Mine Hoist Monitoring System

A method of monitoring a mine hoist including a hoist drum, the method comprising:

• determining, by at least one drum data node mounted on the hoist drum, strain signals indicative of strain in the hoist drum, wherein the at least one drum data node determines the strain signals using a plurality of strain gauges coupled to the at least one drum data node, the plurality of strain gauges being mounted on the hoist drum;
• transmitting, by the at least one drum data node, the strain signals to a hoist controller, the hoist controller being configured for controlling the mine hoist;
• determining, by the hoist controller, a strain distribution in the hoist drum based on the strain signals;
• and
• visualizing the strain distribution;
• determining a current loading condition of the hoist drum from the strain distribution in the hoist drum;
• and
• tracking, by the hoist controller, a consumed fatigue life over time based on the current loading condition.

A mine hoist comprising a mine hoist monitoring system including a hoist controller configured for controlling the mine hoist;

• a plurality of strain gauges configured to be mounted on the hoist drum;
• and
• at least one drum data node configured to be mounted on the hoist drum, the plurality of strain gauges being coupled to the at least one drum data node, wherein the at least one drum data node determines strain signals indicative of strain in the hoist drum using the plurality of strain gauges;
• wherein the at least one drum data node transmits the strain signals to the hoist controller;
• wherein the hoist controller determines a strain distribution in the hoist drum based on the strain signals received from the at least one drum data node, wherein the hoist controller visualizes the strain distribution;
• and
• wherein the hoist controller determines a current loading condition of the hoist drum from the strain distribution in the hoist drum, and wherein the hoist controller further tracks a consumed fatigue life over time based on the current loading condition.