AU1854699A - Fire suppression system for an automated mining system - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: ARCH TECHNOLOGY

CORPORATION

Actual Inventors: Thomas W McCormick Danny L Stickel David A Christopher Patrick E Retzer Larry G Offutt Address for Service: MADDERNS, 1st Floor, 64 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Invention title: FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATED MINING SYSTEM o The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.

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FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATED MINING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to fire detection and suppression on an underground mining machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art Coal is typically found in substantial horizontal seams extending through rock strata, such as limestone, sandstone or shale. Surface mining and underground mining are the primary methods used to mine coal. Surface mining may be strip mining which involves the removal of the overburden by means of a dragline or other earth moving equipment to fully expose the coal seam for recovery.

However, strip mining is limited by the depth of the overburden which eventually makes strip mining impractical.

When the depth of the overburden makes strip mining impractical, a large quantity of coal may remain in the seam. Recovery of this coal is accomplished by highwall mining, wherein an entry or a hole is initiated at the exposed face of the seam at the highwall, and mining follows the seam inwardly from the highwall forming a bore.

One particularly successful and innovative apparatus for continuously highwall mining coal is the ARCHVEYOR® 25 continuous mining apparatus or machine as described in United- States Patent No. 5,667,279, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The ARCHVEYOR® continuous mining apparatus includes a continuous miner, a tramming conveyor and a load-out vehicle and may include a bolter car. The continuous miner mines coal at a mine face. The mined coal is conveyed to the tramming conveyor and deposited onto a conveyor mounted on the load-out vehicle. The conveyor then deposits the mined coal into hopper cars or trucks for transport. An operator, located in the load-out vehicle, controls the operation of the continuous miner, the tramming conveyor and the transverse conveyor.

la Underground fires are a constant concern in any underground mining operation. Underground fires can shut a mine down or cause fatalities especially if methane is present. Mine Safety Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor (MSHA) sets forth the rules and regulations for fire safety in mines. In the case of highwall mining, MSHA does not require underground fire suppression system using the ARCHVEYOR® continuous mining apparatus because all people involved in the mining operation are positioned outside the underground bore formed by the continuous miner. In other words, the load-out vehicle and the operator are located outside the underground bore. Also, any underground fire formed at a highwall mining site can be easily controlled.

However, in other applications of continuous mining, such as wing mining where humans are positioned underground, constant monitoring must be conducted for the presence of fire. The ARCHVEYOR® continuous mining apparatus can be used in wing mining applications. On a typical miner section, a bolter car may also be provided for installing mine roof bolts and support plates. MSHA requires all continuous miners in non-highwall applications to include a fire suppression system. Typically, the fire suppression system incorporated with a continuous miner includes a dry chemical base, such as an ansul system. In operation, the ccntinuous mining apparatus includes one or more heat sensitive sensors. Upon detecting the presence of a fire, the heat sensitive sensor activates a system *that sprays a chemical on the affected area.

This chemical system has several problems.

First, it is expensive. Second, it can be toxic. Third, it has limited effectiveness since only a limited amount of the chemical is carried on the continuous mining apparatus.

Hence, the chemical provided on the continuous mining apparatus may not be adequate to extinguish the fire.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fire suppression system for a

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2 continuous mining apparatus that is inexpensive to operate and install. It is another object of the present invention to provide a fire suppression system for a continuous mining apparatus that is non-toxic.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a fire suppression system for a continuous mining apparatus that can be used for extinguishing fires over an extended period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a fire suppression system for a continuous mining machine or apparatus that includes a movable mining machine, a first conduit and a thermally actuated valve. The movable mining machine includes a frame and an arrangement, such as crawlers or wheels, for moving along an underground mine. A first conduit for supplying a fire suppression material, such as water, is attached to the frame. One end of the first conduit is adapted to be coupled to a source of the fire suppression material. The thermally actuated valve is in fluid communication with the first conduit and is secured to the mining machine. The thermally actuated valve is in a closed position when the thermally actuated valve is below or equal to a temperature X and is in an open position when the thermally actuated valve is at a 25 temperature above X.

A second conduit is secured to the thermally actuated valve for directing a fire suppression material on the mining machine. A sensor is positioned in fluid ooeeo communication with the second conduit to indicate a flow of fire suppression material through the second conduit and to indicate that the thermally actuated valve is in an open position. A nozzle is provided in fluid communication with the second conduit, which is positioned downstream of the sensor. The mining machine can also be divided into regions, wherein each region has respective temperature activated valves in fluid communication with the first conduit, sensors, second conduits and nozzles.

3 The present invention is also a method for suppressing a fire on or adjacent to the above-described mining machine having a plurality of regions that includes the steps of: providing a pressurized source of water to the first conduit; heating one or more of the thermally actuated valves to a temperature above X; activating the one or more thermally actuated valves into an open position; passing pressurized water through the open thermally actuated valve into a respective region conduit; passing the pressurized water through a respective nozzle; dispensing water to the region containing the one or more thermally actuated valves; activating the sensor in the region of the one or more activated thermally actuated valves; and identifying on a monitor that one or more of the thermally actuated valves in the region has been activated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a broken top perspective view of the fire suppression system mounted on a continuous mining apparatus made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the fire suppression system including a continucus miner shown in Fig. 1 and an optional bolter; Fig. 3 is a side plan view of a hopper end of a 25 tramming conveyor shown in Fig 1 made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is side plan view of a ten pan portion of a tramming conveyor shown in Fig. 1 made in accordance with i the present invention; Fig. 5 is a side plan view of an outby end of a tramming conveyor shown in Fig. 1 made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of an outby unit of a continuous mining apparatus shown in Fig. 1 made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the fire suppression system for another region of the continuous ft...

4 mining apparatus made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 8 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a thermally actuated valve made in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the fire suppression system made in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Fig. 1 shows a fire suppression system 10 for a continuous mining apparatus or mining machine 12 made in accordance with the present invention. The continuous mining apparatus 12 is a movable ARCHVEYOR® continuous mining apparatus, as described in United States Patent No.

5,667,279, which is generally described as follows.

The continuous mining apparatus 12 includes a continuous miner 14 coupled to a tramming conveyor 16 and a load-out vehicle 18. The continuous miner 14 includes crawlers 22 attached to a frame 24. A boom 26 is attached to the frame 24. A rotary cutter head 28 having bits is rotatably attached to the boom 26. An electric motor is provided that rotates the rotary cutter head 28. A discharge conveyor 30 is attached to the frame 24 having one end in close proximity to the rotary cutter head 28.

25 T-he other end is adjacent an inlet end or hopper end of the tramming conveyor 16. The tramming conveyor 16 includes a plurality of separately driven or movable sections 32, such as ten multi-pan sections, that, when connected, form a continuous conveyor 34. Electric motors provide for the movement of the sections 32 and the conveyor 34. An outby "end of the tramming conveyor 16 is in fluid communication

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with the load-out vehicle 18. The load-out vehicle 18 is operatively connected to the continuous miner 14 and the tramming conveyor 16 through electrical connections and computer controls. A human operator or technician operates the continuous mining apparatus 12 from within the load-out vehicle 18. A ventilation tube 36 attaches to the tramming 5 conveyor 16. In underground mining applications, an exhaust fan is provided on a scrubber 38 provided on the continuous miner 14. The scrubber 38 filters air from the mine removing particulate matter, dust from the air during mining operations. In underground mining applications, the load-out vehicle 18 is replaced by a control cab (not shown) and a stationary belt conveyor (not shown). The control cab includes all of the controls and monitors of the load-out vehicle 18 and receives an operator or technician to control mining. The size of the control cab is such that it can be received in a mine shaft and can be positioned remote of the tramming conveyor 16 and the continuous miner 14. The belt conveyor is positioned parallel to the tramming conveyor 16. Mined coal is transferred from the tramming conveyor 16 to the stationary belt conveyor through a transfer section (not shown).

Fig. 2 shows a placement of nozzles or water dispensers 40 on the continuous mining apparatus 12 and positioned about various regions 42, 44, 46 and 48 defined along the continuous miner 14, an optional bolter car 49, and a portion of the tramming conveyor 16. The nozzles are adapted to spray a fire suppression material 50, such as water. Regions are defined over the entire length of the continuous mining apparatus 12.

t4." Figs. 3-5 show various sections of the tramming conveyor 16 which are made up of pan sections. Fig. 3 shows a hopper end section and Fig. 4 shows a ten pan S"section. The tramming conveyor 16 has a continuous chain 30 with spaced flights. The chain is moved along by electric motor driven sprockets to rearwardly transport mined coal as indicated by arrows. The tramming conveyor 16 has a plurality of multi-pan drive sections 51. Three drive sections 52, 54 and 56 are shown in Figs. 3-5. The tramming conveyor 16 has a hopper section at the inby end.

The hopper section supplies the mined coal to the rearwardly located sections as represented by drive section 6 54 and the outby section 56. The outby section 56 of the tramming conveyor 16 is positioned adjacent the load-out vehicle 18 and includes an operator cab mounted on caterpillar tracks. Any type of moving arrangement, be it caterpillar tracks, crawlers or wheels, for example, can be used for moving the load-out vehicle 18, as well as the continuous mining apparatus 12.

Fig. 6 shows a portion of the load-out vehicle 18 or outby unit that includes a hydraulic tank 60 that contains hydraulic fluid, a power distribution arrangement 62, an accumulator 64, a pump motor 66 and a ventilation fan 68. As can be seen, the nozzles 40 are positioned about the load-out vehicle 18 in areas that are susceptible to fires.

Fig. 7 schematically shows the fire suppression system 10 for the region 42. Only four nozzle locations are shown for region 42 in Fig. 7 as opposed to ten nozzle locations shown in Fig. 2. The fire suppression system includes a main or a first conduit 70, such as a hose or flexible tubing that, as shown in phantom in Fig. 1, extends along the continuous mining apparatus 12 having an end 72 in fluid communication with a source of water 74, such as a tank or a reservoir. The first conduit 70 is attached to one or more of the vehicles that make up the continuous mining apparatus 12. Preferably, the source of -the water is external of the mine and unlimited and the water is supplied to the first conduit 70. Referring back to Fig. 7, a plurality of thermal valves or thermally b99900 S" actuated valves 76 is in fluid communication in parallel with the first conduit 70, along with a hand-operated bypass valve 78. The thermally actuated valve 76 and bypass valve 78 are in fluid communication with a region conduit or second conduit 80 so that the region conduit can be in fluid communication with the first conduit 35 when one of the thermally actuated valves 76 or bypass :06%valve 78 is open. Generally, the bypass valve 78 is in a closed position, but can be manually opened. The thermally 904.9 7 actuated valves 76 form a parallel fluid circuit between the first conduit 70 and the region conduit 80. The region conduit 80 is in fluid communication with respective nozzles 40 adapted to spray water on the appropriate region of the continuous mining apparatus 12. Preferably, the nozzles 40 are positioned at various locations within the region 42 on the continuous mining apparatus 12.

Preferably, nozzle blocks or bodies 82 are provided and a plurality of nozzles 40, say two or three nozzles, are secured thereto, so that nozzles 40 attached to the respective block can spray water in a plurality of directions and over a large area of the region.

A pressure sensor or pressure switch 84, such as an Allen Bradley, Model No. 836T-T262J pressure switch, is provided in fluid communication with the region conduit downstream of the thermal valves 76 and the bypass valve 78. Alternatively, a flow switch or sensor, such as a flow meter, can be used in lieu of the pressure switch 84. The pressure sensor 84 is positioned upstream of the nozzles 40. The pressure sensor 84 is coupled to a controller which is coupled to a monitor or display 87. Electric power is supplied to the pressure sensor 84. The pressure sensor 84 indicates a flow pressure in the region conduit :i 80 by sending an electric signal to the controller 85 if 25 the pressure is above a fixed value Y. The monitor 87 then *"displays that the pressure sensor 84 has been activated which is indicative that one of the thermally actuated valves 76 within the region has been activated and is in the open position, and water is flowing through the region conduit 80 and nozzles 40. In other words, the monitor 87, through the controller 85 monitoring the state of the pressure sensor 84 for identifying whether one or more of the thermally actuated valves 76 has been activated, identifies the state of the pressure sensors 84 and whether 35 one of the thermally actuated valves 76 within a region has been activated. It is to be understood that each region includes a similar arrangement of thermal valves 76, region 8 conduit 80, nozzles 40 and/or nozzle blocks 82 and pressure sensor 84.

The thermal valves 76 are positioned about the respective region of the continuous mining apparatus 12 at various locations, near hydraulic fluid lines, motors, upper surfaces and lower surfaces. Typically, the valves, which are non-electrically operated, remain in a closed position unless the temperature of the valve rises above or greater than a certain temperature X, say 212 0

F.

When the temperature is greater than X, the thermal valve 76 will be in an open position permitting water to flow from the first conduit 70 through the thermally actuated valve 76, through the region conduit 80 and out the nozzles spraying water on the continuous mining apparatus 12 contained within the respective region.

Fig. 8 shows one type of thermal valve 76 that can be used and is a thermal control valve, Model No. F430, one inch, manufactured by Grinnel Corporation, 3 Tyco Park, Exeter, New Hampshire 03833. This valve contains a selfcontained heat sensitive unit. The thermal valve 76 includes a body 86, a seat ring 88, a plug valve assembly a pivotal valve lever 92 and a fusible assembly 94 adapted to melt at a temperature above 212 0 F. For example, :I in operation the fusible assembly 94 prevents the plug 25 valve assembly 90 from rising by preventing the pivotal "valve lever 92 from pivoting about pivot pin 96 thereby °preventing water from flowing through the thermal valve 76 and maintaining the thermal valve 76 in a closed position.

However, if the fusible assembly 94 melts (at or above 212 0 which is indicative of a fire, then the pivotal valve lever 92 will rotate about pivot pin 96 causing the plug valve assembly 90 to rise causing the thermal valve 76 to be in an open position and permitting water from the first conduit 70 to flow through the thermally actuated valve 76 and into the region conduit Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of the continuous mining apparatus 12 divided into a plurality of 9 regions 98. As can be seen, the nozzles 40 in a respective region 98 are controlled by thermal valves 76 in a respective region. Once water begins flowing through the respective region conduit 80, a respective pressure sensor 84 or the alternative flow switch is activated sending a signal to the controller 85 to alert the appropriate personnel.

In operation, the continuous mining apparatus 12 enters a mine shaft of a mine, such as a wing mine. The flexible hose of the first conduit 70 is supplied with pressurized water from the tank 74 and does not impede the movement of the continuous mining apparatus 12. A spool 100, as schematically shown in Fig. i, with an additional hose wrapped therearound can be provided on the first conduit 70 to permit additional movement of the continuous mining apparatus 12. Should a fire break out on the continuous mining apparatus 12 or in close proximity thereto, then the thermal valve 76 adjacent thereto will be activated causing water to douse the fire by flowing through the first conduit 70, the activated thermal valve 76, the second conduit 80 and the nozzles 40. As should now be evident, activation of one of the thermal valves 76 in a region 98 will cause water to flow through all of the nozzles 40 in the region 98 because all of the thermal 25 valves 76 in the region 98 form a parallel fluid circuit between the first conduit 70 and the region conduit 80, and only one of the thermal valves 76 located within that region needs to be activated for water to flow from the first conduit 70 to the respective region conduit 80. If 30 the fire is suppressed, then none of the thermal valves 76 in the other regions 98 will be activated. The controller 85 also indicates that a thermal valve 76 has been activated and is in the open position in the respective region 98 through an activated pressure sensor 84, which is indicative of a fire. In other words, the activated pressure sensor detects the region of a fire. The operator 10 can take appropriate measures since he/she will know in which region the fire is located.

More specifically, the fire suppression system operates by providing a pressurized source of water to the first conduit 70; activating one or more of the thermally actuated valves 76 into an open position when one or more of the thermally actuated valves 76 is heated to a temperaturt, above X; passing pressurized water through the open thermally actuated valve 76 into a respective region conduit 80; passing the pressurized water through the respective region nozzles 40 in the region of the thermally actuated valve 76; activating the pressure sensor 84 in the region of the thermally actuated valve 76; and identifying on the monitor 87 through the controller 85 that one or more of the activated thermally actuated valves 76 in the region has been activated.

The present system will douse the fire even if the pressure sensor 84 fails or power to the pressure sensor 84 is stopped. The present invention can also supply water from the tank 74 to many regions 98.

Typically, the region 98, where the pressure sensor 84 has been activated, will be inspected to confirm that a fire has taken place. Appropriate safety measures can be implemented. The thermal valve 76 can be repaired and the 25 continuous mining apparatus 12 can resume operation with the fire suppression system 10 reactivated after the fire has been suppressed or the continuous mining apparatus 12 can be removed from the mine.

•As should now be evident, the present fire 30 suppression system 10 is inexpensive to install and operate. It uses readily available, inexpensive water when S• compared to the prior art chemicals used for mine fire gee suppression. The specific components used in the fire suppression system 10 are relatively inexpensive to purchase. Water, of course, is non-toxic and will not affect humans as will the fire suppressant chemicals.

Further, the present invention can supply water which is 11 readily available in large quantities to the fire for extended periods of time as opposed to the chemical fire suppression system which can only supply the chemical for a short period of time. It is believed that the present invention can be used on other individual mining machines as well as the above-described continuous mining apparatus, which is also a mining machine.

The fire suppression system 10 of the present invention can be used in combination with an atmospheric detection system as disclosed in the United States patent application entitled "Atmospheric Detection System For An Automated Mining System" having inventors identified as Danny L. Stickel and Patrick E. Retzer, filed concurrently herewith and incorporated by reference, as well as in combination with a continuous mining apparatus as disclosed in the United States patent application entitled "Electrical Control System For Apparatus And Method For Continuous Underground Mining" having inventors identified as Larry G. Offutt and David A. Christopher, filed concurrently herewith and incorporated by reference.

Having described the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that it "may otherwise be embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

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Claims (13)

1. 2. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a second conduit secured to said thermally actuated valve for directing a fire suppression material on said mining machine; and o: a sensor positioned in fluid communication with to said second conduit to indicate a flow of a fire suppression material through said second conduit and to indicate that said thermally actuated valve is in an open 10 position. tos t. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sensor is a pressure switch, which is activated at a pressure Y.
2. 4. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a fire 13 suppression material dispenser in fluid communication with said second conduit and positioned downstream of said sensor. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said dispenser is a nozzle that is adapted to spray a fire suppression material.
3. 6. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said dispenser comprises a body having a plurality of nozzles for directing the fire suppression material in a plurality of directions.
4. 7. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fire suppression material is water.
5. 8. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim i, further comprising: a second conduit; •a plurality of thermally actuated valves in fluid communication with said first conduit and secured to said "mining machine, wherein each of said thermally actuated valves is in a closed position when said thermally actuated valve is below or equal to a temperature X and said thermally actuated valve is in an open position when said thermally actuated valve is at a temperature greater than X, wherein said second conduit is in fluid communication with said thermally actuated valves downstream of said thermally actuated valves; and 14 a fire suppression material dispenser in fluid communication with said second conduit, whereby activation of any of said thermally actuated valves into an open position permits a fire suppression material to flow through said first conduit, said activated thermally actuated valve, said second conduit and said dispenser.
6. 9. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a sensor positioned in fluid communication with said second conduit to indicate a flow of a fire suppression material through said second conduit and indicate that one or more of said thermally actuated valves is in an open position. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plurality of thermally actuated valves forms a parallel fluid circuit between said first conduit and said second conduit. A fire suppression system for a mining .'machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein said dispenser is a nozzle that is adapted to spray a fire suppression *"material. •12. A fire suppression system for a mining *°*a*machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein said dispenser comprises a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with said second conduit, said nozzles are positioned on said mining machine to spray a fire suppression material at various locations on said mining machines. 15
7. 13. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein said dispenser comprises a body having a plurality of nozzles for directing the fire suppression material in a plurality of directions.
8. 14. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim i, wherein said first conduit is a hose. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first conduit is flexible.
9. 16. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim i, wherein said first end of said conduit is in fluid communication with an external source of fire suppression material.
10. 17. A fire suppression system for a mining machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein said external source of fire suppression material is water and said water is supplied to said first conduit under pressure.
11. 18. A fire suppression system, comprising: a mining machine made up of a plurality of movable mining vehicles coacting with each other and adapted to enter an underground mine, said mining machine divided into a plurality of regions; a first conduit attached to said mining machine having a first end adapted to be coupled to a source of water, said conduit adapted to supply water to each of said 16 regions, each of said regions including a fire suppression arrangement, comprising: one or more thermally actuated valves positioned within said region in fluid communication with said first conduit and attached to said mining machine, wherein each of said thermally actuated valves is in a closed position when the thermally actuated valve is below or equal to a temperature X and said thermally actuated valve is in an open position when said valve is at a temperature greater than X, said thermally actuated valves in fluid communication in parallel with said first conduit; a region conduit in fluid communication with said one or more thermally actuated valves positioned within said region, said one or more thermally actuated valves in fluid communication in parallel with said region conduit; a region sensor positioned in fluid communication with said region conduit to indicate a flow of water through said second conduit and to indicate that said thermally actuated valve is in the open position; and one or more region water dispensers in fluid communication with said region conduit for directing water within said region; and aa controller positioned at a location remote from ."said region and coupled to said region sensors for 35 monitoring a state of said sensors for identifying that one or more of said thermally actuated valves has been actuated, whereby if a fire breaks out within one or more regions, said one or more thermally actuated valves contained within said region will be activated directing a a 40 water within said region through said water dispenser.
12. 19. A fire suppression system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said first conduit is flexible and is adapted to move along with said mining machine while said 17 first end of said first conduit is in fluid communication with a water source. A method for suppressing a fire on or adjacent to a movable mining machine that includes a fire suppression system, comprising: a mining machine made up of a plurality of movable mining vehicles coacting with each other and adapted to enter an underground mine, said mining machine divided into a plurality of regions; a first conduit attached to said mining machine having a first end adapted to be coupled to a source of water, said conduit adapted to supply water to each of said regions; and each of said regions including a fire suppression arrangement, comprising: one or more thermally actuated valves positioned within said region in fluid communication with said first conduit and attached to said mining machine, wherein each of said thermally actuated valves is in a closed position when said thermally actuated valve is below or equal to a temperature X and said thermally actuated valve is in an 20 open position when said valve is at a temperature greater than X, said thermally actuated valves in fluid communication in parallel with said first conduit; e aa region conduit in fluid communication with said one or more thermally actuated valves positioned within 25 said region, said one or more thermally actuated valves in fluid communication in parallel with said region conduit; a region sensor positioned in fluid communication awith said region conduit to indicate a flow of water through said second conduit and to indicate that said 30 thermally actuated valve is in the open position; *°a°a one or more region water dispensers in fluid communication with said region conduit for directing water within said region; and 18 a controller positioned at a location remote from said region and coupled to said region sensors for monitoring a state of said sensors for identifying that one or more of said thermally actuated valves has been actuated, whereby if a fire breaks out within one or more regions, said one or more thermally actuated valves contained within said region will be activated directing water within said region through said water dispenser, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a pressurized source of water to the first conduit; b) heating a thermally actuated valve to a temperature above X; c) activating the thermally actuated valve into an open position; d) passing pressurized water through the open thermally actuated valve into a respective region conduit; e) passing the pressurized water through a respective region water dispenser; f) dispensing water to the region containing the activated thermally actuated valve; g) activating the sensor in the region of the e g. thermally actuated valve; and ooe h) identifying on the monitor that one or more of the activated thermally actuated valves in the region has been activated. 0
13. 21. A fire suppression system for a mining *machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the figures on the accompanying drawings. et 4 Dated this 3rd day of March 1999. ARCH TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION By its Patent Attorneys MADDERNS 19 i- 19