Mine Emergency Refuge System With Inflatable Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underground mining incidents often prevent miners from immediately exiting the mine due to hazards like fire, explosions, or gas inundation, necessitating improved emergency refuge systems for safe temporary shelter and air revitalization.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a deformable separator with fluid-inflatable bladders that allows safe passage while minimizing airborne contamination, including a life-support unit for maintaining a breathable atmosphere and removing toxic compounds like CO2, ammonia, and carbon monoxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid barrier is used to separate contaminated and clean areas, then contamination prevention is improved, but ease of passage and rapid access are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is designed as a dynamic structure that transitions between rigid (inflated) and flexible (deflated) states. When inflated, it provides effective contamination prevention; when deflated, it allows rapid passage without physical obstruction, resolving the contradiction between barrier effectiveness and ease of access
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the barrier is changed by controlling inflation pressure. By adjusting the inflated/deflated state, the system dynamically switches between providing contamination protection and allowing rapid passage, addressing both contradictory requirements
2Ease of operation
If a deformable separator is used to allow rapid passage, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination prevention capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The separator dynamically adjusts its rigidity based on operational needs. During passage, it remains deflated and flexible for rapid access; during refuge operations, it inflates to provide effective contamination barrier, resolving the contradiction between deformability and barrier effectiveness
3Ease of operation
If the passageway remains open for rapid access, then ease of operation is improved, but airborne contamination migration is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is inflated in advance before refuge operations begin, establishing the contamination seal while access is still needed. This preliminary action allows the passageway to remain physically open for rapid entry while the inflated barrier prevents contamination migration
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable barrier acts as an intermediary element between the open passageway and the refuge environment. It allows physical passage while mediating the airflow and preventing contamination migration, resolving the contradiction between open access and contamination prevention
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a safe, contaminant-reduced refuge environment with a self-sustaining atmosphere, enabling miners to temporarily shelter safely until rescue, effectively addressing the need for improved evacuation and air revitalization in mining emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fluid-inflatable bladder to assist such deformation and such deformation-correction
Implementation Method 2
at least one deformable separator region structured and arranged to deform under at least one force load applied to such at least one first separator
Implementation Method 3
a life-support unit for maintaining a breathable atmosphere and removing toxic compounds like CO2, ammonia, and carbon monoxide
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency refuge system relating to improved occupant access and air revitalization.