GB2225040A

GB2225040A - Modular Protection Chamber for use underground

Info

Publication number: GB2225040A
Application number: GB8923860A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Klaus Brand; Dietmar Diercks
Original assignee: Draegerwerk AG and Co KGaA
Current assignee: Draegerwerk AG and Co KGaA
Priority date: 1988-11-21
Filing date: 1989-10-24
Publication date: 1990-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-24
Also published as: GB2225040B; GB8923860D0; FR2639397A1; DE3839267A1

Description

22- 2 5 0 4 0 MODULAR PROTECTION CHAMBER FOR USE UNDERGROUND This

invention relates to a protection chamber for persons working underground. A protection chamber of this kind is necessary wherever the environmental conditions lead to an endangering of personnel. Dangers can arise, for example, from toxic or explosive gases, from a deficiency of oxygen, or from an in-rush of watert dust, rock. soil or heat. A protection chamber of this type must be immediately reachable and consequently it must be possible to assemble it in cramped spaces underground. The presence of a protection chamber near the place of work allows the endangered persons to find shelter together, to have eye- contact and to be able to talk to one another.

A protection chamber for use underground is known from DE-C-842037. This protection device can be used in mines where work is taking place in a warm environment and which serves to cool down the body of the worker. The chamber is provided with an air conveying device to keep the air inside the chamber dry. The body surface is cooled by the perspiration on the skin being evaporated by the dry surrounding atmosphere. the heat thus being carried away. The housing of the protection chamber consists of doubled walled flat plates, and it is possible to install it close to the face, i.e. near the place of work.

The disadvantage of this known protection chamber is that its protective functions are limited to certain environmental conditions. It offers no protection against gas intrusion and has insufficient mechanical stability with respect to soil and rock and with respect to water. Since the chamber is composed of rigid plates it cannot expand to accommodate a larger number of people.

An escape chamber for protection in mines is known from DE-Z: Dragerheft No. 338 May-August 1987. This k escape chamber Is constructed as a container having an insulated gas- proof housing. Approximately six people can pass the time required for their protection in a sitting position whilst being supplied with oxygen.

Pressurized gas is carried with them to the escape chamber. The air in the chamber is, via circulating equipment. passed through a filter which absorbs C02. The air is"thus simultaneously cooled and dehumidified. A high pressure device prevents the intrusion of foreign gases and smoke into the interior of the chamber. The chamber is in the shape of a cube and can be transported by means of a transporting device such as a fork lift truck.

The disadvantage of the known escape chamber is is that it can only be installed underground where it is possible to use transportation devices, e.g. fork lift trucks. During transportation from above the ground to the installation site underground, the chamber can be transported only as a single unit through cramped shafts and tunnels demanding expensive safety measures and limiting the possible volume of the chamber. A further disadvantage is that it cannot be expanded to accommodated a larger number of people.

The object of the present invention is to improve a protection chamber of the type mentioned such that it can be installed in cramped conditions and can be adapted to accommodate a variable number of people.

According to the present invention, there is provided a chamber for housing persons working underground so as to protect them, the chamber having a generally cylindrical housing that comprises a plurality of modular elements which can be joined together and which include modular elements that close the ends of the generally cylindrical housing.

The advantage of the invention is essentially that the chamber housing comprises modular elements which t can be easily transported underground and can be assembled at the face with tools available there. The protection chamber is particularly suitable for use in coal mines. Since the installation site-is usually near the place of work, the chamber can also be used as rest-room during break-times, as a meeting or waiting room, or as a telephone or first-aid room.

The elements can be made from shell-like segments which can be put together axially. Particularly advantageous are half shell segments which are bolted to one another via flanges. The segments have the same construction, and each can comprise a lower shell with fixed skids or legs and an upper shell. The two half shells are bolted to one another at the equatorial level. The lower shell can have on the inside two seat modules facing one another so that one segment forms a seat for two people. By joining together the individual segments. the chamber housing can be adapted to suit the desired number of people. Gas-proof connection at the flanges can be made possible by placing seals on the joints. If each lower shell is provided with fixed skids or legs, it is not necessary to have a special base plate. The half shell-like elements can easily be placed inside one another and stored.

The end module of the protection chamber can contain a door which people can climb through. Brackets can be fixed in place, if desired, for equipment such as life-saving equipment, telephones and first-aid boxes. The other end module can be provided with an escape door, and can have fixtures for the supply of fresh air.

It can be advantageous to folin bulges in the lower shell to form seat, thus obtaining a greater freedom of movement inside the chamber. Moreover this avoids the subsequent installation of seating modules and thus reduces the cost.

t In order to compensate for misaligned places of installation, it is beneficial to connect the cylindrical parts via an angled module. This is particularly the case where the protection chamber must be designed for a larger number of people and where misalignment in the place of installation is to be compensated for.

Fresh air can be fed in in an appropriate manner to one of the end modules via an air channel. In order to limit the noise level, the air can be caused to flow into the chamber housing via a sound absorber. In addition, a separate scouring valve can be provided for decontamination of the protection chamber.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a protection chamber of the invention; Fig. 2 is a section of one of the end modules of the chamber of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a segment with bulges for seats in the lower shell thereof; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of a protection chamber provided with an angular module.

The protection chamber illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a chamber housing 1 made of segments each comprising a lower shell 2 and an upper shell 3. A fixed skid or leg 4 is provided on each side of each lower shell 2. The segments are of the same -30 construction and joined at the seams 5 and 6 by means of flange connections. The ends of the housing 1 are closed by an initial module 7 and an end module 8, which are also shell-like. The initial module 7 has a door 9 with an opening (not shown) for entry. The end module 8 is provided with a connection 10 for air supply, and with an escape door 11. Fresh air, v supplied by an air supply unit (not shown) enters the interior 13 via a sound absorber 12. The segments have a diameter of approximately 1.8 metres and a width of approximately 0.6 metres. The flange connections'at the seams 5 and 6 are sealed with an elastic sealing material. A slight overpressure is produced in the interior 13, by the flow of air via the connection 10. This overpressure prevents any intrusion of gas, for example if the door 9 is open for a short time.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view looking at the end module 8. A seat module 14 is placed on the lower shell 2 of one of the segments; a second seat module (not shown) is located on the opposite side. One segment, consisting of an upper shell 2 and a lower shell 3, thus provides seating for two people.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the lower shell 2, having a bulge 15 acting as seats. This has the advantage that separate seat modules 14 are no longer required and the width of the gangway, particularly when people are sitting opposite one another, is increased.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the protection chamber having an angled module 16 for compensating longwall face angles (i.e. angled faces in mines).

This chamber can be used where it is necessary to compensate for a misalignment in the case of long protection chambers.

Claims

1 A chamber for housing persons working underground so as to protect them. the chamber having a generally cylindrical housing that comprises a plurality of modular elements which can be joined together and which include modular elements that close the ends of the generally cylindrical housing.

2. A chamber as claimed in claim 1,, wherein at least some of the modular elements each comprise a shell-like segment comprising a lower shell and an upper shell that can be assembled axially.

3. A chamber as claimed in claim 2, wherein the segments are connected together via flanges so as to be impervious to gas.

is

4. A chamber as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein one end modular element is provided with a door and the other end modular element is provided with an escape hatch.

5. A chamber as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the lower shell is provided with bulges that act as seats.

6. A chamber as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing comprises an angular modular element so that the axis of the chamber to one side of the angular modular element is not in alignment with the axis of the chamber to the other side of the angular modular element.

7. A chamber as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, having a connector via which air can be supplied to the interior of the chamber from a source of air.

8. A chamber as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the lower shell has fixed legs.

9. A chamber as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 3, or Figures 1 to 3 as modified by Figure 4.

10. Protection chamber with chamber housing and interior arrangement for the protected stay of persons underground. characterised in that that chamber housing is constructed as a cylinder and is composed of modular wall elements which can be joined together, the front sides being closed off by an initial module and an end module.

Published 1990 at The Patent Office. State House. 66 71 High Holborn, London WClR4TP. Further copies maybe obtained from The Patent OfficeSales Branch, St Mary Cray. Orpington. Kent BR5 3RD Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray, Kent. Con. 1187