Abstract: Methods and systems for generating pulses in drilling fluid are described. The methods include driving rotation of a rotor relative to a stator of a pulser assembly in an oscillatory manner. The oscillatory manner includes rotating an obstructing element from a middle position to a first blocking angle position and rotating the obstructing element from the first blocking angle position to a second blocking angle position such that selective obstruction occurs. Rotation of the at least one obstructing element selectively obstructs a stator flow passage when drilling fluid is flowing through the drill string to generate a pressure pulse in the drilling fluid and the oscillatory manner is an oscillation of the obstructing element between the first blocking angle position and the second blocking angle position such that a single oscillation is between two obstructed states of the stator flow passage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating pulses in drilling fluid are described. The methods include driving rotation of a rotor relative to a stator of a pulser assembly in an oscillatory manner. The oscillatory manner includes rotating an obstructing element from a middle position to a first blocking angle position and rotating the obstructing element from the first blocking angle position to a second blocking angle position such that selective obstruction occurs. Rotation of the at least one obstructing element selectively obstructs a stator flow passage when drilling fluid is flowing through the drill string to generate a pressure pulse in the drilling fluid and the oscillatory manner is an oscillation of the obstructing element between the first blocking angle position and the second blocking angle position such that a single oscillation is between two obstructed states of the stator flow passage.

Abstract: A force measuring unit for measuring a force applied to an individual chain link of a chain strand is used in underground mining applications. The force measuring unit may include a housing having a first end configured to be contacted by a first chain link leg and a second end configured to be contacted by a second chain link leg, and a distance measuring device accommodated within the housing and configured to measure an actual distance between the first chain link leg and the second chain link leg. The distance measuring device may include a first unit part configured to be contacted by the first chain link leg and a second unit part configured to be contacted by the second chain link leg.

Abstract: A force measuring unit for measuring a force applied to an individual chain link of a chain strand is used in underground mining applications. The force measuring unit may include a housing having a first end configured to be contacted by a first chain link leg and a second end configured to be contacted by a second chain link leg, and a distance measuring device accommodated within the housing and configured to measure an actual distance between the first chain link leg and the second chain link leg. The distance measuring device may include a first unit part configured to be contacted by the first chain link leg and a second unit part configured to be contacted by the second chain link leg.

Abstract: A face conveyor includes a continuous conveyor formed by a conveyor chain with entrainment plates that are connected to chain links and which, when conveying, circulates in an outward run and a return run, each of which are guided in trough portions by trough elements, which are arranged in a row. Guides provided on each trough element include a first guide on a working face side and a second guide at a spacing from a goaf side. The first guide on the working face side is secured on the trough element between the outward run and the return run. The outward run and the return run extend in a laterally offset manner with respect to each other, and the trough portion guiding the entrainment plates in the outward run is open on the working face side.

Abstract: A shield canopy for a shield-type support for underground mining having a canopy plate and a supporting structure being welded on below the canopy plate and having a plurality of longitudinal spars which extend from a rear canopy region up to a front canopy region. At least two of the longitudinal spars having section struts which are provided with a top section flange and a web running perpendicularly to the top section flange, and the canopy plate and the section struts are angled upwards in the front canopy region.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the position and/or location of plant components of a mining extracting plant, which includes at least one face conveyor, a shield-type support system having a plurality of shield-type support frames and an extracting machine, the position/location of at least one plant component is determined by an evaluation system including a detection unit. To determine the location/position of at least one plant component even in the case of a dynamic mineral mining process, the detection unit includes an image sensor, by way of which at least four object points, which are at a predetermined spacing to each other and are detectable within the optical wavelength range, of at least one measuring object associated with one of the plant components, are detected and the position/location of the plant component can be determined from the projection of the object points detected by the image sensor.

Abstract: A face conveyor includes a continuous conveyor formed by a conveyor chain with entrainment plates that are connected to chain links and which, when conveying, circulates in an outward run and a return run, each of which are guided in trough portions by trough elements, which are arranged in a row. Guides provided on each trough element include a first guide on a working face side and a second guide at a spacing from a goaf side. The first guide on the working face side is secured on the trough element between the outward run and the return run. The outward run and the return run extend in a laterally offset manner with respect to each other, and the trough portion guiding the entrainment plates in the outward run is open on the working face side.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the position and/or location of plant components of a mining extracting plant, which includes at least one face conveyor, a shield-type support system having a plurality of shield-type support frames and an extracting machine, the position/location of at least one plant component is determined by an evaluation system including a detection unit. To determine the location/position of at least one plant component even in the case of a dynamic mineral mining process, the detection unit includes an image sensor, by way of which at least four object points, which are at a predetermined spacing to each other and are detectable within the optical wavelength range, of at least one measuring object associated with one of the plant components, are detected and the position/location of the plant component can be determined from the projection of the object points detected by the image sensor.

Abstract: A shield canopy for a shield-type support for underground mining having a canopy plate and a supporting structure being welded on below the canopy plate and having a plurality of longitudinal spars which extend from a rear canopy region up to a front canopy region. At least two of the longitudinal spars having section struts which are provided with a top section flange and a web running perpendicularly to the top section flange, and the canopy plate and the section struts are angled upwards in the front canopy region.

Abstract: A shield cap for a shield-type support for underground mining includes a cap plate, with reception devices for the connection of hydraulic cylinder heads to the shield cap, and a supporting structure welded below the cap plate and having a plurality of longitudinal spars. At least two of the longitudinal spars include substantially I-profile struts having an upper profile chord, a lower profile chord and a middle chord running perpendicularly to the two profile chords. The distance between the upper and the lower profile chord decreases at least over a part length of each strut.

Abstract: A mud pulse telemetry system comprises a surface located fluid supply line having a drilling fluid flowing therein. A non-venting pulser is disposed in the drilling fluid in the supply line, and the non-venting pulser is adapted to generate pressure fluctuations in the flowing drilling fluid. A downhole receiver in hydraulic communication with the non-venting pulser is adapted to detect the pressure fluctuations in the drilling fluid. A method for transmitting pressure signals from a surface location to a downhole location in a wellbore, comprises disposing a non-venting pulser in a surface located fluid supply line having a drilling fluid flowing therein. The non-venting pulser is actuated to generate pressure fluctuations in the flowing drilling fluid according to a predetermined encoding scheme. The pressure fluctuations are detected with a downhole receiver in hydraulic communication with the non-venting pulser.

Abstract: One exemplary APD Device is used with a liner drilling assembly to control wellbore pressure. The APD Device reduces a dynamic pressure loss associated with the drilling fluid returning via a wellbore annulus. Another exemplary APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when deploying wellbore equipment, including running, installing and/or operating wellbore tools. The APD Device is set to reduce a dynamic pressure loss associated with a circulating fluid. The APD Device can also be configured to reduce a surge effect associated with the running of the wellbore equipment. Still another APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when completing or working over a well. Exemplary completion activity can include circulating fluid other than a drilling fluid, such as a gravel slurry. The APD Device can reduce the dynamic pressure loss associated with circulation of both drilling fluid and non-drilling fluid.

Abstract: A shield cap for a shield-type support for underground mining includes a cap plate, with reception devices for the connection of hydraulic cylinder heads to the shield cap, and a supporting structure welded below the cap plate and having a plurality of longitudinal spars. At least two of the longitudinal spars include substantially I-profile struts having an upper profile chord, a lower profile chord and a middle chord running perpendicularly to the two profile chords. The distance between the upper and the lower profile chord decreases at least over a part length of each strut.

Abstract: An oscillating shear valve system for generating pressure fluctuations in a flowing drilling fluid comprising a stationary stator and an oscillating rotor, both with axial flow passages. The rotor oscillates in close proximity to the stator, at least partially blocking the flow through the stator and generating oscillating pressure pulses. The rotor passes through two zero speed positions during each cycle, facilitating rapid changes in signal phase, frequency, and/or amplitude facilitating enhanced, multivalent data encoding. The rotor is driven by a motorized gear drive. In one embodiment, a torsional spring is attached to the motor and the resulting spring mass system is designed to be near resonance at the desired pulse frequency. The system enables the use of multivalent encoding schemes for increasing data rates.

Abstract: An arrangement for extracting extraction products in caving in which the extraction product is extracted downwards through an extraction funnel into an extraction path and from this is transferred onto an extraction conveyor arranged in a conveyor path, in which arrangement the extraction path extends transversely between the conveyor path and an auxiliary path parallel to this, a loading ramp is arranged in the extraction path which forms a ramp surface orientated transversely to the conveying direction of the extraction conveyor and inclined towards it. The extraction path is provided with a rail guidance attached to the bottom and extending in the area between the auxiliary path and the conveying path, on which the loading ramp is guided and along which it can be moved by a displacement drive (20) in the direction of the conveyor path and in the opposite direction.

Abstract: In the arrangement in accordance with the invention for extracting extraction products in caving in which the extraction product is extracted downwards through an extraction funnel (10) into an extraction path (11) and from this is transferred onto an extraction conveyor arranged in a conveyor path, in which arrangement the extraction path extends transversely between the conveyor path (13) and an auxiliary path (12) parallel to this, a loading ramp (16) is arranged in the extraction path (11) which essentially forms a ramp surface orientated transversely to the conveying direction of the extraction conveyor and inclined towards it.

Abstract: A method of transmitting pressure pulses from a downhole location through a flowing fluid in a wellbore comprises using a linear actuator to controllably move a reciprocating member axially back and forth between a first position and a second position to at least partially obstruct flow of the flowing fluid to generate the pressure pulses. A reciprocating pulser for generating pressure pulses in a fluid flowing in a wellbore, comprises a fluid passage that allows flow of the fluid through the pulser, and a reciprocating member. A linear actuator is coupled to the reciprocating member, such that the linear actuator moves the reciprocating member in a first axial direction and then in a reverse direction to at least partially obstruct flow of the fluid through the pulser to generate pressure pulses in the flowing fluid.

Abstract: In the method according to the invention and the arrangement or according to the invention for extracting extraction products in underground mining operations using the caving method, the extraction products (20) collapsing in an upper gate area (10) are extracted via at least one extraction funnel (13) or the like into an extraction path (14) driven below the gate and are transported away therein by means of an extraction conveyor (15). According to the invention the extraction funnels (13) are arranged laterally beside the extraction conveyor (15) and lead at their lower end into a ramp surface (17) inclined towards the extraction conveyor, the extraction products extracted from the gate through the extraction funnels being transported slidingly over the inclined ramp surface to the extraction conveyor.

Abstract: An oscillating shear valve system for generating pressure fluctuations in a flowing drilling fluid comprising a stationary stator and an oscillating rotor, both with axial flow passages. The rotor oscillates in close proximity to the stator, at least partially blocking the flow through the stator and generating oscillating pressure pulses. The rotor passes through two zero speed positions during each cycle, facilitating rapid changes in signal phase, frequency, and/or amplitude facilitating enhanced, multivalent data encoding. The rotor is driven by a motorized gear drive. In one embodiment, a torsional spring is attached to the motor and the resulting spring mass system is designed to be near resonance at the desired pulse frequency. The system enables the use of multivalent encoding schemes for increasing data rates.