Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a methods and apparatus for optimizing and calibrating a magnetic field generator. In various embodiments, the magnetic field generator includes a signal generator for outputting a voltage and a magnetic field generating circuit including a shunt that may be used to change a value of inductance in the magnetic field generating circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a methods and apparatus for optimizing and calibrating a magnetic field generator. In various embodiments, the magnetic field generator includes a signal generator for outputting a voltage and a magnetic field generating circuit including a shunt that may be used to change a value of inductance in the magnetic field generating circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to proximity detection systems and a method for internal traffic control in a work zone. In various embodiments, magnetic field generators generate respective oscillating magnetic fields for detection by magnetic field detectors. The magnetic field detectors generate a signal for providing a visual and/or audible warning to operators in response to detecting the magnetic field.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to proximity detection systems and a method for internal traffic control in a work zone. In various embodiments, magnetic field generators generate respective oscillating magnetic fields for detection by magnetic field detectors. The magnetic field detectors generate a signal for providing a visual and/or audible warning to operators in response to detecting the magnetic field.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a methods and apparatus for optimizing and calibrating a magnetic field generator. In various embodiments, the magnetic field generator includes a signal generator for outputting a voltage and a magnetic field generating circuit including a shunt that may be used to change a value of inductance in the magnetic field generating circuit.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one embodiment, a detector for a miner comprising a gamma sensing element and a light sensing element coupled to the gamma sensing element. According to the embodiment, the detector is mounted on a rotary cutter of a boring-type continuous miner such that the gamma sensing element has a view of a geologic formation being mined. A mining control system is also provided, comprising a miner having at least two rotary cutters and a gamma detector on each of the at least two rotary cutters for receiving gamma emissions from a geologic formation. The mining control system also provides an accelerometer and a rate gyro, wherein the accelerometer and the rate gyro correlate the received gamma emissions with positions of the at least two rotary cutters, and a central module that utilizes the correlated readings to determine whether the cutters should be moved.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a methods and apparatus for optimizing and calibrating a magnetic field generator. In various embodiments, the magnetic field generator includes a signal generator for outputting a voltage and a magnetic field generating circuit including a shunt that may be used to change a value of inductance in the magnetic field generating circuit.

Abstract: A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support system includes at least one support or friction ring for providing dynamic protection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrugated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separated by spacers. In another embodiment a support mechanism is provided having at least one friction ring in combination with O-rings. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring.

Abstract: A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support system includes at least one support or friction ring for providing dynamic protection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrugated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separated by spacers. In another embodiment a support mechanism is provided having at least one friction ring in combination with O-rings. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring. In another aspect, a compound optical coupler assembly comprises a self-wetting optical coupling gel and also an amount of a stiffening agent.

Abstract: A safety system for mining equipment is provided having a proximity-based system with a marker field generator in an explosion-proof housing. The generator has a resonant circuit with an inductive reactance that is provided by a ferrite rod wound with an electrical conductor. Also provided is an RF receiver to receive information about the strength of the generated marker field from a sensing device used by a worker. The system provides for a personal alert device, carried by personnel to be kept at a safe distance from the mining machine, the personal alert device being capable of detecting the marker field. Also disclosed is a geosteering system that stops the cutting of a continuous miner when the cutter reaches an interface between a mineral being mined and an adjacent formation that is not to be mined.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one embodiment, a detector for a miner comprising a gamma sensing element and a light sensing element coupled to the gamma sensing element. According to the embodiment, the detector is mounted on a rotary cutter of a boring-type continuous miner such that the gamma sensing element has a view of a geologic formation being mined. A mining control system is also provided, comprising a miner having at least two rotary cutters and a gamma detector on each of the at least two rotary cutters for receiving gamma emissions from a geologic formation. The mining control system also provides an accelerometer and a rate gyro, wherein the accelerometer and the rate gyro correlate the received gamma emissions with positions of the at least two rotary cutters, and a central module that utilizes the correlated readings to determine whether the cutters should be moved.

Abstract: An armored gamma radiation detector for a solid mineral mining apparatus is provided comprising a scintillation element for detecting radiation emitted from a material to be mined. The radiation detector has a high strength armor assembly surrounding portions of the scintillation element, and a window in the armor assembly is provided adapted to allow gamma rays to reach the scintillation element.

Abstract: A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support system includes at least one support or friction ring for providing dynamic protection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrugated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separated by spacers. In another embodiment a support mechanism is provided having at least one friction ring in combination with O-rings. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring.

Abstract: A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support system includes at least one support or friction ring for providing dynamic protection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrugated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separated by spacers. In another embodiment a support mechanism is provided having at least one friction ring in combination with O-rings. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring. In another aspect, a compound optical coupler assembly comprises a self-wetting optical coupling gel and also an amount of a stiffening agent.

Abstract: A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support system includes at least one support or friction ring for providing dynamic protection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrugated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separated by spacers. In another embodiment a support mechanism is provided having at least one friction ring in combination with O-rings. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one embodiment, a detector for a miner comprising a gamma sensing element and a light sensing element coupled to the gamma sensing element. According to the embodiment, the detector is mounted on a rotary cutter of a boring-type continuous miner such that the gamma sensing element has a view of a geologic formation being mined. A mining control system is also provided, comprising a miner having at least two rotary cutters and a gamma detector on each of the at least two rotary cutters for receiving gamma emissions from a geologic formation. The mining control system also provides an accelerometer and a rate gyro, wherein the accelerometer and the rate gyro correlate the received gamma emissions with positions of the at least two rotary cutters, and a central module that utilizes the correlated readings to determine whether the cutters should be moved.

Abstract: An instrumentation package in broad terms includes at least one substantially cylindrical instrumentation component; a substantially cylindrical shield surrounding the instrumentation component, the shield having a diameter less than a standard predetermined diameter; and a sizing sleeve around the shield, thereby increasing the diameter of the sleeve to the standard predetermined diameter. A nuclear detector package is also disclosed that includes a substantially cylindrical crystal element; a photomultiplier tube arranged coaxially with the crystal element; an optical coupler sandwiched between one end of the crystal element and an adjacent end of the photomultiplier tube; the crystal element, optical coupler and photomultiplier tube hermetically sealed within a cylindrical shield; and a flexible support sleeve extending exteriorly along the crystal element and the photomultiplier tube and radially inside the cylindrical shield.

Abstract: An instrumentation package in broad terms includes at least one substantially cylindrical instrumentation component; a substantially cylindrical shield surrounding the instrumentation component, the shield having a diameter less than a standard predetermined diameter; and a sizing sleeve around the shield, thereby increasing the diameter of the sleeve to the standard predetermined diameter. A nuclear detector package is also disclosed that includes a substantially cylindrical crystal element; a photomultiplier tube arranged coaxially with the crystal element; an optical coupler sandwiched between one end of the crystal element and an adjacent end of the photomultiplier tube; the crystal element, optical coupler and photomultiplier tube hermetically sealed within a cylindrical shield; and a flexible support sleeve extending exteriorly along the crystal element and the photomultiplier tube and radially inside the cylindrical shield.

Abstract: A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support system includes at least one support ring for providing dynamic protection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrugated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separated by spacers. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring.

Abstract: A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support system includes at least one support or friction ring for providing dynamic protection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrugated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separated by spacers. In another embodiment a support mechanism is provided having at least one friction ring in combination with O-rings. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring.