FibreMax (www.fibermax.nl) has developed iPendants, a pendant line that has an optical fiber and sensor encased in a protective tube situated in between the load bearing fibers. The optical fiber is attached to both end terminations of the pendant, from which connectors make a connection to the interrogation unit. This monitoring system can be used as a stand-alone system or can be easily integrated into a monitoring system.
Designed for tough mining conditions, all connections are IP-65. The integrated optic fiber allows operators or mining managers to monitor the condition of the pendant lines in real time. The operating principle of the iPendant is based on the proven fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technology, which has numerous significant advantages over more conventional sensor technologies, according to the developer.
The FBG is an optical sensor recorded within the core of a standard, single-mode optical fiber using spatially-varying patterns of intense UV laser light. Any deviation, caused by, for example, a variation in elongation in the wavelength of the light, is detected by the sensor and interrogated by a transducer.
The signal from the transducer can be translated into data to easily analyze or identify opportunities to improve machine performance. When analyzing the number of load cycles or the elongation over time of the pendant lines, it is now possible to predict the exact service life or maintenance schedule on the pendant lines. With proper software, it is even possible to monitor dipper loads.
