Patents Assigned to CMTE Development Limited
  • Publication number: 20150247888
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for electronically testing the safety of sources of energy such as electrical circuits, in explosive atmospheres such as high risk mining situations, using an electronic spark tester (EST) in place of the known mechanical spark test apparatus (STA). The EST typically uses an analogue subsystem (5) and a digital subsystem (6) connected by a digital to analogue converter (7) and an analogue to digital connector (8) to apply a simulated spark load to the energy source and measure the time varying current response to that load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Rajiv Chandra Shekhar, Edward Gus Prochon, Barend Jacobus Pienaar, Paul John Lever
  • Patent number: 8930091
    Abstract: In particular embodiments of the technology, the bulk density of the payload in the bucket of a large electric dragline is measured during the carry phase of dragline operation by scanning the loaded bucket using a boom mounted scanner to provide data relating to the volume of the loaded bucket. Suitable methods can further include calculating the volume enclosed by the surface of the payload and the known base and sides of the bucket to give payload volume, and dividing the payload volume into payload weight data derived from rope length and motor current data to give the payload bulk density. Methods of screening data points originating from surfaces other than the bucket and payload, and methods of dealing with bucket ope and sway are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Upcroft, Rajiv Chandra Shekhar, Alex Joseph Bewley, Paul J. A. Lever
  • Patent number: 8672417
    Abstract: The present invention uses an Oscillating Disc Cutter (ODC) in a controlled manner to cut rock for assay purposes. The ODC (1) is mounted in an elongate guide frame typically in the form of an open box channel (2). The ODC is located on a carriage (3), the carriage itself mounted on guide rails (4) within the channel (2). The apparatus includes drive means operable to drive the carriage (3) in a rectilinear manner along the rails (4) such that the rails (4) define a cutting path. The ODC cuts a groove of controlled width and depth in a rock face, yielding rock chips that can be used for accurate assay of the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Paul J. A. Lever, Zhiqiang Guan, Muraliganesh Sivadorai
  • Patent number: 8515708
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of positioning mechanical equipment, and particularly to the likes of mechanical excavation and electric mining shovels. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system for calibrating the sensors that measure hoist and crowd motions for an electric mining shovel, enabling the position of a bucket to be known with greater accuracy than can be achieved using previously known approaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: CMTE Developement Limited
    Inventors: Peter Ross McAree, Anthony Walton Reid, Kevin John Austin, Paul Martin Siegrist
  • Patent number: 8461831
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for monitoring the flow of ore in block cave mining operations by inserting an active magnetic beacon 1 into an ore body 22 and generating an alternating magnetic signal with the beacon 1. The ore is monitored with a magnetometer (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) to detect the magnetic flux emitted by the beacon 1 thereby determining a position of the beacon. Successive recordings of the position of the magnetic beacon are taken as it moves along with the ore as it “caves”. In this way, flow patterns of the ore may be revealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Barend Jacobus Pienaar, Paul J. A. Lever
  • Patent number: 8346512
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the probability of a collision between a first object, whose trajectory is substantially controlled by an operator input command, and a second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventor: Ross McAree
  • Patent number: 8311970
    Abstract: A method of payload estimation of weight bearing machinery, the method comprising the steps of: (a) creating a series of Kalman filter approximations to the weight bearing machinery for different levels of payload; (b) determining from the series an approximation to the current operating characteristics of the weight bearing machinery; and, (c) utilizing the parameters derived from the step (b) to determine an estimated payload of the weight bearing machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Peter Ross Mcaree, David Herman Wauge
  • Publication number: 20120136542
    Abstract: In particular embodiments of the technology, the bulk density of the payload in the bucket of a large electric dragline is measured during the carry phase of dragline operation by scanning the loaded bucket using a boom mounted scanner to provide data relating to the volume of the loaded bucket. Suitable methods can further include calculating the volume enclosed by the surface of the payload and the known base and sides of the bucket to give payload volume, and dividing the payload volume into payload weight data derived from rope length and motor current data to give the payload bulk density. Methods of screening data points originating from surfaces other than the bucket and payload, and methods of dealing with bucket ope and sway are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: CMTE Developement Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Upcroft, Rajiv Chandra Shekhar, Alex Joseph Bewley, Paul J.A. Lever
  • Publication number: 20120074931
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for monitoring the flow of ore in block cave mining operations by inserting an active magnetic beacon 1 into the ore body 12 and generating an alternating magnetic signal with the beacon 1. The ore is monitored with a magnetometer (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) to detect the magnetic flux emitted by the beacon 1 thereby determining the position of the beacon. Successive recordings of the position of the magnetic beacon are taken as it moves along with the ore as it “caves”. In this way, the flow patterns of the ore may be revealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Barend Jacobus Pienaar, Paul J.A. Lever
  • Patent number: 8011447
    Abstract: A method of surveying drill holes, typically for use in underground mining situations where the holes are bored using a top hammer drill rig (10), utilizes a survey tool located adjacent the drill bit (1) which is used to log position readings as the drill string is withdrawn from the hole after the drilling operation. In this manner, it is possible to log the actual hole bored by the drill string (3) in real time as the drilling operation proceeds, and show deviation from intended hole positions (5) or (6). The survey tool typically includes an inertial survey package, a power source, and a data logger with the survey package selected from the group comprising commercially known inertial known survey packages, for superior characteristics of resistance to vibration and impact. The survey tool is maintained in a sleeping mode while drilling is undertaken, and activated to provide position data as the drill string is progressively withdrawn from the actual hole path (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Scott David Keniston, Paul J. A. Levers
  • Publication number: 20110088290
    Abstract: A large electric dragline having a housing (35) and boom (37) is provided with spaced apart in-line sheaves (34) and (36) at boom point to separate hoist ropes (31) and (32) which are led to the front and rear of bucket (30) respectively. Differential hoist rope control allows accurate and continuous adjustment of the bucket carry angle during all modes of operation. Also described is a computer control system giving continuous accurate control of carry angle by differential hoist rope operation, with manual selection of mode operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Rowlands
  • Publication number: 20110029279
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of positioning mechanical equipment, and particularly to the likes of mechanical excavation and electric mining shovels. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system for calibrating the sensors that measure hoist and crowd motions for an electric mining shovel, enabling the position of a bucket to be known with greater accuracy than can be achieved using previously known approaches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: CMTE Developement limited
    Inventors: Peter Ross McAree, Anthony Walton Reid, Kevin John Austin, Paul Martin Siegrist
  • Patent number: 7753141
    Abstract: A drilling rig for drilling an underground borehole (5) into a seam (4) uses coiled metal tubing (8) fed by a tractor unit (11) from a drum (7) to provide a thrust force to a drilling head. The drilling head has a bent-sub assembly giving an angle of deviation which is controlled by rotating the coiled metal tubing in the borehole by way of rotation of the drum (7) in the frame (12) about the axis of the tube in the borehole (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignees: CMTE Development Limited, AJ Lucas Coal Technologies Pty Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Gregory Hamilton Meyer, Duncan MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20100001736
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for monitoring the flow of ore in block cave mining operations by inserting an active magnetic beacon 1 into the ore body 12 and generating an alternating magnetic signal with the beacon 1. The ore is monitored with a magnetometer (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) to detect the magnetic flux emitted by the beacon 1 thereby determining the position of the beacon. Successive recordings of the position of the magnetic beacon are taken as it moves along with the ore as it “caves”. In this way, the flow patterns of the ore may be revealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Barend Jacobus Pienaar, Paul J.A. Lever
  • Publication number: 20090322142
    Abstract: The present invention uses an Oscillating Disc Cutter (ODC) in a controlled manner to cut rock for assay purposes. The ODC (1) is mounted in an elongate guide frame typically in the form of an open box channel (2). The ODC is located on a carriage (3), the carriage itself mounted on guide rails (4) within the channel (2). The apparatus includes drive means operable to drive the carriage (3) in a rectilinear manner along the rails (4) such that the rails (4) define a cutting path. The ODC cuts a groove of controlled width and depth in a rock face, yielding rock chips that can be used for accurate assay of the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Paul J.A. Lever, Zhiqiang Guan, Muraliganesh Sivadorai
  • Publication number: 20090187527
    Abstract: A method of payload estimation of weight bearing machinery, the method comprising the steps of: (a) creating a series of Kalman filter approximations to the weight bearing machinery for different levels of payload; (b) determining from the series an approximation to the current operating characteristics of the weight bearing machinery; and, (c) utilizing the parameters derived from the step (b) to determine an estimated payload of the weight bearing machinery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Peter Ross Mcaree, David Herman Wauge
  • Publication number: 20090084605
    Abstract: The invention provides a coiled tube drilling rig (1) for drilling boreholes. The rig includes a drum (2) mounted about a longitudinal axis (B-B) and adapted for receiving a length of semi-rigid tubing (4) wound onto the drum. An injector unit (10) is provided for deploying the tubing (4) along a tubing deployment axis (A-A) and into a borehole, the deployment axis (A-A) being generally orthogonal to and intersecting the drum rotation axis (B-B). An indexing guide (11), confines the tubing in a indexing zone, between a moveable tangential separation point (14) on the drum and the deployment axis (A-A), to a deployment plane (X). The plane being defined by the location of the deployment axis and the separation pint (14). The drum is configured to pivot with respect to the deployment plane around an axis (C-C) substantially collinear with said deployment axis (A-A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventor: Peter Lugg
  • Publication number: 20070151761
    Abstract: A method of surveying drill holes, typically for use in underground mining situations where the holes are bored using a top hammer drill rig (10), utilises a survey tool located adjacent the drill bit (1) which is used to log position readings as the drill string is withdrawn from the hole after the drilling operation. In this manner, it is possible to log the actual hole bored by the drill string (3) in real time as the drilling operation proceeds, and show deviation from intended hole positions (5) or (6). The survey tool typically includes an inertial survey package, a power source, and a data logger with the survey package selected from the group comprising commercially known inertial known survey packages, for superior characteristics of resistance to vibration and impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Scott Keniston, Paul Lever
  • Publication number: 20070008938
    Abstract: A virtual wireless computer network allows communication between a number of regions (F, G, H), which may be beyond normal wireless communication range, by carrying information between regions using mobile stations (5) which travel between regions. Each mobile station transmits and/or receives information by wireless communication to other stations within a region when it is in that region, to update both the stations in that region and the mobile station. One region may include a fixed station (8) hardwired into a backbone network (9). The network has particular application in a mining situation where the mobile stations may be haul trucks (5) carrying information between people 6 and light vehicles (7), with the fixed station at a crusher or shovel (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Eduardo Nebot, Jose Guivant
  • Publication number: 20070006492
    Abstract: A large electric dragline having a house (35) and boom (37) is provided with spaced apart in-line sheaves (34) and (36) at boom point to separate hoist ropes (31) and (32) which are led to the front and rear of bucket (30) respectively. Differential hoist rope control allows accurate and continuous adjustment of the bucket carry angle during all modes of operation. Also described is a computer control system giving continuous accurate control of carry angle by differential hoist rope operation, with manual selection of mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Rowlands