Abstract: A conveyor pan is provided for supporting a portion of a mining conveyor extending along a mine face and positioned between the mine face and a goaf. The conveyor pan includes a deck, a toe, and a heel. The deck includes a first side configured to be positioned proximate the mine face and a second side configured to be positioned proximate the goaf. The toe is positioned adjacent the first side of the deck, and includes a toe contact surface defining a toe surface area. The heel is positioned adjacent the second side of the deck, and includes a lug and a heel contact surface. The lug is configured to be coupled to an advancement mechanism. The heel contact surface defines a heel surface area greater than the toe surface area.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing slack in a chain conveyor driven between a first sprocket and a second sprocket, the first sprocket and the second sprocket rotating in a first direction. The method includes: locking the second sprocket to prevent rotation of the second sprocket in a second direction opposite the first direction; operating the first sprocket in the second direction to position a slack portion between the first sprocket and the second sprocket; and removing at least one chain link from the slack portion.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing slack in a chain conveyor driven between a first sprocket and a second sprocket, the first sprocket and the second sprocket rotating in a first direction. The method includes: locking the second sprocket to prevent rotation of the second sprocket in a second direction opposite the first direction; operating the first sprocket in the second direction to position a slack portion between the first sprocket and the second sprocket; and removing at least one chain link from the slack portion.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing slack in a chain conveyor driven between a first sprocket and a second sprocket, the first sprocket and the second sprocket rotating in a first direction. The method includes: locking the second sprocket to prevent rotation of the second sprocket in a second direction opposite the first direction; operating the first sprocket in the second direction to position a slack portion between the first sprocket and the second sprocket; and removing at least one chain link from the slack portion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of controlling a longwall mining system, the longwall mining system including a longwall shearer, a conveyor, and a plurality of roof supports, such that the method includes creating, by a controller, a load profile of the conveyor representing a distribution of mineral along a length of the conveyor, calculating, by the controller, a desired change in the load profile based on the load profile of the conveyor, and controlling, by the controller, the longwall mining system to adjust the distribution of mineral on the conveyor based on the desired change in load profile.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Controlling an output of a mining system. The control includes receiving, at a processor, a first signal associated with a position of the shearer, determining, using the processor, the position of the shearer based on the first signal, receiving, at the processor, a second signal associated with a load of a conveyor, and determining, using the processor, the load of the conveyor based on the second signal. The method further includes determining, using the processor, an output of the mining system based on the position of the shearer and the load of the conveyor and controlling a speed of the shearer based on the output of the mining system.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for a longwall shearer. The fluid delivery system includes a flow control device and an electronic processor. The flow control device is in fluid communication with a nozzle positioned on the shearer, and in fluid communication with a fluid source. The electronic processor is coupled to the flow control device. The electronic processor is configured to receive a measure of a capacity parameter, and determine a model fluid flow based on the measure of the capacity parameter. The capacity parameter corresponds to a position of the shearer along the mineral face. The electronic processor is further configured to set an operational parameter of the flow control device based on the model fluid flow, and operate the flow control device at the set operational parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting face alignment and face steering of a longwall mining system. The system includes a detection device mounted in a maingate roadway and a first indicator device mounted on a shearer of the longwall mining system to indicate a position of the shearer to the detection device. The system further includes a controller coupled to the detection device. The controller determines a shearer path of the shearer as the shearer moves along an ore face. The shearer path is determined based on a signal from the first indicator device received by the detection device. The controller generates an indication of face alignment based on the shearer path.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting face creep of a longwall mining system. The system includes a detection device mounted in a maingate roadway and coupled to the detection device. The controller determines the position of the beam stage loader-armored face conveyor interface based on a signal from the first indicator device, determines a position of a maingate line based on a signal from a maingate indicator device, and determines a position of a belt conveyor based on a signal from a belt conveyor indicator device. The controller further determines a first distance between the position of the beam stage loader-armored face conveyor interface and a maingate line, and a second distance between the position of the belt conveyor and the maingate line. The controller generates an indication of face creep based on the first distance and the second distance.

Abstract: A conveyor pan is provided for supporting a portion of a mining conveyor extending along a mine face and positioned between the mine face and a goaf. The conveyor pan includes a deck, a toe, and a heel. The deck includes a first side configured to be positioned proximate the mine face and a second side configured to be positioned proximate the goaf. The toe is positioned adjacent the first side of the deck, and includes a toe contact surface defining a toe surface area. The heel is positioned adjacent the second side of the deck, and includes a lug and a heel contact surface. The lug is configured to be coupled to an advancement mechanism. The heel contact surface defines a heel surface area greater than the toe surface area.

Abstract: Controlling an output of a mining system. The control includes receiving, at a processor, a first signal associated with a position of the shearer, determining, using the processor, the position of the shearer based on the first signal, receiving, at the processor, a second signal associated with a load of a conveyor, and determining, using the processor, the load of the conveyor based on the second signal. The method further includes determining, using the processor, an output of the mining system based on the position of the shearer and the load of the conveyor and controlling a speed of the shearer based on the output of the mining system.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing slack in a chain conveyor driven between a first sprocket and a second sprocket, the first sprocket and the second sprocket rotating in a first direction. The method includes: locking the second sprocket to prevent rotation of the second sprocket in a second direction opposite the first direction; operating the first sprocket in the second direction to position a slack portion between the first sprocket and the second sprocket; and removing at least one chain link from the slack portion.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for a longwall shearer. The fluid delivery system includes a flow control device and an electronic processor. The flow control device is in fluid communication with a nozzle positioned on the shearer, and in fluid communication with a fluid source. The electronic processor is coupled to the flow control device. The electronic processor is configured to receive a measure of a capacity parameter, and determine a model fluid flow based on the measure of the capacity parameter. The capacity parameter corresponds to a position of the shearer along the mineral face. The electronic processor is further configured to set an operational parameter of the flow control device based on the model fluid flow, and operate the flow control device at the set operational parameter.

Abstract: Controlling an output of a mining system. The control includes receiving, at a processor, a first signal associated with a position of the shearer, determining, using the processor, the position of the shearer based on the first signal, receiving, at the processor, a second signal associated with a load of a conveyor, and determining, using the processor, the load of the conveyor based on the second signal. The method further includes determining, using the processor, an output of the mining system based on the position of the shearer and the load of the conveyor and controlling a speed of the shearer based on the output of the mining system.

Abstract: A conveyor for a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a drive mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder, and a controller. The chain is associated with the sprocket and has a top chain portion and a bottom chain portion. The drive mechanism is coupled to the sprocket and is operable to drive the sprocket. The controller includes a processing unit and a memory. The controller is configured to receive a first signal related to a characteristic of the drive mechanism, receive a second signal related to a reaction force of the sprocket, calculate a tension of the top chain portion based on the first signal and the second signal, and generate a control signal for controlling a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the determined tension of the top chain portion.

Abstract: A conveyor for a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a drive mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder, and a controller. The chain is associated with the sprocket and has a top chain portion and a bottom chain portion. The drive mechanism is coupled to the sprocket and is operable to drive the sprocket. The controller includes a processing unit and a memory. The controller is configured to receive a first signal related to a characteristic of the drive mechanism, receive a second signal related to a reaction force of the sprocket, calculate a tension of the top chain portion based on the first signal and the second signal, and generate a control signal for controlling a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the determined tension of the top chain portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting face creep of a longwall mining system. The system includes a detection device mounted in a maingate roadway and coupled to the detection device. The controller determines the position of the beam stage loader-armored face conveyor interface based on a signal from the first indicator device, determines a position of a maingate line based on a signal from a maingate indicator device, and determines a position of a belt conveyor based on a signal from a belt conveyor indicator device. The controller further determines a first distance between the position of the beam stage loader-armored face conveyor interface and a maingate line, and a second distance between the position of the belt conveyor and the maingate line. The controller generates an indication of face creep based on the first distance and the second distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting face alignment and face steering of a longwall mining system. The system includes a detection device mounted in a maingate roadway and a first indicator device mounted on a shearer of the longwall mining system to indicate a position of the shearer to the detection device. The system further includes a controller coupled to the detection device. The controller determines a shearer path of the shearer as the shearer moves along an ore face. The shearer path is determined based on a signal from the first indicator device received by the detection device. The controller generates an indication of face alignment based on the shearer path.