Automated control of a longwall stageloader bootend using a plurality of sensors. The sensors include lift sensors, side shift sensors, advance sensors, angle sensors, and conveyor belt sensors. Signals from the plurality of sensors are received by a controller and used to control the operation of the bootend. Controlling the operation of the bootend includes controlling, for example, one or more lift actuators, one or more side shift actuators, one or more advance actuators, and one or more belt actuators. These various actuators can be controlled to, for example, advance the bootend, level the bootend, or match the interfaces between the bootend and a stageloader or a conveyor structure. By automating the operation of the bootend, the need for human positioning control is reduced and the safety of operators is improved.

An auxiliary transportation and support system used after rapid excavation is provided. The system includes a crushing and transportation device, a roof bolt support device and a side bolt support device. The crushing and transportation device includes a traveling mechanism, a transportation device, a receiving hopper, and a crushing device. The traveling mechanism is located at a bottom of the crushing and transportation device. A chassis is arranged above the traveling mechanism. The transportation device is mounted on the chassis along a traveling direction of the traveling mechanism. The receiving hopper and the crushing device are both arranged on the transportation device. The roof bolt support device includes a roof bolter, a middle roof bolter and a horizontally telescopic arm which is arranged at a head end of the chassis. The roof bolter is coupled to a movable stretching end of the horizontally telescopic arm.

A cutting apparatus suitable for creating tunnels and subterranean roadways includes independently pivoting supports that each carry a respective independently pivoting arm and a rotatable cutting head. Each cutting head via the supports and arms, is configured to slew laterally outward in a sideways direction and to pivot in a vertical upward and downward direction. The supports and arms are mounted on a linear moving sled carried by a main frame.

A cutting apparatus suitable for creating tunnels and subterranean roadways includes independently pivoting supports that each carry a respective independently pivoting arm and a rotatable cutting head. Each cutting head via the supports and arms, is configured to slew laterally outward in a sideways direction and to pivot in a vertical upward and downward direction. The supports and arms are mounted on a linear moving sled carried by a main frame.

A conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link. The first link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The second link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The coupler link couples the first link to the second link, and the coupler link is positioned laterally between the first sprocket-engaging portion and the second sprocket-engaging portion of each link. The coupler link includes a first joint pivotably coupled to the first link and a second joint pivotably coupled to the second link. The first joint permits pivoting movement of the first link about a plurality of axes, and the second joint permits pivoting movement of the second link about a plurality of axes.

A conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link. The first link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The second link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The coupler link couples the first link to the second link, and the coupler link is positioned laterally between the first sprocket-engaging portion and the second sprocket-engaging portion of each link. The coupler link includes a first joint pivotably coupled to the first link and a second joint pivotably coupled to the second link. The first joint permits pivoting movement of the first link about a plurality of axes, and the second joint permits pivoting movement of the second link about a plurality of axes.

A drive mechanism for a chain conveyor includes an elongated shaft that extends along an axis and is configured to be driven to rotate by a motor. A sprocket is integrally formed with the shaft. The sprocket includes a plurality of lobes that extend around a perimeter of the shaft. Each lobe is spaced apart from an adjacent lobe by a recessed portion. Each of the recessed portions is configured to receive a drive pin of the chain conveyor.

A drive mechanism for a chain conveyor includes an elongated shaft that extends along an axis and is configured to be driven to rotate by a motor. A sprocket is integrally formed with the shaft. The sprocket includes a plurality of lobes that extend around a perimeter of the shaft. Each lobe is spaced apart from an adjacent lobe by a recessed portion. Each of the recessed portions is configured to receive a drive pin of the chain conveyor.

A conveyor pan is provided for supporting a portion of a mining conveyor extending along a mine face and positioned between the mine face and a goaf. The conveyor pan includes a deck, a toe, and a heel. The deck includes a first side configured to be positioned proximate the mine face and a second side configured to be positioned proximate the goaf. The toe is positioned adjacent the first side of the deck, and includes a toe contact surface defining a toe surface area. The heel is positioned adjacent the second side of the deck, and includes a lug and a heel contact surface. The lug is configured to be coupled to an advancement mechanism. The heel contact surface defines a heel surface area greater than the toe surface area.

A conveyor pan is provided for supporting a portion of a mining conveyor extending along a mine face and positioned between the mine face and a goaf. The conveyor pan includes a deck, a toe, and a heel. The deck includes a first side configured to be positioned proximate the mine face and a second side configured to be positioned proximate the goaf. The toe is positioned adjacent the first side of the deck, and includes a toe contact surface defining a toe surface area. The heel is positioned adjacent the second side of the deck, and includes a lug and a heel contact surface. The lug is configured to be coupled to an advancement mechanism. The heel contact surface defines a heel surface area greater than the toe surface area.