Abstract: A method of fracturing or breaking rock includes the step of directing high intensity white light (radiation) at the rock to induce thermal stress sufficient to fracture the rock. The intensity of the energy source may be varied to control the manner in which the rock fractures. An approach for generating high intensity white light includes an elongate arc chamber and an elongate concave reflector. The arc chamber and reflector may be shielded from airborne particulate matter by an air shield or a rotating or reciprocating translucent shield.

Abstract: A plasma-hydraulic excavation system suitable for use in connection with mining operations is provided. According to the system, one or more groups of plasma-hydraulic projectors that include a reflector and a pair of electrodes are used to break an area of rock. The projectors include a connection box within which high voltage connections between the electrodes of the projector and a power supply cable may be made. Groups of projectors and supporting componentry may be housed within a common frame, to form an excavation module. Electrode insulators interconnected to the projector reflector in compression are also disclosed. A trigger circuit providing a voltage transformer for each projector in a group of projectors is utilized in connection with a series connected current source circuit to provide for the ignition of the projectors. According to an embodiment of the invention, multiple groups of projectors may be operated using a single current control switch.

Abstract: An earth boring apparatus at least partially locatable within a borehole. The apparatus includes a plurality of optical fibers, each of which has a proximal fiber light energy input end and a distal fiber light energy output end. At least one focal lens is disposed at the distal fiber light energy output end. The focal lens is made up of a plurality of focal elements, each of which corresponds to the distal fiber light energy output end of at least one optical fiber. The focal lens is arranged to receive light energy from the corresponding distal fiber light energy output end of the at least one optical fiber and focus it outwardly from the distal fiber light energy output end.

Abstract: A free-blast method for extracting ore from an ore vein deposit wherein the vein is extracted by causing the ore comprised between the rock walls bordering the vein to spall into fragments. The ore fragments are recuperated as by aspiration and subsequently processed to retrieve the precious mineral.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 for fracturing a hard material 24 includes a loading head 12 provided with a guide tube 14 for receiving a cartridge 16 containing a charge of energetic material. A flexible elongated conduit 26 is advanced and retracted through the tube 14 via a reel 88. The conduit 26 is also in communication with a stemming loader 30 which holds a supply of particulate stemming material. Tube 14 is supported by a carriage 70 which is able to slide along a member 52 by operation of a rod 76 and cylinder 78. A motor 60 is also coupled to the member 52 to effect rotation of the member 52 and thus tube 14 about an axis A which is parallel to a hole 18 drilled in the material 24. By appropriate operation of the motor 60 and rod 76, the tube 14 can be moved into and out of alignment with the hole 18. When the tube 14 is moved into alignment with the hole 18, cartridge 16 is loaded into the tube 14 and pushed through the tube 14 into the hole 18 by advancing the conduit 26.

Abstract: A geothermal drilling and recovery system comprising a drilling rig having an elevator with a laser and a radar gun mounted on said elevator, a drill pipe, a rotating mirror mounted adjacent the lower end of said drill pipe and means for establishing a vacuum adjacent said lower end of said drill pipe to remove and recover heat and drilling debris therefrom.

Abstract: A method for treating a coal formation to alter properties of coal in the formation is provided. In one embodiment, heat from one or more heaters may be provided to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation. In certain embodiments, the heat from the one or more heaters may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the part of the formation. The method may include producing a fluid from the formation. In some embodiments, the produced fluid may include at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the formation. In an embodiment, after at least some coal has been treated at least a portion of such coal may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A heating rate to a selected volume of the formation may be controlled by altering an amount of heating energy per day that is provided to the selected volume.

Abstract: A method of fracturing or breaking rock includes the step of directing high intensity white light at the rock to induce thermal stress sufficient to fracture the rock. An approach for generating high intensity white light includes an elongate arc chamber and an elongate concave reflector. The arc chamber and reflector may be shielded from airborne particulate matter by an air shield or a rotating or reciprocating translucent shield.

Abstract: A plasma-hydraulic excavation system suitable for use in connection with mining operations is provided. According to the system, one or more groups of plasma-hydraulic projectors that include a reflector and a pair of electrodes are used to break an area of rock. The projectors include a connection box within which high voltage connections between the electrodes of the projector and a power supply cable may be made. Groups of projectors and supporting componentry may be housed within a common frame, to form an excavation module. Electrode insulators interconnected to the projector reflector in compression are also disclosed. A trigger circuit providing a voltage transformer for each projector in a group of projectors is utilized in connection with a series connected current source circuit to provide for the ignition of the projectors. According to an embodiment of the invention, multiple groups of projectors may be operated using a single current control switch.

Abstract: A fusion drilling process and device for the placement of dimensionally accurate borings, particularly those of large diameter, in rock, in which the waste melt is pressed into the surrounding rock, which is cracked due to the effect of temperature and pressure, and in which a borehole lining is produced by solidifying melting during boring, with a melt containing metal supplied through pipeline elements as a boring medium to the base of the borehole to be removed through melting. For this purpose a melt made of magnetic metal is preferably used.

Abstract: A method for treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from a first set of heat sources to a first section of the formation. The heat provided to the first section may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the first section. Heat may also be provided from a second set of heat sources to a second section of the formation. The heat provided to the second section may mobilize at least some hydrocarbons in the second section. A portion of the hydrocarbons from the second section may be induced to flow into the first section. A mixture of hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation. The produced mixture may included at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Fluid migration into and/or out of a treatments area in the formation may be inhibited. In some embodiments, a barrier may be used to inhibit migration of fluids into and/or out of the treatment area. Heat may be provided to the treatment area and subsequently, hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: An electro-power impact cell used in blasting works includes a first electrode to which a high voltage is applied, the first electrode having a plurality of conductive piece between which nonconductive pieces are disposed so that when the high voltage is applied to the first electrode, arc occur at the nonconductive piece; a second electrode spaced away from the first electrode; and a closed-cartridge enclosing the first and second electrodes while containing electrolyte.

Abstract: A discharge breaking system and a discharge breaking method for breakage and decomposition of objects to be ruptured such as destruction of base rocks and breakage of stones into small pieces at building lands, breakage for finishing tunnels and destruction of concrete buildings. A discharge breaking system is configured to supply or discharge electric energy charged or accumulated in a capacitor between a pair of electrodes in a short time for abrupt vaporization of a breaking substance for transmitting a pressure, thereby breaking an object to be ruptured with an expansion force generated by the vaporization. The discharge breaking systems has a structure wherein an end portion of a sheath member which covers a pair of metal cores for composing a cable is cut off to expose ends of the metal cores, and the exposed ends of the metal cores are submerged in the breaking substance and used as electrodes.

Abstract: A continuous control system for a mining or tunnelling machine having a boom (12) with a motor driven cutting head (14) at one of its ends and a rotatable turret (20) at the other end, the control system comprising angular encoders (40, 44) for continuously measuring the angles of the boom (12) and of the turret (20) and a linear encoder (55) for continuously measuring the linear position of the cutting head (14), and further having pressure transducers (P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4) for continuously measuring the pressures of the various hydraulic cylinders or drives (41, 43) used to operate the boom (12) and the turret (20). It may also have a power transducer (57) for continuously measuring the power input to the motor (18) driving the cutting head (14) to control the RPM of the latter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for heating of formations using fired heaters. Each fired heater may consist of two concentric tubulars emplaced in the formation, connected via a wellhead to a burner at the surface. Combustion gases from the burner go down to the bottom of the inner tubular and return to the surface in the annular space between the two tubulars. The two tubulars may be insulated in an overburden zone where heating is not desired. A plurality of fired heaters can be connected together such that the combustion gases from a first fired heater well are piped through insulated interconnect piping to become the air inlet for a second fired heater well, which also has a burner at its wellhead. This can be repeated for other heater wells, until the oxygen content of the combustion gas is reduced near zero. The combustion gas from the last fired heater well may be routed through a heat exchanger in which the fresh inlet air for the first heater well is preheated.

Abstract: A method of removing ceramic tile wherein the tiles are heated using a gas burner by passing the flame of the burner over the surface of the ceramic tile where it is secured to a supporting surface by grout or other cementitious material. The ceramic tile is thus exposed to the burner flame for a period of time sufficient to fracture the ceramic tile from its secured position surrounded by the grout or other cementitious material. The apparatus upon which the burner is mounted includes a fuel supply, a burner assembly having at least one gas burner with a flame of at least 200,000 BTU. The fuel supply and burner assembly are interconnected to supply fuel to the burner assembly, and are mounted on a wheeled cart. The burner assembly is further positioned on the cart such that the burner is at least 3-5 inches above the ceramic tile being removed, such that the flame is provided from the burner in a circle having a diameter of approximately 6 inches over the ceramic tile being removed.

Abstract: An automatic control of the operation of a machine used for excavating drifts, tunnels, stopes, caverns or the like of a predetermined profile having a rotatable head (10) and cutting arms (14, 16) mounted on the head for rotation therewith, extending in the direction of excavation with at least one cutting arm (14, 16) being radially pivotable. The angular position (.phi.) of the head (10) is continuously measured and the output signals from these measurements are processed by the computer (44) which controls the angular positions of the head and of the arms according to a predetermined profile code or program stored in the computer memory for cutting the predetermined profile. Additional sensors (54,56) may be provided to control other parameters such as RPM of the rotating head, the force exerted on the arms, the positioning of the machine and the like.

Abstract: A rock melting penetrator is provided with an afterbody that rapidly cools a molten geological structure formed around the melting tip of the penetrator to the glass transition temperature for the surrounding molten glass-like material. An annealing afterbody then cools the glass slowly from the glass transition temperature through the annealing temperature range to form a solid self-supporting glass casing. This allows thermally induced strains to relax by viscous deformations as the molten glass cools and prevents fracturing of the resulting glass liner. The quality of the glass lining is improved, along with its ability to provide a rigid impermeable casing in unstable rock formations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blasting of hard rock using a highly insensitive energetic material ignited with a moderately high energy electrical discharge causing the fracturing and break up of the hard rock is provided. The blasting apparatus comprises a reusable blasting probe including a high voltage electrode and a ground return electrode separated by an insulating tube. The two electrodes of the blasting probe are in electrical contact with a continuous volume of highly insensitive yet combustible material such as a metal powder and oxidizer mixture. The metal particles within the metal powder and oxidizer mixture form a plurality of fusible metal paths between the high voltage electrode and the ground return when subjected to an electric current delivered from a large capacitor bank coupled to the high voltage electrode.

Abstract: When a shield tunneling machine is deviated from the scheduled line while being propelled, the deviation of the shield tunneling machine from the scheduled line is detected and according to the data obtained on the deviation of the shield tunneling machine from the scheduled line, the propelling direction of the shield tunneling machine is automatically controlled.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a probe assembly for plasma blasting or fragmenting a substance such as rock, concrete and the like. The probe assembly contains a probe made of two coaxial electrodes separated by a dielectric material; a termination box secured to the probe and coupled to an energy storage module, and containing electrical connections between the probe and the energy storage module; and dampening means for dampening the movement of the termination box and the probe after a blast.

Abstract: The proposed invention relates to the mining industry and may be used for drilling wells in loose rock, in particular in quaternary deposits and in technogenic rocks with simultaneous durable and ecologically clean tubingless well cementing. The proposed method is based on loosening of the rock by its preliminary drying at the temperature of 400-450 K., its dehydration at the temperature of 700-750 K., burning out organic admixtures and its dissociation with separation of the gaseous phase at the temperature of 750-950 K. with subsequent compacting by means of the rock-crushing instrument mounted at the lower part of a thermomechanical penetrator, and on thermal transformation of the compacted rock (caking, roasting, fusion) by means of a cylindrical heater with the working temperature of 1800-2300 K.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for plasma blasting comprises a capacitor bank for storing electrical charge to which is coupled an inductance which delivers the electric charge as a current through a switch to an explodable conductor comprising a portion of a probe. The explodable conductor is a ribbon helically wound on a cylindrical mandril, the ribbon having a given length to cross section ratio which is proportional to the square root of the ratio of the inductance to the capacitance in order to ensure efficient dissipation of an optimal amount of the electrical energy stored in the capacitance.

Abstract: Mining apparatus is disclosed in which a cutting wheel supporting a plurality of roller-cutters rotates about a horizontal axis and is supported on a slewing boom for cutting a tunnel with a flat floor and roof and elliptical walls as it slews across a mining face. The slewing boom is supported on a main beam assembly, the front end of which rests on powered crawler tracks and the rear end of which passes through a gripper assembly which may be clamped between the floor and roof of the tunnel, and against which the main beam assembly may be urged forward for engaging the roller-cutters with the mining face. A preload crawler is urged against the roof of the tunnel above the powered crawler tracks to locate the main beam assembly rigidly relative to the tunnel such that the roller-cutters may cut the rock in the mining face with minimal loss of cutting force due to vibration.

Abstract: An impact ripper (2) mounted on the rear portion of a construction machine, such as a bulldozer (1), for digging a hard soil layer is automatically controlled to reduce the operator's fatigue, to improve operability with regard to the posture of the impact ripper during operation of its vibrating mechanism (3), and to prevent breakdown of the impact ripper caused by wasteful striking. A vehicle tractive force and a vehicle speed required by digging resistance applied to a blade end (2a) of the impact ripper (2) are detected and signals obtained from the detections are inputted to a controller (4). When an automatic strike switch is on, an activating signal is outputted from the controller (4) to the vibrating mechanism (3) of the impact ripper (2) regardless of a vehicle body tractive force when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The method and apparatus treat a surface of natural rock or artificial stone-like material to give to this surface an attractive finish. A high temperature jet of plasma and a high speed jet of cooling fluid are projected onto the surface to be treated. The two jets are moved on the surface at a given speed with the jet of cooling fluid following the plasma jet. The speed of movement is selected so that the high temperature plasma jet heats only a thin superficial layer of rock or stone-like material. As the jet of cooling fluid follows the jet of plasma, it suddenly cools the thin superficial layer just heated by the plasma jet to cause a thermal shock which bursts particles of rock or stone-like material at the surface thereof, and blows these particles off the rock surface.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is disclosed an apparatus for controlling the direction of displacement of an underground excavator including a turnable jack to perform excavating operations in the underground region while controlling the direction of the same by turnably displacing a pilot jack, wherein a quantity of turnable actuation of the turnable jack in the vertical direction is determined by employing a fuzzy presumptive theory having two inputs and one output used therefor under conditions that a corrected pitching angle and a steering sensibility sensible in the vertical direction are taken as inputs and a quantity of turnable actuation of the turnable jack in the vertical direction is taken as an output, while a quantity of turnable actuation of the turnable jack in the horizontal direction is determined by employing the presumptive theory having two inputs and one output used therefor under conditions that a corrected yawing angle and a steering sensibility sensible in the horizontal dir

Abstract: Only a gap defining the outer profile of the tunnel or borehole is melted down in a peripheral heat drilling process for tunnels, deep-well and exploration boreholes. The drill core, surrounded by the generated gap, initially remains and is then extracted at intervals via a tube. It is expedient for the drill core to be sheared off and extracted continuously after it has passed a cooling zone. The height of the drill core, which first remains in the borehole, is determined such that the molten rock can be pressed into the drill core, whereby the necessary pressure for this pressing in is maintained essentially constant, independently of the depth of the borehole concerned.

Abstract: A teleoperated mining system is provided for remotely controlling the various machines involved with thin seam mining. A thin seam continuous miner located at a mining face includes a camera mounted thereon and a slave computer for controlling the miner and the camera. A plurality of sensors for relaying information about the miner and the face to the slave computer. A slave computer controlled ventilation sub-system which removes combustible material from the mining face. A haulage sub-system removes material mined by the continuous miner from the mining face to a collection site and is also controlled by the slave computer. A base station, which controls the supply of power and water to the continuous miner, haulage system, and ventilation systems, includes cable/hose handling module for winding or unwinding cables/hoses connected to the miner, an operator control module, and a hydraulic power and air compressor module for supplying air to the miner.

Abstract: The recovery of materials from viscous bodies of petroleum residue and asphalt deposits which contain substantial quantities of the deposits by the use of an induced thermal gradient in a region of such a viscous body in which there is located a screw-like pump.This is effected by a process and apparatus that utilizes a thermal gradient about a archimedian screw-type pump in the pit or pond where its inlet is proximate of the surface of the pit or pond. The thermal gradient about the pump concentrates less viscous components at the vicinity of the inlet and a positive pressure is applied to assure a flow of residue towards the inlet allowing the lower viscosity materials to be captured and pumped from the pit or pond to a shore facility.

Abstract: A mining apparatus of the type in which a mining machine excavates a mining face, especially a coal face in a subterranean mining application, and has a plurality of emitters of electromagnetic waves of different character diverging toward receivers on the individual walking props. The walking props are provided with a control unit which, in response to leading and trailing zones of the respective magnetic beams and/or an overlap region of the two beams, causes the advance of the walking prop as the mining machine travels past it to follow the excavation of the mining face.

Abstract: In a heat drilling process for tunnels, deep well and exploration boreholes, only a gap defining the outer profile of the tunnel or borehole is melted down. The drill core surrounded by this gap initially remains and is then extracted at intervals via the melted zone. It is expedient for the drill core to be sheared off and extracted continuously after it has passed a cooling zones. The height of the drill core which first remains in the borehole is determined such that the molten rock can be pressed into the drill core, whereby for this pressing in the necessary pressure is maintained essentially constant independently of the depth of the borehole concerned.

Abstract: A blasting method which comprises delivering electrical energy at a rate of at least 100 megawatts per microsecond until a peak power of at least 3 gigawatts is reached across the gap of two poles of a coaxial electrode assembly immersed in an electrolyte within a confined area of a substance to be blasted. A dielectric break-down of the electrolyte in the confined area is produced resulting in the formation of plasma within the confined area which creates a pressure sufficient to blast the substance in the manner of a high explosive charge.

Abstract: A pad (22) for isolating a weight (4) from vibration of a resonant beam (8) in a resonant beam support system (6) for dissipating heat. The pad is constructed of a rubberlike material having ridges (58) and grooves (60). The ridges and grooves include a trapezoidal configuration which yields an increasing resistance to compression, i.e., spring rate, with increasing deflection. Altering the configuration of the ridges and grooves permits variation in spring rate. The pads may be constructed of standard truck tire recap tread and arranged in a square configuration. Water is injected between the pads and grooves through inlets (50, 52) to cool the pads. An aluminum plate (48) is mounted between first and second layers (40, 41) of tire recap tread to increase heat dissipation.

Abstract: An autonomous ice penetrator/payload delivery system is provided which, when once launched from its parent vehicle will, upon reaching the surface of the ice automatically right itself to proper orientation with respect to the ice surface for penetration. A modified solid propellant rocket engine is used as the heat source to penetrate the ice rapidly and automatically is ignited upon the ice pentrator/payload containment vessel attaining proper orientation with its longitudinal axis substantially normal to the ice surface. The hot gasses of combustion produced by the modified rocket engine impinge upon the ice thereby melting it. As the ice is melted and penetrated, the penetrator/payload containment vessel will follow the receding ice surface either by gravity, or by motive forces provided by the modified rocket engine, or both.

Abstract: In-situ vitrification of soil is initiated by placing a cord of dielectric material impregnated with conductive material in thermally-conductive contact with the soil, and energizing the cord with an electric current for heating the cord and starting the vitrification process.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sequential fracturing and cutting of subsurface volume of hard rock (102) in the strata (101) of a mining environment (100) by subjecting the volume of rock to a beam (25) of microwave energy to fracture the subsurface volume of rock by differential expansion; and , then bringing the cutting edge (52) of a piece of conventional mining machinery (50) into contact with the fractured rock (102).

Abstract: An RF transmission line is located horizontal to the surface of a region of earth to be decontaminated. The transmission line is driven by a constant current RF source thereby causing induction heating of the soil therebeneath. An array of transmission lines may be required depending upon the size of the area to be decontaminated. The array may be moved slowly along tracks or other mobile carrier, in a direction horizontal to the earth's surface and perpendicular to the transmission line in order to achieve more uniform heating. In an alternative embodiment, a second array may be interspersed with the first array and the RF source switched between the arrays to achieve more uniform heating. Heat losses from recondensation of vapors at the surface and/or from radiation may be reduced by heating the air used for removing the vapors and by providing a radiant surface above the array and heating said array to the desired target temperature.

Abstract: An electrode comprising a molybdenum rod is received within a conductive collar formed of graphite. The molybdenum rod and the graphite collar may be physically joined at the bottom. A pair of such electrodes are placed in soil containing buried waste material and an electric current is passed therebetween for vitrifying the soil. The graphite collar enhances the thermal conductivity of the combination, bringing heat to the surface, and preventing formation of a cold cap of material above the ground surface. The annulus between the molybdenum rod electrode and the graphite collar is suitably filled with a conductive ceramic powder that sinters upon the molybdenum rod, protecting the same from oxidation as graphite material is consumed, or a metal powder which liquefies at operating temperatures. The center of the molybdenum rod, used with a collar of separately, can be hollow and filled with a powdered metal, such as copper, which liquefies at operating temperatures.

Abstract: A method for upgrading coal in-situ is disclosed in which a treatment zone is established around an energy source placed in a cavity within a coal seam and the pore structure of the coal substantially irreversibly collapses as moisture is driven off. The energy source provides either evaporative energy such as heat or a combination of heat and pressure in-situ. Resorption of water returning to the treatment zone during cooling of the coal prior to mining is limited due to the pore collapse.

Abstract: A method for the electro-thermal and electrochemical underground conversion of coal into oil and by-products comprises the steps of inserting an underground probe into a bore hole until the probe is in close proximity to a coal seam. A mixture of air, steam, an electrolyte and a suitable catalyst is supplied to the probe, and the mixture is then sprayed directly on the coal seam through a passage in a nozzle. The probe is also energized with electricity applied to the nozzle to produce an arc between the coal and the probe, simultaneous with the spraying of the mixture on the coal seam. Heat of the combustion from the arc and the steam combine to produce a pyrolysis, oxidation, and reduction of the coal, thereby converting the coal into a gaseous combination of oil and by-products. The arc can be rotated to increase the tunnel diameter. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A microwave heating applicator usable in preformed holes in mansonry and the like for heating and dehumidifying areas around the holes is formed from a length of coaxial transmission line. Radiating elements are formed in the outer conductor of the coaxial line for providing an asymmetrical radiation pattern. The radiating elements are provided by forming circumferential axial discontinuities in the outer conductor, each discontinunity having a pair of non-parallel cut edges formed in the outer conductor encircling the line, leaving an asymmetrical open area extending axially between the cut edges. One of the cut edges may describe a plane perpendicular to the coaxial line's z axis while the other cut edge describes a plane which is not perpendicular to the coaxial line z axis. The radiating elements may be provided at intervals along the coaxial line.

Abstract: Apparatus to split a body in which the apparatus is received. The apparatus has a first metal component of a first coefficient of expansion and a second metal component of a second coefficient of expansion, different from the first. The second body is attached to the first body. Whereby heating the apparatus causes a marked distortion in the apparatus to exert force on a body in which it is received, sufficient to split the body.

Abstract: A water-containing region at or near the surface of the earth, such as a landfill, that is contaminated with hazardous materials is decontaminated by heating the region with bound radio frequency energy from a bound-wave transmission line excitor array disposed outside the region to a temperature to boil water and thereby increase the permeability of the region. The heating is continued by dielectric heating after water has boiled from at least a portion of the region to heat the portion to elevated temperatures substantially above the boiling point of water. The materials may then be rendered innocuous in situ in a number of ways, as by pyrolysis, thermally assisted decomposition, or reaction with an introduced reagent, such as oxygen. The materials may also be driven from the region, as by distillation or by evaporation and steam drive and then collected and disposed of, as by incineration.

Abstract: A rotary wheel excavator having scoops with impact cutters only at the two front corners of the cutting edge of each scoop. Structure is provided for vibrating each impact cutter during a predetermined portion of the rotation of the wheel. The left and right hand impact cutters on each scoop are independently controlled, depending on the direction of swing of the excavator boom. The operation of the impact cutters is preferably under the control of a hydraulic system.

Abstract: A solar powered cutting, shaping, and polishing device is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment a large concave parabolic reflector is mounted on an X and Y axis rotatable (telescope type) mount and directed towards the sun. A smaller convex parabolic reflector is mounted on an adjustable support structure attached to the large concave reflector such that the two reflectors can be made to share, or nearly share, the same focal point. Mounted between the large and small parabolic reflectors on an additional rotatable mount is a flat reflector. The large and small parabolic reflectors are used to concentrate solar energy to a desired and adjustable focal point. The flat reflector can then be used to direct the concentrated energy across a material in an operator-determined pattern. Depending on certain factors associated with the material and the positioning of the focal point, the material can then be cut, shaped, or polished as the user desires.

Abstract: At peat mining peat is suspended in water to a slurry or suspension which is led to a dewatering plant. From the dewatering plant (13) return water is returned and used to heat the raw peat in connection with the mining area. The return water can be spread onto the moss over an area (11) at a suitable distance from the mining pit (2), thereby at least partially displacing the moss water and providing water for making a slurry, the moss water preferably being drained to the mining pit. The return water contains also a separated fine parts fraction of the peat as well as peat ash and/or other chemicals which break down the colloidal bonds of the peat and which preferably also raise the pH-value of the water which is drained into the mining pit together with said fine parts fraction.

Abstract: A method of melting sulphur, in block form, uses a heating device having lower heating surfaces and means for withdrawing sulphur. The device is positioned on a block of sulphur so that the heating surface(s) are inclined downardly to a collection location spaced inwardly from sides of the sulphur block. The heat is supplied to the heating surfaces to melt sulphur, and molten sulphur is withdrawn by the means for withdrawing it. As sulphur is melted, the heating device is progressively lowered through the block of sulphur. A corresponding apparatus having inclined heating surfaces is provided. As the sulphur is melted so that molten sulphur runs down towards the collection location, the device can be used right up against the edge of a block of sulphur.