AU2008101224B4

AU2008101224B4 - A new mine ventilation system

Info

Publication number: AU2008101224B4
Application number: AU2008101224A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christopher David Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-16
Filing date: 2008-12-16
Publication date: 2011-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2016-12-16
Also published as: AU2008101224A4

Abstract

A ventilation ducting system for use in mines and that includes effectively three channels or portions. The first channel is a singe channel that then splits into two diverging channels that then converge so that the rest of the duct includes two channels 5 running parallel to each other.

Description

I A bi-furcate mine ventilation duct FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mine ventilation duct and in particular to a ventilation duct that enables two separate ventilation ducting systems to be supplied air 5 from one source. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mining has long been considered to be a lucrative and yet a dangerous occupation. For that reason there are many facilities provided in mines to ensure that there is no danger to life and that necessary facilities are provided. 10 One of the most obvious requirements in any mine is that the air must be maintained to an acceptable standard. Given that mines can be many kilometres in length most underground mining installations include ventilation ducts that travel along the tunnels to provide air where it is necessary. Typically most such ducts are of a generally cylindrical shape and are hung from the roof of the tunnel. 15 Many mines have multiple tunnels extending underground and in some cases a central tunnel will split into two separate tunnels extending in different directions. Each of these tunnels needs to be provided with its own ventilation and it becomes difficult to feed all of the tunnels resulting in there being multiple ventilation ducts running from the surface in parallel. This is obviously quite expensive and logistically at times 20 difficult as well as requiring a fair bit of space. For the purposes of the specification the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning. Also a reference within the specification to document or to prior use is not to be taken as an admission that the disclosure therein constitutes common general knowledge in 25 Australia. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the above-mentioned problems or provide the public with a useful alternative. The present invention successfully addresses these problems by providing for a 30 ventilation duct that bi-furcates from a single ventilation duct to two separate ventilation duct f a smaller diameter.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the invention could be set to reside in ventilation ducting system for use in mines including: 5 a duct having a first open end adapted including an engagement means to enable the duct to be attached to another duct, said duct having an intermediate portion extending from the first open end and diverging into two spaced apart portions whose cross sectional size is smaller than the intermediate portion to thereby allow for flow of air through the intermediate portion to be split into the two spaced apart portions. 10 In preference the engagement means includes a spigot having spaced apart apertures to enable a rope to tie two spigots together. In preference a sealing joint extends between adjoining ducts. In preference the diverging spaced apart portions extend further into two spaced apart portions. 15 In a further form of the invention there is proposed a ventilation duct system for use in mines said duct including a first channel of a first length that splits into two diverging channels of a second length, each of the diverging channels then converging so that they run parallel to each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 20 The accompanying drawing is incorporated in and constitutes a part of this specification and illustrates an implementation of the invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ventilation duct embodying the preset 25 invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawing. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described 30 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the 3 same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Turning now to the Figures in detail and there is shown a duct 10 comprising of a single cylindrical duct 12 that at one end splits into two separate ducts 14 and 16. Air 5 18 that flows through duct 12 is then split with air 20 flowing through duct 14 and air 22 flowing through duct 16. The opposite end of duct 10 includes a spigot 24 that includes eyelets 26 that enable the duct to be joined to other ducts to make up a long ventilation system. The joining may be accomplished by various means, such as a rope that ties two spigots 10 together through the eyelets (not shown). Spigots 28 are also found at the ends of the two ducts 14 and 16 and similarly include eyelets 30 that enable the two ducts to be joined to other ducts to continue the ventilation system. To ensure a good air seal, sealing joints 32 and 34 may be used to extend between ducts to bejoined together. The sealing joints are typically some 500 15 millimetres in length and so extend 250 millimetres into each duct. The vertical extent of duct 12 is typically around one metre. In use the ventilation ducts are supported by ties that engage hanging fins 36, 38 and 40 on the ducts. The fins include spaced apart eyelets 42 that are engaged by the ties that are usually attached to a supporting cable (not shown). 20 To provide for strength and durability the ducts are made from woven polyethylene fabric extrusions coated with a low resistance film. Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is 25 recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Claims

1. A ventilation ducting system for use in mines including: a duct having a first open end adapted including an engagement means to enable the duct to be attached to another duct, said duct having an intermediate portion 5 extending from the first open end and diverging into two spaced apart portions whose cross-sectional size is smaller than the intermediate portion to thereby allow for flow of air through the intermediate portion to be split into the two spaced apart portions; wherein said engagement means includes a spigot having spaced apart apertures to enable a rope to tie two spigots together. 10

2. A ventilation ducting system as in claims wherein a sealing joint extends between adjoining ducts.

3. A ventilation system as in claim 1 wherein the diverging spaced apart portions extend further into two spaced apart portions.