Method and apparatus for a rotating cutting drum or arm mounted with paired opposite circular polarity antennas and resonant microstrip patch transceiver for measuring coal, trona and potash layers forward, side and around a continuous mining machine

摘要

For use in explosive atmospheres during mining, an flame proof or explosion proof internal AC alternator is provided to source electrical power from the rotations of a cutting head. A synthetic-pulse stepped- frequency ground-penetrating radar is used with oppositely circularly polarized transmitting and receiving antennas in a phase coherent microwave transceiver to measure the thickness of a coal deposit and to control the cut of a continuous mining machine operating in an underground mine. For example, a stepped-frequency radar and resonant microstrip patch antennas mounted near the outside surface of the cutting head to obtain measurements.