Mining Roof Support Damper Unit for Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roof support units in longwall mining systems experience vibrations and sudden movements during operation, particularly when lowering the support canopy, leading to excessive component vibrations and potential system contamination due to transient fluid velocities and wave dynamics.

Innovation Solution

The roof support unit incorporates a damper unit connected in line with a hydraulic actuator between the support canopy and the base, allowing for controlled movement and damping of vibrations, thereby reducing the impact of sudden energy releases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the support canopy is lowered rapidly using hydraulic actuators, then the operational speed and productivity are improved, but excessive vibrations and transient pressure pulses occur causing component stress and system contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational speedVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damper unit is pre-installed in the hydraulic system to provide cushioning before transient pressure pulses occur. The damper absorbs and dissipates energy from rapid canopy lowering, preventing vibrations and pressure spikes before they can damage components or contaminate the hydraulic system, thus maintaining both speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Strength

If bigger roof support units are used to handle larger forces, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the stored energy and resulting vibrations during operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidvibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damper unit acts as an intermediary element between the hydraulic actuator and the support canopy. It mediates the energy transfer by absorbing excess energy from the larger actuators, converting it into heat through viscous damping, and preventing this energy from manifesting as harmful vibrations in the system components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The integration of a damper unit effectively moderates pressure pulses and vibrations within the hydraulic system, enhancing operational reliability by reducing component stress and preventing system contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a support canopy (14) which is supported on a base (16) via at least one damper unit (18)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

at least one actuator (20), for example in the form of a prop means or leg cylinder, configured to move the support canopy (14) relative to the base (16)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS20250163807A1Roof Support Unit for a Mining Machine

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

The present invention refers to a roof support unit (10) for a mining machine, particularly for a longwall mining system, comprising a support canopy (14) which is supported on a base (16) via at least one damper unit (18) and at least one actuator (20) configured to move the support canopy (14) relative to the base (16).