Abstract: A hydraulic assembly for a mining system is disclosed. The hydraulic assembly may have at least one control valve for controlling a supply of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator of the mining system. The hydraulic assembly may also have at least one temperature sensor associated with the at least one control valve. The at least one temperature sensor may be configured to measure a temperature of the at least one control valve. In addition, the hydraulic assembly may have a control unit in communication with the at least one temperature sensor. The control unit may be configured to receive the temperature measured by the at least one temperature sensor. The control unit may also be configured to determine that a leakage has occurred in the at least one control valve based on the temperature.

Abstract: A hydraulic assembly for a mining system is disclosed. The hydraulic assembly may have at least one control valve for controlling a supply of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator of the mining system. The hydraulic assembly may also have at least one temperature sensor associated with the at least one control valve. The at least one temperature sensor may be configured to measure a temperature of the at least one control valve. In addition, the hydraulic assembly may have a control unit in communication with the at least one temperature sensor. The control unit may be configured to receive the temperature measured by the at least one temperature sensor. The control unit may also be configured to determine that a leakage has occurred in the at least one control valve based on the temperature.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe battery power supply for electrical equipment in underground mining includes a battery housing having a first end with a first opening and a second end having a pressure-resistant second opening. The battery housing defines a first space. At least one storage battery cell is provided in the first space, and a lid is coupled to the battery housing near the first end providing access to the storage battery cell through the first opening. An envelope housing is coupled near the second end of the battery housing and has a charging socket and a consumption socket and defines a second space. A circuit board having intrinsically-safe circuits is provided in the second space, the circuit board electrically coupled to the storage battery cell through the pressure resistant second opening in the battery housing, and electrically coupled to the charging socket and the consumption socket on the envelope housing.

Abstract: An intrinsically-safe battery power supply for electrical equipment in underground mining and in other areas exposed to the danger of explosion is disclosed. The power supply includes at least one chargeable storage battery cell disposed in a battery housing. At least one storage battery cell comprises a chargeable lithium storage battery cell and the battery housing is configured to be pressure-resistant and to receive all lithium storage battery cells in a manner so as to be protected from explosion. The pressure-resistant configuration of the battery housing enables the use of lithium storage battery cells in underground mining. Once the battery power supply fulfills all requirements of ignition protection certification, even modern types of lithium storage battery cell can be disposed in the battery housing.

Abstract: A protective circuit (30) for intrinsically safe electromagnetic actuators operating at the voltage of a power supply approved for underground mining, for switching electrohydraulic valves in underground mining, comprising a coil (11) connected to a first potential (2) and a second potential (3) of the power supply and associated with at least two spaced apart short-circuit means (12) connected in parallel with the electromagnetic actuator coil (11) for short-circuiting ting the coil in the event of a reversal of the potential of the coil voltage. In accordance with the present invention the protective circuit comprises a semiconductor switch (T3) which is inserted between the coil (11) and the second potential (3) and, in the event of a voltage reduction or potential reversal, isolates the coil (11) from the second potential, so that the discharge from the coil (11) has no adverse effect on the energy supply system or the intrinsic safety.

Abstract: A protection circuit for intrinsically safe electromagnetic actuators operating on the voltage from a power unit (1) approved for underground mining, for switching electrohydraulic valves (5) in underground mining, comprising at least two spaced-apart short-circuit means (14, 16 or 16A) connected in parallel with the electromagnetic actuator coil (11) for short-circuiting the coil in the event of a reversal of the coil voltage. According to the invention, at least one of the short-circuit means comprises a short-circuit semi-conductor switch (16 or 16A) and a voltage-reversal detecting circuit (30) for activating the short-circuit semiconductor switch (16).

Abstract: An intrinsically-safe battery power supply for electrical equipment in underground mining and in other areas exposed to the danger of explosion is disclosed. The power supply includes at least one chargeable storage battery cell disposed in a battery housing. At least one storage battery cell comprises a chargeable lithium storage battery cell and the battery housing is configured to be pressure-resistant and to receive all lithium storage battery cells in a manner so as to be protected from explosion. The pressure-resistant configuration of the battery housing enables the use of lithium storage battery cells in underground mining. Once the battery power supply fulfils all requirements of ignition protection certification, even modern types of lithium storage battery cell can be disposed in the battery housing.

Abstract: A housing cover for a solenoid housing operable for accommodating solenoids for switching hydraulic directional valves is disclosed. A housing cover box has a plurality of side walls, a top side, and an open bottom side, with first and second actuating guides for guiding first and second solenoid control push rods being located on the top side. A plug connector is located between the actuating guides. At least one screw clearance hole is located at each corner of the housing cover box for locating a screw for joining the housing cover box to the solenoid housing. A sealing plate is located between the housing cover box and the solenoid housing, and at least one mounting foot is located at a corner and on a bottom surface of the housing cover box. A tubular spigot is aligned with and extends each screw clearance hole.

Abstract: The present invention is an individual controller for shield support frames in underground mining, having a shallow box-shaped housing for holding microelectronics comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, two side walls, a front wall and a back wall, with receptacles for connecting cable plugs from sensors and actuators and with at least one socket for connecting a plug of a cable for communicating with an adjacent individual controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mining electromagnet for the switching of hydraulic pilot valves or main control valves used in underground mining operations, with a coil which can be connected to an intrinsically-safe power unit, with an armature which can be displaced by application of current to the coil and with an electronic control device 20, by means of which the current which is conducted to the coil can be set during the drawing-in phase of the armature to an excitation current, and in its holding phase can be set to a holding current which is lower than the excitation current.

Abstract: A housing cover for a solenoid housing operable for accommodating solenoids for switching hydraulic directional valves is disclosed. A housing cover box has a plurality of side walls, a top side, and an open bottom side, with first and second actuating guides for guiding first and second solenoid control push rods being located on the top side. A plug connector is located between the actuating guides. At least one screw clearance hole is located at each corner of the housing cover box for locating a screw for joining the housing cover box to the solenoid housing. A sealing plate is located between the housing cover box and the solenoid housing, and at least one mounting foot is located at a corner and on a bottom surface of the housing cover box. A tubular spigot is aligned with and extends each screw clearance hole.

Abstract: A controller is disclosed for control operations in underground mining, especially for controllers to control support shields. The controller utilizes a central unit with a microprocessor and assigned, programmable memory devices for the storage and processing of software as well as a connector unit with connectors or circuits for communication between the controller and other controllers and/or actuators, sensors or the like, that are to be controlled with the controller. Both the central unit and the connector unit utilize a modular design. A collection of modules with different performances and/or functionalities are provided for both the central unit and the connector unit to form the hardware of a controller. The modules can be combined with one another and coupled together according to a modular concept.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mining lamp 1 with a signal display. The mining lamp 1 is characterised in that it includes a large number of light diodes 3 and a control device 9, by means of which the light diodes 3 can be controlled individually or in groups, in order to display symbols, flashing signals, letters, text, patterns and/or similar.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic assembly for use in underground mining is disclosed. The assembly includes a hydraulic component, such as a valve block for an underground self-advancing roof support, as well as actuators and/or sensors which have a housing and can be connected or are connected via a data-transmission system to a control unit. A function (e.g. withdrawing the support, setting, advancing, or the like) can be activated at the hydraulic component by each actuator, and/or a hydraulic state associated with a measuring point of the hydraulic component or another measured variable associated with the self-advancing roof support can be measured by each sensor. A reader unit is associated with each actuator and/or sensor in its respective housing, and an information element or transponder is associated with the hydraulic component for each function, each control valve, or each measuring point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protection circuit for intrinsically safe electromagnetic actuators operating on the voltage from a power unit (1) approved for underground mining, for switching electrohydraulic valves (5) in underground mining, comprising at least two spaced-apart short-circuit means (14, 16 or 16A) connected in parallel with the electromagnetic actuator coil (11) for short-circuiting the coil in the event of a reversal of the coil voltage. According to the invention, at least one of the short-circuit means comprises a short-circuit semi-conductor switch (16 or 16A) and a voltage-reversal detecting circuit (30) for activating the short-circuit semiconductor switch (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective circuit (30) for intrinsically safe electromagnetic actuators operating at the voltage of a power supply approved for underground mining, for switching electrohydraulic valves in underground mining, comprising a coil (11) connected to a first potential (2) and a second potential (3) of the power supply and associated with at least two spaced-apart short-circuit means (12) connected in parallel with the electromagnetic actuator coil (11) for short-circuiting the coil in the event of a reversal of the potential of the coil voltage. In accordance with the present invention the protective circuit comprises a semiconductor switch (T3) which is inserted between the coil (11) and the second potential (3) and, in the event of a voltage reduction or potential reversal, isolates the coil (11) from the second potential, so that the discharge from the coil (11) has no adverse effect on the energy supply system or the intrinsic safety.

Abstract: The pressure cell device according to the invention serves for measuring hydraulic pressures in hydraulic mining devices in an inherently secure service region. It is provided with a connection element which can be connected to a pressure reception connection and with a sensor housing, on the inside of which is arranged a hydroelectric pressure transducer which is pressurised by the hydraulic pressure present at the pressure reception connection and converts this into an electrical signal. So as to ensure high measurement accuracy over a long operating period, without it being necessary to have exchanges of the pressure transducer or its new calibration, it is provided according to the invention that the pressure transducer comprises a ceramic pressure measuring cell.

Abstract: The present invention is an individual controller for shield support frames in underground mining, having a shallow box-shaped housing for holding microelectronics comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, two side walls, a front wall and a back wall, with receptacles for connecting cable plugs from sensors and actuators and with at least one socket for connecting a plug of a cable for communicating with an adjacent individual controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operation of an electro-magnet (2, 3) connected to an intrinsically safe direct current circuit which can be switched under control between two positions for the operation of the closing body of a hydraulic valve (5, 6), whereby using of an electronic control unit, the coil windings of the electro-magnet (2, 3) are taken in the pull-in phase of the armature of the electro-magnet to an exciting current and in the retaining phase of the armature to a lower retaining current as opposed to the excitating current, and a device with which the retaining current reduction is realized.

Abstract: An intrinsically-safe battery power supply for electrical equipment in underground mining and in other areas exposed to the danger of explosion is disclosed. The power supply includes at least one chargeable storage battery cell disposed in a battery housing. At least one storage battery cell comprises a chargeable lithium storage battery cell and the battery housing is configured to be pressure-resistant and to receive all lithium storage battery cells in a manner so as to be protected from explosion. The pressure-resistant configuration of the battery housing enables the use of lithium storage battery cells in underground mining. Once the battery power supply fulfils all requirements of ignition protection certification, even modern types of lithium storage battery cell can be disposed in the battery housing.