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.

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.

A sprocket adapted to be used in a drive unit of a chain conveyor for underground mining applications is disclosed. The sprocket may have a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body may have a front face, an axis of rotation (A-A), and a lateral surface. The sprocket may also have a scraping member provided on the front face. The scraping member may scrape off deposits during rotation of the sprocket.

A linkage for moving material from a first end of a conveyor toward a second end of the conveyor includes a first link and a second link. The first link includes a first side edge and a first indicator. The second link includes a second side edge and a second indicator. The second link is coupled to the first link such that the first side edge of the first link overlaps with the second side edge of the second link. Elongation of the first link in the direction of movement causes the first indicator to move relative to the second indicator, and a position of the first indicator relative to the second indicator provides an indication of a wear condition of the first link. In some aspects, a first surface and/or a second surface of one of the links includes a wear indicator representing a surface wear condition.

A method for realizing a centralized control platform for large fully-mechanized coal mining face equipment is provided. In the method, on the basis of a coal cutter system, a hydraulic support system, a coal mining face transportation system, an emulsion pump station system, a mobile transformer substation system and a video monitoring system of the large fully-mechanized coal mining face equipment, real-time monitoring, centralized coordination control and information communication network are realized by a high-speed embedded computer UNO-3072A, a high-speed data acquisition card PCI-1716, a PowerBuilder front-end development platform, an SQLServer database, a Modbus TCP/IP communication protocol and an industrial Ethernet, thereby realizing centralized control over the large underground fully-mechanized coal mining face equipment. Automated production of fully-mechanized coal mining faces is realized.

A mining system with an inertial guidance system configured to enable precise excavation of geological material without a need to advance a survey line over a long distance and/or nonlinear excavation path, thereby maximizing productivity of the mind by minimizing a width of un-mined material necessary for support between adjacent excavation paths and minimizing equipment downtime.

A fracture detection system and method for a dumbbell pin of a scraper conveyor. The system comprises a scraper conveyor, a wireless ranging apparatus (2), a wireless communication device, a support controller and a monitoring center. The wireless ranging apparatus (2) is mounted on a ramp plate ledge of a scraper conveyor chute (1), and has a laser range finder and a reflection target plate (24) for detecting a relative displacement between any two adjacent chutes. The wireless communication device realizes communication between the wireless ranging apparatus (2) and the support controller, and transmits the displacement of the laser range finder to the support controller in a wireless transmission manner. The support controller controls an action of the scraper conveyor chute (1). A monitoring center is electrically connected to the support controller, and can perform storage processing on relative displacement data of any adjacent chutes. In the method, by taking a relative displacement value between adjacent chutes as a reference, whether a fracture fault occurs in a dumbbell pin is judged, the position of the fractured dumbbell pin can be accurately determined, and a support controller controls a chute action, thereby having a high promotion and usage value.

A conveyor assembly for moving material includes a plurality of chains each defining a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of flights coupled to the at least two chains and configured to contact and move the material in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes. Each of the plurality of flights extends along a central axis oriented oblique with respect to the longitudinal axes. Each flight includes a first portion offset from a second portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes.

A conveyor assembly for moving material includes a plurality of chains each defining a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of flights coupled to the at least two chains and configured to contact and move the material in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes. Each of the plurality of flights extends along a central axis oriented oblique with respect to the longitudinal axes. Each flight includes a first portion offset from a second portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes.

A method for realizing a centralized control platform for large fully-mechanized coal mining face equipment is provided. In the method, on the basis of a coal cutter system, a hydraulic support system, a coal mining face transportation system, an emulsion pump station system, a mobile transformer substation system and a video monitoring system of the large fully-mechanized coal mining face equipment, real-time monitoring, centralized coordination control and information communication network are realized by a high-speed embedded computer UNO-3072A, a high-speed data acquisition card PCI-1716, a PowerBuilder front-end development platform, an SQLServer database, a Modbus TCP/IP communication protocol and an industrial Ethernet, thereby realizing centralized control over the large underground fully-mechanized coal mining face equipment. Automated production of fully-mechanized coal mining faces is realized.