Abstract: A mineral mining installation for winning material in a "stable-hole" region of a longwall face comprises a guide and a base slidably mounted on the guide. At least one tool carrier is pivotally mounted on the base and drive means are provided for reciprocating the base along the guide. Control means are provided for pivoting each carrier between an operating position and a non-operating position, the control means being such that a working stroke of the drive means initially pivots each carrier from its non-operating position to its operating position and then causes the base and carrier(s) to execute a working stroke along the guide. The control means is also such that a return stroke of the drive means initially causes each carrier to pivot from its operating position to its non-operating position, and then causes the base and carrier(s) to execute a return stroke along the guide.

Abstract: A self-drilling dowel consists of a tubular-shaped member with a drilling head at one end. The drilling head is formed of a plurality of teeth each having a tip. The tip of the teeth are all disposed in a single plane inclined at an angle to the axis of the tubular-shaped member. A line perpendicular to the plane containing the tips of the teeth and intersecting the axis of the tubular-shaped member is disposed to the axis at an angle in the range of 4.degree. to 9.degree.. The teeth are formed by a cutter with its center located at an offset position from the axis of the tubular-shaped member. The feed line of the cutter extending through its center can be parallel to the axis of the tubular-shaped member or it can be set angularly to the axis of the tubular-shaped member in the range of 4.degree. to 9.degree. or 81.degree. to 86.degree. depending on whether the cutter is moved generally in the axial direction or transversely to the axial direction of the tubular-shaped member.

Abstract: Means for emitting high-pressure jets of fluid such as water, and mechanical rock breaking wheels, are positioned on a rotary drill bit for cooperatively cutting an axially extending bore hole through earth material. A center core opening is cut into the drill face material of the bore hole by a jet of fluid crossing the axis of the bore hole at an acute angle. The material of the drill face annularly surrounding the center core opening is removed by cutting concentric slots in the material and by applying radially inward directed force for breaking each ring defined by the slots cut. At any given axial position or level, the slots are cut and the rings are broken in sequence from the radially innermost position to the radially outermost position of the bore hole.

Abstract: A roller bit for rock drilling comprising a body having at least one stub axle and a geared cutting element rotatably mounted on said stub axle. The stub axle and cutting element have confronting spaced raceways for a plurality of rolling elements. A shoulder is formed adjacent one end of the raceway in the stub axle to axially fix the rolling elements in one direction. A locking ring is mounted in the cutting element having an abutment shoulder confronting the opposite axial end faces of the rolling elements and axially fixing the rolling elements in a direction in the opposite direction. The locking ring has an outer cylindrical peripheral surface engaging in a complementary cavity in the cutting element adjacent the raceway surface therein. The locking ring has a seat for mounting a resilient sealing member engaging the stub axle adjacent the raceway therein connected in the mounted state to the stub axle.

Abstract: A tooth for a rotary drilling tool, more particularly an earth drill especially adapted for drilling in rocky soils is described including a working or cutting portion and a retaining portion; said working portion having at least one longitudinal edge provided with a rib extending up to the cutting edge of the tooth in order to receive a tungsten carbide tip, the thickness of the web portion of said working portion of the tooth being smaller than that of said ribbed edge; said web being substantially bevelled in longitudinal section, the junction between at least one face of the retaining portion of the tooth and the working portion forming a transverse rib which defines a transverse shoulder designed to cooperate with the front side of a tooth carrier of said tool.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with the invention apparatus and a method for boring holes through carbonaceous deposits.The method involves the step of introducing combustion-supporting gases such as air under pressure through the apparatus installed in a well hole opposite the area to be bored. The apparatus comprises inner and outer flexible tubes with flexible, jointed armour and a directional nozzle which permits it to be bent and change attitude as necessary. The adjacent carbonaceous interface after being ignited is maintained in this condition by the combustion-supporting gas which is supplied under pressure. As the combustion proceeds, the pressure expels the combustion products and the gas injector is advanced along the channel it has previously formed.

Abstract: A tool for introducing self-tapping dowels in a structure by a drilling process which is accompanied by the generation of large-size drillings, has a shaft connectable with a drive, a dowel holder connectable with the shaft and having a receiving bore which includes a first section adapted to receive a dowel shank and a second section adapted to receive the large-size drillings, and a suction arrangement movable relative to the dowel holder to and from an operative position in which it communicates with the second portion of the dowel holder and draws air therethrough to thereby suck the large-size drillings into the second section of the dowel holder bore wherein they are retained during the drilling process.

Abstract: This invention pertains to hydraulically actuated rock splitters which utilize a wedge and feather action. The forward movement of this wedge places a corresponding thrust load on the feathers and their retaining means. Conventionally, the feathers have enlarged portions which are engaged by and are retained by hardened steel thrust or wear plates carried by a shell or housing. As a means of keeping the weight within reasonable limits this housing is usually made of aluminum or an alloy of aluminum. The support for these hardened steel plates, as provided by the housing, is usually insufficient resulting in a cracking or breaking of the hardened steel plates. A lamination of these plates and providing a softer steel backing reduces or eliminates damage to the housing when cracking of the hardened steel plates occurs.

Abstract: A shield type hydraulic tunnel boring machine having means for detecting an occurrence of excess excavation due to accidental collapse in tunnel face ground apt to occur during tunnel boring works through soft and unstable ground and for further determining the location, shape, scale and the like of such excess excavation occurred is provided. The means comprises optimumly a plurality of ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving devices disposed as spaced at least along a radial line on the front surface of a substantially disk shaped rotary cutter head of the machine for transmitting ultrasonic waves in forward and upward directions and receiving reflected waves from tunnel face ground wall, a wave transmission and reception controlling means, and a transmission-to-reception time interval detecting means for determining distances from the respective wave transmitting and receiving devices to the ground wall.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for cutting earth formations, of the type comprising a vehicle body, and a power driven rotary cutter mounted on the body. The cutter includes a wheel assembly and a cutter chain mounted in circular fashion around the wheel assembly. The cutter chain comprises a plurality of links connected together by transverse pins, and cutter-receiving sockets carried by the links. The wheel assembly comprises a peripheral surface for supporting the pins, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses in the surface, the quantity and spacing of the recesses corresponding to the quantity and spacing of the transverse pins in the chain such that the pins can be positioned in the recesses. The recesses are of sufficient depth to support the chain in a slackened condition when the pins are positioned in the recesses.

Abstract: A system for continuous lubrication of bearings in a drilling apparatus including a roller bit having at least one pivot and a cutting roller rotatably supported on the pivot by bearings. The system comprises pumping means in the form of spiral or oblique grooves on one of the spaced confronting faces of the roller bit and cutting roller and a flow opening or port arranged to effect flow of a flushing liquid through the bearing upon rotations of the cutting roller. The grooves may be selectively oriented to pump flushing liquid through the annular gap between the roller bit and cutting roller faces radially inwardly or radially outwardly for a given direction of rotation of the cutting roller.

Abstract: The present invention involves a tool for connection to a conventional drill string and operation therewith for punching holes in a standard casing located within a well bore to pass water or gas therethrough for recovery at the well bore surface, the invention involving a pivotally arranged blade that can be extended by air, water, or mud that has passed through the drill string to impinge on a trigger end of that blade, a point end thereof engaging the casing wall whereafter, by forcing the drill string and tool downwardly, the blade pointed end will puncture the casing, removal of the blade from the casing wall involving only ceasing passing of air or fluid against the blade trigger and lifting of the drill string and connected tool. The tool also involves a backup arrangement for connection to the tool body to increase the diameter thereof to allow the tool to be used in a number of different sizes of casings.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing capillary and other tubes within a refrigeration machine. A capillary retainer clip having a plurality of sections affixed thereto is mounted within a refrigeration machine such that the sections extending therefrom form elongated openings and spaced regions therebetween. The tubes are inserted between the sections such that the sections are displaced as the tube is slid through the opening to the spaced region. When the tube is in the spaced region the sections then return to their original position securing the tube within the spaced region.

Abstract: A base member is mounted on the driven element of a mining machine or the like. A bit holder is affixed to the base member in such a way that the bit holder may be readily removed and replaced. The base member and bit holder having cooperating abutment surfaces to sustain much of the resultant cutting forces encountered during operation. A connecting pin is provided to maintain the bit holder in position on the base member. Retaining means are provided for the connecting pin. Such retaining means are located between the ends of the connecting pin so as to lock the connecting pin in position without having to have either the connecting pin or the retaining means extend laterally from the joined bit holder and base member. The connecting pin and its retaining means may readily be removed when it is time to replace the bit holder.

Abstract: A cutting machine having a universally movable cutting arm provided with a plurality of cutting heads in which the cutting machine's oil reservoir is mounted within the cutting arm and cooled by the water cooling system for the cutting machine's motor. The cutting heads and the reduction gearing drive therefor employ a common reservoir which is connected to and supplied by the cutting machine's main oil reservoir so that the cutting heads and associated drive gearing are continuously being supplied with cooled oil and are themselves cooled thereby.

Abstract: A sealed rotary rock bit is disclosed in which a combined manual venting and pressure relief system is located within the lubrication reservoir of the rock bit. The seal rotary rock bit comprises a main bit body having a plurality of legs extending downwardly therefrom. Each leg has a rolling cone cutter rotatively mounted thereon. A lubrication system is provided in each leg to provide lubricant to the bearing area between the cutter and the leg. The lubrication system includes a reservoir of lubricant communicating via passageways with the bearing area. The reservoir further includes a rubber boot molded around a metal stiffener sleeve. A cover cap is attached to the rubber boot. The rubber boot is in the form of a resilient membrane and is exposed through the cover cap to the exterior of the rock bit and through the passageways to the interior of the lubricated bearing area. The vent and pressure relief system comprises an annular seat formed in the wall of the reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling sliding movement between two telescoping members of a jar or like apparatus for use in an oil well. The telescopic sliding movement between the two members is controlled by a hydraulic impedance device which is bypassed by a hydraulic fluid dump valve after a predetermined amount of telescopic movement between the two members. A dump valve opening means is releasably attached to the walls of one of the members and, after opening the dump valve mechanism, releases from the member wall to move with the telescoping member holding the dump valve mechanism in the open condition. Means is also disclosed for recocking the apparatus and for returning the opening means to its initial position such that the opening means is reattached to the wall of said one member.

Abstract: A self-drilling dowel has a drill head extending across its leading end. A bore extending through the dowel from its trailing end is closed at its leading end by the drill head forming a centrally located blind bore. The blind bore is cylindrically shaped for a part of its axial length from the trailing end of the dowel with the remainder of its axial length to its closed end tapering inwardly from the surface of the cylindrically shaped part. A spreader is positionable in the central bore with complementary dimensioned surfaces relative to the cylindrically shaped and tapering parts of the bore. Slots are formed in the dowel and extend from the drill head to approximately the transition plane between the cylindrically shaped and tapering parts of the blind bore. The slots have a dimension extending transversely of the axis of the bore just sufficient to open into the bore at the transition plane.

Abstract: A rubble and core removal apparatus including a casing, open at one end, with spirally extending flighting disposed therein, the flighting being secured to the inner wall of the casing and extending radially inwardly thereof in changing dimension, the casing having a connection to permit rotation and lifting of the apparatus.

Abstract: A longwall mining machine incorporates breaking apparatus comprising an underframe which may be an integral extension of the main underframe of the machine and which is mounted on the conveyor for movement therealong, such that the breaking apparatus is rigidly secured to, and comprises an integral part of, the mining machine. The breaking apparatus also comprises a rotary breaking element drivably carried by the breaker underframe and a reaction plate, for example, on the same underframe, which is spaced from an adjacent periphery of the breaking element. In use, material, such as coal and rocks, on the conveyor passing between the rotary element and the reaction plate is broken against the reaction plate by the rotating breaking element. In this way, the coal and rocks are broken down to a sufficiently small size that they will not become jammed under the main underframe of the mining machine.