Patent ID: 9222355
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: E21C,E21F

Abstract:
1. A system for operating a mining machine, the system comprising: at least one radar device mounted on the mining machine configured to transmit a plurality of radio waves toward a stationary object positioned in a mine and detect a plurality of reflections of the plurality of radio waves; and at least one controller configured to obtain reflection data from the at least one radar device, the reflection data representing timing information regarding the plurality of radio waves and the plurality of reflections, determine, based on the reflection data, a first distance between the at least one radar device and the stationary object before sumping the mining machine into material, determine, based on the reflection data, a second distance between the at least one radar device and the stationary object after sumping the mining machine into the material, determine a sump depth of the mining machine based on the first distance and the second distance, compare the determined sump depth to at least one predetermined sump depth, and perform at least one automatic action when the determined sump depth does not satisfy the at least one predetermined sump depth.