Sump Depth Control for Underground Mining Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial machines, such as underground mining machines, currently rely on manual or visual estimation to determine the sump depth for material mining, which is inefficient and lacks precision in achieving desired volumes or weights of material.
Innovation Solution
An industrial machine equipped with a controller having an electronic processor and memory that receives inputs for desired volume or weight of material to be mined, calculates the sump depth, and controls the machine's cutting head accordingly, using a sump frame and traction device for precise depth adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual or visual estimation is used to determine sump depth, then the operation is simple and requires minimal equipment, but the precision and accuracy of achieving desired material volumes or weights deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation and mechanical measurement methods with an electronic control system that automatically calculates sump depth. The controller receives operator inputs for desired volume or weight, then electronically computes the precise sump depth required, substituting mechanical measurement tools and human judgment with automated electronic calculation and control.
2Productivity
If automatic calculation of sump depth is implemented, then the productivity and efficiency improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs self-service by automatically calculating the required sump depth based on operator inputs for desired volume or weight. The system serves itself by internally processing the calculation and generating control signals without requiring external manual measurement or intervention, thereby improving productivity while keeping the added complexity contained within the automated control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the controller continuously monitors the mining operation, compares actual material removal against the desired volume or weight targets, and automatically adjusts sump depth calculations to achieve the specified objectives, enhancing productivity through closed-loop control.
3Reliability
If visual estimation is used for sump depth, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability of achieving desired material volume or weight deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation with electronic automated calculation to improve reliability. The controller electronically computes precise sump depth based on desired volume or weight inputs, eliminating the variability and inaccuracy of human visual judgment while maintaining ease of operation through simple operator input interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial machine comprising a chassis, a cutting head supported by the chassis, and a controller. In one embodiment, the controller, having an electronic processor and memory, is configured to receive an input via an operator, indicating at least one selected from a group consisting of a desired volume of a material to be mined and a desired weight of the material to be mined, determine a sump depth of the cutting head based on the input, and control the industrial machine based on the sump depth.