Patents by Inventor Stephen L. Bessinger

Stephen L. Bessinger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Use Of Foam To Increase Resistance To Gas Flow In Mine Applications And Apparatus For Delivering Same
    Publication number: 20090033140
    Abstract: A process for increasing resistance to the flow of gas in underground mining operations includes providing a foam composition at desired selected locations to create a barrier to the flow of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: James D. Pile, Nigel R. Goff, Stephen L. Bessinger
  • Methods and apparatus for maintaining longwall face alignment
    Patent number: 5020860
    Abstract: Mine panel alignment is controlled by recording the electromagnetic phase modulation and/or signal attenuation between spaced distant transceivers in the panel and a transceiver on a cutting machine to measure the distance between the transceivers. Through trilateration, the position of the cutting machine with respect to the known fixed locations can be determined and adjustments made to the cutting machine functions to maintain desired panel alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Consolidation Coal Company
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bessinger, Michael G. Nelson
  • Method of indirect measurement of cowl position on a longwall shearer
    Patent number: 5013091
    Abstract: The position of the cowl on a longwall shearing machine is determined by loads, stresses or deflections measured on the ranging arm, clevis and pin connection on the ranging arm or lift cylinder and its linkage to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Consolidation Coal Company
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bessinger, Michael G. Nelson
  • Method and apparatus for sensing coal-rock interface
    Patent number: 4981327
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for sensing the coal-rock interface while longwall mining by placing the sensor in the cowl adjacent the shearer drum so that sensor on the leading drum can feedforward interface data for the control of the trailing shearer drum by properly positioning the drum while cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Consolidation Coal Company
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bessinger, Michael G. Nelson
  • Apparatus and method for mapping entry conditions in remote mining systems
    Patent number: 4884847
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for mapping mine excavation or tunnel entry conditions by mounting an array of sensors on a vehicle some of which provide knowledge of the vehicle location in the entry and others of which provide knowledge of entry conditions and by interpreting data collected from the sensors, a map can be generated of the entry strata for a given vehicle location in the entry. This map can be compared with similarly generated maps to indicate changes in the entry condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Consolidation Coal Co.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bessinger, Michael G. Nelson