Abstract: Example inflatable air barriers are disclosed herein. Some example barriers disclosed herein include one or more inflatable tubes for maintaining a sealed airlock leading to an underground shelter. Such shelters provide miners with temporary refuge in the event of a mining incident involving the release of contaminated air. Some example barriers disclosed herein include one or more of the following: an inflatable tube with an air permeable section, a resiliently compressible foam body or other resilient member for supporting a deflated tube, a magnet for providing a secure seal, an inflatable tube with interchangeable end caps, elastic bands for securing the position of an inflatable tube, or an inflatable tube with one or more windows.

Abstract: In some example pliable air duct systems, inflatable ducts of various diameters and lengths are created by selectively assembling pre-existing stock pieces in different combinations. In some examples, the stock pieces include disconnectable longitudinal joints and disconnectable circumferential joints, wherein the longitudinal joints enable interconnecting multiple stock pieces to achieve a desired tube diameter, and the circumferential joints allow connecting multiple tube segments end-to-end to produce an air duct assembly of a desired length. To control the volume and/or the direction of air discharged from the duct, the duct assembly, in some examples, includes an adjustable register comprising a movable pliable sheet that overlies a discharge opening in a pliable sidewall of the duct. In some examples, the inflatable duct includes one or more cutout patterns on the duct's sidewall to provide guidance in creating a sidewall discharge opening of a proper size and location.

Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Fabric silencers for air ducts are disclosed. An example air duct silencer system includes an inner tube being of a first pliable material, the inner tube defining an airway extending along the inner tube. The example air duct silencer system further includes an outer tube being of a second pliable material, the outer tube to encircle the inner tube to define an annular space between the outer tube and the inner tube. The example air duct silencer system also includes a sound absorbing material to be disposed within the annular space.

Abstract: In some example pliable air duct systems, inflatable ducts of various diameters and lengths are created by selectively assembling pre-existing stock pieces in different combinations. In some examples, the stock pieces include disconnectable longitudinal joints and disconnectable circumferential joints, wherein the longitudinal joints enable interconnecting multiple stock pieces to achieve a desired tube diameter, and the circumferential joints allow connecting multiple tube segments end-to-end to produce an air duct assembly of a desired length. To control the volume and/or the direction of air discharged from the duct, the duct assembly, in some examples, includes an adjustable register comprising a movable pliable sheet that overlies a discharge opening in a pliable sidewall of the duct. In some examples, the inflatable duct includes one or more cutout patterns on the duct's sidewall to provide guidance in creating a sidewall discharge opening of a proper size and location.

Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Example air ducts comprising pliable tubular sidewalls are provided with example internal frameworks that hold the duct in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is depressurized. The framework tensions the pliable sidewall material along the length of the ducts to keep the material taut. In some examples, the framework is restrained within the duct such that the duct's sidewall, being in tension, holds the framework in compression longitudinally. Thus, in the longitudinal direction, the duct is in tension and the framework is in compression. To prevent the framework from buckling under the compressive force, some example frameworks comprise a central longitudinal shaft with a plurality of radial spokes and rings that help hold the shaft straight. In some examples, the rings also help hold the duct radially expanded.

Abstract: Example air ducts comprising pliable tubular sidewalls are provided with example internal frameworks that hold the duct in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is depressurized. The framework tensions the pliable sidewall material along the length of the ducts to keep the material taut. In some examples, the framework is restrained within the duct such that the duct's sidewall, being in tension, holds the framework in compression longitudinally. Thus, in the longitudinal direction, the duct is in tension and the framework is in compression. To prevent the framework from buckling under the compressive force, some example frameworks comprise a central longitudinal shaft with a plurality of radial spokes and rings that help hold the shaft straight. In some examples, the rings also help hold the duct radially expanded.

Abstract: In some example pliable air duct systems, inflatable ducts of various diameters and lengths are created by selectively assembling pre-existing stock pieces in different combinations. In some examples, the stock pieces include disconnectable longitudinal joints and disconnectable circumferential joints, wherein the longitudinal joints enable interconnecting multiple stock pieces to achieve a desired tube diameter, and the circumferential joints allow connecting multiple tube segments end-to-end to produce an air duct assembly of a desired length. To control the volume and/or the direction of air discharged from the duct, the duct assembly, in some examples, includes an adjustable register comprising a movable pliable sheet that overlies a discharge opening in a pliable sidewall of the duct. In some examples, the inflatable duct includes one or more cutout patterns on the duct's sidewall to provide guidance in creating a sidewall discharge opening of a proper size and location.

Abstract: Pliable air ducts with anti-condensation nozzles are disclosed. An example system includes a tubular duct comprising a pliable wall dividing an interior of the tubular duct from an exterior of the tubular duct. The system includes an outlet member to be attached to the pliable wall. The outlet member defines a main air passageway with a first flow resistance therethrough and places the interior of the tubular duct in fluid communication with the exterior of the tubular duct. The system includes a secondary air passageway with a second flow resistance therethrough. The secondary air passageway is defined by at least one of the outlet member or the pliable wall and extends from the interior of the tubular duct to the exterior of the tubular duct to define an airflow path proximate the outlet member. The second flow resistance is significantly greater than the first flow resistance.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to determine pliable air duct configurations are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves determining a first quantity of adjustable air outlet duct sections to configure an air delivery duct system when an operating mode identifier is received. The operating mode identifier is associated with an amount of air delivered by the air delivery duct system into targeted areas. The first quantity of adjustable air outlet duct sections is based on an airflow rate value and the operating mode identifier. The airflow rate value is indicative of airflow through an air delivery duct system. Each adjustable air outlet duct section includes at least one adjustable air outlet having at least one size-adjustable orifice.

Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to determine pliable air duct configurations are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves determining a first quantity of adjustable air outlet duct sections to configure an air delivery duct system when an operating mode identifier is received. The operating mode identifier is associated with an amount of air delivered by the air delivery duct system into targeted areas. The first quantity of adjustable air outlet duct sections is based on an airflow rate value and the operating mode identifier. The airflow rate value is indicative of airflow through an air delivery duct system. Each adjustable air outlet duct section includes at least one adjustable air outlet having at least one size-adjustable orifice.

Abstract: An air diffuser includes a porous fabric panel having areas of different flow coefficients. The areas' positions and their relative flow coefficients provide a means for not only diffusing the air but also for strategically directing the airflow in a deliberate pattern that promotes intermixing of the air while avoiding adverse air currents. Consequently, the porous fabric itself provides air dispersion and airflow direction without the need for louvers or guide vanes. In some embodiments, the fabric's porosity is programmed by laser cutting small slits into the fabric.