Mining Machine, In Particular Surface Miner, As Well As Method For The Removal And Installation Of A Transport Device In A Mining Machine

Abstract

In a mining machine for the processing of a ground surface, including a machine frame, a cutting drum mounted in the machine frame, a first conveyor which accepts mining material from the cutting drum, and a second conveyor which accepts the mining material from the first conveyor, a grease tensioner is connected to an upper roller of the second conveyor. A grease feeding connection is accessible by a person standing on the ground and is communicated with the grease tensioner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mining machine for the processing of a ground, with
 a machine frame,   a cutting drum mounted in the machine frame,   a first transport device which accepts mining material from the cutting drum,   a second transport device which accepts the mining material from the first transport device and transports the mining material upwards to a point of discharge,   where the second transport device comprises a continuously revolving transport belt that is guided over a drive roller at an upper end of the second transport device and over a return roller at a lower end of the second transport device, and   a belt tensioning device arranged for moving the upper drive roller for the purpose of tensioning the transport belt,   
       characterized in that
 the belt tensioning device comprises a grease tensioner. 
 
     
     
         2 . The mining machine in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a grease feeding device for the grease tensioner extending along the second transport device, the grease feeding device including at the lower end of the second transport device a grease feeding connection. 
     
     
         3 . The mining machine in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the grease feeding connection is accessible to a person standing on the ground. 
     
     
         4 . The mining machine in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a grease feeding device for the grease tensioner extending along the second transport device, the grease feeding device including at the machine frame a grease feeding connection. 
     
     
         5 . The mining machine in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the grease feeding connection is accessible to a person standing on the ground. 
     
     
         6 . The mining machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 the drive roller includes a linearly movable axle; and   the grease tensioner is operably connected to the axle for moving the axle along a length of the second transport device.   
     
     
         7 . A mining machine for processing a ground surface, comprising:
 a machine frame;   a cutting drum supported from the machine frame;   a first conveyor arranged to receive mining material from the cutting drum;   a second conveyor having an upper end and a lower end, the second conveyor including an upper roller at the upper end and a lower roller at the lower end, and a transport belt extending between the upper roller and the lower roller, the lower end of the second conveyor arranged to receive mining material from the first conveyor; and   a grease tensioner connected to the upper roller and configured to move the upper roller to tension the transport belt.   
     
     
         8 . The mining machine of  claim 7 , wherein the upper roller is a drive roller and the lower roller is a return roller. 
     
     
         9 . The mining machine of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a grease feeding connection located at a location accessible to a person standing on the ground, the grease feeding connection being communicated with the grease tensioner.   
     
     
         10 . The mining machine of  claim 9 , wherein the location of the grease feeding connection is adjacent the lower end of the second conveyor. 
     
     
         11 . The mining machine of  claim 9 , wherein the location of the grease feeding connection is on the machine frame. 
     
     
         12 . The mining machine of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a grease conduit extending from the grease feeding connection to the grease tensioner.   
     
     
         13 . The mining machine of  claim 12 , wherein the grease conduit extends along substantially an entire length of the second conveyor. 
     
     
         14 . The mining machine of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the upper roller includes a linearly movable axle; and   the grease tensioner is operably connected to the axle for moving the axle along a length of the second conveyor.   
     
     
         15 . The mining machine of  claim 14 , wherein the upper roller is a drive roller. 
     
     
         16 . A machine for processing a ground surface, comprising:
 a machine frame;   a cutting drum supported from the machine frame;   a first conveyor arranged to receive processed material from the cutting drum;   a second conveyor having an upper end and a lower end, the second conveyor including an upper roller at the upper end and a lower roller at the lower end, and a transport belt extending between the upper roller and the lower roller, the lower end of the second conveyor arranged to receive processed material from the first conveyor;   a tensioner connected to the upper roller and configured to move the upper roller to tension the transport belt; and   a tensioner operating location on the machine and remote from the tensioner.   
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 16 , wherein the upper roller is a drive roller and the lower roller is a return roller. 
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the tensioner operating location is accessible to a person standing on the ground.   
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein the tensioner operating location is adjacent the lower end of the second conveyor. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein the tensioner operating location is on the machine frame. 
     
     
         21 . The machine of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an operating conduit extending from the tensioner operating location to the tensioner.   
     
     
         22 . The machine of  claim 21 , wherein the operating conduit extends along substantially an entire length of the second conveyor. 
     
     
         23 . The machine of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the upper roller includes a linearly movable axle; and   the tensioner is operably connected to the axle for moving the axle along a length of the second conveyor.   
     
     
         24 . The machine of  claim 23 , wherein the upper roller is a drive roller. 
     
     
         25 . A method of operating a machine for processing a ground surface, the machine having a machine frame, a cutting drum supported from the machine frame, a first conveyor arrange to receive processed material from the cutting drum, and a second conveyor having an upper end and a lower end, the second conveyor including an upper roller at the upper end and a lower roller at the lower end, and a transport belt extending between the upper roller and the lower roller, the lower end of the second conveyor arranged to receive processed material from the first conveyor, the method comprising:
 tensioning the second conveyor from an operating location accessible to a person standing on the ground surface.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the tensioning step includes feeding grease into a grease connection at the operating location and communicating the grease with a grease tensioner connected to the upper roller.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the tensioning step further includes extending the grease tensioner to move the upper roller longitudinally along a length of the second conveyor.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the tensioning step includes feeding fluid into a fluid connection at the operating location and communicating the fluid with an extendible ram connected to the upper roller.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein:
 the tensioning step further includes extending the ram to move the upper roller longitudinally along a length of the second conveyor.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the extendible ram is a grease tensioner and the fluid is grease.