Integrated acoustic network
First Claim
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1. An intergrated acoustic network system for providing a warning of impending groundfall in a mine comprising:
- an array of high frequency microseismic sensor means situated at space locations in said mine to receive high frequency microseismic signals related to movement in ground formations adjacent said mine;
an array of at least four low frequency seismic sensor means situated at spaced locations in said mine to receive low frequency seismic signals related to stress build up in ground formations adjacent said mine;
data processing means;
means for transmitting said high and low frequency signals from said arrays to said data processing means;
said high frequency sensor means being utilized for time prediction and said low frequency sensor means being utilized for location prediction;
said data processing means processing signals from said high and low frequency arrays to calculate a ratio of energy/event count to provide a distinct anomaly prior to groundfalls and thereby recognize and determine the location of an impending ground failure; and
a warning system connected to said data processing means to receive signals of an impending ground failure therefrom.
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Abstract
This invention relates to an integrated acoustic network system to provide warning of impending groundfall in underground mines. The system includes a plurality of geophones which derive acoustic signals by which the source of seismic disturbances is located, and an array of high frequency piezoelectric sensors which pick up signals from small ground disturbances which precede groundfall. A warning system is provided both at the scene of mining operations and at a central location of impending groundfall and of the location of its occurrence.
73 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An intergrated acoustic network system for providing a warning of impending groundfall in a mine comprising:
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an array of high frequency microseismic sensor means situated at space locations in said mine to receive high frequency microseismic signals related to movement in ground formations adjacent said mine; an array of at least four low frequency seismic sensor means situated at spaced locations in said mine to receive low frequency seismic signals related to stress build up in ground formations adjacent said mine; data processing means; means for transmitting said high and low frequency signals from said arrays to said data processing means; said high frequency sensor means being utilized for time prediction and said low frequency sensor means being utilized for location prediction; said data processing means processing signals from said high and low frequency arrays to calculate a ratio of energy/event count to provide a distinct anomaly prior to groundfalls and thereby recognize and determine the location of an impending ground failure; and a warning system connected to said data processing means to receive signals of an impending ground failure therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An integrated acoustic network system for providing a warning of impending ground fall in a mine, comprising:
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a first array of high frequency microseismic sensor means situated at spaced locations in said mine capable of receiving high frequency microseismic signals of greater than 10 khz related to movement in ground formations adjacent said mine, said high frequency sensor means being utilized for time prediction; a second array of at least four low frequency seismic sensor means situated at spaced locations in said mine capable of receiving low frequency seismic signals of less than 1 khz related to stress buildup in ground formations adjacent said mine, said low frequency sensor means being utilized for location prediction; data processing means for processing signals received from said first and second arrays to calculate a ratio of energy/event count to provide a distinct anomaly prior to groundfalls and thereby recognize and determine the location of an impending ground failure; means for transmitting high and low frequency signals from said first and second arrays to said data processing means; and a warning system connected to said data processing means for receiving signals of an impending ground failure therefrom.
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14. A method of providing warning of conditions indicative of impending groundfall in an underground mine comprising:
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locating a plurality of high frequency seismic transducers at predetermined locations in said mine in contact with the rock formations of said mine opening to receive microseismic signals produced by stresses in said rock formations; locating a plurality of at least four low frequency geophones at predetermined locations in contact with said rock formations to receive signals produced by seismic events occurring in said rock formations; said high frequency seismic transducers being utilized for time prediction and said low frequency geophones being utilized for location prediction; installing a plurality of warning devices at appropriate locations; processing said signals received by said seismic transducers and said geophones to calculate a ratio of energy/event count to obtain data relating to impending groundfall and provide a distinct anomaly prior thereto; and utilizing said data to actuate said warning devices. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification