Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of mineral seams during coal or ore mining operations. A mining machine with a cutter drum includes a detector assembly that includes two detectors attached near the surface cut by the cutter drum. The detectors include downward facing windows that receive gamma radiation from mined material and undesirable material. One detector is positioned lower than the other and over a trench created below the surface cut by the cutter drum. The cutting depth of the cutter drum may be controlled based on radiation levels detected by the detectors.

Abstract: A safety system for mining equipment is provided having a proximity-based system with a marker field generator in an explosion-proof housing. The generator has a resonant circuit with an inductive reactance that is provided by a ferrite rod wound with an electrical conductor. Also provided is an RF receiver to receive information about the strength of the generated marker field from a sensing device used by a worker. The system provides for a personal alert device, carried by personnel to be kept at a safe distance from the mining machine, the personal alert device being capable of detecting the marker field. Also disclosed is a geosteering system that stops the cutting of a continuous miner when the cutter reaches an interface between a mineral being mined and an adjacent formation that is not to be mined.

Abstract: An armored gamma radiation detector for a solid mineral mining apparatus is provided comprising a scintillation element for detecting radiation emitted from a material to be mined. The radiation detector has a high strength armor assembly surrounding portions of the scintillation element, and a window in the armor assembly is provided adapted to allow gamma rays to reach the scintillation element.

Abstract: A rock avoidance control system for solid mineral mining using a forward looking rock/mineral interface detector and controlling the miner to cut to the detected rock/mineral interface. One or more armored gamma ray detectors are positioned near the cutter and move with the cutter such that the angular size of the field of view is not reduced. Angular movements of the cutter are measured and used for calculating the rock/mineral interface location. A device is incorporated within an armored rock detector to sense angular movements of the cutter boom and to correlate changes in gamma radiation to the angular movements, within selected energy ranges. The thickness of the remaining coal is calculated by measuring the rate at which the gamma radiation increases. In one embodiment, rock detectors are used to steer the cutting of the leading drum and/or the trailing drum a long-wall mining system.

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: 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.