Abstract: A cutting bit assembly includes a block, a bit sleeve, and a seal. The block includes a first bore and a fluid passage. The fluid passage includes a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with the first portion. The first portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the first bore, and the second portion extends at least partially around the perimeter of the first bore. The bit sleeve includes a shank, a flange, and a second bore extending through the shank and the flange. The shank is positioned within the first bore of the block such that a surface of the flange engages a first end surface of the block. The seal is positioned between the second portion of the fluid passage and the shank to prevent contact between a fluid in the fluid passage and the outer surface of the shank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drill and blast method for advancing the tunnel face in a mine, which makes use of a mobile canopy. The mobile canopy having vertical supports connected to a frame that supports a shield. The mobile canopy allows for face production activities and ground support activities to occur simultaneously or near simultaneously. This allows for more rapid advancement of the tunnel face compared to traditional batch drill and blast techniques.

Abstract: A chisel holder for a ground processing machine includes a base portion including a chisel receiver and a holder receiver. The chisel receiver includes a chisel introduction region for receiving a threaded shaft of a chisel. The holder receiver is configured to receive an internally threaded nut. The holder receiver includes at least one retention face configured to secure the nut against rotation at a peripheral side or the nut.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to tunnel boring machine cutter assemblies, such as ripping and scraping cutter or tool assemblies, (collectively “cutter assemblies”), and related methods of use and manufacturing. The various embodiments of the cutter assemblies described herein may be used in tunnel boring machines (“TBMs”), earth pressure balance machines (“EPBs”), raise drilling systems, large diameter blind drilling systems, and other types of mechanical drilling and excavation systems.

Abstract: An air-cooled earth-boring drill bit including a plurality of lugs. Each lug includes a pin flange. A first roller race is distal to the pin flange. A thrust flange is distal to the first roller race. At least one pin flange vent slot is arranged in a surface of the pin flange opposite the first roller race. The at least one pin flange vent slot opens in a direction of a load side of a bearing. At least one thrust flange vent slot is arranged in a surface of the thrust flange facing the first rollers. The at least one thrust flange vent slot opens in the direction of the load side of the bearing. A plurality of flow passages are arranged within the lug to supply fluid to the at least one pin flange vent slot and the at least one thrust flange vent slot.

Abstract: Generally, a system for hydraulic fracturing of a geologic formation. Specifically, a transportable heating apparatus and method for the production of heated water for use in hydraulic fracturing of a geologic formation.

Abstract: A boring machine comprises a forward section, a rear section, a parallel link mechanism, stroke sensors, pressure sensors, and a controller. The parallel link mechanism includes eight thrust jacks that change the position and attitude of the forward section with respect to the rear section. The controller computes a target allocation force to be allocated to eight thrust jacks on the basis of the sensing result from the stroke sensors and the pressure sensors, and controls the thrust jacks to perform stroke control on six of the thrust jacks and perform force control on two of the thrust jacks.

Abstract: A beacon assembly located at a downhole end of a drill string proximate a boring tool. The beacon assembly transmits data to an above-ground receiver. The beacon has a housing with a housing wall located between its sensors, such as gradiometers, accelerometers, and other orientation sensors, and an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly has a protective covering made of electromagnetically transparent material.

Abstract: A composite cone assembly for use with a frac or bridge plug system is discussed herein having shaped outer contours and the strength needed for high pressure applications but with reduced machining requirements by forming part of the cone assembly from a high strength fiber material and the contoured surface from molding, such as from injection molding or compression molding.

Abstract: A cutting device adapted to be pulled by a trailer. The cutting device comprises a frame which supports an engine and a cutting drum assembly powered by the engine. The cutting drum assembly comprises a self-aligning mount that allows movement of its drum relative to the frame. The engine is positioned such that its weight is provided to the cutting drum assembly to maintain a consistent depth of the cutting drum. A linear actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, allows the frame to pivot internally, so that the cutting drum assembly may be raised and lowered relative to the ground while translating the frame on wheels.

Abstract: A steeply inclined surface is hydrodemolished by providing a staging platform and a rig that includes a base frame defining a planar footprint within the frame. The rig is suspended from the platform by a cable such that frame is coplanar with the surface and the incline of the surface causes the rig to lean against it. Rails are provided on the surface to restrain spurious lateral movement of the rig. The rig is positioned on the surface and nozzles mounted on a trolley within a travelling carriage on the frame travel in two dimensions to hydrodemolish the surface within the footprint. The rig is moved vertically along the rails and laterally along the platform to reposition the rig to work a new section of the surface in conjunction with other rails that are also mounted on the surface.

Abstract: An improved diamond coated tip on a bit/holder for road milling operations has a broadened base that provides cutting overlap with adjacent bit/holders resulting in a micro milling type surface when utilizing a regular ? inch center-to-center drum.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for improved drilling operations through the use of real-time drilling data to predict bit wear, lithology, pore pressure, a rotating friction coefficient, permeability, and cost in real-time and to adjust drilling parameters in real-time based on the predictions. The real-time lithology prediction is made by processing the real-time drilling data through a multilayer neural network. The real-time bit wear prediction is made by using the real-time drilling data to predict a bit efficiency factor and to detect changes in the bit efficiency factor over time. These predictions may be used to adjust drilling parameters in the drilling operation in real-time, subject to override by the operator. The methods and systems may also include determining various downhole hydraulics parameters and a rotary friction factor. Historical data may be used in combination with real-time data to provide expert system assistance and to identify safety concerns.

Abstract: A pipe handler for assembling and deploying a string of threaded tubulars into a wellbore includes a pair of compensating bails and an elevator pivotally connected to the compensating bails. Each compensating bail includes: a first bail segment; a second bail segment; and a compensator connecting the respective first and second bail segments. Each compensator includes a load cylinder connected to the respective first bail segment and a linear actuator disposed in the respective load cylinder and operable to retract the respective second bail segment from a hoisting position to a ready position. Each second bail segment is engaged with the respective load cylinder in the hoisting position. The compensating bails are capable of supporting string weight in the hoisting position.

Abstract: A milling machine includes a frame, a housing, a milling drum mounted on the frame within the housing and a drive assembly. A positioning assembly is provided for moving the drive assembly between a first position which is laterally outside the periphery of the machine housing and a second position which is laterally inside the periphery of the machine housing, and for locking the drive assembly in at least the first and second positions without requiring the operator to manually manipulate a locking pin.

Abstract: A boring machine comprises a forward section, a rear section, an articulation point, a parallel link mechanism, an input component, an articulation point position computer, and a jack controller. The parallel link mechanism includes a plurality of thrust jacks that change the position of the forward section with respect to the rear section. The articulation point position computer computes the position of the articulation point on the basis of the control inputs received by the input component, and the positions of the center line and center point of the rear section and the center point of the forward section. The jack controller controls the stroke amounts of the thrust jacks to produce movement corresponding to a curve generated from the positions of the center point of the rear section, the articulation point, and the center point of the forward section.

Abstract: For use with a top drive power unit supported for connection with a well string in a well bore to selectively impart longitudinal and/or rotational movement to the well string, a feeder for supplying a pumpable substance such as cement and the like from an external supply source to the interior of the well string in the well bore without first discharging it through the top drive power unit including a mandrel extending through a sleeve which is sealably and rotatably supported thereon for relative rotation between the sleeve and mandrel. The mandrel and sleeve have flow passages for communicating the pumpable substance from an external source to discharge through the sleeve and mandrel and into the interior of the well string below the top drive power unit. The unit can include a packing injection system and novel seal configuration.

Abstract: A non-rotational drill bit for a down-the-hole drill hammer is provided that includes a head and a shank extending from the head. The head includes a plurality of axisymmetric cutting members about its working face. The drill bit also includes a porting system that includes a central through hole, an air inlet port, an exhaust outlet port and a central exhaust port for exhausting air from an interior of the drill hammer and for clearing drilling debris from the face of the drill bit.

Abstract: A control system for a cold planer having a milling is disclosed. The control system may include a depth sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a milling depth below a work surface, a speed sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a ground speed of the cold planer, and a profile detection device mountable to the cold planer at a location forward of the milling drum. The profile detection device may be configured to generate a third signal indicative of a width profile of the surface. The control system may further include a controller in communication with the profile detection device, the depth sensor, and the speed sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a volume of a milled material based on the first, second, and third signals.

Abstract: A pick for mineral winning includes an elongate shank configured to be positioned into a cavity of a holder. A profile is defined on an outside surface of the shaft which includes a first surface formed into the profile and disposed to receive a leveraging device to enable a first forced translational movement of the shaft relative to the holder, and a second surface formed into the profile and disposed to receive the leveraging device to enable a second forced translational movement of the shaft relative to the holder.