U.S. patent application number 13/851076 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for method and system for determining structural changes in a longwall mine.
The applicant listed for this patent is Cut Coal Technology Holdings Pty Ltd. Invention is credited to Campbell Morrison.
Application Number | 20130269453 13/851076 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49323869 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130269453 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morrison; Campbell |
October 17, 2013 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN A LONGWALL
MINE
Abstract
A system for determining structural changes in a longwall mine,
including a modulator wheel operatively coupled to a longwall
mining machine, and a controller in communication with the
modulator wheel; wherein the controller determines a movement of
the longwall mining machine according to a signal received from the
modulator wheel.
Inventors: |
Morrison; Campbell;
(Emerald, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cut Coal Technology Holdings Pty Ltd; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49323869 |
Appl. No.: |
13/851076 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/865.8 ;
299/1.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21F 17/18 20130101;
E21F 17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
73/865.8 ;
299/1.7 |
International
Class: |
E21F 17/18 20060101
E21F017/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 27, 2012 |
AU |
2012901236 |
Claims
1. A system for determining structural changes in a longwall mine,
including: a modulator wheel operatively coupled to a longwall
mining machine; and a controller in communication with the
modulator wheel; wherein the controller determines a movement of
the longwall mining machine according to a signal received from the
modulator wheel.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the modulator wheel is an optical
modulator wheel.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the modulator wheel is an
electrical modulator wheel.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is in optical
communication with the modulator wheel.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is in electrical
communication with the modulator wheel.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the modulator wheel frictionally
engages with a rail of a monorail system supplying services to the
longwall mining machine.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the modulator wheel is mounted to
an arm.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the arm is mounted to an end
carriage of the monorail system.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein an optical fibre connects the
controller to the modulator wheel.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is connected to a
local area network.
11. A method of determining structural changes in a longwall mine
including the steps of: measuring a signal received from a
modulator wheel, the modulator wheel operatively coupled to a
longwall mining machine; and communicating the signal to a
controller; wherein the controller determines a movement of the
longwall mining machine according to the signal.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the modulator wheel is an
optical modulator wheel.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the modulator wheel is an
electrical modulator wheel.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the controller is in optical
communication with the modulator wheel.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the controller is in electrical
communication with the modulator wheel.
16. The method of dam 11 wherein the modulator wheel frictionally
engages with a rail of a monorail system supplying services to the
longwall mining machine.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the modulator wheel is mounted
to an arm.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the arm is mounted to an end
carriage of the monorail system.
19. The method of dam 11 wherein an optical fibre connects the
controller to the modulator wheel.
20. A system for determining structural changes in a longwall mine,
including: a modulator wheel for frictionally engaging with a rail
of a monorail system, the monorail system for supplying services to
a longwall mining machine; and a controller in communication with
the modulator wheel; wherein a distance moved by the longwall
mining machine is determined according to a signal received by the
controller from the modulator wheel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Australian Patent Application No. 2012901236, filed on Mar. 27,
2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a method and system for
determining structural changes in a longwall mine, and in
particular to a device for determining a position of a rock face of
the longwall mine.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] A longwall mine is constructed by excavating two parallel
tunnels, known as gate roads, leading into a material to be mined.
A cross tunnel that connects the gate roads is then excavated in
which a longwall mining machine is constructed. The length of the
cross tunnel and hence the width of the longwall mining machine is
typically between 150 m and 400 m.
[0004] The longwall mining machine includes cutters or shearers
which cut the material, such as coal, from a rock face. The
material falls onto an armoured face conveyor that travels along
the width of the longwall mining machine to an end of the cross
tunnel to one of the gate roads. The material is then conveyed onto
a beam stage loader located in the gate road. Once on the beam
stage loader the material then passes through a crusher which
breaks down any large materials. The beam stage loader then conveys
the material onto a conveyor belt which in turn conveys the
material to the surface of the mine. Once the material has been
cut, pneumatic ram roof supports are automatically positioned in
place of the cut material. As the longwall mining machine retreats
towards an entrance to the gate roads, the roof behind collapses in
a planned and controlled manner.
[0005] Services for a longwall mining machine, such as power,
communications, hydraulic fluid and water are supplied along
flexible conduits and cables. The flexible conduits and cables are
mounted to a monorail system which in turn is mounted to a ceiling
of the gate road allowing the services to concertina as the mining
machine retreats. A positioning system mounted to the monorail
system determines a position of the rock face or longwall mining
machine and transmits this positional information along a
communications line to the surface in order that mine management
may determine mining progress.
[0006] A prior art positioning system is disclosed in US patent
publication number US 200910134692. The system includes a laser
mounted to a carriage on the monorail. The laser scans forwardly
into the gate road or backwardly along the gate road to determine
the position of the longwall. However there are several problems
with this system. First, the system is heavy and needs lifting
equipment to be installed. Second, the system can be affected by
electrical noise and magnetic fields. Third, as a mine environment
is dusty, a lens of the laser needs to be cleaned frequently and a
clear line of sight is needed for the measurement to work. Fourth,
the system needs to be installed in a certified fireproof
enclosure. Fifth, the fireproof enclosure requires periodic
testing. Sixth, these systems require line of sight to perform the
measurement which can be difficult in the confines of a mine.
Finally, the measurement may be less accurate due to environmental
conditions such as dust and moisture.
[0007] There is therefore a need for an improved system and method
for determining structural changes in a longwall mine.
[0008] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not,
and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of
suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general
knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest
form, the invention resides in a system for determining structural
changes in a longwall mine, including:
[0010] a modulator wheel operatively coupled to a longwall mining
machine; and
[0011] a controller in communication with the modulator wheel;
[0012] wherein the controller determines a movement of the longwall
mining machine according to a signal received from the modulator
wheel.
[0013] Preferably, the modulator wheel is an optical modulator
wheel. Alternatively, the modulator wheel is an electrical
modulator wheel.
[0014] Preferably, the controller is in optical communication with
the modulator wheel. Alternatively, the controller is in electrical
communication with the modulator wheel.
[0015] Preferably, the modulator wheel frictionally engages with a
rail of a monorail system supplying services to the longwall mining
machine.
[0016] Preferably, the modulator wheel is mounted to an arm.
[0017] Preferably, the arm is mounted to an end carriage of the
monorail system.
[0018] Preferably, an optical fibre connects the controller to the
modulator wheel.
[0019] Preferably, the controller is connected to a local area
network.
[0020] In another form, the invention resides in a system for
determining structural changes in a longwall mine, including:
[0021] a modulator wheel for frictionally engaging with a rail of a
monorail system, the monorail system for supplying services to a
longwall mining machine; and
[0022] a controller in communication with the modulator wheel;
[0023] wherein a distance moved by the longwall mining machine is
determined according to a signal received by the controller from
the modulator wheel.
[0024] In yet another form the invention resides in a method of
determining structural changes in a longwall mine including the
steps of: [0025] measuring a signal received from a modulator
wheel, the modulator wheel operatively coupled to a longwall mining
machine; and [0026] communicating the signal to a controller;
[0027] wherein the controller determines a movement of the longwall
mining machine according to the signal.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0028] It is an object, of some embodiments of the present
invention, to provide consumers with improvements and advantages
over the above described prior art, and/or overcome and alleviate
one or more of the above described disadvantages of the prior art,
and/or provide a useful commercial choice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a
person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical
effect, preferred embodiments of the invention are described below
by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a side view of a gate road of a longwall mine;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a side view of a system for determining a
structural change in a longwall mine installed on a carriage of a
monorail system according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a detailed top view of the system for determining
a structural change in a longwall mine according to an embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0033] FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of the system of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline
form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are
necessary to understanding the embodiments of the present
invention, but so as not to clutter the disclosure with excessive
detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art
in light of the present description.
[0035] In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and
second, left and right, front and back, top and bottom, etc., are
used solely to define one element from another element without
necessarily requiring a specific relative position or sequence that
is described by the adjectives. Words such as "comprises" or
"includes" are not used to define an exclusive set of elements or
method steps. Rather, such words merely define a minimum set of
elements or method steps included in a particular embodiment of the
present invention. It will be appreciated that the invention may be
implemented in a variety of ways, and that this description is
given by way of example only.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a longwall mine. As
longwall mining machine 10 cuts material from a rock face
(perpendicular to the page), the material falls onto longwall
conveyor 12, and is transported to a beam stage loader 20 located
in gate road 30. The material passes along the beam stage loader 20
onto a gate road conveyor 40 which transports the material out of
the mine as is known in the art.
[0037] Services 50 to the longwall mining machine 10, such as
power, hydraulics and communications, are supplied along a monorail
system 60. The monorail system 60 includes a rail 62 which is
attached to a ceiling 32 of the gate road 30. The services 50 are
connected to carriages 64, and wheels of each carriage 64 run along
the rail 62 and allow the services 50 to concertina as the longwall
mining machine 10 retreats towards an entrance 34 of the gate road
30.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a side view of a system 70 for determining a
structural change in a longwall mine installed on a carriage of the
monorail system 60 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the system 70 is installed
on an end carriage 64B which is connected to, and moves in unison
with, the beam stage loader 20 and hence the longwall mining
machine 10.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a top view of the system 70 mounted to the end
carriage 64B and FIG. 4 is a side view of the system 70. As shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4, the system 70 includes an arm 72, a modulator
wheel 74, a controller 76 and a communication channel 78.
[0040] The arm 72 is mounted to the end carriage 64B and the
modulator wheel 74 is mounted to the arm 72. The modulator wheel 74
frictionally engages with the rail 62, either directly or via a
caster wheel attached to a shaft of the modulator wheel 74. The
controller 76 is in communication with the modulator wheel 74 via
the communication channel 78.
[0041] The communication channel 78 may be optical, such as an
optical fibre, electrical, such as a metallic cable, wireless or
any other suitable means of communication. In the case of a
physical communication channel 78, the communication channel 78 may
be routed with the services 50 out of the mine to the controller
76.
[0042] In some embodiments, the modulator wheel 74 is an optical
modulator wheel. Alternatively, the modulator wheel 74 is an
electrical modulator wheel or uses a combination of optics and
electronics. The advantage of a purely optical modulator wheel is
that it does not require a fireproof enclosure, and is less
susceptible to interference.
[0043] The controller 76 receives a signal from the modulator wheel
74 via the communication channel 78 as the modulator wheel 74
rotates. The controller 76 determines an amount of movement of the
modulator wheel 74, and hence the position of the mining machine,
according to the signal received from the modulator wheel 74.
[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the modulator wheel 74 and the
controller 76 are a MR330 Fiber Optic Position Sensor System
including a MR332 Sensor and a MR330-1 SSI Controller Module
manufactured by Micronor Inc. of Newbury Park, Calif., USA. However
it should be appreciated that other optical positioning sensors and
controllers may be used.
[0045] In one embodiment, the modulator wheel 74 includes a disc
(not shown) which rotates as the carriage 64B moves along the rail
62.
[0046] In one embodiment, the communication channel 78 is a two
core optical fibre, a first core for transmitting light and a
second core for receiving light, in this embodiment, the controller
76 may include a light source which is output into the first core
of the optical fibre and is directed onto the disc. Light output
from the controller 76 may be pulsed. However it should be
appreciated that the light source may be continuous. The disc may
include a pattern formed from one or more reflective and
non-reflective bands. As the modulator wheel 74 and hence the disc
rotates, the light from the optical fibre is modulated and received
on the second core of the optical fibre.
[0047] In one embodiment, the light is modulated by a single
reflective and non reflective band. in another embodiment, light is
illuminated onto a section of the disc, where each section
illuminated includes a unique pattern and the light is modulated
according to the unique pattern.
[0048] The modulated light is communicated to the controller 76.
From the modulated light, the controller 76 determines an amount of
movement of the modulator wheel 74 and hence a distance moved by
the end carriage 64B and the longwall mining machine 10. A computer
(not shown) is connected to the controller 76 to graphically show a
user a position of the longwall mining machine 10 within a mine. In
one embodiment, the computer connects to the controller 76 via a
Local Area Network.
[0049] In the case of a single reflective and non-reflective band
on the disc, a pulse is output each time the disc turns a single
revolution. From the number of pulses, the controller 76 may
determine a movement of the wheel.
[0050] In the case of light modulated by a unique pattern on the
disc, the controller 76 may determine an exact position of the disc
from the light modulated according to the unique pattern. In this
embodiment, the controller is able to determine whether the
modulator wheel 74 is moving clockwise or anti-clockwise thus
whether the longwall mining machine 10 is moving backwards or
forwards.
[0051] In summary, advantages of the present invention are: [0052]
1) The system is lightweight and does not require heavy lifting
equipment to be installed; [0053] 2) In the case of the optical
modulator wheel, it is not affected by electrical noise and
magnetic fields as it utilises light; [0054] 3) In the case of the
optical modulator wheel, it is a sealed unit, thus does not require
cleaning and works in dusty and dirty mining environments; [0055]
4) In the case of an optical modulator wheel it does not need to be
installed in a certified fireproof enclosure and no periodic
testing of the enclosure is required as only optical signals are
used; and [0056] 5) The system uses a relative movement using a
wheel operatively connected to the mining machine, thus a
measurement is more accurate over the prior art.
[0057] The above description of various embodiments of the present
invention is provided for purposes of description to one of
ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed
embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and
variations to the present invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some
alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other
embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by
those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this patent
specification is intended to embrace all alternatives,
modifications and variations of the present invention that have
been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the
spirit and scope of the above described invention.
* * * * *