Abstract: A method of resuming operation of a wire saw in which slicing of a workpiece is suspended due to a wire break, including processes of: imparting axial reciprocating motion to a wire while supplying a new line of the wire; and slicing the workpiece into wafers by moving the workpiece downwardly to press the workpiece against the reciprocating wire while supplying a slicing slurry to the wire, the method includes: repairing the broken wire after suspending the slicing of the workpiece before resuming the slicing of the workpiece; and preparing for the slicing in that a diameter of the repaired wire at a position at which the workpiece is to be sliced is matched to the diameter of the wire just before occurrence of the wire break. The method can inhibit the formation of grooves in wafers sliced after the resumption and reduce low-quality production wafers.

Abstract: The method for wire saw excavation provides a significant savings in time, effort, and expense in the cutting of a core of material from a solid substrate such as rock or concrete. A single downhole is formed, and a robotic excavator then forms a continuous, closed loop base passage at the distal end of the downhole to define the periphery of the core to be cut. When the base passage has been completed, the robotic excavator is removed and two subsurface guide pulleys are placed in the bottom of the downhole. A wire saw is passed from a first surface pulley around the first and second subsurface pulleys and back to a second surface pulley. The surface pulleys are advanced along the predetermined periphery of the core at the same rate as the subsurface pulleys, so that the saw simultaneously cuts the periphery and the bottom of the core.

Abstract: A method of quarrying dimensional stone and a line drilling apparatus used therein. The drilling apparatus is frameless and comprises a first boom and a second boom, between which is arranged a joint mechanism, allowing the booms to be moved relative to each other. Furthermore, in connection with the joint mechanism is arranged a stone support adaptable against the stone once the drilling apparatus is coarse-positioned in the vicinity of a drill hole line. Fine positioning of the drilling apparatus in the direction of the drill hole line is performed by joints comprised by the joint mechanism. Positioning at drill holes takes place by turning the second boom along an arched motion path and by turning the drilling unit towards the stone to be drilled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of quarrying dimensional stone and to a line drilling apparatus used therein. The drilling apparatus (8) is frameless and comprises a first boom (11) and a second boom (12), between which is arranged a joint mechanism (13), allowing the booms to be moved relative to each other. Furthermore, in connection with the joint mechanism is arranged a stone support (14) adaptable against the stone once the drilling apparatus is coarse-positioned in the vicinity of a drill hole line (6). Fine positioning of the drilling apparatus in the direction of the drill hole line is performed by joints comprised by the joint mechanism. Positioning at drill holes (7) takes place by turning the second boom (12) along an arched motion path and by turning the drilling unit (15) towards the stone to be drilled.

Abstract: This invention refers to a method for removing a part of concrete construction that comprises a base concrete; a reinforced concrete formed on the base concrete; rebars embedded in the base concrete and upwardly extending through the reinforced concrete; the method comprising the steps of: forming a slit in the reinforced concrete and disconnections at an intermediate of the rebars; applying an expansion force on opposite surfaces of the slit in the reinforced concrete to simultaneously break a boundary plane of the reinforced concrete; and removing the moved portion of the reinforced concrete from the base concrete as a scrap. Also, the present invention provides a flat jack suitable to break boundary planes of the scrap wherein the flat jack comprises two metallic plates joined to each other, and an inlet for introducing into the jack pressurized fluidic material to inflate the jack in order to produce a great expansive force.

Abstract: The invention relates to the mining industry and can be used for working out mineral deposits, no matter what their thickness and dip angle are, and allows to reduce the volumes of overburden operations. The invention provides the working out the main reserves by openworks, with forming safety benches (22) on steps of an open cut. From the top view, reserves of each level (1) are being worked out by blasting descending holes in direction to working flank of an open cut with forming safety prisms near a designed contour thereof. The breaking out of safety prisms (5) is being carried out at the final stage of works on the level (1) with forming a vertical or close to vertical, slope within the level. Rocks of near-contour mass (6) in a zone of probable displacement of rocks being reinforced by injecting and/or installing prestressed anchors (8).

Abstract: The present invention refers to the extraction from rock formations of blocks of rock that are already of a paralellepiped shape and thus do not require final time consuming finishing operations. The process of the invention involves cutting a long slot in the formation beneath a slice of rock to be removed and then drilling various orthogonal series of parallel aligned perforations to define cutting surfaces that are separated using metal plugs applied to the perforations. In this manner parallelepiped shaped small blocks are obtained directly and can be removed from the formation in a stage virtually ready for commercialization. Equipment in the form of an extractor is also described which permits the simultaneous formation of the slot and the perforations.

Abstract: A traveling construction apparatus includes a flame having first and second ground engaging traveling gears connected to the frame and spaced apart in a direction of travel. A traveling gear height adjuster is connected between the frame and the first traveling gear. A plurality of height sensors are provided for measuring a height above the ground without engaging the ground. A height controller system is provided for actuating the traveling gear height adjuster in response to input signals from the sensors. A floating boom is connected to the frame and has the sensors mounted on the boom. The boom displaces each of the sensors a substantially equal distance relative to the ground in response to an extension or contraction of the traveling gear height adjuster.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for detecting when a cold planer experiences a kickback condition. The device includes a wheel adapted to be connected to the cold planer such that the wheel is caused to rotate in a first direction when the cold planer travels forward, and a second direction when the cold planer travels backward. The device also includes a sensing assembly having an electronic sensor. The sensing assembly is arranged and configured for detecting when the wheel travels in the second direction, and for providing a signal to an on-board computer of the cold planer indicating that a kickback has been detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for horizontal channeling into a mountain of granite automatically have been developed in which a water jet nozzle contained in a rigid lance assembly advances in and out of the mountain to the depth of the lance in a horizontal plane along a line of cut predetermined by the setup of the apparatus and the original drilled hole. The jet oscillates back and forth in a transverse fashion, cleaving the crystal formation of the granite through the application of high pressure water pulsing at the appropriate angle of penetration to achieve the correct spalling of the granite surface in slightly upward direction such that the channel remains free of chips and grit for easy movement of the feed system. The machine advances incrementally just prior to the lance entering the channel, maintaining standoff distances to properly erode channel corners.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for demolishing concrete chimneys. The apparatus for demolishing concrete chimneys from the top downward comprises: (a) a first support, (b) a second support, (c) means for forcibly vertically moving the supports relative to each other, (d) a crane carried by said first support, and rotatably attached through an upright axis, and (e) means for power actuated rotation of the crane about the upright axis.

Abstract: A knockdown tank-cleaning apparatus that is easily broken down and reassembled is provided. The tank-cleaning apparatus, when knocked down, easily fits through a standard man-way opening in the side of the tank. The tank-cleaning apparatus includes a knockdown frame having wheels releasably attached thereto. A header assembly is releasably attached to the front of the knockdown frame. The header assembly includes a cutter head releasably and rotatably disposed in the header assembly. The header may optionally include a throat portion, in which a cross-chopper assembly is disposed. Bottom-deposited materials are broken up by rotation of the cutter head. The loosened material is fed to the cross-chopper assembly where it is further reduced and formed into a slurry. The slurry is pumped from the tank to the exterior of the tank where reclamation of valuable materials from the slurry is performed.

Abstract: An automatic object responsive control system for a work implement has a ground penetrating device mounted for sensing subsurface objects, an object detecting device for determining the undesirability of the object, and an implement control system for automatically elevationally raising the implement in response to an undesirable object being located elevationally between the implement and the ground penetrating device. The automatic object responsive control system is particularly suited for use on a geographic surface altering machine.

Abstract: A multiple trepan boring device for producing substantially large cuts in large works, such as concrete dams, comprises a drilling shaft adapted to be translationally displaced along its longitudinal axis and carrying a series of spaced apart cylindrical rotatable trepans each having a peripheral cutting surface and an annular cutting surface, the latter extending in plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and radially between the shaft and the peripheral cutting surface. Weights apply continuous downwards forces on the shaft and thus on the trepans. With the trepans resting on the top of the work to be cut, the trepans are rotated in place, and under the aforementioned forces the peripheral cutting surface of each trepan bores a hole until the shaft rests on the top of the work. Then the shaft is displaced translationally while the trepans continue to rotate thereby causing the annular cutting surfaces to remove a layer of the work extending between the shaft and the peripheral cutting surface.

Abstract: A floor milling machine is provided which comprises a chassis structure supported by front and real ground-engaging wheels respectively and a rotatable milling drum mounted on the chassis structure. The machine is particularly designed for use indoors, and includes a removable waste hopper and a vacuum system to suck up debris and dust created as a floor surface is milled by the drum and to transfer the dust and debris to the waste hopper so that dust is contained within the machine and not released to the surrounding environment. The machine also includes individual height adjustment devices for at least the rear wheels and a control and detection system which can control the height adjustment devices to vary the level and orientation of the milling drum relative to the level of the wheels. The machine can thus be used to take up tiles from a floor surface of, for example a shopping center, or the plane a concrete floor surface to produce a flat, level surface or a sloping surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double slot wire sawing machine and to a method of mining using the machine. The machine has a mobile chassis with a driving arrangement for simultaneously and independently driving two separate wire saws which each cut their own slot in the material being mined. The driving arrangement maintains one wire saw directly over the other by equalizing the tensions in the wire saws at the commencement of a cutting operation and, during cutting, by varying the respective wire saw speeds.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting erosive materials such as stone and the like includes a high-velocity, high-pressure water lance which can be raised and lowered as necessary. The lower end of the water lance carries a cutting head in the form of a nozzle assembly able to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the water lance. The water lance is mounted upon a carriage which can be propelled in directions at right angles to each other and the water lance may be supported by a vertically-disposed truss, which itself may be relocatable about the longitudinal axis of the lance.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a hard compact material such as rock or concrete, having a hole pre-drilled in the material area to be fractured which includes inserting a outer slug of solid material into the hole to a bottom thereof, and impacting the outer slug with a force sufficiently large to cause at least a top portion of the slug to transfer the impact to the sides of said hole so as to fracture the surrounding material.

Abstract: A stone slotting machine includes a main frame movable on tracks disposed on the ground at a stone quarry. The slotting machine further includes cutting blade having an arbor frame, a number of cutting cylinders attached and aligned together and being rotatably mounted to the arbor frame and a drive motor for rotating the number of attached and aligned cutting cylinders relative to the arbor frame. The arbor cutting blade is reciprocatably supported on a carriage. The carriage itself is supported on the main frame by a carriage support assembly. The carriage support assembly includes a rotating hub affixed to the carriage that is rotatably supported by a pair of bearing collars. A hydraulic piston is provided to rotate the hub within the bearing collars, thereby rotating the carriage and arbor cuttling blade within a plae defined by the arbor cutting blade. The carriage support assembly further includes a back plate and vertical support beams to which the bearing collars are mounted.

Abstract: A method for sinking a shaft having a wide diameter e.g. 4 meters. A concrete diaphragm wall is formed with five radially inwardly extending sections (12), in each of which a guide hole (13) is formed. Five outer boreholes are drilled to depth using the guide holes and a central borehole (14) is also drilled to depth. The ground within the wall is excavated to rock level. Vertical cuts are made between adjacent outer boreholes (14) and between the central borehole (14) and the outer boreholes (15) using a wire (19) saw cutter. Cross cuts are then made to form separated segments (33) of rock which are removed sequentially. This is repeated progressively downwards to the required depth.

Abstract: Apparatus for excavating a tunnel of generally quadrilateral cross-section, the apparatus comprising a cutting head having the head being mounted for rotation about a first axis and a second axis to change the angle of inclination of the cutter. The cutter may be retracted on its support and may be moved transversely of the excavation on a slide, horizontally. It may be moved vertically by mounting the head on an arm pivotally mounted or in another embodiment by mounting the head on a vertically movable carrier carried on a slide. This can be used for excavating by making a set of cuts at various angles; first and second slots are generally parallel at the face but the first slots are inclined to the second, and to the face, so that they intersect. A third set of slots may intersect the first and second sets (for example, vertically) to separate the material from the face in convenient-sized blocks.

Abstract: A tunnel is constructed by progressively cutting away a predetermined depth of rock from a face using rotary diamond saws. Slots are cut into the face (12) at an acute angle to the face such that first slots intersect second slots to detach blocks from the face. In one embodiment, the cutter (29) is mounted on a slide which can traverse an elongate guide 26. The guide is carried on an arm (24) which can swivel about its own longitudinal axis. A series of angularly spaced slots are cut into the face through 360.degree. with alternate slots being cut at opposite acute angles to the face so that they intersect. A cylindrical tunnel is produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cutting an interior surface in reinforced concrete. Holes are drilled to define the shape of the concrete (usually a rectangular block) to be removed, these can be drilled to any suitable depth, which was not possible under prior art methods. Slots are cut between the holes except at one side using an endless wire saw. An interior cut is made using the endless wire saw from the periphery to the uncut side. The wire saw is secured in the cutting operations at the interior end of the holes by swivel pulleys secured at the exterior end of the holes to the concrete surface. The invention also relates to a swivel pulley assembly especially adapted for application in the method. The invention further relates to a method of cutting a substrate by allowing the wire saw to cut between two pulleys interior of the substrate, from a nonlinear path between the pulleys to a line connecting the pulleys.

Abstract: The opening method to drill openings with required largeness on thick reinforced concrete walls such as a reinforced concrete dam body is presented.This method comprises (1) the process of drilling cable penetrations in the depth direction on each corner around the opening domain on a reinforced concrete wall, (2) the process of penetrating cutting cable through cable penetrations and to carry out wire sawing with water injection, (3) the process to break and remove the separated core.According to this method, the required opening for thick reinforced concrete walls such as a reinforced concrete dam body which has been regarded as difficult if not impossible, can be safely and exactly drilled with the smallest number of processes, having no bad influence on the surrounded wall.

Abstract: A method of excavating a tunnel in bedrock, including the steps of boring an outer peripheral slot in the bedrock, boring a plurality of horizontal slots in a bedrock section surrounded by the outer peripheral slot such that the bedrock section is divided into a plurality of bedrock portions by the horizontal slots, boring a plurality of vertical slots in one of the bedrock portions such that the one of the bedrock portions is divided into a plurality of bedrock blocks by the vertical slots, removing the bedrock blocks from the bedrock so as to define a working space, and providing an excavator in the working space such that the remaining ones of the bedrock portions are sequentially excavated by the excavator.

Abstract: A drilling attachment for a utility truck designed for digging pole holes for ordinary utility and telephone poles is disclosed herein. The attachment is intended to replace the auger portion of a conventional auger digger when it is necessary to drill through rock or other hard materials. The excavating method contemplated employs a three step process. First, a deep kerf is cut into the rock by a plurality of drill bits that are independently driven in a rotary/percussive manner while being rotated about the circumference of the kerf. The dust and rock fragments generated by this process are removed from the kerf by an air flushing/vacuum system, that also serves to cool the drill bits. Second, a hydraulic piston is inserted into the kerf and expanded, thereby applying a lateral force to the base of the resultant core causing it to break away from the surrounding rock. Finally an expandable plug is inserted into a pilot hole located at the center of the core.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for digging deep trenches having parallel generally vertical walls in solid rock such as limestone. The apparatus includes a transport means for providing support and for moving along a traverse on the earth's surface while cutting a trench along that traverse. The transport carries a boom which may be articulated into the ditch being cut and a pair of rock cutterwheels carried on the end of the boom and assembled so that the outermost cutter teeth are wider than any other part of the boom assembly. The apparatus further includes means for aligning the flat surfaces of the rock cutter wheels parallel to and between the walls of the ditch and for maintaining alignment of the wheels with the trench as the transport moves along the traverse so that repeated cuts may be made to extend the trench to any desired depth.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic stone cutter having a construction in which a base can slide on right and left rails, a cylinder main body having a drill is mounted to the base so as to be capable of elevating in the longitudinal direction and the base moves on the rails in the interlocking arrangement with elevation of the cylinder main body. Moreover, the drill can always bore a hole in a predetermined depth from the surface of a mass of stone even if unevenness exists on the surface of the mass of stone.

Abstract: Machine including a powered truck-like vehicle having a support base at the rear end and an apparatus for cutting a drive-in passage across a concrete curbstone, a sidewalk or the like. The apparatus is mounted on the base and essentially comprises two spaced parallel booms mounted at one end on the base and an elongated bridge structure extending between and perpendicularly to the booms, being connected to them and provided with a drive so that it can be displaced along the booms with respect to the support base of the vehicle. The booms and bridge structure are pivoted from an inoperative position where the bridge structure is above the support base to an operative position where the booms and bridge structure are swung outwardly of the support base in a position for cutting the curbstone, sidewalk or the like.

Abstract: A method of breaking rock, concrete or other hard compact material adjacent to a hole drilled thereinto and an apparatus for performing the method wherein the apparatus contains a notch-forming means to form a circumferential notch in the drillhole wall, a hydraulic jack means which is located inside the drillhole to exert a force to actuate the notch-forming means and to react against the bottom of the drillhole and develop an outwardly directly axial force on the notcher to break one or more pieces of material from the face and a hydraulic supply means to supply hydraulic fluid to actuate the hydraulic jack. The hydraulic supply means is located outside the drillhole.

Abstract: A mining machine in which a cutting drum undercuts a vein of coal and side relief cutters make vertical kerfs in the vein upwardly from the undercut. A chisel plate is forced into the coal vein and breaks loose the material above the undercut and between the side relief cuts. The coal falls into conveyors and is loaded into mine shuttle cars for removal from the mine. The side relief cutters and chisel assembly are progressively raised to extract higher levels of coal from the vein until the desired roof height has been reached. The tramming track assembly, which propels the machine, may be rotated 90.degree. to permit extraction from the vein immediately adjacent the initial extraction. All power supplied near the working face of the vein is hydraulic to minimize the risk of fire or explosion, and a water spray system minimizes dust circulation. Hydraulic roof and floor jacks are provided to increase the stability of the mining machine when exceptionally hard material is encountered in the coal vein.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for digging deep vertical walled trenches in solid rock such as limestone. The apparatus comprises a base supported by four crawler type traction means. A turntable is translatably carried by the base and in turn supports a prime mover and a pivoted extendable boom including means for rotating the boom about its longitudinal axis. A dual cutter is supported on the end of the thus articulated boom and is assembled so that the outermost cutter teeth are wider than any other part of the boom assembly. The trenching method includes cutting a pair of narrow slots by means of the rock saws and then removing material between the slots.

Abstract: A rock splitting attachment for a breaking hammer comprising a primary shaft and an elongated primary wedge assembly that is telescopically attached to the primary shaft. The primary shaft has a plurality of principal wedge surfaces on its outer surface adjacent its bottom end. The structure for telescopically attaching the primary shaft to the elongated primary wedge assembly comprises a bore in the primary shaft extending axially inwardly from its bottom end and a secondary shaft that forms a part of the elongated primary wedge assembly. The width of the secondary shaft is smaller that the width of the bore so that it may be telescopically received therein. The secondary shaft has an external groove extending axially along a substantial portion of its length. A set screw is threadably seated in the primary shaft so that it extends radially inwardly far enough into the primary shaft that it extends into the external groove of the secondary shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting rock materials has been devised in which a series of jets are produced by a nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly being constructed and arranged to advance along the surface of the rock material and to form a channel or line of cut of predetermined width and depth therein. As the nozzle assembly makes each pass along the intended line of cut, the assembly is oscillated in a direction transversely of its path of travel along the intended line of cut in order to better erode the material, form a clearly defined channel with a minimum of interference which may otherwise result from spalling or collection of liquid in the channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and machine for digging a ditch for use in, for example, duct disposition therein. In the floors and walls of a concrete structure, for example, three preparatory ditches or channels are dug by means of rotary blades. By inserting a breaking rod into a central one of the channels and causing it to vibrate substantially perpendicular to the channel to strike partition walls between the channels, the partition walls are readily broken or fractured, at which time the outermost channels serve as escapement spaces for permitting reception therein of the partition walls about to be bent or broken. Thereafter, the resultant partition wall pieces are removed, whereby a desired form of ditch is obtained. The partition wall fracturing steps may be carried out simultaneously with the channel digging or cutting step, or may alternatively be carried out independently after completion of the latter step.

Abstract: A channelling machine for cutting a preliminary groove around the working face of a tunnel being excavated. A guide and drive track assembly comprising at least two guide rails and a drive rail displaceable into the immediate proximity of the working face. The guide and drive track assembly is disposed entirely inside a hollow support frame of cross-section complementary to that of the tunnel being excavated. The guide and drive track assembly also includes a back-up rail likewise disposed inside the support frame. Another guide and drive track assembly may be provided symmetrical to the first. The machine is braced against the walls by a plurality of front and rear hydraulic cylinders which also adjust the alignment of the machine in the tunnel. The machine is mounted for displacements on a cradle.

Abstract: A method for breaking a hard compact material such as rock or concrete. The method includes drilling a hole into the material, gripping a portion of the wall of the hole by applying a radially outwardly directed force thereto, and applying an axially outwardly directed force to the gripped region in order to cause cracks to arise in the wall of the hole. One of the forces is generated by means of sequentially repeated axially directed impacts. The apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a gripping means and a wedge means slidable relative to the gripping means. The gripping means and the wedge means have cooperating wedge surfaces. A rear extension member having a shoulder is attached to the wedge means. A hammer piston reciprocable in the apparatus housing delivers sequentially repeated axially directed impacts upon the shoulder.

Abstract: Means are provided to rotatably drive a cutter blade device about a central point so as to bore a circular hole in the ground. Elastic bar means is vibrationally excited at a sonic frequency by means of an orbital mechanical oscillator, the frequency of the oscillator being adjusted to provide resonant standing wave vibration of the bar means. Vibrational energy is transferred from the bar means to the cutter device in unidirectional (rectified) pulses, the vibrational energy aiding the rotary torque action of the cutter device and causing the earthen material to be broken into small size cuttings. The vibrational energy is applied to the cutter device at a location thereon away from the rotational axis of the cutter device, therefore maximizing the availability of the sonic energy in the cutting action and providing a substantial lever arm at the central portions of the device.

Abstract: A rock splitting tool having elongate laterally expanding metal pressure bars or feathers and an axial sliding wedge or spreader for radially separating the feathers, the wedge being driven by the combined and superimposed forces of a hydraulic thrust servomotor and an impact hammer. The driving paths for transmitting forces to the wedge are coaxial and partially in series and partially in parallel.

Abstract: A tunneling machine is described which uses an array of impact tools for cutting a deep kerf that defines the wall of the tunnel. The impact tool provides impact blows through drill steels to which drill bits are attached. A substantial portion of the drill steels extend through webs which provide bearing support and alignment for the drill steels and bits on a dynamic basis while the kerf is being cut and the webs also permit the drill steel to bend; thus providing clearance between the impact tool and the wall of the tunnel. The webs also provide control of the sideways motion of the bit, while at the same time, providing for full impact blows to be delivered to the working face.