AU2023263457A1 - Tailgate Roadway Support System - Google Patents

Tailgate Roadway Support System Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2023263457A1
AU2023263457A1 AU2023263457A AU2023263457A AU2023263457A1 AU 2023263457 A1 AU2023263457 A1 AU 2023263457A1 AU 2023263457 A AU2023263457 A AU 2023263457A AU 2023263457 A AU2023263457 A AU 2023263457A AU 2023263457 A1 AU2023263457 A1 AU 2023263457A1
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AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
roadway
tailgate
pair
shields
support system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
AU2023263457A
Inventor
Hluchnik Jiri
Bortlik Petr
David Vella Scott
Kopecky Tomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Phoenix Underground Pty Ltd
OSTROJ AS
Original Assignee
Phoenix Underground Pty Ltd
Ostroj A S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2022903323A external-priority patent/AU2022903323A0/en
Application filed by Phoenix Underground Pty Ltd, Ostroj A S filed Critical Phoenix Underground Pty Ltd
Publication of AU2023263457A1 publication Critical patent/AU2023263457A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D23/00—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor
    • E21D23/04—Structural features of the supporting construction, e.g. linking members between adjacent frames or sets of props; Means for counteracting lateral sliding on inclined floor
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21C—MINING OR QUARRYING
    • E21C41/00—Methods of underground or surface mining; Layouts therefor
    • E21C41/16—Methods of underground mining; Layouts therefor
    • E21C41/18—Methods of underground mining; Layouts therefor for brown or hard coal
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D11/00—Lining tunnels, galleries or other underground cavities, e.g. large underground chambers; Linings therefor; Making such linings in situ, e.g. by assembling
    • E21D11/40—Devices or apparatus specially adapted for handling or placing units of linings or supporting units for tunnels or galleries
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D23/00—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor
    • E21D23/006—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor provided with essential hydraulic devices
    • E21D23/0073—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor provided with essential hydraulic devices with advancing shifting devices connected therewith
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D23/00—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor
    • E21D23/0086—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor in galleries
    • E21D23/0095—Temporary supports at the driving front
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D23/00—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor
    • E21D23/03—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor having protective means, e.g. shields, for preventing or impeding entry of loose material into the working space or support
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D23/00—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor
    • E21D23/04—Structural features of the supporting construction, e.g. linking members between adjacent frames or sets of props; Means for counteracting lateral sliding on inclined floor
    • E21D23/0409—Aligning or guiding means for the supports or for the constitutive parts of the supports
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D23/00—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor
    • E21D23/04—Structural features of the supporting construction, e.g. linking members between adjacent frames or sets of props; Means for counteracting lateral sliding on inclined floor
    • E21D23/0427—Shield operating devices; Hinges therefor
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D23/00—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor
    • E21D23/08—Advancing mechanisms
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D23/00—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor
    • E21D23/12—Control, e.g. using remote control
    • E21D23/14—Effecting automatic sequential movement of supports, e.g. one behind the other
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D23/00—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor
    • E21D23/16—Hydraulic or pneumatic features, e.g. circuits, arrangement or adaptation of valves, setting or retracting devices
    • E21D23/18—Hydraulic or pneumatic features, e.g. circuits, arrangement or adaptation of valves, setting or retracting devices of advancing mechanisms
    • E21D23/20—Hydraulic or pneumatic features, e.g. circuits, arrangement or adaptation of valves, setting or retracting devices of advancing mechanisms for sequential movement, e.g. one behind the other
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
    • E21D23/00—Mine roof supports for step- by- step movement, e.g. in combination with provisions for shifting of conveyors, mining machines, or guides therefor
    • E21D23/16—Hydraulic or pneumatic features, e.g. circuits, arrangement or adaptation of valves, setting or retracting devices
    • E21D23/26—Hydraulic or pneumatic control
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
    • E21F13/00—Transport specially adapted to underground conditions
    • E21F13/06—Transport of mined material at or adjacent to the working face

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)

Abstract

A tailgate roadway support system located along a tailgate roadway. The tailgate roadway support system comprising a track system, a pair of roadway shields connected to the track system on opposite sides of the track system, the pair of roadway shields adapted to support a portion of a roof of the tailgate roadway in an extended configuration, and a pair of roadway end supports connected to an end of the track system, the pair of roadway end supports adapted to support a second portion of the roof of the tailgate roadway in an extended configuration. The track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end supports are configured to advance along the tailgate roadway. C) CIO C) C) CN C) C) LO C) CN C) C) CN I t C) 00 C) (.0 CN C) CN C) C) C) (0 CN co CN CO LU C) C) co C) CN CD CD CD CN CD C) C) CO CD U) CD m C) m co

Description

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Tailgate Roadway Support System
TECHNICAL FIELD
[1] The present invention relates to a tailgate roadway support system and
method for advancing a tailgate roadway support system along a tailgate roadway.
BACKGROUND
[2] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to
be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of
the common general knowledge.
[3] In the field of longwall mining a long mining face (typically in the range of 100
metres to 300 metres, but may be considerably longer) is created by driving a
roadway at right angles between two gate roads (the maingate and the tailgate) that
form the sides of the longwall block, with one rib of this new roadway forming the
longwall face.
[4] Once the longwall face equipment has been installed, coal can be extracted
along the full length of the face in slices of a given width.
[5] The modern longwall face is supported by hydraulically powered supports and
these supports are progressively moved across to support the newly extracted face
as slices are taken, allowing the section where the coal had previously been
excavated and supported to collapse (becoming a goaf). This process is repeated
continuously, web by web, thus completely removing a rectangular block of coal, the
length of the block depending on a number of factors.
[6] As the mining progresses, the tailgate roadway must also progress with the
longwall face.
[7] While longwall mining has a number of advantages, there are also a numbers
of disadvantages which make its utilisation difficult.
[8] Tailgate roadways have to be driven to high standards or problems will arise
and good face conditions often depend on production being effectively continuous.
As a result, problems which cause delays can compound into major events.
[9] Advancing the tailgate roadway supports as the longwall face progresses is
time consuming and must be carefully implemented to mitigate any danger to those
present in the mine.
[10] Due to the considerable heat and vibrations generated by the mining
equipment, the overlying strata in the tailgate roadway can also pose a hazard as it
may become dislodged and fall.
[11] Furthermore, secondary support in the tailgate roadway ahead of
underground longwall coal mining operations is very costly.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[12] In an aspect, the invention provides a tailgate roadway support system
located along a tailgate roadway, the tailgate roadway support system comprising:
a track system;
a pair of roadway shields connected to the track system on opposite sides of
the track system, the pair of roadway shields adapted to support a portion of a roof of
the tailgate roadway in an extended configuration; and a pair of roadway end supports connected to an end of the track system, the pair of roadway end supports adapted to support a second portion of the roof of the tailgate roadway in an extended configuration, wherein the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end supports are configured to advance along the tailgate roadway.
[13] Preferably, the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of
roadway end supports are configured to advance along the tailgate roadway in a
direction.
[14] Preferably, the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of
roadway end supports are configured to sequentially advance along the tailgate
roadway. Preferably, the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of
roadway end supports advance in any sequence.
[15] Preferably, the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of
roadway end supports advance along the tailgate roadway in a relative relationship.
[16] Preferably, the tailgate roadway support system is configured to advance in
one of the following sequences: (1) the pair of roadway shields, (2) the track system
and (3) the pair of roadway end supports; or (1) the track system, (2) the pair of
roadway shields and (3) the pair of roadway end supports; or (1) the track system,
(2) the pair of roadway end supports and (3) the pair of roadway shields.
[17] Preferably, the tailgate roadway support system further comprises a trolley
that traverses the track system.
[18] Preferably, the pair of roadway shields comprises a first roadway shield and a
second roadway shield. Preferably, the first roadway shield of the pair of roadway
shields is connected to the second roadway shield of the pair of roadway shields.
Preferably, the first and second roadway shields are connected by a removable bar
or plate.
[19] Preferably, the tailgate roadway support system comprises a plurality of pairs
of roadway shields.
[20] Preferably, each roadway end support comprises a ground engaging base
portion and a roof engaging top portion. Preferably, the pair of roadway end supports
comprises a first roadway end support and a second roadway end support.
[21] Preferably, the track system comprises a track and a centring system.
Preferably, the centring system comprises a pair of hydraulic centring apparatus.
Preferably, the pair of hydraulic centring apparatus comprises a first hydraulic
centring apparatus and a second hydraulic centring apparatus. Preferably, the first
and second hydraulic centring apparatus are located along opposed sides of the
track. Preferably, the first and second hydraulic centring apparatus are located
along opposed sides of the track about a longitudinal axis of the track. Preferably,
the first and second hydraulic centring apparatus each comprise a first end and a
second end. Preferably, the first end of each hydraulic centring apparatus is
connected to the track. Preferably, in use, the second end of each hydraulic centring
apparatus engages with a wall of the tailgate roadway.
[22] Preferably, each roadway shield comprises a ground engaging base portion
and a roof engaging top portion. Preferably, the pair of roadway shields further
comprises a second pair of centring apparatus.
[23] Preferably, the tailgate roadway support system further comprises an
advancing system for advancing the track system, the pair of roadway shields and
the pair of roadway end support along the tailgate roadway. Preferably, the
advancing system comprises a plurality of advancing (e.g. extendible and retractable members, or telescopic members) members, wherein at least one advancing member connects the track system and each of the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end supports. That is, at least one advancing member is connected between the track system and each of the pair of roadway shields, and between the track system and each of the roadway end supports. Preferably, the advancing members advance the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end supports by moving between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration.
[24] Preferably, each of the pair of roadway shields (i.e. the first and second
roadway shields) are adapted to sequentially move from an extended configuration
to a collapsed configuration, wherein once in the collapsed configuration, the
advancing system sequentially advances each of the pair of roadway shields along
the tailgate roadway. Preferably, in the extended configuration, the roadway shield is
engaged with a portion of the roof of the tailgate roadway. Preferably, only one of the
pair of roadway shields is in a collapsed configuration at any one time. That is, if one
of the pair of roadway shields is in the collapsed configuration, the other one of the
pair of roadway shields must be in the extended configuration. Preferably, in
advancing each of the pair of roadway shields along the tailgate roadway, the
advancing member connected to the track system and a respective roadway shield
of the pair of roadway shields advances the respective roadway shield along the
tailgate roadway by either extending or retracting the advancing member. Preferably,
to advance the pair of roadway shields along the tailgate roadway, the first roadway
shield moves from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration before
the second roadway shield moves from the extended configuration to the collapsed
configuration.
[25] Preferably, each of the pair of roadway end supports (i.e. the first and second
roadway end supports) are adapted to sequentially move from an extended
configuration to a collapsed configuration, wherein once in the collapsed
configuration, the advancing system sequentially advances each of the pair of
roadway end supports along the tailgate roadway. Preferably, in advancing each of
the pair of roadway end supports along the tailgate roadway, the advancing member
connected to the track system and a respective roadway end support of the pair of
roadway end supports advances the respective roadway end support along the
tailgate roadway by either extending or retracting the advancing member. Preferably,
in the extended configuration, the roadway end support is engaged with a portion of
the roof of the tailgate roadway. Preferably, only one of the pair of roadway end
supports is in a collapsed configuration at any one time. That is, if one of the pair of
roadway end supports is in the collapsed configuration, the other one of the pair of
roadway end supports must be in the extended configuration. Preferably, to advance
the pair of roadway end supports along the tailgate roadway, the first roadway end
supports moves from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration
before the second roadway end supports moves from the extended configuration to
the collapsed configuration.
[26] Preferably, the advancing system is adapted to advance the track system
along the tailgate roadway. Preferably, each of the advancing members connected to
the track system advance the track system along the tailgate roadway by moving
from a first configuration to a second configuration. Preferably, the first configuration
and the second configuration are different. Preferably, the first configuration is either
an extended configuration or a collapsed configuration. Preferably, the second
configuration is either an extended configuration or a collapsed configuration.
Alternatively, each of the advancing members connected to the track system
advance the track system along the tailgate roadway by either extending or
retracting the advancing member. Preferably, the advancing members connected to
the track system advance the track system along the tailgate roadway by moving
from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration or by moving from the
collapsed configuration to the extended configuration.
[27] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for advancing a tailgate
roadway support system, the method including the steps of:
providing a tailgate roadway support system as described above along a
tailgate roadway;
advancing each of the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the
roadway end supports along the tailgate roadway in sequence.
[28] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for advancing a tailgate
roadway support system, the method including the steps of:
advancing a track system, a pair of roadway shields and a pair of roadway
end supports along a tailgate roadway in sequence, wherein the track system is
connected to the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end supports and
wherein the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end
supports advance along the tailgate roadway in a relative relationship.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[29] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be
discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient
information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed
Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the tailgate roadway support
system according to the present invention;
Figures 3 to 7 illustrates the roadway shields of the tailgate roadway support
system;
Figures 8 through 10 illustrate the roadway end support of the tailgate
roadway support system; and
Figures 11 through 14 illustrate the track system of the tailgate roadway
support system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[30] Figures 1 to 14 illustrate a tailgate roadway support system 10 located along a
tailgate roadway 1 of a longwall mine 2. The tailgate roadway support system 10 is
designed to support the roof of the tailgate roadway 1 and automatically advance
and centre itself as the longwall mine face 2 progresses.
[31] The tailgate roadway support system 10 includes a track system 100, pairs of
roadway shields 200 located on opposite sides of the track system 100 and a pair of
roadway end supports 300 located at an end of the track system 100.
[32] Each roadway shield of the pairs of roadway shields is adapted to support a
portion of a roof of the tailgate roadway 1 in an extended configuration, which is
shown in Figures 1 through 6. Similarly, each roadway end support of the pair of
roadway end supports 300 is adapted to support a second, different portion of the roof of the tailgate roadway 1 in an extended configuration, which is shown in
Figures 1, 2 and 8 through 10.
[33] In use, the track system 10, the pairs of roadway shields 200 and the pair of
roadway end supports 300 are configured to advance along the tailgate roadway 1 in
a direction (i.e. the same direction) indicated by arrow 3. In particular, the track
system 100, the pairs of roadway shields 200 and the pair of roadway end supports
300 sequentially advance along the tailgate roadway 1 to ensure the tailgate
roadway support system 10 maintains the safety of the tailgate roadway 1 and
reduces the likelihood of a collapse by the overhead strata onto workers underneath.
[34] The automated advancement of the tailgate roadway support system 1 can be
implemented using known electro-hydraulic control systems.
[35] As will become apparent later, the track system 100, the pair of roadway
shields 200 and the pairs of roadway end supports 300 advance along the tailgate
roadway 1 in a relative relationship. That is, the sequence of the advancement of the
track system 100, the pairs of roadway shields 200 and the pair of roadway end
supports 300 is dependent on the most recent of the track system 100, the pairs of
roadway shields 200 and the pair of roadway end supports 300 to have advanced
along the tailgate roadway 1.
[36] The track system 100, the pairs of roadway shields 200 and the pair of
roadway end supports 300 can conceivably advance in any sequence. Although, in
some embodiments, the tailgate roadway support system 10 is configured to
advance in one of the following sequences: (1) the pair (or pairs) of roadway shields
200, (2) the track system 100 and (3) the pair of roadway end supports 300 ; or (1)
the track system 100, (2) the pair of roadway shields 200 and (3) the pair of roadway end supports 300; or (1) the track system 100, (2) the pair of roadway end supports
300 and (3) the pair of roadway shields 200.
[37] Each roadway shield of the pairs of roadway shields 200 includes a first
roadway shield 201 (a left roadway shield) and a second roadway shield 202 (a right
roadway shield) which sequentially (or alternatingly) move along the tailgate roadway
1 as the tailgate roadway 1 advances in accordance with the longwall mine 2
advancing.
[38] Each roadway shield includes a ground engaging base portion 204, a roof
engaging top portion 206 and a plurality of supplementary support panels attached to
the roof engaging top portion 206. The ground engaging base portion 204 and roof
engaging top portion 206 are connected by a hydraulic collapsible support
mechanism 205 which allows the roadway shields to move between an extended
configuration and a collapsed configuration. The collapsible support mechanism 205
includes telescopic hydraulic supports 205a and an actuatable folding mechanism
205b.
[39] Located at opposed ends of the roof engaging top portion 206 are pivotable
members 207 which can be moved about an axis 212 extending perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis 214 of the roof engaging top portion 206. The pivotable members
207 can be moved about 150 relative to the horizontal (i.e. the longitudinal axis 214)
of the roof engaging top portion 206).
[40] The supplementary support panels take the form of pivotable bifurcated
flippers 208 which can be deployed to support the roof of the tailgate roadway 1
during maintenance periods.
[41] The pivotable bifurcated flippers 208 are pivotable from a retracted position
(i.e. at or about 900 relative to the roof engaging face of the roof engaging top portion
206 - see Figures 3 and 6) to an extended position (i.e. parallel with the roof
engaging face of the roof engaging top portion 206). The pivotable bifurcated flippers
208 can be deployed to an intermediate position wherein a first panel 209 of the
pivotable bifurcated flippers 208 is extended at approximately 450 relative to the roof
engaging top portion 206 while a second panel 210 remains at about 900 relative to
the roof engaging top portion 206 or 450 relative to the first panel 209. An example of
the intermediate position can be seen in Figure 6.
[42] In some embodiments, the pair of roadway shields 200 also includes a
centring apparatus (not shown) for maintaining the roadway shields substantially in
the centre of the tailgate roadway. The centring apparatus of the pair of roadway
shields 200 is substantially similar to the centring apparatus for the track system 100
which will be described below.
[43] The first roadway shield 201 of each pair of roadway shields 200 is connected
to the second roadway shield 202 of each pair of roadway shields 200 by a set of
removable steel bars 211 (see Figures 3, 5 and 6). In some embodiments, the first
roadway shield 201 and the second roadway shield 202 are connected or are
connected by a removable steel plate (not shown).
[44] Turning to the pair of roadway end shields 300, the pair of roadway end
shields 300 includes a first roadway end support 301 which is located adjacent to a
second roadway end support 302.
[45] Each roadway end support of the pair of roadway end supports 300 includes a
ground engaging base portion 304 and a roof engaging top portion 306. The ground
engaging base portion 304 and roof engaging top portion 306 are connected by a
hydraulic collapsible support mechanism 305 which allows the roadway end supports
to move between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. The collapsible support mechanism 305 includes telescopic hydraulic supports 305a and an actuatable folding mechanism 305b.
[46] The roof engaging top portion 306 is telescopic such that it can be extended
and also pivotable at an end 306a such that the end 306a can be pivoted vertically.
[47] The second roadway end support 302, which is located closest to the longwall
mining face 2, includes supplementary support panels in the form of pivotable
bifurcated flippers 308 which can be deployed to support the roof of the tailgate
roadway 1 during maintenance periods. Similar to the pivotable bifurcated flippers
208 of the pair of roadway shields 200, the pivotable bifurcated flippers 308 are
pivotable from a retracted position (i.e. at or about 900 relative to the roof engaging
face of the roof engaging top portion 306) to an extended position (i.e. parallel with
the roof engaging face of the roof engaging top portion 206). The pivotable
bifurcated flippers 308 can be deployed to an intermediate position wherein a first
panel 309 of the pivotable bifurcated flippers 308 is extended at approximately 450
relative to the roof engaging top portion 306 while a second panel 310 remains at
about 900 relative to the roof engaging top portion 306 or 450 relative to the first
panel309.
[48] Turning to the track system 100, there is a track 102, a centring system 104
and a trolley 106 that traverses the track 102 to transport materials and components
along the tailgate roadway 1.
[49] The track 102 in the illustrated embodiment is an elongate monorail track but
could be any type of track suitable for supporting a trolley or other form of transport
thereon.
[50] The track 102 is modular and includes multiple sections.
[51] The centring system 104 includes a pair of hydraulic centring apparatus 108
in the form of a first hydraulic centring apparatus 110 and a second hydraulic
centring apparatus 112 located along opposed sides of the track 100.
[52] In particular, the first and second hydraulic centring apparatus 110, 112 are
located along opposed sides of the track 100 about a longitudinal axis 114 of the
track 100.
[53] Each of the pair of hydraulic centring apparatus 108 each includes a first end
116 and a second end 118, where the first end 116 of each of the pair of hydraulic
centring apparatus 108 is connected to the track 100 and, in use, the second end
118 of each of the pair of hydraulic centring apparatus 108 engages with a wall of
the tailgate roadway 1 as shown in Figure 1. The first hydraulic centring apparatus
and the second hydraulic centring apparatus 112 can be extended at uneven lengths
to keep the track system 100 centrally located along the tailgate roadway 1 but also
to allow the track 102 to curve and bend (i.e. follow a non-linear path).
[54] The tailgate roadway support system 10 also includes an advancing system
400 for advancing the track system 100, the pair of roadway shields 200 and the pair
of roadway end support 300 along the tailgate roadway 1 as the longwall mine face 2
progresses.
[55] The advancing system 400 includes a plurality of advancing (e.g. extendible
and retractable members, or telescopic members) members 402, wherein at least
one advancing member 402 connects the track system 100 and each of the pair of
roadway shields 200 and the pair of roadway end supports 300. That is, at least one
advancing member 402 is connected between the track system 100 and each of the
pair of roadway shields 200, and between the track system 100 and each of the pair
of roadway end supports 300.
[56] The advancing members 402 advance the track system 100, the pairs of
roadway shields 200 and the pair of roadway end supports 300 by moving between
an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration.
[57] In operation, each of the pair of roadway shields 200 (i.e. the first and second
roadway shields 201, 202) are adapted to sequentially move from an extended
configuration to a collapsed configuration (shown in Figure 7), wherein once in the
collapsed configuration, the advancing system 400 sequentially advances each of
the pair of roadway shields 200 along the tailgate roadway 1 one at a time.
[58] In the extended configuration, each roadway shield is engaged with a portion
of the roof of the tailgate roadway 1.
[59] Only one of the pair of roadway shields 200 is in a collapsed configuration at
any one time. That is, if one of the pair of roadway shields 200 is in the collapsed
configuration, the other one of the pair of roadway shields 200 must be in the
extended configuration.
[60] In advancing each of the pair of roadway shields 200 along the tailgate
roadway 1, the advancing member 402 connected to the track system 100 and a
respective roadway shield of the pair of roadway shields 200 advances the
respective roadway shield along the tailgate roadway 1 by either extending or
retracting the advancing member 402.
[61] Further to the above, to advance the pair of roadway shields 200 along the
tailgate roadway, the first roadway shield 201 must move from the collapsed
configuration to the extended configuration after advancing along the tailgate
roadway 1 before the second roadway shield 202 moves from the extended
configuration to the collapsed configuration and advancing.
[62] In summary, the sequenced advance includes moving the first roadway shield
201 from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration, advancing the
first roadway shield 201 via the advancing system 400 and moving the first roadway
shield 201 from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration. Once this
has been completed, the second roadway shield 202 moves from the extended
configuration to the collapsed configuration, advances via the advancing system 400
to be aligned with the first roadway shield 201 and then moves from the collapsed
configuration to the extended configuration. Subsequently, the sequenced
advancement of the pair of roadway shields 200 along the tailgate roadway 1 is
complete.
[63] The advancing system 400 is also adapted to advance the track system 100
along the tailgate roadway 1.
[64] Each of the advancing members 402 connected to the track system 100 at
connectors 120, and either one of the pair of roadway shields 200 or one of the pair
of roadway end supports 300, advance the track system 100 along the tailgate
roadway 1 by moving from a first configuration to a second, different configuration. In
the illustrated example, the first configuration is the extended configuration and the
second configuration is a collapsed configuration. However, the configurations can
be reversed. Thus, each of the advancing members 402 connected to the track
system 100 advance the track system 100 along the tailgate roadway by either
extending or retracting the advancing members 402.
[65] Similar to the pair of roadway end shields 200, each of the pair of roadway
end supports 300 (i.e. the first and second roadway end supports 301, 302) are
adapted to sequentially move from an extended configuration to a collapsed
configuration, wherein once one of the roadway end supports is in the collapsed configuration, the advancing system 400 sequentially advances the collapsed roadway end support before moving the other roadway end support along the tailgate roadway.
[66] In advancing each of the pair of roadway end supports 300 along the tailgate
roadway 1, the advancing member 402 connected to the track system 100 and a
respective roadway end support of the pair of roadway end supports 300 advances
the respective roadway end support along the tailgate roadway 1 by either extending
or retracting the advancing member 402.
[67] In the extended configuration, the roadway end support 300 is engaged with a
portion of the roof of the tailgate roadway 1 at or adjacent the end of the tailgate
roadway 1. Typically, the end of the tailgate roadway 1 is where the tailgate roadway
1 meets the longwall mining face 2.
[68] As with the pair of roadway shields 200, only one of the pair of roadway end
supports 300 is in a collapsed configuration at any one time. That is, if one of the pair
of roadway end supports 30 is in the collapsed configuration, the other one of the
pair of roadway end supports 300 must be in the extended configuration.
[69] To advance the pair of roadway end supports 300 along the tailgate roadway
1, the first roadway end supports 301 moves from the collapsed configuration to the
extended configuration before the second roadway end support 302 moves from the
extended configuration to the collapsed configuration. Preferably, the first of the pair
of roadway end supports 300 to be advanced is the roadway end support furthest
from the longwall mining face 2 (i.e. the first roadway end support 301 in the
illustrated embodiment).
[70] In summary, the sequenced advance includes moving the first roadway end
support 301 from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration, advancing the first roadway end support 301 via the advancing system 400 and moving the first roadway end support 301 from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration. Once this has been completed, the second roadway end support 302 moves from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration, advances via the advancing system 400 to be aligned with the first roadway end support 302 and then moves from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration. Subsequently, the sequenced advancement of the pair of roadway end supports 300 along the tailgate roadway 1 is complete.
[71] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language
more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and
its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of' is used throughout in an
inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.
[72] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features
shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of
putting the invention into effect.
[73] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within
the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in
the art.

Claims (42)

1. A tailgate roadway support system located along a tailgate roadway, the
tailgate roadway support system comprising:
a track system;
a pair of roadway shields connected to the track system on opposite sides of
the track system, the pair of roadway shields adapted to support a portion of a roof of
the tailgate roadway in an extended configuration; and
a pair of roadway end supports connected to an end of the track system, the
pair of roadway end supports adapted to support a second portion of the roof of the
tailgate roadway in an extended configuration,
wherein the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway
end supports are configured to advance along the tailgate roadway.
2. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 1, wherein the track
system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end supports are
configured to advance along the tailgate roadway in a direction.
3. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein
the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end supports
are configured to sequentially advance along the tailgate roadway.
4. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 1, wherein the track
system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end supports advance in
any sequence.
5. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 1, wherein the track
system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end supports advance
along the tailgate roadway in a relative relationship.
6. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 1, wherein the tailgate
roadway support system is configured to advance in one of the following sequences:
(1) the pair of roadway shields, (2) the track system and (3) the pair of roadway end
supports; or (1) the track system, (2) the pair of roadway shields and (3) the pair of
roadway end supports; or (1) the track system, (2) the pair of roadway end supports
and (3) the pair of roadway shields.
7. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
wherein the tailgate roadway support system further comprises a trolley that
traverses the track system.
8. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein the pair of roadway shields comprises a first roadway shield and a second
roadway shield.
9. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 8, wherein the first
roadway shield of the pair of roadway shields is connected to the second roadway
shield of the pair of roadway shields.
10. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first
and second roadway shields are connected by a removable bar or plate.
11. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
wherein the tailgate roadway support system comprises a plurality of pairs of
roadway shields.
12. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
wherein each roadway end support comprises a ground engaging base portion and a
roof engaging top portion.
13. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
wherein the pair of roadway end supports comprises a first roadway end support and
asecond roadwayend support.
14. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
wherein the track system comprises a track and a centring system.
15. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 14, wherein the centring
system comprises a pair of hydraulic centring apparatus.
16. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 15, wherein the pair of
hydraulic centring apparatus comprises a first hydraulic centring apparatus and a
second hydraulic centring apparatus.
17. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 16, wherein the first and
second hydraulic centring apparatus are located along opposed sides of the track.
18. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 16, wherein the first and
second hydraulic centring apparatus are located along opposed sides of the track
about a longitudinal axis of the track.
19. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 16 to 18,
wherein the first and second hydraulic centring apparatus each comprise a first end
and a second end.
20. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 16 to 19,
wherein the first end of each hydraulic centring apparatus is connected to the track.
21. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 16 to 20,
wherein, in use, the second end of each hydraulic centring apparatus engages with a
wall of the tailgate roadway.
22. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 21,
wherein each roadway shield comprises a ground engaging base portion and a roof
engaging top portion.
23. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 22,
wherein the pair of roadway shields further comprises a second pair of centring
apparatus.
24. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 23
wherein the tailgate roadway support system further comprises an advancing system
for advancing the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway
end support along the tailgate roadway.
25. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 24, wherein the
advancing system comprises a plurality of advancing members, wherein at least one
advancing member connects the track system and each of the pair of roadway
shields and the pair of roadway end supports.
26. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 25, wherein the
advancing members advance the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the
pair of roadway end supports by moving between an extended configuration and a
collapsed configuration.
27. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 24 to 26,
wherein each of the pair of roadway shields are adapted to sequentially move from
an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration, wherein once in the
collapsed configuration, the advancing system sequentially advances each of the
pair of roadway shields along the tailgate roadway.
28. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 26 or 27, wherein in the
extended configuration, the roadway shield is engaged with a portion of the roof of
the tailgate roadway.
29. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 26 to 28,
wherein only one of the pair of roadway shields is in the collapsed configuration at
any one time.
30. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 25, wherein in
advancing each of the pair of roadway shields along the tailgate roadway, the
advancing member connected to the track system and a respective roadway shield
of the pair of roadway shields advances the respective roadway shield along the
tailgate roadway by either extending or retracting the advancing member.
31. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 26 to 29,
wherein to advance the pair of roadway shields along the tailgate roadway, the first
roadway shield moves from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration
before the second roadway shield moves from the extended configuration to the
collapsed configuration.
32. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 25,
wherein each of the pair of roadway end supports are adapted to sequentially move
from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration, wherein once in the
collapsed configuration, the advancing system sequentially advances each of the
pair of roadway end supports along the tailgate roadway.
33. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 25, wherein in
advancing each of the pair of roadway end supports along the tailgate roadway, the
advancing member connected to the track system and a respective roadway end
support of the pair of roadway end supports advances the respective roadway end support along the tailgate roadway by either extending or retracting the advancing member.
34. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 33, wherein in the
extended configuration, the roadway end support is engaged with a portion of the
roof of the tailgate roadway.
35. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 34,
wherein the advancing system is adapted to advance the track system along the
tailgate roadway.
36. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 25,
wherein each of the advancing members connected to the track system advance the
track system along the tailgate roadway by moving from a first configuration to a
second configuration.
37. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 36, wherein the first
configuration and the second configuration are different.
38. A tailgate roadway support system according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the
first configuration is either an extended configuration or a collapsed configuration.
39. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 36 to 38,
wherein the second configuration is either an extended configuration or a collapsed
configuration.
40. A tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 36 to 38,
wherein each of the advancing members connected to the track system advance the
track system along the tailgate roadway by either extending or retracting the
advancing member.
41. A method for advancing a tailgate roadway support system, the method
including the steps of: providing a tailgate roadway support system according to any one of claims 1 to 40 along a tailgate roadway; advancing each of the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the roadway end supports along the tailgate roadway in sequence.
42. A method for advancing a tailgate roadway support system, the method
including the steps of:
advancing a track system, a pair of roadway shields and a pair of roadway
end supports along a tailgate roadway in sequence, wherein the track system is
connected to the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end supports and
wherein the track system, the pair of roadway shields and the pair of roadway end
supports advance along the tailgate roadway in a relative relationship.
AU2023263457A 2022-11-07 2023-11-07 Tailgate Roadway Support System Pending AU2023263457A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2022903323A AU2022903323A0 (en) 2022-11-07 Tailgate Roadway Support System
AU2022903323 2022-11-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2023263457A1 true AU2023263457A1 (en) 2024-05-23

Family

ID=91081603

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2023263457A Pending AU2023263457A1 (en) 2022-11-07 2023-11-07 Tailgate Roadway Support System

Country Status (1)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2023263457A1 (en)

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