Device and method for longwall mining installation course determination

Abstract

A course measuring device for measuring a course of a longwall mining installation along a longwall face is disclosed. The course measuring device may have a first segment extending along a first axis. The course measuring device may also have a second segment extending along a second axis. The second segment may be movably connected to the first segment. The course measuring device may have a course measuring unit for measuring a spacial relationship between the first axis and the second axis. The course measuring device may also be adapted to move along the longwall mining installation.

1 . A course measuring device for measuring a course of a longwall mining installation along a longwall face, the course measuring device comprising:
 a first segment extending along a first axis;   a second segment extending along a second axis, the second segment being movably connected to the first segment; and   a course measuring unit for measuring a spacial relationship between the first axis and the second axis,
 wherein the course measuring device is adapted to move along the longwall mining installation. 
   
     
     
         2 . The course measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein the course measuring unit is configured to measure at least one of:
 an articulation angle between the first axis and the second axis;   a roll angle of the first segment about the first axis;   a pitch angle of the first segment about an axis perpendicular to the first axis; or   a travel distance.   
     
     
         3 . The course measuring device of  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising a segment hinge movably connecting the first segment to the second segment. 
     
     
         4 . The course measuring device of  claim 1 , wherein the course measuring unit comprises at least one of:
 a magnetic linear encoder;   an optical position sensor and a light source, the optical position sensor being configured to determine a position of a light spot on a sensor surface, the light spot being generated by the light source;   a linear variable differential transformer;   a tilt angle sensor for measuring a plumb line direction; or   an acceleration sensor for measuring a plump line direction.   
     
     
         5 . The course measuring device of  claim 1 , further comprising a drive for moving the course measuring device. 
     
     
         6 . The course measuring device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of:
 a transmitter for transmitting data from the course measuring unit to a remote control unit;   a data storage for storing data;   a microprocessor;   a power supply for supplying electric power, or   a generator for converting kinetic energy into the electric power.   
     
     
         7 . A polygonal course measuring system for measuring a polygonal course of a longwall mining installation along a longwall face, the polygonal course measuring system comprising:
 a guiding assembly arranged along the longwall mining installation, the guiding assembly including a series of guiding elements movably connected to one another for building the polygonal course; and   a course measuring device adapted to move along the guiding assembly, the course measuring device including:
 a first segment extending along a first axis; 
 a second segment extending along a second axis, the second segment being movably connected to the first segment; and 
 a course measuring unit for measuring a spacial relationship between the first axis and the second axis,
 wherein the course measuring device is adapted to move along the longwall mining installation. 
 
   
     
     
         8 . The polygonal course measuring system of  claim 7 , wherein the guiding assembly is adapted for connecting to the longwall mining installation to determine a course of the longwall mining installation along the longwall face, and to follow advancing of the longwall mining installation towards the longwall face. 
     
     
         9 . The polygonal course measuring system of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of guiding hinges connecting two neighboring guiding elements to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The polygonal course measuring system of  claim 9 ,
 wherein at least one guiding hinge is formed as one of elastic bellows, or
 a double cardan joint. 
   
     
     
         11 . The polygonal course measuring system of  claim 10 , wherein the series of guiding elements are formed as piggable tubes. 
     
     
         12 . The polygonal course measuring system of  claim 7 , further comprising a drive for moving the course measuring device along the guiding assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The polygonal course measuring system of  claim 7 , further comprising a remote control unit connected to the course measuring device for transmitting data. 
     
     
         14 . A longwall mining installation for underground mining, the longwall mining installation comprising:
 a plurality of shield supports;   a face conveyor for transporting away extracted material;   a plurality of moving devices for advancing the longwall mining installation in a working direction towards a longwall face;   a guiding assembly arranged along the longwall mining installation, the guiding assembly including a series of guiding elements movably connected to one another for building a polygonal course; and   a course measuring device adapted to move along the guiding assembly, the course measuring device including:
 a first segment extending along a first axis; 
 a second segment extending along a second axis, the second segment being movably connected to the first segment; and 
 a course measuring unit for measuring a spacial relationship between the first axis and the second axis,
 wherein the course measuring device is adapted to move along the longwall mining installation. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The longwall mining installation of  claim 14 , wherein the guiding assembly is connected to one of the shield supports, the face conveyor, or the moving devices. 
     
     
         17 . The polygonal course measuring system of  claim 10 , wherein the guiding hinges are formed as piggable hinges. 
     
     
         18 . The polygonal course measuring system of  claim 7 , wherein the course measuring device further comprises a segment hinge movably connecting the first segment to the second segment. 
     
     
         19 . The course measuring device of  claim 4 , wherein the optical position sensor is configured to determine an articulation angle in two dimensions. 
     
     
         20 . The course measuring device of  claim 4 , wherein the optical position sensor is a first optical position sensor, and the course measuring device further includes a second optical position sensor disposed orthogonal to the first optical position sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The course measuring device of  claim 4 , wherein the magnetic linear encoder includes:
 a first measuring unit;   a second measuring unit disposed adjacent to the first measuring unit, the second measuring unit being movable relative to the first measuring unit; and   a linear encoder configured to determine an articulation angle based on a displacement between the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit.