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 tensioning system for a conveyor element of a conveyor. The tensioning system including a hydraulic apparatus, a locking plate, and a take-up bar. The hydraulic apparatus includes a cylinder having an extendible piston. The take-up bar is coupled to the cylinder and coupled to a shaft of the conveyor. The take-up bar moves the shaft of the conveyor in a forward direction away from the centerline of the conveyor when overcoming a locking force from the locking plate.

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.

Provided is a method of mining a single steeply-inclined thick coal seam, which belongs to the mining engineering field. The mining method includes: carrying out one transport crossheading along a floor of the coal seam to constitute a production system together with rises on both sides of a district; arranging a top-coal caving hydraulic support along a thickness of the coal seam in the transport crossheading, with a cyclic advance interval being 1.0 m; maintaining one section of return air channel close to a side of a roof that is in a gob and behind the hydraulic support. In a case of mining, caved coals fall on a scraper conveyer and transported through a belt conveyer. Fresh air flow required for a working surface enters the transport crossheading through a district transport crosscut and a track rise, and then enters the return air rise through the return air channel after washing the working surface. A unique return air channel is adopted. The method features advantages such as simple roadway arrangement system, strong adaptability, large yield of working surface, and high safety level.

In some aspects, a conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link coupled between the first link and the second link. The first link includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion oriented parallel to and laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally. The second link includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally. A flight bar is positioned adjacent an end of the first sprocket-engaging portion of the first link.

The present disclosure relates to a plow guide assembly for guiding a mining plow. The plow guide assembly may comprise a base member including a first guide beam for guideing the mining plow and extending along a first axis, and a second guide beam spaced apart the first guide beam for defining a service clearance therebetween, and extending along a second axis axially aligned to the first axis. The plow guide assembly may further comprise an insert element insertable into the service clearance and having a third guide beam extending along a third axis. In an assembled state of the insert element, the third axis is axially aligned to the first and second axes.

An automatic straightening device includes a fully-mechanized coal mining working face, which includes a plurality of middle troughs, and each middle trough is connected to a push-pull rod of one hydraulic support. The fully-mechanized coal mining working face is provided with the automatic straightening device. The automatic straightening device includes a flexible element rope, the tensile and compressive force sensors, and a signal processing device. Each middle trough is provided with two tensile and compressive force sensors; one end of the flexible element rope is connected to a rope extend-retract control device, and the other end of the flexible element rope sequentially passes through lifting rings to be connected to the tensile and compressive force sensors and is fixed to a positioning force bearing bolt on the outermost side.

A tensioning system for a conveyor element of a conveyor. The tensioning system including a hydraulic apparatus, a locking plate, and a take-up bar. The hydraulic apparatus includes a cylinder having an extendible piston. The take-up bar is coupled to the cylinder and coupled to a shaft of the conveyor. The take-up bar moves the shaft of the conveyor in a forward direction away from the centerline of the conveyor when overcoming a locking force from the locking plate.

An automatic straightening device includes a fully-mechanized coal mining working face, which includes a plurality of middle troughs, and each middle trough is connected to a push-pull rod of one hydraulic support. The fully-mechanized coal mining working face is provided with the automatic straightening device. The automatic straightening device includes a flexible element rope, the tensile and compressive force sensors, and a signal processing device. Each middle trough is provided with two tensile and compressive force sensors; one end of the flexible element rope is connected to a rope extend-retract control device, and the other end of the flexible element rope sequentially passes through lifting rings to be connected to the tensile and compressive force sensors and is fixed to a positioning force bearing bolt on the outermost side.