Patent ID: 6056481
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: E21D

Abstract:
A hydraulic powered shield support for an underground mine having a floor and a roof, the support comprising:a) a floor skid for resting on the floor of the mine;b) at least one lemniscate linkage attached to said floor skid;c) a canopy attached to said at least one lemniscate linkage for supporting the roof of the mine;d) at least one pair of main hydraulic cylinders being left-side and right-side rams and arranged between said floor skid and said canopy; each main hydraulic cylinder having an extended length and an hydraulic setting pressure;e) a pressure sensor assigned to each main hydraulic cylinder and measuring said hydraulic setting pressure therein and generating pressure signals in response thereto; andf) an electronic controller receiving said pressure signals from said pressure sensors, and in response thereto, if necessary, driving an appropriate main hydraulic cylinder accordingly to do one of eliminate and suppress potentially critical load situations from occurring and damaging said support.