Abstract: Methods are provided for a post-treatment process for use with coatings deposited via thermal spray and/or cold spray to modify the microstructures of the coatings and improve associated cohesion and adhesion properties. Such process includes performing ultrasonic consolidation of the spray coating as a post-treatment step after deposition of the spray coating onto a substrate. A system for spray deposition and ultrasonic consolidation is also provided.

Abstract: A cooling system for a cold spray nozzle or a thermal spray barrel and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The cooling system includes a sleeve with cooling fins that encapsulate a spray nozzle or barrel to enable heat transfer from the nozzle or barrel to the fins and then to the external ambient environment. The sleeve may optionally include one or more channels with cooling tubes to enable enhanced cooling with a cooling medium flowing through the tubes and across the fins.

Abstract: A cooling system for a cold spray nozzle or a thermal spray barrel and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The cooling system includes a sleeve with cooling fins that encapsulate a spray nozzle or barrel to enable heat transfer from the nozzle or barrel to the fins and then to the external ambient environment. The sleeve may optionally include one or more channels with cooling tubes to enable enhanced cooling with a cooling medium flowing through the tubes and across the fins.

Abstract: A tire (10) having a tread (12) includes a plurality of laterally spaced, circumferentially extending continuous ribs (11) defining grooves (14). Each groove has oppositely facing sidewalls (20, 22) and a bottom surface (30). A first set of stone bumpers is provided with each stone bumper (18) projecting laterally from one of the sidewalls with an end (24) extending towards the other sidewall of the groove. A second set of stone bumpers is provided with each stone bumper (18?) projecting from the other sidewall with an end (26) extending towards the one sidewall of the groove. Each stone bumper of the first and second sets of stone bumpers 1) is integral with the associated sidewall and with a portion of the bottom surface of the groove, and 2) includes a cutout (34) defining a surface that is spaced from and in opposing relation to the bottom surface of the groove.

Abstract: A tire (10) having a tread (12) includes a plurality of laterally spaced, circumferentially extending continuous ribs (11) defining grooves (14). Each groove has oppositely facing sidewalls (20, 22) and a bottom surface (30). A first set of stone bumpers is provided with each stone bumper (18) projecting laterally from one of the sidewalls with an end (24) extending towards the other sidewall of the groove. A second set of stone bumpers is provided with each stone bumper (18?) projecting from the other sidewall with an end (26) extending towards the one sidewall of the groove. Each stone bumper of the first and second sets of stone bumpers 1) is integral with the associated sidewall and with a portion of the bottom surface of the groove, and 2) includes a cutout (34) defining a surface that is spaced from and in opposing relation to the bottom surface of the groove.

Abstract: A swing drive assembly for use with a mining shovel having a frame rotatable relative to a base, wherein the swing drive assembly is fixed to the frame and engages a ring gear fixed to the base to rotatably drive the mining shovel frame relative to the mining shovel base. The assembly includes a swing girder having a top wall and bottom wall joined by a back wall. At least one strut having a top end extends upwardly from the top wall, and an attachment point is proximal said strut top end for fixing the swing drive assembly to the frame. At least one attachment point is proximal one end of the top wall, and at least one attachment point is proximal an opposing end of the top wall, wherein the girder is fixable to a mining shovel frame at each of the attachment points. Preferably, each attachment point is fixed to the mining shovel frame with at least one bolt. Most preferably, the swing girder is mounted to the frame, and hangs below the frame to engage the ring gear.

Abstract: A dipper assembly includes a dipper having an open bottom and forward end, and a door pivotally linked to the dipper. The dipper bottom is defined by dipper wall bottom edges. The door has a bottom wall and side walls which extend above the bottom wall to define a volume between the side walls, wherein top edges of the side walls abut bottom edges of the dipper wall bottom edges to close the dipper bottom.

Abstract: A dipper door pivotally mounted to a dipper is controlled as it pivots between open and closed positions. In one embodiment, the door is controlled by a brake pivotally linking the door to the dipper. In another embodiment, the door is pivotally mounted to the dipper by a pin, and the door is controlled by a linkage actuated by a linear actuator. The pivot point of the door is positioned above the dipper bottom to decrease the dump height of the dipper.

Abstract: A mining shovel including a frame having an upwardly support member. A boom extends upwardly and forwardly from the frame from a connecting end toward a distal end along a boom longitudinal axis. At least one first suspension cable has one end attached to the boom proximal the boom distal end and an opposing end attached to the support member. The at least one first suspension cable defines an angle relative to the boom longitudinal axis, wherein in tension, the at least one first suspension cable resists a first side load imposed on the boom.

Abstract: A swing drive assembly for use with a mining shovel having a frame rotatable relative to a base, wherein the swing drive assembly is fixed to the frame and engages a ring gear fixed to the base to rotatably drive the mining shovel frame relative to the mining shovel base. The assembly includes a swing girder having a top wall and bottom wall joined by a back wall. At least one strut having a top end extends upwardly from the top wall, and an attachment point is proximal said strut top end for fixing the swing drive assembly to the frame. At least one attachment point is proximal one end of the top wall, and at least one attachment point is proximal an opposing end of the top wall, wherein the girder is fixable to a mining shovel frame at each of the attachment points. Preferably, each attachment point is fixed to the mining shovel frame with at least one bolt. Most preferably, the swing girder is mounted to the frame, and hangs below the frame to engage the ring gear.

Abstract: A dipper assembly includes a dipper having an open bottom and forward end, and a door pivotally linked to the dipper. The dipper bottom is defined by dipper wall bottom edges. The door has a bottom wall and side walls which extend above the bottom wall to define a volume between the side walls, wherein top edges of the side walls abut bottom edges of the dipper wall bottom edges to close the dipper bottom.