Apparatus and method for driving a cavity in mining

A device for advancing a cavity in underground mining in an advancing direction along a longitudinal axis, the device having an effective radius along a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, comprising:

• a rotary drive;
• an axial shaft rotatable with the rotary drive about the longitudinal axis;
• a single extraction drum rotatable about a drum rotational axis;
• a connecting arrangement connected to the axial shaft and supporting the extraction drum with the drum rotational axis and the longitudinal axis disposed in a common plane and the drum rotational axis oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis in the advancing direction during advancement of the device in the advancing direction;
• and
• the extraction drum extending beyond the effective radius of the device in the radial direction during advancement of the device in the advancing direction;
• wherein the connecting arrangement has an excavation material receiving space operable and reclosable on a side thereof facing away from the extraction drum by means of a closure.

A method for advancing a cavity in underground mining in an advancing direction along a longitudinal axis, the device having an effective radius along a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction comprising:

• a rotary drive;
• an axial shaft rotatable with the rotary drive about the longitudinal axis;
• a single extraction drum rotatable about a drum rotational axis;
• a connecting arrangement connected to the axial shaft and supporting the extraction drum with the drum rotational axis and the longitudinal axis disposed in a common plane and the drum rotational axis oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis in the advancing direction during advancement of the device in the advancing direction;
• and
• the extraction drum extending beyond the effective radius of the device in the radial direction during advancement of the device in the advancing direction, comprising the steps of:
• rotating the extraction drum only about the drum rotational axis while transferring the extraction drum from a starting position to an advancing position during an advancement cycle;
• and
• rotating the extraction drum about the longitudinal axis and about the drum rotational axis.