AUTOMATED SYSTEM TO TEST AND CONTROL PRODUCTION PROCESS, ENVIRONMENT AND POSITIONS OF MINERS IN UNDERGROUND WORKINGS Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: mining industry. SUBSTANCE: given automated system collects, analyses and transmits information over wireless and radio communication channels automatically or on request. System operates under control of master computer coupled by information lines to stations of information collection and transmission which are distributed over underground workings. To control environment and positions of miners in underground workings master computer is additionally fitted with special software SMOG that helps to collect, store, analyze and transmit information automatically or on request. Stations of information collection and transmission are equipped with receivers of coded radio signals and sensors of state of environment and miners are provided with transmitters of coded radio signals of limited effective range built into caplamps. In this case transmitters of coded radio signals send signals automatically several times per minute. Each miner is assigned his one-of-a-kind code. Effective range of transmitters of coded radio signals is so chosen that signal is registered by at least one receiver and not more than two receivers located in adjacent stations of information collection and transmission placed at maximum distance one from another in zones of control over positions of miners. Frequency of sending of coded radio signal is so chosen that miner cannot move over distance exceeding half-distance ( maximum ) between two adjacent stations of information collection and transmission during time between two sequential pulses. EFFECT: raised efficiency of production processes and operational safety in underground workings thanks to enhanced effectiveness of rescue operations in case of emergency. 1 dwg