Abstract: A mining machine is disclosed which has a vehicle body with a first end thereof having a boom pivoted for up and down rotational movement about an axis extending transversely of the vehicle. A cutter head is carried by the boom and a conveyor is mounted on the vehicular body to carry away material cut by the cutter head. A dust collection system is mounted on the boom and vehicle body to convey dust away from the cutting head area. The dust control system has duct work associated therewith which includes a generally rectangularly intake duct section associated with the boom and a generally rectangularly fixed duct section mounted on the vehicle. A transition section connects the intake and the fixed duct sections.

Abstract: A mine roof support unit has a roof shield for supporting the roof of a mine working, and a goaf shield for screening off the goaf space of the working. The mine roof support unit is provided with dust suppression means constituted by a flat-section spray nozzle arranged along the front edge of the roof shield, or along the top edge of the goaf shield. The spray nozzle is directed upwardly away from the roof support unit and towards the goaf space.

Abstract: Services, such as electricity and water, are supplied through conduits to moving machinery such as a longwall mining machine which moves along a conveyor or other fixed path. A channel having an open mouth which is flexibly sealed is disposed alongside the path and contains supply conduits for the machine. A sleeve projects through the channel seals into the body of the channel and guides the conduits to the machine. A gas may be fed to the machine via the channel and sleeve. As the machine moves the conduits bend over themselves.

Abstract: Production of methane from an underground wet coal seam is initiated by drilling a well from the surface of the earth through the seam. Rather than pumping water to lower hydraulic head on the seam to permit desorption of methane within the coal, high pressure gas is injected into the seam to drive water away from the wellbore. Gas injection is terminated and the well is opened to flow. Initial gas production is return of injected gas, followed by a mixture of return injected gas and methane, followed by free methane from the fracture system of the coal, and then by methane desorbed from the coal. Upon return of displaced water to the wellbore, pumping operations remove water at rates that permit sustained production of desorbed methane.

Abstract: A coal seam is degasified in advance of its being mined by drilling one or more generally horizontal holes from a working face into the seam, and placing a particulate propping agent into the borehole to maintain its integrity.

Abstract: Flowable materials such as slurry explosives are transported down a mine shaft by providing a pipeline from the surface to the level in the mine where the material is needed. A plug is slidably and sealingly positioned within the pipeline and connected through a cable to a winch whereby the plug can be raised or lowered within the pipeline. With the plug near the top of the pipeline, material is loaded into the pipeline on top of the plug. The plug and material are then lowered to the desired depth in the mine and the material drained from the pipeline.

Abstract: A fluid supply system for a rotary cutter head of mining machines comprises a plurality of nozzles for directing air flow inducing sprays in the vicinity of the cutter head, and sensor means for sensing a preselected operational condition of the fluid supply to the nozzles and for deriving a signal indicative of the sensed preselected condition.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine is propelled on a mobile body and includes a boom pivotally secured to the mobile body and extending forwardly therefrom. The boom rotatably supports a material dislodging device having cutting elements extending therefrom for dislodging material from a mine face. A longitudinal conveyor extends rearwardly on the body portion from a front end portion positioned rearwardly of the material dislodging device to a discharging end portion. A dust collector is carried by the boom in overlying relation with the conveyor front end portion. The dust collector includes a housing having a plurality of laterally spaced inlets for receiving pollutant laden air. A duct system connects the inlets to corresponding outlets where the air free of pollutants is discharged. A plurality of water spray manifolds are positioned in the housing at the inlets and direct a high pressure liquid spray to the outlets to induce an accelerated flow of pollutant laden air into the dust collector.

Abstract: A rotary cutter head for a mining machine comprises a hub assembly drivably mounted on a drive section of the mining machine and a barrel component secured around and co-axial with the hub assembly, the barrel component supporting cutter tool-carrying loading vanes. Ventilation means provided on the cutter head comprise air flow inducing means for inducing air flow along a first path section within the barrel component and in a general direction towards the mining machine side of the cutter head, and along a second path section outside the barrel component and in a general direction away from the mining machine side of the cutter head. Air flow deflector means are provided for urging at least a portion of the induced air flow flowing along the first path section towards the air flow flowing along the second path section.

Abstract: A rotary cutter head drivably mountable on a rotary drive shaft of a mining machine comprises a hub assembly drivably mountable on the drive shaft and a barrel component secured around the hub assembly. Ventilating means comprising tubular elements are mounted within the barrel component and define passages along which air flow inducing sprays are directed from nozzles. The nozzles are mounted on a distributor block constituting part of the fluid feed system for the cutter head.

Abstract: A fluid supply system for a rotary cutter head for a mining machine, comprises a relatively low pressure feed arrangement for feeding relatively low pressure fluid to discharge nozzles directing fluid sprays towards the cutting zone of the cutter head, and a relatively high pressure feed arrangement for feeding relatively high pressure fluid to discharge nozzles emitting air flow inducing sprays.

Abstract: In a cutting roller, preferably for a winning machine and provided with a plurality of picks on its blade and with a number of fluid-spraying nozzles for cooling the picks, each nozzle is screwed into a nozzle-receiving member into which a shutoff valve is inserted which opens the bore in the nozzle-receiving member for connecting the passage for supplying fluid with the nozzle when the latter is inserted into that bore or automatically blocks that bore when the nozzle is removed from that bore.

Abstract: Steep dip strong-coal deposits can be broken in an explosive mine environment utilizing a succession of explosive units each of which comprises a core tube surrounded by a body of explosive material which, in turn, is surrounded by an arc-suppressing heat-dissipating fluid. Igniters in the explosive charges have conductors which are lead back out of the bore hole through the tubes of the explosive units which are anchored at spaced locations along the bore hole.

Abstract: A mobile support system for an underground mine brattice curtain which extends the ventilation control of a conventional line brattice. Three embodiments are disclosed for the support system utilizing different fulcrums. In the preferred embodiment, the support's fulcrum is made up of two identical spaced semicircular skid plates which engage the floor and rockably support a first inclined rigid beam. This first beam is pivotally attached to a cantilevered generally horizontal roof engaging upper support at its inby side and has a foot engaging section on its outby side. A second rigid beam extends upwardly from the first beam towards the outby side of the upper support and is pivotally attached to the first beam. The other end of the second beam is a free end which can engage an indexing member on the lower outby end of the upper support. An impervious air curtain depends from the upper support along its length and along with the upper support can be moved to engage the roof.

Abstract: A cutting roller for a winning machine, which includes a tubular support and a number of helical blades on the tubular support provided with cutting picks arranged on the periphery of each blade, is provided with a hydraulic fluid spraying system which comprises a circumferential fluid distribution passage formed in the blade, connecting passages leading to the spraying nozzles and a radial bridging passage connecting the fluid distribution passage with the connecting passages. The fluid distribution passage and the bridging passage are grooves which accommodate plastic fluid-conducting tubes. The grooves are covered with covers of non-corrossive material which are releasably connected to the walls of the blade.

Abstract: A mineral mining pick 1, a holder for such a pick, and the combination of such a pick with a holder 2. The pick has a head 3 with a cutting tip 5 and a shank 4 which is received in a shank socket 6 of the holder 2. Retaining means 7 is provided to releasably secure the pick in the holder. Extending through the pick is a water passage 11 which communicates with outlet ports 12 in the pick head for water flow to suppress dust and cool the tip 5. The passage 11 communicates with a socket 15 which mates with a tubular spigot 13 which is an extension to a fluid supply passage 2a in the holder 2. The spigot 13 is mounted by a resilient sleeve 22 in a tubular housing 19 by which it is removably retained in the holder 2. The sleeve 22 permits displacement of the spigot 13 to accommodate misalignment between the spigot and the socket 15 during coupling thereof as the shank is inserted into its socket 6.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supplying fluid to a tool (10) for breaking hard material, which is rotatably carried in a holder (11). Means are provided for supplying fluid to a nozzle (24) when the tool (10) is displaced axially rearwards during operation, said nozzle being located in connection with the tool (10). For purposes of facilitating rotation of the tool (10) about the longitudinal axis (29) thereof, the device is designed such that a torque is produced acting on the tool, and the tool seat (13,14) in the holder (11) is flushed when the tool (10) is displaced axially rearwards.

Abstract: The method disclosed herein relates to the removal of unwanted gases and associated fluids in underground mining operations by utilizing mine boreholes. After the mine borehole has been drilled its desired distance from the mine face, an inflatable packer assembly is inserted therein and placed to the end remote from the mine face. This assembly is made up of at least two spaced inflatable packers wherein the spacer between the packers in conjunction with the borehole defines an isolation zone. Fluid conduit members, suitably supported at the mine face, extend into the borehole and act as supply lines from the two separate fluid sources for the packer assembly and isolation zone. A fracturing fluid under high pressure is supplied to the isolation zone and an inflatable fluid is supplied to the at least two packers to rigidly mount them in the borehole. After a fracture is induced in the zone, an additional amount of fracturing fluid is injected thereinto to extend the fracture.

Abstract: A cutting roller for a mining machine is provided with an arrangement for dust depositing and cooling cutter bits disposed on the cutting roller. The arrangement includes Venturi nozzles mounted in a closure ring enclosing the front end of the cutting roller, which closure ring faces the workings of a mineral to be processed. Spraying liquid supplied to the Venturi nozzles is discharged therefrom in strong jets directed to the workings and deflected therefrom to form branches of spraying liquid mist flowing around the cutting roller. The spraying liquid mist enriched with dust is sucked into the cutting roller and flows back to the nozzles where it is mixed with the freshly supplied spraying liquid.

Abstract: A method for producing methane gas and other gases present from a subterranean coal-containing formation comprising the creation of a fracture in the subterranean coal-containing formation, introduction of a propping agent into the open fracture after which at least a portion of the proppant is permitted to settle within the fracture, introduction of a substantially propping agent-free fluid into the open fracture to create an open channel over the propping agent and then permitting closure of the fracture upon the propping agent to leave a propped channel.

Abstract: A rotary cutter head for a coal mining machine comprises sensor means for sensing a preselected state, as for example, the methane concentration in the vicinity of the cutter head and for deriving a signal indicative of the sensed preselected state.

Abstract: An air duct system for use with mining machines in dust collection systems is connectable between a suction source and the cutting area of a mining machine and has two duct sections movable relative to each other. One duct section is mounted on the cutter boom of the mining machine and has an extendable upper wall, connected through a hinged plate, that abuts a wall of the first duct section which is mounted on the mining machine body. A lower hinged plate connected to the bottom wall of the duct swivels freely and rests on the bottom wall of the first duct to enclose the space between the two duct sections.

Abstract: New and improved techniques, systems and equipment for the practical underground mining of petroleum from both virgin and depleted oil fields under certain geological conditions, are described. A method of drilling relatively small diameter, drainage-type oil wells using a fluid and cutting control assembly from within an access underground drilled tunnel, is provided. The fluid and cutting control assembly facilitates the safe underground drilling and installation of the small diameter, drainage-type oil wells which can be operated either under the natural pressures occurring in the geological strata, as gravity drain wells or by suitable secondary treatment measures artificially pressurized to facilitate drainage of oil from oil bearing strata into which such wells are drilled.

Abstract: A method for collecting methane gas from subterranean formations having a plurality of spaced-apart coal seams containing methane gas includes the steps of drilling at least one shaft from the earth's surface to a depth sufficient to intersect a plurality of seams containing gas to be collected, excavating a working area at selected seams with each of the working areas communicating with the shaft, and drilling a plurality of boreholes from each of the working areas into the seams and collecting methane gas from the boreholes.

Abstract: A mineral cutter pick adapted to be mounted on a mineral mining machine and to cut during translational movement in an endless path thereon which pick comprises a body having a shank of circular cross section for accommodation in a correspondingly shaped recess on a support on a mineral cutting machine to mount the pick on the machine, said shank being adjacent its inner end not substantially less in diameter than at its outer end, the body having a forward end carrying a cutting tip and said body having a passage therethrough for liquid which passage leads from an inlet in the shank to at least one liquid outlet adjacent to the cutting tip.

Abstract: A section of brattice is mounted on a centrally-wheeled cart. This brattice has a frame that permits the curtain section to be extended and retracted vertically, in order to reduce its height for movement and to adjust its height for engagement of the mine roof. Hydraulic jacks are used for vertical height adjustment. The upper curtain rod rail of the curtain incorporates a spring that is mounted between some spring-mounted posts. When the curtain is raised against the ceiling, the springs allow the top of the curtain to conform to unevenness in the ceiling level. By preference, the wheels are mounted on a yoke so they can be put down for moving the brattice section, and retracted when the brattice section is in place. Two jacks are additionally provided at the ends of the apparatus for extension against the roof when the cart is in place to act as anti-tipping braces for when the brattice section is extended up against the mine roof.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing material from a surface so that the removed material will not escape into the ambient environment is disclosed. The present invention includes a coagulant-applying mechanism for spraying a coating of coagulant on the material to be removed. Also included is a cutter head assembly which is moved along the surface for scraping the material therefrom. So that the scraped, coagulated material may be safely withdrawn to a storage receptacle, the present invention also includes a mechanism which withdraws the loosened, coagulated particles from the cutter head assembly.

Abstract: A cutting device for a mining or tunnelling machine takes the form of a roller with cutter bits which rotates at the end of a movable arm as is known. Grooves in the roller receive plate-like components which support water spray nozzles radially within the extremities of the cutter bits. The support components are stationary but are adjustable about the axis of rotation of the roller to bring the nozzles into the appropriate location during operation.

Abstract: Dust is controlled on roads, in mines, on mineral and tailings piles, surfaces of pulverized coal and mineral piles contained within open transit cars such as coal cars or trucks, and other surfaces containing coal particles, rock dust, clay, soil particles and other finely divided particles subject to dusting by applying thereto a dust inhibiting amount of a liquid dispersion of watery consistency of highly branched water swellable polymer of acrylamide or an acrylamide-acrylic acid copolymer, branched and/or cross-linked with a multifunctional unsaturated monomer containing more than one ethylenically unsaturated group, said cross-linked polyer or copolymer having a three-dimensional structure and being in the form of microgelatinous particles having a particle size not exceeding approximately one micron in an oil containing emulsion form, and having the properties of swelling dramatically in water and binding dust particles upon adsorption from solution.

Abstract: An emergency communication system is provided in an underground mine having a plurality of locations capable of being mined. A cable extends from a central station to each of the mining locations. An emergency receiver ties into the cable located in each location and further connects to a load center which provides power to the mining equipment in that location. The emergency receiver further includes an alarm and an emergency switch and an oral communication system. A switchboard located at the central station is tied into the cable and is in independent signal communication with each location. The switchboard includes a power on/off switch and an oral communication system for each location. Activation of the system by the dispatcher or operator in the central station, or activation by a miner within a mining location, automatically turns off the power from the load center to the mining equipment in that location.

Abstract: This invention prevents dust, and particularly respirable dust, from becoming airborne at locations where coal or other dusty products are transferred from one support to another, and where spaces between the pieces of broken material open up and would otherwise release dust into the surrounding atmosphere. Foam, having bubbles small enough to be broken by respirable dust particles, is discharged into the spaces where the small bubbles, bursted by the dust particles, implode and wet the particles and cause adherence of the particles to adjacent surfaces, such as other foam or the broken pieces of material that separate to open up the spaces.

Abstract: A foamed fluid containing a coal solvent is injected into a coal seam to improve the gas permeability of the coal.

Abstract: A method of controlling the direction of a generally horizontal borehole drilled with a rotary drilling unit in a subterranean formation such as a coal seam. The method comprises predetermining drilling conditions for the formation being drilled and the equipment being utilized which will provide an upward buildup to the borehole trajectory, a downward change in trajectory, or a substantially level borehole trajectory. The predetermined conditions include the number of drill bit revolutions per unit length of borehole drilled. Periodic borehole surveys indicate to an operator which set of drilling conditions should be utilized for the next increment of hole drilled to maintain the hole within the boundaries of the formation being drilled.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dust control apparatus including mobile drilling rig having a peripheral skirt which collects dust during a drilling operation and delivers the same to a dust collector having a chamber housing and a plurality of filters, each filter being cleaned by a high pressure air line through an appropriate solenoid valve and a sequencing control circuit for operating the solenoid valves to sequentially deliver high pressure air into the filters so that the dust collected thereon can be blown therefrom dropping into the chamber and outwardly therefrom through a discharge opening.

Abstract: A dust control system for a mining machine, particularly for controlling respirable dust in coal mining operations, comprising a ductwork system having intakes adjacent the cutter head of the mining machine, a fan for drawing air through the ductwork system, a flooded bed scrubber in the ductwork system upstream from the fan for entraining dust, including respirable dust, in the air in droplets of water, air flowing through the scrubber carrying the dust-laden droplets of water downstream from the scrubber, a sump below the ductwork system between the flooded bed scrubber and the fan, a demister in the ductwork system above the sump for separating the dust-laden droplets of water and directing them into the sump, and a pump for pumping the dust-laden water from the sump to a point adjacent the cutting head. A method of controlling dust is also disclosed.

Abstract: Coal dust laden air is treated with an aqueous foam of controlled durability and controlled penetrability so that a very high proportion of the particles in the air, including very small particles, are captured by the foam and drained into the liquid resulting from the collapse of the foam. The foam has a propensity to collapse during a brief period, thus forming drainage liquid. The volume of drainage liquid five minutes after foam generation provides a measure of the controlled durability of the foam. The usefulness of the foam is also affected by the rate at which the liquid resulting from foam collapse is absorbed into absorbtive materials, which rate should desirably be slower than the absorption rate of water. The precursor for the foam is a very dilute aqueous solution containing a surfactant plus a synthetic gum in a concentration from about 15 percent to about 45 percent of the weight of the surfactant.

Abstract: A method of single-entry mining of coal and analogous minerals is disclosed, which permits substantially 100% extraction of the coal or other mineral in a seam. All operations are carried out under hydraulic steel roof supports adjacent the mine face; farther back the roof is supported by non-yielding cast-in-situ pillars of quick-setting concrete rather than coal pillars or other supports. Mining machinery for these purposes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A temporary gas seal is provided in a gas level drift of an in situ oil shale retort system which includes a production region having a panel of retorts producing gaseous and liquid products and an adjacent retort preparation region where a panel of in situ retorts is being prepared for production. A portion of the gas level drift is connected to the active retorts for withdrawing off gas while adjacent portions of the gas level drift are being developed. Portions of the gas level connected to the active retorts are temporarily sealed by a gas isolation barrier to isolate workers from toxic off gas. The gas isolation barrier can be a bulkhead with one or more openings each sealed by a remotely removable seal, such as a flexible membrane, or a plate that can be remotely removed or opened to unseal such a bulkhead opening.

Abstract: An aqueous solution containing a cellulose ether in an amount of from about 0.25 to about 2.0% by weight and a wetting agent of from about 0.10 to about 0.5% by weight is described. The solution may be applied to stockpiles of aggregate materials at a rate of from about 0.05 to about 0.20 gallons per square foot of surface area to control the release of dust therefrom when subjected to high winds.

Abstract: An air diversion and dust control system for primary use on longwall shearer mining machinery, consisting of directional fluid sprays and passive curtain barriers. The air moving characteristics of fluid sprays are combined with the splitting and blocking characteristics of passive curtain barriers in order to produce an air stream splitting and diversion system which acts to keep dust away from the breathing zone of the machine operator and contained in the area of the coal face until beyond the mining machine. The fluid sprays have a double function in that they both divert and suppress the dust generated during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A cowl-like scrubber (20) for removing dust generated by a longwall shearer has a housing (21) adapted to be mounted on the shearer near a cutter drum. An air inlet (23) is provided in the housing to allow the dust-laden air to enter the scrubber (20). Downstream from the inlet area is an arrangement of jet spray nozzles (30) which impart high velocity, small diameter water droplets. The water droplets entrain the dust particles in the dust-laden air and move the resulting dust-laden mist to a mist eliminator (40) downstream from the jet spray nozzles where the dust-laden mist is then removed from the air.

Abstract: Dust generated in coal mining is removed by means of a blower having an exhaust fan which draws air through its intake opening from the face of the coal. The blower is provided with a first stage of closely-arranged small-diametered cylindrical-shaped individual centrifuges between its intake opening and the exhaust fan in which the dust-laden air spins as air is drawn therethrough and concentrates the dust in an annular surrounding portion which is separately drawn from the centrifuges through a conduit also evacuated by the exhaust fan. This conduit contains a sharply-reversing bend which effectively separates and discharges the dust into a collection chamber, e.g. a removable bin. A grid disposed ahead of the first stage of individual centrifuges prevents large size particles from entering the centrifuges; and a second stage of closely-arranged, similarly-operating individual centrifuges located in the conduit closer to the exhaust fan remove "fines" which were not discharged to the collection chamber.

Abstract: Gas, particularly methane, is sucked from a borehole (B) extending from a coal mine working by means of a casing consisting of tubular plastics sections (8) by means of a vacuum pump connected to the lower end of the casing. The casing is sealed to the borehole by a sliding seal (2) which allows the casing to be moved up and down the borehole until the upper end of the casing is at the level of the maximum yield of gas. The annular space between the casing and borehole wall is then filled with a liquid which expands and sets to form a polyurethane foam (4).

Abstract: A dust suppressant composition is described which is comprised of at least about 0.001 percent of polyethylene oxide with a molecular weight of at least about 6500, with the balance being water. Also described is a method for suppressing the formation of dust particles by applying the aforementioned composition to a dust-producing material such that at least about 0.01 grams of polyethylene oxide is applied per 100 square inches of flat surface area of dust-producing material.

Abstract: Mining equipment adapted for repeated traversing to and fro adjacent to a conveyor arranged along a longwall face in an underground mine, has a mining machine support structure which bridges the conveyor and which has a curtain for guiding airborne dust arising during cutting of mineral by a rotary cutting head mounted on the machine. The air flow passage defined by the curtain has an air flow inducing means therein, such as a fan or water spray.

Abstract: Mineable coal seams which are in proximity to an overlying or underlying coal seam are degasified in advance of and during mining by drilling a generally horizontal borehole in the overlying or underlying coal seam and producing gas therefrom.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement for a combination mining machine and roof bolting apparatus in which the roof bolting mechanism is pivotable and can be used to install roof bolts in more than one location without moving the mining machine. The improvement is a pivotable canopy which pivots independently of, but in association with, the bolting apparatus. It comprises a canopy shield pivotably and cantileveredly mounted on the upper section of a telescopically-extensible mast. The telescopic mast absorbs all the moment loads, while the hydraulic extension cylinder disposed interiorily of the mast incurs only axial compressive loading.

Abstract: In a mining machine having a power driven cutter including metallic helical blade means having cutting bit means spaced along the exterior periphery thereof, the improvement which comprises the helical blade means having fixedly secured in surface-to-surface contact therewith energy absorbing layer means for dampening vibrations set up in the metal of the helical blade means when the cutter is in power operated cutting relation so as to materially reduce the operating noise level of the cutter within the mine.

Abstract: A dust aspirating arrangement, particularly for underground applications, has a suction element arranged for aspirating air which contains dust generated during operation of an underground machine, an agglomerating section communicating with the suction element and arranged for receiving the dust-containing air aspirated by the latter in which agglomerating section a mixture of a moisture and the dust-containing air is produced, a separating element communicating with the agglomerating section and operative for separating the mixture into its constituent dust-containing moisture and air and provided with a flexible conduit for removing the separated dust-containing moisture, and a removing element for removing the separated air from the separating element and located downstream of the flexible conduit.

Abstract: An assembly for cooling the teeth of the cutting heads of a mining machine and, at the same time, the rock face. The cutting heads are rotatably supported and, at the same time, the rock face, the axis of rotation being essentially horizontal. Cooling is performed by water jets distributed by spray nozzles.In order to obtain a sufficient cooling effect for the cutting teeth and the rock face with a water consumption as low as possible, there are provided on the jib arm two groups of spray nozzles for each cutting head. The nozzles of the first group are directed to the region of the teeth in the highest position of the same while the nozzles of the second are directed into the interspaces between the rows of teeth in the said region.The flow of water can be shut off separately for each group of nozzles associated with each of the cutting heads.