Underground Hazard Detection via Seismic Acceleration Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Underground environments pose unique challenges for detecting and preventing hazardous conditions due to the ineffectiveness of technologies like GPS and visual observation, which fail to function well below ground, making it difficult to assess dangerous situations.

Innovation Solution

A system of communication nodes with accelerometers and RFID tags forms a self-organized wireless network to detect seismic activity and hazardous conditions, providing notifications and analyzing data to predict and locate potential dangers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If GPS and visual observation technologies are used above ground, then location tracking and hazard detection are effective, but these technologies do not function well below ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehazard detection effectivenessVSAvoidtechnology functionality in underground environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces GPS (electromagnetic satellite positioning) and visual observation (optical systems) with a seismic detection system using accelerometers that measure mechanical vibrations and waves in the ground. This substitution allows hazard detection to function effectively in underground environments where electromagnetic signals cannot penetrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a self-organized wireless network of communication nodes is deployed, then seismic activity can be detected and personnel tracked, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehazard detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the underground monitoring task into multiple distributed communication nodes, each equipped with accelerometers and RFID tags. Each node independently detects local seismic activity and communicates findings to the network, allowing the complex monitoring function to be distributed across simpler individual units rather than requiring a single complex centralized system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication nodes form a self-organized wireless network where each node autonomously detects seismic activity, processes its own data, and communicates with other nodes without requiring external coordination. The nodes self-organize into a functional network structure, reducing the need for complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If accelerometers and communication nodes are distributed throughout the underground environment, then comprehensive hazard detection is achieved, but the quantity of devices and system resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehazard detection coverageVSAvoidnumber of communication nodes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Each communication node is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting seismic activity with accelerometers, tracking personnel location via RFID tags, communicating with other nodes, and processing hazard analysis. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices for each function, optimizing the quantity of devices deployed while maintaining comprehensive hazard detection coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively detects and predicts hazardous conditions, such as cave-ins, and tracks personnel movements, enhancing safety in underground environments by providing timely warnings and location information.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining acceleration information via an accelerometer within each of a plurality of communication nodes distributed throughout the underground environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS7715983B2Detecting hazardous conditions in underground environments

Publication Date: 2010.05.11 X CORP

AI summary

A method of detecting hazardous conditions within an underground environment can include obtaining acceleration information at a plurality of communication nodes distributed throughout the underground environment and propagating the acceleration information among selected ones of the plurality of communication nodes to an analysis node. An indication of a hazardous condition within the underground environment can be identified from the acceleration information collected over a period of time. If an indicator is identified, a notification of the hazardous condition can be provided.