Abstract: A mineral, e.g., coal, mining installation employs a winning machine, such as a plough, equipped with cutting means and which is moved back and forth along a mineral or coal face and along a scraper-chain conveyor as is known per se. Roof support units are arranged along the goaf side of the conveyor and employ roof bars projecting across the roof of the working towards the mineral face. Shifting rams are provided to alternately advance the conveyor and the roof support units as the winning work progresses. The roof bars of the units are pivotably connected to forwardly-projecting components which act as carriers for swinging nozzles emitting high-pressure water jets which impinge on the face to create a channel at the roof zone thereof. The position of the channel can be adjusted by pivoting the carriers with the aid of hydraulic devices.

Abstract: An improved impact tool being attached to a drill stem about ten (10) or more feet above the drill bit, and in drilling mud flows through the impact tool to the drill bit when the well is being drilled. When the drill becomes stuck, plunger means is inserted through the drilling mud passage way from the ground level and is forced down to the impact tool by pressure of the drilling mud, and on reaching the impact tool, it engages a lip forming surface at the upper end of the impact tool and seals off the flow of drilling mud. The pressure placed on the drilling mud flowing from ground level forces a set of sleeves to move downward against the force of a helical spring, causing the drilling mud to flow through a jet contoured nozzle for directing the drilling mud toward the stuck drilling bit for thereby dislodging the drilling bit.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic jet impingement cutting apparatus and method for cutting kerfs in rock or other hard formations by provision of divergent hydraulic jets in a cutter implement which cut clearance for passage of the implement into the kerf being cut.

Abstract: A hydromatic planer particularly for mining materials in a mining seam comprises a planer housing which advantageously has a cutting and breaking head on each end thereof, each of which includes a substantially identical construction. Each cutting head includes a vertically arranged support member which is mounted on the housing of the planer by a parallel linkage so that it may be moved upwardly and downwardly under the control of an adjustment means such as a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder combination. Each cutting and breaking head also includes a first substantially vertically arranged support member which is connected by the linkage for upward and downward movement relative to the housing and a second support member which is movable relative to the first and mounted on this first in vertical guides for upward and downward movement.

Abstract: A method for extracting an underground mineral such as coal, which avoids the need for sending personnel underground and which enables the mining of steeply pitched seams of the mineral. The method includes the use of a narrow vehicle which moves underground along the mineral seam and which is connected by pipes or hoses to water pumps at the surface of the earth. The vehicle hydraulically drills pilot holes during its entrances into the seam, and then directs sideward jets at the seam during its withdrawal from each pilot hole to comminute the mineral surrounding the pilot hole and combine it with water into a slurry, so that the slurried mineral can flow down to a location where a pump raises the slurry to the surface.

Abstract: The method of mining flat-dipping and sloping beds of a mineral with hydraulic excavation which includes dividing the bed being mined into levels and sublevels. The height of the sublevels is determined by the rock geology of the bed formation. The sublevels, in their turn, are subdivided into blocks, the width of each block being short of the limit length of the steady or self-supporting outreach of the cantilever of the rock of the main roof with the given pattern of cutting into the bed with the cutting drifts and holes defining the short working faces. The spacing of the blocks being worked in the upper and lower sublevels in the direction of strata is set to preclude inter-influence of the bearing rock pressure in the blocks where the stoping work is being done. The method enables the conduction of a stable excavation of the mineral over an extended front of stoping.

Abstract: Viscous petroleum including bitumen may be recovered from unconsolidated sand formations such as tar sand deposits by hydraulic mining. Hot water of steam and an amine are introduced into the subterranean deposit with sufficient velocity to dislodge bitumen and particles of sand therefrom. The process is a single wellbore operation using rotatable vertically moveable injection string with one or more jets near the bottom thereof, with separate return flow path to surface, the inlet to which may be on the bottom of the injection string. The injection string may be raised or lowered while rotating and jetting so the full vertical thickness of tar sand interval is contacted by aqueous mining fluid. Jet pump may be used to pump petroleum to surface. The aqueous hydraulic mining fluid comprises hot water or steam and an amine having the following formula:R.sub.1 R.sub.2 NR.sub.3wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 and preferably a C.sub.2 to C.sub.

Abstract: In the method of mining mineral deposits with hydraulic extraction a seam to be mined is divided into long pillars along the strike, and each pillar is subdivided with extraction workings and breakthroughs into benches defining short working faces, whereafter a single hydromonitor mounted in an extraction working is operated for stoping in the two adjacent benches, in the direction of the gravity flow of the slurry therealong. In accordance with the invention, boundary or run-around entries are driven, and communicated with the extraction workings via cut breakthroughs, whereafter these cut breakthroughs are expanded up to the sole of the seam, whereby at the stoping of the extraction cut in the two adjacent benches in the direction of the sloping of the extraction and boundary entries the main stream of the slurry is removed from the stope through the boundary working.

Abstract: A hard compact material, such as rock, is broken by forcing an elongated mass body of relatively incompressible fluid, such as water, against the material to be broken. The mass body is caused to impact the material at a momentum necessary for breaking the material. The momentum is generated by supplying the fluid to a storage chamber against the effect of a thrust load acting upon the fluid in the storage chamber. When a sufficient amount of fluid has been supplied the fluid in the storage chamber is forced toward the material to be broken by the effect of the thrust load.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for high speed material removal with relatively low specific energy input requirements are disclosed. The apparatus includes a system for supplying pressurized fluid at a predetermined flow rate and pressure to an orifice of predetermined diameter. The system establishes a fluid flow to an environment in which there exists cavitation downstream of the orifice. The orifice size, position relative to the surface being treated, the fluid velocity and fluid pressure are determined with reference to the erosion strength of the particular parent material to be removed so as to effect highly efficient rapid cutting, drilling, cleaning and the like. The process includes the generation of a cavitation-free fluid flow through the orifice such that a submerged cavitating flow field is established downstream of that orifice. The velocity of fluid flowing through the orifice is selected to provide a cavitation intensity which exceeds the threshold erosion intensity of the material to be removed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for excavating a tunnel, hole, channel or the like in the rock mass or in the ground by using pressurized water spouted from nozzles.The method comprises the steps of digging a hole in the rock mass, inserting a rod of a fracturing apparatus in the hole, the rod having a communicating hole formed therein and nozzles formed at the leading end thereof, jetting pressurized water from the nozzles so as to produce grooves in the hole impinged by the water jet, sealing a space around the nozzles defined by the outer periphery of the rod and an inner peripheral wall of the hole, and again allowing pressurized water to spout from the nozzles into the space thereby forming cracks in the rock mass.

Abstract: A thrust generator combining gas driving either directly or through a hydraulic fluid with gas or hydraulic fluid cocking in a compact, lightweight thrust generator suitable for repetitive operation. The thrust generator has control fluid triggering of the power stroke and a floating piston for separating hydraulic fluid and gas. The thrust generator of this invention is particularly suited for provision of an integrated thrust generator-high pressure pulsed water jet apparatus.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbonaceous liquids and gases from subterranean kerogen-containing oil shale formations comprising (a) penetrating the oil shale deposits with at least two well bores; (b) fracturing the oil shale deposits in a lower vertical portion thereof; (c) igniting the hydrocarbonaceous deposit; (d) introducing through the first well bore a free oxygen-containing gas to the ignited point of the oil shale deposit to effect thermal decomposition of the hydrocarbonaceous material therein and to propagate a combustion zone through the fractured communication area and the second well bore, thereby forming a region of combusted shale between the first well bore and the second well bore; (e) allowing the combustion to continue until a sufficient volume of combusted shale has been formed; (f) then jetting an aqueous liquid into and through the combusted shale zone to remove the mineral residue remaining after combustion; (g) positioning conventional explosives in the oil shale deposit in the vicinit

Abstract: A mining method for cutting away hard mineral materials of a mining face, comprises, undercutting the mineral material by directing a liquid jet into the running face to form a mineral slab which overlies the undercutting and breaking the bond of the slab from the main face by striking it with a wedge-shaped impact tool in the undercut area and conveying away the broken-off material. The apparatus for carrying out the mining operation comprises a machine which is adapted to run along the mining face alongside a conveyor for conveying away the material. The machine includes an operating mechanism for moving a breaking head at each end inwardly into the mine face and along the mine face. The breaking head carries a percussion wedge member which may be driven into the mine face.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting rock materials has been devised in which a series of jets are produced by a nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly being constructed and arranged to advance along the surface of the rock material and to form a channel or line of cut of predetermined width and depth therein. As the nozzle assembly makes each pass along the intended line of cut, the assembly is oscillated in a direction transversely of its path of travel along the intended line of cut in order to better erode the material, form a clearly defined channel with a minimum of interference which may otherwise result from spalling or collection of liquid in the channel.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preconcentration of metalliferous values contained in metal-bearing ore materials (ores and byproducts thereof) and involves subjecting the ore material to careful attrition to obtain a particle mixture of fine and coarse particles, separating the fine particles from the coarse particles by granulometry, and recovering from the thus-separated fine particles a cut having a particle size not exceeding about 50 microns and containing the metalliferous values in concentrated form.

Abstract: Means for emitting high-pressure jets of fluid such as water, and mechanical rock breaking wheels, are positioned on a rotary drill bit for cooperatively cutting an axially extending bore hole through earth material. A center core opening is cut into the drill face material of the bore hole by a jet of fluid crossing the axis of the bore hole at an acute angle. The material of the drill face annularly surrounding the center core opening is removed by cutting concentric slots in the material and by applying radially inward directed force for breaking each ring defined by the slots cut. At any given axial position or level, the slots are cut and the rings are broken in sequence from the radially innermost position to the radially outermost position of the bore hole.

Abstract: A low temperature freezing fluid and method are used for year-round wearing away of bitumen deposits, such as those of the Athabaska Tar Sands, by a softening and/or abrasion process. Relatively small size particles of bitumen and its associated foreign matter are produced which enable separation of bitumen at greater speed, efficiency and thoroughness than present methods. Water solutions of calcium chloride having a freezing point down to -46.degree. F. and a specific gravity greater than that of bitumen are used as the fluid. Since bitumen deposits vary considerably in physical properties; optimum softening and/or abrasion efficiency and reduced particle size are achieved by either heating the fluid to 212.degree. F. to soften or refrigerating it to -46.degree. F. to harden the bitumen prior to spraying it at high velocity onto the deposit. At times, faster rates of softening and/or abrasion and reduced particle size are achieved by incorporating abrasion particles in the fluid.

Abstract: Cavity mining minerals from a subsurface deposit by hydraulically jetting and disintegrating a mineral deposit locally, and transporting lumps and particles to the surface via a borehole.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for cutting round perforations and elongated slots in well flow conductors used in solution mining. The apparatus comprises a jet nozzle head for discharging a fluid to cut the perforations and slots, a string of continuous tubing for handling the jet nozzle head in a well bore, a tubing injector or tubing guide, a tubing storage reel having a flow conducting central hub connected with the tubing on the reel for forcing the abrasive fluid into the tubing at the reel, fluid pump and storage means connected with the reel hub, means for mounting the tubing injector above a well, and a wellhead having annular stripper rubber for sealing around the tubing and a side outlet for fluid returns.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mining an underground ore stratum with a drilling and mining tool which first drills a hole into the strata as it is assembled section by section until a desired depth is reached. The tool includes an outer conduit that is screwed together and at least two stab fitted inner conduits that are rotatable relative to the outer conduit for providing at least three conduit systems for conducting processing fluids into and out of the ore strata; and means for independently controlling, from the surface, the rate of flow in each conduit. During mining, one conduit system directs the flow of a mining liquid downwardly and into the ore stratum through a mining nozzle to create a slurry of ore and liquid, a second conduit system directs a slurry lifting fluid downwardly into and through a slurry lifting means, while a third conduit system conducts the slurry to the surface.

Abstract: A hard compact material, such as rock, is broken by directing a high velocity jet of fluid, such as water, into a drill hole in the material to be broken. The jet is generated by a nozzle and is directed into the drill hole through a tubular member, which is associated with the nozzle. Upon having traversed the tubular member, the jet is suddenly arrested in the hole to break the material by the established jet stagnation pressure stemmed by the tubular member.

Abstract: A shroud for a submerged jet cutting nozzle is described which separates the jet from surrounding fluid environment and enhances the cutting effect.

Abstract: A high pressure fluidic medium is passed through a multiplicity of concentrating nozzles. The nozzles are rigidly retained within a frame or housing which directs the high velocity fluid flow columns therefrom against the surface of the material to be cut so that the area of impingement for each column is spaced from the others. The nozzle housing assembly preferably is held fixed for each channel cut pass but can be oscillated in a direction normal to the material surface while being moved along a line spaced from but parallel to the surface of the material to be cut. The areas of impingement of the fluid flow columns from the nozzle are arranged to erode cutting lines or kerfs along the material parallel to each other so as to define a total cut slightly greater than the width of the nozzle housing assembly.

Abstract: The method includes circulating steam, solvent or fluids through a material such as sand while constantly agitating the material to scrub and wash entrained substances such as oil, bitumen or the like free whereupon the substances are carried back to the surface. A vibrating probe assembly is utilized which is highly maneuverable and which fluidizes the sand immediately surrounding same thus facilitating the movement of the probe and assisting in the scrubbing and separating action of the solvents or steam upon the sand. The probe includes means for extending same into the sand to the bottom of a well bore so that the vibration in conjunction with the probe configuration moves the probe through the sand in a horizontal plane or, if desired, up and down at an angle from the horizontal. The voids remaining in the clean sand are filled with water so that the probe floats on the surface of the water.

Abstract: A hard compact material such as rock is broken by directing a high velocity jet of relatively incompressible fluid, such as water, into a hole which is drilled in the material to be broken. The jet is generated by a nozzle in alignment with the hole and is suddenly arrested in the hole in appropriate position with respect to adjacent free surfaces of the material. A jet stagnation pressure is created in the hole of sufficient magnitude and duration or jet repetion rate to break the material towards the free surfaces. Preferably, a secondary nozzle emits fluid for filling partially or wholly the hole prior to generating the high velocity jet by a primary nozzle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for hydraulically mining of coal. An entry is driven upwardly through a panel of coal to a predetermined terminus and a fluming system, which slopes in the same direction as the entry, is installed in the entry. A monitor is positioned in the entry and a high pressure jet of water from the monitor is employed to cut coal from the face area of the panel of coal. The cut and broken coal is then further broken with a jet of high pressure water from a second monitor positioned in the entry and located near the face area. The broken coal then is fed to the fluming system and transported through the flume with the aid of gravity as a coal-water slurry.

Abstract: A subterranean hydraulic mining system for mining soft sedimentary deposits, such as coal, in which a shaft is sunk through spoil layers, such as sand, dirt, clay, sedimentary deposits, slate, etc., to the sedimentary deposits, such as a coal vein. A second shaft is drilled from the surface to the coal vein in proximity to the first shaft and a small shaped charge is placed down the first shaft and directed toward the termination of the second shaft. A pipeline containing a directive nozzle is then directed down the first shaft with the nozzle oriented toward the second shaft and water and air pumped therethrough. A line is dropped through the second shaft terminating in a hydraulic elevator with water pumped down the shaft and up through the hydraulic elevator.

Abstract: By the action of water jetted against the concrete in systematically controlled manner under ultra-high pressures (i.e. above 25,000 psi) areas of structural concrete are removed to required depths through the one or more levels of aggregate involved efficiently and with safety to the basic structure and to attendant personnel. With this method and apparatus employing an array of such jets scanned progressively back and forth over a work area, the rates at which requisite volumes of hardened concrete can be removed, regardless of condition or state of the concrete and the presence of reinforcing bars, are much greater than those customarily achieved with conventional methods. Moreover the operation can be performed without danger of cutting into and weakening embedded reinforcing bars, without damaging the concrete in adjoining regions, without dust pollution and with minimum noise levels that are also readily shieldable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for hydraulically mining friable carbonaceous material such as coal or other suitable materials wherein a feeder/breaker is placed in the entry with complete mining facilities mounted on this second machine including hydraulic monitors, one for cutting material from a seam or panel and, if desired, a second monitor for breaking and flushing the mined material in the form of a slurry for transport through the machine where it is mechanically broken and crushed to predetermined size and the solids/water slurry discharged into a flume for transport from the mine.

Abstract: Apparatus for subterranean slurry drilling and mining of granular ore, such as phosphates, with a combined drilling and mining apparatus. The apparatus includes a tool string having a drilling head and mining head that are selectively interchangeable on its upper end for drilling into one or more ore strata to be mined and thereafter to remove ore from the strata as a slurry. The drill string includes a plurality of inner and outer pipe sections connected to a mining nozzle section, to an eductor pump section, and to a drill bit at its lower end. A drilling/mining liquid is directed through the tool string during both the drilling and mining modes of operation. During drilling, liquid is directed through a foot valve into the rotating bit to wash cuttings to the surface externally of the tool. During mining, the tool string is rotated, the foot valve is closed, and a mining nozzle is opened thereby causing liquid jetting from the mining nozzle to reduce the ore to a slurry.

Abstract: Method for subterranean slurry drilling and mining of granular ore, such as phosphates, with a combined drilling and mining apparatus. The apparatus for performing the method includes a tool string having a drilling head and mining head that are selectively interchangeable on its upper end for drilling into one or more ore strata to be mined and thereafter to remove ore from the strata as a slurry. The drill string includes a plurality of inner and outer pipe sections connected to a mining nozzle section, to an eductor pump section, and to a drill bit at its lower end. A drilling/mining liquid is directed through the tool string during both the drilling and mining modes of operation. During drilling, liquid is directed through a foot valve into the rotating bit to wash cuttings to the surface externally of the tool. During mining, the tool string is rotated, the foot valve is closed, and a mining nozzle is opened thereby causing liquid jetting from the mining nozzle to reduce the ore to a slurry.

Abstract: The invention relates to the hydraulic underground mining of bituminous sands, oil shales and other friable mineral deposits. Accordingly, the invention resides in the provision of a tunnel complex at or near the base of the deposit, in which tunnels are driven parallel one with the other, and spaced a substantial distance apart. An exemplary distance would be in the region of 2,000 feet. Hydraulic excavators are driven outwardly from the sides of the tunnels until the excavator heads are in a position substantially midway between adjacent tunnels. The excavators are arranged in a multiple array at spaced intervals along the tunnels, these intervals being adjusted such that there is interaction during operation, between adjacent excavator heads. The excavators may be positioned in two or more tiers by insertion into the deposit at differing angles from the operating tunnel, such that interaction between excavators is in two dimensions, horizontal and vertical.

Abstract: A high pressure pulsed water jet apparatus and process operable in a vertical position especially suitable for automated pavement and rock fracture. The apparatus and process of this invention is used in combination with a thrust generator providing a substantially flat power stroke output thereby providing a pulsed water jet operating on the principle of pressure extrusion to generate repetitive water jet pulses of high velocity and at high repetitive frequency. The apparatus and process of this invention is especially suitable for providing an apparatus and process for fracturing pavement on a single self-contained vehicle which may be operated by a pre-programmed program means.

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: Subterranean slurry mining with one or more mining nozzles which, during mining, directs a high pressure jet of liquid into a granular ore matrix to reduce the ore to a slurry which is thereafter pumped to the surface by an eductor pump including a high pressure eductor nozzle. The drilling and mining apparatus includes several different types of hydraulic control systems which operates at or below system pressure and allows the apparatus to be changed between the mining and a drilling mode. During drilling, the liquid is directed through an open foot valve and drill bit into the well cavity being drilled to wash the cuttings to the surface at which time the mining and eductor nozzles are closed. During mining the control systems close the foot valve and control the opening of the mining nozzle (or nozzles) and eductor nozzle.

Abstract: An hydraulic mining apparatus and method wherein the mined aggregate is separated into dry, relatively large aggregate pieces for dry conveyance and wet, relatively small aggregate pieces for wet conveyance. In the preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus provides for reducing any oversized large aggregate pieces in size so that the large pieces do not exceed a predetermined maximum size. Size reduction is provided by a mechanical breaker and wet, relatively small aggregate is separated out of the mined product prior to the breaking step. The apparatus is embodied in a feeder-breaker mechanism wherein a conveyor running lengthwise of the mechanism first subjects the total mined product to size separation or classification, then directs the larger aggregate pieces through the breaker and, finally, discharges the breaker treated pieces to a dry conveyor. The separated wet, relatively small aggregate pieces are collected within the mechanism and pumped away.

Abstract: Subterranean slurry mining with one or more mining nozzles which, during mining, directs a high pressure jet of liquid into a granular ore matrix to reduce the ore to a slurry which is thereafter pumped to the surface by an eductor pump including a high pressure eductor nozzle. The drilling and mining apparatus includes several different types of hydraulic control systems which operates at or below system pressure and allows the apparatus to be changed between the mining and a drilling mode. During drilling, the liquid is directed through an open foot valve and drill bit into the well cavity being drilled to wash the cuttings to the surface at which time the mining and eductor nozzles are closed. During mining the control systems close the foot valve and control the opening of the mining nozzle (or nozzles) and eductor nozzle.

Abstract: A mining machine adapted to traverse a mine face comprises a rotary drum, which may be mounted transversely or forwardly of the machine body, carrying liquid orifices which are supplied with water under pressure so that each orifice produces a water jet of continuously varying pressure which is directed at the material being mined at least for some of the times when the jet pressure is at its maximum value. In operation, reciprocation between a number of pistons and respective bores, the bores being formed in the drum, is brought about as the drum rotates by an eccentric bearing with which the pistons coact. The drum may carry cutting picks to assist the water jet cutting.

Abstract: The method of digging by piercing soil and rock with a jet of liquid discharged at high velocity from a nozzle together with high-velocity air jets discharged from another nozzle arranged concentrically around the liquid nozzle, characterized by the velocity of the air jets being at least half the velocity of sound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hydraulic mining wherein the mined product is reduced to a pumpable form. The apparatus includes a jet monitor for dislodging the mined product from its in situ state, a feeder-breaker for receiving the mined product, preliminarily separating the pumpable constituent of the product and then subjecting the remaining product to successive breaking and separating steps until the entire product is in a pumpable state. The feeder-breaker is also provided with a sump to collect the pumpable product and pump means to convey the product from the sump under pressure, whereby transport of the product is not dependent on gravity. In the preferred embodiment, the feeder-breaker is provided with a secondary jet monitor to reduce oversized constituents of the mined product to a size suited for the successive separating and breaking steps.

Abstract: Apparatus for and process of mining a subterranean granular ore deposit through a well bore where the ore is eroded from the ore matrix by one or more laterally directed jets of fluid, e.g. water, forming an ore-bearing slurry. The apparatus comprises:A. a rotatable tool string having a first fluid passage through which fluid flows downwardly and a first slurry passage through which a slurry of said fluid and granular ore flows upwardly,B. supported therefrom underground a substantially rigid housing containing an outwardly directed cutting jet nozzle for impinging said fluid against said ore to form said slurry and having1. a second fluid passage therein connecting said first fluid passage with said jet nozzle,2. a slurry inlet through said housing,3. a second slurry passage connecting said inlet with said first slurry passage, and4.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from tar sands, oil shales, exhausted oil bearing formations and the like by solvent extraction.

Abstract: A method of operating a machine having a constant depth linear cutting head which is retrofitted to a continuous mining machine replacing the rotary head. By altering the usual configuration of the cutting head from the high speed rotating type with a large number of bits, as is currently being used, to one employing a non-rotary type head with 10 percent or less of the usual number of bits, and also operating a combined sumping and shearing action without the bits exiting the coal face being cut, less respirable dust is produced at the mine face. In addition to decreasing the dust and amount of menthane gas - when coal is mined - which is liberated, our method also produces more coal on the average for each cut in the mine face by deeper constant depth cuts in the 3- to 6-inch range by first sumping into the mine face and then shearing the face, without withdrawing or rotating the point attack bits.

Abstract: The method of mining coal entails the use of crude petroleum under high pressure together with elevated temperatures in hydraulic fashion to produce a hybrid oil-coal fuel. A powerful stream of oil is aimed at sections of coal strata to disintegrate the coal. The resultant slurry can be recycled for reuse in the mining operation with provisions being made for screening out the larger coal particles. When the oil-coal slurry reaches the desired consistency, it can be pumped for storage or pipeline delivery to consumers or processing plants.

Abstract: An auger for use in a continuous mining operation having an elongate tubular member in communication with a fluid pressure source and a scroll mounted on the tubular member with spray mechanisms for spraying fluid into the air adjacent the peripheral edge of the scroll for preventing suspension of mined undesired contaminate particulate matter within the air adjacent to the continuous mining operation.

Abstract: In a method for drawing at least one fraction of solid substance by suction from a heterogeneous stock of several solid substances, which are segregated according to granular size and/or specific weight by supplying a segregation fluid, for example water, into a segregation zone at a distance from a suction nozzle of a suction pipe held in the stock, a selected fraction of segregated solid substances together with the fluid being conducted away in the form of a suspension through the suction nozzle water is vigorously injected into a ground layer for washing out the soil so that a fraction of fine grains is picked up in a whirl and can thus be directly sucked off through the suction pipe. With this method it cannot be avoided that both fine and coarse grains are sucked up together by one and the same suction nozzle.

Abstract: The invention is to a method for the hydraulic mining of coal of varying hardness. It is described in particular as to coal of the type occurring in the Balmer Seam in British Columbia. By the method at least two parallel spaced entries are driven upward through a seam of coal. Monitors are positioned in each entry. Each monitor is horizontally and vertically pivotable, and has nozzle means from which a jet of water under a pressure of about 1900 - 2200 p.s.i. is emitted. The high pressure jet cuts the coal, which is then fed to a machine that breaks and crushes the coal into sizes wherein the resultant coal/water slurry will flow down a sloped flume into a dewatering station.The method further embodies differentially retreating along adjacent parallel entries by increments of desirably at least about 40 feet each.

Abstract: A high velocity, constant flow, liquid jet cutting apparatus comprising a source of high pressure fluid, a jet nozzle, and a high pressure conduit to carry the fluid from the source to the jet nozzle. Immediately upstream of the jet nozzle is a liquid collimating device comprising a housing interconnected between the conduit and the nozzle and defining a flow collimating chamber directly upstream of the nozzle, through which the high pressure liquid is delivered to the nozzle. The cross sectional area of the flow collimating chamber is at least greater than 100 times the cross sectional area of the nozzle opening, and desirably in the order of four hundred times as great or more. The resulting liquid jet has relatively little dispersion of the liquid and is capable of effectively cutting a relatively narrow kerf with a high quality finish and little, if any, wetting.

Abstract: The coal mining combine has a crawler carriage with a driving mechanism supporting a bed plate with a turntable on which an arrow-like actuator with a motor for rotating it and a bit are hinged. The hollow body of the actuator contains a built-in monitor. Hydraulic cylinders which are used for moving the actuator and the monitor's barrel are provided. Manifolds are used for supplying water to the monitor and to the actuator. In accordance with the invention, a channel is made in the supporting bed plate. This channel is a hydraulic shock acceleration tubing whose sections are located one above another in at least two rows. A pneumohydraulic accumulator communicating with the water supply source is connected to the channel's inlet, while an oscillator, included in the network for supplying water to the monitor, is connected to the channel's outlet.