| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 299100050 | AUTOMATIC CONTROL; SIGNALING OR INDICATING | 52 |
| 20130076099 | Method and Apparatus for Increasing the Yield in a Deposit - A method for increasing the yield of a deposit including a rock which including at least one valuable mineral to be exposed by comminuting the rock and at least one further mineral, may include the following steps: performing a boring operation using a boring device prior to extracting the rock, determining at least one predetermined boring parameter for the boring device, determining at least one measured value characterizing a current boring behaviour of the boring device, and performing a computational elimination of a dependency of the at least one measured value on the at least one boring parameter, wherein at least one rock texture-dependent characteristic value is obtained, and wherein the at least one characteristic value is used as a measure for a mineral particle size of the at least one valuable mineral in the rock and for setting an optimum degree of comminution when comminuting the rock. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20110006585 | Mining method - An open cast mining method includes sinking a blasting borehole ( | 01-13-2011 |
| 20120248848 | Cutting Device with Function of Changing Diameter in Small Range for Soft Rock Shield Machine - A cutting device includes a cutting head, a plurality of peripheral cutters mounted on the cutting head, at least one peripheral cutter driving mechanism, a hydraulic control system, and a dissipation monitoring system, wherein the cutting head has at least one groove, wherein the peripheral cutters are symmetrically mounted on the cutting head at two sides of the groove, wherein the peripheral cutters are connected with the peripheral cutter driving mechanism which is provided on the groove, wherein the hydraulic control system comprises a fluid tank arranged to drive the peripheral driving mechanism to move for driving the peripheral cutter to move correspondingly, wherein the hydraulic control system further comprises a control head, a motion sensor electrically connected to the control head through a plurality of electrical wires, wherein the control head is communicated with the fluid tank through a plurality of transmission tubes and a fluid outlet. | 10-04-2012 |
| 299100100 | Ore/rock interface determination during cutting | 2 |
| 20100117439 | DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE CUTTING HORIZON OF A MINING EXTRACTION SYSTEM, AND PAN ELEMENT THEREFOR - The invention relates to a device for determining the cutting horizon of a mining winning system, having a movable conveyor which is composed of individual pan elements, and having at least one optical detection sensor which has a sensor head that is received in a sensor carrier and can be pressed with at least one pressure means against a coal/basement rock boundary layer. In order to improve the sensing and working reliability, over the length of the conveyor, a plurality of pan elements are configured as sensor pans which are provided with a protected recess which is open to the basement rock and in which the sensor carrier is arranged or can be arranged such that it can be disassembled together with the sensor head. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20120161493 | Method for Producing a Face Opening Using Automated Systems - Method of automatically producing a defined face opening, in underground coal mining, during longwall mining operations having a face conveyor, a disk shearer loader and a hydraulic shield support. Via at least one inclination sensor on the top canopy of the shield support frame, the inclination of the top canopy relative to the horizontal, in the direction of mining or extraction of the disk shearer loader, is determined to provide angles of the course of an overlying stratum at the shield support frame. A stepping path length of each shield support frame is detected, and therefrom a cutting depth of the disk shearer loader during an extraction run is determined. A cutting height of the disk shearer loader is detected by means of sensors disposed thereon, and a cutting height of the disk shearer loader is adjusted in alignment with the angle of the course of the overlying stratum to produce the defined face opening. | 06-28-2012 |
| 299100300 | Of tunneling apparatus having a wall temporary support | 2 |
| 20110006584 | Method for Automatically Producing a Defined Face Opening in Plow Operations in Coal Mining - A method for automatically producing a defined face opening in a longwall mining operation in underground coal mining, using a face conveyor, at least one plow, as an extraction machine, guided on the face conveyor, and respective hydraulic shield support frames having, as main components, a floor skid arrangement, a gob shield, a top canopy and support connection rods. Inclination sensors are disposed on at least three of the floor skid arrangements, the gob shield, the support connection rods and a gob-side region of the top canopy. From the sensors, an inclination relative to a horizontal is ascertained. From the inclination data, by comparison with base data defining a geometrical orientation of the components and movement thereof during a stepping process, a respective shield height of the shield support frames perpendicular to a bed thereof is calculated and is compared with a machine-dependent fixed cutting height of the plow to establish if deviations exist: By means of a boom controller disposed between the shield support frame and the face conveyor, a height control of the plow is initiated to correct established deviations and is maintained, in the sense of a location-synchronized evaluation, until the shield support frame, which trails the plow with a time delay, has reached the position at which the plow was located at the point in time when the height control of the plow was initiated. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100276981 | SHIELD CONTROL DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE LONGWALL FUNCTION OF A LONGWALL UNIT IN THE LONGWALL FACE WORKING IN A MINE - The shield control device of a longwall shield for carrying out the longwall functions of the longwall shield in the longwall face working in a mine is associated with a distributing device upstream of a group of functional elements. Each of the functional elements of the longwall shield is associated with an exclusive address code word, on the call of which the internal connection between the shield control device and the functional elements depends. The distributing device is arranged in close proximity to the functional elements. The functional elements are valves or sensors. | 11-04-2010 |
| 299100400 | Of hard material disintegrating machines | 32 |
| 20130033085 | STABILIZATION SYSTEM FOR A MINING MACHINE - A mining machine including a frame, a cutting head moveably coupled to the frame and pivotable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a first mine surface, and a first actuator for stabilizing the frame relative to the first mine surface. The first actuator is coupled to the frame and includes a first end extendable in a first direction to engage the first mine surface. The extension of the first actuator is automatically controlled based on measurements of at least one indicator of the force between the first actuator and the first mine surface. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130033086 | AUTOMATED FIND-FACE OPERATION OF A MINING MACHINE - Methods and systems for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes automatically operating at least one actuator to position a platform supporting a cutterhead at a predetermined starting position and automatically operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward a cutting face until the cutterhead contacts the cutting face and at least one indicator of a physical force between the cutterhead and the cutting face exceeds a predetermined value. The method also includes automatically saving at least one coordinate of the cutting face to a computer-readable medium, the at least one coordinate based on a parameter of the at least one actuator when the indicator exceeds the predetermined value. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20100109417 | Automated Excavation Machine - The present invention is directed to an excavator that is operable in manual and automatic modes and uses state machines to effect unit operations, rotationally offset swing actuators to rotate boom and cutter head, a fail safe hydraulic system to maintain gripper pressure in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, differing position and pressure control functions in the hydraulic actuators, a kinematic module to effect pitch and roll adjustments, a cutting face profile generator to generate a profile of the excavation face, and an optimization module to realize a high degree of optimization of excavator operation. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20130082506 | Method and Apparatus for Increasing the Yield in a Deposit - A method is provided for increasing the yield in a deposit comprising a rock that includes a valuable mineral, which can be exposed by virtue of the rock being comminuted, and at least one further mineral, wherein the valuable mineral has a higher density than the at least one further mineral, which method includes: carrying out a drilling operation using a drilling tool prior to the rock being extracted, drillings being generated in the process; forming an aerosol comprising the drillings and a gas stream; transferring the aerosol from the drilling tool to at least one air separator; carrying out hydraulic classification, wherein at least two fractions comprising in each case equal-falling particles of the drillings are formed; and determining a property which belongs to at least one of the fractions and is used as a measure for setting an optimum degree of comminution of the rock. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20090008984 | Method For Regulating the Drive of a Shearing or Heading Machine - In a method for controlling the drive of a shearing or heading machine for cutting a round, as a function of manipulated variables such as the movement speed of the cantilever arm, the position of the cutting tools and/or the power consumption of the drive motors and the pressure in hydraulic actuating cylinders, a minimum and a maximum target value are determined for the movement speed of the cantilever arm, and at least two factors each having values of between 0 and 1 are calculated for the manipulated variables as a function of measurement values, the measurement values at least comprising cutting tool position data compared to set data corresponding with a set profile, motor load measurement data and cantilever arm movement speed measurement data, and the movement speed of the cantilever arm is controlled as a function of the product of the set speed and the respectively calculated factors. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20120068523 | GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A MINING MACHINE - A guidance system for mining a seam of material includes a mining machine, a carriage, and a guide assembly. The mining machine includes a cutter head and defines a roll axis, a pitch axis, and a yaw axis. The carriage includes a first emitter, a second emitter, and a third emitter. The first emitter projects a first laser that is aligned with a seam plane. The second emitter projects a second laser, and the third emitter projects a third laser. The guide assembly includes a first indicator and a target. The first indicator is aligned with the second laser, and the target is aligned with the third laser. The relative positions of the first indicator with respect to the second laser and the target with respect to the third laser indicate the orientation of the roll axis, pitch axis, and yaw axis relative to the seam plane. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120038202 | Method for Controlling the Depth of Shears - A method for controlling the cutting depth of drums of shearers used as recovery equipment in underground coal mining. A cut of drums into country rock is detected by measured values, from which the drum cutting depth is adjusted by control signals. In particular, during a recovery or shearing operation, the current consumption of cutting motors that drive the drums, and the traveling speed of the shearer, are detected as measured values, from which, in a computer, the respective specific cutting energy is determined as a ratio of the current consumption to the traveling speed. For different mining conditions, a respective characteristic value for the specific cutting energy is determined as a function of the compactness of coal that is to be recovered and of an outcrop of country rock. When this characteristic value is exceeded, a cut from the country rock is assumed. Corresponding control signals for a correction of the cutting depth of the drum are generated. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20130015696 | HYDRAULIC RESONANT BREAKING HAMMERAANM Tang; ZhongshengAACI Nanning CityAACO CNAAGP Tang; Zhongsheng Nanning City CN - The present invention discloses a hydraulic resonant breaking hammer, comprising a hydraulic driving system, a vibration exciter ( | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130033085 | STABILIZATION SYSTEM FOR A MINING MACHINE - A mining machine including a frame, a cutting head moveably coupled to the frame and pivotable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a first mine surface, and a first actuator for stabilizing the frame relative to the first mine surface. The first actuator is coupled to the frame and includes a first end extendable in a first direction to engage the first mine surface. The extension of the first actuator is automatically controlled based on measurements of at least one indicator of the force between the first actuator and the first mine surface. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130033086 | AUTOMATED FIND-FACE OPERATION OF A MINING MACHINE - Methods and systems for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes automatically operating at least one actuator to position a platform supporting a cutterhead at a predetermined starting position and automatically operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward a cutting face until the cutterhead contacts the cutting face and at least one indicator of a physical force between the cutterhead and the cutting face exceeds a predetermined value. The method also includes automatically saving at least one coordinate of the cutting face to a computer-readable medium, the at least one coordinate based on a parameter of the at least one actuator when the indicator exceeds the predetermined value. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20100109417 | Automated Excavation Machine - The present invention is directed to an excavator that is operable in manual and automatic modes and uses state machines to effect unit operations, rotationally offset swing actuators to rotate boom and cutter head, a fail safe hydraulic system to maintain gripper pressure in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, differing position and pressure control functions in the hydraulic actuators, a kinematic module to effect pitch and roll adjustments, a cutting face profile generator to generate a profile of the excavation face, and an optimization module to realize a high degree of optimization of excavator operation. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20130082506 | Method and Apparatus for Increasing the Yield in a Deposit - A method is provided for increasing the yield in a deposit comprising a rock that includes a valuable mineral, which can be exposed by virtue of the rock being comminuted, and at least one further mineral, wherein the valuable mineral has a higher density than the at least one further mineral, which method includes: carrying out a drilling operation using a drilling tool prior to the rock being extracted, drillings being generated in the process; forming an aerosol comprising the drillings and a gas stream; transferring the aerosol from the drilling tool to at least one air separator; carrying out hydraulic classification, wherein at least two fractions comprising in each case equal-falling particles of the drillings are formed; and determining a property which belongs to at least one of the fractions and is used as a measure for setting an optimum degree of comminution of the rock. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20090008984 | Method For Regulating the Drive of a Shearing or Heading Machine - In a method for controlling the drive of a shearing or heading machine for cutting a round, as a function of manipulated variables such as the movement speed of the cantilever arm, the position of the cutting tools and/or the power consumption of the drive motors and the pressure in hydraulic actuating cylinders, a minimum and a maximum target value are determined for the movement speed of the cantilever arm, and at least two factors each having values of between 0 and 1 are calculated for the manipulated variables as a function of measurement values, the measurement values at least comprising cutting tool position data compared to set data corresponding with a set profile, motor load measurement data and cantilever arm movement speed measurement data, and the movement speed of the cantilever arm is controlled as a function of the product of the set speed and the respectively calculated factors. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20120068523 | GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A MINING MACHINE - A guidance system for mining a seam of material includes a mining machine, a carriage, and a guide assembly. The mining machine includes a cutter head and defines a roll axis, a pitch axis, and a yaw axis. The carriage includes a first emitter, a second emitter, and a third emitter. The first emitter projects a first laser that is aligned with a seam plane. The second emitter projects a second laser, and the third emitter projects a third laser. The guide assembly includes a first indicator and a target. The first indicator is aligned with the second laser, and the target is aligned with the third laser. The relative positions of the first indicator with respect to the second laser and the target with respect to the third laser indicate the orientation of the roll axis, pitch axis, and yaw axis relative to the seam plane. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120038202 | Method for Controlling the Depth of Shears - A method for controlling the cutting depth of drums of shearers used as recovery equipment in underground coal mining. A cut of drums into country rock is detected by measured values, from which the drum cutting depth is adjusted by control signals. In particular, during a recovery or shearing operation, the current consumption of cutting motors that drive the drums, and the traveling speed of the shearer, are detected as measured values, from which, in a computer, the respective specific cutting energy is determined as a ratio of the current consumption to the traveling speed. For different mining conditions, a respective characteristic value for the specific cutting energy is determined as a function of the compactness of coal that is to be recovered and of an outcrop of country rock. When this characteristic value is exceeded, a cut from the country rock is assumed. Corresponding control signals for a correction of the cutting depth of the drum are generated. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20130015696 | HYDRAULIC RESONANT BREAKING HAMMERAANM Tang; ZhongshengAACI Nanning CityAACO CNAAGP Tang; Zhongsheng Nanning City CN - The present invention discloses a hydraulic resonant breaking hammer, comprising a hydraulic driving system, a vibration exciter ( | 01-17-2013 |
| 299100500 | Floor working | 10 |
| 20110193397 | Adaptive Advance Drive Control For Milling Machine - An adaptive advance control system for a construction machine senses the reaction forces applied by the ground surface to a milling drum, and in response to the sensed changes in those reaction forces controls the motive power applied to an advance drive of the machine. Early and rapid detection of such changes in reaction forces allow the control system to aid in preventing lurch forward events of the construction machine. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20130082507 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A GROUND MILLING MACHINE WITH HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE MILLING ROLLER - The present invention relates to a method for operating a ground milling machine which comprises at least one height-adjustable milling roller, wherein the milling roller performs a tumbling movement (T′) which is controlled by way of open-loop and/or closed-loop control during lowering in operation. The present invention further relates to a control device for the closed-loop and/or open-loop control of this method, and also to a ground milling machine with such a control device. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130099551 | Road Construction Machine, Leveling Device, As Well As Method For Controlling The Milling Depth Or Milling Slope In A Road Construction Machine - A control and switchover system is provided for controlling milling depth and/or slope of a milling drum of a road construction machine during a milling operation to create a milled surface. The system controls the milling depth and/or slope at least in part on a measurement made with a first sensor. Without interrupting the milling operation the system switches over the control of the milling depth and/or slope to control based at least in part on a measurement made with a second sensor. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20110266858 | Apparatus For Processing Ground Surfaces - An apparatus for processing ground surfaces comprises a moving device, a working device, especially a milling device for milling the ground surface, and a drive device for driving the moving device and the working device, wherein the working device is movable between a working position, in which it is in operative engagement with the ground surface, and a maneuvering position, in which it is not in operative engagement with the ground surface, wherein a sensor device is provided which detects the maneuvering position and/or at least one working parameter of the working device, namely its power consumption, working speed, rotational speed or its inclination, and/or at least one load parameter of the moving device, and a control device which reduces the frictional connection between the drive device and the working device and/or the drive power transmitted by the drive device to the working device in the maneuvering position and/or in case of the detection of a deviation of the at least one detected working parameter or load parameter from a set parameter value. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20090108663 | Road Milling Machine and Method for Positioning the Machine Frame Parallel to the Ground - In a self-propelled road milling machine ( | 04-30-2009 |
| 20120200138 | ADAPTIVE ADVANCE DRIVE CONTROL FOR MILLING MACHINE - An adaptive advance control system for a construction machine senses the reaction forces applied by the ground surface to a milling drum, and in response to the sensed changes in those reaction forces controls the rate of lowering the milling drum into the ground surface. Early and rapid detection of such changes in reaction forces allow the control system to aid in preventing lurch forward events of the construction machine. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20110080034 | Milling machine, in particular surface miner, and method for mining milled material of an open cast surface - In a method for milling an opencast mining surface or for milling off layers of an asphalt or concrete traffic surface with a milling machine removing the ground surface, by milling the ground surface along a predetermined milling track having a predetermined length, by transporting the milled material via a conveying device to at least one container of a truck that travels along next to the milling machine, said truck having a predetermined maximum loading volume per load, and by replacing a fully loaded truck with an unloaded truck when the maximum loading volume of a truck load has been reached, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: calculation of the maximum total loading volume resulting over the length of the current milling track as a function of the current effective working width and a milling depth that has been optimized in relation to a predetermined, preferably maximum milling power, calculation of the number of truck loads required for the maximum total loading volume of a milling track, determination of an effective total loading volume of the current milling track, which results from the volume of the nearest whole number of loads, and adjustment of the adjustable total milling volume of the milling machine over the length of the milling track to match the effective total loading volume that results in a whole number of loads. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20120104828 | CAN-BASED SYSTEM TO CALCULATE THE WEIGHT OF MILLED MATERIALS - A milling machine adapted to remove milled material from a road. The milling machine may include a CAN based grade system operatively connected to a sensor and a milling drum, and a CAN Bus adapter operatively connected to the CAN based grade system. The milling machine may include a programmable logic controller operatively connected to the CAN Bus adapter. The milling drum selectively removes the milled material from the road, and the sensor provides a signal to the CAN based grade system, and the milling drum is positioned based on data from the CAN based grade system. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20110272997 | Method For Optimizing A Cutting Process In Road Milling Machines, As Well As Milling Machine For Machining Road Coverings - In a method for optimizing a cutting process in milling machines which are used to machine road coverings, which comprise a milling device fitted with milling tools which is sprayed with liquid in order to cool the milling tools, in addition to a drive motor, the following steps are provided: detection of the at least one parameter which is representative of the instantaneous power output of the milling device and controlling the amount of cooling liquid supplied according to the at least one parameter which is representative of the instantaneous power output of the milling device. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20120286558 | Road Milling Machine And Method For Measuring The Milling Depth - A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track. | 11-15-2012 |
| 299100600 | Sidewall working (e.g., longwall-type) | 14 |
| 20130057044 | MINING MACHINE WITH DRIVEN DISC CUTTERS - A mining machine includes a cutting mechanism with an arm, and a substantial weight of more than a thousand pounds attached to the arm. The mining machine also includes a first disc cutter adapted to engage the material to be mined and mounted on a first disc cutter assembly for eccentrically driving the first disc cutter, the first disc cutter assembly being mounted within the substantial weight. The mining machine also includes at least a second disc cutter spaced apart from the first disc cutter assembly and adapted to engage the material to be mined, and mounted on a second disc cutter assembly for eccentrically driving the second disc cutter, the second disc cutter assembly being mounted within the substantial weight. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20110001348 | Method for Controlling Longwall Operations Using Boundary Layer Recognition - A method for controlling longwall mining operations, having a face conveyor, at least one extraction machine, and a hydraulic shield support, in underground coal mining. At least one sensor is disposed on the shield support frames for acquiring solid-borne noise data generated by the engagement of the extraction machine in coal and/or country rock. A cut of the extraction machine into the country rock is determined in a downstream computer on the basis of recorded vibration data that corresponds to the generated solid-borne noise. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100276982 | Method and apparatus for maintaining longwall face alignment - A mining machine includes a light source and a roof support guide for detecting the relative angular alignment between the mining machine and the roof support. The light source in the form of a laser on the mining machine, directed toward the roof support. The roof support guide is on the roof support above the mining machine, so that when the alignment between the mining machine and the roof support is as desired, light from the light source falls in a predetermined location relative to the roof support guide. When the mining machine is not in proper alignment with the roof support, the light source does not fall within the predetermined location relative to the roof support guide. When a mining machine operator detects that the light from the light source is not falling within the predetermined location relative to the roof support guide, the operator then adjusts the tilt of the mining machine using hydraulic jacks to cause the light from the light source to again fall within the predetermined location relative to the roof support guide. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20110254345 | CONTINUOUS SURFACE MINING SYSTEM - A surface mining system removes material from a surface mining block that has a substantially vertical and laterally extending mining face. The surface mining system generally includes a miner moveable in a lateral direction along the mining face, a face conveyor extending along the mining face, and conveyor translation devices associated with the face conveyor and operable to move the face conveyor toward the mining face as material is removed. The miner includes a rotating cutting member mounted to an end of a vertically ranging cutting arm and operable to remove material from the mining block. The face conveyor includes a discharge portion and is operable to convey material removed from the mining block toward the discharge portion. Each conveyor translation device includes a secured configuration substantially fixed with respect to the mining face and an unsecured configuration moveable with respect to the mining face. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20100194175 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING A CUTTING EXTRACTION MACHINE - The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring the travel path of a cutting extraction machine ( | 08-05-2010 |
| 20110115277 | METHOD FOR STEERING A MINING MACHINE CUTTER - A control system monitors the angle of each ranging arm, with respect to the mainframe of the machine. While the machine is in a defined zone along the face, if the angle of the arm is detected to be lower than a parameter defined set-point called the undercut limit, the control system does not allow the arm to be lowered further. When entering the run of face from either gate end, if either of the ranging arms are below the set point, the horizontal movement of the shearer is stopped, and an alarm message is generated, and a warning light begins to flash, alerting the operator that he must raise the arm before horizontal movement of the shearer can be enabled. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20120074759 | SAFETY DEVICE FOR THE MOVABLE EXCAVATION DEVICES IN AN UNDERGROUND LONGWALL MINE - A safety device which detects personnel data of persons located in the detection zone thereof, said safety device operating continuously or in regular cycles and reporting to the central controller. The personnel data of all persons located in the longwall mine are stored in a central storage device of the central control and constantly compared to the detected personnel data. If a discrepancy arises between the saved personnel data and the detected personnel data, the central control unit executes a command which halts all functions of the excavation devices and interrupts all moving functions, said command being directed at the switching devices of the associated excavation devices. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20100327650 | Method for Automatically Creating a Defined Face Opening in Longwall Mining Operations - A method for automatically producing a defined face opening in a longwall mining operation, in underground coal mining, having a face conveyor, at least one extraction machine and hydraulic shield support frames. Inclination sensors are disposed on at least three of the four main components of each shield support frame, such as floor skid, gob shield, support connection rods and gob-side area of the top canopy. From ascertained inclination data, by comparison with base data defining a geometrical orientation of the components and a movement thereof during stepping, a respective shield height of the shield support frames perpendicular to a bed thereof is calculated. From further sensors on the extraction machine, a cutting height thereof is acquired as a face opening. In terms of a location-synchronous analysis, for possible adjustment purposes the cutting height is compared with the shield height when the shield support frame, which trails the extraction machine with a time delay, has reached the position to which relates that cutting height which was used in the comparison. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110248548 | Method of Setting an Automatic Level Control of the Plow in Plowing Operations of Coal Mining - A method of setting an automatic level control of a plow in longwall mining operations. By means of a boom control mechanism, a control angle for setting motion of the plow, which is guided on a face conveyor, in an exploitation direction as a climbing, plunging or neutral motion is set. For each plow stroke, a cutting depth and the control angle, derived as a differential angle between inclinations of the face conveyor and of a top canopy of a shield support frame are determined. In a calculating unit, a face height change per plow stroke is calculated therefrom and a face height, as a projected height, is associated with each face position of the face conveyor. When a shield support frame that trails behind the plow in terms of a time delay reaches a respective face position, an actual height of the face is calculated and compared with the store projected height. For subsequent plow strokes, a height differential value between the projected and actual heights, determined for a respective face position, in the sense of a self-learning effect of the calculating unit when the control angle that is to be set to achieve a projected height of the face is prescribed, is taken into consideration. | 10-13-2011 |
| 299100700 | Of advancing material handling means or roof support | 5 |
| 20120104829 | Hydraulic Circuit For Longwall Mining - A hydraulic circuit for longwall support for use in underground mining for supporting a longwall by means of a plurality of support shields comprises a pressure monitoring device in the pressure line between the load maintaining valve and the shield control valve. Said pressure monitoring device can be a device for monitoring the piston position of the shield control valve which device signals a deviation of the set position predetermined by the shield control device from the measured actual position of the piston of the shield control valve in the form of a deviation signal. It may also be a pressure sensor which signals the deviation of the set pressure predetermined by the shield control device from the measured actual pressure in the form of a deviation signal. Signaling can be acoustic or optical. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20110254346 | ADVANCING LONGWALL SYSTEM FOR SURFACE MINING - A surface mining system for removing material from a mining face generally includes a conveyor extending substantially parallel to the mining face, a miner supported by and moveable along the conveyor, and a conveyor translation device associated with the conveyor and operable to move the conveyor and the miner toward the mining face. A method for advancing a surface mining longwall system generally includes moving the longwall shearer along a face conveyor, operating load translation devices to move the face conveyor and the longwall shearer toward the mining face, resetting a first group of load translation devices, and then resetting a second group of load translation devices. A load translation device generally includes an actuator, a ground drilling device coupled to and moveable with a portion of the actuator, and a frame coupled to and moveable with another portion of the actuator. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20100320827 | Method for the Controlled Maintaining of a Distance Between the Top Canopy and the Coal Face in Longwall Mining Operations - A method for maintaining, in a controlled manner, a top canopy/coal-face distance expedient for rock mechanics, in longwall mining operations in underground coal mining, using a face conveyor, at least one extraction machine, and a hydraulic shield support frame. Inclination sensors are disposed on at least three of the four main components of the shield support frame, including floor skid, gob shield, support connection rods and gob-side area of the top canopy. An inclination of the top canopy and floor skid are ascertained via the sensors. From the ascertained inclination data, in a computer, the effects on a top canopy/coal face distance are determined when changes in an angle of inclination of the top canopy occur. An automatic adjustment of decisive cycle parameters of the shield support frame are carried out, wherein the work cycle comprises retraction, advancement and setting processes. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20120098325 | Method for the Automated Production of a Defined Face Opening by Means of Slope-Assisted Radar Navigation of the Roller of a Roller Cutter Loader - A method for automated production of a defined face opening in longwall mining operations in underground coal mining, comprising a face conveyor, disk shearer as extraction machine, and hydraulic shield support frame. At least one radar sensor is provided on a main body of the disk shearer. A distance between an upper edge of the main body and an underside of a top canopy of the shield support frame below which the main body travels during extraction work is measured, and is input into a computer as an actual value for a passage height of the disk shearer below the shield support frame. This actual value is compared with a target value and, if a deviation is determined, control commands are generated for adapting a cutting height of at least one of two cutting disks of the disk shearer. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20110049964 | Method for Controlling Longwall Mining Operations - A method for controlling a longwall mining operation, including a face conveyor, at least one extraction machine, and a hydraulic shield support, in underground coal mining. Using inclination sensors disposed on at least three of the four main components of each shield support frame, such as floor skid, gob shield, support connection rods, and gob-side region of the top canopy, the inclination of the shield components relative to horizontal is ascertained in the direction of step. In a computer, the ascertained inclination data is compared with base data stored in the computer that defines the geometrical orientation of the components and their movement during stepping. From the comparison, a respective height of the shield support frame, at the forward end of the top canopy, is calculated as a measure for the face opening. | 03-03-2011 |
| 299100900 | Of material handling means | 5 |
| 20130049435 | MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT RECOVERY SYSTEM - A material and equipment recovery system for high risk environments has a recovery vehicle and surface control station, and a communication link between them, which may be an Ethernet link. The recovery vehicle has an operable recovery implement suitable to its particular application. The surface control station has an operator station from which an operator can operate the recovery vehicle remotely. Cameras on the recovery vehicle provide images for an operator to maneuver the recovery vehicle and monitor systems on the recovery vehicle. The surface control station also has a winch and recovery cable that attaches to the recovery vehicle to retrieve it should it become disabled. An optical alignment device on the surface control station allows alignment of the surface control station to keep the retrieval cable effective. The recovery vehicle and control station have hitch elements and the recovery vehicle can reposition the control station at a site. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20090284068 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF UTILIZING MONITORING DATA TO ENHANCE SEAFLOOR SULFIDE PRODUCTION FOR DEEPWATER MINING SYSTEM - Applicants have created a method and system of deep sea mining comprising mining SMS deposits from the sea floor with a subsea miner, pumping the solids from the subsea miner through a jumper and pumping the solids from the jumper up a riser to a surface vessel. Further, applicants have created a method of deploying a deep sea mining system, comprising stacking a riser hangoff structure on top of a subsea pump module forming an assembly; picking up the assembly by a hanging mechanism, hanging the assembly on a moon pool, attaching a first riser joint; disconnecting the riser hangoff structure from the assembly; and attaching at least one second riser joint to form the riser. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20080290718 | Waste Disposal During Pit Mining - A method, apparatus and computer program for pit mining with waste dumping is disclosed, in which material is extracted from an open pit and some of that material is sent to waste. The method optimises a joint extraction and waste refill schedule. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20120146387 | AUTONOMOUS MOBILE CONVEYOR SYSTEM - A conveyor system for a use with mining machine is provided. The conveyor system may have a plurality of conveyor segments operatively connected end-to-end, a first of the plurality of conveyor segments also being configured to connect to the mining machine. The conveyor system may also have a plurality of mobile base supports each being configured to support one of the plurality of conveyor segments, and at least one controller for communication with the mining machine and the plurality of mobile base supports. The at least one controller may be configured to determine a desired location of the mining machine different from a current location of the mining machine, and to determine a required trajectory of the plurality of conveyor segments based on the desired location of the mining machine. The at least one controller may also be configured to communicate the required trajectory to each of the plurality of mobile base supports to move the mobile base supports into alignment with the required trajectory. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20100096904 | Method of Controlling the Conveyance of Product in Underground Mining Operations - A method of controlling conveyance of the debris, extracted by working machines in underground mining operations, via conveyors and bunker units. The lowest available conveying capacity of the conveyors and buffer capacity of the bunker units are determined based on continuously detected actual data and are compared in a computer-aided control unit to at least one of current actual extraction output, anticipated target extraction output, and scheduled output extrapolated from past actual data. Upon detection of deviations, the control unit automatically effects a balancing of capacities between the conveyors and bunker units connected at an output side of each individual different working machine, taking into consideration their maximum conveying capacity and buffer capacity respectively, and/or controls the extraction output of the working machines taking into consideration respectively available conveying capacity of downstream conveyors and buffer capacity of the bunker units. | 04-22-2010 |
| 299100400 | Of hard material disintegrating machine | 8 |
| 20130033085 | STABILIZATION SYSTEM FOR A MINING MACHINE - A mining machine including a frame, a cutting head moveably coupled to the frame and pivotable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a first mine surface, and a first actuator for stabilizing the frame relative to the first mine surface. The first actuator is coupled to the frame and includes a first end extendable in a first direction to engage the first mine surface. The extension of the first actuator is automatically controlled based on measurements of at least one indicator of the force between the first actuator and the first mine surface. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130033086 | AUTOMATED FIND-FACE OPERATION OF A MINING MACHINE - Methods and systems for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes automatically operating at least one actuator to position a platform supporting a cutterhead at a predetermined starting position and automatically operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward a cutting face until the cutterhead contacts the cutting face and at least one indicator of a physical force between the cutterhead and the cutting face exceeds a predetermined value. The method also includes automatically saving at least one coordinate of the cutting face to a computer-readable medium, the at least one coordinate based on a parameter of the at least one actuator when the indicator exceeds the predetermined value. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20100109417 | Automated Excavation Machine - The present invention is directed to an excavator that is operable in manual and automatic modes and uses state machines to effect unit operations, rotationally offset swing actuators to rotate boom and cutter head, a fail safe hydraulic system to maintain gripper pressure in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, differing position and pressure control functions in the hydraulic actuators, a kinematic module to effect pitch and roll adjustments, a cutting face profile generator to generate a profile of the excavation face, and an optimization module to realize a high degree of optimization of excavator operation. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20130082506 | Method and Apparatus for Increasing the Yield in a Deposit - A method is provided for increasing the yield in a deposit comprising a rock that includes a valuable mineral, which can be exposed by virtue of the rock being comminuted, and at least one further mineral, wherein the valuable mineral has a higher density than the at least one further mineral, which method includes: carrying out a drilling operation using a drilling tool prior to the rock being extracted, drillings being generated in the process; forming an aerosol comprising the drillings and a gas stream; transferring the aerosol from the drilling tool to at least one air separator; carrying out hydraulic classification, wherein at least two fractions comprising in each case equal-falling particles of the drillings are formed; and determining a property which belongs to at least one of the fractions and is used as a measure for setting an optimum degree of comminution of the rock. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20090008984 | Method For Regulating the Drive of a Shearing or Heading Machine - In a method for controlling the drive of a shearing or heading machine for cutting a round, as a function of manipulated variables such as the movement speed of the cantilever arm, the position of the cutting tools and/or the power consumption of the drive motors and the pressure in hydraulic actuating cylinders, a minimum and a maximum target value are determined for the movement speed of the cantilever arm, and at least two factors each having values of between 0 and 1 are calculated for the manipulated variables as a function of measurement values, the measurement values at least comprising cutting tool position data compared to set data corresponding with a set profile, motor load measurement data and cantilever arm movement speed measurement data, and the movement speed of the cantilever arm is controlled as a function of the product of the set speed and the respectively calculated factors. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20120068523 | GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A MINING MACHINE - A guidance system for mining a seam of material includes a mining machine, a carriage, and a guide assembly. The mining machine includes a cutter head and defines a roll axis, a pitch axis, and a yaw axis. The carriage includes a first emitter, a second emitter, and a third emitter. The first emitter projects a first laser that is aligned with a seam plane. The second emitter projects a second laser, and the third emitter projects a third laser. The guide assembly includes a first indicator and a target. The first indicator is aligned with the second laser, and the target is aligned with the third laser. The relative positions of the first indicator with respect to the second laser and the target with respect to the third laser indicate the orientation of the roll axis, pitch axis, and yaw axis relative to the seam plane. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120038202 | Method for Controlling the Depth of Shears - A method for controlling the cutting depth of drums of shearers used as recovery equipment in underground coal mining. A cut of drums into country rock is detected by measured values, from which the drum cutting depth is adjusted by control signals. In particular, during a recovery or shearing operation, the current consumption of cutting motors that drive the drums, and the traveling speed of the shearer, are detected as measured values, from which, in a computer, the respective specific cutting energy is determined as a ratio of the current consumption to the traveling speed. For different mining conditions, a respective characteristic value for the specific cutting energy is determined as a function of the compactness of coal that is to be recovered and of an outcrop of country rock. When this characteristic value is exceeded, a cut from the country rock is assumed. Corresponding control signals for a correction of the cutting depth of the drum are generated. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20130015696 | HYDRAULIC RESONANT BREAKING HAMMERAANM Tang; ZhongshengAACI Nanning CityAACO CNAAGP Tang; Zhongsheng Nanning City CN - The present invention discloses a hydraulic resonant breaking hammer, comprising a hydraulic driving system, a vibration exciter ( | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130033085 | STABILIZATION SYSTEM FOR A MINING MACHINE - A mining machine including a frame, a cutting head moveably coupled to the frame and pivotable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a first mine surface, and a first actuator for stabilizing the frame relative to the first mine surface. The first actuator is coupled to the frame and includes a first end extendable in a first direction to engage the first mine surface. The extension of the first actuator is automatically controlled based on measurements of at least one indicator of the force between the first actuator and the first mine surface. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130033086 | AUTOMATED FIND-FACE OPERATION OF A MINING MACHINE - Methods and systems for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes automatically operating at least one actuator to position a platform supporting a cutterhead at a predetermined starting position and automatically operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward a cutting face until the cutterhead contacts the cutting face and at least one indicator of a physical force between the cutterhead and the cutting face exceeds a predetermined value. The method also includes automatically saving at least one coordinate of the cutting face to a computer-readable medium, the at least one coordinate based on a parameter of the at least one actuator when the indicator exceeds the predetermined value. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20100109417 | Automated Excavation Machine - The present invention is directed to an excavator that is operable in manual and automatic modes and uses state machines to effect unit operations, rotationally offset swing actuators to rotate boom and cutter head, a fail safe hydraulic system to maintain gripper pressure in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, differing position and pressure control functions in the hydraulic actuators, a kinematic module to effect pitch and roll adjustments, a cutting face profile generator to generate a profile of the excavation face, and an optimization module to realize a high degree of optimization of excavator operation. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20130082506 | Method and Apparatus for Increasing the Yield in a Deposit - A method is provided for increasing the yield in a deposit comprising a rock that includes a valuable mineral, which can be exposed by virtue of the rock being comminuted, and at least one further mineral, wherein the valuable mineral has a higher density than the at least one further mineral, which method includes: carrying out a drilling operation using a drilling tool prior to the rock being extracted, drillings being generated in the process; forming an aerosol comprising the drillings and a gas stream; transferring the aerosol from the drilling tool to at least one air separator; carrying out hydraulic classification, wherein at least two fractions comprising in each case equal-falling particles of the drillings are formed; and determining a property which belongs to at least one of the fractions and is used as a measure for setting an optimum degree of comminution of the rock. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20090008984 | Method For Regulating the Drive of a Shearing or Heading Machine - In a method for controlling the drive of a shearing or heading machine for cutting a round, as a function of manipulated variables such as the movement speed of the cantilever arm, the position of the cutting tools and/or the power consumption of the drive motors and the pressure in hydraulic actuating cylinders, a minimum and a maximum target value are determined for the movement speed of the cantilever arm, and at least two factors each having values of between 0 and 1 are calculated for the manipulated variables as a function of measurement values, the measurement values at least comprising cutting tool position data compared to set data corresponding with a set profile, motor load measurement data and cantilever arm movement speed measurement data, and the movement speed of the cantilever arm is controlled as a function of the product of the set speed and the respectively calculated factors. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20120068523 | GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A MINING MACHINE - A guidance system for mining a seam of material includes a mining machine, a carriage, and a guide assembly. The mining machine includes a cutter head and defines a roll axis, a pitch axis, and a yaw axis. The carriage includes a first emitter, a second emitter, and a third emitter. The first emitter projects a first laser that is aligned with a seam plane. The second emitter projects a second laser, and the third emitter projects a third laser. The guide assembly includes a first indicator and a target. The first indicator is aligned with the second laser, and the target is aligned with the third laser. The relative positions of the first indicator with respect to the second laser and the target with respect to the third laser indicate the orientation of the roll axis, pitch axis, and yaw axis relative to the seam plane. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120038202 | Method for Controlling the Depth of Shears - A method for controlling the cutting depth of drums of shearers used as recovery equipment in underground coal mining. A cut of drums into country rock is detected by measured values, from which the drum cutting depth is adjusted by control signals. In particular, during a recovery or shearing operation, the current consumption of cutting motors that drive the drums, and the traveling speed of the shearer, are detected as measured values, from which, in a computer, the respective specific cutting energy is determined as a ratio of the current consumption to the traveling speed. For different mining conditions, a respective characteristic value for the specific cutting energy is determined as a function of the compactness of coal that is to be recovered and of an outcrop of country rock. When this characteristic value is exceeded, a cut from the country rock is assumed. Corresponding control signals for a correction of the cutting depth of the drum are generated. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20130015696 | HYDRAULIC RESONANT BREAKING HAMMERAANM Tang; ZhongshengAACI Nanning CityAACO CNAAGP Tang; Zhongsheng Nanning City CN - The present invention discloses a hydraulic resonant breaking hammer, comprising a hydraulic driving system, a vibration exciter ( | 01-17-2013 |
