Collision avoidance

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July 2009 Data Acquisition & Telemetry

The Becker collision and personnel avoidance systems consist of control and vehicle tags, cap lamp tags, personnel tags, readers and digital antennae. Becker Electronics, specialists in underground communication systems and controls, supplies the mines with a wide range of tagging and tracking equipment, as well as collision and personnel avoidance and detection systems, significantly enhancing safety for miners.

“Collision and personnel avoidance systems, which play a vital role in communication underground, have been designed to prevent injury during operation of mining vehicles in close proximity to mining personnel,” says Albert Bower, director of Becker Electronics, part of the Becker Group of Companies. “These communication systems, installed in vehicles and cap lamp battery packs, provide early warning to both vehicle operators and pedestrians.

“This is a very necessary communication system underground because in this harsh environment, it is impossible for a vehicle operator to always be fully aware of other miners and vehicles in his immediate area.”

The Becker UCAS device, with externally mounted antennae, acts as the receiving part of the system and is usually mounted into a vehicle where it is clearly visible to the driver. The operating principle is based on a simple technique where the driver’s tag is ignored by this unit, but all other vehicle and personnel tags in close proximity of the receiver causes both an audio and visual alarm to alert the driver to the number of miners or vehicles nearby. To avoid confusion, there is clear differentiation between the close proximity of vehicles and personnel.

The self contained, lightweight control tags for efficient communication underground are designed to transmit a unique tag identification number. There are two types of control tags in this range – one series is used to control the collision avoidance system and the other controls Becker’s personnel avoidance system.

Active vehicle tags transmit a unique tag identification number using an active radio frequency carrier from underground vehicles and transport equipment like locomotives, carriages and hoppers. These units are impervious to water, steam and hydraulic oil ingress and can withstand operation in wide pressure, temperature and humidity ranges.

The Becker Electronics PAS Reader, which is compatible with all Becker’s vehicle tags, is designed to receive unique tag identification numbers. This unit is installed in the cover of a cap lamp battery and utilises the battery as its power source. The PAS system alerts the wearer, even in conditions where the vehicle cannot be seen or heard. This communication system is by means of dipping the user’s cap lamp which also indicates the number of vehicles approaching. The cap lamp dips briefly for every vehicle detected, during each two second cycle. A low battery warning is built in.

For more information contact Albert Bower, Becker Electronics, +27 (0)11 801 5900, [email protected], www.becker-mining.com

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