Abstract: The optimized mine ventilation system of this invention supplements mine ventilation basic control systems composed of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers with human machine interfaces from vendors such as Allen-Bradley™, Modicon™ and others) or DCSs (Distributed Control System from vendors such as ABB™ and others) with supervisory control establishing a dynamic ventilation demand as a function of real-time tracking of machinery and/or personnel location and where this demand is optimally distributed in the work zones via the mine ventilation network and where the energy required to ventilate is minimized while totally satisfying the demand for each work zones. The optimized mine ventilation system operates on the basis of a predictive dynamic simulation model of the mine ventilation network along with emulated control equipment such as fans and air flow regulators.

Abstract: A longitudinally yieldable support for underground roof support includes first and second outer shell portions having a first wall thickness and a third outer shell portion having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The support is filled with a solid compressible filler material. At least one air ventilation tube extends between opposite sides of the third outer shell portion to allow a flow of air through the support as the first and second outer shell portions and filler material therein yield under load.

Abstract: A ventilation system for an underground mine includes a blowing curtain, a passive regulator in a shape of an airfoil and an airflow ventilation source. The passive regulator is positioned in the air path adjacent a discharge end of the blowing curtain.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid flow in a fluid network system by means of a plurality of fluid machines. The disclosure provides a simple empirical method of identifying network characteristics of the fluid network system used for providing the required fluid flow rate in the fluid network system utilizing minimal fluid machine power. The method includes the steps of determining a relation between a change in fluid machine speed and a corresponding change in fluid flow rate for each of the plurality of fluid machines empirically; determining a minimum total fluid machine power which provides a minimum required flow rate in the fluid network system based on a constraint involving the relation between the fluid flow rate and the corresponding fluid machine speed, and controlling a speed of the plurality of fluid machines such that the minimum total fluid machine power in the fluid network system is attained.

Abstract: A barrier survival system that isolates a safe volume within a mine or other confined structure and provides breathable air to one or more survivors within the safe volume who are awaiting rescue by generating oxygen, removing one or more toxins, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide; and providing heat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of mining underground coal and recovering coal seam gas, the method including locating a seam of coal; digging a mine shaft to reach the seam of coal; constructing a ventilated underground control center which includes a computerized control panel, wherein the computerized control panel controls the movement of a drill head, a hollow drill shaft, a movable hydraulic shield, a movable resin roof bolting machine, and a movable waste extrusion device; providing mining personnel to the ventilated underground control center; and allowing the mining personnel to operate the computerized control panel wherein they perform the tasks of moving the drill head into the seam of coal to obtain aggregate coal and coal seam gas; extruding waste material into mined-out space of the coal seam; and transferring the aggregate coal and coal seam gas to the surface of the earth.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a mine fire by delivering a water absorbent polymeric composition to a rock structure involved in a fire and infusing the polymeric composition into the rock structure. The polymeric composition may also be used to create a seal across a mine entry for controlling underground mine fires.

Abstract: A mine ventilation and bridge structure incorporating a bridge feature enabling a mine vehicle to cross over the structure. The structure comprises a pair of generally parallel and spaced-apart side walls defining opposing side walls and a plurality of elongate deck panels extending between the side walls. At least one deck panel of the plurality of deck panels is a reinforced bridge deck panel constructed to support the weight of a vehicle crossing over the mine ventilation and bridge structure.

Abstract: The invention provides an airflow regulator for a mine passage, comprising: a louver blade pivotable to a predetermined position, which is in a range from a closed position in which the louver blade restricts at least a portion of the passage to an open position in which air is readily able to flow in the passage; and a linkage mechanism for pivoting the louver blade wherein the linkage mechanism includes a biasing strut mechanism which is only activated to pivot the louver blade into the open position when a predetermined airflow is reached and biases the louver blade to its predetermined position after the airflow has reduced to less than the predetermined airflow.

Abstract: The optimized mine ventilation system of this invention supplements mine ventilation basic control systems composed of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers with human machine interfaces from vendors such as Allen-Bradley™, Modicon™ and others) or DCSs (Distributed Control System from vendors such as ABB™ and others) with supervisory control establishing a dynamic ventilation demand as a function of real-time tracking of machinery and/or personnel location and where this demand is optimally distributed in the work zones via the mine ventilation network and where the energy required to ventilate is minimized while totally satisfying the demand for each work zones. The optimized mine ventilation system operates on the basis of a predictive dynamic simulation model of the mine ventilation network along with emulated control equipment such as fans and air flow regulators.

Abstract: A system and/or method for increasing safety in areas in which people work and/or through which people travel that potentially may become blocked (e.g. mines, mineshafts, tunnels, etc.) is provided. In certain example embodiments, a system and/or method is provided wherein a sensor locates individuals who may be trapped and conveys their location(s) after an area becomes blocked. Sensors may be disposed throughout the area, located on individuals, etc. Sensors may be located behind protected coverings (e.g. glass), and they may locate individuals through, for example, low power, ultrasound, infrared techniques, etc. In certain example embodiments of this invention, one or more conduits may provide a supply of breathable air to individuals who may be trapped after the area becomes blocked.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a mine fire by delivering a water-absorbent polymeric composition to a rock structure involved in a fire and infusing the polymeric composition into the rock structure. The polymeric composition may also be used to create a seal across a mine entry for controlling underground mine fires.

Abstract: A mine air crossing includes opposite side walls and a deck extending from side wall to side wall. Each side wall includes a plurality of sections assembled side-by-side and interconnected by quick-connections. Similarly, each deck may include deck sections assembled side-by-side and interconnected by quick-connections.

Abstract: A mine ventilation structure is incorporated at the intersection of first and second intersecting passages in a mine. The ventilation structure comprises a tunnel-forming construction (e.g., a pair of side walls each walling off at least a portion of a respective mouth of a first passage and a deck spanning the side walls and connected thereto). The construction defines a tunnel establishing communication of air from the upstream to the downstream mouth of the second passage. An air deflector is located in the first passage adjacent the tunnel-forming construction for decreasing shock loss associated with the mine ventilation structure, thereby increasing the amount of air flow produced by the mine's ventilation system.

Abstract: A mine door installation has a frame installed in a mine passageway. At least one door leaf is mounted on the frame for swinging movement between open and closed positions. Movement of the door leaf is powered by a pneumatic actuator. A pneumatically-powered control system may be provided to control the door installation. The pneumatic control system may comprise a calibrated vent to shorten the delay in the response of the door leaf to direction from the control system to stop moving. The pneumatic control system may also comprise a limit valve to prevent the door installation from opening when a second door installation is open, thereby preventing both door installations in an air lock from being open at the same time.

Abstract: A ventilation system for an underground structure which can internally supply fresh outdoor air by individually sucking and discharging air through fans of underground shafts in the underground structure such as an underground parking lot, underground warehouse, subway space, underground sporting place and underground hangar. The ventilation system for the underground structure includes air supply side fixed frames installed in air supply holes of each floor of the underground structure along one side shaft of the underground structure, air supply fans installed on the air supply side fixed frames toward the air supply holes, air exhaust rooms for forming air exhaust spaces on each floor of the underground structure, air exhaust holes being formed therein toward the other side shaft of the underground structure, air exhaust side fixed frames installed in the air exhaust rooms, and air exhaust fans installed on the air exhaust side fixed frames toward the air exhaust holes.

Abstract: A mine door assembly has a frame. At least one door leaf is mounted on the frame for swinging movement between open and closed positions. Movement of the door leaf is powered by a pneumatic actuator. The door installation also has a hydraulic checking system for controlling the speed of the door leaf as it moves back and forth between open and closed positions. A pneumatically-powered control system may be provided to control the door installation. The pneumatic control system may comprise a calibrated vent to shorten the delay in the response of the door leaf to direction from the control system to stop moving. The pneumatic control system may also comprise a limit valve to prevent the door installation from opening when a second door installation is open, thereby preventing both door installations in an air lock from being open at the same time.

Abstract: A system for dispersing rock dust into the air ventilation passages of an underground coal mine having an air ventilation pattern wherein fresh air is pumped from outside of the mine into the mine thru fresh air passageways leading to the mine work faces and wherein the contaminated air is forced out of the mine thru contaminated air return passageways, the system having a tank for containing rock dust, a ventilation air feed conduit communicating with the interior of the tank, an air-dust mixture discharge port in the tank and adapted to be placed in communication with the return passageways, and a dehumidifier unit communicating with the ventilation air feed conduit for maintaining the feed air at a humidity level sufficiently low to prevent rock dust in the tank from agglomerating.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus 1 for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises an air supply duct 6 for supplying air and a vent 40 communicating with the air supply duct 6 for blowing the air into a compartment of the vehicle. The direction of the air blown from the vent 40 is adjustable. The air supply duct 6 includes a branch chamber 14, 16 for reducing flow speed of the air flowing through the air supply duct 6 so that the speed-reduced air in the branch chamber 14, 16 is blown from the vent 40.

Abstract: A ventilation system for a building, or other structure includes a roof and an airfoil mounted on the roof. The airfoil includes a tubular member having a longitudinal axis, an inside, an outside, and an elongated opening extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The air foil includes a leading edge positioned with respect to the longitudinal opening on the outside of the tubular member to create a pressure differential between the tubular member and the leading edge when wind blows past the airfoil. An air duct in communication with the interior of the tubular member extends into the building to enable the airfoil to draw air out from the building in response to the wind.

Abstract: A light weight foam block being substantially rectangular in shape, having horizontal and/or vertical pairs of tongues and grooves around its perimeter enabling it to interlock with horizontally and/or vertically adjacent blocks to construct a mine stopping wall.

Abstract: A pair of door-sections make up a mine ventilation door. The door-sections are hinged to the side-walls of the passage. One of the door-sections opens upstream and the other downstream, so one is blown open, and the other blown closed, by winds passing through the passage. A linkage couples the door-sections, and harnesses the blow-open force and balances it against the blow-closed force, whereby only a small actuation force is needed to open and close the doors. The linkage ensures that the arcuate travels of the two door-sections are equal, or otherwise correspond.

Abstract: A non-ozone depleting malodorous composition of matter that contains a liquid mercaptan mixed with a nonflammable and non-ozone depleting solvent, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, and with an inert gas such as nitrogen under pressure in a container for introduction into a pressurized breathing system, such as in mines, thereby forming a warning system to warn a person of danger when the malodorous composition of matter is released from the container.

Abstract: An entry system for a longwall panel for the mining of coal and the like by a shearer-type cutter includes a single entryway developed by a boring type mining machine. Intake air and return air passageways are formed in the entryway by a mine stopping between the mine roof and floor to permit circulation of the air within the entryway as it is being developed. One of the passageways conveys the intake air into the entryway and the return air passageway serves to direct the dust laden air away from the mine face and receives conveyor apparatus for transporting the dislodged material out of the mine.