In a hydraulic shield support system, a plurality of pressure intensifiers are respectively provided for a plurality of hydraulic props. Each pressure intensifier is operated to increase a system pressure to an increased pressure for supplying fluid at the increased pressure to a pressure chamber of the associated hydraulic prop. The plurality of pressure sensors measure the pressures of the fluid supplied to the respective hydraulic props. A control unit sets a plurality of desired pressures for the plurality of hydraulic props, and stops operation of the respective pressure intensifiers when the set desired pressure has been reached.

A self-advancing roof support for a longwall mining system includes a base, a hydraulic actuator having one end pivotally coupled to the base, and a canopy portion that is connected to another end of the hydraulic actuator. The roof support also includes a load sensor disposed on the canopy portion. The load sensor generates a signal indicative of an amount of load borne by the canopy portion in abutment with a roof of an underground mine site. A controller is communicably coupled to the load sensor and the hydraulic actuator. The controller determines if the signal from the load sensor is suggestive of a cavity adjacent to a zone above the canopy portion. Based on the determination, the controller actuates movement of the hydraulic actuator such that the canopy portion is displaced into a position underlying the cavity.

A self-advancing roof support for a longwall mining system includes a base, a hydraulic actuator having one end pivotally coupled to the base, and a canopy portion that is connected to another end of the hydraulic actuator. The roof support also includes a load sensor disposed on the canopy portion. The load sensor generates a signal indicative of an amount of load borne by the canopy portion in abutment with a roof of an underground mine site. A controller is communicably coupled to the load sensor and the hydraulic actuator. The controller determines if the signal from the load sensor is suggestive of a cavity adjacent to a zone above the canopy portion. Based on the determination, the controller actuates movement of the hydraulic actuator such that the canopy portion is displaced into a position underlying the cavity.

An apparatus, system, and method for automated support of a gate entry for underground full extraction mining that includes gathering entry data for a condition of a gate entry by way of a gate entry support. The method also includes determining, by way of the gate entry support, the condition of the gate entry, advancing the gate entry support in response to determining that the condition satisfies an entry condition threshold. The method may also signal a halt condition for a production cycle, if the condition fails to satisfy the entry condition threshold.

An apparatus, system, and method for automated support of a gate entry for underground full extraction mining that includes gathering entry data for a condition of a gate entry by way of a gate entry support. The method also includes determining, by way of the gate entry support, the condition of the gate entry, advancing the gate entry support in response to determining that the condition satisfies an entry condition threshold. The method may also signal a halt condition for a production cycle, if the condition fails to satisfy the entry condition threshold.

A self-advancing roof support for a longwall mining system includes a base, a hydraulic actuator having one end pivotally coupled to the base, and a canopy portion that is connected to another end of the hydraulic actuator. The roof support also includes a load sensor disposed on the canopy portion. The load sensor generates a signal indicative of an amount of load borne by the canopy portion in abutment with a roof of an underground mine site. A controller is communicably coupled to the load sensor and the hydraulic actuator. The controller determines if the signal from the load sensor is suggestive of a cavity adjacent to a zone above the canopy portion. Based on the determination, the controller actuates movement of the hydraulic actuator such that the canopy portion is displaced into a position underlying the cavity.

A self-advancing roof support for a longwall mining system includes a base, a hydraulic actuator having one end pivotally coupled to the base, and a canopy portion that is connected to another end of the hydraulic actuator. The roof support also includes a load sensor disposed on the canopy portion. The load sensor generates a signal indicative of an amount of load borne by the canopy portion in abutment with a roof of an underground mine site. A controller is communicably coupled to the load sensor and the hydraulic actuator. The controller determines if the signal from the load sensor is suggestive of a cavity adjacent to a zone above the canopy portion. Based on the determination, the controller actuates movement of the hydraulic actuator such that the canopy portion is displaced into a position underlying the cavity.

Systems and methods are described for monitoring a condition of a mine roof using a longwall mining system. A plurality of powered roof supports is controlled to apply an adjustable support pressure on a mine roof. A condition of the mine roof is monitored based on the adjustable support pressure applied to the roof by a respective actuator of each powered roof support. In some implementations, the condition of the mine roof is monitored by generating and analyzing a graphical pressure map based on the adjustable support pressure applied by each powered roof support and a relative position of a shearer moving across the mine face. In some implementations, roof collapse events are detected based on temporally similar changes in the adjustable support pressure applied by multiple adjacent powered roof supports as indicated by the graphical pressure map.

Systems and methods are described for monitoring a condition of a mine roof using a longwall mining system. A plurality of powered roof supports is controlled to apply an adjustable support pressure on a mine roof. A condition of the mine roof is monitored based on the adjustable support pressure applied to the roof by a respective actuator of each powered roof support. In some implementations, the condition of the mine roof is monitored by generating and analyzing a graphical pressure map based on the adjustable support pressure applied by each powered roof support and a relative position of a shearer moving across the mine face. In some implementations, roof collapse events are detected based on temporally similar changes in the adjustable support pressure applied by multiple adjacent powered roof supports as indicated by the graphical pressure map.

In one aspect, a wireless transceiver is used to wirelessly connect various electrohydraulic components in a hydraulic system. In another aspect, a self-powered wireless hydraulic system includes a harvesting device for converting hydraulic energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy generated by the harvesting device can be used to power one or more electrohydraulic components and wireless transceivers. In another aspect, a self-powered wireless hydraulic system also includes a flow control device powered by the harvesting device for actively controlling the hydraulic flow through the harvesting device.