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

• US 20060158017A1
• Filed: 11/03/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jefferson D. Mckenzie
• Original Assignee: Jefferson D. Mckenzie
• Inventors: McKenzie, Jefferson D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,331,735 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 299/1.700
• CPC Class Codes: E21D 19/02 for use in longwall working
• CPC Class Codes: E21D 23/0091 at the junction with the working face
• CPC Class Codes: E21D 23/12 Control, e.g. using remote control E21D23/16 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for supporting a gate entry or a connecting entry. The apparatus includes a support member, a controller, and a vehicle. The support member is configured to selectively engage a mine roof and a mine floor within a gate entry. The controller communicates with the support member to extend the support member to engage the mine roof and mine floor and retract the support member to disengage the mine roof and mine floor. The vehicle is connected to the support member and controller and moves the support member in response to a motive force. The support member, controller, and vehicle can operate and move independent of a mining face conveyor. The present invention is reusable, provides for mine roof and mine floor support as well as support of gate entry walls. The present invention has a minimal width profile to provide support while minimizing interference with the airflow within the gate entry. In addition, the present invention forms an access passage for personnel, equipment, and airflow that remains safely open during full extraction mining operations even as load abutments shift due to full extraction mining.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting a gate entry for underground full extraction mining, the apparatus comprising:

a support member configured to selectively engage a mine roof and a mine floor within a gate entry;

a controller in communication with the support member, the controller configured to extend the support member to engage the mine roof and mine floor and retract the 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 support member in response to a motive force acting on the vehicle; and

wherein the support member, controller, and vehicle are independent of a mining face conveyor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to maximize airflow past the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lateral extension member configured to extend and retract laterally to selectively engage one or more walls of the gate entry in response to a control signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a drive vehicle having a motor configured to generate the motive force and move the drive vehicle in response to a control signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member extends vertically with respect to the gate entry and wherein the support member comprises a head plate, a foot plate, and an extension member configured to extend from a retracted position in which one of the head plate and foot plate are disengaged from one of the mine roof and the mine floor to an extended position in which one of the head plate and foot plate engage one of the mine roof and the mine floor in response to a control signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the extension member comprises a hydraulic ram coupled to a pressurized hydraulic fluid supply.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the extension member comprises a mechanical support configured to translate a mechanical force into an extension force that extends or retracts the extension member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a powered roof support having at least one hydraulic leg and the gate entry comprises one of a headgate and a tailgate.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a movable member selected from the group consisting of a tram, a crawler, a dolly, a walking base, a sled, and a horizontal ram configured to act on an anchor.

10. A system for supporting a gate entry for underground full extraction mining, the system comprising:

a hydraulic support member configured to selectively engage a mine roof and a mine floor within a gate entry;

a controller in electrical 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; and

a stage loader positioned within the gate entry and coupled to the hydraulic support member, the stage loader configured to move the hydraulic support member in response to advancement of longwall face end shields during an extraction mining operation.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a lateral extension member configured to extend and retract laterally to selectively engage one or both walls of the gate entry in response to a control signal.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the hydraulic support member and controller are mechanically configured to maximize airflow past the hydraulic support member and controller.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the hydraulic support member is selected from the group consisting of a shield support, a chock support, a chock shield support, and a mobile roof support.

14. A method for supporting a gate entry for underground full extraction mining, the method comprising:

positioning a movable support apparatus within a gate entry to form an access passage between opposing gate entry walls, the movable support apparatus comprising;

a support member configured to selectively engage a mine roof and a mine floor within a gate entry;

a controller in communication with the support member, the controller configured to extend the support member to engage the mine roof and mine floor and retract the 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 support member in response to a motive force acting on the vehicle;

wherein the support member, controller, and vehicle are independent of a mining face conveyor;

conducting full extraction mining operations such that loading forces acting on the gate entry change as full extraction mining operations are conducted; and

re-positioning the movable support apparatus within the gate entry in response to commands from the controller such that the access passage remains substantially unblocked during full extraction mining operations.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein positioning a movable support apparatus comprises positioning the movable support apparatus such that the movable support apparatus operates independent of a longwall face conveyor.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising extending a lateral extension member to engage one or both walls of the gate entry in response to a control signal from the controller.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein positioning a movable support apparatus comprises positioning a plurality of movable support apparatuses.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein positioning a movable support apparatus comprises extending the hydraulic support member to engage the mine roof and mine floor to support a support capacity of between about 100 tons and about 2000 tons.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising positioning one or more movable support apparatuses within the gate entry in advance of a longwall front abutment loading to account for known weak gate entry structural conditions.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising positioning support cabling and hoses for mining equipment within the access passage such that the cabling and hoses are protected from wall, floor, or roof failures.