Mine Escape Self-Rescuer System and Method

1 . A self-rescuer system for a first miner and a second miner in a mine having an atmosphere comprising:

a first pressurized the gas cylinder;

a second pressurized gas cylinder;

a first facemask that completely encompasses the first miner's eyes, nose and mouth and encloses the first miner's face so a protected environment within the first facemask is created for the first miner to breathe; and

a connector having a first port which connects with the first pressurized gas cylinder, a second port which connects with the second pressurized gas cylinder, and a third port which connects to the first facemask through which gas from either the first port or second port is provided to the first facemask for the first miner to breath.

2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first facemask has a communication diaphragm to amplify voice.

3 . The system of claim 2 wherein the first facemask is fitted with wireless communication to communicate with others.

4 . The system of claim 3 wherein the connector includes a time or pressure gauge that indicates the time or the pressure remaining in either the first gas cylinder or the second gas cylinder.

5 . The system of claim 4 wherein the first gas cylinder and the second gas cylinder are each fitted with a quick connect fitting for easy connection to or disconnection from the connector.

6 . The system of claim 5 wherein the first gas cylinder and the second gas cylinder are each fitted with a pressure reducing valve so that connection of the first gas cylinder and the second gas cylinder with the connector occurs at low pressure.

7 . The system of claim 6 wherein the first gas cylinder and the second gas cylinder are each fitted with a disposable sling or backpack that is jettisoned with the first gas cylinder or the second gas cylinder when the first gas cylinder or second gas cylinder is disconnected from the connector.

8 . The system of claim 7 wherein the first gas cylinder and the second gas cylinder are each fitted with wireless pressure transducers so pressure in the first gas cylinder or the second gas cylinder can be remotely monitored when either the first gas cylinder or the second gas cylinder are in storage.

9 . The system of claim 8 wherein the first gas cylinder and the second gas cylinder are made of carbon fiber, steel or aluminum.

10 . A method for a first miner in a mine having an atmosphere to breathe in the mine comprising the steps of:

putting a first facemask on the first miner that completely encompasses the first miner's eyes, nose and mouth and encloses the first miner's face so a protected environment within the first facemask is created for the first miner to breathe;

connecting a first port of a connector with a first pressurized gas cylinder, the connector also having a second port which connects with a second pressurized gas cylinder, and a third port which connects to the first facemask through which gas from either the first port or second port is provided to the first facemask for the first miner to breath;

connecting the third port of the connector with the first facemask;

turning on an on off valve of the first air cylinder while in the mine so air flows from the first air cylinder to and through the third port and to the first facemask;

the first miner breathing air in the first facemask from the third port;

connecting the second air cylinder to the second port;

turning on an on off valve of the second air cylinder so air flows from the second air cylinder to and through the third port and to and through the mouthpiece; and

separating the first air cylinder from the first port.

11 . The method of claim 10 including the step of the first miner speaking into the first facemask whose voice is amplified by a communication diaphragm to amplify voice.

12 . The method of claim 11 including the step of the first miner communicating remotely with others through wireless communication fitted to the first facemask.

13 . The method of claim 12 including the step of indicating on a time or pressure gauge the time or the pressure remaining in either the first cylinder or the second cylinder.

14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are each fitted with a quick connect fitting for easy connection to or disconnection from the connector.

15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are each fitted with a pressure reducing valve so that connection of the first cylinder and the second cylinder with the connector occurs at low pressure.

16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are each fitted with a disposable sling or backpack that is jettisoned with the first cylinder or the second cylinder when the first cylinder or second cylinder is disconnected from the connector.

17 . The method of claim 16 including the step of monitoring remotely with wireless pressure transducers attached to the first and second air cylinders pressure in the first cylinder or the second cylinder when either the first cylinder or the second cylinder are in storage.

18 . The method of claim 17 including the steps of the first miner moving in the mine to a recharge station in the mine, and taking from a container at the recharge station the second gas cylinder to connect to the second port of the connector.

19 . A method for a first miner and a second miner in a mine having an atmosphere to breathe in the mine comprising the steps of:

putting a first facemask on the first miner that completely encompasses the first miner's eyes, nose and mouth and encloses the first miner's face so a protected environment within the first facemask is created for the first miner to breathe, the first facemask supporting closed loop breathing and open loop breathing and having a changeover valve to convert from closed loop breathing to open loop breathing, the first facemask having a mouthpiece that is spit out by the first miner when the first facemask is converted from closed loop breathing to open loop breathing;

connecting a first port of a connector with a first pressurized gas cylinder, the connector also having a second port which connects with a second pressurized gas cylinder, a third port which connects to the first facemask through which gas from either the first port or second port is provided to the first facemask for the first miner to breath; and a fourth port which connects with a second facemask on the second miner through which gas from either the first port or second port is provided to the second facemask for the second miner to breath simultaneously while gas is provided to the first facemask;

connecting the third port of the connector with the first facemask;

turning on an on off valve of the first air cylinder so air flows from the first air cylinder to and through the third port and to and through the mouthpiece;

the first miner spitting out the mouthpiece in his mouth and breathing air in the first facemask from the mouthpiece;

connecting the second air cylinder to the second port;

turning on an on off valve of the second air cylinder so air flows from the second air cylinder to and through the third port and to and through the mouthpiece;

separating the first air cylinder from the first port;

connecting the fourth port to the second facemask on the second miner so air from the connector flows through the fourth port to the second facemask; and

the second miner breathing air in the second facemask from the connector simultaneously while the first miner is breathing air from the third port.

20 . A self-rescuer system for a first miner and a second miner in a mine having an atmosphere comprising:

a first pressurized the gas cylinder;

a second pressurized gas cylinder;

a first facemask that completely encompasses the first miner's eyes, nose and mouth and encloses the first miner's face so a protected environment within the first facemask is created for the first miner to breathe, the first facemask supporting closed loop breathing and open loop breathing and having a changeover valve to convert from closed loop breathing to open loop breathing, the first facemask having a mouthpiece that is spit out by the first miner when the first facemask is converted from closed loop breathing to open loop breathing;

a second facemask that completely encompasses the second miner's eyes, nose and mouth and encloses the second miner's face so a protected environment within the second facemask is created for the second miner to breathe, the second facemask supporting closed loop breathing and open loop breathing and having a changeover valve to convert from closed loop breathing to open loop breathing, the second facemask having a mouthpiece that is spit out by the second miner when the second facemask is converted from closed loop breathing to open loop breathing; and

a connector having a first port which connects with the first pressurized gas cylinder, a second port which connects with the second pressurized gas cylinder, a third port which connects to the first facemask through which gas from either the first port or second port is provided to the first facemask for the first miner to breath, and a fourth port which connects with the second facemask through which gas from either the first port or second port is provided to the second facemask for the second miner to breath simultaneously while gas is provided to the first facemask.

21 . A method for a first miner in a mine having an atmosphere to breathe in the mine comprising the steps of:

turning on an on off valve of a first air cylinder while in the mine so air flows from the first air cylinder connected to a first port of a connector to and through a third port of the connector and to a first facemask on the first miner's head;

the first miner breathing air in the first facemask from the third port;

connecting a second air cylinder to a second port of the connector;

turning on an on off valve of the second air cylinder while in the mine so air flows from the second air cylinder to and through the third port and to the first facemask so the first miner is breathing air in the first facemask from the first and second air cylinders; and

separating the first air cylinder from the first port while in the mine.