Abstract: A cable handling device for an underground mining drill rig, wherein the cable handling device includes a first feeding assembly having a cable bending guide and a first feeding device configured to receive a cable, grip the cable and feed the cable in a first direction into the cable bending guide. The cable bending guide is configured to guide the cable along an arcuate path such that the cable exits the cable bending guide in a second direction offset a predetermined angle to the first direction.

Abstract: A cable handling device for an underground mining drill rig, wherein the cable handling device includes a first feeding assembly having a cable bending guide and a first feeding device configured to receive a cable, grip the cable and feed the cable in a first direction into the cable bending guide. The cable bending guide is configured to guide the cable along an arcuate path such that the cable exits the cable bending guide in a second direction offset a predetermined angle to the first direction.

Abstract: A handling system for handling expendables for a drill rig arranged for automated handling of the expendables is provided. The handling system includes a pickup mechanism configured to move an expendable back and forth between a magazine of the drill rig for expendables and a loading position within the drill rig, a first outer guide device configured to receive and guide the expendable, optionally grip and hold the trailing portion of the expendable when the expendable is in an outer extreme position, and a second outer guide device provided adjacent the first outer guide device between the first outer guide device and an inner guide device.

Abstract: A roof mesh installation apparatus for a mining machine includes a mesh roll carried at a dispenser at a forward position of the machine capable of unrolling mesh to be laid and bolted at a tunnel roof. A tensioning device positioned at the dispenser is capable of actuation so as to apply a pre-tension to a forward and unbolted section of mesh with the tension being applied against an already laid and rearward bolted mesh section. Accordingly, an automated roof mesh installation apparatus and method is provided.

Abstract: A mesh handler for a mining machine includes a generally U-shaped frame arranged for receiving and positioning at least one mesh against a roof portion of an underground tunnel. The frame includes at least one generally U-shaped rail and a guide mechanism arranged for guiding the mesh along the rail in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the mining machine. Moreover, a mining machine including the mesh handler is provided.

Abstract: An active temporary roof support apparatus for attachment to a mining machine includes at least one set of support members, each set including at least a first support member and a second support member for supporting the roof of an underground tunnel. A drive assembly is arranged to drive the set of support members, such that the first and second support members are sequentially moved for engaging the roof so that the roof is supported by at least one support member during an excavation operation of the mining machine. A mining machine and a corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-functional connector is arranged for connecting a functional drill element to a drill head, such as an extendable cylinder of a drill head. The multi-functional connector includes a first connecting element having a first receptacle, a second connecting element having a second receptacle, and a retainer element having a retainer opening. The first receptacle has at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction, the second receptacle has at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction, and the retainer element has at least one retaining section to prevent a movement of a second functional drill element relative to the second connecting element in a retracting position of the second functional drill element.

Abstract: A roof mesh installation apparatus for a mining machine includes a mesh roll carried at a dispenser at a forward position of the machine capable of unrolling mesh to be laid and bolted at a tunnel roof. A tensioning device positioned at the dispenser is capable of actuation so as to apply a pre-tension to a forward and unbolted section of mesh with the tension being applied against an already laid and rearward bolted mesh section. Accordingly, an automated roof mesh installation apparatus and method is provided.

Abstract: A device for the installation of rock bolts includes a supporting structure and first and second bolting units mounted to the supporting structure. Each bolting unit is configured for drilling an installation hole and/or for installing a rock bolt into a rock face, wherein the supporting structure is configured for rotatably moving the first and second bolting units about a common axis of rotation. At least one actuator is mounted to the supporting structure and configured for additionally moving at least one of the first and second bolting units.

Abstract: A manipulator for providing drilling expendables to a drill head of an underground drill rig includes a gripper that is arranged to selectively grip and release the drilling expendables and to move the gripper between a first position facing a supply magazine and a second position facing the drill head. The manipulator is also arranged to automatically take and return expendables to and from the magazine and drill head. A supply device provides the expendables to a drill head of an underground drill rig having the supply magazine, and to an underground drill rig, as well as an underground mining vehicle.

Abstract: An active temporary roof support apparatus for attachment to a mining machine includes at least one set of support members, each set including at least a first support member and a second support member for supporting the roof of an underground tunnel. A drive assembly is arranged to drive the set of support members, such that the first and second support members are sequentially moved for engaging the roof so that the roof is supported by at least one support member during an excavation operation of the mining machine. A mining machine and a corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A mesh handler for a mining machine includes a generally U-shaped frame arranged for receiving and positioning at least one mesh against a roof portion of an underground tunnel. The frame includes at least one generally U-shaped rail and a guide mechanism arranged for guiding the mesh along the rail in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the mining machine. Moreover, a mining machine including the mesh handler is provided.

Abstract: A multi-functional connector is arranged for connecting a functional drill element to a drill head, such as an extendable cylinder of a drill head. The multi-functional connector includes a first connecting element having a first receptacle, a second connecting element having a second receptacle, and a retainer element having a retainer opening. The first receptacle has at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction, the second receptacle has at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction, and the retainer element has at least one retaining section to prevent a movement of a second functional drill element relative to the second connecting element in a retracting position of the second functional drill element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extendable cylinder (10), in particular an extendable cylinder for a drill head (2000), a drill head comprising an extendable cylinder, and a method of operating a drill head. The extendable cylinder comprises a shaft (100) with a shaft ring volume (101) between an inner part (110) and an outer part (120) of the shaft; a piston (200) with a piston ring volume (201) between an inner part (120) and an outer part (220) of the piston; the piston being moveable with respect to the shaft along a longitudinal axis (LX); a proximal end of the outer part of the piston being arranged between the inner and outer part of the shaft; and a distal end of the inner part of the shaft being arranged between the inner and outer part of the piston; and wherein the extendable cylinder is extendable and/or retractable along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A bolting drill rig arranged to be mountable at a mobile mining machine. The drill rig includes a main frame mounting an axially movable drive unit and head to press against the roof or wall of the mine. A drill rod manipulator assembly is mounted at the main frame to one side of the drive unit and configured to transport a drill rod between a drilling position and a rod storage position.

Abstract: A manipulator for providing drilling expendables to a drill head of an underground drill rig includes a gripper that is arranged to selectively grip and release the drilling expendables and to move the gripper between a first position facing a supply magazine and a second position facing the drill head. The manipulator is also arranged to automatically take and return expendables to and from the magazine and drill head. A supply device provides the expendables to a drill head of an underground drill rig having the supply magazine, and to an underground drill rig, as well as an underground mining vehicle.

Abstract: A device for the installation of rock bolts includes a supporting structure and first and second bolting units mounted to the supporting structure. Each bolting unit is configured for drilling an installation hole and/or for installing a rock bolt into a rock face, wherein the supporting structure is configured for rotatably moving the first and second bolting units about a common axis of rotation. At least one actuator is mounted to the supporting structure and configured for additionally moving at least one of the first and second bolting units.

Abstract: A bolting drill rig arranged to be mountable at a mobile mining machine. The drill rig includes a main frame mounting an axially movable drive unit and head to press against the roof or wall of the mine. A drill rod manipulator assembly is mounted at the main frame to one side of the drive unit and configured to transport a drill rod between a drilling position and a rod storage position.

Abstract: In an anchor drilling and setting device (1) for setting flexible anchors, in particular cable bolts, including a drill motor (2), a bearing (17) for the drill motor (2), which is engaged by an advance drive for displacing the bearing (17) along with the drill motor (2) in the drilling direction, and a clamping device (5) for the anchor (8), the drill motor (2) is configured to be coupleable to the clamping device (5) for the anchor (8), wherein the clamping device (5) is held in the bearing (17) connected with the drill motor (2).