Apparatus, system, and method for supporting a gate entry for underground full extraction mining

A mining system for supporting a gate entry for underground retreat longwall mining, the mining system comprising:

• a longwall face of a mineral seam having a front abutment loading positioned in advance of the longwall face;
• a hydraulic support member comprising a head plate configured to selectively engage a mine roof, a foot plate configured to engage a mine floor, and a hydraulic extension member configured to selectively engage the mine roof of a gate entry with the head plate and the mine floor of the gate entry with the foot plate;
• a lateral extension member configured to extend and retract laterally to selectively engage a wall of the gate entry in response to a control signal to define a passage way between the wall of the gate entry and the apparatus, the lateral extension member comprising a side plate and two or more hydraulic rams coupled to the side plate, one ram positioned near a mine roof and the other ram positioned near a mine floor to maximize the size of the passage way to facilitate safe ingress and egress of personnel;
• a controller in communication with the hydraulic support member, the controller configured to extend the hydraulic extension member to engage the mine roof and mine floor and retract the hydraulic extension member to disengage the mine roof and mine floor;
• and
• a vehicle connected to the hydraulic support member and controller, the vehicle configured to move the hydraulic support member in response to a motive force acting on the vehicle, the vehicle positioned within the front abutment loading.

A method for supporting a tailgate entry for underground retreat longwall mining, the method comprising:

• providing a longwall face of a mineral seam having a front abutment loading positioned in advance of the longwall face;
• positioning a movable support apparatus within a tailgate entry of a longwall mine to form an access passage between opposing walls of the tailgate entry, the movable support apparatus positioned parallel to a longitudinal axis of a the tailgate entry to maximize airflow within the access passage, the movable support apparatus comprising:
• a hydraulic support member comprising a head plate configured to selectively engage a mine roof, a foot plate configured to engage a mine floor and a hydraulic extension member configured to selectively engage the mine roof of a gate entry with the head plate and the mine floor of the gate entry with the foot plate;
• a lateral extension member configured to extend and retract laterally to selectively engage a wall of the tailgate entry in response to a control signal to define a second access passage between the wall of the gate entry and the apparatus, the lateral extension member comprising a side plate and two or more hydraulic rams coupled to the side plate, the lateral extension member configured to maximize the size of the access passage to facilitate safe ingress and egress of personnel;
• a controller in communication with the hydraulic support member, the controller configured to extend the hydraulic support member to engage the mine roof and mine floor and retract the hydraulic support member to disengage the mine roof and mine floor;
• a vehicle connected to the support member and controller, the vehicle configured to move the hydraulic support member in response to a motive force acting on the vehicle, the vehicle positioned within the front abutment loading and wherein the support member, controller, and vehicle are independent of a mining face conveyor;
• positioning support cabling and hoses for mining equipment within the access passage by way of hooks such that the cabling and hoses are protected from damage due to wall, floor, or roof failures and do not impede safe ingress and egress of personnel;
• conducting retreat longwall mining operations such that the front abutment loading acting on the tailgate entry advances as the longwall face advances along the tailgate entry;
• and
• re-positioning the movable support apparatus within the tailgate entry in response to commands from the controller such that the access passage remains substantially unblocked during retreat longwall mining operations.