Abstract: A sprocket drive system for a chain conveyor comprises a motor driven transmission which is coupled to a planetary gear unit for speed reduction. The output sprocket is located near the center between the motor and the planetary gear unit. To make the combination more compact in size and efficiency, the drive from the motor is transmitted by means of a shaft coaxially through the drive shaft of the planetary gear unit and through the drive shaft of the transmission unit. The coaxial shaft is then coupled to the transmission unit input shaft. The transmission output shaft is coupled to the planetary gear box and then to the drive sprocket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously transporting mined material for a determined distance from a continuous mining machine in a mine having a roof and a floor to a permanently installed extendable length conveyor in a mine. The method is accomplished by installing an overhead rail supported conveyor along and above the fixed and extendable length conveyor. The overhead rail supported conveyor has at least a length equal to the determined distance and in addition the overhead rail supported conveyor includes a pivoted feed. A self-propelled tramming conveyor is installed having a length at least equal to the determined distance with its discharge cooperating with the pivoted feed of the overhead rail supported conveyor and its feed adapted to receive the material mined by a continuous mining machine.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a mobile flexible conveyor train adapted to be supported on a mine floor to transport coal from a mining machine to a fixed conveyor positioned in a mine passageway, the conveyor system having a rail system for supporting the conveyor on the mine roof and including re-railer for coacting with trolleys on the flexible conveyor train to provide a smooth transition of the flexible conveyor train from the rail system to the mine floor and back onto the rail system.

Abstract: This invention describes a steering apparatus for a tramming conveyor having at least one end articulated about a vertical axis so that said articulated end can deviate angularly in either direction about the longitudinal axis of the conveyor. The steering apparatus basically comprises a control apparatus which is coupled to an external apparatus in a manner to communicate a deviation of the articulated end of the tramming conveyor from alignment with the external apparatus. The control apparatus generates an output responsive to the steering apparatus which will result in a deviation of the articulated end either to the right or left of the external apparatus, such steering apparatus will continue the deviation of the articulated end of the tramming conveyor until the tramming conveyor is again realigned with the external apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for removing material from a sump. The sump has substantially parallel and elongated sidewalls and has a longitudinal axis. The sump is enclosed with ends and a bottom and is adapted for filling with a water-solid mixture to form a slurry. A suction pump is mounted above the sump and extends into the sump for removal of water and solid material. Apparatus is attached to the suction pump for moving the suction pump along the longitudinal axis of the sump. The actual rate at which the suction pump is trammed is determined by apparatus which measures the concentration of the slurry near the pump and transmits a signal to a control unit which operates the tramming control circuit to maintain the concentration at a predetermined ratio of material to water.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for removing material from a sump. The sump has substantially parallel and elongated sidewalls and has a longitudinal axis. The sump is enclosed with ends and a bottom and is adapted for filling with a water-solid mixture to form a slurry. A suction pump is mounted above the sump and extends into the sump for removal of the water and solid material. Apparatus is attached to the suction pump for moving the suction pump along the longitudinal axis of the sump. When the suction pump reaches the end of the sump, apparatus rotates the suction pump through 180 degrees and then the moving apparatus again moves the sump along the longitudinal axis to the other end where it is again rotated in the opposite direction through 180 degrees to the original point for repeating the process.

Abstract: An improved mining method for a surface mine has pairs of slurry and water pipes placed from a processing area on the surface to the floor of the mine beneath the mined out material, pairs of pipes (slurry and water) are spaced along the mining trench. A slurry haulage system is connected to the water and slurry pipes at the beginning of the mining operation. As the mining progresses and the haulage system reaches its maximum capabilites, it is disconnected and connected to the next set of pipes and the first set or pair of pipes is extended the width of the mined trench. The overburden is placed on top of the pipes as the mining progresses.

Abstract: A slurry recovery sump apparatus is formed from a substantially vertical sidewall and a substantially circular horizontal cross-section and includes a bottom. A support extends diametrically across the sump and above the sump, a material input is mounted between the sidewall and the vertical axis of the sump and is attached to the support, a slurry removal apparatus is mounted to the support between the sidewall and the sump vertical axis on the opposite side from the material input. Apparatus is provided for rotating the sump support around the vertical axis and additional apparatus is provided for moving the sump removal apparatus in a prescribed manner to empty the material being deposited into the sump by the material input.

Abstract: A method for filling an elongated sump which has a plurality of diverter gates emptying into the sump is accomplished by dividing the sump into a plurality of adjacent zones along each side of the sump and adding slurry in each of the zones in sequential order in a direction related to the direction of movement of a dredge removing material from the sump. The sequencing automatically skips the zone where the dredge is removing material and empties it during that period of time in the sequence just previously emptied.

Abstract: An improved mining method for a surface mine has pairs of slurry and water pipes placed from a processing area on the surface to the floor of the mine beneath the mined out material, pairs of pipes (slurry and water) are spaced along the mining trench. A slurry haulage system is connected to the water and slurry pipes at the beginning of the mining operation. As the mining progresses and the haulage system reaches its maximum capabilities, it is disconnected and connected to the next set of pipes and the first set or pair of pipes is extended the width of the mined trench. The overburden is placed on top of the pipes as the mining progresses.

Abstract: A feeder apparatus for transferring particulate material and water from a sump outlet to the inlet of a pump is formed in the sump by making a well at the outlet of the sump and placing an impeller in the well. A partition is formed separating the inlet to the feeder from its outlet, the partition having a height equal to or exceeding that of the water level in the sump. The outlet from the sump is connected to a channel which has a continually decreasing cross-sectional area, the terminus of which is connected to the inlet of the pump. A fluid jet can be mounted at the inlet of the feeder for reducing the concentration of particulate fluids at the pump inlet or for fluidizing the particles at the entrance of the pump.

Abstract: In order to concentrate coal slurry from a plurality of mine faces being pumped through a plurality of individual pipes, a shallow sump is formed by digging a trench along a mine tunnel and the individual pipes empty into the sump. The product, such as coal, is allowed to settle to the bottom where it is picked up and pumped out of the mine at a controlled concentration, thereby improving the pumping efficiency of the pipeline system.

Abstract: Improvement structure for use in mine slurry conveyor systems of the type which transport mined material from a plurality of work spaces in the mine to a remotely disposed recovery and finishing plane. The system utilizes permanent tank or silo storage of slurry and water at a centralized point within a mine for reception of material slurry from all work faces in order to re-regulate slurry concentration for further conveyance out of the mine to a recovery station. The slurry silo communicates with a positive solids feed device which deposits mined material into a submerged slurry pit for re-slurry mixing at controlled rate of positive solids feed and agitation of re-slurry water whereupon the adjusted slurry is hydraulically conveyed to the recovery station.