Abstract:
A tunnel boring machine having a cutting wheel equipped with a number of excavation tools provided with sensor units and, in a corresponding tunnelling method, only substantially fully worn excavation tools are able to be replaced using a data processing device designed with an advancement planning unit by detecting the current state of the excavation tools and predicting the state of the excavation tools on tool replacement predication planes lying in the advancing direction.
Abstract:
A tunnel boring machine including a propulsion system, an enclosure carried by the propulsion system, and a torch support structure carried by the enclosure. The torch support structure can include a primary disc mounted on a rotatable shaft carried by the enclosure, a first plurality of plasma torches mounted to the primary disc, and a power supply cable coupled to the enclosure and adapted to supply power to the boring machine from one or more power sources.
Abstract:
A compact monitoring device for monitoring the state of rotation of a disk cutter of a shield tunnel boring machine is integrated into a clamping element for fastening the disk cutter. A sensor module of the monitoring device is arranged in close proximity to the disk cutter but without touching so that a state of rotation of the disk cutter generated by transmitters mounted in the disk cutter is reliably ensured even under the rough environmental conditions prevailing in shield tunnel boring.
Abstract:
A mining machine for cutting material from a mine wall includes a cutting head that is movable to engage the mine wall, a vacuum duct positioned proximate the cutting head and including an inlet for receiving the material that is cut from the mine wall, and a sizer for reducing the size of material that passes into the vacuum duct, the sizer being positioned proximate the inlet.
Abstract:
A mining machine including a frame, a cutting head moveably coupled to the frame and pivotable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a first mine surface, and a first actuator for stabilizing the frame relative to the first mine surface. The first actuator is coupled to the frame and includes a first end extendable in a first direction to engage the first mine surface. The extension of the first actuator is automatically controlled based on measurements of at least one indicator of the force between the first actuator and the first mine surface.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for automatically operating a continuous mining machine. One method includes performing an automated cutting operation without requiring manual interaction using a cutterhead included in an arm pivotably coupled to a movable platform and stopping the automated cutting operation without requiring manual interaction. Stopping the cutting operation includes (i) stopping at least one motor driving the cutterhead, (ii) operating a first actuator to retract the platform from a cutting face by a predetermined distance, and (iii) operating a second actuator to swing the arm to a predetermined tramming position.
Abstract:
A mining machine for cutting material from a mine wall includes a cutting head that is movable to engage the mine wall, a vacuum duct positioned proximate the cutting head and including an inlet for receiving the material that is cut from the mine wall, and a sizer for reducing the size of material that passes into the vacuum duct, the sizer being positioned proximate the inlet.
Abstract:
A mining machine including a frame, a cutting head moveably coupled to the frame and pivotable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a first mine surface, and a first actuator for stabilizing the frame relative to the first mine surface. The first actuator is coupled to the frame and includes a first end extendable in a first direction to engage the first mine surface. The extension of the first actuator is automatically controlled based on measurements of at least one indicator of the force between the first actuator and the first mine surface.
Abstract:
Mining apparatus in which a cutting wheel supporting a plurality of roller-cutters rotates about a horizontal axis and is supported on a slewing boom for cutting a tunnel with a flat floor and roof and elliptical walls as it slews across a mining face. The slewing boom is supported on a main beam assembly, the front end of which rests on powered crawler tracks and the rear end of which passes through a gripper assembly which may be clamped between the floor and roof of the tunnel, and against which the main beam assembly may be urged forward for engaging the roller-cutters with the mining face. A preload crawler is urged against the roof of the tunnel above the powered crawler tracks to locate the main beam assembly rigidly relative to the tunnel such that the roller-cutters may cut the rock in the mining face with minimal loss of cutting force due to vibration.
Abstract:
A portable earth boring machine for the horizontal boring of shafts and the insertion of pipeline casing sections in installations where excavation from the surface is undesirable. The machine is characterized by a steering head positioned at the front of the casings and remotely controlled by the machine operator so as to directionally control the direction of extension of the pipeline as the drilling operation progresses.