Control of self-advancing mine roof supports

A control system for a plurality of self-advancing mine roof supports, the system comprising units, one at each of the supports, and each having means for receiving function initiating signals from a communication system common to the supports, means responsive to those function initiating signals for issuing corresponding control signals to component elements of the associated support and means for transmitting data to the communication system;

• and a remote control unit for issuing control signals including such function initiating signals over the communication system and for receiving data from the supports, the remote control unit including means for specifying a sequential or automatic mode wherein support advancing means are successively operated sequentially, means for specifying and controlling a further mode of automatic operation wherein the support units are sequentially addressed and caused only to transmit data concerning their states, and means for displaying data from and relating to the supports.

A control system according to claim 28, wherein the remote control unit also includes means for interrupting the emergency stop core or line circuit.

A control system for a plurality of self-advancing mine roof supports, the system comprising, units one at each of the supports, and each having means for receiving function initiating signals from a communication system common to the supports, means responsive to those function initiating signals for issuing corresponding control signals to component elements of the associated support and means for transmitting data to the communication system;

• and a remote control unit for issuing control signals including such function initiating signals over the communication system and for receiving data from the supports, the remote control unit including means for specifying a sequential or automatic mode wherein support advancing means are successively operated sequentially, relative to a preset distance, means for specifying and controlling a further mode of automatic operation wherein the support units are sequentially addressed and caused only to transmit data concerning their states, means for specifying selective or manual modes wherein an individual support is selected and controlled without reference to any set sequence, one such selective or manual mode implementing the operation of the support advancing means to a, or said preset distance, and another allowing such operation without preset of its distance, and means for displaying data from and relating to the supports.