Underground mine rescue pod

Abstract

An rescue pod is disclosed having walls providing a substantially airtight interior, a transponder for communication, interior and exterior atmospheric monitoring systems. The disclosed rescue pod also has support equipment, systems for powering the equipment, and a connection for providing access to external communications and power sources. The rescue pod also comprises a positive air pressure system.

1 . A mine rescue pod for placement in underground mines and for providing protection to miners, comprising:
 a substantially airtight structure including walls forming an enclosed interior and an exposed exterior;   an opening in at least one of said walls for providing a passage for miners from the exterior to the interior of the pod and vice versa, said opening being sealable by a door which maintains the substantially airtight structure;   an oxygen supply system for providing oxygen to the interior of the pod;   an air quality sensor for monitoring the interior atmosphere of the pod;   batteries contained within the interior of the pod for providing power to at least said air quality sensor;   charging equipment contained within the interior of the pod to charge said batteries; and   a connecting portion for connecting an external power source to said charging equipment, and for connecting communication lines interior of the pod to the exterior of the pod.   
   
   
       2 . The rescue pod of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen supply system comprises oxygen tanks. 
   
   
       3 . The rescue pod of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen supply system comprises oxygen candles or carbon monoxide curtains. 
   
   
       4 . The rescue pod of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen supply system comprises an oxygen generator. 
   
   
       5 . The rescue pod of  claim 1 , wherein the walls comprise structural H-beams disposed between opposing steel plates. 
   
   
       6 . The rescue pod of  claim 5 , further comprising a fire resistant insulation installed between the opposing steel plates. 
   
   
       7 . The rescue pod of  claim 1 , further comprising air sensing equipment for monitoring atmosphere exterior to the pod and relaying information obtained from said monitoring to the interior of the pod. 
   
   
       8 . The rescue pod of  claim 1 , further comprising communication equipment for connection to said communication lines, for communicating with the exterior of the pod. 
   
   
       9 . The rescue pod of  claim 1 , further comprising a transponder contained within the interior of the pod for emitting a beacon signal to aid in locating the pod. 
   
   
       10 . A mine rescue pod for placement in underground mines and for providing protection to miners, comprising:
 a substantially airtight structure including walls forming an enclosed interior and an exposed exterior;   an opening in at least one of said walls for providing passage for miners from the exterior to the interior of the pod and vice versa, said opening being sealable by a door which maintains the substantially airtight structure;   an oxygen supply system for providing oxygen to the interior of the pod;   air sensing equipment for monitoring the atmosphere exterior of the pod and relaying information obtained from said monitoring to the interior of the pod;   batteries contained within the interior of the pod for supplying power to at least said air sensing equipment; and   charging equipment contained within the interior of the pod to charge said batteries.   
   
   
       11 . The rescue pod of  claim 10 , wherein the oxygen supply system comprises oxygen tanks. 
   
   
       12 . The rescue pod of  claim 10 , wherein the oxygen supply system comprises oxygen candles or carbon monoxide curtains. 
   
   
       13 . The rescue pod of  claim 10 , wherein the oxygen supply system comprises an oxygen generator. 
   
   
       14 . The rescue pod of  claim 10 , wherein the walls comprise structural H-beams disposed between opposing steel plates. 
   
   
       15 . The rescue pod of  claim 14 , further comprising a fire resistant insulation installed in between the plates. 
   
   
       16 . The rescue pod of  claim 10 , further comprising air sensing equipment for monitoring the interior atmosphere of the pod. 
   
   
       17 . The rescue pod of  claim 10 , further comprising a transponder contained within the interior of the pod for emitting a beacon signal to aid in locating the pod. 
   
   
       18 . A mine rescue pod for placement in underground mines and for providing protection to miners, comprising:
 a substantially airtight structure including walls forming an enclosed interior side and an exposed exterior side;   an opening in at least one of said walls for providing passage for miners from the exterior to the interior side of the pod and vice versa, said opening being sealable by a door which maintains the substantially airtight structure;   an oxygen supply system for providing oxygen to the interior of the pod;   a positive pressure system for maintaining positive atmospheric pressure within the interior of the pod, wherein said positive air pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure outside the pod; and   a power supply contained within the interior of the pod for powering said positive pressure system.   
   
   
       19 . The rescue pod of  claim 19 , wherein the oxygen supply system comprises oxygen tanks. 
   
   
       20 . The rescue pod of  claim 19 , wherein the oxygen supply system comprises oxygen candles and carbon monoxide curtains. 
   
   
       21 . The rescue pod of  claim 19 , wherein the oxygen supply system comprises an oxygen generator. 
   
   
       22 . The rescue pod of  claim 19 , wherein the walls comprise structural H-beams disposed between opposing steel plates. 
   
   
       23 . The rescue pod of  claim 22 , further comprising a fire resistant insulation installed in between the plates. 
   
   
       24 . The rescue pod of  claim 19 , further comprising a transponder contained within the interior of the pod for emitting a beacon signal to aid in locating the pod. 
   
   
       25 . The rescue pod of  claim 19 , further comprising charging equipment contained within the interior of the pod to charge said batteries.