Disclosed are systems and methods to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner including 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. 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: monitor, direct, maintain, and/or adjust a set of boring controls, including for example a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, a temperature of exhaust gases directed at the bore face, a removal rate of material from the bore face, and/or a thermal or topological characterization of the bore face during boring operations.

Disclosed are systems and methods to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner including 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. 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: monitor, direct, maintain, and/or adjust a set of boring controls, including for example a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, a temperature of exhaust gases directed at the bore face, a removal rate of material from the bore face, and/or a thermal or topological characterization of the bore face during boring operations.

A machine for excavating rock includes a frame, a cutting device, and a boom. The cutting device includes a cutting disc having a cutting edge, and the cutting disc is rotatable about a cutting device axis. The boom supports the cutting device and includes a first end, a second end, and a boom axis substantially parallel to the cutting device axis. The boom further includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled to the frame for rotation about a first pivot axis between a raised position and a lowered position. The second portion is coupled to the cutting device, and the second portion is pivotable about a second pivot axis between a raised position and a lowered position.

Disclosed are systems and methods to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner including 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. 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: monitor, direct, maintain, and/or adjust a set of boring controls, including for example a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, a temperature of exhaust gases directed at the bore face, a removal rate of material from the bore face, and/or a thermal or topological characterization of the bore face during boring operations.

Disclosed are systems and methods to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner including 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. 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: monitor, direct, maintain, and/or adjust a set of boring controls, including for example a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, a temperature of exhaust gases directed at the bore face, a removal rate of material from the bore face, and/or a thermal or topological characterization of the bore face during boring operations.

A method for sideways movement of an earth working machine (10), the earth working machine (10) comprising a machine frame (12) that stands via at least one front drive unit (18) and at least one rear drive unit (20) on a standing surface (A) of a substrate (U), which drive units (18, 20) are configured to roll on the substrate (U) in a running direction (D), the drive units (18, 20) being rotatable relative to the machine frame (12) around a steering axis (S) associated with the respective drive unit (18, 20), wherein the method-related sideways movement occurs in a sideways direction (V) that deviates from the travel direction of the earth working machine (10) determined by the respective steering angle, the method encompassing the following steps: tilting the drive units (18, 20) relative to the standing surface (A) around a tilt axis (N) enclosing an angle, preferably a right angle, both with the associated steering axis (S) and with the running direction (D) of the drive unit (18, 20), in such a way that a pivot point (C) around which the drive units (18, 20) pivot relative to the substrate (U) is shifted away from a virtual intersection point (P) at which the steering axis (S), notionally prolonged toward the substrate (U), intersects the standing surface (A); rotating the tilted drive units (18, 20) relative to the machine frame (12) around the steering axis (S) and thereby pivoting the drive units (18, 20) relative to the substrate (U) around the pivot point (C) shifted away from the intersection point (P).

A method for sideways movement of an earth working machine (10), the earth working machine (10) comprising a machine frame (12) that stands via at least one front drive unit (18) and at least one rear drive unit (20) on a standing surface (A) of a substrate (U), which drive units (18, 20) are configured to roll on the substrate (U) in a running direction (D), the drive units (18, 20) being rotatable relative to the machine frame (12) around a steering axis (S) associated with the respective drive unit (18, 20), wherein the method-related sideways movement occurs in a sideways direction (V) that deviates from the travel direction of the earth working machine (10) determined by the respective steering angle, the method encompassing the following steps: tilting the drive units (18, 20) relative to the standing surface (A) around a tilt axis (N) enclosing an angle, preferably a right angle, both with the associated steering axis (S) and with the running direction (D) of the drive unit (18, 20), in such a way that a pivot point (C) around which the drive units (18, 20) pivot relative to the substrate (U) is shifted away from a virtual intersection point (P) at which the steering axis (S), notionally prolonged toward the substrate (U), intersects the standing surface (A); rotating the tilted drive units (18, 20) relative to the machine frame (12) around the steering axis (S) and thereby pivoting the drive units (18, 20) relative to the substrate (U) around the pivot point (C) shifted away from the intersection point (P).

Disclosed are systems and methods to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner including 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. 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: monitor, direct, maintain, and/or adjust a set of boring controls, including for example a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, a temperature of exhaust gases directed at the bore face, a removal rate of material from the bore face, and/or a thermal or topological characterization of the bore face during boring operations.

Disclosed are systems and methods to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner including 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. 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: monitor, direct, maintain, and/or adjust a set of boring controls, including for example a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, a temperature of exhaust gases directed at the bore face, a removal rate of material from the bore face, and/or a thermal or topological characterization of the bore face during boring operations.

Disclosed are systems and methods to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner including 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. 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: monitor, direct, maintain, and/or adjust a set of boring controls, including for example a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, a temperature of exhaust gases directed at the bore face, a removal rate of material from the bore face, and/or a thermal or topological characterization of the bore face during boring operations.