WO2015157861A1

WO2015157861A1 - Safety device and method of using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2015157861A1
Application number: PCT/CA2015/050308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Serge Croteau; Alexandre Cervinka
Original assignee: Newtrax Holding Inc.
Priority date: 2014-04-14
Filing date: 2015-04-14
Publication date: 2015-10-22

Abstract

A safety device configured to be mounted to a safety perimeter delimiter (e.g. a safety cone) allows a safe zone to be delimited from a dangerous zone in a mine (e.g. underground mine). The safety device is configured to send a warning signal to surrounding vehicles and machines equipped with appropriate receivers upon detecting a movement of the safety perimeter delimiter to which the safety device is mounted. The warning signal is configured to cause surrounding vehicles and machines to either stop or shut down.

Description

SAFETY DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of the United States provisional Patent Application No. 61/979,302, entitled "Safety Device and Method of Using the Same" and filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office on April 14, 2014, which content is hereby incorporated by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to safety devices and systems for mines and more particularly relates mine safety devices and systems used to create safety perimeters around mobile hazards .

Background of the Invention

[0003] Nowadays, an increasing numbers of automated or remote-controlled machines are used in underground mines to assist miners in the extraction of ore. However, these machines are relatively dangerous. It is thus generally required to provide a safety perimeter around these machines to avoid accidents.

[0004] One solution in use today is a laser-based safety system generally referred to as a laser gate. In a laser gate system, a laser emitter is mounted within a mine tunnel such as to send a laser beam across the tunnel. A laser detector is mounted opposite the laser emitter and is configured to detect the laser beam. If the laser detector fails to detect the laser beam, it generally means that something or someone has crossed the laser beam. When such an occurrence is detected, the laser detector sends a signal to the automated or remote- controlled machine located within the tunnel to stop or shut-down to prevent an accident. [0005] Laser gate systems are not without shortcomings. To begin with, laser gate systems are cumbersome to install, particularly in underground mines. Also, since laser gate systems are based on the detection of laser beams, they are particularly affected by airborne dust. Indeed, dust can negatively affect the propagation of the laser beam across the tunnel and can negatively affect the reading of the laser beam at the detector. Understandably, due to the nature of underground mines, airborne dust is generally omnipresent. [0006] Shortcomings of other solutions on the market include the inability to reliably and cost-effectively define clear-cut demarcation lines for the safety perimeter.

[0007] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for device or system for creating safe zones around automated or remote-controlled machines and other fixed hazards while mitigating at least some of the shortcomings of current prior art devices and systems.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] The shortcomings of the prior art are generally mitigated by a safety device configured to define a safety perimeter around an automated or remote-controlled machine (or other hazard) that is based on movement detection to detect breach of the perimeter.

[0009] The safety device is configured to be mounted to a safety perimeter delimiter (e.g. a safety cone) to allow a safe zone to be delimited from a dangerous zone in a mine (e.g. underground mine). The safety device is configured to send a warning signal to surrounding vehicles and machines equipped with appropriate receivers upon detecting a movement of the safety perimeter delimiter to which the safety device is mounted. The warning signal is configured to cause surrounding vehicles and machines to either stop or shut down.

[0010] In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the safety device is configured to be mounted to a safety perimeter delimiter such as a safety cone which is ubiquitous in underground mines. The safety device is configured to detect a movement of the safety perimeter delimiter and upon detecting a movement, to send a signal to surrounding vehicles and machines equipped with a receiver, to either stop or them or shut them down.

[0011] In typical yet non-limitative embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the safety device comprises a movement detector or sensor, a processing unit, and a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver. The movement detector is configured to detect movement of the safety perimeter delimiter to which the safety device is mounted. For its part, the RF transceiver is configured to transmit warning signals to surrounding vehicles and machines and more particularly to the vehicle (or machine) causing the movement and to the machine located win the safe zone. The processing unit is generally responsible for processing the data generated by the movement detector and for controlling the transmission of warning signals by the RF transceiver. Understandably, both the movement detector and the RF transceiver are connected to the processing unit to exchange data and/or instruction with the processing unit. [0012] In typical yet non-limitative embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the movement detector is an embedded inertial sensor. Understandably, inertial sensors are much cheaper than lasers and are not affected by airborne dust. Moreover, contrary to laser-based systems that need both laser emitters and receivers, inertial sensors are unitary in the sense that they do not need two (or more) components to perform their detection function.

[0013] In typical yet non-limitative embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the processing unit is configured to (or programmed to) discriminate between dangerous movements and non-dangerous movements of the safety perimeter delimiter. For instance, normal ambient vibrations caused by passing vehicles and operating machines should be processed as non-dangerous movements and therefore should not cause the transmission of a warning signal. However, any significant movements of the safety perimeter delimiter should be processed as dangerous movements and therefore should cause the transmission of a warning signal. In such embodiments, the threshold between non-dangerous movements and dangerous movements could be pre-programmed into the processing unit and updated as necessary.

[0014] In typical yet non-limitative embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the safety device is powered by batteries or any other autonomous sources of energy. Being battery-powered, the safety devices can be quickly deployed anywhere in an underground mine.

[0015] In typical yet non-limitative embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the safety device is mounted to a displaceable safety perimeter delimiter such as a safety cone, a flexible post, a fence, a barricade, or a chain hanging from the ceiling. To create a safety zone around an automated or remote-controller machine, one or more safety perimeter delimiters equipped with safety devices would be disposed across the tunnel where the machine is located (if completely blocking the tunnel is desired) or around the machine (if only partially blocking the tunnel is desired). A personal safety zone could also be defined by deploying safety perimeter delimiters equipped with safety devices around a person.

[0016] Understandably, by using safety devices using unitary movement detectors and by mounting these safety devices on displaceable safety perimeter delimiters, the safety device in accordance with the principles of the present invention generally mitigates most of the shortcomings of current laser-based safety systems.

[0017] Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary safety perimeter delimiter equipped with a safety device in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the safety device of Fig. 1.

[0021] Figure 3 is a top view of a first exemplary deployment of safety perimeter delimiters equipped with safety devices in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 is a top view of a second exemplary deployment of safety perimeter delimiters equipped with safety devices in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 is a top view of a third exemplary deployment of safety perimeter delimiters equipped with safety devices in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0024] A novel safety device and a method of using the same will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. [0025] Referring to Fig. 1, a safety device 100 in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown mounted to a safety perimeter delimiter 200. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the safety perimeter delimiter 200 is a safety cone. Safety cones, which are well- known, are widely used in underground mines. In Fig. 1, the safety device 100 is mounted to the cone 200 with any appropriate fasteners (e.g. bands, clamps, screws, etc.).

[0026] In the present embodiment, the safety device 100 is battery-powered to allow the safety device 100, and thus the safety perimeter delimiter 200, to be quickly deployed anywhere in an underground mine.

[0027] Referring now to Fig. 2, the various components of the safety device 100 are shown schematically. The safety device 100 comprises a processing unit 110 (e.g. central processing unit, a microcontroller, etc.) which is configured to receive and process data and to transmit instructions from and to the other components. The safety device 100 also comprises a movement detector 120, a radio-frequency transceiver 130 which is coupled to an antenna 140, a memory unit 150 and a user interface 160. All the components 120, 130, 150 and 160 are connected to the processing unit 110.

[0028] The movement detector 120 is configured to detect movements of the safety device 100 and thus of the delimiter 200 to which the device 100 is mounted. In that sense, the movement detector 120 is configured to forward movement data to the processing unit 110 for the processing unit 110 to determine whether a significant movement, indicative of a collision, has occurred. [0029] In the present embodiment, the movement detection 120 is an embedded inertial sensor. However, it should be noted that the movement detection 120 may be embodied using other movement detection mechanisms or methods.

[0030] For its part, the RF transceiver 130 is configured to transmit RF warning signals to surrounding vehicles and machines (equipped with appropriate receivers) upon being instructed to do so by the processing unit 110.

[0031] The memory unit 150 is generally used to store the instructions of the program run by the processing unit 110 and any relevant data that need to be temporarily or permanently stored. [0032] In the present embodiment, the user interface 160 comprises a display screen and at least one button (see Fig. 1) to allow an operator to interact with the safety device 100 (e.g. retrieve collision data, etc.). In other embodiments, the user interface 160 could be simpler (e.g. buttons and colored LEDs) or more complex (e.g. a touchscreen).

[0033] In use, a safety device 100 would be mounted to a safety perimeter delimiter 200, e.g. a safety cone, and disposed in the tunnel of an underground mine to delimit a safe zone from a dangerous zone. Typically, a dangerous zone is a zone in which a mining machine such as an automated machine or remote-controlled machine is located. Understandably, other types of relatively fixed hazards (e.g. a hole) could be located within the dangerous zone.

[0034] If the safety perimeter delimiter 200 is hit by a vehicle, the movement detector 120 will send movement data to the processing unit 110 which will process the data. Upon determining that the movement is significant (e.g. indicative of a collision), the processing unit 110 will instruct the RF transceiver 130 to emit a RF warning signal to all surrounding vehicles and machines, including the vehicle having hit the delimiter 200 and the machine located in the dangerous zone. All the vehicles and machines which have received the warning signal will then either stop (e.g. for moving vehicles) or shut down (e.g. for operating machines).

[0035] Hence, the safety perimeter delimiter 200 equipped with the safety device 100 becomes an effective and intelligent safety barrier to delimit a safe zone from a dangerous zone and to further prevent collision.

[0036] In addition, since the safety perimeter delimiter 200 equipped with the safety device 100 is displaceable, the safety perimeter delimiter 200 can be easily relocated when machines are moved to new locations within the mine. [0037] In that sense, a plurality of safety perimeter delimiters 200 equipped with the safety devices 100 can generally be used to properly delimit a safe zone from a dangerous zone.

[0038] For instance, referring to Fig. 3, when a machine 400 is operating at the end of a closed tunnel 310 of a mine 300, a dangerous zone 320 can be delimited from a safe 330 by placing several safety perimeter delimiters 200 across the tunnel 310. If any one of the delimiters 200 is hit by a vehicle or a machine, the safety device 100 mounted thereto will emit a warning signal to surrounding vehicles and machines, including the operating machine 400, which will cause them to either stop or shut down.

[0039] However, the delimiters 200 can be deployed around an operating machine without necessarily completely blocking a tunnel. For instance, in Fig. 4, the operating machine 400 is located in a tunnel 310 but the tunnel 310 is open-ended. In such a scenario, the delimiters 200 equipped with safety devices 100 can be deployed around the operating machine 400 to delimit the dangerous zone 320 from the safe zone 330. Again, if any one of the delimiters 200 is hit by a vehicle or a machine, the safety device 100 mounted thereto will emit a warning signal to surrounding vehicles and machines, including the operating machine 400, which will cause them to either stop or shut down.

[0040] Notably, the delimiters 200 could possibly be deployed around a machine operator (or other mining personnel) for instance to define a personal safety perimeter. Fig. 5 shows such a scenario where a machine operator 500 is surrounded by four delimiters 200 to define a personal safety perimeter.

[0041] Understandably, the processing unit 110 of the safety device 100 is configured to (or programmed to) discriminate between dangerous movements and non-dangerous movements of the safety perimeter delimiter 200. For instance, normal ambient vibrations caused by passing vehicles and operating machines should be processed as non-dangerous movements and therefore should not cause the transmission of a RF warning signal. However, any significant movements of the safety perimeter delimiter 200 (e.g. a direct collision) should be processed as dangerous movements and therefore should cause the transmission of a RF warning signal. The threshold between non-dangerous movements and dangerous movements could be pre-programmed into the processing unit 110, or stored on the memory unit 150, and updated as necessary.

[0042] Understandably, by deploying safety perimeter delimiters 200 equipped with safety devices 100 in underground mines, dangerous zones can be quickly and effectively delimited without the need for complex installation and calibration.

[0043] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

1) A safety device in accordance with the principles of the invention described hereinabove.

2) A safety perimeter delimiter having mounted thereto a safety device as claimed in claim 1.

3) A safety perimeter delimiter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the delimiter is a safety cone.

4) A safety device configured to be mounted to a safety perimeter delimiter, the safety device comprising:

a) a processing unit;

b) a movement detector in communication with the processing unit, the movement detector being configured to detect movements of the safety device and to forward movement data to the processing unit; c) a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver in communication with the processing unit, the RF transceiver being configured to at least transmit RF signals; wherein the processing unit is operable to cause the transmission of warning RF signals upon processing movement data indicative of significant movements.

5) A safety perimeter delimiter having mounted thereto a safety device as claimed in claim 4.

A safety perimeter delimiter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the delimiter is a safety cone.

A method to define a safe zone with respect to a vehicle located in a tunnel, the method comprising:

a) placing at least one safety perimeter delimiter as claimed in any of claims 2, 3, 5 and 6 across the tunnel.

8) A method to define a safe zone with respect to a vehicle located in a tunnel, the method comprising: a) placing a plurality of safety perimeter delimiters as claimed in any of claims 2, 3, 5 and 6 around the vehicle.

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