Abstract: A hydraulic borehole mining device is provided of the type wherein a pair of high pressure water jets located along the length of the device are used to cut the mineral to be mined and a slurry pick-up system used to transport the particles cut away by the jets back to the ground surface. The slurry pick-up may include a slurry jet pump which is also supplied with water under pressure. The jet pump includes a jet nozzle which is directed so as to draw particles through screens that cover inlets for the particles located about the circumference of the device, and which thus entrains the particles in a slurry with the water, this slurry of water and mineral particles being pumped back to the surface.

Abstract: A surveillance system for maintaining continuous vigil as to seismic energy generating disturbances in and around an underground mine, such system being one of permanent installation which in combination with central data processing apparatus provides a continuous data output indication of certain mine activities. The system utilizes a plurality of permanently installed, underground geophone sensors each in communication via particular ACC circuitry and signal processing circuitry to provide input through an interface logic network to a central computer equipment programmed to determine disturbance locations, certain intensities, time duration and the like.

Abstract: An electrochemical detection system is disclosed for measuring the amount of carbon monoxide or similar oxidizable gases present in a gas phase mixture wherein the gas phase mixture is brought into contact with a liquid electrolyte through a gas-permeable measuring electrode. The improved electrode is formed of a porous membrane of chemically-inert non-wettable material, on one side of which a layer of gold is specially deposited for contact with an electrolyte of a substantially pure aqueous solution of perchloric acid. An electrical readout system is connected to the electrode for deriving a signal from the resulting oxidation current, which corresponds to a quantitative measure of the oxidation of the gas at the electrode-electrolyte interface.

Abstract: A flexible shaft with an inner sleeve defining a hollow core for chip removal. A cylindrical rod is wound right handed into a helical configuration about the sleeve, the convolutions of the rod being in close adjacency with one another. A flat band is wound left handed into a helical configuration about the rod, adjacent convolutions of the band being in nesting relationship with one another.

Abstract: A unitary roof bolt assembly which obviates the necessity for a two or more component system. The assembly includes a standard elongated roof bolt which is desired to be adhesively secured within a bore hole of a rock-like roof structure or the like. A flexible bag or sack contains a conventional quick-setting adhesive resin and hardening material and is circumflexed about the elongated stem of the roof bolt so as to surround and encompass same. Securing means are provided for maintaining the flexible sack and bolt as a unitary structure prior to insertion of the assembly into the bore hole, whereafter the flexible sack is ruptured upon rotation of the bolt and upon contact with the innermost wall of the bore hole to release the adhesive.In a preferred embodiment, the flexible bag comprises a long thin tubular sack, having a diameter on the order of the diameter of the elongated stem of the roof bolt, and is wrapped about the stem of the bolt in a close packed spiral fashion.

Abstract: A speed transducer for measuring the speed of a moving surface comprises a light chopper for alternately completing and breaking the respective light paths between a light source and first and second photodetectors such that the second light path is completed before the first light path is broken. A pulse generator produces a pulse having a duration which is determined by the time interval between completion of the first and second light paths. A converter converts the pulse to a direct current signal proportional to the speed of the moving surface by generating a comparison pulse, the width of which is controllable by a direct current control signal, and comparing the widths of the generator and comparison pulses to produce an error signal which is indicative of the difference in widths. A control signal is generated in response to the error signal which constitutes the desired output when the compared pulse widths are equal.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for manipulating line weight in an image representation, and particularly for increasing line weight of a contour map in slope mapping, a lens orbiting attachment is included between a cartographic camera and lens. During exposure of the image, using the attachment, the lens is orbited about the optical axis of the camera in a plane parallel to the image. The diameter of the orbit is stepped, during oribiting, between zero, wherein the lens is concentric with the optical axis of the camera, and a predetermined maximum diameter depending on amount of line spreading required. The resulting trajectory of the lens tends to widen the image lines in all directions on the film to provide uniform line spreading. The lens is contained within inner and outer eccentric ring members, and the eccentricity of the lens relative to the optical axis of the camera depends upon the relative angular orientation of the two members.

Abstract: A pulse generator having a magnet or magnetizable mass mounted within a rotating disc to move radially as a function of angular velocity and gravity. A magnetic pick-up includes a magnet to attract the movable mass when it is aligned. Another magnet may be adjustably mounted on the disc to apply an adjustable radial magnetic force on a movable magnet.

Abstract: A device for supporting a tunnel roof at progressive work stations in a mine advances in a straight line in step-wise fashion drawing a work vehicle. Linkage mechanisms actuate a quadruple of roof support structures arranged in inner and outer pairs to advance along a straight line of travel in alternating pairs with the advancing pair unloaded and the stationary pair bearing the roof load. The vehicle, attached to the inner pair of support structures, is drawn relative to the outer pair in forward or reverse motion.

Abstract: A high-pressure injection hydraulic transport system for conveying solids comprises a pressurizable hopper, a peristaltic pump conveyor, multiple air domes, and means for injecting air into the pumped slurry, such that a "beachcomber" effect is produced in the slurry to maintain the solids in suspension. The peristaltic pumping sequence provides at least two open pumps between a non-adjacent pumping pump and closed pump.

Abstract: A method of operating a machine having a constant depth linear cutting head which is retrofitted to a continuous mining machine replacing the rotary head. By altering the usual configuration of the cutting head from the high speed rotating type with a large number of bits, as is currently being used, to one employing a non-rotary type head with 10 percent or less of the usual number of bits, and also operating a combined sumping and shearing action without the bits exiting the coal face being cut, less respirable dust is produced at the mine face. In addition to decreasing the dust and amount of menthane gas - when coal is mined - which is liberated, our method also produces more coal on the average for each cut in the mine face by deeper constant depth cuts in the 3- to 6-inch range by first sumping into the mine face and then shearing the face, without withdrawing or rotating the point attack bits.

Abstract: An endless conveyor apparatus is capable of transverse bending to negotiate a curve lying substantially in a horizontal plane. Pretensioned elongated elastic beads attached to the edges of a flexible endless conveyor belt accomplishes this by accommodating the difference in travel required by the bend radius differential. Specifically, the elastic beads are pretensioned sufficiently to assure support of the belt edges and resist catenary sag adjacent the inside transverse bend radius. Rollers on the frame of the apparatus engage the elastic beads supporting and driving the belt. A spine may be provided along the longitudinal center line of the conveyor and may be engaged by a plurality of pairs of guide wheels. The elastic beads are shorter than the load portion of the belt to provide for the pretensioning function. Laterally extending corrugations assist in accommodating the transverse bending action and flexible cross lines extend along the corrugations supported from the elastic beads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mine stopping for underground mines which may be readily mounted within a mine airway to form a gas-tight seal to control the flow of fresh air to the working face of the mine and the efficient exhaust of dirty gas laden air from the working face. The stopping is typically formed of a flexible, gas impervious, fire resistant sheet material provided with means for mounting the same within the interior of the mine. The mounting means embody inherent characteristics of permitting the main body of sheet material to separate from the mine interior walls upon the occurrence of a certain predetermined pressure difference between the opposing major surfaces of the main body of the stopping as may occur by a blasting or underground explosion. Thereby the main body portion of the stopping is not damaged and may be reused.

Abstract: Three colorants are arranged along three mutually intersecting edges of a color cube, one colorant to each edge, with the amount of each colorant varying from the intersection base corner of the cube to the corresponding outer cube corners. Diagonal planes are then taken through the color cube perpendicular to a diagonal line running from the intersection base cube corner to the diagonally opposite corner of the cube, one plane for each color chart of the system. A plurality of points are selected on each plane, one for each color on the associated chart, the amount of each of the three colorants required to make the chart colors being determined by the points selected on the plane.

Abstract: A shaft position digitizer has a jump transfer assembly coupling an input shaft to cams for moving magnet-carrying levers to provide discrete step-by-step operation and eliminate least significant digit ambiguity. A magnetically operated reed switch is aligned with the magnet carried by each lever such that the reed switches are opened and closed by movement of the levers to provide an electrical digital output representative of input shaft rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid discharge through an outlet of a conduit comprises a clamshell-type gate including first and second opposed gate members pivotally mounted to the exterior of the conduit. The gate members are oppositely rotatable through an arc of approximately 90.degree. between an open position and a closed position just downstream of the outlet. In the closed position, the gate members are closed together along a lip seal at the center of the conduit. A collar seal, mounted to the conduit, is urged against the gate members to block peripheral fluid discharge from the outlet. When the gate is fully or partially open, a portion of the outlet extends downstream of the lip seal to minimize "fan out" of the discharge. In the fully open position, the gate members are open symmetrically beyond the diameter of the outlet for unrestricted fluid discharge through the outlet. The gate members are pivotally attached to trunnion members at each side of the conduit through support arm plates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a belt conveyor apparatus comprised of a main conveying belt on which cargoes are carried and a plurality of sub-belt devices arranged successively along the length of the main conveying belt, the upper cargo-carrying portion of the main conveying belt surmonting the sub-belt devices. Longitudinally disposed vertebrae extend from the underside of said main conveying belt and into engagement with clamping structure on the sub-belt devices, said clamping structure releasably holding the vertebrae to drive the main belt on powered movement of said sub-belt devices.

Abstract: An automatic fire prevention system provides failsafe features as well as the capability of checking the operation of associated fire sensors. Multiple fire sensors, including thermal and optical types, are continually checked by a test circuit which simulates fire conditions. Detection of an actual fire causes an automatic control circuit, after a predetermined time delay, to activate a fire extinguishing device such as a dry powder chemical extinguisher. Logic circuitry distinguishes between true fires and fires simulated by the aforementioned test circuit. An operator can by-pass the automatic activation of the fire extinguishing device by means of a manual switch during the time delay period and can also manually discharge the fire extinguisher. Applications include the protection of mine haulage trucks so as to provide automatic fire extinguisher activation, continued self-checking and manual override features for a driver.

Abstract: A dosimeter for the determination of integrated exposures to NO, NO.sub.2 or exposures to both gases. The dosimeter provides for a convenient and accurate method for the determination of exposures which may be encountered by workers or miners in field environments.

Abstract: A magnetic matrix separator for selectively separating diverse particles subjects the particles to the interaction of vibratory and magnetic forces induced conjointly by the application of an intensified intermittent or alternating magnetic flux to the matrix. Continuous, dual separating actions are obtained with a flexibly mounted circular matrix structure caused to rotate with respect to the pole faces of a pair of U-shaped electromagnets. Use of a systematic arrangement of uniformly shaped matrix components facilitate rapid processing of the particles for separation.