Improvements in Dams or Stoppings for Use in Mines, Tunnels, and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 16th May, 1896-Accepted, 4th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dams or Stoppings for Use in Mines, Tunnels, and
the like.
I, RICHARD WAGNER, Mine-Overseer, of Michalkowitz, in the Empire of
Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In connection with underground fires in mines and, closely related therewith,
the evolution of injurious gases which frequently lead to the suffocation of the
miners, it is a matter of the utmost importance to quickly prevent the further
distribution of such gases.
This has hitherto been effected by damming up the tunnels or passages which
are similarly affected by the said gases, by closing their cross-section in all haste,
when required, by means of a board partition (or dam). In many instances, this
"damming up
or closure of the passages without loss of human life is not
practicable; since the death by suffocation of the men engaged on the work of
constructing the dam, often takes place in a very few minutes.
"
The portable safety-dam hereinafter described, renders it possible for the miners
in the shortest possible conceivable time, and without any great danger, to provide
a provisional closure of the passage on the site of an underground conflagration.
The apparatus consists essentially of the two plates which are held by stay-bolts
at a certain distance apart. The intermediate space between the plates towards
the exterior is formed of a yielding fabric closing it entirely; of course it will
readily be understood that the entire apparatus may be formed of such material.
Underneath the apparatus are legs or supports for its erection in the gallery.
In use the apparatus is applied to the endangered mine-gallery and after having
a pipe screwed on to it, is filled with air by means of au air-pump.
On the air entering the material lying in folds between the plates is inflated.
Just in proportion as the air is pumped in between the plates, the flexible material
is pressed out against the walls (bottom sides and roof) of the gallery, so as to
create a provisional stoppage thereof.
The inflation of this apparatus may be brought about in any other suitable and
appropriate manner as eg. by filling with compressed gas; nevertheless that above
described is the simplest and safest method.
When the closure is once effected a cock is turned off and the pumping is
stopped. Inasmuch as the air contained in the apparatus cannot escape the latter
remains in the inflated state and fulfils its object by establishing a closure of the
gallery, without danger to the miners and allows the construction of a fixed solid
brickwork or masonry partition or dam effectually cutting off the current of
obnoxious gases
When this is completed the danger is remedied and the galleries behind the
fixed dam or partition are again rendered available for working operations.
Dated this 21st day of August 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dams or Stoppings for Use in Mines, Tunnels, and
the like.
I, RICHARD WAGNER, Mine-Overseer of Michalkowitz, in the Empire of
Germany do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
In connection with underground fires in mines and, closely related therewith,
the evolution of injurious gases which frequently lead to the suffocation of the
miners it is a matter of the utmost importance to quickly prevent the further
distribution of such gases.
This has hitherto been effected by damming up the tunnels or passages which
are similarly affected by the said gases, by closing their cross-section in all haste,
when required, by means of a board-partition (or dam). In many instances, this
"damming up" or closure of the passages, without loss o: human life, is not
.practicable; since the death by suffocation of the men, engaged on the work of
constructing the dam, often takes place in a very few minutes.
دو
The portable safety-dam, hereinafter described, renders it possible for the
miners, in the shortest possible conceivable time, and without any great danger to
provide a provisional closure of the passage.
In the accompanying drawings ;-
Fig. 1 shows a front elevation of the apparatus ;
Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof;
Fig. 3 represents a longitudinal section of a mine gallery fitted with this
apparatus; and
Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same.
The apparatus consists essentially of the two plates a which are held by stay-
bolts at a certain distance apart. The intermediate space between the plates,
towards the exterior is closed by a yielding folding fabric e closing it entirely; of
course, it will readily be understood that the entire apparatus may be formed of
such material. Underneath the apparatus are legs or supports, for its erection in
the gallery. The legs can fold to enable the apparatus to be conveniently carried
through narrow places.
In use, the apparatus is applied to the endangered mine-gallery, and, after
having a pipe e screwed on to it, is filled with air or other fluid by means of a
pump.
On the air or other fluid, entering the material e lying in folds between the
plates a is inflated, and assumes approximately the form indicated in Figs. 3 and 4.
Just in proportion as the air is pumped in, between the plates a a the flexible
material is pressed out against the walls (bottom, side and roof) of the gallery, so
as to create a provision of stoppage thereof. To prevent upsetting of the apparatus
by expanding gases during the inflation there may be provided on the front plate a
sliding rods or latches, which can be moved out laterally and so fix it to the sides
of the gallery.
The inflation of this apparutus may be brought about in any other suitable and
appropriate manner, as e.g. by filling with compressed gas or with water nevertheless
that above described is the simplest and safest method.
When the closure is once effected a cock f is turned off and the pumping is
stopped. To prevent bursting of the pocket of the apparatus by accumulated
pressure it is advisable to provide on one of the plates a a safety valve of any
suitable construction. Inasmuch as the air contained in the apparatus cannot
escape, the latter remains in the inflated state, and fulfils its object, by establishing
a closure of the gallery, without danger to the miners, and allows the construction
JAI

page_text: of a fixed, solid, brickwork or masonry partition or dam g effectually cutting off
the current of obnoxious gases flowing in the direction of the arrow.
When this is completed the danger is remedied, and the galleries in front of the
fixed dam or partition are again rendered available for working operations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is ;-
1. A portable safety-dam for mines, tunnels and the like consisting of a casing
with its outer edges joined and enclosed on all sides by a yielding fabric so that
when inflated by blowing in air or other fluid this material is forced out so as to
lie close to the walls of the gallery tunnels or the like and thus effects a provisional
closure of the same against injurious gases.
2. A portable dam of the kind described with devices for supporting it or
retaining it in place and with or without a safety-valve substantially as and for
the purpose described.
SM 1906
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.