Launch vehicle for a mining system, a mining system and a method for mining

Abstract

The invention provides for a launch vehicle for a mining system comprising a base frame provided with tracks, an upper frame rotatably connected to the base frame around a substantially vertical axis of rotation, a launch frame connecting to the upper frame, a crane unit and drive means for driving the tracks, the launch frame the crane unit, or a combination thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A launch vehicle for a mining system comprising:
 a tracked vehicle base frame;   an upper frame rotatably mounted to the base frame around a substantially vertical axis of rotation;   a launch frame connecting to the upper frame;   a crane unit mounted to the launch frame; and   a drive system for driving at least one of the tracks, launch frame, and crane unit.   
     
     
         2 . The launch vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the crane unit further comprises a gripper frame provided on an outer end thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The launch vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein the tracked vehicle base frame and the upper frame are connected with an intermediate bearing ring. 
     
     
         4 . The launch vehicle according to  claim 3 , wherein the tracked vehicle base frame is provided with two tracks. 
     
     
         5 . The launch vehicle according  claim 4 , wherein the drive system comprises an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         6 . The launch vehicle according to  claim 4  wherein, the drive system comprises an electric drive that is powered by a separate electric power source. 
     
     
         7 . The launch vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper frame is connected to the launch frame by segmented coupling arms attached to dynamic coupling positions located thereon. 
     
     
         8 . The launch vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper frame is connected to the launch frame with at least one intermediate cylinder for positioning the launch frame relative to the upper frame. 
     
     
         9 . A mining system comprising:
 a launch vehicle having a tracked vehicle base frame;   an upper frame rotatably mounted to the base frame around a substantially vertical axis of rotation;   a launch frame connecting to the upper frame;   a drive system for driving at least one of the tracks, launch frame, and crane unit;   at least one conveyor segment connecting to the launch frame of the launch vehicle; and   a cutter head connecting to the conveyor segment opposite the side connecting   to the launch vehicle.   
     
     
         10 . The mining system according to  claim 9 , wherein the mining system comprises a train of conveyor segments connecting to the launch vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The mining system according  claim 10 , wherein the mining system comprises a gas feed running from the launch vehicle to the cutter head for guiding inert gas to the environment of the cutter head. 
     
     
         12 . A method for using a launch vehicle for a mining system comprising:
 providing a tracked vehicle base frame having an upper frame rotatably mounted to the base frame around a substantially vertical axis of rotation,   a launch frame connecting to the upper frame, a crane unit mounted to the launch frame, and   a drive system for driving at least one of the tracks, launch frame, and crane unit;   wherein the launch vehicle drives a train of conveyor segments at an angle of about 0° to about 35° relative to horizontal in a mining shaft.   
     
     
         13 . The method defined in  claim 12  further comprising:
 driving the launch vehicle with a train of conveyor segments having with a length of more than about 300 meters and preferably more than 350 meters in a mining shaft. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method defined in  claim 12  further comprising:
 driving the launch vehicle with a train of conveyor segments with a length of more than about 300 meters and preferably more than 500 meters in a mining shaft. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method defined in  claim 12  further comprising:
 driving the launch vehicle with a train of conveyor segments at step angles of about 0° to about 35° relative to horizontal to create at least one one-pass mining shaft from one global launch position. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method defined in  claim 15  wherein the driving of the launch vehicle can be accomplished without pit-floor and earth moving preparations.