Caterpillar Global Mining America LLC

Todd William Wampler

Darren Brent Antoine

Roger Lee O'Quinn

Estel Owens

Steven Murray Shaffer

A continuous mining machine may include a stationary boom member, a stationary gear and bearing housing attached to the boom member, and a cutter drum assembly rotatably mounted on the stationary gear and bearing housing. Cutting elements and spray nozzles may be mounted on the rotatable cutter drum assembly. The spray nozzles may be configured to direct liquid spray at a mine face as mine material is dislodged by rotation of the cutter drum assembly and contact of the cutting elements with the mine face. Stationary liquid passageways may be provided through the gear and bearing housing, and rotatable liquid passageways may be provided through the rotatable cutter drum assembly and configured to convey liquid to the spray nozzles. A liquid distribution cavity may be defined within the cutter drum assembly between two labyrinth-type, non-contacting seal assemblies, the liquid distribution cavity configured to convey liquid from the stationary liquid passageways to the rotatable liquid passageways and to the spray nozzles.

Growing community of inventors

Elizabeth, PA, United States of America

Todd William Wampler