Abstract: A rotatable element for an earth-boring tool in a subterranean borehole includes a rotatable element and a stationary element. The rotatable element and stationary element include a seal arrangement between the rotatable element and the stationary element. The seal arrangement encloses a volume that remains substantially constant as the rotatable element moves relative to the stationary element.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine may include a stationary boom member, a stationary gear and bearing housing attached to the boom member, and a cutter drum assembly rotatably mounted on the stationary gear and bearing housing. Cutting elements and spray nozzles may be mounted on the rotatable cutter drum assembly. The spray nozzles may be configured to direct liquid spray at a mine face as mine material is dislodged by rotation of the cutter drum assembly and contact of the cutting elements with the mine face. Stationary liquid passageways may be provided through the gear and bearing housing, and rotatable liquid passageways may be provided through the rotatable cutter drum assembly and configured to convey liquid to the spray nozzles.

Abstract: A shearer loader for underground mining, the shear loader comprising a shearer loader body, at least one cutting drum fastened to a supporting arm joined to the loader body, a first drive motor for moving the shearer loader and a second drive motor for moving the cutting drums, a cooling water circuit for cooling the first and second drive motors, the cooling water circuit including an inlet and a return line, a spray system including at least one spray water circuit, the spray system including a feed line fluidly connecting a common water connection to the cutting drums, the spray system further including a valve in the feed line for switching the spray water circuits on and off, a control valve connected between the feed line of the spray water circuit and the return line of the cooling water circuit, the control valve allowing selective flow from the cooling water circuit to be directed to the cutting drums.

Abstract: In a tool for cutting up coke, comprising a housing mounted on a drill stem in the operating condition, and wherein at least one cutting nozzle for cutting and one boring nozzle for boring coke by means of a water jet, and a switchable valve means arranged in a flow-through channel for alternatively feeding the water to the flow channels in a flow body for the paths to the cutting and boring nozzles, and a switching apparatus manually or water-pressure-controlled operable at switching pressure of the water within the flow-through channel, for switching the valve means, are arranged, comprising a distribution apparatus rotatably supported above the flow body, with at least one valve body for closing off at least one opening of the flow channels, wherein depending on each angular position of the distribution apparatus with respect to the flow body, the flow path of the water to the boring nozzle or the flow path to the cutting nozzle is free or obstructed, for easier rotation of the distribution apparatus,

Abstract: A water system for the admission of pressurized water to spray systems arranged on a powered support assembly for underground mining, having at least one spray system for plow or shearer track spraying and having at least one further spray system for goaf space spraying, canopy spraying and side spraying. A central water line feeds spray nozzles of the spray systems. To increase the operating reliability of the water system and thus of the powered support assembly, the control valves for the spray systems are accommodated in a spray valve block which is provided with a connection for the water line and which can be arranged on the powered support assembly as a unit separated from a hydraulic valve block.

Abstract: A tool holder including a tool box with a tool seat in a holding projection for receiving a tool in such a manner that it can be replaced. The tool seat is configured as a bore and has a tool insertion opening. The tool holder has a fastening side with a fastening projection and, facing away from said fastening side, an exterior, and during use of the tool centrifugal forces are effective in the direction from the fastening side to the exterior. This invention ensures the free rotatability of a tool inserted in the tool holder even if overburden material enters the tool seat. For this purpose, the holding projection has an opening penetrating the inner wall of the tool seat and creating a spatial connection to the exterior, and the opening opens the tool seat towards the exterior.

Abstract: A micro tunnelling machine has a tunnelling head with a boring bit which is forced in a horizontal direction by a hydraulic thruster. The direction of the head is laser guided. The beam strikes a target in the head and a camera relays an image of the target to an operator located at the tunnel entrance. The operator adjusts the direction by admitting water and draining water from a pair of rams inside the head which move the boring bit up and down or left and right. Water is introduced into the boring bit through the drive shaft of the boring bit. The water forms a slurry which is extracted by a vacuum pipe which enters the slurry as droplets and particles and conducts them away from the tunnelling head.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a system for removing a layer of a paved surface includes a vehicle adapted to traverse a paved surface in a selected direction. A milling drum attached to the vehicle may be adapted to rotate around an axle substantially normal the selected direction of the vehicle. A moldboard may be positioned rearward of the milling drum and also connected to the vehicle. The moldboard may comprise an end that is adapted to push aggregate removed from the paved surface in the selected direction. A plurality of nozzles may be disposed proximate the end of the moldboard which may also be in communication with a fluid reservoir through a fluid pathway.

Abstract: A shield tunneling machine has a shield body and a cutter head rotatably provided at the forward end of the shield body in the excavation direction. Abrasive jet spray nozzles for spraying abrasive jet water are movably provided on the cutter head. Obstacles encountered during excavation can be broken efficiently with high cutting quality by properly controlling the movable abrasive jet spray nozzles according to the size and configuration of each particular obstacle.

Abstract: A rotary cutting head (1) for a mineral mining machine, comprises a drive shaft (5) carrying a central drum (4), and beyond each end of the central drum (4), an outer drum (2,3), each drum being provided with an array of pick boxes (7) to receive an individual pick (8), wherein the drive shaft (5) has a longitudinal bore (10) housing at least one water conveying tube (11), which together with a network of bores (25) enable a single water admission cartridge interposed between an outer end of one of the drums (2), and an end face plate (16) of that drum (2) to supply water to all three drums (2, 3, 4).

Abstract: A drum-type miner having a plurality of water jet nozzles which cut independently of the mechanical bits is disclosed. The drum-type miner may configured in either a hard-head or a ripper-chain design. The unique combination of mechanical and hydraulic cutting results in higher rates of penetration and improved productivity. The nozzles in one embodiment are supplied on a transversely mounted strut and are supplied with high-pressure fluid through two independent water channels in the strut. The nozzles may be configured in different directions, such that the high-pressure fluid may be directed in several directions simultaneously, or configured to direct the high-pressure fluid in one direction only. Moreover, because the mining face is pre-scored by the water jets, the amount of wear on both the mechanical bits and the motors may be significantly reduced.

Abstract: A water spray assembly especially adapted for control of dust suppression in mining machines has a manifold with one or a number of nozzles mounted thereon. The manifold provides communication between the nozzles and a manifold inlet, the manifold inlet being adapted to connect to a supply of water. The manifold cooperates with a nozzle block having a bore sized to receive at least a portion of the manifold. The block is adapted to be mounted for aiming the nozzles in a particular direction. By having the block sized to receive the manifold, the manifold being removable from the bore to facilitate replacing or cleaning the nozzles.

Abstract: A “wet” pick box 1 comprises a body member 2, adapted in use to be welded to a rotary cutting head, whilst an aperture 5 is provided in the body member. Bores 15, 16 in the body member define an internal water course 6 connectable, at an inlet end 7, to a source of pressurised water, an aperture 8 in the body member is adapted to house a water discharge nozzle and is connected to an outlet end 9 of the watercourse 6. A tapped hole 10 intersects the bores 15 and 16 and a member 11A or 11B is insertable into, and removable from, the hole 10. A rotary mineral cutting head can be provided to which a plurality of such pick boxes are welded.

Abstract: Cutting heads, cutting head systems, and methods for creating an excavation in a mineral seam. A preferred cutting head includes a first body having a manifold for containing high pressure fluid and an axis of rotation generally parallel to the borehole, a first plurality of mechanical bits disposed on the first body, a first plurality of nozzles disposed around the axis of rotation for spraying the high pressure fluid, and a plurality of tubes fluidly coupling the manifold and the first plurality of nozzles. On supplying high pressure fluid to the manifold and rotating the cutting head about the axis of rotation, the nozzles create a generally circular, overlapping pattern of high pressure fluid in front of the cutting head, the pattern of high pressure fluid being directed to cut the borehole independently of the mechanical bits.

Abstract: An excavator including a center shaft rotatably provided in a shield body in concentric relation to an outer cone. An inner cone for crushing excavated materials in cooperation with the outer cone is eccentrically provided on the center shaft. A cutter head provided in front of the inner cone is mounted on the center shaft. An internally-toothed gear is secured to the inner cone in concentric relation to the center shaft. A plurality of externally-toothed gears rotated by driving motors whose rotational speed and torque are variably controllable are internally meshed with the internally-toothed gear. Rotation of the externally-toothed gears causes the center shaft to rotate through the inner cone. A plurality of water jet spray nozzles are provided on the cutter head. The spray pressure is switched between high pressure and low pressure.