Abstract: A hydraulic suspension system for a multi-wheeled vehicle where each wheel is supported a suspension arm pivoted to the vehicle body and a hydraulic system including a cylinder positioned between the arm and the vehicle body to support the body on the wheels. The hydraulic system for each wheel functions independently of the hydraulic system of other wheels to maintain a near constant vehicle ground clearance.

Abstract: A process for making high-strength aggregates including hydrating calcium oxide containing coal combustion ash for a sufficient period of time to convert a high percentage of the calcium oxide to calcium hydroxide prior to forming the aggregates and curing the aggregates in high humidity. The moisture of the hydrated material is monitored to vary the hydration moisture to the desired set point. Further, the process involves producing high-strength aggregates from calcium hydroxide containing FGD ashes such as generated from duct sorbent injection and spray dryer processes.

Abstract: An optoelectric detector having transparent tubes separated by a thin opaque barrier with LEDs in one tube adjacent one side of the barrier and a photoconductor in the other tube adjacent to the opposite side of the barrier. The LEDs and photoconductor being in close proximity with the photoconductor with the photoconductor only receiving light emitted by the LEDs which is reflected from the solids in medium in which the detector is used.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for controlling the displacement of a steerable driven trailing machine with respect to a leading machine by measuring the separation between the machines and inputting such measurement to the trailing machine drive control, and measuring the angular disposition of the trailing machine and inputting the steering control of the trailing machine.

Abstract: A catalyst bed having a mechanism for supporting catalyst blocks for transport through a flue to treat the flue gas, the mechanism functioning to permit removal of blocks from the flue for conditioning or replacement while permitting continuous operation of the catalyst bed.

Abstract: Mine panel alignment is controlled by recording the electromagnetic phase modulation and/or signal attenuation between spaced distant transceivers in the panel and a transceiver on a cutting machine to measure the distance between the transceivers. Through trilateration, the position of the cutting machine with respect to the known fixed locations can be determined and adjustments made to the cutting machine functions to maintain desired panel alignment.

Abstract: A catalyst bed having a mechanism for supporting catalyst blocks for transport through a flue to treat the flue gas, the mechanism functioning to permit removal of blocks from the flue for conditioning or replacement while permitting continuous operation of the catalyst bed.

Abstract: In a mining scheme, a mobile continuous haulage system follows a miner and transports material onto a floor mounted beltway. The beltway supports a roadway on which the haulage system is carried. The roadway has wheels captured in outboard rails on the beltway and lift cylinders on the roadway when lowered, raise the beltway off the floor so that the beltway can be advanced for a belt move to facilitate adding additional belt sections.

Abstract: An apparatus using a miner, tramming conveyor and cart-type belt system wherein the system has a plurality of interconnected rail mounted carts having a lower portion supporting a panel belt and an upper portion for supporting the conveyor in both a conveying and a tramming mode.

Abstract: A gun caddy comprising a belt and a pocket depending from the belt to receive the butt of a rifle or shotgun.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for mapping mine excavation or tunnel entry conditions by mounting an array of sensors on a vehicle some of which provide knowledge of the vehicle location in the entry and others of which provide knowledge of entry conditions and by interpreting data collected from the sensors, a map can be generated of the entry strata for a given vehicle location in the entry. This map can be compared with similarly generated maps to indicate changes in the entry condition.

Abstract: A combination borehole drilling apparatus and a separator for receiving a three phase gas, liquid and solid mixture, from the borehole, and venting the gas, separating the liquid from the solid, collecting and discharging the solid and recycling the liquid to the borehole drilling apparatus.

Abstract: A separator having a plurality of vertically stacked cylindrical separation stages, with provision for removal of the gas from the liquids and solids at an intake separator stage and removal of the liquid from the solids in subsequent stages. Each separator stage has a filter screen for separating the liquid from the solid with progressively offset openings in each filter screen to pass the solid to the next stage. A wiper in each stage rakes the solid across the screen to facilitate solid-liquid separation. The liquid passes through the screen in the intake separation stage and onto a conical plate and out a plurality of openings in the side of the separator. The openings of each stage are interconnected to a lowermost reservoir stage having a central opening for disposal of the liquid. The opening in the screen in the last stage is above an auger which collects the solids for disposal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the dustiness and increasing the size distribution of a coal product in a coal preparation plant by mixing dewatered coal fines and recycled fine coal from the cyclone separator with a binder to form an agglomerated/size enlarged coated product which can be passed through a thermal dryer.

Abstract: A sprocket drive system for a chain conveyor comprises a motor driven transmission which is coupled to a planetary gear unit for speed reduction. The output sprocket is located near the center between the motor and the planetary gear unit. To make the combination more compact in size and efficiency, the drive from the motor is transmitted by means of a shaft coaxially through the drive shaft of the planetary gear unit and through the drive shaft of the transmission unit. The coaxial shaft is then coupled to the transmission unit input shaft. The transmission output shaft is coupled to the planetary gear box and then to the drive sprocket.

Abstract: A process for automating fine coal cleaning including monitoring the operation of a flotation cell for separating coal from ash impurities by automatically detecting the coal content of the tailings from the cell and controlling the supply of additives to the cell to optimize slurry coal recovery and automatically monitoring the fluid level of the coal slurry in a dewatering filter tub to control the supply of additives to the filter tub and functioning of a dewatering filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously transporting mined material for a determined distance from a continuous mining machine in a mine having a roof and a floor to a permanently installed extendable length conveyor in a mine. The method is accomplished by installing an overhead rail supported conveyor along and above the fixed and extendable length conveyor. The overhead rail supported conveyor has at least a length equal to the determined distance and in addition the overhead rail supported conveyor includes a pivoted feed. A self-propelled tramming conveyor is installed having a length at least equal to the determined distance with its discharge cooperating with the pivoted feed of the overhead rail supported conveyor and its feed adapted to receive the material mined by a continuous mining machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the reflectivity of the tailings from a coal flotation cell to optimize the cell operation. A bifurcated fiber optic cable has ends connected to a light source and a photoconductor, with a scanner end of the cable being submersed in a coal slurry. Light transmitted to the scanner end of the cable is backscattered to the photoconductor to function as a detector to determine the coal content of the tailings and through a process controller, frother and collector addition to the cell is monitored. An ultrasonic energy vibration is periodically transmitted to the scanner end of the cable to remove deposits thereon to optimize detector operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the reflectivity of the tailings from a coal flotation cell to optimize the cell operation. A photoelectric detector determines the coal content of the tailings and through a process controller; frother and collector addition to the cell is monitored. An ultrasonic energy vibration is periodically transmitted to the detector to remove deposits on the detector to optimize detector operation.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a mobile flexible conveyor train adapted to be supported on a mine floor to transport coal from a mining machine to a fixed conveyor positioned in a mine passageway, the conveyor system having a rail system for supporting the conveyor on the mine roof and including re-railer for coacting with trolleys on the flexible conveyor train to provide a smooth transition of the flexible conveyor train from the rail system to the mine floor and back onto the rail system.