Mining utility transport vehicle
AssigneeListerhill Total Maintenance Center LLC
InventorsDonald B. Flournoy, Jr., Floyd T. Patterson, Michael J. Stumpe, John F. Bryerton, Hilard R. Cantrell, Jr., Timothy A. Ellett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mine transport vehicle is disclosed having two main bodies, one a power and control section and the other a payload section, the two sections being connected by an articulating joint. The power and control section has seating for an operator and a passenger. The payload section has seating for four passengers as well as capacity for at least approximately 2000 pounds of equipment. The weight distribution of each section is such that the stress on the frame and articulating joint is minimized thus providing improved life of the joint.
Claims13
A mine car comprising:
- a power and control section;
- a payload section;
- an articulating joint attaching said power and control section to said payload section, said articulating joint further comprising a first subassembly allowing rotational movement of said power and control section with respect to said payload section about a generally horizontal axis, and a second subassembly allowing rotational movement of said power and control section with respect to said payload section about a generally vertical axis, wherein said first subassembly further comprises:
- a bearing surface support plate affixed to said payload section;
- a composite disc bearing positioned on said bearing surface support plate;
- a wear surface support plate having a front side facing said bearing surface support plate and said composite disc bearing, and said wear surface support plate having a back side connected to said second subassembly;
- and
- a wear surface positioned on said wear surface support plate and facing said bearing surface support plate and said composite disc bearing;
- wherein said bearing surface support plate is joined to said wear surface support plate so as to allow relative rotation between said bearing surface support plate and said wear surface support plate;
- and
- a drive train comprising drive train components, wherein said drive train components are sealed within said mine car to substantially prevent contamination of said drive train components from an environment in which said mine car is operated.
A mine car comprising:
- a drive section;
- a payload section;
- and
- an articulating joint attaching said drive section to said payload section, said articulating joint further comprising:
- a first subassembly allowing rotational movement of said drive section with respect to said payload section about a generally horizontal axis;
- a second subassembly allowing rotational movement of said drive section with respect to said payload section about a generally vertical axis;
- and
- wherein said first subassembly further comprises:
- a bearing surface support plate affixed to said payload section;
- a composite disc bearing positioned on said bearing surface support plate;
- a wear surface support plate having a front side facing said bearing surface support plate and said composite disc bearing, and said wear surface support plate having a back side connected to said second subassembly;
- and
- a wear surface positioned on said wear surface support plate and facing said bearing surface support plate and said composite disc bearing;
- and
- wherein said bearing surface support plate is joined to said wear surface support plate so as to allow relative rotation between said bearing surface support plate and said wear surface support plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.