Apparatus and Method For Retracting a Train of Equipment Parts From a High Wall Mining Shaft

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for at least partially retracting from a substantial horizontal shaft ( 4 ) a train of parts ( 5 ) of a high wall mining apparatus which are located within said shaft ( 4 ), the apparatus comprising: a connection element ( 8 ) connectable to the train of parts ( 5 ), and a pulling device ( 6 ) located outside the shaft ( 4 ) and connected to the connection element ( 8 ) for retracting the connecting element ( 8 ). The invention also relates to a method for at least partially retracting from a substantial horizontal shaft ( 4 ) a train of parts ( 5 ) of a high wall mining apparatus which are located within said shaft ( 4 ).

1 . Retracting apparatus for at least partially retracting from a substantial horizontal shaft a train of parts of a high wall mining apparatus which train of parts is located within said shaft, the apparatus comprising: a connection element connectable to the train of parts, and a pulling device located outside the shaft and connected to the connection element for retracting the connecting element, wherein the pulling device is an individual unit separated from a launching device for the train of parts. 
   
   
       2 . Retracting apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the apparatus comprises at least one supporting element to exert a supporting force against the high wall in which the shaft has been excavated. 
   
   
       3 . Retracting apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the connection element is connectable to the pulling device at least one connection position and that the intersection of the normal line of the connection position on the face of the wall is within the lines connecting the outer points of the supporting elements. 
   
   
       4 . Retracting apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the pulling device is adapted to be located substantially sideways of the elongation of the shaft towards the launching device. 
   
   
       5 . Retracting apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the connection element is flexible and that at the connection position a pulley has been located for guiding the connection element from the direction perpendicular to the wall to the pulling device. 
   
   
       6 . Retracting apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the supporting elements are connected to the connecting apparatus through a pivotable lever. 
   
   
       7 . Retracting apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that the axis of the pivotable lever coincides with the axis of the pulley. 
   
   
       8 . Retracting apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the pulling device comprises a winch to wind the flexible connection element. 
   
   
       9 . Retracting apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the pulling device is equipped with a vehicle which is adapted to propel itself. 
   
   
       10 . Retracting apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that the vehicle comprises tracked wheels. 
   
   
       11 . Retracting apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that the vehicle comprises an engine coupled with a hydraulic pump and that the winch and the wheels are adapted for hydraulic drive. 
   
   
       12 . Method for at least partially retracting from a substantial horizontal shaft a train of parts of a high wall mining apparatus which is located within said shaft, the method comprising the following steps:
 arranging a retracting apparatus, comprising a pulling device, outside the shaft,   connecting the pulling device to a connection element and to the train of parts, and   retracting the connecting element,   wherein the pulling device is arranged separated from a launching device.   
   
   
       13 . Method as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that the position of the retracting apparatus is stabilized with at least one supporting element that is arranged adjacent to the wall in which the shaft is excavated. 
   
   
       14 . Method as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that the connection element is connected to the train of parts before it is inserted into the shaft. 
   
   
       15 . Method as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that a line is connected to the train of parts which is initially inserted into the shaft and that subsequently the connection element is drawn into the shaft by the line.