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 transport device having a plate; an unloading device which pushes a plurality of articles arranged on the plate; a bridge disposed adjacent to the plate; and a conveyor belt which is disposed adjacent to the bridge and which transports a row of articles having been pushed out from the plate. After a predetermined row of articles pushed out from the bridge onto the belt conveyor, the belt conveyor moves in the same direction as the direction in which the unloading device pushes the articles, separating from the bridge.

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.

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.

A self-adaptive luggage transfer device and system. The self-adaptive luggage transfer device includes a base, a conveyor mechanism, a lifting mechanism and a self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism. The lifting mechanism is arranged between the conveyor mechanism and the base and is configured to drive the conveyor mechanism to lift. The self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism is obliquely arranged between the conveyor mechanism and the base and is in transmission connection with the lifting mechanism. Two ends of the self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism are movably connected to an output end of the conveyor mechanism and the base, respectively. The conveyor mechanism is configured to drive an end of the self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism connected to the conveyor mechanism to lift in a first direction, and the lifting mechanism is configured to drive at least one end of the self-adaptive extendable transfer mechanism to move in a second direction.

A material transfer vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of ground-engaging drive assemblies that define a plane of locomotion, a front end and a rear end. A discharge conveyor is located at the rear end and is adapted to convey asphalt paving material to the receiving hopper of an asphalt paving machine. An engine provides the motive force for driving the ground-engaging drive assemblies and is located on the frame at the rear end of the material transfer vehicle behind the ground-engaging drive assemblies and below the discharge conveyor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a fuel tank and a hydraulic fluid tank are located between the ground-engaging drive assemblies.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to conveyor systems including liftgates. In some embodiments, a conveyor system including a liftgate comprises a conveyor section including a plurality of rollers, a liftgate section comprising a frame having a proximal end and a distal end and including sidewalls, a plurality of liftgate rollers positioned within the frame, a front bracket and a rear bracket, wherein the front bracket is positioned between the sidewalls toward the proximal end and the rear bracket is positioned toward the distal end, and wherein the rear bracket is pivotably affixed to the conveyor section, and an actuator affixed to the rear bracket and the front bracket configured to provide a linear force acting between the rear bracket and the front bracket, wherein the linear force causes the proximal end of the liftgate portion to raise with respect to the conveyor section.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to conveyor systems including liftgates. In some embodiments, a conveyor system including a liftgate comprises a conveyor section including a plurality of rollers, a liftgate section comprising a frame having a proximal end and a distal end and including sidewalls, a plurality of liftgate rollers positioned within the frame, a front bracket and a rear bracket, wherein the front bracket is positioned between the sidewalls toward the proximal end and the rear bracket is positioned toward the distal end, and wherein the rear bracket is pivotably affixed to the conveyor section, and an actuator affixed to the rear bracket and the front bracket configured to provide a linear force acting between the rear bracket and the front bracket, wherein the linear force causes the proximal end of the liftgate portion to raise with respect to the conveyor section.

A feeder is described for the conveyance of material such as overburden or mineral from a working site, the feeder comprising a feed device having a material receiving end having a material receiving apron suitable for receiving material such as overburden or mineral at a working site; a material discharge end distal of the material receiving end; an endless conveyor disposed between the material receiving apron and the discharge end so as in use to cause material received at the material receiving apron to be conveyed to the material discharge end; a chassis supporting the feed device; a transport carriage supporting the chassis and adapted to cause the feeder to be movable across a surface for deployment in use. A system A system and method for the movement of material from a working site for example via transport trucks are also described.

A feeder is described for the conveyance of material such as overburden or mineral from a working site, the feeder comprising a feed device having a material receiving end having a material receiving apron suitable for receiving material such as overburden or mineral at a working site; a material discharge end distal of the material receiving end; an endless conveyor disposed between the material receiving apron and the discharge end so as in use to cause material received at the material receiving apron to be conveyed to the material discharge end; a chassis supporting the feed device; a transport carriage supporting the chassis and adapted to cause the feeder to be movable across a surface for deployment in use. A system A system and method for the movement of material from a working site for example via transport trucks are also described.