Abstract: A communication system for allowing personnel in a tunnel below ground to communicate with a location above ground includes a controller disposed below ground in the tunnel. The system includes an uplink portion that sends uplink messages from the controller below ground in the tunnel through earth to above ground. The system includes a downlink portion through which downlink messages are sent from above ground through earth to the controller below ground in the tunnel. The system includes a personnel communication portion through which downlink messages are sent from the controller wirelessly to the personnel as personnel messages and personnel messages are received wirelessly by the controller from the personnel below ground in the tunnel. A controller for allowing personnel in a tunnel below ground to communicate with a location above ground. A method for allowing personnel in a tunnel below ground to communicate with a location above ground.

Abstract: An apparatus for affecting air includes a housing. The apparatus includes a treatment layer disposed in the housing for treating air. The apparatus includes a fan. The apparatus includes a gas powered motor mechanically engaged with the fan to operate the fan which forces the air through the treatment layer. The apparatus includes a compressed gas tank in fluid connection with the gas powered motor to provide gas to the motor to power the motor. A method for affecting air.

Abstract: A method for a miner in a mine to breathe in the mine having the steps of turning on an on off valve of a first air cylinder while in the mine so air flows from the first air cylinder connected to a first port of a connector to and through a third port of the connector and to a facemask on the miner's head. There is the step of the miner breathing air in the facemask from the third port. There is the step of connecting a second air cylinder to a second port of the connector. There is the step of turning on an on off valve of the second air cylinder while in the mine so air flows from the second air cylinder to and through the third port and to the facemask so the miner is breathing air in the facemask from the first and second air cylinders. There is the step of separating the first air cylinder from the first port while in the mine. A system for a miner in a mine to breathe in the mine.

Abstract: A communication system for allowing personnel in a tunnel below ground to communicate with a location above ground includes a controller disposed below ground in the tunnel. The system includes an uplink portion that sends uplink messages from the controller below ground in the tunnel through earth to above ground. The system includes a downlink portion through which downlink messages are sent from above ground through earth to the controller below ground in the tunnel. The system includes a personnel communication portion through which downlink messages are sent from the controller wirelessly to the personnel as personnel messages and personnel messages are received wirelessly by the controller from the personnel below ground in the tunnel. A controller for allowing personnel in a tunnel below ground to communicate with a location above ground. A method for allowing personnel in a tunnel below ground to communicate with a location above ground.

Abstract: A monitor for gases and a mine includes a housing. The monitor includes a battery disposed in the housing. The monitor includes a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. The monitor includes an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold. The monitor includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas.

Abstract: A monitor for gases and a mine includes a housing. The monitor includes a battery disposed in the housing. The monitor includes a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. The monitor includes an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold. The monitor includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas.

Abstract: A monitor for gases and a mine includes a housing. The monitor includes a battery disposed in the housing. The monitor includes a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. The monitor includes an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold. The monitor includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas.

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 change over station (COS) for persons in a hazardous environment includes a steel housing having only a single entrance door, a chamber, and an air lock portion. The COS includes a first elongate seat disposed in the chamber and a plurality of compressed air cylinders disposed in the seat. The COS includes plumbing connected to the air cylinders formed of gas lines and valves and an exhaust muffler including first, second and third air paths that provide air into the chamber. The third air path is door activated when the door is opened by a door activated switch. The COS includes a storage portion disposed in the housing having supplies, including water and SCSRs or SCBAs. A method for providing a protected environment to miners from a mine environment 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 yield support prop for a mine includes a first metal tube extending from the mine floor having a first portion having a first outside diameter and a second portion having a second outside diameter. The prop includes a second metal tube that is disposed about the first portion and extends toward the mine roof, when the second tube receives a load from the mine roof, the second portion deforms the second tube and expands the second tube creating resistance against the load from the mine roof. A method for supporting a mine roof. A method for building a yieldable mine prop.

Abstract: A refuge chamber for miners in a mine includes a skid. The chamber includes a tent that is disposed in the skid in an undeployed state which is expandable to a deployed state and extends from the skid to provide a protected atmosphere for the miners. A method for providing a refuge chamber for miners in a mine including the steps of opening a skid made of metal. There is the step of expanding a tent that is disposed in the skid in an undeployed state to a deployed state that extends from the skid to provide a protected atmosphere for the miners.

Abstract: A shelter to protect users from an external environment has an inner front module having an airlock and an outer front module which is slidingly attached to the inner front module. The shelter has an inner rear module and an outer rear module slidingly attached to the inner rear module. When the outer front module and the inner front module are in an extended state and the outer rear module and the inner rear module are in an extended state and the outer front module and outer rear module are attached, they form an airtight chamber in which users are protected from the external environment. A method for constructing a shelter to protect users from an external environment is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a mine that operates in a mine environment. A condenser. A refuge system for protecting users from a toxic environment. The system comprises a refuge shelter. An evaporator. A method for cooling a refuge shelter. An inflatable chamber having an airlock, the airlock includes a tube that extends from the chamber's outer surface into the chamber's interior.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning air includes a housing having a chamber. The scrubber includes a carbon dioxide scrubber layer disposed in the chamber which claims carbon dioxide from air passing through the scrubber layer. The scrubber includes a forcing element which draws the air into the scrubber and forces the air through the scrubber layer which is powered without any electricity. A system for supporting a breathable environment for users. The system includes an enclosure. The system includes an air scrubber disposed in the enclosure which cleans carbon dioxide from air in the enclosure that is powered without any electricity. A method for cleaning carbon dioxide from air. The method includes the steps of flowing compressed air through a fluid driven motor to operate the motor without any electricity. There is the step of rotating a fan with the operating motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning air includes a housing having a chamber. The scrubber includes a carbon dioxide scrubber layer disposed in the chamber which claims carbon dioxide from air passing through the scrubber layer. The scrubber includes a forcing element which draws the air into the scrubber and forces the air through the scrubber layer which is powered without any electricity. A system for supporting a breathable environment for users. The system includes an enclosure. The system includes an air scrubber disposed in the enclosure which cleans carbon dioxide from air in the enclosure that is powered without any electricity. A method for cleaning carbon dioxide from air. The method includes the steps of flowing compressed air through a fluid driven motor to operate the motor without any electricity. There is the step of rotating a fan with the operating motor.