The inertial navigation system, which is being developed by Perm scientists, does not require external landmarks or signals coming from outside. With The accelerometer is used to calculate the direction and magnitude of acceleration, gyroscopes determine the position in space. Installed on the combine monitor, navigation and computing unit, odometric system. Communication with the dispatcher at the mine is carried out by radio channel.
At the current stage, scientists have solved the problems of rectilinear motion, alignment of the navigation system and data exchange between adjacent control systems
mining, monitoring of a number of other parameters necessary for the smooth operation of the combine. During the first penetration of the transport and conveyor
the drift of the potash mine deviation from the design axis on the path of 300 m was no more than 20 cm.
Now a new series of tests is being prepared. The accuracy of determining the distance traveled will be tested, as well as the ability to pass complex curved sections. Software is also being developed to work with the system in the surveyor's office and the mine control room.
In addition, the concept of reservoir control based on radioactive potassium radiation has been developed. During 2023, the harvester will be retrofitted with the system
detectors for measuring gamma radiation. Control of the reservoir during the extraction of minerals will allow you to switch to autonomous control of the combine.
"In December 2023, we plan to complete pilot tests. During 2024, we are ready to produce 5 more samples of the system navigation and debug serial production," says Denis Kormshchikov, Ph.D., Senior researcher at the Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
At a meeting of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the project "Combine Harvester navigation system for unpopulated potash mining" was named among
the most important scientific and practical achievements of 2022. It is included in the priority scientific and technological project "Technologies for the development of deposits of solid minerals" of the Perm REC.
Robotization is a modern stage of digital transformation of mining enterprises. Unpopulated technologies allow you to withdraw workers from hazardous mining sites, solve the problem of shortage of qualified workers, reduce the likelihood of professional diseases and get an economic effect for the company.
Specialists from Canada, Sweden and Australia are engaged in the development of such systems of mining equipment today, but Perm navigation, not inferior to analogues in accuracy, uses fewer auxiliary systems, is easier to maintain and cheaper to implement.