Project and test results of new solution for powered roof support for low seams

The subject of thin seam exploitation is a complex problem; in reality, it involves several problems such as technical, ergonomic, and economic barriers. They refer mainly to combined longwalls – where a human presence is required at the site; the most important problem is the issue of the limited workspace in longwall roadways. This generates engineering and organizational problems, especially during the launching and removal of the longwall roadways. Having considered the above-mentioned, the Department of Mining, Dressing, and Transport Machines at AGH in Krakow has begun research whose main objective is to develop and test a new structure for a powered support for thin seams. In this paper, virtual models of the new hydraulic roof support and a conception of the structure of a control system were presented as well as the test results of the new construction hydraulic roof support. Research in this field was conducted for the project entitled “Studies of the Development of an Innovative Hydraulic Roof Support for Low Seams”. The project is funded by the National Center of Research and Development (NCBiR).