A ground engaging tool locking system includes a pin having a first, proximal head region and a second, distal end region spaced from the first, proximal head region along an axis. The pin includes a groove located between the first, proximal head region and the second, distal end region. A biasing element is disposed at least partially within the groove.

A mining machine assembly includes a dipper having a main body, the main body having a front side, a back side, a bottom side, and a top side. A ground engagement portion extends from the front side, the ground engagement portion including digging teeth. The mining machine assembly also includes a hoist rope attachment assembly coupled to the dipper. The hoist rope attachment assembly is configured to directly couple a hoist rope to the dipper. The hoist rope attachment assembly includes a cam having a first portion extending from the top side of the main body of the dipper, and a second portion that extends from the first portion and away from the main body and digging teeth.

A mining machine assembly includes a dipper having a main body, the main body having a front side, a back side, a bottom side, and a top side. A ground engagement portion extends from the front side, the ground engagement portion including digging teeth. The mining machine assembly also includes a hoist rope attachment assembly coupled to the dipper. The hoist rope attachment assembly is configured to directly couple a hoist rope to the dipper. The hoist rope attachment assembly includes a cam having a first portion extending from the top side of the main body of the dipper, and a second portion that extends from the first portion and away from the main body and digging teeth.

A system and method for capturing information related to mining machine performance and making the information accessible to remote maintenance staff. The information can be used to generate alarms, determine a state of the machine, determine performance statistics for the machine, and identify problems with the machine that may require attention. The information can be provided in a state message and the data can be packaged as XML data or in a string format. The data associated with a message can be particular to the current state or context of the mining machine. That is, in the case of a rope shovel, different data may be included in a message generated in a swing state versus a message generated in a tuck state. In some instances, a message is generated when progress thresholds are satisfied, such as for each foot of drilling performed by a mining drill.

A system and method for capturing information related to mining machine performance and making the information accessible to remote maintenance staff. The information can be used to generate alarms, determine a state of the machine, determine performance statistics for the machine, and identify problems with the machine that may require attention. The information can be provided in a state message and the data can be packaged as XML data or in a string format. The data associated with a message can be particular to the current state or context of the mining machine. That is, in the case of a rope shovel, different data may be included in a message generated in a swing state versus a message generated in a tuck state. In some instances, a message is generated when progress thresholds are satisfied, such as for each foot of drilling performed by a mining drill.

A method of determining payload data of a mining machine having a bucket and a handle. The bucket and handle are rotatably coupled via a pin and an actuator. The method includes sensing, via a sensor, a force associated with the actuator, determining, via a controller, a characteristic indicative of a rotational angle of the bucket, and determining, via the controller, payload data based on the force and the characteristic.

A method of determining payload data of a mining machine having a bucket and a handle. The bucket and handle are rotatably coupled via a pin and an actuator. The method includes sensing, via a sensor, a force associated with the actuator, determining, via a controller, a characteristic indicative of a rotational angle of the bucket, and determining, via the controller, payload data based on the force and the characteristic.

A mining work machine includes an obstacle determination device connected to a periphery detection device. If measurement points detected by the periphery detection device in a current cycle are equal to or greater than predetermined size thresholds equivalent in size to the mining work machine, these measurement points are put into a single obstacle candidate group. Based on relative speeds of the obstacle candidate at the measurement points and a traveling speed of the mining work machine, it is determined whether the obstacle candidate is a stationary object or a moving object, and whether the stationary object has been also detected by the periphery detection device in a preceding cycle. If a position of detection of the stationary object detected for the first time is equal to or smaller than a non-obstacle determination distance threshold, the obstacle determination device outputs the obstacle candidate as a non-obstacle.

A mining work machine includes an obstacle determination device connected to a periphery detection device. If measurement points detected by the periphery detection device in a current cycle are equal to or greater than predetermined size thresholds equivalent in size to the mining work machine, these measurement points are put into a single obstacle candidate group. Based on relative speeds of the obstacle candidate at the measurement points and a traveling speed of the mining work machine, it is determined whether the obstacle candidate is a stationary object or a moving object, and whether the stationary object has been also detected by the periphery detection device in a preceding cycle. If a position of detection of the stationary object detected for the first time is equal to or smaller than a non-obstacle determination distance threshold, the obstacle determination device outputs the obstacle candidate as a non-obstacle.

A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of a production fluid in a wellbore by providing an initially blocked isolated communication path between a sensor and an aperture formed in a sleeve. The isolated communication path is subsequently unblocked to allow measurements of the parameter of the production fluid.