1、翻译英文原文Us Bureau of Mines Coal Mining Automation Research J H WELSH and J E BEVANABSTRACTThe US Bureau of mines is conducting research to improve the health and safety for underground coal miners, and the efficiency of the mining systems that are used. In 1986, the Bureau began a major research effor
2、t on the technology for computer-assisted mining systems for underground coal mines. The initial target was technology for continuous mining machines that would allow them to extract coal by computer-assisted operation, Technology areas being investigated include guidance systems, computer systems,
3、machine control, human-machine interfaces and planning. In each of these areas, individual system development has progressed to where underground testing of these systems will begin in 1991.In addition to coal extraction, the Bureau has also begun research for the development of technology for compu
4、ter-assisted roof bolting. The Bureau is developing technology for a “smart” roof bolter that would be able to sense and analyze strata conditions to determine the location of the hole, drill the hole to length, and select and install the appropriate bolt.The research on the continuous mining and th
5、e roof bolter are well advanced.INTRODUCTIONWorking in underground coal mines continues to be one of the most hazardous of occupations, Between 1984 and 1989, 14181 accidents occurred at the face area of continuous mining section in US underground coal mines. This was 18 percent of all injuries and
6、21 percent of all fatalities and permanent disabilities. In addition, face workers are exposed to health hazards such as equipment noise, where in 1988, 6981 new black lung cases were filed in the US.The traditional approach to health and safety problems in mines has been to reduce the hazard throug
7、h ground control, dust control, methane control, and noise control. While this approach has been very successful in the past in reducing the hazards in mines, health and safety hazards still exist, and accidents and health problems are still occurring. To make a further significant reduction in the
8、number of accidents and exposures to health hazards, a new approach is needed.In 1986, the Bureau of Mines initiated a new approach that would allow workers to be relocated from the face to a safe, healthful environment, where they could perform their jobs. Although this approach had been thought of
9、 earlier, only recent advancements in computer and sensor technology have made it a viable alternative.While health and safety is a major concern, technology that would also provide for improvements in mining efficiency was also desirable. Recent statistics show that continuous miners only extract c
10、oal about 32 percent of the available shift time.This means that even small improvements in mining efficiency could result in dramatic in productivity.Over the last several years, a Bureau of Mines program for computer-assisted mining has been developed that is centered around a comprehensive long-r
11、ange research plan that targets the goals of the program and provides a coordination of research. This research effort involves multiple projects and researchers at different Bureau centers. In the near term, research targets current, commercially available mining equipment operating in typical mini
12、ng section. The target is further defined to a continuous mining section with room-and- pillar, longwall development. This scenario was selected because it has wide applicability to US mining, and stands to make a significant impact on the health, safety, and efficiency of the US mining industry. Re
13、search for computer-assisted mining systems includes coal extraction with a continuous mining machine, roof bolting, haulage, and ventilation. For the longer term, researchers will investigate mining systems and concepts to determine if new mining systems that can take advantage of advances in robot
14、ics technology should be pursued, and/or if changes in the mining methods show promise of health, safety, and efficiency improvements. COMPUTER-ASSISTED MININNG, DEFINED A typical continuous mining section consists of a continuous mining machine, a roof bolting machine, and one or two shuttle cars.
15、The face area where this equipment is operating, and where unsupported roof is exposed during the extraction process, poses the greatest threat in terms of health and safety to the workers. With computer-assisted mining, sensors and computer technology would be added to the face equipment to allow t
16、he operator to be relocated to a control room positioned 150 to 180 meters outby the face.The control room would be positioned in fresh air, and the environment would be controlled to provide a healthful work area with little or no dust and noise. Various levels of computer-assisted mining exist, from teleoperation to computer-assisted operation, and are described in the remainder of this section.To operate mining equipment at the face from a contro
