Novel underground fluorite mine water pump house remote control device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of water pump room remote control, and discloses a novel underground fluorite mine water pump room remote control device which comprises a ground monitoring module, a data transmission module, an underground intelligent control module, a field signal acquisition module, an execution driving module and a state indication module. Wherein the underground intelligent control module takes a programmable logic controller (PLC) as a core, and communicates with the ground monitoring module through the data transmission module. And the PLC receives water sump water level and sudden stop signals from the field signal acquisition module, outputs control signals to the execution driving module after internal preset water level linkage control logic operation so as to drive the mining drainage pump to start and stop, and synchronously controls the state indication module to display the system state. According to the device, remote centralized monitoring and full-automatic intelligent operation of the drainage system are realized, and the safety, the reliability and the operation economy are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of remote control technology for pumping stations, specifically a novel remote control device for pumping stations in underground fluorite mines. Background Technology

[0002] In the mining of underground fluorite, timely and effective drainage of underground water inflow is crucial for ensuring mine safety and continuous production. Traditional pump station control relies heavily on manual on-site monitoring and operation, which has the following significant drawbacks: First, manual inspection and pump start-up / shutdown operations are labor-intensive and costly, and it is difficult to achieve 24-hour uninterrupted and accurate water level monitoring; second, in the face of emergencies such as sudden water inrush, manual response is slow, easily leading to safety hazards; third, the pump operation strategy is simplistic and cannot be adjusted for energy-saving scheduling based on peak and off-peak electricity prices, resulting in poor operational economy. Furthermore, equipment operating status depends on manual experience-based judgment, leading to delayed fault detection and hindering preventative maintenance. With the advancement of intelligent mining construction, remote monitoring and automatic control of drainage systems have become an urgent industry need. Although some automated drainage solutions have emerged in existing technologies, further improvements and optimizations are needed in terms of system reliability, the level of intelligence in control (such as multi-water level threshold linkage and energy-saving operation based on electricity pricing strategies), and the integration of fault self-diagnosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a highly integrated, intelligent, reliable, and energy-efficient remote control device for underground mine pumping stations. To address the aforementioned issues, this application proposes a novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pump rooms. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and provide a novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pumping stations. This device enables remote centralized monitoring of the underground drainage system, intelligent linkage control based on water level, energy-saving operation incorporating electricity pricing strategies, and real-time fault diagnosis, thereby comprehensively improving the safety, reliability, and economy of the drainage system.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pumping stations includes: The ground monitoring module provides a human-machine interface to display the real-time operating status of the underground drainage system, store historical data, and issue remote control commands. The data transmission module is used to establish a signal transmission channel between the ground monitoring module and the downhole equipment; The downhole intelligent control module is connected to the data transmission module. Its core is a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC is equipped with at least digital input ports, digital output ports, and communication ports. The field signal acquisition module is connected to the digital input port of the PLC and is used to acquire water level status signals of the water tank and emergency stop signals of the equipment. The execution drive module is connected to the digital output port of the PLC and is used to drive the start and stop of the mine drainage pump according to the output signal of the PLC. The status indicator module is connected to the digital output port of the PLC and is used to indicate the operation, fault, and remote / local control status of the drainage pump. The PLC is configured to receive and process signals from the field signal acquisition module, perform logical operations, output corresponding control signals to the execution drive module and the status indication module, and simultaneously interact with the ground monitoring module through the data transmission module.

[0005] Preferably, the field signal acquisition module includes a liquid level signal intermediate relay, and the water level status signal of the water tank is connected to the digital input port of the PLC through the contacts of the liquid level signal intermediate relay.

[0006] Preferably, the field signal acquisition module further includes an emergency stop switch, the normally closed contact of which is connected in series to the digital input circuit of the PLC or the control power supply circuit of the execution drive module.

[0007] Preferably, the execution drive module includes a start relay and a stop relay, and the digital output port of the PLC indirectly controls the on / off state of the main circuit contactor of the drainage pump motor by driving the coils of the start relay and the stop relay.

[0008] Preferably, the PLC has a pre-set water level linkage control logic, which is configured to automatically control the start-up, shutdown, and sequence of a corresponding number of drainage pumps in the execution drive module according to different water level threshold signals from the field signal acquisition module.

[0009] Preferably, the status indication module includes multiple signal indicator lights, which are respectively connected to different digital output ports of the PLC to display one or more of the following statuses: water pump operation, fault, remote control mode, and high liquid level alarm.

[0010] Preferably, the data transmission module includes a mining flame-retardant communication optical cable and a mining intrinsically safe industrial Ethernet switch. Beneficial effects

[0011] (1) By constructing a modular system consisting of ground monitoring, underground intelligent control, on-site signal acquisition, execution drive and status indication, remote centralized monitoring and unmanned operation of the pump room were realized. The core is to use PLC as the control center and integrate intelligent logic such as water level linkage. It can automatically and accurately control the start and stop sequence of multiple pumps according to the water level of the water tank, which greatly improves the automation level of drainage operations and emergency response speed. (2) The device has a complete signal acquisition and safety protection mechanism. It reliably acquires field signals through intermediate level signal relays and emergency stop switches, and safely drives the equipment through start / stop relays. The status indication module provides real-time feedback on the system status. Combined with a reliable communication network based on mine flame-retardant optical cable, it constructs a closed-loop control from perception, decision-making, execution to feedback, which significantly enhances the reliability and safety of the system operation. (3) The modular design facilitates installation, maintenance, and functional expansion. The core control logic is built into the PLC, and the control strategy (such as water level threshold and energy-saving period) can be flexibly adjusted through the program without modifying the hardware. The intelligent control strategy can optimize the equipment operation sequence, extend the equipment life, and achieve economic drainage by combining peak and off-peak electricity pricing, effectively reducing the long-term operation and maintenance costs of the mine. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the control system of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a system structure block diagram of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram of the control system of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0014] Please see Figure 1-3 A novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pumping stations includes: The ground monitoring module provides a human-machine interface to display the real-time operating status of the underground drainage system, store historical data, and issue remote control commands. The data transmission module is used to establish a signal transmission channel between the ground monitoring module and the downhole equipment; The downhole intelligent control module is connected to the data transmission module. Its core is a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC is equipped with at least digital input ports, digital output ports, and communication ports. The field signal acquisition module is connected to the digital input port of the PLC and is used to acquire water level status signals of the water tank and emergency stop signals of the equipment. The execution drive module is connected to the digital output port of the PLC and is used to drive the start and stop of the mine drainage pump according to the output signal of the PLC. The status indicator module is connected to the digital output port of the PLC and is used to indicate the operation, fault, and remote / local control status of the drainage pump. The PLC is configured to receive and process signals from the field signal acquisition module, perform logical operations, output corresponding control signals to the execution drive module and the status indication module, and simultaneously interact with the ground monitoring module through the data transmission module. The on-site signal acquisition module is responsible for collecting core status signals (such as water level and emergency stop commands) from underground. The underground intelligent control module (with a PLC as its core) acts as the "brain," receiving signals from the on-site signal acquisition module and executing its internally preset water level linkage control logic (as described in claim 5) to make decisions on starting and stopping the pump. The PLC's decision results are converted into electrical signals, which drive the high-power mine drainage pump motor through the execution drive module (such as relays and contactors). The status indication module provides on-site visual operation status. Simultaneously, real-time data and control commands throughout the entire process are transmitted bidirectionally between the ground monitoring module and the underground equipment through the data transmission module, enabling remote monitoring. By centralizing the on-site control logic in the PLC and connecting it to the ground via a network, the traditional manual duty mode is completely changed, realizing remote monitoring and automated operation of the pump room. This significantly saves manpower, improves response speed, and clearly divides the system into six functional modules: ground monitoring, communication, control, acquisition, execution, and indication. The clear structure facilitates system design, installation, debugging, and maintenance, and also improves system stability and reliability.

[0015] More specifically, the field signal acquisition module includes a liquid level signal intermediate relay. The water level status signal of the water tank is connected to the digital input port of the PLC through the contacts of the liquid level signal intermediate relay. The signals output by water level sensors (such as float switches, hydrostatic level gauges, etc.) are usually weak or of different formats. The liquid level signal intermediate relay acts as a "bridge." The water level signal first drives the coil of the relay, causing its contacts to actuate. The PLC actually acquires the standardized, electrically isolated passive dry contact signal of the relay contacts, which effectively isolates the interference or surges that may be caused to the water level sensor by the humid and complex environment downhole, preventing them from directly impacting the expensive digital input port of the PLC and protecting the core controller. By uniformly converting various signals output by different types of sensors (such as changes in current, voltage, and resistance) into switch signals that the PLC can directly recognize, the driving capability is enhanced, and the system's compatibility and anti-interference ability are improved.

[0016] More specifically, the field signal acquisition module also includes an emergency stop switch. The normally closed contact of the emergency stop switch is connected in series in the digital input circuit of the PLC or the control power supply circuit of the execution drive module. As the highest priority hardware safety protection, the emergency stop switch's normally closed contact is connected in series in the critical circuit. Once the emergency stop switch is activated, the contact opens. Whether connected in series in the PLC input circuit (allowing the PLC to immediately detect the emergency stop signal and urgently stop all outputs) or in series in the control power supply circuit of the execution drive module (directly cutting off the control power of relays and contactors, forcibly stopping the machine), it ensures that the water pump stops unconditionally and immediately. This provides a purely hardware safety circuit that does not rely on PLC software logic. Even if the PLC experiences program crashes or freezes, the emergency stop function remains effective, greatly improving the inherent safety level of the system. Moreover, the hardware circuit has an extremely fast response speed, ensuring millisecond-level power outage protection when personal or equipment safety is threatened.

[0017] More specifically, the execution drive module includes start and stop relays. The PLC's digital output port indirectly controls the on / off state of the main circuit contactor of the drainage pump motor by driving the coils of the start and stop relays. The PLC's digital output port has limited load capacity (typically DC 24V / milliampere level) and cannot directly drive AC contactors (typically AC 220V / ampere level). The start and stop relays act as "power amplifiers." The PLC's small current signal drives the coils of these two relays, and the relay contacts control the energization and de-energization of the AC contactor coil. Finally, the main contacts of the AC contactor connect or disconnect the high-current main circuit of the water pump motor. This achieves electrical isolation between the low-voltage control signal (PLC side) and the high-voltage execution circuit (motor side), preventing high-voltage surges from damaging the PLC. It also completes power amplification from the milliampere level to the ampere level.

[0018] More specifically, the PLC has a pre-set water level linkage control logic. This logic is configured to automatically control the start / stop and sequence of a corresponding number of drainage pumps in the execution drive module based on different water level threshold signals from the field signal acquisition module. The PLC's internal program has multiple preset thresholds such as "pump stop water level," "pump start water level one," and "pump start water level two." The field signal acquisition module (e.g., through multiple level switches) transmits the real-time water level status (which threshold range it falls into) to the PLC. The PLC automatically makes decisions based on the preset program: for example, if the water level reaches "pump start water level one," pump #1 is started; if the water level continues to rise to "pump start water level two," pump #2 is started; if the water level falls back to the "pump stop water level," each pump is stopped sequentially. It can also include complex sequential logic such as pump rotation and faulty pump skipping. By dynamically adjusting the number of operating pumps according to the actual water inflow, it achieves refined and automated drainage. Under the premise of ensuring safety, it avoids frequent pump start-stop and dry running. The multi-level water level threshold design enables it to cope with normal water inflow and automatically start multiple pumps to drain water at full capacity in emergency situations such as sudden water inrush, thus improving the system's emergency response capability.

[0019] More specifically, the status indication module includes multiple indicator lights, each connected to a different digital output port of the PLC. These lights display one or more of the following states: pump operation, fault, remote control mode, and high level alarm. The PLC determines the current system status (e.g., "Pump #1 is running," "Remote control mode," "High level alarm") based on its internal logic and input signals, and illuminates the corresponding indicator light on the control cabinet panel via the corresponding digital output port. Each state typically has a unique indicator light, providing on-site inspectors and maintenance personnel with the most direct and clear equipment status information. This allows them to quickly understand the system's status (automatic / manual, running / fault, alarm, etc.) without relying on a host computer, greatly facilitating on-site operation and troubleshooting. Furthermore, the separate indicator lights for key states such as running, fault, mode, and alarm present information clearly and avoid confusion.

[0020] More specifically, the data transmission module includes a mine-grade flame-retardant communication optical cable and a mine-grade intrinsically safe industrial Ethernet switch. The mine-grade flame-retardant communication optical cable serves as the physical transmission medium, responsible for long-distance signal transmission, and has strong anti-interference capabilities. The mine-grade intrinsically safe industrial Ethernet switch, as a network node device, is responsible for exchanging and forwarding Ethernet signals from the ground monitoring system with signals from underground PLCs and other equipment, constructing a standard industrial Ethernet network. "Mine-grade flame-retardant" and "intrinsically safe" are mandatory safety requirements specifically designed for the flammable and explosive environment of mines, ensuring that the communication equipment itself will not become an ignition source, thus guaranteeing mine safety. Fiber optic transmission is unaffected by electromagnetic interference, has high bandwidth, and low attenuation, ensuring stable, real-time, and high-speed transmission of control commands and monitoring data between the ground and underground, which is the foundation for reliable remote control.

[0021] As can be seen from the above, the specific embodiments of the present invention are as follows: After the system starts, the downhole field signal acquisition modules (such as level sensors and emergency stop switches) begin to work. The level sensors monitor the water level in the water tank in real time, and the signals they generate (such as switch signals) are isolated, converted, and driven by the level signal intermediate relay, becoming standard digital signals that the PLC can recognize. These signals are then sent to the digital input port of the downhole intelligent control module (with the PLC as its core). At the same time, the emergency stop switch signal, which is the highest priority hardware safety protection, is also connected to this circuit. The PLC, as the control center, uses its internally preset water level linkage control logic (such as setting multiple thresholds for pump stop, pump start level one, and pump start level two) to process and perform logical operations on the received water level status signals in real time, automatically making decisions: for example, when the water level reaches "pump start level one", the PLC determines that one pump needs to be started; if the water level continues to rise to "pump start level two", it determines that a second pump needs to be started; when the water level drops to "pump stop level", it determines that the pumps need to be stopped. After the decision is made, the PLC outputs a control signal through its digital output port. On the one hand, the signal drives the start or stop relay in the execution drive module to operate, and controls the energization of the AC contactor coil through the relay contacts. In turn, the main contacts of the contactor open or close the main circuit of the high-power water pump motor, thereby precisely controlling the start and stop of the water pump. On the other hand, the PLC simultaneously drives the corresponding indicator lights in the status indicator module to display real-time statuses such as "water pump running", "remote control", "fault" or "high liquid level alarm", providing intuitive instructions for on-site personnel. Meanwhile, all data from the entire process (including water level, equipment status, control commands, alarm information, etc.) is transmitted stably and at high speed between the underground PLC and the ground monitoring module through the data transmission module (a reliable network composed of mine flame-retardant communication optical cables and mine intrinsically safe industrial Ethernet switches). This enables the ground dispatch center to remotely and centrally monitor the underground drainage system, store data, query historical data, and intervene manually when necessary. Ultimately, a complete closed-loop control system is built, from underground on-site perception, intelligent analysis and decision-making, automatic execution drive, local status indication to remote ground monitoring, realizing unmanned operation and intelligent operation of drainage work.

[0022] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pump stations, characterized in that, include: The ground monitoring module provides a human-machine interface to display the real-time operating status of the underground drainage system, store historical data, and issue remote control commands. The data transmission module is used to establish a signal transmission channel between the ground monitoring module and the downhole equipment; The downhole intelligent control module is connected to the data transmission module. Its core is a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC is equipped with at least digital input ports, digital output ports, and communication ports. The field signal acquisition module is connected to the digital input port of the PLC and is used to acquire water level status signals of the water tank and emergency stop signals of the equipment. The execution drive module is connected to the digital output port of the PLC and is used to drive the start and stop of the mine drainage pump according to the output signal of the PLC. The status indicator module is connected to the digital output port of the PLC and is used to indicate the operation, fault, and remote / local control status of the drainage pump. The PLC is configured to receive and process signals from the field signal acquisition module, perform logical operations, output corresponding control signals to the execution drive module and the status indication module, and simultaneously interact with the ground monitoring module through the data transmission module.

2. The novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pumping stations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The field signal acquisition module includes a liquid level signal intermediate relay, and the water level status signal of the water tank is connected to the digital input port of the PLC through the contacts of the liquid level signal intermediate relay.

3. The novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pumping stations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The field signal acquisition module also includes an emergency stop switch, the normally closed contact of which is connected in series to the digital input circuit of the PLC or the control power supply circuit of the execution drive module.

4. The novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pumping stations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The execution drive module includes a start relay and a stop relay. The digital output port of the PLC indirectly controls the on / off state of the main circuit contactor of the drainage pump motor by driving the coils of the start relay and the stop relay.

5. A novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pumping stations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PLC is pre-set with water level linkage control logic, which is configured to automatically control the start, stop and sequence of a corresponding number of drainage pumps in the execution drive module according to different water level threshold signals from the field signal acquisition module.

6. A novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pumping stations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The status indicator module includes multiple signal indicator lights, which are respectively connected to different digital output ports of the PLC to display one or more of the following statuses: water pump operation, fault, remote control mode, and high liquid level alarm.

7. A novel remote control device for underground fluorite mine pumping stations according to claim 1, characterized in that: The data transmission module includes a mine-use flame-retardant communication optical cable and a mine-use intrinsically safe industrial Ethernet switch.

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