Abstract: A guide assembly for a longwall shearer. The shearer includes an arm having an arm end and a cutting drum rotatably coupled to the arm end. The cutting drum rotates about a drum axis and engages a mine wall, and the cutting drum has a rear extent arranged in a plane substantially perpendicular to the drum axis. The guide assembly includes a guide member coupled to the arm and operable to guide material won from the mine wall. The guide member has a guide surface extending in a direction non-parallel to the plane and non-parallel to the drum axis. The guide member guides material along the guide surface away from the cutting drum.

Abstract: An auger flight support for use with an augering system for mining which bores a pair of side-by-side holes through a coal seam using respective augers. Each auger includes a drilling section which is followed by a series of auger flights for conveying the bored coal back out of the respective hole. The auger flight support includes a bearing housing that connects axially adjacent auger flights together, adjacent bearing housings in the side-by-side augers are connected by a tie bar. A support leg extending downwardly from approximately the mid-section of the tie bar to engage the ground ledge that is formed between the counter rotating augers.

Abstract: Process and device for controlling longwall shearing and heading machines along a cut horizon between coal and rock. The horizon is produced by a cutting tool arrangement attached to the machine and followed by a sensor which distinguishes between coal and rock. The values measured by the sensor are converted to control impulses which guide the cutting tool in the cut horizon. Mineral samples are taken, continuously or at short distances apart, behind the cutting tool arrangement, and the sample material is analyzed in the sensor. The result of the analysis is compared with a standard value and the deviation from the theoretical value is used as the value of the control impulses.

Abstract: The position of the cowl on a longwall shearing machine is determined by loads, stresses or deflections measured on the ranging arm, clevis and pin connection on the ranging arm or lift cylinder and its linkage to the machine.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for sensing the coal-rock interface while longwall mining by placing the sensor in the cowl adjacent the shearer drum so that sensor on the leading drum can feedforward interface data for the control of the trailing shearer drum by properly positioning the drum while cutting.

Abstract: An integrated cutterhead for water jet assisted cutting which can be retrofitted to an existing machine by replacing its cutterhead. The pressure of the water supplied is intensified inside the cutterhead itself up to the level required for jet assist cutting by an even number of independent cylinders mounted inside the rotating drum, parallel to its axis. Each cylinder is afferent to one sector of the cutterhead. A stationary cam controlling the cylinders stroke can be adjustably rotated to adapt the distribution of high pressure water to the direction of the cutting operations. The cam is designed preferably as to make the water pressure of the jet correspond to the cutting depth of the cutting tool. This arrangement limits the high pressure water area to the drum of the cutterhead and does not require high pressure valves and distributors.

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: A roll cutter loader is guided on a plane guide and has a machine frame with cutter rolls pulled by a plane chain. The machine frame is subdivided into two machine joint elements each with a cutter roll and roll drive assembly. The two machine joint elements are lower in structural height than the cutter rolls and are adjustably connected together relative to the floor, on the one hand via a joint and on the other hand via a setting device. In this way maneuverable, adaptable and compact construction is achieved, so that the roll cutter loader can be used to mine low mineral lodes.

Abstract: An excavating and propelling machine for laying pipelines underground has a plum-pudding stone crusher device comprising a plurality of rod-shaped rotary teeth formed integrally on the rear face of a disk-shaped rotating cutter head in a manner of extending radially at uniform intervals spaced apart from one another and a plurality of rod-shaped stator teeth formed integrally on the front surface of an annular front face plate in a manner of extending radially at uniform intervals space apart from one another. The rotary teeth and the stator teeth are disposed in the vicinity of each other.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting drum of a mineral mining machine is supported by a pivotable arm and is operably associated with a blade or the like which is positionable to assist in loading mineral detached by the drum. The blade is carried on a ring-like support which is itself mounted for pivoting about the axis of the drum to position the blade. Apparatus serves to couple the blade and its support selectively to the drum when it is desired to re-position the blade so that the latter moves around the axis of rotation of the drum with the drum itself. The apparatus is composed of piston and cylinder units provided in the blade support. The piston rods of these units extend outwardly from either side of the blade support and carry first and second abutment or friction rings. These respective friction rings either couple the blade support to the arm supporting the drum or to the drum.

Abstract: A cutter drum assembly for a longwall mining machine of the type having a cowl pivotal about the axis of the drum and nozzles on the periphery of its spiral conveying flights for directing a trickle of liquid onto the face area being mined. The cowl, which is normally on the side of the drum opposite the face being mined, carries a cam which controls valves supplying liquid to the nozzles such that at any time water is delivered only from those nozzles adjacent the working face area.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in supporting the roof of an underground mine working over a zone exposed by the passage of a mining machine along an upwardly extending face of the working and by which a flexible mat is applied to the roof which has been newly exposed, such apparatus comprising an applicator means for applying a strip of flexible roof mat drawn off from a store in a position such that it extends with its length running longitudinally of the newly exposed zone, means for releasably mounting said applicator means in an operative position of use on said mining machine and transfer means for moving said applicator means out of said position of use at such times as are required to a further position.

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

Abstract: A cowl assembly for the cutter drum of a longwall mining machine, the cowl being arranged for pivoting or slewing movement about the cutter drum axis and having at least one driving motor to pivot it, the driving motor output gear meshing with a toothed annulus on an elongated cylindrical support member disposed centrally of the cutter drum axis.

Abstract: The machine for the cutting of rocks in underground works comprises a slide way, a carriage on said slide way, a machine frame which is hinged relative to the carriage, an arm which is hinged relative to the machine frame, and a cutting drum mounted relative to said arm. The dimensions of the cutting drum, the arm, the machine frame and the carriage as well as the swinging motions imparted to the machine frame and to the arm are so designed that the single cutting drum can work the machine free at both ends of the slide way.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mining apparatus which includes a position detection device comprising at least one projector and receiver to measure position of the apparatus in a mine by receiving projected signals reflected off an edge of the mine.

Abstract: A rotary actuator is supported within the cutter drum of a drum-cutter mining machine for pivotally positioning a clearing shield about the outer peripheral surface of the cutter drum. A holder used to pivotally support the clearing shield from the cutter drum is resiliently coupled to an outer ring member of the rotary actuator. An inner ring of the actuator encircles a reduction drive gear for the cutter drum and is connected thereto by bolt fasteners that extend through projections from the inner ring while received in recesses in the reduction drive gear. The bolt fasteners resist loading in the axial direction of the drum; while spring members between the reduction drive gear and the inner ring absorb peripheral loading.

Abstract: A full face miner including a simplified conveying arrangement and designed for easy maneuverability into and out of mine sites. A plow operatively mounted to and longitudinally movable with each of a pair of rotatable cutting heads of the miner provide for the conveyance of cut coal to a middle conveying portion for ultimate transport away from the mine site. The mounting mechanism for the cutting heads is designed so that at least the end portions thereof are movable from a position generally parallel to the mine face to a position generally perpendicular to the mine face and extending in front of and in line with the central conveying means, for ease of withdrawal from the mining area. A motive power source, such as a powered crawler or powered wheels, is provided which is movable into operative engagement with the ground to transport the miner to and from the mining site when in a collapsed position.

Abstract: A roll of wire mesh is supported on the rear of a cut mineral loading cowl of a rock or mineral winning machine. As the machine traverses along a path cut by the machine the wire mesh is paid out to retain or contain the roof material.

Abstract: Mining apparatus for removing near surface narrow seams of mineral deposits such as coal without removal of overburden is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a horizontal coal mining machine which is adapted for use in cooperation with large scraper type earth moving machines or bucket type cranes utilized in strip mining operations. The horizontal mine apparatus comprises generally a wide track service vehicle on which an internal combustion engine and hydraulic motors are disposed. An elongated cutting tool for removing a mineral deposit in a deep slot having a large depth to thickness ratio is supported on an elevator assembly which is pivotally mounted to the vehicle chassis. Linear actuators are coupled to the elevator assembly and cutting tool for adjusting the elevation, sweep and pitch of the cutter assembly to accommodate various changes in elevation and slope of the coal seam.

Abstract: Equipment for laying a layer of wire mesh adjacent to a newly exposed mine roof comprises storage means (10) for a roll of mesh (11) and resilient guide means (12) for guiding the mesh (72) as it unwinds towards the newly exposed mine roof (5).

Abstract: A gearhead for a shearer type mining machine comprising an elongate arm pivotally attachable at or about its mid-position to a shearer type mining machine to provide an arm pivot axis extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm, to one or each end of a mining machine, the arm carrying at or towards each end a spiral vane cutting drum, the adjacent drum peripheries being spaced apart to define a nip and the drums being rotatable about axes parallel to the arm pivot axis and being contra-rotatable, the vane or vanes of one drum being of opposite hand to the vane or vanes of the other drum. Mineral loading means is located within the nip provided by said drums, said mineral loading means may be in the form of an auger, a cowl, a paddle chain, or some other type of transporting mechanism, for assisting removal of the cut mineral.

Abstract: A crossover dump and conveyor advancer for a main conveyor means supported by a movable pan line. The crossover dump includes a tunnel portion through which the pan line extends and entry and reentry ramps supporting portions of the main conveyor are provided for carrying the main conveyor over a secondary conveyor which extends cross-wise to and above the pan line. Material carried by the main conveyor is moved up the entry ramp where it then falls onto the secondary conveyor. A conveyor advancer is included to move the pan line relative to the crossover dump in order that the conveyor system may be advanced or retracted. The main conveyor is adapted to connect with a continuous mining machine by way of a bridge conveyor. The pan line supporting the main conveyor has limit switches near the tailpiece which when contacted by the bridge conveyor will cause the conveyor advancer to advance or retract the pan line.

Abstract: The invention refers to a paddle wheel type pick-up device for loading stored piled bulk materials or the recovery of mined minerals. The pick-up arrangement is supported on the frame of a carriage parallel with the breakdown front of the stored pile, or mined surface and coordinated with a travelling beam, also hinged at the carriage frame, covering the breakdown front. The beam accommodates a cutting device.

Abstract: A cowl assembly for use in association with the shearing drum of a mining machine has an arcuate cowl member and a cowl arm connected to the cowl member, the cowl arm having an annular mounting member at the end thereof remote from said cowl member to enable mounting of the cowl assembly in association with the shearing drum for angular movement about the axis of the drum, a plurality of peg members being arranged circumferentially on said mounting member and projecting therefrom for engagement with a sprocket wheel forming part of a power drive mechanism adapted to be supported on the mining machine. The mounting member is preferably formed in arcuate halves interconnected by bolts disposed substantially tangentially to the mounting member and at diametrically opposite locations.

Abstract: A plow cutter assembly to be used in the strip mining of coal, the assembly comprising a container having a plurality of steel spikes mounted at an angle on its lower face. A hoist pulls the assembly along the face of a coal vein and the spikes shave off layers of coal.

Abstract: A mobile conveyor system having a series of articulately interconnected mobile conveyor units arranged in cascade relationship for conveying mined material from a movable mining machine to a remote stationary floor conveyor. The series includes inbye and outbye units which are bridge conveyors, and at least one intermediate unit. The discharge end of the inbye unit has a carriage supported for movement along the receiving portion of the adjacent intermediate unit. The articulated interconnection between the receiving end of the outbye unit and the discharge end of the adjacent intermediate unit has a fixed lapped relation, a bottom-engaging skid, and springs urging the adjacent units into alignment. Each intermediate unit has a pair of self-powered tram wheels, and a mine-bottom-engaged receiving end providing a stable three-point ground support both when moving and stationary. An automatic control powers the tram wheels in response to relative movement between adjacent units.