Joy Global Underground Mining LLC

Joy Mm Delaware, Inc.

Christopher George Stewart

Aaron Philip Walker

Randall F Johnson

Dirk Johannes Van Dyk

Grant William Johanningsmeier

Benjamin Scott Patterson

Joseph Daniel Hoover

Mining machines such as continuous miners and chain haulage units may include chain conveyors that are capable of deflecting laterally in order to travel through lateral turns. The chain conveyors may include flight members for pushing or urging material along a pan. The chain may be driven by one or more sprockets. In one independent aspect, a link for a chain conveyor includes a body including a first end a second end opposite the first end, a first opening proximate the first end and extending in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the link, a second opening proximate the second end and extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the link, and a relief opening extending through the link body and positioned between the first end and the second end.

Chain conveyor and link for same

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 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.

Chain conveyor

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 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.

Chain conveyor and coupler link for same

An industrial machine including an actuator, a gear reducer, a cutter drum, a cutter bit, a sensor, and a controller. The gear reducer is configured to receive a first rotational energy from the actuator and output a second rotational energy. The cutter drum is supported by a chassis. The cutter drum is driven by the second rotational energy. The cutter bit is coupled to the cutter drum. The sensor is configured to sense a characteristic of the industrial machine. The controller, having a processor and memory, is configured to receive the characteristic of the industrial machine, determine a cutting efficiency based on the characteristic of the industrial machine, and output the cutting efficiency.

System and method for determining efficiency of an industrial machine

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.

Drive shaft and sprockets for chain conveyor

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.

Chain conveyor link

A conveyor chain includes first link, a second link, a connecting link, a first flight, and a second flight. The first link includes a first side portion and a second side portion. The first side portion has apertures and a first drive pin disposed between the apertures. The first drive pin is configured to be driven by a first sprocket. The second side portion has apertures and a second drive pin disposed between the apertures and extending in a direction opposite the first drive pin. The second drive pin is configured to be driven by a second sprocket. The second link includes a first side portion and a second side portion. The first flight is cast integrally with an end of the first drive pin of the first link, and the second flight is cast integrally with an end of the second drive pin of the first link.

Chain conveyor with cast sections

A cutting device including a cutting drum, a motor housing, a structural web extending between the motor housing and the cutting drum, and a structural member attached to the cutting drum adjacent the web. The structural member has a structural surface including an edge adjacent the web and an edge away from the web. The surface has an edge away from the web, the surface being inclined away from the web by having the edge adjacent the web forward in the cutting direction of the edge away from the web. In the preferred embodiment, the structural member is a bit mechanism including a bit, and the structural member houses the bit.

Cutting drum web deflector

A tension adjustment assembly for a tracked vehicle, the tracked vehicle including a frame, an endless track, a track-engaging wheel supported by the frame, and a second track-engaging wheel supported by the frame in spaced relation to the first track-engaging wheel. The first track-engaging wheel and the second track-engaging wheel are rotatable about a first axis and a second axis, respectively. The endless track extends about the first track-engaging wheel and the second track-engaging wheel, and the track has a tension. The first track-engaging wheel is movable relative to the frame in a direction perpendicular to the first axis to adjust the tension of the track. The assembly further comprises a tension adjustment mechanism connected to the first track-engaging wheel and operable to move the first track-engaging wheel, the tension adjustment mechanism including a rotatable member rotatable about a rotational axis to cause movement of the first track-engaging wheel relative to the frame. The assembly also includes a shaft rotatably supported by the frame for rotation about a shaft axis generally transverse to the rotational axis; and a coupling connected between the shaft and the rotatable member to translate rotation of the shaft into rotation of the rotatable member to thereby move the first track-engaging wheel and adjust the tension of the track.

Tracked vehicle and tension adjustment assembly

An apparatus for filtering airborne contaminates that has a frame member and a collection duct attached thereto. A duct assembly is slidably supported on the frame member and selectively movable along a linear path between a first position adjacent the frame member and collection duct and a second position displaced from the frame member. A fan for inducing airflow into the collection duct and duct assembly may be attached to the duct assembly for travel therewith or attached to the frame and the duct assembly when the duct assembly is in the first position. The duct assembly may be selectively movable between the first and second positions along a linear path relative to the frame member by a slidable support attached between the frame member and duct assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Oil City, PA, United States of America

Christopher George Stewart