RU2439330C2 - Air flow controller - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: construction. ^ SUBSTANCE: controller comprises multiple louver plates adapted to be installed in a frame and to rotate in it around the longitudinal axis between the specified position, in which the louver plates are combined to close or to limit a part of a channel, and the open position for passage of air between plates of louvers and through a channel, an inclined mechanism to impact every louver plate so that in process of usage each louver plate is adapted to be held in the specified position until the specified air flow to the plates is achieved, at the same time the inclined mechanism is a spacer mechanism, capable of impacting every louver plate for its rotation into the specified position and represents a gas spacer connected to a lever mechanism acting at louver plates, for their displacement into the specified position, at the same time at the air flow specified the louver plates are capable of impacting the lever mechanism, which is capable of impacting the gas spacer as each plate is displaced towards the open position. ^ EFFECT: protection of mechanism against excessive force and automation of operation. ^ 14 cl, 9 ex, 18 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNICAL APPLICATION

The present invention relates to a regulator of air flow, made by the type of blinds. The regulator finds specific application in mine shafts, tunnels, adits, workings, etc. (hereinafter “mine channels") for controlling the air flow passing through them or for regulating it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Underground mines can have a number of tunnels that act as air ducts for fresh air and are formed on the side of the ore body where the air is taken, and on the air return side or on the opposite side of the ore body. Further, the air flow at different levels of the mine is controlled by air flow regulators located, among other things, at the entrances or exits of these adits.

Known air flow regulators used in mines, are regulators with lowered boards and are in operation for a certain time. Air flow regulators are also known, including vertical blinds mounted for rotation in a steel frame.

Regulators with lowering boards may contain a steel frame with an H-shaped section, manufactured with compartments of the usual size. In each compartment, hardwood boards are lowered between the flanges of the H-shaped section. At the same time, the regulator’s hole can be adjusted in area, thereby changing the amount of air flow that can come to this section of the mine.

Regulators with lowering boards require manual adjustment. In addition, before a certain event, for example, before blasting or creating an air wave in the face, when it is supposed that the explosion could damage the regulator, the miner must physically remove all the boards, which is hard work requiring voltage and time. Significant blasting in the face can lead to the fact that large volumes of air are supplied with force through the mine channels, while the generated pressures are sufficient to permanently damage the ventilation structures of the mine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a louvre-type air flow regulator for a mine channel is provided, comprising a plurality of louvre plates adapted to be mounted in a frame and rotated about a longitudinal axis between a predetermined position, in which the louvre plates are combined to close or limit a part of the channel, and an open position for passage air between the louvre plates and through the channel, an inclined mechanism for acting on each louvre plate in such a way that, when used, each louvre plate is adapted to live in a predetermined position until a predetermined airflow to the plates is reached, the inclined mechanism being a spacer mechanism capable of acting on each louvre plate to rotate to a predetermined position and representing a gas strut connected to a lever mechanism acting on the louvre plates for their movement to a predetermined position, while at a given air flow the louvre plates are capable of acting on a linkage mechanism that is capable of acting on a gas spacer when remeschenii each louver plate to the open position.

The predetermined position of the plates may correspond to the closed or partially open position of the plates, and the open position of the plates corresponds to the fully open position of the plates.

The connection between the gas spacer and the linkage can be adjusted so that the louvre plates can fully or partially close under the action of the gas spacer.

The controller may further comprise a control mechanism for separately and independently controlling the position of each louvre plate during normal air flow in the shaft channel, while the tilted mechanism does not interfere with the normal air flow control, and the control mechanism does not interfere with the opening of the louvre plates at a given air flow or return of the plates tilting mechanism to a predetermined position.

The control mechanism may include a manual control mechanism or an adjustment mechanism with remote control.

Actuators electrically operated and remotely controlled via a fiber-optic communication system can be used in a control mechanism with remote control.

The controller may further comprise a plurality of mounting fingers / bolts extending from the frame and intended to be mounted in relation to the adjacent wall of the shaft channel.

The fingers can be used in the regulator to fasten the formwork that provides support for applying the cementitious binder, while the fingers / bolts, formwork and binder further provide a structural wall for holding the frame in the channel.

The frame can form part of the module, many of which are adapted to be installed in a larger frame located in the channel. Each module can have a plurality of selectively extensible mounting fingers located around its periphery so that when the module is installed in a large channel frame, the extension of the mounting fingers secures the module to the channel frame, and the removal of the mounting fingers allows the module to be separated from the channel frame. Each module can have lifting places formed in it, which make it possible to lift it for entry into and exit from the frame.

The controller may further comprise a stopper to prevent the plates from pivotally moving beyond the open position. The stopper may comprise a damper or shock absorber.

The plates, when used, may extend horizontally in the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Despite any other options that relate to the airflow regulator type blinds, defined in the section "Summary of the invention", the following are described as examples of specific embodiments of the controller, with reference to the accompanying figures, which depict the following:

Figure 1 is a front view of a louvre type adjuster;

figure 2 is a front view of a controller module of a type of blinds for use in the controller shown in figure 1;

Figures 3A and 3B, respectively, depict schematic views of a louvre type controller in closed and open configurations, and the effect of the weight mechanism intended for the controller is illustrated;

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a weight mechanism according to Figure 3;

figures 5 and 6, respectively, show front and plan views of a regulator frame with lowering boards, suitable for accommodating one or more regulator modules of the type of blinds;

Figures 7A and 7B, respectively, show side schematic views of the inlet and outlet regulators of the blinds type in the mine channel, and the effect of the air wave and ventilation air flows is shown;

figure 8 is a side schematic view of two plates of an exhaust regulator of the type of blinds in a closed configuration and the air wave and ventilation forces acting on it;

Figure 9 is a front perspective view of a louver type controller module;

figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the module according to figure 9;

figure 11 is a perspective fragment of a module according to figure 9;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a fragment of Figure 10;

figure 13 is a rear view of another controller module type blinds;

figure 14 is a side fragment of an inclined mechanism for the module according to figure 13;

figure 15 represents the front fragment of the inclined mechanism for the module according to figure 13;

figure 16 is a side fragment of an inclined mechanism according to figure 15;

figure 17 represents the front fragment of the mounting mechanism for the module according to figure 13;

figure 18 represents the front fragment of the mounting mechanism and the lifting element for the module according to figure 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Regulators with lowered boards are used to control the air flow to underground mines and are usually located inside (or at the entrance / exit) of the so-called mine adits. These adits are usually located on each side of the ore body and are a series of adits for air inlet (entrance) and a number of adits for air return (exhaust). When blasting or creating an air wave in the vicinity of known controllers with lowering boards, they can be damaged and become ineffective if the boards are not removed.

At present, shutter-based controllers have been developed to eliminate the drawbacks of controllers with lowered boards, including the large weight of the lowered boards and significant labor and time costs for moving the boards. These blind-based regulators provide the ability to control the air flow in the mine channels, as well as the ability to adapt to excessive air pressure (for example, as a result of close blasting or an air wave in the face) and then return the louvre plates. Thus, there is no need to dismantle the regulator before blasting in the face or creating an air wave. In addition, blind type controllers can be controlled remotely (for example, from a control room located on the surface of a mine) to control normal levels of air flow in the mine channels.

For re-equipment at the location of the frames used for regulators with lowering boards, blind-based modules were proposed (Example 2) as a means of reducing material costs and installation time.

The first functionally complete design (example 3) of the blinds was proposed, which includes manually controlled mechanisms for adjusting the louvre plates. It was noted that due to the nature of manual control mechanisms in some applications in mines, this design could be jeopardized with significant and / or closely conducted blasting operations in the face, which led to bursting excess air pressure, causing permanent damage to permanent blinds. For example, if the louvre plate is locked in the installed position (for example, in a partially or fully open position), it may be damaged due to the turbulent, non-laminar nature of the air flow that may pass behind it as a result of blasting in the face and an air wave (that is, due to the force acting on the plate of the blinds against its blocking).

A second functionally completed design of blinds was proposed (Example 4), which includes self-regulating blind plates without manual control and can be used in mines and is resistant to significant and / or closely performed blasting operations in the face. In this case, the self-adjusting louvre plates can be rotated in response to the turbulent, non-laminar air flow that passes behind them, and they can be controlled independently during normal air flow situations (i.e., kept in a number of settable positions).

In figures 1-4 schematically shows a controller 10 of the type of blinds, designed to be installed at the mine channel or inside it (for example, in adits for air inlet and outlet). The controller 10 contains many different sized plates 12, 14 and 16 blinds. Although vertical louvre plates can be used in the controller, typically in operating conditions, the plates 12, 14 and 16 generally extend horizontally.

The controller 10 according to figure 1 contains two modules in the form of blinds having eight smaller plates 12, two modules having seven middle plates 14, and two modules containing four large plates 16. In addition, several plates can be removed in one of the lower modules (or oversized) for the possibility of installing a door in them that provides access.

Each louvre plate is adapted so that at opposite ends it can be mounted rotatably in the corresponding frame 20 (Figure 2) to form a module. In this case, each louvre plate can rotate around a longitudinal axis between a closed or partially open position in which the louvre plates will be combined to block or restrict the gas flow through at least a part of the channel and an open position in which gas (usually air) can easy to pass between the louvre plates and the channel.

The same louvre type module can be used in both intake and exhaust tunnels, although the intake modules may require significantly less tilt than the exhaust modules (as described below).

As shown in figures 3 and 8, axis A can be offset with respect to the longitudinal central axis of each louvre plate. In fact, the axis can be in the shaft 22 attached to the front of the louvre plate and near its lower edge when using an edge (Figure 3) or to the rear of the louvre plate and close to its upper edge when using an edge (Figure 8).

In the case of the arrangement according to figure 3, the louvre plates do not overlap each other in the closed position, while in the case of the arrangement according to figures 7 and 8 in the closed position, the plates are superimposed (i.e., the lower edge and the rear side of the upper louvre plate are superimposed top edge and front side of the bottom plate of the blinds).

The overlay arrangement is particularly convenient for inlet louvers, since it leads to compaction due to pressure on the front sides of the ventilation air louver plates in the duct (Figure 7A). The layout without overlapping (figure 3) can be used for exhaust shutters. However, as indicated above, and on the basis of expediency, the same modules are usually used in the locations of both the inlet and outlet regulators such as blinds.

As shown in figure 1, the frame 20 of the modules can be installed in a larger frame 30 located in the shaft channel transverse to it. A series of fixing fingers or anchor bolts 32 extend from the frame 30, and each of them is adapted to be attached to adjacent walls (usually in them) of the shaft channel. In this case, the fingers or bolts are attached to the wall, after which the formwork is attached to the fingers or bolts. Then cementing binder 34 is sprayed onto the formwork (for example, shotcrete containing reinforcing steel fibers) to cover fingers or bolts.

Typically, the frame 30 is also fastened in front (not shown) by means of ties / struts. For example, the frame may have strong struts at the floor level in the form of two horizontal struts at the module joints. Two braces can extend upward at 45 ° from the floor level to the midpoint of the frame to give vertical bending resistance. Both groups of braces can be connected and bolted to the floor, and both groups can have finger-fastened connections to the module frame. Braces can absorb a large number of shocks acting on the frame during blasting / airborne waves.

Alternatively, the frame 20 of the modules can be installed in an existing frame 40 for lowering boards (figures 5 and 6), which can already be located in the channel across it.

In the controller according to the invention, an inclined mechanism is used to act on each louvre plate. During operation, each plate is held in position by an inclined mechanism until blasting operations in the working face begin, an air wave, etc. will occur, which causes a pre-determined air flow acting on the plates (for example, corresponding to a given air pressure or overpressure )

Figure 3 shows that one such inclined mechanism contains a weight device that can act on each plate of the blinds and tends to cause it to rotate to a predetermined (closed) position (Figure 3A). The weighing device comprises a weight rod 50 connected to each louvre plate through respective lever arms 52 extending from the respective connecting hinges 54. The connecting hinge 54 is connected to the end of each louvre plate, and when it is rotated by a linkage, the corresponding plate will rotate about axis A In this case, the connecting hinge 54 can be connected to the end of each louvre plate in the same place as the rotary support of the plate at the shaft 22 (that is, it can be centered on axis A).

In figure 4, the weight rod 50 is presented in more detail. In fact, the rod may contain U-shaped channels 56 facing each other with their opposite sides, attached to each other on each side of the lever arms 52. An adjusting ballast 58 can be installed within each or both of the U-shaped channels 56, and the ballast is adjusted in the response to the air flow / pressure to which the louvre plates will be subjected during their operation (for example, pressure drops caused by an air wave, air pressure drops at the inlet and outlet louvers, etc.).

In any case, under the influence of gravity, the weight rod 50 is shifted downward on the lever arms 52 to rotate and hold each louvre plate in a predetermined (closed) position (Figure 3A). As soon as the set air flow / pressure is reached (directly on the left side of the louvre plates according to Figure 3), the plates will be displaced by air to rotate to the open position and now act on each lever arm 52 opposite to the weight of the weight rod 50 (Figure 3B). When the predetermined air flow / pressure drops, the weight of the rod 50 is again shifted downward on the lever arms 52 to rotate and return each louvre plate to a predetermined position.

The predetermined position can also correspond to the partially open position of the plate, and in this case, the rod 50 through the lever arms 52 can rotate and return each plate of the blinds to its position, and this position, in turn, can be determined by one or more appropriately positioned stoppers, acting on the rod, lever arm (s) and / or plate (s).

The weighing device may also contain two or more spaced weight rods, and when there are two weight rods, they can be located on each side of the louvre module.

As a first alternative to the weighing device (or as an addition to the weighing device), a spring mechanism can be used that forces each louvre plate to rotate to a predetermined position. The spring mechanism may contain one, several, or a corresponding spring for each plate. A spring (springs) pulls each louvre plate to a predetermined position, however, at a given air flow, the louvre plates act on the spring (s) and stretch it when each louvre plate moves to the open position.

The spring (s) can act between the frame and the lever arms or the weight rod, or the corresponding spring can act on each plate of the blinds to displace it to a predetermined position. For example, each spring can pass between the frame and the attachment point located on the louvre plate at or near the front or rear edge of the plate.

Each spring may be a coil spring (e.g., steel), leaf spring, etc. The tension of each spring can also be adjusted.

At a given air flow / pressure, the louvre plates act on the spring (s) and stretch it when each plate is rotated to the open position, while the spring (s) returns each plate to a predetermined position when the air flow / pressure decreases.

In figures 9-17 similar positions are used to denote identical parts and a louver module 60 is shown containing a frame 62 that can be fixed in a larger frame (for example, in a larger frame 30), while a large frame is usually pre-installed in the shaft channel across .

The module 60 contains four large plates 64 of blinds, each of which has a support shaft 65 attached (for example, welded) to its rear part, and the opposite ends of the shaft 65 are pivotally attached to the corresponding parts of the frame 62 (figures 12 and 13). Each louvre plate can rotate around a longitudinal axis passing through the shaft 65, between a closed or partially closed (partially open) position in which the louvre plates are combined to block or restrict gas flow through the module, and an open position in which gas can easily pass between louvre plates.

The frame 62 further includes two lifting sleeves 66 in its base member 68 for receiving teeth. In each of the lifting sleeves 66, a corresponding fork of the forklift truck can enter to allow the module to be lifted and transferred to or from the larger frame.

As shown in figures 10, 12 and 17, each of the side elements 70 of the frame 62 has four spaced apart sleeves 72 under the mounting fingers attached to them by steel brackets 74 from the corner. Each sleeve accommodates a corresponding mounting finger 76, designed to slide in it. A release bolt 78 is attached to the finger 76, which protrudes laterally from the finger to move in a groove 80 formed in the sleeve 72. The groove 80 ends at the two locking slots 82 and 83 to adapt to any changes of the larger frame when it is installed module.

Each mounting pin is slidable to extend beyond the periphery of the frame 62 and can be locked in this extended position by moving the bolt 78 into one of the two locking slots 82 and 83. Thus, when the module is located in a larger frame (for example, by means of a forklift truck) The extension of the fingers secures the module to a larger frame. Subsequently, the retraction of the mounting fingers provides the ability to separate the module from the larger frame. This created a quick and durable tool for mounting and dismounting each module.

According to figures 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, an inclined mechanism for acting on each louvre plate is provided behind the protective cover plate 84, connected in such a way that it extends upward from the base frame member 68. During operation, each plate is held in a predetermined (for example, closed) position by means of an inclined mechanism, until blasting operations begin in the face, an air wave, etc., occurs, which leads to the action of a given air flow A (Figure 14) on plates (in this case, the air flow corresponds to a predetermined pressure (gauge pressure) of air).

Figures 14 and 15 show that the tilting mechanism comprises a gas strut 86. The strut 86 has a housing 88 with a stem 90 connected to the frame base member 68 of the finger mounting device 92. The housing 88 is moved upward along the rod 90 by the gas pressure in the strut to offset it relative to the frame 62 (in the direction of the arrow F in figure 15). This movement tends to tilt the self-closing mechanism.

In this case, as best shown in figures 15 and 16, the upper end of the housing 88 has upwardly extending ears 94 attached to it, and each ear has a through hole. Between the ears 94 is placed passing down the ear 96, also having a through hole. The ears 94 are connected to the eyelet 96 by means of a locking pin 98. The eyelet 96 extends downward from the plate 100, which, in turn, is connected to the lever rod 102 for adjusting the louvre plates (as described below).

To control the amount of closing the louvre plates, an adjustment mechanism has been created. This mechanism contains opposing, spaced apart guide rods 104, each of which has a plurality of holes 105 passing through it.

Each rod 104 is also connected to the base frame member 68 at a corresponding finger mounting device 106 and extends upward from it and through the openings in the plate 100. Thus, the rods can facilitate the movement of the guide plate up and down. The adjusting finger 108 is inserted through a selected one of the holes 105 of each rod 104 for passing between the rods, which is best shown in figure 15. The finger 108 is located above the plate 100 and, therefore, limits its movement upwards, when such movement occurs due to the pushing effect of the gas struts up on the stove. Since the plate is connected to the lever rod 102 for adjusting the louvre plates, the degree of closure of the louvre plates can be controlled by the corresponding arrangement of the adjusting finger 108.

Figures 10 and 11 show an embodiment of the adjusting finger 108. An elbow 109 extends from the finger, which can pass through a subsequent overlying hole 105. The retaining bracket 109A can fasten the end of the knee in a certain position for securing the finger 108 in a proper place.

In this case, the lever rod 102 is pivotally connected to the device 110 in the form of a double bracket (which is best shown in figure 13). Each of the double brackets in the device 110 is rigidly fixed at one end (for example, by welding), adjacent to the upper edge of the corresponding plate 64 of the blinds. The opposite end of each of the double brackets has the ability to rotate around the finger 112, passing through the hole (for example, 114) at the lever rod 102.

Thus, when each of the louvre plates is open at least in part of the path (for example, due to an increase in air pressure in the channel), the gas strut acts to self-close the plates to move the strut body 88 upward. This results in an upward displacement of the plate 100, which simultaneously slides the lever rod 102 upward, causing upward rotation of the double-bracket device 110 (i.e., around the longitudinal axis of the shaft 65 of the louvre plate). This ensures that each plate 64 of the blinds is moved back to a predetermined (for example, closed) position, after which the gas strut tends to hold each plate of the blinds in this position. However, the finger 108 can be applied in different places along the rods 104, so that the plate 100 engages with the finger, thereby stopping the movement of the louvre plate to a fully closed position (such a locking resistance is shown in figure 15 by the arrow S). Consequently, finger 108 can be used to hold the louvre plates in a partially closed (partially open) position. For example, the finger 108 can be applied when it is desirable or necessary to provide some or normal / natural level of flow, for example, air in the channel in which the module 60 is applied.

Arrow A in figure 14 depicts the set and achieved air flow / pressure, with the plates 64 being offset by the air flow to rotate (in the direction of arrow P in figure 14) to an open position. This causes the lever rod 102 to move (via the double bracket device 110 and the plate 100) opposite the force F of the gas strut, causing the strut body 88 to move along the rod 90 in a lower direction. When the set air flow / pressure drops, the gas strut pushes the stove 100 again and therefore the lever rod 102 up to rotate and return each louvre plate to a predetermined position (partially or completely closed).

Since gas struts can be interchangeable, different self-closing forces can be selected based on the specified strut specifications. The spacer itself can also be adjustable, so that it can only be compressed as soon as a certain air pressure is reached (for example, when performing blasting operations or an air wave in the face).

Typically, the controller includes a control mechanism for separately and independently controlling the position of each louvre plate during normal air flow control in the mine channel (for example, to control the flow of air that is not generated by the explosion). In this case, the inclined mechanism does not interfere with the control mechanism during such normal control of the air flow. The control mechanism does not interfere with the opening of the louvre plates at a given air flow or the return of the plates by an inclined mechanism to a predetermined position. In other words, these mechanisms operate independently of each other.

The control mechanism can be adjusted manually, or it contains a control mechanism with remote control. In the control mechanism with remote control, actuators are used that are electrically actuated and controlled remotely by a fiber-optic communication system located on the surface of the shaft to regulate the plates in order to install them in a predetermined position. Actuators can act in conjunction with air flow meters located at each location of the regulator, with the operator typically performing remote control of the plates to obtain the desired air flow under normal operating conditions in the mine.

The manual adjustment mechanism can provide for the regulation of many positions of the plates, while the louvre plates can be held in a number of different positions using the locking finger (s). However, such regulation must be performed locally by the operator.

The controller typically comprises a stopper in the form of a damper or shock absorber to prevent / limit the pivoting movement of the plates beyond the open position (usually the fully open position of the plates). A damper or shock absorber can be provided for each plate, or, in addition, one or more dampers or shock absorbers can be installed to act on the weight bar or on the lever arms. Each damper or shock absorber can dampen the movement of one or more rapidly turning plates under the influence of an air wave.

EXAMPLES

Next will be described non-limiting the invention of the implementation of regulators based on the blinds.

EXAMPLE 1 - NEW BLINDS DESIGN

In the design of the new blind-type regulator shown in Figure 1, first, anchor bolts were installed in the shaft wall. Then the fingers, consisting of steel sections of a hollow rectangular profile, were cut into pieces, welded to the anchor bolt and then welded to the larger frame of the regulator. At each attachment point, two fingers or staples were used, one directly along the line with the frame and one extending to it at 45 degrees to provide a farm-like effect.

Formwork was then attached to the fingers / bolts and the shotcreting process took place (usually the process of spraying concrete in a wet state, with concrete containing steel reinforcing fibers). A standard frame to meet structural requirements usually requires 5 cubic meters of concrete.

The applicant noted that the time for the manufacture of a blind type controller according to figure 1 in many mines can take up to three work shifts of 12 hours each (a significant amount of time for downtime), while the costs of creating a controller with a new environment from shotcrete will also be significant. Thus, for many mines (especially existing mines) it would be easier to simply install separate modules in each locally available controller.

EXAMPLE 2 - MODERNIZING INSTALLATION OF BLINDS APPLICABLE TO FRAMES DESIGNED FOR RUNNING BOARDS

Instead of replacing the existing design from the lowering boards, blind-type modules were designed that could be installed, for example, in the known regulator frame with lowering boards, which has six partitions.

Figures 5 and 6 schematically depict a portion of the steel frame 40 of the controller with lowering boards, to which modules such as blinds can be attached. The known frames are constructed from UC30 profile 150 and contain three vertical partitions 60, each of which was divided into upper and lower half by horizontal partitions 62. In some of the examined frames of regulators with lowering boards, there were no partitions, however, they were easily welded in the proper place .

Further, in each frame of the regulator with the lowering boards, wood panels are removed and six modules 20 of the blind type are located inside the frame. However, before placing these modules inside the frame, four tabs were welded to the sides of each module to pass through the slots in the regulator frames, after which the modules were lowered for installation inside the existing frame. Any gaps could be covered by a steel covering plate.

Five of the frames were fully provided with plates, and the sixth (lower right-hand section) contained a door for people to pass, installed together with several plates of blinds (as an option, changed in length, width, etc.).

The advantage of using the modules was the possibility of their quick and easy removal (for example, for repair, replacement) and the possibility of installing them inside an existing frame in the mine.

EXAMPLE 3 - FIRST TEST BLIND TYPE CONTROLLER

The original design of the louvre type test regulator used a conventional airflow control mechanism, using manual locking of the louvre plates in each module via lever rods for a rigid manual plate adjustment mechanism (in which, however, a motorized drive could also be used).

Before blasting in the working face, the plates were moved to the fully open position and locked in place. The design of the test louvres was subjected to several explosions, while it was noted that the closest explosion led to damage to the plates and mounting shafts for mounting the plates. During testing, when blasting in the working face took place at the same level as the blinds, the plates and mounting shafts were damaged in such a way that the module was brought intooperative.

During the tests, it was also noted that the air wave during explosions within the surrounding levels subjected the louvre plates to forces from other directions (for example, arising from adits). Although minimal flow resistance was demonstrated under the influence of an air wave, the vortex effect of turbulent air subjected the plates and attached linkages to excessive pressure, potentially causing damage.

In this regard, the use of regulators containing the regulation of the louvre plates through manual control was recognized as more limited.

EXAMPLE 4 - SECOND TEST BLINDS TEST REGULATOR

As discussed in Example 3, the initial design of a test blind-type controller, including manual adjustment of the shutter plates, did not satisfy all the working conditions inside the shaft and, as was noted, probably causes damage at some stage, which leads to inoperability. A second test design for a louvre type regulator was developed, which was designed to minimize damage to the louvre plates, attached linkage gears and frame structure. This design was designed to reduce the initial impact on the frame to which the components are attached.

Moreover, in this design, the plates (and any linkage) are able to move freely during the explosion and did not absorb as much energy as the system with manual fixing of the plates. Consequently, the plates were self-adjusting.

In the design solution and the construction of this design, the following design distinctive features were developed.

1. The turning point of the louvre plates was located as close to the front edge as possible (the edge closest to the air flow from the inside of the adjacent face), so that during blasting operations in the face, damage was minimized. For plates hanging freely and located close to each other, the pivot point was also located close to the front edge.

2. The design of the plate created a low resistance to the passing air, so that energy losses were minimized.

3. The louvre plates were self-adjusting, so that before blasting in the face, the personnel responsible for ventilation in the mine should not have to make any adjustment to the louvers.

4. Plates inside a louvre-type module rotate freely on their shafts and can independently close under ventilation pressures in the shaft (excluding excessive pressures during an explosion).

5. The plates were made heavy enough to facilitate movement to a predetermined position (closed or partially open) opposite to the effect of ventilation pressures.

6. The required weight was different for controllers such as louvers located close to the inlet channels, compared with controllers located close to the outlet channels.

7. There was no restriction on the plates with respect to the possibility of full opening (for example, to the horizontal) from the set position (set - closed or partially open) during blasting operations, and the plates were lowered back (fell) to the set position even after additional opening by explosion .

8. A pre-installed guide (such as a stopper) was not firmly attached to the linkage of the plate.

9. The frame of the blinds was fastened in front, when during operation there was no access to the communications system at the back (or inside the adit).

10. If necessary, an option is possible with one of the operated bottom modules with hinge fastening to provide user access through a regulator such as blinds.

11. The plates can be independently connected to an actuator (for example, using an engine drive) to control the normal air flow in the adit.

EXAMPLE 5 - OUTLET AND INLET CONTROLLERS OF TYPE OF BLINDS

In figures 7A and 7B, respectively, schematically presents controllers such as blinds, subjected to inlet and outlet pressure. The typical maximum ventilation pressure inside any adit, as was noted, reaches 2000 Pa (at the maximum fan pressure in the upper part of the adit, as shown). This pressure was released when air passed through the adit and / or when the airways separated. This pressure was used to design the louvre plates.

In the case of an inlet regulator of the louvre type according to FIG. 7A, the air flow in the working face lifted the louvre plates, while the ventilation air pressure sought to close the plates.

In the exhaust louvers according to FIG. 7B, both the air wave in the face and the ventilation air pressure lifted the plates to the open position. Therefore, the weight of the plates and, if necessary, additional weight loading and / or spring inclination were used to counteract the lifting of the louvre plates under the pressure of ventilation air and keeping them in the set position. To further facilitate the self-closing of the plates, a plate design was applied in which the pivot point of the plate was located towards its upper edge, and the plate was tilted so that the weight component of the plate limited the airflow, and the plate weight distribution was carefully considered.

EXAMPLE 6 - STRUCTURE OF THE BLINDS PLATE

Calculations were carried out to determine the possibility of using the weight of the louvre plates that resist the strength of the ventilation air. In the calculations, the assumption was made that the shaft of the plate is offset to its upper part, and the plates are located next to each other in an inclined configuration (figure 8).

The calculations were performed for a plate whose width was 475 mm and which was made of a sheet 8 mm thick and, for simplicity, 1 meter long. An assumption was made that the plate was welded to a shaft with a diameter of 30 mm with a displacement of 100 mm, while setting the overlap for each pair of adjacent plates of 100 mm. It was suggested that the centers of the plate shafts are 375 mm apart. It has been suggested that the design of the deflectable plates should withstand ventilation pressure of the order of 2 kPa without opening. The following calculations were made:

plate weight = 0.008 × 0.475 × 9800 N = 360.3 N.

In figure 8, deflectable plates are shown attached to a shaft with a diameter of 30 mm, centered on axis A. In figure 8:

F _S is the resulting force of the steel plate;

F _v1,2 - action forces on the plate due to ventilation exhaust air.

The air pressure was decomposed into equivalent forces around the pressure line as shown.

F _v1 = 0.275 × 1 × 2000 = 550 N (lever arm 137.5 mm);

F _v2 = 0.100 × 1 × 2000 = 200 N (lever arm 50.0 mm).

By means of decomposition points around the shaft center A, it was determined whether the force of the plates was sufficient to close when counteracting the ventilation pressure.

Moreover, M _A = 365.3 [N] × 21.93 [mm] + 200 [N] × 50 [mm] = 18 kN · mm.

Thus, the ventilation pressure on the plate below the shaft must withstand the moment M _A. The moment due to ventilation pressure on the part of the plate below the shaft was:

= 550 [H] × 137.5 [mm] = 75.625 kN · mm.

An imbalance of about 57.6 kN must be overcome to hold the plates in position. The following options were considered as probable solutions:

1. the addition of a solid block of 40 mm square steel to the tip of the plate (but this was calculated to provide only an additional 7.845 kN · mm),

2. the displacement of the plate by another 50 mm from the pivot point A (but this was calculated to add only one more moment of the order of 50 × 365.3 = 18.27 kN · mm).

Thus, as shown by the calculations, an increase in the weight of the plates and / or an increase in the pivot arm of the plates was not enough to overcome the ventilation pressure of the air. In addition, since the edges of the plates are sealed relative to the frame, the amount of displacement was accordingly limited. As was noted, the centralization of pivot point A balanced the ventilation pressure on the plate, however, further the plates could be damaged during blasting / air waves in the face.

Therefore, a solution was developed, which is described in general terms with respect to figure 3, namely, the location of the balancing load on each module from the adits, while the load is attached to the plates by means of the corresponding lever arms. In this case, the plates were held in position at normal ventilation pressures.

Usually steel weights were used. An option was also investigated that included giving direction to a steel load and moving it up and down inside the pipe. To fulfill the aforementioned function, a return spring mechanism was also indicated, with the possibility of adjusting the tension being advantageously provided.

It was indicated that additional experiments had to be performed to measure the pressure plot over time under the effects of industrial blasting at the test site. Software had to be compiled to describe the forces acting on each component of the blinds at any given angle of the plates or at any given time. The software should have a time plot of pressure as input for any case of overpressure.

EXAMPLE 7 - CONSTRUCTIVE SOLUTION OF THE OUTLET REGULATOR OF THE BLIND TYPE

In figures 3A and 3B, the exhaust shutters are schematically shown. This design was based on the introduction of a weight that can counteract the ventilation pressure of 1000 Pa acting on 300 × 1200 mm plates (approximate size of the louvre module). The total mass of each weight rod on opposite sides of the module was 54 kg (a rod located on one side of the blinds could have a weight of approximately 108 kg).

During the operation of the exhaust louvers, it was noticed that when the louvre plates opened, the air flow resistance decreased (that is, the lever arm was effectively shortened), while each plate was easier to open the more it was opened. In this case, there was a tendency to reduce the impact of an air wave on the plates and the structure as a whole.

It would be ideal for the weight of the connecting rod to be adjustable (for example, by using ballast). In addition, since there was a tendency to accelerate the plates when they were closed, the design of the regulator must be evaluated for impact on the master mechanism.

EXAMPLE 8 - MANUFACTURE OF PLATES, MODULES AND BLINDS FRAME

Each louvre plate was formed of painted, mild low-carbon steel (350 grade steel). The steel blinds were painted after sandblasting. Frames were shaped in this way. A two-component epoxy paint (Joatacoat 605) was used to provide effective corrosion protection. It was found that such paint allows to obtain satisfactory results in underground mines, where the known ventilation control devices painted with such paint did not require updating for a period of about six years.

316 stainless steel was used for the shafts of the blinds, and nylon bushings were used in the places where the plates were installed.

Design Specifications

The louvre modules were designed to control airflow from the surface to the galleries, which serve up to six or seven levels within each part of the shaft. Each plate, module and frame of the blinds was characterized by the following factors

Designed to withstand airborne pressure of the order of 5 psi (34 kPa)

provided the ability to manually adjust the operator without any help;

had a hole size of 4.5 meters in height and 3.5 meters in width;

had a modular design, the configuration of which could be changed;

allowed gunning in place;

allowed to carry out remote control;

not exposed to soil movement during installation;

had resistance to corrosion (for example, to vapors of mineralized water present in the air passing down);

it made it possible to choose the option of controlling pairs of modules, while, for example, three actuators could fully open or completely close the louvre plates, additional control devices could be added to the actuators to control the increasing air flow.

Blinds Modules

A louvre type regulator usually contained six removable modules of the same size, each with a group of horizontal plates, for ease of removal and replacement of damaged modules (see figure 1). For safe removal of each module, lifting ears were provided.

In the option with manual control, the horizontal plate of the blinds could be installed in a large number of positions. In this case, the louvre plates in each module could be adjusted, and they could be locked in the following positions: open, closed by 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and in the fully closed position.

The louvre frame could also be welded to the existing steel frame of the regulator with lowering boards, however, each such case required careful consideration and measurement to determine the possibility of compatibility.

Blind automation

Automatic (and remote) control of the plates in each frame with the louvre plates was achieved through the use of Tuso double-acting electrical actuators, which use a gear rack and gear, while the gear was connected to the louvre plates using connecting rods. These actuators allow easy remote control. Actuators have an anodized aluminum housing for protection against corrosive environments. Three actuators were mounted on a horizontal frame that separated each pair of louvre modules.

EXAMPLE 9 - ADVANTAGES OF THE REGULATOR BASED ON BLINDS

In a self-adjusting blind type controller, the following was provided:

employees involved in ventilation did not have to adjust the blinds before and after blasting in the face;

the plates oscillated freely from the air wave during blasting in the face;

the plates returned to their original (predetermined) positions after blasting in the face;

the returned plates remained in the set position during normal ventilation flow in the shaft and in the closed position provided better sealing performance than the known regulators, especially with overlapping plates;

plate modules could be built into existing regulator frames with lowering boards;

regulators suitable for use in corrosive salt environments have been created, requiring minimal maintenance.

When using an adjusting mechanism with a self-adjusting blind type regulator, there is no need for its direct attachment to the controls of the louvre plates, and it could contain a simple mechanism.

Although specific embodiments of the design of a controller of the type of blinds have been described, it should be understood that the controller can be in the form of many other forms.

Claims (14)

1. An air flow regulator such as a louvre for a mine channel, comprising a plurality of louvre plates adapted to be mounted in a frame and rotated about a longitudinal axis between a predetermined position, in which the louvre plates are combined to close or limit part of the channel, and an open position for air passage between the louvre plates and through the channel, an inclined mechanism for acting on each louvre plate in such a way that when using each louvre plate is adapted to be held in a predetermined position and until a predetermined air flow to the plates is reached, the inclined mechanism is a spacer mechanism capable of acting on each louvre plate to rotate it to a predetermined position and representing a gas strut connected to a lever mechanism acting on the louvre plates to move them into a predetermined position, while at a given air flow, the louvre plates are capable of acting on a linkage mechanism that is capable of acting on a gas strut when moving each plate blinds to an open position. 2. The controller according to claim 1, in which the predetermined position of the plates corresponds to the closed or partially open position of the plates, and the open position corresponds to the fully open position of the plates. 3. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, in which the connection between the gas spacer and the lever mechanism is made with the possibility of regulation so that the louvre plates are able to fully or partially close under the action of the gas spacer. 4. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control mechanism for separately and independently controlling the position of each louvre plate during normal air flow in the shaft channel, while the inclined mechanism does not interfere with normal air flow control and the control mechanism does not interfere with the opening of the louvre plates at a given air flow or return of the plates with an inclined mechanism to a predetermined position. 5. The controller according to claim 4, in which the control mechanism comprises a manual control mechanism or an adjustment mechanism with remote control. 6. The controller according to claim 5, in which actuators are actuated electrically and remotely controlled via a fiber optic communication system in a remote-controlled adjusting mechanism. 7. The controller according to claims 1, 2, 5, 6, further comprising a plurality of mounting fingers / bolts extending from the frame and intended for fastening with respect to the adjacent wall of the mine channel. 8. The controller according to claim 7, in which the fingers are used to fasten the formwork, providing support for applying a cementing binder, while the fingers / bolts, formwork and binder further provide a structural wall for holding the frame in the channel. 9. The controller according to claim 1, in which the frame forms part of the module, many of which are adapted to be installed in a larger frame located in the channel. 10. The controller according to claim 9, in which each module has a plurality of selectively extendable mounting fingers located around its periphery so that when the module is installed in a large channel frame, the extension of the mounting fingers ensures the module is secured to the channel frame, and the removal of the mounting fingers allows separating the module from the channel frame. 11. The controller according to claim 9 or 10, in which each module has places for lifting formed therein, allowing it to be raised for entry into and exit from the frame. 12. The controller according to one of claims 1, 2, 5, 6, 8-10, further comprising a stopper to prevent pivoting of the plates beyond the open position. 13. The controller of claim 12, wherein the stop comprises a damper or shock absorber. 14. The regulator according to one of claims 1, 2, 5, 6, 8-10, 13, in which the plates when used pass in the frame, in general, horizontally.

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