Mobile refuge chamber

摘要

A self-movable mine refuge chamber powered by a drive assembly, preferably in the form of a set of crawler or tractor mechanisms, mounted on the chamber, so that the chamber can be moved through the mine without use of any other motive force. The drive assembly further includes a tilt assembly so that one end of the other of the chamber can also be tilted to establish a modified height profile to permit obstacles along the path to be negotiated. The drive assembly is powered by an on-board, detachable power supply module and, using controls from outside the chamber, the chamber can be maneuvered through working tunnels or roadways, crosscuts, or other passageways within the mine, and be positioned and repositioned at will.

主权项

1. A refuge chamber comprised of an internal frame and an outer housing having top, side, end and bottom walls connected thereto, at least one entry port providing access into an interior space within the chamber, said interior space including a plurality of interior chambers with one of the interior chambers being an entry purge chamber,
an air system operatively connected to the plurality of interior chambers, a power supply, storage areas provided within the interior space that are accessible from within at least one of the plurality of interior chambers a drive mechanism including a mounting assembly and tractor assemblies with the mounting assembly being attached to each side of the chamber and the tractor assemblies providing a motive force and clearance is provided between the bottom wall and a supporting surface, so that the refuge chamber is movable thereby, a chamber height adjusting mechanism positioned adjacent the drive mechanism on each side of the chamber and operating between the drive mechanism mounting assembly and the internal frame; and a control system for controlling the drive mechanism and the chamber height adjusting mechanism.