Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating underground road conditions using accelerometers. One system includes an electronic processor that receives sensor data from an accelerometer and location data of a mining machine operating within a mining environment. The electronic processor determines, based on the sensor data, a first data point when acceleration in a first direction exceeds a predetermined first threshold based on the sensor data, and determines a second data point when acceleration in a second direction opposite the first direction exceeds a predetermined second threshold. The electronic processor also determines a location of a road condition associated with the first data point and the second data point based on the location data and takes at least one automatic action to correct the road condition.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an operator cab having a frame defining an opening and a permeable material sheet mounted adjacent the frame to at least partially cover the opening. The permeable material sheet has a plurality of apertures. The operator cab further includes an air nozzle positioned proximal to the opening and positioned so that the air nozzle directs an airflow to contact at least a portion of the permeable material sheet to form a swirling air current proximal to at least one of the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A pin retaining assembly for an advancing ram includes a retention plate and a retainer. The retention plate includes two oppositely facing surfaces and a channel with a notch between the two surfaces. The retainer includes a main body, a pin receiving slot, and at least two flanges. The main body is configured to slide into the notch of the channel and extend through a surface of the retention plate. The pin receiving slot has an open mouth through an end of the main body. A first flange extends from one end of the main body along a surface of retention plate and a second flange extends from another end of the main body along another surface of retention plate. The flanges retain the main body of the retainer in the first notch from moving in a direction defined by a longitudinal axis of the pin receiving slot.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling mining machines. One system includes an image sensor for capturing an image of a cutting face of a mine and interface sensing and control system for obtaining the image, identifying an anomaly in the image, calculating a distance between the anomaly and a reference, and using the distance to automatically instruct a mining machine control system to keep a cutter head of the mining machine within a seam.

Abstract: A mining machine including a frame, a cutting head moveably coupled to the frame and pivotable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a first mine surface, and a first actuator for stabilizing the frame relative to the first mine surface. The first actuator is coupled to the frame and includes a first end extendable in a first direction to engage the first mine surface. The extension of the first actuator is automatically controlled based on measurements of at least one indicator of the force between the first actuator and the first mine surface.

Abstract: A method of tensioning a conveyor element of a conveyor. The method includes generating, with a proximity sensor, an output signal indicative of the conveyor element being under-tensioned, receiving the output signal from the proximity sensor, and activating a solenoid-controlled valve to an open state in response to receiving the output signal from the proximity sensor. The method also includes driving, with a pump, a piston of a cylinder while the solenoid-controlled valve is in the open state, pushing, with the cylinder, a take-up bar including a second portion of a ratcheting mechanism to engage with a first portion of the ratcheting mechanism of a locking plate, and imparting, via the locking plate, a locking force on the take-up bar. The method further includes overcoming the locking force and moving the shaft of the conveyor away from a centerline of the conveyor with the take-up bar when the locking force is overcome.

Abstract: A mining machine including a chassis, an actuator, a cutter drum supported by the chassis, the cutter drum driven by the actuator, a cutter bit coupled to the cutter drum, and a controller. The controller includes a processor and memory and is configured to measure a characteristic of the actuator, determine the cutter bit is worn based on the measured characteristic of the actuator, and output a signal when the cutter bit is determined to be worn.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a chassis, a boom, a cutting head, and a shield supported for movement relative to the chassis. The chassis includes a first end and a second end, and defines a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The boom includes a first end and a second end, and the boom is supported for movement relative to the chassis. The boom translates in a first direction and is pivotable relative to the chassis between first and second positions. The cutting head is coupled to the second end of the boom and is supported for rotation relative to the boom. The cutting head is rotatable about a cutting head axis. The shield is supported for movement relative to the chassis and positioned proximate the cutting head. In some embodiments, the shield is coupled to a sumping frame supported for movement relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A high angle conveyor includes a frame, a lower conveyor belt, an upper conveyor belt, and a pressing assembly. The pressing assembly includes a bracket coupled to the frame, a roller supported on the bracket, a spring support coupled to the frame, a spring positioned between the bracket and the spring support, and a spring retainer coupling the spring to at least one selected from the group of the frame, the bracket, and the spring support. The spring urges the bracket and the roller toward the upper conveyor belt such that the pressing assembly biases the upper conveyor belt toward the lower conveyor belt.

Abstract: A cutting bit for a bit assembly secured to a cutter head includes a cutting end, a shank extending along a bit axis, and a shoulder positioned between the cutting end and the shank. The shoulder includes an outer edge defining a perimeter, a shoulder end surface defining a shoulder plane, a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first inclined surface is positioned between the outer edge and the shoulder end surface. The first inclined surface extends along the perimeter and is oriented at a first acute angle relative to the shoulder plane. The second inclined surface is positioned between the shoulder end surface and the first inclined surface. The second inclined surface is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the shoulder plane, and the second acute angle is smaller than the first acute angle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable medium containing instructions for operating a conveyor. One method includes receiving, by a controller, a signal from each of a plurality of substations. Each of the plurality of substations provides power to a motor drive unit driving a conveyor belt of the conveyor. The signal received by the controller indicates whether an isolation switch associated with each substation has been manually operated. The method also includes, when the signal received from one of the plurality of substations indicates that the isolation switch associated with the one of the plurality of substations has been manually operated, transmitting, by the controller, a signal to each of the plurality of substations, the signal instructing each of the plurality of substations to isolate the motor drive unit from a power source.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a support structure, a first carriage, a second carriage, and a brake mechanism. The first carriage is positioned proximate a first end of the support structure and is supported for movement relative to the support structure. The first carriage includes first rolls for receiving the belt such that movement of the first carriage modifies a tension in the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the support structure and includes second rolls and at least one return pulley. The second rolls are configured to support a portion of the belt extending between the first carriage and the second carriage. The brake mechanism is positioned proximate a second end of the support structure and includes a brake pulley and a brake selectively retarding rotation of the brake pulley. The brake pulley supports a portion of the belt extending between the brake mechanism and the return pulley.

Abstract: An idler support assembly is configured to support a conveyor belt thereon. The idler support assembly includes a frame having a first end and a second end, and a first idler roller coupled to the frame between the first and second ends. The first idler roller is configured to rotate about a first roller axis. The idler support assembly also includes a second idler roller coupled to the frame between the first and second ends. The second idler roller is configured to rotate about a second roller axis. The idler support assembly further includes a first base pivotably coupled to the first end of the frame about a first pivot axis, and an adjustable support selectively coupled to the second end of the frame in a plurality of positions. Each of the plurality of positions defines an angle in which the frame extends relative to the first base.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a first end including a drive unit, an anchor structure, a continuous belt extending at least partially between the drive unit and the anchor structure, a first carriage, and a second carriage. The first carriage is coupled to the drive unit and supports a portion of the belt. The first carriage is supported for movement relative to the drive unit to adjust a tension in the belt, and the first carriage is movable between the drive unit and an intermediate position. The second carriage is releasably secured to the anchor structure and supports another portion of the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the anchor structure between a first position and a second position. A distance between the first end and the second carriage defining a take-up length, and movement of the second carriage changes the take-up length.

Abstract: A cutter head for a mining machine includes a drum defining a drum axis with a drum plane extending perpendicular to the drum axis. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bit assemblies secured to an outer surface of the drum proximate a first end. Each cutting bit assembly includes a block and a bit. The bit includes a tip configured to engage a mine surface. The bit defines a bit axis, and the bit axis defines a first lean angle relative to the drum plane. The plurality of cutting bit assemblies includes a first series having four first bits, a second series having two second bits, a third series having two third bits, and a fourth series having two fourth bits. Each of the first bits includes a first tip and defines a first bit axis oriented at a first lean angle relative to the drum plane. The first lean angle is between about 60 degrees and about 75 degrees.

Abstract: A conveyor flight for a chain comprising at least two spaced apart links, and two side plates that connect the links, with each side plate including two spaced apart extension pins extending from the side plate. The flight comprises a metal support, and the metal support includes two spaced apart cylindrical portions adapted to receive the two spaced apart extension pins. The flight also includes a flexible casing surrounding the metal support.

Abstract: A drilling rig includes a base and a rotation unit for drilling a hole in a mine surface. The rotation unit is moveably coupled to the base. The drilling rig further includes a cable feed device for feeding a cable bolt into the hole created by the rotation unit. The cable feed device is moveably coupled to the base and includes a pair of wheels and a transmission. The cable bolt is received between the pair of wheels. The transmission is coupled between the rotation unit and at least one of the wheels to transmit power from the rotation unit to at least one of the wheels.

Abstract: Controlling an output of a mining system. The control includes receiving, at a processor, a first signal associated with a position of the shearer, determining, using the processor, the position of the shearer based on the first signal, receiving, at the processor, a second signal associated with a load of a conveyor, and determining, using the processor, the load of the conveyor based on the second signal. The method further includes determining, using the processor, an output of the mining system based on the position of the shearer and the load of the conveyor and controlling a speed of the shearer based on the output of the mining system.

Abstract: A conveyor for a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a drive mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder, and a controller. The chain is associated with the sprocket and has a top chain portion and a bottom chain portion. The drive mechanism is coupled to the sprocket and is operable to drive the sprocket. The controller includes a processing unit and a memory. The controller is configured to receive a first signal related to a characteristic of the drive mechanism, receive a second signal related to a reaction force of the sprocket, calculate a tension of the top chain portion based on the first signal and the second signal, and generate a control signal for controlling a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the determined tension of the top chain portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a hydraulic cylinder, one or more sensors, and a controller. In one implementation, the method includes sensing a characteristic associated with the conveyor, generating a signal based on the characteristic, determining a tension associated with the chain based on the signal, determining an amount of chain stretch based on the tension, and modifying a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the amount of chain stretch.