AU2013330201B2 - Mining and mineral processing tracers with radio-frequency identification - Google Patents
Mining and mineral processing tracers with radio-frequency identification Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2013330201B2 AU2013330201B2 AU2013330201A AU2013330201A AU2013330201B2 AU 2013330201 B2 AU2013330201 B2 AU 2013330201B2 AU 2013330201 A AU2013330201 A AU 2013330201A AU 2013330201 A AU2013330201 A AU 2013330201A AU 2013330201 B2 AU2013330201 B2 AU 2013330201B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- tracers
- antenna
- support
- mining
- conductor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 22
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 21
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 21
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000700 radioactive tracer Substances 0.000 abstract description 17
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012550 audit Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003245 coal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003550 marker Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012421 spiking Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
- H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
- H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
- H01Q1/2208—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems
- H01Q1/2216—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems used in interrogator/reader equipment
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q7/00—Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
- E21F13/00—Transport specially adapted to underground conditions
- E21F13/02—Transport of mined mineral in galleries
Landscapes
- Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a mining or mineral processing system antenna for detecting electronic tracers. The antenna includes a support for being deflected upon impact by mining or mineral material bearing the tracers. The support supports a conductor for conducting received signals from the tracers. Advantageously, the support may be located close to the material to facilitate tracer detection and deflected by a surge of material without damage or the need for re-calibration.
Description
1 2013330201 28 Feb 2017
MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING TRACERS WITH RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to mining and mineral processing tracers including density tracers, marker tracers, ore tracking tracers, and spiking tracers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
[0003] Turning to Figure 1, a mining separator 100 receives supplied raw mining material 102 and separates useful material (e.g. coal) 104 from other waste material 106 using a known separation process. Colored visual density tracers, which are in essence blocks of known densities, may be added to the raw material 102. Visual auditing of the density tracers in the separated material 104 was conducted to generate density information including a density tracer partition curve 200 shown in Figure 2. In turn, the density information is used by an operator as a guide to adjustment of the separation process of the separator 100. Other streams from the separator, such as 106 may be similarly monitored and typically there may be up to four streams monitored.
[0004] In more recent times, the density tracers have been fitted with electronic transponders. Further, an antenna 108 is erected adjacent the path of the separated material 104 to assist in compiling the density information. The material 104 is typically transported on a conveyor 110, vibrating screens or in chutes. In practice, the antenna 108 is cumbersome and time consuming to install. Further, the antenna 108 may need to be located in close proximity to the material 104 so as to improve the likelihood of reading the density tracers buried deep in the separated material 104. However, the Applicant has noticed that the antenna 108 can restrict flow of the material and can be swept away in the event of a surge of material 104. 2 2013330201 28 Feb 2017 [0005] The preferred embodiment provides improved electronic density tracer sensing techniques.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mining or mineral processing system antenna for detecting electronic tracers, the antenna including: a support for being deflected upon impact by mining or mineral material bearing the tracers, the support supporting a conductor for conducting received signals from the tracers; wherein the conductor is in the form of a coil having one or more cross-overs to form multiple loops to reduce signal interference from radio-frequency noise.
[0007] Advantageously, the support may be located close to the material to facilitate tracer detection and deflected by a surge of material without damage or the need for recalibration. Preferably, after deflection, the support returns to its original configuration.
[0008] The coil may include multiple turns of an integrally formed single conductor wire. Alternatively, the coil may include a multi-conductor cable with serial connection of conductors.
[0009] The support may include a curtain. The curtain may be rectangular and include hanging means to facilitate hanging along an upper edge. The fastening means may include eyelets.
[00010] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an mining or mineral antenna for detecting electronic tracers, the antenna including: a curtain support for supporting a conductor, in turn, for conducting received signals from the tracers; wherein the conductor is in the form of a coil having one or more cross-overs to form multiple loops to reduce signal interference from radio-frequency noise.
[00011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for installing a mining or mineral processing system antenna for detecting electronic tracers, the method including: 3 2013330201 28 Feb 2017 hanging a support for being deflected upon impact by mining or mineral material bearing the tracers, the support bearing a conductor for conducting received signals from the tracers; wherein the conductor is in the form of a coil having one or more cross-overs to form multiple loops to reduce signal interference from radio-frequency noise.
[00012] Advantageously, the support of the preferred embodiment may be readily hung in place during installation, and removed after use.
[00013] The specification also discloses a tracer for mining or mineral material, the tracer including: a body; and a transmitter aligned along a maximum line within the body.
[00014] Advantageously, placing the transmitter along the maximum line allows smaller body to be used for a given transmitter size.
[00015] The body may be a polyhedron. The polyhedron may be a cube. The maximum line may be a diagonal. The diagonal may be a space diagonal.
[00016] The tracer may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder including the transmitter. The transponder may be elongate and include an exposed wound antenna at one end. The tracer may be a density tracer. Advantageously, the exposed antenna reduces the displacement of body material which would otherwise occur if a cover was provided, thereby resulting in a density tracer which more accurately represents density.
[00017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mining or mineral processing system monitoring system for monitoring electronic tracers, the system including: a path along which mining or mineral material bearing the tracers travels; and the antenna located adjacent the path.
[00018] The system may include any one or more of a pipe, a chute, a conveyor and a vibrating screen defining the path along which the material passes. The system may 4 2013330201 28 Feb 2017 further include a reader for reading the received signals and/or a recording device for recording data from the tracers [00019] The system may further include a separator for separating the material bearing the tracers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00020] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [00021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a known separator; [00022] Figure 2 is a density information audit sheet including a density tracer partition curve; [00023] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a monitoring system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [00024] Figure 4 is a rear view of an antenna of the monitoring system of Figure 3; and [00025] Figure 5 is a schematic drawing of a density tracer used in the monitoring system of Figure 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[00026] According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an antenna system 300 shown in Figure 3 and associated electronics to detect electronic density tracers (see Figure 5) within a stream of useful material 104 or waste 106 (Figure 1) which has been discharged from a separator 100 onto a material transporter 110 (e.g. conveyor or screen). An expansive antenna 302 is hung at the end of the conveyor or screen 110 for detecting electronic density tracers in the mining or mineral material 104 as it moves along or falls from the transporter 110. The antenna 302 includes a 5 2013330201 28 Feb 2017 deflectable support in the form of a curtain 304 which deflects upon impact by material 104 bearing the tracers. After deflection, the curtain 304 returns to its original configuration.
[00027] Turning to Figure 4, the curtain 304 supports a conductor in the form of a multi-core cable, with respective conductors serially interconnected to form a coil 400 for conducting received electrical radio signals from the tracers. The curtain 304 can be located near or in contact with the material 104 to facilitate tracer detection. Advantageously, the curtain 304 is simply deflected by any surge of material 104 without damage or the need for re-calibration. The curtain 304 may be readily hung in place during installation, and removed after use.
[00028] As can best be seen in Figure 4, the antenna coil 400 is threaded through sleeves 405 mounted to the curtain 304. The coil 400 is configured, in this embodiment, to define three loops 402a, 402b, 402c with two cross-overs 404a, 404b. The instantaneous current in the larger middle loop 402b is in an anticlockwise direction whereas the instantaneous current in the end loops 402a, 402c is in a clockwise direction (see arrows in Fig. 4). The loops 402a, 402b, 402c provide significant noise reduction when compared with a single loop. The system 300 further includes a reader 406 for reading the received signals in the coil 400 and a recording device for recording data from the electronic density tracers. The reader 406 automatically collects the density information required for the density tracer partition curve 200 of Figure 2.
[00029] The curtain 304 is rectangular and includes hanging means in the form of eyelets 408 to facilitate hanging along an upper edge [00030] A density tracer 500 carried by the separated material 104, and directed by the separator 100 to one of its streams, is shown in Figure 5. The density tracer 500 includes a cube body 502 of known density. An elongate radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder 504, including a transmitter, extends along a space diagonal of the cube body 502. Advantageously, placing the transponder 504 along the diagonal allows smaller blocks to be used for a given transponder size. The transponder 504 includes an exposed wound coil antenna 506 at one end. Advantageously, the exposed antenna 506 reduces the displacement of body material which would otherwise occur if a cover encapsulated the antenna 506, thereby resulting in a density tracer 500 which more accurately represents the desired density. 2013330201 28 Feb 2017 6 [00031] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.
[00032] The preferred embodiment included a support in the form of a compliant curtain 304 for being deflected upon impact with material. In another embodiment, the support may be a rigid panel which can be deflected about a pivot.
[00033] In one embodiment, the coil includes multiple turns of an integrally formed single conductor wire.
[00034] In one embodiment, the material transporter 110 includes a pipe or chute defining a path along which the material 104 passes.
[00035] In one embodiment, the curtain 304 is stiff.
[00036] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.
Claims (15)
- The claims defining the invention are as follows:1. A mining or mineral processing system antenna for detecting electronic tracers, the antenna including: a support for being deflected upon impact by mining or mineral material bearing the tracers, the support supporting a conductor for conducting received signals from the tracers; wherein the conductor is in the form of a coil having one or more cross-overs to form multiple loops to reduce signal interference from radio-frequency noise.
- 2. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein, after deflection, the support returns to its original configuration.
- 3. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coil includes multiple turns of an integrally formed single conductor wire.
- 4. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support can be deflected about a pivot.
- 5. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support includes a curtain.
- 6. An antenna as claimed in claim 5, wherein the curtain is stiff.
- 7. An antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support includes a hanger to facilitate hanging along an upper edge.
- 8. An antenna as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hanger includes eyelets.
- 9. A mining or mineral antenna for detecting electronic tracers, the antenna including: a curtain support for supporting a conductor, in turn, for conducting received signals from the tracers; wherein the conductor is in the form of a coil having one or more cross-overs to form multiple loops to reduce signal interference from radio-frequency noise.
- 10. A mining or mineral processing system monitoring system for monitoring electronic tracers, the system including: a path along which mining or mineral material bearing the tracers travels; and an antenna as claimed in claim 1 and located adjacent the path.
- 11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the system includes any one or more of a pipe, a chute, a conveyor and a vibrating screen defining the path along which the material passes.
- 12. A system as claimed in claim 10, further including a reader for reading the received signals and/or a recording device for recording data from the tracers
- 13. A system as claimed in claim 10, further including a separator for separating the material bearing the tracers.
- 14. A method for installing a mining or mineral processing system antenna for detecting electronic tracers, the method including: hanging a support for being deflected upon impact by mining or mineral material bearing the tracers, the support bearing a conductor for conducting received signals from the tracers; wherein the conductor is in the form of a coil having one or more cross-overs to form multiple loops to reduce signal interference from radio-frequency noise.
- 15. A method as claimed in claim 14, further including the step of removing the support after use.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2013330201A AU2013330201B2 (en) | 2012-10-09 | 2013-09-27 | Mining and mineral processing tracers with radio-frequency identification |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2012904408 | 2012-10-09 | ||
AU2012904408A AU2012904408A0 (en) | 2012-10-09 | Density Tracers with Radio-Frequency Identification | |
PCT/AU2013/001112 WO2014056019A1 (en) | 2012-10-09 | 2013-09-27 | Mining and mineral processing tracers with radio-frequency identification |
AU2013330201A AU2013330201B2 (en) | 2012-10-09 | 2013-09-27 | Mining and mineral processing tracers with radio-frequency identification |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU2015100376A Division AU2015100376A4 (en) | 2012-10-09 | 2015-03-24 | Density Tracers with Radio-Frequency Identification |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
AU2013330201A1 AU2013330201A1 (en) | 2015-04-09 |
AU2013330201B2 true AU2013330201B2 (en) | 2017-03-23 |
Family
ID=50476767
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU2013330201A Active AU2013330201B2 (en) | 2012-10-09 | 2013-09-27 | Mining and mineral processing tracers with radio-frequency identification |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU2013330201B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014056019A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2014216030A1 (en) * | 2014-08-22 | 2016-03-10 | Wood, Christopher John MR | A mining or mineral processing system with electronic tracers |
WO2019119035A1 (en) * | 2017-12-19 | 2019-06-27 | Christopher John Wood | Improved density tracer |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2305826A (en) * | 1996-02-23 | 1997-04-16 | Telesensomatic Gmbh | Electronic tag reading/writing using antennae embedded in curtain through whichtagged object passes |
US20040004577A1 (en) * | 2002-04-29 | 2004-01-08 | Forster Ian J. | Flexible curtain antenna for reading RFID tags |
US20100102963A1 (en) * | 2007-03-23 | 2010-04-29 | Pascal Ruffle | Device for detecting the passage of objects with a rfid label, method and system using such device |
-
2013
- 2013-09-27 WO PCT/AU2013/001112 patent/WO2014056019A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-09-27 AU AU2013330201A patent/AU2013330201B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2305826A (en) * | 1996-02-23 | 1997-04-16 | Telesensomatic Gmbh | Electronic tag reading/writing using antennae embedded in curtain through whichtagged object passes |
US20040004577A1 (en) * | 2002-04-29 | 2004-01-08 | Forster Ian J. | Flexible curtain antenna for reading RFID tags |
US20100102963A1 (en) * | 2007-03-23 | 2010-04-29 | Pascal Ruffle | Device for detecting the passage of objects with a rfid label, method and system using such device |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
Rabe J.A. et al., "Development of a RF Tracer for Use in the Mining and Minerals Processing Industry", Third Southern African Base Metals Conference, Zambia, June 2005, * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2013330201A1 (en) | 2015-04-09 |
WO2014056019A1 (en) | 2014-04-17 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2871973C (en) | Method for monitoring conveyor belt splices | |
EP3023315B1 (en) | Method for early train detection | |
EP2186757B1 (en) | Conveyor belt rip detection system | |
EP3884310A2 (en) | Electromagnetic marker devices for buried or hidden use | |
WO2011156394A3 (en) | Systems and methods for classifying power line events | |
AU2013330201B2 (en) | Mining and mineral processing tracers with radio-frequency identification | |
WO2007008431A3 (en) | A networked multiband waveguide intrusion detection and localization sensor | |
RU2013131162A (en) | DEVICE FOR MOVING PEOPLE AND / OR OBJECTS | |
NZ627447A (en) | Metallic conductor disturbance detection device and method | |
AU2015100376A4 (en) | Density Tracers with Radio-Frequency Identification | |
US11466562B2 (en) | Electronic sensing of discontinuities in a well casing | |
US20110043337A1 (en) | Device and system for detecting the passage of objects, persons or animals with an rfid tag according to their passing order, and application in luggage detection | |
AU2021200526B2 (en) | An improved metal detector | |
WO2008085063A1 (en) | Method for data acquisition | |
CN201083538Y (en) | Long line vibration detecting device | |
CN106683416B (en) | Ground sensing vehicle detector background noise removing method and device | |
AU2020203978A1 (en) | A mining or mineral processing system with electronic tracers | |
CN105741578A (en) | Taxi guide system based on control box | |
JP2000003218A (en) | System for detecting position of agv | |
MX2021003209A (en) | System and method for monitoring disconnected wells. | |
EP3961271A1 (en) | Antenna for underground line location | |
US20030201897A1 (en) | Tornado detection system | |
CN105788240A (en) | Taxi guiding method based on control cabinet | |
CN105761524A (en) | Taxi guidance system based on control cabinet | |
NO20140060A1 (en) | Antenna for RFID chip detection |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) |