Roof Support Unit for a Mining Machine

Abstract

The present invention refers to a roof support unit ( 10 ) for a mining machine, particularly for a longwall mining system, comprising a support canopy ( 14 ) which is supported on a base ( 16 ) via at least one damper unit ( 18 ) and at least one actuator ( 20 ) configured to move the support canopy ( 14 ) relative to the base ( 16 ).

1 . A roof support unit for a mining machine, particularly for a longwall mining system, comprising a support canopy which is supported on a base via at least one damper unit and at least one actuator configured to move the support canopy relative to the base. 
     
     
         2 . The roof support unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the damper unit and the actuator are connected in line between the support canopy and the base. 
     
     
         3 . The roof support unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to raise or lower the support canopy relative to the base. 
     
     
         4 . The roof support unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is at least one of a linear actuator and hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The roof support unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the damper unit is configured to transmit a support force between the support canopy and the base for maintaining or changing a position of the support canopy relative to the base during operation. 
     
     
         6 . The roof support unit according to  claims 1 , wherein the support canopy is structurally connected to the base via the damper unit. 
     
     
         7 . The roof support unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the damper unit is configured to allow movement of the actuator relative to the support canopy or the base. 
     
     
         8 . The roof support unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the damper unit is configured to dampen movement of the actuator relative to the support canopy or the base. 
     
     
         9 . The roof support unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the damper unit is configured to dampen movement of the actuator relative to the support canopy or the base in a retracting or extending movement direction of the actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The roof support unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the damper unit is mounted to an end section of the actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The roof support unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the damper unit is interposed between the support canopy and the actuator or between the base and the actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The roof support unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the damper unit comprises a compression element configured to convert motion energy of the actuator into potential energy or heat. 
     
     
         13 . The roof support unit according to  claim 12 , wherein the compression element comprises or is a solid compression element. 
     
     
         14 . The roof support unit according to  claim 12 , wherein the compression element comprises or is a compression fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The longwall mining system comprising at least one roof support unit according to  claim 1 .