Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a level of gas in a closed environment from a gas supply having a gas sensor for detecting the level of gas in the closed environment. The apparatus has a valve in communication with the gas supply which is automatically opened without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to release gas from the gas supply into the environment when the level of gas in the environment goes below a first predetermined level and which is automatically closed without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to stop gas from being released from the gas supply into the environment when the level of gas in the environment goes above a second predetermined level. A method for controlling a level of gas in a closed environment from a gas supply. A refuge chamber.

Abstract: A plug for a void in a mine to divert water having a rigid closed cell foam which fills the void. The rigid closed cell foam having a plurality of pipes disposed within the foam. The pipes distributed throughout the void. The pipes are positioned in the foam so the pipes are staggered in length vertically with respect to various heights in the void, and the pipes are positioned in the foam every 4? to 6? horizontally with respect to the void. Each pipe has a mixing stick. A method for diverting water from a void in a mine.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a level of oxygen in a closed environment from an oxygen supply having an oxygen sensor for detecting the level of oxygen in the closed environment. The apparatus has a plurality of relays in communication with the sensor. The apparatus has a valve in communication with the relays and the oxygen supply which is automatically opened with the relays without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to release oxygen from the oxygen supply into the environment when the level of oxygen in the environment goes below a first predetermined level and which is automatically closed with the relays without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to stop oxygen from being released from the oxygen supply into the environment when the level of oxygen in the environment goes above a second predetermined level. A method for controlling a level of oxygen in a closed environment from an oxygen supply. A refuge chamber.

Abstract: A plug for a void in a mine to divert water having a rigid closed cell foam which fills the void. The rigid closed cell foam having a plurality of pipes disposed within the foam. The pipes distributed throughout the void. The pipes are positioned in the foam so the pipes are staggered in length vertically with respect to various heights in the void, and the pipes are positioned in the foam every 4? to 6? horizontally with respect to the void. Each pipe has a mixing stick. A method for diverting water from a void in a mine.

Abstract: A wall having a 3D wire mesh panel having a core with a 3D wire mesh matrix extending through and out the core, and a structural material, such as concrete, envelopes the panel. A form positioned about the panel is used to introduce the concrete to the panel during production. Methods for producing the wall, which include producing the wall vertically at a desired location.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine includes an explosion-proof housing. The apparatus includes a proximity sensing portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing having a magnetic field source which produces a magnetic field that is used to sense a location of the miner relative to the machine. The apparatus includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing through which the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field source is changed remotely and wirelessly from outside the explosion-proof housing. A method for protecting a miner from injury by a machine. A system for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine.

Abstract: A telecommunications system for a mine with tunnels having a plurality of nodes disposed in the tunnels in the mine which provides communication through WiFi with devices in the mine. Each node having a housing defining an enclosure, a first radio with a first antenna disposed at least partially in the enclosure within the housing directed for communication in a first direction relative to the node, a second radio with a second antenna disposed at least partially in the enclosure within the housing directed for communication in a second direction essentially opposite the first direction, and a power supply in electrical communication with the first and second radios to power the first and second radios. A method of a telecommunications system for a mine. A method of a Wifi node for a mine. A Wifi node for a mine. An apparatus for holding an object in a mine.

Abstract: A telecommunications system for a mine with tunnels having a plurality of nodes disposed in the tunnels in the mine which provides communication through WiFi with devices in the mine. Each node having a housing defining an enclosure, a first radio with a first antenna disposed at least partially in the enclosure within the housing directed for communication in a first direction relative to the node, a second radio with a second antenna disposed at least partially in the enclosure within the housing directed for communication in a second direction essentially opposite the first direction, and a power supply in electrical communication with the first and second radios to power the first and second radios. A method of a telecommunications system for a mine. A method of a Wifi node for a mine. A Wifi node for a mine. An apparatus for holding an object in a mine.

Abstract: A plug for a void in a mine to divert water having a rigid closed cell foam which fills the void. The rigid closed cell foam having a plurality of pipes disposed within the foam. The pipes distributed throughout the void. The pipes are positioned in the foam so the pipes are staggered in length vertically with respect to various heights in the void, and the pipes are positioned in the foam every 4? to 6? horizontally with respect to the void. Each pipe has a mixing stick. A method for diverting water from a void in a mine.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine includes an explosion-proof housing. The apparatus includes a proximity sensing portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing having a magnetic field source which produces a magnetic field that is used to sense a location of the miner relative to the machine. The apparatus includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing through which the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field source is changed remotely and wirelessly from outside the explosion-proof housing. A method for protecting a miner from injury by a machine. A system for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine.

Abstract: A plug for a void in a mine to divert water having a rigid closed cell foam which fills the void. The rigid closed cell foam having a plurality of pipes disposed within the foam. The pipes distributed throughout the void. The pipes are positioned in the foam so the pipes are staggered in length vertically with respect to various heights in the void, and the pipes are positioned in the foam every 4? to 6? horizontally with respect to the void. Each pipe has a mixing stick. A method for diverting water from a void in a mine.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine includes an explosion-proof housing. The apparatus includes a proximity sensing portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing having a magnetic field source which produces a magnetic field that is used to sense a location of the miner relative to the machine. The apparatus includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing through which the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field source is changed remotely and wirelessly from outside the explosion-proof housing. A method for protecting a miner from injury by a machine. A system for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine.

Abstract: A support having a timber pile. The support has a sheath positioned about the pile and in spaced relation to the pile to define a gap between the sheath and the pile. The support has a cured polymer disposed between the sheath and the pile and permeated into the pile. A method for reinforcing a structure. A method for building a support for a structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a level of oxygen in a closed environment from an oxygen supply having an oxygen sensor for detecting the level of oxygen in the closed environment. The apparatus has a plurality of relays in communication with the sensor. The apparatus has a valve in communication with the relays and the oxygen supply which is automatically opened with the relays without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to release oxygen from the oxygen supply into the environment when the level of oxygen in the environment goes below a first predetermined level and which is automatically closed with the relays without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to stop oxygen from being released from the oxygen supply into the environment when the level of oxygen in the environment goes above a second predetermined level. A method for controlling a level of oxygen in a closed environment from an oxygen supply. A refuge chamber.

Abstract: The technology provides increased capability and control over the yield performance of the timber prop, a mine roof support. The new Wedge Prop design includes a cut pattern idealized for the specific wood species used in manufacturing and a set of confinement rings varying in strength due to different failure mechanisms. The cut pattern is based on the diameter of the yellow poplar pole, while the confinement rings consist of multiple types of welds to allow for either wire tensile failure or for weld detachment. The cut pattern can be combined in conjunction with various combinations of confinement rings to allow for precise control over the performance of the Wedge Prop in the Propsetter System.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a level of oxygen in a closed environment from an oxygen supply having an oxygen sensor for detecting the level of oxygen in the closed environment. The apparatus has a plurality of relays in communication with the sensor. The apparatus has a valve in communication with the relays and the oxygen supply which is automatically opened with the relays without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to release oxygen from the oxygen supply into the environment when the level of oxygen in the environment goes below a first predetermined level and which is automatically closed with the relays without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to stop oxygen from being released from the oxygen supply into the environment when the level of oxygen in the environment goes above a second predetermined level. A method for controlling a level of oxygen in a closed environment from an oxygen supply. A refuge chamber.

Abstract: The technology provides increased capability and control over the yield performance of the timber prop, a mine roof support. The new Wedge Prop design includes a cut pattern idealized for the specific wood species used in manufacturing and a set of confinement rings varying in strength due to different failure mechanisms. The cut pattern is based on the diameter of the yellow poplar pole, while the confinement rings consist of multiple types of welds to allow for either wire tensile failure or for weld detachment. The cut pattern can be combined in conjunction with various combinations of confinement rings to allow for precise control over the performance of the Wedge Prop in the Propsetter System.

Abstract: A plug for a void in a mine to divert water having a rigid closed cell foam which fills the void. The rigid closed cell foam having a plurality of pipes disposed within the foam. The pipes distributed throughout the void. The pipes are positioned in the foam so the pipes are staggered in length vertically with respect to various heights in the void, and the pipes are positioned in the foam every 4? to 6? horizontally with respect to the void. Each pipe has a mixing stick. A method for diverting water from a void in a mine.

Abstract: A refuge shelter includes a container. The shelter includes a tent that is disposed in the container in an undeployed state. The tent includes an inflatable support structure which is inflatable from an undeployed state in the container to a deployed state, and a seal which seals the tent to the container in a deployed state. The support structure has a plurality of hoses interconnected by couplers. The hoses have an inside diameter of less than 5 inches. A gas flow apparatus. A refuge shelter for miners in a mine includes a container and a tent that is disposed in the container. The tent has a test support to which a sample of the external environment can be obtained from inside the tent when the tent is deployed. A method for providing a refuge chamber for miners in a mine.

Abstract: A plug for a void in a mine to divert water having a rigid closed cell foam which fills the void. The rigid closed cell foam having a plurality of pipes disposed within the foam. The pipes distributed throughout the void. The pipes are positioned in the foam so the pipes are staggered in length vertically with respect to various heights in the void, and the pipes are positioned in the foam every 4? to 6? horizontally with respect to the void. Each pipe has a mixing stick. A method for diverting water from a void in a mine.