Water spray assembly

Abstract

A water spray assembly especially adapted for control of dust suppression in mining machines has a manifold with one or a number of nozzles mounted thereon. The manifold provides communication between the nozzles and a manifold inlet, the manifold inlet being adapted to connect to a supply of water. The manifold with one half of a quick connect coupling cooperates with a nozzle block having a bore sized to receive at least a portion of the manifold and the other half of the quick connect coupling. The use of quick connect coupling half with the block allows easy removal and insertion of the manifold.

1 . A water spray manifold comprising a manifold having an axial bore and at least one nozzle mounted thereon, the manifold providing communication between the one nozzle and a manifold inlet, the manifold having on an end thereof one half of a quick connect coupling, with the fitting axially aligned with the axial bore.  
   
   
       2 . A water spray assembly comprising: 
 a) a manifold having an axial bore and at least one nozzle mounted thereon, the manifold providing communication between the one nozzle and a manifold inlet, the manifold having on an end thereof one half of a quick connect coupling, with the fitting axially aligned with the axial bore;    b) a block having a bore sized to receive at least a portion of the manifold, the block adapted to be mounted for directing the at least one nozzle in a particular direction, and being open on both ends; and    c) the other half of a quick connect coupling aligned with an open end of the block bore, and adapted to connect to the one half of the quick connect fitting on the manifold, the other half including an inlet to provide communication between a source of water and the at least one nozzle.    
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2  in combination with a mining machine.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the block has a slot in communication with the bore to allow the least one nozzle that extends outwardly from the manifold to travel in the slot when the manifold is inserted into the bore.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the slot is sized so that the at least one nozzle is recessed from an outer surface of the block.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the manifold is held in place in the block using a pin.  
   
   
       7 . A method of replacing nozzles in a water spray assembly comprising: 
 a) inserting the manifold of  claim 1  into a block adapted to receive the manifold and supply water thereto, the manifold having the at least one nozzle in clean or new form, and/or    b) removing the manifold from a block adapted to receive the manifold and supply water thereto when the at least one nozzles becomes inoperable.    
   
   
       8 . In a method of at least suppressing dust on a mining machine using water sprays, the improvement comprising: 
 a) providing a water spray assembly of  claim 2;  and    b) spraying water therefrom for said dust suppression.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the water is sprayed on coal mined by the mining machine.  
   
   
       10 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold is cylindrical in shape.  
   
   
       11 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the one half of the quick connect coupling has a groove adapted to receive a retaining pin intended to keep the manifold in a nozzle block.  
   
   
       12 . The manifold of  claim 11 , wherein the groove is positioned between the one half of the quick connect coupling and the at least one nozzle.  
   
   
       13 . The manifold of  claim 1 , further comprising a wire mesh basket covering the manifold inlet.  
   
   
       14 . The manifold of  claim 11 , further comprising a wire mesh basket covering the manifold inlet.