Anchored mine ventilation structure

Abstract

A ventilation structure for installation at a mine intersection includes first and second generally parallel side walls. Each side wall is of such height as to wall off at least a portion of a respective mouth of the first airway. A deck extends between the side walls and is connected thereto. A mooring system includes first and second anchors that restrain upward movement of the structure.

1 . A ventilation structure at an intersection in a mine having a floor, ribs, and a roof, the ventilation system comprising: 
 first and second generally parallel side walls, each side wall of such height as to wall off at least a portion of a respective mouth at the intersection, and    a deck extending between the side walls,    a mooring system including:    first and second anchors extending into and fixed to at least one of the floor and the ribs,    the first and second anchors being connected to and fixed relative to the side walls and deck so as to restrain upward movement of the structure.    
   
   
       2 . The ventilation structure of  claim 1  wherein the mooring system is separable from the side walls and deck to allow disassembly and re-use of the structure.  
   
   
       3 . The ventilation structure of  claim 1  further comprising at least one restraining member connecting the first and second anchors to the side walls and deck.  
   
   
       4 . The ventilation structure of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of restraining members connecting the first and second anchors to the side walls and deck.  
   
   
       5 . The ventilation structure of  claim 1  wherein the first anchor is disposed outside the first side wall and the second anchor is disposed outside the second side wall.  
   
   
       6 . The ventilation structure of  claim 5  wherein the mooring system further comprises a first bracket extending from outside of the first side wall and a second bracket extending from outside of the second side wall.  
   
   
       7 . The ventilation structure of  claim 6  wherein each of the brackets is fixed to a footer of the respective side walls and disposed to be in contact with the floor.  
   
   
       8 . The ventilation structure of  claim 7  wherein each of the brackets includes a hole for receiving one of the anchors.  
   
   
       9 . The ventilation structure of  claim 6  wherein the restraining member is a cable extending over the deck and having a first end fixed to the first bracket and a second end opposite the first end fixed to the second bracket.  
   
   
       10 . The ventilation structure of  claim 9  wherein the cable includes a turnbuckle disposed between the first and second ends and being adjustable for tightening the cable against the overcast.  
   
   
       11 . The ventilation structure of  claim 1  wherein the first and second anchors comprise bolts extending into the floor.  
   
   
       12 . The ventilation structure of  claim 11  wherein the side walls are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the width of the second airway.  
   
   
       13 . An overcast at an intersection in a mine having a floor and a roof, the overcast comprising: 
 first and second generally parallel side walls, each side wall of such height as to wall off at least a portion of a respective mouth at the intersection, and    a deck extending over the side walls and fixed thereto,    a mooring system including:    a plurality of anchors disposed adjacent the first side wall and a plurality of anchors disposed adjacent the second side wall, each anchor extending into and being fixed in the mine floor,    a plurality of restraining members extending over the side walls and the deck and connected to the anchors so as to restrain upward movement of the overcast.    
   
   
       14 . The overcast of  claim 13  wherein the mooring system further comprises a first bracket extending from outside of the first side wall and a second bracket extending from outside of the second side wall.  
   
   
       15 . The overcast of  claim 14  wherein each of the brackets is fixed to a footer of the respective side walls and disposed to be in contact with the floor.  
   
   
       16 . The overcast of  claim 15  wherein each of the brackets includes a hole for receiving one of the anchors.  
   
   
       17 . The overcast of  claim 16  wherein the restraining member is a cable extending over the deck and having a first end fixed to the first bracket and a second end opposite the first end fixed to the second bracket.  
   
   
       18 . The overcast of  claim 17  wherein the cable includes a turnbuckle disposed between the first and second ends and being adjustable for tightening the cable against the overcast.  
   
   
       19 . The overcast of  claim 18  wherein the first and second anchors comprise bolts extending into the floor.  
   
   
       20 . A ventilation structure for installation at an intersection of at least two mine passages, each mine passage having a roof, a floor, and ribs, the ventilation structure comprising: 
 first and second generally parallel side walls, each side wall being adapted to wall off at least a portion of one of said mine passages at said intersection;    a deck for extending between the side walls and being connected thereto; and    a mooring system including first and second anchors for extending into and being fixed to at least one of the mine floor and the mine ribs, the first and second anchors also being adapted to connect to at least one of the side walls and the deck so as to restrain upward movement of the ventilation structure.    
   
   
       21 . A ventilation structure as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said first and second anchors comprise bolts, and further comprising a cable connected to the bolts and adapted to extend over the deck.  
   
   
       22 . A ventilation structure as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first and second anchors extend into and are fixed to the floor of the mine, the ribs of the mine being substantially free of the first and second anchors.  
   
   
       23 . A ventilation structure as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the deck is releasably connected to the side walls.