Comparison of Magnetic Field Distribution Models for a Magnetic Proximity Detection System

Magnetic proximity detection technology is rapidly advancing as a promising method of protecting underground mine workers from striking and pinning hazards associated with mobile mining machines. A magnetic proximity detection system requires a magnetic distribution model to estimate the proximity of the sensor to the generators. This paper presents a comparative analysis of magnetic flux density distribution models in three different field distribution design patterns. The accuracy of these models is determined with a laboratory magnetic proximity detection system. These field distribution design patterns are spherical, ellipsoidal, and sphere-cosine, respectively. The analyses show that the sphere-cosine model is the most accurate model for the proximity system followed by the ellipsoidal and spherical models.