Method and Apparatus for Remote Mining in Low Seams

Abstract

A remote mining system utilizes extensible belt conveyor supported by belt support units and is suitable for operation in very low mining seams. The launch platform contains sufficient storage of conveyor belt for deep penetration into a very low seam. The mining machine is retrieved onto the platform but remains connected to the extensible belt conveyor at all times.

1 . A method of remote mining and conveying with an endless conveyor comprising: 
 connecting mining means to a tail roller of an endless conveyor;    advancing said mining means from a launch platform into a seam by pushing said tail roller while releasing belt stored within a belt storage means;    inserting belt support units within said endless conveyor and connecting them to said tail roller and to one another to form a belt support train;    advancing said belt support train into the seam while releasing belt stored within a belt storage means;    on completion of a mining hole, pulling said belt support train out of the seam;    removing said belt support units while re-storing said belt within said belt storage means;    repositioning said mining means on said launch platform while it remains connected to said tail roller;    moving said launch platform to the next mining hole;    advancing said mining means into said next mining hole.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , where said mining means and said tail roller are connected with an advancing means and said mining means is advanced independently of said belt support train.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , where said mining means and said tail roller are connected with a steering means and said mining means is steered with respect to said belt support train.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 2 , where said mining means and said tail roller are connected with an advancing means and said mining means is advanced and steered with respect to said belt support train.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 2 , where said advancing means is capable of bracing itself within said mining hole and said belt support train is advanced into said mining hole by pulling with said advancing means.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 2 , where said advancing means is capable of bracing itself within said mining hole and said belt support train is advanced into said mining hole by a combination of pulling with said advancing mans and pushing from the launch platform in order to avoid buckling of said belt support train.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for remote mining and conveying with an endless extensible conveyor, comprising: 
 mining means for remote excavating of material from a seam;    endless belt conveyor with a drive;    means of storing and releasing conveyor belt; 
 movable tail roller unit of said endless conveyor;  
 means of connecting said tail roller unit to said mining means;  
 means of inserting belt support means within said endless conveyor and connecting it to said tail roller unit or to another said belt support means; and  
 means of advancing or retrieving said mining means within said seam by pushing or pulling on said tail roller unit or said belt support means.  
   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , where the means of belt storing and releasing is at least one belt storage magazine.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , where said belt storage magazine is disposed vertically.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , where said means of connecting said tail roller unit is at least one hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , where said means of connecting said tail roller contains at least one set of bracers capable of bracing said connecting means within a mining hole.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , where said means of advancing or retrieving is at least one endless chain puller.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , where said means of advancing and retrieving is at least one hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for supporting an endless extensible conveyor in remote mining, comprising: 
 fabricated frame;    means of engagement of said apparatus with the ground;    means of supporting the upper and the lower strand of said endless extensible conveyor;    horizontally disposed cantilever beams allowing the insertion of said apparatus over and under said lower strand of said endless extensible conveyor;    means of connecting said apparatus in a multi-unit train;    means of engaging a pushing means; and    means of handling said apparatus with mobile equipment.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , where said means of engagement with the ground are free-wheeling wheels.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , where said means of engagement with the ground are skids.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , where said means of supporting said conveyor belt are rollers.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , where said cantilever beams are supported by one or more swingable brackets which provide a structural reinforcement of said cantilever beams while allowing insertion of said belt.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  whose overall height is 20 inches or less.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , where said means of engaging is combined with an axle connecting said wheels.