Patent Application
20250230635
The present invention relates to an electronic device, monitoring system and method for autonomously tracking, detecting and reporting its installation/re-installation and detachment/removal on a ground engaging tool (GET), as well as the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal status of a GET with electronic monitoring device with respect to a clamping element in an earth moving machine, wherein said GET may be selected from teeth, adapters or protectors, shrouds, sidebar protectors or teeth holders, among others. Said earth moving machine may be selected from a mining shovel, mining loading equipment, among others. The monitoring of the GET is performed autonomously at least from the installation of the electronic monitoring device in the GET until it completes its useful life cycle or until it cannot be detected because its power source is depleted, or the GET could not be located after detachment or lost wireless communication with the network. Monitoring is performed by managing the power consumption according to 4 main operational states of the GET lifecycle (“Standby” state, “Device Installed” state, “GET Installed” state or “GET Detached” state). And additionally, the electronic monitoring device also detects its installation/re-installation and detachment/removal on a GET, as well as the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of the GET with electronic monitoring device with respect to a clamping element in an earth moving machine by means of magnetic hysteresis curves; amplitude changes in the standing wave in the transmission line of a resonant antenna, changes in the amplitude and phase of a thermally normalized RLC circuit, and by changes in the self-frequency of a self-resonant RLC circuit. The electronic monitoring device is installed inside a GET, in a cylindrical housing cavity in the GET, and maintains continuous wireless communication with the communication network despite the surrounding metallic environment.
A GET (Ground Engaging Tools) is a ground engaging tool installed in earth moving machines, e.g. mining shovels, which is intended to be the first contact between the machinery and the ground. These ground engaging tools are designed to protect other more valuable components and must be replaced from time to time due to their accelerated wear. However, there are events where they become completely detached and are mixed with the ore. When this event occurs and the ground engaging tool is not separated from the ore early, it can reach the primary crusher and jam or block it, leading to high economic losses due to unscheduled stoppage, damage to the crushing equipment and putting at risk the lives of the personnel who must remove the GET, for example, from the primary crusher.
To detect the detachment of a GET, cameras or portals with electronic tag readers, such as RFID technology devices, are generally used. However, these technologies or technical solutions fail to effectively detect the detachment, due to the shielding caused by dust, dirt, rocks or ore during the operation of mining equipment, and with it, the noise or distortion of the data or information received from the images of cameras or RFID readers. To overcome this challenge, image-based technologies focus on developing robust image processing software that recognizes detachment, yet they report a large number of false positives (detachment) and negatives (no detachment), and the high processing times slow the generation of GET detachment or non-detachment reports. RFID-based technology, on the other hand, requires the installation of portals through which the loading equipment must pass in order for the detection of the GET detachment to occur and, therefore, the detection is delayed in time with respect to the moment in which the detachment actually occurred.
There are also electronic devices that are related to sensors installed in the locks or pins that hold the tooth with the adapter. However, if the tooth becomes detached from the adapter, the lock may or may not remain attached to the tooth, and if it is not attached to the tooth and falls away from it, the location of the detached tooth will not be known, nor will its detachment be detected. In particular, among the patent documents addressing the technical problem of detecting the detachment of a GET, it is possible to mention U.S. Pat. No. 10,787,792B2 (ESCO Corp.) which relates to a system for monitoring a ground engaging tool of an excavating machine with an electronic monitoring device, a wireless communication device transmitting data collected by the electronic device; a remote device receiving data from the wireless communication device; a programmable logic device processing data received by the remote device providing information from the monitored ground engaging tool that relates to the shedding thereof. It may include a display interface that displays real-time information about the ground engaging tool shedding status. Such a ground engaging tool may be a digging tooth. The programmable logic device information includes one or more of identifying the ground engaging tool, establishing its wear level, estimating its remaining useful life, establishing whether it is in use or has been discarded, establishing its performance, recording and reporting impact events received. It may also have a “lock” system that secures the monitoring device to the ground engaging tool, and which comprises a collar and a threaded pin with a recess for holding the monitoring device, optionally other elements that seek to secure the monitoring device to the ground engaging tool.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,011,975B2 (ESCO GROUP LLC) relates to a system for monitoring a ground engaging tool of an excavating machine, comprising a base attached to the machine with a nose that projects forward and is subjected to wear and receives a tooth tip and a padlock securing it to the base, and an electronic monitoring device and a “lock” or padlock. The electronic monitoring device identifies the ground engaging tool and a wireless communication device communicates information from the ground engaging tool to a remote device. A control device supports the electronic device, the communication device and the battery. The ground engaging tool information can be: its identification, presence, wear level, performance, among others. It may also include a camera to obtain an image of the ground engaging tool that can be displayed on a screen or processed alone or together with the information received from the monitoring device to generate ground engaging tool information. The base and ground engaging tool may be secured to a first mining machine, and the remote device may be secured to a second mining machine, including a haul truck with a truck tray, the remote device being secured to the truck tray. Alternatively, the remote device may be secured to a station overlapping a roadway along which transport trucks travel.
US20160237640A1 (Esco Group LLC) relates to a monitoring system for an excavating machine, comprising a monitoring tool including a mobile vehicle that can move independently at different positions of the machine and an electronic device on a mobile vehicle for remotely detecting a characteristic of the ground engaging tool. The mobile vehicle may be an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or a remotely or autonomously operated vehicle. The electronic device is a surface characterization device, including an optical camera; a device that creates a point cloud representation of at least a portion of the product; or an electronic device that captures a two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of the wear item to determine the level of wear, estimate the amount of material excavated, among other features. It may also include a global position system device; and a processor for determining wear rates of the ground engaging tool from data collected from the electronic device.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,612,213B2 (Esco Group LLC) relates to a monitoring system comprising a ground engaging tool monitoring device and a wireless communication device for transmitting data collected by said electronic monitoring device; at least one remote device for receiving the data wirelessly;
and at least one programmable logic device for processing the data related to the ground engaging tool. Said programmable logic device based on the received data may determine or define one or more of: a wear rate, replacement schedule, soil penetrability, digging speed, etc. Said remote device can determine the schedules for digging. The database that includes information from the work site, allowing to determine one or more of: terrain geology, soil fragmentation, abrasiveness, hardness or georeferencing, among others. The monitoring device can detect the wear of the ground engaging tool or the impact on the ground engaging tool upon contact with the soil, the duration of the load, the digging cycles, among others. The monitoring device can detect the stress on the ground engaging tool upon contact with the soil, applied loads, number of passes, among others. The programmable logic device can perform an inventory or determine fuel consumption from the collected data. The ground engaging tool is attached to the digging edge of the excavating machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,633,831B2 (Esco Group LLC) relates to a monitoring system for a ground engaging tool secured to an excavating machine, comprising an electronic monitoring device; a wireless communication device for transmitting data collected by the electronic monitoring device during use of the ground engaging tool; at least one remote device for receiving the data wirelessly; and at least one programmable logic device for processing the received data and providing information related to the ground engaging tool. The ground engaging tool can be secured to the excavating machine by means of an elastomeric padlock with a removable cover to prevent the accumulation of soil particles and a collar with a threaded pin with a recess. The ground engaging tool information includes the ground engaging tool identification, the state of detachment, level of wear, an estimate of the remaining service life, whether it is in use, its performance, among others. It may include a display interface for providing real-time information about the ground engaging tool detachment, wherein said ground engaging tool may be a digging tooth.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,633,832B2 (Esco Group LLC) relates to a monitoring system comprising a ground engaging tool attached to an excavating machine; a monitoring device attached to the ground engaging tool that enables its monitoring and wireless transmission of ground engaging tool data/information; a remote device that receives such information from the monitoring device; a database containing excavation site information; and a programmable logic device for processing both the ground engaging tool and excavation site information, and thereby estimating the remaining useful life of the ground engaging tool. The excavation site information may include one or more of: material fragmentation level, abrasiveness, hardness, site geology. It may also include a GPS device secured to the ground engaging tool and the excavating machine to detect the location of the excavation site and wirelessly transmit such information to the remote device. The programmable logic device processes both the location, ground engaging tool and excavation site information to estimate the remaining life of the ground engaging tool. The database may further include wear rate information of the ground engaging tool and the programmable logic device processes the wear rate information, ground engaging tool information, and excavation location information to determine the estimated remaining useful life of the ground engaging tool. The ground engaging tool can be attached to the digging edge of a bucket and can be a digging tooth.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,760,247B2 (Esco Group LLC) relates to a monitoring system for a ground engaging tool, comprising: a monitoring device for wirelessly transmitting ground engaging tool information including its identity and detachment when installed on an excavating machine; a first remote device that receives the ground engaging tool identity information as it is moved from the site where it was manufactured to the excavation site where it will be used; a second remote device that receives ground engaging tool information as it is attached to the excavating machine; and at least one programmable logic device for processing the aforementioned identity information, which allows tracking the shipping progress and processing the data/information received from the ground engaging tool. A wireless communication device transmits the identity and ground engaging tool information, which is located in a cavity of the ground-engaging tool that is attached to the base located on the digging edge of the bucket of the excavating machine. The programmable logic device provides information about the detachment of the ground engaging tool. Also, it may include a display interface to provide real-time information about the ground engaging tool. The programmable logic device provides information about the level of wear of the ground engaging tool, an estimate of its remaining life, whether it is “in use”, its performance, among others. The ground engaging tool may include a lock located in an opening that secures the ground engaging tool to the excavating machine. The monitoring device is secured to said padlock comprising a collar secured in the opening, and a pin threaded into the collar to secure the ground engaging tool to the excavating machine, and wherein the pin includes a cavity housing the monitoring device. The ground engaging tool may be a digging tooth, a spike configured to attach to a bracket attached to a drum of the excavating machine, an edge of a digging bucket, among others. The ground engaging tool may also comprise an opening and a lifting eye secured in the opening, and wherein the control device is secured. Alternatively, the ground engaging tool may comprise an opening with removable cover securing the monitoring device.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,669,698B2 (Esco Group LLC) relates to a monitoring system for a ground engaging tool removably secured by a padlock to an excavating machine, comprising: a control device contained within a cavity of the padlock that allows controlling at least one feature of the ground engaging tool, and a wireless communication device that transmits data received from the control device. A remote device receives the data transmitted by the wireless communication device and 25a programmable logic device processes the data providing information related to the ground engaging tool. The padlock may include a collar secured in an opening with a threaded pin with a recess that secures the ground engaging tool to the excavating machine. The ground engaging tool may be configured to attach to the digging edge of a bucket. Information provided by the programmable logic device allows for identification of the ground engaging tool, its looseness, level of wear, an estimate of its remaining life, among others. It can also include a human display interface to provide real-time information on the ground engaging tool detachment. The padlock has a rigid component for contacting the ground-engaging tool and the base, and defines a recess that is sized and shaped to receive a tool while the monitoring device is contained in the recess. The padlock can include a socket located within the recess and includes the monitoring device.
WO2012116408A1 (Encore Automation Pty Ltd) relates to a system for detecting the loss of a ground engaging tool of an excavating machine, comprising a radio frequency identification tag securable to the ground engaging tool, and one or more tag reading stations each including a radio frequency identification tag reader. The radio frequency tag may be an active radio frequency identification tag. It may also comprise a monitoring station, a tag reader station including a wireless transceiver such that the monitoring station and the tag reader station are capable of communicating with each other. The monitoring station also includes a server that is capable of communicating with the wireless transceiver of the monitoring station and the radio frequency identification tag reader of the tag reading station is capable of communicating with the wireless transceiver of that tag reading station. The tag reading station may be a tag reading station mounted on a machine, and may also include a computer that is capable of communicating with the radio frequency identification tag reader of the tag reading station that is mounted on the excavating machine. The tag reading station can be a fixed position tag reading station, which can also include a computer that can communicate with the radio frequency identification tag reader of the fixed position tag reading station. The tag reading station may also be a m-tag reading station, which may also include a computer that may communicate with the RFID tag reader of the fixed position tag reading station. The tag reading station can also be a personal mobile tag reading station. The radio frequency identification tag for the excavator ground engaging tool comprises a protective housing, an electronic circuit contained in the housing, wherein the tag may be an active radio frequency identification tag. The protective housing may include a container and a lid for covering an opening at its end. The tag seals an interface between the lid and the container. The protective housing is cylindrical, and may be made of a polymer. The electronic circuit may include a circuit board and an epoxy resin coating on the circuit board. The radio frequency identification tag also comprises a protective insert to protect the circuit within the housing, and also comprises a cover for the circuit.
US20190284784A1 (Sandvik Intellectual Property AB) relates to a system for monitoring detachment of a ground engaging tool of an excavating machine, comprising a ground engaging tool mountable and detachable in a mounting region of an excavating machine; a proximity sensor provided on the ground engaging tool and configured to detect proximity of the ground engaging tool with respect to the mounting region; and a wireless transmitter provided on the ground engaging tool that transmits proximity data to a receiver located remote from the ground engaging tool. The proximity sensor may include one of or a combination of: an inductor component; a capacitor component; and a proximity sensor component. It may include an electronic tag for locating the proximity sensor that may include one or a combination of: a printed circuit board; a processor; a data storage unit; a transceiver; and an antenna. The transceiver may include a radio frequency transceiver and/or a Bluetooth transceiver. It may further comprise: an actuator having a printed circuit board, a processor, and a transceiver, the actuator being configured for wireless communication with the electronic tag, which is encapsulated within the housing or encapsulation material. The receiver may include a printed circuit board, a processor, a transceiver, and a data storage unit; and also a user interface having a display screen for outputting proximity data or information based on the proximity data. The mounting region may be the leading edge of a digging bucket of an excavating machine. The ground engaging tool may include one of or a combination of: a temperature sensor; a wear status sensor of the ground engaging tool; an accelerometer; and a voltage sensor. The tags may be RFID tags.
CN202809691U (Beijing Zhongkuang Huawo Technology CO LTD) relates to a wireless positioning monitoring device for electric shovel tooth comprising a radio frequency signal transmitting unit installed on the shovel for a real-time output radio frequency signal, and a unit that receives and processes the radio frequency signal, status inspections are performed based on the data from the signal transmitting unit, and generates tooth loss alarm reports and the display unit is used to alarm, in real time, a sound or light is generated to indicate tooth loss. In addition, the device comprises a wireless positioning receiver chip that is used to detect the installed tooth when the original signal is lost.
US20160376771A1 (Caterpillar Inc.) relates to a system for measuring the wear performance of a ground engaging tool of an excavating machine, comprising: a first ultrasonic sensor within the ground engaging tool configured to send pulses in a direction substantially perpendicular to the leading edge of the ground engaging tool; a second ultrasonic sensor within the ground engaging tool configured to send pulses in a direction having an offset angle with respect to perpendicular to the leading edge of the ground engaging tool; a wireless communication element associated with the first and second ultrasonic sensors and configured to send signals from the ultrasonic sensors; and a controller configured to receive the signals from the communication element and determine the wear behavior of the ground engaging tool based on the received signals. A Further, the system may comprise a battery associated with the ultrasonic sensors and the wireless communication element, wherein the battery, the ultrasonic sensors, and the wireless communication element are mounted together within the ground-engaging tool, or in a package, and the package is within a cavity formed in the ground-engaging tool. The system may further include a display associated with the controller and configured to display an image representing the current wear performance. The first and second ultrasonic sensors may be arranged substantially parallel to each other, with the first ultrasonic sensor configured to receive pulse echoes sent by the second ultrasonic sensor, and with the second ultrasonic sensor configured to receive pulse echoes sent by the first ultrasonic sensor. The controller may be located adjacent to an operator station on board the machine, and is configured to generate data indicative of a wear pattern of the ground-engaging tool. The controller may be configured to perform a triangulation calculation, based on data generated from signals from the first and second ultrasonic sensors, to determine a wear pattern of the leading edge of the ground engaging tool; generate data indicative of its wear rate and determine that wear rate; report data on its performance; compare data generated from signals received from the communication element with reference data to create a notification signal, among others. The notification signal may be an audible or visual notification. The visual signal comprises an image depicting the wear behavior of the ground engaging tool. The system may include at least a third ultrasonic sensor within the ground engaging tool for sending pulses in a direction at an angle with respect to the leading edge of the ground engaging tool that is different from the directions of the pulses sent by the first and second ultrasonic sensors, and tool related to said system.
However, there remains in the state of the art, the need for a device, system and method for monitoring ground engaging tools (GET) of an earthmoving machine, which allows autonomously to detect its installation inside a GET, the installation/re-installation of GET in an earthmoving machine and its detachment/removal when the machine is in operation, manage its power consumption, establish wireless communication in highly metallic environments and perform detection based on 4 main operating states, selected from: 1) “Standby” state, i.e., electronic monitoring device not installed; 2) “Device Installed” state, i.e., electronic monitoring device installed on GET; 3) “GET Installed” state, i.e., GET with electronic monitoring device installed on earthmoving machine; or 4) “GET Detached” state, i.e., GET with electronic monitoring device detached from earthmoving machine, in operation.
The autonomy in wireless communication, frees it from the use of complementary portals for GET sensing since in the present electronic monitoring device has wireless communication from the GET-holding element interface, wherein said GET-holding element interface is selected from tooth-adapter, adapter-lip, shroud-lip, sidebar protector-bucket, among others. Similarly, by managing power consumption, the electronic monitoring device essentially does not require recharging or replacement of power supply means. Likewise, being autonomous, the present electronic monitoring device does not require any type of human or assisted intervention for its activation.
Furthermore, the present electronic monitoring device has a protective housing to isolate its internal components from the high temperatures that the GET can reach when installed in an earth moving machine, in operation, and optionally can be housed in a housing means to secure it in a cavity in the GET, making the installation of the present electronic monitoring device independent of the size and geometry of said cavity.
This electronic monitoring device provides information and establishes permanent communication despite the highly metallic environment in which it is located. The present electronic monitoring device has independent twin sensing means, located: one, at the top of the device, and the other, at the bottom, which can alternate their operation/activation according to the operating status of the life cycle of the GET. The electronic monitoring device detects its installation/re-installation and detachment/removal on a GET, as well as the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of the GET with electronic monitoring device installed on a clamping element of an earth moving machine, by one of: magnetic hysteresis curves; amplitude changes in the standing wave in the transmission line of a resonant antenna; changes in the amplitude or phase of an RLC circuit; or changes in the self-frequency of an autoranging RLC circuit. Thus, the installation/re-installation or detachment/removal of the GET with electronic monitoring device on an earthmoving machine can be determined with respect to its fastening element. A system and method of monitoring the GET throughout its life cycle is also disclosed.
“Gateways” to a single “Gateway” and from that single “Gateway” to the network server.
The present electronic monitoring device that allows to autonomously track, detect and report its installation/re-installation and detachment/removal, in a ground engaging tool (GET) as well as the installation/reinstallation and detachment/removal status of a GET with an electronic monitoring device with respect to a clamping element in an earth-moving machine, in operation, where said electronic monitoring device is installed/located in a cylindrical housing cavity (11) in the GET. Likewise, this electronic monitoring device autonomously reports its location when the GET moves, and also autonomously detects and reports the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of the GET. Said electronic monitoring device, said GET or both, have an identifying code or number that is recognized in the wireless communication network. The electronic monitoring device allows recognition that the GET removal is temporary (maintenance/repair/replacement) or permanent (discard/not recovered). Said removal is definitive when the wireless communication network does not detect a change in the “Detached State” of the GET, either because the power source was depleted, the GET could not be located after detachment, or it lost communication with the network. Both the temporary and permanent removal of the GET is autonomously recorded and updated in the GET inventory in a database. Additionally, the electronic monitoring device autonomously reports GET detachment. The electronic monitoring device also allows power management, wireless communication and detection based on 4 main operating states: “Standby” state, “Device Installed” state, “GET Installed” state or “GET Detached” state.
The autonomy in wireless communication, frees it from the use of complementary portals for GET detection since in the present electronic monitoring device has wireless communication from the GET-holding element interface, where said GET-holding element interface is selected from a tooth-adapter, adapter-lip, shroud-lip, sidebar protector-bucket interface, among others. Similarly, by managing power consumption, the electronic monitoring device essentially does not require recharging or changing the power supply means. Likewise, once the power supply is installed, the present electronic monitoring device does not require any human or assisted intervention to change its operating states autonomously.
Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the following meanings should be considered:
Said “GET” or ground engaging tool, may be selected from one or more teeth, adapters or protectors, shrouds, sidebar protectors or teeth holders, among others.
Said “GET” or clamping element may be selected from an adapter, bucket lip, bucket, among others. In some embodiments, a clamping element may also be considered as a GET, because it also serves the function of protecting the lip and the bucket. A particular case is the function of the adapter, which holds the tooth, and further protects the lip from wear, impacts and shocks.
Said an “earth moving machine” can be selected from a mining shovel, a mining loading equipment, among others.
Said 4 States of Operation are defined as: 1) State “Standby” or simply “Standby”, i.e., electronic monitoring device, with power source installed, not installed in GET; 2) State “Device Installed” or simply “Device Installed”, i.e., electronic monitoring device installed/re-installed in GET; 3) “GET Installed” or simply “GET Installed” status, i.e., GET with electronic monitoring device installed/installed on a fastening element on an earthmoving machine; or 4) Status “GET Detached” or simply “GET Detached”, i.e. GET with electronic monitoring device detached/detached from a clamping element on an earthmoving machine, in operation or with its useful life cycle ended, or until battery exhausted, or GET was not recovered after detachment or GET lost wireless communication with the network.
The present electronic monitoring device is designed to provide information of its installation/re-installation and detachment/removal status on a GET, as well as the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal status of a GET with electronic monitoring device with respect to a clamping element on an earthmoving machine, despite the surrounding highly metallic environment. The present electronic monitoring device has twin, independent sensing means, located, one at the top, and the other, at the bottom, which can alternate in their operation/activation according to the state of operation and detects its installation/re-installation and detachment/removal, in a GET, as well as the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of the GET with electronic monitoring device, in an earth moving machine, by one of: magnetic hysteresis curves; amplitude changes in the standing wave in the transmission line of a resonant antenna or changes in the amplitude and phase of a thermally normalized RLC circuit, or changes in the self-frequency of a self-resonant RLC circuit, being also able to communicate wirelessly with the outside despite the highly shielded environments by metallic elements, in which it is located. The electronic monitoring device is designed to protect the internal components from the high temperatures that can reach a GET installed in an earth moving machine, in operation, having a protective casing. Optionally, the present electronic monitoring device may be housed in a housing means for securing it in a cavity (11) in the GET, making the installation of the present electronic monitoring device independent of the size and geometry of said cavity.
Further, a related monitoring system and method is disclosed, which detects the installation status of an electronic monitoring device in a GET, of a GET in an earthmoving machine or both, and the detachment of the GET in an operating earthmoving machine, managing the power consumption of the electronic monitoring device, and establishing wireless communication and detecting based on 4 main operating states: “Standby”, “Device Installed”, “GET Installed”, “GET Installed” or “GET Detached”.
The detection of an event of installation/re-installation or detachment/removal of the electronic monitoring device in the GET or of the GET with electronic monitoring device with respect to a clamping element in an earthmoving machine is based on the generation of low frequency magnetic fields for the creation of hysteresis curves; or amplitude changes in the standing wave in the transmission line of a resonant antenna; or changes in the amplitude and phase of an RLC circuit with thermal normalization; or according to changes in the self-frequency of a self-resonant RLC circuit.
It is worth mentioning that, in general, GET can be manufactured by forging or casting. In both cases, it is not possible that, in the manufacture of multiple GET, the cavities for the installation of a sensor are all perfectly uniform in size and shape. In fact, they vary slightly from one another, on the order of millimeters. Such slight differences in the cavities may cause, if the electronic monitoring device is installed directly in the cavity, that it is tightly or tightly housed in some cavities, while it is loosely or loosely housed in other cavities, and in the latter case, the electronic monitoring device is facilitated to fall due to the permanent vibrations of the earth moving machine carrying the GET and the shocks it receives during operation. Likewise, such a difference may generate significant alterations in the measurements of the electronic monitoring device due to the propagation of errors in time, which influences the effectiveness of the detection of the GET detachment by preventing the establishment of reliable and systematic thresholds for the detection signals.
Said electronic monitoring device may alert of the detachment status of the GET by activating or enabling the generation of visual signals, audible signals, or both. Said means emitting visual signals, auditory signals or both are selected from sirens, horns, loudspeakers, loudspeaker, computer screens or wireless devices with digital display with access to a telephone or satellite network and the Internet, among others. These visual signals are selected from text notes, images or both. Said visual alarms, audible alarms or both, are generated or sent, autonomously, either to the operator of the earthmoving machine or at a monitoring center with a server connected to the network and which is located at the place of operation of the earthmoving machine or both. For example, sending an audible signal and a message with a text notification that is displayed on the screen of a computer, cell phone, Tablet, among others. In this way, the earthmoving machine is prevented from continuing to operate, and the search and recovery of the GET in the ore is made possible.
As already mentioned, the present electronic monitoring device allows the management of energy consumption according to the GET operation status, thus ensuring a low energy consumption, which allows it to reach a useful life period of even up to 2 years, counted from its installation in the GET. The periodicity of data/information transmission is described in Table 1 below:
1Data transmission periodicity: Very low, from 1 hour to 24 hours. Low, from 3 minutes to 1 hour. High, from 0.1 seconds to 3 minutes.
2Status “Standby” = electronic monitoring device, with power source installed, not installed in GET, e.g., may be in storage or on the way to be installed in GET,
3Status “Installed Device” = electronic monitoring device installed in GET, for example, may be stored or on the way to be installed in the earthmoving machine,
4Status “GET Installed” = GET with electronic monitoring device in installation/re-installation on a clamping element of an earthmoving machine, which may be waiting to start operation or on an earthmoving machine operating with new or recovered/reinstalled/replaced GET,
5GET Detached” status = GET with electronic monitoring device detached/detached from a fixture on an earthmoving machine, or with its life cycle ended, or even battery depleted, or GET was not recovered after detachment or GET lost wireless communication with the network.
Thus, the periodicity of data transmission to the server is kept very low prior to the installation of an electronic monitoring device in a GET, and low prior to the installation of a GET with electronic monitoring device on a clamping element of an earthmoving machine, e.g., a loading equipment, and becomes high when the GET with electronic monitoring device is installed on a clamping element of an earthmoving machine, e.g., a loading equipment, or when it has become detached. When the GET is installed on a clamping element of such an earthmoving machine, e.g., a loading equipment, and the latter is in operation, it is sought to effectively detect the detachment of the GET to stop such an earthmoving machine, e.g., loading equipment, early, if the detachment actually occurs, so that the detached GET can be searched for and retrieved, in the ore, and optionally, re-install it. The early shutdown of the equipment prevents the detached GET from moving to other units or operational/productive areas of the mine, such as the primary crusher. Table 2 below shows the management of the wireless communication protocols of this electronic monitoring device, according to the 4 operation states mentioned above, activating in a differentiated way, a communication protocol selected from Bluetooth Low Energy, Lora, Lora Ranging Engine Packet, GFSK or FLRC.
In the “Standby”, “Device Installed” or “GET Installed” states, one of the wireless communication protocols chosen from Table 2 is used and indicated as active by the symbol “X”. While for the “GET Detached” status, a combination of at least two of the 4 wireless communication protocols marked as “active” in Table 2 is used in parallel, thus increasing the chances of detecting an alarm signal from the GET and, optionally, facilitating the search for a detached GET, facilitate the search for a detached GET by activating said communication protocol, together with the “Lora Ranging Engine Packet” protocol that allows detecting the distance between said detached GET and an operator with a module for scanning said wireless signal, thus preventing said detected detached GET from being moved together with the extracted mineral.
As mentioned before, the present electronic monitoring device has twin sensing means that, depending on their location inside the protective outer casing (2), in its upper or lower part, are activated, according to the Operating State, see Table 3.
1measurement rate of at least once every 60 minutes,
2measurement rate of at least once every 30 minutes,
3measurement rate of at least once every 10 seconds,
4Bottom location, corresponds to a location where the sensing means are located at the inside and bottom of the protective outer casing (2), and are facing in front of or directed or pointing towards the bottom of the GET cavity (11);
5Top location, corresponds to a location where the sensing means are located to the inside and at the top of the outer housing (2); the sensing means are in contact with or in close proximity and directed/pointing to the GET attachment element, such location being selected proximate and directed/pointing to the GET attachment element from: 1) proximate and aimed/targeting at the tooth adapter if the electronic monitoring device is installed on a tooth of the earthmoving machine; 2) proximate and aimed/targeting at the lip if the electronic monitoring device is installed on an adapter of a tooth or in-between tooth of the earthmoving machine; 3) proximal and aimed/targeting at the bucket if the electronic monitoring device is installed on a guard of the earthmoving machine, which may preferably be a shovel or loading equipment, where State “Standby”, State “Device Installed”, State “GET Installed”, and State “GET Detached” are as defined for Table 1.
Thus, in the “Standby” or “Device Installed” states, it is the first sensing media twin, located at the bottom, that performs the measurements. While the second sensing media twin, located at the top, performs the measurements in the “Device Installed”, “GET Installed” or “GET Detached” states.
The present electronic device for monitoring a ground engaging tool (GET) of earthmoving machine, tracks, detects and autonomously reports its installation inside a GET, the installation of the GET in an earthmoving machine and the detachment thereof when the machine is in operation, comprises an outer casing (2) inside which are housed a plurality of electronic and programmable components, which confer to it the functionalities of: 1) monitoring either of installation/re-installation and detachment/removal, and additionally location of the GET, by means of magnetic or electromagnetic sensing means in environments highly shielded by metallic elements, which can be obtained from independent sensing means located in different positions, which are activated according to the operating state of the useful life cycle of the GET, 2) management of energy consumption according to 4 defined operating states of the useful life cycle of the GET. GET, 3) wireless communication according to a protocol associated with the state of the electronic monitoring device according to 4 defined operating states of the useful life cycle detected for the GET, and 4) monitoring during the useful life cycle.
In a first, second and third embodiment, the present electronic monitoring device comprises a protective outer casing (2), inside which a series of electronic and programmable components are housed, which is received by an external housing means (1), which in turn is located within a cavity (11) in the GET (10), allowing the safe accommodation of the electronic monitoring device in the GET. Said external housing means (1) standardizes the installation of this electronic monitoring device, since if it is considered that the cavities (11) of the GET may have dimensions and shapes slightly different from each other, it would be the outer protective housing (2) of the electronic monitoring device that should be adapted/adapted to the cavity, whereas with the presence of the outer housing means (1), the present electronic monitoring device is simply housed inside the outer housing means (1), which in turn, is previously installed in the cavity (11) of the GET, adapting itself to its dimensions and shapes.
In a fourth, simpler embodiment, the present electronic monitoring device comprises a protective outer housing (2), inside which the electronic and programmable components are housed, and is installed directly in the cavity (11) of the GET.
In all embodiments, the protective outer housing (2) of the present device is essentially cylindrical, hollowed out on the inside, and low in height. While the outer housing means (1) has a cylindrical shape, hollowed out on the inside, and is slightly larger in diameter and height compared to the protective outer housing (2), which allows it to freely receive and hold the latter, on the inside.
In the first and second embodiments, the protective outer housing (2) of the present electronic monitoring device is removably attached to the outer housing means (1). While in the first modality, the protective outer housing (2) has at least 2 fin-shaped clamping means (4A) projecting vertically, tangentially and equidistantly from the outer mantle of the protective outer housing (2) that allow it to be attached to the housing means (1) outside. In a second embodiment, the outer housing means (1) has at least 2 fin-shaped clamping means (4B) projecting vertically, tangentially and equidistantly from the inner mantle of the outer housing means (1) that enable it to be attached to the protective outer housing (2).
In a third embodiment, the outer housing means (1) is removably joined to the protective outer housing (2) by threaded attachment, wherein the upper inner surface of the housing means (1) is removably joined by threaded attachment to the upper wide end of the removable cover (7) and the protective outer housing (2) is removably joined by snap-locking means (9) to the lower narrow end of the removable cover (7).
In the first and second embodiment of the present electronic monitoring device, the protective outer housing (2) is secured within the housing means (1) outside by means of said at least 2 fin-shaped clamping means (4) which are joined in reversible connection in snap-locking receiving means, preferably, in the form of a vertical rectangular groove (3), located either on the housing means (1) outer or on the protective outer casing (2), this according to whether said at least 2 fin-shaped clamping means (4) project from the outer mantle of the protective outer casing (2) or from the inner mantle of the housing means (1) outer, respectively. Said fin-shaped clamping means (4) may have different thicknesses, lengths and heights as required in consideration of the dimensions of the outer housing means (1).
Said socket closure receiving means are selected from at least 3 socket closure recesses, preferably “L” shaped (5), and which receive, in removable union, the socket closure means (9) of the removable lid (7), in the first, second and third modalities, or simply receive the socket closure means of a removable lid of smaller size in the fourth modality.
The removable lid (7) of the outer housing means (1) has, in any of its modalities, on its inner surface, at least 2 lower ventilation means (8) that allow the entry of cooler air from the outside, to the inside of the outer housing means (1), and in turn, the exit of hot air from the inside of the housing means (1) outside, towards the outside of the same, thus avoiding that the temperature rises both inside the housing means (1) outside and inside the outer casing (2) of the present electronic monitoring device.
Likewise, in the first, second and third modes, the removable cover (7) may comprise at least one gripping means (12A) that facilitates the removable closure and opening of the outer housing means (1). In the fourth mode, that is, in the mode of direct installation of the outer housing on the GET, the removable cover repeats the same gripping feature and additionally features a pair of tabs (12B) to assist reversible closure by engagement with the outer housing (2). In the third embodiment there is only a threaded fastener between the removable cover (7) and the inner upper edge (12C) of the housing means and does not feature gripping means (4A and 4B) as in the first and second embodiments.
The material of the protective outer casing (2), the housing means (1) and the removable cover (7) are selected from a polymeric, co-polymeric material or derivatives thereof or fiberglass, wherein said materials are selected from Teflon, polyaramid, nylon, polyurethane, polystyrene, among others.
The location of the present electronic monitoring device is in the cavity between the GET and its clamping elements. The electronic monitoring device is then protected from shocks-by external elements-that may occur either on the side, front, top or bottom areas of the GET, and the location of the GET cavity is one that allows the present electronic monitoring device to be in front of an attachment element of the GET. The fastening elements may be, but not limited to, to adapter relative to tooth, lip relative to adapter, lip relative to in-between, bucket relative to keeper, among others, thereby allowing detection of installation/re-installation and detachment/removal by measurement of the gap between the present electronic monitoring device and the metal part it faces. The cavity (11) has a geometry that facilitates the installation of the present electronic device, being then, preferably cylindrical, of low height.
The protective outer casing (2) of the present electronic monitoring device may furthermore have at least 2 slight lateral cylindrical widenings (6), which may assist in achieving the secure anchoring of the electronic monitoring device to the GET, preventing internal movement of the components located inside the protective outer casing (2).In the first and second embodiment, the fin-type fastening means (4) allow a fastening between the outer protective housing (2) and the outer housing medium (1), of the floating type or enabled only by means of a snap connection between the fins (4) and the slots (5) which receive them, thus making it possible to reduce heat transfer from the outer housing medium (1) to the protective outer casing (2) and to the interior of the latter, since the contact surfaces between the outer housing medium (1) and the protective outer casing (2) are reduced, and air circulates more easily to the interior of the outer housing medium (1). The protective inner housing (2) as well as the outer housing means (1) are made of a polymeric material. Optionally, the inside of the outer housing medium (1) can be filled with a thermal insulating material such as Aerogel or its derivatives or mixtures to increase the insulating capacity.
With respect to said plurality of electronic and programmable components, located inside the protective outer casing (2) of the present self-contained electronic monitoring device that allows tracking and detecting its installation/re-installation and detachment/removal on a GET, as well as the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of GET with electronic monitoring device with respect to a fastening element on an earthmoving machine, throughout its life cycle, managing power consumption, establishing wireless communication in high metallic environments and detecting according to 4 main operating states, i.e., “Standby”, “Device Installed”, “GET Installed” or “GET Detached”, comprising:
with respect to an installation/re-installation or detachment/removal event of said electronic monitoring device on a GET, or of said GET with electronic monitoring device with respect to a fastening element; or
g) means for temperature sensing in said electronic monitoring device comprising at least with a temperature sensor recording its reading in said first microcontroller, for alerting to high or low temperatures, which may be outside the operating range of the electronic components comprised in the electronic monitoring device; wherein said high temperatures correspond to temperatures of 85° C. or higher and said low temperatures correspond to temperatures of −40° C. or lower, and wherein said alerting comprises activating visual or audible alarm means.
The present monitoring system allows autonomously tracking, detecting and reporting the installation/re-installation or detachment/removal of an electronic monitoring device on a GET and the installation/re-installation or detachment/removal of a GET with electronic monitoring device with respect to a fastening element on an earthmoving machine, throughout its service life cycle, with management of the energy consumption, establishing wireless communication in highly metallic environments and detecting based on 4 main states of the life cycle of the GET, that is, “Standby”, “Device Installed”, “GET Installed” and “GET Detached”, comprising:
In this way, and by way of example without limitation, when the present electronic monitoring device installed in a GET autonomously wirelessly reports/communicates with at least one “Gateway”, it sends data/information of its identification, life cycle operation status, detachment status, temperature, battery level or a combination thereof, by means of radio wave signals emitted by said first resonant antenna operated by said communications module which communicates with one or more communication protocols depending on the life cycle operation and detachment status of the GET, see Table 2, and such data/information is received and processed by said at least one “Gateway”, and optionally and additionally may be collected by a “Central Gateway” that receives said processed data/information from multiple electronic monitoring devices, and transmits said data/information to a display device, e.g., a Tablet, or to a network either internal to the mine or one with Internet access. Likewise, a “Gateway” receiving data/information from an electronic monitoring device may send data/information, instructions, or both to said electronic monitoring device to facilitate coordination and power management, by way of example and not limited to, they may exchange data/information identifying the electronic monitoring device and “Gateway” in communication, which may assist in obtaining a relative position of the GET. The monitoring of such electronic device is mainly done through “Gateway” that can also be installed in warehouses, transport trucks, storage, distribution, and maintenance or repair centers, among others.
Thus, when a GET on an earthmoving machine in operation, it can report to a “Gateway” located on the roof of said earthmoving machine or on the side of its cab, mast, or any other location on the machine facing the GET, and the tracking of the electronic monitoring device will indicate that it is operating on the same machine on which said “Gateway” is mounted, and data/information is additionally and optionally collected relative to said “Gateway” sending, to which display device it sends, and which “Gateway” processes said data/information, the only difference being that relative to detachment detection, where the transmission/sending of data/information is done on another transmission band or channel, with respect to the channel or band used for coordination of the sensor nodes in operation. When a detachment occurs, the following is added, in addition to the emission of an alarm signal, which is constantly sent on a dedicated channel, which is constantly monitored by the gateway. When a gateway receives such alarm signal, it associates the GET with the electronic monitoring device in “GET Detached” state and notifies the detachment through its graphic interface, and additionally and optionally notifies the network to which it is connected, for example, but not limited to, a local network of the mine or the Internet. When the GET is in the “GET Detached” state, said electronic monitoring device sends information for its recovery and uses in parallel a combination of at least two of said 4 wireless communication protocols indicated as “active” in Table 2, where one of them corresponds to the “Lora Ranging Engine Packet”, to determine the distance between said detached GET and an autonomous or remote-controlled robotic operator or equipment, equipped with a module to scan said wireless signal, which travels through the estimated place where the GET could have fallen, seeking to minimize the distance between the scanning module and the detached GET, and when such distance cannot be reduced any further, dig in case it is not in a visible location, and thus, recover the GET, where such scanning module has the same communication capabilities as a “Gateway” but unlike the latter, it accesses the local network or Internet, wirelessly, and has batteries for sporadic use, of a few hours; while the other protocol sends, in parallel, information on its identification, temperature, battery level, life cycle status and detachment status.
Autonomous monitoring method allowing to detect the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of an electronic monitoring device in a GET, and the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of a GET with electronic monitoring device with respect to a clamping element of an earthmoving machine, by activating sensing means having a first sensing means twin and a second sensing means twin which are activated according to the operating state as described in Table 3. Thus, to autonomously detect the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of an electronic monitoring device in a GET, in the states “Standby” or “Device Installed”, being said first twin of said sensing means, located at the bottom of an electronic monitoring device as described above, who performs the measurements, pointing towards the interior of the GET. Whereas for autonomously detecting the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of said GET with electronic monitoring device from its fastening element, it is said second twin of said sensing means, located on top of said electronic monitoring device, that performs measurements, pointing towards a fastening element, in the states “Device Installed”, “GET Installed” and “GET Detached”; wherein installation/re-installation and detachment/removal are determined by a combination of at least one or more of the following options based on measurements of said sensing means:
Autonomous monitoring method that allows tracking and reporting the installation/re-installation or detachment/removal of an electronic monitoring device inside a GET and the installation/re-installation or detachment/removal of a GET with electronic monitoring device on a clamping element of an earthmoving machine, throughout its life cycle, managing power consumption, establishing wireless communication in highly metallic environments, and detecting based on 4 main selected operating states of “Standby”, “Device Installed”, “GET Installed” and “GET Detached”, comprising the following steps:
a) autonomously establish the “Standby” state in said electronic monitoring device, and for this purpose, a first twin of a sensing medium located at the bottom of said electronic monitoring device performs measurements at a measurement rate of at least once every 60 minutes, according to Table 3, i.e., for every instant before said electronic monitoring device is installed in a GET, furthermore, data/information is transmitted to a network server, every 1 hour to 24 hours, according to Table 1, after the presence of a power source medium selected from a battery or battery pack, in proper working order, is confirmed, wherein said data/information may include the unique identification data of said electronic device, and wherein said network server is in communication with at least one “Gateway” to which said electronic monitoring device autonomously reports, wherein said at least one “Gateway” may be located in the electronic monitoring device storage warehouse, among other possible fixed locations or on the transporting conveyance, wherein said unique identification information or data allows tracking of said electronic monitoring device which may maintain wireless communication with said at least one “Gateway”, or with multiple different “Gateways” along its transport route, this, without varying said reported “Standby” state, wherein said server has data/information about the location of each “Gateway”, this, without varying said “Standby” state, or with multiple different “Gateways” that are in its transfer route, this, without varying said reported “Standby” state, where said server has data/information about the location of each “Gateway”, which allows it to establish a follow-up according to the communication range radius of each “Gateway” installed in the place or places, which can even be of several kilometers, this according to the protocol previously described in Table 2; or
b) autonomously establish “Device Installed” status in said electronic monitoring device, and for this purpose, said first twin of said sensing means located at the bottom of said electronic monitoring device or a second twin of said sensing means located at the top of said electronic monitoring device performs measurements at a measurement rate of at least once every 30 minutes, according to Table 3, furthermore data/information is transmitted to said network server, every 30 minutes to 1 hour, according to Table 1, and optionally, by means of an analog front-end, e.g., a Tablet equipped with said analog front-end, the unique identification number (ID) of the electronic monitoring device associating it with the GET ID is entered into a log, wherein said log may be manually or digitally incorporated by means of a photograph having the GET ID or a scan code, among others, and which may be reported either to said network server via wireless WIFI communication, or to the nearest “Gateway”, allowing the tracking of said GET in an autonomous manner, said data/information being able to be visualized by a user in, by way of example and not limited to, a display device, where said
“Gateway” may be located, by way of example and not limited to, in the mine hold or in a GET transfer vehicle, or with a plurality of “Gateways” that are in its transfer route, among others, without varying said “Device Installed” status reported, due to the information or unique identification data of said electronic monitoring device and according to the communication protocol described in Table 2, where said tracking has the wireless communication range radius of each “Gateway”, being even several kilometers, and where in addition each “Gateway” can verify the correct operation of the GET with electronic monitoring device installed; or
c) autonomously establish “GET Installed” status on said electronic monitoring device, and for this purpose, said second twin of said sensing means located on top of said electronic monitoring device performs measurements at a measurement rate of at least once every 10 seconds, according to Table 3, further data/information is transmitted to said network server, every 0.1 second to 3 minutes, according to Table 1, and then, the status of said device is updated on said server, which is connected to a local network, the Internet or the cloud, wherein said change of status may be visualized through a user interface, by way of example and not limited to, a Tablet or any other equipment intended for visualization which may, by way of example and not limited to, be installed in the operator's cab of said earthmoving machine, which is connected to the “Gateway” via a local WIFI network, and optionally, said unique identification between electronic monitoring device and GET allows tracking of the GET while operational in the mine, wherein the wireless communication protocol is conducted as described in Table 2; or
d) autonomously establish “GET Detached” status on said electronic monitoring device, and to this end, said second twin of said sensing means located on top of said electronic monitoring device performs measurements at a measurement rate of at least once every 10 seconds, according to Table 3, further data/information is transmitted to said network server, every 0.1 second to 3 minutes, according to Table 1, wherein the change in status is updated on said server connected to a local network, the Internet or the cloud, and may further optionally be displayed audibly and visually on a user interface, by way of example but not limited to, a Tablet which may be installed in the operator's cab of said earthmoving machine operator, which is connected to the “Gateway” via a local WIFI network, wherein to alert the detachment/removal, autonomously, audible and visual alarms are triggered on other user interfaces intended to monitor the states of said electronic monitoring device, and which are connected to said server dedicated to said earthmoving machine, and wherein optionally, said unique identification between electronic monitoring device and GET allows determining the GET which has detached/detached from said earthmoving machine, wherein the wireless communication protocol is conducted as described in Table 2,
and optionally comprises retrieving said detached GET by uniquely identifying said GET with installed electronic monitoring device which continues to wirelessly communicate with said “Gateway”, and wherein said network server continues to track the GET by said unique identification, and supported by tracking equipment with scanner to track the detached GET, wherein the wireless communication protocol is conducted as described in Table 2 and further transmitting data/information to said network server, every 0.1 second to 3 minutes, according to Table 1, and thereby retrieving it, and optionally, further comprising:
re-install the recovered GET, wherein said electronic monitoring device detects that the GET has been re-installed, and autonomously changes its status from “GET Detached” to “GET Installed”, with all alarms associated with said detachment being disabled, and optionally updating said change of status on the user interface, by way of example but not limited to, a Tablet, installed in the operator's cab of said earthmoving machine operator, or other user interfaces that are connected to said server, which is connected to a local network, the Internet or the cloud, and wherein the wireless communication protocol is conducted as described in Table 2 and further data/information is transmitted to said network server, every 0.1 second to 3 minutes, according to Table 1.
Autonomous monitoring method that allows to track, detect and report the installation/re-installation or detachment/removal of an electronic monitoring device in a GET and the installation/re-installation or detachment/removal of a GET with electronic monitoring device with respect to a fastening element in an earthmoving machine, throughout its useful life cycle, by activating sensing means having a first sensing means twin and a second sensing means twin that are activated according to the operating state as described in Table 3. Thus, to autonomously detect the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of an electronic monitoring device in a GET, in the states “Standby” or “Device Installed”, being said first twin of said sensing means, located at the bottom of said electronic monitoring device, who performs the measurements, pointing towards the interior of the GET. Whereas for autonomously detecting the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal of said GET with electronic monitoring device from its fastening element, it is said second twin of said sensing means, located on the upper part of said electronic monitoring device, who performs the measurements, pointing towards a fastening element, in the states “Device Installed”, “GET Installed” y “GET Detached”; managing power consumption, establishing wireless communication in highly metallic environments, and sensing based on 4 main selected operation states of “Standby”, “Device Installed”, “GET Installed” and “GET Detached”, comprising the following steps:
and optionally comprising retrieving said detached GET by uniquely identifying said GET with installed electronic monitoring device that continues to communicate wirelessly with said “Gateway”, and wherein said network server continues to track the GET by said unique identification, and supported by tracking equipment with scanner to track the detached GET, wherein the wireless communication protocol is conducted as described in Table 2 and further transmitting data/information to said network server, every 0.1 second to 3 minutes, according to Table 1, and thereby retrieving it, and optionally, further comprising:
re-install the recovered GET, wherein said electronic monitoring device detects that the GET has been re-installed, and autonomously changes its status from “GET Detached” to “GET Installed”, with all alarms associated with said detachment being disabled, and optionally updating said change of status on the user interface, by way of example but not limited to, a Tablet, installed in the operator's cab of said earthmoving machine operator, or other user interfaces that are connected to said server, which is connected to a local network, the Internet or the cloud, and wherein the wireless communication protocol is conducted as described in Table 2 and further data/information is transmitted to said network server, every 0.1 second to 3 minutes, according to Table 1;
wherein the installation/re-installation and detachment/removal are determined by a combination of at least one or more of the following options based on measurements of said sensing means:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 688-2021 | Mar 2021 | CL | national |
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/551,362, filed 19 Sep. 2023, which is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/CL2022/050019, filed 1 Mar. 2022, which claims priority to and the benefit of Chilean Application No. 688-2021, filed 19 Mar. 2021, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18551362 | Sep 2023 | US |
| Child | 19054801 | US |
