Abstract: A crawler track includes a link and is driven in a direction of travel by a sprocket having a plurality of teeth. The link includes a pad, a first grouser, and a second grouser. The pad defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, and a second end spaced apart from the first end along the direction of travel. The pad defines at least one opening extending through the pad between the first surface and the second surface, and the opening is operable to receive a sprocket tooth. The first grouser is positioned on the first surface proximate the first end of the pad, while the second grouser is positioned on the first surface proximate the second end of the pad. The first grouser and the second grouser extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the track.

Abstract: A rotary sensor includes a rotor and a housing. A support structure includes a shaft, a housing portion, a first member, and a second member. A first end of the shaft is coupled to the rotor, and the shaft is supported for rotation about a shaft axis. The housing portion includes a first bore extending along a first axis, and a second bore extending along a second axis oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first axis. The first member is received in the first bore and is movable relative to the housing portion in a direction parallel to the first axis. The first member is coupled to the second end of the shaft. The second member is received in the second bore. At least one of the housing portion and the second member is movable relative to the other of the housing portion and the second member in a direction parallel to the second axis.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor belt that defines a centerline extending in a conveying direction and a second conveyor belt that at least partially overlaps the first conveyor belt in the conveying direction. The conveyor assembly further includes a magnetic coupling that magnetically couples the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor flight for a chain comprising at least two spaced apart links, and two side plates that connect the links, with each side plate including two spaced apart extension pins extending from the side plate. The flight comprises a metal support, and the metal support includes two spaced apart cylindrical portions adapted to receive the two spaced apart extension pins. The flight also includes a flexible casing surrounding the metal support.

Abstract: A mining shuttle car that trams on underground roadways includes a conveyor system and an operator's compartment adjacent to the conveyor system. The operator's compartment includes a rotatable seat and a control station. The operator's seat module is coupled to one or more joysticks that control the car, and the operator's seat module and the control station are mounted on a rotatable platform so as to be rotatable as a unit between a plurality of secured positions for operating the mining shuttle car. Forward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point in front of the seat, and rearward movement of the joystick control relative to the seat steers the shuttle car about a point behind the seat. Forward and rearward movement of one of the joysticks steers the mining shuttle car in the same manner regardless of the rotational position of the rotational position of the seat.

Abstract: A conveyor includes an endless belt, a boot end supporting a portion of the endless belt, a support structure, and a bridge. The endless belt includes a first run and a second run, and the first run extends along a conveyor axis. The support structure includes an end spaced apart from the boot end, a plurality of frames, and a plurality of idler rolls. The frames are spaced apart from one another and aligned with one another in a direction parallel to the conveyor axis. The idler rolls support another portion of the endless belt. The bridge extends between the boot end and the end of the support structure. The bridge is movable in a direction parallel to the conveyor axis relative to at least one of the boot end and the support structure.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a first end including a drive unit, an anchor structure, a continuous belt extending at least partially between the drive unit and the anchor structure, a first carriage, and a second carriage. The first carriage is coupled to the drive unit and supports a portion of the belt. The first carriage is supported for movement relative to the drive unit to adjust a tension in the belt, and the first carriage is movable between the drive unit and an intermediate position. The second carriage is releasably secured to the anchor structure and supports another portion of the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the anchor structure between a first position and a second position. A distance between the first end and the second carriage defining a take-up length, and movement of the second carriage changes the take-up length.

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: A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a support structure, a first carriage, a second carriage, and a brake mechanism. The first carriage is positioned proximate a first end of the support structure and is supported for movement relative to the support structure. The first carriage includes first rolls for receiving the belt such that movement of the first carriage modifies a tension in the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the support structure and includes second rolls and at least one return pulley. The second rolls are configured to support a portion of the belt extending between the first carriage and the second carriage. The brake mechanism is positioned proximate a second end of the support structure and includes a brake pulley and a brake selectively retarding rotation of the brake pulley. The brake pulley supports a portion of the belt extending between the brake mechanism and the return pulley.

Abstract: 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.

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 method of monitoring a longwall shearing mining machine in a longwall mining system, wherein the shearing mining machine includes a shearer having a first cutter drum and a second cutter drum, includes receiving, by a processor, shearer position data over a shear cycle. The horizon profile data includes information regarding at least one of the group comprising of a position and angle of the shearer, a position of the first cutter drum, and a position of the second cutter drum. The method also includes analyzing the shearer position data, by the processor, to determine whether a position failure occurred during the shear cycle based on whether the computed horizon profile data was within normal operational parameters during the shear cycle, and generating an alert upon determining that the position failure occurred during the shear cycle.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that connects to an power structure for powering and guiding the vehicle. The power structure includes a trolley, a track along which the trolley runs, a power source connected to the track, and a cable connected to the trolley and configured to attach to the vehicle moving on a surface. The vehicle includes a chassis and a cable connected to the chassis and configured to mechanically and electrically connect the vehicle to the power structure. The chassis includes a connector rotatable 360 degrees, and the cable connects to the chassis through the connector.

Abstract: A cutting bit assembly includes a block, a bit sleeve, and a seal. The block includes a first bore and a fluid passage. The fluid passage includes a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with the first portion. The first portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the first bore, and the second portion extends at least partially around the perimeter of the first bore. The bit sleeve includes a shank, a flange, and a second bore extending through the shank and the flange. The shank is positioned within the first bore of the block such that a surface of the flange engages a first end surface of the block. The seal is positioned between the second portion of the fluid passage and the shank to prevent contact between a fluid in the fluid passage and the outer surface of the shank.

Abstract: A cutter head for a mining machine includes a first end and a second end with a drum axis extending between the first and the second ends. The cutter head also includes a web coupled to the second end of the drum. The web includes a plurality of arcuate apertures. Each arcuate aperture extends through an angle about the drum axis. The cutter head further includes a plurality of first ribs coupled to the web. Each of the first ribs is positioned between adjacent arcuate apertures. The cutter head also includes a plurality of second ribs coupled to the web. Each of the second ribs extend across one of the plurality of arcuate apertures. A first angle that extends between one of the first ribs and an adjacent one of the second ribs is different than a second angle extending between the one first rib and another adjacent second rib.

Abstract: A fluid spray for an underground roof support includes a first housing portion, a spray outlet, a second housing portion formed integrally with the first housing portion, and a service port. The first housing portion includes an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end, and a first fluid passage extending between the first end and the second end. The spray outlet is positioned adjacent the second end of the shaft. The second housing portion is positioned adjacent the first end of the shaft. The second housing portion includes at least one port and a second fluid passage between the at least one port and the first fluid passage. The service port is aligned with the first fluid passage, and the service port is selectively opened to provide access to the first fluid passage from the first end of the first housing portion.

Abstract: A conveyor support includes a frame, a roller, and a retainer. The frame includes a support arm. The roller includes a shaft and a shell supported for rotation relative to the shaft, and the shaft includes an end. The retainer releasably secures the end of the shaft relative to the support arm. The retainer includes a first portion engaging a first side of the support arm and a second portion engaging a second side of the support arm. The second portion is biased toward the first portion to exert a compressive force on the support arm. At least one of the first portion and the second portion engages the shaft of the roller.