Consolidation Coal Company

Stephen L Bessinger

Michael G Nelson

Mine panel alignment is controlled by recording the electromagnetic phase modulation and/or signal attenuation between spaced distant transceivers in the panel and a transceiver on a cutting machine to measure the distance between the transceivers. Through trilateration, the position of the cutting machine with respect to the known fixed locations can be determined and adjustments made to the cutting machine functions to maintain desired panel alignment.

Methods and apparatus for maintaining longwall face alignment

The position of the cowl on a longwall shearing machine is determined by loads, stresses or deflections measured on the ranging arm, clevis and pin connection on the ranging arm or lift cylinder and its linkage to the machine.

Method of indirect measurement of cowl position on a longwall shearer

The method and apparatus for sensing the coal-rock interface while longwall mining by placing the sensor in the cowl adjacent the shearer drum so that sensor on the leading drum can feedforward interface data for the control of the trailing shearer drum by properly positioning the drum while cutting.

Method and apparatus for sensing coal-rock interface

The method and apparatus for mapping mine excavation or tunnel entry conditions by mounting an array of sensors on a vehicle some of which provide knowledge of the vehicle location in the entry and others of which provide knowledge of entry conditions and by interpreting data collected from the sensors, a map can be generated of the entry strata for a given vehicle location in the entry. This map can be compared with similarly generated maps to indicate changes in the entry condition.

Growing community of inventors

Morgantown, WV, United States of America

Stephen L Bessinger