Underground Mining Localization via Dead Reckoning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current localization systems for underground mining, such as RFID systems, lack precision in identifying the specific drawpoint accessed by mining machines within underground tunnels due to the absence of RFID readers at individual drawpoints, leading to inadequate monitoring of ore movement and task performance.
Innovation Solution
A system that receives coordinate data for tunnel zones, location data from a location sensor device, and movement data from a movement sensor device to identify the active zone, machine heading, and drawpoint accessed by the mining machine, enabling precise tracking and action performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID readers are installed at individual drawpoints to precisely identify mining machine locations, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and infrastructure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives RFID signals from readers positioned in accessible locations (tunnel ceiling) and uses dead reckoning calculations to determine precise drawpoint locations. This intermediary layer allows the system to achieve precise location identification without requiring RFID readers at every individual drawpoint, thus reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for physical RFID readers at each drawpoint with a computational approach using dead reckoning algorithms. Instead of mechanically deploying readers throughout the tunnel, the system uses mathematical calculations based on machine movement data and limited RFID readings to substitute for the missing physical infrastructure.
2Reliability
If RFID readers are installed at every drawpoint to accurately monitor ore movement, then reliability of ore tracking improves, but loss of energy and infrastructure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the limited RFID readers installed in accessible locations perform multiple functions: they not only identify machine locations but also provide data for dead reckoning calculations, track ore movement, and monitor task performance. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable ore movement monitoring with fewer readers, reducing the energy consumption associated with operating numerous individual drawpoint readers.
3Device complexity
If crude zone-based estimation is used without individual drawpoint RFID readers, then device complexity reduces, but measurement precision and information accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously receives RFID readings, compares them with expected machine positions based on dead reckoning calculations, and uses this feedback to refine location estimates. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain accurate location information even with limited RFID reader coverage, preventing information loss while keeping infrastructure complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary dead reckoning calculations to predict machine locations before RFID readings are obtained. This preliminary action provides an expected position that can be compared with actual RFID data, allowing the system to maintain accurate location information through computational preparation rather than requiring extensive physical infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A mining machine is disclosed. The mining machine may include a mobile ranging device, a movement sensor device, and a control unit. The mobile ranging device may be configured to communicate with a location sensor device and cause the location sensor device to transmit location data relating to a location of the mining machine. The movement sensor device may be configured to transmit movement data relating to a movement of the mining machine. The control unit may be configured to receive coordinate data relating to a plurality of zones and a plurality of drawpoints of a tunnel, the location data, and the movement data. The control unit may identify an active zone, determine a machine heading, determine a machine articulation, identify an active drawpoint based on the active zone, the machine heading, or the machine articulation, and cause an action to be performed in connection with the active drawpoint.