Coal weighing system

Abstract

A coal weighing system (10) comprising: a sludge bucket (15) with a plurality of permanently connected load cells, wherein the load cells (20) are configured to measure the precise amount of coal being transported for loading or unloading from the sludge bucket onto the railcar, wherein the sludge bucket has an RFID reader (35) on its front; wherein an RFID tag (40) is attached to each wagon / compartment to accurately extract the required amount of coal from the sludge bucket, wherein the RFID reader of the sludge bucket checks the RFID tag before dispensing the coal into the wagons during each loading / unloading cycle, wherein the coal load of each compartment / wagon is measured using the load cell values ​​of the sludge bucket in relation to the RFID tag; a microcontroller (25) which coordinates and executes the measured loading / unloading of the coal by means of an RFID tag / reader and load cells, wherein the microcontroller enables the sludge bucket to load / unload the coal in precisely dosed amounts from the storage area into the wagon compartment, wherein the connection between the RFID reader and the tag measures the amount of coal loaded in a wagon / compartment; a user interface module (30) used to check / display the amount of coal loaded / unloaded in each compartment / wagon based on predefined instructions, whereby authenticated users can check the coal inflow and outflow in terms of time and quantity; There is a buzzer (45) in the operating area of ​​the sludge bucket which alerts the operators if the coal load in a particular compartment / wagon is too high.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to coal weighing systems and techniques related thereto. More specifically, the present invention relates to a measuring system for loading and unloading coal from a slurry bin onto railroad cars to prevent losses due to overloading in a particular compartment. BACKGROUND

[0002] Loading and unloading coal is typically a laborious process. Accurately filling and refilling coal from the slurry bin into the wagons is time-consuming. Operators typically calculate the quantity based on the bin size. However, the quality of the coal influences the weight relative to the bin size. Overloading the wagons with material can lead to accidents due to excessive weight. In some cases, losses due to scattered coal due to unintended distribution with regard to vehicle movement can result in financial losses for the authority concerned. There are no dedicated machines / systems on the market to precisely measure and continuously fill the coal from the slurry bin into the wagons.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a system for measuring the amount of coal during loading and unloading from the slurry bucket to the railcar, as well as from the railcar to the required areas. The present invention effectively overcomes the above-mentioned problems, limitations, and disadvantages. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a system for accurately measuring coal weight during loading and unloading.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for controlling coal losses due to overloading of vehicles, wagons, etc.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to ensure the exact amount of coal in each wagon compartment in order to reduce the financial losses of the concerned authority.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a continuous monitoring system for calculating coal transport from one location to another.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to introduce a protection system for weighing coal, etc. from loading to unloading by properly monitoring the weight of materials at each loading and unloading.

[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY

[0010] The embodiment of the present invention discloses a system for weighing the amount of coal during loading and unloading of a railcar to prevent coal losses due to overloading. The present invention also helps measure the material load of each compartment / railcar during each operating cycle. The coal weighing system includes a slurry bucket with several closely connected load cells. The load cells are configured to measure the precise amount of coal transported during loading and unloading from the slurry bucket to the railcar.

[0011] The sludge bucket is equipped with an RFID reader on the front. An RFID tag is also attached to each wagon / compartment to accurately record the required amount of coal. The sludge bucket's RFID reader checks the RFID tag before each loading and unloading cycle. The coal load can be measured using the load cell readings of the sludge bucket in each compartment / wagon using the RFID tag.

[0012] The microcontroller coordinates and executes the measured loading and unloading of coal using an RFID tag / reader and load cells. The microcontroller enables the slurry bucket to precisely load and unload coal from the storage area into the wagon compartment. The connection between the RFID reader and the tag measures the amount of coal loaded into a wagon / compartment. The user interface module checks and displays details of the amount of coal loaded / unloaded in each compartment / wagon based on predefined instructions.

[0013] In one embodiment, authenticated users can monitor coal inflow and outflow in terms of time and quantity. The buzzer is located in the operating area of ​​the sludge bucket and alerts operators when excessive coal loading is detected in a particular compartment / car.

[0014] These and other aspects of the embodiments described herein will become more fully understood in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. While the following descriptions show preferred embodiments and numerous specific details, they are illustrative and not limiting. Numerous changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments described herein are intended to encompass all such modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0015] The further objects, features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings. Fig. shows the schematic view of the sludge bucket with positioning of the load cells according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings but not in others. This is for clarity only, since each feature according to the present invention can be combined with all or some of the other features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The various embodiments, as well as further developments and features, are explained in the following detailed description using non-limiting details. The depiction of processing techniques for known components is omitted in order not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments described herein. The examples used herein are intended to facilitate understanding of the possible applications of the embodiments described herein and to enable those skilled in the art to implement the embodiments described herein. The examples should therefore not be construed as limiting the scope of application of the embodiments described herein.

[0018] The various embodiments of the present invention disclose a system (10) for weighing the precise amount of coal during loading and unloading of a container / wagon to reduce losses due to overloading. The coal weighing system (10) helps measure the coal load of each wagon using suitable measurement and monitoring techniques. The coal weighing system consists of a slurry tank. The slurry tank (15) contains several load cells that are rigidly connected to one another. The load cells are operatively connected to the power source.

[0019] Fig.shows a schematic representation of a sludge bucket with load cells according to an embodiment of the present invention. The load cells (20) measure the precise amount of coal being transported during loading or unloading from the sludge bucket onto the railcar. The sludge bucket (15) has an RFID reader (35) on its front. The movement of the sludge bucket can be controlled by cranes or the like. Typically, operators load the coal from the storage area into the railcars using the crane system. Normally, the number of buckets is calculated to determine the approximate amount. However, the quality of the coal, taking into account the climatic conditions, determines the net weight. Excessive loading of coal from a particular location can lead to increased demand. The present invention provides a sludge bucket with load quantity measurement technology for accurately measuring the amount of coal.

[0020] In one embodiment, an RFID tag (40) must be installed in each compartment / wagon to continuously track coal movement at different locations. The RFID tag can be placed on each wagon / compartment to accurately extract the required amount of coal from the slurry bin. The slurry bin's RFID reader (35) checks the RFID tag before each loading and unloading cycle. The coal load in each compartment / wagon can be measured using the RFID tag by summing the load cell readings.

[0021] The microcontroller (25) coordinates and executes the measured loading and unloading of coal using an RFID tag / reader and load cells. It continuously monitors the total stock, the loading per time and car, the net availability, and the car's location. It provides the requested information to the user interface module (30). In one aspect, the microcontroller enables the slurry bucket to precisely load and unload coal from the storage area into the car compartment. The connection between the RFID reader (35) and the tag (40) measures the amount of coal loaded in a car / compartment. The user interface module (30) is used to verify and display the amount of coal loaded / unloaded in each compartment / car based on predefined instructions. Authenticated users can verify the time and quantity of coal entering and exiting. The user interface module can be remotely controlled from one or more locations.A buzzer (45) is located in the operating area of ​​the sludge bucket and alerts operators when coal overload is detected in a specific compartment / wagon. The degree of overload can be adjusted by the authenticated user via the user interface module.

[0022] In one embodiment, multiple load cells (20) are mounted on the lower interior side of the sludge bucket and have appropriate safety features to measure the loading and unloading of coal during each operating cycle. The movement of the sludge bucket (15) can be controlled by crane operators and the like. In one embodiment, the installation of an RFID tag (40) on each railcar helps measure the total amount of coal loaded from the sludge bucket at any given time.

[0023] In one embodiment, the user interface (30) can be operated virtually via GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IoT, or similar technologies. One or more RFID tags can be monitored by the microcontroller to measure the correct values ​​for loading and unloading coal at one or more locations. The GPS system can be installed on each wagon to continuously monitor coal movements. Coal unloading can also be measured using the slurry bucket.

[0024] In one embodiment, the slurry bucket measures the weight of each load as coal is loaded from the storage area into a wagon. The measured value is transmitted to the microcontroller. The RFID reader reads the RFID tag (40) as the load is transferred from the bucket into the respective wagon. The following cycles in continuous operation help fill the wagon with the required, predefined amount. The total weight of the wagon, i.e., the coal weight, can be checked via the user interface. If the load is too high, a buzzer alerts the operator to stop the loading process.

[0025] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a digital solution for the precise loading of coal into railway wagons. The system (10) utilizes load cells mounted on the slurry bucket of a wheel loader to measure the weight of the coal or bulk material in real time. The system utilizes RFID to differentiate the weight data of each railway wagon. These load cells are connected to an ESP32 microcontroller, which processes the weight data. The processed weight data of the slurry bucket and wagon is displayed to the operator via an OLED display or similar. The system (10) alerts the operator via a buzzer when the wagon weight exceeds or falls below the predefined loading limit. The system prevents underloading and overloading. The present invention further enables the management system to access and manage loading operations via a Wi-Fi-connected app.

[0026] The system uses multiple load cells mounted on the wheel loader's slurry buckets to measure the coal being lifted and loaded into each railcar. The RFID tag uniquely identifies the compartment / railcar. When loading a railcar, the RFID reader mounted on the loader identifies the railcar by reading the tag. The system then links the weight data to the railcar's unique ID. The ESP32 microcontroller (25) serves as the control unit, collecting the weight data and assigning it to each railcar. The ESP32 enables the OLED screen to display the slurry bucket and railcar weight data in real time.

[0027] In one embodiment, the invention provides a warning system that checks whether the wagon weight data complies with the permissible weight limit (loading limit) to prevent underloading and overloading. The system has Wi-Fi connectivity and can transmit the wagon weight data to the management. The ESP32 sends the data to a central database, allowing administrators to monitor the data in real time. The administrator receives an app or user interface that provides real-time information about specific wagons, their weight data, and their underloading or overloading. The present invention reduces coal loss due to underloading or overloading.

[0028] The examples of the present invention described above are for illustrative purposes only. Although the present invention has been described using a specific example, numerous modifications are possible without substantially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Further substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible without departing from the spirit of the present solution. All features disclosed in this specification (including all appended claims, abstracts, and drawings) and / or all steps of a method or process disclosed therein may be combined in any combination, except for combinations in which at least some of these features and / or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0029] Although the embodiments described herein are described in terms of various specific implementations, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments described herein with modifications. List of reference symbols: 10 Coal weighing system 15 mud buckets 20 load cells 25 microcontrollers 30 User interface module 35 RFID reader 40 RFID tags 45 Summer

Claims

[1] A coal weighing system (10) comprising: a sludge bucket (15) with a plurality of permanently connected load cells, wherein the load cells (20) are configured to measure the precise amount of coal being transported for loading or unloading from the sludge bucket onto the railcar, wherein the sludge bucket has an RFID reader (35) on its front; wherein an RFID tag (40) is attached to each wagon / compartment to accurately extract the required amount of coal from the sludge bucket, wherein the RFID reader of the sludge bucket checks the RFID tag before dispensing the coal into the wagons during each loading / unloading cycle, wherein the coal load of each compartment / wagon is measured using the load cell values ​​of the sludge bucket in relation to the RFID tag; a microcontroller (25) which coordinates and executes the measured loading / unloading of the coal by means of an RFID tag / reader and load cells, wherein the microcontroller enables the sludge bucket to load / unload the coal in precisely dosed amounts from the storage area into the wagon compartment, wherein the connection between the RFID reader and the tag measures the amount of coal loaded in a wagon / compartment; a user interface module (30) used to check / display the amount of coal loaded / unloaded in each compartment / wagon based on predefined instructions, whereby authenticated users can check the coal inflow and outflow in terms of time and quantity; There is a buzzer (45) in the operating area of ​​the sludge bucket which alerts the operators if the coal load in a particular compartment / wagon is too high. [2] Coal weighing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of load cells (20) on the lower inside of the sludge bucket are equipped with corresponding safety functions to measure the loading and unloading of the amount of coal in each operating cycle. [3] Coal weighing system according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the slurry bucket (15) can be controlled by crane operators, etc. [4] The coal weighing system of claim 1, wherein the user interface (30) is operable via the handheld devices of the authenticated users from one or more locations. [5] Coal weighing system according to claim 1, wherein the installation of an RFID tag (40) on each wagon enables the measurement of the total amount of coal loaded from the slurry bucket at a given time. [6] Coal weighing system according to claim 1, wherein the user interface (30) can be operated virtually via GSM, WLAN, Bluetooth, IoT or similar technologies. [7] Coal weighing system according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tags can be monitored by the microcontroller (25) to measure the correct values ​​for loading and unloading coal at one or more locations.

Images