Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for monitoring operation of a mining machine unit, particularly of a longwall mining system, having a shield unit connected to a material removing unit by means of an actuator for adjusting a distance between the shield unit and the material removing unit, the method comprises the steps of determining a position change of the shield unit during an actuating operation of the actuator; and a step of detecting a malfunction of the mining machine unit based on the determined position change.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for monitoring operation of a mining machine unit, particularly of a longwall mining system, having a shield unit connected to a material removing unit by means of an actuator for adjusting a distance between the shield unit and the material removing unit, the method comprises the steps of determining a position change of the shield unit during an actuating operation of the actuator; and a step of detecting a malfunction of the mining machine unit based on the determined position change.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe connection unit with a network interface for intrinsically safe appliances in explosion-risk areas, having a housing, a voltage supply connection, plug connection for connecting an intrinsically safe appliance via a transmission cable, and a decoupling circuit. For allowing even a multiplicity of network subscribers to be connected in the explosion-risk area with less wiring complexity, a plurality of plug connections of the same type are provided as network interface, each being preceded by a separate decoupling circuit, and the voltage supply connection builds a central feed connection with separate supply cores for each plug connection each having at least two plug contacts for data communication and at least two plug contacts for supplying power to the connectable appliances via the transmission cable. The invention relates also to a Controller and a network interface for use therewith.

Abstract: A plug-in module for controllers of mobile working machines, having a housing, a connection plug, electronics boards and at least one plug socket for connecting actuators or sensors. The housing being formed by a box with a front, rear and side walls as well as a base plate comprising a cutout for the connection plug, and in that the electronics boards are forming a board box by connecting two end boards and two side boards, with the board box being arranged in the interior of the housing, and with the plug socket being mechanically coupled to the housing by a strain-relief clip.

Abstract: A network infrastructure for mobile machines which are usable in explosive areas, having inherently safe participants and not inherently safe network participants the latter being arranged in pressure-resistant housings. The machine has at least one controller for actuating at least one not inherently safe participant. In order to provide a network infrastructure which avoids the drawbacks of the prior art, the machine has, outside the pressure-resistant housing for the first controller, at least one second, inherently safe controller for actuating at least one inherently safe participant, wherein the first controller forms a data distributor for a plurality of not inherently safe participants and the second controller forms a data distributor for a plurality of inherently safe participants, and wherein the first data distributor and the second data distributor are linked via an electrically decoupled data communication link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position and/or situation of installation components of a mineral mining installation which has as installation components at least one face conveyor for removing mined material, one shield-type support for keeping a face open, pushing devices for pushing the face conveyor and the shield-type support in active operation, an extracting machine which can be moved along the face conveyor, and a drift conveyor, the position and situation of at least one installation component being determined by a measuring system having a detection unit with measurement sensor and the detection unit decoupled from the movement of the extracting machine, can be or is moved to and fro between two points of the guiding system along at least one installation component at the face such as, e.g. the face conveyor, by a separate guiding system 21; a mining installation relating to the same.

Abstract: A plug-in module for controllers of mobile working machines, having a housing, a connection plug, electronics boards and at least one plug socket for connecting actuators or sensors. The housing being formed by a box with a front, rear and side walls as well as a base plate comprising a cutout for the connection plug, and in that the electronics boards are forming a board box by connecting two end boards and two side boards, with the board box being arranged in the interior of the housing, and with the plug socket being mechanically coupled to the housing by a strain-relief clip.

Abstract: A network infrastructure for mobile machines which are usable in explosive areas, having inherently safe participants and not inherently safe network participants the latter being arranged in pressure-resistant housings. The machine has at least one controller for actuating at least one not inherently safe participant. In order to provide a network infrastructure which avoids the drawbacks of the prior art, the machine has, outside the pressure-resistant housing for the first controller, at least one second, inherently safe controller for actuating at least one inherently safe participant, wherein the first controller forms a data distributor for a plurality of not inherently safe participants and the second controller forms a data distributor for a plurality of inherently safe participants, and wherein the first data distributor and the second data distributor are linked via an electrically decoupled data communication link.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe connection unit with a network interface for intrinsically safe appliances in explosion-risk areas, having a housing, a voltage supply connection, plug connection for connecting an intrinsically safe appliance via a transmission cable, and a decoupling circuit. For allowing even a multiplicity of network subscribers to be connected in the explosion-risk area with less wiring complexity, a plurality of plug connections of the same type are provided as network interface, each being preceded by a separate decoupling circuit, and the voltage supply connection builds a central feed connection with separate supply cores for each plug connection each having at least two plug contacts for data communication and at least two plug contacts for supplying power to the connectable appliances via the transmission cable. The invention relates also to a Controller and a network interface for use therewith.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position and/or situation of installation components of a mineral mining installation which has as installation components at least one face conveyor for removing mined material, one shield-type support for keeping a face open, pushing devices for pushing the face conveyor and the shield-type support in active operation, an extracting machine which can be moved along the face conveyor, and a drift conveyor, the position and situation of at least one installation component being determined by a measuring system having a detection unit with measurement sensor and the detection unit decoupled from the movement of the extracting machine, can be or is moved to and fro between two points of the guiding system along at least one installation component at the face such as, e.g. the face conveyor, by a separate guiding system 21; a mining installation relating to the same.

Abstract: A shearer loader for underground mining, the shear loader comprising a shearer loader body, at least one cutting drum fastened to a supporting arm joined to the loader body, a first drive motor for moving the shearer loader and a second drive motor for moving the cutting drums, a cooling water circuit for cooling the first and second drive motors, the cooling water circuit including an inlet and a return line, a spray system including at least one spray water circuit, the spray system including a feed line fluidly connecting a common water connection to the cutting drums, the spray system further including a valve in the feed line for switching the spray water circuits on and off, a control valve connected between the feed line of the spray water circuit and the return line of the cooling water circuit, the control valve allowing selective flow from the cooling water circuit to be directed to the cutting drums.

Abstract: A shearer loader for underground mining, the shear loader comprising a shearer loader body, at least one cutting drum fastened to a supporting arm joined to the loader body, a first drive motor for moving the shearer loader and a second drive motor for moving the cutting drums, a cooling water circuit for cooling the first and second drive motors, the cooling water circuit including an inlet and a return line, a spray system including at least one spray water circuit, the spray system including a feed line fluidly connecting a common water connection to the cutting drums, the spray system further including a valve in the feed line for switching the spray water circuits on and off, a control valve connected between the feed line of the spray water circuit and the return line of the cooling water circuit, the control valve allowing selective flow from the cooling water circuit to be directed to the cutting drums.

Abstract: A control device for electrohydrualic support controllers, with an electronic individual controller including a plug board that contains first connecting pieces, a terminal block that is mounted to a corresponding support frame and includes recesses for holding second connecting pieces, plug-in connectors for connecting cables for communicating with adjacent controllers, and at least one external power supply. A connecting plug, to which the lamp can be connected with its connecting cable, is attached to the terminal block.

Abstract: A slide shoe for a mining winning machine is disclosed. The slide shoe includes a slide shoe body attached to the mining winning machine, a sliding area located on the slide shoe body and including a wear thickness, and at least one sensor. The sensor is scannable by wireless signal transmission. A dimension of the wear thickness decreases due to wear during operation, and a sensor signal of the sensor changes when the dimension of the wear thickness of the sliding area decreases below a predetermined minimum thickness.

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 relates to a control device for electrohydraulic support controllers, with an electronic individual controller 10 comprising a plug board 7 that contains first connecting pieces 8, with a terminal block 20 that is mounted to the corresponding support frame and comprises recesses 13 for holding second connecting pieces 12, 14, with plug-in connectors for connecting cables 15 for communicating with adjacent controllers, and with at least one external intrinsically safe power supply. In order to minimize wiring efforts, a connecting plug 32, to which the lamp can be connected with its connecting cable 31, is attached to the terminal block 20.

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: Disclosed is a face support control system as used in conjunction with an underground mining system. The mining system generally includes a mining machine, a conveyor, one or more support shields, an array of control devices for controlling the operation of the support shields, one or more communication devices in communication with the support shields, and a face master control. The control system utilizes radio communication between the communication devices and the face master control.

Abstract: A control device (10) for electro-hydraulic support frames with a casing (11) accommodating a circuit, several plug-in connectors (20) accessible from outside the casing (11) for the connection of control leads, and with actuating control elements (13) connected to the circuit. The control elements (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are grouped together in several exchangeable modules (27), accommodated in the casing (11), which are connected to the circuit and to each other by plug-in connecting elements (30) when installed in the casing (11). The modules (27) are exchangeable independently of each other. The operating keys of a keyboard (16) and/or an indicator unit (18) can be combined in one operating module (28), which can be removed from the casing (11). The actual control of the control device in the casing (11) and operation of the support frame is permitted to continue during the exchange of the operating module (28).