Abstract: An armored detector assembly, a mining system, and methods of using it are described. The armored detector assembly consists of a main assembly and a hatch assembly. The hatch assembly is welded onto mining equipment, and the main assembly is removably attached to the hatch assembly. The armored detector assembly houses sensitive monitoring equipment used in mining operations. Because of its rugged construction the armored detector assembly is suitable for storing a wide range of sensitive equipment in harsh industrial environments. One embodiment allows for openings in the main assembly so that gamma radiation can enter the main assembly and be measured by gamma radiation monitoring equipment used in continuous mining operations. A portion of the gamma radiation monitoring equipment is enclosed within an integral explosion proof enclosure.

Abstract: A protective shield for machines having an operator station protects an operator located on the operator station during operation of the machine. The protective shield defines a flexible curtain of elongated members which covers an exposed side of the operator station, but yet is also of a construction that allows the operator to reach and see through the curtain when desired. The protective shield has an adjustable height to accommodate a variety of machines and to adjust to underground mines having different sizes and shapes. The protective shield is easily removable from and reattachable to machines without the use of additional tools, thereby enhancing its versatility and usefulness. In a preferred embodiment, the protective shield comprises a somewhat stretchable chain mesh, which hangs from a roof canopy extending along side the operator station.

Abstract: A surface mining and testing apparatus and system provides for the adaptation of a surface miner to the specific geological conditions of a new area of use. The special features of the surface miner are the arrangement of the milling roller (5) in front of the chassis (1) in the direction of mining, the undershot direction of rotation of the milling roller (5), as well as the adjustability of the milling roller (5) in its height and transverse slope in relation to the level. These functional features are accomplished with the testing apparatus in order to obtain the same kinematic conditions as in the surface miner. To make it possible to extrapolate the results obtained with the testing apparatus to the surface miner, the parameters overall weight, drive output and throughput of the testing apparatus are used as constant, lower ratios in relation to the surface miner.

Abstract: A device for accelerating the action of common expansive mortars (M) (used as a replacement for explosive products for demolition and cutting operations on blocks of rock or concrete) comprises at least one heating element (1), which is introduced into the hole (3) within the action of the mortar (M) is to be exerted, in order, to heat the mass of said mortar (M) sufficiently to accelerate the chemical reactions which determine the expansion thereof.

Abstract: The mining machine can serve a dual function, as a road header or as a continuous miner. The machine has a turrent 14 into which a road header assembly can be directly pivotally mounted. Alternatively a continuous miner cutter assembly can be pivotally mounted on the turret, indirectly via transversely disposed pivot extension brackets 45 which are firstly mounted on the turret to extend the pivot axis forwardly of that of the road header assembly. Each bracket has three bores 46-48 in triangular disposition, two of which 46, 47 fixedly connect the bracket to the turret while the third bore 48, forwardly of the others provide the pivotal connection for the parallel arms 40 of the continuous miner.

Abstract: An enclosure for periodic movement in an underground mine to provide a place for the safety of miners. This enclosure has a frame with an envelope unit attached thereto to define an interior volume for habitating by the miners upon notification of eminent dangerous conditions or immediately after dangerous conditions exist. The evelope has at least one sealable doorway, and contains provisions to sustain habitable conditions for a selected time to permit subsequent escape or rescue. The enclosure is to be located about ninety to one hundred twenty-five yards from areas being worked by miners so as to be easily reached and entered. The size of the help unit enclosure is selected to hold a selected number of miners and the supplies for the selected survival interval. The envelope, in its preferred form, further contains circulating fans, communication equipment and other equipment for the comfort of the miners. External lighting is provided to direct the miners, as well as rescuers, to the enclosure.

Abstract: There is provided a continuous mining system comprising at least one chassis, boom arrangement for supporting a continuous miner cutting head, roadheader turntable assembly and, optionally, drilling machine. The latter three items are adapted so that each of them can be removably mounted on any one of the at least one chassis. This enables a continuous mining operation to be carried out without the need to remove the whole of the mining machine if hard rock is encountered.

Abstract: A mounting for quickly removing and replacing cutter teeth on a rotary drum includes a cutter tooth socket mating with a socket housing defining a tapered channel having a base surface and a lateral surfaces inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tapered channel and oriented at an acute angle with respect to the base surface to retain the cutter tooth socket by a wedging action. The cutter tooth socket is also retained on the socket housing by a spring retainer seated in a recess in the base surface and engaging a protrusion depending in a groove defined by the cutter tooth socket. A leading side of the cutter tooth socket with respect to the direction of cutter movement contains oblique surfaces to cam to the side the material of the surface being cut. A dummy cap is inserted in socket housings from which the cutter teeth sockets have been removed and extends beyond the socket housings toward the surface being cut to protect the socket housings from wear by the work surface.

Abstract: A hard compact material, such as rock, is broken by directing a high velocity jet of fluid, such as water, into a drill hole in the material to be broken. The jet is generated by a nozzle and is directed into the drill hole through a tubular member, which is associated with the nozzle. Upon having traversed the tubular member, the jet is suddenly arrested in the hole to break the material by the established jet stagnation pressure stemmed by the tubular member.