Detecting sump depth of a miner
First Claim
1. A system for operating a mining machine, the system comprising:
- at least one radar device mounted on the mining machine configured to transmit a plurality of radio waves toward a stationary object positioned in a mine and detect a plurality of reflections of the plurality of radio waves;
and at least one controller configured to obtain reflection data from the at least one radar device, the reflection data representing timing information regarding the plurality of radio waves and the plurality of reflections, determine, based on the reflection data, a first distance between the at least one radar device and the stationary object before sumping the mining machine into material, determine, based on the reflection data, a second distance between the at least one radar device and the stationary object after sumping the mining machine into the material, determine a sump depth of the mining machine based on the first distance and the second distance, compare the determined sump depth to at least one predetermined sump depth, and perform at least one automatic action when the determined sump depth does not satisfy the at least one predetermined sump depth.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for operating a mining machine. One system includes a controller, a stationary object, and a radar device. The radar device transmits radio waves toward the stationary object and detects reflections of the radio waves. The controller obtains timing information regarding the radio waves and the reflections. Based on the timing information, the controller is configured to determine a first distance between the radar device and the stationary object before sumping the mining machine into material and a second distance between the radar device and the stationary object after sumping the mining machine into the material. The controller is also configured to determine a sump depth of the mining machine based on the first distance and the second distance, compare the determined sump depth to a predetermined sump depth, and perform at least one automatic action when the determined sump depth does not satisfy the predetermined sump depth.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for operating a mining machine, the system comprising:
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at least one radar device mounted on the mining machine configured to transmit a plurality of radio waves toward a stationary object positioned in a mine and detect a plurality of reflections of the plurality of radio waves; and at least one controller configured to obtain reflection data from the at least one radar device, the reflection data representing timing information regarding the plurality of radio waves and the plurality of reflections, determine, based on the reflection data, a first distance between the at least one radar device and the stationary object before sumping the mining machine into material, determine, based on the reflection data, a second distance between the at least one radar device and the stationary object after sumping the mining machine into the material, determine a sump depth of the mining machine based on the first distance and the second distance, compare the determined sump depth to at least one predetermined sump depth, and perform at least one automatic action when the determined sump depth does not satisfy the at least one predetermined sump depth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a continuous miner comprising:
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transmitting a first radio wave from the continuous miner toward a stationary object including a corner cube reflector;
receiving a reflection of the first radio wave from the stationary object;determining, with at least one controller, a first distance between the continuous miner and the stationary object based on the reflection of the first radio wave; sumping the continuous miner into material; after sumping the continuous miner into the material, transmitting a second radio wave from the continuous miner toward the stationary object; receiving a reflection of the second radio wave from the stationary object; determining, with the at least one controller, a second distance between the continuous miner and the stationary object based on the reflection of the second radio wave; determining, with the at least one controller, a sump depth of the continuous miner based on a difference between the first distance and the second distance; comparing, with the at least one controller, the determined sump depth to a predetermined sump depth; and when the determined sump depth does not satisfy the predetermined sump depth, modifying operation of the continuous miner. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification