Abstract: A surface mining system for removing material from a mining face generally includes a conveyor extending substantially parallel to the mining face, a miner supported by and moveable along the conveyor, and a conveyor translation device associated with the conveyor and operable to move the conveyor and the miner toward the mining face. A method for advancing a surface mining longwall system generally includes moving the longwall shearer along a face conveyor, operating load translation devices to move the face conveyor and the longwall shearer toward the mining face, resetting a first group of load translation devices, and then resetting a second group of load translation devices. A load translation device generally includes an actuator, a ground drilling device coupled to and moveable with a portion of the actuator, and a frame coupled to and moveable with another portion of the actuator.

Abstract: A cable bolt lifting and feeding device that is a lightweight unit that mounts into a drill rig rotation unit. The device uses the mechanical power provided in the rotation unit to drive a set of wheels that engage with the cable bolt, causing the cable bolt to be pushed through the device and into a pre-drilled hole.

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.

Abstract: A pair of semi-cylindrical segments adapted to be connected to form a center drum of a cutter head of a mining machine. The split line between the semi-cylindrical segments is not continuous, but lies on more than one plane.

Abstract: A bolting apparatus and method for inserting a rod into a surface, the bolting apparatus including a base having a foot end and a head end, at least one stabilizing rod extendable from the base head end and having a stabilizing rod end adapted to contact a surface to be drilled, and a mechanism attached to the base between the base foot end and the stabilizing rod end and adapted to grip the rod.

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 longwall mining system includes at least one face end roof support having a longitudinal length, and at least one near end roof support adjacent the face end roof support. The near end roof support has a longitudinal length substantially shorter than the face end roof support longitudinal length. There is also at least one face roof support adjacent the near end roof support, and the face roof support has a longitudinal length substantially shorter than the near end roof support longitudinal length. There is also a forward conveyor extending forward to and attached to the face end roof support, the at least one near end roof support, and the at least one face roof support, and a rearward conveyor extending rearward of and attached to the face end roof support, the at least one near end roof support, and the at least one face roof support.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable medium storing instructions for turning a cutting drum of a mining machine at a maintenance speed. One method includes receiving, at a controller, input signals from an operator interface, the input signals including a signal to initiate turning of the cutting drum at the maintenance speed, and transmitting, in response to the input signals, control signals from the controller to a cutting drum turning mechanism included in the mining machine, the control signals instructing a switch included in the cutting drum turning mechanism to electrically couple a cutter motor and a variable frequency drive.

Abstract: A chain link assembly, a cable chain assembly and a mining system. The cable handler individual links may include an enclosed section for the fiber optic cable separate from other services for the machine. A flexible material or other structure may assemble the fiber optic cable in the cable handler in a manner in which it “snakes” about the centerline to provide ample slack in the fiber optic cable to, for example, prevent over tension.

Abstract: A surface mining system for removing material from a mining face generally includes a conveyor extending substantially parallel to the mining face, a miner supported by and moveable along the conveyor, and a conveyor translation device associated with the conveyor and operable to move the conveyor and the miner toward the mining face. A method for advancing a surface mining longwall system generally includes moving the longwall shearer along a face conveyor, operating load translation devices to move the face conveyor and the longwall shearer toward the mining face, resetting a first group of load translation devices, and then resetting a second group of load translation devices. A load translation device generally includes an actuator, a ground drilling device coupled to and moveable with a portion of the actuator, and a frame coupled to and moveable with another portion of the actuator.

Abstract: A mining machine including a cutting mechanism comprising an arm having an arm end, a disc cutter adapted to engage the material to be mined and mounted on the arm end. The disc cutter is driven by the arm into the material to be mined, and the arm further includes a main portion, and a wrist portion pivotally attached to the main portion.

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: A pair of semi-cylindrical segments adapted to be connected to form a center drum of a cutter head of a mining machine. The split line between the semi-cylindrical segments is not continuous, but lies on more than one plane.

Abstract: A chain link assembly, a cable chain assembly and a mining system. The cable handler individual links may include an enclosed section for the fiber optic cable separate from other services for the machine. A flexible material or other structure may assemble the fiber optic cable in the cable handler in a manner in which it “snakes” about the centerline to provide ample slack in the fiber optic cable to, for example, prevent over tension.

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: Methods and systems for turning a cutting drum of a mining machine at a maintenance speed. One mining machine includes a cutting drum with a plurality of bits mounted on the drum and a cutting drum turning mechanism. The cutting drum turning mechanism includes a power source, a cutter motor, a switch, and a variable frequency drive. The state has a first and a second state. The first state electrically couples the power source and the cutter motor to operate the cutting drum at a cutting, and the second state electrically couples the variable frequency drive and the cutter motor to operate the cutting drum at a maintenance speed less than the cutting speed.

Abstract: A longwall shearer mining machine that is mounted on a rail generally includes a first chassis portion with a first cutting arm mounted thereto and a second chassis portion with a second cutting arm mounted thereto. Each of the first and the second chassis portions is slidably coupled to the rail. The first and second chassis portions are coupled at a pivot joint. The pivot joint allows each of the first and the second chassis portions to adjust its respective orientation with respect to a horizontal ground plane when the articulated shearer travels over a hump or a valley, thereby maintaining sufficient headroom.

Abstract: A crawler track includes a link and is driven in a direction of travel by a sprocket having a plurality of teeth. The link includes a pad, a first grouser, and a second grouser. The pad defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, and a second end spaced apart from the first end along the direction of travel. The pad defines at least one opening extending through the pad between the first surface and the second surface, and the opening is operable to receive a sprocket tooth. The first grouser is positioned on the first surface proximate the first end of the pad, while the second grouser is positioned on the first surface proximate the second end of the pad. The first grouser and the second grouser extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the track.

Abstract: A longwall mining system includes at least one face end roof support having a longitudinal length, and at least one near end roof support adjacent the face end roof support. The near end roof support has a longitudinal length substantially shorter than the face end roof support longitudinal length. There is also at least one face roof support adjacent the near end roof support, and the face roof support has a longitudinal length substantially shorter than the near end roof support longitudinal length. There is also a forward conveyor extending forward to and attached to the face end roof support, the at least one near end roof support, and the at least one face roof support, and a rearward conveyor extending rearward of and attached to the face end roof support, the at least one near end roof support, and the at least one face roof support.

Abstract: A repair tool for a conveyor belt includes a pair of clamps and a clamp coupling member extending between the pair of clamps. At least one clamp includes a first leg, a second leg, and a coupling member extending between the first and second legs. Each leg includes a clamping end portion for clamping the conveyor belt, and the clamping end portions define a belt-clamping channel therebetween. The coupling member urges the clamping end portions together.