Abstract: The functional reliability of a cable shield system for a high voltage cable circuit is determined by electrically isolating a segment of the conductive shield from ground along the circuit length and supplying a test voltage of gradually increasing amplitude to the isolated shield segment. Current flows in the shield segment and a connected shield voltage limiter (SVL) in response to the supplied test voltage. The current through the SVL is monitored; and the operational integrity of the shield system is determined as a function of the voltage across and the monitored current through the SVL. Current flow is monitored by sensing the heat dissipated by the SVL included in the link box to which the shield segment is connected. Information representing the voltage across and monitored current through the SVL are transmitted to a remote location whereat the operational integrity of the SVL is determined.

Abstract: A remote monitoring system for monitoring parameters of an underground asset, such as an electric cable system, a pipeline serving as a conduit for water, gas, oil, sewage, or the like. Parameter detectors, such as sensors that measure temperature, voltage, current, moisture, etc., are distributed along the asset to provide electrical signals that represent respective monitored parameters of the asset. An underground hub disposed in an underground vault, or manhole, through which the asset passes is coupled to the parameter detectors to acquire the signals provided by the parameter detectors. The hub includes a controller to provide data derived from the acquired signals, the data being transmitted to a remote central location by a transceiver, or modem, via LP-WAN communication. Signals from the transceiver are transmitted directly from underground.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating earth sub-surface thermal characteristics over an area include collecting real-time weather data and earth data for a plurality of locations associated with an underground electrical cable and calculating earth thermal properties at the plurality of locations based on the real-time weather data and the measured earth data by an iterative process. The calculated earth thermal properties at two or more of the plurality of locations are interpolated to determine interpolated earth thermal properties at another location associated with the underground electrical cable and a wide-area thermal property map created from at least some of the calculated earth thermal properties and the interpolated earth thermal properties.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating earth sub-surface thermal characteristics over an area include collecting real-time weather data and earth data for a plurality of locations associated with an underground electrical cable and calculating earth thermal properties at the plurality of locations based on the real-time weather data and the measured earth data by an iterative process. The calculated earth thermal properties at two or more of the plurality of locations are interpolated to determine interpolated earth thermal properties at another location associated with the underground electrical cable and a wide-area thermal property map created from at least some of the calculated earth thermal properties and the interpolated earth thermal properties.

Abstract: An assembly for extending the shelf-life of a pressurized resin cartridge. The assembly includes at least one pressurized resin cartridge comprising a first compartment for holding a catalyst and a second compartment for holding a resin mastic. The assembly has a pressurized container sealingly disposed about the pressurized resin cartridge. Such assembly minimizes depressurization of the pressurized resin cartridge and extends the shelf-life of the pressurized resin cartridge. An assembly for extending the shelf-life of a depressurized resin cartridge. The assembly includes at least one depressurized resin cartridge comprising a first compartment for holding a catalyst and a second compartment for holding a resin mastic. The assembly has a pressurized container sealingly disposed about the depressurized resin cartridge. Such assembly increases pressurization of the depressurized resin cartridge and extends the shelf-life of the depressurized resin cartridge.

Abstract: A device for monitoring and measuring the electrical and mechanical parameters of a power line conductor. Sensors of the device measure conductor temperature, the angle of inclination of the overhead conductor, current flowing in the conductor, and voltage to ground. The device has a low-power mode in which parameters of the power line conductor are not measured. Upon detecting a change in an electrical or mechanical value of the power line conductor, the device measures parameters of the power line conductor for a predetermined length of time before returning to the low power mode.

Abstract: A rock dusting composition composed of rock dust, e.g., limestone or other mineral dust, water, pumping aid, and polymer, e.g., acrylamide homopolymers, acrylamide copolymers, and combinations thereof, and a method for applying the composition to the surface of a mine. The composition has a water content and a polymer content sufficient to allow the polymer to (i) disperse water molecules within the composition and, upon drying of the composition, (ii) dissipate forming void spaces in the dried composition. The composition is useful for suppressing propagation of a flame and/or fire caused by ignition of coal dust and/or gas within a coal mine.

Abstract: An anchorable mine support for anchoring in a borehole with resin or grout. The anchorable mine support comprises a tensionable elongate metal member and a sleeve disposed on at least a portion of the tensionable elongate metal member. The sleeve has a thickness of less than about 1 mm. A method of reducing frictional resistance between a tensionable elongated bolt and a hardened resin nut in a borehole formed in a face of a mine passage. The method reduces the frictional resistance between a tensionable elongated bolt and a hardened resin nut, thus improving the ability to tension a tensionable elongated bolt and stabilize a rock formation or structural body.

Abstract: A method for attaching a plate to an interior of an underground excavation, the method comprising: placing a first surface of the plate adjacent to the interior of the excavation, the plate having at least one through a passageway disposed within the plate; forming a mounting hole within the excavation in alignment with the passageway; inserting a bolt from a second surface of the plate opposite the first surface through the passageway and into the mounting hole; the bolt having a dome portion being integrally attached to a washer portion, such that the dome portion extends in a convex manner away from the first side of the washer portion; and a driver connected to the dome portion; driving the bolt into through the passageway and the mounting hole by means of the driver; and securing the bolt to the mounting hole disposed within the excavation via an anchorage device, adhesive or grout.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for a grouting system. The filling apparatus comprises a first fill tube and a second fill tube. The first fill tube is discrete from the second fill tube. The first fill tube is disposed for transporting resin mastic and the second fill tube is disposed for transporting initiator. A portion of the first fill tube has an inlet opening through which an injection quill extends interiorly and downwardly through the first fill tube. The injection quill is disposed for transporting inhibitor. This disclosure also relates to a method for adjusting gel time of a grouting system used for anchoring a reinforcing member in an opening, a grouting system for anchoring a reinforcing member in an opening, and a method for anchoring a reinforcing member in a mine.

Abstract: A rock dusting apparatus comprising: a housing; a tank mounted within the housing which comprises a removable top wall member, a sidewall member and a bottom wall member configured to form an internal tank compartment for holding and mixing a rock dust composition; a mixer positioned on the bottom wall member for mixing the rock dust composition; a tank discharge port positioned on the bottom wall member or a lower portion of the sidewall member through which the rock dust composition can be discharged from the tank; a conduit extending from the tank discharge port to a housing discharge port; the conduit comprising a pump for transporting the rock dust composition through the conduit and through a discharge line operatively connected to the housing discharge port; and one or more motors mounted within the housing for powering the mixer and the pump.

Abstract: A cable bolt and related methods are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the bolt includes a sleeve for connecting or securing to a cable. A plurality of facets along a peripheral portion of the sleeve create corners that prevent the cable from rotating within the borehole during installation. The sleeve may he secured to the cable using resin.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for a grouting system. The filling apparatus comprises a first fill tube and a second fill tube. The first fill tube is discrete from the second fill tube. The first fill tube is disposed for transporting resin mastic and the second fill tube is disposed for transporting initiator. A portion of the first fill tube has an inlet opening through which an injection quill extends interiorly and downwardly through the first fill tube. The injection quill is disposed for transporting inhibitor. This disclosure also relates to a method for adjusting gel time of a grouting system used for anchoring a reinforcing member in an opening, a grouting system for anchoring a reinforcing member in an opening, and a method for anchoring a reinforcing member in a mine.

Abstract: A method for attaching a plate to an interior of an underground excavation, the method comprising: placing a first surface of the plate adjacent to the interior of the excavation, the plate having at least one through a passageway disposed within the plate; forming a mounting hole within the excavation in alignment with the passageway; inserting a bolt from a second surface of the plate opposite the first surface through the passageway and into the mounting hole; the bolt having a dome portion being integrally attached to a washer portion, such that the dome portion extends in a convex manner away from the first side of the washer portion; and a driver connected to the dome portion; driving the bolt into through the passageway and the mounting hole by means of the driver; and securing the bolt to the mounting hole disposed within the excavation via an anchorage device, adhesive or grout.

Abstract: An expansion shell assembly for mine roof bolts includes an expansion member threaded onto an associated mine roof bolt. A support device is annularly disposed around the associated roof bolt. An expansion shell is annularly disposed around the associated roof bolt between the expansion member and the support device. The expansion shell has a base ring for engaging the support device and fingers for engaging a peripheral edge of the tapered plug. The engagement between the base ring and the support device permits axial traverse movement of the support device relative to the expansion shell for tensioning the roof bolt.

Abstract: A power supply extracts electrical power from the electro-magnetic field surrounding a high voltage power conductor and conditions the derived input power to provide a stable power source for instrumentation and communications equipment. The communications controller is a local network router that routes serial data traffic to selected communication devices such as an instrumentation processor, a power supply processor, or a maintenance port controller. The router forwards the data to other communications equipment and forwards data from the communicating equipment to an external network providing substantially simultaneous communications between the external network and the instrumentation processor, power supply processor and maintenance port controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and measuring the electrical, thermal and mechanical operating parameters of high voltage power conductors. A toroidal shaped housing, which can be mounted onto an energized conductor, contains all of the necessary electrical instruments to monitor the parameters associated with the conductor. Moreover, the housing includes the processing capability to analyze disturbance and fault events based on these parameters.

Abstract: The combination of a temperature sensor and an inclination sensor or the combination of a temperature sensor and a tension monitor properly positioned in conjunction with an energized electrical conductor produces outputs that are dependent on the conductor's average temperature in real time. A transmitter is used to communicate this information in real time to a central location such that up to optimal or maximum power transmission is feasible through the conductor while maintaining a safe clearance to the ground. This allows for close monitoring of thermal expansion resulting from increased load as well as varying environmental conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and measuring the electrical, thermal and mechanical operating parameters of high voltage power conductors. A toroidal shaped housing, which can be mounted onto an energized conductor, contains all of the necessary electrical instruments to monitor the parameters associated with the conductor. Moreover, the housing includes the processing capability to analyze disturbance and fault events based on these parameters.