Cordless cap lamp sheds new light on innovation

The idea for a cordless cap lamp was born in 2003, led to a patent, and to the formation of Minelight in 2007.

Designer Nick Galatis charted the long course that the Department of Mineral Resources now follow with new mining technology applicants, in order to comply with international standards.
The adoption process included some changes in DMR specifications and requirements, and was further complicated by some mines, like Anglo American, adding corporate lighting specifications to DMR requirements.
"The old lighting specifications that we initially started to work to, had not been reviewed for years,” recalls Galatis. "The DMR does not accept prototypes, which means a final production mold had to be made.

Tested

The DMR also required 70 000 hours of testing time, which was successfully completed by Minelight. The final stamp of approval from the DMR was conferred in April.
Mining houses are invited to try samples of the unique lamp. The new cordless cap lamp offers light weight, as well as an end to cording risks, ergonomics problems, and copper recycling problems.
The specially designed lens throws a wider radius of light, covering the ground in front of miner’s feet, and at longer range.
Impact tests were completed in the USA, and Minelight is classified as one of a kind in local and international standards.
The cap lamp, named Mark 1, complies to Recyclable of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) standards.

Eight hours, and 18 on dim

Mark 1 has an 8 hour life span, with an additional 18 hours thereafter at dim setting.
To meet harsh conditions in underground mining, Mark 1 is sonic welded and waterproof. Weight of the Mark 1 is much less than old lamps, at 180 grams. "Our target weight is 150 grams," commented Galatis.
The device includes an RFI sensor, allowing quality monitoring and access control. Batteries are charged in individualised chargers, like cell phone batteries, reducing the risk of theft.
Exiting times await the brilliant invention, endorsed by the IDC, assembled in South Africa.
Mark 2 will include a gas sensor.

Back in time:

1802

In 1802, Dr. William Cruickshank designed the first electric battery capable of mass-production.

1813

Lighting device used in places, such as mines, in which there is danger from the explosion of flammable gas or dust. In the late 18th century a demand arose in England for a miner's lamp that would not ignite the gas methane (firedamp), a common hazard of English coal mines. W. Reid Clanny, an Irish physician, invented a lamp in about 1813, in which the oil-fuelled flame was separated from the atmosphere by water seals. It required continual pumping for operation.

1815

In 1815 the English engineer George Stephenson invented a lamp that kept explosive gases out by pressure of the flame's exhaust; and held the flame in by drawing in air at high speed. In 1815 Sir Humphry Davy invented the lamp that bears his name.

1879

The electric light, one of the everyday conveniences that affects our lives most, was invented in 1879 by Thomas Alva Edison. He put together what he knew about electricity with what he knew about gas lights, and invented a complete electrical system.

1926

The fluorescent tube was invented in 1926 by Edmund Germer, a German inventor. His lamp was essentially the same as modern tubes. His patent was bought by General Electric.

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