Dust aspirating arrangement

In combination with an underground machine tool, a dust aspirating arrangement comprising suction means for aspirating air which contains dust generated during operation of an underground machine having the tool, said suction means including an angled tubular element which has two portions each having an inlet arranged for aspirating the dust-containing air, said portions being arranged relative to one another so that one of said portions can aspirate dust in the region adjacent to the tool whereas the other portion can aspirate dust in the region of a floor whereto dust is advanced during operation;

• agglomerating means communicating with said suction means and arranged for receiving the dust-containing air aspirated by the latter, said agglomerating means being provided with a moisturizing element arranged for moisturizing said dust-containing air, and with a curved stationary wall portion arranged for inducing the moisture and the dust-containing air toward a central region of said agglomerating means so as to produce a mixture, said curved stationary wall portion simultaneously reinforcing said agglomerating means;
• separating means communicating with said agglomerating means and operative for separating said mixture into its constituent dust-containing moisture and air, said separating means including a casing bounding a chamber which has a longitudinal axis, a frame member located in said chamber, and a plurality of blade members supported by said frame member, said frame member and thereby said blade members being inclined to said longitudinal axis of said chamber, said separating means having a flexible conduit which is arranged for removing the separated dust-containing moisture, said flexible conduit being bendable between a first position in which it is curved so as to form a siphon-type conduit through which the separated dust-containing moisture unimpededly flows but backflow of the same is prevented, and a second position in which it is straight so as to permit cleaning of the same;
• and means for removing the separated air from said separating means and located downstream of said flexible conduit.