The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 29, 2014
Filed:
Oct. 26, 2011
Edward F. Niederriter, Fryburg, PA (US);
Shawn W. Franklin, Emlenton, PA (US);
Edward F. Niederriter, Fryburg, PA (US);
Shawn W. Franklin, Emlenton, PA (US);
Joy MM Delaware, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A mining machine for mining along a mining face includes a longwall shearer, a product removal system for removing product cut by the longwall shearer, and a drive system for moving the longwall shearer along a rack extending along the mining face. The drive system including a housing coupled to the longwall shearer, a motor, and a sprocket at least partially positioned within the housing and drivingly connected to the motor. The sprocket is engaged with the rack and moves the longwall shearer along the rack. A shoe maintains the sprocket in engagement with the rack. The housing is configured to rotate relative to the longwall shearer such that the drive system adjusts for vertical height variations and horizontal variations of the rack.