Conveyor chain, chain link and chain link assembly for conveyor chain

Abstract

A conveyor chain, a chain link for a conveyor chain, and a chain link assembly are provided. The conveyor chain is configured to convey material in a direction of travel. 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

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to conveyor chains, and more specifically, to a conveyor chain, links for the conveyor chain, and link assemblies. Background Technology

[0002] Mining machinery such as continuous mining machines and chain conveyors may include chain conveyors comprising continuous chain links. The chain conveyor may include scraper components for pushing or driving material along a disc. The chain may be driven by one or more sprockets. Utility Model Content

[0003] In one 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 be coupled to a first adjacent link, a second end opposite the first end and configured to be coupled to a second adjacent link, and a deformable portion located between the first end and the second end. The deformable portion is configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied along a direction of travel parallel to the conveyor chain, thereby changing the distance between the first end and the second end.

[0004] In another independent aspect, a link assembly for a conveyor chain configured to convey material in a direction of travel is provided. The link assembly includes a resilient link and a limiting body. The resilient 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 resilient link is configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied along a direction of travel parallel to 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 resilient link and a second limiting body end configured to be coupled to the second end of the resilient link. The first limiting body end and the second limiting body end are configured to prevent the distance between the first end and the second end of the resilient link from shifting beyond a predetermined range.

[0005] In 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 the 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 end and the second end. The deformable portion is configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied along a direction of travel parallel to the conveyor chain, thereby changing the distance between the first end and the second end. Attached Figure Description

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

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

[0008] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An exploded view of a portion of the conveyor chain.

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

[0010] Figure 5A yes Figure 4 A 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 A cross-sectional view of a portion of a chain conveyor unit, including elastic chain links in a stretched state.

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

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

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

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

[0016] Figure 9 This 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 link observed along section 10-10.

[0018] Figure 11 This 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 link observed along section 12-12. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Before explaining any embodiments of this disclosure in detail, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following figures. The present invention can have other embodiments and can be practiced or implemented in different ways.

[0021] Furthermore, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive. The terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and their variations, as used herein, are intended to cover the items listed thereafter, their equivalents, and additional items. The terms “installation,” “connection,” and “linkage” are used extensively and cover both direct installation, connection, and linking, as well as indirect installation, connection, and linking.

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

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the collecting 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 collecting head 34 is located below the cutter head 26 and includes a platform 50 and means (e.g., a rotating arm 54) for guiding the removed material onto the conveyor 42. The conveyor 42 transports the cutting material from the area below the cutter head 26 along a travel direction A from the front end 38 of the chassis 18 toward the rear end 46 to another conveyor or transporter (not shown) located near the rear end 46 of the chassis 18.

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

[0025] Figure 2 A portion of the conveyor chain 82 forming the conveyor 42 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, a 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 connected between the pairs of scraper links 86. Each pair of scraper links 86 is connected to the spring links 70 and the side links 90 via a connector link or connecting link 94. In the illustrated embodiment, each scraper link 86 includes a laterally outwardly projecting scraper or scraper bar 98, said scraper or scraper bar 98 being located away from the centerline along which the conveyor chain 82 travels. Each scraper link 86 is connected to an adjacent connecting link 94 via a scraper pin 102, and each spring link 70 is connected to an adjacent connecting link 94 via a connecting pin 106. The connecting pin 106 further connects each side link 90 to its corresponding spring link 70 and the adjacent connecting link 94. A gap 108 is formed between adjacent connecting links 94, and the teeth of the sprocket 62 enter the gap 108 between the connecting links 94 to engage and drive the conveyor chain 82.

[0026] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, scraper pins 102 extend through connecting link 94, and the end of each scraper pin 102 is received within the end of a scraper link 86. Similarly, connecting pins 106 extend through connecting link 94, and the end of each connecting pin 106 is received within one of spring link 70 and / or side link 90. ​​Scraper pins 102 may be coupled to scraper link 86 in different ways, and connecting pins 106 may be coupled to spring link 70 in different ways. In some embodiments, each of scraper pins 102 and connecting pins 106 includes peripheral grooves 122, 124, each of which extends around an outer surface adjacent to the end of the associated scraper pin 102 and connecting pin 106, and may receive a retainer 126. In some embodiments, scraper pins 102 may be welded to scraper link 86. In some embodiments, the connecting pin 106 may be coupled to the spring link 70 by one or more mechanisms as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,717,603, filed March 6, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor chain 82 comprises alternating sequences of scraper links 86, connecting links 94, and spring links 70 and / or side links 90. In other embodiments, the conveyor chain 82 may comprise different link sequences; for example, spring links 70 may be placed between each pair of scraper links 86, or spring links 70 may be configured to be placed only in another set between each pair of scraper links 86, or any other spacing variation. Various arrangements of the link sequences are possible. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the spacing between each scraper pin 102 and its adjacent connecting pin 106 differs from the spacing between each scraper pin 102 and its adjacent scraper pin 102.

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

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown in Figure 5, the spring link 70 includes elastically deformable pin openings 74. When the spring link 70 is subjected to a load in a direction parallel to the travel direction 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. Therefore, 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 no-load state when the load condition disappears. The spring link 70 can serve as a damper or shock absorber for the conveyor chain 82 and helps to minimize wear or breakage of other components in the conveyor chain 82.

[0030] The spring link 70 can be elastically deformable and also has sufficient rigidity to transfer the loading force of the conveyor chain 82 from one adjacent connecting link 94 to another. Furthermore, the spring link 70 ideally possesses spring-like properties, such that the distance D between the pin openings 74 can increase when the spring link 70 is subjected to load conditions, and then return to the standard distance D when the spring link 70 is no longer subjected to load. S .

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, a side link 90 is coupled to a spring link 70. The side link 90 can limit the extension / retraction of the spring link 70 to prevent the spring link 70 from extending beyond a maximum distance and / or retracting below a minimum distance. Figure 4 As shown in Figure 5, the side link 90 may include elongated pin openings 110, which may be elliptical, slotted, or extend in the travel direction of the conveyor chain 82. The elongated pin openings 110 of the side link 90 may be spaced apart such that when the spring link 70 is in an undeformed state (i.e., when the pin openings 74 are spaced apart by a distance D),... S (At the time), 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 be increased to a predetermined maximum distance D. MAX When the spring link 70 is at its maximum distance, the connecting pin 106 engages not only with the spring link 70 but also with the side link 90, transferring the load between adjacent connecting links 94, and the side link 90 prevents further deformation of the spring link 70. Therefore, the spring link 70 is protected from excessive deformation or breakage. Even if the spring link 70 deforms to its maximum desired amount and overload is transferred to the side link 90, the spring link 70 still acts as a shock absorber to alleviate sharp loading on the components of the conveyor chain 82.

[0032] The spring link 70 can have various configurations and can be made of various materials. In some embodiments, the spring link 70 can be formed of spring steel or another elastomeric material. In one embodiment, such as Figure 6 Best shown (and as) Figure 2 As shown in Figure 5, the spring link 70 is a single unit 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 may be oriented in a common plane, and the first end 174 and the second end 176 may contain pin openings 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable portion 178 protrudes from the first end 174 and the second end 176 at an angle and is substantially transverse to the common plane. The deformable portion 178 may have an arcuate profile and may 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 may be symmetrical about a plane located between the first end 174 and the second end 176 that bisectes the spring link 70. In the illustrated embodiment, when viewed from above the chain, the spring link 70 has an Ω shape (see Figure 5). Figure 5A and 5B Additional bends and other features, such as corrugations or different thicknesses, can be incorporated into the deformable portion 178 to change 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 The spring link 70 is shown, and similar features are indicated by similar reference numerals plus 200. This document describes some aspects of the spring link 270.

[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 extending in a direction transverse to said plane (e.g., the deformable portion 378). Spring link 270 includes a first end 374 and a second end 376, and one of the pin openings 274 is positioned adjacent to the first end 374 and the second end 376. The deformable portion 378 is located between the first end 374 and the second end 376, and the deformable portion 378 includes a notch 382 located on alternating sides of link 270, thereby forming a bridging portion 384. In some embodiments, spring link 270 is formed from a sheet of material, and the notch 382 is formed by removing material from the sheet. In the illustrated embodiment, the notch 382 is configured such that the deformable portion 378 between the first end 374 and the second end 376 is substantially Z-shaped. In other embodiments, the deformable portion 378 may be formed in different ways.

[0035] Figure 8 A spring link 470 according to another embodiment is shown. The spring link 470 is similar to... Figure 2-6 The spring link 70 is shown, and similar features are indicated by similar reference numerals plus 400. This document describes some aspects of the spring link 470.

[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 ends 576 of the first body 450 and the second body 454 are oriented in a common plane, and the deformable portion 578 of each body 450, 454 extends substantially perpendicular to said 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 joined together by a fastener 588.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable portion 578 protrudes from end 576, and the adjustment hole 586 is located furthest from end 576. Fasteners 588 hold bodies 450, 454 together to form a single spring link 470, while still allowing the deformable portion 578 of bodies 450, 454 to deform and / or separate under load. Separation of the deformable portion 578 allows for variation in the distance between pin openings 474. For a given spring link 470, the number and position of 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 a desired stiffness / elasticity.

[0038] Figure 9 and 10 A spring link 670 according to another embodiment is shown. The spring link 670 is similar to... Figure 8 The spring link 470 is shown, and similar features are indicated by similar reference numerals plus 200. Some aspects of the 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 of the first body 650 and 780 of 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 said 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 adjustment holes 786, 790 for receiving bolts or other fasteners 788. The adjustment hole 786 of the first body 650 and the adjustment hole 790 of the second body 654 ( Figure 10 The first body 650 and the second body 654 are aligned and connected together by one or more fasteners 788.

[0040] In some embodiments, an elastic member (e.g., a shock absorber or protective cover 792) is positioned adjacent to the end of an associated fastener 788, and the fastener 788 engages one of the bodies 650, 654 via the protective cover 792. The protective cover 792 may be made of rubber or polymer material or any other suitable material. When a load is applied, the protective cover 792 can compress, 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 held apart at a fixed distance. Instead, the distance between the deformable portions 778, 782 is allowed to change due to the compression of the protective cover 792 under load, which in turn allows for a change in the distance between the pin openings 674, 676.

[0041] Similarly, washer 796 can be inserted between the deformable portions 778, 782 of bodies 650, 654. Washer 796 can be similarly made of rubber or polymer materials or any other material that can be compressed under load and return to an uncompressed state when the load is reduced or removed. Washer 796 can have an opening to receive 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, deformable portions 778, 782 are coupled to ends 776, 780 at a distance. However, deformable portions 778, 782 can move closer to ends 776, 780, and compression of the protective cover 792 and / or washer 796 will still allow deformation of the spring link 670 and movement of the pin openings 674, 676 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 hole 786 can be varied to adjust the stiffness / elasticity of the assembled spring link 670 in the field. That is, during operation, one or more adjustment holes 786, 790 can remain open to achieve the desired stiffness / elasticity. Similarly, the size and material type of the protective cover 792 and / or washer 796 can be selected to have a desired amount of stiffness / elasticity, which in turn achieves the desired stiffness / elasticity of 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 The spring link 70 is shown, and similar features are indicated by similar reference numerals plus 800. Some aspects of the spring link 870 are described below.

[0044] The spring link 870 includes a first end 974, 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 may be located between the first end 974 and the second end 976.

[0045] like Figure 12 As best illustrated, the deformable portion 978 includes a cylinder 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 to the end of the rod. The piston 934 is located within a chamber or hollow portion 994 of the cylinder 992. In some embodiments, the piston 934 may fit within the hollow portion 994 with minimal tolerance between the cylinder 992 and the piston 934. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the cylinder 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 may be filled with a highly viscous fluid (e.g., glycerin), such that the movement of the piston 934 within the chamber 994 is slowed. Therefore, the impact load experienced by the spring link 870 can be absorbed and dissipated through the interaction between the fluid and the piston 934.

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

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

[0048] Although the above description of spring links is relative to conveyors used in continuous mining machines, it should be understood that spring links can be incorporated into other types of conveyors, including but not limited to those used in roadway excavators and horizontal roadway excavators, as well as into loaders and transporters, 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 configured to convey material in a traveling direction, characterized in that, The link includes: A first end, the first end being configured to be connected to a first adjacent link; A second end opposite the first end, the second end being configured to connect to a second adjacent link; and A deformable portion located between the first end and the second end, the deformable portion being configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied along a direction of travel parallel to the conveyor chain, thereby changing the distance between the first end and the second end.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. The 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 including a first elongated opening, and the second limiting body end including a second elongated opening, wherein the first elongated opening overlaps with the first opening in a direction transverse to the travel direction, and the second elongated opening overlaps with the second opening in a direction transverse to the travel direction, wherein when the deformable portion deforms, a connecting member extending through the first opening can slide within the first elongated opening in a direction parallel to the travel direction.

10. The link according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first end is located on the first body, wherein the second end is located on the 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 the distal end of the first body and the distal end of the second body, the distal ends of the first body and the distal ends of the second body being connected to each other by at least one fastener.

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

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

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

14. A link assembly for a conveyor chain configured to convey material in a traveling direction, characterized in that, The link assembly includes: The elastic link comprises: A first end, the first end being configured to be connected to a first adjacent link; and A second end, opposite the first end, is configured to be coupled to a second adjacent link, the elastic link being configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied along a direction of travel parallel to the conveyor chain, thereby altering the relationship between the first end and the second adjacent link. The distance between the second ends; and The limiting subject includes: A first limiting body end, the first limiting body end being configured to be coupled to a first end of the resilient link; and The second limiting body end is configured to be coupled 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 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 limiting body further includes a first limiting body opening and a second limiting body opening, at least one of the first limiting body opening and the second limiting body opening having an elongated or eccentric cross-section.

16. The link assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that, The long 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 resilient 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 being 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 being 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, so as 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 link assembly further includes: First connecting member; Second connecting member; Secondary links; and Secondary restriction subject, The secondary link and the secondary limiting body are connected to the elastic link and the limiting body via the first connecting member and the second connecting member.

19. A conveyor chain configured to convey material in a traveling direction, characterized in that, The conveyor chain includes: A first scraper link, the first scraper link comprising a scraper bar extending laterally away from the centerline of the conveyor chain; A second scraper link, the second scraper link comprising a scraper bar extending laterally away from the centerline of the conveyor chain; and The 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, the deformable portion being configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied along a direction of travel parallel to the conveyor chain, thereby changing the distance between the first end and the second end.

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

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

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

23. The conveyor chain according to claim 22, characterized in that, The conveyor chain further includes a limiting body connected to the first end and the second end, the limiting body being more resistant to deformation than the deformable portion, 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 coplanar, wherein the deformable portion protrudes at least partially between the first end and the second end in a direction transverse to the direction of travel.

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