A conveyor module 1, adapted to be releasably attached to at least one other conveyor module 1 to form a conveyor assembly 15. Each conveyor module 1 includes a substantially longitudinal main frame 4, said main frame 4 being adjustable between a first position (FIG. 3), in which said module 1 is compacted for transportation, and, a second position (FIG. 4), in which said module 1 is expanded for conveyor operation. A plurality of support legs 17 is provided to support said conveyor module 1 upon a substrate surface, each support leg being adjustable to facilitate adjustable alignment of said module 1. Conveyor componentry 12 is housed substantially within said main frame 1. The conveyor module 1 is preferably formed from or built to standardised shipping container (ISO) specifications.

The present invention relates to a flexible conveyor system. The system includes a supply conveyor module and a receiver conveyor module. A hitch mechanism is provided for pivotally coupling the supply conveyor module to the receiver conveyor module about a pivot axis so that the receiver conveyor module receives conveyed material from the supply conveyor module proximal to the pivot axis. Advantageously, the receiver conveyor module receives conveyed material from the supply conveyor module proximal to the pivot axis which impedes spillage between the adjacent conveyor modules on very tight corners.

The present invention relates to a flexible conveyor system. The system includes a supply conveyor module and a receiver conveyor module. A hitch mechanism is provided for pivotally coupling the supply conveyor module to the receiver conveyor module about a pivot axis so that the receiver conveyor module receives conveyed material from the supply conveyor module proximal to the pivot axis. Advantageously, the receiver conveyor module receives conveyed material from the supply conveyor module proximal to the pivot axis which impedes spillage between the adjacent conveyor modules on very tight corners.

A machine includes a frame having a first frame member selectively coupled to a second frame member. The machine also includes an alignment and connection assembly including a protrusion coupled to the first frame member. The protrusion is receivable within the second frame member to align the first frame member with the second frame member. The alignment and connection assembly also includes a fastener coupled to the protrusion. The fastener is operable to secure the first frame member relative to the second frame member.

Disclosed are vehicles used in transporting coarse ore in a mine and systems using the same. The vehicles include a drive mechanism for moving the vehicle along a surface; an inclinable conveyor positioned atop the drive mechanism for moving the coarse ore from a loading position to a discharge position; and vertically extending walls positioned along the longitudinal sides of the conveyor. The loading position of the conveyor being offset from the vertically extending walls and the discharge position of the conveyor extends beyond the vertically extending walls so that one vehicle can be positioned with respect to another to form a continuous walled conveyor. The vehicles and systems described herein do not require rails, so they can be manoeuvered within a mine to form a network from the mine face to a coarse ore unloading area.

Disclosed are vehicles used in transporting coarse ore in a mine and systems using the same. The vehicles include a drive mechanism for moving the vehicle along a surface; an inclinable conveyor positioned atop the drive mechanism for moving the coarse ore from a loading position to a discharge position; and vertically extending walls positioned along the longitudinal sides of the conveyor. The loading position of the conveyor being offset from the vertically extending walls and the discharge position of the conveyor extends beyond the vertically extending walls so that one vehicle can be positioned with respect to another to form a continuous walled conveyor. The vehicles and systems described herein do not require rails, so they can be manoeuvered within a mine to form a network from the mine face to a coarse ore unloading area.

The present invention relates to a mining system. The system includes a continuous miner for forming plunge tunnels from a roadway. A flexible conveyor system is coupled to the continuous miner for conveying mined material from the plunge tunnels. A controller is provided for controlling the continuous miner and the flexible conveyor system to travel along a predetermined path. Advantageously, the controller may control the drive and steering (including turning maneuvers) of the continuous miner and each conveyor module of the flexible conveyor system along the predetermined path to avoid striking either any adjacent equipment (e.g., another conveyor), or the “ribs” of a plunge tunnel being mined.

The present invention relates to a mining system including a continuous miner. The continuous miner mines material and includes a miner navigation system. The mining system further includes a flexible conveyor system for receiving the mined material from the continuous miner. The flexible conveyor system includes a conveyor navigation system. The mining system further includes control means for controlling the miner navigation system and the conveyor navigation system so that the flexible conveyor system receives the mined material from the continuous miner. Preferably, the flexible conveyor system need not be coupled to the continuous miner, and can be extracted separately in the event of a cave-in on the miner.

The present invention relates to a mining system including a continuous miner. The continuous miner mines material and includes a miner navigation system. The mining system further includes a flexible conveyor system for receiving the mined material from the continuous miner. The flexible conveyor system includes a conveyor navigation system. The mining system further includes control means for controlling the miner navigation system and the conveyor navigation system so that the flexible conveyor system receives the mined material from the continuous miner. Preferably, the flexible conveyor system need not be coupled to the continuous miner, and can be extracted separately in the event of a cave-in on the miner.

An emitter to deliver an electron flow towards particulate matter includes a base, a conductive track fixed to the base, and a plurality of conductive pins fixed to the base and extending therefrom in a predetermined direction and electrically coupled to the track so as to receive a negative electric charge therefrom. The emitter also includes a plurality of tubes, fixed to the base, and extending therefrom in said direction, with each of the tubes having an interior extending away from the base to an open end, and with each tube having at least one of the pins located in the interior thereof.