Abstract: A tractor assembly includes a toroidal shaped fluid filled membrane mounted over a body and a drive system coupled with the membrane. The drive system includes a helical flight that inverts the membrane when rotated against its inner surface. A mid-section of the body includes sleeve like portions that telescope with one another and shorten a length of the body. Fluid in the membrane is forced from the mid-section and radially expands a forward portion and into contact with an inner surface of the passage, so that when the membrane is inverted while in a passage, frictional contact between the membrane and inner surface of the passage creates a force that urges the tractor assembly through a passage.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for automated support of a gate entry for underground full extraction mining that includes gathering entry data for a condition of a gate entry by way of a gate entry support. The method also includes determining, by way of the gate entry support, the condition of the gate entry, advancing the gate entry support in response to determining that the condition satisfies an entry condition threshold. The method may also signal a halt condition for a production cycle, if the condition fails to satisfy the entry condition threshold.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite bag for use in earth bag construction systems such as backfill pack systems in underground mines and a construction system using such bags. The composite bags each comprises a pair of long, narrow inner bags of woven polypropylene located longitudinally within and constrained along their length by an outer bag of woven polypropylene. In use, the composite bags are laid flat on top of one another on a working surface (for instance the footwall in an underground mine). The bags could be glued or otherwise attached to one another in this configuration. Tie elements, such as timber elongates, are threaded through aligned slits spaced apart along the length of the bags. The elongates are set against the hanging wall and a backfill slurry is pumped into the inner bags. As each inflating composite bag expands, the slurry water weeps from the bags which rise up the timber elongates during the pumping process.

Abstract: A pumpable crib bag assembly includes a containment bag having a body and a supporting member. The containment bag is configured to contain a cementitious material therein and has a first end, a second end, and an outer surface. The pumpable crib bag assembly further includes a reinforcing layer positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the containment bag.

Abstract: A support for use in mines and other underground workings is provided comprising a flexible inflatable bag configured for receiving a pumpable load-bearing material. A reinforcing material is provided for supporting the bag when the bag is filled with the load-bearing material. The reinforcing material can include reinforcing plates, rings, bands or barrels positioned about the outer periphery of the bag. Alternatively, the support can be formed from a plurality of stackable barrels that are filled with load-bearing material but without the inflatable bag. The barrels can include internal reinforcing or cladding material at spaced locations along the barrels to define controlled deflection zones. According to another design, the support can be designed to be extensible. The support is inexpensive to transport, can be erected on-site and has a reinforced structure with residual yield strength. A method for supporting a mine or other underground workings is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a mine roof support set including a plurality of nested containers. Each container in the set has a progressively smaller cross-sectional dimension to allow the containers to be nested one within the other. The plurality of containers can be nested during transportation of the mine roof support set to a mine site. The containers can be separated at the mine site and filled with a load-bearing material. The containers filled with the load-bearing material are placed with their longitudinal axis between a mine roof and a mine floor.

Abstract: A tunnel barrier (11) adapted to seal a mine tunnel, the tunnel barrier (11) comprising an inflatable bladder having a front wall (14), a rear wall (15) and a side wall (16) and being adapted to be inflated by a suitable gas, wherein the side wall is adapted to contact the tunnel walls, including the roof and floor to thereby seal the tunnel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load support (1) comprising a container (2) manufactured from a flexible material, having at least one side wall (4), a top panel (3), a bottom panel (5), and a filler aperture (13). The side wall (4) has a predetermined height selected to be greater than the installation height of the support (1), operatively to allow for vertical expansion of the top of the container (2) into contact with the roof upon filling of the container (2) with a filler material.

Abstract: A method of mining a valuable metal or material in an ore body is described. The method comprises the steps of: a) placing a cushion in a stope whereby the cushion creates a void into which fragmented rock can expand during subsequent blasting operations for a second or subsequent panel; and, b) maintaining the void until blasting operations occur whereupon the void is caused to collapse to accommodate fragmented ore generated during blasting operations.

Abstract: A grout bag assembly (1) is provided comprising an inflatable grout bag (2, 26, 34, 40) having a top (4, 42), bottom (6) and generally cylindrical sidewall (8) with an inlet (10) for fluent settable grout material. An inner bag (14, 28, 38) is attached to the grout bag such that upon filling of the grout bag the inner bag forms a generally axially extending separate compartment (18) within the grout bag. The inner bag preferably has a separate inlet (20) accessible from the exterior of the grout pack after the grout bag has been installed. The inner bag is generally attached to the inside of the grout bag such that a space of optionally varying radial size is formed between the inner surface of the grout bag and the outer surface of the inner bag.

Abstract: A pumpable crib bag assembly includes a containment bag having a body and a supporting member. The containment bag is configured to contain a cementitious material therein and has a first end, a second end, and an outer surface. The pumpable crib bag assembly further includes a reinforcing layer positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the containment bag.

Abstract: A pumpable inflatable crib bag assembly for supporting a mine roof which includes a generally cylindrical bag having top and bottom ends for retaining and confining a liquid settable grout to be pumped into the bag. The bag further includes an inner generally cylindrical mesh reinforcement disposed within and generally coextending with the bag. This generally cylindrical mesh reinforcement is spaced from an inner wall of the bag and is permeable to the liquid settable grout whereby the liquid settable grout may be pumped through a fill port into the bag to thereby fill the bag and encapsulate the mesh reinforcement. The liquid settable grout is pumped through a fill port which is adjacent the top end of the bag.

Abstract: A load support includes an outer tube and a plunger at least partially slidably disposed within the outer tube. Gravity-set wedging members are disposed between an outer surface of the plunger and an inner surface of the outer tube for setting the plunger and outer tube in place with respect to each other, wherein the wedging members are substantially self-setting under gravity. The wedging members gouge the outer surface of the plunger and the inner surface of the outer tube upon inward axial movement of the plunger within the outer tube.

Abstract: A support assembly (1) is provided for the roof or hanging wall (36, 114) of an underground mine. The assembly comprises at least one support elongate (30) and a grout bag (2, 60, 80, 90, 102, 108, 120) used in association therewith and wherein the grout bag is inflated with settable granular material or grout (42). The support elongate is substantially surrounded, in plan view, by the grout bag and set granular material or grout contained therein. Preferably at least one cross-member (28) extends generally diametrically across the top of the support assembly and is anchored to the roof or hanging wall by the support elongate. The grout bag is preferably suspended from the end regions of the cross-member. Various grout bags for inclusion in such a support assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A support for use in mines and other underground workings is provided comprising a flexible inflatable bag configured for receiving a pumpable load-bearing material. A reinforcing material is provided for supporting the bag when the bag is filled with the load-bearing material. The reinforcing material can include reinforcing plates, rings, bands or barrels positioned about the outer periphery of the bag. Alternatively, the support can be formed from a plurality of stackable barrels that are filled with load-bearing material but without the inflatable bag. The barrels can include internal reinforcing or cladding material at spaced locations along the barrels to define controlled deflection zones. According to another design, the support can be designed to be extensible. The support is inexpensive to transport, can be erected on-site and has a reinforced structure with residual yield strength. A method for supporting a mine or other underground workings is disclosed.

Abstract: A grout pack is provided comprising a grout bag and a restraining envelope encircling the grout bag. The restraining envelope includes multiple elongate tension elements made of a multitude of fibres twisted, braided or woven to form confinement tension elements for operatively supporting the grout bag. The restraining envelope may include an inner mesh layer positioned on the inside of the elongate tension elements which may assume the form of containment rings encircling the grout bag at spaced positions up the height of the grout pack. Alternatively, or in addition, at least some elongate tension elements may extend in generally helical directions of opposite hand in the installed condition of the grout pack. The tension element may assume the form of a rope or a length of webbing. The ends of the rope or webbing may be joined in a manner providing for controlled slipping of overlapping ends thereof.

Abstract: A load support includes an outer tube and a plunger at least partially slidably disposed within the outer tube. Gravity-set wedging members are disposed between an outer surface of the plunger and an inner surface of the outer tube for setting the plunger and outer tube in place with respect to each other, wherein the wedging members are substantially self-setting under gravity. The wedging members gouge the outer surface of the plunger and the inner surface of the outer tube upon inward axial movement of the plunger within the outer tube.

Abstract: A grout bag assembly (1) is provided comprising an inflatable grout bag (2, 26, 34, 40) having a top (4, 42), bottom (6) and generally cylindrical sidewall (8) with an inlet (10) for fluent settable grout material. An inner bag (14, 28, 38) is attached to the grout bag such that upon filling of the grout bag the inner bag forms a generally axially extending separate compartment (18) within the grout bag. The inner bag preferably has a separate inlet (20) accessible from the exterior of the grout pack after the grout bag has been installed. The inner bag is generally attached to the inside of the grout bag such that a space of optionally varying radial size is formed between the inner surface of the grout bag and the outer surface of the inner bag.

Abstract: A support assembly (1) is provided for the roof or hanging wall (36, 114) of an underground mine. The assembly comprises at least one support elongate (30) and a grout bag (2, 60, 80, 90, 102, 108, 120) used in association therewith and wherein the grout bag is inflated with settable granular material or grout (42). The support elongate is substantially surrounded, in plan view, by the grout bag and set granular material or grout contained therein. Preferably at least one cross-member (28) extends generally diametrically across the top of the support assembly and is anchored to the roof or hanging wall by the support elongate. The grout bag is preferably suspended from the end regions of the cross-member. Various grout bags for inclusion in such a support assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A grout bag assembly (1) is provided comprising an inflatable grout bag (2) (hereinafter termed a primary inflatable grout bag) having a top (4), bottom (6) and at least one side (8) and having in an expanded condition an axis extending between the top and bottom thereof. A secondary, independently inflatable, grout bag (14) expandable in the same direction as the primary inflatable bag is attached to one end of the primary inflatable grout bag. The secondary grout bag is employed, in use, subsequent to be installation of the primary grout bag to compensate for shrinkage in the height of the primary grout bag and to thereby supplement the overall axial dimension of the grout bag assembly, in use.

Abstract: The invention provides a grout pack restraining system, comprising a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack and which are characterized in that they are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements. In one embodiment the rings of different diameter are secured about the grout pack. In a further embodiment the rings are configured to be circumferentially expandable are secured about the grout pack.

Abstract: A load-bearing, pressurized-fluid column apparatus and method for supporting a load or mine ceiling with respect to a support surface or mine floor includes an elongated, flexible sleeve and bladder retain a substantially incompressible liquid. The sleeve and bladder have a collapsed and an expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the sleeve and bladder are not filled, and have a first, shorter length. In the expanded configuration, the sleeve and bladder are filled with the liquid, and have a second, longer length sized to extend to and between the load and the support surface. A valve allows the liquid to be added and prevents escape of the liquid. A base can seal a lower end of the sleeve, and can be disposed on the support surface. A cap can seal an upper end of the sleeve, and can be capable of abutting the load.

Abstract: In a method and device for drilling, in particular impact drilling or rotary percussion drilling, a hole in soil or rock material and forming an anchorage in the hole, wherein a bore hole is formed by the introduction of a drill bit, it is provided that the drill rod assembly of the drilling device includes at least one expandable element having at least one hollow space extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the bore for introducing a fluid under pressure to at least partially widen the outer periphery of the expandable element, and/or the drill rod assembly is connected with at least one expandable element each including at least one hollow space substantially extending in the longitudinal direction of the bore for introducing a fluid under pressure to widen the outer periphery, thus ensuring a safe anchorage by the expansion of the expandable elements both over the periphery and over the length of the device at a simplified overall construction.

Abstract: The invention provides a bag for spacing apart walls in an underground mine working, and including opposed load-bearing walls of flexible sheet material, each defining a substantially centrally located opening and an open-ended radial slot extending between and intersecting the central opening and outer periphery of the load-bearing wall, the openings and slots of the load-bearing walls being in register. There is an intermediate wall of flexible sheet material extending between the load-bearing walls and connected thereto substantially along the entire periphery of each load-bearing wall. A charging connector through the wall is for connection to a source of flowable substance under pressure for charging the bag therewith, to expand the bag by displacing the load-bearing walls away from each other. The invention also provides an installation and method which employ the bag to space the walls apart.

Abstract: A load-bearing, pressurized-fluid column apparatus and method for supporting a load or mine ceiling with respect to a support surface or mine floor includes an elongated, flexible sleeve retains a substantially incompressible liquid. The elongated, flexible sleeve has a collapsed and an expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the sleeve is not filled, and has a first, shorter length. In the expanded configuration, the sleeve is filled with the liquid, and has a second, longer length sized to extend to and between the load and the support surface. A valve allows the liquid to be added and prevents escape of the liquid. A base can seal a lower end of the sleeve, and can be disposed on the support surface. A cap can seal an upper end of the sleeve, and can be capable of abutting the load.

Abstract: A method of forming a mine support capable of bearing an axial compressive load involves providing an outer container arranged in use to define a base. There is located within the container a tube of a flexible material divided by dividing walls of a flexible material into an array of compartments running the length of the tube. The compartments are arranged in rows and columns so that the tube divided by the dividing walls has a honeycomb structure. A first end of the tube is positioned in use on the container base and a second end of the tube. One or more of the compartments at or near the center of the tube are filled with a first load bearing material, for example a cementitious grout, to form a pillar with a load bearing capability. The remainder of the compartments of the tube are filled with a second material having no or a lower load bearing capability to form the mine support.

Abstract: An inflatable bag for use in a mine support has an inlet for the admission of a pumpable load bearing material such as a cementitious grout and an outlet for the air. The outlet is provided with a valve comprising a porous element the pores of which are capable of being blocked by the grout or similar load bearing material whereby the valve is closed by the grout and the pressure in the bag increased. The porous element can comprise a sponge. The bag is preferably made of a heat sealable material such as a synthetic plastics material e.g. polyethylene. The bag is used with a tube in which it is placed with the inlet in alignment with an aperture in the wall of the tube and grout pumped into the bag to inflate the bag against the floor and roof of the mine.

Abstract: A mine roof support designed to extend vertically in a mine passageway. The support includes a containment structure having at least two telescoping containment members freely telescopically movable relative to one another, and a filler material introducible into the containment structure to form a column of material extending vertically in the passageway. Each containment member defines an interior space for receiving the filler material. The material is hardenable inside the containment structure to form a yieldable column whereby in the event of a mine convergence, the yieldable material yields while providing continued support and the telescoping containment members move freely relative to one another to permit such yielding without damage to the containment structure. A method of installing such a roof support is also disclosed.

Abstract: The mine prop prestressing device (10) has a tube (12), a cup-shaped member (14) inside the tube which has a base (18) and a cylindrical side wall (20) fixed internally to the wall of the tube. A counter-member is also fixed to the tube in opposition to the cup-shaped member, and a valved inlet leads through the wall of the tube for the purpose of introducing a pressurised fluid into the tube between the base of the cup-shaped member and the counter-member. If the fluid is under sufficiently high pressure, the base of the cup-shaped member and the counter member are deformed apart from one another. The counter-member is typically in the form of an identical or similar cup-shaped member (14). The device (10) is a component part of a mine prop which includes a plunger (36, 38) inserted slidably into the tube so as to locate in a cup-shaped member. When pressurised fluid is introduced into the tube, the plunger is driven telescopically out of the tube.

Abstract: A mine support bag comprises an inner fabric tube of selected length and selected circumference having an inner surface and outer surface. A first fabric sheet is laminated to the outer surface on the one side of the tube, the first fabric sheet having a width which is wider than half of the tube circumference. The first fabric sheet has longitudinal edges which run generally parallel with the length of the tube and extend beyond opposite lateral edges of the tube. A second fabric sheet is laminated to the opposite side of the tube, the second fabric sheet having a width which is wider than half of the tube circumference, the second fabric sheet having longitudinal edges which run generally parallel with the length of the tube and extend beyond opposite lateral edges of the tube. The respective lateral edges of the first and second sheets overlie each other and are laminated together.

Abstract: This invention relates to a grout composition comprising a Portland cement, a high alumina cement, anhydrous calcium sulphate, an effective amount of a lithium salt and an effective amount of a strong base. According to another aspect of the invention, instead of using a strong base directly in the grout composition, a first compound and a second compound is added to the grout composition which in use react to form an effective amount of a strong base when the grout composition is mixed with water.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for providing yielding support for a hanging wall above a footwall in a mine working. A support assembly is installed between the hanging wall and the footwall, the assembly including a spacer (10), a pack (30) and a grout-inflatable bag (32). Grout is pumped into the bag (32) and is allowed to set to apply a vertical prestess force to the support assembly. The spacer (10) is substantially stiffer in compression than the pack (30), which is designed to yield under the compressive loading applied by the hanging wall. The use of a stiff spacer (10) serves to elevate the yielding pack to a suitble operative height without the allowable slenderness ratio for the pack to be exceeded.

Abstract: The mine prop headboard (10) is used to support an inflatable grout bag (44) and is located transversely on an end of an elongate mine prop (12) which is in use installed upright between a hanging wall and a footwall in a mine working. The headboard includes a chock assembly which is composed of parallel, elongate timber chocks (14). A steel reinforcement sheet is secured to and extends over the support surface of the chock assembly to provide tensile reinforcement a grout bag is placed on the headboard and is inflated with grout under pressure sufficient to apply a compressive axial force to the prop between the hanging wall and the footwall.

Abstract: A yieldable confined core mine roof support including a container and a filler placed within the container. The container is yieldable and the filler is compressible. The combination of a filler within a container produces a mine roof support which is yieldable under a substantially axial load and which increases in load carrying ability as it yields, impeding any decrease in the distance between a mine roof and a mine floor, minimizing or preventing mine roof collapse and mine floor heave, buckling or punching.

Abstract: The invention concerns a prop headboard (10) which is used in conjunction with an elongate mine prop. The headboard supports a preload bag (50) inflatable with a settable grout. The headboard is composed of a headboard member (12) and a pot (34). The headboard member includes a pressed steel sheet (14) having relatively higher end regions (16) and a relatively lower central region (22). The central region is formed with an opening (24). The headboard member also has bag retaining formations (30) which receive opposite ends of a preload bag located on the headboard member. The pot is engaged in the opening in the central region and receives the upper end of an elongate prop, thus supporting the headboard member on the prop with the headboard member extending transversely to the prop.

Abstract: The prop preloading apparatus comprises a frame and means for supporting the frame on an end of an elongate prop in a manner permitting at least limited swivelling movement of the frame relative to the prop about at least one axis transverse to the axis of the prop. The apparatus also includes a flexible preload bag which is inflatable with a settable substance and which is dimensioned to be supported by the frame.

Abstract: A support between the floor (22) and the roof (24) of e.g. a mine stope, is made by using an inflatable container comprising an inner bag (10), received in an outer bag (12). An inlet valve (14) extends through both bags as does a relatively higher pressure relief outlet valve (16). In use, air is pumped into the container until it is fully inflated, following by a grout, the air escaping via the valve (16) until the inner bag (10) is filled.

Abstract: A mining apparatus for utilization in recovering coal includes a series of four cooperating legs: a right fore leg, left fore leg, right rear leg and left rear leg. Each leg is formed from a box-like shield. An inflatable bag is provided in each leg. When a particular bag is inflated, the bag expands extending the leg between the floor and roof of the mine. When deflated, the leg retracts. A series of hydraulic rams connect the legs together. These rams may be expanded and retracted as desired to move the support legs relative to one another. In this way the apparatus may be moved in substantially any direction about a 360.degree. arc. A microprocessor controller controls the operation of the apparatus. In accordance with further aspects of the invention, a number of mining apparatus of the type described may be connected together in series to form a line for roof support.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a first structural element relative to a second structural element wherein a flexible container containing a foaming agent is positioned between the structural elements, the agent is expanded within the container and partially migrates from the container to form a bond with at least one of the structural elements, and the agent is hardened in place.

Abstract: An underground support, e.g. for the roof of a mine, has a roof engaging canopy 10 which can be raised and lowered in a controlled manner by hydraulic legs 14. Inflatable flexible membrane means, for example in the form of bags 12, are provided on the upper face of the canopy 10, which shape themselves to the mine roof and distribute loading evenly thereto. Inflatable flexible membrane means may also be used to prevent flushing of loose debris between adjacent supports, and on roadway supports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and device for backfilling of a roadway structure of mine and tunnel construction utilizing support hoses filled with a hardening filler. The hoses, when empty, are supported by the roadway support, after being put in place on the support are filled and thereby stretched out to form an inflated profile which locks onto the support section. The process and device used has the advantages of not being limited to certain specific support structure spacings and may be applied to a variety of roadway sections. The support section has the general shape of an I-beam and when used in multi-part roadway structures the section junctions are protected against overloads even when they are designed with limited yieldability. The support hose is laid on and supported over part of its length directly by the outer face of an "I" beam support section flange facing the rock.

Abstract: The base member of a mine roof prop is provided with a closed lower chamber and an adjoining open-top upper chamber in which the lower end of a post is slidably mounted, with means at the upper end of the post for engaging a mine roof. A body of liquid is supported in the lower chamber by flexible means, below which there is an air inlet. The base member also has a liquid passage connecting the upper part of the lower chamber with the lower part of the upper chamber so that when compressed air is delivered to the air inlet, the flexible means will force liquid up through the passage and into the upper chamber to raise the post, whereupon a valve can be closed to trap the liquid in the upper chamber.

Abstract: A collapsible concrete tunnel liner section formed from a number of arcuate segments each connected together by hinges to form a closed loop. In collapsed condition the segments are arranged in a compact stack having a cross section less in its maximum dimension than the internal diameter of the erected liner section. Typically the stack has the appearance of a figure 8, having upper and lower cavities. Air bags are located within these cavities and are expanded to expand the collapsed tunnel liner section into its erected condition. During the expansion the liner section passes through an oversized condition before assuming its final erected condition. This ensures stability for the erected liner section. After erection, grout or other filler material is inserted between the liner section and the wall of the tunnel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for supporting an underground mine roadway or tunnel having a series of spaced rigid support members installed along the roadway or tunnel, the rigid support members being erected in turn adjacent to newly exposed mine or rock surface as the roadway or tunnel is extended. Deformable bags are arranged between the rigid support members and the adjacent mine or rock surface. In addition deformable limbs extend from the last installed support towards the next support to be erected, the bags and the containers being filled with flowable material including cement and a conveying medium.

Abstract: A collapsible tunnel liner section formed from a number of arcuate segments each connected together by hinges to form a closed loop. In collapsed condition the segments are arranged in a compact stack having a cross section less in its maximum dimension than the internal diameter of the erected liner section. Typically the stack has the appearance of a figure 8, having upper and lower cavities. .[.Air bags.]. .Iadd.Expansion means .Iaddend.are located within these cavities and are expanded to expand the collapsed tunnel liner section into its erected condition. During the expansion the liner section passes through an oversized condition before assuming its final erected condition. This ensures stability for the erected liner section. After erection, grout or other filler material is inserted between the liner section and the wall of the tunnel.