Abstract: A retractable and extendable material loader that directs material onto a conveying surface of a belt conveyor has a retractable and extendable tubular length where the length of the loader is extended to direct material through the loader onto the conveyor, and a length of the loader is retracted when the loader is not directing material onto the conveyor to provide adequate clearance for material loaded onto the conveyor by another loader located upstream of the retractable and extendable loader. The apparatus provides improved environmental conditions over the current art, improved health and safety conditions of personnel over the current art, and improved operational safety conditions in respect to explosion risk over the current art.

Abstract: An adjustable aperture apparatus on a bulk material transfer chute that transfers a flow of bulk material from a discharge conveyor to a separate receiving conveyor is automatically closed when no bulk material is being transferred by the transfer chute from the discharge conveyor to the receiving conveyor. With the apparatus being closed, any residual dust from the bulk material remaining on the discharge conveyor is collected on the closed apparatus and primarily contained in the bulk material transfer chute. When bulk material is again conveyed on the discharge conveyor to the bulk material transfer chute, the conveyed bulk material is deposited on the closed aperture apparatus and the weight of the material causes the apparatus to automatically move to an opened condition, allowing the transfer of the collected dust with the bulk material supplied to the bulk material transfer chute to the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: A bulk material precision transfer chute apparatus transfers a flow of material from a discharge conveyor to a separate receiving conveyor. The apparatus receives a flow of material from the discharge conveyor and transfers that material to a receiving conveyor depositing the material in a precise manner that avoids spillage of the material from the receiving conveyor, avoids wear to the receiving conveyor, and avoids excess dust generation from the transfer of the material.

Abstract: A bulk material precision transfer chute apparatus transfers a flow of material from a discharge conveyor to a separate receiving conveyor. The apparatus receives a flow of material from the discharge conveyor and transfers that material to a receiving conveyor depositing the material in a precise manner that avoids spillage of the material from the receiving conveyor, avoids wear to the receiving conveyor, and avoids excess dust generation from the transfer of the material.

Abstract: A method for enumerating sets of concurrent events handles single-shot events and recurring events. The method involves creating a data structure having records for time periods. The time periods begin and end on overall start and end times of scheduled events. In preferred embodiments the method creates the data structure by collapsing together master schedules for a plurality of resources. The method may create the master schedules by collapsing together mini-schedules of different priorities. The method can produce a minimal list of sets of concurrent events that will occur according to a universal master schedule in a form suitable for processing by an automatic validation system.

Abstract: A method for enumerating sets of concurrent events handles single-shot events and recurring events. The method involves creating a data structure having records for time periods. The time periods begin and end on overall start and end times of scheduled events. In preferred embodiments the method creates the data structure by collapsing together master schedules for a plurality of resources. The method may create the master schedules by collapsing together mini-schedules of different priorities. The method can produce a minimal list of sets of concurrent events that will occur according to a universal master schedule in a form suitable for processing by an automatic validation system.