REMOTELY CONTROLLED MINING MACHINES, CONTROL SYSTEMS, AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

In one aspect, a system assists an operator in controlling a machine, such as a bolter including a drill head for drilling a borehole in a mine passage having a face and installing a bolt therein, as well as possibly a miner for advancing the mine passage. A controller controls the operation of the machine, and a transmitter transmits to the controller control signals from the operator at a remote location from the borehole. A sensor causes the controller to take action, such as by providing a warning signal or disabling one or more aspects of the machine, if the operator is within a predetermined proximity of the drilling, bolting, or mining operation. Systems and methods pertain to other related aspects of the invention.