Abstract: A miner, and method of mining, are provided for pitch seam mining of coal. The cutting heads powered from a power source at the mouth of the seam are introduced into the seam with a desired angle of inclination, and a chain conveyor with conveying elements extending between two spaced loops of chain conveys the cut coal from the seam to the mouth. Bucket conveyors, or drag flight conveyors, are preferred. The bucket conveyor can be used for pitch seam mining where the angle of inclination is about 15.degree.-80.degree. from the horizontal, and the drag conveyor can be utilized where the angle of inclination is about 15.degree.-35.degree. from the horizontal. A pair of powered shafts extend from the cutter power source to the cutting heads, and support the chains via sprockets, guides, and the like.

Abstract: A shaft drilling machine comprises a drill head carrying drill tools thereon, a device for guiding the drill head in a shaft, a device for advancing the drill head in the shaft, and drive aggregates which are lowered into the shaft together with the drill head and driving the latter. A sluice for providing a rinsing fluid is arranged in a pilot drill. A rinsing conduit and an ascending conduit for extracting from the shaft a drilled material-rinsing fluid mixture generated during the drilling operation are connected to the sluice which is formed as a bucket wheel.

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 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: Method for thrusting a shield for use in tunneling includes the steps of causing a rotary head, provided at the front portion of a shield body, an eccentric motion so that earth, soil or sand covering the front of the shield is pressed away radially of the shield, and exerting a thrust on the shield body during the eccentric motion of said rotary head. Apparatus for carrying out the method includes a driven crank shaft or a driven eccentric straight shaft, a conical or frustoconical rotary head supported rotatably by the crank or eccentric straight shaft, conveyor for discharging mined material backwardly, and hydraulic jacks for imparting a thrust to the shield body.

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 method and machine for removing blockage and silt from abandoned auger holes preparatory to mining a portion of the remaining ore or preparatory to the placement of charges in said holes. Initially, the highwall is faced up by removing blockage proximate and external to the auger hole as with conventional earth moving equipment. The blockage from within the mouth of the auger hole is removed to expose blockage deposited within the auger hole at locations spaced from the auger hole mouth. Blockage at locations spaced from the auger hole mouth is removed by a apparatus which collapses to penetrate the blockage and is deployed to engage the blockage such that as the machine is withdrawn from the auger hole, the blockage is removed therewith. A device is provided for completing the auger hole cleaning operation by entraining silt or other contaminates in a stream of water and collecting the silt laden water which is transported and discharged at a remote location.

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: A tunnel boring machine for controlled boring of a curvilinear tunnel including a rotating cutter wheel mounted on the forward end of a thrust cylinder assembly having a central longitudinal axis aligned with the cutter wheel axis of rotation; the thrust cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder barrel and an extendable and retractable thrust arm received therein. An anchoring assembly is pivotally attached to the rear end of the cylinder barrel for anchoring the machine during a cutting stroke and providing a rear end pivot axis during curved cutting strokes. A pair of laterally extending, extendable and retractable arms are fixedly mounted at a forward portion of the cylinder barrel for providing lateral displacement in a laterally curved cutting mode and for anchoring the machine between cutting strokes and during straight line boring.

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: An apparatus for strip mining using a power section driven into the cool and a conveyor section to transport the mineral out of the cut. The power section comprises a power driven cutter blade and conial flighting to convey the mineral to a conveyor belt in the conveyor section.

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: A drilling head for use in mining operations comprises a cylindrical drum having an open rear end and defining an interior cavity, an exterior spiral arranged to forwardly advance mined particles, a nose spiral disposed in advance of the drum and arranged so as to rearwardly advance the mined particles, the exterior and nose spirals terminating generally at the front portion of the drum and together defining at least one recovery aperture through which the mined particles forwardly advanced by the exterior spiral and rearwardly advanced by the nose spiral can pass to the interior cavity, and an interior spiral coaxially disposed and rotatable in the interior cavity in a direction opposing the rotational direction of the drum.

Abstract: The reciprocably supported member is accompanied by means whereby its stroke can be relocated so that it can be used to drive its support if desired, even while it is simultaneously driving a tool or the like connected therewith. Also, the member may have its own onboard drive means; as well as onboard means for removing any debris that the tool generates. The drive means may comprise a combustion engine and the debris removal means may use the combustion gases of the engine as a flush medium for the same. Ordinarily, the flush medium is discharged adjacent the outer periphery of the working face of the tool and removes the debris through apertures adjacent the outer peripheral edge of the same. Other features are also described.

Abstract: Minerals, in particular coal, that have been deposited in layers or along seams in the earth can be mined utilizing a large diameter bore hole drilling equipment. With the drilling equipment stationed on the surface of the earth, a drilling member is drilled down into the earth along the seam of the mineral deposit. If the mineral deposit extends at an angle to the earth, i.e. less than 90.degree., the drilling operation is conducted so as to drill at a similar angle to the earth. As the mineral deposits are broken up during the drilling operation, the broken fragments are removed from the drilled hole. After drilling has occurred for a certain distance in a forward direction, a creeping effect is induced in portions of the side walls of the drilled hole. The drilling member is then retracted from the drilled hole in such a manner so as to drill out any mineral fragments in the hole of the drilling member. These mineral fragments are then removed from the hole as the drilling member is retracted.

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: An apparatus for the sinking of a shaft in which a machine platform can be anchored against the wall of the incipient shaft and carries an orbiting tool for cutting away the floor of the shaft, thereby dumping the detritus into a pilot-bore hole continuously drilled by a pilot-bore unit. The latter has a head for advancing the pilot bore and is provided with a worm conveyor running centrally through the shaft to transfer the detritus to a bucket on a loading platform disposed above the main platforms and connected thereto for feed cylinders. The platforms have cylinder arrangements whereby they can be independently anchored to the vertical wall of the shaft.

Abstract: An auger machine, such as a mining machine, embodying features that reduce the cost of mining.

Abstract: A main frame includes an annular beam by which the cutterhead is mounted onto an earth boring machine for a rotation about an axis of rotation. A plurality of radial spoke beams extend generally vertically at the front of cutterhead and curve rearwardly to intersect with the annular beam. Each radial spoke beam is constructed from a pair of spaced apart side plate members which define spaces between them for receiving a plurality of roller cutter mounts therebetween. Roller cutters, including gauge cutters, can be installed and removed from their associated cutter mounts from the rear side of the cutterhead. A plurality of generally radially elongate cut-ground-material passageways extend through the cutterhead in the regions between the radial spoke beams.

Abstract: A device for removing the earth generated while tunneling to install conduit, pipe or the like. The earth removed from the tunnel is conveyed to the surface as it is generated. The apparatus includes a first auger-conveyor disposed at the side of the tunneling machine having a tray for catching the loose dirt from the tunneling operation as the tunneling advances, and a plurality of inlet apertures along the outer wall of the conveyor to ingest the loose dirt generated. A second auger-conveyor consumes the discharge of the first conveyor translating the loose dirt to the surface.

Abstract: The main frame of the cutterhead comprises a plurality of radial spoke beams which are interconnected between a box-like hub structure and an annular box beam by which the cutterhead is mounted for rotation. Cutter mounting wells are defined by and between side wall portions of the radial spoke beams. The mined material passes rearwardly through the cutterhead via openings between adjacent radial spoke beams and open spaces in the cutter mounting wells. Cutter mounts span laterally between the side plate members and laterally brace the radial spoke beams in addition to mounting the cutters. The radial spoke beams curve rearwardly at their outer ends and connect to the annular box beam at a location spaced enough rearwardly from the front portions of the spoke beams that a room is defined within the cutterhead. Roller type cutters are installed onto and removed from the cutterhead frame from the rear side of the cutterhead.

Abstract: A machine for mechanical tunnel boring, of the rotating cutter head type, comprising a grid rigid with the cutter head, parallel to the theoretical boring surface, provided with a set of void spaces wherefrom the cutting tools slightly project, said void spaces having a size corresponding to the optimum dimensions of the fragment of mined material.

Abstract: Tunnel excavating apparatus comprises a hollow cylindrical shield adapted to be axially forced through subterranean material and having a circular cutting edge at a leading end portion. An inclined baffle and guide member has a central opening spaced upwardly from a lower edge of the baffle and guide member and an auger-like member extends across the shield adjacent the opening. Sections of the auger-like member extending on horizontally opposite sides of the baffle opening have oppositely directed flutes and subterranean material dislodged by the cutting edge and deposited atop and about the auger is urged inwardly toward the opening in the baffle and guide member for deposition on a conveyor having a receiving end beneath the opening. The conveyor extends rearwardly and upwardly and deposits the material in a receptacle. Horizontal and vertical breasting plates also serve to cut and dislodge material and support the shield.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tunneling machine or other machine provided with tools for cutting materials from a wall located in front of the machine, said machine comprising a movable frame carrying a head rotatably driven about an axis, said head bearing at least one bucket for picking up said materials after cutting and for dumping the materials on or towards a conveyor, said bucket having an inlet opening for picking up the materials when the bucket passes through a low position during the rotation of the head, and said bucket having an outlet opening for dumping the materials, said outlet opening being offset to the rear of the head with respect to the said inlet opening.

Abstract: A tunneling machine provided with the plurality of impact type cutting tools adapted to be mounted on a rotatable or oscillatable workhead assembly in such order and number that the work done by each of said tools upon angular movement of the workhead is generally equal. The working heads of the tools are mounted in close fit through a circulator disc shaped shield which prevents rock or like particles from passing beyond the workhead area to the bodies of the impact tools. Movement is imparted to the workhead assembly by a plurality of self propelled mechanisms which, along with the workhead, are concentrically surrounded by an enclosed tubular shroud which extends generally the length of the machine and is affixed to the shield.

Abstract: Shield tunneling machine and method which may minimize the variation in water- and earth-pressure at the tunneling face so as to hold the ground firm and to ensure the safe tunneling.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine has a rotatable cutter head which is slidably mounted on a feed bar which in turn is slidably mounted on a support bar carried by a movable carrier. A cable extends over a sheave which is mounted on one end of the feed bar where one end of the cable is connected to the cutter head and the other end fixed with respect to the support bar. Means are provided for sliding the feed bar longitudinally with respect to the support bar whereby the cutter head will slide along the feed bar at twice the velocity that the feed bar slides with respect to the support bar.

Abstract: An improved rotating disc-type gathering head suited for use with underground mining machines includes at least two gathering discs mounted for rotation on an inclined apron in positive engaging relationship at their point of tangency. One of the discs is rotatably driven, preferably by means mounted above the apron. The second disc is rotated in the opposite direction by the first disc to provide the desired flow of mined material. In the preferred embodiment the discs have peripherally disposed intermeshing gear teeth, and the drive means comprises a pinion gear in peripheral engagement with the first disc. Additional gathering discs can be added without complicating the simple mechanical drive system below the apron.

Abstract: A portable grade averaging apparatus comprising an averaging bar assembly that serves as an elevation control reference for a track supported road working machine, one end of the averaging bar assembly being pivotally supported by a forward walking beam and the other end of the averaging bar being pivotally supported by a rear track assembly that serves as a track walking beam. A grade sensor assembly supported on one side by the road working machine contactingly engages the averaging bar assembly for directing the elevation of one side of the road working machine to establish the elevation of a working tool supported by the road working machine. A lifting bracket supported by the road working machine serves to lift the grade averaging apparatus into a grade clearing position while the machine is being maneuvered into a cutting position.

Abstract: A tabular mineral deposit is mined by drilling overlapping holes in the plane of the deposit, the first hole being drilled in any convenient manner and each subsequent hole being drilled by a box hole type machine with a coring bit. The core breaks up and passes out of the core barrel into the orbit of vanes that transfer the broken rock into the hole being lapped. The broken rock is then removed along the hole being overlapped as by means of a drag line scraper.

Abstract: A mining machine that may be used in place of an auger miner that is much more energy efficient in transporting mined material from the cutting site to the mouth of the mine. The machine includes a non-rotatable body member with stabilizers, at least one rotatable pilot cutting head mounted in front of the body member and a shaft operatively connected to the cutting head for rotation thereof, and a conveyor assembly mounted behind the pilot head in operative association with the body member. The conveyor assembly includes a scoop disposed posteriorly of the cutting head and having a bottom portion abutting the floor and extending posteriorly therefrom at an angle of about 14.degree. or less, and having side members that funnel toward each other.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus comprises a support structure adapted to be moved on rails to position a drilling assembly mounted thereon adjacent to a selected drilling site. The drilling assembly includes a carriage movably mounted on the support structure for longitudinal movements thereon and a shroud secured on the carriage and having an auger rotatably mounted therein. A cutting edge, having a square configuration, is disposed adjacent to a forward end of the auger and at least one double-acting hydraulic cylinder is interconnected between the support structure and the carriage to aid in pushing the auger and cutting edge through material to form an opening having a square cross section. Upon full extension of the auger and cutting edge, a second drilling assembly may be attached rearwardly on the first-mentioned drilling assembly to increase the overall penetration capabilities of the drilling apparatus.

Abstract: A mining machine for dislodging solid material from a mine face includes a body portion mounted on endless tracks and a boom member extending forwardly from the body portion with a cutter drum member rotatably mounted on the front end of the boom member. An endless conveyor mechanism is positioned in a longitudinal trough member and conveys dislodged material from the front of the mining machine. A gathering platform extends forwardly from the body portion and the conveyor mechanism and is positioned rearwardly of the cutter drum member. A plurality of rotatably mounted gathering disc members are positioned rearwardly of the forward transverse edge portion on the gathering platform. The gathering discs include a first pair of large discs that are positioned oppositely of the longitudinal axis of the conveyor mechanism. A second pair of smaller gathering discs are positioned laterally of the large gathering discs adjacent the lateral edge portions of the conveying platform.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine having a cutter head moveably mounted on a support guide with a center portion extending across the width of a carrier. The support guide has hinged end portions so that the end portions may be swung against the side of the carrier in order that the machine may be maneuvered in restricted areas. A gathering conveyor is positioned beneath the support guide and comprises two wing portions which may also be swung against the sides of the carrier.

Abstract: An earth boring machine is disclosed that produces a bore in a general axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine. A rotary head is mounted on the body of the earth boring machine and cutter means on the rotary head contact the face of the bore and loosen material at the face of the bore. The loosened material falls to the bottom of the bore. Buckets positioned on the rotary head are located at a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the machine to pick up the loose material at the bottom of the bore. As the rotary head rotates, the buckets are carrried above the bottom of the bore and the buckets are moved to a second and shorter radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the machine to prevent the buckets from interfering with elements of the machine near the roof of the bore.

Abstract: A vehicle which can easily be dismantled into transportable units and reassembled readily at the tunnel site is provided. A major advantage of this vehicle is the requirement of low thrust during operation and adaptability to use in short tunnels and tunnels with variable rock formations. With only minor adjustments to the drill head assembly and crawler carriage, it is capable of conforming to variable diameters of tunnel sizes. Pneumatic drills in the drill head assembly are guided along the vehicle's path to cut kerfs into the rock. Fluid activated breaker elements enter the kerfs and break out the ridges of rock through smashing blows. The drill head assembly rotates as the kerf cutting process is repeated. The excavated rock is conveyed to the rear of the vehicle for easy disposal. The drills are capable of boring any type of rock, therefore, it is envisioned that this vehicle can excavate soft through very hard formations.

Abstract: A pair of side-by-side augers, each having a shaft, a mateable rotational coupling on each end of the shaft, and flights along the shaft, are unitized by journaling bearings on each end of the shaft with spacers pivotally attached between each of the bearings on the same end of the shaft in order to align the axis of the shafts substantially parallel with each other. A longitudinal support member is rigidly secured between the spacers and between each of the flightings. A communications channel is provided in such a unitized auger assembly by mounting a channel along the top of the longitudinal support member. Apparatus is provided for inserting and removing the cable from the channel.

Abstract: A boring assembly is advanced upwardly by thrust rams acting on a column guided traveling cross frame connected to the power tunneler from below by a non-rotating sectional support column. The support column is anchored to a holding table situated underground above the thrust ram while sections are being added to or removed from it. The boring assembly is driven by either a hydraulic motor housed in the cross frame, via a sectional drill stem housed within the support column, or by a hydraulic motor housed directly within the boring assembly.

Abstract: A support displaceable along a tunnel or gallery floor by means of a caterpillar drive is provided with a rotatable milling tool that can be brought into engagement with a lower portion of a face wall and with a reciprocal hammer engageable with an upper portion of the wall. The miller is operated to cut or grind material off the lower portion so as to undercut the wall. Then the hammer is operated to chip or break off the upper portion of the undercut wall. Both the miller and hammer are mounted on adjustable and directable arms. The loosened rock is carried off by a scoop-transport belt arrangement.

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.

Abstract: A mining system for extraction of coal or the like from narrow seams has a conduit system for pneumatic conveyance of mined material. A leading section of apparatus comprises a cutter head assembly driven by an air motor which exhausts into the conduit system. The leading section includes further an anchoring means which is changeably mounted thereon to permit advance of the leading section and cutter head assembly, and ground contact means for pivoting of the cutter head from side-to-side.

Abstract: An auger type mining machine in which the rotational torque necessary to do the mining is supplied separately and independently from the force required to advance the auger, and is provided by a motor having a stator portion insulated from, secured to and contained within a casing and disposed in concentric relation to the auger, and a rotor portion of the motor insulated from and attached to an inner drive member which is also disposed circumferentially about the auger in driven relationship to the stator portion of the motor.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine comprising a rotary cutterhead assembly, a cutterhead support assembly on which the cutterhead assembly is mounted, a gripper assembly for gripping the wall of the tunnel, and a pair of elongate support members connecting the cutterhead support assembly and the gripper assembly. The support members each have a torque reaction end connected either to the gripper assembly or to the cutterhead support assembly. Apparatus associated with the torque reaction ends prevents pivotal movement thereabout of the support members in the plane perpendicular to the plane in which the support members lie.

Abstract: The main frame of the cutterhead comprises a plurality of radial spoke beams which are interconnected between a box-like hub structure and an annular box beam by which the cutterhead is mounted for rotation. Cutter mounting wells are defined by and between side wall portions of the radial spoke beams. The mined material passes rearwardly through the cutterhead via openings between adjacent radial spoke beams and open spaces in the cutter mounting wells. Cutter mounts span laterally between the side plate members and laterally brace the radial spoke beams in addition to mounting the cutters. The radial spoke beams curve rearwardly at their outer ends and connect to the annular box beam at a location spaced enough rearwardly from the front portions of the spoke beams that a room is defined within the cutterhead. Roller type cutters are installed onto and removed from the cutterhead frame from the rear side of the cutterhead.