RFID Marker Housing with Impedance Mismatch for Blast Shock Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID markers in underground mining fail to withstand the harsh conditions of sub-level caving, including shock from blasts, and provide poor data resolution due to labor-intensive installation and limited durability, leading to inefficient ore flow monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A radio frequency identification (RFID) marker housing with multiple material layers providing impedance mismatch to deflect shock waves and enhance ruggedness, featuring a casing of impact-resistant plastics, a resiliently deformable tube, and composite strengthening materials to protect the electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID markers are installed in the ore body before blasting, then data resolution and ore origin tracking accuracy are improved, but the markers fail to withstand the shock of blasts in sub-level caving
Solution Approach 1:
The marker housing employs a composite structure consisting of an inner resiliently deformable tube (such as rubber or plastic) surrounded by an outer rigid casing (such as steel or hard plastic). This composite design allows the inner tube to absorb blast shock through deformation while the outer casing provides structural protection, enabling the marker to withstand sub-level caving blast conditions while maintaining tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The resiliently deformable tube is specifically designed to be installed before blasting operations, positioned to absorb and dissipate the shock waves generated during sub-level caving blasts. This pre-positioned cushioning element protects the RFID electronics and antenna from damage before the blast occurs, ensuring the marker remains functional for accurate ore origin tracking
2Reliability
If geologists seed the muck pile after blasting with RFID markers, then marker reliability is improved, but labor intensity and health and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The marker housing is designed to be installed in the ore body before blasting operations commence. This preliminary installation allows the marker to be positioned strategically in the ore before it is broken and redistributed during blasting, eliminating the need for geologists to manually seed muck piles after blasting. The marker remains in place throughout the blasting process, automatically tracking ore flow without requiring post-blast intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The resiliently deformable tube design enables the marker to self-protect during blasting without requiring manual intervention. The tube automatically deforms to absorb shock waves, and the rigid outer casing provides continuous structural protection. This self-service capability eliminates the need for geologists to repeatedly install or replace markers after each blast, significantly reducing labor intensity and safety risks
3Reliability
If steel pipe markers are used for ore flow tracking, then marker durability is improved, but data resolution and recovery rates deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical steel pipe markers with an RFID-based electronic tracking system. The RFID marker housing contains an electronic tag that can be read remotely by RFID readers positioned along the haulage network. This substitution eliminates the need for manual visual identification and recovery of steel markers, enabling automated, real-time tracking with higher data resolution while maintaining durability through the composite housing design
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID marker housing serves multiple functions: it protects the RFID electronics and antenna from physical damage, absorbs blast shock through the resilient tube, provides a mounting structure for the electronic components, and enables remote identification without manual intervention. This multi-functionality replaces the single function of steel pipe markers (which only provided physical durability) with a comprehensive solution that delivers both durability and high-resolution data tracking
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 provides reliable and long-lasting RFID markers capable of withstanding the harsh mining environment, ensuring accurate and real-time ore flow monitoring, reducing labor intensity, and improving recovery rates.
Implementation Method 1
there is an impedance mismatch between any adjacent two of the at least two material layers
Implementation Method 2
there is a change in properties between adjacent layers so that shock waves are deflected around the RFID electronics
Implementation Method 3
a casing of impact resistant plastics material
Implementation Method 4
casing of modified polyphenylene ether resin
Implementation Method 5
the core includes a resiliently deformable tube forming the outside of the core
Implementation Method 6
the space between the casing and the tube is filled with a first strengthening material
Data Source
AI summary
A housing for a mine marker that houses RFID electronics. The RFID electronics is surrounded by a resiliently deformable tube that fits inside the housing, which may be an impact resistant plastic. The housing is filled with a first strengthening material and the tube may be filled with a second strengthening material. There is an impedance mismatch (a change in properties between adjacent layers so that shock waves are deflected) at the boundary between adjacent materials, (casing and first strengthening material, first strengthening material and tube, tube and second strengthening material, or casing and tube if they abut) which inhibits shock propagation.