GB2034483A - A method of, and apparatus for, detecting or monitoring the movement of a chain - Google Patents
A method of, and apparatus for, detecting or monitoring the movement of a chain Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2034483A GB2034483A GB7934472A GB7934472A GB2034483A GB 2034483 A GB2034483 A GB 2034483A GB 7934472 A GB7934472 A GB 7934472A GB 7934472 A GB7934472 A GB 7934472A GB 2034483 A GB2034483 A GB 2034483A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- chain
- motion
- detecting
- oscillator
- monitoring
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 9
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 title claims description 9
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 230000005672 electromagnetic field Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003245 coal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 e.g. Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21C—MINING OR QUARRYING
- E21C29/00—Propulsion of machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam
- E21C29/04—Propulsion of machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam by cable or chains
- E21C29/20—Propulsion of machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam by cable or chains with safety devices operating in the event of breakage of the cable or chain
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21C—MINING OR QUARRYING
- E21C35/00—Details of, or accessories for, machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam, not provided for in groups E21C25/00 - E21C33/00, E21C37/00 or E21C39/00
- E21C35/24—Remote control specially adapted for machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B7/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
- G01B7/02—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width or thickness
- G01B7/04—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width or thickness specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B7/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
- G01B7/02—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width or thickness
- G01B7/04—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width or thickness specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving
- G01B7/042—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width or thickness specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving for measuring length
- G01B7/046—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width or thickness specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving for measuring length using magnetic means
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Magnetic Means (AREA)
- Measurement Of Resistance Or Impedance (AREA)
- Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)
Abstract
Apparatus used to detect the movement of a chain, such as a plough drive-chain of a mineral mining installation, employs one or more ring-like inductive sensing devices 10 surrounding the chain. The or each sensing device 10 is energized by a high frequency oscillator 13 to produce an electromagnetic field through which the chain passes. Eddy currents are induced in the chain and the amplitude of the signal produced by the oscillator 13 varies regularly as the chain passes through the device 10. This variation is detected to produce a variable d.c. voltage which triggers a switching device 15 producing a pulsed waveform, the repetition frequency of which is dependent on the chain motion. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
A method of, and apparatus for, detecting or monitoring the movement of a chain
The present invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, detecting or monitoring the movement of a chain, especially a chain such as a plough drive chain used in a mineral mining installation.
Mineral, e.g., coal, mining installations often employ round or oval-link chains to drive a winning machine, such as a plough. In orderto determine the run of a plough or winning machine along the face, thereby to ascertain the position of the plough at any given moment, it is known to utilize apparatus detecting the motion of the plough. Such apparatus may comprise a rotary transmitter electrically or mechanically coupled to an indicator. An example of one known apparatus is described in German patent specification 1758577. One major disadvantage of known forms of apparatus is that they are unable to detect chain failure and, in this event, false information results, since the plough ceases motion.
It is also known to provide an apparatus which employs a series of inductive coils spaced along the path of the drive chain. These coils produce electric pulses as the links of the chain move and these pulses signify the motion of the chain and hence of the plough. The coils are, by necessity, located in the immediate vicinity of the chain sprocket of the plough chain drive, since any twisting or flapping of the chain would otherwise cause incorrect measurements.
A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of, and apparatus for, detecting or monitoring the movement of a chain.
Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention serves to detect or monitor the motion of a chain and includes at least one sensing device, preferably an inductive sensor or component, through which the chain is actually moved. The inductive sensor or component can be ring or annular shaped, or of oval or polygonal shape. An oscillator, preferably a high-frequency oscillator, energizes the inductive component to produce an electromagnetic field through which the chain passes. Eddy currents are induced in the links of the chain passing through the inductive component and cause energy losses. Since the quantity of metal present at the junctions between the chain links is greater than that present over the region of the links remote from the junctions, the energy losses vary as the chain moves.The passage of the chain hence inherently causes fluctuations in the amplitude of the oscillator output, which can be detected by appropriate means to provide a signal representing the chain movement. This signal can be utilized or further processed to provide, for example, an indication ofthe plough position orto monitorforchain failure. This latter function is best accomplished by providing a number of inductive components along the chain to provide a rapid response which will halt the drive.
As described hereinafter, the osciallator output can be converted to a variable d.c. voltage which triggers a switching device as the variable d.c.
voltage exceeds or falls below a threshold level. In this way, a pulsed waveform with a repetition frequency representing the speed of movement of the chain can be produced. Normally, the chain in question would be located in a main guide of a mineral mining installation and one or several inductive components can be located within this guide. Nevertheiess, the location of the inductive sensor(s) is not critical and the or each sensor can be positioned anywhere along the chain path. Any twisting or flapping of the chain need not adversely affect the sensing function. It is also possible to utilize the inductive sensor itself as an additional guide for the chain.
Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention can perform with great reliability and safety. In contrast to known types of apparatus, the or each inductive sensing component can be arranged at any convenient location along the chain path.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of detecting or monitoring the motion of a chain, said method comprising passing the chain through at least one inductive component, energizing the inductive component with an oscillator to produce an electromagnetic field through which the chain passes, detecting variations in the amplitude of the oscillator output corresponding to the passage of the chain through the electromagnetic field and converting the variations to a pulsed waveform having a repetition frequency corresponding to the speed of motion of the chain.
The invention may be understood more readily, and various other features and aspects of the invention may become apparent, from consideration of the following description.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:
Figure lisa diagrammatic part-sectional side view of a sensing device of apparatus made in accordance with the invention; and
Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram depicting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.
As shown in the drawing, apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention employs at least one sensing device in the form of a ring-shaped inductive component 10. The component 10 preferably has a plurality of coils mounted or embedded in a carrier.
As shown, the component 10 surrounds an oval-link chain 11 without physical contact therewith so that the chain 11 can pass freely through the component 10. The chain 11 may, for example, serve to drive a plough or some other mineral winning machine. The chain 11 as shown in Figure 1 in its tensioned condition when imparting traction force to a plough, for example. As each individual chain link becomes positioned in the air gap 10' at the interior of the component 10, there is generally a uniform amount of metallic material within this air gap 10' represented by the two main limbs 11 a or 11 b of the chain link. In contrast, at each of the junctions between the horizontal and vertical links, there is a greater amount of metallic material as represented by the chain-dotted line 12 in Figure 1.Consequently, as the chain 11 passes through the component 10,there are regularly spaced metal quantity discontinuities represented by the transitions between the passage of the junctions between the chain links and the passage of main limbs lla, 11 b of the chain links.
As shown in Figure 2, the component 10 is energized by means of a high-frequency oscillator 13 providing an a.c. output, preferably within the range 100KHz to 1 MHz. The component 10 produces an electromagnetic field within the air gap 10', as depicted in Figure 2. This electromagnetic field is influenced by the passage of the chain 11. More particularly, eddy currents are induced in the portion of the chain 11 within the electromagnetic field and these eddy currents subject the oscillator 13 to a loss of energy. This energy loss is dependent on the amount of material present in the electromagnetic field and since, as discussed above, the junctions between the chain links present a greater amount of material, the energy loss increases and decreases regularly as the junctions progress through the component 10.The amplitude of the output signal produced by the oscillator 13 thus varies according to the variation in energy loss and equivalent reflected impedance changes represented by the passage of the junctions between the chain links.
The output signal from the oscillator 13 is also fed to an amplifier and d.c. converter device 14 which produces a d.c. voltage dependent on the amplitude of the output signal generated by the oscillator 13.
This variable d.c. voltage produced by the device 14 is applied to a switching device 15, which triggers when the d.c. voltage falls below or exceeds a pre-set threshold level. The device 15 thus provides a pulsed or digital waveform which is amplified by an amplifier 16 to provide an output signal from the apparatus. The repetition frequency of the output waveform provided by the amplifier 16 corresponds to the speed of movement of the chain 11. The output from the apparatus can be used to drive further processing and/or control equipment. For example, the pulses in the output waveform can be counted to produce a record or indication or control signal representing the distance moved by the plough.
Claims (11)
1. Apparatus for detecting or monitoring the motion of a chain, said apparatus including at least one sensing device through which the chain is moved.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing device is an inductive component.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the inductive component is a ring-shaped component.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 and further comprising an oscillator for energizing the inductive component to produce an electromagnetic field through which the chain passes.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 and further comprising means for converting a signal from the oscillator influenced by the passage of the chain into a variable d.c. voltage.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, and further comprising a switching device which triggers to produce a pulsed waveform as the variable d.c.
voltage exceeds and falls below a threshold level, the repetition frequency of the pulsed waveform representing the speed of motion of the chain.
7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the inductive component is located inside a guide for the chain.
8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in combination with a mineral mining installation employing a chain, the motion of which is detected or monitored by said apparatus.
9. Apparatus for detecting or monitoring the motion of a chain substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.
10. A method of detecting or monitoring the motion of a chain, said method comprising passing the chain through at least one inductive component, energizing the inductive component with an oscillator to produce an electromagnetic field through which the chain passes, detecting variations in the amplitude of the oscillator output corresponding to the passage of the chain through the elctromagnetic field and converting the variations to a pulsed waveform having a repetition frequency corresponding to the speed of motion of the chain.
11. A method of detecting or monitoring the motion of a chain substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19782844584 DE2844584A1 (en) | 1978-10-13 | 1978-10-13 | SENSING DEVICE FOR ROUND LINK CHAINS, IN PARTICULAR FOR MONITORING PLANE CHAINS AND / OR FOR PLANE TRAVEL MEASURING DEVICES |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2034483A true GB2034483A (en) | 1980-06-04 |
| GB2034483B GB2034483B (en) | 1983-02-09 |
Family
ID=6052063
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7934472A Expired GB2034483B (en) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-10-04 | Method of and apparatus for detecting or monitoring the movement of a chain |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DE (1) | DE2844584A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2438775A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2034483B (en) |
| PL (1) | PL218879A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6984994B2 (en) | 2000-03-14 | 2006-01-10 | Isis Innovation Limited | Position and electromagnetic field sensor |
| US9809389B2 (en) | 2013-12-09 | 2017-11-07 | Caterpillar Global Mining Europe Gmbh | Force measuring unit and system for measuring chain forces |
| CN108253188A (en) * | 2018-01-17 | 2018-07-06 | 攀枝花市仁通钒业有限公司 | Batch mixing blender baiting valve overload protective device |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4339595C1 (en) * | 1993-11-18 | 1995-01-12 | Robert Thalhammer | Device for measuring the length of a link-chain |
| DE102012012308B3 (en) | 2012-06-20 | 2013-02-28 | Ssb Wind Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Rotational angle sensor for use in rotating shaft of wind-power plant to determine e.g. rotor speed, has measuring element with chain elements whose rollers are aligned in direction of shaft, where chain is attached on shaft circumference |
| CN108545613B (en) * | 2018-06-29 | 2023-08-01 | 广西玉柴机器股份有限公司 | Anti-roll control method and device for loop chain hoist lifting equipment |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3133456A (en) * | 1960-03-07 | 1964-05-19 | Cross Co | Tool detector |
| DE2657988C3 (en) * | 1976-12-21 | 1980-09-04 | Siemens Ag | Arrangement for measuring the path of a measuring body moved by an electromagnetic field |
| DE2658856C3 (en) * | 1976-12-24 | 1980-04-24 | Bergwerksverband Gmbh, 4300 Essen | Magnetic pickup for the planing position display in mining |
| DE2709233C3 (en) * | 1977-03-03 | 1980-05-29 | Ruhrkohle Ag, 4300 Essen | Equipment for plow chain monitoring |
-
1978
- 1978-10-13 DE DE19782844584 patent/DE2844584A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1979
- 1979-09-27 FR FR7924062A patent/FR2438775A1/en active Pending
- 1979-10-04 GB GB7934472A patent/GB2034483B/en not_active Expired
- 1979-10-11 PL PL21887979A patent/PL218879A1/xx unknown
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6984994B2 (en) | 2000-03-14 | 2006-01-10 | Isis Innovation Limited | Position and electromagnetic field sensor |
| US9809389B2 (en) | 2013-12-09 | 2017-11-07 | Caterpillar Global Mining Europe Gmbh | Force measuring unit and system for measuring chain forces |
| CN108253188A (en) * | 2018-01-17 | 2018-07-06 | 攀枝花市仁通钒业有限公司 | Batch mixing blender baiting valve overload protective device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| PL218879A1 (en) | 1980-08-25 |
| DE2844584A1 (en) | 1980-04-24 |
| GB2034483B (en) | 1983-02-09 |
| FR2438775A1 (en) | 1980-05-09 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5890564A (en) | Apparatus to inspect hoisting ropes | |
| US5168266A (en) | Method for detecting longitudinal tear in a conveyor belt | |
| US3750129A (en) | Conveyor belt apparatus | |
| US6105347A (en) | Device and method for locating and removing foreign bodies in agricultural machinery | |
| GB2034483A (en) | A method of, and apparatus for, detecting or monitoring the movement of a chain | |
| US4122657A (en) | Apparatus for monitoring for thread breakage a continuous sequence of work positions on a textile machine | |
| CN1614890A (en) | Rope position sensor | |
| US4804095A (en) | Cutoff device for crane systems | |
| BR8403757A (en) | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETECT THE PROXIMITY OF AN ELECTRICITY TRANSMITTER LINES OBJECT | |
| RU2287883C1 (en) | Method for ice detection on power transmission line conductors | |
| ES8207372A1 (en) | Method of and system for the detection of object impact. | |
| EP0022363A1 (en) | Position or movement sensor, e.g. for conveyances such as lifts | |
| US4150374A (en) | Sensing device for use in poultry processing | |
| US4146837A (en) | Apparatus for detecting and recording surface and internal flaws | |
| EP0054532B1 (en) | Apparatus for measuring the flow rate of molten material | |
| EP0250746A3 (en) | Method to detect an intruding object in the measuring field of a passive infrared motion detector and device for carrying out the method | |
| CZ20012905A3 (en) | Measuring apparatus | |
| EP1064211B1 (en) | Conveyor system for paper pulp bales | |
| EP0239586B1 (en) | Device for determining chain breakages in chain-driven operating material | |
| WO1995014904A3 (en) | Device for linear measurement along a link chain | |
| WO2002031451A3 (en) | Apparatus and method for detecting the location, intensity and initiation time of an energy pulse | |
| SU364832A1 (en) | DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC DISASSEMBLY BY LENGTH OF ELECTRICAL WIRING PRODUCTS | |
| JPS56110069A (en) | Cable tracking method | |
| RU2013331C1 (en) | Device for monitoring speed of transporting organ | |
| JPS5757273A (en) | Early sensing and warning system for earthquake |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |