US5087099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Long range multiple point wireless control and monitoring system
Assignee: Stolar Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-16
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Granted: 1992-02-11
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Expires: 2010-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A method for remotely monitoring conditions such as carbon monoxide or methane gas concentration, longwall roof support pressure, machine parameters or uncut coal, trona or potash layer thickness in a natural resource mining system such as a longwall or continuous mine system. The method utilizes a plurality of sensors connected to low magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 0.1 ATM2, or high magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 2.5 ATM2, that transmit collected data during multiple short burst transmission periods. Prior to transmission, the data is converted to a digital word format. An algorithm in the transmitter microcomputer ensures that random time intervals exist between data transmission bursts thus preventing a data transmission clash at the central receiver. A microcomputer algorithm in the central receiver protects against data contention caused by simultaneous transmission from several sensors. The data is transmitted to the central receiver either through a natural waveguide pathway or through a utility conductor that is magnetically coupled to the transmitter and central receiver by properly oriented electrically short magnetic dipole antennas. The method can be used, for example, to automatically control the positioning of a plurality of longwall roof supports or to transmit data from a longwall drillhead, along the drill rod, to the central receiver. Data can be communicated between a remote location and a surface area by utilizing a system of repeaters inductively coupled to a utility conductor. Use of the repeater system permits operation of mining machines from a surface computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry G. Stolarczyk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:12
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C35/00; E21C35/24; E21C35/302; E21D; E21D23/00; E21D23/12; E21D23/14; E21D23/148; E21F; E21F17/00; E21F17/18; G; G08; G08C; G08C15/00; G08C17/00; G08C17/04; G08C23/00; G08C2201/00; G08C2201/40; G08C2201/50; G08C2201/51
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of mine wide data transmission which comprises: inductively coupling a plurality of first repeaters to an electrical conductor running from a surface area to a mine; inductively coupling a plurality of second repeaters to said electrical conductor; transmitting a data signal from a base station at a frequency F 2 to one of the first repeaters, said data signal comprising a digitally encoded word; retransmitting the data signal from one of the first repeaters at a frequency F 3 to one of the second repeaters; retransmitting the data signal from one of the second repeaters at a frequency F 1 to a remote monitoring and control unit; decoding the digitally encoded word in the remote monitoring and control unit; and checking an address characteristic of the digitally encoded word before accepting the digitally encoded word.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of mine wide data transmission which comprises: inductively coupling a plurality of first repeaters to an electrical conductor running from a surface area to a mine; inductively coupling a plurality of second repeaters to said electrical conductor; transmitting a data signal from a base station at a frequency F 2 to one of the first repeaters, said data signal comprising a digitally encoded word; retransmitting the data signal from one of the first repeaters at a frequency F 3 to one of the second repeaters; retransmitting the data signal from one of the second repeaters at a frequency F 1 to a remote monitoring and control unit; decoding the digitally encoded word in the remote monitoring and control unit; and checking an address characteristic of the digitally encoded word before accepting the digitally encoded word.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of: using the digitally encoded word to activate a plurality of output circuits in the remote monitoring and control unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of: using the plurality of output circuits to activate an electrohydraulic control system of a machine.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of mine wide data transmission which comprises: inductively coupling a plurality of first repeaters to an electrical conductor running from a surface area to a mine; inductively coupling a plurality of second repeaters to said electrical conductor; transmitting a data signal from a base station at a frequency F 2 to one of the first repeaters; retransmitting the data signal from one of the first repeaters at a frequency F 3 to one of the second repeaters; retransmitting the data signal from one of the second repeaters at a frequency F 1 to a remote monitoring and control unit; inputting an input signal into an input circuit of the remote monitoring and control unit; transmitting the input signal to one of the first repeaters at the frequency F 2 ; retransmitting the input signal from one of the first repeaters at the frequency F 3 to one of the second repeaters; and retransmitting the input signal from one of the second repeaters at the frequency F 1 to the base station.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of mine wide data transmission which comprises: inductively coupling a plurality of first repeaters to an electrical conductor running from a surface area to a mine; inductively coupling a plurality of second repeaters to said electrical conductor; transmitting a data signal from a base station at a frequency F 2 to one of the first repeaters; retransmitting the data signal from one of the first repeaters at a frequency F 3 to one of the second repeaters; retransmitting the data signal from one of the second repeaters at a frequency F 1 to a remote monitoring and control unit; inputting an input signal into an input circuit of the remote monitoring and control unit; transmitting the input signal to one of the first repeaters at the frequency F 2 ; retransmitting the input signal from one of the first repeaters at the frequency F 3 to one of the second repeaters; and retransmitting the input signal from one of the second repeaters at the frequency F 1 to the base station.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of mine data transmission which comprises: inductively coupling a first repeater to an electrical conductor running from a first location to a second location within a mine; inductively coupling a second repeater to said electrical conductor; transmitting a data signal from a first station at a frequency F 1 to the first repeater, said data signal comprising a digitally encoded word; retransmitting the data signal from the first repeater at a frequency F 2 to the second repeater; retransmitting the data signal from the second repeater at a frequency F 3 to a remote monitoring and control unit; decoding the digitally encoded word in the remote monitoring and control unit; and checking an address characteristic of the digitally encoded word before accepting the digitally encoded word.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of mine data transmission which comprises: inductively coupling a first repeater to an electrical conductor running from a first location to a second location within a mine; inductively coupling a second repeater to said electrical conductor; transmitting a data signal from a first station at a frequency F 1 to the first repeater, said data signal comprising a digitally encoded word; retransmitting the data signal from the first repeater at a frequency F 2 to the second repeater; retransmitting the data signal from the second repeater at a frequency F 3 to a remote monitoring and control unit; decoding the digitally encoded word in the remote monitoring and control unit; and checking an address characteristic of the digitally encoded word before accepting the digitally encoded word.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 5 further including the step of: using the digitally encoded word to activate a plurality of output circuits in the remote monitoring and control unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-10 | 1995-08-12 | 1996-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-10 | 1999-08-12 | 2000-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-10 | 2003-08-12 | 2004-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |