Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes accessing at least one coordinate of a cutting face stored in a computer-readable medium, automatically operating at least one actuator to position a platform a predetermined starting distance from the at least one coordinate, the platform supporting a cutterhead, and automatically operating the at least one actuator to advance the platform toward the cutting face and beyond the at least one coordinate by a predetermined depth-of-cut to perform a cut of the cutting face with the cutterhead.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes accessing at least one coordinate of a cutting face stored in a computer-readable medium, automatically operating a first actuator to position a platform a predetermined clearance distance from the at least one coordinate, the platform supporting a cutterhead, and automatically operating a second actuator to position an arm at a tramming position after positioning the platform the predetermined clearance distance from the at least one coordinate, the arm coupled to the platform and including the cutterhead.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes performing an automated cutting operation without requiring manual interaction using a cutterhead included in an arm pivotably coupled to a movable platform and stopping the automated cutting operation without requiring manual interaction. Stopping the cutting operation includes (i) stopping at least one motor driving the cutterhead, (ii) operating a first actuator to retract the platform from a cutting face by a predetermined distance, and (iii) operating a second actuator to swing the arm to a predetermined tramming position.

Abstract: A method and rig for driving tunnels, galleries, shafts or the like. The rig has a movable base unit that over a support unit supports a carrying unit which in turn carries a cutting head having outwardly directed cutting elements. The method includes rotating the cutting head around a general axis of rotation and applying the cutting head against a rock surface to be worked. The carrying unit is swung into a first chosen mutual position in respect of the support unit. The support unit is rotated into a second chosen mutual position with respect to the base unit around an axis that is essentially longitudinal with respect to the base unit. An angle of operation of the cutting head is controllable.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track.

Abstract: A method of quarrying dimensional stone and a line drilling apparatus used therein. The drilling apparatus is frameless and comprises a first boom and a second boom, between which is arranged a joint mechanism, allowing the booms to be moved relative to each other. Furthermore, in connection with the joint mechanism is arranged a stone support adaptable against the stone once the drilling apparatus is coarse-positioned in the vicinity of a drill hole line. Fine positioning of the drilling apparatus in the direction of the drill hole line is performed by joints comprised by the joint mechanism. Positioning at drill holes takes place by turning the second boom along an arched motion path and by turning the drilling unit towards the stone to be drilled.

Abstract: In a drum housing for a working drum of a construction machine or mining machine, said working drum being provided with tools and rotating about a drum axis, with a housing shell which at least partially encloses the circumference of the working drum, and with at least one inspection opening for a monitoring device arranged in the housing shell, wherein said monitoring device inspects the condition of the working drum or the tools thereof, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: a closing mechanism is arranged on the outside of the housing shell, said closing mechanism enabling closure of the at least one inspection opening.

Abstract: A ridge in a lane of a roadway is ground away by providing a transverse beam carried on the support arms of a transport vehicle across a front of the vehicle, locating the vehicle longitudinally of the lane with the beam extending across the roadway and with the beam located by the vehicle in fixed position parallel to and above the ridge, moving a grinding assembly carried on the beam along the beam for grinding the ridge. The beam carries a gauge for a depth of grinding. The grinding assembly includes a toothed grinder rotatable about an axis transverse to the beam with a width transverse to the beam which is approximately equal to the width of the ridge.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of characterising a resource in a block located in an area. The method comprises the step of providing information concerning a property of the resource for a plurality of sample positions in, at or in the environment of the block. The information is obtained from analyses of samples from the sample positions. The method further comprises modelling a change in the property along a distance at or within the block using the provided information. The method also comprises calculating parameters associated with the modelled change using Bayes' theorem and calculating a property characteristic of the resource for the block using the calculated parameters.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media containing instructions for controlling a miner. One system includes a cutter head, a left tram system, a right tram system, and a cutter head controller. The cutter head includes a plurality of bits and a plurality of sections defining at least one recess. The left and right tram systems are configured to move the miner, and the cutter head controller is configured to vary a current speed of at least one of the left tram system and the right tram system to cause the cutter head to alternate back and forth to bring the plurality of bits into engagement with material accumulating within the least one recess.

Abstract: The construction machine according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that an air-processing apparatus (28) is arranged outside the cab (9) on the machine frame (2), wherein a device (13, 22) for feeding processed and/or fresh air into the cab and used air from the cab is provided, said device having a feed air duct for processed air for the cab and a discharge air duct for used air from the cab.

Abstract: Described herein is a computerised method for identifying and classifying edges in a dataset representative of an open-pit mine terrain. The method includes the step of identifying one or more surfaces of the terrain having common topological attributes (306). Then, for each surface identified, edges of the identified surface are detected (308) and each of the detected edges are classified (316) as one of a toe, crest, or other than a crest or a toe. The method also includes the step of updating the dataset (208) with the edges classified as toes or crests.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing a planar cavern are provided. The planar cavern is formed by first creating a continuous bore that extends through a subsurface resource deposit. The continuous bore can be formed by connecting first and second bores at a point within the subsurface resource deposit. After the continuous bore has been formed, a sawing assembly is placed within the continuous bore. The sawing assembly is then moved, in a continuous or in a reciprocating fashion, within the continuous bore. As the sawing assembly is moved, it is maintained under tension, to create a planar cavern. By thus exposing a large area of the resource deposit, a relatively large amount of the resource deposit can be dissolved in a solvent introduced to the planar cavern per unit time. Saturated solution can then be pumped from the planar cavern, and the resource recovered from the saturated solution by evaporation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for producing a planar cavern are provided. The planar cavern is formed by first creating a continuous bore that extends through a subsurface resource deposit. The drill head used to create the bore can be steered in response to information about the concentration of the resource in the strata through which the drill head is passing, in order to keep the bore within resource deposit. The continuous bore can be formed by connecting first and second bores at a point within the subsurface resource deposit. After the continuous bore has been formed, a sawing assembly is placed within the continuous bore. The sawing assembly is then moved, in a continuous or in a reciprocating fashion, within the continuous bore. As the sawing assembly is moved, it is maintained under tension, to create a planar cavern. By thus exposing a large area of the resource deposit, a relatively large amount of the resource deposit can be dissolved in a solvent introduced to the planar cavern per unit time.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a pick assembly comprises a rotatable drum comprising at least one block disposed on a circumferential surface of the drum. The at least one block comprises a cavity comprising a cylinder. A pick comprises a working end and an opposing base end wherein the base end is disposed within the cavity and comprises a piston that is slidably retained within the cylinder. In another aspect of the present invention a pick assembly comprises a rotatable drum comprising at least one block disposed on a circumferential surface of the drum. The rotatable drum comprises a cavity comprising a cylinder. The at least one block comprises a first end and an opposing second end wherein the second end is disposed within the cavity. A pick comprising a working end is rigidly secured to the first end of the at least one block and the second end comprises a piston slidably retained within the cylinder.

Abstract: A holder block and pick assembly including a pick, a washer, and a block body. The pick includes a shoulder and a shank extending rearwardly from the shoulder and having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the shoulder. The washer has a central opening adapted to fit about the shank adjacent to the shoulder and a substantially flat edge disposed substantially perpendicular to a radius of the central opening. The block body includes a bore for receiving the shank, a base surface at a lower end of the body for mounting the body to a rotatable element of a rotary cutting machine, and a stop extending frontwardly from the front face of the body and having a surface located substantially perpendicularly to a radius of the bore such that when the pick shank is inserted into the bore with the washer disposed about the shank adjacent to the shoulder, the flat edge of the washer engages the surface of the stop to substantially prevent the washer from rotating with respect to the block.

Abstract: A method of open cut mining an ore is disclosed. The method comprises carrying out mining operations in an area of an open cut mine with manned resources and unmanned resources and providing separate access for these resources to the mine area at selected locations. Alternatively, or in addition, the method comprises carrying out mining operations in the mine area with manned resources and unmanned resources operating in selected, separate unmanned and manned zones, respectively within the mine area.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a mining and demolition tool are described herein. In an embodiment, a mining bit tool includes a mining and demolition bit tool base and a mining bit tool tip coupled to the mining bit tool base. The base includes a tapered portion and a stem. The tapered portion includes a first end and a second end, with a surface tapering from the first end to the second end. There are at least two flutes positioned along the tapered surface, where a first flute is positioned at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis passing through the center of the mining bit tool and a second flute is positioned to cross a path of the first flute. The stem extends from the first end of the tapered portion, and the tip is coupled to the second end of the tapered portion.

Abstract: A surface miner operates in a first direction to remove material from a mining face with its rotational axis of the cutting drums oriented substantially perpendicular to the mining face. Upon reaching an end of the mining face, the surface miner turns such that the axis is oriented substantially parallel to the mining face. The surface miner then operates in a second direction to cut a first channel from the mining face. To withdraw the cutters from the first channel, the surface miner reverses. The surface miner repositions to cut a second channel from the mining face in the second direction. The first and second channels together define a cut out. The surface miner is positioned in the cut out with the axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the mining face facing in a direction substantially opposite the first direction. The surface miner then continues to remove material in that direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled civil engineering machine, in particular a road-milling machine, a road recycler, or a road stabilizer, having a frame carried by a set of running gear, a working unit for performing work required for the civil engineering operation, and in particular a working drum, and a drive unit carried by the frame of the machine, to drive the working drum. A power transmitter is used to transmit the driving power from the drive unit to the working unit. The drive unit of the self-propelled civil engineering machine has a first and a second drive engine, the power transmitter being so designed that the driving powers coming from the first and the second drive engines can be transmitted to the working unit together.

Abstract: The scheduling of extraction of a resource within a mine is disclosed which comprises obtaining drill hole grade data relating to the resource and creating a plurality of different block models, with each block in each model having a resource grade and each of the block models honouring the drill hole grade data. An extraction schedule is determined based on a cut-off grade policy to increase expected net present value of the mine. The cut-off grade policy can be a variable cut-off grade and the scheduling using the variable cut-off grade is converted from a non-linear representation to a linear representation and a mixed integer programming formulation is used for simultaneous optimisation of the extraction schedule and the cut-off grade.

Abstract: A relocatable oil sand slurry preparation system is provided for preparing an aqueous oil sand slurry amenable to pipeline conveyance while producing minimum overall rejects, comprising (a) a relocatable rotary digester for slurrying oil sand and water and digesting oil sand lumps to form a pumpable slurry, the rotary digester having a feed end for receiving oil sand and water, a slurrying chamber comprising a plurality of lifters for slurrying the oil sand and water, and a trommel screen end for screening out oversize rejects from the oil sand slurry which falls through the trommel screen; and (b) a relocatable rejects recirculation unit operably associated with the rotary digester for receiving oversize rejects and delivering the rejects back to the rotary digester for further digestion. In a preferred body, relocatable oil sand slurry preparation system further comprises a rejects crusher for crushing oversize rejects prior to delivering rejects back to the rotary digester.

Abstract: A construction machine for the treatment of ground surfaces includes a machine frame, a drive motor, a work drum supported from the machine frame and including exchangeable tools fastened to the work drum, a belt drive and an auxiliary drive. The belt drive includes a motor-side pulley connected to the drive motor, a drum-side pulley connected to the work drum, and at least one drive belt connecting the motor-side pulley to the drum-side pulley. The auxiliary drive may be permanently coupled to the belt drive, or the auxiliary drive may include an adjustment mechanism for moving the auxiliary drive between a coupled and an uncoupled position.

Abstract: A method of transporting heavy hydrocarbons can include blending a kerogen oil with a bitumen to form a blended oil sufficient to render the blended oil transportable through an extended pipeline. The blended oil can be substantially free of additional diluents or viscosity modifiers and can be readily pumped through the extended pipeline from a source location to a destination location.

Abstract: Systems, methods and processes teach by specific examples how the cost of sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) can be totally offset and turned into profits during coal powered electricity generation from revenue and co-benefits. The process is provided whereby fly ash-carbon mixtures, or de-volatilized coal char, or anthracite coal culm is co-fired in an air-cooled, slagging combustor with limestone or similar slag fluxing materials converts the ash into cementitious slag with properties similar to ground granulated blast furnace slag.

Abstract: A construction machine, in particular road milling machine, recycler or stabilizer, with a machine frame (4) that is carried by a chassis (2) with a working drum (6) and a drive train (8) comprising at the least a drive engine (10), a traction mechanism (12) for the mechanical drive of the working drum (6) with a drive element, an output element and a traction element (30), a device (14) for switching the torque between the drive engine (10) and working drum (6), and device (16) for driving at least one hydraulic pump; it is provided that elements of the drive train (8) are divided into at least two groups, the first group (3) shows at least the drive engine (10), the second group (5) shows at least the drive element (11) of the traction mechanism, and where the first and the second groups (3, 5) are connected to one another via an articulated coupling device (20).

Abstract: A device and system for removing structures embedded in surrounding material is disclosed. Embodiments include a powered, expandable clamp attached to a rotating cutting tool for removing manholes from roadways. Select embodiments include anchoring a clamp to a manhole and using the manhole itself as leverage to move a cutting device through the surrounding material. Alternate embodiments allow an operator, working alone from a control station, to secure the manhole remover to the manhole, cut through the surrounding roadway, remove the manhole, and deposit the manhole at another location without requiring the operator to leave the control station. Further embodiments optionally include a depth gauge indicating the penetration depth of the cutting tool, an indicator reflecting the expanded state of the clamp, a pendulum mount allowing the clamp and drum to vertically orient using gravity, and/or the ability to attach to a host machine, such as a skid-steer loader.

Abstract: A close proximity pavement grinder is utilized for grinding close to a raised structure such as a lower surface of curbs close to the curb wall. The grinding apparatus utilizes a wide grinding head with grinding blades mounted along the length of an arbor to grind the lower surface of the curb in a single pass. The grinder includes a narrow bearing and support at the outer end of the arbor and is driven at the inner end so that the grinding may be conducted within close proximity of the curb wall. The grinder has a pivoting grinding head that can be locked at various angles relative to the grinder to match the relative angles between the pavement and the lower surface of the curb.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drive for a grinding or cutting machine. The drive comprises a body having a drive coupling for receiving at least one drive shaft in a manner so that the or each drive shaft is drivable by the drive. The drive also comprises a mount for mounting the body to a portion of the machine such as to a linkage arm of an earth grinding or cutting vehicle. The drive coupling is arranged to inter-fit with a portion of the or each drive shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a mining machine and a method of mining. The mining machine includes a body, an arm mounted on the body for angular displacement relative to the body, a mining head mounted on an end region of the arm for rotation relative to the end region of the arm, drive means for driving the mining head to rotate relative to the end region of the arm while the mining head is in abutment with a mining face, and drive means for driving the arm to displace angularly relative to the body, such that, in use, the arm can be driven to displace angularly relative to the body to sweep the mining head across a mining face while the mining head is driven to rotate and in abutment with the mining face, thereby to mine the mining face.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for mining a material in an underground environment. The method comprises positioning a structure in an underground roadway and locating the structure so that the structure provides a reactive force when a cutting head is pushed against the material via a series of members coupled to the structure. The roadway is suitable for passage of people and transportation of machinery and removed material. The method also comprises coupling the cutting head to at least one of the members of the series of members and the series of members to the structure. Further, the method comprises forming a plurality of branch tunnel portions projecting from the roadway into the material using the cutting head and the series of members coupled to the structure, comprising repositioning the cutting head and the series of members between formation of the branch tunnel portions. At least one of the formed branch tunnel portions has a length of more than 50 m.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program for modelling an optimal mine plan is disclosed. The life of mine is divided into a plurality of increasing lengths of time (FIGS. 2 and 3) and performing optimisation steps, with each step being performed once for a predetermined time period for the remaining life of mine. Material may be stockpiled or may be sent direct to product or to waste without any stockpiling. A decision (block 10 in FIG. 1) is made as to which material is sent to product in each time period for the remaining life of mine. In each predetermined time period, material with a grade greater than a marginal grade that is not sent to produce is sent to stockpile and all material less than a marginal grade is sent to waste (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a cutting extraction machine, which can be moved along a working front in longwall mining, in which method the heat emission of the working face (4) newly exposed by the extraction machine, in each instance, is observed using an infrared camera (10), and control data for the subsequent extraction run are generated on the basis of this observation.

Abstract: Coal burning waste gases, notably carbon dioxide (CO2), can be removed or sequestered, and the distribution and utilization of coal as a safe, efficient, and convenient heat source can be improved. Carbon dioxide, a waste gas as from a coal burning process, can be sequestered within freshly fractured rock particles, such as Oligocene rock serpentine, using an adapted version of a rotary collider to fracture down hens-egg sized incoming rocks in a pressurized waste gas. The process sorts the small, fractured rocks and coats them after CO2 sequestration with a cementitious coating for use as a component of building material. In order to improve the transport and delivery of mined coal it is an advantage to fracture the coal and coat the particles with an aqueous liquid. The methods and apparatus deal with the improved delivery of said liquid-coated coal particles for current and new customers who become interested in using coal as an economical heating fuel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an excavator that is operable in manual and automatic modes and uses state machines to effect unit operations, rotationally offset swing actuators to rotate boom and cutter head, a fail safe hydraulic system to maintain gripper pressure in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, differing position and pressure control functions in the hydraulic actuators, a kinematic module to effect pitch and roll adjustments, a cutting face profile generator to generate a profile of the excavation face, and an optimization module to realize a high degree of optimization of excavator operation.

Abstract: A pavement diamond grinder used for grinding and/or grooving pavement surfaces as the grinder carriage with a rotating arbor supporting radio blades. A cooling and dust control system delivers water to the arbor. The system includes a spray bar with nozzles that atomizes the water prior to engagement with the blades. The system utilizes a wiper debris removal device to clean the blades. In addition, a device that is utilized to effect turbulence adjacent to the blades and improve contact of the atomized water with the blades.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a mining and demolition tool are described herein. In an embodiment, a mining bit tool includes a mining and demolition bit tool base and a mining bit tool tip coupled to the mining bit tool base. The base includes a tapered portion and a stem. The tapered portion includes a first end and a second end, with a surface tapering from the first end to the second end. There are at least two flutes positioned along the tapered surface, where a first flute is positioned at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis passing through the center of the mining bit tool and a second flute is positioned to cross a path of the first flute. The stem extends from the first end of the tapered portion, and the tip is coupled to the second end of the tapered portion.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a mining and demolition tool are described herein. In an embodiment, a mining and demolition bit tool includes a mining tool base and a mining bit tool tip coupled to the mining bit tool base. The base includes a tapered portion and a stem. The tapered portion includes a first end and a second end, with a surface tapering from the first end to the second end. There is at least one flute positioned along the tapered surface, where the flute is helical in shape. The stem extending from the first end of the tapered portion, and the tip is coupled to the second end of the tapered portion.

Abstract: The milling head (1) which serves for the machining of the head (80) of a pile (8) consisting of a pile core (81), a pile shaft (82) and a metal reinforcement lying therebetween comprises a coupling device (13) that can be connected to a drive shaft (2) and a plurality of picks (111, 121) that are used to remove concrete. According to the invention a central milling cutter (11) provided with a plurality of central picks (111) and an annular milling cutter (12) provided with a plurality of annular picks (121) are fixedly coupled with each other and arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis (x) of the drive shaft (2). The central picks (111) are arranged within a central circle (kr1) and the annular picks (121), separated by a middle circle (kr2), are arranged in an outer circle (kr3), whereby the circles (kr1, kr3) lie at least approximately perpendicular to and concentric with the longitudinal axis (x) of the drive shaft (2).

Abstract: A method for sub-glacial mineral reconnaissance and recovery comprises analyzing silt and solutes in fluvial sub-glacial streams of a glacier. Boreholes are formed in the glacier and melt-water flow is analyzed to establish concentration gradients of minerals in the solutes and sediments. After significant mineral deposits are identified, conventional mining techniques may be used to recover minerals.

Abstract: A method for sub-glacial mineral reconnaissance and recovery comprises analyzing silt and solutes in fluvial sub-glacial streams of a glacier. Boreholes are formed in the glacier and melt-water flow is analyzed to establish concentration gradients of minerals in the solutes and sediments. After significant mineral deposits are identified, conventional mining techniques may be used to recover minerals.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and means of collecting oil from a reservoir overlying a water aquifer or basement rock using a manned tunnel. A manned tunnel is used as a physical barrier to intercept oil and water flowing downward along a formation dip and to preferentially collect the oil or the water through a series of collector stations. This method can be used for oil spill clean-ups or for hydrocarbon recovery in appropriate reservoirs.

Abstract: An apparatus for the milling and/or drilling cutting of materials, in particular for the removal of rock, minerals or coal, with a tool drum which is mounted on a drum carrier rotatably about a drum axis, in which a plurality of tool shafts, which carry cutting tools at their ends projecting from the tool drum, are rotatable drivable mounted, at least two of the tool shafts being drivable by a common gear drive which has power take-off gearwheels arranged fixedly in terms of rotation on the tool shafts, and a common drive element which cooperates with the power take-off gearwheels. The drive element and the tool drum being rotatable in relation to one another and the shaft axes of the tool shafts standing transversely to the drum axis.

Abstract: The present invention uses an Oscillating Disc Cutter (ODC) in a controlled manner to cut rock for assay purposes. The ODC (1) is mounted in an elongate guide frame typically in the form of an open box channel (2). The ODC is located on a carriage (3), the carriage itself mounted on guide rails (4) within the channel (2). The apparatus includes drive means operable to drive the carriage (3) in a rectilinear manner along the rails (4) such that the rails (4) define a cutting path. The ODC cuts a groove of controlled width and depth in a rock face, yielding rock chips that can be used for accurate assay of the face.

Abstract: A system and method for communications in a mine provides for seismic wave generation through mine strata which may include specific location identification within the mine can be used in emergency situations by trapped miners. A seismic transmitting transducer may impart seismic waves onto a rod embedded into the strata, which is tunable by use of a slideable manifold that couple the transducer to a rod. Likewise, a receiving transducer which may also be coupled to a rod via a manifold may be configured to receive the seismic wave. The seismic wave may be modulated to produce a message or portion of a message that may be decoded at the receiving location. The transducers may be configured to utilize frequency hopping spread spectrum techniques. A geophone may be used as the receiving transducer.

Abstract: Mining method for co-extraction of non-combustible ore and mine methane A method for co-extracting non-combustible ore (e.g., trona) and methane from an underground formation comprising at least one methane-bearing layer and a non-combustible ore bed having a rock roof, comprising: providing a well having a downhole end positioned above the ore bed roof; mining an ore region from an initial cavity and removing the mined ore, thereby creating a subsequent cavity; advancing the mining step to another ore region from the subsequent cavity; allowing the roof of the initial cavity to cave so as to create a gob; repeating the mining, advancing and caving steps, the caving being effective in generating fluid communication between the gob and the well downhole end and in fracturing the methane-bearing layer so as to release methane into the gob; and recovering a gob gas comprising released methane through the well to the surface.

Abstract: A method and the associated apparatus for the removal of floor coverings are presented. The removal of floor coverings is achieved in that up to 24 grooves (21) with a width (b) of 3 mm to 10 mm and with a depth (t) of up to 40 mm are simultaneously milled into the floor covering (20) at spacings (a) of 5 mm to 30 mm. The ribs (22) occurring between the grooves (21) are then knocked off by simple means, such as hammers, chisels or picks. In a second operation, by means of the same apparatus, further grooves (21) are milled transversely thereto, so that only rectangular elevations remain which can be knocked off with ease.

Abstract: A static crushing method capable of extremely safely and efficiently performing crushing operation by efficiently crushing the surface of an object to be crushed, an aid for static crushing used for the crushing method, and a filling tool. The static crushing method comprises the steps of forming a drilled hole (1) in the object to be crushed, filling an expandable crushing material in the drilled hole (1), and crushing the object to be crushed by the inflation of the crushing material, and is characterized in that the aid for static crushing having a bottom plate (3) disposed in the drilled hole, a top plate (20) larger in area than the bottom plate (3) and disposed on the outside of the drilled hole, and connection means (23) and (21) connecting these plates to each other is used to fill the crushing material, and the crushing material is disposed between the bottom plate and the top plate.

Abstract: Applicants have created a method and system of deep sea mining comprising mining SMS deposits from the sea floor with a subsea miner, pumping the solids from the subsea miner through a jumper and pumping the solids from the jumper up a riser to a surface vessel. Further, applicants have created a method of deploying a deep sea mining system, comprising stacking a riser hangoff structure on top of a subsea pump module forming an assembly; picking up the assembly by a hanging mechanism, hanging the assembly on a moon pool, attaching a first riser joint; disconnecting the riser hangoff structure from the assembly; and attaching at least one second riser joint to form the riser.

Abstract: Pocket protecting retainable cutter bits used on various mining, excavating, and foundation drilling tools and equipment are disclosed. The invention includes a combination of one or more free spinning wear rings axially mounted in recessed portions of the cutter bit shank and a groove and snap ring retainer. The wear rings are tapered on at least one end to assist in installation and designed to compress as the cutter bits are installed into cutter bit pockets. These wear rings are designed to protect the inside surface of the pocket by acting as a barrier between the spinning cutter bit and the stationary inside surface of the pocket. The cutter bit shank is longer than the cutter bit pocket and when installed passes through the pocket and extends past the axial length of the pocket. A flange is included with the cutter bit to protect the outer surface of the pocket.