Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion including a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a second portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported for translational movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool; an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid between the first end of the first portion and the drilling and bolting tool adjacent the distal end of the second portion, the fluid passage positioned within the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion including a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a second portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported for translational movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool; an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid between the first end of the first portion and the drilling and bolting tool adjacent the distal end of the second portion, the fluid passage positioned within the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion including a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a second portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported for translational movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool; an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid between the first end of the first portion and the drilling and bolting tool adjacent the distal end of the second portion, the fluid passage positioned within the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion including a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a second portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported for translational movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool; an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid between the first end of the first portion and the drilling and bolting tool adjacent the distal end of the second portion, the fluid passage positioned within the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A drilling and bolting device for driving a drill element into a rock surface includes a frame, a drive unit supported for movement relative to the frame, and an actuator for moving the drive unit relative to the frame. The drive unit includes a motor and a chuck for engaging the drill element. The chuck is driven by the motor. In some aspects, the actuator includes a magnet exerting a magnetic force on the block to provide magnetic coupling between the actuator and a block supporting the motor. In some aspects, the actuator is positioned at least partially within an elongated member of the frame. In some aspects, the drive unit includes a switched reluctance motor including a stator and a rotor supported for rotation relative to the stator, and the rotor is directly coupled to the chuck.

Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion including a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a second portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported for translational movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool; an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid between the first end of the first portion and the drilling and bolting tool adjacent the distal end of the second portion, the fluid passage positioned within the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion including a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a second portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported for translational movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool; an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid between the first end of the first portion and the drilling and bolting tool adjacent the distal end of the second portion, the fluid passage positioned within the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion including a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end; a second portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported for translational movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool; an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid between the first end of the first portion and the drilling and bolting tool adjacent the distal end of the second portion, the fluid passage positioned within the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A drilling and bolting device for driving a drill element into a rock surface includes a frame, a drive unit supported for movement relative to the frame, and an actuator for moving the drive unit relative to the frame. The drive unit includes a motor and a chuck for engaging the drill element. The chuck is driven by the motor. In some aspects, the actuator includes a magnet exerting a magnetic force on the block to provide magnetic coupling between the actuator and a block supporting the motor. In some aspects, the actuator is positioned at least partially within an elongated member of the frame. In some aspects, the drive unit includes a switched reluctance motor including a stator and a rotor supported for rotation relative to the stator, and the rotor is directly coupled to the chuck.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a boom, a cutter head, a valve, and an actuator. The boom defines an internal chamber and includes a first end coupled to a frame, a second end, and an opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bits and is supported on the second end of the boom. The valve is coupled to the boom and is movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered. The actuator is coupled to the valve to selectively move the valve between the closed position and the opened position.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a boom, a cutter head, a valve, and an actuator. The boom defines an internal chamber and includes a first end coupled to a frame, a second end, and an opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bits and is supported on the second end of the boom. The valve is coupled to the boom and is movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered. The actuator is coupled to the valve to selectively move the valve between the closed position and the opened position.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a boom, a cutter head, a valve, and an actuator. The boom defines an internal chamber and includes a first end coupled to a frame, a second end, and an opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bits and is supported on the second end of the boom. The valve is coupled to the boom and is movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered. The actuator is coupled to the valve to selectively move the valve between the closed position and the opened position.

Abstract: A surface mining system for removing material from a mining face generally includes a conveyor extending substantially parallel to the mining face, a miner supported by and moveable along the conveyor, and a conveyor translation device associated with the conveyor and operable to move the conveyor and the miner toward the mining face. A method for advancing a surface mining longwall system generally includes moving the longwall shearer along a face conveyor, operating load translation devices to move the face conveyor and the longwall shearer toward the mining face, resetting a first group of load translation devices, and then resetting a second group of load translation devices. A load translation device generally includes an actuator, a ground drilling device coupled to and moveable with a portion of the actuator, and a frame coupled to and moveable with another portion of the actuator.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a boom, a cutter head, a valve, and an actuator. The boom defines an internal chamber and includes a first end coupled to a frame, a second end, and an opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bits and is supported on the second end of the boom. The valve is coupled to the boom and is movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered. The actuator is coupled to the valve to selectively move the valve between the closed position and the opened position.

Abstract: A side shifting conveyor is provided for a surface mining operation. The conveyor generally includes conveyor sections and conveyor translation devices. Each conveyor translation device includes a drive operable to move the associated at least one conveyor section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction. The conveyor further includes a controller operatively coupled to each drive for controlling operation of the drive and coordinating movement of the conveyor sections. A method for moving a conveyor in a surface mine generally includes sensing that a surface miner operable to deposit material onto the conveyor sections has moved beyond one of the conveyor sections, fixing a position relative to the surface mine of a conveyor translation device associated with one of the conveyor sections, and operating the conveyor translation device to move one of the conveyor sections in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction.

Abstract: A surface mining system for removing material from a mining face generally includes a conveyor extending substantially parallel to the mining face, a miner supported by and moveable along the conveyor, and a conveyor translation device associated with the conveyor and operable to move the conveyor and the miner toward the mining face. A method for advancing a surface mining longwall system generally includes moving the longwall shearer along a face conveyor, operating load translation devices to move the face conveyor and the longwall shearer toward the mining face, resetting a first group of load translation devices, and then resetting a second group of load translation devices. A load translation device generally includes an actuator, a ground drilling device coupled to and moveable with a portion of the actuator, and a frame coupled to and moveable with another portion of the actuator.

Abstract: A surface mining system for removing material from a mining face generally includes a conveyor extending substantially parallel to the mining face, a miner supported by and moveable along the conveyor, and a conveyor translation device associated with the conveyor and operable to move the conveyor and the miner toward the mining face. A method for advancing a surface mining longwall system generally includes moving the longwall shearer along a face conveyor, operating load translation devices to move the face conveyor and the longwall shearer toward the mining face, resetting a first group of load translation devices, and then resetting a second group of load translation devices. A load translation device generally includes an actuator, a ground drilling device coupled to and moveable with a portion of the actuator, and a frame coupled to and moveable with another portion of the actuator.

Abstract: A surface mining system removes material from a surface mining block that has a substantially vertical and laterally extending mining face. The surface mining system generally includes a miner moveable in a lateral direction along the mining face, a face conveyor extending along the mining face, and conveyor translation devices associated with the face conveyor and operable to move the face conveyor toward the mining face as material is removed. The miner includes a rotating cutting member mounted to an end of a vertically ranging cutting arm and operable to remove material from the mining block. The face conveyor includes a discharge portion and is operable to convey material removed from the mining block toward the discharge portion. Each conveyor translation device includes a secured configuration substantially fixed with respect to the mining face and an unsecured configuration moveable with respect to the mining face.

Abstract: A surface miner operates in a first direction to remove material from a mining face with its rotational axis of the cutting drums oriented substantially perpendicular to the mining face. Upon reaching an end of the mining face, the surface miner turns such that the axis is oriented substantially parallel to the mining face. The surface miner then operates in a second direction to cut a first channel from the mining face. To withdraw the cutters from the first channel, the surface miner reverses. The surface miner repositions to cut a second channel from the mining face in the second direction. The first and second channels together define a cut out. The surface miner is positioned in the cut out with the axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the mining face facing in a direction substantially opposite the first direction. The surface miner then continues to remove material in that direction.

Abstract: A side shifting conveyor is provided for a surface mining operation. The conveyor generally includes conveyor sections and conveyor translation devices. Each conveyor translation device includes a drive operable to move the associated at least one conveyor section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction. The conveyor further includes a controller operatively coupled to each drive for controlling operation of the drive and coordinating movement of the conveyor sections. A method for moving a conveyor in a surface mine generally includes sensing that a surface miner operable to deposit material onto the conveyor sections has moved beyond one of the conveyor sections, fixing a position relative to the surface mine of a conveyor translation device associated with one of the conveyor sections, and operating the conveyor translation device to move one of the conveyor sections in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction.