DISPATCH SYSTEM LINKED TO MINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

摘要

An autonomous dispatch system links positioning-system units (16) mounted onmining and haulage equipment (10, 12) to a computerized mine development planfor ascertaining the origin of mined material and directing its dispositionaccording to a predetermined downstream-processing plan. A destination signalis automatically communicated to the haulage vehicle (12), which is thenautonomously guided to the correct destination and tracked until the load isreleased after arrival. If the haulage vehicle is manually operated, thedestination signal and the vehicle's progress toward it are preferably alsodisplayed on a monitor (28) for the operator's information and use. The systemmay further include hardware (30) for blocking the release of a load from thehaulage vehicle until and unless the vehicle has reached the prescribeddestination.