5DT virtually integrates mining

The 5DT VR Coal virtual reality continuous miner (CM) training simulator from Fifth Dimension Technologies (5DT) enables operators to work through a series of training experiences with a head-mounted display (HMD) and a remote control unit.

Fifth Dimension Technologies (5DT) is applying networking technology that it developed for the military to virtual mining simulators. The Integrated Virtual Mine (IVM) Initiative undertaken by 5DT includes the development of a range of network-ready training simulators for surface- and underground-mining vehicles and systems. Because each simulator will be connected to a computer network, the different operators will be able to interact with each other in the same way they would have in a real mine. An example in a surface mine would be where a shovel operator and a haul truck operator interact during the loading process. An underground mining example would be a continuous miner (CM) operator cooperating with roof bolter and shuttle car operators.

"Joint-force training is a well-established concept in the military," said Paul Olckers, CEO of 5DT. "This concept is now going virtual, where aircraft and land-vehicle simulators are being networked. The IVM will lead to better teamwork and big-picture thinking among operators." Olckers added that not only will the new initiative add another level of realism to the training experience but will lead to increased productivity and mining safety through the early introduction of a team-work experience.

The software's mine-section editor allows an instructor to create and/or edit a mine section that relates to mining conditions in a specific area. Rock lenses (red areas) and roof bolts (blue crosses) may be added..

Several surface-mining training simulators are currently being fine-tuned at 5DT, including haul-truck, electric- and hydraulic-shovels, and dragline training simulators.

Simulators for tracked and wheeled dozers and drilling rigs will follow soon, according to the company.

The cutting cycle is the foundation of CM operation and is considered a critical skill. Once a trainee has mastered the basics, a shuttle car (SC) for the trainee to fill is added.

5DT announced at last year's MINExpo that it has already developed a virtual reality CM training simulator, 5DT VR Coal, that enables operators to control a CM in a virtual underground coal or potash mine. The simulator can be used to train new operators or to evaluate and re-train existing operators. It also enables new procedures and best-practices to first be validated in virtual reality prior to development. While wearing a virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD) that contains two miniature computer screens to view the virtual coal mine, CM, and shuttle car, an operator works through training scenarios that vary in complexity from simplistic to very complex. The HMD also has headphones to enable the operator to hear the different sounds in the virtual environment.

A head tracker that measures the head orientation of an operator and relays it to the operator computer is fitted to the HMD. The computer calculates the image that the operator would have seen when looking down a real coal mine. This image is then displayed on the miniature screens in the HMD. The computer calculates a new image approximately 30 times per second.

If an SC is overfilled, the operator will see and hear the coal spilling. A warning message will appear on the instructor screen.

The VR Coal system consists of an instructor and operator computer networked together. When an event occurs, or if the operator does something wrong, event messages and/or error messages are superimposed on the instructor view. The messages are not visible to the operator; however, at the end of each training session, both the trainee and instructor receive a complete training report.

The operator controls the virtual CM with a remote control unit that resembles an actual remote control unit. The VR Coal system was originally co-developed by 5DT and Sasol Coal, a South African coal producer. 5DT plans to have their IVM project completed by the end of 2002.

- Jean L. Broge

Donaldson's entry in the fuel-cell arena

Donaldson's Fuel Cell Contamination Control (FC3) business unit presented its FC3 products for truck, bus, and car applications at the Grove International Fuel Cell Symposium in London.

Every day it becomes clearer that fuel cells are no fad. The fact that they involve no combustion through the conversion of chemical energy into dc power with only heat and water as byproducts has researchers around the world wanting to use them to power everything from cell phones to submarines. For the most part, much fuel-cell development has occurred in the controlled, contaminant-free environment of laboratories. According to Donaldson Co., an improved understanding of fuel-cell contamination problems is a critical issue in the commercialization of the closest technology we have found yet to realize a perpetual-power machine.

"Intake-air (or cathode side) filtration is a crucial component for ensuring fuel-cell reliability and performance, but it's just now being included as a core subsystem," said Eivind Stenersen, Chief Engineer of Donaldson's Fuel Cell Contamination Control (FC3) business unit. "Ambient air in all corners of the world contains contaminants that can compromise the fuel-cell-system durability, life, and performance. To make the leap from the lab to the marketplace, fuel cells will require particulate and chemical filtration of the cathode air.

Donaldson announced in mid-September it had developed the "first" airborne contaminant and noise filtration systems designed for fuel-cell-specific applications. The products are being studied in a jointly funded contamination-control-research program at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. "Based on our collaboration with Los Alamos Laboratory, we know that hydrogen fuel cells are poised to become the energy source of the future," said Richard Canepa, Director of FC3.

Donaldson has reacted to Canepa's prediction by establishing FC3 offices in North America, Asia, and Europe, which is working with several fuel-cell manufacturers and product developers to make the technology a commercially viable power source for a wide range of transportation, residential, and portable applications.

In addition to extending fuel-cell life by shielding the system from airborne contaminants, the FC3 cathode-filtration system also integrates noise-control features to reduce noise from fuel-cell compressors and fans.

- Jean L. Broge