Scraper conveyor shape sensing technology based on orthogonal optical fiber strain

Abstract

Intelligent perception of a scraper conveyor straightness and attitude monitoring of mechanical supporting equipment in the stope have practical and theoretical values for mining. This study proposed an optical fiber curvature sensor and a scraper conveyor’s curve reconstruction method. The optical fiber curvature sensor comprises the fiber grating strain sensing optical cables, the flexible substrate, and the packaging material. The coordinate positions of each monitoring point are obtained through the strain-curvature conversion relationship and the slope recurrence algorithm, and then the reconstruction curve is obtained by fitting. The finite element simulation verifies the feasibility of the curve reconstruction method used for the deformation monitoring via optical fiber curvature sensors. The reconstruction error analysis results show that the root mean square error of reconstructions for two kinds of 2D plane bending and 3D space bending are 2.98, 1.89, and 3.13%, respectively. Their mean absolute errors are 8.9, 3.56, and 9.82 mm, respectively, verifying the feasibility and high accuracy of the proposed curve reconstruction equation. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the shape perception and straightening control of scraper conveyors in the intelligent working surface.

Research on the Three-Machines Perception System and Information Fusion Technology for Intelligent Work Faces

“…Kelly et al [ 23 ] obtained the position and attitude information of the shearer based on inertial navigation technology, which can indirectly reverse the straightness state of the scraper conveyor. Fang Xinqiu et al [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] developed a three-dimensional curvature (shape) sensor based on fiber optic sensing technology for the real-time dynamic perception of the motion form of scraper conveyors, and developed a curve reconstruction algorithm to achieve three-dimensional shape detection of scraper conveyors. Hao Shangqing et al [ 28 ] constructed a geometric measurement model for the scraper conveyor based on the position of the shearer.…”

Research on Three-Dimensional Shape Curve Reconstruction Technology for a Scraper Conveyor on an Intelligent Working Face

“…Although the visual algorithm and digital twin technology achieved certain results in the "three machine" attitude measurement, due to the complex geological conditions of the working face, the optical fiber sensor still has unique advantages in engineering practice [21,22]. Fang et al [23][24][25][26] developed a three-dimensional curvature sensor involving FBG. Based on the obtained discrete curvature, the spatial positions of the chutes of a scraper were determined through an interpolation algorithm and a curve reconstruction algorithm, and the three-dimensional shape perception of the scraper was realized.…”