Autonomous Water Dispensing Control for Mine Surface Moisture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack a systematic approach to determine the appropriate amount of water to be dispensed by autonomous machines at a mine site to prevent dust and ground surface degradation, often resulting in either insufficient dust suppression or excessive water usage that causes degradation.
Innovation Solution
A moisture management device that determines the current moisture level, moisture removal rate, and predicts the expected moisture level at the time of an autonomous machine's arrival. Based on this information, it calculates the necessary amount of water to be dispensed to maintain a desired moisture level, ensuring effective dust suppression and ground surface protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If water is dispensed on the ground surface to suppress dust, then dust suppression effectiveness is improved, but ground surface degradation may occur due to excessive water
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of ground surface moisture levels and dust conditions before dispensing water. The autonomous machine evaluates current moisture content and predicts future moisture levels based on environmental factors, then determines the precise water quantity needed to achieve desired dust suppression without causing degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors ground surface moisture levels and dust conditions, using this feedback to adjust water dispensing quantities in real-time. Sensors detect current moisture content and dust levels, and the control system modifies subsequent water application rates to maintain optimal conditions without exceeding degradation thresholds.
Solution Approach 3:
The system dynamically adjusts water dispensing parameters (quantity, frequency, timing) based on measured ground surface conditions and environmental factors. By changing these parameters adaptively rather than using fixed rates, the system achieves effective dust suppression while preventing ground surface degradation from excessive water application.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If insufficient water is dispensed on the ground surface, then ground surface degradation is avoided, but dust suppression effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of ground surface moisture levels and dust conditions before dispensing water. The autonomous machine evaluates current moisture content and predicts future moisture levels based on environmental factors, then determines the precise water quantity needed to achieve desired dust suppression without causing degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts water dispensing parameters (quantity, frequency, timing) based on measured ground surface conditions and environmental factors. By changing these parameters adaptively rather than using fixed rates, the system achieves effective dust suppression while preventing ground surface degradation from excessive water application.
3Ease of operation
If water dispensing is performed without predicting future moisture levels, then operational simplicity is maintained, but water quantity accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of ground surface moisture levels and dust conditions before dispensing water. The autonomous machine evaluates current moisture content and predicts future moisture levels based on environmental factors, then determines the precise water quantity needed to achieve desired dust suppression without causing degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors ground surface moisture levels and dust conditions, using this feedback to adjust water dispensing quantities in real-time. Sensors detect current moisture content and dust levels, and the control system modifies subsequent water application rates to maintain optimal conditions without exceeding degradation thresholds.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures that the appropriate amount of water is dispensed, effectively reducing dust and preventing ground surface degradation, thereby minimizing damage to machines and maintaining safe operational conditions at the mine site.
Implementation Method 1
determining a moisture removal rate of the section of the ground surface; predicting an expected level of moisture of the section of the ground surface at an estimated time of arrival of an autonomous machine
Data Source
AI summary
A device may determine a current level of moisture of a section of a ground surface. The device may determine a moisture removal rate of the section of the ground surface. The device may predict an expected level of moisture of the section of the ground surface at an estimated time of arrival of an autonomous machine with a water dispensing unit and determine an amount of water to be dispensed by the autonomous machine at the section of the ground surface. The expected level of moisture may be predicted based on the current level of moisture and the moisture removal rate. The amount of water may be determined based on the expected level of moisture and a desired level of moisture. The device may provide a command, to the autonomous machine, to cause the autonomous machine to dispense the amount of water to the section of the ground surface.