The present invention provides a safety system (1) for protecting against a hazard of a drill rod failure in a drilled rock bore (B) above horizontal, and especially a hazard posed by a broken drill rod section (S) lodged within the bore (B). The safety system (1) comprises: a plug member (2) for insertion into a proximal end region (E) of the bore (B) adjacent a rock-face (F), the plug member (2) being configured to be fixed within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B); and an impact reduction member (5) for reducing an impact of the broken drill rod section (S) striking the plug member (2) within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B). The impact reduction member (5) is configured to be located within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B) and to extend within the bore (B) above the plug member (2).

The present invention provides a safety system (1) for protecting against a hazard of a drill rod failure in a drilled rock bore (B) above horizontal, and especially a hazard posed by a broken drill rod section (S) lodged within the bore (B). The safety system (1) comprises: a plug member (2) for insertion into a proximal end region (E) of the bore (B) adjacent a rock-face (F), the plug member (2) being configured to be fixed within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B); and an impact reduction member (5) for reducing an impact of the broken drill rod section (S) striking the plug member (2) within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B). The impact reduction member (5) is configured to be located within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B) and to extend within the bore (B) above the plug member (2).

A remote command and control center for a longwall mining system that can be located away from the longwall face and belt line components such as the cutter, conveyor and roof supports is provided. The command and control center is comprised of two nested halves which allow for the height of the command and control module to be quickly and easily adjusted to allow the remote command and control module to be introduced into areas where clearance is an issue. The command and control center can be pressurized to push coal dust and other contaminants out of the command and control center to protect the operators from inhaling hazardous coal dust. A rack system for mounting video monitors within the command and control module is also provided.

A remote command and control center for a longwall mining system that can be located away from the longwall face and belt line components such as the cutter, conveyor and roof supports is provided. The command and control center is comprised of two nested halves which allow for the height of the command and control module to be quickly and easily adjusted to allow the remote command and control module to be introduced into areas where clearance is an issue. The command and control center can be pressurized to push coal dust and other contaminants out of the command and control center to protect the operators from inhaling hazardous coal dust. A rack system for mounting video monitors within the command and control module is also provided.

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.

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.

An overhead railway and trolley for transporting miners out of a mine. The railway is formed by connected rails that are mounted to a roof of a mine. The trolley is mounted to a bottom flange of the rails and includes wheel assemblies having at least two wheels mounted side-by-side, and each is configured to engage and roll along a top surface of the bottom flange. The trolley has a clicker that is configured to engage protrusions extending away from the bottom flange. The clicker permits the trolley to travel out of the mine but prevents it from traveling into the mine. The trolley also includes a pair of handles that are configured to be gripped by a miner standing on a floor of the mine as he travels from the beginning of the railway to the ending (i.e., the egress direction).

An overhead railway and trolley for transporting miners out of a mine. The railway is formed by connected rails that are mounted to a roof of a mine. The trolley is mounted to a bottom flange of the rails and includes wheel assemblies having at least two wheels mounted side-by-side, and each is configured to engage and roll along a top surface of the bottom flange. The trolley has a clicker that is configured to engage protrusions extending away from the bottom flange. The clicker permits the trolley to travel out of the mine but prevents it from traveling into the mine. The trolley also includes a pair of handles that are configured to be gripped by a miner standing on a floor of the mine as he travels from the beginning of the railway to the ending (i.e., the egress direction).

Disclosed is an underwater robot for a mine flooding rescue, including a starting unit configured to control the implementation of a whole rescue action; a drive unit connected with the starting unit and configured to provide a robot with power to move; and an execution unit connected with the drive unit and configured to salvage underwater life sources.

Disclosed is an underwater robot for a mine flooding rescue, including a starting unit configured to control the implementation of a whole rescue action; a drive unit connected with the starting unit and configured to provide a robot with power to move; and an execution unit connected with the drive unit and configured to salvage underwater life sources.