A stopping system for use in mines. The stopping system includes a king post truss for reinforcing the stopping panels against excessive deflection due to a pressure differential across the stopping panels. The truss has a variable length to accommodate convergence and divergence of the mine walls on which the truss is mounted.
A mine stopping installed in a mine passageway includes a lower tier of elongate panels extending generally vertically in side-by-side relation from a floor of the passageway. Each panel of the lower tier has a lower end adjacent the floor and an upper end spaced from a roof of the passageway. An upper tier of elongate panels extends generally vertically in side-by-side relation from the lower tier of panels to the roof. An upper end of each upper tier panel is adjacent the roof and a lower end of each upper tier panel abuts the upper end of respective lower tier panels. An elongate brace is connected to at least one of the lower and upper tiers for reinforcing the stopping against deflection and for inhibiting lateral movement of the lower tier panels relative to the upper tier panels. A method of installing a multiple tier stopping is also disclosed.
A jack includes a base, a guide extending from the base, and an extensible member having an extensible fit with the guide and extending from the guide to have a free end. A support is located at the free end of the extensible member. An actuator is capable of extending the extensible member. The guide and extensible member have portions which are laterally offset with respect to the base and the support such that when the support is in pressure engagement with a panel, the laterally offset portions are disposed adjacent one side of the panel to leave an area between opposite sides of the panel substantially unobstructed.
A panel system for making mine ventilation structures. The panel system comprises a plurality of elongate metal panels having flanges along sides thereof configured for overlapping one another when the panels are placed in side-by-side relation. When the panels are secured together they form a unitary load-bearing structure. Related methods and equipment for installing the panels are also disclosed.
A mine stopping installed in a mine passageway includes a plurality of elongate panels extending generally vertically in side-by-side relation from a floor to a roof of the passageway to at least partially close the passageway. A generally horizontal elongate brace extends generally between the walls of the passageway adjacent to the panels. A generally vertical column extends from the floor to the roof and is adapted for reinforcing the brace. Braces and anchor beams for stoppings are also disclosed.
A mine door installation has a frame installed in a mine passageway. At least one door leaf is mounted on the frame for swinging movement between open and closed positions. Movement of the door leaf is powered by a pneumatic actuator. A pneumatically-powered control system may be provided to control the door installation. The pneumatic control system may comprise a calibrated vent to shorten the delay in the response of the door leaf to direction from the control system to stop moving. The pneumatic control system may also comprise a limit valve to prevent the door installation from opening when a second door installation is open, thereby preventing both door installations in an air lock from being open at the same time.
