GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A MINING MACHINE
First Claim
1. A guidance system for mining a seam of material, the seam of material defining a seam plane, the guidance system comprising:
- a mining machine including a cutter head, the mining machine defining a roll axis extending the length of the machine, a pitch axis extending from one side of the machine to the other side, and a yaw axis extending from a top side of the machine to the bottom side;
a carriage including a first emitter, a second emitter, and a third emitter, the first emitter projecting a first laser that is aligned with the seam plane, the second emitter projecting a second laser, and the third emitter projecting a third laser; and
a guide assembly including a first indicator and a target, the first indicator being aligned with the second laser, the target being aligned with the third laser,wherein the relative positions of the first indicator with respect to the second laser and the target with respect to the third laser indicate the orientation of the roll axis, pitch axis, and yaw axis relative to the seam plane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A guidance system for mining a seam of material includes a mining machine, a carriage, and a guide assembly. The mining machine includes a cutter head and defines a roll axis, a pitch axis, and a yaw axis. The carriage includes a first emitter, a second emitter, and a third emitter. The first emitter projects a first laser that is aligned with a seam plane. The second emitter projects a second laser, and the third emitter projects a third laser. The guide assembly includes a first indicator and a target. The first indicator is aligned with the second laser, and the target is aligned with the third laser. The relative positions of the first indicator with respect to the second laser and the target with respect to the third laser indicate the orientation of the roll axis, pitch axis, and yaw axis relative to the seam plane.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A guidance system for mining a seam of material, the seam of material defining a seam plane, the guidance system comprising:
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a mining machine including a cutter head, the mining machine defining a roll axis extending the length of the machine, a pitch axis extending from one side of the machine to the other side, and a yaw axis extending from a top side of the machine to the bottom side; a carriage including a first emitter, a second emitter, and a third emitter, the first emitter projecting a first laser that is aligned with the seam plane, the second emitter projecting a second laser, and the third emitter projecting a third laser; and a guide assembly including a first indicator and a target, the first indicator being aligned with the second laser, the target being aligned with the third laser, wherein the relative positions of the first indicator with respect to the second laser and the target with respect to the third laser indicate the orientation of the roll axis, pitch axis, and yaw axis relative to the seam plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A laser emitter carriage for guiding a machine during mining of a mineral seam, the mineral seam defining a seam plane, the laser emitter assembly comprising:
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a base; a first laser emitter coupled to the base, the first laser emitter emitting a first planar laser that is aligned with the seam plane; and a second laser emitter coupled to the base, the second laser emitter emitting a second planar laser for aligning a mining machine. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for guiding a mining machine during mining of a mineral seam, the mining machine including a first end including a cutter head and a second end, the mineral seam defining a seam plane, the method comprising:
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providing a first laser, a second laser, and a third laser; providing a first indicator positioned on the second end of the machine and a target positioned adjacent the machine; aligning the first laser with the seam plane; aligning the second laser with the first indicator; aligning the third laser with the target; and operating the machine to mine material in the seam such that the first indicator remains aligned with the second laser and the target remains aligned with the third laser. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification