Abstract: The invention relates to a tube coupling for connecting a tube portion of synthetic resin to another conduit element with resistance to tensile stress in such a way that said tube portion is firmly held to resist high tensile forces due to shrinkage of the tube conduits or other high tensile forces on the one hand, whereas said tube portion is clamped within the coupling in such a way that the synthetic resin thereof is not overloaded by clamping forces. This is achieved by holding the tube portion of synthetic resin by a combination of a grip ring and an elastic sealing ring.

Abstract: A haulage system for a mining machine comprises a mining machine mounted on and/or guided by a conveyor and reciprocable with respect thereto, the conveyor being provided with a rack having plural rows of teeth of identical pitch, with the teeth of one row staggered with respect to an adjacent row(s), and the machine being provided with at least one power driven haulage sprocket comprising plural sets of peripherally arranged teeth of identical pitch, one set being angularly staggered with respect to an adjacent set(s), whereby one set is engageable with each row of teeth of the rack. The invention also includes a mining machine provided with such a power driven haulage sprocket, and a rack as above described and provided with end fittings for securing in articulated manner to an adjacent rack.

Abstract: An "in-web" mineral winning machine 1 for reciprocation along a mineral face, comprises an elongate machine body 2, adapted, in use, to be located beyond the face side sidewall 14 of an armoured conveyor 16 extending along the mineral face, at least one bridge 10 extending rearwardly from the machine body 2 and adapted, in use, to overlie the conveyor 16 and to engage slidingly a trapping means 19, 20, 21 located at the goaf side 15 of the conveyor 16, the or each bridge 10 housing a machine haulage unit 34, and the or each bridge 10 being connected to the machine body 2 by at least one joint 9 providing for articulation along an axis 11 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine body 2.

Abstract: A processor is used to control a price display unit for a fluid-dispensing system. The amount of fluid dispensed by the system in measured and information responsive thereto is fed to the processor. The processor calculates the cost of the dispensed fluid and those costs are then displayed. The processor automatically cross-checks the validity of the displayed cost with the amount of fluid dispensed. A plurality of self-checking features insure proper system operation and also preserve signals stored in a memory if there is a power failure.

Abstract: A machine pre-start warning device comprises at least one water spray nozzle and at least one temperature dependent resistor, the or each temperature dependent resistor being located with respect to a nozzle as to lie in the water jet emitted in use by the nozzle. The temperature dependent resistor is connected to a control circuit to actuate the control circuit upon sensing a water jet which circuit enables machine start-up to occur when the circuit is actuated and which otherwise prevents start-up from occurring.

Abstract: A mining machine haulage transmission includes an overload protection arrangement comprising a torque sensing device which monitors the torque transmitted and brings about decoupling of one or more clutches to disconnect the transmission output from its input, in the event that the transmitted torque exceeds a predetermined threshold.In one preferred arrangement, the torque sensing device produces electrical output signals dependent upon the transmitted torque to control operation of the clutch or clutches. In an alternative arrangement or in addition, a source of motive power is connectible to operate the clutch or clutches and control means are provided, responsive to the torque sensing device, to control connection of the power source to the clutch or clutches so as to bring about decoupling in the event of a torque overload.

Abstract: A draw bar unit for connecting a recovery vehicle to a vehicle having a pressure fluid operated steering system of the stored energy kind in cases of failure of the normal pressurizing means of the system, incorporates auxiliary pressurizing means connectible into the pressure fluid circuit of the disabled vehicle and operable in response to relative movement between the vehicles to pressurize the pressure fluid circuit.

Abstract: A safety mounting device for a fuel-pump nozzle includes a vertical passage which attaches the nozzle receptacle to the pump casing. The major portion of the passage is located within, but sealed from the casing, but upper and lower vents open outside the casing to induce a throughflow of air which prevents any explosive gas mixtures from the nozzle from penetrating the casing. A closed or vented chamber may be provided between the receptacle and the passage.

Abstract: A temperature compensator for a liquid flow meter. A bellows unit is mounted in the conduit carrying the liquid measured and an output from the bellows unit is taken to a disc-and-wheel mechanical compensator by means of a flexible cable drive. An adjustable pivot lever coupling allows adjustment of the drive ratio to the compensator according to the nature of the liquid.

Abstract: A hammer mill comprising a housing and mounted within the housing a rotor and a breaker and screening assembly which cooperates with the rotor is constructed so that the breaker and screening assembly may be angularly displaced between an operative position adjacent the rotor and a servicing position at which access may be had to the breaker and screening assembly from outside the casing.

Abstract: A guard for use with a machine in which in operation a rotary element of the machine and a surface requiring an operation to be performed thereon are relatively displaced, comprises a first guard part secured to the machine so as to leave a gap between the guard part and the surface and a second guard part mounted on the first guard part by means permitting relative movement between the guard parts and in a manner to close the gap.To assist in the use of foam for dust suppression purposes, the mounting means for the second guard part on the first guard part defines a jacket having a fluid inlet opening and a fluid outlet opening adjacent the surface.

Abstract: A mineral lump breaker, for example for use in conjunction with a coal conveyor in a mine, comprises a breaker element and reaction means, for example in the form of a breaker plate or reaction discs. The breaker element and reaction means are carried by a framework straddling the conveyor and are spaced-apart so as to define between them a lump breaking gap. Material on the conveyor is moved into the gap where it is impacted by the breaker element against the reaction means. The reaction means is adjustable with respect to the breaker element periphery to vary the gap dimension.

Abstract: A longwall mining machine incorporates breaking apparatus comprising an underframe which may be an integral extension of the main underframe of the machine and which is mounted on the conveyor for movement therealong, such that the breaking apparatus is rigidly secured to, and comprises an integral part of, the mining machine. The breaking apparatus also comprises a rotary breaking element drivably carried by the breaker underframe and a reaction plate, for example, on the same underframe, which is spaced from an adjacent periphery of the breaking element. In use, material, such as coal and rocks, on the conveyor passing between the rotary element and the reaction plate is broken against the reaction plate by the rotating breaking element. In this way, the coal and rocks are broken down to a sufficiently small size that they will not become jammed under the main underframe of the mining machine.

Abstract: A mining machine includes drive unit means for driving a haulage winch and a cutting tool of the machine, the drive unit means comprising a multi-phase induction motor with a wound rotor. In order to control the motor speed, the motor is provided with a circuit connected across the rotor windings and means for varying the effective impedance presented by the said circuit to the rotor windings.

Abstract: Breaking apparatus for use with a conveyor and intended to be used in a coal mine comprises a frame generally of inverted U-shape bridging the conveyor and secured to its opposite side walls. A rotary breaking element is drivably carried on an arm assembly mounted on the frame, and a reaction plate on the frame is spaced from an adjacent periphery of the rotary element. In use, coal and rocks on the conveyor pass between the rotary element and reaction plate where they are broken up by the rotary element as it rotates.

Abstract: An auxiliary device for a longwall mining machine incorporating an underframe, by which it is mounted for movement along the conveyor of the mining machine, and it is coupled to the mining machine. The auxiliary device comprises a rotary breaking or crushing element drivably carried by the underframe and the underframe is provided with a reaction means, preferably a plate, spaced away from an adjacent periphery of the rotary element. In use, material on the moving conveyor passes between the rotating breaking or crushing element and the reaction plate where the material is broken up or crushed. In this way, it can be ensured that any large lumps of coal or rock on the conveyor can be broken down to a sufficiently small size so as not to become jammed beneath the main frame of the mining machine straddling the conveyor.

Abstract: In a suction apparatus for removing lubricating dirty oil from the crankcase of internal combustion engines a vacuum tank is connected to the crankcase by a suction line via a control valve which shuts off the suction line on completion of the oil suction process.

Abstract: A conveyor-mounted mining machine incorporates at least two driving units. Each unit comprises a linearly drivable member operatively engaged with a driven wheel coupled by a clutch to a driving wheel drivingly engaged with a stationary part of the conveyor. With the clutch engaged, linear motion of the linearly drivable member imparts rotary drive to the driving wheel so as to propel the machine along the conveyor. The driving units are operated sequentially so that a continuous drive effort acts on the machine.

Abstract: A liquid blending system for providing three grades: (a) a first base grade; (b) a second base grade; and (c) a fixed blend proportion of the two. A blend control lever coupled to a valve is selectively driven by a differential receiving inputs from fluid meters in the base grade lines. Opposed solenoids pull the lever to one extreme or the other for the two base grades.

Abstract: An air eliminator valve for automatically collecting and venting air and other gases included in flowing liquid. The valve has a chamber in which air collects, a float in the chamber and a vent valve at the top operated by the float to vent the chamber when the liquid level falls. The vent valve has a convex or concave seat with apertures therein and is sealed by a flexible diaphragm which is peeled progressively from the seat to open the valve. The diaphragm may be annular and fixed at its outer periphery, being flexed by a coupling at its center, or may be fixed at the center and flexed by a coupling at its periphery.