Long range multiple point wireless control and monitoring system
First Claim
1. A method for remotely monitoring conditions in a natural resource deposit which comprises:
- placing a sensor near an area to be monitored;
inductively coupling a sensor transmitter to a conductor using an electrically short magnetic dipole antenna;
periodically supplying power to the sensor transmitter and to the sensor during a power-on period;
monitoring conditions in said area to be monitored by collecting data with the sensor during said power-on period;
converting said data collected by the sensor to a digital format;
activating the sensor transmitter for a time interval sufficient to transmit a transmitted digital word, comprised of at least some of said data collected by the sensor during said power-on period, to a central receiver;
forming a first narrow-band frequency modulated signal by using said first digital word to frequency modulate a carrier signal; and
transmitting said first modulation signal during said power-on period, from the sensor transmitter, through said conductor, to said central receiver.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for remotely monitoring conditions such as carbon monoxide for methane gas concentration, longwall roof support pressure, machine parameters or uncut coal, trona or potash layer thickness in a natural resource mining system such as a longwall or continuous mine system. The method utilizes a plurality of sensors connected to low magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 0.1 ATM2, or high magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 2.5 ATM2, that transmit collected data during multiple short burst transmission periods. Prior to transmission, the data is converted to a digital word format. An algorithm in the transmitter microcomputer ensures that random time intervals exist between data transmission bursts thus preventing a data transmission clash at the central receiver. A microcomputer algorithm in the central receiver protects against data contention caused by simultaneous transmission from several sensors. The data is transmitted to the central receiver either through a natural waveguide pathway or through a utility conductor that is magnetically coupled to the transmitter and central receiver by properly oriented electrically short magnetic dipole antennas. The method can be used, for example, to automatically control the positioning of a plurality of longwall roof supports or to transmit data from a longwall drillhead, along the drill rod, to the central receiver. Data can be communicated between a remote location and a surface area by utilizing a system of repeaters inductively coupled to a utility conductor. Use of the repeater system permits operation of mining machines from a surface computer.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for remotely monitoring conditions in a natural resource deposit which comprises:
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placing a sensor near an area to be monitored; inductively coupling a sensor transmitter to a conductor using an electrically short magnetic dipole antenna; periodically supplying power to the sensor transmitter and to the sensor during a power-on period; monitoring conditions in said area to be monitored by collecting data with the sensor during said power-on period; converting said data collected by the sensor to a digital format; activating the sensor transmitter for a time interval sufficient to transmit a transmitted digital word, comprised of at least some of said data collected by the sensor during said power-on period, to a central receiver; forming a first narrow-band frequency modulated signal by using said first digital word to frequency modulate a carrier signal; and transmitting said first modulation signal during said power-on period, from the sensor transmitter, through said conductor, to said central receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for remotely monitoring conditions in a natural resource deposit which comprises:
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placing a sensor near an area to be monitored; periodically supplying power to a sensor transmitter and to the sensor; monitoring conditions in said area to be monitored by collecting data with the sensor; converting said data collected by the sensor to a digital word; activating the sensor transmitter for a time interval sufficient to transmit said digital word; transmitting said digital word from the sensor transmitter over an electrical conductor to a central receiver using an electrically short magnetic dipole antenna to couple the sensor transmitter to said electrical conductor; deactivating the sensor transmitter after transmitting said digital word; and reactivating the sensor transmitter at a random time interval and retransmitting said digital word.
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Specification