RU2805974C1 - Air and gas control system in working face area - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mining.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to means for ensuring the safety of work in mines. The air and gas control system in the working face area contains measuring devices installed on a mining machine and active repeaters located in the mine, and a data collection unit configured to communicate with the control panel of the mine safety system located on the surface. Active repeaters are used to transmit data between measuring devices and a data acquisition unit in both directions, with data transmitted at a frequency of 800 to 1000 MHz. The data collection unit is equipped with a set of standard analogue and digital interfaces, through which it is connected to the gateway of the wired line of the mine safety system.

EFFECT: increasing the transmission range of a reliable and interference-resistant radio signal in a mine face.

6 cl, 4 dwg

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The invention relates to means for ensuring the safety of work in mines.

State of the art

One of the most important elements for ensuring the safety of mines is multifunctional safety systems (MFSS), with the help of which the dispatcher monitors the condition of all mechanisms and systems in the mine. At the same time, it is extremely important to collect and present to the dispatcher information on the concentration of explosive and harmful gases, as well as the dynamics of their changes, especially in the area of operation of mining combines, where active opening of gas-bearing layers is carried out. Here there is an intensive release of dangerous gases, in particular methane, a high concentration of which, when a spark appears from the contact of a cutting tool with solid inclusions, can cause a fire and explosion.

Traditionally, for aerogas monitoring, stationary methane sensors are used, mounted on the walls of the face and elements of mechanical support, and methanometers, which are installed on mining machines and ensure that power is cut off from the mechanism when a dangerous concentration of methane is reached. Some methane meters, for example, the MGM-1 device, are equipped with a “black box” for storing control and measurement data, which allows this data to be read and analyzed, but only after the work is completed and the device is returned to the surface, since the measuring devices are in constant communication with the mine dispatcher absent. At the same time, the harvester operating area is constantly moving away from the location of stationary sensors, and their reinstallation requires stopping work, which is also a disadvantage of such aerogas control systems.

A remote monitoring system is known, containing many sensors installed on mining machines to monitor the concentration of carbon monoxide and methane, transmitting data digitally, upon request, through a network of repeaters to a ground computer located outside the mine (see patent US 4968978, IPC: E21C 35/24, G08C 15/00, etc., published 06.11.1990). Data transmission is carried out along a natural waveguide path or conductor, using magnetic induction.

As a rule, power and/or control circuits of a mining machine are used as conductors forming a data transmission channel. However, connection to these circuits is not always possible, and in some cases unsafe, and can lead to incorrect operation and even failure of expensive equipment; in addition, such connection requires approval from the manufacturers of mining machines.

A mine scanning aerogas control system is known (see patent RU 2573659 MPK: G08B 21/02, E21F 17/18, publ. 01/27/2016), which includes mobile warning devices with sensors of the internal mine environment, mounted on moving objects, mainly workers descending into the mine, and base stations installed in the mine workings that collect information from sensors via a radio channel, for which mobile devices and base stations are equipped with Wi-Fi transceivers. All base stations are connected by wire to each other and to the base station cluster controller, which is equipped with digital communication devices with the head office.

The use of ultra-high frequencies at the Wi-Fi level (2.5 GHz) for radio communications in a mine has a number of significant disadvantages. Thus, mechanical support placed along the entire longwall greatly limits the propagation of radio signals at acceptable (according to explosion safety conditions) power levels at the output of radio transmitters. Due to the large number of metal devices and products in the mine, radio waves are repeatedly reflected, as a result of which useful information becomes difficult to distinguish against the background of interference. The situation is complicated by the strong absorption of radio waves of these frequencies by rock layers.

The regulatory requirement that each combine must transmit information to the mine safety system from at least three sensors further complicates the task of radio signal transmission, because at ultra-high frequencies, the distance of error-free transmission of information is sharply reduced, and the use of low frequencies makes the transmission of information very slow and requires large powers, while pieces of broken rock actively bombarding the area adjacent to the combine make it almost impossible to place any extended antennas.

Another disadvantage of the system according to patent RU 2573659, known as the “Grunch” system, is the use of original specialized equipment, which allows it to be implemented only in the conditions of a new, newly equipped mine. This system is not applicable for use in old, existing mines, since its implementation requires almost complete replacement of existing equipment.

As the closest analogue to the proposed technical solution, an automated system for aerogas control and explosion prevention in the face was adopted, see patent RU 2539052, IPC: E21F5/00, E21F17/18, publication date 01/10/2015.

The closest analogue is characterized by the following features, which coincide with the essential features of the proposed solution, namely: the aerogas control system contains measuring devices installed on a miner, each of which includes a methane sensor (methane meter), an autonomous power supply unit and a radio module, and a collection unit located in a safe area data (in patent RU 2539052 this is a central control panel), which, on the one hand, is connected to measuring devices through intermediate data reception and transmission units (in patent RU 2539052 these functions are performed by control and control units for mechanical support sections connected to each other by wires) , and on the other hand - with the control panel of the mine safety system located on the surface.

One significant drawback of the closest analogue, like the above-mentioned one, is the limited range of radio modules due to the use of ultra-high-frequency Wi-Fi signals. Due to the limited range of action, control and control units for mechanical support sections with receiving and transmitting equipment are placed on every third section of mechanical support, which leads to a significant complication of the system, especially considering that in modern high-performance mining schemes the length of the longwall reaches 500 meters.

Another disadvantage is the presence of wired communication in the data transmission channel, since the wires can be interrupted by stones flying from the combine operating area and reaching the mechanical support; in addition, the presence of wires significantly complicates the process of moving support sections.

All of the above indicates the low operational reliability of the control system and its excessive design complexity.

The disadvantages include the fact that in this system, as in the “Grunch” system, the use of original equipment is assumed, because in reality, the irrigation system monitoring and control units have a different design and are not located on the mechanical support sections.

The purpose of the invention is to develop a simple and reliable aerogas control system in the working face area, ensuring the transmission of reliable operational information, and which can be built into any existing mine safety system at minimal cost.

The technical result that determines the achievement of this goal is to increase the transmission range of a reliable and interference-resistant radio signal in mine face conditions, which eliminates the use of wire lines in the mining area and reduces the amount of equipment used to organize the transmission channel.

Disclosure of the Invention

The problem was solved and the above technical result was achieved due to the fact that in the aerogas control system in the working face zone, containing measuring devices installed on a mining machine, each of which includes a methanometer, an autonomous power supply unit and a radio module, and a data collection unit associated with the measuring devices, made with the ability to communicate with the control panel of the mine safety system, located on the surface, according to the claimed invention, the radio module is installed in a compartment of the protective casing isolated from the methane meter, mounted on the miner, connected to the methane meter along the same lines through which a command is issued to the actuator to shut down power supply of the combine when the permissible share of methane is exceeded, and is made with the ability to exchange data with the data collection unit at a frequency from 800 to 1000 MHz via a radio channel formed by active repeaters, while the data collection unit is made with the ability to quickly input and output addresses of measuring devices and is equipped with a set typical analog and digital interfaces for connecting to a mine safety system gateway.

In the proposed technical solution, the entire path from the measuring device installed on the mining machine to the data collection unit located in a safe area and connected to the wire line of the mine safety system is made in the form of a wireless radio communication channel, which eliminates all risks associated with mechanical damage , occurring in the wire lines of the nearest and other known analogues.

The absence of wired communication lines in the active operation area of the combine also made it possible to completely eliminate the influence (interference) of the power supply of the combine's power equipment on the reliability of the transmitted information.

A distinctive feature of the system is the use of measuring devices for radio communication with a data collection unit in the frequency range from 800 to 1000 MHz, which made it possible to solve a number of the above-mentioned problems that occur when using ultrahigh frequencies.

As has been established in practice, the frequency range of 800-1000 MHz provides the most optimal ratio between power and signal transmission range, and at the same time provides high noise immunity, which guarantees reliable transmission of reliable information over a relatively long distance. In this case, in a radio path with such frequencies, small-sized omnidirectional antennas can be used, the dimensions of which are acceptable for working in difficult conditions of a mine face.

Increasing the transmission range of a reliable signal made it possible to significantly simplify the system and reduce the amount of equipment used. So, to transmit data from the active operation zone of the combine to a safe zone, for example, the area where the power train is located, where, as a rule, the gateway of the mine safety system is located, it is sufficient to use 2-3 repeaters with a face length of 450 m.

Thus, thanks to the above-mentioned distinctive features, a significant simplification of the aerogas control system is achieved while simultaneously increasing its operational reliability.

Due to the fact that the data collection unit is equipped with a set of standard analog and digital interfaces, it is possible to coordinate the data transmitted by the system with almost any known mine safety system, which makes it possible to integrate the proposed system into existing (operating) mine safety systems while maintaining the design simplicity of the system.

Preferably, at least three measuring devices are installed on one mining machine.

Well-known methane meters can be used as measuring devices in the proposed system, which turn off the power supply to the combine when the permissible proportion of methane is exceeded, which are supplemented by a radio module.

Preferably, the methanometer is detachably connected to an autonomous power supply unit to form a portable module and is installed in a protective casing permanently mounted on the mining machine. The radio module is installed in the same casing and connected to the communication line of the methane meter with an actuator that turns off the power supply to the combine when the permissible proportion of methane is exceeded. The radio module antenna is housed in a radio-transparent explosion-proof housing and installed on the surface of the combine.

The design of an active repeater requires the presence of a controller, an autonomous power source that is automatically connected by a signal from the controller, and a transceiver operating at the frequency of the measuring device and data collection unit.

Due to the fact that the measuring devices and repeaters have autonomous power units, and the data collection unit receives power from the emergency network of the gateway, it is possible to transmit information about the gas atmosphere during and after an emergency, and for several hours after a power outage in the face.

The data acquisition unit can be made on the basis of a programmable controller and is equipped with a keyboard and a digital display for the ability to input/output addresses of measuring devices and control the functioning of system elements.

The casings of the repeaters and the data collection unit are preferably made of radio-transparent materials, which allows the antennas of radio modules to be placed inside them, and further helps to increase the operational reliability of the system.

The proposed aerogas monitoring system provides for the possibility of including other measuring devices, for example, stationary methane sensors installed in the face and equipped with appropriate radio modules, as well as portable multi-gas analyzers, usually attached to the clothes or helmets of miners going down into the face.

To provide communication with these and other measuring devices, the transceiver of which operates at a different frequency than the operating frequency of the measuring device and the data acquisition unit, an additional transceiver can be built into the design of the active repeater.

The essence of the invention is illustrated by the following example of implementation of the proposed system and drawings, which are presented in the form of a “block diagram”: Fig. 1 - aerogas control system in the production face area; in fig. 2 - measuring device; in fig. 3 data acquisition units; in fig. 4 active repeater.

Implementation of the invention The aerogas control system in the working face area contains (see Fig. 1) measuring devices 2 installed on the mining machine 1, installed on the face walls and mechanical support structures 3, active repeaters 4, a data collection unit 5 connected to a wire line gateway 6 mine safety system, the control panel 7 of which is located on the surface.

The number of measuring devices 2 is determined by regulatory documents, and in the given example is at least three.

Each measuring device 2 (see Fig. 2) includes a methane meter 8, detachably connected to an autonomous power supply unit 9 to form a portable module, which is installed in a protective casing 10, permanently mounted on the combine 1 and protecting the methane meter from impacts from pieces of the extracted product.

In the compartment 10 isolated from the methanometer 8, a radio module 11 is installed, connected to the methanometer 8 along the same lines through which a command is issued to the actuator 12 to turn off the power supply to the combine 1 when the permissible proportion of methane is exceeded. This design solution makes it possible not to make changes to the design of the methanometer and provides the possibility of using known methanometers used in mines. The antenna 13 of the radio module 11, located in a radio-transparent explosion-proof housing, can be installed on top of the surface of the combine 1.

The data collection unit 5 is installed in a safe area remote from the active work area, for example, in a passage transverse to the face where the power train is located, next to which, as a rule, there is a gateway 6 of the mine safety system.

The data collection unit 5 (see Fig. 3) includes a radio module 14, a controller-decoder 15, into the program memory of which the addresses of the measuring devices 2 are entered, a set of interfaces 16 for communication with the mine safety system, a keyboard 17 and an indicator board 18. Keyboard 17 and the display 18 is closed with a lid (not shown), which ensures explosion safety of the equipment.

The main purpose of the data collection unit 5 is to coordinate the data received and transmitted over the radio channel with the signals of the wire line of the mine safety system. A set of 16 interfaces includes typical analog and digital interfaces, for example, such as: 1-5 mA current loop, RS-485, RS-422 and others, which ensures the ability to connect to almost any mine safety systems, both modern and old exploited.

The functions of block 5 include: transmission of commands requesting information to measuring devices 2; receiving data from measuring devices 2; prompt input and output from the system of addresses of measuring devices 2, for example, when changing the composition of equipment in the work area, which is carried out via the keyboard 17; monitoring the functioning of system blocks with 18 results displayed on the board.

Active repeater 4 serves to increase the distance of bidirectional radio communication. The design of the repeater 4 (see Fig. 4) assumes the presence of a controller 19, a transceiver 20 with an antenna and an autonomous power source 21, which is automatically connected when the power supply is turned off. The required number of repeaters 4 is determined depending on the curvilinearity of the face, the number of interrogated devices and the initial levels of radio signals.

Radio modules 11 and 14 and transceivers 20 are designed to exchange data in the frequency range from 800 to 1000 MHz. In a radio path with such frequencies, small-sized omnidirectional antennas can be used, the dimensions of which are acceptable for working in difficult conditions of a mine face. The antennas of the radio module 14 and transceivers 20 can be placed inside the housings of block 5 and repeaters 4, respectively, provided that the housings are made of radio-transparent materials. The system operates as follows.

At the command of the mine safety system, the data collection unit 5 automatically transmits through repeaters 4 a request with the address of the measuring device 2 to transmit information about the composition of the gaseous medium.

The radio module 11 of the measuring device 2, the address of which is contained in the request, receives a radio signal and, in response to the received request, transmits, using the same path, a data packet about the methane concentration measured in the area where the device is located. The transmission of radio signals between repeaters 4 is carried out sequentially and along the shortest path, which is ensured automatically.

The data collection unit 5 converts the data received over the radio channel into the corresponding electrical signals for transmission through the gateway 6 to the wire line of the mine security system. The information is sent to the control panel 7 of the mine, where it is processed and presented in accordance with specified algorithms.

The use of a radio channel to transmit information about the concentration of the gas atmosphere to the mine safety system eliminates the influence on the controls of mining machines and all risks associated with mechanical damage to the communication line.

The frequency range of the radio channel, corresponding to 800-1000 MHz, provides the most optimal ratio between power and signal transmission range, and at the same time high noise immunity, which allows you to transmit reliable information over a sufficiently long distance. Compared to well-known analogues, the amount of equipment used in the system is significantly reduced. As tests have shown, with a longwall length of 450 meters, the use of two or three active repeaters 4 is sufficient.

An important condition for the functioning of a mine safety system is the ability to obtain information about the gas atmosphere during the development of an accident and after it. For this purpose, all devices of the system have emergency power supply, which ensures the transmission of information within several hours after a power outage at the mine face. Measuring devices 2 and repeaters 4 have autonomous power units in their design. Data collection unit 5 receives power from the emergency network of gateway 6.

The proposed system is distinguished by its design simplicity and high operational reliability.

The system allows you to create local air-gas control units directly at work sites with an increased risk of dangerous changes in air composition due to mechanical impacts on underlying layers.

The system makes it possible to make maximum use of the equipment already in use at the mine and requires minimal costs for installation of new equipment.

If necessary, other measuring devices can be connected to the system, for example, stationary methane sensors 22 installed in the face, equipped with a radio module, as well as portable devices, such as Sputnik multi-gas analyzers or SMS-7 methane alarms, which have a built-in radio channel used in tube

To communicate with these and other measuring devices operating at a frequency different from the operating frequency of the methanometers 8 and the data collection unit 5, an additional transceiver 23 can be built into the design of the active repeaters 4.

Claims (6)

1. An aerogas monitoring system in the working face area, containing measuring devices installed on a mining machine, each of which includes a methane meter, an autonomous power supply unit and a radio module, and a data collection unit associated with the measuring devices, configured to communicate with the control panel of the mine safety system, located on the surface, characterized in that the radio module is installed in a compartment of a protective casing isolated from the methane meter, mounted on a miner, connected to the methane meter along the same lines through which a command is issued to the actuator to turn off the power supply to the miner when the permissible share of methane is exceeded, and is made with the ability to exchange data with the data collection unit at a frequency from 800 to 1000 MHz via a radio channel formed by active repeaters, while the data collection unit is designed with the ability to quickly input and output addresses of measuring devices and is equipped with a set of standard analog and digital interfaces for connecting to a security system gateway mines. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least three measuring devices are installed on one mining machine. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the methane meter is connected through a connector to an autonomous power supply unit to form a portable module, and is installed in a protective casing permanently mounted on the mining machine. 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the active repeater includes a controller, a transceiver and an autonomous power source that is automatically connected based on a signal from the controller. 5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the antennas of the active repeaters and the data collection unit are located inside radio-transparent housings. 6. System according to paragraphs. 1 and 4, characterized in that it includes stationary methane sensors installed in the face, equipped with radio modules, and portable gas analyzers, while an additional transceiver is built into the design of the active repeater for communication with these and other measuring devices operating at a frequency different from the operating frequency methanometers and data acquisition unit.

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