Abstract: A mining machine includes a frame, a boom supported for pivoting movement relative to the frame, and a cutter head pivotably coupled to the boom. The cutter head includes a housing, a cutter shaft coupled to the housing, a cutting disc, and an excitation mechanism. A second portion of the cutter shaft extends parallel to a cutter axis. The cutting disc is coupled to the second portion of the cutter shaft and is supported for free rotation relative to the cutter shaft about the cutter axis. The cutting disc includes a plurality of cutting bits defining a cutting edge. The excitation mechanism includes an exciter shaft and a mass eccentrically coupled to the cutter shaft. The excitation mechanism is coupled to the first portion of the cutter shaft. Rotation of the exciter shaft induces oscillating movement of the second portion of the cutter shaft and the cutting disc.

Abstract: A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.

Abstract: A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.

Abstract: Systems for installing roof support sheets on a mine roof. One system includes a support frame, a lifting system, and a feeding system. The support frame holds a plurality of roof support sheets. The lifting system lifts at least one of the sheets from the support frame. The feeding system obtains the at least one sheet from the lifting system and feeds the at least one sheet toward an installation apparatus for installation on the mine roof. The lifting system includes a shoe and at least one arm for moving the shoe to engage and move the at least one sheet. The feeding system includes a drive assembly and a support. The drive assembly engages and moves the at least one sheet toward the installation apparatus, and the support supports the at least one sheet moved by the drive assembly.

Abstract: Systems for installing roof support sheets on a mine roof. One system includes a support frame, a lifting system, and a feeding system. The support frame holds a plurality of roof support sheets. The lifting system lifts at least one of the sheets from the support frame. The feeding system obtains the at least one sheet from the lifting system and feeds the at least one sheet toward an installation apparatus for installation on the mine roof. The lifting system includes a shoe and at least one arm for moving the shoe to engage and move the at least one sheet. The feeding system includes a drive assembly and a support. The drive assembly engages and moves the at least one sheet toward the installation apparatus, and the support supports the at least one sheet moved by the drive assembly.

Abstract: A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.

Abstract: A fluid cutting head of the type having a plurality of nozzles in a rotatable nozzle assembly for cutting a bore hole in rock. The cutting head has nozzles arranged to be supplied with high pressure drilling fluid, forming jets positioned to cut adjacent rock. The nozzles include one or more generally axially facing pilot nozzles, and one or more generally radially facing reaming nozzles. At least the pilot nozzles include a non-tapering outlet section such that the jet issuing therefrom is of substantially constant cross-section in a zone immediately adjacent the outlet section. The pilot nozzles are located in a leading part of the rotatable nozzle assembly, and have a minimized diameter. The reaming nozzles are located in the following part of the rotatable nozzle assembly. The following part of the rotatable nozzle assembly is formed in a step-wise fashion to keep the reaming nozzles close to the rock face.

Abstract: Systems for installing roof support sheets on a mine roof. One system includes a support frame, a lifting system, and a feeding system. The support frame holds a plurality of roof support sheets. The lifting system lifts at least one of the sheets from the support frame. The feeding system obtains the at least one sheet from the lifting system and feeds the at least one sheet toward an installation apparatus for installation on the mine roof. The lifting system includes a shoe and at least one arm for moving the shoe to engage and move the at least one sheet. The feeding system includes a drive assembly and a support. The drive assembly engages and moves the at least one sheet toward the installation apparatus, and the support supports the at least one sheet moved by the drive assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a coiled tube drilling rig (1) for drilling boreholes. The rig includes a drum (2) mounted about a longitudinal axis (B-B) and adapted for receiving a length of semi-rigid tubing (4) wound onto the drum. An injector unit (10) is provided for deploying the tubing (4) along a tubing deployment axis (A-A) and into a borehole, the deployment axis (A-A) being generally orthogonal to and intersecting the drum rotation axis (B-B). An indexing guide (11), confines the tubing in a indexing zone, between a moveable tangential separation point (14) on the drum and the deployment axis (A-A), to a deployment plane (X). The plane being defined by the location of the deployment axis and the separation pint (14). The drum is configured to pivot with respect to the deployment plane around an axis (C-C) substantially collinear with said deployment axis (A-A).