WO2021108866A1

WO2021108866A1 - Mine plunge ventilation device

Info

Publication number: WO2021108866A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/051327
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Macdonald; Michael Mapp
Original assignee: Underground Extraction Technologies Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-04
Filing date: 2020-12-04
Publication date: 2021-06-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ventilation control device for controlling the ventilation of a mine tunnel being formed by a continuous miner arrangement. The device includes a frame for extending across the tunnel and permitting passage of the continuous miner arrangement. One or more substantially impervious elements are supported by the frame. Preferably, the frame permits passage of the continuous miner arrangement, and the substantially impervious elements are supported by the frame and do not or minimally impact the continuous miner arrangement to avoid potential dislodgement or damage.

Description

MINE PLUNGE VENTILATION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a ventilation device for controlling the atmosphere of a mine plunge being formed by a continuous miner arrangement.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Underground coal mines produce and contain various gases arising from the coal resource (such as methane, CO₂, CO, and other hydrocarbon gases). The plunges or tunnels also contain excess gases introduced into the mine from the process of the mining of coal (like exhaust gases from equipment) in order to undertake work, or other gases introduced into the mine in order to make the mine safe (such as the introduction of inert gases in order to significantly dilute the O₂ in the prevailing atmosphere in such a way as to make the atmosphere non-combustible - such as Nitrogen for example).

[0004] Underground coal mines have various underground roadways to provide access for equipment, material and personnel movement, for the transport of coal from the mine (usually by conveyors for example), and for the provision of an adequate volume of ventilation air to pass through the mine in a specific pathway for the safe operation of the mine. The atmosphere in these roadways may need to be controlled by the use of device/s in order to separate the atmosphere on one side of the device from the other.

[0005] In practice, the process of erecting such ventilation control devices may involve the laborious "in-place" fabrication of structures which either permanently or temporarily separate the respective atmospheres. Such "in-place" erected devices may be made from various materials, including timber frames, concrete blocks, impervious fabric or plastic sheeting erected on a frame or supporting structure, sprayed concrete surfacing over a suitable supporting framework, inflatable rubber or synthetic material "bladders" which inflate to fully "fill" the entire roadway dimension, or any other such material constructed to form a device that can act to "fill" the entire roadway cross section such that the atmosphere on either side is kept separate.

[0006] Some ventilation control devices are permanent in nature to entirely prevent access to an area of the mine which will no longer be used, whilst others may be constructed of significant strength in order to prevent the passage of high pressure events through the mine, such as might occur in the event of a blast (i.e. from the combustion or explosion of gases or dusts). Certain devices may be constructed to permit openings to be installed for the passage or personnel, or mining equipment - and such openings may take the form of doors, or access hatches in the case of conveyors, or other such openings that can be opened to permit passage and then closed thereafter.

[0007] Other such devices may allow a static conveyor to pass through in such a manner that significantly separates the atmospheres on either side of the device, whilst allowing some of the atmosphere to pass through the device from one side to the other where the conveyor belting passes through the device, but in a way that limits the extent of atmospheric dilution through the device to a sufficient and acceptable extent.

[0008] AU 2016210621 discloses a ventilation control arrangement for blocking and at least partially sealing a dead end plunge during its formation with a continuous miner arrangement. The continuous miner arrangement in this instance includes a continuous miner, and a flexible conveyor coupled the continuous miner, although other embodiments may exclude the coupled continuous conveyor and instead have mine haulage trucks (i.e. shuttle cars) or other means of transporting the coal from the cutting machine to the conveying equipment located elsewhere in the mine. The ventilation device includes a horizontal bar from which strips hang. Undesirably, the sealing arrangement is prone to wear or removal owing to impact with the continuous miner arrangement and the coal transport equipment.

[0009] The preferred embodiment provides an improved control of the ventilation of the mine in this area for better coping with the rigors of the continuous miner arrangement. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ventilation control device for controlling the ventilation of a mine tunnel being formed by a continuous miner arrangement, the device including: a frame for extending across the tunnel and permitting passage of the continuous miner arrangement; and one or more substantially impervious elements for being supported by the frame.

[00011] Preferably, the frame permits passage of the continuous miner arrangement, and the substantially impervious elements are supported by the frame and do not or minimally impact the continuous miner arrangement to avoid potential dislodgement or damage.

[00012] Optionally, the ventilation control device is portable and transported by the continuous miner arrangement. Optionally, the ventilation control device defines a permanent gap through which the continuous miner arrangement passes and/or is controlled by remote personnel.

[00013] Optionally, each substantially impervious element extends transverse the continuous miner arrangement and the ventilation control device forms a seal against the tunnel. Optionally, each substantially impervious element is expandable, each element expanding outwards from the continuous miner arrangement.

[00014] Optionally, each element or the frame is inflatable, and an inflator can inflate each element or the frame with fluid or gas. Optionally, the one or more elements or frame lift the ventilation control device from the continuous miner arrangement which, in turn, can then move without the device.

[00015] Optionally, the ventilation control device further includes a carrier for carrying the frame and impervious elements on the continuous miner arrangement. Optionally, the carrier includes retractable supports for engaging with a boundary of the tunnel. Optionally, the ventilation control device further includes a retractor for retracting the frame and impervious elements toward the carrier. Optionally, the retractor includes one or more lines and a winch for hauling the lines. [00016] Optionally, the frame includes at least one two-dimensional (2D) framework through which the continuous miner arrangement passes, each 2D framework preferably including an inverted U-shape, or H-shape. Optionally, the frame includes one or more pairs of extendable uprights extending from the floor to a roof of the tunnel, and between which the continuous miner arrangement passes.

[00017] Optionally, the frame includes one or more cross members extending across the pairs of uprights and beneath which the continuous miner arrangement passes. Optionally, each upright provides a seal with the tunnel.

[00018] Optionally, the continuous miner arrangement includes a continuous miner and a flexible conveyor coupled the continuous miner, the flexible conveyor including serially interconnected conveyor modules, and/or the tunnel being a dead end plunge and the continuous miner arrangement being unmanned.

[00019] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling the ventilation of a mine tunnel being formed by a continuous miner arrangement, the method involving: extending a frame across the tunnel that permits passage of the continuous miner arrangement; and locating one or more substantially impervious elements supported by the frame to control the ventilation and/or the atmosphere in the tunnel.

[00020] The method may further involve the steps of: lifting the frame from the continuous miner arrangement; locking the frame in the tunnel; and/or expanding the elements.

[00021] The method may further involve the step of: retracting the frame and impervious elements to be carried away by the continuous miner arrangement.

[00022] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ventilation control device for controlling the atmosphere in a mine tunnel, the device including: a frame for extending across the tunnel; and one or more substantially impervious elements supported by the frame and for expanding to control the ventilation and/or the atmosphere in the tunnel.

[00023] The frame and elements may be located within or adjacent the tunnel.

[00024] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00025] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00026] Figure 1 is an end view of an underground mine plunge fitted with a ventilation control device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00027] Figure 2 is an upper perspective view of a frame of the device of Figure 1 ;

[00028] Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of the underground mine plunge of

Figure 1 ;

[00029] Figure 4 is an end view of an underground mine plunge fitted with a ventilation control device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[00030] Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of a frame of the device of Figure 4;

[00031] Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of the underground mine plunge of

Figure 4;

[00032] Figure 7 is an end view of an underground mine plunge fitted with a ventilation control device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; [00033] Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of a frame of the device of Figure 7;

[00034] Figure 9 is an upper perspective view of the underground mine plunge of

Figure 7;

[00035] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a self-inflated ventilation control device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, through which a continuous miner arrangement can pass; and

[00036] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the deflated ventilation control device of Figure 10 for transport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an underground coal mine 100. The mine 100 includes a rectangular mine tunnel 102 being formed by a continuous miner arrangement 104. The continuous miner arrangement 104 includes an unmanned continuous miner, and a trailing flexible conveyor coupled the continuous miner, as described in AU 2016210621 which is incorporated herein by reference. The flexible conveyor includes serially interconnected conveyor modules or segments.

[00038] The mine 100 also includes a ventilation control device 106 for control the ventilation and atmosphere in the mine tunnel 102 formed by the continuous miner arrangement 104 in a coal seam 107. The device 106 includes a FI-shaped frame 108 for extending upwardly across the tunnel 102 and permitting passage of the continuous miner arrangement 104. The tunnel 102 is typically a dead-end plunge. Further, the device 106 includes five substantially gas-impervious elements 110 for locating between the frame 108 and an endless perimeter wall 112 of the tunnel 102.

[00039] Advantageously, the frame 108 defines a permanent gap through which the continuous miner arrangement 104 passes, and the elements 110 located between the frame 108 and the tunnel wall 112 do not (or minimally) impact the continuous miner arrangement 104 thereby avoiding potential dislodgement or damage of the ventilation control device 106. [00040] The device 106 is portable, and is transported by the continuous miner arrangement 104 to a suitable location before each element 110 seals against the tunnel wall 112. The frame 108 is carried on either the rear of the continuous miner or on a module segment of the continuous conveyor.

[00041] Each element 110 is an expandable bladder, and expands outwardly from the continuous miner arrangement 104. The ventilation control device 106 includes a pneumatic inflator for inflating the bladders with gas. The pneumatically deployable inflatable bladders extend upwards and sideward and downwards, all around the supporting frame 108, which upon their inflation “fill in” the available void between the supporting frame 108 and the wall 112 (floor, sides and roof) of the plunge 102. The inflated bladders pin the supporting frame 108 in place. The gas which is used to inflate the bladders may be any form of ordinary atmosphere gas, or an inert gas such as Nitrogen. The bladder elements 110 are made of any form of vinyl, rubber, plastic, or other suitable material which can maintain adequate pressure to “fill-in” the available plunge void area 102 and which is suitable for use in the underground coal mine environment. For example, the bladders can be made from non-flammable materials.

[00042] As can best be seen in Figure 2, the frame 108 includes two interconnected and two-dimensional (2D) FI-shaped frameworks through which the continuous miner arrangement 104 passes. The frame 108 forms an overall three-dimensional (3D) framework.

[00043] The frame 108 includes two pairs of extendable uprights 200 extending from the floor to a roof of the tunnel wall 112, and between which the continuous miner arrangement 104 passes. The frame 108 also includes horizontal cross members 202 extending across the uprights 200 and beneath which the continuous miner arrangement 104 passes.

[00044] Each upright 200 includes a lower leg 204 for extending to lift the cross members 202 off the continuous miner arrangement 104. Each upright 200 includes an upper arm 206 for extending to lock the frame 108 in the tunnel 102. The arrangement 106 also includes an actuator for actuating the legs 204 and arms 206. The actuator can be electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic. [00045] As can best be seen in Figure 3, the atmosphere in the tunnel 102 is controlled by the use of the device 106 as the continuous miner arrangement 104 continues to mine the tunnel 102.

[00046] A method for controlling the venti the mine tunnel 102 being formed by the continuous miner arrangement 104 is now briefly described.

[00047] Initially, the retracted frame 108 is carried into the tunnel 102 on the continuous miner arrangement 104.

[00048] Next, when in position, the frame 108 is extended across the tunnel 102 whilst permitting passage of the continuous miner arrangement 104. Elaborating further, the frame legs 204 are extended to lift the frame 108 from the continuous miner arrangement 104. Next, the frame arms 206 are extended to lock the lifted frame 108 in the tunnel 102.

[00049] Next, the deflated elements 106 located between the frame 108 and the wall 112 of the tunnel 102 are expanded to form a seal with the surfaces of the tunnel 102.

[00050] As the continuous miner arrangement 104 completes the tunnel 102 and prepares to make another, the device 106 can be compacted using the reverse steps, carried by the continuous miner arrangement 104 to a new desired location of the new tunnel 102, and then expanded within the new tunnel 102 once again.

[00051] Figures 4 to 6 show an underground coal mine 100 using anther ventilation control device 106’, where like reference numerals refer to like features previously described.

[00052] The frame 108’ includes 2D frameworks of inverted U-shape, to accommodate for the large substantially impervious element 110 above. The extendable arms 206’ extend horizontally across the tunnel 102. The inflatable bladders elements 110 extend upwards and sideward and downwards in such a manner that they may pin the supporting frame 108’ in place. [00053] Figures 7 to 9 show an underground coal mine 100 using anther ventilation control device 106”, where like reference numerals refer to like features previously described.

[00054] The frame 108’ includes 2D frameworks of inverted U-shape, to accommodate for the large substantially impervious element 110 above. A single inflatable bladder element 110 extends upwards and sideward and downwards in such a manner that it pins the supporting frame 108’ in place.

[00055] The bladder element 110 is initially deflated when the continuous miner arrangement 104 first carries it into the tunnel 102. When inflated, flanks of the bladder element 110 are dimensioned so as to lift the ventilation control device 106”, including frame 108”, from the continuous miner arrangement 104 which, in turn, can then continue into the tunnel 102 without it.

[00056] The erection of the device 106 may be undertaken in circumstances or areas where hazards exist, which may present a risk or danger to the persons involved in the seal arrangement 106 erection. Such hazards may be from strata risks (i.e. roof fall or rib fall), from the presence of gases or hazardous dusts in the atmosphere, or from the proximity of large moving equipment in or near to where the seal arrangement 106 is required.

[00057] In such circumstances it is advantageous that such device 106 might be remotely "deployed" by personnel controlling the process who are positioned some distance away from the hazardous area/s. In this manner the arrangement 106 can be erected or deployed without involving personnel being exposed to any of the hazards that might exist. This may include the remote personnel not being in the mine 100 at all and controlling such processes from outside of the underground mine 100 altogether.

[00058] In these circumstances the design and configuration of the device 106 needs to be specifically configured in order to perform the functions of being able to be remotely deployed, whilst providing the effectiveness of the ventilation control required of the roadway tunnel 102 in question.

[00059] Such remotely deployed ventilation control devices may be required not only for deployment in an underground coal mine 102, but they may also be required in the case of highwall mining activities. Highwall mining is another form of mining sometimes conducted to recover additional coal adjacent to a surface mined area. The method evolved from auger mining but does not meet the definition of surface mining since it does not involve the removal of overburden to expose the coal seam.

[00060] In the highwall mining case, the hazards to personnel may also include the potential for rocks to fall from the adjacent excavated highwall of overburden material above the coal seam into which the highwall mining of the coal is proposed to be undertaken. Typically one risk mitigation action to cater for this risk of rock fall from the highwall is to not permit the mining personnel to be within a set safe distance away from the exposed highwall. This "safe work zone" often prevents the in-place erection of ventialtion control devices, including seals, (either temporary or permanent) from occurring because mining personnel are not permitted to perform any tasks within this area.

[00061] The deployment of such a ventilation control device 106 can be instituted to this end.

[00062] Consider the circumstances involved in the conduct of highwall mining activities, or in the conduct of PBE mining activities described in AU 2016210621. Such activities involve the mining of coal by a continuous miner which is followed by a type of flexible continuous conveyor which together advances into a plunge cut and penetrates into the coal seam 107, mining the coal as it advances/penetrates.

[00063] The conveyor transports the coal away from the continuous miner and along its path and out of the plunge cut to be carried away elsewhere by other means. Undesirable mine gases may build-up within the plunge cuts (which are not connected to any other mine ventilation pathways) which may necessitate certain risk mitigation actions to be taken to cater for this circumstance - such as the controlling of the atmosphere within the plunge, and may even include the sealing of the plunge and/or the introduction of inert gases.

[00064] The plunge cut itself may need to be substantially sealed off from the prevailing atmosphere outside of the plunge cut, necessitating the need for a ventilation control device such as the arrangement 106 to be installed in order to substantially separate the adjacent atmospheres. This may be because the operation of the mining and conveying activities within the plunge cut tunnel 102 may need to be undertaken in a dominantly inert atmosphere, and if so this may be facilitated via the introduction of a sufficient quantity of Nitrogen gas (or other suitable inert gas) into the plunge 102, in order to purge the atmosphere in the plunge 102 from the prevailing atmosphere which contains Oxygen.

[00065] The device 106 provides for the separation of the atmosphere on either side of the device (dominantly inert on one side, ordinary atmosphere containing oxygen on the other) in such a manner that is also permits the passage of the conveyor to pass through the device 106 as the conveyor advances into the plunge tunnel 102 as the continuous miner arrangement 104 advances, whilst it also conveys the mined coal out of the plunge tunnel 102 itself.

[00066] The device 106 would ordinarily be deployed in close proximity to the commencement (i.e. the entry) of the plunge tunnel 102. In such cases, the deployment of the device 106 would have to be undertaken after the continuous miner arrangement 105 first mines into and enters the plunge cut tunnel 102, since the continuous miner would ordinarily be of such dimension (i.e. width) that it fully consumes the width of the mining plunge tunnel 102 itself.

[00067] The device 106 would then have to be deployed to provide the dual functional requirements of atmospheric separation within/outside of the plunge whilst also permitting the conveyor to continue its operations through the device 106.

[00068] After the completion of the mining activities within the plunge (for example when the continuous miner has mined to the limit of the plunge cut, or if it is needs to be withdrawn from the plunge due to an equipment breakdown, or for other reasons), the device 106 would then likewise have to be withdrawn from the plunge entry before the continuous miner was withdrawn from the plunge as its width would clash with the device 106.

[00069] In the circumstances above the method of operation of the remotely deployable ventilation control device 106 would be as follows.

[00070] The continuous miner at the head of the continuous miner arrangement 104 would first mine into the plunge 102. [00071] The remotely deployable ventilation control device 106 would at this stage be supported on the first or second (or subsequent) continuous conveyor module (or segment) in relatively close proximity to the continuous miner. Alternatively, the remotely deployable ventilation control device 106 may also be supported on the rear of continuous miner itself.

[00072] Once the continuous miner has mined sufficient distance into the plunge 102, the device 106 would operate to separate from its supporting mechanism in order to stand self-supported and separate from the continuous miner and conveyor equipment that would then advance further into plunge 102 as the mining system advances.

[00073] The device 106 would then deploy the substantially impervious elements 110 such as to fully consume the available plunge dimension (apart from that where the conveyor must operate and pass through).

[00074] As previously described, such substantially impervious elements 110 may be of the form of one or more inflatable “bladders” extended from the supporting frame 108 which inflate to “fill-in” the available plunge void 102, in such a manner as they engage with the sides, the floor and the roof defining the perimeter wall 112 of the developed plunge cut 102, to provide the required function.

[00075] Alternatively, such elements 110 can instead be of the form of a supporting frame 108 with a series of extendable frames which each carry with them an impervious fabric or membrane material (which may be a form of plastic or vinyl compound), such that each frame extends to form a seal which engages with the sides, the floor and the roof of the developed plunge cut 102, to provide the required function.

[00076] The extendable frames can be powered electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically. The impervious membrane material can include plastics, vinyls or other such fabric materials which forms an expansive sheet to prevent the atmosphere from passing through. The extendable frames can extend sideward, downwards and upwards from the supporting frame 108 to engage with the floor, sides and roof of the plunge to “fill-in” the available void 102.

[00077] In the cases noted, as the mining of the plunge 102 is completed and the conveying equipment and continuous miner is being withdrawn from the plunge 102, the deployable device 106 disengages and retracts or deflates (as the case may be) in a staged manner and then lowers itself back onto its carrier so that it can be repositioned to the next plunge 102 to be formed in the sequence.

[00078] In another embodiment, the device 106 would deploy just outside of the plunge entry and the ventilation control mechanism would comprise of a supporting frame 108 with a series of extendable frames which each carries with them an impervious fabric or membrane material (which may be a form of plastic or vinyl compound), which extend from the sides and from above the frame such as to fully cover the entry (i.e. the opening) of the plunge, and which engage with the surrounding rock material 107 adjacent to the plunge entry in order to provide the required function.

[00079] In this case, rather than the device 106 being able to be “pinned” between the floor and roof of the plunge tunnel 102, the supporting frame of the device 106 lifts itself from its carrier and causes itself to be self-supported on the floor adjacent the plunge entry.

[00080] The supporting frame 108 is of sufficient mass and scale to ensure that the frame’s platform ensures that it is a stable foundation from which the device 106 can be deployed, or the frame 108 can include other equipment to pin or bolt itself temporarily to the floor or the side walls of the mining face of highwall adjacent to the plunge 102.

[00081] Once the supporting frame 108 has been lifted off its carrier and supported, the function of the ventilation control device 106 is facilitated either by inflatable “bladders” or by the deployment of extendable frames each with an attached impervious material membrane - in each case to “close-off” the void space 102 and provide the atmospheric control around the conveying equipment at the entry to the plunge 102.

[00082] As noted above, as the mining of the plunge 102 is completed and the conveying equipment and continuous miner is being withdrawn from the plunge 102, the deployable device 106 disengages and retracts or deflates (as the case may be) in a staged manner and then lowers itself back onto its carrier so that it can be repositioned to the next plunge 102 in the sequence.

[00083] In all the cases above, the action of deployment of the ventilation control device 106 and the disengagement of the ventilation control device 106 is activated remotely by personnel located away from the mining hazards - it may also be undertaken automatically. In order to facilitate this, various system connections are required to be made with the supporting frame 108 which are separately powered and which have separate comms from that of the continuous miner and conveyor system which pass through the device 106.

[00084] In other words, the device 106 needs to have its own power/gas and comms connections in order to remotely power and lift the unit off its carrier and in order to deploy the elements 110, and also to disengage these elements 110 when required, and thence to lower the supporting frame 108 back on its carrier when the conveying system withdraws from the plunge 102.

[00085] Figure 10 shows a self-inflated ventilation control device 106’ in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, through which the continuous miner arrangement 104 can pass. The continuous miner arrangement 104 includes an unmanned continuous miner 1000, and a trailing flexible conveyor 1002 coupled the continuous miner 1000. Like reference numerals refer to like features previously described.

[00086] The device 106’ includes an inflatable frame 108’ for extending across the tunnel 102 and permitting passage of the continuous miner arrangement 104. One or more non-inflatable impervious elements 110’ are supported by the frame 108’. Each impervious element 110’ extends transverse the continuous miner arrangement 104, and the peripheral frame 108’ of the ventilation control device 106’ forms a seal against the tunnel 102.

[00087] The device 106’ further includes a carrier 1004 for carrying the frame 108’ and impervious elements 110’ on the continuous miner arrangement 104. The carrier 1004 includes a pair of spiked retractable supports 1006 for engaging within a boundary of the tunnel.

[00088] The ventilation control device 106’ further includes a pneumatic-cylinder retractor 1008 for retracting the supports 1006, frame 108’ and impervious elements 110’ toward the carrier 1004. The retractor 1008 includes haulage lines 1010, and an internal winch (not shown) for hauling the lines 1010. [00089] The frame 108’ includes a two-dimensional (2D) framework through which the continuous miner arrangement 104 passes. The framework is of an inverted U- shape or H-shape, and includes inflatable uprights spanning the floor to ceiling of the tunnel 102, and inflatable cross members extending across the pairs of uprights and beneath which the continuous miner arrangement passes. A pair of inflatable diagonal members are also provided.

[00090] An automated method for controlling the ventilation of the mine tunnel 102 being formed by the continuous miner arrangement 104 is briefly described.

[00091] Initially, the frame 108’ and impervious elements 110’ are collapsed on the carrier 1004 as shown in Figure 11 . The carrier 1004 is carried on the leading conveyor module of the flexible conveyor 1002, immediately behind the continuous miner 1000 excavating the tunnel 102.

[00092] As the carrier 1004 enters the mouth of the tunnel 102, the inflator inflates the frame 108’ which seals against the tunnel 102. The inflated frame 108’ lifts the carrier 1004 from the continuous miner arrangement 104 and the spiked supports 1006 extend to engage within a boundary of the tunnel 102 and lock the frame in the tunnel 102. The expanding frame 108’ also expands the sheet elements 110’.

[00093] As shown in Figure 10, the frame 108’ extends across the tunnel 102 and permits passage of the continuous miner arrangement 104 whilst remaining in place. The substantially impervious elements 110’ are supported by the frame 108’ to control the ventilation and/or the atmosphere in the tunnel 102. The fixed device 106’ does not or minimally impacts the continuous miner arrangement 104 to avoid potential dislodgement or damage of the device 106’.

[00094] The locked device 106’ remains in place whilst the continuous miner arrangement 104 forms the tunnel 102.

[00095] When withdrawing the continuous miner arrangement 104, the supports 1006, frame 108’ and impervious elements 110’ are retracted onto the carrier 1004 using the retractor 1008. The frame 108’ deflates and the lines 1010 are hauled in. [00096] The packed carrier 1004, now lowered onto the continuous miner arrangement 104, is carried away to the next tunnel 102 being created, and used as indicated above once more.

[00097] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00098] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00099] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A ventilation control device for controlling the ventilation of a mine tunnel being formed by a continuous miner arrangement, the device including: a frame for extending across the tunnel and permitting passage of the continuous miner arrangement; and one or more substantially impervious elements for being supported by the frame.

2. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame permits passage of the continuous miner arrangement, and the substantially impervious elements are supported by the frame and do not or minimally impact the continuous miner arrangement to avoid potential dislodgement or damage.

3. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ventilation control device is portable and transported by the continuous miner arrangement; and/or the frame is expandable.

4. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , and defining a permanent gap through which the continuous miner arrangement passes and/or being controlled by remote personnel.

5. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each substantially impervious element extends transverse the continuous miner arrangement and the ventilation control device forms a seal against the tunnel.

6. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each substantially impervious element is expandable, each element preferably expanding outwards from the continuous miner arrangement.

7. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each element or the frame is inflatable, and an inflator can inflate each element or the frame with fluid or gas.

8. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more elements or frame lift the ventilation control device from the continuous miner arrangement which, in turn, can then move without the device.

9. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , further including a carrier for carrying the frame and impervious elements on the continuous miner arrangement.

10. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the carrier includes one or more retractable supports for engaging with a boundary of the tunnel.

11. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 9, further including a retractor for retracting the frame and impervious elements toward the carrier.

12. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the retractor includes one or more lines and a winch for hauling the lines.

13. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame includes at least one two-dimensional (2D) framework through which the continuous miner arrangement passes, each 2D framework preferably including an inverted U-shape, or H-shape.

14. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame includes one or more pairs of extendable uprights extending from the floor to a roof of the tunnel, and between which the continuous miner arrangement passes.

15. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the frame includes one or more cross members extending across the pairs of uprights and beneath which the continuous miner arrangement passes.

16. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 14, wherein each upright provides a seal with the tunnel

17. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the continuous miner arrangement includes a continuous miner and a flexible conveyor coupled the continuous miner, the flexible conveyor including serially interconnected conveyor modules, the tunnel being a dead end plunge and the continuous miner arrangement being unmanned.

18. A method for controlling the ventilation of a mine tunnel being formed by a continuous miner arrangement, the method involving: extending a frame across the tunnel that permits passage of the continuous miner arrangement; and locating one or more substantially impervious elements supported by the frame to control the ventilation and/or the atmosphere in the tunnel.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, further involving the steps of: lifting the frame from the continuous miner arrangement; locking the frame in the tunnel; and/or expanding the elements.

20. A method as claimed in claim 18, further involving the step of: retracting the frame and impervious elements to be carried away by the continuous miner arrangement.

21. A ventilation control device for controlling the atmosphere in a mine tunnel, the device including: a frame for extending across the tunnel; and one or more substantially impervious elements supported by the frame and for expanding to control the ventilation and/or the atmosphere in the tunnel.

22. A ventilation control device as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the frame and elements are located within or adjacent the tunnel.

23. A ventilation control device for controlling the atmosphere in a mine tunnel, the device including: one or more inflatable elements for expanding to control the ventilation and/or the atmosphere in the tunnel.