Abstract: A robotic mapping system for charting or mapping a path through an underground cavity, and/or mapping a surface of the underground cavity. The robotic mapping system may comprise a mobile control center located on the surface in wireless communications with one or more mapping robots located within the underground cavity. The mapping robots may be controlled by way of an avionics navigation system.

Abstract: Provided is a telerobotic mining device for underground mining, and specifically for stope mining, as well as a method of mining using such a device. The telerobitic mining device is capable of remotely moving about a mine and utilizing drill arms to drill a hole within a chosen rock bed. Explosive placement arms on the telerobot may be utilized to place an explosive within the drilled hole to blast away rock. Control over the device is achieved by way of operational commands that may be wirelessly sent to the device from a command center located outside the mine.

Abstract: A system and method for relieving hang-ups, comprising a mobile command vehicle operative to transport a robotic vehicle to a control location remote from a hang-up location; the robotic vehicle operative to advance from the control location to the hang-up location, scan the hang-up location, transmit scanning information to the command vehicle, and receive positioning commands to position the robotic vehicle for drilling into the hang-up location, implant an explosive, and withdraw.

Abstract: A wireless optical communication receiver is provided. The optical receiver includes an arrangement of wavelength shifting fibers preferably encased within a protective shroud. The wavelength shifting fibers provide an efficient method for capturing photons of light that strike them. Photons may strike the fibers as they first pass through a clear lens in the shroud or may strike the fibers after they are concentrated and focused by an embedded ring or hyperbolic mirror. The wireless optical receiver may be attached to a mobile vehicle in order to facilitate teleoperation of that vehicle.

Abstract: An optical receiver is provided. The optical receiver includes a fiber support structure located on a front side of a back plate. The fiber support structure supports and guides a plurality of scintillating fibers in a spiral arrangement extending from a back orifice through the back plate. A central guide located around the back orifice is adapted to gather and collect the plurality of scintillating fibers from their disperse spiral arrangement on the fiber support structure and direct them through the back orifice as a bundle into a photo detector located behind the back plate.

Abstract: Provided is a telerobotic mining device for underground mining, and specifically for stope mining, as well as a method of mining using such a device. The telerobitic mining device is capable of remotely moving about a mine and utilizing drill arms to drill a hole within a chosen rock bed. Explosive placement arms on the telerobot may be utilized to place an explosive within the drilled hole to blast away rock. Control over the device is achieved by way of operational commands that may be wirelessly sent to the device from a command centre located outside the mine.

Abstract: A wireless optical communication receiver is provided. The optical receiver includes an arrangement of wavelength shifting fibres preferably encased within a protective shroud. The wavelength shifting fibres provide an efficient method for capturing photons of light that strike them. Photons may strike the fibres as they first pass through a clear lens in the shroud or may strike the fibres after they are concentrated and focused by an embedded ring or hyperbolic mirror. The wireless optical receiver may be attacked to a mobile vehicle in order to facilitate teleoperation of that vehicle.

Abstract: A robotic mapping system for charting or mapping a path through an underground cavity, and/or mapping a surface of the underground cavity. The robotic mapping system may comprise a mobile control center located on the surface in wireless communications with one or more mapping robots located within the underground cavity. The mapping robots may be controlled by way of an avionics navigation system.

Abstract: A telerobotic communications system including a teleoperation center to transmit control data and receive non-control data by wireless connection to and from a first mobile telerobot and indirectly to and from a second mobile telerobot. The first mobile telerobot includes a transceiver for receiving and transmitting control and non-control data, respectively, and also a repeater for relaying control data to a second mobile telerobot and relaying non-control data back to the teleoperation center. The system allows the second mobile telerobot to travel beyond a communications-enabled distance of the wireless signal emitted directly by the teleoperation center. The system may also include wireless repeaters to extend the communications distance between the first and second telerobots.

Abstract: An optical receiver is provided. The optical receiver includes a fiber support structure located on a front side of a back plate. The fiber support structure supports and guides a plurality of scintillating fibers in a spiral arrangement extending from a back orifice through the back plate. A central guide located around the back orifice is adapted to gather and collect the plurality of scintillating fibers from their disperse spiral arrangement on the fiber support structure and direct them through the back orifice as a bundle into a photo detector located behind the back plate.

Abstract: A system and method for relieving hang-ups, comprising a mobile command vehicle operative to transport a robotic vehicle to a control location remote from a hang-up location; the robotic vehicle operative to advance from the control location to the hang-up location, scan the hang-up location, transmit scanning information to the command vehicle, and receive positioning commands to position the robotic vehicle for drilling into the hang-up location, implant an explosive, and withdraw.

Abstract: A telerobotic communications system including a teleoperation centre to transmit control data and receive non-control data by wireless connection to and from a first mobile telerobot and indirectly to and from a second mobile telerobot. The first mobile telerobot includes a transceiver for receiving and transmitting control and non-control data, respectively, and also a repeater for relaying control data to a second mobile telerobot and relaying non-control data back to the teleoperation centre. The system allows the second mobile telerobot to travel beyond a communications-enabled distance of the wireless signal emitted directly by the teleoperation centre. The system may also include wireless repeaters to extend the communications distance between the first and second telerobots.