Analysis of Powered Roof Support Operation Based on a Virtual Driver

The article presents the results of tests and analyses of control functions performed by a powered roof support which is the basic part of a powered longwall system. The research was based on an innovative registration and measurement system dedicated to this specific range of tests. The basic element of this system is a virtual driver. It is equipped with input and output systems to connect standard physical voltage signals. The tests were carried out on a prototype powered roof support type ZPR-15/35-POz. The presented research methodology and obtained results are an element of new research methods developed for powered support based on virtual controllers. The applied solution generates less costs than the devices currently used, while its functionality is significantly greater. The system developed by the Authors supports innovative and, to a certain extent, intelligent IT solutions for testing control elements. This developed system is suitable to be applied in a wide range of research such as diagnosis of mining machinery control elements and other industries in the near future.