AU2761100A - Mine survival chamber - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Application Number: Class Int. Class Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Applicant(s): Address for service in Australia: COWAN MANUFACTURING PTY LIMITED 9A WALKER STREET, WARNERS BAY NSW 2282 AUSTRALIA PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK 367 Collins Street MELBOURNE VICTORIA 3000 Tel: (03) 9614 1944 Fax: (03) 9614 1867 Attorney Code: PO Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "MINE SURVIVAL CHAMBER" Our Ref: IRN 613641 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): DJHIRN613641 2 MINE SURVIVAL CHAMBER Present invention relates to a survival chamber, and in particular relates to such a chamber for use in underground mines. It will be convenient therefore to describe the invention in relation to its use in mines of this kind, although it is to be appreciated that the survival chamber of the invention could be used elsewhere, such as in tunnels, or other, principally below ground locations.

Underground mines have always suffered from the threat of mine collapse or contamination such as through smoke or gas inundation, and while mine safety continues to improve with time, such collapse or contamination .nevertheless remains a danger to which mine personnel are constantly exposed. When such an emergency event occurs, it is normally necessary to immediately evacuate the mine, or at least sections of the mine which are 15 directly affected. Such evacuations can be extremely difficult, particularly when 0' the event occurs intermediate a section of the mine and the mine entry, such that personnel are trapped against evacuation. Additionally, the vast size of many mines means that total evacuation can be very time consuming, such that mine personnel can be exposed for lengthy periods to the risk of further mine 20 collapse or to unhealthy airborne contaminants that occur as a result of the event. In such emergency events, mine personnel may seek refuge in a section of the mine that is relatively unaffected by the event, until such time as it is safe to leave that section, or until they can be reached by rescue evacuation crews. However, the difficulty the mine personnel face, is locating the existence of such an area, which is both safe from the effects of the event, and which will remain safe for the time required prior to actual evacuation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dedicated facility for occupation by mine personnel during an emergency event.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a transportable survival chamber including, a housing incorporating a plurality of sections which are movable relative to one another so that the housing is operative to adopt a collapsed configuration for transporting of the chamber, and an expanded configuration where the chamber is in an in-use condition with the housing C:\windowsTEMPURN613641A.doc defining an interior space which is operative to accommodate a plurality of persons, and sealing means operative to seal the housing in its in-use configuration so that the interior is sealed from the external environment.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a survival chamber having the facility to be able to be transported onsite in its collapsed configuration, and then erected to its in-use configuration wherein it may be sealed from the external environment. In this way the survival chamber can be provided for survival in an underground mine principally in the event of fire and explosions, mine collapse, inundation of the mine by gases, liquids or solids that affects 10 mine ventilation, and seal failures that result in airway contamination. The chamber can have any suitable capacity for accommodating mine personnel in emergency, although the capacity will typically be limited by the available space within the mine for locating the chamber and the need for portability within the mine. Preferably, the chamber will have capacity for 12 personnel, 15 although a greater or lesser capacity may alternatively be appropriate or necessary.

To enable occupants within the chamber to remain for any length of time, the air supply within the chamber needs to be replenished. In one form, the occupants may use individual breathing apparatus. However in a preferred 20 form, the chamber is designed to provide a clean supply of air.

•..."Preferably, the chamber further includes storage means for storing a supply of air, first supply means operative to connect the interior to an external supply of air, and second supply means operative to connect the chamber to the supply of air contained in the storage means. In this application, once the chamber is installed, it is able to be operated in a mode where it draws air from the external environment, or in the case of emergency, can be switched to a mode where it is self supporting and uses its stored supply of air. In an alternative form to the above, the chamber merely includes the first supply means which is operative to connect the interior to an external supply of air and the device further includes a filtering means to filter that air supply to remove any noxious gases.

In a preferred form, the air supplied to the interior of the chamber is under pressure. In that arrangement, the supply means includes means to be C:\windowslTEMPMJRN613841A.doc able to regulate the pressure within the chamber and preferably that pressure is maintained above atmospheric.

Portability of the chamber is required in order that the chamber can be constructed outside of the mine and readily inserted for deployment therein.

Additionally, the chamber may from time to time, be required to be repositioned within the mine as the proximity of the face being mined moves away from the initial position of the chamber. In order to facilitate portability of the chamber, the chamber preferably can be collapsed in height from its in-use condition to its transport condition. In one preferred arrangement, the housing includes a 10 base section and a roof section which are movable towards and away from one another between the collapsed and expanded configuration so that the height the chamber is reduced when in its collapsed configuration. When in its in- :oo use condition, the housing enables a person of average height to stand within the chamber, and which, in the transport condition, is lower than the height of 15 an average person seated in a chair. The roof sections of this kind can be a *telescoping part of the chamber and include side and end walls depending from the roof, that move relative to other side and ends walls that depend from a Sbase, when the roof is raised or lowered. The roof can be raised and lowered under hydraulic, pneumatic or electric power tapped from the relevant mine 20 power supply and locking means may be employed to lock the roof in one or :"both positions.

The chamber includes sealing means for sealing the interior thereof against undesirable transfer of medium to or from the interior. Such mediums of which transfer is undesirable, includes dust, smoke or gas that occurs for example, as a result of a fire or an explosion within the mine, or water that may flood the mine, or a section thereof. Moreover, the sealing means may also prevent undesirable egress of material from the interior of the chamber, such as of air that may form part of a limited emergency supply. Such sealing means can take any suitable form and may be such as to hermetically seal the chamber. Sealing means can be employed around any windows or doors and between any relatively movable parts of the chamber, such as between the side and end walls depending from the roof and base, in the above described embodiment of the invention in which the roof telescopes relative to the base.

C:\windows\TEMPURN61364 tA.doc The sealing means thus can maintain the environment within the chamber suitable for human occupation generally regardless of the state of the environment external to the chamber. The chamber occupants are therefore protected from smoke, toxic fumes and the like while the chamber remains sealed.

In a preferred form, the interior includes first and second compartments which are interconnected by an opening operative to allow the occupants passage between these compartments. In a preferred form, the chamber further includes a closure which is operative to seal the opening so as to be able to seal the first compartment from the second compartment. In a particularly preferred form, one compartment is designed for accommodating the occupants. The other compartment preferably contains the access port and can thereby operate as an air lock to enable persons to leave or enter the chamber without contaminating the environment in the other compartment.

15 The chamber includes facility for connection to mine utilities in order that i the limited emergency supplies available within the chamber may be preserved by use of the mine utilities, until such time as those utilities no longer operate.

Thus, in use, the chamber may be connected to drinking water, electricity and breathable air, and while the chamber remains so connected it will not be 20 necessary to commence use of its own emergency stores. In some circumstances, one or more of the utilities to which the chamber is connected will be lost in an emergency, and it will be necessary for the occupants of the chamber to use emergency stores, but only for the or each utility lost and not the other utilities that remain functionally connected. Preferably the chamber is also connected to a communication facility, such as the mine telephone line.

In addition to the external connection facility, the chamber includes a storage facility for the storage at least of air and water. Air storage is preferably by way of a compressed air supply held within and/or externally of the interior cavity of the chamber. Any suitable means for storing compressed air may be adopted, such as by compressed air cylinders.

In a preferred form, the chamber is able to operate under the external air supply and/or by a stored supply by virtue of the operation of the first and second means. In a preferred arrangement, these supply means include C:\windowsTEMPURN613641A.doc ducting which allows the air to be supplied to the chamber interior. In addition to this storage capability, the chamber preferably also includes means for purging the interior cavity thereof of carbon dioxide gas, generated by occupant breathing and other gases as may be desirable to exhaust. Gas scrubbers can be employed for that purpose.

Water storage also can be internally or external relative to the interior cavity of the chamber and water containers of any suitable material and capacity may be employed.

The chamber preferably includes breathing apparatus, for use in the 10 event that the occupants are required to leave the chamber and travel through the mine in difficult breathing conditions. The chamber further preferably includes first aid equipment and toilet facilities in the event that an extended .stay in the chamber of beyond several hours is required.

The chamber may be transportable by any suitable means, although in a preferred arrangement, the chamber is mounted on skids that enable it to be S* pushed or pulled by heavy machinery normally employed in a mine.

Alternatively, the chamber may be mounted on wheels or tracks.

The attached drawings show an example embodiment of the invention of the foregoing kind. The particularity of those drawings and the associated 20 description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a mine survival chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the chamber of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view along section line III III of the chamber of Figure 1 with the housing in an in-use configuration; Figure 4 is a sectional view along section line IV IV of Figure 1 with the chamber in a transport configuration; Figure 5 is a detailed view of the housing base; and Figure 6 is a detailed view of the seal between the housing sections.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a mine survival chamber 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The chamber 10 is constructed from mild C:\wndowsTEMP~IRN613641A.doc steel and is of rectangular plan cross-section having external dimensions of long by 2.6m wide. As will be explained later, the roof is telescopic, from a lowered or transportable position in which the chamber has a total height of 1.55m to a raised or in-use position in which the chamber has a height of 1.95 m.

Access to the interior 11 of the chamber 10, is through a hinged door 12.

The door 12 is centrally located along one end wall 13 of the chamber 10 and is arranged to automatically close in a sealed manner against the end wall 13 of the chamber 10 and, with use of a manually operated latch fully prevents ingress of undesirable material through the doorway when the door 12 is closed.

The chamber 10 includes a further end wall 14 and two side walls 15 and The arrangement shown is sufficient to provide for accommodation for .i twelve adults in the manner shown in Figure 1, namely six abreast along either 15 side wall 15 and 16. It is apparent that each of the adults shown in Figure 1 is in a seated position and for this, two fixed benches 17 covered by cushions if desirable, extend inwardly from both of the side walls 15 and 16.

Also contained in the cavity 11, is a chemical toilet 18, a flip-down basin 1*il 19 and storage unit 20 for storing such survival equipment, food, medical 20 supplies etc as maybe required. The storage unit 20 may store breathing apparatus, fresh water, fire extinguishing equipment and carbon dioxide absorbing material. A mine telephone can also be included, and preferably the floor is lined with a non-slip rubber.

The interior 11 is divided into two parts 35, 36 by way of partition 21.

The partition 21 includes an access door 37 which is designed in a similar manner to the main door 12 and is operative to seal off the compartment from the other compartment 36. In this way, the compartment 36 which includes the main access door 12 is able to operate as an airlock enabling the occupants to open the door 12 without contaminating the air in the compartment Pressure within the interior cavity 11 of the chamber 10 is preferably positive relative to the pressure in the mine external to the cavity 11.

Preferably, the pressure of the interior cavity 11 is maintained at 20 kPa and C:\window\TEMPRN61364 t1A.doC 8 that pressure can normally be maintained through the use of filtered air from the mine supply lines. In an emergency and when the mine supply lines are cut from the chamber 10, air supply within the chamber can be provided by a compressed air supply stored within or exterior to the chamber. For example, the chamber can include four size medical air bottles which can provide sufficient air for 12 adults for a period of up to 48 hours. The chamber includes a cross over valve (not shown) which allows switching between the different air supplies. In this arrangement, the chamber should also include carbon dioxide scrubbers to remove carbon dioxide from within the sealed chamber, to ensure a breathable environment during occupancy of the chamber in an emergency.

The chamber can further include environment or atmospheric monitors can relay information to the surface of the mine, concerning air quality both S"inside and outside of the chamber.

The survival chamber 10 is designed to be portably located within a mine. In Figure 2, the chamber 10 includes a skid plate 22 which can be made of 8mm reinforced mild steel. The skid plate 22 includes two lifting lugs 23 at Ollial either end of the chamber which includes an opening 24, facilitating connection to a chain so that the chamber can be dragged on the skid plate 22 through the 20 mine. When the correct location has been reached the chamber may be fastened to the mine floor by mechanical fasteners, or by chemical fasteners such as suitable adhesives.

Figure 2 illustrates the chamber with the roof 25 in its extended, in-use position. The raised and lowered positions of the roof are shown in Figures 3 and 4, and the transition between the respective raised and lowered positions is by four pneumatic struts 26 located at each corner of the chamber (best seen in Figure Guide channels can be employed at each corner of the chamber to counteract any misalignment and prevent binding during movement of the roof.

The arrangement can be such that a single air valve supplies pneumatic pressure to each of the struts 26 so that a synchronous lift occurs from all four points. The roof 25 includes side walls 27 and end walls (not shown) depending downwardly from the roof 25 to fit about side and end walls depending upwardly from the base 32 of the chamber 10. The respective side C:\windows\TEMP IRN813B41A.doc 9 and end walls of the base 32 and the roof 25 are arranged to be closely adjacent and sealing means are disposed therebetween to seal the interior cavity 11 from the external mine environment.

When the roof 25 is raised to the positioned shown in Figure 3, locking struts 28 (see also Figure 6) are raised into place to support the roof in the raised position. The locking plates 28 are connected to the base 32 as more clearly shown in Figure 6.

When the roof 25 is raised, a seal operates between the roof and the base in the region marked in Figure 3. The detail of the seal is shown more clearly in Figure 6. The seal 29 is in two parts 33 and 34 that are connected to the walls 15 and 27 respectively. The seal part 34 includes a sealing member 38 that engages seal part 33, when the roof is raised, to seal the interior of the "'"'"chamber from the external environment.

S"The toilet 18 is preferably located over a collection pan which has capacity in the region of forty litres. The toilet cubicle is of minimal internal dimension. Preferably, the chamber includes facility for storing approximately litres above the toilet and basin, for general cleaning purposes.

The chamber 10 can include external storage in addition to the internal storage unit 20. The door 30 closing such a storage unit is shown in Figure 2.

20 It is preferred that the external storage units be sufficient to accommodate a S" total of four size air cylinders.

The chamber 10 preferably includes a plurality of ports 31 for viewing the environment external of the chamber, and also encloses an emergency hatch 39 in the inner compartment 35 which allows access to or from the interior 11 even if the roof 25 is lowered.

In order to continuously monitor the environment both inside and outside of the chamber 10, analysers that monitor the readings of carbon monoxide, methane, oxygen and other gases may be mounted internally and externally of the chamber. The readings of the analysers may be made available through appropriate installation, to the occupants of the chamber and to a station external of the mine.

The mine survival chamber of the invention provides a convenient and simple shelter for mine personnel during an emergency in which immediate C:\windows\TEMPURN613841A doc evacuation from the mine is not possible. Mine personnel instead, can be accommodated within the survival chamber for up to 48 hours in a readily locatable position within the mine. Thus, rescue operations can be specifically directed to the survival chamber, instead of a blanket rescue operation that requires coverage of the entire mine area affected by emergency. Additionally, the communication facility within the chamber can be used to advise on the health of the occupants and thus determine the aggressive nature of the rescue operation. That is, if all occupants are safe and well, the need for immediate rescue is lessened, than if one or more of the occupants is injured.

From the chamber, evacuation plans can be coordinated through the communication facility and evacuation can be by progressive relocation through a plurality of chambers, each closer to the mine entrance. Additionally, the chambers can be used in emergency simulation exercises and for treating accident victims during an emergency.

The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the above description.

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Claims (26)

1. A transportable survival chamber including, a housing incorporating a plurality of sections which are movable relative to one another so that the housing is operative to adopt a collapsed configuration for transporting of the chamber, and an expanded configuration where the chamber is in an in-use condition with the housing defining an interior space which is operative to accommodate a plurality of persons, and sealing means operative to seal the housing in its in-use configuration so that the interior is sealed from the external environment.

2. A survival chamber according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a base section and a roof section, said base and roof sections being movable towards and away from one another between said collapsed and said expanded configuration so that the height of the chamber is reduced when moved from its expanded configuration to its collapsed configuration.

3. A survival chamber according to claim 2, wherein the roof section includes a roof portion and a downwardly extending peripheral wall, and wherein the base section includes a base portion and an upwardly extending peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall of one of the roof or base sections is located within the peripheral wall of the other so that the peripheral wall of the roof section moves relative to the peripheral wall of the base section on movement of the housing between its expanded and collapsed configurations.

4. A survival chamber according to claim 3, wherein the sealing means is operative to provide a seal between the roof section and the base section when the housing is in its expanded configuration, the sealing means including a first sealing part integrally formed with or connected to said roof section peripheral wall, and a second sealing part integrally formed with, or connected to, said base portion peripheral wall, wherein the sealing parts are operative to move into sealing engagement with one another on movement of the housing to said expanded configuration. A survival chamber according to any preceding claim, further including drive means operative to move said housing sections between said collapsed and expanded configurations.

C:\windows\TEMPMRN1364 1Adoc 12

6. A survival chamber according to claim 5, wherein the drive means include pneumatic piston cylinder assemblies which are driven by an external air supply.

7. A survival chamber according to any preceding claim, further including means for locking the housing sections in said expanded configuration.

8. A survival chamber according to claim 7, wherein the locking means include releasable locking struts.

9. A survival chamber according to any preceding claim, further including first supply means operative to connect the interior to an external supply of air.

10. A survival chamber according to claim 9 further including a filtering means operative to filter the air supplied through said first supply means to remove noxious gases therefrom.

11. A survival chamber according to either claim 9 or 10 further including storage means for storing a supply of air, and second supply means operative 15 to connect the chamber to the supply of air contained in said storage means.

12. A survival chamber according to any one of the claims 9 to 11, wherein the or each supply means is operative to maintain a positive pressure within the interior of said chamber.

13. A survival chamber according to any claim 11, wherein the first and second supply means are controlled by said valving means operative to allow switching between said first and second supply means.

14. A survival chamber according to claim 10, wherein the valving means includes a switch located in the interior of said chamber.

A survival chamber according to any preceding claim wherein the interior includes first and second compartments which are interconnected by an opening operative to allow the occupants passage between said compartments, the chamber further including a closure operative to seal said opening so as to be able to seal said first compartment from said second compartment.

16. A survival chamber according to any preceding claim, further including filtering means for purging the interior of said chamber from carbon dioxide.

17. A survival chamber according to claim 16 wherein said filtering means includes a gas scrubber. C:\windows\TEMP\IRN6i38G4A.doc 13

18. A survival chamber according to any preceding claim, further including an access port allowing access to and from the interior of the chamber when the housing is in its expanded configuration; and an emergency hatch operative to allow access to and from the interior when the housing is in its collapsed configuration.

19. A survival chamber according to any preceding claim, further including monitoring means operative to monitor the air quality both inside and outside said chamber.

A survival chamber according to claim 14, wherein said monitoring means is operative to provide said information regarding air quality to a remote a.. location.

21. A survival chamber according to any preceding claim, further including see* service connection means operative to connect said chamber to an external S"power supply and to an external water supply.

22. A survival chamber according to any preceding claim, further including 6water storage means operative to store a supply of potable water.

23. A survival chamber according to claim 11, wherein the supply of air is -••stored in high pressure cylinders and wherein the second supply means 6Oal includes an air regulator to control the release of the stored air supply to the interior of the chamber.

24. A survival chamber according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber is mounted on skid plates to facilitate its transportation.

A survival chamber according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is formed from steel.

26. A transportable survival chamber substantially herewith described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 7 April 2000 PHILLIPS ORMONDE &FITZPATRICK Attorneys for COWAN MANUFACTURING PTY LIMITED C:\wrindows\TEMPIRN81364 A.doc