Device and method for remote sensing of rock movements in mines

摘要

A device and method for remotely measuring movement between opposed walls in dangerous situations such as unstable mining excavations is described. A spring loaded telescopic pole which can be handled in its contracted form by a remote arm or gantry is placed in position and a holding pin securing the two halves of the pole is extracted so that the pole extends into engagement with the opposed walls of the excavation or other situation. A linear or rotary potentiometer is provided between the two halves of the pole to measure any extensive or compressive movement of the spring loaded poles and produce an output signal representative thereof. The output signal can be read at a safe distance using any convenient readout system.