140 / 2023-08-21 20:13:23

GNSS-based Integrated Measuring System (IMS) for operation with basic machines in Brown Coal Mines

GNSS/MEMS IMU

 

The functions of Integrated Measuring System (IMS) are based on GNSS positioning technology. It can provide, with high precision, the field location of an excavator's bucket wheel 

and  data  for  updating  digital  terrain  model  of  the  mine.  It comprises  three  basic  segments:  positioning  and  calculation unit,  information  center  and  applications  for  office  workers. The  entire  system  is  based  on  the  uniform  software  and  it  is used  for  streamlining  and  carrying  out  excavation  works  in opencast  mines.  The  necessity  for  a  reduction  of  excavation costs  and  the  provision  of  a  proper  level  of  profitability  of mines entail taking appropriate action to enhance the efficiency of  operation  of  basic  mining  equipment.  The  implemented system  is  intended  to  replace  previously  applied  methods  for conducting  surveys  of  working  benches  at  a  mine.  The  new information  tool  has  been  designed,  for  the  operator  of  an excavator  and  for  the  foreman,  to  make  their  work  more efficient. It also offers new possibilities to assess the machine's operation  by  inspectors  and  supervisors, shift  foremen,  team foremen and the rest of workers of appropriate mine divisions. Among the results achieved from the application of this system, the  following  can  be  listed:  elimination  of  staking  the  slope edges and defining the limits of mining, scarping, profiling of mine  reads  with  greater  accuracy  and  efficiency,  safe navigation of excavators in areas of danger, and the possibility of  immediate  comparison  of  work  plans  with  the  outcomes. One of the fundamental tasks of the IMS is updating the digital terrain model of mine in real time. The data collected by the system lays the foundations for updating mine maps. They are registered and stored in the information centre database, from where  they  are  accessible  to  office  users.  The  Integrated Measuring  System  was  implemented,  for  the  first  time,  in Poland  to  streamline  planning  activities  and  management  of the  excavation  processes.  As  planned,  it  allows  for  precise positioning  of  machines  along  with  the  delivery  of  always-current data that is included in work plans. It is collecting data for making the digital terrain model and data for review and edition  of  the  main  attributes  of  the  mining  system.  The system's  architecture  also  allows  its  integration  with  other equipment  (stackers,  bulldozers,  graders,  loaders,  etc.)  and provides  data  for  the  update  of  mine's  geological  model.  The synergy  of  cutting-edge  solutions,  within  the  scope  of  satellite positioning and laser scanning, enables the precise monitoring of  waste  stacking  processes.  The  registered  information  of  a waste dump spatial model can be integrated with bucket wheel excavators' data. The combined data allows full flow control of waste  streams  in  the  entire  excavator  –  conveyor  –  stacker system.