A Train Loading System
AssigneeTechnological Resources Pty. Limited
InventorsAndrew Arthur Shook, Andreas Alexander Kupfer, Brett Hamilton, Chong Yew Ong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A train loading system for loading material onto cars of a train is disclosed. The system comprises a material bin arranged to receive material to be loaded onto the train, a closure device arranged to facilitate control by an operator of the amount of material loaded into each car from the material bin, and a car mass estimator arranged to estimate the mass of material loaded into each car. The system also comprises a display arranged to communicate to the operator the estimated mass of material loaded into each car. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
Claims30
A train loading system for loading material onto cars of a train, the system comprising:
- a material bin arranged to receive material to be loaded onto the train;
- a closure device arranged to facilitate control by an operator of the amount of material loaded into each car from the material bin;
- a car mass estimator arranged to estimate the mass of material loaded into each car;
- and
- a display arranged to communicate to the operator the estimated mass of material loaded into each car.
A train loading system as claimed in 4, wherein the train loading system includes a conveyor arranged to transport material to the material bin, and the car mass estimator includes a weightometer associated with the conveyor and arranged to measure the mass of material on the conveyor as the material passes over the weightometer.
A train loading system as claimed in 5, wherein an end of the conveyor is disposed adjacent the bin and the weightometer is disposed a defined distance from the end of the conveyor, wherein the car mass estimator is arranged to apply a delay to each weightometer measurement and to use the delayed weightometer measurement and the speed of the conveyor to estimate of the mass of material loaded into the material bin.
A train loading system as claimed in 8, wherein the system is arranged to calculate a variability value indicative of the variability of the measured car mass values and/or the estimated car mass values.
A train loading system as claimed in 9, wherein the variability value is a standard deviation value.
A train loading system as claimed in 10, wherein the system is arranged to use a desired probability value indicative of the probability of occurrence of a car overload and the variability value to calculate an aim set point mass indicative of a target car mass.
A train loading system as claimed in 11, wherein the system is arranged to display the aim set point mass on the display.
A method of loading a train at a mine operation, the method including:
- adding material to be loaded onto the train to a material bin;
- providing a closure device arranged to facilitate control by an operator of the amount of material loaded into each car from the material bin;
- estimating the mass of material loaded into each car and producing an estimated car mass value for each car;
- communicating the estimated car mass values to the operator on a display;
- determining whether to modify the mass of material loaded into a car based on the displayed estimated car mass values;
- and
- controlling the closure device to modify the mass of material loaded into a car if the determination indicates that modification of the mass of material loaded into the car is necessary.
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A method as claimed in 19, comprising transporting material to the material bin using a conveyor, measuring the mass of material on the conveyor using a weightometer, disposing the weightometer at a defined distance from the end of the conveyor, applying a delay to each weightometer measurement, and using the delayed weightometer measurement and the speed of the conveyor to estimate the mass of material loaded into the material bin.
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A method as claimed in 16, comprising calculating a variability value indicative of the variability of measured car mass values and/or the estimated car mass values.
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A method as claimed in 24, comprising using a desired probability value indicative of the probability of occurrence of a car overload and the variability value to calculate an aim set point mass indicative of a target car mass.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.