Protection of fiber optic cables in the mining system

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a chain link assembly for a cable chain assembly in a mining machine. The present invention also relates to a cable chain assembly for a mining machine. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a mining system with a e-chain® assembly. The e-chain® link assembly, e-chain® assembly, and mining system of the present invention are generally used in face hauling systems, and more particularly are used for cable handling in a face haulage installation.

The longwall cutter moves along the chute of the face scraper conveyor (AFC) to cut the material from the face. Operating the cutter requires electric power to cut and transport material, as well as water to cool machine components including electric motors and gear housings. Such equipment is provided near the longwall and must travel along the AFC to keep up with the cutter. Typically, these equipments are statically distributed along the AFC all the way to the mid-point of the face where they typically enter the cable handling system that runs through the chute to the towing coupler of the cutter. The towing coupler is attached to the cutter and pulls a cable handling device with equipment inside of it along the gutter. The cable handling system is designed to withstand the stress caused by the weight of the system and the friction when a cable is pulled through it, thus protecting equipment that is not designed to withstand these forces.

The equipment operating the cutter usually consists of only electric cables and water lines. However, fiber optic technology is becoming an increasingly attractive way of feeding, for example, an unmanned face in low seam face hauling installations or even high seam hauling installations. Fiber cores are used for high-speed one-way and two-way communication between the cutter and equipment away from the face. The information system consists of an input / output system, diagnostic information, radio control and video transmission. If fiber optic cables are used for such communication, the reliability of the fiber cores is important. The maximum tensile load for the fiber cores is much lower than for all other cables routed to the cutter.

The illustrated structures can provide some means for data transmission by protecting the optical fiber cable from over-stress and damage. Reliability is important because significant downtime results in losses in production and mine income, and repairs are difficult due to the difficult ergonomic conditions associated with face mining at low seams.

US Patent Application No. 5,829,243 A discloses a replaceable terminated cable holder having chain links with removable and replaceable connecting lugs, wherein a flexible member such as a cable and wires is retained between a corresponding set of connecting lugs. The connecting ends engage each other at their respective ends by U-shaped projections to retain flexible members therebetween. The replaceable cable holder with lugs allows mining machinery to service, repair or upgrade the cable holder in minutes by replacing coupler lugs without incurring the cost of replacing links or entire chain links. However, the solution disclosed in US Patent Application No. 5,829,243 A does not provide protection for a fiber optic cable. Moreover, it does not ensure the reliability of optical fibers in the harsh ergonomic conditions associated with low seam face mining.

To ensure the reliability of the fiber optic cable, the fiber optic cable can be placed in a separate compartment within the e-chain®. This separate compartment can be created by adding a separator to the chain link to form two different compartments, one for the electric cable / water line and the much smaller one for the fiber optic cable. The compressible material may provide a means for attaching a fiber optic cable in such a way as to provide adequate slack along the entire length of the e-chain® to prevent overstressing and damage.

A separate compartment ensures that other larger conductors will not damage the fiber optic cable by sliding over the fiber optic cable and causing excessive stress and wear due to friction. The separate compartment may also provide a means to confine the compressible material at all degrees of freedom.

PL230 412 Β1

In one aspect of the invention, a chain link assembly for a cable chain assembly on a mining machine is provided, the cable chain assembly extending along an axis. A chain link assembly according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a chain link having a plurality of walls cooperating with the definition of an axially opening compartment, a fiber optic cable that is supported in the compartment, and a hardware cable that is supported in the compartment, a flexible member supported in the compartment. and engaging the fiber optic tether, the flexible member locating the fiber optic tether near one of the plurality of walls.

Preferably, the flexible member includes a compressible member supported on the opposite of the plurality of walls.

Preferably, the compressible member comprises a substantially solid member formed of a compressible material.

Preferably, the compressible member includes a hollow member having a first portion engaging the optical fiber and a second portion spaced from the first portion and engaging an opposite plurality of walls.

Preferably, the hollow member has a substantially tubular cross-section.

Preferably, the compressible member comprises a leaf spring.

Preferably, a flexible member is connected to one of the plurality of walls and at least partially extends around the optical fiber with the flexible member being pressed against one of the plurality of walls.

Preferably, the chain link further includes an inner wall dividing the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment, the fiber optic cable being supported in the first compartment and the hardware cable supported in the second compartment.

Preferably, the inner wall extends between one of the plurality of walls and the opposite of the plurality of walls with a first compartment on one side of the inner wall and a second compartment on the other side of the wall.

Preferably, the inner wall is formed by one of the plurality of walls and the opposite of the plurality of walls.

Preferably, the inner wall is separate from and connected to one of the plurality of walls and opposite to the plurality of walls.

Preferably, one of the plurality of walls defines a first groove and the opposite of the plurality of walls defines a second groove, preferably the inner wall includes a first projection engaging in the first groove and a second projection engaging in a second groove to engage the inner wall with one of the plurality of walls and opposite. with many walls.

Preferably, the inner wall includes a connection member, a portion of the flexible member being gripped between the connection member and an opposite plurality of walls.

Preferably, the flexible member has a surface engaging the optical fiber, the surface comprising a low friction material.

Preferably, the surface is coated with a low friction material.

Preferably, the flexible member has a surface engaging the optical fiber, this surface having curved edges.

Preferably, a center line is defined between the plurality of walls of the chain link parallel to the axis, the chain link including a first projection and a second projection opposite the first projection, the chain link defines a length measured between the first projection and the second projection and parallel to the direction of the axis. and wherein the flexible member has a length that is less than the length between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, the flexible member places the fiber optic cable away from the centerline when the fiber optic cable is in a loose condition.

Preferably, the flexible member includes a compressible member supported on another of the plurality of walls opposite the wall against which the fiber optic cable is pressed.

Preferably, the compressible member includes a hollow member having a first portion engaging the optical fiber and a second portion engaging an opposite plurality of walls.

Preferably, the hollow member has a substantially tubular cross-section.

Preferably, the chain link further includes an inner wall dividing the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment, the fiber optic cable being supported in the first compartment and the hardware cable supported in the second compartment.

Preferably, the inner wall is formed by one of the plurality of walls and the opposite of the plurality of walls.

Preferably, the inner wall is separate from and connected to one of the plurality of walls and opposite to the plurality of walls.

PL230 412 Β1

Preferably, the flexible member has a surface engaging the optical fiber, the surface comprising a low friction material.

Preferably, the surface is coated with a low friction material.

Preferably further comprises a connector coupled to the third wall, the plurality of walls including a first wall, a second wall opposite the first wall, and a third wall extending between the first wall and the second wall, the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall cooperating to form a divider. a center line parallel to the axis, the connector being connected to the third wall and where the flexible member is supported by the connectors, the compressible member has a portion engaging the fiber optic tether, the compressible member locating the fiber optic tether proximate one of the first wall and the second wall and away from the centerline at least when the optical fiber is in a loose condition.

Preferably, the compressible member is hollow and has a substantially tubular cross-section.

Preferably, another portion of the compressible member is gripped between the connector and the other of the first wall and the second wall.

Preferably, the third wall includes an inner wall dividing the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment, the fiber optic cable being supported in the first compartment and the hardware cable supported in the second compartment.

Preferably, a portion of the compressible member has a surface engaging the optical fiber, the surface comprising a low friction material.

Preferably, the chain link comprises a first lug for connecting a chain link to an adjacent chain link and a second lug for connecting a chain link to another adjacent chain link, the chain link defining a length measured between the first lug and the second lug and parallel to the axis, and wherein the compressible member is a length that is less than the length between the first ear and the second ear.

Preferably, the chain link comprises a first projection and a second projection opposite the first projection, wherein the chain link defines a length measured between the first projection and the second projection and parallel to the axis direction, where the flexible member has a length that is less than the length between the first projection and the second projection. wherein the chain link further comprises an inner wall dividing the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment, the fiber optic cable is supported in the first compartment, and the hardware cable is supported in the second compartment, wherein the inner wall comprises a connector, a portion of the flexible member being gripped between the connector and an opposite plurality of walls.

Preferably, the flexible member includes a compressible member supported on another of the plurality of walls opposite the wall against which the fiber optic cable is pressed.

Preferably, the compressible member includes a hollow member having a first portion engaging the optical fiber and a second portion engaging an opposite plurality of walls.

Preferably, the hollow member has a substantially tubular cross-section.

Preferably, the inner wall is formed by one of the plurality of walls and the opposite of the plurality of walls.

Preferably, the inner wall is separated from and connected to one of the plurality of walls and the opposite of the plurality of walls.

Preferably, the flexible member has a surface engaging the optical fiber, the surface comprising a low friction material.

In another aspect of the invention, a cable carrier assembly for a mining machine is provided. A cable chain assembly according to the invention for a mining machine, which cable chain assembly extends along an axis, is characterized in that it includes a plurality of chain links each having a top wall, a bottom wall, at least one side wall cooperating to form a divider. axially open, a fiber optic cable extending through the compartment in each of the plurality of chain links, the fiber optic cable extending substantially along a wave-shaped path. a hardware cable supported in the compartment at each of the plurality of chain links, a first member supported in the compartment of one of the plurality of chain links and engaging the optical fiber, the first member locating the optical fiber near one of the top wall, bottom wall, and at least one of the side walls of one of the plurality of chain links, and a second member supported in the compartment of the other of the plurality of chain links and engaging the optical fiber cable the second member locates the fiber optic cable proximate one of the top wall, bottom wall, and at least one of the side walls of one of the plurality of chain links.

PL230 412 Β1

Preferably, the third of the plurality of chain links is connected between one of the plurality of chain links and the other of the plurality of chain links, with the third of the plurality of chain links not having a compartment member.

Preferably, both the first member and the second member include a compressible member supported on the opposite of the first plurality of walls.

Preferably, the compressible member comprises a substantially solid member formed of a compressible material.

Preferably, the compressible member includes a hollow member having a first portion engaging the optical fiber and a second portion spaced from the first portion and engaging an opposite of the first plurality of walls.

Preferably, the first member is connected to the top wall of one of the plurality of chain links and at least partially extends around the fiber optic tether, the first portion being pressed against the top wall of one of the plurality of chain links, and in that the second member is connected to the bottom wall of the other link. a plurality of chain links and at least partially extends around the optical fiber with the second member against the bottom wall of the other of the plurality of chain links.

Preferably, each of the plurality of chain links further includes an inner wall dividing the compartment into a first compartment and a second compartment, the fiber optic cable being supported in the first compartment and the hardware cable supported in the second compartment.

Preferably, the inner wall extends between the top wall and the bottom wall so as to form a first compartment on one side of the inner wall and a second compartment on the other side of the inner wall.

Preferably, the first member has a surface engaging the optical fiber, the surface comprising a low friction material.

Preferably, the first member has a surface engaging the optical fiber, the surface having curved edges.

Preferably, the first member and the second member cooperate to locate an optical fiber tether along at least a portion of the wave-shaped path.

Preferably, at least one of the first member and the second member is flexible.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a mining system is provided. The mining system according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a wall scraper running along an excavated face, the conveyor defining a cable chute, a cutting machine that is supported by the conveyor and designed to be moved along it, the cutting machine being operated to extract material from the mine face. the face, and the e-chain® assembly along an axis substantially parallel to the face. the assembly is partially supported in the chute and includes a plurality of chain links each having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first sidewall and a second sidewall cooperating to form an axially open compartment, a fiber optic cable extending through the compartment in each of a plurality of chain links where the fiber optic cable runs substantially along a wave-shaped path and is connected to the cutter. a equipment cable supported in a compartment at each of the plurality of chain links, the equipment cable being connected to the cutter, a first flexible member supported in the compartment of one of the plurality of chain links and engaging the optical fiber, the first flexible member locating the optical fiber near the upper walls of one of many chain links, and a second flexible member supported in the compartment of the second of the plurality of chain links and engaging the fiber optic tether, the second flexible member locating the fiber optic tether near the bottom wall of the second of the plurality of chain links.

The invention in accordance with these aspects will become clear from the detailed description and accompanying drawing figures, in which Fig. 1 is a top view of a longwall screening system including a Wall Scraper Conveyor ("AFC"), Fig. 2 is a top view of a part of the screening system. shown in Figure 1 including AFC, a chaser and a cable guide, Figure 3 is a side view of a portion of the wall extraction system shown in Figure 1. 1 4 is a cross sectional view of a part of a cable chain from the wall cutting system of Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a part of a cable chain in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a cross sectional side view. transverse part of the e-chain® shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the alternative e-chain® structure shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another alternative e-chain® structure shown in Fig. 4.

PL230 412 Β1 and Fig. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of yet another alternative e-chain® structure shown in Fig. 4.

Before explaining any of the independent embodiments or independent structures of the invention in detail, it should be understood that the application of the invention is not limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other independent embodiments or of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

A wall excavation system 10 is illustrated in Figs. 1-3. System 10 can be used in mines with low seams or high seams. System 10 generally includes a Wall Scraper (AFC) 14 extending along an select face F (e.g., coal). The cutter 18 is supported and moved on a chute 22 (see Fig. 3) of AFC 14 to cut material from face F. Head and tail drives 26, 30 (see Fig. 1) move the AFC 14 to convey the selected material (e.g., coal). The length of this system 10 is typically 1000 feet.

As shown in Figures 2-3, AFC 14 includes a cable trough 30 that extends along an axis A substantially parallel to the face F. A cable guide 34 is inserted into the cable trough 30 and extends substantially along the axis A. As shown in Figure 4. hardware cables (e.g., power cables 38,42, water line) and fiber optic cable 50 are retained in the e-guide 34.

As shown in Figs. 5-6, e-chain® 34 is formed from multiple chain links 54a, 54b, 54c ... 54n. Each chain link 54 generally includes (see Figs. 4-5) a plurality of walls (e.g., top wall 58, bottom wall 62, and opposing side walls 66, 70) defining a slide compartment 74 open in the axial direction A. Each chain link 54 also includes (see fig. 5-6) a set of front and rear projections 78, 82, each defining a hole 86 for inserting a pin (not shown) to connect chain links 54 to a slide 34 (see Figs. 5-6).

In the illustrated structure, and in some aspects, each chain link 54 also includes an inner partition wall 90 separating the cell compartment 74 into a first compartment 94 for fiber optic cable 50 and a second compartment 98 for hardware wiring 38, 42, 46. Each compartment 94, 98 is generally rectangular. the first compartment 94 is relatively narrow in the horizontal direction (see Fig. 4). In other constructions (not shown), divider (s) 94, 98 may have a different shape (e.g., square, round, oval, etc.) and / or size.

In the structures shown in Figs. 4-6 and 9, a partition wall 90 is formed with the remaining walls 58, 62 of the guide links 54. In other constructions (see e.g. Figs. 5-8), partition 90 is separated from chain link 54 and is connected to top and bottom walls 58, 62 by interconnecting connecting members (not shown) such as, for example, a projection (protrusions). ) and the keyway groove (s) on the partition wall 90 and on the walls 58, 62. Interconnecting members cooperate to hold partition wall 90 in place. In such constructions, the walls 58, 62, 66, 70 of the chain link 54 may also be formed separately from each other and connected by frictional mutually engaging members, by pins, etc.

In the illustrated structure and in some aspects, a flexible member 102 is provided in the first compartment 94 in at least some of the chain links 54 in the first compartment 94 to engage the optical fiber 50. The flexible members 102 are positioned along the chain link 54 to provide a non-linear (e.g. of the corrugated path P of the fiber optic cable 50 such that there is slack in the fiber optic cable 50 (the length of the fiber optic cable 50 in the e-chain 34 is greater than the length of the e-chain 34).

The flexible member 102 can support and receive the optical fiber 50 in the first compartment 94. The surface 106 of the flexible member 102 engaging the optical fiber 50 includes a low friction material (e.g., the flexible member 102 can be formed of a low friction material and / or the surface 106 can be formed from a low friction material). be coated with a low-friction material (e.g. coating)) to reduce the coefficient of friction between the flexible member 102 and the optical fiber 50, thereby reducing the stretching of the optical fiber 50 along its axis when the optical fiber 50 is under tension. Also, the surface 106 and the edges / corners 110 of the flexible member 102 in the region of the optical fiber 50 are sufficiently curved / rounded to prevent damage to the optical fiber 50 when the flexible member 102 moves with respect to the optical fiber 50.

PL230 412 Β1

In some constructions (e.g., Figs. 4-6, Figs. 7, and Figs. 8) the flexible member 102 includes a compressible member so that when the fiber optic cable 50 is stretched, the flexible member 102 is compressed. A stress T is applied to the cable. fiber optic 50 compresses the compressible member 102 with fiber optic tether 50 in the direction of arrow D (see Fig. 6).

In the structures shown in Figs. 4-6, the flexible member 102 includes a fixed compressible member 102a formed from, for example, foam. The compressible member 102a generally occupies most of the first compartment 94 (e.g., the remainder of the first compartment, not occupied by fiber optic cable 50). The compressible member 102a is constructed to locate a fiber optic cable 50 adjacent to one of the walls (e.g., top wall 58 of chain link 54a, bottom wall 62 of chain link 54c).

In other constructions (not shown), the compressible member 102a may be constructed to partially enclose the fiber optic tether 50. For example, the compressible member 102a may also include a portion (not shown) between the fiber optic tether 50 and one or both of the adjacent side walls 70, 90 of the first compartment 94. and / or a portion (not shown) between the fiber optic cable 50 and one of the walls (e.g. the top wall 58 of the chain link 54a, the bottom wall 62 of the chain link 54c) to at least partially fill the space around the fiber optic cable 50 (see FIG. 4). In structures in which the compressible member 102a at least partially includes an optical fiber 50, the compressible member 102a may also be stiff enough that it is not necessary to provide a partition wall to separate the optical fiber 50 from the hardware conductors 38,42,46.

The compressible member 102a abuts an opposite wall (e.g., bottom wall 62 of chain link 54a, top wall 58 of chain link 54c). In the structure illustrated (see Fig. 6), the face of the opposite wall is curved to conform to the contours of the adjacent face of compressible member 102a. However, in other constructions (not shown), the face of the opposite wall may be of a different shape (e.g., linear).

In other constructions, the flexible member 102 includes a hollow compressible member, such as a hollow tubular member, which will allow the optical fiber cable 50 to deflect inward when subjected to stress. As shown in Figure 7, the flexible member 102 comprises a conduit section 102b (a short length rubber conduit). In a similar construction (see Fig. 8) the flexible member 102 comprises a leaf spring 102c. Leaf spring 102c can be made of various materials to obtain the desired stiffness.

In the illustrated structure (see Figs. 7-8), the partition 90 includes a connector 114 (e.g., a cantilever projection), and the conduit section 102b or leaf spring 102c is retained by a connector 114 (between the connector 114 and an opposite wall (e.g., a wall). the lower 62 of the chain link 54a, the upper wall of the chain link 54c)).

In another structure, flexible member 102 includes a biasing member, such as a resilient band 102d. The band 102d is connected to one of the walls (e.g., the top wall 58 of the chain link 54a, the bottom wall 62 of the chain link 54c) and extends around the fiber optic cable 50. When the fiber optic cable 50 is tensioned to lose slack, the band 102d will also be pulled under the tension. out.

Band 102d may be an open loop for easy attachment / detachment and may be secured to the wall 58 of the chain link 54. The walls 58, 62 are provided with the recessed connection portions 118 such that the band 102d resides within the outer periphery of the chain link 54 (e.g., below the top wall 58 of the chain link 54a, above the bottom wall 62 of the chain link 54c). The attachment of the band 102d below the level of the outer surface of the wall 58 or 62 can protect the band 102d from damage, removal, etc. by outer rock crumbs.

The flexible member 102 may perform one or more functions. For example, the flexible member 102 may provide means for attaching a fiber optic tether 50 within the e-chain® 34 with a predetermined play. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, flexible members 102 can force a "sinusoidal" path of a fiber optic cable 50 through a "hose" around the neutral axis of the e-chain® 34 around the flexible members 102. The fiber optic cable 50 is thus attached over the entire length of the e-chain® 34. Fig. 5 shows the path of the fiber optic cable 50 from the largest to smallest amplitude mounted on the three chain links 54a, 54b, 54c in this way. This frequency is easily adjustable according to the various requirements of system 10 as each chain link 54 will be able to receive and hold flexible member 102. The appropriate slack in the fiber optic cable 50 accommodates the stretching of the e-chain® 34 as it is under tension from the cutter 18. The flexible member 102 may provide a buffer or damper when the fiber optic cable 50 is under tension. When the fiber optic cable 50 is under stress, it becomes elastic

The PL230 412 -1 feature of the flexible member 102 will allow the "serpentine" cable 50 to compress the material and deflect inwardly (see Fig. 6), providing a means to limit excessive stress and premature failure of the optical fiber cable 50. The flexible member 102 can fill the gap in the first compartment. 94, which would otherwise be consumed by the rock debris (which may accelerate the wear or cause the fiber optic cable 50 to fail).

Various independent features and independent advantages of the invention may be set forth in the claims below.