Abstract: The invention provides a drive train for propelling a vehicle capable of being used for transporting ore, coal or broken rock in underground mining operations. The vehicle has front and rear wheelsets, each comprising a right and left side wheel. The drive train comprises drive apparatus such as an electrically driven motor for delivering torque to at least a front wheel and rear wheel on one side of the vehicle. A torque sharing apparatus in the form of an epicyclic gear arrangement is interposed between the motor and the wheels, and operable to share torque delivered by the motor between the front and rear wheels while permitting them to rotate at different speeds in relation to each other. Front and rear transfer apparatus comprising gear trains co-operating with the epicyclic gear arrangement are provided for transferring torque to the front and rear wheels respectively.

Abstract: A material conveying system capable of traversing a surface along an elongated path having at least one curvilinear portion. The conveyor structure includes a plurality of framework members arranged in tandem on the surface of the elongated path. There are connectors on each framework member which are cooperable with connectors on each adjacent framework member for coupling the plurality of framework members to form the train. Each framework member has a series of rails to support an upper and lower run of an orbitally moveable crawler chain which engages the surface and which chain is capable of propelling the conveyor along the surface. At least some of the framework members include support structure for supporting an orbitally moveable conveying belt above the orbitally moveable crawler chain.

Abstract: A rising stem expanding gate valve including an improved metal-to-metal stem backseat seal assembly. An axially slidable seal ring is press fit onto the valve stem and is adapted to seal against a counterbored bonnet seat portion to provide a secondary metal-to-metal stem to bonnet seal. The seal ring is allowed to move a limited axial distance on the valve stem such that upon upward axial movement of the valve stem. The seal ring is repositioned in an axially downward direction about the valve stem and, consequently, is firmly sealed against the bonnet seat portion. Upon subsequent downward movement of the valve stem, the seal ring is repositioned in an axial upward direction about the valve stem such that the seal ring is in its original position about the valve by a repositioning means.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of protecting the lateral edges of a conveyor belt. A resilient tubular member having a longitudinal slit therein is in resiliently maintained contact with the belt adjacent lateral edges. The resilient member may have portions of its inner surface spaced from the belt edge portions so as to define a number of cushioning air spaces therebetween. The resilient members are preferably of generally circular cross sectional configuration in unexpanded condition and are generally coextensive with the belt. The belt may have recesses for receipt of the slit ends of the tubular resilient member. The method may involve providing an elongated tubular resilient member which is slit longitudinally and circumferentially expanded so as to permit it to receive a lateral edge of the belt. The interengagement may be maintained through resiliently maintained contact alone or by additional means for securing such contact.

Abstract: An improved chain for use as a tension element in conjunction with a resiliently deformable conveyor belt which permits the belt to be prestretched at installation by a predetermined, controlled and limited amount.

Abstract: An improved heat responsive backseat for gate valves which includes a rotating valve stem (50) carried by a bonnet assembly (14) for actuation of a gate member (40). A fusible stem ring (126) supports the valve stem at an outer portion thereof (68) within a roller bearing chamber (56) of the bonnet assembly. The valve stem (50) moves axially outward from the valve chamber (20) when the fusible stem ring (126) melts due to an external fire condition to bring a valve stem backseat portion (64) into sealing engagement with a bonnet seat portion (54). The valve stem (50) moves axially outward from the valve chamber (20) independently of roller bearings (74, 76) contained within roller bearing chamber (56) such that the roller bearings (74, 76) remain axially fixed with respect to the bonnet assembly before, during and after the shifting of the valve stem.

Abstract: A maneuverable mining machine is disclosed. The mining machine has a chassis with at least one cutting head mounted on the front of the chassis and adapted to cut into a mine face extending transversely across the front of the machine. The cutting head comprises a cutting drum which is rotatable in a plane parallel to the mine face. The cutting head is mounted on the chassis by way of a support member arranged to effect movement of the cutting drum parallel to the face. A conveying means is mounted on a chassis and is arranged to convey mine material from the front of the chassis to the rear of the chassis.

Abstract: A fluid-powered actuator assembly 10 for gate valves 13 having a slab gate 21 with a port 22 adapted to be placed in registry with the flow passage through the valve wherein the valve is moved to open position by application of fluid pressure to the actuator piston 18 and moved to closed position by a piston return spring 33 when the pressure is removed. The assembly includes an auxiliary energy storage device 40 in the form of a coiled spring 41 which is compressed in the initial stages of the actuator stroke to open the valve 13 and is maintained in the compressed energized state by a releasable latch mechanism 52 which latches to the auxiliary spring housing 42. When the actuator 12 operates to close the valve, the auxiliary coiled spring 41 is released near the end of the valve-closing stroke to provide additional axial thrust to the actuator shaft 17 and the valve gate 21 of a magnitude sufficient to shear wire lines 25 or other members which have been inserted through the gate port.

Abstract: A holddown screw 10 which features a shank 23 and contact nose 22 of separate construction. The contact nose 22 is provided with a flat bevelled contact surface 32 of predetermined angle to the axis of the screw selected to correspond to the angle of the camming surface 17a with which it is designed to cooperate. The contact nose is carried on the shank 23 and is adapted for relative rotation thereon as the screw is rotated. The back end of the contact nose is provided with an annular surface 22a disposed radially to the longitudinal axis of the screw and adapted to engage an annular shoulder 35 of the shank 23 in flat co-planar relationship therewith. As the screw is rotated and driven inwardly to contact the wellhead component 14 to be actuated, the flat contact surface 32 of the nose of the screw will engage in sliding contact with the cooperating camming surface 17a.

Abstract: A holddown screw assembly 10 which features a shaft 33, an energizer screw 39 and a detachable contact nose 20 adapted to be assembled in coaxial alignment in a radial bore in a wellhead structure. The shaft is provided with a passage 40 extending from its outer end as the holddown screw is normally used in a wellhead installation to a cross passage 41 at the other end of the shaft. Also, at its outer end, a fitting 32 is attached to facilitate connection to a hydraulic supply line 28. An annular bearing flange 35 is provided on the shaft near its outer end. A packing nut 31 and a set of packing rings 34 are sleeved about the shaft 33 with the nut disposed in abutting relation to the bearing flange 35 where it is held fixed but rotatable thereagainst by means 36. The packing nut is threaded into a threaded section of a bore 11 such as may be provided in the flange 12 of a casing spool 13. By turning the packing nut, the packing ring set may be compressed against a shoulder 37 in the bore 11.

Abstract: A bit holder for a replaceable bit is disclosed. The bit is of the type having a pointed head portion axially extending from a shaft portion. The bit holder has a holder part for receiving the bit and has a base part for securing to a cutter head. The bit holder part is releaseably secured to the base part for easy replacement. The holder part has at least one reaction surface cooperating with one reaction surface on the base part for counteracting forces arising on the bit while cutting. A bolt extending from the holder part or the base part into a cooperating aperture in the other of the holder part of the base part is utilized to releaseably secure the two pieces together with the reaction surfaces therebetween. The bolt is positioned relative to the reaction surfaces and with respect to the bit so that the gripping force of the bolt counteracts the force of the bending moment created between the bit tip and the reaction surfaces during cutting.

Abstract: A tong assembly for makeup and break out of tool joints including a power tong and a backup tong which is rotatable through a limited rotation with respect to the power tong. During a torquing operation a single, self energizing free jaw and die grips the lower tubing of the tool joint in cooperation with two surfaces of a hardsurfaced bushing. The tool joint is gripped eccentric to the longitudinal centerline of the backup tong, and aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the power tong.

Abstract: Pumps for pumping liquids including a gear train for rotating an expeller at a speed greater than the speed of the pump primary impeller.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing a corrosion resistant weld clad material upon a cylindrical surface of a workpiece such as the internal cylindrical conduit of a valve body (10). The apparatus includes a turntable (12) having a rotating platform (24) which is adapted for supporting the valve body for rotation about the cylindrical axis of its internal conduit (14). The platform (24) can be tilted from a horizontal position through to a vertical position such that the central axis of the valve body conduit connected thereto can be angled between 30 and 60 degrees. A wire-fed, gas-shielded welding torch (16) is supported adjacent to the cylindrical surface of the conduit (14) to be coated such that as the valve body (10) is rotated by the turntable (12), weld material (82) is deposited circumferentially about the surface of the conduit.

Abstract: A gate valve 10 of slab gate variety with "floating" seats having means for protecting the seat ring seals and seat pockets in severe operating conditions. Each seat ring (40,41) is provided in its rear face (43,44) with an annular groove (49) coaxial with the ring axis and of a diameter to be located closely adjacent the flow passage (16,17) through the valve and accommodating an O-ring seal (49,50) therein. A second annular groove (51) is formed in the outer cylindrical surface (40a, 41a) of the ring near the front face (43,44) of the ring and accommodates an O-ring seal therein. The two O-ring seals (49,52) and (50,51) by their location establish a "trapped" volume chamber (55) behind the seat ring and seat pocket (32,33) which protects and isolates the seat pocket from corrosive ladings and solids deposition.

Abstract: A suspension system for an operator's compartment of a mine vehicle. The mine vehicle is of the type having a body wherein the operator's compartment is floatingly supporting on the body adjacent one side thereof for riding on the mine floor as the vehicle moves in the mine. The suspension system includes a vertical guide secured to the body for supporting and guiding rollers which are mounted on the compartment. A chain and sheave arrangement is connected between the vehicle body and the operator's compartment and acts to simultaneously lift both ends of the vehicle compartment in response to vertical forces developed between the mine floor and any point on the operator's compartment. The chain sheave arrangement acts to lift each end of the operator's compartment the same vertical distance with respect to the body thereby keeping the compartment level with respect to the body at all times.

Abstract: A cutter bit holding assembly is disclosed. The cutter bit assembly contains a cutter bit having a shank portion and a cutter bit holder having a socket for receiving the cutter bit shank portion. Also included is a rotary locking element which is associated with the cutter bit holder and a bore adjacent the socket. The bore runs in a direction parallel the direction in which the bit holder cuts. The locking element has an offset locking portion which cooperates with an indented locking surface on the bit shank. The rotary locking element is capable of being rotated completely out of the socket bore and out of engagement with the bit shank locking surface to permit the unencumbered removal or insertion of a bit. An elastomeric element inserted along part of the bore in the cutter bit holder is utilized to prevent rotation of the locking element out of engagement with the bit shank locking surface during operation of the cutting device.

Abstract: A top-entry ball valve 10 comprising a valve body 12 having a chamber 13, flow passages 14, 15, a ball 20 rotatably mounted in the chamber for movement between open and closed positions relative to the passages, and a pair of seat assemblies 50 at opposed sides of the ball which may be loaded into engagement with the ball or disengaged therefrom. Each seat assembly 50 comprises a seat ring 51 having a rear portion 51a, a larger diameter portion 51b which forms a shoulder 51c, and a face seal 59. Three pins 65 in the seat ring 51 in equiangular spaced relation project from the shoulder 51c. A spacer ring 53 sleeved about the rear 51a of the seat ring 51 is provided with recesses 68 adapted to receive the pins 65. The spacer 53 is mounted for movement between a first position where it is engaged by the tips of pins 65 and a second position wherein the pins 65 are in the recesses 68.

Abstract: A rotary processor useful in mixing, conveying, and heating or cooling a fluid material. Interchangeable subassemblies each comprise a helical coil permanently affixed at each end to a terminal block. The terminal blocks of each subassembly are removably fastened at a preselected orientation to two polygonal segments of a rotatable shaft. The polygonal segments are rotated relative to one another. A portion of the shaft and the subassemblies are supported within a housing having an inlet and an outlet for flow of the material to be processed.

Abstract: Fluidized bed systems for segregating cleaning or classifying particulate matter of differing physical properties such as particle density or size. Multiple stage beds preferably operate in a partially fluidized state and the classification structure provides for full peripheral discharge of both floats from the upper portion of each bed and sinks from the lower portion of each bed to alleviate the tendency of fluidized medium to both short circuit the particles of the upper stage and restrict the flow of particles from the upper stage to the lower stage.