From Deseret News archives:
Tracking device may help miners in future
The InSeT system claims to be able to track miners within three meters of where they are inside a mine using inertial navigation, said its inventor Russell Breeding.
"It's very similar to what's used in missile guidance systems," the Virginia Beach, Va., man told the Deseret Morning News on Friday.
InSeT, which stands for "Inertial Sensor Tracking" is also similar to what submarines use to navigate underwater. Breeding, who is a former Navy sailor, said the system uses micro-electrical mechanical sensors that track the miners in a portable unit that provides real-time underground mapping.
The unit itself is about the size of a large cell phone, powered by a battery with a 24-hour life. The sensors transmit the information outside the mine through a software program Breeding is developing.
"This device allows someone outside the mine to see them moving underground after the disaster," he said.
Breeding said the idea came to him after West Virginia's Sago Mine disaster in 2006. Many questions were raised about why rescuers could not reach the trapped miners quickly.
The InSeT system is being looked at by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.
"It's a very exciting technology," said Dave Chirdon, MSHA's supervisor of electrical safety. "But in our opinion, it's immature at this point. It's a fair distance away from being marketed to the mines."
Presently, many mines use radio frequency identification tracking systems, similar to a barcode scanner, that reads and records the location of miners. Two weeks ago, the InSeT system was tested at the Century Mine in Ohio. That mine is also owned by Bob Murray, who owns the Crandall Canyon Mine in Huntington Canyon.
Breeding said the test went well.
"The Century Mine, they were impressed with the demonstration they saw underground," he said. "The timing right now is very unfortunate."
InSeT Systems hopes to have the software and everything perfected enough to get MSHA approval by the end of 2008.
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
Comments
- Traders face questions this week 12:14 p.m.
- 'Blind Side' eclipses 'New Moon' 12:11 p.m.
- Iran chokes off Internet 12:07 p.m.
- Obama-mania lives on in Europe 11:58 a.m.
- Missing DNA can promote obesity 11:54 a.m.
- Former Flash center suffers stroke 11:46 a.m.
- Chavez ally's bro. linked to scandal 11:37 a.m.
- Jobless vie for holiday sales work 11:30 a.m.
- Handmade ornament collection 11:28 a.m.
- Queen tells paparazzi to back off 11:26 a.m.
- Y., U. to learn bowl destinations
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- Snowy roads cause accidents, delays
- George lost in rivalry hatefest
- Tiger's SUV, personal life are a wreck
- BYU basketball: Cougars crush Dons
- Utahns want health care reform bills
- Kurt Bestor: Joy for the world
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
312 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
249 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
202 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
189 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
128 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
110 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
105 - Harpring's NBA career is over
94 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
93
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
Steve is just plain wrong. The private sector is holding back waiting for...
The government gives more than it takes. Ever heard of deficit spending?...
BYU wins the rivalry game and the slogans that emerge are about the good...
Civility does not matter if you are a Republican.
Just stop all this nonsense!
i love ur book they are do cool i can't wait 4 the 5th book
Isn't it too bad that the Bush Administration did nothing but start the war,...
Because that is what they represent. Its their way or the highway. And they...
Oh yes, it must. But just like these morons on the Hill and in the WH...
"Surprise!!!" seems pretty bitter. It is pretty much opposite of what some...




You can be the first to comment on this story.