Rock Movement Sensor for Blast Displacement Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring ore movement during blasting in mining are inadequate, leading to misclassification and significant financial losses due to ore loss and dilution, as they require pre- and post-blast location measurements and do not accurately account for displacement, and also struggle with precise measurement of drill hole depth and angle, affecting fragmentation and excavation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A rock movement sensor system comprising an inertial measurement assembly, control assembly, and communication assembly, including a triaxial accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and wireless communication capabilities, which determines displacement and orientation during blasts or drops without requiring pre- and post-blast location measurements, and can transmit data for accurate ore movement tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional marker-based methods are used to monitor ore movement, then location tracking is possible, but the process requires multiple pre- and post-blast measurements which increases complexity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is installed in the drill hole before blasting occurs, establishing the initial position and orientation. The inertial measurement unit records the starting state, eliminating the need for post-blast location surveys and reducing the number of measurement operations required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical surveying method (physical markers and coordinate measurement) with an inertial measurement system that uses accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to automatically track position and orientation changes through integration of motion data
2Measurement precision
If traditional marker-based methods are used to monitor ore movement, then location tracking is possible, but significant time is consumed for pre- and post-blast location surveys
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is installed in the drill hole before blasting occurs, establishing the initial position and orientation. The inertial measurement unit records the starting state, eliminating the need for post-blast location surveys and reducing the number of measurement operations required
Solution Approach 2:
The inertial measurement unit continuously records acceleration, orientation, and position data throughout the blasting process, providing uninterrupted tracking of ore movement from initial to final position without requiring separate measurement phases
3Productivity
If insufficient blast hole depth measurement accuracy is achieved, then drilling is faster, but rock breakage at the bottom of the blast hole is insufficient leading to poor fragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surveying methods with an inertial measurement system that uses accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to automatically and precisely measure drill hole depth, angle, and orientation in real-time during drilling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system provides real-time feedback on drill hole parameters including depth and angle, allowing operators to verify that holes are drilled to plan specifications, ensuring accurate placement of explosive energy for optimal rock breakage and fragmentation
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 system provides accurate tracking of ore movement and drill hole parameters, reducing ore loss and dilution, improving excavation efficiency, and enabling better blast design by recording trajectories and transmitting displacement data in real-time, thus enhancing mining operations.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial measurement assembly; a control assembly responsive to said inertial measurement assembly
Implementation Method 2
including a triaxial accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer
Implementation Method 3
communication assembly coupled to the control assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a rock movement sensor including an inertial measurement assembly, a control assembly responsive to said inertial measurement assembly and a communication assembly coupled to the control assembly. The control assembly is arranged to determine a displacement associated with a blast or drop based on signals from the inertial measurement assembly. The communication assembly is preferably a wireless communication assembly. A surface unit corresponding to the rock movement sensor is provided which includes a processor programmed to operate a communications assembly to receive displacement data from the rock movement sensor. Consequently, the movement of an ore body due to a blast may be determined by locating a number of the rock movement sensors at known locations about the ore body prior to the blast and subsequently retrieving data values indicating a displacement relative to the known locations from the rock movement sensor post blast.