Conoco Inc.

Consolidation Coal Company

John B Riester

Richard E Doerr

Eston F Petry

David M Miller

Lloyd E Postlethwait

This invention describes a steering apparatus for a tramming conveyor having at least one end articulated about a vertical axis so that said articulated end can deviate angularly in either direction about the longitudinal axis of the conveyor. The steering apparatus basically comprises a control apparatus which is coupled to an external apparatus in a manner to communicate a deviation of the articulated end of the tramming conveyor from alignment with the external apparatus. The control apparatus generates an output responsive to the steering apparatus which will result in a deviation of the articulated end either to the right or left of the external apparatus, such steering apparatus will continue the deviation of the articulated end of the tramming conveyor until the tramming conveyor is again realigned with the external apparatus.

Steering apparatus for a tramming conveyor

Method and apparatus for hydraulically mining a location using a hydraulic monitor which has horizontal and vertical positionable control apparatus. The hydraulic monitor is connected to a source of high pressure water. Distance and direction measuring equipment are mounted on the monitor and controlled in a manner to scan the location. The output from the distance and direction measuring equipment is inputted to a computer and a visual video display monitor. The computer converts the information from the distance and direction measuring equipment to a visual representation of the cavity being mined. The hydraulic monitor includes a means for diverting the high velocity jet during the distance measuring period so that the water pressure is not varied in the high pressure pipe and the mined material is continuously washed toward the collection apparatus during the measuring period. All hydraulic monitor functions are controlled from remote operator location.

Remotely sensing of excavation cavity during mining

An improved dust control apparatus for a shearing machine which has attached thereto a spray bar apparatus mounted to and extended from said shearing machine and containing a curtain for dust control and a plurality of spray heads along said spray bar, an improvement in the spray bar apparatus is provided by mounting an extendable spray bar to said spray bar with a hydraulic cylinder attached to said extendable spray bar so that it can be extended or retracted as said shearing machine reaches the end of its cut so that said extendable portion is not damaged when the shearing machine reaches the end of its cut. The extendable portion includes spray heads and a curtain for dust control purposes.

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Morgantown, WV, United States of America

John B Riester