Abstract: A system or method for a structural mine roof support includes a roof support apparatus that includes a cylindrical cladding defining a hollow interior, a plurality of bamboo sections disposed in the hollow interior and coaxial with an axis of the cylinder. Also, a roof support apparatus with a cylindrical cladding defining a hollow interior, a plurality of bamboo sections disposed in the hollow interior and coaxial with an axis of the cylinder, and voids between adjacent bamboo sections, the voids being injected with a filler material, e.g., polyurethane foam, to maintain axial positioning of the bamboo sections when under load. The support apparatus configured to load and to yield in a predetermined fashion to control a mine roof from sudden failure.

Abstract: A load bearing support includes a cylindrical drum. A top portion, a bottom portion, a tapered cylindrical sidewall extends between the top and bottom portions. A core member extends between the top and bottom portions, and a load-bearing material is disposed between the sidewall and the core member. An opening extends through the top portion of the drum to receive load-bearing material. Each of the top portion and the bottom portions has a reinforcing chime. The core member includes a lateral transfer zone defined at one or more points along a vertical axis of the core member. The lateral transfer zone distributes an axial load on the drum to the cylindrical sidewall. The cylindrical sidewall provides a radial expansion area for compression of the core member and the load-bearing material.

Abstract: A cable bolt includes a multi-strand cable segment constructed from steel wire strands, and a drive head. A compressible porous backer rod is placed along cable segment adjacent the drive head. A tubing portion provides a conduit for liquid grout injected under pressure into the bore hole. Tubing portion includes discharge holes that may be predrilled through the wall of the tubing portion. The holes provide a predetermined distribution path for the liquefied grout that is injected into the bore hole. Discharge holes may be evenly dispersed longitudinally along the wall, or distributed to provide a desired, unequal distribution of grout. Distribution holes may be larger at the top of the tubing, or may be distributed adjacent to the top of tubing portion to allow greater cross-sectional flow of grout from the tubing to compensate for factors that restrict grout flow nearer the top.

Abstract: A support for use in mines and other underground workings is provided comprising a flexible inflatable bag configured for receiving a pumpable load-bearing material. A reinforcing material is provided for supporting the bag when the bag is filled with the load-bearing material. The reinforcing material can include reinforcing plates, rings, bands or barrels positioned about the outer periphery of the bag. Alternatively, the support can be formed from a plurality of stackable barrels that are filled with load-bearing material but without the inflatable bag. The barrels can include internal reinforcing or cladding material at spaced locations along the barrels to define controlled deflection zones. According to another design, the support can be designed to be extensible. The support is inexpensive to transport, can be erected on-site and has a reinforced structure with residual yield strength. A method for supporting a mine or other underground workings is disclosed.

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: This invention is directed to a mine roof support set including a plurality of nested containers. Each container in the set has a progressively smaller cross-sectional dimension to allow the containers to be nested one within the other. The plurality of containers can be nested during transportation of the mine roof support set to a mine site. The containers can be separated at the mine site and filled with a load-bearing material. The containers filled with the load-bearing material are placed with their longitudinal axis between a mine roof and a mine floor.

Abstract: An explosive-resistant mine seal (2) is provided, which includes a pair of block walls (14, 16). An adhesive (22) is provided between adjoining surfaces of the blocks (20) where the adhesive (22) has greater strength properties than the blocks (20) themselves. A core member (18, 18?) is provided between the two walls (14, 16) and is bound thereto. The adhesive (22) may be coated over the walls (14, 16) to increase the strength of the mine seal (2).

Abstract: An explosive-resistant mine seal, which includes a pair of block walls. An adhesive is provided between adjoining surfaces of the blocks where the adhesive has greater strength properties than the blocks themselves. A core member is provided between the two walls and is bound thereto. The adhesive may be coated over the walls to increase the strength of the mine seal.

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 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 support for use in mines and other underground workings is provided comprising a flexible inflatable bag configured for receiving a pumpable load-bearing material. A reinforcing material is provided for supporting the bag when the bag is filled with the load-bearing material. The reinforcing material can include reinforcing plates, rings, bands or barrels positioned about the outer periphery of the bag. Alternatively, the support can be formed from a plurality of stackable barrels that are filled with load-bearing material but without the inflatable bag. The barrels can include internal reinforcing or cladding material at spaced locations along the barrels to define controlled deflection zones. According to another design, the support can be designed to be extensible. The support is inexpensive to transport, can be erected on-site and has a reinforced structure with residual yield strength. A method for supporting a mine or other underground workings is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for delivering a sustainable emergency supply of breathable gas to a chamber in an underground mine includes a source of breathable gas, a pipe system for transporting the breathable gas buried below the mine floor in fluid connection with the gas source, and a regulator that controls the rate at which air is released from the pipe system.

Abstract: An explosive-resistant mine seal (2) is provided, which includes a pair of block walls (14, 16). An adhesive (22) is provided between adjoining surfaces of the blocks (20) where the adhesive (22) has greater strength properties than the blocks (20) themselves. A core member (18, 18?) is provided between the two walls (14, 16) and is bound thereto. The adhesive (22) may be coated over the walls (14, 16) to increase the strength of the mine seal (2).

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: An explosive-resistant mine seal is provided, which includes a pair of block walls. An adhesive is provided between adjoining surfaces of the blocks where the adhesive has greater strength properties than the blocks themselves. A core member is provided between the two walls and is bound thereto. The adhesive may be coated over the walls to increase the strength of the mine seal.

Abstract: A water-resistant mine bulkhead or seal is provided in which two walls are constructed across the mine entry. One of the walls is constructed in layers. After a lower portion of the layered wall is erected, a first layer of gravel is provided between the walls. The gravel is then saturated with a binding material such as a polyurethane composition so that the binding material fills the voids between the gravel particles. Additional layers of gravel subsequently saturated with the binding material are provided until the gravel layer is equal in height to the lower portion of the layered wall. The layered wall is then further erected and the process continues until the layered wall is completely constructed and the binding material-saturated filler material emplaces the mine roof. Finally, the exposed surface of the exposed wall is coated with a sealant. Alternatively, the binding material and filler material can be pre-mixed and injected into the space between the two walls.

Abstract: A pumpable mine assembly is provided having a pair of steel support structures forming the front and back surface of the seal. The support structures can be formed by either a row of vertically-disposed steel beams or a cable lattice secured by anchor bolts to the top and bottom surface of the mine entry. A separate wire mesh backing is provided on the inside of each of the pair of support structures. A seal bag placed within the wire mesh backing receives filling material, generally in the form of concrete. The filled seal bag forms a tight seal on the top, bottom and ribs of a mine entry or passageway.

Abstract: A mine seal is provided in which two walls are constructed across the mine entry. One of the walls is constructed in layers. After a lower portion of the layered wall is erected, a first layer of gravel is provided between the walls. The gravel is then saturated with a binding material such as a polyurethane composition so that the binding material fills the voids between the gravel particles. Additional layers of gravel subsequently saturated with the binding material are provided until the gravel layer is equal in height to the lower portion of the layered wall. The layered wall is then further erected and the process continues until the layered wall is completely constructed and the binding material-saturated filler material emplaces the mine roof. Finally, the exposed surface of the exposed wall is coated with a sealant. Alternatively, the binding material and filler material can be pre-mixed and injected into the space between the two walls.