Abstract: Disclosed is an interference protection device and method for a hydraulic support and a cutting part of a shearer. The device includes: a plurality of dust-proof cases evenly and fixedly provided on a surface of one side of a hauling part of the shearer that faces away from a coal wall, and a dust-proof housing fixed on the hydraulic support. A first ultrasonic transducer and a flash lamp are fixedly provided in each dust-proof case, and a second ultrasonic transducer, a receiver, and a data processing module are fixedly provided in the dust-proof housing. The data processing module is electrically connected to the second ultrasonic transducer and the receiver separately, the first ultrasonic transducers and the flash lamps are all electrically connected to an external single-chip microcomputer, and the data processing module is electrically connected to a hydraulic support control computer.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a thin-film electronic device employing a piezoelectric plate. The method provides a plurality of piezoelectric plates, and a substrate with electronic devices, each electronic device including a top surface well. A piezoelectric plate suspension is formed and flowed over the substrate. In response to the piezoelectric plate suspension flow, piezoelectric plates are captured in the top surface wells. The electric device top surface wells have well bottom surfaces, with bottom electrical contacts formed on the bottom surfaces. Thus, the capture of a piezoelectric plate in a top surface well entails interfacing a piezoelectric plate electrode, either the first electrode or the second electrode, to the bottom electrical contact. Subsequent to capturing the piezoelectric plates in the top surface wells, a thin-film process forms a conductive line overlying the exposed piezoelectric device electrode (i.e., the electrode not connected to the bottom electrical contact).

Abstract: A product and system for identifying and monitoring a characteristic including the part ID, presence, condition, usage and/or performance of ground-engaging products used on various kinds of earth working equipment.

Abstract: A degradation assembly may comprise at least one sensor mounted on a pick; the pick comprising a first conductor in communication with the sensor. The assembly may also comprise a receiving element including a bore comprising a second conductor. The first and second conductors may combine to create a connection as the pick is inserted into the bore of the receiving element.

Abstract: An automated coal mining system outfits rotating cutterhead drums with bit blocks and replaceable bit picks according to a lacing pattern. A set of strain gauges are configured to measure the mechanical forces experienced by the bit picks during coal cutting. Measurements are taken that can be processed for indications that the replaceable bit picks have encountered a boundary layer of rock during coal cutting operations, or they are working harder than necessary to cleave coal, or that a better lacing pattern is possible. A resonant microwave patch antenna is mounted on a top surface shoulder of the bit blocks to take impedance measurements of the coal face. The impedance measurements are calibrated according to indications that the replaceable bit picks have encountered a boundary layer of rock. The rotating drum sensor data is wirelessly transmitted back to the machine for analysis and control purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of mineral seams during coal or ore mining operations. A mining machine with a cutter drum includes a detector assembly that includes two detectors attached near the surface cut by the cutter drum. The detectors include downward facing windows that receive gamma radiation from mined material and undesirable material. One detector is positioned lower than the other and over a trench created below the surface cut by the cutter drum. The cutting depth of the cutter drum may be controlled based on radiation levels detected by the detectors.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one embodiment, a detector for a miner comprising a gamma sensing element and a light sensing element coupled to the gamma sensing element. According to the embodiment, the detector is mounted on a rotary cutter of a boring-type continuous miner such that the gamma sensing element has a view of a geologic formation being mined. A mining control system is also provided, comprising a miner having at least two rotary cutters and a gamma detector on each of the at least two rotary cutters for receiving gamma emissions from a geologic formation. The mining control system also provides an accelerometer and a rate gyro, wherein the accelerometer and the rate gyro correlate the received gamma emissions with positions of the at least two rotary cutters, and a central module that utilizes the correlated readings to determine whether the cutters should be moved.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one embodiment, a detector for a miner comprising a gamma sensing element and a light sensing element coupled to the gamma sensing element. According to the embodiment, the detector is mounted on a rotary cutter of a boring-type continuous miner such that the gamma sensing element has a view of a geologic formation being mined. A mining control system is also provided, comprising a miner having at least two rotary cutters and a gamma detector on each of the at least two rotary cutters for receiving gamma emissions from a geologic formation. The mining control system also provides an accelerometer and a rate gyro, wherein the accelerometer and the rate gyro correlate the received gamma emissions with positions of the at least two rotary cutters, and a central module that utilizes the correlated readings to determine whether the cutters should be moved.

Abstract: A coal-mining machine uses a ground-penetrating radar based on a software-definable transmitter for launching pairs of widely separated and coherent continuous waves. Each pair is separated by a constant or variable different amount double-sideband suppressed carrier modulation such as 10 MHz, 20 MHz, and 30 MHz. Processing suppresses the larger first interface reflection and emphasizes the smaller second, third, etc. reflections. Processing determines the electrical parameter of the natural medium adjacent to the antenna. Deep reflections at 90-degrees and 270-degrees create maximum reflection and will be illuminated with modulation signal peaks. Quadrature detection, mixing, and down-conversion result in 0-degree and 180-degree reflections effectively dropping out in demodulation.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one embodiment, a detector for a miner comprising a gamma sensing element and a light sensing element coupled to the gamma sensing element. According to the embodiment, the detector is mounted on a rotary cutter of a boring-type continuous miner such that the gamma sensing element has a view of a geologic formation being mined. A mining control system is also provided, comprising a miner having at least two rotary cutters and a gamma detector on each of the at least two rotary cutters for receiving gamma emissions from a geologic formation. The mining control system also provides an accelerometer and a rate gyro, wherein the accelerometer and the rate gyro correlate the received gamma emissions with positions of the at least two rotary cutters, and a central module that utilizes the correlated readings to determine whether the cutters should be moved.