Elastic chain link for conveyor chain

Abstract

A chain link for a conveyor chain configured to convey material in a direction of travel is provided. The links include a first end coupled to a first adjacent link, a second end opposite the first end and coupled to a second adjacent link, and a deformable portion between the first end and the second end. The deformable portion is configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied in a direction parallel to travel of the conveyor chain, thereby changing a distance between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present application relates to a conveyor chain, and in particular to an elastic chain link for a conveyor chain. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Mining machines such as continuous miners and chain conveyors can include chain conveyors that include continuous chain link loops. Chain conveyors can include scraper members for pushing or driving material along a disk. The chain can be driven by one or more sprockets.

[0003] In an independent aspect, a link for a conveyor chain is provided. The conveyor chain is configured to convey material in a direction of travel. The link includes a first end configured to couple to a first adjacent link, a second end opposite the first end and configured to couple to a second adjacent link, and a deformable portion located between the first and second ends. The deformable portion is configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor chain, thereby changing the distance between the first and second ends.

[0004] In another independent aspect, a link assembly for a conveyor chain is provided, wherein the conveyor chain is configured to convey material in a direction of travel. The link assembly includes an elastic link and a limiting body. The elastic link includes a first end configured to be coupled to a first adjacent link and a second end opposite to the first end. The second end is configured to be coupled to a second adjacent link. The elastic link is configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor chain, thereby changing the distance between the first end and the second end. The limiting body includes a first limiting body end configured to be coupled to the first end of the elastic link, and a second limiting body end configured to be coupled to the second end of the elastic link. The first limiting body end and the second limiting body end are configured to prevent the distance between the first end of the elastic link and the second end of the elastic link from moving outside a predetermined range.

[0005] In yet another independent aspect, a conveyor chain configured to convey material in a direction of travel includes a first scraper link, a second scraper link, and a resilient link. The first scraper link includes a scraper bar extending laterally away from a centerline of the conveyor chain, and the second scraper link includes a scraper bar extending laterally away from the centerline of the conveyor chain. The resilient link includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a deformable portion located between the first and second ends. The deformable portion is configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor chain, thereby changing the distance between the first and second ends. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mining machine.

[0007] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a conveyor chain.

[0008] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded view of parts of a conveyor chain.

[0009] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a portion of the conveyor chain viewed along section 4--4.

[0010] Figure 5A yes Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of a portion of a chain conveyor unit including elastic chain links in an undeformed state.

[0011] Figure 5B yes Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of a portion of a chain conveyor unit including elastic chain links in tension.

[0012] Figure 6 is based on Figure 1 A perspective view of the elastic link of the illustrated embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7A is a perspective view of an elastic link according to another embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A Front view of the elastic link.

[0015] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an elastic link according to another embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9 is a perspective view of an elastic link according to another embodiment.

[0017] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a portion of the elastic chain link as viewed along section 10-10.

[0018] Figure 11 is a perspective view of an elastic link according to another embodiment.

[0019] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of a portion of the elastic chain link observed along section 12--12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Before explaining any embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0021] In addition, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As used herein, the words "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof are 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 mountings, connections, and couplings as well as indirect mountings, connections, and couplings.

[0022] Figure 1 A mining machine 10, such as a continuous miner, is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the mining machine 10 includes a frame or chassis 18, a boom 22 pivotally coupled to the chassis 18, and a cutter head 26 supported on the boom 22. The chassis 18 may be supported by a traction mechanism (e.g., tracks 30) for movement relative to a support surface (not shown).

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the collection head 34 is positioned adjacent to a first end or front end 38 of the chassis 18, and the conveyor 42 extends in a continuous loop from the front end 38 of the chassis 18 toward a second end or rear end 46 of the chassis 18. The collection head 34 is located below the cutter head 26 and includes a platform 50 and a device (e.g., a rotating arm 54) for directing the removed material onto the conveyor 42. The conveyor 42 transports the cut material from the area below the cutter head 26 to another conveyor or transporter (not shown) located near the rear end 46 of the chassis 18 along a direction of travel A from the front end 38 toward the rear end 46 of the chassis 18.

[0024] The conveyor 42 is a chain conveyor formed by chain links connected in sequence in a continuous loop. The conveyor 42 drives the cut material along the chain disc or platform. The conveyor 42 is driven by a drive assembly. In some embodiments, the drive assembly includes: a shaft that is oriented transversely relative to the chassis 18 and is driven (e.g., by one or more motors) to rotate relative to the chassis 18; and a sprocket 62 ( Figure 1 ), the sprocket is coupled to the shaft and drives the conveyor 42 due to the rotation of the shaft.

[0025] Figure 2 A portion of a conveyor chain 82 forming the conveyor 42 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the conveyor chain 82 includes two pairs of scraper links 86, a pair of spring links 70, and a pair of side links 90 coupled between the pairs of scraper links 86. Each pair of scraper links 86 is coupled to the spring links 70 and the side links 90 via a coupler link or connecting link 94. In the illustrated embodiment, each scraper link 86 includes a scraper or scraper bar 98 that projects laterally outward, away from the centerline along which the conveyor chain 82 travels. Each scraper link 86 is coupled to an adjacent connecting link 94 via a scraper pin 102, and each spring link 70 is coupled to an adjacent connecting link 94 via a connecting pin 106. The connecting pin 106 further couples each side link 90 to its corresponding spring link 70 and the adjacent connecting link 94. Gaps 108 are formed between adjacent connecting links 94 , and the teeth of the sprocket 62 enter the gaps 108 between the connecting links 94 to engage and drive the conveyor chain 82 .

[0026] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the scraper pins 102 extend through the connecting links 94, and the ends of each scraper pin 102 are received within the ends of one of the scraper links 86. Similarly, the connecting pins 106 extend through the connecting links 94, and the ends of each connecting pin 106 are received within one of the spring links 70 and / or the side links 90. The scraper pins 102 can be coupled to the scraper links 86 in various ways, and the connecting pins 106 can be coupled to the spring links 70 in various ways. In some embodiments, each of the scraper pins 102 and the connecting pin 106 includes a peripheral groove 122, 124 that extends around the outer surface adjacent the ends of the associated scraper pin 102 and connecting pin 106 and can receive a retainer 126. In some embodiments, the scraper pins 102 can be coupled to the scraper links 86 by welding. In some embodiments, the connecting pin 106 can be coupled to the spring link 70 by one or more mechanisms such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 10,717,603, filed on March 6, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor chain 82 includes an alternating sequence of scraper links 86, connecting links 94, and spring links 70 and / or side links 90. In other embodiments, the conveyor chain 82 may include a different sequence of links, for example, spring links 70 may be placed between each pair of scraper links 86, or spring links 70 may be arranged to be placed only between each pair of scraper links 86, or any other variation in spacing. Various arrangements of link sequences are possible. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the spacing between each scraper pin 102 and the adjacent connecting pin 106 is different from the spacing between each scraper pin 102 and the adjacent scraper pin 102.

[0028] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the scraper pins 102 extend through the connecting link 94, and the end of each scraper pin 102 is received within the end of one of the scraper links 86. Similarly, the connecting pins 106 extend through the connecting link 94, and the end of each connecting pin 106 is received within one of the spring links 70 and / or the side links 90. Each of the scraper pins 102 and the connecting pin 106 includes a peripheral groove 122, 124 that extends around the outer surface adjacent the end of the associated scraper pin 102 and the connecting pin 106.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 5 , the spring link 70 includes an elastically deformable pin opening 74. When the spring link 70 is subjected to a load in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor chain 82, the spring link 70 elastically deforms, and the distance D between the pin openings 74 can change. Specifically, when the spring link 70 is subjected to a tensile load, the distance D between the pin openings 74 increases. Thus, when the conveyor chain 82 includes the spring link 70, the spring link 70 can deformably expand or elongate when the conveyor chain 82 is subjected to a sharp or sudden tensile load, and can return to its nominal or unloaded state when the loading condition disappears. The spring link 70 can act as a damper or shock absorber for the conveyor chain 82 and help minimize wear or breakage of other components in the conveyor chain 82.

[0030] The spring links 70 can be elastically deformable and can also have sufficient rigidity to transfer the loading forces of the conveyor chain 82 from one adjacent connecting link 94 to another adjacent connecting link 94. In addition, the spring links 70 ideally have spring-like characteristics such that the distance D between the pin openings 74 can increase when the spring links 70 are subjected to loading conditions and then return to a standard distance D when the spring links 70 are no longer subjected to loading. S .

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the side links 90 are coupled to the spring links 70. The side links 90 can limit the extension / contraction of the spring links 70 to prevent the spring links 70 from extending beyond a maximum distance and / or contracting below a minimum distance. Figure 4 5, the side links 90 may include elongated pin openings 110 that are oval, slotted, or extend in the direction of travel of the conveyor chain 82. The elongated pin openings 110 of the side links 90 may be spaced such that when the spring link 70 is in an undeformed state (i.e., when the pin openings 74 are a distance D apart), the ... the elongated pin openings 110 of the side links 90 may be spaced such that the elongated pin openings 110 of the side links 90 may be spaced such that the elongated pin openings 110 of the side links 90 S When the spring link 70 is loaded, the connecting pin 106 can be placed through each elongated pin opening 110 of the side link 90 and each pin opening 74 of the corresponding spring link 70. The elongated pin openings 110 can also be extended so that when the spring link 70 deforms during loading, the distance between the pin openings 74 can increase to a predetermined maximum distance D. MAX When the spring link 70 is at its maximum distance, the connecting pin 106 engages with the side link 90 in addition to the spring link 70, transferring load between adjacent connecting links 94, while the side link 90 prevents the spring link 70 from further deformation. Thus, the spring link 70 is protected from excessive deformation or breakage. Even if the spring link 70 deforms to its maximum desired amount and excessive load is transferred to the side link 90, the spring link 70 still acts as a shock absorber, alleviating the severe load on the components of the conveyor chain 82.

[0032] The spring links 70 can have various configurations and can be made from various materials. In some embodiments, the spring links 70 can be formed from spring steel or another elastomeric material. In one embodiment, Figure 6 Best shown (and as Figure 2 -5), the spring link 70 is integral and includes a first end 174, a second end 176 and a deformable portion 178 located therebetween. The first end 174 and the second end 176 can be oriented in a common plane, and the first end 174 and the second end 176 can contain a pin opening 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable portion 178 protrudes from the first end 174 and the second end 176 at a certain angle and is substantially transverse to the common plane. The deformable portion 178 can have an arcuate profile and can be integrally connected to the first end 174 and the second end 176 of the spring link 70. In some embodiments, the spring link 70 can be symmetrical about a plane located between the first end 174 and the second end 176 and dividing the spring link 70 into two equal parts. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring link 70 has an Ω shape when viewed from above the chain (see Figure 5A and 5B Additional bends and other additional features, such as corrugations or varying thicknesses, may be incorporated into the deformable portion 178 to vary the stiffness of the spring link 70 .

[0033] Figure 7A and 7B A spring link 270 according to another embodiment is shown. The spring link 270 is similar to Figure 2-6 , and like features are indicated by like reference numerals increased by 200. Certain aspects of the spring link 270 are described herein.

[0034] Spring link 270 includes a pin opening 274 and a deformable portion 378. Spring link 270 is oriented in a plane and does not include a portion (e.g., deformable portion 378) extending transverse to the plane. Spring link 270 includes a first end 374 and a second end 376, with one of the pin openings 274 positioned adjacent to first and second ends 374, 376. Deformable portion 378 is located between first and second ends 374, 376 and includes notches 382 on alternating sides of link 270, forming a bridge portion 384. In some embodiments, spring link 270 is formed from a sheet of material, and notches 382 are formed by removing material from the sheet. In the illustrated embodiment, notches 382 are configured such that deformable portion 378 between first and second ends 374, 376 is substantially Z-shaped. In other embodiments, deformable portion 378 may be formed differently.

[0035] Figure 8 A spring link 470 according to another embodiment is shown. The spring link 470 is similar to Figure 2-6 , and like features are indicated by like reference numerals incremented by 400. Certain aspects of the spring link 470 are described herein.

[0036] The spring link 470 includes a first body 450 and a second body 454. Each body 450, 454 includes an end 576 and a deformable portion 578. A pin opening 474 extends through each end 576. In the illustrated embodiment, the end 576 of the first body 450 and the end 576 of the second body 454 are oriented in a common plane, and the deformable portion 578 of each body 450, 454 extends substantially perpendicular to the plane. Each deformable portion 578 further includes an adjustment hole 586 for receiving a bolt or other fastener 588. The adjustment hole 586 of the first body 450 is aligned with the adjustment hole 586 of the second body 454, and the first body 450 and the second body 454 are coupled together by the fastener 588.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable portion 578 protrudes from the end 576, and the adjustment hole 586 is located farthest from the end 576. The fasteners 588 hold the bodies 450, 454 together to form a single spring link 470, while still allowing the deformable portions 578 of the bodies 450, 454 to deform and / or separate when subjected to loading forces. Separation of the deformable portions 578 can allow the distance between the pin openings 474 to be varied. For a given spring link 470, the number and location of the fasteners 588 in the adjustment holes 586 can be varied to adjust the stiffness of the assembled spring link 470 in the field. That is, during operation, one or more adjustment holes 586 can remain open to achieve the desired stiffness / resilience.

[0038] Figure 9 and 10 A spring link 670 according to another embodiment is shown. The spring link 670 is similar to Figure 8 , and like features are indicated by like reference numerals increased by 200. Certain aspects of spring link 670 are described below.

[0039] The spring link 670 includes a first body 650 and a second body 654. The first body 650 includes an end 776 and a deformable portion 778, and the second body 654 includes an end 780 and a deformable portion 782. Pin openings 674, 676 extend through each of the ends 776, 780. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends 776, 780 of the first body 650 and the second body 654 are oriented in a common plane, and the deformable portions 778, 782 of each body 650, 654 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal portion of the deformable portion 778 may be oriented perpendicular to the end 776, while the intermediate portion of the deformable portion may be located between the distal portion and the end 776 and oriented at an acute angle relative to the distal portion. The second body 654 may include similar features. Each deformable portion 778, 782 further includes an adjustment hole 786, 790 for receiving a bolt or other fastener 788. The adjustment hole 786 of the first body 650 and the adjustment hole 790 of the second body 654 ( Figure 10 ) are aligned, and the first body 650 and the second body 654 are connected together by one or more fasteners 788.

[0040] In some embodiments, a resilient member (e.g., a shock absorber or protective cover 792) is positioned adjacent to the end of the associated fastener 788, and the fastener 788 engages one of the bodies 650, 654 through the protective cover 792. The protective cover 792 can be made of rubber or a polymer material or any other suitable material. When a load is applied, the protective cover 792 can be compressed, and when the load is reduced or removed, the protective cover 792 can return to an uncompressed state. In this way, the protective cover 792 can simultaneously act as a shock absorber and a damper to reduce vibration. In some embodiments, the deformable portions 778, 782 of the bodies 650, 654 are not rigidly kept apart by a fixed distance. Instead, due to the compression of the protective cover 792 under load, the distance between the deformable portions 778, 782 is allowed to change, which in turn allows the distance between the pin openings 674, 676 to change.

[0041] Similarly, a washer 796 can be inserted between the deformable portions 778, 782 of the bodies 650, 654. The washer 796 can similarly be made of a rubber or polymer material, or any other material that can compress under a load and return to an uncompressed state when the load is reduced or removed. The washer 796 can have an opening to receive the fastener 788, or, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, a separate washer 796 can be used for each fastener 788.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable portions 778, 782 are coupled to the ends 776, 780 with a distance therebetween. However, the deformable portions 778, 782 can be moved closer to the ends 776, 780, and compression of the protective cover 792 and / or washer 796 will still allow the spring link 670 to deform and the pin openings 674, 676 to move relative to each other. For a given spring link 670, the number and position of the fasteners 788, protective cover 792, and / or washer 796 used in conjunction with the adjustment holes 786 can be varied to adjust the stiffness / resilience of the assembled spring link 670 in the field. That is, during operation, one or more of the adjustment holes 786, 790 can remain open to achieve the desired stiffness / resilience. Similarly, the size and material type of the protective cover 792 and / or washer 796 can be selected to provide the desired amount of stiffness / resilience, which in turn achieves the desired stiffness / resilience for the entire spring link 670.

[0043] Figure 11 and 12 A spring link 870 according to another embodiment is shown. The spring link 870 is similar to Figure 2-6 , and like features are indicated by like reference numerals incremented by 800. Certain aspects of the spring link 870 are described below.

[0044] The spring link 870 includes a first end 974 and a second end 976 and a deformable portion 978. In the illustrated embodiment, the pin opening 874 is positioned adjacent to the first end 974 and the second end 976. The deformable portion 978 can be located between the first end 974 and the second end 976.

[0045] like Figure 12 As best shown, the deformable portion 978 includes a barrel 992 coupled to a first end 974 and a plunger 930 coupled to a second end 976. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger 930 includes a rod and a piston 934 adjacent the end of the rod. The piston 934 is positioned within a chamber or hollow portion 994 of the barrel 992. In some embodiments, the piston 934 can fit within the hollow portion 994 with minimal tolerance between the barrel 992 and the piston 934. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the barrel 992 includes a cylindrical chamber 994, and the outer diameter of the piston 934 is only slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical chamber 994. The chamber 994 can be filled with a high-viscosity fluid (e.g., glycerin) to slow the movement of the piston 934 within the chamber 994. As a result, shock loads experienced by the spring link 870 can be absorbed and dissipated by the interaction between the fluid and the piston 934.

[0046] refer to Figure 12 The tolerances between piston 934 and barrel 992 and the fluid within chamber 994 can be selected to achieve higher or lower damping. For example, if piston 934 has an extremely tight fit with barrel 992, the viscous fluid on one side of piston 934 will resist displacement within chamber 994. Providing a tight tolerance between piston 934 and the walls of chamber 994 and / or providing a fluid with a high viscosity will increase the stiffness of spring link 870. Providing a larger tolerance between piston 934 and the walls of chamber 994 and / or providing a fluid with a low viscosity will facilitate fluid flow within chamber 994, which will provide a corresponding lower stiffness. Additionally, piston 934 may include bleed holes 936 to further adjust the ease of fluid displacement and the ease with which piston 934 can pass through the fluid in chamber 994. The number and size of bleed holes 936 can be selected to achieve the desired stiffness of spring link 870.

[0047] In some embodiments, the opening 996 can be positioned adjacent to the end of the chamber 994 furthest from the first end 974. The opening 996 can receive the plunger 930, and the opening can further include a seal 998 that allows the plunger 930 to move through the aperture while preventing fluid from escaping the chamber 994. Also, the chamber 994 can include one or more springs 938 that interact between one or both ends of the chamber 994 and the piston 934 to bias the piston 934 to a nominal operating position within the chamber 994 that corresponds to a standard distance D between the pin openings 874 of the spring link 870. S .

[0048] Although the spring links are described above with respect to conveyors for continuous mining machines, it will be appreciated that the spring links may be incorporated into other types of conveyors, including but not limited to conveyors for roadheaders and horizontal roadheaders, and into loading and transport machines, including but not limited to shuttles, battery transporters, or other types.

[0049] Although various 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 described.

Claims

1. A link for a conveyor chain, the conveyor chain being configured to convey material in a direction of travel, the link comprising: a first end portion configured to be coupled to a first adjacent link; a second end opposite the first end, the second end configured to be coupled to a second adjacent link; as well as A deformable portion is located between the first end and the second end, the deformable portion being configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied parallel to a direction of travel of the conveyor chain to thereby change a distance between the first end and the second end.

2. The chain link according to claim 1, characterized in that The first end and the second end are substantially coplanar, wherein the deformable portion at least partially protrudes between the first end and the second end in a direction transverse to the direction of travel.

3. The chain link according to claim 2, characterized in that: The deformable portion has an arcuate profile extending outwardly from the first end and the second end.

4. The chain link according to claim 3, characterized in that The deformable portion is symmetrical about a plane that evenly divides the first end portion from the second end portion.

5. The chain link according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chain link further comprises: a first opening positioned adjacent to the first end and extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel, the first opening being configured to receive a first connecting member; and A second opening, located adjacent to the second end and extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel, is configured to receive a second connecting member.

6. The chain link according to claim 1, characterized in that The deformable portion has a substantially Ω-shaped profile.

7. The chain link according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deformable portion is formed from at least one of spring steel or an elastomeric material.

8. The chain link according to claim 1, characterized in that The link further includes a limiting body coupled to the first end and the second end, the limiting body being more resistant to deformation than the deformable portion, the limiting body thereby preventing the deformable portion from deforming beyond a predetermined limit.

9. The chain link according to claim 8, characterized in that The link further includes a first opening positioned adjacent to the first end and a second opening positioned adjacent to the second end, The limiting body includes a first limiting body end and a second limiting body end, the first limiting body end includes a first slender opening, and the second limiting body end includes a second slender opening, wherein the first slender opening overlaps with the first opening in a direction transverse to the travel direction, and the second slender opening overlaps with the second opening in a direction transverse to the travel direction, wherein when the deformable portion is deformed, the connecting member extending through the first opening can slide within the first slender opening in a direction parallel to the travel direction.

10. The chain link according to claim 1, characterized in that The first end is located on a first body, wherein the second end is located on a second body, the first body and the second body each protrude in a direction transverse to the direction of travel, wherein the deformable portion includes a distal end of the first body and a distal end of the second body, and the distal end of the first body and the distal end of the second body are connected to each other by at least one fastener.

11. The chain link according to claim 10, characterized in that The link further includes an elastomeric member coupled to an end of the fastener and positioned adjacent to one of the first body and the second body.

12. The chain link according to claim 10, characterized in that The link further includes an elastomeric member positioned between the first body and the second body.

13. The chain link according to claim 1, characterized in that The deformable portion includes a barrel and a piston located within the barrel, the barrel containing a fluid that resists movement of the piston.

14. A link assembly for a conveyor chain, the conveyor chain being configured to convey material in a direction of travel, the link assembly comprising: An elastic chain link, the elastic chain link comprising: a first end portion configured to be coupled to a first adjacent link; as well as a second end opposite the first end, the second end being configured to be coupled to a second adjacent link, the resilient link being configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied parallel to a direction of travel of the conveyor chain, thereby changing a distance between the first end and the second end; and The restriction subject includes: a first restraining body end configured to couple to a first end of the resilient link; and A second limiting body end, the second limiting body end is configured to be connected to the second end of the elastic link, and the first limiting body end and the second limiting body end are configured to prevent the distance between the first end of the elastic link and the second end of the elastic link from moving outside a predetermined range.

15. The link assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that: The restricting body further includes a first restricting body opening and a second restricting body opening, at least one of the first restricting body opening and the second restricting body opening having an elongated or eccentric cross-section.

16. The link assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that: The major axis of the elongated or eccentric cross-section extends in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor chain.

17. The link assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that: The link assembly further includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member, wherein the elastic link includes a first opening and a second opening, and the limiting body includes a first limiting body opening and a second limiting body opening, the first opening and the first limiting body opening are configured to correspond to the cross-sectional shape and size of the first connecting member, and the second opening and the second limiting body opening are configured to correspond to the cross-sectional shape and size of the second connecting member, wherein at least one of the first limiting body opening and the second limiting body opening is configured to be larger than its corresponding connecting member in a direction parallel to the travel direction of the conveyor chain to allow movement between the corresponding connecting member and the at least one limiting body opening.

18. The link assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that: The chain link assembly further comprises: a first connecting member; a second connecting member; Secondary links; and Secondary restriction subject, The secondary link and the secondary limiting body are coupled to the elastic link and the limiting body through the first connecting member and the second connecting member.

19. A conveyor chain configured to convey material in a direction of travel, the conveyor chain comprising: a first scraper link, the first scraper link comprising a scraper bar extending laterally away from a centerline of the conveyor chain; a second flight link including a flight bar extending laterally away from a centerline of the conveyor chain; and An elastic link includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a deformable portion located between the first end and the second end, wherein the deformable portion is configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied in a direction parallel to a travel direction of the conveyor chain, thereby changing a distance between the first end and the second end.

20. The conveyor chain according to claim 19, characterized in that The link is coupled to at least one of the first scraper link or the second scraper link by at least one connecting member.

21. The conveyor chain according to claim 19, characterized in that The conveyor chain further comprises: an intermediate link, the intermediate link being located between the first scraper link and the second scraper link; and At least one connecting member couples the first flight link, the intermediate link, and the second flight link.

22. The conveyor chain according to claim 21, characterized in that The link is coupled to the intermediate link by a second connecting member.

23. The conveyor chain according to claim 22, characterized in that The conveyor chain further includes a restriction body coupled to the first end and the second end, the restriction body being more resistant to deformation than the deformable portion, the restriction body thereby preventing the deformable portion from deforming beyond a predetermined limit.

24. The conveyor chain according to claim 19, characterized in that The first end and the second end are substantially coplanar, wherein the deformable portion at least partially protrudes between the first end and the second end in a direction transverse to the direction of travel.

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