Abstract: Mineral bits (10, 100) and associated mounts (30, 116, 200) for use during excavation and mining operations are disclosed. An exemplary bit (10) has a front region (12) and an opposite rear region (14) and comprises a head portion (16) and a mounting portion (18) secured to the head portion (16). The mounting portion (18) can be configured to be releasably retained by a mount (30). A rounded transition (22) disposed in the front region (12) of the bit between the head portion (16) and the mounting portion (18) provides a clearance (C) between the head portion (16) and the mount (16). Mineral bits (10, 100) disclosed can be inserted into and withdrawn from mounts (30, 116, 200) by linear and/or rotational movement.

Abstract: A cutter bit assembly for use in underground mining, road grading, and the like includes a water spray assembly having a water nozzle in a first chamber that discharges a water spray through an air gap and into the open end of a second chamber facing the air gap. Air is drawn into the water spray entering the second chamber from the air gap to produce a finer spray that is discharged from a second open end of the second chamber. The water spray helps clear the second chamber of any dirt or debris drawn by the air into the second chamber.

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 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 water spray system particularly, but no exclusively, for mineral mining, comprising a pick (1) having an integral shank (4) by which it is releasably receivable in an aperture (17) of a block (16), a heel (7) extending rearwardly from the pick (1), a hole (9) passing through the heel (7) and a pair of spaced-apart cheeks extending beyond the hole, a spray nozzle (24) received in a bore (22) of the block (16) with a head (25) of the nozzle projection above an upper surface of the block (16) to a location between the cheeks (8), with a water discharge orifice of the head (25) so located beneath the heel (7) and with respect to the through hole (9) of the heel (7) that water discharged from the orifice into the through hole and exiting the through hole induces an air flow wholly or partially through the through hole. Other aspects of the invention are the pick (1), the block (6), a releasable latching system, and a drivable member.

Abstract: A water spray assembly for replaceable location in a receiving bore of a pick box, which pick box is also adapted to receive a replaceable mineral cutter pick, is constructed from two components. One component is a spray body and the other component is a co-axial spray nozzle. The two components are releasably connected together by screw threads, whereby the spray assembly may either be removed from or inserted into, its receiving bore as a whole, or alternatively as individual components.

Abstract: A cutting tool has a holder block and a sleeve. The sleeve includes a shank and an enlarged flange at an end of the shank. The sleeve shank is received in a hole in the holder block, with the flange against a surface of the holder block and the sleeve shank facing the holder hole wall. A first fillet extending between the holder bore wall and a second fillet extending between the sleeve shank and sleeve flange cooperatively form an annular flow passage for flow of water from the holder into the sleeve.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly including a bit holder having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a generally planar mounting surface between the forward and rearward portions. The forward portion defines a front aperture having an axis inclined relative to the mounting surface, and the rearward portion defines a rear aperture open to the front aperture. A cutting bit is mounted in the front aperture and includes a rearward end accessible through the rear aperture of the bit holder rearward portion.

Abstract: A cutting tool has a holder block and a sleeve. The sleeve includes a shank and an enlarged flange at an end of the shank. The sleeve shank is received in a hole in the holder block, with the flange against a surface of the holder block and the sleeve shank facing the holder hole wall. A first fillet extending between the holder bore wall and a second fillet extending between the sleeve shank and sleeve flange cooperatively form an annular flow passage for flow of water from the holder into the sleeve.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly mounted on a rotating drum and having a base block, a wear sleeve and a cutting bit wherein a seal is located between the base block and wear sleeve is disclosed. A fluid passage spans from the rotating drum to a discharge location between the wear sleeve and the shank of the cutting bit. The fluid lubricates the shank of the cutting bit and bore of the wear sleeve allowing the cutting bit to rotate freely within the wear sleeve. Rotation of the cutting bit promotes even wear and long life of the bit.

Abstract: A water spray assembly for replaceable location in a receiving bore of a pick box, which pick box is also adapted to receive a replaceable mineral cutter pick, is constructed from two components. One component is a spray body and the other component is a co-axial spray nozzle. The two components are releasably connected together by screw threads, whereby the spray assembly may either be removed from or inserted into, its receiving bore as a whole, or alternatively as individual components.

Abstract: A tool for crushing coke includes a casing which in the operational state is connected to a drill rod and on or in which is arranged at least one cutting nozzle and one drill nozzle for drilling coke and at least one valve for controlling a direction of flow of water flowing through the drill rod and the casing through the cutting nozzle and the drill nozzle.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a degradation drum comprises a generally cylindrical body comprising inner and outer diameters. At least one degradation assembly is disposed on the outer diameter and it comprises a holder and a pick shank secured within a bore of the holder. At least one lubricant reservoir is disposed within the inner diameter and is in fluid communication with the bore of the holder through a fluid pathway. In some embodiments, the lubricant reservoir maintains a fluid pressure on the pick shank.

Abstract: In a device for producing a gas-liquid mixture and, in particular, air-water mixture in the region of cutting tools, particularly chisels, arranged on at least one cutter head (10) rotationally mounted on a cutter arm (5) of a cutting machine (1), including at least one nozzle pair comprised of a nozzle (14) for ejecting a gas jet and a nozzle (13) for ejecting a liquid jet, wherein the axes (17, 18) of the nozzles (13, 14) of a nozzle pair are oriented in a manner that the jets impinge on each other at a distance from the outlet openings of the nozzles, the axes (17, 18) of the nozzles (13, 14) of a nozzle pair form an angle with each other of between 45 and 135°, preferably between 75 and 85°.

Abstract: A holder block is mounted on a carrier and has formed therein a first hole and a water passage. A sleeve is mounted in the first hole and receives a cutter bit. The sleeve includes a shank and an enlarged flange disposed at a front end thereof. The shank is disposed in the first hole. The flange includes a rearwardly facing shoulder bearing against an outer surface of the block. A second hole extends through the shank and the flange and is adapted to receive the cutter bit. A spray nozzle is disposed in the flange and is connected to the water passage by way of an annular groove, for receiving water which it sprays forwardly against the cutter bit.

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: The invention provides apparatus for drilling trenches in the ground, the apparatus comprising a frame and a drilling assembly having a horizontal support plate connected to the bottom end of the frame, said plate supporting drilling tools disposed beneath said plate, said trench being filled with a drilling mud. The periphery of said plate has resilient sealing means for co-operating with the walls of the trench so as to provide at least partial sealing between said plate and the walls of the trench, and means for adjusting drilling mud flow rates from the portion of the trench situated above said plate to the portion of the trench situated beneath said plate, and also in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a cutter bit on a driven mechanism, the assembly comprising a bit having a bit tip, a bit sleeve including a holding portion adapted to receive the bit, a bore through the holding portion, and a bit holder. The assembly further includes a mounting base having a forward portion and a mounting base rear portion having an internal water passageway in communication with an upper opening for receiving an ignition control unit. The assembly further includes a rear surface having a spray nozzle cavity in the rear surface and open in a rearward direction. The spray nozzle cavity has an internal spray nozzle cavity water passageway-in communication with the mounting base rear portion internal water passageway. The assembly further includes a dust reduction unit including a spray nozzle comprising a base received in the spray nozzle cavity, the base having a spray nozzle base water passageway through the spray nozzle base and in communication with the spray nozzle receptacle water passageway.

Abstract: An elongate water spray nozzle (8) for use with mining equipment, comprises a cylindrical body member (9) having a leading end (10) and a trailing end (11), with a circumferential groove (12) provided in the body member (9) towards the trailing end (11), the groove (12) housing firstly an inner, resiliently deformable ‘O’-ring (13), and secondly an outer, split spring steel latching ring (14), the ‘O’-ring (13) being resiliently operable on the steel ring (14) to bias the steel ring (14) concentrically with the longitudinal axis (15) of the nozzle (8). The invention also includes a pick box (6) provided with nozzles (8). The invention also includes a pick box provided with a nozzle (8), and a rotary cutting head provided with a plurality of such pick boxes.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a cutter bit on a driven mechanism, the assembly comprising a bit having a bit tip, a bit sleeve including a holding portion adapted to receive the bit, a bore through the holding portion, and a bit holder. The assembly further includes a mounting base having a forward portion and a mounting base rear portion having an internal water passageway in communication with an upper opening for receiving an ignition control unit. The assembly further includes a rear surface having a spray nozzle cavity in the rear surface and open in a rearward direction. The spray nozzle cavity has an internal spray nozzle cavity water passageway in communication with the mounting base rear portion internal water passageway. The assembly further includes a dust reduction unit including a spray nozzle comprising a base received in the spray nozzle cavity, the base having a spray nozzle base water passageway through the spray nozzle base and in communication with the spray nozzle receptacle water passageway.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly (10) includes a support block (12), a replaceable spray nozzle housing, a liquid seal tight insert ring and first and second fluid passages. The first fluid and second fluid passage has an axis and extends between the concealable outer surface portion (22) and a first (20) surface portion of the support block. The first and second fluid passages are substantially straight between first and second outer surfaces so as to permit a drill to be inserted into first and second fluid passage for cleaning. The cutting tool assembly (10) also includes an exterior replaceable spray nozzle housing (14) on the support block having a cylindrical inlet portion (38) that extends into the first fluid passage such that the spray nozzle housing (14) is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage. A separate insert ring independent of a tool holding wear protective sleeve is press fit into the rear portion of the support block and forms an annular flow chamber section of the first fluid passage.

Abstract: A push-in, prise-out, clip (1) for releasably retaining a replaceable water spray nozzle (2) in a receiving bore (3), comprises a plate-like member of suitable resilient material, generally of “V” or “U”-shape having “C”-shaped recess (6) subtending an arc greater than 180° and adapted, in use, to engage a correspondingly arcuate waist portion (7) of the water spray nozzle (2). The recess (6) is defined in part by arcuate profiles (8) on mutually facing, inner surfaces (9) of each arm (10) of the “V” or “U”, which arms (10) are adapted to splay apart resiliently during the fitting and the removal of a clip on the water spray nozzle (2), whilst a portion of the clip (1) is provided with a clip retraction surface (12). The invention also includes a water spray nozzle (2), a pick box (4), and a rotary mineral cutting head (36).

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly includes a support block having a concealable outer surface portion, first and second bores, and first and second fluid passages. The first fluid passage is in fluid communication with the first bore and the second fluid passage. The second fluid passage has an axis and extends between the concealable outer surface portion and the second bore. Furthermore, the second bore and the second fluid passage are configured such that the axis may be extended through the second bore and beyond the support block without intersecting the support block. The cutting tool assembly also includes a replaceable spray nozzle having a body that extends into the first bore such that the spray nozzle is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage.