Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous boring or cutting machine provided with tools animated by a sweeping movement, said machine comprising a plurality of tool-holders mounted to oscillate on a rotating structure, these oscillations being controlled in synchronism by a rotary jack coaxial with respect to the rotating structure, the rod of the jack being fast with an element to which each tool-holder is connected by a connecting rod having a foot jointed on to said element and having a head jointed on to the tool-holder. The invention is more particularly applied to tunneling machines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tunneling machine or other machine provided with tools for cutting materials from a wall located in front of the machine, said machine comprising a movable frame carrying a head rotatably driven about an axis, said head bearing at least one bucket for picking up said materials after cutting and for dumping the materials on or towards a conveyor, said bucket having an inlet opening for picking up the materials when the bucket passes through a low position during the rotation of the head, and said bucket having an outlet opening for dumping the materials, said outlet opening being offset to the rear of the head with respect to the said inlet opening.

Abstract: A combination drilling and belling apparatus includes a frame having at one end a drilling area for drilling a borehole in the earth. A pair of belling arms are pivotally carried by the frame and are selectively movable between a drilling position and a non-drilling position. The belling arms have a drilling surface such that when the belling arms are moved to the drilling position and the apparatus is rotated, the belling arms same form an enlarged bell-shaped cavity. When the belling arms are in a non-drilling position, a valve means is provided for closing an opening through a side wall of a drilling mud flow conduit, thereby preventing flow of drilling mud through the opening. When the belling arms are in the drilling position, the valve means is moved to an open position whereby drilling mud can flow from the cavity through the opening and upwardly through the conduit, carrying the cuttings therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration assembly and particularly to defrosting apparatus therefor. The assembly includes a bellows operated thermostatic motor switch responsive to evaporator temperatures for operating the compressor motor. After a predetermined number of operating cycles of the compressor the defrost apparatus is actuated. There is a linkage between the bellows and the motor switch with a main spring acting thereon to oppose the bellows and a differential spring acting thereon to assist the bellows. The differential spring is made inoperative by the defrosting unit during the defrost setting. The main spring and the differential spring are calibrated so that when both springs are effective the motor switch is actuated at a predetermined evaporator temperature. When only the main spring is effective during the defrost setting the motor switch is actuatable at an evaporator temperature higher than the above referred to temperature.

Abstract: A vibration damper for an impact tool comprises a damping material which at least partly surrounds the working part of the tool, a heat shrinkable sleeve for holding the damping material in place on the working part of the tool.

Abstract: Mounting arrangement for a pipe base well screen utilizes a weld for joining one end of a cylindrical screen member to the outer surface of an internal pipe member which has perforations along a portion of its length underlying the well screen. The opposite free end of the screen member includes an elongated sleeve portion which supports an internal elastomeric O-ring member in a groove. The O-ring seals the screen member to an unperforated portion of the pipe base and permits the pipe to be subjected to substantial tensile and torsional stresses without destroying the screen as often happens when a screen is welded at each of its ends.

Abstract: In a tunnel boring or shield machine, a method and system for controlling the earth pressure, in which the earth pressure in the chamber of the shield machine body is detected and the detected earth pressure is compared with a reference value to thereby produce a chamber earth pressure deviation signal. In response to the chamber earth pressure deviation signal, means for controlling the amount of conveying earth accumulated in the chamber to the exterior of the machine body and/or means for advancing the shield machine body into the working face are controlled so as to maintain the earth pressure in the chamber within a predetermined range so that the breakdown of the exposed face or earth stratum as well as the rising of the ground are prevented from occurring.In another method and system, the earth pressure at the working face is detected and the detected value is compared with a reference value to produce a signal representing the earth pressure deviation at the working face.

Abstract: A method and a device for introducing a tubular assembly into the soil, which assembly consists of two or more elongated strips with a curved cross-section, made of an elastically flexible material, which strips are unwound from corresponding drums and are being united at adjacent edges when being unwound, and are separated again when being rewound on said drums. The driving force is derived from the rotational movement of said drums. The assembly can be used for introducing drainage tape into the soil, for introducing a sounding probe into the soil, for cutting soil samples and for similar purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus employed in the searching of the optimized rate of penetration of a drill into a given medium based upon the two drilling parameters of thrust and speed of revolution. Preset base values of both parameters are input into the drilling control mechanism at the start of drilling. Thereafter, based upon readings from an automatic penetration rate calculator, the apparatus effects automatic incremental changes to one of the parameters, the other being held constant, until a maximized rate of penetration is established. Subsequently, the other parameter, previously held constant, is changed until a new maximized penetration rate is found. This optimized penetration rate searching is continuously and automatically effected until the drilling process is completed. The apparatus additionally provides for the allowance of a wait period between successive incremental changes for accommodating response times of the system as well as instabilities which may occur as the result of nonlinear process dynamics.

Abstract: An improved drill bit for the mining field for use as a roof drill, tunnel drill, rock boring and highway construction, both as a rotary and a rotary percussion drill, which includes a drill head with a diametrical slot positioning a brazed cutting blade, the head having a male drive shank to interfit with a female driver tube and having axial passages leading to chip slash pockets for removal of chips either by incoming pressure fluid or outgoing suctioning action. The supporting prongs of the drill head on opposite sides and at opposite ends of the blade are narrowed in thickness to provide chip clearance and designed to overlap centrally to provide tip strength and central support for the blade.

Abstract: Disclosed is a well latch for locking well tools in a well flow conductor. The latch housing has a pressure equalizing passage extending through its wall. A valve controls flow through the equalizing passage. Keys, carried by the latch housing, are expanded outwardly into a locking groove of a well flow conductor to lock the well latch therein. A fishing neck, associated with the latch, permits retrieval of the latch. This abstract is neither intended to define the scope of the invention, which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting in any way.

Abstract: Shield tunneling machine and method which may minimize the variation in water- and earth-pressure at the tunneling face so as to hold the ground firm and to ensure the safe tunneling.

Abstract: A pressure control device is disclosed which forms a pressure containing enclosure around a tubing string coupling to contain therein any released pressure as the tubing is uncoupled. Means are provided to form a pressure seal against the outside surface of the tubing string above and below the pipe coupling. This means also includes a blowout preventor to seal off the open end of the tubing string in the presence of uncontrolled release of fluids and gases. Lifting means are provided to raise and lower the pressure containing enclosure, to permit exposing the open end of the tubing string above the device for the safe and rapid attachment of a safety valve. Slip sets are provided to grip the lower and upper joints of pipe to support the weight of the tubing string and to allow the upper joint to be rotated relative to the lower joint to thereby uncouple the joints.

Abstract: A mine working machine employs a main drive transmission with a vertical driven output shaft carrying a gearwheel which can be interchanged with a chain wheel for effecting a chain drive. For a chainless drive, an auxiliary transmission with a housing covering the gearwheel is attached to the machine body or the housing of the main drive transmission. The auxiliary transmission employs rotatable upstanding shafts located at the goaf side of the machine and in the auxiliary housing. The shafts carry gearwheels at their upper ends meshing with the driven gear wheel and pinions at their lower ends meshing with a multi-part rack extending along the path of movement of the machine.

Abstract: A method for loosening stony soil by means of a rotating cutting head fastened to the rear of a tractor and having cutting members to be drawn through the soil and being mounted according to a helical line.Stony soil can be readily loosened to the desired depth because the cutting head can be kept at an acute angle to the direction of movement. So the cutting head is drawn in a stable manner in the direction to the tractor against the stone surface concerned and penetrates the stony soil like a plough, the soil above the cutting head being torn up upwardly.

Abstract: In a well safety valve for controlling the fluid flow through a well conduit in which the valve has a housing and a valve element movable in the housing between an open and closed position for controlling the flow through a passageway in the housing and means for biasing the valve element to a closed position, the improvement in piston means for moving the valve element into an open position. A piston is telescopically mounted in the housing, is controlled by fluid from the well surface, and is offset from the passageway. The piston has a small cross-sectional area for reducing the effect of hydrostatic forces acting on the piston whereby the valve may be used at greater depths in the well. The piston has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the valve passageway for ease of manufacture and less expense. Preferably the piston is positioned within the wall of the housing, and may be a solid cylinder or may be tubular one outside diameter with a second lower section of a greater outside diameter.

Abstract: A well safety valve for controlling the fluid flow through a well tubing in which the valve is biased closed. When fluid control pressure is supplied from the well surface, the valve is opened, but the valve closes when the control pressure exceeds a predetermined value. The tubular member controlling the actuation of the valve member includes a first upper and a second lower telescoping section with releasable locking means normally securing the telescoping sections together. A stop shoulder is positioned in the path of movement of the second section in the opening direction for actuating the release of the locking means when the control fluid force exceeds said predetermined value, and the second telescoping section is moved in a closing direction for closing the valve member when the locking means is released. The locking means may be either a shear pin or a resettable lock.

Abstract: An improved mining apparatus for excavating material, such as coal, for example, from an earth formation, such as a coal seam, for example, wherein a miner, having a forward and a rearward cutter, is guided through the coal seam and excavates a borehole therein, the borehole being filled with a working fluid during the operation of the miner, the working fluid facilitating the operation of the miner and providing a vehicle for removing the mined material. Substantially all of the operations of the miner are controlled from the earth's surface thereby eliminating the necessity and accompanying hazards and costs involved in utilizing personnel underground during the mining operations.

Abstract: A holding device for a chain is proposed, particularly for a chain associated with a coal cutter and having links located in two mutually transverse planes. The holding device has a chain block having two portions formed with a recess and bounding a slot. The recess is dimensioned for receiving an end portion of one of the chain links which is located in one of the planes, and the slot is dimensioned for receiving the other chain link which is located in the other of the planes. The recess may be U-shaped, and the slot extends in the direction of elongation of the chain block. Supporting portions may be provided for supporting one of the chain links which is located in a horizontal plane. Means may be provided for fastening the horizontal chain link to the supporting portions. Two additional such portions may be provided in the same chain block, spaced from the first two portions in the direction of elongation of the chain block.

Abstract: A drive frame for the drive assembly of a mining installation has a pair of side plates and a connector. The mining installation is of the type having a winning machine and a conveyor. The connector is fastened to one of the side plates of the drive frame and constitutes means for mounting respective drive units for the winning machine and the conveyor. The connector is constituted by a respective mounting plate for each of the drive units. The two mounting plates are connected to one another in a tension-proof manner. The connector is provided with an annular collar which mates with an aperture in said one side plate to support and align the connector.