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Scope for application of GPS in Indian Coal Industry
The System Network
Basically the requirement comprises of mounting the GPS instrument within the HEMM/equipment operator’s cabin with an antenna alongside to facilitate receipt of satellite signals. GPS is integrated with the Graphical Operator Interface Console which in turn has a receiver (infra-red) attached on the sides of the equipment that enables relay of information to the central computer located in the control/mine manager’s office at a distant place from the mine. Using a multidirectional radio, each vehicle’s onboard computer sends GPS-based position information back to a dispatch computer, which corrects the data.
This computer monitors the location and status (full or empty,
heading, and velocity) of each vehicle in the fleet. The system
analyzes production statistics, such as haul routes, historic data
about drive time to a specific shovel location, and cycle time —
how long it takes to make a round trip from the shovel to the dump
site and back. The system then correlates these data to most
efficiently route all the vehicles.
By having real-time access to each vehicle’s position, the
dispatch system can determine if several trucks are waiting at one
shovel and, if so, route them to a different shovel. This helps
prevent bottlenecks and keeps operations moving freely. The
dispatch computer can also determine the most efficient location
for the truck to dump its load at any given time.
Essential Features of truck monitoring system -
- Satellite reciever
- Radio repeater tower ( ground reference station)
- Central control room
- Truck / drill HEMM based antenna
- Radio base station
Operator’s Feedback and System Response
After the truck operator unloads as assigned, the dispatch computer can give the driver his or her next assignment — determining at which pit the truck is needed and whether the operator will haul overburden or coal, depending on the mine’s needs. At the administration building, human dispatchers can view on their 21- inch computer screens the data from any DGPS-fitted support equipment. For example, if mine personnel should need a motor grader or water truck sent to their area, a dispatcher could identify the nearest appropriate machine and dispatch it to the area by way of a voice radio, further optimizing truck use.
Optimization Models
- Mine topography
- Road network
- Pit configuration
- Truck availability
- Coal blending / bands excavation schedules
- Dumping grounds distances
- Real time travel times
- Spare part mgmt
- HEMM downtime mgmt
- Reassignment evaluation of HEMM
Maintenance Downtime controls
The dispatch computer also stores vehicle maintenance records. In-vehicle engine-and transmission-monitoring devices continually report any out-of-range readings, such as high oil temperature. The system notifies the dispatch operator of the problem when it occurs, storing the time-stamped information in the database. Office or
maintenance personnel can poll the trucks or shovels at any time to
determine current operational status.
“Proximity decision” too could be achieved with the GPS data. In this technique, “virtual beacons” are created for key mine locations, benches, dumps, crushers, workshops, haul road intersections etc. Virtual beacons is a database entry that contains the “X” and “Y” coordinates of a location and let the system know when the equipment enters or leaves the location area. Network data of virtual beacons is stored in local memory on-board the mobile equipment. During the course of movement, GPS receivers continually change the positional data and whenever the equipment enters or leaves the “virtual beacon” (circle of influence),- board communication processor notifies the central computer, which then
uses the data in its equipment assignment decisions.
Maintenance management
- Work order administration
- Service schedules
- Maintenance reporting
- Major component tracking
- Repair & defect analysis
- Allocation of resources
- Priority setting
Benefits from the system
- Higher productivity
- Better turnaround of HEMM
- Optimum spare part management
- Operator performance guide
- Production scheduling
- Pit development recomputations
- Optimal traffic flows in the pits
- Hot seat exchange and shift change mgmt
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