U.S. patent application number 15/116052 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-10 for device and method for longwall mining installation course determination.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH. Invention is credited to Marco AHLER, Manfred BAUMLER, Wolfgang KATRYCZ, Simon PAULI.
Application Number | 20170226853 15/116052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50071463 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170226853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KATRYCZ; Wolfgang ; et
al. |
August 10, 2017 |
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LONGWALL MINING INSTALLATION COURSE
DETERMINATION
Abstract
A course measuring device for measuring a course of a longwall
mining installation along a longwall face is disclosed. The course
measuring device may have a first segment extending along a first
axis. The course measuring device may also have a second segment
extending along a second axis. The second segment may be movably
connected to the first segment. The course measuring device may
have a course measuring unit for measuring a spacial relationship
between the first axis and the second axis. The course measuring
device may also be adapted to move along the longwall mining
installation.
Inventors: |
KATRYCZ; Wolfgang;
(Kirchheim unter Teck, DE) ; AHLER; Marco;
(Mulheim, DE) ; PAULI; Simon; (Hannover, DE)
; BAUMLER; Manfred; (Fellbach, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH |
Lunen |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Global Mining Europe
GmbH
Lunen
DE
|
Family ID: |
50071463 |
Appl. No.: |
15/116052 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
January 15, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/000067 |
371 Date: |
August 2, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21C 27/02 20130101;
E21C 35/08 20130101; E21C 35/24 20130101; E21F 13/06 20130101; E21C
35/12 20130101; E21C 35/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21C 35/24 20060101
E21C035/24; E21C 35/06 20060101 E21C035/06; E21C 27/02 20060101
E21C027/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 7, 2014 |
EP |
14154380.1 |
Claims
1. A course measuring device for measuring a course of a longwall
mining installation along a longwall face, the course measuring
device comprising: a first segment extending along a first axis; a
second segment extending along a second axis, the second segment
being movably connected to the first segment; and a course
measuring unit for measuring a spacial relationship between the
first axis and the second axis, wherein the course measuring device
is adapted to move along the longwall mining installation.
2. The course measuring device of claim 1, wherein the course
measuring unit is configured to measure at least one of: an
articulation angle between the first axis and the second axis; a
roll angle of the first segment about the first axis; a pitch angle
of the first segment about an axis perpendicular to the first axis;
or a travel distance.
3. The course measuring device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising
a segment hinge movably connecting the first segment to the second
segment.
4. The course measuring device of claim 1, wherein the course
measuring unit comprises at least one of: a magnetic linear
encoder; an optical position sensor and a light source, the optical
position sensor being configured to determine a position of a light
spot on a sensor surface, the light spot being generated by the
light source; a linear variable differential transformer; a tilt
angle sensor for measuring a plumb line direction; or an
acceleration sensor for measuring a plump line direction.
5. The course measuring device of claim 1, further comprising a
drive for moving the course measuring device.
6. The course measuring device of claim 1, further comprising at
least one of: a transmitter for transmitting data from the course
measuring unit to a remote control unit; a data storage for storing
data; a microprocessor; a power supply for supplying electric
power, or a generator for converting kinetic energy into the
electric power.
7. A polygonal course measuring system for measuring a polygonal
course of a longwall mining installation along a longwall face, the
polygonal course measuring system comprising: a guiding assembly
arranged along the longwall mining installation, the guiding
assembly including a series of guiding elements movably connected
to one another for building the polygonal course; and a course
measuring device adapted to move along the guiding assembly, the
course measuring device including: a first segment extending along
a first axis; a second segment extending along a second axis, the
second segment being movably connected to the first segment; and a
course measuring unit for measuring a spacial relationship between
the first axis and the second axis, wherein the course measuring
device is adapted to move along the longwall mining
installation.
8. The polygonal course measuring system of claim 7, wherein the
guiding assembly is adapted for connecting to the longwall mining
installation to determine a course of the longwall mining
installation along the longwall face, and to follow advancing of
the longwall mining installation towards the longwall face.
9. The polygonal course measuring system of claim 7, further
comprising a plurality of guiding hinges connecting two neighboring
guiding elements to one another.
10. The polygonal course measuring system of claim 9, wherein at
least one guiding hinge is formed as one of elastic bellows, or a
double cardan joint.
11. The polygonal course measuring system of claim 10, wherein the
series of guiding elements are formed as piggable tubes.
12. The polygonal course measuring system of claim 7, further
comprising a drive for moving the course measuring device along the
guiding assembly.
13. The polygonal course measuring system of claim 7, further
comprising a remote control unit connected to the course measuring
device for transmitting data.
14. A longwall mining installation for underground mining, the
longwall mining installation comprising: a plurality of shield
supports; a face conveyor for transporting away extracted material;
a plurality of moving devices for advancing the longwall mining
installation in a working direction towards a longwall face; a
guiding assembly arranged along the longwall mining installation,
the guiding assembly including a series of guiding elements movably
connected to one another for building a polygonal course; and a
course measuring device adapted to move along the guiding assembly,
the course measuring device including: a first segment extending
along a first axis; a second segment extending along a second axis,
the second segment being movably connected to the first segment;
and a course measuring unit for measuring a spacial relationship
between the first axis and the second axis, wherein the course
measuring device is adapted to move along the longwall mining
installation.
15. (canceled)
16. The longwall mining installation of claim 14, wherein the
guiding assembly is connected to one of the shield supports, the
face conveyor, or the moving devices.
17. The polygonal course measuring system of claim 10, wherein the
guiding hinges are formed as piggable hinges.
18. The polygonal course measuring system of claim 7, wherein the
course measuring device further comprises a segment hinge movably
connecting the first segment to the second segment.
19. The course measuring device of claim 4, wherein the optical
position sensor is configured to determine an articulation angle in
two dimensions.
20. The course measuring device of claim 4, wherein the optical
position sensor is a first optical position sensor, and the course
measuring device further includes a second optical position sensor
disposed orthogonal to the first optical position sensor.
21. The course measuring device of claim 4, wherein the magnetic
linear encoder includes: a first measuring unit; a second measuring
unit disposed adjacent to the first measuring unit, the second
measuring unit being movable relative to the first measuring unit;
and a linear encoder configured to determine an articulation angle
based on a displacement between the first measuring unit and the
second measuring unit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to longwall mining
installations in underground mines, and, more particularly, to a
device and method for measuring the course of a longwall mining
installation extending along a longwall face.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In longwall mining, a longwall mining installation extends
along a longwall face to extract material therefrom, and
subsequently advances in a working direction perpendicular to the
longwall face. During each advancing step, the components of the
longwall mining installation such as a face conveyor and shield
supports move towards the longwall face.
[0003] For monitoring and/or controlling purposes, it is generally
desireable to know the exact position and orientation of longwall
mining components along the longwall face. Accordingly, mining
equipment manufacturers developed several position and/or
orientation measuring systems for the longwall mining installation
in the past.
[0004] For example, EP 2 446 207 A2 of Caterpillar Global Mining
discloses a method and apparatus for determining the position
and/or situation of installation components of a longwall mining
installation. A measuring system may include a detection unit with
measurement sensor. The detection unit may be movable to and fro
between two points of a guiding system along at least one
installation component at the longwall face. The movement of the
detection unit as disclosed in EP 2 446 207 A2 is decoupled from an
extraction machine.
[0005] The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to
improving or overcoming one or more aspects of prior systems.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a course measuring
device for measuring a course of a longwall mining installation
along a longwall face is disclosed. The course measuring device may
comprise a first segment extending along a first axis, and a second
segment extending along a second axis. The second segment may be
movably connected to the first segment. The course measuring device
may further comprise a course measuring unit for measuring a
spacial relationship between the first axis and the second axis.
The course measuring device may be adapted to move along the
longwall mining installation.
[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a polygonal
course measuring system for measuring a polygonal course of a
longwall mining installation along a longwall face is disclosed.
The polygonal course measuring system may comprise a guiding
assembly for arranging along the longwall mining installation. The
guiding assembly may include a series of guiding elements movably
connected to one another for building a polygonal course. The
polygonal course measuring system may further comprise a course
measuring device as exemplary disclosed herein. The course
measuring device may be adapted to move along the guiding
assembly.
[0008] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method
for determining a polygonal course of a longwall mining
installation along a longwall face by using a polygonal course
measuring system as exemplary disclosed herein is disclosed. The
method may comprise moving the course measuring device along the
guiding assembly arranged along the longwall mining installation.
The method may further comprise, during moving the course measuring
device, measuring a plurality of spacial relationships between
neighboring guiding elements of the guiding assembly, and
determining a polygonal course of the guiding assembly, and, thus,
of the longwall mining installation based on the plurality of
measured spacial relationships.
[0009] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be
apparent from the following description and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the
drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an exemplary longwall
mining installation;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a section of a face
conveyor having a course measuring system extending along the
same;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a course measuring device
operable along a guiding assembly of the course measuring
system;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a course measuring unit;
and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a further course measuring
unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following is a detailed description of exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments
described therein and illustrated in the drawings are intended to
teach the principles of the present disclosure, enabling those of
ordinary skill in the art to implement and use the present
disclosure in many different environments and for many different
applications. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not intended
to be, and should not be considered as, a limiting description of
the scope of patent protection. Rather, the scope of patent
protection shall be defined by the appended claims.
[0017] The present disclosure is based at least in part on the
realization that a movable course measuring device guided along a
guiding assembly extending along a longwall mining installation may
be used to determine a polygonal course of the longwall mining
installation along a longwall face. The movable course measuring
device as well as the guiding assembly for guiding the course
measuring device may be designed to allow measuring individual
spacial relationships between components of the longwall mining
installation.
[0018] As used herein, the term "course" relates to a plurality of
spacial positions and spacial orientations (also referred to as
poses) representing a spacial route (path) along which the longwall
mining installation, and/or components thereof extend along the
longwall face.
[0019] In the following, a longwall mining installation utilizing a
movable course measuring device is described in connection with
FIG. 1. Thereafter, a guiding assembly for the course measuring
device and the course measuring device itself are explained with
reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, a longwall mining installation is
referred to in its entirety by reference numeral 1. Longwall mining
installation 1 extends along a longwall face 2, and comprises a
plurality of installation components such as an extraction machine
4, shield supports 6, and a face conveyor 8.
[0021] In operation, extraction machine 4 cuts along longwall face
2 in a reciprocating manner to extract material 10, for example,
coal. As an example, extraction machine 4 may be a shearer, a
mining plow or a hard rock cutter.
[0022] To maintain longwall face 2 accessible, shield supports 6
are arranged in series along longwall face 2. Surrounding rock can
only break in and form the so-called old workings after advancing
of shield supports 6.
[0023] Moving devices 12 are connected between shield supports 6
and face conveyor 8. Said moving devices 12 may comprise a pushing
or walking bar, which is hydraulically loadable in two directions.
In case moving device 12 is loaded in one of the two possible
directions, a respective face conveyor segment 9 of face conveyor 8
is pushed forward in a work direction (indicated by an arrow A in
FIG. 1). If loaded in the other one of the two possible directions,
moving device 12 pulls up individual shield supports 6 in work
direction (arrow A).
[0024] Material mined by extraction machine 4 drops onto face
conveyor 8, which transports the extracted pieces of rock and
minerals to a main roadway 14 (also referred to as drift). There,
the extracted pieces are passed to a pass-over conveyor or roadway
conveyor 16. The transported pieces may be crushed and further
transported via, for example, a belt conveyor.
[0025] Particularly, face conveyor 8 extends along longwall face 2
and builds up of a plurality of face conveyor segments 9. To drive
face conveyor 8, a main drive 18 is arranged in main roadway 14,
and an auxiliary drive 20 may be arranged in an auxiliary roadway
22. To facilitate a material transport by means of traveling
conveyor chains 17 of chain conveyor 8, a plurality of flight bars
(scrapers) 24 are fastened at conveyor chains 17 at preset
distances.
[0026] Along longwall mining installation 1, a polygonal course
(traverse) measuring system 25 is provided. Polygonal course
measuring system 25 includes a guiding assembly 26, a course
measuring device 30, and a remote control unit 31.
[0027] Guiding assembly 26 comprises a series of guiding elements
28, which are generally coupled to face conveyor segments 9,
Specifically, the series of guiding elements 28 is mounted to
individual face conveyor segments 9 to project a course of face
conveyor 8, and to follow advancing of the same in working
direction (arrow A).
[0028] Guiding assembly 26 is arranged such that a course of
guiding assembly 26 is representative of a course of face conveyor
8 along longwall face 2. Moreover, guiding assembly 26 may be
arranged such that course changes of sections of face conveyor 8
also cause respective changes of the course of guiding assembly
26.
[0029] Course measuring device 30 is adapted to move along guiding
assembly 26, and, thus, along face conveyor 8. As is described in
greater detail later on, based on measurement of course measuring
device 30, a course of guiding assembly 26, and, thus, of face
conveyor 8 along longwall face 2 is determinable.
[0030] Measurements of course measuring device 30 are transmitted,
for example, via a wireless communication link, from course
measuring device 30 to remote control unit 31, which is is equipped
with a receiver. In embodiments with bi-directional communication
as explained later on in more detail, remote control unit 31 may
further include a transmitter.
[0031] Remote control unit 31 may be positioned at any suitable
location of the longwall mining installation 1. For example, remote
control unit 31 may be arranged next to one of drives 18 and 20 in
roadway 14 and 22, respectively. For controlling longwall mining
installation 1, remote control unit 31 may be integrated with
and/or coupled to a central control unit (not shown in FIG. 1),
which may be configured to control the components of longwall
mining installation 1 at least in part.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, three face conveyor segments 9 of face
conveyor 8, a section of guiding assembly 26, and a course
measuring device 30 are schematically depicted. Here, a relative
displacement between neighboring face conveyor segments 9, and,
thus, of guiding elements 28 of guiding assembly 26 is shown
overemphasized for the purpose of clarity.
[0033] Face conveyor segments 9 are connected in series via hinge
connections 32 so as to resist separation when a tensile force is
applied, and to restrict relative angular movement such that
relative angular displacement is facilitated to a certain extend
only.
[0034] At a goaf side of conveyor segment 9, a spill plate segment
34, which generally serves to lower the amount of material dropping
from face conveyor 8 to the goaf side during material transport,
may be provided.
[0035] A supply line duct 36, which may be also formed of a
plurality of individual segments, may be part of spill plate
segments 34. Inside of supply line duct 36, hydraulic, pneumatic,
and/or electric supply lines as well as guiding elements 28 are
disposed. Alternatively, guiding elements 28 may be disposed and/or
connected to a respective face conveyor segment 9 in a manner which
allows following the respective face conveyor segment 9 during
advancing in working direction (arrow A) such as below or within
face conveyor segments 9.
[0036] The section of guiding assembly 26 shown in FIG. 2 comprises
three guiding elements 28 connected in series via guiding element
hinges 38.
[0037] Individual guiding elements 28 are designed to guide movable
course measuring device 30. For example, guiding elements 28 may be
formed as rail segments or tube segments. In the case of tube
segments, guiding elements 28 may be designed as so-called piggable
tubes. Said piggable tubes allow a so-called pig (stands for pipe
inspection gauge), which in this case may be formed by course
measuring device 30, to be guided therein. For example, a piggable
tube may include smoothened inner faces to lower friction between
piggable tube and pig.
[0038] Guiding element hinges 38 allow relative movement between
neighboring guiding elements 28. Said relative displacement between
neighboring guiding elements 28 may be a result of a relative
displacement between neighboring face conveyor segments 9.
Furthermore, guiding element hinges 38 allow guiding course
measuring device 30 around corners between relatively displaced
guiding elements 28.
[0039] In some embodiments, guiding element hinges 38 may be
capable to at least partially compensate length changes resulting
from a relative displacement between two neighboring guiding
elements 28. Additionally or alternatively, guiding elements 28 may
be adapted to compensate those length changes, for example, by
providing elastic sections and/or by providing the guiding elements
28 of a elastic material.
[0040] For example, guiding element hinges 38 may be formed as
elastic bellows, or as double cardan joint, which may include an
(inner) elastomer ring for providing a smooth transition between
the guiding elements 28.
[0041] In some embodiments, guiding element hinges 38 may be formed
as piggable hinges for guiding course measuring device 30
therein.
[0042] Course measuring device 30 is adapted to move along guiding
assembly 26. In some embodiments, course measuring device 30
comprises first segment 40 and second segment 42, and is adapted to
measure a spacial relationship between a first segment 40 and a
second segment 42 of course measuring device 30. As exemplarily
illustrated in FIG. 2, first segment 40 extends along a first axis
B, and second segment 42 extends along a second axis C. First
segment 40 is movably connected to second segment 42 via a segment
hinge 44 schematically indicated by circle segments. Course
measuring device 30 further comprises a course measuring unit 46
that is configured to measure a spacial relationship between first
axis B and second axis C, for example, a relationship between the
individual orientations and directions of axes B and C.
[0043] Course measuring device 30 may be propelled along guiding
assembly 26 in any one of various manners. For example, course
measuring device 30 may include a separate driving device.
Additionally or alternatively, course measuring device 30 may be
pushed and/or pulled in a hydraulic, pneumatic, and/or mechanical
manner along guiding assembly 26.
[0044] In some embodiments, hinge 44 may be formed as ball joint,
or cardan joint.
[0045] In FIG. 3, an exemplary configuration of course measuring
device 30 is schematically shown. As already outlined, course
measuring device 30 comprises first segment 40, second segment 42,
and segment hinge 44.
[0046] Furthermore, course measuring device 30 is equipped with
course measuring unit 46 indicated in FIG. 3 to be between the
circle segments indicating segment hinge 44, a data storage 48, a
microprocessor 50, a transmitter 52, and an electric power supply
54.
[0047] Course measuring unit 46 is configured to measure a spacial
relationship between first axis B and second axis C, and, thus,
between, first segment 40 and second segment 42.
[0048] In some embodiments, course measuring unit 46 may be
configured to measure an orientation of at least one of first
segment 40, second segment 42, hinge 44, course measuring device
30, and/or articulation angle .alpha. with respect to a reference
co-ordinate system, for example, a body-fixed coordinate system of
longwall mining installation 1 (see FIG. 1), or an earth-fixed
co-ordinate system.
[0049] To measure the spacial relationship between first axis B and
second axis C, course measuring unit 46 may include any sensor or
sensor system, which facilitates such measurements. Examples of
such sensor systems are described in connection with FIGS. 4 and
5.
[0050] In some embodiments, course measuring unit 46 may further
measure at least one of a roll angle .phi. of first segment 40
about first axis B, a pitch angle .theta. (not shown in FIG. 3) of
first segment 40 about a pitch axis, which is perpendicular to
first axis B, a travel distance, and/or a plumb line direction. For
measuring a plumb line direction, course measuring unit 46 may
include a two or three axes tilt angle sensor, and/or a two or
three axes acceleration sensor.
[0051] Measured data from course measuring unit 46 is at least
temporarily stored in data storage 48. To transmit data between
course measuring unit 46 and data storage 48, a wireless or wired
connection 56 is provided between the same. For the purpose of
storing data, data storage 48 may include any type of temporally,
and/or permanent memory known in the art.
[0052] Microprocessor 50 is configured and linked to process any
kind of data and to perform any kind of command and operation,
which are required for operating individual components of course
measuring device 30.
[0053] Transmitter 52 is capable of transmitting stored data from
data storage 48 to, for example, remote control unit 31 shown in
FIG. 1. A wireless or wired connection 58 connects data storage 48
and transmitter 52 to transmit data between both. Alternatively or
additionally, transmitter 52 may be able to directly transmit
measured data from course measuring unit 46 to remote control unit
31 without using an intermediate storage such as data storage
48.
[0054] In some embodiments, transmitter 52 may be integrated with a
receiver (not shown in further detail in FIG. 3) to form a
so-called transceiver for facilitating bi-directional communication
between the transceiver and remote control unit 31. For example,
signals sent from remote control unit 31 may indicate that course
measurements are required, electric power supply 54 shall
switch-off, or data sent by transmitter 52 was not accurately
received by control unit 31.
[0055] Electric power supply 54 is provided to energize at least
one of course measuring unit 46, data storage 48, microprocessor
50, and transmitter 52. Electric power supply 54 may be replaceably
provided in course measuring device 30. Alternatively or
additionally, electric power supply 54 may be rechargeable, for
example, via wireless power transmission. As an example, electric
power supply 54 may be a (non-)rechargeable battery.
[0056] In some embodiments, electric power supply 54 may include a
generator for converting kinetic energy to electric power. Said
generator may be driven by the movement of course measuring device
30 along guiding assembly 26, for example, by a so-called omni
wheel drivingly connected to the generator. In this case, course
measuring device 30 may be externally propelled.
[0057] In some embodiments, course measuring device 30 may include
one or more further segments, wherein neighboring segments may be
movably connected to one another. Additional segments may
accommodate any of the above mentioned components such as
generator, drive, and/or electric power supply 54.
[0058] In FIG. 4, a first example of course measuring unit 46' is
depicted. Here, course measuring unit 46' comprises an optical
position sensor 60, and a light source 62 such as a laser
device.
[0059] Optical position sensor 60 and laser device 62 are arranged
at opposing sides of hinge 44 such that a spacial relationship,
particularly an articulation angle as explained in connection with
FIG. 3, between first segment 40 and second segment 42 is
determinable.
[0060] In case hinge 44 is not angled, a light beam 64, for
example, a laser beam generated by laser device 62 hits optical
position sensor 60 in the form of a light dot 66 in a central
section of optical position sensor 60. Light dot 66 on optical
position sensor 60 moves in dependence of the articulation angle of
hinge 44.
[0061] Optical position sensor 60 is configured to detect the
position of light dot 66 on its surface such that an articulation
angle between first segment 40 and second segment 42 is
determinable.
[0062] Optical position sensor 60 may be formed as a
one-dimensional optical position sensor, which allows position
determination of a light dot along one axis only, or as a
two-dimensional optical position sensor, which allows position
determination of a light dot along two axis. In case optical
position sensor 60 is formed as one-dimensional optical position
sensor, a further one-dimensional optical position sensor may be
arranged orthogonal to the former such that the articulation angle
is determinable in two dimensions.
[0063] In FIG. 5, a further example of course measuring unit 46''
is depicted.
[0064] Here, course measuring unit 46'' is formed as a so-called
magnetic linear encoder comprising a first measuring unit 68 and a
second measuring unit 70. First measuring unit 68 and second
measuring unit 70 are generally configured to be moved with respect
to each other if first segment 40 and second segment 42 are
inclined to one another.
[0065] First measuring unit 68 is provided with a linear encoder
72, and second measuring unit 70 is provided with a magnetic tape
74. Linear encoder 72 and magnetic tape 74 are arranged in
respective measuring unit 68, 70 to oppose one another. Rigid
connections 76 such as bolts are connected to measuring units 68,
70 and hinge 44 and/or second segment 42 such that articulation of
hinge 44 causes a displacement of at least one movable measuring
unit 68, 70. Said displacement is detected by a displacement
between linear encoder 72 and magnetic tape 74.
[0066] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, first measuring unit 68 and
second measuring unit 70 are movably arranged side-by-side within
first segment 40. Alternatively, only one of first measuring unit
68 and second measuring unit 70 may be movably arranged.
[0067] The embodiment of FIG. 5 allows determining an articulation
angle between first segment 40 and second segment 42 along one axis
only. Accordingly, a further magnetic linear encoder may be
arranged to measure an articulation angle along another axis.
[0068] Naturally, any other type of linear encoder may be used
instead of magnetic linear encoder as explained.
[0069] It is noted that course measuring unit 46 may feature any
other measuring principle allowing determination of a spacial
relationship between a first axis of a first segment and a second
axis of a second segment.
[0070] As a further example, determination of an articulation angle
may be performed by utilizing a so-called linear variable
differential transformer. In said linear variable differential
transformer, a magnetic core is moved by a push rod, which is
connected to pass over a displacement of a hinge between the two
segments. The magnetic core moves along an arrangement of one
primary windings and two secondary windings. Depending on the axial
displacement of the magnetic core, a voltage amount induced in the
secondary windings changes. Based on the differential voltage
between the two secondary windings, a position of the magnetic core
is determinable. Therefrom, an articulation angle may be
derived.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0071] The course measuring device as generally disclosed herein is
applicable in mining installations. Particularly, the course
measuring device is applicable in longwall mining installations
extending along a longwall face for the purpose of extracting
material therefrom.
[0072] In the following, operation of the course measuring device
30 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0073] During operation of longwall mining installation 1, course
measuring device 30 moves to and fro along longwall mining
installation 1 via guiding assembly 26. Thereby, course measuring
device passes the series of guiding elements 28. When transitioning
between neighboring guiding elements 28, course measuring unit 46
measures an articulation angle .alpha. between respective
neighboring guiding elements 28.
[0074] Specifically and in case first segment is the leading
segment of course measuring device 30 in the respective moving
direction, first segment 40 reaches a respective guiding element
hinge 38 before second segment 42, and, thus, is redirected along
element hinge 38 before second segment 42. Said second segment 42
subsequently reaches that respective guiding element hinge 38, and
is redirected after first segment 40 already finished its
redirection. As a result, articulation angle .alpha. continuously
increases until a maximum value, which is reached in a state in
which first and second segment 40, 42 are positioned in differing
guiding elements 28. Afterwards, articulation angle .alpha.
decreases to zero again, which is reached if both segments 40 and
42 are aligned again when both segments 40, 42 move in the same
guiding element 28. The maximum value of articulation angle .alpha.
represents the respective articulation angle between respective
neighboring guiding elements 28.
[0075] Transmittal of measured data from course measuring device 30
to remote control unit 31 may be performed in a continuous manner,
in which as soon as new measurements are taken, the same are
transmitted to remote control unit 31. Alternatively or
additionally, measured data may be provided in packages at preset
timings, and/or upon request from remote control unit 31, or when
passing by remote control unit 31.
[0076] A length of individual guiding elements 28 may be either
known, or may be measured, for example, by course measuring device
30 during travel along the same.
[0077] Based on a series of measured articulation angles .alpha.
for each couple of neighboring guiding elements and the individual
lengths of guiding elements 28, a-so called polygonal course
image/estimation (also referred to as traverse in literature) is
build up by remote control unit 31.
[0078] The determined polygonal course not only represents the
course of guiding assembly 26, but also of longwall mining
installation 1 along longwall face 2. The determined polygonal
course may be further utilized in many conceivable ways.
[0079] In some embodiments, the determined course of longwall
mining installation 1 may be visualized via a display to an
operator, and/or may be used to control longwall mining
installation 1. For example, advancing of longwall mining
installation 1 may be controlled based on the determined course. In
particular, the actual course of longwall mining installation 1
along longwall face 2 may be adjusted based on the determined
course to form a straight line along longwall face 2. Additionally
or alternatively, extraction machine 4 may be controlled based on
the determined course of longwall installation 1.
[0080] It is noted that guiding assembly 26 may be not necessarily
connected to face conveyor 8, but to other components of longwall
mining installation 1 extending along longwall face 2 such that a
course of guiding assembly 26 follows a course of longwall mining
installation 1 while projecting the course of the same. For
example, guiding assembly 26 may be connected to shield supports 6,
and/or to moving devices 12.
[0081] It should be appreciated that the course measuring system
for measuring a course of a longwall mining installation along a
longwall face as generally disclosed herein, may be also suitable
for measuring a course of mining components along the roadway. For
example, the course measuring system may be coupled to a roadway
conveyor (for example roadway conveyor 16 shown in FIG. 1).
[0082] It is further noted that, in some embodiments, data
acquisition and/or data processing based on measurements from
measuring unit 62 may be conducted in accordance with the method
disclosed in EP 2 446 207 A2, which is hereby entirely incorporated
herein by reference as being an actual part of the present
disclosure.
[0083] Although the preferred embodiments of this invention have
been described herein, improvements and modifications may be
incorporated without departing from the scope of the following
claims.
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