Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth.

Abstract: A waste material depositing system for depositing waste material into a sub-seabed sediment of an ocean floor. There is a penetrator including a first disposal stage and a second disposal stage. The first disposal stage having an outer shell disposed about a cavity, the cavity being shaped and sized to receive a waste disposal canister. The second disposal stage being removably coupled to a top end of the first disposal stage by an automatic disengagement device, and having: an outer cylinder, a plurality of second disposal fins disposed along a length of the outer cylinder, and an arrestor system coupled to a top portion of the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A tool retainer is provided. The tool has a retainer sleeve having a longitudinal external tab to engage with an internal recessed radial groove with a tool holder, and wherein the retainer sleeve has two internal radial tabs that engage with a recessed groove in a rotating tool shank. A cutting tool assembly including a cutting bit and the retainer sleeve is provided.

Abstract: A demolition tool comprises first and second elongated bar portions, and first and second fork portions integrally formed at an angle to the first and second elongated bar portions respectively. The first and second elongated bar portions are generally parallel to each other, spaced apart at a predetermined distance, and connected together via plates and/or cross bars. In use, the demolition tool is grasped by the user with two hands at its handle end portions.

Abstract: Various aspects include devices, systems, and methods for securing an anchoring element to a seafloor. The methods may use a subsea anchorage installation system that may include a subsea grout supply assembly. The subsea grout supply assembly may include a variable volume grout storage chamber, a paddle, and a subsea grout pump. The variable volume grout storage chamber may be configured to transport dry grout to a seafloor. The variable volume grout storage chamber may include a water injection port configured to receive water for mixing with the dry grout on the seafloor. The variable volume grout storage chamber may also be configured to expand from a collapsed configuration as water is injected.

Abstract: A floating dock system can include a base portion, a cradle, at least one guide assembly, and a lift assembly. The base portion can include a lateral deck portion extending along a first plane and defining a boat slip, and at least one float element configured to provide a float element buoyancy force sufficient to maintain at least part of the deck portion above the water surface. The can include a lateral upper portion extending along a second plane, and a support structure configured to support the nautical vessel. A guide can include male and female guide portions. A lift assembly can include a motor configured to move the cradle between upper and lower positions.

Abstract: A pumpable crib bag may include a body defining a longitudinal axis, at least one reinforcing wire helically extending about the longitudinal axis and along a length of the body, and at least one pocket configured to hold the at least one reinforcing wire therein. The at least one reinforcing wire may include a first material and a second material.

Abstract: A grouting device for high-coagulability grouting materialsincludes a grouting pipe, a connector and a self-sealing pipe head, wherein one end of the connector is connected with a grouting pump through the grouting pipe, the other end of the connector is connected with the self-sealing pipe head through the grouting pipe, and the grouting pipe is connected with the connector and the self-sealing pipe head in a fixed and sealed mode. The grouting device is easy to install, features reliable connection between the grouting pipe and the connector and the self-sealing pipe head, and can be reused. Because the inner diameter of the connector is consistent with the inner diameter of the grouting pipe, and a slurry outlet on an end cap of the self-sealing pipe head is a circular slurry outlet, pressure loss in the grouting process is effectively reduced, and the grouting effect is good.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for the creation of vertical and horizontal freeze wells, in a dome-like pattern around the ore body, as a hydraulic barrier to ensure the ISR mining solution and the mined minerals do not flow out of the ore body. A method to formulate a suitable mining solution used for ISR mining, where the lixivant does not freeze when using the freeze dome containment method and where the resulting PLS has a high concentration of dissolved minerals and thus eliminates the need for the solvent extraction/ion exchange step during processing is also described.

Abstract: A machine for milling pavement such as a rotary mixer or road planer includes a cutting rotor that is vertically adjustable with respect to the frame and that is accommodated in a rotor enclosure. The milling machine may be associated with a visual camera network having one or more cameras located about the milling machine with a field of view toward the rotor enclosure and work surface. An image augmentation system can generate a reference line augmentation to superimpose over one or more visual images obtained by the cameras and display the augmented images on a visual display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safety system (1) for protecting against a hazard of a drill rod failure in a drilled rock bore (B) above horizontal, and especially a hazard posed by a broken drill rod section (S) lodged within the bore (B). The safety system (1) comprises: a plug member (2) for insertion into a proximal end region (E) of the bore (B) adjacent a rock-face (F), the plug member (2) being configured to be fixed within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B); and an impact reduction member (5) for reducing an impact of the broken drill rod section (S) striking the plug member (2) within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B). The impact reduction member (5) is configured to be located within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B) and to extend within the bore (B) above the plug member (2).

Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a cutting rotor attached to the frame, the cutting rotor including a plurality of cutting bits positioned along a length of the cutting rotor; a plurality of temperature sensors positioned to determine a temperature proximate one or more of the plurality of cutting bits; a spray system coupled to the frame and including a spray bar having a plurality of nozzles configured to spray a cooling fluid on the cutting rotor; and a controller to receive the temperatures of the one or more cutting bits, the controller configured to determine whether more or less cooling fluid is needed for the cutting rotor based on the temperature proximate the one or more cutting bits.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner including one or more non-contact boring elements that direct energy at the bore face to remove material from the bore face through fracture, spallation, and removal of the material. Systems can automatically execute methods to control a set of boring parameters that affect the flux of energy directed at the bore face. Systems can further automatically execute the methods to: monitor, direct, maintain, and/or adjust a set of boring controls, including for example a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, a temperature of exhaust gases directed at the bore face, a removal rate of material from the bore face, and/or a thermal or topological characterization of the bore face during boring operations.

Abstract: A method for disposing of biomass waste. The method includes locating an abandoned mine having a first well drilled into or through the abandoned mine. Water is removed from a mine cavity through a second well drilled into or through the abandoned mine. The water from the mine is combined with a biomass waste that is at least 70 wt. % carbon to provide biomass waste entrained in the water. The biomass waste entrained in the water is pumped through the first well into the mine cavity to fill the mine cavity. As the biomass waste settles in the mine cavity, the water used to entrain the biomass waste is recirculated to combine with additional biomass waste.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rock bolt assembly including: an elongate bolt extending with distal and proximal ends; a tubular sleeve longitudinally extending between leading and trailing ends on the bolt so at least a proximal end portion projects from the trailing end of the sleeve; and a nozzle docking bush on the proximal end portion between the sleeve's trailing end and the bolt's proximal end. The bush has a cylindrical body between first and second ends, a central hole extending through the body, spaced-apart annular ridges on the cylindrical body, a grout distributing channel between the ridges, and an aperture in the channel connecting the channel and hole. The central hole includes a leading portion ending at the first end, sealingly receiving the trailing end. A trailing portion of the central hole ends at the second end and sealingly engages the bolt. Each annular ridge seals against a grout nozzle.

Abstract: A system for extracting landfill gas from a landfill is provided. According to some embodiments, a control system for landfill gas extraction is provided. The control system uses a throttle to control flow of landfill gas extracted from the landfill. The throttle is actuated in use to vary the flow of gas between a well and a gas collection system, in accordance with a control algorithm that adjusts flow as a parameter in controlling gas extraction. The throttle is configured to ensure that there is at least some flow of landfill gas from the landfill to a gas output throughout operation. The extraction system provides an efficient system for landfill gas extraction, while mitigating a risk of creating undesired or unpleasant conditions and/or of violating regulations during operation.

Abstract: A milling rotor of a milling machine can include a drum, cutting teeth, and a centering ring. The drum can extend along a longitudinal axis and can define an inner surface and an opposing outer surface. The drum can be securable to a drive assembly of the milling machine to allow the drum to rotate therewith. The cutting teeth can be connected to the outer surface of the drum and can be configured to engage pavement. The centering ring can be connected to the inner surface of the drum and can include a centering interface and an alignment interface. The centering interface can extend radially inward and can be engageable with a centering flange of the drive assembly to center the milling rotor with respect to the drive assembly. The alignment interface can be adjacent the centering interface and can extend radially inward of the centering interface.

Abstract: A split air cabin ventilation system for construction of tunnel inclined shafts, including a first air cabin and a second air cabin which are both in a hollow closed structure with an air inlet end and an air outlet end respectively at both sides. The two air outlet ends are arranged away from each other. An end of the split air cabin is provided with an air inlet, and the other end is provided with an air outlet. The air inlet is connected to an air source, and the air outlet is connected to the air inlet ends of the first and second air cabins, respectively. The air inlet end of the first air cabin is connected to another air source.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine having a cutting wheel equipped with a number of excavation tools provided with sensor units and, in a corresponding tunnelling method, only substantially fully worn excavation tools are able to be replaced using a data processing device designed with an advancement planning unit by detecting the current state of the excavation tools and predicting the state of the excavation tools on tool replacement predication planes lying in the advancing direction.

Abstract: A ground milling machine, comprising a milling drum, rotatably mounted in a milling-drum housing, for removing ground material, a milled-material conveying apparatus for transporting the removed ground material and a dust extraction apparatus for extracting dust-containing air from a region of the milled-material conveying apparatus, the dust extraction apparatus comprising at least one extraction line, which opens into the region of the milled-material conveying apparatus via an extraction opening, the ground milling machine comprising a left side wall, a right side wall, a front wall and a rear wall, and wherein a maintenance tunnel is provided which is designed such that it establishes an access connection, accessible from outside the ground milling machine, between the extraction opening and one of the side walls, the front wall or the rear wall of the ground milling machine. A method for maintenance of the dust extraction apparatus is also disclosed.