Abstract: Methods and systems of monitoring and controlling a longwall mining system. One system includes a shearer including a cutter drum and a sensor mounted to the shearer. The system also includes an electronic controller including a processor and a memory, the electronic controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The electronic controller is configured to receive vibration data from the sensor and determine a current vibration level experienced by the cutter drum. The electronic controller is also configured to compare the current vibration level to a target vibration threshold associated with a target material seam. The electronic controller is also configured to provide a visual output to an operator of the longwall mining system when the current vibration level exceeds the target vibration threshold, where the current vibration level exceeds the target vibration threshold when the cutter drum of the shearer cuts outside of the target material seam.

Abstract: A conveyor system that includes a sprocket, a conveyor element, a sensor, a tensioning system, and an electronic processor. The conveyor element is coupled to the sprocket to move around the sprocket. The sensor is positioned adjacent to the sprocket and configured to generate an output signal indicative of a detection of the conveyor element. The electronic processor is coupled to the sensor and to the tensioning system. The electronic processor is configured to receive the output signal from the sensor, estimate a trajectory of the conveyor element based on the output signal, determine a value for slack distance based on the estimated trajectory of the conveyor element, and control the tensioning system based on the value for slack distance.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine including a frame. The cutting assembly includes a boom supported on the frame and a cutting device. In some aspects, the boom includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion includes a first structure and a second structure slidable relative to the first structure. The second portion includes a first member pivotably coupled to the second structure, and a second member pivotably coupled to the first member. The cutting device is supported on the second member. In some aspects, a material handling device is supported independently of the boom and movable between a retracted position and an extended position independent of the boom.

Abstract: A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.

Abstract: A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.

Abstract: A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A mining machine including a motor, an adjustable speed drive providing a voltage to the motor, the voltage having an excitation component comprising a magnitude and a frequency for operating the motor at a desired speed and including an additional voltage component for use in detecting a ground fault condition, and a ground fault relay for detecting a ground fault current when the ground fault current exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A cutting assembly is provided for a rock excavation machine having a frame. The cutting assembly includes a boom, a cutting device, and a plurality of fluid actuators. The boom includes a base portion and a movable portion. The base portion is configured to be supported by the frame, and the movable portion is supported for sliding movement relative to the base portion in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base portion. The boom includes a wrist portion pivotably coupled to the movable portion at a pivot joint. The cutting device is supported on a distal end of the wrist portion. The fluid actuators are coupled between the base portion and the wrist portion. The fluid actuators are operable to move the movable portion and the wrist portion parallel to the longitudinal axis, and are also operable to bias the wrist portion against cutting loads exerted on the cutting device.

Abstract: A cable feed tool includes a first support, a second support coupled to the first support, a first roller supported on the first support for rotation and configured to drive a cable, and a second roller supported on the second support for rotation and configured to drive the cable. The first roller is also supported for pivoting movement relative to the second support about a pivot axis. The second roller is also supported for translational movement relative to the first support.

Abstract: A drill device includes a base frame, a feed frame supported for movement relative to the base frame, and a feed device for inserting a drill element into a rock surface. The base frame includes a pair of fluid cylinders. The feed frame extends along a feed axis and includes a plurality of guide bars aligned parallel to the feed axis. The feed device is supported for movement relative to the feed frame in a direction parallel to the feed axis. The feed device includes a first guide member and a second guide member. The first guide member engages a surface of at least one of the guide bars, and the second guide member engages another surface of at least one of the guide bars.

Abstract: A cutting assembly is provided for a rock excavation machine having a frame. The cutting assembly includes a boom, a cutting device, and a plurality of fluid actuators. The boom includes a base portion and a movable portion. The base portion is configured to be supported by the frame, and the movable portion is supported for sliding movement relative to the base portion in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base portion. The boom includes a wrist portion pivotably coupled to the movable portion at a pivot joint. The cutting device is supported on a distal end of the wrist portion. The fluid actuators are coupled between the base portion and the wrist portion. The fluid actuators are operable to move the movable portion and the wrist portion parallel to the longitudinal axis, and are also operable to bias the wrist portion against cutting loads exerted on the cutting device.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame having a first frame member selectively coupled to a second frame member. The machine also includes an alignment and connection assembly including a protrusion coupled to the first frame member. The protrusion is receivable within the second frame member to align the first frame member with the second frame member. The alignment and connection assembly also includes a fastener coupled to the protrusion. The fastener is operable to secure the first frame member relative to the second frame member.

Abstract: A machine for excavating rock includes a frame, a cutting device, and a boom. The cutting device includes a cutting disc having a cutting edge, and the cutting disc is rotatable about a cutting device axis. The boom supports the cutting device and includes a first end, a second end, and a boom axis substantially parallel to the cutting device axis. The boom further includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled to the frame for rotation about a first pivot axis between a raised position and a lowered position. The second portion is coupled to the cutting device, and the second portion is pivotable about a second pivot axis between a raised position and a lowered position.

Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion including a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a second portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported for translational movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool; an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid between the first end of the first portion and the drilling and bolting tool adjacent the distal end of the second portion, the fluid passage positioned within the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems of monitoring and controlling a longwall mining system. One system includes a shearer including a cutter drum and a sensor mounted to the shearer. The system also includes an electronic controller including a processor and a memory, the electronic controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The electronic controller is configured to receive vibration data from the sensor and determine a current vibration level experienced by a cutter drum of the shearer based on the vibration data. The electronic controller is also configured to compare the current vibration level to a vibration threshold. The electronic controller is also configured to detect an impact event associated with the cutter drum of the shearer based on the comparison and generate an impact event indication associated with the impact event.

Abstract: Methods and systems of monitoring and controlling a longwall mining system. One system includes a shearer including a cutter drum and a sensor mounted to the shearer. The system also includes an electronic controller including a processor and a memory. The electronic controller is configured to receive an impact event indication associated with an impact event of the cutter drum, the impact event indication based on vibration data collected by the sensor. The electronic controller is also configured to retrieve additional data associated with the impact event indication and link the additional data with the vibration data of the impact event indication. The electronic controller is also configured to create and store an impact event record including the vibration data and the additional data. The electronic controller is configured to, in response to receiving a maintenance request, export the impact event record for display.

Abstract: A industrial machine including a chassis, a first sensor configured to sense a roof bolt, a second sensor configured to sense the roof bolt, and a controller. The controller configured to receive sensor information from the first and second sensors, and determine a location of the roof bolt based on the sensor information from the first and second sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an attachment, such as a breaker head, for a mining machine. The system includes a breaker head, a wireless identification tag, a sensor, and an electronic processor. The wireless identification tag is coupled to the breaker head and includes a tag memory storing an identifier of the breaker head and an antenna. The sensor is configured to generate measurement data associated with the breaker head. The electronic processor is configured to receive measurement data from the sensor, generate a notification based on the measurement data, and transmit the notification to the wireless identification tag. Additionally, the wireless identification tag is configured to store the notification. The notification can then be later retrieved from the wireless identification tag by various devices, such as a further mining machine or a reader device of maintenance personnel.

Abstract: A drilling and bolting device for driving a drill element into a rock surface includes a frame, a drive unit supported for movement relative to the frame, and an actuator for moving the drive unit relative to the frame. The drive unit includes a motor and a chuck for engaging the drill element. The chuck is driven by the motor. In some aspects, the actuator includes a magnet exerting a magnetic force on the block to provide magnetic coupling between the actuator and a block supporting the motor. In some aspects, the actuator is positioned at least partially within an elongated member of the frame. In some aspects, the drive unit includes a switched reluctance motor including a stator and a rotor supported for rotation relative to the stator, and the rotor is directly coupled to the chuck.

Abstract: An industrial machine including a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to sense a characteristic of a fluid of the industrial machine. Wherein the characteristic is indicative of a contaminant level. The controller has an electronic processor and a memory. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the contaminant level, compare the contaminant level to a threshold, and upon the contaminant level crossing the threshold perform at least one selected from a group consisting of output an alert, and commence a shutdown procedure of the industrial machine.