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.

Abstract: A single-use sealing bush which is adapted to form a sealing interface between a rock bolt and a nozzle of a grout delivery system, the sealing bush including a cylindrical body defined between a first end and a second end; a hole in the first end of the body that is adapted to receive the rock bolt; a pair of spaced apart annular ridges, on an outer cylindrical surface of the body, between which a grout distributing channel is defined; and an aperture which connects the channel to the recess; wherein each annular ridge is adapted to seal against the nozzle in a position which communicates a grout inlet port of the nozzle with the grout distributing channel.

Abstract: A system includes a carrier assembly, a replacement tool movably supported by the carrier assembly, and a sensor configured to capture sensor data associated with a wear part removably connected to a rotatable drum. The system also includes a controller configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor, and identify the wear part using the sensor data. In such a system, the carrier assembly is configured to move the replacement tool such that an axis of the replacement tool is substantially collinear with an axis of the wear part. Additionally, the replacement tool is configured to remove the wear part from the drum while the axis of the replacement tool is substantially collinear with the axis of the wear part.

Abstract: A self-propelled roadway maintenance machine has an operator's station located on a front portion of the machine's chassis and including a forward-facing operator's seat. A driven implement, such as a crack routing cutter drum for routing cracks in a roadway surface, is mounted on the front portion of the chassis in a location that can be monitored by a forward-facing operator while controlling machine steering and propulsion. The implement may be removably mounted on the chassis by a quick-connect coupling. If the implement comprises a crack routing cutter drum, a plurality of peripherally spaced cutter wheel assemblies may be mounted between disks of the cutter drum, each cutter wheel assembly including a pin and first and second bushings that support the pin on the disks and that are removably inserted into respective bores in the disks. Machine steering and propulsion and implement operation may all be effected hydraulically.

Abstract: A transportation network for providing propellant in space can include optical mining vehicles that concentrate solar energy to spall captured asteroids, capture released volatiles, and store them in reservoirs as propellants. The network can also have orbital transfer vehicles that use solar thermal rocket modules that focus solar energy on heat exchangers to force propellant through nozzles, as well as separable aeromaneuvering tanker modules with reusable heatshields and storage tanks. The network can have propellant depots positioned between Earth and a transport destination. The depots can mechanically couple to accept propellant delivery and to supply it to visiting space vehicles.

Abstract: A cutting head for a mining machine includes a drum, a vane, and a cutting bit assembly positioned adjacent a surface of the vane. The drum includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface, and the drum is rotatable about a drum axis. The vane is coupled to the outer surface of the drum and protrudes radially away from the drum axis. In some aspects, the vane includes a planar member extending at least partially around the drum axis and at least partially between the first end of the drum and the second end of the drum. In some aspects, the drum includes a plurality of planar walls extending between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A method for biological hydrosynthesis, energy generation and storage and/or topsoil restoration comprising the steps of: undertaking a primary amendment of a site with a first catalyst and a second catalyst, wherein the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the site such that a matrix of biological energy generation points are constructed on about 5% of the site by area; undertaking a secondary amendment of the site with the first catalyst and the second catalyst, wherein the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the site such that a matrix of biological energy generation points are constructed on about 20% of the site by area, and undertaking a tertiary amendment of the site with the first catalyst and the second catalyst, wherein the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the site such that a matrix of biological energy generation points are constructed on about 75% of the site by area, wherein

Abstract: A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine having a frame includes a boom and a cutting device supported on the boom. The boom includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion supported for pivotable movement relative to the frame. In some embodiments, the first portion includes a first structure extending along a longitudinal base axis and a second structure moveable relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal base axis, and at least one bearing supports the second portion for movement relative to the first portion. In some embodiments, the second portion is pivotably coupled to the first portion by a universal joint, and a suspension system including a plurality of biasing members may be coupled between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A work machine including a frame, a plurality of ground engaging mechanisms, a conveyor assembly and a mill chamber. The conveyor assembly including a conveyor belt. The mill chamber including an auger and a rotor, the rotor having a plurality of teeth.

Abstract: A working machine including front and rear wheels or a pair of endless tracks supporting a body. A first working arm with a first implement mount is connected to the body. An apparatus with a collector having a first opening and a sweeper trailing the collector is mounted to the first implement mount. A second implement mount connected to the body, and a milling device is mounted to the second implement mount. The sweeper is configured and arranged to move surface material broken up by the milling device into the collector via the first opening.

Abstract: A shield method includes the steps: providing a first cylindrical frame 31 at a position where an entrance 12 is to be formed in an inner surface of an earth retaining wall 11 of a shaft 1; excavating a horizontal hole 5 in the underground by a shield machine 2, and sequentially adding and building, in the excavation direction, a plurality of segments 4 on an inner diameter side of the horizontal hole 5 while forming the entrance 12 in the shaft 1; temporarily stopping water from a gap between the entrance 12 and the shield machine 2, and removing excavated soil and pieces 6 that enter the first cylindrical frame 31 as the entrance 12 is formed; and coupling a second cylindrical frame 32 having a sealing member 35 attached thereto to an inner open end of the first cylindrical frame 31.

Abstract: A machine for excavating rock includes a frame, a cutting device, and a boom. The cutting device includes a cutting disc having a cutting edge, and the cutting disc is rotatable about a cutting device axis. The boom supports the cutting device and includes a first end, a second end, and a boom axis substantially parallel to the cutting device axis. The boom further includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled to the frame for rotation about a first pivot axis between a raised position and a lowered position. The second portion is coupled to the cutting device, and the second portion is pivotable about a second pivot axis between a raised position and a lowered position.

Abstract: Long tunnels of many kilometres are likely to pass through a range of geologies which may cause problems. The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by: drilling a first bore 10 along a first predetermined path, the first bore having a length of at least 25 m; drilling a plurality of second bores 20 along respective second predetermined paths, each substantially parallel to the first predetermined path in order to define a substantially prism-shape region therebetween; and excavating material within the substantially prism-shape region to form a tunnel. In this way, data from drilling the first bore 10 and the plurality of second bores 20 can be recorded and used to inform operators as to the types of material through which they will be excavating. Thus, a more complete view of the underlying geology can be achieved before beginning excavations.

Abstract: A washerless cutting tool assembly includes a cutting tool holder and a rotatable cutting tool at least partially disposed within the cutting tool holder. The cutting tool holder includes an alignment feature in the form of a protrusion at an axial forward end and a groove at an axial rearward end of the head portion of the rotatable cutting tool. The groove is capable of receiving the protrusion of the cutting tool holder to align the central, longitudinal axis of rotatable cutting tool with the central, longitudinal axis of the cutting tool holder. The cutting tool assembly further includes a limited rotated feature in the form of a braking ring disposed within an annular groove and a retainer ring disposed over the braking ring.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a system for removing road material. In an embodiment, the system may include a milling drum and at least one pick mounted on the milling drum. The pick may include polycrystalline diamond at least partially forming one or more working surfaces of the pick.

Abstract: A method to enhance the ability of a stormwater containment volume to flow and flush solids and liquids. Implemented by depositing rock into shaped piles formed at the rock's angle of repose, the resultant inclined surfaces are covered with suitable waterproof material and covered with more rock up to the top surface. Stormwater flushes solids deposited on the surface downward into the volume where they contact the inclined surfaces. Water and solids flow down the inclined surfaces at increased velocity toward collection drainpipes at their base. Because sediment flows into drainpipes, it does not flow to the bottom of the volume or become stagnant or reduce the volume's capacity. This creates a low-cost stormwater containment system that can support vehicle travel on its surface, requires no concrete or sewers, is self-cleaning, accessible for cleaning, or both, and does not require human access to the bottom surface for maintenance.

Abstract: A wear-resistant armored cutting tool may be provided. The wear-resistant armored cutting tool may include a tool body, a bolster, at least one wear-resistant member, and a cutting tip. The bolster may be fixedly attached to the tool body with an end of a surface of the tool body disposed adjacent the bolster. The at least one wear-resistant member may be fixedly attached to the tool body. The at least one wear-resistant member may be disposed adjacent to the end of the surface of the tool body. The cutting tip may be fixedly attached to the bolster. The bolster, the at least one wear-resistant member, and the cutting tip may each have a material hardness which is greater than that of the tool body.

Abstract: An underground longwall mining method includes drilling a main shaft and an auxiliary shaft from a ground to a coal bed and exploiting in the coal bed first and second connection laneways. The first connection laneway is in communication with the main shaft, and the second connection laneway is in communication with the auxiliary shaft. The method further includes communicating the first and second connection laneways, and using a communication part between the first connection laneway and the second connection laneway as a first open-off cut; and by using a direction of the first open-off cut further away from the connecting line connecting the main shaft and the auxiliary shaft as a first direction, and exploiting by cutting a coal wall in the first direction using a coal mining machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a tubular object inside a drill hole, a rock drilling rig and a method of supporting mouth openings of drill holes is provided. The apparatus includes a support device for supporting an elongated tube element blank having the potential for several successive tube inserts. A front end of the tube element blank is moved longitudinally inside a drill hole by means of a feeding device. Thereby, the drill hole is provided with a protective section extending a limited longitudinal dimension towards a bottom of the drill hole. The apparatus further includes a separation device for detaching the mentioned tube inserts one by one from the tube element blank.