System and method for sheltering individuals in a hazardous environment

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a mobile, modular emergency shelter which contains adequate breathable air cylinders connected to full face air masks, food, water, and first aid / medical supplies to enable a predetermined number of individuals (up to sixteen individuals in one embodiment) to survive and shelter in place in a hazardous environment, such as an underground mine containing toxic air secondary to explosions, fires, roof falls, or flooding, for a predetermined time period (up to four to five days in one embodiment) while awaiting rescue.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention generally relates to mine safety systems, more particularly, relates to emergency shelters capable of providing adequate breathable air to enable individuals to survive and shelter in place in a hazardous environment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Under the best of circumstances, the mining of coal and other minerals can be a very hazardous occupation. This is particularly true of those industries that extract minerals from beneath the surface of the earth. The very environment is alien to the human species.[0003]There are the dangers of roof falls, rib rolls, the accumulation of methane, and the hazards associated with man's efforts to extract the coal: death or injury by being crushed by mining equipment, by electrocution, by inhalation of coal dust, by inhalation of rock dust, and by the concussion of dust / methane explosions and the replacement of breathable air with carbon monoxide subsequent to an explosion. There are even com...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In one embodiment of the invention, a system for sheltering a predetermined number of individuals in a hazardous environment comprises a movable base unit, a plurality of individual breathing units, and a plurality of remote units. The movable base unit comprises a plurality of breathable air cylinders, a manifold for distributing air from the cylinders, an air supply control system configured to control a flow of air from the air cylinders to the manifold and to reduce an air pressure of the air from the air cylinders, and a plurality of equipment storage chambers. The manifold comprises a plurality of ports, each port having a quick-connect fitting.

[0007]The individual breathing units, which comprise at least one breathing unit for each of the individuals, are stored within the storage chambers. Each breathing unit comprises a positive pressure full-face air mask, a man-portable breathable air escape cylinder, a first stage regulator coupled to the escape cylinder and configured to direct air from either the escape cylinder or the manifold to the air mask, a mask air supply hose connecting the air mask and the first stage regulator, and a manifold air supply hose connecting the manifold and the first stage regulator, the manifold air supply hose having at least one quick-connect fitting. The air masks may comprise a nourishment port.

Problems solved by technology

Under the best of circumstances, the mining of coal and other minerals can be a very hazardous occupation.

There are the dangers of roof falls, rib rolls, the accumulation of methane, and the hazards associated with man's efforts to extract the coal: death or injury by being crushed by mining equipment, by electrocution, by inhalation of coal dust, by inhalation of rock dust, and by the concussion of dust / methane explosions and the replacement of breathable air with carbon monoxide subsequent to an explosion.

There are even complications associated with carbon dioxide buildup in miners self contained self rescue devices.

The recent coal mine tragedies in West Virginia, Kentucky, Mexico and China have brought to light again the extreme hazard of extracting coal from beneath the surface of the earth.

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