Method and apparatus for suppressing dust and frictional ignition on a

Abstract

A boom mounted cutter drum assembly of a continuous mining machine includes an intermediate drum section and a pair of end drum sections. Spray nozzles on the cutting elements of the cutter drum assembly direct liquid spray at the mine face as mine material is dislodged to suppress dust and frictional ignition. Liquid for the spray nozzles is supplied on the mining machine through a stationary housing positioned between the intermediate drum section and the end drum sections. Water is conveyed through ports in the housing to a rotary seal assembly having stationary and rotating components. The ports are sealed by O-rings which communicate with passageways that divert liquid leakage at the rotary seal assembly away from the gearcase. The rotary seal assembly is surrounded by lip seals in the gearcase to separate the liquid passageways to the spray nozzles from the lubricant supplied to the gearcase. The lip seals communicate with the passageways vented to atmosphere so that any liquid leakage is diverted away from the gearcase. The lip seals exposed to the flow of liquid through the rotary seal assembly are also lubricated to maintain the seals operational during periods when liquid is not supplied to the spray nozzles. The lip seals and O-rings surrounding the rotary seal assembly also act as redundant liquid seals to prevent liquid from contaminating the gearcase.