Abstract: A chain guide for a chain winch and a chain winch which includes such a chain guide. The chain guide is rotatable about a first rotational axis and adapted for support of a chain including chain links having at least two different sizes where a first chain portion includes a plurality of first chain links and a second chain portion includes a plurality of second chain links where the size of the second chain links is larger than the size of the first chain links. The chain guide includes at least one first chain support, which is adapted for support of at least the first chain links of the first chain portion, and at least one second chain support, which is adapted for support of at least the second chain links of the second chain portion.

Abstract: A method of communication between endpoint devices that includes converting data packets from a multiport protocol to a proprietary port protocol so that the data packets can traverse firewalls protecting the endpoint devices. A system that includes networks protected by firewall wherein the communication between the networks is in a proprietary protocol and the system further including a device for managing the communication between the protected networks.

Abstract: A telecommunications system for communicating internet packet data in accordance with a first internet protocol (IPV6) via a packet radio network operable in accordance a second internet protocol (IPV4). The system comprises a user equipment operable to request a bearer for communicating internet protocol data according to the second internet protocol (IPV4) to and from a gateway support node of the packet radio network. The gateway support node is operable to establish a tunnelling protocol bearer for communicating the internet packet data to and from the user equipment across the packet radio network. The user equipment is operable in combination with the gateway support node to form an address which is compatible with the first internet protocol (IPv6). The address includes an interface identifier having a tunnel endpoint identifier of the tunnelling protocol bearer which ends at the gateway support node of the packet radio network.

Abstract: This invention provides a device for preventing sway of a suspended load, which does not require complex calculation for eliminating frictional resistance components. The device is equipped with a speed control device (14) for outputting a torque command based on a speed command, a torque command filter (16), and a load torque observer (4) for estimating the load torque, and configured to output a value obtained by adding a load torque estimation signal to an output of the torque command filter (16). The device is further equipped with a high-pass filter (32) for outputting a signal TRFLHPF in which a frictional resistance component is eliminated from the load torque estimation signal and a sway angle calculator (33) for outputting a sway angle estimation calculated value ?e obtained by multiplying a sway angle calculator factor by the output signal TRFLHPF.

Abstract: A bucket for a dragline has a pivoted mounting by having two spaced pivotal arms, typically of arcuate or cranked form, pivotally connected to the outside of a rear wall of the bucket about pivot axes extending transverse to the bucket and below the upper rim of the bucket whereby pivotal connections at the upper end of each pivot arm may be disposed over the rim and within the bucket zone. Thus the pivot arms may be moved in use through greater than 90° from a position in which the bucket is vertically suspended. The pivot arms act to spread splayed hoist chains without a spreader bar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soil stripping device, in particular a trench wall grab, comprising a base body, which can be connected to a carrier implement, a work unit, on which soil working tools are arranged and which is supported on the base body in a rotatable manner by means of a bearing device, and a rotary device for rotating the work unit with respect to the base body. The rotary device has at least one linear drive and a rope or chain transmission, through which a linear movement generated by the linear drive can be translated into a rotating movement.

Abstract: Excavator bucket cleaning apparatus having an action plate hingedly interconnected to the interior of the bucket with a cable attached at one end to the excavator boom and, at the other end, to the free end of the action plate so that rotation of the bucket outwardly causes the cable to tighten and swing the action plate outwardly of the bucket about the hinge.

Abstract: A soil working method, in which a soil working device suspended on at least one supporting cable is lowered by a supporting device and introduced into the ground. Subsequently, the soil working device is raised from the ground using the supporting cable and in addition to the supporting device a holding frame is provided and the supporting cable is connected to said holding frame. A soil working apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus including a main housing including a generally horizontal platform, a boom extending from the platform, a bucket suspended from the boom, and a mast extending from the platform. The apparatus further includes a boom support strand extending between and attached to the mast and the boom, and a boom support strand oscillation dampening mechanism. The boom support strand oscillation dampening mechanism comprises a left brace and a right brace spaced apart from the left brace, and a polyester rope extending between each of the braces and the boom. Each of the ropes is attached to the boom. A device attaches the rope to the brace, and a boom support strand clamp mechanism is connected to the brace and includes a first clamp block, a second clamp block, and a flexible enclosure placed between the first clamp block and the second clamp block.

Abstract: A dragline excavating machine includes a gearless direct drive AC drive motor for driving each of the hoist and the drag drums in the system. The gearless AC motor is driven using a digital system which receives AC power from the utility system rectifies the power using active front end circuits, and converts the resultant DC to a frequency controlled AC using an inverter circuit. The resultant AC signal is employed to drive the gearless AC motor, resulting in reduced harmonic distortion, unity or leading power factor, and increased efficiency, reduced operating costs, and reduced mean time between failure.

Abstract: A dragline excavation bucket control system including a pair of hoist ropes and a drag rope, the hoist ropes being coupled adjacent opposite ends of the bucket. The hoist ropes are supported on spaced sheaves on an excavation boom whereby the hoist ropes extending between the boom and bucket are substantially parallel and the boom support points and bucket attachment points for the hoist ropes are controllable to maintain an optimal carry attitude for a bucket when in use.

Abstract: A dragline excavation bucket control system comprising a pair of hoist ropes and a drag rope, the hoist ropes being coupled adjacent opposite ends of the bucket. The hoist ropes are supported on spaced sheaves on an excavation boom whereby the hoist ropes extending between the boom and bucket are substantially parallel and the boom support points and bucket attachment points for the hoist ropes are controllable to maintain an optimal carry attitude for a bucket when in use.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for excavating material from a mining or reclamation operation, and is generally considered useful in open cast mining operations. The apparatus has a first conveyor and a second conveyor attached to a chassis. The first conveyor is fitted with a material remover such as a excavator bucket on a first end. Material discharges from the first conveyor onto a second conveyor which is generally longitudinally aligned with the first conveyor and has a material receiving point located elevationally below the discharge point of the first conveyor. The first conveyor is moved in a forward direction by a crowder which consists of motion generally along the coincident longitudinal axes of the two conveyors. The first end of the first conveyor which is fitted with the excavating bucket is elevationally moved by virtue of a boom and cable configuration.

Abstract: A dredge having substantially a box-like shape, with an open front face and an open rear face, the rear face having a door hinged thereto and a lock member to hold the door in a locked position. An A-shaped frame member is pivotally secured to the front end of the dredge. Pivotable motion of the A-frame raises the front edge of the dredge over an obstruction. A pulley assembly is secured to the rear top end of the dredge, and a cable from the A-frame is placed over the pulley when the A-frame is to be pivoted to raise the dredge. A door is hinged to the rear side of the dredge. A locking hinge is secured to the rear of the dredge to lock the door in a closed position. The locking hinge includes a pivoting edge, which engages the top edge of the door, and a rectangular bar secured under the locking hinge. The rectangular bar has a width greater than the height so that rotation of the bar produces a pivoting motion of the locking hinge to unlock the door.

Abstract: A control system for a rope bucket, the rope bucket being designed for the hoisting and transfer of materials and adapted to be suspended from a hoist trolley transferable along an essentially horizontal travel path. The control system includes a hoist mechanism for hoisting the rope bucket, and a close mechanism for closing and opening the scoops of the rope bucket, and also for hoisting and lowering the rope bucket. The hoist mechanism includes two separate mechanisms, and similarly the close mechanism includes two separate mechanisms which also form the transfer mechanism of the hoist trolley.

Abstract: A hoisting assembly for use with a dragline bucket that includes a compensator for generally stabilizing the attitude of the bucket. The compensator is operably coupled to the lift, hoist and dump lines. The connector for the lift line(s) defines a fulcrum about which the compensator turns during use. As the tension in the dump line increases relative to the tension of the hoist lines, the compensator turns about the fulcrum to lift the hoist lines and shift the sheave supporting the dump line forward. As the tension in the dump line decreases relative to the tension of the hoist lines, the compensator turns about the fulcrum in the opposite direction to lower the lift lines and shift the sheave supporting the dump line rearward.

Abstract: An integral dump block for use in a dragline bucket that comprises a sheave to movably support a dump line, a central pin rotatably supporting the sheave, and a housing to couple the pin to lift lines. Bearings are disposed within the sheave and each side of the housing for receiving the pin for free rotation. Hoist lines for supporting a dragline bucket are connected to each end of the pin. In this way, moment forces in the hoisting assembly can be substantially eliminated. Further, a number of parts can be eliminated to provide a reduction in weight and height of the hoisting linkage assembly.

Abstract: A dragline excavating bucket is constructed to be supported through a minimum number of support chains and control cables, and made to provide for rapid digging and distribution of overburden removed by dumping the bucket rearwardly over a rear wall of the bucket. The bucket is supported on hoist chains that are located forwardly of the center of gravity so the bucket tends to tip rearwardly. The tilted portion of the bucket is controlled through a pair of drag chains that not only provide the pull force for loading the bucket, but also control the dumping of material from the bucket over the rear wall. Sliding trunnions are used on the bucket pivots to enhance dumping operation.

Abstract: A dragline excavation bucket control system including a pair of hoist ropes and a drag rope, the hoist ropes being coupled adjacent opposite ends of the bucket. The hoist ropes are supported on spaced sheaves on an excavation boom whereby the hoist ropes extending between the boom and bucket are substantially parallel and the boom support points and bucket attachment points for the hoist ropes are controllable to maintain an optimal carry attitude for a bucket when in use.