| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (27 min. 29 sec.) ; 165977265 bytes |
| Summary |
New inventions include a device that alerts work crew when wall movement is detected above the work areas in an open cut mine; a driver fatigue alert system built into a cap; a frame and roller system for mine conveyor belts.Hosted by James O'Loghlin, The New Inventors is mining invention gold with three amazing innovations to help maintain the mining boom. Inventions featured on the program: WORK AREA MONITOR by inventors Lachlan Campbell and Pat Bellett from QLDMine walls can suddenly shift without warning, bringing down tonnes of rock and dirt. We've seen the terrible consequences of mine collapses all over the world. Radars that measure rock movement are too far away from the mine to give immediate warnings to those working inside. Following a collapse, mines often close for 24 hours, longer if there is an injury or fatality. Apart from the human cost, down time can cost many millions of dollars.The Work Area Monitor (WAM) alerts work crew when wall movement is detected above the work areas in an open cut mine, to keep mining crews and equipment safe. The invention uses radar technology to detect rock movement on a surface or mine wall. You simply drive up to the site, deploy the automatic stabiliser legs by remote control and start the computer. If the radar detects any rock movement it sends an alert to evacuate to a device worn by each miner. WAM also increases productivity, allowing safer mining in otherwise unsafe areas. SMART CAP by inventor Daniel Bongers from QLDFatigue is a big risk factor for any work that requires long periods of driving. When people are in charge of heavy vehicles you need to know that they are alert, for their own safety as well as others. Much of the technology currently used to determine driver fatigue relies on taking video images of the eyes and checking for excessive blinking or length of time the eyes are closed. But this can be misleading in many situations, such as when there is excessive dust making the eyes irritated, or light glare.The Smart Cap is a driver fatigue alert system built into a regular baseball cap. The invention works by measuring brain waves and sending this information from the cap to a dashboard touch screen, as well as back to base. The system provides constantly updated information for the driver and their supervisor on the driver's level of drowsiness.SAFETY IDLER ASSEMBLY by inventor Les Dunn from QLDShutting off conveyor belts at a mine for an hour can cost up to a million dollars in down time. Les Dunn has been working in the mining industry for over 30 years as a mechanic for conveyors. But after many years of fixing problems with rollers on conveyor systems, he finally decided it was time to build a better system to be easier, safer and more accessible. The Safety Idler Assembly is a redesigned frame and roller system for mine conveyor belts. The frame is designed to drop away from the belt, so you can change a roller without stopping the belt, and there is no need to lift the belt from the rollers. It also employs a system of interlocked 'cassettes', the part that holds the rollers, which allow maintenance crews to change all rollers quickly and efficiently from one side of the conveyor |
| Event |
Broadcast 2011-07-27 at 20:00:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: G |
| Subject |
Agricultural inventions.
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Belt conveyors -- Design and construction.
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Fatigue -- Measurement.
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Mine safety -- Equipment and supplies.
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Mineral industries -- Employees.
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Mineral industries -- Technological innovations.
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Australia, Southeastern.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Bellett, Pat, contributor
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Bongers, Daniel, contributor
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Campbell, Lachlan, contributor
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Dunn, Les, contributor
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Moody, James Bradfield, contributor
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O'loghlin, James, host
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Parry, Heather, contributor
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Pesce, Mark, contributor
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