Mining underground formations

Abstract

Mining systems include a continuous miner; a movable roof support; a roof bolter; and a flexible conveyor train positioned with its front end located under the roof support and extending underneath the roof bolter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mining system comprises:
 a continuous miner;   a movable roof support;   a roof bolter; and   a flexible conveyor train positioned with its front end located under the roof support and extending underneath the roof bolter.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the roof support comprises:
 two tracks;   legs mounted on the two tracks; and   a canopy supported by legs and the two tracks;   wherein the legs and the tracks are spaced apart to define a gap that is wide enough to receive the flexible conveyor train through the gap.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the gap is at least 14 feet (4.3 meters). 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the legs comprise hydraulic pistons. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the moveable roof support is a first roof support and the mining system comprises a second moveable roof support. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , comprising chains extending between a canopy of the first moveable roof support and a canopy of the second moveable roof support 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the moveable roof support comprises a canopy and an extendable portion movable between an extended position and a retracted position by a piston. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the roof bolter comprises:
 two tracks;   a canopy supported by the two tracks;   wherein the tracks are spaced apart to define a gap that is wide enough to receive the flexible conveyor train through the gap.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the gap is at least 14 feet (4.3 meters). 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the roof bolter comprises six drill masts. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the canopy is supported by legs mounted on the two tracks. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the legs comprise hydraulic pistons. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the canopy is supported by a scissors lift system mounted on the two tracks. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the canopy comprises a work platform. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the roof support comprises four drill masts pivotably mounted to the working platform and oriented upwards to install roof bolts. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the roof support comprises two drill masts that are pivotably mounted to the working platform and oriented sideways to install rib bolts. 
     
     
         17 . A method of mining comprising:
 positioning a first movable roof support between a continuous miner and a roof bolter; and   extending a flexible conveyor train between tracks of the roof bolter and between tracks of the first movable roof support and positioning a hopper of the flexible conveyor train to receive output of the continuous miner.