Abstract: A slideboard for underground mine face ventilation which acts as an extension of a line brattice. When used, the slideboard is advanced towards the working face of the mine to provide an inlet for clean air and an outlet for exhausting gases laden with dust particles. The slideboard has a frame supported on and slideable with respect to the ground as it is advanced along with a continuous mining machine. At the upper portion of the slideboard frame are a series of halflooped hoses which provide a flexible seal with the roof. The main supporting frame is rigid and is formed by a series of vertical and horizontal members whose narrower edges face into the air stream to reduce air friction and increase rigidity. Near the center of the slideboard a rib strut and outrigger provide lateral support and a sliding surface and pivot point. The base of the slideboard is trapezoidal for structural reinforcement; and a plywood gusset in the panel place provides additional reinforcement.

Abstract: A device for safety guiding of hauling chain, especially for a ranging drum shearer in coal mining equipment having chain haulage means, consists of chain screening /5/ at a guard /6/ of conveyor /7/ and of chain guides /11/ fixed to a ranging shearer /1/, wherein said guides /11/ travel along the route of conveyor /7/ inside the screening placed at chain guard /6/. The screening of hauling chain /5/ is confined by screening plates /12/, /13/ and /14/ at the upper part of chain guard /6/, having its uncovered side closed by screening end /20/ of a double end lever /15/, pivoted in hub /16/ below the lower screening plate /12/. The retaining end /20/ of double end lever /15/ is closed by the tension of spring /17/, attached by one end to the retaining end /18/ of lever /15/ and by another to a grip /19/ fixed to the body of the guard /6/.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for more safely conducting an underground mechanical mining operation such as typically employs successive drilling, blasting, and product removing processes against a mine work face which is conducted from within an open mine room or the like in an underground deposit of salt. Such materials are per se impervious to fluid transmission therethrough but as they occur in underground deposits vicariously include pockets of or channels for outlet from traps of pressurized fluid accumulations, such as would be dangerous to the mining operation if inadvertently encountered incidental to the routine drilling and blasting processes.

Abstract: A device used as a combined scrubber and water droplet eliminator which may be employed in removing particulate from air, especially in conjunction with an underground mining machine. The scrubber is made of a fibrous bed material and is rotatable by a motor forming part of a bed assembly. Adjacent to the rotatable bed are water sprays directed to spray towards and on the bed as it rotates. A suitable air movement device, such as a fan, draws dust-laden and water drop-laden air to the rotating bed. The air goes through the bed and the dust and water particles impact the bed's rotating wetted fibers and are forced radially directly outward. The bed's rotation takes place against the inlet portion of a stationary bell mouth assembly. An air seal caused by the air pressure differential seals the rotating bed to the inside surface of the assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for the in-situ retorting of carbonaceous deposits includes a plurality of retorts connected to a common exhaust tunnel effectively free of broken shale into which products of the retorting are discharged. To allow simultaneous mining, rubblization and retorting of the in-situ retorts, the exhaust tunnel is provided with doorways between the retorts. Doors movable in the exhaust tunnel are adapted to seal against the doorways to prevent flow from retorts in which retorting is in progress to retorts under construction. A trench in the exhaust tunnel is provided for flow of liquid products produced in the retorting. A liquid seal under the doorways communicates with the trench to provide a passage for liquid flow past the doorways and to prevent upstream flow of gaseous products through the passage for the liquid flow.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for gaining access to an underground chamber is disclosed to utilize a pressurized pipe casing which defines a conduit for introducing compressed air to a drill, which drill is utilized to bore a rescue hole to an area of entrapped miners. Thereafter, access is gained to the area of entrapment and the drill pipe is utilized as casing defining a rescue shaft for providing ingress of rescue personnel and egress of entrapped miners.

Abstract: A method of augmenting the cutting operation of a cutter bit to reduce the cutting energy required and to reduce the respirable dust generated during the cutting operation. During the cutting operation of coal with a continuous mining machine greater than 90 percent of the primary respirable dust generated occurs in the crushing zone around the tip of bit. By applying a high pressure (2,500 to 5,000 psi) spray of water at or near the center of the cutting tip, as the tip touches the coal, tests have shown very substantial reductions in the airborne respirable dust generated and that there is lubrication and cooling at the cutter tip/mineral interface to provide for reduced sumping forces and lowered methane ignition potential.

Abstract: A mining machine of the type comprising a body, a driven cutter mounted on the body, and an air-cleaning system comprising ducting for conducting dust-laden air, a scrubber for applying liquid to the dust-laden air, and a demister for thereafter removing moisture from the air. The demister comprises a moisture separating station having a flow inlet, a flow outlet located rearwardly of the flow inlet, and moisture separating louvers arranged for receiving air flow from the inlet and causing moisture in the air flow to separate-out and gravitate toward a lower collecting surface to be conducted rearwardly. The inlet and outlet each include a lower level. The distance from the collecting surface to the lower level of the inlet is less than the distance from the collecting surface to the lower level of the outlet to minimize the re-entrainment of the rearwardly conducted moisture into the outgoing air flow.

Abstract: An improved method for the in situ recovery of methane from a plurality of coal seams beneath the earth's surface. At least one borehole is driven from the surface into a selected coal seam wherein a plurality of cavities are formed. The coal walls intermediate said cavities and the strata overlying said cavities are caused to collapse suddenly thereby forming fissure systems into the coal bearing rock strata from which methane is released. The methane is withdrawn via the fissure systems, cavities and the borehole. The cavities may be formed by chemical, physical or mechanical recovery of the coal.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for supporting the wall of an upwardly excavated shaft. Cylindrical support frames which are successively thrust up through the shaft are respectively composed of several arcuate members and one or more disjointing members. A plurality of top supporting plates are provided on the top of the series of the cylindrical frames and are designed to fall inwardly toward the center of the shaft after the excavation of the shaft is terminated, thus constructing an umbrella like device for supporting the roof of the shaft.

Abstract: A mine ventilation system and method are provided for continuously supplying fresher air to an automated mining machine located in a mine heading. A blower attached to a mining machine operates to suck fresher air into the heading from a tunnel with through ventilation and to exhaust the air out of the heading through a collapsible duct. A standby blower is provided which is activated should the machine blower not be functioning for whatever reason. This blower draws fresher air from the tunnel with through ventilation and blows it out through the collapsible duct, in a direction opposite to the normal air flow, and into the heading. The standby blower is located in the tunnel downstream of the heading and has an intake duct with an inlet upstream of the heading.

Abstract: A safety wall treating method employed in the coal mining operation at the long wall face of a coal mine comprises shearing the long wall face leaving safety wall(s) at one or both side(s) of the face but shearing through the safety wall(s) at regular intervals to form intake or exhaust openings communicating with intake or exhaust tunnels.

Abstract: A method of mining a large underground seam of mineral, such as coal is described in which a first cylindrical shaft is drilled from the surface of the earth down to the mineral seam. A portion is enlarged at the base of the first shaft as a work room. A first radial shaft in the seam, out to a selected radius R, is drilled by conventional methods with the roofs supported by means such as hydraulic chocks which can be extended and moved selectively as the line of drilling progresses. When the first shaft is drilled, a continuous miner working on a short face method of mining is directly radially from the work room and is advanced outwardly until the width of the first radial shaft is such that the original wall of the first shaft has been cut away. The direction of the miner is then turned to be parallel to the first horizontal shaft and a short wall cutting advance is made to cut away the first wall of the first shaft and, in effect, drill a second shaft having a first wall spaced by the width of the cutter.

Abstract: The generation of dust in a longwall mining operation is suppressed by covering the hanging wall of the mine with a plastic sheeting, the sheeting being pinned against the hanging wall by the support units used in the mine and being held in association the support units in the form of a flat package formed by folding the sheeting in a zigzag fashion along its entire length.

Abstract: A mine roof bolter is described which has a rotary drill head with: (1) sufficient rotative mass that breakage of bits and steel is minimized, (2) a dual drive assembly that provides balanced side thrusts against the bearings so that wear thereof is minimized, (3) a sealing assembly that protects the lubricating oil from contamination by dust and mud under very adverse conditions, (4) circulatory lubricating devices that provide oil to the sealing assembly and drive assembly, and (5) a dust collecting assembly which is suitable for fast and simple cleaning. The mine roof bolter additionally has a lift arm which is constructed with three parallelograms providing useful spatial advantages and a panic bar assembly which enables an operator to stop all hydraulic and electrical systems from two sides of the machine.

Abstract: In a rock cutting machine which includes a cutter arm having an inner end and an outer end carrying a toothed cutter which rotates about an axis transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the arm, an improved cooling device for the cutting teeth of the cutter comprising a nozzle device for receiving supplies of compressed air and water and constructed to create and discharge a stream of air in which particles of liquid water are dispersed or atomized, the nozzle device being carried by the cutter arm at a location spaced from the cutter toward the inner end of the arm and arranged in a position to discharge the stream toward the cutter in a spray pattern such that the stream impinges on the teeth of the cutter as the teeth pass through the pattern during rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A mine life line system utilizing a life line having direction indicating means for indicating, when touched, the direction towards the outside of the mine. The direction indicating means is formed so that as the miner walks towards the outside of the mine, running his hand along the life line, his hand meets little resistance if he is going in the proper direction. The direction indicating means can be an enlargement which is formed integral with or attached to the life line. The enlargement can be formed with a gradual slope on one side along which a hand can easily move when traveling in the right direction, and a stop or abrupt slope, which tends to stop the hand, when traveling in the wrong direction. The direction indicating means and/or the life line can be formed from luminesce or reflective material. A spring loaded reusable support is provided for supporting the life line.

Abstract: A method of using fluorinated hydrocarbons as a carrier to convey mined coal to a separation station. The carrier acts as a parting liquid for beneficiating the coal. The carrier is recovered and returned to the mine for conveying more coal. Some of the returned carrier may be used at the mining face as a dust suppressant. Ash from burning the coal may be returned with the carrier where it is disposed of as waste material.

Abstract: Coal is separated in a gravity separator using a fluorinated hydrocarbon parting liquid. The cleaned coal is burned and the ash mixed with recovered parting liquid and returned to the gravity separator. Additives may be dispersed in the parting liquid to alter the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the products. The additive may be a dustproofing or a waterproofing agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ventilation system and more particularly to means for restraining a ventilation control curtain composed of a post like members formed of an elongate containers of flexible material filled with material such as mine debris which give them a degree of rigidity and mass. The post like constraining members check the horizontal displacement of the mine curtain thereby forming a stable curtain structure which may be used as an efficient gas flow director within the mine or to isolate a desired area of the mine to contain mine gas or airborn particulates. They are sufficiently yieldable to offer no collision hazzard to personnel or machinery. The envelopes forming curtain constraints are disclosed as individual elements and as integral pockets on the face of the curtain.

Abstract: The dissemination of fugitive dust particles into the atmosphere is reduced by treating the particles with an aqueous solution of alkylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol and copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.

Abstract: A coal mine ventilation system which insures proper ventilation near the working area. The basic system employs a mining machine on which is mounted a panel on a movable frame, a conventional line curtain fixed to the mine floor and roof and located adjacent to the panel, and an air control fluid spray system. Fluid sprays may be mounted on the machine on the opposite the panel to promote airflow towards the mining face. Additional sprays may be mounted on the machine panel to provide an effective barrier between that panel and the fixed line curtain.

Abstract: A self-propelled mineral winning/detaching machine incorporating at least one electric motor and provided with electrical pick up means movable, in use, with said machine to pick up electrical energy from a stationary conductor.

Abstract: An operator's station on a sub-chassis is supported for vertical movement on a mine car chassis. A vertically adjustable canopy is supported on the sub-chassis.

Abstract: Liquid and gaseous products are recovered from oil shale in an in situ oil shale retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale by retorting oil shale in the fragmented mass to produce gaseous and liquid products. The liquid products are withdrawn from the retort to a first level in unfragmented formation below the elevation of the bottom boundary of the retort. Gaseous products are withdrawn from the retort to a second level below the elevation of the first level.

Abstract: The dissemination of fugitive dust particles into the atmosphere is reduced by treating the particles with an aqueous solution of octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol and copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.

Abstract: A mining machine adapted to be driven forwardly towards a working face comprises one or more cutting booms projecting forwardly from the machine, a cutting tool mounted on the forward end of the or each boom, and a drive mechanism for rotating the cutting tool relative to the boom, the said mechanism including a multi-speed gearbox whereby the cutting tool may be selectively driven at two or more different cutting speeds.

Abstract: A device for closing off a mine gallery, especially for use to prevent spreading or underground explosions, in which a bag of flexible substantially airtight material is first inflated with a gas under pressure, for instance air, until the inflated bag engages with its peripheral surface the inner face of the mine gallery, whereafter a flowable material is pumped into the interior of the bag, displacing the gas under pressure, which is permitted to escape through at least one overpressure valve provided in an uppermost portion of the inflatable bag. The material to be pumped into the interior of the bag is of a nature which quickly hardens after being pumped into the bag to thus provide a solid barrier extending across the mine gallery.

Abstract: The roof of an underground mine working which is newly exposed by a mining machine passing along a face of the working is supported by applying a flexible mat to the roof and underpinning the mat by self-advancing roof supports. A supply of mat is stored in a region which is already supported by the roof supports, is fed from the store in a first direction, and turned through a right-angle to extend along the newly exposed face. The device which turns the mat and applies it to the roof may have its vertical position controlled in accordance with the vertical position of a cutting cylinder of the mining machine.

Abstract: A fire safety transmission apparatus comprising an explosion-proof container, an adapter plate secured to the container, a cylindrical sleeve mounted to the adapter plate defining a central bore, allowing communication with the interior of the container. The sleeve bore is stepped, defining seats for a plurality of ball bearing races mounted therein. A rotatable stepped shaft having a diameter adapted to fit within the central bore rests on the ball bearing races. The shaft is connected to a motor mounted in the explosion-proof container with the spacing defined between the inner wall of the cylindrical sleeve and the outer surface of the freely rotating shaft being sized a predetermined tolerance for a predetermined length sufficient to prevent a flame from passing therethrough.

Abstract: Fluid-driven air-pumping and mixing apparatus for pumping air into a high methane environment and mixing ambient airborne impurities with such fluid for diluting the same. The apparatus includes a divergent mixing chamber proximate the outlet of the apparatus and a fluid dispersing nozzle having a configuration and location relative to the mixing chamber for maximizing air flow through the apparatus as well as providing a subsidiary advantage of increasing mixing of the driving fluid with the airborne impurities.

Abstract: In a process for retorting oil shale in an situ oil shale retort having a tunnel adjacent the retort, off gas is produced. Leakage of the off gas into the tunnel is prevented by withdrawing off gas from the retort at a rate sufficient to reduce the pressure in the retort adjacent the tunnel to a pressure below the ambient pressure within the tunnel.

Abstract: A dust abatement device including an intake or collecting means for delivering air to a rotating fan constituting a propulsion means, and outlet means directing air from the fan in a curtain at an area of dust concentration to inhibit dust movement out of the area. The intake means includes a duct extending from the fan to the area of dust concentration to pick up and deliver air-borne dry dust particulate from such area to the fan, the fan mixing the dry dust particulate with liquid sprayed on the fan to provide a slurry, and the outlet means directing the air and slurry from the fan to the area of dust concentration so that the slurry further wets the dust particulate at such area. The dust abatement device can be mounted on a machine that includes a mechanism for acting on material in a manner so as to create the area of dust concentration.

Abstract: A method of mining a large underground seam of mineral such as coal is described in which a first cylindrical shaft is drilled from the surface of the earth down to the mineral seam. A portion is enlarged at the base of the first shaft as a work room. A first radial shaft out to a selected radius R is drilled by conventional methods with the roofs supported by means such as hydraulic chocks which can be extended and moved selectively as the line of drilling progresses. When the first shaft is drilled a continuous miner working on a short face method of mining is directed radially from the work room and is advanced outwardly until the width of the first radial shaft is such that the original wall of the first shaft has been cut away. The direction of the miner is then turned to be parallel to the first horizontal shaft and a short wall cutting advance is made to cut away the first wall of the first shaft and in effect drill a second shaft having a first wall spaced by the width of the cutter.

Abstract: A duct for use with mine equipment is provided with an elongate aperture normally closed by a displaceable sealing means to retain a fluid, under pressure, within the duct, the sealing means, in use, being displaceable by fluid pick-up means carried by a mining machine to convey fluid from the duct to the machine. The invention also includes conveyor trough section provided with such a duct and a mining machine combination.

Abstract: A mineral mining installation has a conveyor along which a winning machine such as a plough, is guided for movement back and forth along a mineral face. A series of water-spray nozzles are distributed along the working and is divided in the operational sense into different groups. Each of these groups is controlled by a valve which allows water to pass through non-return valves to one or two adjacent groups of nozzles. The control valves are in turn operated by further valves disposed remote from the actual working zone and these further valves are operated by local means separate and remote from the machine and providing signals and an indication, dependent on the distance moved by the machine and hence its position as it progresses along the face.

Abstract: An aqueous dust laying formulation containing up to 2% by weight of an alkyl orthoxylene sulphonate the alkyl group containing from 8 to 11 carbons.

Abstract: A surveillance system for maintaining continuous vigil as to seismic energy generating disturbances in and around an underground mine, such system being one of permanent installation which in combination with central data processing apparatus provides a continuous data output indication of certain mine activities. The system utilizes a plurality of permanently installed, underground geophone sensors each in communication via particular ACC circuitry and signal processing circuitry to provide input through an interface logic network to a central computer equipment programmed to determine disturbance locations, certain intensities, time duration and the like.

Abstract: Gas flow from a coal seam to a mine face in the seam is blocked by drilling a hole from the face into the seam in a direction generally parallel to the direction of the flow of the gas to be blocked; forming a notch at the interior end of the hole; injecting a fluid into the hole and notch under a pressure sufficient to hydraulically fracture the seam along a plane extending substantially perpendicular to the hole and to the direction of gas flow; and filling such fracture with a barrier-forming fluid. The hole is then plugged to prevent retrograde flow of the fluid to the mine face.

Abstract: A safety enclosure for use with underground mining machinery for protecting the operator of the machinery from overhead and lateral falls and the like. The safety enclosure comprises a cage-like structure of generally rectangular cross section for receiving and surrounding the operator while operating the machine. A pair of longitudinal male slide members are vertically secured to the cage-like structure along one side thereof, the slide members being slidably mateable with a pair of cooperating female channel members vertically secured along one side of the mining machine. Shear pins are provided for adjustably maintaining, under normal operating conditions, the cage-like male slide members assembly disposed above the mine floor by a preselected distance and for releasing the assembly for sliding displacement to the floor of the mine in response to an overhead fall causing a predetermined force on the top of the enclosure.

Abstract: A process for removing methane from a subterranean coal deposit. A carbon dioxide-containing fluid is introduced into the coal deposit through an injection well and held therein for a period sufficient to enable a substantial amount of methane to be desorbed from the surfaces of the coal deposit. Following the hold period, the injected carbon dioxide-containing fluid and desorbed methane are recovered through a recovery well or wells spaced from the injection well. The process is repeated until sufficient methane has been removed to enable safe mining of the coal deposit.

Abstract: A miner especially adapted for high-production mining of low-coal seams (24-36 inches thick) while providing maximum miner safety and complying with applicable federal safety regulations. One or more cutting heads rotatable about the vertical axes are provided along with electric motors for rotating the heads. The heads are mounted for reciprocal longitudinal movement along the cutting face, and hydraulic cylinders, or the like, are provided for reciprocating the heads so that they move toward each other during shearing. A paddle-type conveyor continuously (even during sumping) conveys the cut coal away from the coal face, substantially perpendicular thereto through the formed tunnel. Hydraulic rams associated with roof-supporting and anchoring means are provided for sumping the cutting heads. A curtain assembly or the like contains the dust generated during cutting to a confined area adjacent the cutting face, and an exhaust fan or fans continuously draws the dust away from the confined area.

Abstract: A device for closing off a mine gallery, especially for use to prevent spreading of underground explosions, in which a bag of flexible substantially airtight material is first inflated with a gas under pressure, for instance air, until the inflated bag engages with its peripheral surface the inner face of the mine gallery, whereafter a flowable material is pumped into the interior of the bag, displacing the gas under pressure, which is permitted to escape through at least one overpressure valve provided in an uppermost portion of the inflatable bag. The material to be pumped into the interior of the bag is of a nature which quickly hardens after being pumped into the bag to thus provide a solid barrier extending across the mine gallery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mine stopping for underground mines which may be readily mounted within a mine airway to form a gas-tight seal to control the flow of fresh air to the working face of the mine and the efficient exhaust of dirty gas laden air from the working face. The stopping is typically formed of a flexible, gas impervious, fire resistant sheet material provided with means for mounting the same within the interior of the mine. The mounting means embody inherent characteristics of permitting the main body of sheet material to separate from the mine interior walls upon the occurrence of a certain predetermined pressure difference between the opposing major surfaces of the main body of the stopping as may occur by a blasting or underground explosion. Thereby the main body portion of the stopping is not damaged and may be reused.

Abstract: An object extends into a passage and defines a clearance space with the inner wall of the passage. A hardenable, foamable synthetic resin in flowable state is admitted into the clearance space. Upon hardening and foaming of the synthetic resin, the object is sealingly secured in the passage by the synthetic resin. In a preferred application, the passage is one provided in a coal mine and the object is a hose line for the purpose of suppressing dust. The synthetic resin is advantageously polyurethane including a polyhydroxyl component which contains a polyetherglycol having a hydroxyl number of 300 to 350 and a polyetherglycol having a hydroxyl number of 450 to 500. The polyetherglycol components respectively constitute 80 to 90 parts and 10 to 20 parts of the polyhydroxyl component. The polyhydroxyl component preferably includes a filler in an amount such that the weight of the latter at least equals that of the polyhydroxyl component.

Abstract: Spaced apart single entries are driven into a mineral deposit to be developed by means of a short wall mining machine. A specially designed concrete-receiving slip-form located in the center of the entry is pulled along by a battery of roof supports which are advanced in line behind the mining machine. Quick setting concrete pumped into the anchored slip-form sets up into a wall isolating the two sides of the entry. The slip-form is then released for each successive mining run.

Abstract: A parachute-type mine stopping used in ventilation control comprises a parachute-like canopy suspended from straps or lines secured to a roof bolt or the like. After the lines are so secured, the stopping is erected by merely lifting the upper edge of the canopy into the airstream in the passage, the airstream causing the canopy to simply "pop" into place. In a preferred embodiment, a skirt is sewn to the peripheral edge of the canopy to improve sealing.

Abstract: A conventional form of scraper-chain conveyor with a series of channel sections each having a floor disposed between sigma-shaped side walls has upstanding spill plates, C-shaped covers and hollow spacer bars attached to the goaf side of each channel section. These components define upper and lower guide channels for a drive chain circulated along the goaf side of the conveyor which is connected through a sword plate to a machine guided for movement along the conveyor. To prevent gases from building up beneath the conveyor vents are provided in the goaf side wall of the channel sections and these vents communicate with the external V-shaped grooves in the side walls.Vents are also provided in the spill plates to establish communication between the V-shaped grooves and the upper chain guide channel. The covers are then spaced apart to form apertures allowing any gas which reaches the upper channel to pass to the surroundings.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a continuous log of activity in and around an underground mine wherein seismic energy in the area is continually monitored, processed and classified into meaningful relative data indications; and which system further includes selectively deployable seismic energy monitoring equipment providing more specific data in the event of mine catastrophy. This system utilizes permanently disposed seismic energy detectors and/or emergency detectors placed in accordance with the particular exigency, and detected seismic energy return is continually processed to maintain a data log indicative of general type and location of mine activity, with particular capability for isolation of unusual seismic events by comparison with statistical data constraints of predetermined character.

Abstract: An underground mining apparatus and more particularly an underground mining apparatus having improved protective canopy means extending partially thereover.