Abstract: This disclosure relates to navigation of an underground mining machine. A laser range finder captures first and second 3D point clouds of first and second overlapping parts of the underground mine from first and second positions of the mining machine respectively. A processor determines a first set of candidates for rock bolts as point feature objects from the first 3D point cloud; determines a second set of candidates for rock bolts as point feature objects from the second 3D point cloud; determines an alignment between first shapes defined by at least two of the first set of candidates for rock bolts and second shapes defined by at least two of the second set of candidates for rock bolts; and determines relative location information between the first position of the mining machine and the second position of the mining machine based on the alignment.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to navigation of an underground mining machine. A laser range finder captures first and second 3D point clouds of first and second overlapping parts of the underground mine from first and second positions of the mining machine respectively. A processor determines a first set of candidates for rock bolts as point feature objects from the first 3D point cloud; determines a second set of candidates for rock bolts as point feature objects from the second 3D point cloud; determines an alignment between first shapes defined by at least two of the first set of candidates for rock bolts and second shapes defined by at least two of the second set of candidates for rock bolts; and determines relative location information between the first position of the mining machine and the second position of the mining machine based on the alignment.

Abstract: A modular unit for constructing a barrier, where the modular unit can fully or partially be manufactured in a factory for transport to the location of the barrier, with the modular units having a base and at least a pair of wall panels installed on the base. The modular units are assembled into the barrier by placing the modular units side-by-side along a line or curve on a mounting surface. The modular units are designed with features to prevent climbing or scaling over the barrier and support electronic and power equipment to protect and monitor the protected location.

Abstract: Described herein is a device (1) for measuring parameters of a material (3) flowing along a passage (5), the passage having two longitudinally spaced apart ends and transverse sides defined by one or more sidewalls (7, 9). The device (1) includes a laser source (15) positioned at a first location within or adjacent a side of the passage (5) and configured to generate a laser beam (17) at one or more predetermined frequencies. A beam projection element (21, 27) projects the laser beam (17) transversely across the passage (5) to irradiate the material (3) within a measuring zone (19). The measuring zone (19) includes a transverse region extending greater than 50% of the width of the passage (5). An optical imaging device (29) is positioned at a second location within or adjacent the passage (5) and configured to capture images of backscattered light from material (3) within the measuring zone (19).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for controlling a mining machine within an underground mine. A rotatable laser source sends laser light and return light sensor receives reflected laser light and provides an indication of distance and return light intensity at multiple different rotation angles. A co-ordinate reference point comprises a pattern of varying reflectivity and provides at least a 2D co-ordinate position. A processor determines an absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine as the mining machine moves through the underground mine. The processor collects intensity values of reflected laser light for multiple respective rotation angles and detects the pattern of the reference point in the multiple intensity values of reflected laser light, and determines the absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine based on spatial information of the detected pattern.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an underground mining vehicle comprising a three-axis MEMS gyroscope rotatable about a rotation axis and a gyroscope interface that calculates a first rotation rate bias with respect to a first axis different to the rotation axis, a second rotation rate bias with respect to a second axis different to the first axis and different to the rotation axis, a rotation rate about the rotation axis based on the Earth rotation rate vector by correcting the rotational measurement data using the first rotation rate bias and the second rotation rate bias and a third rotation rate bias with respect to the rotation axis based on the calculated rotation rate about the rotation axis. A navigation unit receives the first rotation rate bias, the second rotation rate bias and the third rotation rate bias and calculates a pose of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for controlling a mining machine within an underground mine. A rotatable laser source sends laser light and return light sensor receives reflected laser light and provides an indication of distance and return light intensity at multiple different rotation angles. A co-ordinate reference point comprises a pattern of varying reflectivity and provides at least a 2D co-ordinate position. A processor determines an absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine as the mining machine moves through the underground mine. The processor collects intensity values of reflected laser light for multiple respective rotation angles and detects the pattern of the reference point in the multiple intensity values of reflected laser light, and determines the absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine based on spatial information of the detected pattern.

Abstract: Described herein is a device (1) for measuring parameters of a material (3) flowing along a passage (5), the passage having two longitudinally spaced apart ends and transverse sides defined by one or more sidewalls (7, 9). The device (1) includes a laser source (15) positioned at a first location within or adjacent a side of the passage (5) and configured to generate a laser beam (17) at one or more predetermined frequencies. A beam projection element (21, 27) projects the laser beam (17) transversely across the passage (5) to irradiate the material (3) within a measuring zone (19). The measuring zone (19) includes a transverse region extending greater than 50% of the width of the passage (5). An optical imaging device (29) is positioned at a second location within or adjacent the passage (5) and configured to capture images of backscattered light from material (3) within the measuring zone (19).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an underground mining vehicle comprising a three-axis MEMS gyroscope rotatable about a rotation axis and a gyroscope interface that calculates a first rotation rate bias with respect to a first axis different to the rotation axis, a second rotation rate bias with respect to a second axis different to the first axis and different to the rotation axis, a rotation rate about the rotation axis based on the Earth rotation rate vector by correcting the rotational measurement data using the first rotation rate bias and the second rotation rate bias and a third rotation rate bias with respect to the rotation axis based on the calculated rotation rate about the rotation axis. A navigation unit receives the first rotation rate bias, the second rotation rate bias and the third rotation rate bias and calculates a pose of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for capacitive sensing are disclosed. In one example, a conductive material is arranged on the mobile device exterior surface outside of a capacitive coupling area undesirably coupling underlying electrodes beneath the surface.

Abstract: The cotton variety FM 9160B2F is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 9160B2F with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 9160B2F and to plants of FM 9160B2F reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 9160B2F.

Abstract: A radiation detector that can be used to detect the intensity of radiation fields and provide feedback to the user about the location of radiation fields. The radiation detector has a number of radiation detection volumes that are arranged in a staggered pattern relative to a sweeping direction of the radiation detector. The staggered arrangement of the detection volumes allows a large gap-free detection volume that is composed of smaller detection volumes in order to provide adequate sensitivity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for capacitive sensing are disclosed. In one example, a conductive material is arranged on the mobile device exterior surface outside of a capacitive coupling area undesirably coupling underlying electrodes beneath the surface.

Abstract: The cotton variety FM 2484B2F is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 2484B2F with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 2484B2F and to plants of FM 2484B2F reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 2484B2F.

Abstract: The cotton variety FM 9160B2F is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 9160B2F with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 9160B2F and to plants of FM 9160B2F reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 9160B2F.

Abstract: A novel cotton variety, designated as FM 989B2R, is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by crossing plants of variety FM 989B2R with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 989B2R and to plants of FM 989B2R reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 989B2R.

Abstract: A novel cotton variety, designated as FM 991B2R, is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by crossing plants of variety FM 991B2R with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 99IB2R and to plants of FM 991B2R reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 991B2R.

Abstract: A novel cotton variety, designated as FM 960B2R, is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by crossing plants of variety FM 960B2R with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 960B2R and to plants of FM 960B2R reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 960B2R.

Abstract: A novel cotton variety, designated as FM 800B2R, is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by crossing plants of variety FM 800B2R with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 800B2R and to plants of FM 800B2R reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 800B2R.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) variety, and more particularly to cotton plants and cotton seeds of this new variety. The invention also relates to F1 hybrid cotton plants and seeds produced using the new variety, as well as to transgenic cotton plants and seeds produced by transformation of this new variety.