The article discusses the possibility of adapting sections of mechanized roof supports to the variable geological and mining factors dealing with flat seams of medium thickness in longwall complex-mechanized coal face. Adaptation is provided by the rock pressure regulation of the pressure change rate in the piston cavities of hydraulic legs with static work load on the roof support.
The proposed technical solution allows separating process regulation function of rock pressure in the roof settling process from the protection function of the shields to be overloaded. Rock pressure regulation is provided by continuous regulation of fluid flow from the piston cavity into the complex hydraulic system which eliminates the sharp pressure drop in the elements of the hydraulic system sections, dynamic loads on the roof support in the regulating process. It also partly transfers potential energy of roof rock settling in the hydraulic system of the complex.