Development of a Test Apparatus to Determine Optimal Fan Configurations for Haul Trucks and LHDs

摘要

Operators of haul trucks and load-haul-dump (LHD) vehicles without cabs used in undergroundrnmetal and nonmetal mines are frequently exposed to hazardous noise levels, putting them at riskrnof noise-induced hearing loss. To address this issue, the NIOSH Office of Mine Safety andrnHealth Research (OMSHR) is developing noise controls for these machines. Analysis of fieldrndata showed that engine cooling fan noise was the dominant contributor to the sound level at thernoperator location. Thus, to reduce the operator noise exposure, engine cooling fan noise wouldrnhave to be reduced. It was determined that a new apparatus would be needed to conductrnlaboratory noise and air flow testing to evaluate different noise control approaches. This paperrndocuments the development of this test apparatus. This fixture is now being used by NIOSH torndevelop haul truck and LHD cooling configurations that maintain the required cooling air flowrnrate while reducing noise emissions.