OCA News and Information
InSeT Systems Develops Tracking System
InSeT Systems LLC, established April 2006, is finalizing development of a patented Inertial Sensor Tracking system that will dramatically aid rescue efforts in mines. The InSeT System uses miniature inertial sensors, proprietary software, and a wireless radio network to display and record the real-time location of miners working underground. The InSeT System provides unprecedented tracking accuracy tracking miners within a matter of a few feet, thereby enabling rapid, highly targeted rescue efforts when mining disasters occur.
The InSeT system was designed to meet the Federal legislation introduced in 2006 that requires mines to implement wireless communications and tracking systems. InSeT is working closely with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to comply with this new safety legislation. Demonstrations of the technology’s communication relay links and inertial tracking devices have been successfully completed in both government mines and the largest underground coal mine in Ohio. The technology can also be used to improve the operating efficiency of mines by providing ongoing tracking of mining supplies and equipment.
The InSeT underground miner tracking system utilizes highly advanced technology and software programming, similar to the navigation systems used on the NASA Space Shuttle, navy submarines, and military satellites, to accurately track miners working in underground mines. Recent advances in the miniaturization of sensors have made possible the creation of small battery operated personal navigation devices that can be attached to the miners working underground. These devices communicate via an underground redundant radio mesh network to the mine dispatcher’s workstation where a display monitor shows the location of each miner on a map of the mine in real time. In the event of an accident in the mine, the redundant system is designed to continue to operate and give the current position of all underground miners. During a rescue mission, additional tracking units can be provided to the members of the rescue team to direct them to trapped miners.
The InSeT system is superior to “zone” based tracking systems, due to location accuracy of less than 3 meters in both pre-disaster and post-disaster circumstances. In the event of an emergency, the underground mesh network continues to operate on batteries even when the power is cut off. The InSeT system can also be designed to work with existing wireless mesh networks that may already be present. A broad patent covering the use of inertial navigation in underground applications was issued to InSeT Systems on July 15, 2008.
Russell Breeding, Chief Technical Officer, served 10 years in the U. S. Navy as head technician on nuclear submarines in charge of maintaining and operating the ships’ inertial navigation systems. After retiring from the Navy, he worked as a Systems Analyst and troubleshooter for several government contractors.
Jay Breeding, Chief Operating Officer, has over 45 years of management experience in both manufacturing companies and divisions of companies in the rubber and plastics industries. Jay has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University.
Mike Millam, Chief Engineer, served 6 years in the U.S. Navy as a Reactor Operator, and has more than 20 years of technical and project management experience with Navy contractors, 11 of these in direct support of inertial navigation systems. Mike has a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Ohio Coal Association Annual Meeting July 21-22 at the Athletic Club of Columbus