Abstract

A battery powered raise climber system is provided that uses Lithium ion batteries to drive a single or double electric drive for an existing raise climber. The batteries offer a faster, safer, quieter and cleaner way to move workers and their equipment to and from the work face in a raise and eliminates the need for adding lengths of hose as the raise climber ascends and eliminates the emission of harmful inhalants. The battery powered system also enables high efficiency area lighting to be used at the work face, and as the raise climber descends in the raise, the electric drives can reverse operation to recharge the batteries.

IPC Classes  ?

• B66B 17/00 - Hoistway equipment
• B66B 11/04 - Driving gear
• E21F 13/04 - Transport specially adapted to underground conditions in gravity inclinesTransport specially adapted to underground conditions in staple or inclined shafts
• F21S 9/02 - Lighting devices with a built-in power supplySystems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• H02P 3/12 - Arrangements for stopping or slowing electric motors, generators, or dynamo-electric converters for stopping or slowing an individual dynamo-electric motor or dynamo-electric converter for stopping or slowing a DC motor by short-circuit or resistive braking
• H02P 7/00 - Arrangements for regulating or controlling the speed or torque of electric DC motors

Abstract

A side-shift raise climbing system is provided that utilizes a side-cut excavated into the wall of the access drift for a raise in a mine. A transfer section is incorporated into the existing length of rail servicing the raise. The transfer section includes a laterally transferable rail that can be detached from the existing rail and shifted along a set of monorails that extend into the side-cut. The transfer section enables a raise climber, when parked thereon, to be shifted out of the access drift without requiring additional access drifts or parking/nesting areas to accommodate the use of muck removal equipment.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21F 13/04 - Transport specially adapted to underground conditions in gravity inclinesTransport specially adapted to underground conditions in staple or inclined shafts

Abstract

A portable raise climbing system is provided that comprises a starter box for interfacing with an existing raise climb track, a raise climber that is deployed by the system onto the existing track for normal raise excavation operations, and a transporter. The transporter is configured to carry the raise climber from site to site by interfacing with moving equipment. The moving equipment preferably includes a front hydraulic quick connect/disconnect lift system, e.g. front-end loader, forklift, plough, scooptram, etc.

IPC Classes  ?

• B66B 17/04 - Mining-hoist cars or cages
• B66B 19/04 - Installing or removing mining-hoist cars, cages, or skips
• E21F 13/00 - Transport specially adapted to underground conditions