Patents Assigned to Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
  • Mapping faults in a geological seam
    Patent number: 4653031
    Abstract: An area of a seam is defined and a series of shot locations and detectors are arranged along one side of the area to determine reflected signals. Transmitted signals are also received from a line of shot locations on the other side of the area. The signals received are processed according to an adaptive lag-summing technique to give a map showing the geological faults in the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: David J. Buchanan, Richard Davis, Peter J. Jackson, Iain M. Mason
  • Steering of mining machines
    Patent number: 4643482
    Abstract: A double-ended ranging drum shearer is steered along a longwall face by using a series of spaced reference locations A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H. I . . . . The machine position is sensed so as to identify when the leading and trailing drum reach each desired reference location. The cutting horizon of each drum is sensed at each reference location and steering corrections applied if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventor: John R. Wolfenden
  • Fluid supply system to rotary cutter heads on mining machines
    Patent number: 4643483
    Abstract: A fluid supply system provides a non-rotary component comprising an inlet adaptor unit, passage means extending along the rotary drive shaft and distributor means mounted within the rotary cutter head. The non-rotary distributor means provide outlet nozzles arranged to direct air flow inducing sprays towards air ducts provided on the rotary hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Derek J. Brooks, Granville C. James
  • Process for assessing coke micro-reactivity
    Patent number: 4643977
    Abstract: Micro-reactivity of cokes can be estimated by carbonizing a small sample of powdered coal to form a char and until constant weight at a desired test temperature, then measuring weight loss in a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Goleczka, Edmund P. Mills, Edward K. Harrison, Roy Nichols
  • Monitoring by adsorption
    Patent number: 4636227
    Abstract: A passive monitor for very low concentrations of organic contaminant vapors in an atmosphere uses a holder having a first sampling chamber exposable to the atmosphere and a second desorption chamber and a charge of adsorbent. In one position of the holder, the adsorbent occupies the sampling chamber and upon changing position, the adsorbent occupies the desorption chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Candido C. Yin, Graham L. Matthews
  • Breathing apparatus
    Patent number: 4635629
    Abstract: Breathing apparatus of the closed- or semi-closed-circuit type includes a carbon dioxide absorber (8) which creates troublesome heat in operation. Apparatus giving acceptable breathing gas temperature incorporates an evaporative cooler unit (20), and a pump utilizing the diaphragn plate (15) of the breathing bag (3), the pump inducing an air flow over the evaporative cooler unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Peter Thorp, Roger E. W. Manley
  • Classification and/or grading
    Patent number: 4634456
    Abstract: Classifying and/or grading equipment includes a main vortex chamber and a secondary vortex chamber intersecting and opening into the main chamber. A gas/solids, liquid/solids or liquid/liquid combination is fed into the main vortex chamber and a component thereof is sheared off into the chamber for precipitation therein yielding a cut of the desired size or density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Syred, Martin Biffin
  • Ash handling systems for combustion equipment
    Patent number: 4628828
    Abstract: An ash handling system includes a conveyor and crusher extending from an ash collection trough beneath an underfeed stoker retort to a hopper from which ash is discharged into an ash receiving zone of a container. A suction nozzle is used to extract ash from the zone for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Roy D. Holtham, Anthony J. Falconer, John F. G. Grainger
  • Vehicle location system
    Patent number: 4630057
    Abstract: A leaky-feeder or other form of guided radiocommunication system serving a linear route or track is equipped at intervals with static marker devices which successively modify a radio signal passing those points between a fixed base station and a personal or mobile station travelling the route. By reference to the resulting overall modification to the signal as received at the mobile or fixed station the position of the mobile station may be determined or delimited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventor: David J. R. Martin
  • Hot gas generation
    Patent number: 4627367
    Abstract: In a hot gas generating apparatus coal is fed to a first gasifying fluidized bed wherein it is partially gasified to generate a combustible gas and char. The char is circulated to a second combustion fluidized bed for burning in the presence of excess air. The combustible gas is mixed with the oxygen rich gases from the second bed and burnt to give a hot gas product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventor: Andrew R. Butt
  • Apparatus for producing aerated cementitious compounds
    Patent number: 4624574
    Abstract: An aerated cementitious composition is produced by feeding a mixture comprising cement and foaming agent to a mixing chamber open to atmosphere together with a feed of liquid. The ingredients are mixed and the wetted mixture pumped to a desired site, the capacity of pumping being greater than the feed rate of the ingredients into the mixing chamber such that air is drawn into the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Peter S. Mills, Ivor K. Daly
  • Dust collection
    Patent number: 4616513
    Abstract: A sampler for "total dust", exhibiting inspirability characteristics similar to the human head, has a filter unit containing a filter. The capsule has a lipped entry which protrudes through an aperture in a sampling head. The sampling head is connectd to suction elements for drawing an atmosphere through the filter unit and is capable of being continuously rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Harold Gibson, Gordon Lynch, David Mark, James H. Vincent
  • Underfeed stokers
    Patent number: 4606284
    Abstract: The underfeed stoker has a retort (6) which is located at a height `h`, an arch having a minimum width `w`. The ratio of the minimum width `w` to the height `h` is greater than 1.5 and less than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventor: Brian M. Carpenter
  • Solid fuel combustion equipment
    Patent number: 4596233
    Abstract: Solid fuel combustion equipment in the form of a grate assembly comprises longitudinally extending support elements on which are mounted laterally orientated grate bars. The support elements are pivotable about their horizontal axes and are provided with sealing means at their adjacent margins to effect a seal to prevent in use passage of air when the elements are horizontally aligned. De-ashing of the grate assembly in use is achieved by tipping the support elements, whereupon ash falls to a receiving area when it is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignees: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited, Thorn EMI Energy Developments Limited
    Inventors: John R. Hyde, William L. Hackett
  • Conveyor belt tension sensing
    Patent number: 4587852
    Abstract: The tension of a conveyor belt having at least one connection joint including joint components provided on the ends of both connected belt portions is sensed by mounting a tensile force sensor between the joint components and deriving a signal indicative of the sensed tension. The derived signal being transmitted by radio transmitter means to receiver and monitoring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Joseph W. Butler, Edward E. Jarvis
  • Dust detection
    Patent number: 4586389
    Abstract: A portable aerosol dust spectrometer has an inlet section with a sampler entry having an entry efficiency for airborne dust approximately to that of the human head during inhalation, a clean-up stage to remove particles above 15 .mu.m and a main collection stage which is a cascade impactor. The cascade impactor classifies particles of dust and collects fractions onto a number of collection surfaces. A pump draws air or gas through the apparatus. The apparatus samples air in a similar way to the human body and yields fractions of dust for further study.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: James H. Vincent, David Mark, Harold Gibson, Gordon Lynch
  • Cyclone separators
    Patent number: 4585466
    Abstract: An improved cyclone separator comprises a body defining a main vortex chamber having an inlet and a fluid outlet. A secondary vortex chamber communicates with and opens into the main vortex chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Syred, Martin Biffin, Ieuan Owen
  • Combustors
    Patent number: 4584948
    Abstract: A combustor for burning a feedstock includes a cylindrical body having a tangential feedstock inlet and an exhaust outlet. A catchment chamber of hollow cylindrical form intersects the wall of the body and opens into the cavity to provide a common boundary. Swirling or vortical flow is created in the cavity and a secondary vortex is generated and driven within the chamber by the main flow. In operation contaminant matter is sheared off from the flow in the body into the chamber and is entrapped by the secondary vortex from which it is precipitated, there being no net gas flow across the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Syred, Martin Biffin, Timothy C. Claypole
  • Polyimide product from phenanthrene
    Patent number: 4577009
    Abstract: Novel polyimide products of the general formula ##STR1## where n is from 2 to 20 and each R is hydrogen or a group effective to block further reaction with a diamine. These products are incapable of further polymerization with diamines, but are useful starting materials for reaction with other polyfunctional reagents such as diepoxides to form interesting new resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Joseph G. Robinson, Pierce W. F. Riemer
  • Dust assessment apparatus and method
    Patent number: 4555933
    Abstract: A gas containing dispersed particles with differing electrostatic charges is drawn through a gas channel between opposite charged plates before being split into equal gas flows by a flow divider. The equal gas flows leave the apparatus through exits which can be connected to a particle counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventor: Arthur M. Johnston