Hierarchical Control System for Autonomous Mining Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation systems in mining operations are limited in their ability to integrate and manage autonomous systems across complex geographical regions, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to the lack of comprehensive control over diverse equipment and personnel within defined zones.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical control system is introduced, comprising primary and secondary controllers that oversee autonomous operations within defined geographical regions, allowing for the integration of autonomous systems across multiple localized zones with operation-defined boundaries, ensuring strict control and separation to enhance safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized control system is used to manage autonomous operations across the entire geographical region, then comprehensive control and coordination are improved, but system complexity and communication overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into hierarchical levels: a primary controller manages the entire geographical region while secondary controllers manage specific localised zones. This segmentation distributes control functions, reducing the complexity burden on any single controller while maintaining comprehensive oversight through the hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control architecture introduces a hierarchical dimension with multiple levels (primary controller at region level, secondary controllers at zone level). This dimensional organization allows comprehensive control to be achieved without requiring all controllers to communicate directly, thereby reducing overall system complexity and communication overhead.
2Productivity
If multiple autonomous systems operate concurrently in the same geographical region, then productivity and operational efficiency are improved, but safety risks and coordination difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The geographical region is divided into multiple localised zones with defined boundaries, each managed by a secondary controller. This spatial segmentation allows multiple autonomous systems to operate concurrently in different zones, improving productivity while maintaining safety through isolated control domains that prevent uncoordinated interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
Secondary controllers act as intermediaries between the primary controller and autonomous operators within localised zones. These intermediary controllers coordinate autonomous system activities within their zones and report to the primary controller, enabling safe concurrent operations through structured communication and control mediation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous operators can transition freely between different localised zones, then operational flexibility and adaptability are improved, but control management and safety monitoring become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The primary controller receives status information from secondary controllers about autonomous operator locations and zone transitions. This feedback mechanism enables the primary controller to monitor and manage transitions across localised zones, maintaining safety and coordination while allowing operational flexibility through controlled mobility between zones.
Data Source
AI summary
A hierarchical control system (203) for supervising operations of an autonomous operator located within a defined geographical region containing a localized zone having an operation-defined boundary. The control system (203) has a primary controller (604) associated with the defined geographical region and a secondary controller (605) associated with the localized zone. The secondary controller (605) is responsive to the supervisory control of the primary controller (604). The autonomous operator, if located within the localized zone, is responsive to the supervisory control of the secondary controller (605).