CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of prior-filed, co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/467,761, filed March 6, 2017; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

62/467,766, filed March 6, 2017; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/467,767, filed March 6, 2017; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/467,769, filed March 6, 2017; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/467,770, filed March 6, 2017; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/467,773, filed March 6, 2017. The entire contents of each of these documents are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates to material conveyors, and particularly to chain and flight conveyors.

SUMMARY

[0003] Mining machines such as continuous miners and chain haulage units may include chain conveyors that are capable of deflecting laterally in order to travel through lateral turns. The chain conveyors may include flight members for pushing or urging material along a pan. The chain may be driven by one or more sprockets.

[0004] In one embodiment, a conveyor chain for a mining machine includes a first link, a second link, and a connecting link coupled between the first link and the second link. The first link is cast as a unitary piece and includes a first side portion and a second side portion. The first side portion has a first aperture, a second aperture, and a first drive pin disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture. The first drive pin is configured to be driven by a first sprocket. The second side portion has a first aperture, a second aperture, and a second drive pin disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture 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 cast as a unitary piece and includes a first side portion and a second side portion. The first side portion has a first aperture, a second aperture, and a first drive pin disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture. The first drive pin is configured to be driven by the first sprocket. The second side portion has a first aperture, a second aperture, and a second drive pin disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture and extending in a direction opposite the first drive pin. The second drive pin is configured to be driven by a second sprocket.

[0005] In another embodiment, a conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, a connecting link coupled between the first link and the second 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 a first aperture, a second aperture, and a first drive pin disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture. The first drive pin is configured to be driven by a first sprocket. The second side portion has a first aperture, a second aperture, and a second drive pin disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture 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 side portion has a first aperture, a second aperture, and a first drive pin disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture. The first drive pin is configured to be driven by a first sprocket. The second side portion has a first aperture, a second aperture, and a second drive pin disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture and extending in a direction opposite the first drive pin. The second drive pin is configured to be driven by the second sprocket. 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.

[0006] Other aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mining machine.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a forward end of the mining machine of FIG. 1. [0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a conveyor drive assembly. [0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a chain conveyor unit.

[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the chain conveyor unit of FIG. 4.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a chain conveyor unit according to another embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the chain conveyor unit of FIG. 6.

[0014] Before any independent embodiments of the disclosure is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

[0015] Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising" or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms "mounted,"

"connected" and "coupled" are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting and coupling. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical or fluid connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. Also, electronic communications and notifications may be performed using any known means including direct connections, wireless connections, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a mining machine 10, such as a continuous mining machine. In the illustrated embodiment, the mining machine 10 includes a frame or chassis 18, a boom 22 pivotably coupled to the chassis 18, and a cutter head 26 supported on the boom 22. The chassis 18 may be supported for movement relative to a support surface (not shown) by a traction mechanism (e.g., crawlers 30).

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a collecting mechanism or gathering head 34 is positioned adjacent a first end or forward end 38 of the chassis 18, and a conveyor 42 extends in a continuous loop from the forward end 38 of the chassis 18 toward a second or rear end 46 of the chassis 18. The gathering head 34 is positioned below the cutter head 26 and includes a deck 50 and a pair of rotating arms 54 that engage and direct dislodged material onto the conveyor 42. The conveyor 42 transports the cut material from the forward end 38 toward the rear end 46 (FIG. 1) of the chassis 18, from the area below the cutter head 26 to another conveyor or a haulage machine (not shown) positioned proximate the rear end 46 of the chassis 18.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor 42 is a chain conveyor formed by chain links connected sequentially in a continuous loop. The conveyor 42 drives cut material along a chain pan or deck 58. The conveyor 42 is driven by a drive assembly including a shaft 62 positioned adjacent the gathering head 34 of the chassis 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 62 is oriented laterally relative to the chassis 18 (FIG. 2) and is driven (e.g., by one or more motors) to rotate relative to the chassis 18. The shaft 62 includes a pair of sprockets 66 for engaging and moving the conveyor 42. In the illustrated embodiment, each sprocket 66 includes four teeth or lobes 70 spaced apart about the shaft 62, and recesses between the lobes 70 receive and drive the conveyor 42.

[0019] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a unit of the chain 82 that forms the conveyor 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the chain 82 includes a first link or flight link 86, a second link or connecting link 90, a coupler link or swivel link 94 coupling the flight link 86 to the connecting link 90, and flights or flight bars 98 positioned laterally outward from the flight link 86. Another swivel link 94 may couple the connecting link 90 to another flight link (not shown), and the conveyor chain 82 may therefore include a sequence of alternating flight links and connecting links, each joined to one another by swivel links. In other embodiments, the chain 82 may include a different sequence of links - for example, multiple connecting links may be positioned between one flight link and the subsequent flight link. Various permutations of the links are possible.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the flight link 86 includes a pair of lugs or side portions 106 (a first side portion 106a and a second side portion 106b) and a bridge 110 extending between inner surfaces of the side portions 106. Each side portion 106 includes a pair of apertures 114 extending through the inner surface and an outer surface of each side portion 106.

[0021] As best shown in FIG. 5, the flight link 86 further includes a pair of flight pins 122, and each flight pin 122 extends outwardly from the outer surface of one of the side portions 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the flight pins 122 are aligned with one another (i.e., along a common axis), and each of the flight pins 122 is positioned between the chain pins 222

(described in further detail below). Stated another way, the flight pins 122 extend laterally or transversely relative to a direction of travel 126 of the conveyor 42. Each of the flight pins 122 is positioned between the apertures 114 of the associated side portion 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the flight bar 98 is coupled to one of the flight pins 122 (e.g., by a threaded bolt 130 and nut 134). A sprocket-engaging portion or drive portion 138 of each flight pin 122 is positioned between the side portion 106 and the associated flight bar 98. In the illustrated embodiment, an end portion 142 of each flight pin 122 is positioned within an opening 146 of one of the flight bars 98.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, each connecting link 90 includes a pair of lugs or side portions 170 (a first side portion 170a and a second side portion 170b) and a bridge 174 extending between inner surfaces of the side portions 170. Each side portion 170 includes a pair of apertures 178 extending through the inner surface and an outer surface of each side portion 170. In addition, a drive pin 182 extends outwardly from an outer surface of each side portion 170. Stated another way, each drive pin 182 extends laterally or transversely relative to the direction of travel 126 of the chain 82. Each drive pin 182 is positioned between the apertures 178 of the associated side portion 170. The sprockets 66 (FIG. 3) engage the drive pins 182 and the drive portions 138 of the flight pins 122 to drive the chain 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the bridge 174 of the connecting link 90 includes an opening 186.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 5, the swivel link 94 includes a first end 190, a second end 194, and a pair of openings 198 extending laterally from one side of the swivel link 94 to another, opposite side of the swivel link 94. A swivel link longitudinal axis 200 extends between the first end 190 and the second end 194. Under nominal operating conditions, the swivel link longitudinal axis 200 is aligned with the direction of travel 126 of the chain 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the swivel link 94 is formed as a vertical open chain link in which the openings 198 are separated by a gusset or reinforcement member 202. Each swivel link 94 further includes a pair of support members or bearings, such as spherical bearings 206. Each bearing 206 is positioned in a pocket 210 formed in an associated one of the openings 198 of the swivel link 94.

[0024] One of the openings 198 is aligned with parallel apertures 178 in the side portions 170 of the connecting link 90, while the other opening 198 is aligned with parallel apertures 114 in the side portions 106 of the flight link 86. A first connecting pin or first chain pin 214 is inserted through the apertures 178 of the connecting link side portions 170 and through one opening 198 of the swivel link 94, thereby coupling the swivel link 94 to the connecting link 90. Similarly, a second connecting pin or second chain pin 222 is inserted through the apertures 114 of the flight link side portions 106 and through the other opening 198 of the swivel link 94, thereby coupling the swivel link 94 to the flight link 86. Each of the chain pins 214, 222 is supported for pivoting movement relative to the swivel link 94 by one of the bearings 206 positioned in the connected swivel link 94.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the first chain pin 214 is inserted through the connecting link side portions 170 in a first lateral direction, while the second chain pin 222 is inserted through the flight link side portions 106 in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction. The chains pins 214, 222 are secured against movement relative to the connecting link 90 and flight link 86 by retainers (e.g., self-locking retaining rings - not shown). For example, an outer side of one of the side portions 170 may include an aperture having a reduced diameter such that each pin 214 can only be inserted from one side of the connecting link to the other. The apertures 114 of the flight link 86 may be structured in a similar manner.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the flight link 86, the connecting link 90, the swivel link 94, and the flight bars 98 are formed by casting. In particular, each of these components is cast in austempered ductile iron. In other embodiments, the components could be cast in another material. Also, additional components may be cast in this or another material. In other embodiments, only some of the flight link 86, connecting link 90, swivel link 94, and flight bars 98 may be cast. Unlike forged steel components used in conventional chains, the cast chain components may be made from a cast base material that has a near net shape with many features formed in the casting, thereby reducing any additional machining that would be required to provide a finished part in a traditional forging. In additional, the cast components provide improved wear properties and lower cost.

[0027] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment the cast components are formed in austempered ductile iron with an outer surface that may be laser hardened. The laser hardening improves wear resistance without decreasing the toughness of the core material. That is, the highly ductile core material maintains the overall toughness and resilience of the parts, reducing the parts' vulnerability to impact damage compared to conventional chain components.

[0028] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a chain 882 according to another embodiment. Features of the chain 882 are similar to features of the chain 82 and are identified with similar reference numbers, plus 800. For the sake of brevity, only differences between the chain 82 and 882 are described below. In addition, components or features described with respect to only one or some of the embodiments described herein are equally applicable to any other embodiments described herein.

[0029] The chain 882 includes a flight link 886 including a pair of side portions 906 that are separate from one another and not directly connected. Stated another way, the flight link 886 does not include a bridge between the side portions 906. Rather, the side portions 906 are coupled to one another by the connecting pins 1022 (FIG. 7) extending between the side portion 906 and through a swivel link 894. Similarly, a connecting link 890 includes a pair of side portions 970 that are separate from one another and not directly connected. Stated another way, the connecting link 886 does not include a bridge between the side portions 970, which are formed as separate components 970a, 970b. Rather, the side portions 970 are coupled to one another by the connecting pins 1014 (FIG. 7) extending between the side portion 970 and through the swivel link 894.

[0030] In addition, a flight 898 is formed integrally with each side portion 906 of the flight link 886. In the illustrated embodiment, a drive portion 938 protrudes from each side portion 906, and the flight 898 extends laterally outwardly from an end of the drive portion 938. The drive portion 938 is positioned between the side portion 906 and the flight 898. It is understood that aspects of the chain 882 may be incorporated into other disclosed embodiments. For example, an integral flight may be incorporated into the flight link 86 described above with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0031] Although the conveyor is described above with respect to a continuous mining machine, it is understood that the conveyor may be incorporated into other types of machines including but not limited to roadheaders and entry drivers, as well as loading and hauling machines including but not limited to shuttle cars, battery haulers, or other types.

[0032] Although aspects have been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects as described.