Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.

Abstract: An armored face conveyor includes a plurality of line pans positioned adjacent to one another, a plurality of flight bars, and a connecting member. Each line pan includes a race having an outer race face and an inner race face. The plurality of flight bars extend laterally across the line pans and are received by the race. Each flight bar includes an end having an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface. The connecting member extends through the plurality of flight-bars and couples the flight-bars to one another. Lateral movement of any one of the flight-bars that causes the upper guide surface to contact the outer race face substantially simultaneously causes the lower guide surface to contact the inner race face.

Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.

Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.

Abstract: An armored face conveyor includes a plurality of line pans positioned adjacent to one another, a plurality of flight bars, and a connecting member. Each line pan includes a race having an outer race face and an inner race face. The plurality of flight bars extend laterally across the line pans and are received by the race. Each flight bar includes an end having an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface. The connecting member extends through the plurality of flight-bars and couples the flight-bars to one another. Lateral movement of any one of the flight-bars that causes the upper guide surface to contact the outer race face substantially simultaneously causes the lower guide surface to contact the inner race face.

Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.

Abstract: An armored face conveyor includes a plurality of line pans positioned adjacent to one another, a plurality of flight bars, and a connecting member. Each line pan includes a race having an outer race face and an inner race face. The plurality of flight bars extend laterally across the line pans and are received by the race. Each flight bar includes an end having an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface. The connecting member extends through the plurality of flight-bars and couples the flight-bars to one another. Lateral movement of any one of the flight-bars that causes the upper guide surface to contact the outer race face substantially simultaneously causes the lower guide surface to contact the inner race face.

Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.

Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.

Abstract: An armored face conveyor includes a plurality of line pans positioned adjacent to one another, a plurality of flight bars, and a connecting member. Each line pan includes a race having an outer race face and an inner race face. The plurality of flight bars extend laterally across the line pans and are received by the race. Each flight bar includes an end having an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface. The connecting member extends through the plurality of flight-bars and couples the flight-bars to one another. Lateral movement of any one of the flight-bars that causes the upper guide surface to contact the outer race face substantially simultaneously causes the lower guide surface to contact the inner race face.

Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.

Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.

Abstract: A device for detecting and adjusting the tension of a scraper chain. The device identifies broken chain as it leaves the return sprocket and enters the top race of the conveyor. When detected, the chain can be stopped automatically by the armored face conveyor control system, to avoid the potential for further damage, and warn the operators that repair of the chain is required. The device also has a conveyor with sliding frames at both ends to allow the conveyor ends to be independently adjusted to each end of the coal block, while maintaining good chain tension and control.

Abstract: A conveyor pan for use with a shearer with a skid-type shoe in a longwall mining operation, the conveyor pan including a side member having a surface adapted to be engaged by the shearer skid-type shoe, the surface being formed by a piece of the side member that extends horizontally for the length of the side member. The piece has a first end and a second end, each piece end having a top, a rear, a front and an edge. The first end edge and the second end edge are each formed by each edge being between 45 degrees removed from a vertical plane extending at 90 degrees to the horizontal plane formed by the side member surface.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting and adjusting the tension of the scraper chain. The device identifies broken chain as it leaves the return sprocket and enters the top race of the conveyor. When detected, the chain can be stopped automatically by the armored face conveyor control system, to avoid the potential for further damage, and warn the operators that repair of the chain is required. The device also provides a conveyor with sliding frames at both ends to allow the conveyor ends to be independently adjusted to each end of the coal block, whilst maintaining good chain tension and control.

Abstract: A longwall conveyor drive including a motor including a motor output shaft, a drive sprocket, and a gearbox drivingly connected to the drive sprocket. The drive also includes a fluid coupling drivingly connected to the gearbox, and a step-up gearbox located between the motor and the fluid coupling. The step-up gearbox includes a housing attached to the output end of the motor, a first gear stage rotatably supported within the housing and drivingly receiving the motor output shaft and rotating at a first speed, and a second stage gear set rotatably supported within the housing and in driven contact with the first stage gear set and rotating at a higher speed, the second stage gear set including an output shaft connected to the fluid coupling.

Abstract: A conveyor pan for use with a shearer with a skid-type shoe in a longwall mining operation, the conveyor pan including a side member having a surface adapted to be engaged by the shearer skid-type shoe, the surface being formed by a piece of the side member that extends horizontally for the length of the side member. The piece has a first end and a second end, each piece end having a top, a rear, a front and an edge. The first end edge and the second end edge are each formed by each edge being between 45 degrees removed from a vertical plane extending at 90 degrees to the horizontal plane formed by the side member surface.

Abstract: An insert assembly adapted to be received within a link of a chain including a plurality of round wire interlocking links, the insert being made of a resilient material and being dimensioned to be wider than the central area height and longer than the central area depth so that after the insert is placed between the opposed sides of the chain, the insert springs back around the opposed sides of the chain so that the insert is securely locked between the opposed sides of the chain. The insert has a central opening, and the insert assembly further includes a pin secured in the opening when the insert is received in the chain central area so that the insert cannot move away from the chain opposed sides.

Abstract: An insert assembly adapted to be received within a link of a chain including a plurality of round wire interlocking links, the insert being made of a resilient material and being dimensioned to be wider than the central area height and longer than the central area depth so that after the insert is placed between the opposed sides of the chain, the insert springs back around the opposed sides of the chain so that the insert is securely locked between the opposed sides of the chain. The insert has a central opening, and the insert assembly further includes a pin secured in the opening when the insert is received in the chain central area so that the insert cannot move away from the chain opposed sides.

Abstract: A device adapted for pulling the ends of a continuous chain together, with each chain end including a link, in order to measure the tension in the chain. The device comprises a first straight section, a second straight section, and a third section that is connected to the first straight section to form an L shaped piece. The device also includes a fourth section connected to one of the first and second straight sections to form an L shaped piece, and means for pinning the four sections together, so that the device surrounds the chain end links so that the ends of the chain can be pulled together to measure the tension in the chain.