Control unit for mining machine

Abstract

A control unit for controlling machine functions of a mining machine, such as an underground mining machine, tunneling machine or bolting rig, includes a flameproof housing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet, and a plurality of fluid control valves respectively communicating with the at least one inlet and outlet. In particular, the fluid control valves are formed inside at least one valve monoblock, the monoblock including a plurality of distinct fluid passages.

1 . A control unit for controlling machine functions of a mining machine, in particular of an underground mining machine, tunneling machine or bolting rig, the control unit comprising:
 a flameproof housing having at least one fluid inlet and/or outlet; and   a plurality of fluid control valves communicating with the at least one inlet and outlet, wherein the fluid control valves are formed inside at least one valve monoblock, said monoblock including a plurality of fluid passages.   
     
     
         2 . The control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one monoblock is mounted inside the flameproof housing and being fully encompassed in said housing. 
     
     
         3 . The control unit of  claim 1 , wherein other than the at least one fluid inlet and/or outlet, the flameproof housing is free of further fluid passages. 
     
     
         4 . The control unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of flame-sensitive components, wherein one, several or all of the flame-sensitive components are arranged inside the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The control unit of  claim 1 , wherein one, several or all of the fluid passages of the monoblock include a dedicated fluid control valve. 
     
     
         6 . The control unit of  claim 1 , wherein one, several or all of the fluid passages of the monoblock communicate with at least one sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The control unit of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of monoblocks, each monoblock including a plurality of valve-controlled fluid passages dedicated to at least one predefined machine function. 
     
     
         8 . The control unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a data interface, and an electronic control device arranged to control machine functions, receive and process external control input from the data interface, and/or transmit sensor signals to the data interface. 
     
     
         9 . The control unit of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one of: an inclinometer for providing an inclination signal to the electronic control device, a fluid detector for providing a leakage alarm signal to the electronic control device, and a door switch for providing a signal indicative of an opening of the flameproof housing, communicating with the electronic control device. 
     
     
         10 . The control unit according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one manifold in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and/or outlet of the flameproof housing, said manifold being releasably mounted externally on the control unit on the flameproof housing. 
     
     
         11 . The control unit of  claim 10 , wherein the manifold includes at least one fluid passage for connecting at least one fluid supply to the control valves inside the flameproof housing, and at least one fluid passage for connecting the control valves inside the flameproof housing to the respective machine parts which are to be controlled. 
     
     
         12 . The control unit of  claim 10 , wherein the manifold includes a base plate, said base plate including at least one of a fluid inlet communicating with the fluid inlet and/or outlet ( 28 ) of the flameproof housing; a fluid outlet communicating with the fluid outlet of the flameproof housing; and at least one sealing element effective to seal against exit and entry of fluids between the flameproof housing and the base plate. 
     
     
         13 . The control unit of  claim 12 , further comprising an inlet manifold and/or at least one functional manifold mounted to the base plate such that the inlet manifold is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the base plate, and the at least one functional manifold is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the base plate, wherein the at least one functional manifold is dedicated to at least one machine function. 
     
     
         14 . A mining machine, in particular an underground mining machine, tunneling machine or bolting rig, comprising a plurality of machine functions which are controlled by fluid circuits, preferably hydraulically, wherein said machine functions are controlled with a control unit, the control unit including a flameproof housing having at least one fluid inlet and/or outlet, and a plurality of fluid control valves communicating with the at least one inlet and outlet, wherein the fluid control valves are formed inside at least one valve monoblock, said monoblock including a plurality of fluid passages. 
     
     
         15 . A mining machine host control system, in particular for controlling an underground mining machine ( 100 ), tunneling machine or bolting rig, comprising:
 a control signal input unit, in particular a human-machine interface or a machine control system;   a control unit for controlling machine functions of the mining machine; and   at least one controller in signal communication with the control signal input unit and the control unit, and arranged to process operating commands received from the control signal input unit into control commands for the control unit,   said control unit including a flameproof housing having at least one fluid inlet and/or outlet, and a plurality of fluid control valves communicating with the at least one inlet and outlet, wherein the fluid control valves are formed inside at least one valve monoblock, said monoblock including a plurality of fluid passages.