Abstract: A face equipment for mechanical extraction in longwall mining, in particular in the underground hard coal mining industry, includes a face conveyor (17) arranged along the mining wall, an extraction device (18) that can be moved along the face conveyor (17), and shield support frames (10) supported on the face conveyor (17) at an angle thereto. In order to determine the height of the face opening, a flexible hose level (21) with a liquid-filled hose (22) placed between the face conveyor (17) and at least one main component of the shield support frame (10) is installed in the area of the face conveyor (17). A pressure sensor (23, 24, 28) is arranged on at least one end of the hose (22). An inclination measuring device (25, 26) is arranged on the face conveyor (17) and on the main component of the shield support frame (10).

Abstract: A face equipment for mechanical extraction in longwall mining, in particular in the underground hard coal mining industry, includes a face conveyor (21) arranged along the coal face, an extraction mechanism (22) that can be moved along the face conveyor (21), and shield support frames (10) fastened at an angle to the face conveyor (21). In order determine the shield height of the extended shield support frame (10) corresponding to the face opening height, a flexible hose level (17) with a liquid-filled hose (18) is installed between the roof canopy (13) and floor skid (11) of individual shield support frames (10), and a pressure sensor (19) is arranged on the skid-side end of the hose (18). An inclination measuring device (25) is arranged on the roof canopy (13), and the pressure sensor (19) and inclination measuring device (25) are connected to an analyzing and control unit.

Abstract: A Longwall equipment for mechanical extraction in longwall mining, in particular in underground coal mining, having a face conveyor arranged along the coal face, having an extraction machine which can be displaced along the face conveyor and having shield support units attached to the face conveyor at an angle thereto, is characterized in that, in order to determine the absolute height position of determined elements of the longwall equipment, a liquid-filled hydrostatic tube balance (17) is installed along the coalface (10) on the selected elements (12, 15, 31) of the longwall equipment and is connected to a base station (19) arranged in one of the gate roads (13, 14) and determined precisely in its height as a reference point, wherein pressure sensors (22) are incorporated into the tube conduit (18, 23, 24) of the hydrostatic tube balance (17), distributed over the course of the longwall equipment on individual elements (12, 15, 31) of the longwall equipment, and are connected to a central evaluation and co

Abstract: A face equipment for mechanical extraction in longwall mining, in particular in the underground hard coal mining industry, includes a face conveyor (21) arranged along the coal face, an extraction mechanism (22) that can be moved along the face conveyor (21), and shield support frames (10) fastened at an angle to the face conveyor (21). In order determine the shield height of the extended shield support frame (10) corresponding to the face opening height, a flexible hose level (17) with a liquid-filled hose (18) is installed between the roof canopy (13) and floor skid (11) of individual shield support frames (10), and a pressure sensor (19) is arranged on the skid-side end of the hose (18). An inclination measuring device (25) is arranged on the roof canopy (13), and the pressure sensor (19) and inclination measuring device (25) are connected to an analyzing and control unit.

Abstract: A face equipment for mechanical extraction in longwall mining, in particular in the underground hard coal mining industry, includes a face conveyor (17) arranged along the mining wall, an extraction device (18) that can be moved along the face conveyor (17), and shield support frames (10) supported on the face conveyor (17) at an angle thereto. In order to determine the height of the face opening, a flexible hose level (21) with a liquid-filled hose (22) placed between the face conveyor (17) and at least one main component of the shield support frame (10) is installed in the area of the face conveyor (17). A pressure sensor (23, 24, 28) is arranged on at least one end of the hose (22). An inclination measuring device (25, 26) is arranged on the face conveyor (17) and on the main component of the shield support frame (10).

Abstract: Method of automatically producing a defined face opening, in underground coal mining, during longwall mining operations having a face conveyor, a disk shearer loader and a hydraulic shield support. Via at least one inclination sensor on the top canopy of the shield support frame, the inclination of the top canopy relative to the horizontal, in the direction of mining or extraction of the disk shearer loader, is determined to provide angles of the course of an overlying stratum at the shield support frame. A stepping path length of each shield support frame is detected, and therefrom a cutting depth of the disk shearer loader during an extraction run is determined. A cutting height of the disk shearer loader is detected by means of sensors disposed thereon, and a cutting height of the disk shearer loader is adjusted in alignment with the angle of the course of the overlying stratum to produce the defined face opening.

Abstract: A Longwall equipment for mechanical extraction in long-wall mining, in particular in underground coal mining, having a face conveyor arranged along the coal face, having an extraction machine which can be displaced along the face conveyor and having shield support units attached to the face conveyor at an angle thereto, is characterised in that, in order to determine the absolute height position of determined elements of the longwall equipment, a liquid-filled hydrostatic tube balance (17) is installed along the coalface (10) on the selected elements (12, 15, 31) of the longwall equipment and is connected to a base station (19) arranged in one of the gate roads (13, 14) and determined precisely in its height as a reference point, wherein pressure sensors (22) are incorporated into the tube conduit (18, 23, 24) of the hydrostatic tube balance (17), distributed over the course of the longwall equipment on individual elements (12, 15, 31) of the longwall equipment, and are connected to a central evaluation and c

Abstract: A method for controlling a longwall mining operation, including a face conveyor, at least one extraction machine, and a hydraulic shield support, in underground coal mining. Using inclination sensors disposed on at least three of the four main components of each shield support frame, such as floor skid, gob shield, support connection rods, and gob-side region of the top canopy, the inclination of the shield components relative to horizontal is ascertained in the direction of step. In a computer, the ascertained inclination data is compared with base data stored in the computer that defines the geometrical orientation of the components and their movement during stepping. From the comparison, a respective height of the shield support frame, at the forward end of the top canopy, is calculated as a measure for the face opening.

Abstract: A method for controlling longwall mining operations, having a face conveyor, at least one extraction machine, and a hydraulic shield support, in underground coal mining. At least one sensor is disposed on the shield support frames for acquiring solid-borne noise data generated by the engagement of the extraction machine in coal and/or country rock. A cut of the extraction machine into the country rock is determined in a downstream computer on the basis of recorded vibration data that corresponds to the generated solid-borne noise.

Abstract: A method for maintaining, in a controlled manner, a top canopy/coal-face distance expedient for rock mechanics, in longwall mining operations in underground coal mining, using a face conveyor, at least one extraction machine, and a hydraulic shield support frame. Inclination sensors are disposed on at least three of the four main components of the shield support frame, including floor skid, gob shield, support connection rods and gob-side area of the top canopy. An inclination of the top canopy and floor skid are ascertained via the sensors. From the ascertained inclination data, in a computer, the effects on a top canopy/coal face distance are determined when changes in an angle of inclination of the top canopy occur. An automatic adjustment of decisive cycle parameters of the shield support frame are carried out, wherein the work cycle comprises retraction, advancement and setting processes.

Abstract: A method for automatically producing a defined face opening in a longwall mining operation, in underground coal mining, having a face conveyor, at least one extraction machine and hydraulic shield support frames. Inclination sensors are disposed on at least three of the four main components of each shield support frame, such as floor skid, gob shield, support connection rods and gob-side area of the top canopy. From ascertained inclination data, by comparison with base data defining a geometrical orientation of the components and a movement thereof during stepping, a respective shield height of the shield support frames perpendicular to a bed thereof is calculated. From further sensors on the extraction machine, a cutting height thereof is acquired as a face opening.

Abstract: A method of setting an automatic level control of a plow in longwall mining operations. By means of a boom control mechanism, a control angle for setting motion of the plow, which is guided on a face conveyor, in an exploitation direction as a climbing, plunging or neutral motion is set. For each plow stroke, a cutting depth and the control angle, derived as a differential angle between inclinations of the face conveyor and of a top canopy of a shield support frame are determined. In a calculating unit, a face height change per plow stroke is calculated therefrom and a face height, as a projected height, is associated with each face position of the face conveyor. When a shield support frame that trails behind the plow in terms of a time delay reaches a respective face position, an actual height of the face is calculated and compared with the store projected height.

Abstract: A method for automatically producing a defined face opening in a longwall mining operation in underground coal mining, using a face conveyor, at least one plow, as an extraction machine, guided on the face conveyor, and respective hydraulic shield support frames having, as main components, a floor skid arrangement, a gob shield, a top canopy and support connection rods. Inclination sensors are disposed on at least three of the floor skid arrangements, the gob shield, the support connection rods and a gob-side region of the top canopy. From the sensors, an inclination relative to a horizontal is ascertained. From the inclination data, by comparison with base data defining a geometrical orientation of the components and movement thereof during a stepping process, a respective shield height of the shield support frames perpendicular to a bed thereof is calculated and is compared with a machine-dependent fixed cutting height of the plow to establish if deviations exist.

Abstract: Method of automatically producing a defined face opening, in underground coal mining, during longwall mining operations having a face conveyor, a disk shearer loader and a hydraulic shield support. Via at least one inclination sensor on the top canopy of the shield support frame, the inclination of the top canopy relative to the horizontal, in the direction of mining or extraction of the disk shearer loader, is determined to provide angles of the course of an overlying stratum at the shield support frame. A stepping path length of each shield support frame is detected, and therefrom a cutting depth of the disk shearer loader during an extraction run is determined. A cutting height of the disk shearer loader is detected by means of sensors disposed thereon, and a cutting height of the disk shearer loader is adjusted in alignment with the angle of the course of the overlying stratum to produce the defined face opening.

Abstract: A method for automated production of a defined face opening in longwall mining operations in underground coal mining, comprising a face conveyor, disk shearer as extraction machine, and hydraulic shield support frame. At least one radar sensor is provided on a main body of the disk shearer. A distance between an upper edge of the main body and an underside of a top canopy of the shield support frame below which the main body travels during extraction work is measured, and is input into a computer as an actual value for a passage height of the disk shearer below the shield support frame. This actual value is compared with a target value and, if a deviation is determined, control commands are generated for adapting a cutting height of at least one of two cutting disks of the disk shearer.

Abstract: A method of setting an automatic level control of a plow in longwall mining operations. By means of a boom control mechanism, a control angle for setting motion of the plow, which is guided on a face conveyor, in an exploitation direction as a climbing, plunging or neutral motion is set. For each plow stroke, a cutting depth and the control angle, derived as a differential angle between inclinations of the face conveyor and of a top canopy of a shield support frame are determined. In a calculating unit, a face height change per plow stroke is calculated therefrom and a face height, as a projected height, is associated with each face position of the face conveyor. When a shield support frame that trails behind the plow in terms of a time delay reaches a respective face position, an actual height of the face is calculated and compared with the store projected height.

Abstract: Longwall equipment for mechanical extraction, especially in underground coal mining, including a face conveyor disposed along a longwall face, a disc shearer loader that includes a machine body that rests, and is guided, upon the face conveyor and includes two shearing discs pivotably disposed thereon, with the machine body extending over the face conveyor and forming a portal that prescribes a maximum loading cross-section of the face conveyor, a lifting mechanism mounted on the machine body for guiding it on the face conveyor in a vertically adjustable manner and for variably adjusting the portal cross-section, a drive element height-adjustably disposed on the machine body and engaging an abutment fixedly disposed on the face conveyor, and shield support units that include top canopies that project toward the disc shearer loader.

Abstract: A method for controlling a longwall mining operation, including a face conveyor, at least one extraction machine, and a hydraulic shield support, in underground coal mining. Using inclination sensors disposed on at least three of the four main components of each shield support frame, such as floor skid, gob shield, support connection rods, and gob-side region of the top canopy, the inclination of the shield components relative to horizontal is ascertained in the direction of step. In a computer, the ascertained inclination data is compared with base data stored in the computer that defines the geometrical orientation of the components and their movement during stepping. From the comparison, a respective height of the shield support frame, at the forward end of the top canopy, is calculated as a measure for the face opening.

Abstract: A method for automatically producing a defined face opening in a longwall mining operation in underground coal mining, using a face conveyor, at least one plow, as an extraction machine, guided on the face conveyor, and respective hydraulic shield support frames having, as main components, a floor skid arrangement, a gob shield, a top canopy and support connection rods. Inclination sensors are disposed on at least three of the floor skid arrangements, the gob shield, the support connection rods and a gob-side region of the top canopy. From the sensors, an inclination relative to a horizontal is ascertained.

Abstract: A method for controlling longwall mining operations, having a face conveyor, at least one extraction machine, and a hydraulic shield support, in underground coal mining. At least one sensor is disposed on the shield support frames for acquiring solid-borne noise data generated by the engagement of the extraction machine in coal and/or country rock. A cut of the extraction machine into the country rock is determined in a downstream computer on the basis of recorded vibration data that corresponds to the generated solid-borne noise.