Borehole-Deployed Ex ia Camera Assembly for Mine Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In underground coal mines, especially in explosion risk zones, accessing damaged areas after a mine over-pressure incident is challenging due to safety risks, leading to prolonged downtime and costs, as standard equipment is not sufficient to mitigate explosion risks and cannot be safely used in high methane concentrations without certification like Ex ia.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing assembly with 'Ex ia' rated cameras and lights, mounted within an elongate body that can be placed in a borehole, allowing for 360-degree imaging and illumination, enabling safe inspection and data collection without the need for continuous gas monitoring or electricity supply shutdown, compliant with CMSHR 2017 regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard electrical equipment is used in underground coal mines, then the equipment can be operated without special certification, but the equipment cannot safely mitigate explosion risks in high methane concentration zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary inspection system consisting of a camera, light source, and gas sensor that can be deployed via borehole into ERZ0 zones. This intermediary device allows inspection of dangerous areas without requiring personnel or standard equipment to physically enter the explosion risk zone, thereby maintaining safety while enabling inspection functionality.
2Reliability
If the mine evacuates all persons after an over-pressure incident, then safety is ensured, but physical access for inspection cannot be obtained and mining operations must cease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human inspectors physically entering the mine with an automated inspection system that can be deployed through boreholes. The system uses a camera mounted on a deployable structure that can be lowered into the mine via the borehole, allowing automated visual inspection without requiring human presence in the dangerous environment.
3Reliability
If Ex ia certified equipment is deployed for inspection in ERZ0 zones, then explosion protection is ensured, but the equipment requires continuous gas monitoring and electricity supply shutdown protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inspection functionality from the complex protocol-dependent Ex ia equipment and relocates it to a simpler system deployed through borehole. By using a camera system that can be positioned in the ERZ0 zone through the borehole opening, the system eliminates the need for continuous gas monitoring and power shutdown protocols while maintaining inspection capability.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are mounted at different orientations, then 360-degree imaging coverage is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging system into multiple camera units, each mounted at different orientations (front, rear, and side views) on the inspection device. This segmentation allows each camera to capture specific directional views, and when combined, provides comprehensive 360-degree coverage of the inspection area without requiring a single complex panoramic camera system.
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
Enables safe and efficient inspection of underground environments in explosion risk zones by providing certified Ex ia equipment for capturing images and illuminating the area, reducing downtime and costs associated with mine over-pressure incidents.
Implementation Method 1
a first light mounted within the chamber such that it is substantially aligned with the first light aperture, the first light being configured to illuminate the underground environment
Implementation Method 2
a first camera mounted within the chamber such that it is substantially aligned with the first camera aperture, the first camera being configured to capture images of the underground environment
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an image capturing assembly for an underground environment. The assembly may comprise an elongate body configured to be placed within a borehole. The body may comprise an outer wall that defines an internal chamber therein, a first camera aperture, and a first light aperture disposed in the outer wall of the body. The assembly may also comprise a first camera mounted within the chamber and a first light mounted within the chamber to illuminate the underground environment.