AU2021203333A1 - Duct segment - Google Patents

Duct segment Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2021203333A1
AU2021203333A1 AU2021203333A AU2021203333A AU2021203333A1 AU 2021203333 A1 AU2021203333 A1 AU 2021203333A1 AU 2021203333 A AU2021203333 A AU 2021203333A AU 2021203333 A AU2021203333 A AU 2021203333A AU 2021203333 A1 AU2021203333 A1 AU 2021203333A1
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
duct
flexible
segment
duct segment
support
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
AU2021203333A
Inventor
Bradley Paul Dunlop
Anthony Paul Wigg
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ac Industries Nominees Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Ac Ind Nominees Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2020901822A external-priority patent/AU2020901822A0/en
Application filed by Ac Ind Nominees Pty Ltd filed Critical Ac Ind Nominees Pty Ltd
Assigned to AC Industries Nominees Pty Ltd as trustee for AC Industries Unit Trust reassignment AC Industries Nominees Pty Ltd as trustee for AC Industries Unit Trust Request for Assignment Assignors: AC INDUSTRIES PTY LTD
Publication of AU2021203333A1 publication Critical patent/AU2021203333A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/02—Ducting arrangements
    • F24F13/0218—Flexible soft ducts, e.g. ducts made of permeable textiles
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
    • E21F1/00—Ventilation of mines or tunnels; Distribution of ventilating currents
    • E21F1/04—Air ducts
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
    • E21F1/00—Ventilation of mines or tunnels; Distribution of ventilating currents
    • E21F1/08—Ventilation arrangements in connection with air ducts, e.g. arrangements for mounting ventilators
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
    • E21F17/00—Methods or devices for use in mines or tunnels, not covered elsewhere
    • E21F17/02—Suspension devices for tubes or the like, e.g. for ventilating ducts
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L51/00—Expansion-compensation arrangements for pipe-lines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/02—Ducting arrangements
    • F24F13/0254—Ducting arrangements characterised by their mounting means, e.g. supports
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
    • F16L3/26—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets specially adapted for supporting the pipes all along their length, e.g. pipe channels or ducts

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Duct Arrangements (AREA)

Abstract

A duct segment is disclosed herein. The duct segment comprises a longitudinally extending flexible duct defining an inner passage therethrough and having an upper portion and a lower portion. The flexible duct is configurable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state as air flows through the inner passage. The duct segment further comprises a support suspended from the upper portion. The support is configured to support the lower portion when the flexible duct is in the unexpanded state such that the lower portion is located at or within a predetermined distance from the upper portion. 4/9 CIAl o Cl

Description

4/9
CIAl
o Cl
DUCTSEGMENT
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a duct segment. The duct segment is of the kind typically used for providing air supply in underground mining and tunnelling operations.
Background
[0002] Ducting for underground mining and tunnelling operations is known. Ducting is typically formed by coupling duct segments together end-to-end. The duct segments are hollow so as to allow airflow therethrough. The duct segments are suspended from the mine roof or ceiling and may be arranged to form various lengths and configurations depending on mining and tunnelling needs.
[0003] Known duct segments comprise a duct wall generally formed from a sheet of flexible material having two longitudinal edges that are stitched together. Airflow through the duct segment causes the duct wall to expand. When the duct wall is expanded in use, there is sufficient clearance between the lowermost portion of duct segment and the mine floor to allow large vehicles or machinery to be transported within the mine without the vehicles or machinery being in contact with the duct wall. However, when airflow through the duct segment is halted, the duct wall deflates and the clearance between the lowermost portion of the duct segment and the mine floor reduces. This is problematic as large vehicles or machinery transported within the mine may contact the duct wall when the duct wall is deflated, thus causing damage thereto.
Object
[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to substantially overcome or ameliorate at least the above problem.
Summary
[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a duct segment, comprising: a longitudinally extending flexible duct defining an inner passage therethrough and having an upper portion and a lower portion, the flexible duct being configurable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state as air flows through the inner passage; and a support suspended from the upper portion, wherein the support is configured to support the lower portion when the flexible duct is in the unexpanded state such that the lower portion is located at or within a predetermined distance from the upper portion.
[0006] In some embodiments, the flexible duct in the expanded state may have a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter. In one embodiment, the predetermined distance may be substantially the same as the diameter.
[0007] In some embodiments, the predetermined distance may be between 300 mm and 3000 mm. In one embodiment, the predetermined distance may be about 1400 mm.
[0008] The support may comprise a longitudinally extending flexible sheet having two opposing longitudinal edges.
[0009] The flexible sheet may be formed from a polymer material.
[0010] The support may further comprise a plurality of elastic members. Each of the elastic members may have an upper end portion attached to the upper portion of the flexible duct and a lower end portion attached to one of the longitudinal edges of the flexible sheet such that the flexible sheet is suspended from the upper portion of the flexible duct.
[0011] Each of the elastic members may comprise a cord, a strap, a heavy-duty elastic, or the like.
[0012] The flexible duct may comprise a duct wall having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge attached to the first longitudinal edge.
[0013] The upper portion may comprise a longitudinally extending upper cap bonded to the first and second longitudinal edges.
[0014] The upper cap may comprises first and second opposing side portions for attachment to the upper end portions of the elastic members.
[0015] The upper cap may further comprise an upwardly extending hanging portion for attachment to a ceiling or roof.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0016] An embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described hereinafter, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional end view of a known duct segment;
[0018] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional end view of the known duct segment of Fig. 1 being suspended from the roof or ceiling of an underground mine or tunnel, and expanded in use;
[0019] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the known duct segment of Fig. 1 being suspended from the roof or ceiling of an underground mine or tunnel, and deflated in use;
[0020] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a duct segment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in an expanded state;
[0021] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional end view of the duct segment of Fig. 4;
[0022] Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of A of Fig. 5;
[0023] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional end view of the duct segment of Fig. 4, in an unexpanded state;
[0024] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional end view of the duct segment of Fig. 4 being suspended from the roof or ceiling of an underground mine or tunnel, expanded in use; and
[0025] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional end view of the duct segment of Fig. 4 being suspended from the roof or ceiling of an underground mine or tunnel, deflated in use.
Description of Embodiments
[0026] Fig. 1 shows an example of a known duct segment 10. The duct segment 10 comprises a longitudinally extending flexible duct 12. The flexible duct 12 defines an inner passage 14 therethrough and has an upper portion 16 and a lower portion 18. Airflow through the inner passage 14 causes the flexible duct 12 to expand. The known duct segment 10 shown in Fig. 1 is shown in the form it takes when expanded for use in delivering airflow therealong.
[0027] Fig. 2 shows the duct segment 10 being suspended from the roof or ceiling 22 of an underground mine or tunnel 20, and expanded in use. When expanded in use, the flexible duct 12 is generally circular in cross-section and defines a first distance Yi between the upper portion 16 and the lower portion 18. There is sufficient clearance between the lower portion 18 and the floor 24 of the mine 20 to allow large vehicles and machinery to be transported within the mine 20 without the vehicles or machinery being in contact with the flexible duct 12.
[0028] When airflow through the inner passage 14 is halted, the flexible duct 12 deflates causing the lower portion 18 to move downwardly in relation to the upper portion 16, as shown in Fig. 3. When the flexible duct 12 is deflated in use, the flexible duct 12 defines a second distance Y 2 between the upper portion 16 and the lower portion 18. The second distance Y 2 may be about 1.5 times the first distance Y1, which reduces the clearance between the lower portion 18 and the floor 24 of the mine 20. This is problematic as large vehicles or machinery transported within the mine 20 may contact the flexible duct 12, thus causing damage thereto. Accordingly, there is a need to address at least the above problem.
[0029] Figs. 4 and 5 show a duct segment 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The duct segment 100 comprises a longitudinally extending flexible duct 102. The flexible duct 102 comprises a duct wall 104 having a first longitudinal edge (not shown) and a second longitudinal edge (not shown) attached to the first longitudinal edge. In this embodiment, the first and second longitudinal edges are attached together, by heat welding, such that the flexible duct 102 defines an inner passage 106 therethrough. The flexible duct
102 is configurable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state as air flows through the inner passage 106. The flexible duct 102 also comprises an upper portion 108 and a lower portion 110.
[0030] The duct wall 104 is formed from a sheet of flexible polymer material and, when expanded in use, is generally circular in cross-section. The duct segment 100 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is shown in the form it takes when the flexible duct 102 is in the expanded state for use in delivering airflow therealong. The flexible duct 102 has a diameter ranging from 300 mm to 3000 mm and a length ranging from 1 m to 100 m. In the embodiment shown, the diameter is 1400 mm and the length is 10 m. The flexible polymer material may be polyethylene woven coated fabric, polypropylene or polyester coated with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), for example.
[0031] The upper portion 108 of the flexible duct 102 comprises a longitudinally extending upper cap 112 that is bonded, by heat welding, over the first and second longitudinal edges of the flexible duct 102. With reference to Fig. 6, the upper cap 112 comprises an upwardly extending hanging portion 114 for attachment to the mine roof or ceiling. The hanging portion 114 defines a longitudinally extending passage 114a in the uppermost region thereof for retaining a strengthening rope (not shown) therein. Further, a series of spaced-apart eyelets (not shown) are positioned along the length of the hanging portion 114 to allow the duct segment 100 to be laced, wired, cable-tied or otherwise connected to the mine roof or ceiling from which the duct segment 100 is suspended.
[0032] The upper cap 112 further comprises first and second opposing side portions 116, 118. Each of the side portions 116, 118 defines a longitudinally extending passage 116a, 118a in the outermost region thereof for retaining a strengthening rope (not shown) therein. Further, a series of spaced-apart eyelets (not shown) are positioned along the length of each of the side portions 116, 118. In this embodiment, the upper cap is formed from flexible polymer material, such as polyethylene woven coated fabric, polypropylene or polyester coated with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), for example.
[0033] Turning back to Fig. 4, the duct segment 100 further comprises a support 120 that is suspended from the upper portion 108. The support 120 has a longitudinally extending flexible sheet 124 with first and second opposing longitudinal edges 124a, 124b. The support 120 also has first and second longitudinally extending support caps 126a, 126b bonded, by heat welding, to respective longitudinal edges 124a, 124b of the flexible sheet 124. Each of the support caps 126a, 126b defines a longitudinally extending passage (not shown) in the outermost region thereof for retaining a strengthening rope (not shown) therein. Further, a series of spaced-apart eyelets (not shown) are positioned along the length of each of the support caps 126a, 126b. In this embodiment, the flexible sheet 124 and the support caps 126a, 126b are each formed from flexible polymer material, such as polyethylene woven coated fabric, polypropylene or polyester coated with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), for example.
[0034] Further, the support 120 has a plurality of elastic members 122. Each of the elastic members 122 has an upper end portion 128 attached to a respective eyelet of the side portions 116, 118 of the upper cap 112 and a lower end portion 130 attached to a respective eyelet of the support caps 126a, 126b such that the support 120 is suspended from the upper portion 108 of the flexible duct 102. Fasteners 132, such as rope grips, for example, may be used to securely attach the upper and lower end portions 128, 130 of the elastic members 122 to the eyelets. In this embodiment, each of the elastic members 122 is in the form of a rubber cord. In other embodiments, each of the elastic members 122 may be in the form of a strap, a heavy-duty elastic, or the like.
[0035] Fig. 7 shows the duct segment 100 with the flexible duct 102 in the unexpanded state. In the unexpanded state, the flexible duct 102 is deflated and the lower portion 110 is gathered within the flexible sheet 124 so as to be located at or within a predetermined distance Xi from the upper portion 108. The flexible sheet 124 is biased by the elastic members 122 to support the lower portion 110 at or within the predetermined distance Xi.
[0036] Use of the duct segment 100 in an underground mine or tunnel 200 will now be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Figs. 8 and 9 show the duct segment 100 being suspended from the roof or ceiling 202 of the underground mine or tunnel 200. When air flows through the inner passage 106 of the flexible duct 102, the duct wall 104 expands causing the flexible duct 102 to move from the unexpanded state to the expanded state. In the expanded state, as shown in Fig. 8, the flexible duct 102 is fully inflated and the flexible sheet 124 substantially abuts against the duct wall 104. Abutment of the flexible sheet 124 against the duct wall 104 also causes tension in the elastic members 122, resulting in the elastic members 122 being stretched. It will be appreciated that the elastic members 122 will be configured so as to not impede the normal expansion of the duct wall 104. When airflow through the inner passage 106 of the flexible duct 102 is halted, the duct wall 104 deflates causing the flexible duct 102 to move back to the unexpanded state. In the unexpanded state, as shown in Fig. 9, the lower portion 110 of the flexible duct 102 is gathered within the flexible sheet 124 so as to be located at or within the predetermined distance Xi due to the bias of the tension in the elastic members 122. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the predetermined distance Xi substantially corresponds with the diameter of the flexible duct 102 when expanded in use. Accordingly, the support 120 allows the lower portion 110 of the flexible duct 102 to be maintained at or within the predetermined distance Xi when the flexible duct 102 is in the unexpanded state.
[0037] In alternative embodiments, the elastic members 122 may be attached directly to the flexible sheet 124 of the support 120. For example, the flexible sheet 124 may comprise a series of spaced-apart eyelets and the lower end portions 130 of the elastic members 122 may be attached to respective eyelets of the flexible sheet 124.
[0038] In further alternative embodiments, the duct segment 100 may comprise a single elastic member 122 that suspends the flexible sheet 124 from the upper portion 108 of the flexible duct 102.
[0039] The duct segment 100 described above has numerous advantages. The support 120 supports the lower portion 110 of the flexible duct 102 when the flexible duct 102 is in the unexpanded state such that the lower portion 110 is located at or within the predetermined distance Xi from the upper portion 108. This prevents the flexible duct 102 from being in contact with large vehicles or machinery transported within the underground mine or tunnel, thus resulting in the duct segment 100 being longer-lasting. The duct segment 100 also allows the lower portion 110 to be maintained at or within the predetermined distance when the flexible duct 102 moves from the expanded state to the unexpanded state without the need for human intervention. Further still, the duct segment 10 is relatively easy to manufacture, thus reducing manufacturing costs.
[0040] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS:
1. A duct segment, comprising: a longitudinally extending flexible duct defining an inner passage therethrough and having an upper portion and a lower portion, the flexible duct being configurable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state as air flows through the inner passage; and a support suspended from the upper portion, wherein the support is configured to support the lower portion when the flexible duct is in the unexpanded state such that the lower portion is located at or within a predetermined distance from the upper portion.
2. The duct segment of claim 1, wherein the flexible duct in the expanded state has a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter, and wherein the predetermined distance is substantially the same as the diameter.
3. The duct segment of claim 2, wherein the predetermined distance is between 300 mm and 3000 mm.
4. The duct segment of claim 3, wherein the predetermined distance is about 1400 mm.
5. The duct segment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support comprises a longitudinally extending flexible sheet having two opposing longitudinal edges.
6. The duct segment of claim 5, wherein the flexible sheet is formed from a polymer material.
7. The duct segment of claim 5 or 6, wherein the support further comprises a plurality of elastic members, and wherein each of the elastic members has an upper end portion attached to the upper portion of the flexible duct and a lower end portion attached to one of the longitudinal edges of the flexible sheet such that the flexible sheet is suspended from the upper portion of the flexible duct.
8. The duct segment of claim 7, wherein each of the elastic members comprises a cord, a strap, a heavy-duty elastic, or the like.
9. The duct segment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible duct comprises a duct wall having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge attached to the first longitudinal edge.
10. The duct segment of claim 9, wherein the upper portion comprises a longitudinally extending upper cap bonded to the first and second longitudinal edges.
11. The duct segment of claim 10, when ultimately appended to claim 7 or 8, wherein the upper cap comprises first and second opposing side portions for attachment to the upper end portions of the elastic members.
12. The duct segment of claim 11, wherein the upper cap further comprises an upwardly extending hanging portion for attachment to a roof or ceiling.
12
14 1/9
Fig. 1 18
AU2021203333A 2020-06-03 2021-05-24 Duct segment Pending AU2021203333A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2020901822A AU2020901822A0 (en) 2020-06-03 Duct segment
AU2020901822 2020-06-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2021203333A1 true AU2021203333A1 (en) 2021-12-23

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2021203333A Pending AU2021203333A1 (en) 2020-06-03 2021-05-24 Duct segment

Country Status (1)

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AU (1) AU2021203333A1 (en)

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Owner name: AC INDUSTRIES NOMINEES PTY LTD AS TRUSTEE FOR AC INDUSTRIES UNIT TRUST

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