Abstract: A shield advancing machine, comprising cutting tools (15) rotatably supported on cantilever arms (13, 14) being rotatable around an axis approximately extending in advancing direction and being swivellable in transverse direction to this axis, has a carrier (4) which is guided and supported in axial direction of the shield (1). A rotation drive (22, 33) for a rest (9) of the cantilever arms (13, 14) is provided on the carrier (4), and the cantilever arms (13, 14) as well as their swivel drive (16, 17) are linked to the rest (9).

Abstract: A method in underground coal mining for separating the upper coal of the seam from the roof during the advancement of the upper sliding cap of a support frame, wherein the front edge of the cap is forced in a plane of the cap between the upper coal to be separated and the rock from which the coal is to be separated. During the advancement of the sliding cap, the sliding cap is alternatingly moved backwardly and forwardly, so that the from edge of the sliding cap separates the upper coal during its forward movement. Alternatively or additionally, when the front edge of the sliding cap contacts the upper coal, alternatingly higher and lower pressure can be admitted to the sliding cap in order to obtain a shaking effect. In this combined method, the sliding cap is advanced, the shaking procedure is carried out as the front edge contacts the upper coal, and the sliding cap is subsequently moved backwardly. The cycle is then repeated several times.

Abstract: Tunnel driving apparatus includes a full-face cutting machine 2 mounted, preferably vertically and laterally pivotably, in a drive shield 1. The cutting machine is displaceable, by means of feed rams 16, towards a working face. The cylinders 19 of the feed rams are secured to the machine body 3 of the full-face cutting machine, and act as guide shoes for slidably supporting the cutting machine on guide rails 6 fixed to the drive shield.

Abstract: In a mining machine (1) designed for underground operation, for example for cutting coal seams, and being equipped with a removal conveyor means taking up the heap of debris in front of the mine face and transferring this heap of debris to a removal conveyor plant (18) arranged behind the mining machine (1), there is interpositioned, separately from the mining machine, between the mining machine (1) and the removal conveyor plant (18) a crushing aggregate (2) comprising its own travel drive and being movable on a chassis in particular being equipped it caterpillars (27). The crushing aggregate (2) comprises a receiving chute (11) provided on a frame (25), a conveyor (12) starting from this receiving chute and extending with its discharge end beyond said frame and at least one crusher roll (13) within the area between the receiving chute (11) and the discharge end (15) of the conveyor (12).

Abstract: A mining machine includes a frame with a material dislodging head mounted on the end of the frame. Ground engaging tracks propel the machine within a mine along the floor of the mine to advance the dislodging head into the face of the mine to dislodge material therefrom. Roof bolting apparatus is employed for installing roof bolts at predetermined locations in the roof of the mine above the mining machine. The roof bolting apparatus is supported by a drill pit which is positioned within the frame and movable relative to the frame. The roof bolting apparatus is arranged to install roof bolts at predetermined locations above the mining machine while the mining machine is being propelled through the mine to dislodge material from the mine face.

Abstract: The apparatus for excavating passages such as tunnels, shafts and the like, is continually and/or intermittently movable in a predetermined driving direction and contains at least one boring head, possibly, a multipart boring head. In its operative position, the boring head substantially covers the cross-section of the passage to be excavated. The boring head is constructed so as to be thrust or pressed by means of fluid-operated cylinders, tooth racks or the like against the face to be excavated. The apparatus possesses one or a number of drive units for the boring head and at least one device for removing the excavated material. There are further provided a support device for supporting the boring head in the passage and at least one drilling mount possessing a bore motor and a thrust motor for drilling anchor holes and/or blast holes and/or for placing anchors transversely to a predetermined driving direction.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine includes a main frame mounted on tracks for mobility, a cutter head mounted on a subframe which is adapted to be moved toward and away from the front of the main frame, a conveyor to collect mined material and convey it to the rear of the main frame, and a roof bolter supported on the main frame adjacent the front thereof, whereby, as the sub-frame is moved away from the front of the main frame and the cutter head mounted thereon operates to cut material to be mined, thereof bolter is simultaneously operated to perform roof bolting operations close to the face of the mine.

Abstract: Apparatus for tunnelling through soil, in which a cutting head is rotatably mounted on a housing and atmospherically sealed from the housing. A muck ring is located in the housing to collect loose soil through an opening into the chamber of the muck ring and the opening is closable to maintain a pre-set earth pressure in the cutting head.

Abstract: The digging tool of the tunnel excavator is mounted on a shield support and operates in a forward digging chamber. The digging chamber is sealed from a tunnel formed by the excavator by a separating wall of the excavator across a transverse cross section of the excavator. The digging chamber is filled with a fluid which supports the forward digging chamber wall. The problems resulting from the incompressibility of the supporting fluid can be handled simply when the digging chamber, with at least a portion of its separating wall, is supported so as to be movable longitudinally back and forth by an adjustable spring device. Advantageously, the spring device comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinder devices whose cylinders are connected to a hydraulic accumulator under gas pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting excavations having a substantially planar face comprises a cutting tool which is rotatably mounted on a jib. The jib is mounted on a mobile machine for a pivotal movement in a plane which is transverse to the heading direction and is divided into two jib sections which are pivotally movable relative to each other about an axis which is substantially parallel to the pivotal axis of the jib. The cutting tool is rotatably mounted close to or at the free end of that jib section which is most remote from the pivotal axis of the jib.

Abstract: A mining machine system for deep boring a hole in a seam includes a cutting head, a drill pipe, a power unit for driving the cutting head, a recovery mechanism for the fluidized conveyance of the aggregate coal or other mineral product from the bore hole and a blocking unit. The blocking unit includes a substantially cylindrical frame member that substantially conforms to the diameter of the hole being bored by the cutting head. Thus, the blocking unit serves to support the weight of the cutting head and drill pipe so as to maintain the proper alignment of the cutting head in the seam. The aggregate coal or other product may be conveyed from the bore hole adjacent the cutting head to the seam face either through a coal conveyance passageway in the drill pipe or through a separate coal conveyance pipe. In either embodiment a sealed pipe extending unit is provided to extend or advance the coal conveying pipe or drill pipe into the bore hole with the cutting head.

Abstract: A shield-type tunneling machine comprises a shield body having a front portion converging gradually rearward, a crankshaft journalled rotatably by a diaphragm provided in the shield body, a drive mechanism connected to an end of the crankshaft and a conical or frustoconical rotary head supported rotatably by the other end and disposed in the front portion of the shield body to be turned eccentrically, a gear mechanism for forcibly rotate the rotary head and a means for discharging debris from a front area of the diaphragm to a rear area. The tunneling machine, when thrusted in the ground by a jack, receives earth and sand into the front portion of the shield body and compresses them between the rotary head and the shield body to send them to the rear. The machine can be used for a pipe jacking as well as the tunneling in the soft ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for making small-bore underground tunnels. It contains a working tube which can be advanced in the direction of the developing tunnel, and an excavating unit mounted in the working tube and having an excavating tool. The excavating unit is displaceable in the working tube. The excavating tool has a substantially smaller effective outside cross section than corresponds to the internal cross section of the working tube, and is mounted on the excavating unit so as to be displaceable in directions perpendicular to the working tube axis. Drive means serve for moving the excavating tube within a range of action whose maximum cross section, measured perpendicular to the working tube axis, corresponds at least to the outside cross section of the working tube.

Abstract: A circular heading machine for excavating tunnels by advancing a machine in stepwise fashion and erecting tunnel supports, having an elongate machine body at the forward end on which a forwardly directed cutter boom is mounted. Rams advance the machine body in stepwise fashion acting against grippers and a profile ring limits peripheral movement of the cutter boom to form an accurate profile. A gathering apron is provided at the forward extremity of the machine body. The cutter boom is mounted on a sliding carriage longitudinally movable on and independently of the machine body and a hood overlies the apron. A cage structure extends rearwardly from the hood structure and surrounds the body cutter and sliding carriage and tunnel support erecting members are provided externally of the cage structure, directly behind the hood structure. The hood is a semi-circular member supported by hydraulic rams for height adjustment.

Abstract: A self-advancing roof support for the face roof support in underground mining operations, having a plurality of supporting frames with self-advancing mechanisms acting perpendicular to the breast of the working, which mechanisms advance the supporting frames in the direction of the breast of the working. In order to facilitate the relocation of a winning face equipped with such a self-advancing roof support, these supporting frames have a plurality of self-advancing gears acting parallel to the breast of the working, to successively shift the supporting frames in the lateral direction parallel to the breast of the working, so as to produce a cut or road for the installation of a new winning face at a head side of the face equipment and to advance the self-advancing roof support sideways into the road together with the complete face equipment while maintaining the formation.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a linear impact ripper pivotally connected to a support frame and including an elongated torque tube or crossbeam having a pair of forwardly extending end plates pivotally mounting the crossbeam to the support frame. A pair of impactor mounting plates extend downwardly from the cross beam and position a linear reciprocating impact hammer therebelow. A pair of ripper shank mounting plates extend forwardly from the crossbeam to provide a pivot mounting for a ripper shank. The mounting frame transfers forces from the individual components into the crossbeam for effectively minimizing the transfer of shock forces from the ripper assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: A cutting machine (1) includes on its base frame (3) a carrier construction (19) for wall elements (21) and appliances (20) for drilling anchor bores and applying anchors the carrier construction being shiftable in longitudinal direction of the machine. The wall elements (21) are adjoining the drift roof (22) and, respectively, a cutting arm (11) via elastic sealing elements (23). The cutting arm (11) and the charging means (15) are pivotally linked to a shiftable frame (42). The cutting heads (28, 29) can be shifted along guides (31) in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of the drift, the cutting heads (28, 29) being arranged between drift face (33) and wall elements (21).

Abstract: A maneuverable mining machine is disclosed. The mining machine has a chassis with at least one cutting head mounted on the front of the chassis and adapted to cut into a mine face extending transversely across the front of the machine. The cutting head comprises a cutting drum which is rotatable in a plane parallel to the mine face. The cutting head is mounted on the chassis by way of a support member arranged to effect movement of the cutting drum parallel to the face. A conveying means is mounted on a chassis and is arranged to convey mine material from the front of the chassis to the rear of the chassis.

Abstract: A shield tunneling machine comprises a shield body provided with a tubular head portion and a tubular tail portion disposed behind the head portion. The head portion and tail portion are interconnected by a plurality of thrusting jacks for moving both portions to and away from each other. In the shield body are arranged a cutter head for excavating the face, a mechanism for rotating the cutter head and a plurality of position-maintaining mechanisms making the natural ground a reaction body to advance the shield body and having press bodies capable of projecting outward of the shield body. The machine, during the excavation has the head portion advanced relative to the tail portion by the thrusting jack and the tail portion next attracted to the head portion by the thrusting jack.

Abstract: A pre-bolting system for underground mines which comprises narrow, deep slots in the working face and in drilling through at an angle and bolting from inside these slots with equipment specially designed for this purpose. The drilling, bolting equipment uses high pressure water to assist drilling by water jet. The bit can also be driven by an axial water turbine of small diameter located at the bit. The equipment includes a ventilation system to dilute gas inside the slot when drilling or bolting.

Abstract: A tunneling machine with a leading ring, a follower ring, an overlapping joint connection between the leading ring and the follower ring, a pressure ring, advancing piston/cylinder assemblies, and a roll correction device. The advancing piston/cylinder assemblies are distributed about the shield circumference, and they are connected on the one hand by the way of linkages to the pressure ring, and on the other hand they are supported at the leading or shield ring. The roll correction device has a roll correction ring which is arranged in the leading ring, and the roll correction ring can rotate with respect to the leading shield. The roll correction ring is also supported by a thrust-absorbing bearing. The advancing piston/cylinder assemblies are movably joined at the roll correction ring, and are indirectly supported at the leading ring.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine for boring a curvilinear tunnel in earthen strata is described.

Abstract: A shield tunneling machine comprises a tubular shield body, a partition wall provided in the shield body, a rotary shaft supported rotatably by the partition wall and extending longitudinally of the shield body, a cutter head disposed on the front end of the rotary shaft and a mechanism for rotating the cutter head through the rotary shaft. The cutter head comprises a first cutter provided with a plurality of cutter bits and a second cutter provided with a plurality of roller bits. The machine also comprises a mechanism for moving straight forward and backward one of the first and second cutters relative to the other. The machine locates the first cutter more forward than the second cutter for excavating the face of stratum having a soft layer like clay layer with the first cutter and the second cutter more forward than the first cutter for excavating the face of the stratum having a hard layer like bedrock layer with the second cutter.

Abstract: A tunneling apparatus has a lateral shield having a front end normally engaged longitudinally against a tunnel end face, a digging tool at the front end of the shield and engageable with the tunnel face, and a drive for displacing the tool and digging the tunnel face. A transverse pressure wall across the shield forms a pressurizable chamber inside the front end of the shield around the tool at the tunnel face. A conveyor tube longitudinally traverses and has a front end open ahead of the wall in the chamber and adapted to receive material freed from the tunnel face by the digging tool. An auger can be rotated in the tube to displace freed material back in it from its front end to its rear end. A chute opens upward into the rear end of the conveyor tube to receive material therefrom and a pump tube extends longitudinally back from the chute. A piston pump between the chute and the pump tube can displace material from the chute back in the tube.

Abstract: A tunneling machine of the type having a leading shield, a trailing shield, an annular form connected to the trailing shield by respective cylinder units for the emplacement of the concrete behind the machine and cylinder units for relatively advancing the leading and trailing shields, is also equipped with a telescoping shield assembly with its own set of cylinder units so that the concrete emplacement can be decoupled from the advance of the cutting head on the leading shield.

Abstract: A tunneling machine according to the invention has a mobile and automotive base movable on the ground horizontally and longitudinally toward a face to be cut away, a turntable on the base defining an upright pivot axis and having a main support pivotal about the axis on the base, an arm having an inner end pivotal about a horizontal axis on the main support and having an outer end, and a cutter on the outer end of the arm. A conveyor having an intake on the ground between the base and the cutter and extends back away from the face, normally through the base. Actuators connected between the cutter, arm, support, conveyor, and base move the cutter over the face to cut rock therefrom and convey the cut rock back away from the face. A drilling apparatus including a drilling unit for making a hole extending along a bore axis and another unit for setting a rockbolt in the hole thus drilled is carried on the arm and engageable with the ceiling immediately adjacent the face.

Abstract: A shield tunnel boring machine having at its boring head a pressure-resisting mud kneading chamber defined by a bulkhead, wherein the bulkhead is divided into outer peripheral and central bulkhead parts. The outer peripheral bulkhead part is fixed to the inner periphery of a cylindrical shield. The central bulkhead part is made rotatable in association with a head-positioned rotary cutter as driven by a main motor. The sealing means required for the bulkhead is limited to seal one for a gap between the fixed outer peripheral bulkhead part and the rotatable central bulkhead part and the number of necessary related parts can be remarkably reduced.

Abstract: A lightweight jack for supporting the roof of a mine until permanent supports are in place. The jack is carried by a roof bolter or similar mining equipment on the end of a support arm. A hinge box is mounted on the sidewall of the roof bolter and one end of the arm is hingedly received therein. A support plate extends from the sidewall outwardly below the arm. The support plate carries at the far end a U-shaped bracket with a spring inside the bracket. The support arm rests on the spring when the jack is not extended. A swivel arm is received inside the support arm and held from turning by a swivel pin. When the pin is removed, the swivel arm and jack may be turned sideways for easy manuevering by the roof bolter.

Abstract: A so-called externally-situated advance mechanism is arranged between the floor sills of adjacent mine roof support units. The advance mechanism includes two laterally-spaced guide rods, and two advance rams positioned above the guide rods. The front ends of the guide rods are connected to a head-piece. A bridge is connected to the two guide rods at a distance behind this head-piece. The piston rods of the two advance rams act on this bridge. The cylinders of the rams are connected, at a distance therebehind, to brackets fixed to the floor sills. Said brackets form guides for the guide rods.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the position of a mineral mining machine, such as a coal plough, guided for movement back and forth along a guide employs inclined piston and cylinder units coupled via ball-and-socket joints to brackets on a conveyor supporting the guide and to connectors which are pivotably connected to the conveyor. Assemblies have parallel elongate beams which are guided on roof supports and linked to the connectors. Each connector is of multi-part construction with a main skid resting on the floor of the working and connected to the conveyor and to the associated beams. A further complementary component fits onto the main skid and the parts of the connector have curved recesses which combine to form a socket for receiving a ball of the associated unit.

Abstract: A shield machine for enlarging a portion of an existing tunnel includes an inner and outer double cylinder shaped shield machine body with a cylindrical outer shield portion and a cylindrical inner guide portion designed to be driven in an axial direction of an existing tunnel and along an outer circumferential surface of primary assembly segments lining the existing tunnel. Jack members are provided for pushing forward the shield machine body by receiving a reaction from a reaction member such as secondary assembly segments lining a constructed enlarged tunnel. A scraper member is positioned adjacent to the inner guide portion for removing a back-filling agent on the outer surface of the primary assembly segments.

Abstract: In a tunnel driving apparatus, and particularly such apparatus where a work face is supported by fluid, a cutting appliance is employed which is composed of a swinging arm carrying a cutter head. The arm can range over the face to detach material therefrom with the cutter head. Means for driving the cutter head is accommodated entirely within the arm itself and a conduit or the like extends through the arm and serves optionally to remove debris by suction or to convey pressure fluid to the face to assist the cutter head.

Abstract: A first mobile mining machine for cutting mining tunnels in hard rock, which includes a horizontally swinging wheel-like cutterhead assembly mounted on a crawler and base frame assembly. The cutterhead assembly consists of a transverse horizontal axis wheel-like drum on which are multiple peripherally mounted rolling cutter units.A second mobile mining machine for cutting mining tunnels in hard rock, which includes a horizontally swinging and vertically ranging wheel-like cutterhead assembly mounted on a crawler and base frame assembly. The cutterhead assembly consists of a transverse horizontal axis wheel-like drum on which are multiple peripherally mounted rolling cutter units.

Abstract: A control system for longwall mining roof supports which are controlled in dependence on the position of the mining machine at any time. All of the roof supports are connected to a central computer via common conductors. Each of the roof supports includes a control unit having a code corresponding to the number of that support. This code serves as an address and enables the central computer to transmit its control command signals positively, in response to the mining machine position signals, through an appropriate address control unit for a particular roof support. In order to enable roof supports to be actuated manually also, the control units of all of the roof supports are connected to the central computer by two common conductors, one of which carries an automatic enable signal and the other of which carries a manual enable signal.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improved machine for making underground galleries. This machine comprises a shield consisting of two mutually movable parts, a forward knife casing 1 supporting on its inside a digging device 3 and a rear assembly skirt 2 acting as a guide means for a thrust ring 10. The knife casing and the assembly skirt are mutually connected by a slack fastening system allowing them to pivot with respect to each other in such a manner that their longitudinal axes form an adjustable angle.The machine of the invention applies to making underground galleries provided with coverings bracing the earth; it makes possible marked curves without the requirement of out-of-path earthworks.

Abstract: A method of mining a mineral deposit from a remote point, particularly useful in mining pitching or horizontal seams, comprises boring, casing and preparing a log of a probe hole; the casing will later be used as a guide for the mining head. All personnel are remotely located from the mining face and the mining head follows the probe hole and is rotated by means of a novel drive stem powered from a portal based plant. Thrust is imparted to the rotating mining head in a non-cyclical manner by the intermittently supported drive stem. The mineral being mined is automatically removed from the face and discharged at the portal. Steel or reinforced concrete support collars follow the mining head and support the drive stem until the bore is mined out whereupon the collars, the drive stem and the guide are removed for reuse.

Abstract: A self-advancing mine-roof-support for use in or aligned with a main roadway or gate has a floor-engaging part and a roof engaging part spaced apart by extensible load-bearing prop or jack means, and engagement means for a face-conveyor and a transversely acting transfer conveyor whereby their relative positions are constrained to facilitate discharge of mineral from one conveyor to the other. The engagement means for the face conveyor comprises sliding anchor beams that assure maintenance of the relative attitudes of the support and the face conveyor and the transfer conveyor is held fore and aft of the support.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine for boring a tunnel through mixed ground with stable ground conditions and unstable ground conditions. The tunnel boring machine is operable in a stable ground boring mode with the machine anchored to tunnel sidewall portions and also in an unstable ground mode wherein cutting thrust is provided by a shield means in cooperation with tunnel lining structure. Combined mode operation is also possible.

Abstract: A support for the roof in longwall mining operations includes a gob canopy at the rear of a roof canopy. The gob canopy can move about a vertical pivot and a horizontal pivot by operation of a hydraulic actuator. To stabilize the support, the gob canopy moves into or out of contact with the roof at the rear of the roof canopy. The actuators can move the gob canopy to the left or right side of the roof canopy about a vertical pivot so that a skeg member on the upper surface of the gob canopy drags along the mine roof for steering the roof support when it is advanced toward the mine face. Gaps between the gob canopies of side-by-side roof supports function in the manner of grizzly bars to permit recovery of small pieces of gob roof rock.

Abstract: A shield tunneling machine having incorporated therein an earth removing apparatus which comprises a tubular casing having an earth inlet at one end and a closable earth outlet at the other end, and an earth transport conveyor rotatably provided within the casing and comprising a helically twisted strip. Unlike conventional earth removing apparatus which has a screw conveyor comprising a rotary shaft and a screw blade around the shaft, the apparatus can transport and discharge earth containing large solid fragments and therefore performs the desired function even when small in diameter, i.e. in shield diameter.

Abstract: An earth removing apparatus for a shield tunneling machine comprising a tubular casing having an excavated earth inlet at one end and a closable outlet for excavated earth at the other end, and a double-shaft screw conveyor rotatably supported by the casing at two portions. The screw conveyor is supported on the casing in the vicinity of its earth inlet by an annular member fitted in an annular recess in the casing, with a bearing provided between the annular member and the casing. Since the forward end of the screw conveyor need not be supported at the center of rotation of the cutter head of the tunneling machine, the apparatus can be designed with greater freedom and is free of objections in its mechanical structure.

Abstract: A low profile thin seam miner includes a main frame mounting a lower transverse axis rotary cutter and a parallel axis conveyor rearwardly of the lower cutter. The main frame also mounts a forward transverse axis rotary cutter somewhat above the lower cutter, the forward upper cutter being supported on a longitudinal boom pivoted to the main frame and being vertically swingable under influence of a single cylinder. The main frame and all of its parts is incrementally advanced into the seam by the alternating action of two horizontal longitudinal parallel axis cylinders connected between the main frame and a pair of floor-engaging plates. Two vertical axis jacks are connected between the two floor-engaging plates and two cooperating overhead roof plates, connected with the floor-engaging plates by separate toggle linkages.

Abstract: A roof support suitable for use in mines includes roof-engageable means provided with a roof-engageable pad which is so mounted with respect to the remainder of the roof-engageable means as to be movable with respect thereto for exerting a thrust on the mine roof. A linkage is pivotally connected between the pad and the remainder of the roof-engageable means. Actuator means is so pivotally connected to and supported by the linkage that when operated it effects movement of the pad with respect to the remainder of the roof-engageable means, being itself constrained, simultaneously upon such movement, to move bodily with the pad.

Abstract: Front and rear shields are telescopically joined together. The front shield carries a power driven rotary cutterhead means. Thrust rams are provided between the two shields for pushing the forward shield forwardly relative to the rear shield while the cutterhead means is being operated to mine the tunnel face, and also to pull the rear shield forwardly relative to the front shield. The rear shield includes a gripper assembly for reacting thrust and torque and a plurality of auxiliary thrust rams which extend rearwardly from the rear shield to react against forward end portions of a tunnel lining which is erected under cover of a tail section of the rear shield. A pair of side placed torque cylinders are interconnected between frame portions of the two shields and serve to transmit counter-rotational torque from the cutterhead support of the front shield back to the rear shield.

Abstract: A method for excavating a tunnel wherein the muck from the tunnel face is admitted into the shield; the muck is pressed by a pressure of a predetermined level higher than an active earth pressure in the face and lower than a passive earth pressure as the shield body is moved forward, thereby establishing the balance between the earth pressure in the face ground and the muck pressure; and a liquid of a level balancing the underground water pressure is used to resist the underground water, thereby preventing movement of the underground water, whereby the face is maintained stable; and when the muck pressure is raised over the predetermined level, the muck is discharged out of the shield.

Abstract: A mine roof support unit is constituted by two detachably connected parts. Each of the parts has a floor girder which supports a roof bar by means of a hydraulic prop. The roof support unit is intended for use at the lower end of an inclined longwall working which meets its access gallery at an angle other than 90.degree.. The detachability of the two parts enables one of these parts to be removed from the working as its face is advanced. The removed part can then be transported to the other end of the working. Each of the parts is provided with means for detachably connecting an advance mechanism.

Abstract: A mineral mining installation is provided for use in a steeply-inclined longwall working. The installation comprises a ladder-shaped support frame, and a plurality of roof support units. The support frame extends along the entire length of the longwall working, and has a pair of generally parallel longitudinal beams interconnected by a plurality of transverse beams. The roof support units are positioned between the longitudinal beams, and are supported on the transverse beam. Each of the longitudinal beams comprises a plurality of beam sections pivotably connected together end-to-end. The support frame comprises a plurality of detachably connected sub-frames, each of which comprises a respective transverse beam and a respective beam section of each of the longitudinal beams.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method of, and apparatus for, winning mineral material from the pillars left by the bord-and-pillar mining process. An arcuate longwall face, which may be convex or concave, is formed along a row of pillars. The mineral material in the pillars is won by mechanical winning means such as a plough, the pillars in each row being won in a non-uniform manner. Some of the mineral material won from the longwall face may be used to fill the stalls left between the pillars behind the longwall face.

Abstract: An excavator has a support mountable within the hull of a tunneling shield. A swing frame is rotatably journalled in the support about an axis canted with respect to the axis of the tunnel to permit effective application of an excavating implement. A link has one end pivotally mounted on the swing frame for moving the other end so that it has a component of movement toward and away from the work face of the tunnel. A dipper arm is pivotally mounted between the link and the excavating implement. A hydraulic drive means rotates the swing frame and pivots the link, dipper arm, and excavating implement.

Abstract: A longwall mining system includes a bidirectional shearer and a roof supporting structure. The shearer includes a pair of angled floor drums, a pivotable roof drum and a loading conveyor. Each drum has a plurality of picks disposed about the drum surface for cutting a material to be mined and a plurality of vanes disposed on the drum surface for carrying the cut material to the loading conveyor. The roof supporting structure includes a load carrying shield which is braced by a pair of supports. The supports are located under the shield in a position between the shearer and a face conveyor. The face conveyor, which is fed by the loading conveyor, carries the mined material to main conveyor for haulage to the outside.