Cutting tool assembly with replaceable spray nozzle

Mining or in situ disintegration of hard material – Cutter tooth or tooth head – Cleansing fluid passage

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C299S081100, C175S424000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06247759

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a cutting tool assembly having a replaceable spray nozzle.
BACKGROUND ART
Cutting tool assemblies for such applications as mining or road milling typically comprise a cutting tool, sometimes referred to as a cutting pick, rotatably mounted within a support block. The support block in turn is mounted onto a drum or other body, typically by welding, which in turn is driven by a suitable drive means. When a number of such support blocks carrying cutting tools are mounted onto a drum, and the drum is driven, the cutting tools will engage and break up the material sought to be mined or removed. The general operation of such a mining or construction machine is well known in the art.
It is also known to equip a cutting tool assembly with a spray nozzle for spraying fluid onto a cutting tool so as to reduce the potential for ignition of gases encountered during cutting or mining activities. U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,048, for example, discloses a water spray nozzle that is retained within a threaded bore of a pick box or support block using a resilient retaining ring. This nozzle is relatively complex in design and relatively costly to manufacture. Furthermore, the discharge end of the nozzle is contained within the bore of the pick box such that the nozzle does not limit wear of the pick box during use. Consequently, if the pick box is sufficiently worn away, it can no longer house the nozzle.
As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,870 discloses a cutting tool assembly including a spray nozzle that is completely contained within a bore of pick box. Consequently, this nozzle also does not limit wear of the pick box during use. In addition, water passages disposed in the pick box for providing water to the nozzle are configured such that they cannot be drilled out once the pick box is welded to a drum. As a result, when the passages become blocked, such as by calcium deposits, the cutting tool assembly is no longer useful for cutting operations that require a functioning spray nozzle.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved cutting tool assembly having a support block and a replaceable spray nozzle mounted to the support block, wherein the spray nozzle is simple in design and relatively economical to manufacture.
In one embodiment of the invention, the cutting tool assembly comprises a support block having a tapered first bore. A replaceable spray nozzle including a unitary body is also provided, and the body has a tapered portion that engages the first bore so as to inhibit movement of the spray nozzle relative to the support block.
In another embodiment of the invention, the cutting tool assembly comprises a support block having a first bore, and a replaceable spray nozzle including a body that extends into the first bore. The body has a threaded portion that extends beyond the first bore, and a nut engages the threaded portion to inhibit movement of the spray nozzle relative to the support block.
In another embodiment of the invention, the cutting tool assembly comprises a support block having first and second outer surface portions, first and second bores, and first and second fluid passages. The first fluid passage is in fluid communication with the first bore and the second fluid passage. The second fluid passage has a second fluid passage axis and extends between the second outer surface portion and the second bore. Furthermore, the second bore and the second fluid passage are configured such that the second fluid passage axis may be extended through the second bore and beyond the support block without intersecting the support block. The cutting tool assembly also includes a spray nozzle having a body that extends into the first bore such that the spray nozzle is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage.
Advantageously, with such a configuration, the second fluid passage may be easily drilled out so as to ensure maximum fluid flow therethrough. The support block may also be provided with a channel extending between the first bore and the first outer surface portion, wherein the channel provides drill access to the first fluid passage.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the cutting tool assembly comprises a support block having first and second outer surface portions, first and second bores, a channel, and first and second fluid passages. The channel extends between the first outer surface portion and the first bore, the first fluid passage extends between the first and second bores, and the second fluid passage extends between the second outer surface portion and the second bore. The cutting tool assembly further includes a replaceable spray nozzle having a body that extends into the first bore such that the spray nozzle is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage.
In each of the previous embodiments, the spray nozzle may be provided with an enlarged head that extends beyond the first bore. Advantageously, the enlarged head functions as a wear limiter to limit wear of a portion of the support block disposed behind the enlarged head.
While one embodiment of the new and improved cutting tool assembly is illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.


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International Search Report for International application No. PCT/US00/14151, mailed Sep. 6, 2000.
Lemmes, F., “Meisselhalter MIT Ejektor-Schneidspurbeduesung,” Gluckauf, De, Verlag Gluckauf, Essen vol. 134, No. 12, Dec. 10, 1998, pp. 68-0684.

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