Abstract: An inflatable ventilation curtain includes a curtain portion and an inflatable portion provided around a perimeter of the curtain portion. The inflatable portion includes an inner layer and an outer layer attached together, wherein the inner layer is provided immediately adjacent to the perimeter of the curtain portion and wherein the outer layer is provided around at least a part of an outer perimeter of the inner layer, thereby providing two distinct inflatable areas.

Abstract: An inflatable ventilation curtain includes a curtain portion and an inflatable portion provided around a perimeter of the curtain portion. The inflatable portion includes an inner layer and an outer layer attached together, wherein the inner layer is provided immediately adjacent to the perimeter of the curtain portion and wherein the outer layer is provided around at least a part of an outer perimeter of the inner layer, thereby providing two distinct inflatable areas.

Abstract: In a spring-loaded curtain mount, the mount includes a pole interface at a proximal end, a compressive mechanism, and a head at a distal end. The pole interface is adapted to receive the end of a standard length adjustable pole or a painter's pole. The compression mechanism is disposed between the proximal end of the mount and the head. The mount includes a coupling device adapted to receive a portion of a curtain. During installation, the curtain mount is coupled to the end of an extension pole and the length of the pole is adjusted such that the combined length of the pole and mount is slightly longer than the distance between the floor and ceiling. At ground level, a portion of the curtain is attached to the head of the curtain mount. The curtain and mount are raised to the ceiling and the mount and pole are compressed between the floor and the ceiling. This compressive force operates to urge the head toward the ceiling, securing the mount in place.

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: An inflatable separation device and method of using the device to form a gas-impermeable barrier in a structural location such as a hallway. The device also provides a safe, effective passage across the barrier to form a concealed region for decontamination protocols. The inflatable separation device includes an inflatable support frame and a cover that envelops the support frame and forms an enclosed interior space when the support frame is inflated. An inflatable perimeter sealing bladder is disposed about the cover and adapted to form a seal between the cover and exterior surfaces of a structural space when the support frame and the sealing bladder are inflated.

Abstract: A mine ventilation curtain (1, 20) is provided comprising, in the operative condition, a generally upright curtain or barrier extending from a foot wall (4) in an underground mine to an overhanging hanging wall (5, 25). The curtain has a foot wall compartment (3, 22) of a flexible sheet material with the footwall compartment being operatively filled with a suitable optionally settable fluent material (13, 27) such that the lower edge of the curtain or barrier substantially adopts an undulating shape of the adjacent foot wall. The fluent material is selected from a suitably heavy liquid and an optionally settable slurry of grout or backfill material. The mine ventilation curtain may be a flexible ventilation curtain (2) extending upwards from the foot wall compartment (3) and having its uppermost edge held in close association with the hanging wall.

Abstract: A curtain mounting system for creating a dust barrier that includes a curtain and a mounting system. The mounting system is made up of multiple support assemblies with each assembly having a holding member for attaching and supporting the curtain to a support structure such as wall or ceiling. The support assembly also has an elastic member coupled to the holding member and is also attached to the curtain. The elastic member is configured to suspend additional portions of the curtain creating an overlapping fold in the curtain. The curtain will lengthen when it is tugged on due to the curtain fold and will return back to its original length once the tugging has subsided due to the nature and placement of the elastic member.

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: In a spring-loaded curtain mount, the mount includes a pole interface at a proximal end, a compressive mechanism, and a head at a distal end. The pole interface is adapted to receive the end of a standard length adjustable pole or a painter's pole. The compression mechanism is disposed between the proximal end of the mount and the head. The mount includes a coupling device adapted to receive a portion of a curtain. During installation, the curtain mount is coupled to the end of an extension pole and the length of the pole is adjusted such that the combined length of the pole and mount is slightly longer than the distance between the floor and ceiling. At ground level, a portion of the curtain is attached to the head of the curtain mount. The curtain and mount are raised to the ceiling and the mount and pole are compressed between the floor and the ceiling. This compressive force operates to urge the head toward the ceiling, securing the mount in place.

Abstract: An inflatable ventilation curtain includes a curtain portion and an inflatable portion provided around a perimeter of the curtain portion. The inflatable portion includes an inner layer and an outer layer attached together, wherein the inner layer is provided immediately adjacent to the perimeter of the curtain portion and wherein the outer layer is provided around at least a part of an outer perimeter of the inner layer, thereby providing two distinct inflatable areas.

Abstract: In a spring-loaded curtain mount, the mount includes a pole interface at a proximal end, a compressive mechanism, and a head at a distal end. The pole interface is adapted to receive the end of a standard length adjustable pole or a painter's pole. The compression mechanism is disposed between the proximal end of the mount and the head. The mount includes a coupling device adapted to receive a portion of a curtain. During installation, the curtain mount is coupled to the end of an extension pole and the length of the pole is adjusted such that the combined length of the pole and mount is slightly longer than the distance between the floor and ceiling. At ground level, a portion of the curtain is attached to the head of the curtain mount. The curtain and mount are raised to the ceiling and the mount and pole are compressed between the floor and the ceiling. This compressive force operates to urge the head toward the ceiling, securing the mount in place.

Abstract: In a spring-loaded curtain mount, the mount includes a pole interface at a proximal end, a compressive mechanism, and a head at a distal end. The pole interface is adapted to receive the end of a standard length adjustable pole or a painter's pole. The compression mechanism is disposed between the proximal end of the mount and the head. The mount includes a coupling device adapted to receive a portion of a curtain. During installation, the curtain mount is coupled to the end of an extension pole and the length of the pole is adjusted such that the combined length of the pole and mount is slightly longer than the distance between the floor and ceiling. At ground level, a portion of the curtain is attached to the head of the curtain mount. The curtain and mount are raised to the ceiling and the mount and pole are compressed between the floor and the ceiling. This compressive force operates to urge the head toward the ceiling, securing the mount in place.

Abstract: A partition mounting system a system mitigates or eliminates sag, or gaps, between an installed curtain and an abutting surface such as a wall or ceiling. The system accomplishes this in a manner that avoids permanent damage to the wall or ceiling surface. A clamp is mounted between an erected pole and a nearby wall, window, or other surface. The clamp interfaces with a head that urges the curtain against the wall over the length of the head, using the pole and wall for leverage. In this manner, the effectiveness of an installation is increased, by reducing or eliminating gaps in the curtain along the wall.

Abstract: A ventilation passage system for a mine having a main shaft from which several branch shafts may extend, wherein each shaft has a generally flat floor and ceiling, the system being constructed of a series of substantially rectangular panels arrayed in at least one of the shafts with respect to the shaft walls to provide an air infeed and air return passage therefor, each panel being comprised of rigid, closed cell, foamed plastic material, the panels being in edge-to-edge abutment with each other longitudinally of the shaft, and each panel being forcefully wedged at its top and bottom edges between the ceiling and floor of the shaft.

Abstract: A mine tunnel ventilation control device and method for constructing same quickly with an easily transportable matrix material to provide a rigid flame retardant barrier wall. The air flow stopping includes a peripheral frame extending about and across a tunnel opening to which is secured a matrix material, preferably in the form of a composite including a sheet of very strong grid material, such as a biaxially oriented integral geogrid or the like, bonded to a sheet of a textile material, such as a non-woven, needle punched, geofabric or the like which spans the apertures of the geogrid. At least one side of the matrix material, and preferably both sides, are covered with a sealant composition to prevent passage of air through the mine stopping and to develop structural rigidity.

Abstract: A damper door system that includes an opening in a planar wall, a retractable damper door and a track extending through said opening. The damper door includes slots that are conformable to the track when the door is in a closed position. In addition, the slots in the damper door include an intumescent material for sealing the door shut in the event of a fire.

Abstract: A brattice for temporary or emergency use in underground mining provides a quickly and easily installable partition to close off drifts or tunnels as desired to control ventilation through the mine in an emergency, or for routine temporary use in the mine. The brattice comprises a brattice curtain formed of a thin, lightweight, fire resistant material, such as a synthetic fabric, with a peripheral spring frame installed therearound. The spring frame provides an expanding force urging the brattice curtain to a fully extended configuration, but the frame may be twisted and folded one or more times to twist and fold the attached brattice curtain for compact storage within a storage container or other convenient storage. Generally central and/or peripheral selectively openable closures may be provided in the curtains, for the passage of ventilation ducts, personnel, and other articles as required. Mating attachment of plural brattices may be provided, to span larger openings than the span of a single brattice.

Abstract: A hanger for a coal mine ventilation curtain has a support that is compressed against the mine surface, trapping the edge of a sheet of ventilation curtain material between a curtain supporting portion of the support and the mine surface. The support can be held in its compressed position against the mine surface by a tension member, such as a chain, that is attached to the mine surface (most readily at a roof plate) and is then secured to the support. Alternatively, the support can be held in place from the side of the support opposite the mine surface by a compression member (such as an adjustable support pole).