Control of mineral mining machines

US4934757A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Bernd Steinkuhl · Grafenau, DE
• Gerhard Merten · L Atkinson Lane, DE
• Christoph Rassmann · Grafenau, DE
• Alfred Marquart · Bergkamen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 14, 1989
• Grant date: Jun 19, 1990
• Expiry date: Mar 14, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21C35/302
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A coal wining plough in a longwall working employs adjustable floor cutters mounted on curved carriers displaced in guideways on the body of the plough. Wedges abut on the upper ends of the carriers and are moved by hydraulic piston and cylinder units to set the position of the floor cutters and define the cutting level adopted by the plough. The units are operated with the aid of valves which respond to an electronic control device. Command signals from a remote control station are transmitted as by a radio to the plough to set up the electronic control device. Sensors on the plough provide electrical signals representing the position of the interface between the coal face and the floor and these signals are transmitted back to the control station. In a control sequence the plough runs along the seam and the sensor(s) provide signals relayed to the control station which also receives signals representing the distance moved by and/or the position of the plough. On a succeeding run the control station provides the control of the leading floor cutter in accordance with a control program.