Abstract: Disclosed is a design approach for intrinsically safe electromagnetic devices such as electrically actuated valves, motors, generators, or transformers intended for and capable of safe operation in explosive atmospheres or environments. The design employs a plurality of electrically insulated, intrinsically safe circuits cooperating to induce, or in the case of a generator, create a relatively large magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic core, or iron, of these devices. A method to construct such intrinsically safe devices is disclosed. These devices can be practically used in machines, mechanisms, valves, and manned or unmanned vehicles intended for safe operation in hazardous environments, for example underground coal mines or ATEX or EX classified facilities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a design approach for intrinsically safe electromagnetic devices such as electrically actuated valves, motors, generators, or transformers intended for and capable of safe operation in explosive atmospheres or environments. The design employs a plurality of electrically insulated, intrinsically safe circuits cooperating to induce, or in the case of a generator, create a relatively large magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic core, or iron, of these devices. A method to construct such intrinsically safe devices is disclosed. These devices can be practically used in machines, mechanisms, valves, and manned or unmanned vehicles intended for safe operation in hazardous environments, for example underground coal mines or ATEX or EX classified facilities.

Abstract: A method of performing geolocation of receivers, transmitters, and conductive objects includes detecting, with one or more receivers, magnetic field signals generated by one or more transmitters, with each transmitter including two or more co-located coils that are electrically unstable and unbalanced, and that have a mechanically stable orientation with respect to one another. The magnetic field signals from each of the two or more co-located coils of each of the two or more transmitters are decomposed into individual magnetic field components. A set of invariant scalar values that are independent of orientation of one or more magnetic antennas associated with the one or more receivers are calculated from the individual magnetic field components, and the position of an object is determined using the set of invariant scalar values.

Abstract: A communication system and a method of fabricating a communication system are described. The communication system includes a transmit antenna including two or more symmetric coils wound around a closed-loop magnetic transmitter core, the transmit antenna configured to transmit an outgoing signal of very low frequency (VLF) or ultra low frequency (ULF) energy. The communication system also includes a receive antenna including two or more coils formed from two or more wires wound around a closed-loop magnetic receiver core, the receive antenna configured to receive transmitted VLF or ULF energy as an incoming signal. The communication system also includes a processor to process the outgoing signal and the incoming signal.

Abstract: A communication system and a method of fabricating a communication system are described. The communication system includes a transmit antenna including two or more symmetric coils wound around a closed-loop magnetic transmitter core, the transmit antenna configured to transmit an outgoing signal of very low frequency (VLF) or ultra low frequency (ULF) energy. The communication system also includes a receive antenna including two or more coils formed from two or more wires wound around a closed-loop magnetic receiver core, the receive antenna configured to receive transmitted VLF or ULF energy as an incoming signal. The communication system also includes a processor to process the outgoing signal and the incoming signal.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a mine personnel carrier includes an integrated information display and one or more processing units. The processing units may access life support data from devices associated with a life support subsystem of a mine personnel carrier. The life support subsystem provides breathable air to passengers of the mine personnel carrier, and the life support data indicates a remaining level of air available via at least a portion of the life support subsystem. The processing units access guidance data from guidance devices associated with a guidance subsystem of the mine personnel carrier. Each guidance device can detect entities within a detection range of the guidance device. The processing units initiate display in the integrated information display of at least a portion of the life support data and the guidance data. The integrated information display comprises a unified electronic display of the mine personnel carrier.

Abstract: A method of performing geolocation of receivers, transmitters, and conductive objects includes detecting, with one or more receivers, magnetic field signals generated by one or more transmitters, with each transmitter including two or more co-located coils that are electrically unstable and unbalanced, and that have a mechanically stable orientation with respect to one another. The magnetic field signals from each of the two or more co-located coils of each of the two or more transmitters are decomposed into individual magnetic field components. A set of invariant scalar values that are independent of orientation of one or more magnetic antennas associated with the one or more receivers are calculated from the individual magnetic field components, and the position of an object is determined using the set of invariant scalar values.

Abstract: A system for search and rescue includes a rescue beacon including a radiation source to emit radiation, at least a portion of which includes ultraviolet c-band radiation, and an ultraviolet c-band detector to detect the ultraviolet c-band radiation to enable locating of the rescue beacon.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a mine personnel carrier includes an integrated information display and one or more processing units. The processing units may access life support data from devices associated with a life support subsystem of a mine personnel carrier. The life support subsystem provides breathable air to passengers of the mine personnel carrier, and the life support data indicates a remaining level of air available via at least a portion of the life support subsystem. The processing units access guidance data from guidance devices associated with a guidance subsystem of the mine personnel carrier. Each guidance device can detect entities within a detection range of the guidance device. The processing units initiate display in the integrated information display of at least a portion of the life support data and the guidance data. The integrated information display comprises a unified electronic display of the mine personnel carrier.

Abstract: A positioning, communication, and detection system designed to provide a three dimensional location of an object, navigation tools, and bidirectional surface-to-subsurface communications, and methods of using the system. The system can include one or multiple transmitters comprising electromagnetic beacons, software defined radio receivers with an associated processing unit and data acquisition system, and magnetic antennas. The system may use theoretical calculations, scale model testing, signal processing, and sensor data.

Abstract: A positioning system designed to provide a three dimensional location of an object. The system can include one or more multiple transmitters or electromagnetic beacons, software defined radio receivers with an associated processing unit and data acquisition system, and magnetic antennas. The system applies theoretical calculations, scale model testing, signal processing, and sensor data to operate.

Abstract: A system for search and rescue includes a rescue beacon including a radiation source to emit radiation, at least a portion of which includes ultraviolet c-band radiation, and an ultraviolet c-band detector to detect the ultraviolet c-band radiation to enable locating of the rescue beacon.

Abstract: A Centralizer based Survey and Navigation (CSN) device designed to provide borehole or passageway position information. The CSN device can include one or more displacement sensors, centralizers, an odometry sensor, a borehole initialization system, and navigation algorithm implementing processor(s). Also, methods of using the CSN device for in-hole survey and navigation.

Abstract: A Centralizer based Survey and Navigation (CSN) device designed to provide borehole or passageway position information. The CSN device can include one or more displacement sensors, centralizers, an odometry sensor, a borehole initialization system, and navigation algorithm implementing processor(s). Also, methods of using the CSN device for in-hole survey and navigation.

Abstract: A Centralizer based Survey and Navigation (CSN) device designed to provide borehole or passageway position information. The CSN device can include one or more displacement sensors, centralizers, an odometry sensor, a borehole initialization system, and navigation algorithm implementing processor(s). Also, methods of using the CSN device for in-hole survey and navigation.

Abstract: A positioning, communication, and detection system designed to provide a three dimensional location of an object, navigation tools, and bidirectional surface-to-subsurface communications, and methods of using the system. The system can include one or multiple transmitters comprising electromagnetic beacons, software defined radio receivers with an associated processing unit and data acquisition system, and magnetic antennas. The system may use theoretical calculations, scale model testing, signal processing, and sensor data.

Abstract: A positioning system designed to provide a three dimensional location of an object. The system can include one or more multiple transmitters or electromagnetic beacons, software defined radio receivers with an associated processing unit and data acquisition system, and magnetic antennas. The system applies theoretical calculations, scale model testing, signal processing, and sensor data to operate.

Abstract: A rock bolt having a modified tip geometry for spreading grouting material along the bolt or rupturing a grouting material container, or both, and method of using such a rock bolt for substrate support.

Abstract: A Centralizer based Survey and Navigation (CSN) device designed to provide borehole or passageway position information. The CSN device can include one or more displacement sensors, centralizers, an odometry sensor, a borehole initialization system, and navigation algorithm implementing processor(s). Also, methods of using the CSN device for in-hole survey and navigation.