A REFUGE CHAMBER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a refuge chamber, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a refuge chamber for use in underground mining operations.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Refuge chambers or bays are required to provide places of safety in the event of fires or other disasters. At present these are built at significant cost at specific locations in mines. It is difficult and costly to provide sufficient of these chambers though.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a refuge chamber which will at least partially alleviate some of the abovementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention there is provided a refuge chamber comprising a collapsible enclosed structure having an entrance which can be closed and an air outlet.
Further features of the invention provide for the structure to be portable; for the structure to be at least partially made from a flexible sheet material; for the sheet material to be fire retardant or fire resistant; for the air outlet to include a unidirectional valve; and for the structure to be substantially sealed against the ingress of atmospheric air when closed.
Still further features of the invention provide for there to be an air inlet; for the air inlet to include a coupling securable to a source of air under pressure, preferably a compressed air outlet; and for the air inlet to be valve controlled.
Yet further features of the invention provide for the entrance to the structure to be enclosed by an enclosure having its own entrance; and for the enclosure to have an air inlet and an air outlet.
Further features of the invention provide for the air inlet to include a filter; for an air operated generator to be associated with the air inlet; for there to be lighting means in the structure; for the lighting means to include LEDs; and for the lighting means to be operated by the generator, alternatively a battery.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided for the structure to be inflatable.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided for the structure to be self-erecting.
Further according to this aspect of the invention there is provided for the structure to include at least one flexible elongate member which in an expanded condition forms a frame for the structure and can be deformed to collapse the structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a part sectional perspective view of a first embodiment of a refuge chamber; Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of the refuge chamber in Figure 1 ; and
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a refuge chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A refuge chamber (1) is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and includes an enclosed box-like structure (2) made of flexible sheet material and having a top (3), bottom (4), ends (5, 6) and sides (7,8). In this embodiment, flame retardant 400 micron PVC is used for the top (3), sides (7,8) and ends (5,6) while
1000 micron, fibre reinforced, flame retardant PVC is used for the bottom (4).
A zip fastener (10) is fitted in an arc in the end (5) to form an entrance which can be closed. An enclosure (15) extends from the structure (2) over the end (5) and has an end (16) which is substantially identical in dimensions to the end (5). A zip fastener (18) is similarly fitted in an arc in the end (16) to form an entrance to the enclosure (15) which can be closed.
Each zip slider (not shown) has a large reflective tag (19) secured thereto.
The structure (2) has an air outlet (20) in the top (3) adjacent the end (6) and the enclosure (15) similarly has an outlet (21) adjacent the end (16). Each outlet (20, 21) is formed by a tube of flexible sheet material extending outwardly from the structure (2) over an aperture (not shown) therein. The tube is shaped to collapse onto itself when there is no flow of air therethrough. As such, the tube forms a unidirectional valve allowing only the flow of air out of the enclosure (15). This type of construction is well known in small boats where such valves are fitted to allow water to drain out of the boats, especially under inertia.
An air inlet (23, 24) is provided in the side (7) of the structure (2) and of the enclosure (15) near the bottom (4) and adjacent the end (5). A flexible hose (26 27) extends outwardly from each inlet (23, 24) and these are joined to a T-connector (28) which has a feed hose (29) extending therefrom. A filter (30) is connected in line with the feed hose (29) which has a quick release coupling (32) at its free end (33). The coupling (32) is of the type used to connect pneumatic devices to compressed air lines (40) in underground mining operations.
As shown in Figure 2, a valve (42, 43) is secured over each inlet (23, 24) on the interior of the structure (2) and enclosure (15) respectively. A small electrical generator (45) having an air operated turbine (not shown) is secured intermediate the valve (42) and inlet (23) and is connected by an electrical cable (46) to a lighting unit (47) secured to the interior of the top (3). In this embodiment, the lighting means (47) includes a plurality of LEDs (not shown) secured in a housing. Batteries (not shown) are secured in the housing to provide a further source of power to operate the LEDs.
A rectangular window (50) is provided in each side (7,8) by a sheet of clear plastics material secured over an opening. In this embodiment 300 micron clear PVC is used. A pair of reinforcing strips (53, 54) made of the material of the structure extend normally to each other centrally over the window (50).
An aperture (52) is provided in the side (7) adjacent the air inlet (23) and is covered on the inside of the structure (2) by a flap (53) secured at its upper end to the side (7).
The construction of the refuge chamber (1) is such that it is collapsible into a backpack sized unit with the weight of about 5,5 kg. This makes it easily portable.
In use, the refuge chamber (1) is carried in a collapse condition to a suitable position adjacent an outlet valve (41) in a compressed line (40). The coupling (32) is then secured over the valve (41) causing an immediate flow of air into the structure (2) and enclosure (15). This causes the refuge chamber (1) to inflate rapidly and to become erected. Once fully inflated, excess air escapes through the outlets (20, 21)
Once erected, a user (not shown) can enter the refuge chamber (1) by firstly opening the zip fastener (18) and entering the enclosure (15). This causes the enclosure (15) to deflate and the zip fastener (15) must then be closed to allow re-inflation. After the enclosure (15) is once again inflated the user opens the zip fastener (10), enters the structure (2) and then closes the zip fastener (10).
The enclosure (15) acts as a type of air lock and prevents deflation of the structure (2) each time a user enters or leaves. It will be appreciated that deflation of the structure (2) could be quite annoying, or even dangerous, to other occupants of the structure (2).
The structure (2) is substantially sealed when erected and the entrance closed and does not permit the ingress of atmospheric air. However, the air in the refuge chamber (1) is breathable and is continually replaced by the air entering form the inlet. The occupants are thus protected against breathing contaminated air. The filter (30) assists in removing any impurities that may exist in the air whilst the valves (42, 43) allow the flow rate to be controlled.
The aperture (52) allows a water hose (not shown) to be inserted in the refuge chamber (1). It will be understood that the flap (53) acts as a unidirectional valve and does not allow air to escape when a hose is not present.
Lighting is provided by the unit (47) which is powered either off its own batteries or off the electrical current produced by the generator (45). The generator can also be used to power an emergency signal transmitter (not shown) to assist in locating the refuge chamber (1) or to communicate with rescue teams or a control station.
The refuge chamber will also be supplied with a small repair kit (not shown) to assist in repairing tears in the PVC as well as a first-aid kit (not shown). Furthermore, a urinal (not shown) can be provided to obviate the need for users to exit the refuge chamber where it becomes necessary to relieve themselves.
A highly mobile yet effective refuge chamber is thus provided. Due to its portability, it is envisaged that each team working in an underground location will carry at least one such refuge chamber to and from the work location each day.
It will be appreciated, however, that many other embodiments of a refuge chamber exist which fall within the scope of the invention. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the refuge chamber (100) can be of a self erecting type which does not rely on air pressure for erection. This type of construction is well-known in the construction of tents and includes a flexible sheet material shell (102) supported on a frame (104) made of elongate resiliently flexible elements which can be deformed or coiled into a collapsed condition. The configuration of suitable frames is described in numerous patents, including US patent numbers 4,825,892 and 3,990,463 and South African patent number 99/3281 , and will not be described in any detail here save to indicate that it should be of suitable size and construction to provide a refuge chamber which will comfortably accommodate a number of people.
As the refuge chamber (100) is self erecting it is not necessary to have an enclosure acting as an air lock over the entrance (105). It is still required, however, to have an air outlet (107). If compressed air from a line (110) is to be used to provide a breathable atmosphere then an inlet (112) and coupling (113) will be provided as described with reference to the embodiment in Figures 1 and 2. It will be appreciated, however, that as the refuge chamber (1) is self erecting a large volume of air is not required for
inflation and it is thus possible that breathable air be provided from a source such as a portable compressed air cylinder (not shown). Preferably, both such sources will be available to provide redundancy.
It will further be appreciated that any suitable configuration and materials can be used. In particular, reflective material can be used to assist in locating the refuge chamber. It is not strictly required for the air outlet to provide a unidirectional valve particularly where a compressed air line is used and ensures adequate inflation of the enclosure and rapid replacement of the air in the enclosure. However, where a unidirectional valve is provided, it could be of any suitable type and could be fitted within the air outlet. Also, a pressure relief valve could be fitted to the enclosure to prevent an excessive build up of pressure therein. This could be combined with a unidirectional valve in the air outlet to ensure that the pressure in the enclosure is maintained between certain parameters. Thus, the pressure could be maintained to always ensure a positive pressure in the enclosure but below a pressure which could rupture the enclosure or cause discomfort to the occupants.