Light for underground mining and system for tracking underground assets
US10614677B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21Y2115/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A lighting unit for use in low lighting environments such as underground mines is provided. The lighting unit includes a main housing having a front opening and a cavity, a first visual lighting assembly positioned within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the visible spectrum, and a second ultraviolet lighting assembly positioned a fixed distance from the first visual lighting assembly within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the ultraviolet spectrum. The lighting unit is part of a system for detecting patterns on objects having reflective or high visibility colored material thereon. In addition to the lighting unit, the system includes a camera having a field of view within which the system is configured to detect patterns of reflective or high visibility colored material on one or more objects, a warning device to alert the operator when a marked object enters the camera's field of view. A controller/processor is programmed to detect when a pattern of reflective or high visibility colored material enters the camera's field of view. A variety of patterns can be used, and the controller can be programmed to associated each pattern with a specific o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.