Low-profile mechanical connection for a drive arrangement

#The present invention relates to mechanical connections in mining equipment and, more particularly, to a connection between a drive member and a driven member, such as between a motor and a gear train.

#Mining equipment, such as a longwall shearer, a feeder-breaker, a continuous miner, etc., include a drive member, such as a motor, and a driven member, such as a drive shaft of a gear train. A mechanical connection may selectively connect the drive shaft to the motor for operation and disconnect the drive shaft from the motor, for example, for service on the mining equipment. Space for clearance (e.g., between a ranging arm of a shearer and a lump breaker, between a lump breaker and a spill tray) is an issue in mines, and, therefore, a low-profile mechanical connection may be desired.

#In one independent embodiment, a mining machine may generally include a frame, a motor, a drive shaft having a first end and a distal end, a driven component coupled to the drive shaft at the distal end, and a connector assembly between the motor and the drive shaft. The connector assembly may include a connection mechanism operable to drivingly connect the motor and the drive shaft, and an adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the connection mechanism between a connected condition, in which the connection mechanism drivingly connects the motor and the drive shaft, and a disconnected condition, in which the driving connection between the motor and the drive shaft is disengaged, the adjustment mechanism including an actuator pivotable about an axis between a connected position corresponding to the connected condition of the adjustment mechanism and a disconnected position corresponding to the disconnected condition of the adjustment mechanism, the actuator being axially fixed relative to the frame.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a mining machine, such as a longwall shearer, according to an independent embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the mining machine of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view a drive shaft coupled to a driven member of the mining machine of FIG. 1.

#Before any independent embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

#The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected” and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. Also, electronic communications and notifications may be performed using any known means including direct connections, wireless connections, etc.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a mining machine 100, such as a longwall shearer. Although illustrated as a longwall shearer, in other embodiments (not shown), the mining machine 100 may include a feeder-breaker, a continuous miner, a conveyor assembly, a rope shovel, a hybrid mining shovel, a dragline excavator, or another mining machine.