Automated continuous haulage system
US7076346B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/931
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention relates to an automated continuous haulage apparatus and method designed for use in underground environments. Each mobile bridge carrier (10) contains distance measurement (70) and angular position (74) means for determining the mobile bridge carrier's (10) position and the angular position of attached piggyback conveyors (30). Means for determining the ceiling height (76) are utilized to adjust the height of the piggyback conveyors (30). On each mobile bridge carrier (10), input from the various sensors is received by an electronic controller (80) that calculates the position and orientation of the bridge carrier (10) and attached piggyback conveyors (30). The controller then plans an optimal path of movement for the bridge carrier (10) and computes the rate of movement for each independently operated track assembly on the bridge carrier such that the bridge carrier (10) and piggyback conveyors (30) arrive as close as possible to the planned path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.