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Continuous control system for a mining or tunnelling machine

  • US 6,062,650 A
  • Filed: 07/28/1997
  • Issued: 05/16/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A continuous control system for a mining or tunnelling machine having a boom with a cutting head which projects toward the face to be cut mounted at one end of the boom, and having means for rotating said cutting head at one or more RPM values, said boom, at its other end, being tiltably connected to a rotatable turret for rotation therewith and means being provided for rotating said turret, the boom being tilted by means of at least one hydraulic cylinder with a piston slidable therein, said at least one hydraulic cylinder being connected at one end to the turret and at the other end to the boom so as to tilt the same when said piston is advanced out of or retracted into the hydraulic cylinder, said control system comprising:

  • a first angular encoder for continuously measuring the tilt angle of the boom;

    a second angular encoder for continuously measuring the angle of rotation of the turret;

    a linear encoder for continuously measuring linear position of the cutting head;

    a computer responsive to output signals from said encoders configured to continuously process said signals according to a predetermined computer program; and

    a controller responsive to said computer, which controls proportional valve means which, in turn, control flow of hydraulic fluid into said at least one hydraulic cylinder, and further controls the speed of rotation of the turret as well as the linear advance of the cutting head, thereby continuously controlling the boom angular position, the angular position of the turret and the linear position of the cutting head, so as to cut a preselected profile at a predetermined depth of cut and rate of advance.

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