Abstract: Controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine that includes a dipper, a crowd motor drive, and a controller. The crowd motor drive is configured to provide one or more control signals to a crowd motor, and the crowd motor is operable to provide a force to the dipper to move the dipper toward or away from a bank. The controller is connected to the crowd motor drive and is configured to monitor a characteristic of the industrial machine, identify an impact event associated with the dipper based on the monitored characteristic of the industrial machine, and set a crowd motoring torque limit for the crowd motor drive when the impact event is identified.

Abstract: A mining shovel including a base, a boom, a first member moveably coupled to the boom, a bucket, and a pivot actuator. The base includes a hoist drum for paying out and reeling in a hoist rope. The boom includes a first end coupled to the base and a second end opposite the first end. The hoist rope extends over the second end of the boom. The first member includes a first end and a second end. The bucket is pivotably coupled to the second end of the first member. The pivot actuator moves the bucket relative to the second end of the first member, and the pivot actuator includes a first end coupled to the first member.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing information related to mining machine performance and making the information accessible to remote maintenance staff. The information can be used to generate alarms, determine a state of the machine, determine performance statistics for the machine, and identify problems with the machine that may require attention. The information can be provided in a state message and the data can be packaged as XML data or in a string format. The data associated with a message can be particular to the current state or context of the mining machine. That is, in the case of a rope shovel, different data may be included in a message generated in a swing state versus a message generated in a tuck state. In some instances, a message is generated when progress thresholds are satisfied, such as for each foot of drilling performed by a mining drill.

Abstract: A mining shovel adapted to dig a bank of material includes a boom having an end, a hoist rope extending over the end of the boom, an elongated member movably coupled to the boom, a dipper for engaging the bank of material, a bail assembly, and a pitch brace. The member includes a first end and a second end. The dipper is coupled to the second end of the member and includes a digging edge. The bail assembly includes a first end pivotably coupled to the dipper and a second end coupled to the hoist rope passing over the boom. The pitch brace includes a first end pivotably coupled to the bail assembly and a second end pivotably coupled to the member.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of an industrial machine. The industrial machine includes a boom, a dipper handle attached to the boom, a saddle block pivotally mounted to the boom at a pivot point, and a computer having a controller. The method comprises processing, with the controller, data received from a saddle angle sensor, determining, with the controller, a saddle angle and a saddle angle gap using the data from the saddle angle sensor, determining, with the controller, a height of the dipper handle. The method further comprises determining, with the controller, a height of the saddle block, determining, with the controller, a saddle gap radius, and determining, with the controller, a saddle block shimming gap by comparing the saddle gap radius with the height of the handle.

Abstract: A rope guide that includes an arm, a rope-contacting element, and a spring damper. The rope guide is pivotably coupled to the boom of a mining shovel. The combination of the arm, spring damper, and rope-contacting element maintains a nominal tension in the rope, thereby reducing the likelihood of wear and fatigue on the rope.

Abstract: A mining machine having a control system for operating the mining machine, the control system having a vibration monitor. The mining machine comprising a mining machine, a sensor sensing vibration of a component of the mining machine, and a vibration module. The vibration module determining when the mining machine is moving in a predetermined cycle, obtaining vibration sensor data from the sensor based on determining that the mining machine is moving in a predetermined cycle, processing the vibration sensor data to generate processed vibration data, and outputting the processed vibration data.

Abstract: A leveling system for supporting a drill assembly includes at least one hydraulic actuator and a manifold coupled to the actuator. The hydraulic actuator supports the cab relative to a support surface, and includes a first end coupled to the cab and a second end that is extendable away from the first end. The manifold is coupled to the actuator and includes a directional flow control valve, a regenerative flow valve, and at least one counterbalance valve for controlling the extension of the actuator. The counterbalance valve is in direct fluid communication with the actuator.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable media for controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine. A method includes determining a hoist bail pull associated with the industrial machine, determining a crowd torque limit value for a crowd drive based on the determined hoist bail pull of the industrial machine, and setting a crowd torque limit of the crowd drive to the crowd torque limit value to limit a torque associated with a crowd motor to the crowd torque limit value.

Abstract: A seat module for an industrial machine. The industrial machine includes a base, a body, and a cab module supporting the seat module. The seat module includes a seat, a control panel mounted on the seat, one or more monitors attached to the control panel, and a plurality of controls positioned on the control panel. The seat module also includes a controller having a processor and connected to the control panel. The controller is configured to receive information from the plurality of controls and to control the operation of the industrial machine based on the received information.

Abstract: The invention provides a bail for a rope shovel having a hoist rope and a dipper. The bail includes a pair of arms coupled to the dipper; and a cross-member extending between the pair of arms and being pivotably coupled to each of the arms. The cross-member includes a mounting block for coupling the hoist rope to the bail.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable media for controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine that includes a dipper and a crowd drive. A method includes determining an acceleration associated with the industrial machine, determining a crowd retract factor based on the acceleration, comparing the crowd retract factor to a threshold crowd retract factor, setting a crowd speed reference and a crowd retract torque for the crowd drive for a period of time based on the comparison of the crowd retract factor to the threshold crowd retract factor.

Abstract: A crawler assembly including a crawler frame member having a first crawler extension and a second crawler extension and an idler wheel disposed therebetween. The idler wheel defines a bore therethrough. The crawler assembly includes a shaft that extends through the bore. The shaft is fixed relative to the wheel by a tapered interference fit and rotatable relative to the first and second crawler extensions. A first side of the shaft is received by the first extension and has at least one journal bushing disposed therebetween. A second side of the shaft is received by the second extension and has a least one journal bushing disposed. A removable endcap is secured to each of the first and second sides of the shaft. A thrust surface is created at an interface between the endcaps and the journal bushings.