The Nautilus 140SSF System is a versatile radio remote control system capable of controlling and monitoring all of the functions of a wide range of mining, construction, and industrial equipment. The system operates in a half-duplex mode i.e., the operator's Portable Control Unit (PCU) sends commands to the Remote Vehicle Unit (RVU) and in return receives data which shows the status of the remote vehicle and the radio control system.
 

 The Nautilus TC-180SSF System is a versatile radio remote control system capable of controlling and monitoring all of the functions of a wide range of mining, construction, and industrial equipment such as: LHDs, Continuous Miners, Jumbo Drill rigs, Rock Breakers, Roof Bolters, Longwall Cutters, Locomotives, Cranes and many others.

The Nautilus TC-180SSF uses alternative Portable Control Unit called the 'Thumb Controller' (TC) which has many advantages over a 140SSF Portable Control Unit.

 The Maclean Blockholer uses a C-series Rack PC to control and monitor all of the functions of the  Blockholer. The Nautilus RVU (micro-controller) communicates directly with the Omron Host Link Unit in RS232C format.  This makes it very easy for a customer to connect a Nautilus Thumb Controller RVU to any Maclean Blockholer using only a single (four wire) cable. 

To make it even easier, Nautilus has made the RVU extremely small and light.  The magnet bolted to the bottom of the RVU enclosure allows the unit to be instantly clamped to any flat steel surface on the Blockholer which is available.

Parker Canbus Systems are now available world-wide for a wide variety of machines and vehicles. The advantages of using Canbus Systems include a simple 2-wire system running through the machine which controls all of the functions.

Sandvik Mining and Construction Inc. has taken the lead in underground mining applications by developing a new series of extremely low profile hydrostatic drive LHD’s and Bulldozers which use the Parker Canbus System.

Nautilus is currently the only company that is able to provide a Radio Control which is fully compatible with the demanding requirements of this Canbus System and still give superb remote control of the new Sandvik hydrostatic drive LHD’s and Bulldozers.
 

The Nautilus Buddy-180SSF system is used to train radio control operators to stay a safe distance away from their remotely controlled LHD’s. The operator should be detected by the Buddy System even when he is kneeling, lying down or facing away from the LHD. The system also detects the operator in every location around and even underneath the vehicle. The Buddy System was tested at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Spokane, Washington USA in May 1999 and May 2000 with no misses or false alarms over the 0m to 18m (59ft) range (NIOSH Report of Investigations #RI9652).

The Nautilus TC-Powercam Teleremote System is a combination of Thumb Controller, Remote Vehicle Unit and Video System. Three cameras are mounted on the remote vehicle and the selected video picture is transmitted back to the operator's colour TV.

In Australia and New Zealand, contractors are using a Toyota Landcruiser as a comfortable underground base from which the operator can remotely control the LHD. If required, a control room on the surface could also be used to control one or more LHD's.

The Thumb Controller (TC) has 'Cruise Control' which operates just like an automobile. The operator has full proportional control of the tramming speed so he can set a suitable speed and then the cruise-control will maintain that speed for him provided he always keeps at least one finger on a 'deadman' button. He can increase or decrease the 'cruise' speed at any time to compensate for changes in the tunnel eg. rough ground conditions.

For applications where remote operators need to monitor the front and rear of the remote vehicle simultaneously because of unstable ground conditions,  the Powercam System supports two TV's of any size.  They can be standard TV's, plasma, LCD or any other type and they are usually selected and purchased locally by the customer.

Nautilus supplies an 8" (20cm) flat-screen TV (shown left) which is very useful during installation and testing.

The Nautilus Coal-Buddy System was designed to train operators, helpers and visitors to stay a safe distance away from Continuous Miners. It has been tested in three different Massey Energy mines in the USA.

Two Buddy Antennas are used to radiate a large magnetic field around the Continuous Miner (CM). The strength of this magnetic field is measured by the pedestrian's Battery Pack which then calculates the distance between the CM and the pedestrian. Depending on the speed of the CM the Battery Pack will decide when the pedestrian is in danger and will automatically generate an alarm by activating a warning light, stopping the CM from tramming (moving) and preventing the conveyor boom from rotating. If the operator moves even closer to the CM then the Battery Pack will automatically command the hydraulic pump on the CM to shut down.

The Nautilus Buddy-PDS (Proximity Detection System) was designed to train pedestrians and drivers of the small vehicles to stay a safe distance away from large trucks (Haultrucks). It has been tested on a variety of Haultrucks including 50 ton, 240 ton and a 320 ton Haultruck at the Phelps Dodge mine in Morenci, Arizona USA. in May, 2000.  This system was also tested at NIOSH in Spokane, Washington USA in May, 1999 and May 2000.  The results were no misses and no false alarms, a perfect record.

This Stand-alone Buddy System is normally used in any application which requires the use of a Cap-Lamp and Battery Pack. However, this particular system is not approved for coal mines which have methane gas (explosive) environments. For these special coal applications please refer to the “Coal-Buddy” system. This stand-alone Buddy System has several advantages:

1. The Buddy electronic PCB is inside the Cap-Lamp Battery Case
2. So the pedestrian does not have to carry any extra equipment.
3. The MF5 Antenna that is located on the vehicle is very small and well protected
4. The Machine Unit that is also located on the vehicle will operate from 10-30VDC

This high quality Cap-Lamp was made specifically for underground coal mines which have an explosive environment due to the presence of methane gas. Because of this hazardous environment the Cap-Lamp and Battery Case are both well sealed and beautifully made.

The main light is a rugged LED which provides a long life, excellent reliability and minimal servicing. The auxiliary or emergency backup light consists of  6 LED's.

The main light will operate continuously for a minimum of 16 hours.

The auxiliary light will operate continuously for more than 32 hours.