Abstract: A personal sampling method and apparatus for real time respirable dust dosimetry for dust exposure assessment is provided to aid in assuring the respiratory health of workers. An embodiment uses a low flow-rate gas sampling pump for differential pressure measurements across a glass fiber collection filter in a disposable detector tube (12) or dust detecting device coupled to the pump inlet. The dust detecting device includes an elongated tubular element (12) having the filter (30) positioned between proximal and distal ends of the tube (12) for trapping dust mass. A pressure transducer (16) at the proximal end (36) measures the pressure from the flow of gas. The pump draws the flow of gas through the dust detecting device from the distal end (38) towards the proximal end (36) trapping the dust mass at the filter (30).

Abstract: The invention relates to a water spray ventilator system mounted on a continuous mining machine to streamline airflow and provide effective face ventilation of both respirable dust and methane in underground coal mines. This system has two side spray nozzles mounted one on each side of the mining machine and six spray nozzles disposed on a manifold mounted to the underside of the machine boom. The six spray nozzles are angularly and laterally oriented on the manifold so as to provide non-overlapping spray patterns along the length of the cutter drum.

Abstract: A computer control system, especially a flight control computer system, comprises a series of computer modules operating in parallel and asynchronously to carry out respective parts of an overall control algorithm for a series of items to be controlled, each computer module having a data transmission port connected via a broadcast line to a respective input port of each other computer module so that communication between modules is achieved by any of the modules broadcasting asynchronous data messages onto its broadcast line for the messages to be received by any other modules which require them.