A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.

A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.

A conveyor system including a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path, and a plurality of automated conveyor carriers supported on the rail. Each carrier includes an on-board motor, at least one wheel forming an interface with the rail, and an on-board power source selectively powering the on-board motor to drive the ACC along the rail. Each of the plurality of carriers operates to power the on-board motor from the on-board power source under the direction of instructions programmed to a local controller. Each of the local controllers is programmed with an algorithm for independent wear monitoring of the at least one wheel and further programmed to take at least one responsive action based on an identification of the at least one wheel being worn.

A method of operating a conveyor system includes providing a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path, the rail supporting first and second consecutive automated conveyor carriers (ACC), each of which includes a motor-powered self-driving trolley. First and second loads are suspended from the first and second ACCs. The first and second ACCs are driven independently along the rail by executing instructions from independent on-board controllers of the first and second ACCs, wherein a first spacing between the first and second ACCs is maintained through a first section of the rail. The first ACC is accelerated away from the second ACC to increase the spacing from the first spacing to a second spacing for navigating a second section of the rail, the second section being a curved section.

A conveyor chain includes a first flight including a first side portion having a first aperture, a first flight bar, and a first sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain also includes a second flight including a second side portion having a second aperture, a second flight bar, and a second sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain further includes a connecting pin having a first end portion received within the first aperture and a second end portion received within the second aperture. The connecting pin couples the first and second flights together. The first sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the first end portion of the connecting pin and the second sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the second end portion of the connecting pin.

A conveyor chain includes a first flight including a first side portion having a first aperture, a first flight bar, and a first sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain also includes a second flight including a second side portion having a second aperture, a second flight bar, and a second sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain further includes a connecting pin having a first end portion received within the first aperture and a second end portion received within the second aperture. The connecting pin couples the first and second flights together. The first sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the first end portion of the connecting pin and the second sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the second end portion of the connecting pin.

The present invention discloses a drive system of a scraper conveyor and a control method. The drive system includes a nose sprocket, a tail sprocket, a nose sprocket drive mechanism, and a tail sprocket drive mechanism, where the nose sprocket drive mechanism is a hydraulic motor I, and the tail sprocket drive mechanism is a hydraulic motor II; and a hydraulic system that drives the hydraulic motor I and a hydraulic system that drives the hydraulic motor II include same hydraulic elements, and both include a three-position four-way solenoid directional valve, a two-position two-way solenoid directional valve, a two-position three-way solenoid directional valve, an accumulator, and an oil supplement valve group. The present invention is applicable to rapid starting and stopping of the scraper conveyor in a heavy load status while adjusting chain tension in real time, thereby resolving a power imbalance problem in a dual-drive system, and has a simple structure and a long service life.

The present invention discloses a drive system of a scraper conveyor and a control method. The drive system includes a nose sprocket, a tail sprocket, a nose sprocket drive mechanism, and a tail sprocket drive mechanism, where the nose sprocket drive mechanism is a hydraulic motor I, and the tail sprocket drive mechanism is a hydraulic motor II; and a hydraulic system that drives the hydraulic motor I and a hydraulic system that drives the hydraulic motor II include same hydraulic elements, and both include a three-position four-way solenoid directional valve, a two-position two-way solenoid directional valve, a two-position three-way solenoid directional valve, an accumulator, and an oil supplement valve group. The present invention is applicable to rapid starting and stopping of the scraper conveyor in a heavy load status while adjusting chain tension in real time, thereby resolving a power imbalance problem in a dual-drive system, and has a simple structure and a long service life.

The present invention discloses a drive system of a scraper conveyor and a control method. The drive system includes a nose sprocket, a tail sprocket, a nose sprocket drive mechanism, and a tail sprocket drive mechanism, where the nose sprocket drive mechanism is a hydraulic motor I, and the tail sprocket drive mechanism is a hydraulic motor II; and a hydraulic system that drives the hydraulic motor I and a hydraulic system that drives the hydraulic motor II include same hydraulic elements, and both include a three-position four-way solenoid directional valve, a two-position two-way solenoid directional valve, a two-position three-way solenoid directional valve, an accumulator, and an oil supplement valve group. The present invention is applicable to rapid starting and stopping of the scraper conveyor in a heavy load status while adjusting chain tension in real time, thereby resolving a power imbalance problem in a dual-drive system, and has a simple structure and a long service life.

The present invention discloses a drive system of a scraper conveyor and a control method. The drive system includes a nose sprocket, a tail sprocket, a nose sprocket drive mechanism, and a tail sprocket drive mechanism, where the nose sprocket drive mechanism is a hydraulic motor I, and the tail sprocket drive mechanism is a hydraulic motor II; and a hydraulic system that drives the hydraulic motor I and a hydraulic system that drives the hydraulic motor II include same hydraulic elements, and both include a three-position four-way solenoid directional valve, a two-position two-way solenoid directional valve, a two-position three-way solenoid directional valve, an accumulator, and an oil supplement valve group. The present invention is applicable to rapid starting and stopping of the scraper conveyor in a heavy load status while adjusting chain tension in real time, thereby resolving a power imbalance problem in a dual-drive system, and has a simple structure and a long service life.