Refuge Shelter, Coupler and Method

摘要

A refuge shelter includes a container. The shelter includes a tent that is disposed in the container in an undeployed state. The tent includes an inflatable support structure which is inflatable from an undeployed state in the container to a deployed state, and a seal which seals the tent to the container in a deployed state. The support structure has a plurality of hoses interconnected by couplers. The hoses have an inside diameter of less than 5 inches. A gas flow apparatus. A refuge shelter for miners in a mine includes a container and a tent that is disposed in the container. The tent has a test support to which a sample of the external environment can be obtained from inside the tent when the tent is deployed. A method for providing a refuge chamber for miners in a mine.

主权项

1. A refuge shelter for miners in a mine comprising:
a container; and a tent that is disposed in the container in an undeployed state which is expandable to a deployed state and extends from the container to provide a protected atmosphere for the miners, the container accessible from inside the tent; wherein the tent includes an inflatable support structure which is inflatable from an undeployed state to a deployed state, and a seal which seals the tent to the container in a deployed state, the support structure having a plurality of hoses interconnected by couplers, the hoses having an inside diameter of less than 5 inches; wherein the container includes a bank of compressed gas bottles that are operable to inflate the support structure thereby expanding the tent to the deployed state.