A system and method are described for excavation of gravel from a gravel formation including an elongated cylindrical casing surrounding and supporting a rotating auger extending a chosen distance beyond an open end of the casing, and having openings through its upper surface for permitting gravel to enter the casing in addition to entering through the open end thereof, a source of vibration for vibrating the casing, a conveyor for removing material excavated by the system through an opening in the bottom surface of the casing, and a tracked excavator or other suitable vehicle for preventing the casing from rotating and for pushing the casing in a chosen horizontal direction into the gravel formation.

A system and method are described for excavation of gravel from a gravel formation including an elongated cylindrical casing surrounding and supporting a rotating auger extending a chosen distance beyond an open end of the casing, and having openings through its upper surface for permitting gravel to enter the casing in addition to entering through the open end thereof, a source of vibration for vibrating the casing, a conveyor for removing material excavated by the system through an opening in the bottom surface of the casing, and a tracked excavator or other suitable vehicle for preventing the casing from rotating and for pushing the casing in a chosen horizontal direction into the gravel formation.

Systems, devices, and methods for a microwave energy applicator. The applicator may define an internal channel having one or more longitudinal ridges inside the channel configured to focus energy. The ridges may be moveable. A reflector may be located near an exit of the applicator. In some embodiments, the applicator may define a channel having a decrease in cross-sectional area with a dielectric filler therein, acting to transition from a lower to a higher permittivity material. The various embodiments of the applicator may be attached to a waveguide, which may be an articulable robotic arm having rotatable waveguide segments attached with a microwave generator. The applicator may alter an energy level of microwaves travelling therethrough, for example, to concentrate the energy for application at a rock face in a mine site.

Systems, devices, and methods for a microwave energy applicator. The applicator may define an internal channel having one or more longitudinal ridges inside the channel configured to focus energy. The ridges may be moveable. A reflector may be located near an exit of the applicator. In some embodiments, the applicator may define a channel having a decrease in cross-sectional area with a dielectric filler therein, acting to transition from a lower to a higher permittivity material. The various embodiments of the applicator may be attached to a waveguide, which may be an articulable robotic arm having rotatable waveguide segments attached with a microwave generator. The applicator may alter an energy level of microwaves travelling therethrough, for example, to concentrate the energy for application at a rock face in a mine site.

A system for excavating a rock face using microwaves. The system may include a microwave generator, an articulable robotic arm with a plurality of rotatably connected rigid waveguide segments, an applicator attached to a distal end of the robotic arm, and a robotic control system. The system produces microwaves with the microwave generator and moves the robotic arm such that the applicator moves along the rock face as the microwaves exit the applicator to precondition the rock face for excavation. Various patterns of microwave treatment, and controls based on sensor feedback, may be implemented.

Articulated waveguide systems, devices, and methods. Adjacent rigid waveguide segments are connected at an articulating joint. An internal antenna at the joint allows for three hundred sixty degree rotational capability at the joints. Multiple such joints may connect multiple pairs of adjacent waveguide segments to form a robotic waveguide arm. The arm can be articulated to place an energy applicator at the end of the arm in multiple positions and orientations at various speeds and directions of movement. Six degrees of freedom are provided for orienting the applicator using the robotic waveguide arm to transmit energy from a generator to an object, such as rock. The articulate waveguide may be used in a microwave-based system for mining rock having a microwave generator, the articulated robotic waveguide arm, and the applicator.

Methods and systems of monitoring and controlling a longwall mining system. One system includes a shearer including a cutter drum and a sensor mounted to the shearer. The system also includes an electronic controller including a processor and a memory, the electronic controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The electronic controller is configured to receive vibration data from the sensor and determine a current vibration level experienced by the cutter drum. The electronic controller is also configured to compare the current vibration level to a target vibration threshold associated with a target material seam. The electronic controller is also configured to provide a visual output to an operator of the longwall mining system when the current vibration level exceeds the target vibration threshold, where the current vibration level exceeds the target vibration threshold when the cutter drum of the shearer cuts outside of the target material seam.

Systems to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner can include one or more non-contact boring elements that direct energy at the bore face to remove material from the bore face through fracture, spallation, and removal of the material. The systems can automatically execute methods to control a set of boring parameters that affect the flux of energy directed at the bore face. Systems can further automatically execute the methods to trigger an optical sensor to capture images at the bore face, generate temperature profiles, identify spall fragments and hot zones and/or adjust a set of boring controls. For example, the system can execute methods to adjust a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, and adjust power and/or gas supply to the non-contact boring element.

Systems to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner can include one or more non-contact boring elements that direct energy at the bore face to remove material from the bore face through fracture, spallation, and removal of the material. The systems can automatically execute methods to control a set of boring parameters that affect the flux of energy directed at the bore face. Systems can further automatically execute the methods to trigger an optical sensor to capture images at the bore face, generate temperature profiles, identify spall fragments and hot zones and/or adjust a set of boring controls. For example, the system can execute methods to adjust a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, and adjust power and/or gas supply to the non-contact boring element.

A system and method are described for excavation of gravel from a gravel formation including an elongated cylindrical casing surrounding and supporting a rotating auger extending a chosen distance beyond an open end of the casing, and having openings through its upper surface for permitting gravel to enter the casing in addition to entering through the open end thereof, a source of vibration for vibrating the casing, a conveyor for removing material excavated by the system through an opening in the bottom surface of the casing, and a tracked excavator or other suitable vehicle for preventing the casing from rotating and for pushing the casing in a chosen horizontal direction into the gravel formation.