INNOVATIVE EQUIPMENT FOR IMPROVED COAL EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY IN THICK SEAMS

The paper deals with a series of innovative solutions of equipment devised in order to improve the efficiency of mechanized coal faces in thick seams which avoids the inconveniences related to the effect of the increased face height on the on shearer, armored face conveyor(AFC) and shield supports, by a new concept of mechanized extraction complex. The presented system encompasses some innovative constructive changes on the shearer, on the face conveyor and shields, such as a new positioning of the shearer's body and the drums symmetrically related to its longitudinal axis, a new concept of AFC, allowing the reduction of height and offering accessibility to chains and flight bars and a new construction of shield allowing the increase of operating height with a shortest canopy, and offering a better kinematics in a wider range of working heights. The proposed system is only a concept, the refining of it being suitable for the construction of a new generation of mechanized longwall faces with increased working height, with relevant advantages in terms of productivity.