Abstract: A programmed automatic drill control for optimizing the drilling of subterranean holes by large drilling machinery such as blast hole drills. Sensing means are provided to sense a first set of drilling parameter limits to effect maximum r.p.m. of the motor to rotate the pipe drilling bit and to sense a second set of drilling parameter limits to effect a maximum rate for the motor to drive the hoist pull-down mechanism. These conditions will prevail until a sensed limit is reached or the drilling conditions require operation along a torque or force limit set value. When a limit is reached, the control will regulate at a value of r.p.m. or rate which is consistent with maintaining operation at the limit value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for clearing material from one location to a pile at another wherein a trolley member with a winch is suspended below and supported by a track which in turn is supported on a moving platform such as a drilling platform or a barge. The winch member by means of the usual lifting cable is connected to a material confining member which also is connected to a drag line cable. Movement of the trolley member over the tracks by means of the drag line will cause the material confining member to collect the material. A subsequent lifting of the lift cable as well as operation of the drag line will allow the material to be elevated and placed on a rubble pile at the side of a channel. In a preferred manner, the apparatus and method of this invention is especially suited for use in clearing ice from a channel which is previously cut by ice cutters also associated with the moving platform which carries the clearing apparatus.

Abstract: A continuing mining machine wherein a crusher is placed inboard of the machine and has a dipper machanism as well as a loading chute. The dipper is of a twin handle type so that it can straddle a feeder chute thus affording a wide area for excavating. The placement of the crusher in a central location within the machine allows for stability and obviates the need for swivelling of the crusher during operation of the machine.

Abstract: A pipe positioner for holding an end of a drill pipe in an earth drilling machine which is especially suited for use during blast hole drilling. The pipe positioner is connected to the mast of the earth drilling machine in a tubular guide frame arrangement which will allow movement of the pipe positioner inwardly and outwardly with respect to the mast. The pipe positioner includes jaws provided by slide bar members positioned in the guide frame of the pipe positioner. A double acting hydraulic cylinder connected to a pivoted linkage moves the slide bars to engage or disengage the pipe. In a preferred manner, the frame member for the jaws is provided by telescoping tubular members and the mast is of the tilting type for angle drilling.

Abstract: An adjustable casing tong apparatus with a pivoting arm for disconnecting sections of drill string pipe in a drilling apparatus so that the casing tong can match the angle of the drill pipe used during angle drilling. A support column is connected to the deck of the drilling apparatus and an arm member is supported by the support column for movement in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the support column and is also rotatably connected to the column. A wrist member is pivotally and rotatably connected to the arm member and adjustable therewith by a pin indexing arrangement. A bracket hand is also pivotally connected to the wrist member. By suitable longitudinal adjustment of the arm member on the support column as well as the pin indexing arrangement between the wrist member and the arm member as well as rotation of the wrist member, the casing tong can suitably match the angle of the drill pipe used when angle hole as well as vertical drilling on a blast hole drill.

Abstract: A dual automatic leveling system for a blast hole drill during raising and lowering which includes "fine" level sensors to detect an attitude within a fine level range and "coarse" level sensors to detect an attitude outside a coarse level range which is greater than that of the first. A controller is connected to the sensors as well as to appropriate valving with a pressurized fluid source so as to operate hydraulic jacks. The jacks are activated in a first mode in conjunction with the "fine" sensors and in a second mode in conjunction with the "coarse" sensors. In a preferred manner, the "fine" and "coarse" level sensors are positioned as front, rear, and end level sensors mounted on the main frame of the blast hole drill. The "fine" level sensors in conjunction with a programmable logic control will initially level the drilling platform within a .+-.0.5.degree. (both transverse and longitudinally). If during the raising or lowering process the platform becomes out of level by 2.degree.

Abstract: A power shovel for surface mining operations is equipped with a Suspended Load Measuring (SLM) system. The SLM system determines the net weight of the material in the shovel bucket by sensing the electrical parameters of the drive motors. A microprocessor inputs the drive motor electrical parameters and processes them according to the known geometry of the power shovel. To meet the requisite accuracy of .+-.2% for a load measuring system to be effective, the SLM system utilizes a dynamic model which accounts for both conservative and nonconservative dynamic effects prevalent in power shovel operation. Correction are included for the conservative effects of the rotational inertia of the drive motors and reduction gear train, the stretch of the cables, and the inertia of the bucket. Non-conservative losses due to friction, gear loss and motor inefficiency are also compensated for.

Abstract: A basic operator's cab can be expanded after assembly to provide a widening thereof as well as an expansion in length or both a widening and length expansion. The operator's cab is generally of a rectangular configuration and is fabricated with a diagonal separation line. The two basic sections are connected by nuts and bolts to allow disassembly and movement thereafter. Depending upon customer preference, these two basic sections can be expanded by placing insert members between the two sections which insert members will afford a widening or a lengthening or a combination of both. The insert members can be secured to the two basic sections by use of removable fasteners such as nuts and bolts which also connect the cab sections. The three-way expansion and insert feature for the operator's cab can be utilized for any type of modular unit which is to be expanded and is most particularly suited for large equipment such as blast hole drills.

Abstract: An elongated pipe carrier in a blast hole drilling vehicle allows a drill pipe to be more easily connected and disconnected to a drill string in a hole being drilled at an angle. At the lower end of the carrier a receptacle with hydraulically operated doors is secured by a hydraulically operated lock. Near the upper end a gate is pneumatically operated in response to the hydraulic operation of the receptacle lock. Also disclosed are two methods, one for connecting the upper end of the pipe to a drill head, then unlocking and opening the doors of the receptacle, and then connecting a lower end of the pipe to the drill string while supporting the pipe at an angle on the open carrier. In the second method, the receptacle is closed, and is then locked around the lower end of the drill pipe, so that pawls inside the receptacle can block rotation of the pipe in one direction. The pipe is then disconnected from the drill head.