Roof Support Connector With Actuator Rod And Cable
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Solution Overview
Problem
In longwall mining, existing roof support systems face challenges in maintaining stability and preventing toppling of roof supports on uneven mine floors, particularly when the floor is inclined, as conventional connectors fail to adequately distribute tensile forces across varying roof heights and inclines.
Innovation Solution
A connector system comprising a guide and an actuator with a cylinder and rod, where the rod is extendable to increase tensile force on adjacent roof supports through a cable, ensuring stability and preventing separation or toppling by biasing canopies towards each other, even on inclined surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connectors are used to couple roof supports, then the structure is simple, but the tensile force distribution is inadequate on inclined surfaces causing roof support toppling
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic rod-cable mechanism where the rod can extend and retract to actively adjust cable tension. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the connector to maintain optimal tensile force distribution across varying roof heights and inclines, preventing toppling while adapting to changing geological conditions during mining operations
Solution Approach 2:
The cable acts as an intermediary element between the actuator rod and the adjacent roof support canopy. By introducing this flexible cable medium, the system can transmit tensile forces over varying distances and angles, effectively coupling roof supports on inclined surfaces where rigid direct connections would fail to distribute forces adequately
2Force
If the connector uses an extendable rod and cable mechanism, then the tensile force distribution improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator utilizes hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to extend and retract the rod, providing controlled force application. This fluid-powered mechanism enables precise adjustment of cable tension to match the varying tensile forces encountered on inclined mine floors, achieving superior force distribution without requiring complex mechanical linkages
Solution Approach 2:
The connector changes the physical state of force transmission by transitioning from a static rigid connection to a dynamic cable-tensioned connection. The cable tension parameter can be continuously adjusted via the actuator to optimize force distribution across different incline angles and roof support configurations, improving adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connector is designed to adapt to varying roof heights and inclines, then the adaptability improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is pre-configured with an extendable rod and cable system that is ready for deployment in various incline conditions. The actuator is pre-loaded with hydraulic or pneumatic fluid, and the cable is pre-tensioned to initial specifications, allowing operators to quickly install and adapt the connector to different roof support configurations without extensive field adjustments
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 connector system effectively maintains roof support stability and prevents toppling by increasing tensile force across adjacent supports, ensuring safety and operational efficiency even on uneven mine floors, with enhanced force distribution compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
Extension of the rod relative to the cylinder increases a tensile force exerted by the cable on the other roof support
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for coupling a plurality of underground roof supports, each roof support including a canopy. The connector includes a guide configured to be coupled to one of the roof supports, and an actuator having a bore and a rod at least partially positioned in the bore. An end of the rod is slidably coupled to the guide. A cable has a first end coupled to the end of the rod and a second end adapted for connection to another of the roof supports.