Abstract: An energy storage system is selectively mountable to a vehicle and includes a frame, a battery supported on the frame, and a frame mounting interface. The frame includes a base surface and a mounting surface. At least a portion of the base surface is positioned in a plane oriented at an acute angle relative to a direction that is perpendicular to the mounting surface. The base surface may rest on a ground surface while the frame is not mounted to the vehicle. The frame mounting interface is positioned adjacent the frame mounting surface. The frame mounting interface may engage a chassis mounting interface positioned on a chassis of the vehicle, and the engagement of the base surface with the ground surface causes the frame mounting interface to be positioned in an orientation that may facilitate engagement with the chassis mounting interface while the frame is not mounted on the vehicle.

Abstract: A guide shoe for a mining machine includes a shoe body, a through hole, and a support. The shoe body is configured to engage a rack. The through hole extends between a first wall of the shoe body and a second wall of the shoe body, and the through hole extends along a central axis. The support is coupled to the first wall, and the support is configured to engage a shaft coupled to a drive sprocket engaging the rack. At least one of the shaft and the support is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The rotation axis is spaced apart from the rack by a first sprocket distance in the first configuration, and the rotation axis is spaced apart from the rack by a second sprocket distance in the second configuration.

Abstract: A drilling and bolting rig for performing drilling and bolting operations. The drilling and bolting rig includes a magazine for storing a consumable, a feed supporting a drill head for movement relative to a work surface, and a loader configured to retrieve the consumable from the magazine and load the consumable into the drill head. The loader includes an arm operable to engage the consumable. The arm is supported for both rotational and translational movement.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided for supporting a shaft for rotation. The bearing assembly includes a housing, a bearing positioned in the housing and coupled to the shaft, and a mount coupled to the bearing and to the housing. The bearing is configured to support the shaft about an axis. The mount is movable relative to the housing, thereby allowing movement of the bearing relative to the housing.

Abstract: A link is provided for a conveyor chain that is configured to convey material in a direction of travel. The link includes a first end coupled to a first adjacent link, a second end opposite the first end and coupled to a second adjacent link, and a deformable portion positioned between the first end and the second end. The deformable portion is configured to elastically deform in response to loads exerted in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor chain, thereby changing a distance between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A rackbar for a mining machine has a body including a first end and second end, an inner rack wall, an outer rack wall spaced from the inner rack wall, a plurality of gear teeth extending between the inner rack wall and the outer rack wall, an extension disposed adjacent the first end, a pin aperture positioned on the extension, and a rib extending along a surface of the extension. The inner and outer rack walls extend between the first end and the second end parallel to a rack axis. The extension extends in a direction perpendicular to the rack axis. The pin aperture is configured to receive a pin.

Abstract: A system and method for offboard monitoring are provided. The system may include a remote monitoring vehicle including one or more sensors, a drive mechanism for driving the remote monitoring vehicle; and a controller coupled to the one or more sensors and the drive mechanism. The controller may be configured to navigate the monitoring vehicle along a predetermined path of the industrial site; receive sensor data relating to an equipment; determine a state of the equipment based on the sensor data; determine whether the state of the equipment meets a threshold state for maintenance; and generate an alert indicating a maintenance event for the equipment when the state of the equipment meets the threshold state for maintenance.

Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion, a second portion, an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second portion includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported by a shaft support for movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool.

Abstract: A cutting assembly is provided for a rock excavation machine having a frame. The cutting assembly includes a base portion configured to be supported by the frame, a flexible shaft, and a cutting device. The base portion defines a base axis. The flexible shaft includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is coupled to the base portion, and the second end is movable relative to the first end and deflectable away from the base axis. The cutting device is supported on the second end of the flexible shaft.

Abstract: A wheel unit for a vehicle includes a main housing configured to be coupled to a chassis of the vehicle, the main housing including first and second control arms. A transmission housing includes a body having first and second protrusions extending from the body, the first protrusion partially defining a first cavity that receives a portion of the first control arm, and the second protrusion partially defining a second cavity that receives a portion of the second control arm. A first pin is coupled between the first protrusion of the transmission housing and the first control arm of the main housing. A second pin is coupled between the second protrusion of the transmission housing and the second control arm of the main housing, the first and second pins defining a steering axis. The transmission housing is pivotably coupled to the main housing about the steering axis.

Abstract: Automated control of a longwall stageloader bootend using a plurality of sensors. The sensors include lift sensors, side shift sensors, advance sensors, angle sensors, and conveyor belt sensors. Signals from the plurality of sensors are received by a controller and used to control the operation of the bootend. Controlling the operation of the bootend includes controlling, for example, one or more lift actuators, one or more side shift actuators, one or more advance actuators, and one or more belt actuators. These various actuators can be controlled to, for example, advance the bootend, level the bootend, or match the interfaces between the bootend and a stageloader or a conveyor structure.

Abstract: Automated control of a longwall stageloader bootend using a plurality of sensors. The sensors include lift sensors, side shift sensors, advance sensors, angle sensors, and conveyor belt sensors. Signals from the plurality of sensors are received by a controller and used to control the operation of the bootend. Controlling the operation of the bootend includes controlling, for example, one or more lift actuators, one or more side shift actuators, one or more advance actuators, and one or more belt actuators. These various actuators can be controlled to, for example, advance the bootend, level the bootend, or match the interfaces between the bootend and a stageloader or a conveyor structure.

Abstract: A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.

Abstract: An interface between a guide shoe of a mining machine and a rack includes a first surface positioned on the guide shoe. and a second surface positioned on the rack. At least one of the first surface and the second surface including a profile oriented at an oblique angle relative to a plane of the rack.

Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion including a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a second portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported for translational movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool; an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid between the first end of the first portion and the drilling and bolting tool adjacent the distal end of the second portion, the fluid passage positioned within the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A drilling and bolting rig includes a carousel rotatable about a carousel axis and including a plurality of stations configured to support a plurality of consumables, one or more actuators, and a position sensor coupled to the carousel. The one or more actuators are configured to rotate the carousel about the carousel axis. The drilling and bolting rig further includes an electronic processor coupled to the one or more actuators and the position sensor. The electronic processor is configured to detect, using the position sensor, a rotational position of the carousel, and rotate, using the one or more actuators, the carousel based on the rotational position of the carousel.

Abstract: A screen handling system is provided for a rock drilling device including a feed assembly, at least one rail system supporting the feed assembly for translational movement relative to a boom along a first axis, and an actuator for advancing a bit or bolt into a rock face parallel to the first axis. The screen handling system includes a pad disposed proximate the bit or bolt, a block having a bore that defines a second axis parallel to the first axis, a gripper at least partially disposed within and axially moveable relative to the bore in a direction along the second axis, and a drive mechanism coupled to the block that is capable of continuously rotating the pad about the second axis to a desired orientation.

Abstract: A suspension system for a wheel of a vehicle includes a first arm, a second arm, a support structure positioned between the first arm and the second arm, a first bearing assembly coupled to the first arm and supporting the support structure for movement, and a second bearing assembly coupled to the second arm and supporting the support structure for movement. The support structure is configured to be coupled to the wheel that is rotatable about a wheel rotation axis. The first bearing includes a spherical bearing, and the second bearing assembly includes a first spherical bearing and a second spherical bearing.

Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion, a second portion, an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second portion includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported by a shaft support for movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool.

Abstract: Automated control of a longwall stageloader bootend using a plurality of sensors. The sensors include lift sensors, side shift sensors, advance sensors, angle sensors, and conveyor belt sensors. Signals from the plurality of sensors are received by a controller and used to control the operation of the bootend. Controlling the operation of the bootend includes controlling, for example, one or more lift actuators, one or more side shift actuators, one or more advance actuators, and one or more belt actuators. These various actuators can be controlled to, for example, advance the bootend, level the bootend, or match the interfaces between the bootend and a stageloader or a conveyor structure.