Remote control system for the bottom-discharge chamber

RCS BDC is designed for independent remote discharge of rock from mine cars into the lump ore charging hopper.

Main purposes of the system:

improving the safety of process implementation;
improving the technical and organizational level of operations;
maintaining technological and organizational processes through the use of integrated control system that meets up-to-date performance, reliability and operability requirements;
enhancing diagnostics and monitoring functionality during the remote operation of electric locomotives;
protection of operating personnel and manufacturing equipment in pre-emergency situations using the interlocking functions of the system.

RCS BDC provides control and integration of the following components:

bottom-discharge station mechanisms
gate
electric locomotives
level indicators
safety barriers
video surveillance system

Components of the remote control system for the bottom-discharge chamber:

PLC-based central mining control cabinet (MCC, hard rock mining equipment). It establishes the connection with local control systems or provides direct control of technological devices:

Monitoring the level of ore in ore passes at different levels (МRS multifunctional radar system)
Wireless Wi-Fi data network within the station boundaries (WRAP, hard rock mining equipment)
Remote control kit for electric locomotives
Setting up safety barriers within the station boundaries
Video surveillance system for the station (WVC)
Automated operator’s workstation (АWS, hard rock mining equipment)
Communication with the higher level

RCS BDC subsystems

1. Ore level control:

Functions:

Using radar-type ore level sensors with analog value transmission
Signalling the operator that the top of the ore pass is reached at the upper level
Triggering the gate closing signal when the bottom of the ore pass is reached at the upper level
Triggering the discharge and gate interlock when the top of the ore pass is reached at the lower level

2. Remote electric locomotive control via the wireless Wi-Fi data network:

Functions:

Providing 100% Wi-Fi network coverage at the bottom-discharge chamber and the adjacent mine workings
Feedback on the commands executed by electric locomotives and communicating information on the position of the current collector and the brake, and on the actual speed

3. Safety barriers:

Functions:

Monitoring the safety perimeter penetration when unloading the locomotive or discharging the ore
Transmission of signals into the operator’s room
Improving the general safety of the facility

4. Video surveillance:

Providing video surveillance for the following:

electric locomotive movement along the bottom-discharge station
operation of actuating mechanisms and the gate, and the position of the electric locomotive’s current collector
safety barrier installation zones
camera installed on top of/inside the electric locomotive cabin
video recording and streaming of data to the upper level