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 (23), a disk shearer (13) as an extraction machine, and a hydraulic shield support frame (25), the method including the steps of:

• providing at least one radar sensor (18) on a main body (14) of said disk shearer (13);
• measuring a distance (22) between an upper edge of said main body (14) of said disk shearer (13) and an underside of a top canopy (28) of said shield support frame (25) below which said main body (14) respectively travels during extraction work;
• inputting this distance (22) into a computer as an actual value for a passage height (22) of said disk shearer (13) below said shield support frame (25);
• comparing said actual value, in the computer, with a target value stored in the computer;
• and
• if during said comparing step a deviation is determined, generating control commands for an adaptation of a cutting height of at least one of two cutting disks (16a, 16b) of said disk shearer (13).

An apparatus for carrying out automated production of a defined face opening in longwall mining operations in underground coal mining, comprising:

• a face conveyor (23);
• a disk shearer (13) as an extraction machine;
• a hydraulic shield support frame;
• two cutting disks (16a, 16b) disposed on said disk shearer (13);
• at least one radar sensor (18) disposed on a main body (14) of said disk shearer (13), wherein said at least one radar sensor (18) is configured for measuring a distance (22) between an upper edge of said main body and an underside of a top canopy (28) of said shield support frame (25) below which said main body (14) respectively travels during extraction work, and wherein said at least one radar sensor (18) is set flushly into a surface of said main body (14) of said disk shearer (13);
• and
• means for receiving and storing this distance (22) as an actual value for a passage height (22) of said disk shearer (13) below said shield support frame (25) for comparing this actual value with a target value stored in said means, and, if during the comparing action a deviation is determined, for generating control commands for an adaptation of a cutting height of at least one of said cutting disks (16a, 16b) of said disk shearer (13).

An apparatus for carrying out automated production of a defined face opening in longwall mining operations in underground coal mining, comprising:

• a face conveyor (23);
• a disk shearer (13) as an extraction machine;
• a hydraulic shield support frame;
• two cutting disks (16a, 16b) disposed on said disk shearer (13);
• at least one radar sensor (18) disposed on a main body (14) of said disk shearer (13), wherein said at least one radar sensor (18) is configured for measuring a distance (22) between an upper edge of said main body and an underside of a top canopy (28) of said shield support frame (25) below which said main body (14) respectively travels during extraction work and wherein said at least one radar sensor (18) is disposed laterally on a path of travel side of said main body (14) of said disk shearer (13);
• and
• means for receiving and storing this distance (22) as an actual value for a passage height (22) of said disk shearer (13) below said shield support frame (25) for comparing this actual value with a target value stored in said means, and, if during the comparing action a deviation is determined, for generating control commands for an adaptation of a cutting height of at least one of said cutting disks (16a, 16b) of said disk shearer (13).