Ainsworth Inc.

Ainsworth Technologies Inc.

Ross A Poole

F Jack Purchase

James M Law

The vehicle guidance system is provided for guiding a vehicle, such as a load haul dump vehicle in an underground mine. An elongate element, for example in the form of a rope or the like is aligned with the path of the vehicle and is suspended above the path. The element includes a fluorescent material which absorbs radiation at one frequency and radiates radiation at a second, lower frequency. The vehicle includes a lamp for illuminating the element at the first frequency, e.g. ultraviolet light, and a camera or other detector to detect the second frequency, which may be in the visible spectrum, radiated from the elongate element. The relative position of the elongate element and the image provided by the detector is used to steer the vehicle to keep it on the desired path. The elongate element can be provided with portions that radiate different frequencies in response to the first frequency, which different frequencies are used to provide additional information, e.g. an indication of branch paths.

Guidance system for automated vehicles, and guidance strip for use

A communication system, particularly for a mine, has a broad band distribution system. Antennas, which may comprise leaky coax feeders, are connected to this distribution system by interface units. As required, the interface units effect signal level adjustment, frequency translation, and/or modulation technique changes. It is provided for each of the distribution system and the antennas to have separate in- and out- bound broad band spectra, with the antenna typically utilizing different frequency bands from the distribution system. A variety of information, including mobile and fixed radio, LANs, data acquisition systems, video, can communicate over this system.

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Newmarket, Canada

Ross A Poole