CA2630289A1 - Modular refuge station for mines and the like - Google Patents
Modular refuge station for mines and the like Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2630289A1 CA2630289A1 CA 2630289 CA2630289A CA2630289A1 CA 2630289 A1 CA2630289 A1 CA 2630289A1 CA 2630289 CA2630289 CA 2630289 CA 2630289 A CA2630289 A CA 2630289A CA 2630289 A1 CA2630289 A1 CA 2630289A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- refuge
- air
- modules
- station
- occupant
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
- E21F11/00—Rescue devices or other safety devices, e.g. safety chambers or escape ways
Abstract
This invention is in the field of safety equipment for mines, tunnels and the like and in particular refuge stations for housing personnel during an emergency situation.
Description
BAGhGRUUND
Emergency situations in conCned areas and areas where access and egress is not readiiy available, such as in tmderground niines arid tunnels, can constitute extrerrze hazards to workers. Sudi situations can be cau5ed by eyuipme-nt failure, structural failure such a,s cave-uis. fires. and the l.ike. For this reason refuge stations are provided in various loctttiorLS under(1round in mines and a.truiels. Thcse stations typically provide self contained life sLtpport systems for wnrkers that will shelter workers froin clangerotts conditions that niay develop in the mine_ A refuge station will typicaily be acces5ed throu i~in ai.r tight door and ~~rovide ,ni conditioning, dehumidirication.
filtering, aidlor 21 0 serubbiii2.. as Vvel1 as li"hting and communications all powered by battcrics. Cltemical -Pa¾e2-toilets are provided, and dre station provides `turage for water, food, oxygen, first aid, and like supplies that are stocked by the operaior.
Such refuge stations may be provided penn;uiently in an underground location, such as by carving a cavetn in a shaft wall and sealiug the cavern witb an air tight door. A
disadvantaae of the permanent location is that a. material is mined and removed from an active mine or tunneling area, the location of workers changes and the distance from the working area to the reftige station increases over time, until the distance is beyond that considered safe, and so a further percnanent refuge sta.tion rnust be crcated closer to the work area.
Portable refuge stations have tltus been developed that are self contained.
The portable station is placed in a location convenient to a current work area and is typically connected to the available utilities such as electrical and air supply systems. Thus during an emergency situation electricity and air can be supplied from the main systems, and the batteries are maintained in a fully charged condition. Should the main utilities fail at any time. the batteries will operate air conditioning. lights, and the like as required. When the working area has moved a sufficient distance, the portable refuge station is moved to new etotier location.
"0 Thus põrsble refuge stations offer considerable benefits in some mining and ttuuieling operation.. however they are limited in size by the rcyuirement to be moved down the vertical ;nine shaft and then along horizontal tunnels to a final location, and in some mines the shafts are too small to allow for the itt5tallatiun of a purteible refuge station.
SUMMwRY OF THE INVENTION
It is an ohject of the present invention to provide a portable refuge station apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
The present invention therefore provides a modular portable refuge station apparatus comprising an entrance module at a front end thereof, and a utility module at a rear end thereof. A selected number of occupant modules are connectcd between the entrance and utility niodules. The modules are lowered individuall-y down a-mine shaft or tunncl and transported to a suitable site for asseinbly. For convenience the t.etrns mine and tunnel are herein used stibstantiaily interchangeably, and are intended to utdicate mines, tunnels, and other confined areas that may be either above or below ground, and where a refuge station may be required.
This assembly site may be the final desired Iocatioii, or just a converuent location where the appnratus can be assembled and then transponed to the final location as an assembled -pake4 -unit if the location is such that this is possible. In a typical refuge station apparatus of the invention the modules will be about seven and one half feet wide, and four feet long, such that same can be maneuvered through relatively confined spaces, and still provide a refuge station of a sufficient width to house the occupants in relative comfort.
To assemble the refugc station apparatus, the rear utility module is conncctcd by bolts or other convenient fasteners to an occupant +iiodule, and further occupant modules as required are similarly connected to each other. The occupant modules include roof, floor, and sidewalls, and are open at front and rear ends such that when connected -ogether, they form an uiterior of a selected length chosen to house the desired number of occ,upants. Wheu the desired nuniber of occupant modules have been assembled, the entrance module is connected to the last of dhe occupant modules to complete the refuge station. The c.onnections of one module to the next are sealed so that the interior of the refiige station is substantially air tight when assembled.
Once assembled the refi-ge station can be moved about as required, and is typically provided with skids to fac.~ilitrtte dragging same from one location to another. Thus if the rcfiige station must he moved closer to a working location, the whole unit can be dragged, or if the location does not permit that, then the refuge station can be 24l disassembled to the extent necessary, and moved to the new location.
The utility module houses the life support systems for the refuge statioti, and has a sealed partition wall dividing the module into a front compartment and a rcar compartment.
Reqttircd life support systems are housed in the finnt compartment which is open to the adjacent occupant module. These systems typically include air conditioning, filtering, COz and CO scrubbing, as well as LED lighting and communications controls, oxygen regulators, and like equipment. The present apparatus also provides a dehumidification system whereby condensation is collected in a tray under the air conditioning condenser, and flows through a conduit to the exterior of the refuge station. The conduit includes a P-trap to prevent entry of exterior air.
Doors are provided at the rear exterior of the utility module to provide access to the rear compartment. The rear compartment is sealed away from occupants so that gases generated by batteries for example, are not allowed to enter the interior of the refuge station. Sufficient batteries are stored in the rear compartment to operate the life support systems of the refuge station for up to 300 hours. The rear compartnient also houses heat generating elements of the life support system, such as the condenser of the air conditioning system and an electrical transformer that will allow the utility module to be connected to the mine's electrical supply. In order to dissipate heat from the rear compartment it is typicall}= desirable to provide vents_ The mine electricity is ~!uppiied at one of a iiumber of different voltages which the transformer will convert as rcqaired. The electrical needs of the refuge station are provided by the mine supply, which also keeps the batteries fully charged.
When the mine power supply fails, the electrical needs are then provided by the batteries. Similarly fresh air for the refuge station is providcd hy the mine's air supply system until that system fails or is compromised during an emergency.
Such wires, cables, conduits, and the like as are required pass through the partition wall into the front compartment of the utility inodule. As occupant modules are connected together, cable connections for lights, communications, or the like and conduits for air are also connected to join the modules, and to carry required electricity, air, or the like forward from the utility module to the entrance module.
The oceupant modules typically provide a bench along each side that can open up to provide storage for water, food, oxygen, first aid, and like supplies. If ftuther storage is required, provision for same can be made in one of the occupant modules.
Sealed emergency exit doors may be provided in one or more occupant modules to allow the occupants to exit the refuge station should the entrance doors be blocked. A
chemical toilet is provided in the utility module or in one of the occupant modules with a storage tank having a capacity that is selected to handle the waste from the contemplated number of occupants for a selected period of titne.
The entrance module includes an air lock system with an air luck comp.irtment having an exterior door opening to the exterior of the refuge stat iun. and an interior door opening to the adjacent occupant module. 1?ositive air pressure is developed in the air lock compartment relative to the exterior of the refuge station when the exterior door is opened, such that air moves out of the exterior door, thereby preventing possibly contaminated exterior air from etitering the interi(ir of the air lock compartment, and thus entering the interior of the refuge station Once a person or persons entering the air lock compartment have closed the exterior door, they open the interior to enter the interior of the refuge station.
In the refuge station apparatus of the present imention, once a person activates the exterior door latch from the outside, or begins to open the exterior door, the air system of the refuge station is activated to increase the pressore inside the air lock to prevent the entrance of contaminated air. Those entering during an enrergency cait be in a highly disturbed and emotional state, and the automatic svstem then does not require such persons to take any action which could be forgotten or could slow entrance to the refuge station.
In the present apparatus as well the roof is peaked ~,cch that material falling on the roof will tend to slide off intitead of remaining un the roof. iri addition the sloping roof makes any matcrial that does not slide off accessible such that, ittistead of lying on the flat roof as in prior art retuge stations, dust and debris can be simply swept off tlte roof by a person standing on the grotmd, making the area easier to kcep clean and free from casual debris.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompwtying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accoinpanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are lalaefed with like numbers, and wktere:
Fig. 1 is a perspective front end view of an embodiment of a modular portable refuge station apparatus of the present invention with the modules thereof separated;
1.5 Fig. 2 is a perspective rear end view of the utility module of the embodinient of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a front end view of the utility rnodule of the embodirnent of Fig.
1;
Fig. 4 is a pe.rspective end view of one of the occupant modules of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a perspective front end view of the entrance module of the enibodiment of Fig.
1;
Fig. 6 is a schematic top view of the entrance module of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a schetnatic top view of the utility module of the embodiment of Fig. 1.
DETAILED DEtiC'FtIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. I illustrates a perspective front end view of a modular portable refuge station apparatus 1 of the present invention with the modules 3, 5. 7 thereof separated and adjacent to each other and ready to be connected as described below. Figs. 2-7 illustrate further details of the various modules.
The apparatus I coniprises an entrance module 3 at a front end thereof, and a utility module 5 at a rear end thereof. A selected number of occupant modules 7 are connected hetween the entrance and utility modules 3, 5. The modules are lowered individually down a mine sha.fr or through a like restricted space and transported to a suitable site for assenibly. In a typical refuge stotic,n apparatus 1 the rtrcxtules will be abvut seven and one half feet wide. and four feet long, altliough it is contemplated that thcsc dimensions will vary depending on the particular :tppfication.
To assemble the refuge station apparattis 1, the rear utility module 5 is connected to an occupant module 7 by bolts 9 or other convenient fasteners through hoies 1l in connection flanges 13, and further occupant modules 7 as required are simitarl_y connected to each other. In the illustrated apparatus I the assembled refiige station apparatus I comprises an entrance module 3. utility module 5, and two occupant moduies 7. The occupant modules 7 include roof 15, floor 17, and sidewalls 19, and are open at front and rear ends as illustrated in Fig. 4. When connected together, the occupant modules 7 form an interior'of a selected length chosen to house the desired nutnber of occupants. When the desired ntunber of occupant modules 7 have been assembled, the entrance module 3 is connected to the last of the occupant modules 7 to complete the refuge station apparatus I which then has an open interior frorn the partition waft 21 in the utility module 5 described further below, to the interior door 23 of the entrance module 3 also described further below. The connections of one module to the next are sealed with rubber seals, silicon, or the li.ke so that the interior of the refuge station apparatus I is substantially air tight when assembled.
In addition to a continuous intcrior, connecting the modules together also forms a pair of skids 25 that extend from the front to the rear of the apparatus t to facilitate dragging tlie apparatus from one location to atiother.
The utility modulc 5 houses the life support systems for the refuge station apparatus 1, and has a sealed partition wall 21 dividing the rnodule into a=frout conipartnient 27 as .hown in Fig. 3<utd a rear compartnient 29 as shown in Fig. 4, and as schematicatly iliustrated in Fig. 7. ht the illustrated embodintent the rear compartment occupies only the bottom rear portion of the utility module 5, and the top of the rear compartment 29 forms a shelf 28 accessible from the front wmpartment 27, but in other embodiment the rear compartment may be othetvvise configtired as required.
Reqtiired life support systems 31 are housed in the front compartment 27 which is open to the adjacent occupant module 7. These systems typically include air conditioning, filtering, CO2 , and CO scrubbing, as well as LED lighting and communications controls.
The occupants thus have access to these systems to control or maintain them as required during occupaticy.
The present apparatus 1 also provides a dehumidification system 33 whereby conden.sation is collected in a tray 35 under the air conditioning condenser 37, and flows ihrough a conduit 39 to the exterior of the refuge station apparatus 1. The conduit 39 includes a P-trap 41 to prevent entry of exterior air into the interior of the apparattLs 1.
Doors 43 (doors are removed in Fig. 2) are provided at the rear exterior of the utility module 5 to provide access to the rear compartment 29. The rear compartment 29 houses the batteries 45 and other heat generating elenients such as the condenser 47 of the air conditioning system and an electricat transformer 49 that will allow the utility module to be connected to the mine's clectrical supply 51. In order to dissipate heat from the rear compartment it is typically desirable to provide vents 53.
The electrical needs of the apparatus 1 are provided by the mine supply 51, which also keeps the batteries 45 fully charged. If the mine power supply 51 fails during an emergency, the electrical needs of the apparatus 1 are then provided by the batteries 51.
Sufficient rooni is provided in the rear compartment 29 to provide batteries for up to 300 hours of operation, depending on the number of occupants.
Siniilarly a compressed air intake 55 for the apparatus 1 is counected to the niine's air supply systeni 57 and maintains pressure in a compressed air tank located at a coiivenient location in the apparatus 1.. The air scrubbers, filters, conditioning, etc.
of the apparatus 1 will be activated as required during occtipancy, and typically a supply of bottled oxygen is provided in the refuge station.
Any rcquired wires, cables, conduits, and so forth pass through the partition wall 21 or the shelf 28 from the rear compartment 29 into the front compartment 27 of the utility inodule 5. As occupant modules 7 are connected together, cable Lonnections 57 for lights, cotnmunications, or the like and conduit.s 59 _for air are also connected to join the modules 7, and ro carty required electricity, air, or the like forward from the utility module 5 to the entrance module 3.
The occupant ino<tules 7 typically provide a bench 61 along each side. 'l tte benches 61 open up to provide storage for water, food, oxygen, first aid, and like supplies. A sealed emergency exit 63 (with sealing door removed in the drawings) nray be provided in one or niore occupant modules 7 to allow the occupants to exit the interior of the reftige station apparatus 1 should the entrance be blocked. A chemical toilet 65 is provided in the utility module 5 or in onc of the occupant modules 7 with a storage tartk 67 having a capacity that is selected to handle the waste from the contemplated number of occnpants for a selected period of time.
As illustrated in Fig. 6, tlie entrance module 3 includes an air locic system w ith an air lock compartment 71 having an ext,erior door 75 opening to the exterior of the apparatus 1, and the intetior door 23 opening to the adjacent occupant module 7. When the exterior door 75 is opened, positive air pressure is developed in the air lox:.k cumpartment 71 relative to the exterior of the refuge station apparatus 1 such air moves out of the exterior door opening, thereby preventing possibly contaminated exterior air from entering the interior of the air lock compartment 71, and thus entering the interior of the refuge station apparatus 1. Onca person.s entering the .tir lock compartinent ha-,e c1oscd the exterior door 75, the interior door 21 is opened allowing them to ent.er the interior of the apparatus 1. An exterior door c,pen ing 77, with the door i-emoved, is shown in Fig. S.
The present apparatuS is configured such that. once a person activates the latch of the exterior door 71 from the outside, or begins to open the exterior door 7I, the air system of the apparatus 1 is activatec[ to increase the presstire inside the air lock compartment 71 to prevent the entrance of contaminated air. Positive air pressure is maintained at all times inside the interior of the apparatus I to prevent cotitaminat.ed air from entering the interior.
In the pre.sent apparauis a., well the roof 15 is peaked as illustrated sloping toward each side from a raised peak iEt the middle such that if any material falls on the roof 15 it will tend to slide off to one side or the other. Any ntaterial that does not slide off is accessible and can be simply swept off the roof by a person standing on [he ground. It is contemplated that during ati emergency, the cloped roof 15 will also shed some of the weight of any collapsed earth or rock during a cave-in, vtrith the result that the risk of the apparatus I collapsing is reduced.
Lifting lugs 79 are provided on each inodule and can be arranged and configured to ,uit any particular application where the apparatus I may be used.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerou-s changes and modifications will readily occtir to those skilled in the .ut, it i,s not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, a1L such suitable changes or modifications in stnicture or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the clainied invention.
Emergency situations in conCned areas and areas where access and egress is not readiiy available, such as in tmderground niines arid tunnels, can constitute extrerrze hazards to workers. Sudi situations can be cau5ed by eyuipme-nt failure, structural failure such a,s cave-uis. fires. and the l.ike. For this reason refuge stations are provided in various loctttiorLS under(1round in mines and a.truiels. Thcse stations typically provide self contained life sLtpport systems for wnrkers that will shelter workers froin clangerotts conditions that niay develop in the mine_ A refuge station will typicaily be acces5ed throu i~in ai.r tight door and ~~rovide ,ni conditioning, dehumidirication.
filtering, aidlor 21 0 serubbiii2.. as Vvel1 as li"hting and communications all powered by battcrics. Cltemical -Pa¾e2-toilets are provided, and dre station provides `turage for water, food, oxygen, first aid, and like supplies that are stocked by the operaior.
Such refuge stations may be provided penn;uiently in an underground location, such as by carving a cavetn in a shaft wall and sealiug the cavern witb an air tight door. A
disadvantaae of the permanent location is that a. material is mined and removed from an active mine or tunneling area, the location of workers changes and the distance from the working area to the reftige station increases over time, until the distance is beyond that considered safe, and so a further percnanent refuge sta.tion rnust be crcated closer to the work area.
Portable refuge stations have tltus been developed that are self contained.
The portable station is placed in a location convenient to a current work area and is typically connected to the available utilities such as electrical and air supply systems. Thus during an emergency situation electricity and air can be supplied from the main systems, and the batteries are maintained in a fully charged condition. Should the main utilities fail at any time. the batteries will operate air conditioning. lights, and the like as required. When the working area has moved a sufficient distance, the portable refuge station is moved to new etotier location.
"0 Thus põrsble refuge stations offer considerable benefits in some mining and ttuuieling operation.. however they are limited in size by the rcyuirement to be moved down the vertical ;nine shaft and then along horizontal tunnels to a final location, and in some mines the shafts are too small to allow for the itt5tallatiun of a purteible refuge station.
SUMMwRY OF THE INVENTION
It is an ohject of the present invention to provide a portable refuge station apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
The present invention therefore provides a modular portable refuge station apparatus comprising an entrance module at a front end thereof, and a utility module at a rear end thereof. A selected number of occupant modules are connectcd between the entrance and utility niodules. The modules are lowered individuall-y down a-mine shaft or tunncl and transported to a suitable site for asseinbly. For convenience the t.etrns mine and tunnel are herein used stibstantiaily interchangeably, and are intended to utdicate mines, tunnels, and other confined areas that may be either above or below ground, and where a refuge station may be required.
This assembly site may be the final desired Iocatioii, or just a converuent location where the appnratus can be assembled and then transponed to the final location as an assembled -pake4 -unit if the location is such that this is possible. In a typical refuge station apparatus of the invention the modules will be about seven and one half feet wide, and four feet long, such that same can be maneuvered through relatively confined spaces, and still provide a refuge station of a sufficient width to house the occupants in relative comfort.
To assemble the refugc station apparatus, the rear utility module is conncctcd by bolts or other convenient fasteners to an occupant +iiodule, and further occupant modules as required are similarly connected to each other. The occupant modules include roof, floor, and sidewalls, and are open at front and rear ends such that when connected -ogether, they form an uiterior of a selected length chosen to house the desired number of occ,upants. Wheu the desired nuniber of occupant modules have been assembled, the entrance module is connected to the last of dhe occupant modules to complete the refuge station. The c.onnections of one module to the next are sealed so that the interior of the refiige station is substantially air tight when assembled.
Once assembled the refi-ge station can be moved about as required, and is typically provided with skids to fac.~ilitrtte dragging same from one location to another. Thus if the rcfiige station must he moved closer to a working location, the whole unit can be dragged, or if the location does not permit that, then the refuge station can be 24l disassembled to the extent necessary, and moved to the new location.
The utility module houses the life support systems for the refuge statioti, and has a sealed partition wall dividing the module into a front compartment and a rcar compartment.
Reqttircd life support systems are housed in the finnt compartment which is open to the adjacent occupant module. These systems typically include air conditioning, filtering, COz and CO scrubbing, as well as LED lighting and communications controls, oxygen regulators, and like equipment. The present apparatus also provides a dehumidification system whereby condensation is collected in a tray under the air conditioning condenser, and flows through a conduit to the exterior of the refuge station. The conduit includes a P-trap to prevent entry of exterior air.
Doors are provided at the rear exterior of the utility module to provide access to the rear compartment. The rear compartment is sealed away from occupants so that gases generated by batteries for example, are not allowed to enter the interior of the refuge station. Sufficient batteries are stored in the rear compartment to operate the life support systems of the refuge station for up to 300 hours. The rear compartnient also houses heat generating elements of the life support system, such as the condenser of the air conditioning system and an electrical transformer that will allow the utility module to be connected to the mine's electrical supply. In order to dissipate heat from the rear compartment it is typicall}= desirable to provide vents_ The mine electricity is ~!uppiied at one of a iiumber of different voltages which the transformer will convert as rcqaired. The electrical needs of the refuge station are provided by the mine supply, which also keeps the batteries fully charged.
When the mine power supply fails, the electrical needs are then provided by the batteries. Similarly fresh air for the refuge station is providcd hy the mine's air supply system until that system fails or is compromised during an emergency.
Such wires, cables, conduits, and the like as are required pass through the partition wall into the front compartment of the utility inodule. As occupant modules are connected together, cable connections for lights, communications, or the like and conduits for air are also connected to join the modules, and to carry required electricity, air, or the like forward from the utility module to the entrance module.
The oceupant modules typically provide a bench along each side that can open up to provide storage for water, food, oxygen, first aid, and like supplies. If ftuther storage is required, provision for same can be made in one of the occupant modules.
Sealed emergency exit doors may be provided in one or more occupant modules to allow the occupants to exit the refuge station should the entrance doors be blocked. A
chemical toilet is provided in the utility module or in one of the occupant modules with a storage tank having a capacity that is selected to handle the waste from the contemplated number of occupants for a selected period of titne.
The entrance module includes an air lock system with an air luck comp.irtment having an exterior door opening to the exterior of the refuge stat iun. and an interior door opening to the adjacent occupant module. 1?ositive air pressure is developed in the air lock compartment relative to the exterior of the refuge station when the exterior door is opened, such that air moves out of the exterior door, thereby preventing possibly contaminated exterior air from etitering the interi(ir of the air lock compartment, and thus entering the interior of the refuge station Once a person or persons entering the air lock compartment have closed the exterior door, they open the interior to enter the interior of the refuge station.
In the refuge station apparatus of the present imention, once a person activates the exterior door latch from the outside, or begins to open the exterior door, the air system of the refuge station is activated to increase the pressore inside the air lock to prevent the entrance of contaminated air. Those entering during an enrergency cait be in a highly disturbed and emotional state, and the automatic svstem then does not require such persons to take any action which could be forgotten or could slow entrance to the refuge station.
In the present apparatus as well the roof is peaked ~,cch that material falling on the roof will tend to slide off intitead of remaining un the roof. iri addition the sloping roof makes any matcrial that does not slide off accessible such that, ittistead of lying on the flat roof as in prior art retuge stations, dust and debris can be simply swept off tlte roof by a person standing on the grotmd, making the area easier to kcep clean and free from casual debris.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompwtying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accoinpanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are lalaefed with like numbers, and wktere:
Fig. 1 is a perspective front end view of an embodiment of a modular portable refuge station apparatus of the present invention with the modules thereof separated;
1.5 Fig. 2 is a perspective rear end view of the utility module of the embodinient of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a front end view of the utility rnodule of the embodirnent of Fig.
1;
Fig. 4 is a pe.rspective end view of one of the occupant modules of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a perspective front end view of the entrance module of the enibodiment of Fig.
1;
Fig. 6 is a schematic top view of the entrance module of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a schetnatic top view of the utility module of the embodiment of Fig. 1.
DETAILED DEtiC'FtIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. I illustrates a perspective front end view of a modular portable refuge station apparatus 1 of the present invention with the modules 3, 5. 7 thereof separated and adjacent to each other and ready to be connected as described below. Figs. 2-7 illustrate further details of the various modules.
The apparatus I coniprises an entrance module 3 at a front end thereof, and a utility module 5 at a rear end thereof. A selected number of occupant modules 7 are connected hetween the entrance and utility modules 3, 5. The modules are lowered individually down a mine sha.fr or through a like restricted space and transported to a suitable site for assenibly. In a typical refuge stotic,n apparatus 1 the rtrcxtules will be abvut seven and one half feet wide. and four feet long, altliough it is contemplated that thcsc dimensions will vary depending on the particular :tppfication.
To assemble the refuge station apparattis 1, the rear utility module 5 is connected to an occupant module 7 by bolts 9 or other convenient fasteners through hoies 1l in connection flanges 13, and further occupant modules 7 as required are simitarl_y connected to each other. In the illustrated apparatus I the assembled refiige station apparatus I comprises an entrance module 3. utility module 5, and two occupant moduies 7. The occupant modules 7 include roof 15, floor 17, and sidewalls 19, and are open at front and rear ends as illustrated in Fig. 4. When connected together, the occupant modules 7 form an interior'of a selected length chosen to house the desired nutnber of occupants. When the desired ntunber of occupant modules 7 have been assembled, the entrance module 3 is connected to the last of the occupant modules 7 to complete the refuge station apparatus I which then has an open interior frorn the partition waft 21 in the utility module 5 described further below, to the interior door 23 of the entrance module 3 also described further below. The connections of one module to the next are sealed with rubber seals, silicon, or the li.ke so that the interior of the refuge station apparatus I is substantially air tight when assembled.
In addition to a continuous intcrior, connecting the modules together also forms a pair of skids 25 that extend from the front to the rear of the apparatus t to facilitate dragging tlie apparatus from one location to atiother.
The utility modulc 5 houses the life support systems for the refuge station apparatus 1, and has a sealed partition wall 21 dividing the rnodule into a=frout conipartnient 27 as .hown in Fig. 3<utd a rear compartnient 29 as shown in Fig. 4, and as schematicatly iliustrated in Fig. 7. ht the illustrated embodintent the rear compartment occupies only the bottom rear portion of the utility module 5, and the top of the rear compartment 29 forms a shelf 28 accessible from the front wmpartment 27, but in other embodiment the rear compartment may be othetvvise configtired as required.
Reqtiired life support systems 31 are housed in the front compartment 27 which is open to the adjacent occupant module 7. These systems typically include air conditioning, filtering, CO2 , and CO scrubbing, as well as LED lighting and communications controls.
The occupants thus have access to these systems to control or maintain them as required during occupaticy.
The present apparatus 1 also provides a dehumidification system 33 whereby conden.sation is collected in a tray 35 under the air conditioning condenser 37, and flows ihrough a conduit 39 to the exterior of the refuge station apparatus 1. The conduit 39 includes a P-trap 41 to prevent entry of exterior air into the interior of the apparattLs 1.
Doors 43 (doors are removed in Fig. 2) are provided at the rear exterior of the utility module 5 to provide access to the rear compartment 29. The rear compartment 29 houses the batteries 45 and other heat generating elenients such as the condenser 47 of the air conditioning system and an electricat transformer 49 that will allow the utility module to be connected to the mine's clectrical supply 51. In order to dissipate heat from the rear compartment it is typically desirable to provide vents 53.
The electrical needs of the apparatus 1 are provided by the mine supply 51, which also keeps the batteries 45 fully charged. If the mine power supply 51 fails during an emergency, the electrical needs of the apparatus 1 are then provided by the batteries 51.
Sufficient rooni is provided in the rear compartment 29 to provide batteries for up to 300 hours of operation, depending on the number of occupants.
Siniilarly a compressed air intake 55 for the apparatus 1 is counected to the niine's air supply systeni 57 and maintains pressure in a compressed air tank located at a coiivenient location in the apparatus 1.. The air scrubbers, filters, conditioning, etc.
of the apparatus 1 will be activated as required during occtipancy, and typically a supply of bottled oxygen is provided in the refuge station.
Any rcquired wires, cables, conduits, and so forth pass through the partition wall 21 or the shelf 28 from the rear compartment 29 into the front compartment 27 of the utility inodule 5. As occupant modules 7 are connected together, cable Lonnections 57 for lights, cotnmunications, or the like and conduit.s 59 _for air are also connected to join the modules 7, and ro carty required electricity, air, or the like forward from the utility module 5 to the entrance module 3.
The occupant ino<tules 7 typically provide a bench 61 along each side. 'l tte benches 61 open up to provide storage for water, food, oxygen, first aid, and like supplies. A sealed emergency exit 63 (with sealing door removed in the drawings) nray be provided in one or niore occupant modules 7 to allow the occupants to exit the interior of the reftige station apparatus 1 should the entrance be blocked. A chemical toilet 65 is provided in the utility module 5 or in onc of the occupant modules 7 with a storage tartk 67 having a capacity that is selected to handle the waste from the contemplated number of occnpants for a selected period of time.
As illustrated in Fig. 6, tlie entrance module 3 includes an air locic system w ith an air lock compartment 71 having an ext,erior door 75 opening to the exterior of the apparatus 1, and the intetior door 23 opening to the adjacent occupant module 7. When the exterior door 75 is opened, positive air pressure is developed in the air lox:.k cumpartment 71 relative to the exterior of the refuge station apparatus 1 such air moves out of the exterior door opening, thereby preventing possibly contaminated exterior air from entering the interior of the air lock compartment 71, and thus entering the interior of the refuge station apparatus 1. Onca person.s entering the .tir lock compartinent ha-,e c1oscd the exterior door 75, the interior door 21 is opened allowing them to ent.er the interior of the apparatus 1. An exterior door c,pen ing 77, with the door i-emoved, is shown in Fig. S.
The present apparatuS is configured such that. once a person activates the latch of the exterior door 71 from the outside, or begins to open the exterior door 7I, the air system of the apparatus 1 is activatec[ to increase the presstire inside the air lock compartment 71 to prevent the entrance of contaminated air. Positive air pressure is maintained at all times inside the interior of the apparatus I to prevent cotitaminat.ed air from entering the interior.
In the pre.sent apparauis a., well the roof 15 is peaked as illustrated sloping toward each side from a raised peak iEt the middle such that if any material falls on the roof 15 it will tend to slide off to one side or the other. Any ntaterial that does not slide off is accessible and can be simply swept off the roof by a person standing on [he ground. It is contemplated that during ati emergency, the cloped roof 15 will also shed some of the weight of any collapsed earth or rock during a cave-in, vtrith the result that the risk of the apparatus I collapsing is reduced.
Lifting lugs 79 are provided on each inodule and can be arranged and configured to ,uit any particular application where the apparatus I may be used.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerou-s changes and modifications will readily occtir to those skilled in the .ut, it i,s not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, a1L such suitable changes or modifications in stnicture or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the clainied invention.
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2630289 CA2630289A1 (en) | 2008-05-02 | 2008-05-02 | Modular refuge station for mines and the like |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2630289 CA2630289A1 (en) | 2008-05-02 | 2008-05-02 | Modular refuge station for mines and the like |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2630289A1 true CA2630289A1 (en) | 2009-11-02 |
Family
ID=41265499
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2630289 Abandoned CA2630289A1 (en) | 2008-05-02 | 2008-05-02 | Modular refuge station for mines and the like |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2630289A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102278136A (en) * | 2011-05-09 | 2011-12-14 | 武越 | Connecting structure among capsule bodies of movable rescue capsule |
| CN102296983A (en) * | 2011-05-10 | 2011-12-28 | 中安金力（北京）安全生产技术研究院 | Monitoring control system for mobile rescue capsule or fixed refuge chamber |
| WO2011160326A1 (en) * | 2010-06-25 | 2011-12-29 | Sheng Jian | Safety protection device |
| CN102383832A (en) * | 2011-10-18 | 2012-03-21 | 长治清华机械厂 | Explosion-resistant shell of mining escape capsule |
| CN103470300A (en) * | 2013-09-26 | 2013-12-25 | 青岛科技大学 | Novel modularized life rescue cabin for mine |
| CN103670504A (en) * | 2012-09-24 | 2014-03-26 | 江苏凯力德科技有限公司 | Internal flange device for coal mine underground rescue capsule |
| CN104389632A (en) * | 2014-11-20 | 2015-03-04 | 林纪豪 | Underground coal mine tunnel type emergency rescue channel system |
| NO20151735A1 (en) * | 2015-12-16 | 2017-06-19 | Eureka Pumps As | A tunnel emergency life support system |
-
2008
- 2008-05-02 CA CA 2630289 patent/CA2630289A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011160326A1 (en) * | 2010-06-25 | 2011-12-29 | Sheng Jian | Safety protection device |
| CN102278136A (en) * | 2011-05-09 | 2011-12-14 | 武越 | Connecting structure among capsule bodies of movable rescue capsule |
| CN102296983A (en) * | 2011-05-10 | 2011-12-28 | 中安金力（北京）安全生产技术研究院 | Monitoring control system for mobile rescue capsule or fixed refuge chamber |
| CN102383832A (en) * | 2011-10-18 | 2012-03-21 | 长治清华机械厂 | Explosion-resistant shell of mining escape capsule |
| CN103670504A (en) * | 2012-09-24 | 2014-03-26 | 江苏凯力德科技有限公司 | Internal flange device for coal mine underground rescue capsule |
| CN103470300A (en) * | 2013-09-26 | 2013-12-25 | 青岛科技大学 | Novel modularized life rescue cabin for mine |
| CN103470300B (en) * | 2013-09-26 | 2016-06-22 | 青岛科技大学 | A kind of modular Novel mine rescue capsule |
| CN104389632A (en) * | 2014-11-20 | 2015-03-04 | 林纪豪 | Underground coal mine tunnel type emergency rescue channel system |
| NO20151735A1 (en) * | 2015-12-16 | 2017-06-19 | Eureka Pumps As | A tunnel emergency life support system |
| EP3181811A2 (en) | 2015-12-16 | 2017-06-21 | Eureka Pumps AS | A tunnel emergency life support system |
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