removiny the coupling head 100 from the now in place
module 47, the unit 4~ returning to ground level preparatory to
receiving and placing another module 47, if such is indicated.
Figure 3 of the drawings graphically illustrates the utilization
of the unit 48 for forcing a transported module 47 radially into
the coal seam 25 in rigidly coupled relationship with other
modules which have already been placed in the seam~ While this
placement operation is taking place, the forward cutting head 52
is active for cutting into the seam, and the resulting coal
cuttings in slurried form are being delivered throu~h the shaft
26 ~o the transport pile line 27, A5 clescribed.
Following the described placement and advancement o:E a
desired number of m.ining modules 46 and 47 in the coal seam 25 as
a rigidly coupled string extending radially of one shaft 26, the
rotational driving unit 50, Figures 4 and 14 through 16, is now
employed to turn or rotate the entire string of modules through
an arcuate path of movement in the coal seam, centered about the
shaft 26 and in the directi.on toward which the now active side
cutting heads 69 are all facincJ.
The rotational driving unit 50 is adapted to be raised .
and lowered bodily through the shaft 26 from the ground level ~ .
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unit 28, as previously noted. It comprises an upper relatively
stationary section 110 and a lower rotational section 111, as
shown. The upper section 110 has remotely controlled radial
power-operated pins or lugs 112 which penetrate the side wall of
shaft 26 to lock the unit in place near the bottom of the shaft
at the proper elevation in relation to the rigicl string of mining
; ~30 modules 46 and 47. The elements 112 can be retracted into the
97~6
section 110 at proper times. A fluid~operated drive motor 113
on the upper stationary section 110 is coupled through a drive
shaft 114 with a long depending spline gear 115 which is received
through a central vertical splined opening 116 in the lower
rotational section 111 so as to form a very strong and secure
rotational coupling. As will be described, in certain circum-
stances, the lower unit 111 can move downwardly along the spline
gear 115 and away from the stationary upper unit 110. The lower
unit 111 has a male coupling heaa 117 on its forward side sub-
10 stantially identical to the head 70 or 100 and a female coupling
slot 118 in its rear side substantially identical to slots 68
or 72. The element 117 is adapted to rigidly couple with the
rear end of the rearmost side cutting module 47 in the coal seam
when the rotational unit 50 is lowered into place in the shaft 26.
The lower section 111 of unit 50 has fluid passages
119, 120 and 121 for drirving fluid, back filling material and
mined coal slurry, respectively, adapted to register with the
respective passages 77, 85 and 79 of the adjacent module 47,
so that the several fluid systems may be operational during
rotation of the coupled string of mining modules by means of the
unit 50. The fluid passages 119, 120 and 121, Figure 14, open
horizontally through the coupling head 117 and also extend verti-
cally through the top of the rotational section 111. At this
level, the passages 119, 120 and 121 communicate with concentric
25 a~nularchannels 122, 123 and 124 of a header 125 which is con-
strained from rotating with the section 111 by attached ups-tanding
. rods 126, such rods extending slidably through vertical guide ..
openings 127 in the upper stationary section 110. This arrange- .
ment allows the lower unit 111 to move axially on the long spline
gear 115 at certain times while rotating relative to the upper
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section 110, as will be further described. It also allows the
header 125 having the annular channels 122, 123 and 124 to be
held stationary while the tops of passages 119, 120 and 121
rotate with the section 111 and thereby maintain the integrity
of the several fluid circuits involved.
The channels 122, 123 and 124 lead respectively into
attached riser conduits 128, 129 and 130, Figure 14, having slid-
ing telescoping engagement within mating tubes or conduits 131,
132, and 133 which in turn are coupled with the conduits 30, 32
and 31, Figure 4, for driviny fluid, back filling material and
mined coal slurry.
When the rotational driving unit 50, as described, is
properly positioned relative to the coal seam 25 and string of
modul~s ~6 and 47, Figures 4 and 14, and with the upper section
110 held against rotation by the extended lugs 112, the rotational
drive motor 113 is activated and the spline gear 115 is turned to
rotate the lower section 111 whose coupling head 117 is rigidly
coupled with the rearmost side cutting module 47. With all of
the side cutting heads 69 and 53 active, the unit 50 will drive
the string of modules 47 and 46 substantially horizontally through
the coal seam 25 on an arcuate path centered on the sha~t 26 and
the rotational axis of the unit 50 therein. The angular extent
of this rotational movement of the modular mining apparatus may
vary from a relatively small angular sector to a full circle of
rotation in the coal seam. While such movement is occurring,
driving fluid for the cutting head motors 75 is being continu-
ously delivered through the flexible conduit 30 and communica-ting
passages 119, 77 and 55. The fluid exhausted by the several
cutter head motors after passing through -the openings 93 entrains
0 the coal cuttings as a water slurry and delivers this mined slurry
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through the inlets 82 and 61 to the module passage means 59 and
79 which communicate with passage 121 and ultimately flexible
slurry delivery conduit 31 and slurry transport pipe 37, Figure
4.
Simultaneously, while the angular rotation of the coupled
mining modules is taking place under driving power of the unit
50, the back filling material or slurry 86, Figure 7, is constantly
being pumped through the flexible conduit 32 and passage means 120
and 85 and through the several outlet slots 88 of modules 47.
This back filling slurry is under pressure and the fluid pressure
is utilized to push the rear sides of the coupled modules 47 in
conjunction with the power of rotational unit 50 to advance the
side cutting heads 69 into -the coal seam 25 and thus assist ~he
rotational sweep o the mining modules. The sealing plates 73
and 74 and 63 and 64 maintain the back filling slurry 86 separated
from the mined coal slurry during the entire operation. The
oscillatory movement of the cutting heads 69 and 53 is of suffi-
cient magnitude, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 7, to carve
out the cavity 65 in sufficient depth to allow the castered
modules to pass slowly through the coal seam under the combined
power of the unit 50 and the back pressure or boosting power of
the material 86 which is in fluid form.
Referring now to Figures 2a, 2b and 2c and related
Figures 17 and 18, the coal miningmethod utilizing the described
apparatus is now readily understandable. With the coupled string
of modules 46 and 47 centered on one shaft 26 with the rotational
driving unit 50, Figures 4 and 17, the arcuate movement of the
... .
coupled modules can continue, for example, in a semi~circular
arc, Figure 2a, or in a lesser arc,such as ninety degrees,
?0 Fiyure 2b, or in some cases for more than 180 degrees of rotation,
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Figure 2c, to produce a variety of cutting patterns -through the
coal seam 25 depending upon its area and marginal shape. Figures
2a -to 2c thus show the versatility of the method which enables
substantially all of the coal to be mined from a given seam
regardless of the shape, area or thickness of the seam.
More particularly, with reference to Figures 2a through
2c, 17 and 18, the initial arcuate sweep of the coupled mining
modules 46 and 47 through the coal seam by rotational unit 50
centered on one shaft 26 will continue, as in Figures 2a to 2c,
until the leading module 46 arrives at a second prepared shaft
26 of the gridwork of shafts. This can occur following various
extensive rotation, as discussed, relative to the patterns in
Figures 2a-2c. In any case, aEter the leading module 46 reaches
a second shaft 26, Fiyure 17, it is uncoupled from the next rear-
most side cutting module 47 and lifted from the second shaft byan elevating unit 134 which is lowered into the second shaft 26
from ground level by hoisting means. The rotational unit 50 may ~ ;
now be removed from the first shaft 26, Figure 17, and lowered
into the second shaft 26, Figure 18, to be coupled with -the now
rearmost module 47 which previously during the first rotational
cycle was the leading side cutting module behind the module 46.
Also, in Figure 18, to close of the open fluid passage means 77,
79 and 85 of module 47 at the first shaft 26, now the leading
module, a closure plate 135 of the same configuration as male
25 coupling head 70 or 100 is now delivered by another raising and
lowering device 127 and placed inthe coupling slot 72 of the
particular module 47. The coupling head 70 of the now rearmost
module 47 at the second shaft 26, Figure 18, enters the slot 118,
Figure 15, of the lower rotational section 111 of unit 50.
`0 When this procedure is completed, the coupled string of modules
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47 is again rotated as a unit in a second arcuate path by the
rotational unit 50 centered on the second shaft 26 to the required
extent as depicted in any of Figures 2a, 2b or 2c. This step-
by-step rotational movement of the modular mining apparatus
from shaft-to-shaft is continued until virtually all coal is
removed from the seam 25 and delivered above ground as a slurry
to the transport pipe line 37. It may be mentioned here that
: all remote controls for the apparatus are of a conventional
nature under existing technology and are located in the manned
control center 38.
A comparison of Figures 4, 17 and 18 illustrate how
the coupled mining modules during their rotational travel through
the seam can gradually descend alony the spline gear 115 Erom the
top to the bottom of the seam so as to completely mine the Eu:Ll
thickness of the coal seam 25.
As suggested by the variants in Figures 19 and 20,
the apparatus also may have the capability of boring downwardly
through a very deep coal seam 25' while centered on a particular
shaft 26 under the rotational power of a rotational driving unit
50' very similar to the described unit50 and having a greatly
elongated driving spline gear 115' projecting through the shaft .
26 from top to bottom of deep seam 25'. The modified mining mod-
ules 47' for this repetitive full circle boring technique are
. virtually identical to the described modules 47 and differ
therefrom only in that the side cutting heads 69' are pivotally
connected at 137 adiacent their lower edges -to the body of the
module 47' and are adjustable angularly relative to the vertical
about such pivot axis by an extensible and retractable remotely
controlled ram 138 provided within each module 47' at the top
3? of the side cutting head 69' and connected thereto, as shown.
97~ii6
To accommodate angular adjustment of the head 69', a bellows
section 139 is placed in the described elbow 76, see Figure 7.
By virtue of the modified arrangement, the coupled '
string of mining modules 47' can actually be remotely steered :.
downwardly through the coal seam 25' in a boring mode by simul-
taneously tilting the side cutting heads 69' on their pivots
137. To accommodate this steering and the resulting angular
rotation of the module string on its longitudinal axis radially ~,
of the shaft 26, a swiveled connection 140, Figure 19, is pro- ~: ~
vided between the lower rotational section 111' of unit 50' and .
the adjacent module 47'. As the coupled modules 47' revolve in
a full circle mode around the vertical axis of unit 50', they
will gradually bore downwardly through the thick coal seam 25'
while descend.ing on the spline gear 115'.
While the min.ing method is already essentially described
in connection with the apparatus components and how they are :~
employed, the method can be summarized in the following terms.
After surveying the field to analyze the coal seam 25 and laying
: out and forming the gridwork of shafts 26, and properly locating
20 all of the ground level equipment shown in Figure 4, the actual ~.
mining method can begin.
By utilizing the module placement and advancing unit
48 as described in full detail, the leading mining module 46
with forward and side cutting heads and all succeeding side
cutting modules 47 are placed one at a time in coupled relation
in the seam 25, Figure 3, and advanced radially of the shaft 26
therein while the initial coal cuttings produced by the cutting
:head 52 are withdrawn through the described module passages and
delivered through the conduit 31 to the transport pipe 37, No
3~ back filling material is introduced at this stage.
21
1079~S6
When a mining module string of the required length has
thus been placed in the coal seam 25, as depicted in Figure 4,
the rotational movement of the rigidly coupled string through the
seam horizontally under influence of the unit 50 and with the
back pressure assistance of back filling slurry 86 is commenced,
centered on one shaft 26. Followin~ a desirable angular sweep,
as shown in Figures 2a to 2c, and after the leading module 46
reaches a second shaft 25 as described in connection with Figure
17, the leading module 46 is removed through the second shaft and
the rotational driving unit 50 is coupled with the module string
in the second shaft and rotates the string on a second arcuate
path of movement centered on the second shaft, following which the
procedure may be repeated stqp.by-step through the entire coal
qeam 25 in any o~ the patterns shown in Figures 2a to 2c and other
possible pattern variations.
During all of this procedure, driving fluid (water) is
introduced from ground level through conduit 30 and through the
communicating passages in the several mining modules and the ;;~
two units 48 and 50 as described in detail. Likewise, the mined
slurry withdrawal passages of the modules and the units 48 and
50 are all operational so thatmined coal slurry can constantly
~low upwardly through the flexible conduit 31 to transport pipe
line 37. Similarly, the back filling slurry system including
conduit 32 and the connected passage means of the unit 50 and
the several modules 47 is operational.
It may also be mentioned that the electrical sensing
cable 29 leading from the control center 38 is operational
through all of the coupled mining modules 47 and 46 and through
the units 48 and 50 as all of these apparatus components are
`~0 equipped with bulit-in multiconductor cable sections as at 91
2'~2
~s~ ~
in Figure 5 which are electrically coupled in the system when
the modules are coupled with each other and with the units ~8 and -
50.
In connection with the previously-mentioned valves 78,
58, 81, 89 and 62 for the fluid lines 77, 79, 85, 55, and 59,
Figures 7 and 10, these several fluid control valves on each
module 46 and 47 are remotely controlled electrically through
the sensing cable 29 and associated wires 92 so that the amounts
or volumes of flow in the three fluid systems can be regulated
at each mining module. Such independent fluid flow regulation
is necessary due to the fact that during a rotational sweep of
the coupled modules through the coal seam 25 while centered on a
~haft 26 the leadincJ modules remote Erom the sha~t do much greater
work comparatively than the modules closer to the shaft 26 and
unit 50. The electrically controlled valving arrangement allows
the amount of driving fluid (water) from the conduit 29 to be
regulated at each mining module so that the associated cutter
head drive motor 75 can do more work or less work and produce
more coal slurry or less coal slurry, as the working requirement~
~or khat particular module dictates. Likewise, the individual
valves 81 of the slurry delivery passage means are individually
regulated remotely, and the back filling material valves 89 can
be remotely controlled. With this control capability, the mining ~-
modules can be utilized efficiently with minimum power and
maximum production of mined slurry.
In addition to the above, the method can, in some
cases, be practiced by utilizing mining modules which are self-
propelled and self-powered, such modified modules being omitted
from ~e present drawings. When employed, the self-propelled
~0 modules can drive themselves radially from a shaft 26 outwardly
23
~L~7975~
into the coal seam and under remote control from ground level
can propel themselves on an arcuate path through the seam centered
on -the shaft, substantially as described. When employed, the
mining modules will not require the ram means 101 of the module
placement unit 48 and will not require the use of rotational
drive unit 50 at all. Otherwise, however, the equipment and
operational procedures will be the same as described previausly.
It should now be understood by those skilled in the
art that the invention offers a practical and economical means
for recovering coal from subterranean relatively thin coal seams
which heretofore could not be economically mined. Since no human
workers are utilized below ground level, -the safety aspect of
the invention i9 ideal. Also, ~n contrast to the prior art, the
invention is ecologic~lly sound in that it does no clamage to the
environment and can even be utilized to improve water quality
and the mineral content of the soil. Most importantly, the
invention is thought to offer at least a partial solution to the
current energy crisis because it is designed to recover coal
economically and in vast quantities from deep seams or veins
where most oE the coal reserves are now located. A main feature
o the invention is that virtually all of the coal is recover-
able from a given seam rather than a mere fraction of the usable
coal as in the traditional prior art.
It is to be understood that the form of the invention
herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example
of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and
arrange~ent of parts may be resorted to, without departing
from ~e spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims~
24
