Core Breaker With Dust Suppression System

Abstract

A core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core. The core breaker includes an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums. In one aspect, the elongate support includes a channel formed therein. The core breaker further includes a plurality of tool components attached to the elongate support. The core breaker also includes a plurality of spray nozzles positioned adjacent to the tool components. In one aspect, the plurality of spray nozzles each have a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent an outer surface of the elongate support. The tool components may be, for example, a breaker wedge or a cutting tool such as a conical bit.

1 . A core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata and wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced-apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core, the core breaker comprising:
 an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums;   a plurality of tool components attached to the elongate support; and   a plurality of first spray nozzles positioned adjacent to the tool components.   
     
     
         2 . The core breaker of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate support includes a channel formed therein. 
     
     
         3 . The core breaker of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of first spray nozzles each include a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent an outer surface of the elongate support. 
     
     
         4 . The core breaker of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of tool components are breaker wedges. 
     
     
         5 . The core breaker of  claim 4 , wherein each of the breaker wedges includes an outlet opening formed therein. 
     
     
         6 . The core breaker of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of second spray nozzles each having a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent the respective outlet openings formed in each of the breaker wedges. 
     
     
         7 . The core breaker of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tool components are breaker wedges. 
     
     
         8 . The core breaker of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tool components are cutting tools. 
     
     
         9 . A core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata and wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced-apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core, the core breaker comprising:
 an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums, the elongate support including a channel formed therein;   a plurality of breaker wedges attached to the elongate support, each of the breaker wedges including an outlet opening formed therein; and   a plurality of first spray nozzles each having a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent the respective outlet openings formed in each of the breaker wedges.   
     
     
         10 . The core breaker of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of second spray nozzles positioned adjacent to the breaker wedges, wherein the plurality of second spray nozzles each include a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent an outer surface of the elongate support. 
     
     
         11 . A core breaker for use with a continuous mining machine used to cut earth strata and wherein the continuous mining machine has at least two spaced-apart cutting drums whereby each one of the cutting drums cuts the earth strata leaving a core, the core breaker comprising:
 an elongate support positioned mediate of the two cutting drums;   a plurality of tool components attached to the elongate support; and   means for suppressing dust and/or dispersing airborne gases during operation of the core breaker.   
     
     
         12 . The core breaker of  claim 11 , wherein the means for suppressing dust and/or dispersing airborne gases comprises:
 a channel formed in the elongate support; and   a plurality of first spray nozzles positioned adjacent to the tool components, wherein the plurality of first spray nozzles each include a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent an outer surface of the elongate support.   
     
     
         13 . The core breaker of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of tool components are cutting tools. 
     
     
         14 . The core breaker of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of tool components are breaker wedges. 
     
     
         15 . The core breaker of  claim 14 , wherein the means for suppressing dust and/or dispersing airborne gases further comprises:
 an outlet opening formed in each of the breaker wedges; and   a plurality of second spray nozzles each having a first end in fluid communication with the channel formed in the elongate support and a second end positioned adjacent the respective outlet openings formed in the breaker wedges.