Case Study: SLUCH System on a Skip Mineshaft

During the on-site examination of a mine shaft equipped with SLUCH system, the points of contact of the skip guide shoes with the edges of the guides were identified at the marks indicated on the graph. Defective locations are shown in the photographs.

The on-site examination was the following process. After placing on the skip sites the customer’s workers (2 people) and representatives of PassatInnovation LLC, the operator of the mine hoisting machine was given the command to lower the skip at a speed of 1 m/s. Employees of the customer needed to identify defective places of the guides when moving at a speed of 1 m/s and compare the marks of their appearance with the data of the graph. However, when descending to the lowest point at a speed of 1 m/s, they couldn’t visually identify no one defective area. The employees of PassatInnovation LLC proposed the following lifting algorithm. On the graph, a mark of -400 m is determined, which requires examination (see graph, 1st stop). The rise from the lower point of the mine shaft to the level of -425 m had to be carried out at a speed of 1 m/s, then to the level of 410 m, it was necessary to move at a speed of 0.5 m/s and, after that, having decreased to 0.2 m/s, inspect the guides. After performing the described actions in the first place of the stop, the defects shown in photo 1 were identified. The same algorithm was used for the second and third stops.

Thus, at skip speeds of 0.5-1 m/s, it is impossible to correctly assess the condition of the guides. The data provided by SLUCH system allows for continuous collection of information on the characterization of the movement of the conveyance in real time during the operation of the mine hoisting machine and to determine the places required for a detailed examination by personnel during repair and revision works.