Modular Mining Systems, Inc.

Edward A Branscombe

Christopher J Utter

William M Casson

Michael W Lewis

A system for a vehicle is provided herein that includes a position sensor configured to identify a location of the vehicle and a heading of the vehicle. A human-machine interface (HMI) is operatively coupled with the vehicle. A controller is in electronic communication with the position sensor and the HMI. The controller is configured to access one or more databases to identify a first location, a first heading, and a first speed for the vehicle, and to identify a first aggregate heading value and a first aggregate speed value associated with the first location; determine that either the heading or the speed of the vehicle is outside of acceptable ranges; and issue a wave-off alert to the HMI when the vehicle is outside of acceptable ranges.

Systems and methods for guided maneuvering with wave-off alerts

Systems and methods are provided for managing power usage in mining environments. The amount of power needed to operate a set of electrical machines that are to run simultaneously is determined. Power usage by the electrical machines during a time period can be predicted based on how much power is expected to be needed by each machine. If the predicted power usage exceeds a threshold power usage, power to one or more electrical machines in the mining environment is restricted so that actual power usage in the mining environment does not exceed the threshold power usage during the specified time period. The electrical machines which will have power restricted thereto can be selected based at least in part on relative priorities for the electrical machines in the set. Power can be restricted to machines as a whole (an effective shutdown), or to specific operations of the machines.

Power optimization through orchestration and prioritization of machines and functions

A system and method for zone projection are presented. Specifically, anticipated paths of travel are determined for a number of different vehicles operating within an environment. Based upon those anticipated paths of travel, as well as likely stopping distances of each vehicle, the system generate zones around each vehicle. These projected zones define a geographical region into which each vehicle is likely to proceed as it maneuvers about the environment. With the zones determined, the system is configured to detect zones that overlap, and, when such overlapping zones are detected, can generate an alarm warning of a potential collision condition that may exist between the two corresponding vehicles.

Projected zone overlap

A system for monitoring vehicle dynamics and detecting adverse events during operation is presented. Position sensors attached to a vehicle are configured to identify a vehicle orientation (heading) as well as the vehicle's direction of travel (trajectory). A system controller connected to these position sensors can detect the difference between these two measurements. When the difference between these two measurements exceeds a safety threshold, it can be an indication of a slip event. A slip event can be caused by compromised traction or stability and may lead to a loss of vehicle control. The system controller can be configured to monitor various vehicle dynamics to detect these slip events. The system controller may be configured to track geolocations of slip events to create a database of historical slip events for determining location-based risk factors and prevention of future events.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Edward A Branscombe