Abstract: A guidance system for mining a seam of material includes a mining machine, a carriage, and a guide assembly. The mining machine includes a cutter head and defines a roll axis extending the length of the machine, a pitch axis extending from one side of the machine to the other side, and a yaw axis extending from a top side of the machine to the bottom side. The carriage includes a first emitter, a second emitter, and a third emitter. The first emitter projects a first laser that is aligned with a seam plane. The second emitter projects a second laser, and the third emitter projects a third laser. The guide assembly includes a first indicator and a target. The first indicator is aligned with the second laser, and the target is aligned with the third laser. The relative positions of the first indicator with respect to the second laser and the target with respect to the third laser indicate the orientation of the roll axis, pitch axis, and yaw axis relative to the seam plane.

Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.

Abstract: Controlling a distance between a first sprocket and a second sprocket in a conveyor. The control includes receiving a first signal from a first sensor related to an angular position of the first sprocket, determining a value for an angular position of the first sprocket based on the first signal, receiving a second signal from a second sensor related to an angular position of the second sprocket, determining a value for an angular position of the second sprocket based on the second signal, determining a relative difference in phase between the angular position of the first sprocket and the angular position of the second sprocket, and determining an amount of excess chain in the conveyor based on the relative difference in phase between the angular position of the first sprocket and the angular position of the second sprocket.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method of monitoring a longwall shearing mining machine in a longwall mining system, where the shearing mining machine includes a shearer having a cutter drum, the method includes obtaining, by a processor, desired pitch angle information, and receiving, by the processor, a pitch angle indicative of a current pitch position of the shearer. The method also includes determining, by the processor, whether the pitch angle is within a desired pitch angle range, and controlling, by the processor, a position of the cutter drum based on whether the pitch angle is within the desired pitch angle range. The desired pitch angle range is based on the desired pitch angle information.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a boom, a cutter head, a valve, and an actuator. The boom defines an internal chamber and includes a first end coupled to a frame, a second end, and an opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bits and is supported on the second end of the boom. The valve is coupled to the boom and is movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered. The actuator is coupled to the valve to selectively move the valve between the closed position and the opened position.

Abstract: A winch drum tension isolation system includes a winch drum including an outwardly extending flange, the flange including a plurality of holes spaced along the flange. The winch drum tension isolation system also includes a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including a locking member engageable with the flange. The locking member is movable between a first position, in which the locking member is received in one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method of monitoring a longwall shearing mining machine in a longwall mining system, where the shearing mining machine includes a shearer having a cutter drum, the method includes obtaining, by a processor, desired pitch angle information, and receiving, by the processor, a pitch angle indicative of a current pitch position of the shearer. The method also includes determining, by the processor, whether the pitch angle is within a desired pitch angle range, and controlling, by the processor, a position of the cutter drum based on whether the pitch angle is within the desired pitch angle range. The desired pitch angle range is based on the desired pitch angle information.

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: A carriage system including a carriage having a target; a winch; a position sensor configured to sense a position of the target; and a controller. The winch includes a cable, a motor, and a motor sensor. The cable couples the carriage to the winch. The motor sensor senses a motor characteristic. The controller is configured to receive the motor characteristic and the position of the target, calculate a characteristic of the system, and output the characteristic.

Abstract: A mining system that includes a conveyor and controller. The conveyor includes a first sprocket and a second sprocket, a chain, a drive mechanism, and a sensor. The chain is associated with the first sprocket and the second sprocket and includes a plurality of chain components. The drive mechanism is coupled to the first sprocket or the second sprocket and is operable to drive the first sprocket or the second sprocket. The sensor is operable to generate a signal related to a characteristic of the conveyor. The controller is operable to receive the signal from the sensor, determine a number of chain components that have passed a datum point based on the signal, determine the location of at least one of the plurality of chain components based on the number of chain components that have passed the datum point, and update a map of the chain based on the location.

Abstract: Conveyor slip detection and control. A controller is operable to receive a first signal from a first sensor, determine a first value for a position of a first portion of a torque limiting device based on the first signal, receive a second signal from a second sensor, determine a second value for a position of a second portion of the torque limiting device based on the second signal, determine a difference between the first value for the position of the first portion and the second value for the position of the second portion, determine an amount of slip between the first portion and the second portion based on the difference, and generate a control signal to control an operation of the conveyor based on the amount of slip.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a mining machine. One system includes a controller, a stationary object, and a radar device. The radar device transmits radio waves toward the stationary object and detects reflections of the radio waves. The controller obtains timing information regarding the radio waves and the reflections. Based on the timing information, the controller is configured to determine a first distance between the radar device and the stationary object before sumping the mining machine into material and a second distance between the radar device and the stationary object after sumping the mining machine into the material. The controller is also configured to determine a sump depth of the mining machine based on the first distance and the second distance, compare the determined sump depth to a predetermined sump depth, and perform at least one automatic action when the determined sump depth does not satisfy the predetermined sump depth.

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.

Abstract: A chain driven by two sprockets spaced a short distance apart along their common axial centerline. The chain includes elongated pins that extend beyond the outer surfaces of the chain link plates, on both sides, by a distance about equal to the width of the spaced apart sprockets. The chain is aligned midway between the sprockets, and the sprocket teeth drive on the extended portion of the chain pins. Where a flight is attached to the chain links, the pins are extended still further, to fit into the indentations or holes in the flights. This provides an exposed length of each pin in alignment with the sprocket on each side for driving purposes. The chain has a piece extending between the plates to reduce the likelihood of a pin extending further outside of one side plate or the other. A shoulder on the pin further reduces the likelihood of this happening.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a frame, a first fluid tank, a second fluid tank, a valve, and a control system. The first fluid tank is supported on the frame proximate a first end, and the second fluid tank is supported on the frame proximate a second end. The valve permits fluid communication between the first and second fluid tanks when the valve is in a first position, and prevents fluid communication between the first and second fluid tanks when the valve is in a second position. The control system includes a first sensor detecting an amount of fluid in the first tank, a second sensor detecting an amount of fluid in the second tank, and a controller. The controller moves the valve to the first position when the difference between the amounts of fluid in the first and second tanks a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A proximity detection system at least one processor. The processor configured to detect a location of an object; determine a velocity of the object; define a zone around the object based on the location and the velocity; and automatically perform at least one action if the zone around the object overlaps with a location of a piece of equipment.

Abstract: A system and method of predicting motor failure based on relationships of motor pair characteristics, such as temperatures. A motor pair detection module receives temperatures for each motor of a motor pair over a predetermined window. The motor pair detection module determines whether at least one of the temperatures of the first motor and the second motor exceeds a temperature threshold during the predetermined time window. The motor pair detection module further determines whether the temperature of the first motor differed from the temperature of the second motor by at least a difference threshold for at least a percentage threshold of the predetermined time window. Based on the determinations, the motor pair temperature outputs an alarm signal to indicate a potential impending failure of one of the motors of the motor pair.

Abstract: A delivery and removal system used to transport, install, and remove a belt for use with mining equipment. The system includes a first frame member and a second frame member. A deck extending between the first frame member and the second frame member, and a winder is supported by the deck and rotatable relative to the first frame member and the second frame member about the deck. The system includes a drive system for driving movement of the winder. A free end of the belt is coupled to the winder. When the drive system is driven in a first direction, the winder rotates in a first direction such that the belt winds about the deck and when the drive system is driven in a second direction, the winder rotates in a second direction such that the belt unwinds from the deck.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-piece shaft for an idler roller. The method includes providing a tube having a first end and a second end, mechanically crimping the first end of the tube to a first stub to secure the first stub to the first end of the tube with a mechanical interlock, and mechanically crimping the second end of the tube to a second stub to secure the second stub to the second end of the tube with a mechanical interlock. The first stub extends from the first end of the tube and the second stub extends from the second end of the tube.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a cutting mechanism with an arm, and a substantial weight of more than a thousand pounds attached to the arm. The mining machine also includes a first disc cutter adapted to engage the material to be mined and mounted on a first disc cutter assembly for eccentrically driving the first disc cutter, the first disc cutter assembly being mounted within the substantial weight. The mining machine also includes at least a second disc cutter spaced apart from the first disc cutter assembly and adapted to engage the material to be mined, and mounted on a second disc cutter assembly for eccentrically driving the second disc cutter, the second disc cutter assembly being mounted within the substantial weight.