GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A MINING MACHINE

摘要

A guidance system for mining a seam of material includes a mining machine, a carriage, and a guide assembly. The mining machine includes a cutter head and defines a roll axis extending the length of the machine, a pitch axis extending from one side of the machine to the other side, and a yaw axis extending from a top side of the machine to the bottom side. The carriage includes a first emitter, a second emitter, and a third emitter. The first emitter projects a first laser that is aligned with a seam plane. The second emitter projects a second laser, and the third emitter projects a third laser. The guide assembly includes a first indicator and a target. The first indicator is aligned with the second laser, and the target is aligned with the third laser. The relative positions of the first indicator with respect to the second laser and the target with respect to the third laser indicate the orientation of the roll axis, pitch axis, and yaw axis relative to the seam plane.

主权项

1. A mining machine comprising:
a chassis including a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the chassis further including a lower side and an upper side and a yaw axis extending therebetween; a cutter head coupled to the first end of the chassis; a drive mechanism coupled to the chassis and supporting the chassis for movement over a mine floor; a first light emitter coupled to the chassis proximate the first end, the first light emitter projecting light away from the chassis and in a direction parallel to the yaw axis; and a second light emitter coupled to the chassis proximate the second end, the second light emitter projecting light away from the chassis and in a direction parallel to the yaw axis.