摘要:
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 ATM.sup.2, or high magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 2.5 ATM.sup.2, 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.
摘要:
A multi-unit data-collecting/information-generating/instruction-passing/communication-network being a multiplicity of individual microprocessor systems capable of data-collection/presenatation/order-passing associated with instrumentation, process control elements and/or information displays, indicators and recorders on a two or three wire network programmed in a manner to enable(1) each individual information generating system comprised of one data measuring instrument generating a signal connected in juxta-position to an A/D and a microprocessor capable of converting analog signals from the instrumentation to digital signals then to serial digital strings and through a transceiver (T/R) transmit said digital serial strings onto the network,(2) each individual information-passing system comprised of a T/R-microprocessor-A/D juxta-positioned with a process control element, said system capable of recognizing an identifier code within a serial digital string containing instructions for said process control element associated with the system to cause said element to come to computer process control designated position said system tied into the network at said element site, and(3) each data-collecting system capable of receiving and converting selectively through T/R-microprocessor-A/D configuration an identifier code within a serial digital strings from said network, each microprocessor configuration capable of either developing process control element orders as information-passing strings, and transmitting them or providing readouts, visual displays, calculated process parameter changes, selected data storage, selected data printouts, and the like, all on a selective need to know basis at individual data-collecting sites remote from the instrumentation and control element sites.
摘要:
An improved automatic/remote RF instrument monitoring system including a plurality of transponders configured to operate with one of a plurality of parameter sensing instruments remotely located from an interrogate/receiver. The interrogate/receiver transmits RF transponder activation signals in the form of a tone modulated onto a carrier. In response to the activation signals, the transponders "wake-up" and transmit an RF transponder signal which is received and processed by the interrogate/receiver. The transponders include a transmission enable circuit which initiates transmission of the RF transponder signals at random times after receipt of the activation signals. The RF transponder signals are formed by a plurality of spaced transponder information packets. Transponder information packets of the transponder signal are transmitted at pseudorandom frequencies as a Manchester encoded bit stream including a preamble field of predetermined preamble data, an instrument parameter field of data sensed by the instrument, an instrument identification field of instrument identification data, and an error control code field of BCH error control code data.
摘要:
In a command transmission system, a maximum of n independent commands are supplied to a transmitter and are converted into different signals which are transmitted in series over a transmission line. When no command is present, a no-command signal is formed for transmission over the transmission line. When simultaneous commands are present, only command-associated signals are transmitted, cyclically and sequentially, over the transmission line, as long input commands are pending. At the receiving end of the transmission line, the signals are decoded and converted into signals which are manifested simultaneously on a plurality of output terminals.
摘要:
An automatic/remote instrument monitoring system and method are disclosed. RF transponder units are operatively connected to and monitor one or more parameters of a remotely located instrument. The transponders include RF receivers that sample received RF signals at a low duty cycle and look for a common wake-up signal transmitted from a mobile data collection unit. All transponders receiving the common wake-up signal simultaneously energize their respective transmitters and transmit their respective messages over a predetermined RF transmission bandwidth to receivers in the mobile unit. The time and frequency parameters of the transponder transmissions are varied in a manner such that the transmission signals of simultaneously transmitting transponders differ. A plurality of RF receivers in the mobile unit are respectively tuned to collectively receive the transponder transmissions, across the entire transmission bandwidth. Decoding and signal processing circuits in the mobile receiver unit identify transmitting transponders and process their respective messages.
摘要:
An apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously transferring via electromagnetic waves analog and digital data from a remote transponder to a fixed or mobile central control station. Digital data is transmitted from the remote transponder to the fixed or mobile central control station and at the same time the DC voltage of the battery powering the remote station is measured and transmitted to the central or mobile interrogating station.
摘要:
In the disclosed system a 3-bit binary coded signal having eight words each corresponding to one of eight switches and control signals corresponding to those switches in their ''''ON'''' and developed in response to the binary coded signals are represented by amplitude varying currents wherein different frequencies correspond to different bits of the binary coded signal. The binary coded signals and the control signals are delivered via a single transmission line to eight receivers connected to respective electric devices. In each receiver the signals are restored to their original forms and a binary coded signal corresponding to an associated switch is decoded and applied along with the control signal resulting from that switch, being closed, to a driving circuit for enabling an associated electric device. Only those binary coded signals assigned to closed switches are delivered to the receivers.