Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the water content (Wv %) of a material (12) by using electromagnetic waves, the method comprising following steps: applying an electromagnetic wave; measuring the propagation time (T) of a surface electromagnetic wave (26) between two points (10, 28); calculating the dielectric constant (??) of said material (12) from said propagation time (V); determining the dry mass per unit volume (?d) of the material (12); and calculating the water content (Wv %) of said material (12) from said dielectric constant (??) and said dry mass per unit volume (?d). The invention also provides apparatus enabling said water content (Wv %) to be determined using two antennas (10, 28), means (44) for measuring the transit time (T), and processor means (48).

Abstract: Apparatus, method, and a kit for a yieldable tendon mine support rock anchor include structure and/or steps including the provision of a metal support member having an outside diameter which is less than a diameter of the rock hole. Preferably, resin cartridges are disposed inside the rock hole. A wedge anchor is provided and is disposed at a distal end of the metal support member and has a narrow portion disposed uphole from a wider base portion thereof. The wedge anchor base portion is narrower than the diameter of the rock hole to permit un-solidified resin to pass from downhole to uphole of the wedge anchor base portion. The wedge anchor is dimensioned to crush solidified uphole resin and permit downhole movement of the crushed solidified resin when a yielding tension is applied to the metal support member and the wedge anchor moves uphole.

Abstract: A ball striking cue comprises a butt section, a shaft section, and a self-locking joint for removably interconnecting the butt and shaft sections end to end. The joint includes the proximate end of the shaft section formed with a conical hole, and the proximate end of the butt section formed with a conical extension. These hole and extension constitute the unique point of contact between the butt and shaft sections. They have complementary shapes and the hole has smaller radial dimensions than the extension whereby the extension can be forced in the hole to press fit the extension in the hole and thereby removably interconnect the butt and shaft sections with a spacing between the bottom of the hole and the free end of the extension. The conical hole and extension widens out and tapers, respectively, at an angle which is function of the nature of their material to enable press fit and retention of the extension in the hole while enabling separation thereof by forcing them axially apart from each other.

Abstract: A gravity orientation device comprises a cylindrical casing, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing along the longitudinal axis thereof and having pointed ends contacting bearing surfaces located in the ends of the casing, an encoder mounted within the casing and having a fixed portion secured to the casing and a rotary portion secured to the shaft, and a weight pendulum mounted on the shaft for rotation around the shaft under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A cable grip for improving the performance of cable bolts for ground support comprises a segmented wedge defining a cone, each segment having an inside cavity adapted to conform to a circumference of a cable and serrated grooves cut into said inside cavity to grip the cable, and a sleeve consisting of a plastic cone conforming to the conical shape of the wedge.

Abstract: A borehole camera monitoring system comprises a camera head assembly adapted to be lowered into a borehole by means of a cable and control unit located above ground for generating a control signal for the operation of the camera. The camera head assembly comprises a fixed portion and a rotary portion containing the camera and associated equipment for examining the wall of the borehole. The fixed portion of the camera head assembly comprises a micro-controller for controlling the operation of the camera, a position encoder for detecting the angular rotation of the camera with respect to the fixed portion of the camera head assembly and a communication interface including means for multiplexing the video signal generated by the camera with an information signal generated by the micro-controller for transmission over the cable and means for extracting the control signal generated by the computer and transmitted over the cable.