U.S. patent application number 11/903079 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for refuge chamber and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Strata Products (USA), Inc.. Invention is credited to Donald Beitzel, Gregory Paton-Ash, Brad Rohr.
Application Number | 20080106137 11/903079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39230753 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080106137 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Paton-Ash; Gregory ; et
al. |
May 8, 2008 |
Refuge chamber and method
Abstract
A refuge chamber for miners in a mine includes a skid. The
chamber includes a tent that is disposed in the skid in an
undeployed state which is expandable to a deployed state and
extends from the skid to provide a protected atmosphere for the
miners. A method for providing a refuge chamber for miners in a
mine including the steps of opening a skid made of metal. There is
the step of expanding a tent that is disposed in the skid in an
undeployed state to a deployed state that extends from the skid to
provide a protected atmosphere for the miners.
Inventors: |
Paton-Ash; Gregory;
(Marietta, GA) ; Beitzel; Donald; (Grantsville,
MD) ; Rohr; Brad; (Sandy Springs, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Attorney at Law
Suite 304
201 N. Craig Street
Pittsburgh
PA
15213
US
|
Assignee: |
Strata Products (USA), Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39230753 |
Appl. No.: |
11/903079 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60846432 |
Sep 22, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
299/12 ; 109/1S;
109/23; 135/128 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/52 20130101;
E04H 9/04 20130101; E04H 2001/1283 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
299/012 ;
109/001.00S; 135/128; 109/023 |
International
Class: |
E04H 9/00 20060101
E04H009/00; E02D 29/00 20060101 E02D029/00; E04H 15/20 20060101
E04H015/20; E04H 15/44 20060101 E04H015/44 |
Claims
1. A refuge chamber for miners in a mine comprising: a skid; and a
tent that is disposed in the skid in an undeployed state which is
expandable to a deployed state and extends from the skid to provide
a protected atmosphere for the miners, the skid accessible from
inside the tent.
2. A chamber as described in claim 1 wherein the skid has a
scrubber.
3. A chamber as described in claim 2 wherein the skid has a cooling
system.
4. A chamber as described in claim 3 wherein no external power is
required to operate the scrubber or cooling system.
5. A chamber as described in claim 4 wherein the skid has an
inspection door.
6. A chamber as described in claim 5 wherein the skid has a drawer
system that is accessed from the tent and the inspection
drawer.
7. A chamber as described in claim 6 wherein the tent includes an
expandable support structure, and a seal which seals the tent to
the skid in a deployed state.
8. A chamber as described in claim 7 wherein the tent has an
airlock.
9. A chamber as described in claim 8 wherein the support structure
is expandable from an undeployed state to a deployed state.
10. A chamber as described in claim 9 wherein the support structure
is inflatable.
11. A chamber as described in claim 10 wherein the skid includes a
bank of compressed air bottles that operate the scrubber and expand
the support structure.
12. A chamber as described in claim 10 including a second tent that
is manually erectable and self supporting.
13. A chamber as described in claim 11 wherein the airlock includes
a purge valve.
14. A chamber as described in claim 13 including one way valves
connected to the top of the tent.
15. A chamber as described in claim 14 wherein the skid is
portable.
16. A chamber as described in claim 15 wherein the skid is
explosion proof.
17. A chamber as described in claim 16 wherein the skid is
approximately 10 feet long, 50 inches wide and 36 inches tall.
18. A method for providing a refuge chamber for miners in a mine
comprising the steps of: opening a skid made of metal; and
expanding a tent that is disposed in the skid in an undeployed
state to a deployed state that extends from the skid to provide a
protected atmosphere for the miners.
19. A method as described in claim 18 including the step of moving
the skid, which is portable to desired locations in the mine.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is related to a refuge chamber that
can easily be moved with a fork lift or front end loader. More
specifically, the present invention is related to a refuge chamber
that can easily be moved with a fork lift or front end loader
having a skid and a tent that is disposed in the skid in an
undeployed state which is expandable to a deployed state and
extends from the skid to provide a protected atmosphere for the
miners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Existing refuge chambers are typically a steel structure
that is 6 foot high, 6 feet wide and can be from 14 to 20 feet in
length, as shown in FIG. 1. This makes it difficult to move into a
mine as well as move in a mine when they are deployed.
[0003] Typically, coal mines advance at 50 to 75 feet per day.
Obviously, in tunnel boring and other types of mining they tend to
advance away from the surface opening and fresh air sources. In
order to ensure that the refuge chamber is located close to the
mining areas and typically these refuge chambers need to be within
500-1000 feet of the working area. This means they have to be moved
on a regular basis.
[0004] The refuge chamber of the present invention can be moved
easily due to its smaller size and height. As the fresh Air Bay
tent is inside the skid, it remains protected until it needs to be
deployed.
[0005] The refuge chamber then can be used to provide breathable
air in the event of an emergency as typically fans and ventilation
structures can be damaged or are turned off to remove potential
sparks and air from any fire.
[0006] Rooms are also built into the mines and act as refuge
chambers. These have limited application and new rooms have to be
built as the mines advance. The refuge chamber can simply be moved
along with the mining equipment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention pertains to a refuge chamber for
miners in a mine. The chamber comprises a skid. The chamber
comprises a tent that is disposed in the skid in an undeployed
state which is expandable to a deployed state and extends from the
skid to provide a protected atmosphere for the miners.
[0008] The present invention pertains to a method for providing a
refuge chamber for miners in a mine. The method comprises the steps
of opening a skid made of metal. There is the step of expanding a
tent that is disposed in the skid in an undeployed state to a
deployed state that extends from the skid to provide a protected
atmosphere for the miners.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0009] In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of
the invention and preferred methods of practicing the invention are
illustrated in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a prior art refuge chamber.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows the skid during construction showing the front
door and scrubber positioned in the skid of the refuge chamber of
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an internal view of the skid showing drawers and
the front of the compressed air and oxygen bottles.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a rear inspection door to access drawers and
supplies.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows the metal skid as it is transported and
stored.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows the door of the skid being opened and the
position of the tent prior to being inflated or erected.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows the tent being deployed.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows the rear inspection door of the skid.
[0018] FIG. 9 shows the self-supporting tent attached to the
skid.
[0019] FIG. 10 shows the inflatable structure that is inside the
tent.
[0020] FIG. 11 shows the tent.
[0021] FIG. 12 shows the inside of the tent.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the skid.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a view of the top of the skid.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a view of the bottom of the skid.
[0025] FIG. 16 shows the end door found on both sides of the
skid.
[0026] FIG. 17 shows the bottle support.
[0027] FIG. 18 shows a view of the bottle bay and drawers.
[0028] FIG. 19a is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the
skid.
[0029] FIG. 19b is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the
skid.
[0030] FIG. 19c is an internal view of the drawer system and the
bottles.
[0031] FIG. 19d is a side view of the skid with the doors
closed.
[0032] FIG. 19e is in and view of the drawer system and the
bottles.
[0033] FIG. 19f is a side view of the portions of the end of the
skid with the hinges.
[0034] FIG. 19g is a side view of the skid with the doors open.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several
views, and more specifically to FIGS. 5-8 thereof, there is shown a
refuge chamber 10 for miners in a mine. The chamber 10 comprises a
skid 12. The chamber 10 comprises a tent 14 that is disposed in the
skid 12 in an undeployed state which is expandable to a deployed
state and extends from the skid 12 to provide a protected
atmosphere for the miners.
[0036] Preferably, the skid 12 has a scrubber 16. The skid 12
preferably has a cooling system 18. Preferably, no external power
is required to operate the scrubber 16 or cooling system 18. The
skid 12 preferably has an inspection door 20.
[0037] Preferably, the skid 12 has a drawer system 22 that is
accessed from the tent 14, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The tent 14
preferably includes an expandable support structure 24, as shown in
FIG. 10, and a seal 26 which seals the tent 14 to the skid 12 in a
deployed state. Preferably, the tent 14 has an airlock 28. The
support structure 24 is preferably expandable from an undeployed
state to a deployed state. Preferably, the support structure 24 is
inflatable.
[0038] The present invention pertains to a method for providing a
refuge chamber 10 for miners in a mine. The method comprises the
steps of opening a skid 12 made of metal. There is the step of
expanding a tent 14 that is disposed in the skid 12 in an
undeployed state to a deployed state that extends from the skid 12
to provide a protected atmosphere for the miners.
[0039] The skid 12 can be operated without any power or power
connection--this means that if the power is disconnected, the
structure can still be deployed and used. The fans in the scrubber
16 are run with compressed air and the breathable air is supplied
via oxygen bottles 30 that are located in the skid 12. The cooling
system 18 can also be powerless, as more fully described below.
[0040] By being made of metal and preferably steel, it can
withstand explosions.
[0041] The compressed air is already connected to the scrubber 16
motor. All the miners need to do is turn on the smith/valve to
activate the system. The skid 12 contains a bank of compressed air
bottles 30--they are used to run the scrubber 16 motor as well as
fill the tent 14 and purge the tent 14 and air lock if required.
Medical grade oxygen is also in bottles 30--normally four of them
to provide the breathable air (replaces the air consumed) that is
metered into the skid 12/tent 14 using a ball valve medical flow
meter that is set depending on the number of people in the tent 14.
The rate is predetermined at 30 liters per person per hour. The
instructions in the skid 12 tell the occupants how to set the flow
rate.
[0042] Inspection door 20 provides easy inspection and allows
supplies to be changed as necessary.
[0043] The skid 12 contains a drawer system 22 that allows all the
supplies like soda lime (for the Scrubbing, water, food, first aid
kit to be stored safely). This drawer system 22 has the unique
feature that it can be accessed form the inside of the tent 14. It
can also be accessed from the inspection door 20 for routine
maintenance.
[0044] Cooling is normally required in a refuge chamber 10 due the
heat generated by the occupants, the scrubbing operation and in
some cases by the temperature underground. Normally, an air
conditioner is fitted into a refuge chamber 10 to provide cooling.
This requires an electrical connection or a battery backup system.
These can be unsafe in a coal mine due to potentially explosive
gases and typically require special approvals and safety features.
Presently, no air conditioners are approved for use in this
environment. Two alternative cooling systems 18 are described
herein.
[0045] The first system used a refrigeration system in the skid 12
that is loaded with chemical ice pack. These stored ice blocks can
then be used to cool the chamber 10 in the event of an emergency.
The power will be disconnected, however the refrigeration unit
stores and keeps the frozen pack until they are needed.
[0046] Another alternative is a chemical cooling pack that is
stored in the skid 12 and used as required.--this has no power
connection.
[0047] The cooling requirements have been calculated based on the
mine temperature, occupancy rate and the expected time of the tent
14 occupancy and can match the requirement to the amount of cool
storage/chemical cooling systems 18 required.
[0048] Another unique feature of the skid 12 is that it is tight
and so the tent 14 and the skid 12 become an integral unit when the
tent 14 is opened. The tent 14 is connected to the tent 14 via a
bellows construction and gasket arrangement and is fixed to the
skid 12.
[0049] The system has two distinct types of tent 14
attachments.
[0050] The first type is a tent 14 that is erected using compressed
air that is used to blow up structural elements. The tent 14 is
attached to these elements and erects on its own.
[0051] The other tent 14 is a manually erectable tent 14 that is
self supporting and is drawn out of the skid 12 manually. It is
designed with a structure that is self supporting and required no
erection, apart from being pulled out from the skid 12. It expands
in an accordion fashion from its undeployed state and is formed
from plastic or metal strips connected together similar to an
expandable gate. One of the further advantages of these tents 14 is
that they can be made of any mine height--and that can be as low as
30 inches high. Occupants would crawl into the tent 14 in the case
of a low mine height and then activate the controls in the skid 12
in the normal fashion.
[0052] The tent 14 has an air lock compartment so that the tent 14
can be entered without contamination of the entire fresh air bay.
At the entrance to the tent 14, there is a small area with an inner
flap that is zippered to the external wall which defines the air
lock. A purge valve 32 connected to the compressed air valve allows
the air in the air lock compartment to be purged. When the air lock
has been purged and replaced with air from the compressed air
bottle, the zipper can be opened to allow access to the main part
of the tent 14. Tubing 34 extends from the skid 12 to which bottles
30 are connected to the air lock.
[0053] Another feature and advantage of the tent 14 is that the one
way valves 36 are located on the top of the tent 14 so that the
hottest air is escaping from the tent 14 helping to moderate the
temperature. As air is constantly being released from the oxygen
cylinders, it is necessary to have air relief valves to stop an
over pressurization of the tent 14 structure.
[0054] FIG. 2 shows the skid 12 during construction showing the
front door and scrubber 16 positioned in the skid 12. The scrubber
16 is fitted with an air motor. The tent 14 is attached to this
side with a sealed diaphragm. The inside of the skid 12 can be
accessed from the inside of the tent 14.
[0055] FIG. 3 is an internal view of the skid 12 showing drawers
with all provisions and the front of the compressed air and oxygen
bottles 30. FIG. 4 shows a rear inspection door 20 to access
drawers and supplies.
[0056] Diagrammatically, the unit would work as follows:
[0057] FIG. 5 shows the metal skid 12 as it is transported and
stored.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows the door of the skid 12 being opened and the
position of the tent 14 prior to being inflated or erected.
[0059] FIG. 7 shows the tent 14 being deployed.
[0060] FIG. 8 shows the rear inspection door 20 of the skid 12.
[0061] FIG. 9 shows the self-supporting tent 14 attached to a skid
12. The air lock is in front.
[0062] FIG. 10 shows the inflatable structure that is inside the
tent 14.
[0063] FIG. 11 shows the tent 14.
[0064] FIG. 12 shows the inside of the tent 14.
[0065] The refuge chamber 10 has a steel skid 12 mounted box that
contains all items required to allow trapped miners to survive in
irrespirable air for a period of time of at least four days or
longer if equipped for that purpose.
[0066] The steel box is explosion proof (up to 15PSI) can be moved
and placed in a suitable area in the mine.
[0067] The steel box contains the following unique features: [0068]
Drawer systems 22 to hold supplies [0069] Water [0070] Food [0071]
Spare lights [0072] Batteries [0073] Air monitoring devices [0074]
First Aid kit [0075] Other necessary supplies [0076] Scrubber 16
that can be air powered or battery operated to scrub CO2 [0077]
Oxygen and Compressed air bottles 30 [0078] Control systems to
manage and control the flow of oxygen and compressed air [0079]
Tent 14 system can be: [0080] Inflatable with compressed air [0081]
Or manually erectable
[0082] The steel box has an inspection door 20 so that items in the
box can be changed out periodically or inspected without deploying
the tent 14.
[0083] The steel box has a door that opens out and allows the tent
14 to be erected.
[0084] The steel box is air tight.
[0085] The interior of the tent 14 is linked and the inside of the
box can be accessed from the tent 14.
[0086] The size of the steel box is approximately 10 feet long 50
inches wide and 36 inches tall and allows for easy movement inside
the mine and into the mine.
[0087] The unique features consist of the following features:
[0088] The entire concept of having a portable life support system.
[0089] The fact that all items are sized to fit into the steel box
making the system totally portable. [0090] The steel box linked
into the tent 14 and having all the controls and equipment in the
box. [0091] The explosion proof design of the box. [0092] The
manually self standing/supporting tent 14. [0093] The fact that the
whole system can be operated without any external power source.
[0094] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the constructed skid made
of metal. FIG. 14 is a view of the top of the skid. In the panels
that make up the walls of the skid are angles 40 that are stitch
welded with toes against the panel.
[0095] FIG. 15 is a view of the bottom of the skid. The bottle
support 38 is positioned in the bottom of the skid.
[0096] FIG. 16 shows the end door found on both sides of the skid.
FIG. 17 shows the bottle support 38. FIG. 18 shows a view of the
bottle bay and drawers.
[0097] FIG. 19a is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the
skid. FIG. 19b is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the
skid. FIG. 19c is an internal view of the drawer system and the
bottles 30. FIG. 19d is a side view of the skid with the doors
closed. FIG. 19e is an end view of the drawer system and the
bottles 30. FIG. 19f is a side view of the portions of the end of
the skid with the hinges. FIG. 19g is a side view of the skid with
the doors open.
[0098] Although the invention has been described in detail in the
foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be
understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that
variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it
may be described by the following claims.
* * * * *