Coal seam discontinuity sensor and method for coal mining apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for operating a continuous mining apparatus for mining a seam of a mineral value such as coal and the like, said seam having one or more cleats forming a discontinuity in said seam, said apparatus including cutter means supported thereon for cutting said mineral value from said seam, and said apparatus includes sensor means mounted thereon for generating a signal related to at least one of stresses exerted on said cutter means and vibrations of said cutter means, said method including the steps of:
- engaging said cutter means with said seam and traversing said cutter means along said seam to cut said mineral value, generating signals related to said at least one of vibrations and stresses on said cutter means while cutting said mineral value, generating a signal related to signals from said sensor means to indicate when said cutter means is cutting along said discontinuity in said seam, and adjusting the position of said cutter means relative to said discontinuity to advance along said discontinuity to maximize the extraction of said mineral value from said seam.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A continuous mining apparatus such as a coal milling or shearing machine includes sensors mounted on the machine frame or on the cutter bits, including an accelerometer and one or more strain gauges, for sensing vibrations and stresses exerted on the cutter bits during operation of the machine. A signal conditioning and amplification circuit provides an audio and/or visual display indicating when the cutter is moving outside of the coal seam and/or is cutting along a cleat or other joint to improve excavation rates while maintaining or lowering stress levels on the cutter bits. The display enables the machine operator to keep from penetrating the roof or floor of the coal seam and to position the cutter to take advantage of natural fracture lines in the seam. The frequency spectrum of the sensor signals is determined to distinguish vibrations caused by bit interaction with the material being cut.
52 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method for operating a continuous mining apparatus for mining a seam of a mineral value such as coal and the like, said seam having one or more cleats forming a discontinuity in said seam, said apparatus including cutter means supported thereon for cutting said mineral value from said seam, and said apparatus includes sensor means mounted thereon for generating a signal related to at least one of stresses exerted on said cutter means and vibrations of said cutter means, said method including the steps of:
engaging said cutter means with said seam and traversing said cutter means along said seam to cut said mineral value, generating signals related to said at least one of vibrations and stresses on said cutter means while cutting said mineral value, generating a signal related to signals from said sensor means to indicate when said cutter means is cutting along said discontinuity in said seam, and adjusting the position of said cutter means relative to said discontinuity to advance along said discontinuity to maximize the extraction of said mineral value from said seam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
Specification