Self propelled mining machine - is guided between mineral face and self advancing roof supports in automated cycles

摘要

The mine roof supports are advanced behind the machine and towards the mineral face by an amount which is a fraction of the thickness of the web of mineral removed from the face by the mining machine. The mining machine then moves back along its path and the guides advances towards the mineral face, by pressure fluid rams by the same amount as said advance of the supports. The supports are then further advanced, so that the total advance is equal to the total thickness of the web of mineral removed by the machine, following which the guide is further advanced by the same amount as said further advance of the supports.