WO2007000686A2

WO2007000686A2 - Object detection system and method for miner

Info

Publication number: WO2007000686A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/052006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arie Willem Kruger; Wayne Sebastian Hannigan
Original assignee: Kloofsig Handelaars Cc
Priority date: 2005-06-29
Filing date: 2006-06-21
Publication date: 2007-01-04
Also published as: AU2006263467A1; WO2007000686A3

Abstract

An object detection system (10) for use by a miner comprises a wireless signal receiver (34) adapted to be carried on the body of the miner for receiving a wireless signal transmitted by a transmitter TX 1 on an object, such as a vehicle 12, to be detected. A controller (36) is connected to the receiver and the controller is connected to an indicator arrangement (40,42) carried on the body of the miner for causing the indicator arrangement to provide a first indication when the receiver is within a first range of the vehicle 12.

Description

Object Detection System and Method for Miner

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to mining safety equipment and more particularly

to an object detection system for a miner and a method of detecting

an object, such as an approaching vehicle, and warning a miner.

Due to high noise levels and other factors, pedestrian miners working

underground are often not aware of approaching and passing vehicles

used in the underground mining activities. The driver of the vehicle is

hence mainly and solely responsible to avoid accidents involving the

vehicle. This results in a stop start manner of driving the vehicle which

is not productive, may result in other accidents and which is in any

event not sufficiently safe. In general, the current mechanisms for

avoiding accidents between vehicles and pedestrian workers

underground are not satisfactory.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an

object detection system for a miner and a method of detecting an

object such as a vehicle and warning a miner, with which the applicant

believes the aforementioned disadvantages may at least be alleviated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided an object detection

system for use by a miner, the system comprising:

a wireless signal receiver adapted to be carried on the body of a miner for receiving a wireless signal;

a controller connected to the receiver; and

- the controller being connected to an indicator arrangement

for causing the indicator arrangement to provide a first

indication when the receiver is within a first range of an object carrying a transmitter transmitting the wireless signal.

The controller may be configured to cause the indicator arrangement

to provide a second indication, which is different from the first

indication, when the receiver is within a second range of the object

carrying the transmitter and which second range is smaller than the

first range.

The indicator arrangement may be adapted to be carried on the body of the miner.

The indicator arrangement may comprise a visible indicator and an

audible indicator. The receiver and indicator arrangement may be connected to derive

electrical power from a battery for energizing a lamp on a hat of the

miner.

In one embodiment, at least one of the visible indicator and the audible

indicator may be mounted on the hat. The visible indicator may be

mounted on the hat to illuminate a peak region of the hat and the

audible indicator may be mounted inside the hat, so that in use, the

indicator would be adjacent the head and in close proximity to at least

one ear of the miner.

In another embodiment, the receiver and indicator arrangement are

mounted on a headlamp assembly comprising the lamp, the battery

and a cable connecting the battery to the lamp.

For example, the receiver and indicator arrangement may be mounted

in a housing mounted on the cable and may be connected electrically

to the cable,

The indicator arrangement may be caused to provide the first

indication when a first signal having the first range is received by the receiver and to provide the second indication when a second signal

having the second range is received.

The first signal may be a long range signal and the second signal may

be a short range signal.

The object may be a vehicle, typically a moving vehicle and more

particularly a vehicle used in underground mining activities.

The system may comprise a test transmitter for the receiver and

indicator arrangement and which test transmitter may form part of a

test station.

The system may comprise a sleep command transmitter to which the

receiver is responsive. The sleep command transmitter may typically

be located in regions where the receiver and indicator arrangement are

not required or desired to be active and operational, such as at an

above ground store room for hats carrying a receiver and indicator

arrangement, Each of the transmitter carried by an object, the test transmitter and

the sleep command transmitter may be configured to transmit an RF

carrier with a data stream modulated thereon.

The data stream may comprise data identifying the transmitter as one

of the transmitter carried by an object, the test transmitter and the

sleep command transmitter.

The transmitter carried by the object may be configured to transmit

repeatedly and alternately a long range signal and a short range signal

and wherein the long range signal has a power level higher than the

short range signal.

The data stream transmitted by the transmitter on an object may

comprise an identification code unique to the transmitter and a code

indicative of whether the signal transmitted is the long range signal,

alternatively the short range signal.

The invention also extends to a method of detecting an object and

warning a miner comprising the steps of:

receiving at a receiver on a miner's body a first, range limited

wireless signal transmitted by a transmitter at an object; and in response to the signal received, causing an indicator

arrangement to provide a first indication that the miner is

within the first range of the object.

The method may include the step of receiving at the receiver a second

range limited signal transmitted by the transmitter and in response to

the second range limited signal, to provide a second indication that the

miner is within the second range of the object.

The invention also includes within its scope a hat for a miner having a

radio frequency receiver and an indicator arrangement of an object

detection system mounted thereon.

Still further included within the scope of the invention is a an object

detection system for use by a miner, the system comprising:

- a wireless signal receiver adapted to be carried on the body

of the miner;

- the receiver being connected to a controller;

- the controller being connected to an indicator arrangement

for causing the indicator arrangement to provide a first

indication when the miner is within a first range of an object

carrying a transmitter transmitting a wireless signal; and the indicator arrangement deriving electrical power for its

operation from a battery for energizing a lamp carried by the

miner.

The lamp may be a headlamp mountable on a hat of the miner.

The receiver, controller and indicator arrangement may be mounted in

a separate housing and the housing may be mounted on one of the

battery, the headlamp and a cable connecting the battery to the

headlamp.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing is mounted on

the cable and the receiver, controller and indicator arrangement are

electrically connected to the cable, to derive electrical power from the

battery.

The indicator arrangement may comprise a first indicator in the form of

a visible indicator and a second indicator in the form of an audible

indicator.

The housing may comprise a first part and a second part adapted to be

mounted on one another with a seal between the first part and the second part and the cable extending beyond opposed regions of the

housing. The opposed regions may be opposed end regions.

At least part of the housing may be translucent.

The visible indicator may comprise a light emitting device located in

the housing and configured when energized, to transmit light beyond

the housing. The audible indicator may comprise a piezoelectric sound

generating device located in the housing and the housing may define

an acoustic chamber between the device and a liquid tight port for

transmitting sound generated by the device beyond the housing.

Stiii further included within the scope of the invention is a battery and

headlamp assembly comprising a battery, a headlamp, a cable

connecting the battery to the headlamp and an RF receiver and

indicator arrangement of an object detection system mounted on at

least one of the battery, the cable and the lamp.

The receiver and indicator arrangement may be located in a separate

housing mounted on the cabie. Yet further included within the scope of the present invention is an

electrical cable for connecting a battery to a load, such as a lamp, the

cable having a housing mounted thereon, the housing enclosing an RF

receiver and indicator arrangement of an object detection system, and

wherein the RF receiver and indicator arrangement are electrically

connected to the cable,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DIAGRAMS

The invention wilf now further be described, by way of example only,

with reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein

figure 1 is a general block diagram of an object detection system

according to the invention;

figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a headlamp assembly

according to the invention comprising an RF receiver and

indicator arrangement forming part of the vehicle

detection system;

figure 3 is a basic block diagram of the headlamp assembly

according to the invention;

figure 4 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of a housing

for the receiver and indicator arrangement.

figure 5 is a representation of a first configuration of the assembly

carried by a miner; figure 6 is a representation of a second configuration of the

assembly carried by a miner;

figure 7 is a diagram iliustrating a miner carrying a miner's hat

which comprises an RF receiver and indicator

arrangement forming part of the system;

figure 8 is flow diagram illustrating operation of a transmitter

forming part of the system and which transmitter is

mounted on an object to be detected, such as a vehicle

which is used in underground mining work; and

figure 9 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the receiver and

indicator arrangement shown in figures 3 and 7.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT QF THE INVENTION

An object detection system according to the invention is generally

designated by the reference numeral 10 in figure 1 . The object may be

a vehicle, typically a moving vehicle.

The system comprises a plurality of RF transmitters which are

mounted on each of a plurality of vehicles used underground in mining

activities, as will hereinafter be described. In figure 1 , there is shown

one vehicle 12 only, of the plurality of vehicles. As far as this

invention is concerned, the vehicles and the transmitters mounted thereon are substantially similar and hence only vehicle 12 will be

described in detail hereinafter. Vehicle 12 carries four transmitters

TR#1 to TR#4 mounted in the four corner regions respectively of the

vehicle 12. Each transmitter broadcasts in intermittent, preferably

periodic, manner an omni-directional wireless signal in the RF band,

preferably having an RF carrier at substantially 898MHz. The carrier

has a data stream 14 modulated thereon by ASK. The data stream 14

comprises a first part 16 relating to an ID number of the host vehicle

12, a second part 18 relating to an ID number of the transmitter on

the vehicle {each of the four transmitters on the vehicle having a

unique (D number) and a third part 20 indicating whether the signal is

a long range (LR) signal, alternatively a short range (SR) signal, as will

hereinafter be described.

The system further comprises a test transmitter 22 located at a test

station 24, typically above ground level, for transmitting a test signal

to test the serviceability of RF receiver and indicator arrangements 28

(shown in figure 3) forming part of the system. The system still further

comprises a sleep-signal transmitter 26 for de-activating the RF

receiver and indicator arrangements 28, when the receiver and

indicator arrangements 28 are not required to operate, for example

when the headlamp assemblies 80 (shown in figure 2) of which they form part, are stored in an above ground store room 32, shown in

figure 1 .

In one preferred embodiment, the RF receiver and indicator

arrangement 28 forms part of a battery and headlamp assembly 80

(shown in figure 2) which, in use, is carried on the body of a miner 82

(shown in figure 6), as will hereinafter be described. As shown in

figure 2, the assembly 80 comprises a known headlamp 46 which is

mountable in known manner on a miner's hat 30 (as shown in figures

5 and 6}, an electrical power cable 84 connecting the lamp 46 to a

battery 44, which is normally mounted on a belt 86 of the miner, and

the receiver and indicator arrangement 28 mounted on the assembly

on at least one of the hat, or lamp, or cable or battery and electrically

connected to the cable 84. In one preferred embodiment, the receiver

and indicator arrangement 28 is located in a separate housing 88

which is mounted on the cable with the receiver 34, controller 38 and

indicator arrangement 40, 42 of the arrangement 28 electrically

connected to the cable, to derive power from the battery.

As best shown in figure 3, the receiver and indicator arrangement 28

comprises an RF receiver 34 for receiving RF signals transmitted by

any of the transmitters on the vehicles, the test transmitter 22 and the sleep-signal transmitter 26, The receiver 34 comprises a quarter

wavelength antenna 36 which is integrated on a PC board of the

receiver circuit and the receiver is connected to a controller 38

comprising a processor and a memory arrangement. The controller is

connected to an indicator arrangement comprising first indicator

means in the form of a warning light emitting device 40 and a second

indicator means in the form of an audible signal generator 42. All of

the receiver 34, the controller 38, the visible indicator 40 and the

audible indicator 42 are located in housing 88 and derive electrical

power via the cable 84 from the battery 44 carried by the miner to

energize the lamp 46. The lamp is mounted in known manner in a front

region above a peak 50 of the hat 30.

An exploded perspective view of the housing 88 is shown in figure 4.

The housing may be made of a special polycarbonate composition and

is at least partially translucent, preferably substantially wholly

translucent, to transmit light emitted by the visible indicator 40 located

inside the housing to beyond the housing, to be seen by the miner

and/or a driver of a vehicle 12. The body comprises first and second

body parts 90 and 92 connected to one another by bolts 94 with a

seal 96 between the parts, to render the body liquid tight. The

arrangement 28 comprising the receiver 34, antenna 36 the controller 38, the visible indicator 40 comprising any suitable light emitting

device and the audible indicator 42 comprising a piezoelectric sound

generating device for example, are mounted on a printed circuit board

98 mounted in the housing 88. The first body part 90 defines an

acoustic chamber between the device 42 and a membrane 100. A seal

102 is provided between the membrane and a closure 104, defining a

plurality of peripheral notches or ports 106 for transmitting audible

signals generated by the device beyond the housing 88.

The assembly 80 may be carried on the body 82 of the miner in a first

configuration shown in figure 5. The battery 44 is carried on the belt

86 and the headlamp is mounted on the hat 30. The housing 88 is

secured in any suitable manner in any suitable side region of the hat.

In such a position on the hat, the visible signals 108 generated by the

visible indicator means 40 are visible to the miner 82 and/or the driver

of a vehicle 12 and the acoustic signals 109 generated by the audible

indicator means 42 are audible by the miner.

The assembly 80 may also be carried on the body of the miner in a

second configuration as shown in figure 6. In this configuration, the

body 88 is located adjacent a rear region of the neck of the miner. In another embodiment shown in figure 7, the receiver and indicator

arrangement 28 are located in a region of the lamp 46, for example in

a housing 48 for the lamp. The visible indicator 40 is positioned on the

housing 48 to illuminate the peak 50 and the audible indicator 42 is

provided at a base of the housing 48.

Referring to self-explanatory figure 8, each transmitter on the vehicle

12 is configured to transmit sequentially and repeatedly and alternately

a LR-signal and a SR-signal. Referring again to figure 1 , in transmitting

the LR-signal, more RF power at a higher level is transmitted compared

to when the SR-signal is transmitted, so that the LR-signal has a first

range limited to any distance between about 10m to 1 5m, to give

early warning to pedestrian miners in the vicinity of the vehicle 12 and

the SR-signal has a second range limited to any distance between

about 2m to 6m. As stated hereinbefore, the data stream 14 is ASK

modulated on the RF carrier in the case of each of the LR-signal and

the SR-signal.

The test transmitter 22 is configured to transmit a very low range

signal, typically 1 m, and the signal comprises data modulated thereon

indicating that the signal is a test signal. Similarly the sleep-signal

transmitted by the sleep transmitter 26 comprises data modulated thereon which causes the receiver and indicator arrangement 28 to

enter a sleep mode, in which mode it is not active and responsive to

transmissions by a vehicle transmitter. The sleep-signal transmitter 26

is typically located at a store room 32 where the assemblies 80 and/or

hats 30 are stored when not in use. Hence, when in the sleep mode,

the receiver and indicator arrangement 28 will not respond to a stray

signal transmitted by a transmitter on a vehicle passing the store

room, for example.

The operation of the programmable controller 38 of the receiver and

indicator arrangement 28 is illustrated in figure 9. At the start of a

mining shift, the miners collect the assemblies or hats 30 carrying the

receiver and indicator arrangements 28 from the store room 32. Before

going underground, each receiver and indicator arrangement 28 are

tested at the test station 24. The receiver 34 receives the test signal

and as shown at 60,62 in figure 9, identifies it as such and at 64

causes the visible and audible indicators warning signals corresponding

to a when a signal is received from a vehicle transmitter. Once the

miner is satisfied that the receiver and indicator arrangement 28

operates properly, the miner proceeds to underground. After the

aforementioned shift, the assembly 80 and/or hat 30 is returned to the

store room 32. The controller receives and interprets at 60,66 the sieep-signal transmitted by the transmitter 26 at the store room as

such and causes the receiver and indicator arrangement 28 to enter a

sleep and disabled mode as shown at 68.

The receiver and indicator arrangement 28 is intended to assist the

miner underground timeously to become aware of a moving object,

such as an approaching or passing vehicle, so that the miner may take

timeous safety measures. Referring to both figures 1 and 9, with the

miner (carrying the receiver and indicator arrangement 28 as

hereinbefore described) positioned at position P₁, the receiver will

receive at least the LR-signal transmitted by some of the transmitters

TR#1 to TR#4 on the vehicle 12 moving in direction A, The signal is

interpreted as such at 60,70 and the controller 38 causes at 64 the

visible indicator 40 and the audible indicator 42 to give a first

indication corresponding to a LR-signal received. The first indication

may be in the form of the visible indicator and audible indicator being

pulsed every second, for a total period of 15 seconds while the vehicle

is in the first range. The ID code 16 of the vehicle 12 is recorded at 72

in the memory arrangement of the controller, so that when a second

vehicle (not shown) also moves to within the first range, a further first

indication will be given. With the vehicle travelling in direction A_^ and

if the miner did not take evasive action, the position P₁ will come into the second range of the SR-signals transmitted by at least some of the

transmitters TX#1 to TX#4 on the vehicle 12. The SR- signal is

interpreted as such at 60,74 and the visible indicator 40 and audible

indicator 42 are caused at 76 to give a second indication, which is

different to the first. The tone and/or repetition frequencies may be

higher than that of the first indication.

It will be appreciated that with the system and method according to

the invention the miner is given a first dedicated advance warning,

while the vehicle is still relatively far from the miner. Should the

vehicle proceed further towards the miner and the miner has not yet

taken evasive action, a second indication at a higher rate is given to

urge the miner that the vehicle is now within short range, typically 2

to 6 meters from the miner,

Referring again to figure 1 , the system according to the invention

further comprises a test station 1 10 for the vehicle transmitters TX#1

to TX#4. The test station may be a stationary station and may

comprise a receiver arrangement 1 12 comprising at least one receiver

for receiving signals transmitted by the transmitters on the vehicfe;

and a display means or display device 1 14 configured to display to the

driver and/or a station operator whether transmitted RF signals of all, alternatively only some of the transmitters on the vehicle 1 2 are

received by the receiver arrangement of the test station. The test

station may comprise a transmitter 1 16 or other means to cause the

transmitters on the vehicle 1 2 to transmit test signals for reception and analyses by the test station 1 10.

A battery tester circuit (not shown) may be connected to the battery

44 and the controller 38 and the controller may be configured, if the

voltage of the battery is below a threshold value, to cause the

indicator arrangement 28 to provide a different signal, indicative of a low battery level.

The controller 38 may comprise a memory arrangement (not shown).

The aforementioned data modulated on received first and second

signals may be date and time stamped and stored in the memory

arrangement on a FIFO basis, to provide a record of signals received

by the receiver 34 over a period of time. This data may be retrieved

and used in "block-box manner" in the event of an incident involving

the miner and/or for analyses and control.

Claims

1. An object detection system for use by a miner, the system

comprising:

a wireless signal receiver adapted to be carried on the body

of a miner for receiving a wireless signal; a controller connected to the receiver; and

- the controller being connected to an indicator arrangement

for causing the indicator arrangement to provide a first

indication when the receiver is within a first range of an

object carrying a transmitter transmitting the wireless signal.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the controller is

configured to cause the indicator arrangement to provide a

second indication, which is different from the first indication,

when the receiver is within a second range of the object

carrying the transmitter and which second range is smaller than

the first range.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the indicator

arrangement is adapted to be carried on the body of the miner.

4. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the

indicator arrangement comprises a visible indicator and an

audible indicator.

5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein

the receiver and indicator arrangement are connected to derive

electrical power from a battery for energizing a lamp on a hat of

the miner,

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein at ieast one of the

visible indicator and the audible indicator are mounted on the

hat.

7. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the receiver and

indicator arrangement are mounted on a headlamp assembly

comprising the lamp, the battery and a cable connecting the

battery to the lamp.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the receiver and

indicator arrangement are mounted in a housing mounted on the

cable and are connected electrically to the cable.

9. A system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the

indicator arrangement provides the first indication when a first

signal having the first range is received by the receiver and

provides the second indication when a second signal having the

second range is received.

10. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first signal is a long

range signal and the second signal is a short range signal.

1 1 . A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the

object is a vehicle.

12. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 1 comprising a

test transmitter for the receiver and indicator arrangement and

which test transmitter forms part of a test station.

13. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 1 comprising a

sleep command transmitter to which the receiver is responsive.

14, A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of the transmitter

carried by an object, the test transmitter and the sleep

command transmitter is configured to transmit an RF carrier

with a data stream modulated thereon.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the data stream

comprises data identifying the transmitter as one of the

transmitter carried by an object, the test transmitter and the

sleep command transmitter.

1 6. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the

transmitter carried by the object is configured to transmit

repeatedly and alternately a long range signal and a short range

signal and wherein the long range signal has a power level

higher than the short range signal.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the data stream

transmitted by the transmitter on the object comprises an

identification code unique to the transmitter and a code

indicative of whether the signal transmitted is the long range

signal, alternatively the short range signal.

18. A method of detecting an object and warning a miner

comprising the steps of:

- receiving at a receiver on a miner's body a first, range limited

arrangement to provide a first indication that the miner is

within the first range of the object.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 comprising the step of

receiving at the receiver a second range limited signal

transmitted by the transmitter and in response to the second

range limited signal to provide a second indication that the miner

is within the second range of the object.

20. A method as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the object

is a moving vehicle.

21 . A hat for a miner having a radio frequency receiver and an

indicator arrangement of an object detection system mounted

thereon.

22. An object detection system for use by a miner, the system

comprising:

- a wireless signal receiver adapted to be carried on the body

of the miner;

- the receiver being connected to a controller;

- the controller being connected to an indicator arrangement

for causing the indicator arrangement to provide a first

indication when the miner is within a first range of an object

carrying a transmitter transmitting a wireless signal; and

- the indicator arrangement deriving electrical power for its

operation from a battery for energizing a lamp carried by the

miner.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the object is a vehicle.

24. A system as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the lamp

is a headlamp mountable on a hat of the miner.

25. A system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the

receiver, controller and indicator arrangement are mounted in a

separate housing and the housing is mounted on one of the battery, the headlamp and a cable connecting the battery to the

headlamp.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25 wherein the housing is

mounted on the cable and wherein the receiver, controller and

indicator arrangement are electrically connected to the cable, to

derive electrical power from the battery.

27. A system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 26 wherein the

indicator arrangement comprises a first indicator in the form of a

visible indicator and a second indicator in the form of an audible

indicator.

28. A system as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 27 wherein the

housing comprises a first part and a second part adapted to be

mounted on one another with a seal between the first part and

the second part and the cable extending beyond opposed

regions of the housing.

29. A system as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 28 wherein at

least part of the housing is translucent.

30. A system as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29 wherein the

visible indicator comprises a light emitting device located in the

housing.

31. A system as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 30 wherein the

audible indicator comprises a piezoelectric sound generating

device located in the housing.

32. A battery and headlamp assembly comprising a battery, a

headlamp, a cable connecting the battery to the headlamp and

an RF receiver and indicator arrangement of an object detection

system mounted on at least one of the battery, the cable and

the lamp.

33. An assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein the receiver and

indicator arrangement are located in a separate housing

mounted on the cable.

34. An electrical cable for connecting a battery to a lamp, the cable

having a housing mounted thereon, the housing enclosing an RF

receiver and indicator arrangement of an object detection system, and wherein the RF receiver and indicator arrangement are electrically connected to the cable.