Abstract: A method of controlling interlinked vehicles in mining and tunnelling operations with at least one of the vehicles having a travelling mechanism is disclosed. Distance measurements to adjacent wall surfaces which define a path of movement are taken on opposite sides of the vehicles, and on each side at least two ultrasonic sensors are arranged to be offset in the direction of movement in determining the distances. Signalling lines of the sensors are fed to an evaluation and control circuit via vehicle couplings. The control circuit is formed by an autoadaptive learning microcomputer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 8, 1995
Date of Patent:
March 16, 1999
Assignee:
Voest-Alpine Bergtechnik Gesellschaft GmbH
Inventors:
Alfred Zitz, Nikolaus August Sifferlinger