Coal Industry (Patents) Limited

Bruce N Roth

John S Wykes

Foster Lewins

A method of steering a double-ended ranging drum type mining machine. The method includes the steps of positioning a first current cut follower at or substantially adjacent the center of the machine. A second previous cut follower is positioned at or substantially adjacent the center of the machine. A tilt measurer determines machine tilt and an estimator estimates mineral thickness and generates algorithms whereby height differences between a current and a previous cut roof can be calculated to control and steer the leading cutting drum; the algorithms are generated in such a manner that cumulative errors along or towards a mine face are minimized or eliminated.

Method of steering a mining machine

A method of steering a double-ended ranging drum mining machine including the steps of positioning a first current cut roof follower at or adjacent the center of the machine and measuring the machine tilt by a second sensor. The coal thickness is estimated by using a third sensor and the data gathered is used in generating algorithms therefrom whereby the height differences between points on the current cut roof can be calculated to control and steer the leading and trailing cutting drums. The algorithms are generated in such a manner that cumulative errors along or towards the face are minimized or eliminated.

A method of steering a double-ended ranging drum mining machine includes the steps of positioning two previous cut roof followers spaced apart longitudinally of the machine, measuring machine tilt using a second means, estimating coal thickness using third means and generating algorithms therefrom whereby height differences between points on the current and previous cut roof can be calculated to control and steer the leading and trailing drums the algorithms being generated in such a manner that cumulative errors along or towards the face are minimized or eliminated.

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Burton-On-Trent, United Kingdom

Bruce N Roth