A Geometry Surveying Model and Instrument of a Scraper Conveyor in Unmanned Longwall Mining Faces

To maintain the straightness of an unmanned longwall mining face, a track geometry surveying model of the scraper conveyor was constructed based on the position of the shearer. A surveying instrument was developed employing an inertial measurement unit and axial encoder. Surveying tests were conducted using a longwall mining face mock-up, and the 3-D accuracy of the surveying instrument based on the mean radial spherical error and the spherical error probable (SEP) radius was determined to be 20.78 mm and 16.57 mm, respectively. The accuracy of the surveying system satisfied the requirements of a longwall mining face.