GB1114006A - Roof support assembly suitable for use in mines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,114,06. Advancing mine roof supports. DOWTY MINING EQUIPMENT Ltd. Dec. 22, 1966 [Sept.29, 1965j, No.41382/65. Heading F1P. In a mine roof support assembly having a series of mine roof supports each of which, Fig. 1, comprises support props 1, an advancing jack 2 and a main control valve assembly 3, 4 operable when a pilot line 11 connected thereto is pressurized to cause the support to undergo an advancing operation, each support has a pilot valve assembly 5, Fig. 2, manually operable to cause pressurization of the pilot line 11 of the adjacent preceding support or adjacent subsequent support in the series. Each pilot valve assembly 5 comprises two pilot valves 16, 17 normally open to connect lines 12, 14 to a return line 9, 7. Each pilot valve assembly has a lever 19 pivotable in one or other direction to operate one or other of its valves 16, 17. Operation of the valve 16 on one pilot valve assembly causes pressurization of its line 12 and hence pressurization of the pilot line 11 of the adjacent left hand support. Similarly operation of the valve 17 on that assembly causes pressurization of the pilot line 11 of the adjacent right hand support. Pressurization of the pilot line 11 of a support, Fig. 1, opens prop release valves 21 and fluid flows from the props through a line 22, a valve 23 and a line 25 into the return line 7. At the same time pressure in the line 11 actuates a valve 26 which results in pressurization of a line 27 to cause the jack 2 to advance by pulling the support up to an anchorage such as a conveyer (not shown). When the support is fully advanced a valve 28 is opened by the jack 2 to cause pressurization of a line 29. The pressurization of the line 29 actuates the valve 23 to cause the line 22 to be pressurized and hence re-set the props against the roof. A valve 32 operable to cause the jack to advance the conveyer is operated by pressurizing a line 33.