Abstract: A mine refuge for use in a mine includes a chamber sized and shaped for occupancy by at least one miner. An oxygen supply is adapted to be installed in the chamber for supplying oxygen to the chamber. A carbon dioxide reduction system is adapted to be installed in the chamber for reducing carbon dioxide in the chamber. The carbon dioxide reduction system is operable in the mine without an electrical power source.

Abstract: A jack includes a base, a guide extending from the base, and an extensible member having an extensible fit with the guide and extending from the guide to have a free end. A support is located at the free end of the extensible member. An actuator is capable of extending the extensible member. The guide and extensible member have portions which are laterally offset with respect to the base and the support such that when the support is in pressure engagement with a panel, the laterally offset portions are disposed adjacent one side of the panel to leave an area between opposite sides of the panel substantially unobstructed.

Abstract: A hydraulic system has a hydraulic actuator for moving a door leaf of a door installation between open and closed positions thereof. A reservoir has a volume for containing a hydraulic fluid. A fluid circuit provides fluid communication between the hydraulic actuator and the reservoir. The system also has a pump for pumping hydraulic fluid from the reservoir into the fluid circuit to operate the actuator. A fluid circuit flushing system of the hydraulic system operates to flush a volume of hydraulic fluid from the fluid circuit back to the reservoir without moving any door leaves of the door installation. The hydraulic system may be part of a mine door installation installed in a mine passageway and having at least one door leaf. The hydraulic actuator is connected to the door leaf for driving movement of the door leaf between its open and closed positions.

Abstract: A mine refuge for use in a mine includes a chamber having an interior space sized and shaped for occupancy by at least one person. An oxygen supply is installed in the chamber for supplying oxygen to the chamber. A mask is operatively connected to the oxygen supply and is adapted for donning by the person to supply oxygen to the person. In some embodiments, an air supply in addition to the oxygen supply is provided.

Abstract: A mine door system for closing a mine doorway comprises a door hinged adjacent the doorway for swinging relative to the stopping between a closed position and an open position swung outwardly away from the stopping. A keeper is mounted in fixed position relative to the doorway. The system further comprises a trigger-actuated latch mechanism including a detent engageable with the keeper for latching the door in its closed position and a trigger operably connected to the detent in a latched position. The mechanism is constructed and configured so that actuation of the trigger causes the detent to move from a latched position in which the detent engages the keeper for latching the door closed to an unlatched position in which the detent is disengaged from the keeper for allowing the door to be opened.

Abstract: A panel system for making mine ventilation structures. The panel system comprises a plurality of elongate metal panels having flanges along sides thereof configured for overlapping one another when the panels are placed in side-by-side relation. When the panels are secured together they form a unitary load-bearing structure. Related methods and equipment for installing the panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mine refuge for use in a mine includes a chamber sized and shaped for occupancy by at least one miner. An oxygen supply is adapted to be installed in the chamber for supplying oxygen to the chamber. A carbon dioxide reduction system is adapted to be installed in the chamber for reducing carbon dioxide in the chamber. The carbon dioxide reduction system is operable in the mine without an electrical power source.

Abstract: A mine refuge for use in a mine includes a chamber sized and shaped for occupancy by at least one miner and adapted to be substantially sealed. An oxygen supply is installed in the chamber for supplying oxygen to the chamber. A breathable air supply is installed in the chamber for supplying a steady flow of breathable air and for positively pressurizing the chamber to inhibit entry of contaminated mine air into the chamber.

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 door of the present invention is adapted for installation in a mine passageway and includes a leaf adapted for swinging between a closed position and an open position. The leaf may be mounted in a frame, and a stopping wall may surround the frame. When closed, the leaf is subject to a differential in air pressure involving higher pressure on one of the faces of the leaf than on the other of the faces of the leaf. The leaf, the frame, or the stopping has an opening therein for passage of air therethrough from adjacent the one of the faces of the leaf to adjacent the other of the faces to more nearly equalize the pressure on the faces and thereby facilitate opening the leaf.

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 mine stopping installed in a mine passageway includes a plurality of elongate panels extending generally vertically in side-by-side relation from a floor to a roof of the passageway to at least partially close the passageway. A generally horizontal elongate brace extends generally between the walls of the passageway adjacent to the panels. A generally vertical column extends from the floor to the roof and is adapted for reinforcing the brace. Braces and anchor beams for stoppings are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mine door of the present invention is adapted for installation in a mine passageway and includes a leaf adapted for swinging between a closed position and an open position. The leaf may be mounted in a frame, and a stopping wall may surround the frame. When closed, the leaf is subject to a differential in air pressure involving higher pressure on one of the faces of the leaf than on the other of the faces of the leaf. The leaf, the frame, or the stopping has an opening therein for passage of air therethrough from adjacent the one of the faces of the leaf to adjacent the other of the faces to more nearly equalize the pressure on the faces and thereby facilitate opening the leaf.

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. 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 form installed in a mine for making a permanent mine stopping or seal of pourable and hardenable material includes first and second form walls in spaced, generally parallel relation to one another. Each of the first and second form walls includes a portable wall section including a plurality of elongate upright panels secured together in general parallel, side-by-side relation. Each panel includes a lower panel member having a lower end and an upper panel member extending from the lower panel member and having an upper end in substantial engagement with a roof of the mine passage.

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 method of supporting opposite first and second walls of a mine passageway includes providing an elongate beam having opposite first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The beam is configured to have substantial columnar strength for bearing a substantial longitudinal load applied to the beam generally longitudinally of the beam and substantial bending strength for bearing a substantial transverse load applied to the beam generally transversely of the beam. The method further includes selecting first and second locations on the first and second walls, respectively, providing suitable areas for supporting the first and second walls, and positioning the first end of the beam at the first location and the second end of the beam at the second location so that the beam extends between the first and second walls of the mine passageway.

Abstract: A portable wall section for incorporation in a mine stopping or for use as a mine permanent stopping or seal form, comprising vertically extensible panels secured in side-by-side relation, a stopping installed in a mine, a stopping system utilizing one or more of said sections, and methods of installing the stopping and form.

Abstract: A mine stopping installed in a mine passageway includes a lower tier of elongate panels extending generally vertically in side-by-side relation from a floor of the passageway. Each panel of the lower tier has a lower end adjacent the floor and an upper end spaced from a roof of the passageway. An upper tier of elongate panels extends generally vertically in side-by-side relation from the lower tier of panels to the roof. An upper end of each upper tier panel is adjacent the roof and a lower end of each upper tier panel abuts the upper end of respective lower tier panels. An elongate brace is connected to at least one of the lower and upper tiers for reinforcing the stopping against deflection and for inhibiting lateral movement of the lower tier panels relative to the upper tier panels. A method of installing a multiple tier stopping is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mine ventilation structure with a deck made up of panels of inverted channel shape modified to be of relatively light weight yet strong.