Patent ID: 6179386
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: E21C

Abstract:
A driving and guide arrangement for use with a mining machine and a scraper chain conveyor along which said mining machine is arranged to travel wherein said scraper chain conveyor having an elongate trough, said driving and guide arrangement comprising:a chain channel for location on and above the conveyor trough and a driving chain having a series of horizontal links and located in said channel for engagement by the mining machine for said travel of the machine,the chain channel having a front, face-side boundary and a rear, gob-side boundary, said boundaries being opposed to each other and extending in the direction of travel of said machine, and support elements for supporting at least a portion of each of said horizontal links of said driving chain,a guide rail for said mining machine at one of said chain channel boundaries,said support elements being comprised of a series of narrow, individual elements having limited extent in said travel direction, said elements being spaced apart from each other and extending along each of said boundaries in said travel direction, said elements projecting inwardly into said chain channel from each of said boundaries and being fixedly attached thereto,openings for the discharge of fines from the chain channel being provided at both said side boundaries of the chain channel.