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US 10,890,068 B2Granted
Automated support of a gate entry for underground full extraction mining
OwnerJefferson David McKenzieinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method for automated support of a gate entry for underground full extraction mining that includes gathering entry data for a condition of a gate entry by way of a gate entry support. The method also includes determining, by way of the gate entry support, the condition of the gate entry, advancing the gate entry support in response to determining that the condition satisfies an entry condition threshold. The method may also signal a halt condition for a production cycle, if the condition fails to satisfy the entry condition threshold.
Claims21
A method comprising:
- gathering entry data for a condition of a gate entry by way of a gate entry support;
- determining, by way of the gate entry support, the condition of the gate entry;
- advancing the gate entry support, by way of a drive unit of the gate entry support, in response to the gate entry support determining that the condition satisfies an entry condition threshold;
- signaling a halt condition for a production cycle, in response to determining that the condition fails to satisfy the entry condition threshold;
- and
- wherein the production cycle comprises a cycle of a mining operation in which mining equipment extracts a mineral in cooperation with the gate entry support.
3 more elements
A system comprising:
- a master gate entry support comprising a master drive unit configured to move the master gate entry support within the gate entry;
- at least two servant gate entry supports configured to move in response to commands from the master gate entry support, each servant gate entry support comprising a servant drive unit configured to move the servant gate entry support within the gate entry;
- and
- wherein the master gate entry support is configured to:
- gather entry data for a condition of the gate entry;
- determine the condition of the gate entry;
- advance one of the one or more of the servant gate entry supports and the master gate entry support in response to determining that the condition satisfies an entry condition threshold;
- and
- signaling a halt condition for a production cycle, in response determining that the condition fails to satisfy the entry condition threshold.
6 more elements
A system comprising:
- a first gate entry support positioned within a tailgate;
- a second gate entry support positioned within the tailgate and parallel to the first gate entry support;
- a third gate entry support positioned within the tailgate and behind the first gate entry support, the third gate entry support coupled to the first gate entry support by a first linkage;
- a fourth gate entry support positioned within the tailgate and behind the second gate entry support, the fourth gate entry support coupled to the second gate entry support by a second linkage;
- a pan line positioned in front of a mining face;
- a shearer coupled to the pan line and configured to travel across the mining face;
- a stage loader coupled to the pan line and configured to receive mined mineral and transport the mined mineral to a transport conveyor;
- a plurality of chocks positioned behind the pan line such that the pan line is positioned between the plurality of chocks and the mining face;
- and
- wherein the first gate entry support, second gate entry support, third gate entry support, and fourth gate entry support are configured to monitor a condition of the tailgate and advance within the tailgate by way of a drive unit within each of the first gate entry support, second gate entry support, third gate entry support, and fourth gate entry support in response to the condition satisfying an entry condition threshold.
7 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a sensor configured to gather entry data;
- a drive unit configured to advance a gate entry support;
- a communication module configured to communicate with a controller;
- wherein the controller is coupled to the drive unit and the sensor and the controller is configured to:
- receive entry data from the sensor;
- determine a condition of a gate entry based on the entry data;
- and
- signal the drive unit, by way of the communication module, to move the gate entry support in response to determining that the condition satisfies an entry condition threshold;
- and
- wherein the controller determines the condition of the gate entry based on a prior survey of the gate entry.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.