Abstract: A mineral mining machine hauls itself along a working face by engaging a round link chain. The links of the chain are fed sequentially from link-retaining pockets in a track component arranged around the working face, around a driven sprocket assembly on the machine and returned to the pockets.

Abstract: The drive mechanism is installed intermediate a motor and a conveyor drive and comprises a clutch arranged between the driving section and the driven section and a brake arranged to stop the driven section. A pump is drivably connected to the driven section and feeds fluid pressure via a relay control valve to actuate the clutch and the brake, the control valve ensuring that the clutch is not applied before the brake is released.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive mechanism for use in association with a hydraulically actuated clutch has a gear wheel attached to the driven or output stage of the clutch, and a drive motor driving a pinion meshing with an intermediate gear. The intermediate gear protrudes into the casing which houses the clutch and can selectively engage the gear wheel. The auxiliary drive mechanism finds application where it is at times necessary to provide a drive at a speed lower than normal operating speed, for example to tension the chain of a scraper chain conveyor.

Abstract: The circuit, which controls actuation of a clutch intermediate an electrical motor and a conveyor, is powered from a transformer which taps the power supply to the motor. The circuit contains a relay switch which is operable by a current sensor attached to the power supply line.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive is provided for a drive mechanism for a conveyor, the mechanism including a brake and clutch arrangement designed to facilitate the starting and stopping of the conveyor. The auxiliary drive is conveniently mounted on the mechanism and has a drive motor driving a gear through an intermediate pinion, a gear wheel fixed to the driven stage of the mechanism. The intermediate pinion is movable to engage both the gear wheel and gear to transmit drive from the motor to the driven stage but is actuable to discontinue such drive. The auxiliary drive is intended to provide a means whereby the driven stage may be run at a speed lower than its normal operating speed, a particular application being to conveyors of the scraper chain type which at times require tensioning or detensioning of the chain for maintenance purposes, but at speeds lower than can be achieved using the main drive motor.

Abstract: The control of a mineral mining machine having a hydraulic haulage motor senses the pressure of pressure fluid fed to the drive motor to apply brake mechanism when the sensed pressure is below a preselected value.

Abstract: A current transformer is provided in the terminal box of the conveyor drive motor to sense the operational mode of the motor and to actuate a solenoid in response to the sensed mode, the solenoid, in turn, actuating a hydraulic valve to control the operation of the clutch.

Abstract: A brake of a mining machine arranged for braking contact with an anchored rail arranged along the path of the machine includes a wedge assembly having a brake member which upon contacting the rail is urged by relative movement of the wedge components in the wedge assembly to increase the braking force of the brake equipment on the rail.

Abstract: Haulage equipment for hauling a mining machine or vehicle along a stationary elongated rail assembly having a generally wedge shaped cross-sectional area comprising a body rotatably supporting two pairs of drivably interconnected rollers, the axes of the rollers in each pair being inclined to one another such that the rollers are arranged for drivable engagement with two opposed acutely related inclined faces of the rail assembly.

Abstract: A track member for a mineral mining machine which hauls itself along a working face by engaging a flexible round link chain has pockets for fixedly engaging those links of the chain lying in a first plane and a continuous groove interconnecting the pockets for accommodating those links of the chain lying in a plane perpendicular to the first plane.