Continuous-extraction mining system

Abstract

A material extraction system for an underground mine includes a mobile sizer for sizing removed material, an elevated bunker operable to collect the sized material, and a shuttle car operable to receive the collected material from the elevated bunker. The shuttle car is positioned substantially below the elevated bunker for receiving the collected material from the elevated bunker.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bunker comprising:
 a collection portion configured to receive sized material from a sizer unit, and having a bottom opening;   a base member coupled to the collection portion for movement relative to the bottom opening; and   a plurality legs coupled to the collection portion, wherein the collection portion is positioned to allow a haulage vehicle to be positioned underneath the collection portion so that sized material can be moved to the haulage vehicle through the bottom opening when the base member moves relative to the bottom opening.   
     
     
         2 . The bunker of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of legs are telescoping. 
     
     
         3 . The bunker of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of legs is telescopically movable between an extended position and a refracted position. 
     
     
         4 . The bunker of  claim 3 , wherein when each of the plurality of legs are in the extended position, the haulage vehicle is able to fit substantially below the collection portion. 
     
     
         5 . The bunker of  claim 3 , wherein when each of the plurality of legs are in the retracted position, the haulage vehicle is unable to fit substantially below the collection portion. 
     
     
         6 . The bunker of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of legs are coupled to a plurality of drive treads engageable with a mine floor. 
     
     
         7 . The bunker of  claim 6 , wherein the each of plurality of drive treads are rotatable about a generally vertical axis. 
     
     
         8 . The bunker of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of drive treads further include a hydraulic suspension. 
     
     
         9 . The bunker of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is movable relative to the bottom opening between a collect position with the bottom opening closed by the base member and a discharge position with the base member at least partially removed from the bottom opening. 
     
     
         10 . The bunker of  claim 9 , wherein an actuator is coupled to the base member to move the base member between the collect position and the discharge position. 
     
     
         11 . The bunker of  claim 1 , wherein the bunker continuously receives sized material from the mobile sizer regardless of the haulage vehicle position. 
     
     
         12 . The bunker of  claim 1 , wherein the bunker includes an integrated drive system. 
     
     
         13 . The bunker of  claim 1 , wherein the haulage vehicle includes a receptacle having a haulage vehicle bottom opening and a base member coupled to the receptacle for movement relative to the haulage vehicle bottom opening. 
     
     
         14 . An elevated bunker comprising:
 a collection portion having a bottom opening;   a base member coupled to the collection portion for movement relative to the bottom opening;   a plurality of telescoping legs, wherein each of the legs is telescopically movable between an extended position and a retracted position;   a plurality of drive treads coupled to the plurality of telescoping legs, each of the plurality of drive treads engageable with a floor and rotatable about a generally vertical axis.   
     
     
         15 . The elevated bunker of  claim 14 , wherein the base member is movable relative to the bottom opening between a collect position with the bottom opening closed by the base member and a discharge position with the base member at least partially removed from the bottom opening. 
     
     
         16 . The elevated bunker of  claim 15 , wherein an actuator is coupled to the base member to move the base member between the collect position and the discharge position. 
     
     
         17 . The elevated bunker of  claim 14 , wherein the elevated bunker includes an integrated drive system. 
     
     
         18 . The elevated bunker of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of drive treads further include a hydraulic suspension. 
     
     
         19 . The elevated bunker of  claim 14 , wherein the collection portion is positioned to allow a haulage vehicle to be positioned underneath the collection portion so the sized material can be moved to the haulage vehicle through the bottom opening. 
     
     
         20 . The elevated bunker of  claim 19 , wherein the haulage vehicle includes a receptacle having a haulage vehicle bottom opening and a base member coupled to the receptacle for movement relative to the haulage vehicle bottom opening.