Automated Sensing Module for Enhancing Miner Safety

Automating Sensing Module for Enhancing Miner Safety Major technology components needed for the autonomous operation of shuttle cars in United States coal mines have been demonstrated. Automation of this machine will help reduce the fatigue injuries for miners as well as keep them away from the downstream dust of the miner. Some facets of the autonomous shuttle car’s operations have not been developed sufficiently to begin deploying these automated machines. A particular activity that has not been addressed is while the shuttle car is being loaded, the operator needs to jog the conveyor belt to keep the load evenly distributed and in the car’s bed. Matrix Design Group designed an MSHA-approved I.S. Load Measurement System. Komatsu has evaluated this system to track the amount of ore hauled during production on battery-powered haulers and shuttle cars. This system has not yet been adopted because of inconsistent readings that are due to the temperature and location of the sensor head and the mount. This project will evaluate new materials to be used in the sensor head and test these designs in laboratory conditions. The new materials and tests will be used to maintain the MSHA approval status, although a modi?cation may be necessary. The project will then investigate and recommend ideal locations for the sensors to be placed on shuttle cars to provide information for both autonomous operation and human operation. The successful outcome of this project will be a sensor that could be installed during manufacture or rebuild.