The present invention relates to a mining system. The system includes a continuous miner for forming plunge tunnels from a roadway. A flexible conveyor system is coupled to the continuous miner for conveying mined material from the plunge tunnels. A controller is provided for controlling the continuous miner and the flexible conveyor system to travel along a predetermined path. Advantageously, the controller may control the drive and steering (including turning maneuvers) of the continuous miner and each conveyor module of the flexible conveyor system along the predetermined path to avoid striking either any adjacent equipment (e.g., another conveyor), or the “ribs” of a plunge tunnel being mined.
The present invention relates to a mining system including a continuous miner. The continuous miner mines material and includes a miner navigation system. The mining system further includes a flexible conveyor system for receiving the mined material from the continuous miner. The flexible conveyor system includes a conveyor navigation system. The mining system further includes control means for controlling the miner navigation system and the conveyor navigation system so that the flexible conveyor system receives the mined material from the continuous miner. Preferably, the flexible conveyor system need not be coupled to the continuous miner, and can be extracted separately in the event of a cave-in on the miner.
E21F 13/08 - Shifting conveyors or other transport devices from one location at the working face to another
B65G 37/00 - Combinations of mechanical conveyors of the same kind, or of different kinds, of interest apart from their application in particular machines or use in particular manufacturing processes
B65G 41/00 - Supporting frames or bases for conveyors as a whole, e.g. transportable conveyor frames
E21F 13/06 - Transport specially adapted to underground conditions at or adjacent to the working face
The present invention relates to a mining system. The system includes a continuous miner for forming plunge tunnels from a roadway. A flexible conveyor system is coupled to the continuous miner for conveying mined material from the plunge tunnels. A controller is provided for controlling the continuous miner and the flexible conveyor system to travel along a predetermined path. Advantageously, the controller may control the drive and steering (including turning maneuvers) of the continuous miner and each conveyor module of the flexible conveyor system along the predetermined path to avoid striking either any adjacent equipment (e.g. another conveyor), or the ‘ribs’ of a plunge tunnel being mined.
The present invention relates to a flexible conveyor system. The system includes a supply conveyor module and a receiver conveyor module. A hitch mechanism is provided for pivotally coupling the supply conveyor module to the receiver conveyor module about a pivot axis so that the receiver conveyor module receives conveyed material from the supply conveyor module proximal to the pivot axis. Advantageously, the receiver conveyor module receives conveyed material from the supply conveyor module proximal to the pivot axis which impedes spillage between the adjacent conveyor modules on very tight corners.
B65G 15/24 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration comprising a series of co-operating units in tandem
B65G 21/12 - Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors movable, or having interchangeable or relatively- movable partsDevices for moving framework or parts thereof to allow adjustment of position of load-carrier or traction element as a whole
B65G 41/00 - Supporting frames or bases for conveyors as a whole, e.g. transportable conveyor frames
B65G 21/10 - Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors movable, or having interchangeable or relatively- movable partsDevices for moving framework or parts thereof
B60D 1/48 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by the mounting
B65G 21/20 - Means incorporated in, or attached to, framework or housings for guiding load-carriers, traction elements or loads supported on moving surfaces
E21F 13/02 - Transport specially adapted to underground conditions in galleries
E21F 13/08 - Shifting conveyors or other transport devices from one location at the working face to another
The present invention relates to a ventilation control device for controlling the ventilation of a mine tunnel being formed by a continuous miner arrangement. The device includes a frame for extending across the tunnel and permitting passage of the continuous miner arrangement. One or more substantially impervious elements are supported by the frame. Preferably, the frame permits passage of the continuous miner arrangement, and the substantially impervious elements are supported by the frame and do not or minimally impact the continuous miner arrangement to avoid potential dislodgement or damage.
The present invention relates to a system for recovering a continuous miner arrangement from a tunnel. The system includes a coupler for coupling the continuous miner arrangement to a pulling apparatus. The pulling apparatus pulls the continuous miner arrangement from the tunnel. Advantageously, the pulling apparatus may pull the continuous miner arrangement from the tunnel, either fully or partially until the continuous miner arrangement may once again retract from the tunnel under its own power.
The present invention relates to a mining system including a continuous miner. The continuous miner mines material and includes a miner navigation system. The mining system further includes a flexible conveyor system for receiving the mined material from the continuous miner. The flexible conveyor system includes a conveyor navigation system. The mining system further includes control means for controlling the miner navigation system and the conveyor navigation system so that the flexible conveyor system receives the mined material from the continuous miner. Preferably, the flexible conveyor system need not be coupled to the continuous miner, and can be extracted separately in the event of a cave-in on the miner.
E21F 13/08 - Shifting conveyors or other transport devices from one location at the working face to another
E21F 13/02 - Transport specially adapted to underground conditions in galleries
E21C 41/16 - Methods of underground miningLayouts therefor
E21C 41/18 - Methods of underground miningLayouts therefor for brown or hard coal
B65G 41/00 - Supporting frames or bases for conveyors as a whole, e.g. transportable conveyor frames
B65G 15/24 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration comprising a series of co-operating units in tandem
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
The present invention relates to a mining system. The system includes a continuous miner for forming plunge tunnels from a roadway. A flexible conveyor system is coupled to the continuous miner for conveying mined material from the plunge tunnels. A controller is provided for controlling the continuous miner and the flexible conveyor system to travel along a predetermined path. Advantageously, the controller may control the drive and steering (including turning maneuvers) of the continuous miner and each conveyor module of the flexible conveyor system along the predetermined path to avoid striking either any adjacent equipment (e.g. another conveyor), or the 'ribs' of a plunge tunnel being mined.
E21C 41/16 - Methods of underground miningLayouts therefor
E21F 13/02 - Transport specially adapted to underground conditions in galleries
B65G 15/24 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration comprising a series of co-operating units in tandem
The present invention relates to a flexible conveyor system. The system includes a supply conveyor module and a receiver conveyor module. A hitch mechanism is provided for pivotally coupling the supply conveyor module to the receiver conveyor module about a pivot axis so that the receiver conveyor module receives conveyed material from the supply conveyor module proximal to the pivot axis. Advantageously, the receiver conveyor module receives conveyed material from the supply conveyor module proximal to the pivot axis which impedes spillage between the adjacent conveyor modules on very tight corners.
B65G 41/00 - Supporting frames or bases for conveyors as a whole, e.g. transportable conveyor frames
B65G 21/10 - Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors movable, or having interchangeable or relatively- movable partsDevices for moving framework or parts thereof
B60D 1/42 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for being adjustable
E04G 21/04 - Devices for both conveying and distributing
E02F 7/00 - Equipment for conveying or separating excavated material
E21F 13/08 - Shifting conveyors or other transport devices from one location at the working face to another
10.
RECOVERING CONVEYOR SYSTEMS AND CONTINUOUS MINERS FROM MINED PLUNGE TUNNELS IN UNDERGROUND MINES
The present invention relates to a system for recovering a continuous miner arrangement from a tunnel. The system includes a coupler for coupling the continuous miner arrangement to a pulling apparatus. The pulling apparatus pulls the continuous miner arrangement from the tunnel. Advantageously, the pulling apparatus may pull the continuous miner arrangement from the tunnel, either fully or partially until the continuous miner arrangement may once again retract from the tunnel under its own power.
B66C 13/06 - Auxiliary devices for controlling movements of suspended loads, or for preventing cable slack for minimising or preventing longitudinal or transverse swinging of loads
11.
Underground mining system for reduced costs, improved efficiencies, higher productivity and a safer working environment through penetrated block extraction
The present invention relates to a mining method including the step of forming one or more sets of gate roads. Each set of gate roads includes at least two headings typically for providing and retuning ventilation. Dead end plunge cuts extend from the sets of gate roads. Each plunge cut is formed with a continuous miner coupled to a flexible conveyor system. Each plunge cut is greater than 30 meters in length. Advantageously, narrow elongate pillars may be left between adjacent plunge cuts, thereby resulting in greater material removal per volume and improved operating costs when compared with bord and pillar mining.
E21F 7/00 - Methods or devices for drawing-off gases with or without subsequent use of the gas for any purpose
12.
AN UNDERGROUND MINING SYSTEM FOR REDUCED COSTS, IMPROVED EFFICIENCIES, HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND A SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH PENETRATED BLOCK EXTRACTION
18 ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a mining method including the step of forming one or more sets of gate roads. Each set of gate roads includes at least two headings typically for providing and retuning ventilation. Dead end plunge cuts extend from the sets of gate roads. Each plunge cut is formed with a continuous miner coupled to a flexible conveyor system. Each plunge cut is greater than 30 metres in length. Advantageously, narrow elongate pillars may be left between adjacent plunge cuts, thereby resulting in greater material removal per volume and improved operating costs when compared with bord and pillar mining.
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