Patent ID: 6666521
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: E21C

Abstract:
A system for controlling a mining machine, comprising:a seam boundary sensor adapted to be mounted on the mining machine, the sensor further adapted to sense energy emissions and to generate a sensor output indicative of sensed energy emissions; and a control system adapted to be mounted on the mining machine in communication with the seam boundary sensor and to detect a seam boundary located between and formed by material to be mined and undesirable material not to be mined, the control system adapted to detect the seam boundary by monitoring the seam boundary sensor output and to generate a seam boundary signal indicating that the seam boundary has been reached when the seam boundary sensor generates a sensor output indicating that a seam boundary energy emission has occurred, the seam boundary energy emission being caused by mining of undesirable material forming part of the seam boundary.