Classifications

• • 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
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
  • E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
  • E21D1/00—Sinking shafts

Definitions

• the present invention concerns a method for the emergency rescue of personnel who are carrying out shaft sinking during work in a mine with the aid of a shaft suspension framework according to the introduction to claim 1 .
• Shaft sinking is a method of mining that involves a shaft being opened in a mine through an opening being made in the floor of the mine.
• a shaft suspension framework from which a basket or working platform is suspended, is placed at the location of mining.
• this framework In order for permission for this framework to be used to be granted, it must be inspected with regard to safety. Once it has been inspected, personnel can be lowered into the shaft on the platform. When the personnel are located at the bottom, they carry out the work required such as clearing, demolition and drilling holes into which explosive charges are introduced. The platform with the personnel and equipment is again raised when the explosive charges have been prepared for detonation.
• the suspension framework In order to avoid damage to the equipment, in particular in cases where the shaft is not deep, the suspension framework is dismounted and transported to a safe distance in order to avoid damage. This safe distance may differ, depending on the surroundings. The detonation is carried out when the equipment and personnel are at a safe distance from the shaft. The rock that has been blasted free is subsequently removed. When this has been completed, the shaft framework is again mounted at the shaft, after which it must be again inspected before it may be used. The stages described above are repeated when the inspection has been carried out.
• the disadvantages of this method are that it requires a great deal of time and, as a consequence of the large consumption of time, it is a cost-intensive method.
• the purpose of the present invention is to remove these disadvantages by offering a method with a shaft suspension framework that can be moved and that can be used in a mine, that needs to be inspected only once a year, as specified by safety regulations, and that makes possible the rescue of personnel and equipment from the shaft when the platform cannot be used.
• Figure 1 shows a mobile shaft suspension framework
• Figure 2 shows two different types of hand-held control panel
• Figure 3 shows a mobile shaft suspension framework located at the edge of a shaft.
• the mine shown in Figure 1 comprises a shaft that has been made in the floor of the mine.
• the shaft has been made at a depth that corresponds to the range of conventional mining equipment.
• a shaft suspension framework according to the invention has been placed in association with the shaft.
• the framework comprises a conventional mobile crane that has been modified to satisfy the requirements that are placed on a shaft suspension framework.
• the mobile crane 1 comprises a mobile motor-driven crane chassis 2, also known as the "mobile crane".
• the crane chassis in this example is provided, as shown in Figure 1 , with displacement means in the form of wheels 3, but in another embodiment it can be provided with tracks.
• the mobile crane is driven with the aid of a combustion engine 4, normally a diesel engine.
• the mobile crane is operated during transport from a driver's cabin 5 with the customary equipment such as control panel 6, steering wheel 7, pedals 8, switches 9 and a gear-changing arrangement 10.
• the crane chassis further comprises support legs 1 1 , and it is an advantage that there is one support leg at each corner.
• the support legs are arranged with support leg monitors, not shown in the drawings, in the form of sensors that indicate whether the support legs are protruded or withdrawn. Operation of the support legs takes place with the aid of hydraulic cylinders 12. These hydraulic cylinders are fed in known manner with a flow of hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump (not shown in the drawings) that is driven by the combustion engine.
• the crane chassis further comprises a crane arm 13 or boom that can be operated hydraulically.
• the crane arm 13 is mounted on a turntable 14 and it can pivot in the plane 15 of the chassis. Further, the crane arm 13 is telescopic in a known manner, i.e. it comprises a principal part 16 and a part 17 that can be extended and that is mounted inside of the principal part.
• the crane arm 13 is mounted jointed at the turntable 14 and it can be manoeuvered in the vertical direction with the aid of hydraulic cylinders 18.
• a pulley wheel 20 for the control of a wire 21 is arranged at the outermost free end 19 of the crane arm 13 .
• At least one excess winching switch 22 is located in association with the pulley wheel 20. The function of the excess winching switch 22 will be described below.
• a frame 23 with a principal winch 24 is arranged in association with the crane chassis 2 and the crane arm 13.
• the principal winch 24 comprises a hydraulic pump 25 that is driven by an electrical motor 26 and a line drum 27 that is driven by a hydraulic motor 28.
• the said line or wire 21 is wound onto the line drum 27.
• the winch 24 is further arranged with a counter 29 that counts the number of turns of the wire that has been wound onto the drum 27.
• a counter 30 is arranged that counts the number of layers of line that is present on the drum 27.
• a speed measurer 31 is arranged, which measures the speed with which the wire is wound onto and off from the line drum 27. The purpose of this is to avoid the line or wire being fully wound off from the drum during operation.
• the counters and the measurers 29, 30 and 31 are of commonly used types, for example optical, electrical or mechanical arrangements.
• An attachment arrangement 33 for example a lifting hook or a working platform 33a, is arranged at the free end 32 of the wire 21 .
• the excess winching switch 22 breaks the power supply to the winch 24, when the attachment arrangement 33 approaches the excess winching switch, with the aid of a sensor 34 arranged at the wire 21 , in association with the attachment arrangement 33.
• a measurer 35 is arranged between the frame 23 and the winch 24, which measurer measures the moment of the force or the moment of the load between the frame and the winch, the purpose of which is to avoid overload of the construction.
• the measurer 35 may be in the form of a strain gauge or a load gauge, which indicates the strain or the load between the frame 23 and the winch 24.
• An angle sensor 36 is arranged between the crane chassis 2 and the crane arm 13.
• the angle sensor 36 measures the angle between the crane arm 13 and the crane chassis 2, which angle is used in the calculation of the force to which the crane arm is subject during operation.
• a force transfer system is arranged at the chassis 2 and comprises a hydraulic system 37 for the delivery of a flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulically operated units, and for the operation of these when the mobile crane is located at its intended work site.
• the phrase "hydraulically operated units, and the operation of these" is here used to denote the raising and lowering of the crane arm, the extension or withdrawal of the telescopic part, and the rotation of the crane arm on the turntable.
• the hydraulic system 37 is driven by an electrical motor 38 that drives a hydraulic pump 39 and that places a fluid under pressure, which fluid is fed by pipes and valves, not shown in the drawings, to the hydraulically operated units.
• the hydraulic system is not connected to the motor 4 that drives the mobile crane 1 during the manoeuvering of the mobile crane 1 to its working site.
• an electrical cabinet 40 at the mobile crane 1 is connected to the electrical grid, for example a 400 V grid, of the mine. The connection takes place through a multipole contact 41 or a cable connector to the electrical cabinet 40, from which current is led to the intended parts.
• the parts and functions of the mobile crane are in this way controlled and operated at the worksite inside the mine without the emission of exhaust gases.
• control panel 42 which is shown in Figure 2.
• This control panel is separate from the control panel 6 that is present inside the driver's cabin 5.
• the control panel 42 comprises controls 43 for the operation of the winch 24 and the crane arm 13.
• the control panel 42 is in signal-transferring connection with the mobile crane 1 through wireless signals 44, for example radio signals, sound signals or light signals. It should, however, be realised that the transfer of signals may also take place through a cable.
• wireless connection is that the control panel 42 can be placed into the working platform 33a or the basket that is to be lowered down the shaft. The personnel who are in the basket down in the shaft can in this way control the basket with high precision.
• a rescue winch 45 with a line drum 46 is arranged at the crane arm 13.
• the term "rescue winch” is here used to denote a winch that is similar to the principal winch 24 described above, but that has been dimensioned such that it can only cope with the load from a basket with space for one or several people, without equipment.
• the purpose of the rescue winch 45 is to be able to rapidly rescue personnel who are present in a shaft, without the need to move the mobile crane 1 .
• the rescue winch 45 is located at the crane arm 13 in front of the crane chassis 2, and it is equipped with measurers for the number of turns of the line, the number of layers of line and the speed of the line.
• a rescue wire 48 passes from the rescue winch 45 over a pulley wheel 49 arranged in association with the tip 19 of the crane arm 13.
• a control wire 50 passes from the rescue winch 45 in the direction towards the tip 19 of the crane arm, and demonstrates a snatch block 51 .
• An excess winching switch 52 is arranged in association with the snatch block 51 .
• the rescue wire 48 passes from the pulley wheel 49 at the tip 19 of the crane arm onwards through the snatch block 51 and is attached at a suspended rescue basket 53.
• the rescue basket 53 can be displaced in the direction along the crane arm 13, away from or towards the chassis 2, by adjusting the length of the control wire 50.
• the rescue basket 52 can in this way be manoeuvred down into a shaft X and past obstacles that may be present in the shaft, in order to reach personnel in need.
• the rescue winch comprises a hydraulic motor 54 that drives a line drum 55.
• the hydraulic motor can be driven by the same hydraulic system as that which drives the support legs 1 1 . This gives the advantage that in the event of an interruption in power supply occurring in the mine, personnel who are present in a shaft can be taken up in a simple manner.
• the rescue winch is controlled from its own control panel 56 that can be seen in Figure 2, or from the control panel 6 in the driver's cabin 5 of the mobile crane.
• the mobile shaft suspension framework or the mobile crane 1 can be used with several different baskets or working platforms.
• the mobile crane is inspected before its use, together with the baskets or platforms, for example of different sizes that may be used.
• a determined period of time normally one year, will pass before the next inspection is carried out. This period of time, however, can differ between the legislation of different countries.
• the mobile shaft suspension framework can start to be used once the inspection is complete and the framework has been approved for use.
• the mobile shaft suspension framework or mobile crane 1 When the mobile shaft suspension framework or mobile crane 1 is driven to the shaft X, it is driven with the aid of its combustion engine 4. When it has been manoeuvred into the intended location, the support legs 1 1 are extended and the framework or crane is manoeuvred into a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 3. A signal is now given to the control panel 42 to indicate that the support legs 1 1 are extended.
• the combustion engine 4 is switched off in this position and a power line (not shown in the drawings) from the electrical grid of the mine is connected to the contact 41 of the electrical cabinet 40.
• the ordinary hydraulic system of the mobile crane 1 i.e. the hydraulic system that is fed with a flow of hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump that is driven by the combustion engine 4, is disconnected.
• the electrically driven hydraulic system 37 is instead connected.
• An operator holds the control panel 42 with which the functions of the mobile shaft suspension framework 1 can be controlled. It is indicated on the control panel 42 that the support legs 1 1 are extended.
• the crane arm 13 can be pivoted, extended and withdrawn, and raised and lowered with the aid of the various controls of commonly occurring type, for example at least one of joysticks and control knobs.
• the rotation of the winch 24 can be regulated, which means that the speed at which the drum 27 is to rotate can be regulated, as can the amount of line or wire that is to be fed out or wound in.
• the operator manoeuvres the working platform 33a or the basket to the floor F of the mine.
• the equipment (not shown in the drawings) that is to be used down in the shaft is subsequently placed onto the platform, after which the personnel (not shown in the drawings) and the operator (not shown in the drawings) climb up onto the platform 33a.
• the operator subsequently lifts the platform 33a from the floor, pivots the crane arm 13 such that the platform takes up a position over the shaft X.
• the operator operates the rotation of the drum 27 using the control panel 42, whereby the platform 33a is lowered down into the shaft X. Since the operator is present on the platform, the platform can be manoeuvred with high precision. It should be realised that the operator may be located also on the floor of the mine during the operation. Work in the shaft can commence when the platform has been placed at the bottom of the shaft. It is an advantage that the platform be raised during the period under which work is carried out in the shaft, to prevent it occupying space in the shaft.
• the platform When the work involved in creating the shaft, which may comprise, among other operations, drilling and the deployment of explosives, but may comprise also demolition, removal of blasted rock and cleaning work, has been carried out, the platform is lowered and equipment and personnel are loaded onto the platform. The platform 33a is raised and the personnel get off. The power cable (not shown in the drawings) is subsequently disconnected, and the combustion engine 4 is started. The support legs 1 1 are withdrawn, after which the mobile shaft suspension framework 1 is driven away from the shaft X. When it is located at the stipulated distance from the shaft, together with the personnel and equipment, the blasting is carried out. Since all equipment has been removed, also the risk of damage arising has been removed. The mobile shaft suspension framework is subsequently again positioned according to the previously described manner, and the work of creating the shaft is again carried out.
• a mobile shaft suspension framework of the type described above can be used for two or more shafts. What is meant by this is that when the personnel and equipment have been lowered down into a first shaft, the shaft suspension framework can be moved to a second shaft and can lower further personnel and equipment in this shaft, and in this way can alternate between several shafts. It should be realised that in this manner can considerable savings be made, in that a single mobile shaft suspension framework can be used at several shafts at the same time. In the event of the platform becoming impossible to use, through, for example, a power failure in the electrical grid of the mine, or through it getting stuck in the shaft, the rescue equipment can be used.
• rescue equipment is here used to denote the rescue basket 53, control panel 59 and rescue winch 45 described above. If the platform 33a has become stuck, the mobile shaft suspension framework 1 cannot be moved. The operator changes control panel to the control panel 59 of the rescue equipment, and starts the combustion engine 4, if a power failure has occurred. He or she subsequently manoeuvres the rescue basket 53 in a sideways direction as required, by pivoting the crane arm 13, and adjusts the distance between the rescue basket 53 and the edge of the shaft X. This is carried out through the control wire 50 being lengthened or shortened. The snatch block 51 over which the rescue wire 48 runs is displaced through such an adjustment, whereby the rescue wire 48, and thus the vertical direction of the rescue basket 53, can be adjusted.
• the rescue basket 53 When the desired position has been reached, the rescue basket 53 is lowered into the shaft X. Further adjustments of position may be carried out during the journey of the basket downwards. The rescue basket 53 is lowered to the level at which the personnel in danger are located, such that these personnel can climb into the rescue basket 53, after which it is raised. Personnel can in this way be fetched up from the shaft X in the event of an accident, if, for example, the platform has become stuck or if the winch has broken down, or if a power failure has occurred.

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=46721117

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (2)

Citations (3)

• 2011
  • 2011-02-24 SE SE1151286A patent/SE535785C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2012
  • 2012-02-10 EP EP12749310.4A patent/EP2678529A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2012-02-10 WO PCT/SE2012/050136 patent/WO2012115569A1/en active Application Filing
• 2013
  • 2013-08-26 CL CL2013002455A patent/CL2013002455A1/es unknown

Patent Citations (3)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events