Abstract: A mining machine of the type comprising a body, a driven cutter mounted on the body, and an air-cleaning system comprising ducting for conducting dust-laden air, a scrubber for applying liquid to the dust-laden air, and a demister for thereafter removing moisture from the air. The demister comprises a moisture separating station having a flow inlet, a flow outlet located rearwardly of the flow inlet, and moisture separating louvers arranged for receiving air flow from the inlet and causing moisture in the air flow to separate-out and gravitate toward a lower collecting surface to be conducted rearwardly. The inlet and outlet each include a lower level. The distance from the collecting surface to the lower level of the inlet is less than the distance from the collecting surface to the lower level of the outlet to minimize the re-entrainment of the rearwardly conducted moisture into the outgoing air flow.

Abstract: An improved mining machine including apparatus for cleaning particle-laden gas, of the type which includes a duct in which liquid droplets are introduced into particle-laden gas flowing through the duct, a demister in the duct for removing liquid and particles from gas which moves through the duct. The improvement includes at least one curved flow path in the demister for causing the gas to change direction and a liquid collection surface defining the bottom of the demister. Collected liquid is removed from the liquid collection surface. A liquid collection barrier with an aerodynamically curved upper surface is located downstream from the curved flow path and defines the downstream end of the liquid collection surface, the barrier extending the width of the flow path.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for cleaning particle-laden gas, of the type which includes a duct where liquid droplets are introduced into particle-laden gas flowing through the duct, a demister in the duct for removing liquid and particles from gas which moves through the duct. The improvement includes at least one curved flow path in the demister for causing the gas to change direction and a liquid collection surface defining the bottom of the demister. Collected liquid is removed from the liquid collection surface. A liquid collection barrier is located downstream from the curved flow path and defines the downstream end of the liquid collection surface, the barrier extending the width of the flow path.

Abstract: A method for performing strength tests on material to be mined includes the steps of preparing a flat surface on the material to be tested, forming one or more grooves in the flat surface, impacting the flat surface with a test device at a predetermined angle and at a predetermined force which is at least as great as that necessary to break out material located between the impact point and groove, repeating the preceding step at a predetermined distance from the first impact, at substantially the same force and at substantially the same angle.An impact guide and sample collector guides the test device toward the test surface at a predetermined angle and collects material broken out during the test.

Abstract: A mining machine of the type comprising a body, a driven cutter mounted on the body, and an air-cleaning system comprising ducting for conducting dust-laden air, a scrubber for applying liquid to the dust-laden air, and a demister for thereafter removing moisture from the air. The demister comprises a moisture separating station having a flow inlet, a flow outlet located rearwardly of the flow inlet, and moisture separating louvers forming air channels which receive air flow from the inlet and causing moisture in the air flow to separate-out and gravitate toward a lower collecting surface to be conducted rearwardly. A moisture accumulating section is located adjacent a rearward end of the collecting surface to receive the rearwardly conducted moisture. The accumulating section includes a floor, an end wall, a top wall, and a forwardly facing entrance for admitting the moisture.