Gauging apparatus and method, particularly for controlling mining by a mining machine
US4200335A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 1978 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21C35/302
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Apparatus for and method of controlling the mining by a mining machine of a seam of material (e.g., coal) overlying or underlying a stratum of undesired material (e.g., clay) to reduce the quantity of undesired material mined with the desired material, the machine comprising a cutter movable up and down and adapted to cut down into a seam of coal on being lowered. The control apparatus comprises a first electrical signal constituting a slow-down signal adapted to be automatically operated to signal when the cutter has cut down into a seam of desired material generally to a predetermined depth short of the interface between the seam and the underlying stratum for slowing down the cutting rate as the cutter approaches the interface, and a second electrical signal adapted to be automatically operated subsequent to the first signal for signalling when the cutter has cut down through the seam to the interface for stopping the cutting operation, thereby to avoid mining undesired material with the desired material. Similar signalling may be provided on an upward cut to avoid cutting into the overlying stratum.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.