Network for Confined Hazardous or Other Extreme Environments

Abstract

A network for a mine or other hazardous environment is provided. The network can include a plurality of access points that can communicate with each other. The access points can be deployed along a plurality of pillars in a room-and-pillar mine. The access points can interconnect a mobile wireless client device within the mine with an operations centre. In the event of an explosion or other disaster, a UPS battery back-up and the redundancy of the access points can increase the likelihood that a link between the wireless client device and the operations center can be maintained.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 649,419 filed Jan. 4, 2007, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 826,456, filed Sep. 21, 2006. This application claims the benefit of all of the aforementioned applications and patents. The contents of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to communication networks and more specifically to a network for a confined hazardous environment, such as a mine, a granary, an oil or gas refinery, a sawmill, a furniture factory or like environments.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]While potentially lucrative, mining can be extremely dangerous exercise. Large underground mines, in particular, present significant safety challenges due to the risk of cave-ins. Coal mines present even greater challenges due the friable natu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a network for a mine, such as a room-and-pillar or long wall mine, that includes a server and a plurality of wireless nodes distributed throughout the mine. The nodes communicate with each other and the server through a network. The network can be self-healing, meaning that if one of the nodes fails, the remaining nodes can reestablish communication with each other. The network can also be used for location tracking, inventory tracking, and for providing information to miners in real-time. The nodes have a unique antenna design that allows for efficient signal propagation and enhanced location tracking. Overall, the invention provides a reliable and flexible network for mines."

Problems solved by technology

While potentially lucrative, mining can be extremely dangerous exercise.

Large underground mines, in particular, present significant safety challenges due to the risk of cave-ins.

Coal mines present even greater challenges due the friable nature of coal and the constant leaking of explosive methane from the coal.

In general, none of the foregoing systems provide a complete range of desirable and satisfactory safety and operational features for a network in a mining or like environment.

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