Continuous mining machine having core cutting assembly

1. A core cutting assembly for a mining machine having a milling drum, the core cutting assembly comprising:

a drive mechanism configured to rotate about a first axis of the milling drum; and

at least one rotary cutting bit configured to remain in a fixed position relative to the first axis and powered by the drive mechanism to rotate about a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

2. The core cutting assembly of claim 1 , further including a strut configured to support the milling drum, the drive mechanism, and the at least one rotary cutting bit, wherein the at least one rotary cutting bit is connected to a tip of the strut in a forward driving direction of the mining machine.

3. The core cutting assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least one rotary cutting bit includes three rotary cutting bits, each of the three rotary cutting bits arranged within a common plane.

4. The core cutting assembly of claim 3 , wherein each of the three rotary cutting bits is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the three rotary cutting bits by about 45°.

5. The core cutting assembly of claim 1 , further including a strut configured to support the milling drum, the drive mechanism, and the at least one rotary cutting bit, wherein a diameter of the at least one rotary cutting bit is larger than a width of the strut.

6. The core cutting assembly of claim 5 , further including a shaft extending through the strut and configured to power the drive mechanism.

7. The core cutting assembly of claim 6 , wherein the drive mechanism is a ring gear configured to mesh with a pinion gear of the at least one rotary cutting bit.

8. The core cutting assembly of claim 7 , wherein the shaft is configured to also drive the milling drum.

9. The core cutting assembly of claim 5 , further including a parallel gear arrangement disposed at least partially within the strut and configured to power the drive mechanism.

10. The core cutting assembly of claim 5 , wherein:

the milling drum includes cutting tools mounted to an outer annular surface; and

the at least one rotary cutting bit is configured to extend from the strut to at least an outer tip diameter of the cutting tools.

11. A milling system for a continuous mining machine, comprising:

a milling drum having an outer cylindrical surface divided into a plurality of segments;

a plurality of cutting tools mounted to the outer cylindrical surface of each of the plurality of segments;

a strut supporting the milling drum and being located axially between the plurality of segments;

a shaft connected to rotate the milling drum about a first axis;

a drive mechanism connected to the shaft at an end of the milling drum; and

at least one rotary cutting bit connected to a tip of the strut and powered by the drive mechanism to rotate about a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

12. The milling system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one rotary cutting bit is located forward of the strut relative to a driving direction of the continuous mining machine.

13. The milling system of claim 12 , wherein:

the at least one rotary cutting bit includes three rotary cutting bits;

each of the three rotary cutting bits is arranged within a common plane; and

each of the three rotary cutting bits is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the three rotary cutting bits by about 45.

14. The milling system of claim 11 , wherein a diameter of the at least one rotary cutting bit is larger than a width of the strut.

15. The milling system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one rotary cutting bit is configured to extend from the strut to at least an outer tip diameter of the plurality of cutting tools.

16. The milling system of claim 15 , wherein:

the continuous mining machine includes a frame; and

the milling system further includes a boom configured to pivotally connect the strut to the frame of the continuous mining machine.

17. The milling system of claim 11 , wherein tips of the plurality of cutting tools that are located immediately adjacent the strut overhang the strut a distance.

18. The milling system of claim 17 , wherein the tips of the plurality of cutting tools that are located immediately adjacent the strut overlap an edge of the at least one rotary cutting bit.

19. A continuous mining machine, comprising:

a frame;

a mobile undercarriage supporting the frame;

a boom pivotally connected to the frame;

a milling drum having an outer cylindrical surface divided into a plurality of segments, and a plurality of cutting tools mounted to each of the plurality of segments;

a strut located axially between the plurality of segments and connecting the milling drum to a distal end of the boom;

a shaft configured to drive the milling drum about a first axis;

a drive mechanism mounted to the strut and driven by the shaft to rotate about the first axis of the milling drum; and

a plurality of rotary cutting bits arranged within a common plane, connected to a ti of the strut in a forward driving direction of the continuous mining machine, and powered by the drive mechanism to rotate about only a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

20. The continuous mining machine of claim 19 , wherein:

a diameter of each of the plurality of rotary cutting bits is larger than a width of the strut;

the plurality of rotary cutting bits are each configured to extend from the strut to at least an outer tip diameter of the plurality of cutting tools; and

tips of the plurality of cutting tools that are located immediately adjacent the strut overhang the strut a distance and overlap an edge of each of the plurality of rotary cutting bits.