Method and apparatus for providing controlled atmosphere in mobile mine refuges

Abstract

A system, device and method for rapid delivery of clean air to occupants of a deployed mine refuge from a surface source after the refuge has been deployed and before the self-contained air has been consumed or before the temperature in the refuge has increased to hazardous levels in which a drilling rig is used to a borehole in close proximity to the mine refuge's underground location and a supply duct is lowered through the borehole to the underground mine near the refuge; upon hearing an alarm sounded by the system, a refuge occupant would exit the refuge, using existing personal breathing protection, to retrieve the duct and connect it to the mine refuge.

1 . A method and apparatus for providing a controlled atmosphere in mobile mine refuges comprising a supply of breathable air from outside the mine, a borehole, a tube duct, and an interconnection apparatus attached to the refuge to connect with the tube duct, wherein the supply of breathable air is in fluid communication with the refuge via a flow path from the supply of breathable air through the borehole, the tube duct, and interconnection then into the refuge. 
     
     
         2 . The method and apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the tube duct is placed inside the borehole. 
     
     
         3 . The method and apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the tube duct is constructed of synthetic rubber fabric or a polychlorinated vinyl fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The method and apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the tube duct is constructed of a material that allows it to lay flat until supplied with air. 
     
     
         5 . The method and apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the tube duct has a nose piece that fits inside the borehole. 
     
     
         6 . The method and apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the tube duct contains a communications cable. 
     
     
         7 . The method and apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the nose piece contains a buzzer or horn to alert the inhabitants in the refuge when the nose piece is available to connect to the refuge. 
     
     
         8 . The method and apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the nose piece is of a cylindrical shaped metal construction with a semi-spherical nose. 
     
     
         9 . The method and apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the buzzer or horn is intrinsically safe. 
     
     
         10 . The method and apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the refuge structure is modified with the addition of an interconnection apparatus to accept the tube duct. 
     
     
         11 . The method and apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the refuge structure is modified with the addition of an interconnection apparatus to accept the communications cable.