GB2106464A - Motive power unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A motive unit 10 for moving apparatus 20 e.g. heavy mining machinery, standing on a support surface, the unit including a sledge 12 slidably movable along a guide 11 which is arranged to seat upon the support surface, the sledge 12, in use, being connected to the apparatus 20, and motive means (e.g. hydraulic ram) for moving the sledge and guide relative to one another so as to move the apparatus across the support surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Motive power unit The present invention relates to motive power unit, in particular but not exclusively to a motive power unit capable of moving heavy machinery.

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a motive power unit according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of part of the unit shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the part of the unit shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of a stage loader having a motive power unit according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a side view of an alternative motive power unit according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of the unit shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line VIl-VIl of Figure 6.

The motive power unit 10 shown in Figure 1 includes a guide channel member 11 which in use rests on the ground and which slidably receives a sledge unit 12.

The sledge unit 12 carries a pair of supports 14 which extend upwardly therefrom and which is use each support a lifting ram 1 5. Although two supports 1 4 are shown it will be appreciated that any number of supports may be provided as desired.

The sledge unit 12 houses a fluid ram, the casing of which is connected to the sledge unit and the head of the piston of the ram being connected to one end of the channel member 11.

In use the lifting ram(s) 15 are connected to the machinery 20 which is to be moved so that the guide channel member 11 extends along side of the machinery in the direction of movement.

To effect movement of the machinery 20, the lifting ram(s) 1 5 are activated to lift the machinery 20 clear of the ground and then the ram housed within the sledge unit is activated to move the sledge unit along the guide channel member 11 to thereby move the machinery. The lifting ram(s) 15 are then activated to lower the machinery 20 to rest once again of the ground. The ram housed within the sledge unit may now be activated to pull the guide channel member 11 relative to the sledge unit to position the sledge unit once again at one end of the guide channel member. If necessary, the lifting ram(s) 1 5 may be operated to lift the sledge unit and guide channel member to remove loading from the channel member 11 to assist its movement.

It will be appreciated that ram(s) 1 5 and the ram housed within the sledge unit may be replaced by other components which achieve the same function.

A specific example of a motive power unit illustrated in Figure 1 is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 and is shown by way of example in situ in Figure 4.

In Figure 4 there is shown a stage loader 40 as used in coal mines and which is provided with a pair of motive power units 10 (only one being shown) located on both sides thereof. The motive power units 10 are positioned toward one end of the stage loader 40 and the opposite end of the stage loader 40 is movably mounted to enable the loader 40 to be advanced by the motive power units 10. In the illustrated stage loader 40 the end of the stage loader 40 if provided with boggie wheels 45 which run along rails 46. It will be appreciated however, that the end of the stage loader 40 opposite the motive power units 10 may be movably supported in other ways, for example it may be supported from an overhead monorail.

In Figures 2 and 3 there is shown a specific construction of a sledge unit which includes a base assembly 50 from which a pair of side walls 51 project upwardly to support a top wall 52.

Walls 51 and 52 and base assembly 50 define a housing in which the casing of a hydraulic ram (not shown) is housed.

Angled member 53 are provided spaced along the base assembly and serve as points of support for the ram casing.

The base assembly 50 includes a pair of lateral projections 55 which projects beyond the outer side of both side walls to define tongues with cooperate with grooves formed along both sides of the guide channel member 11 so as to prevent the sledge unit from lifting out of the channel member 11.

The end of the ram casing from which the ram piston projects is provided with a diametrically projecting plate (not shown) which in use is sandwiched between end wall 58 and a plate (not shown) extending between side walls 51 and bolted in position via bolt holes 59 so that the ram casing is restrained from longitudinal movement relative to the sledge unit. The diametrically extending plate is freely located between said plates so as to relieve the casing of any lateral loadings.

The head 60 of the piston of the ram housed within the sledge unit is located within a box unit 62 secured to the guide channel member 11 (see Figure 1). The head 60 is likewise prevented from longitudinal movement relative to the guide member 11 and is relieved from lateral loadings by being freely received within the box unit 62.

As seen in Figures 2 and 3 a pair of support units extend upwardly from the upper wall 52 for receipt of a lifting ram (not shown). Each support unit includes a pair of spaced side walls 70 and an end wall 71. Inwardly projecting flanges 72 are provided which together with end wall 7 1 provide a guide channel for the casing of the lifting ram.

Accordingly the lifting ram 1 5 is supported against lateral loadings by end wall 71 and flanges 72.

Support members 76 are provided for connection to the lifting ram.

An alternative motive power unit 100 is shown in Figures 5 to 7 and includes a housing 101 which houses a pair of hydraulic rams 102, the pistons 103 of which are connected to a laterally extending arm 104. One end of arm 104 is provided with a chain gripping means 1 06.

A chain 108 is secured between anchor points 109 (only one of which is shown) and is guided through an eye 110 and through the gripping means 106.

The chain gripping means 106 is provided with a channel 114 having a base which is provided with recessess 11 5 shaped to receive the links of chain 1 08. A pawl 11 7 is located above the channel base and co-operates therewith to permit only in one direction longitudinal movement of the chain through the channel.

Consequently, in use, the rams 102 are extended to advance arm 104 and then the gripping means 106 along the chain 108. A subsequent retraction of the rams 102, the gripping means grip the chain 106 with the result that housing 101 is pulled forward toward arm 104. As seen in Figure 5, the machinery to be moved is secured to housing 101 (in the illustrated embodiment the machinery shown is part of a stage loader 140) and consequently the machinery is advanced.

To facilitate movement of the housing 101, a support member 120 is secured to arm 104 and extends under housing 101 so that when the housing is advanced it slides over support member 120.

It will be appreciated that a gripping means 106 may be located at both ends of arms 104 so as to permit two chains 108 to be used.

Claims (7)

1. A motive unit for moving apparatus standing on a support surface, the unit including a sledge slidably movable along a guide which is arranged to seat upon the support surface, the sledge, in use, being connected to the apparatus, and motive means for moving the sledge and guide relative to one another so as to move the apparatus across the support surface.

2. A motive unit according to Claim 1 wherein the sledge is provided with extensible means, the extensible means being adapted for connection to the apparatus so that on extension of the extensible means the apparatus is lifted off the support surface.

3. A motive unit according to Claim 2 wherein the sledge and guide unit cooperate with one another so as to restrain separation in the direction of extension of said extensible means so that on contraction of the extensible means the guide is lifted off the support surface.

4. A motive unit according to Claim 2 wherein the motive means includes a hydraulic ram and cylinder assembly, one end of the ram and cylinder assembly being connected to the guide and the other end being connected to the sledge.

5. A motive unit according to Claim 1 wherein the motive means includes a hydraulic ram and cylinder assembly, one end of the hydraulic ram and cylinder assembly being connected to the sledge and the other end being connected to a chain gripping means cooperable with a chain which is anchored to the support surface.

6. A motive unit according to Claim 5 wherein the chain gripping means includes a channel having chain link receiving pockets and a pawl movably mounted above the channel and cooperating therewith to permit relative longitudinal movement of the gripping means along the chain in one direction only.

7. A motive unit substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.