Automated find-face operation of a mining machine
First Claim
1. A method for automatically operating a continuous mining machine, the method comprising:
- automatically operating at least one actuator to position a platform supporting a cutterhead at a predetermined starting position;
automatically operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward a cutting face until the cutterhead contacts the cutting face and at least one indicator of a physical force between the cutterhead and the cutting face exceeds a predetermined value; and
automatically saving at least one coordinate of the cutting face to a computer-readable medium, the at least one coordinate based on a parameter of the at least one actuator when the indicator exceeds the predetermined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes automatically operating at least one actuator to position a platform supporting a cutterhead at a predetermined starting position and automatically operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward a cutting face until the cutterhead contacts the cutting face and at least one indicator of a physical force between the cutterhead and the cutting face exceeds a predetermined value. The method also includes automatically saving at least one coordinate of the cutting face to a computer-readable medium, the at least one coordinate based on a parameter of the at least one actuator when the indicator exceeds the predetermined value.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for automatically operating a continuous mining machine, the method comprising:
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automatically operating at least one actuator to position a platform supporting a cutterhead at a predetermined starting position; automatically operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward a cutting face until the cutterhead contacts the cutting face and at least one indicator of a physical force between the cutterhead and the cutting face exceeds a predetermined value; and automatically saving at least one coordinate of the cutting face to a computer-readable medium, the at least one coordinate based on a parameter of the at least one actuator when the indicator exceeds the predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for automatically operating a continuous mining machine, the system comprising:
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a platform supporting a cutterhead; at least one actuator for moving the platform linearly; and a control system configured to perform an automated find-face operation without requiring manual interaction by (i) operating the at least one actuator to position the platform at a predetermined starting position, (ii) operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward a cutting face until the cutterhead contacts the cutting face and at least one indicator of a physical force between the cutterhead and the cutting face exceeds a predetermined value, and (iii) saving at least one coordinate of the cutting face to a computer-readable medium, the at least one coordinate based on a parameter of the at least one actuator when the indicator exceeds the predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A system for automatically operating a continuous mining machine, the system comprising:
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a platform; an arm coupled to the platform and including a cutterhead; a first actuator configured to move the platform linearly; a second actuator configured to swing the arm horizontally; a third actuator configured to tilt the arm vertically; and a control system configured to (i) automatically operate the first actuator to position the platform at a predetermined advance starting position, (ii) automatically operate the second actuator to position the arm at a predetermined swing starting position, (iii) automatically operate the third actuator to position the arm at a predetermined tilt starting position, (iv) automatically operate the first actuator to move the platform from the predetermined starting position toward a cutting face until the cutterhead contacts the cutting face and the first actuator is pressurized to a predetermined pressure value, (v) automatically save a first coordinate of the cutting face based on a position of the first actuator when the first actuator is pressurized to the predetermined pressure value, (vi) automatically save a second coordinate of the cutting face based on a position of the second actuator when the first actuator is pressurized to the predetermined pressure value, and (vii) automatically save a third coordinate of the cutting face based on a position of the third actuator when the first actuator is pressurized to the predetermined pressure value. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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Specification