Mine shaft liner plate system and method

Abstract

A liner plate structure, system and method is provided for lining of mine shaft bores, tunnels and the like. The liner plate structure includes a primary plate portion and at least one flange disposed at a side edge of the primary plate portion. A thermoplastic fusion element extends along an exterior surface of the flange. A liner structure within a shaft or tunnel includes at least first and second liner plate members assembled together, the liner plate members formed of metal plate material having respective metal surfaces in contact with each other along a plate joint. A thermoplastic fusion seal arrangement is located along the plate joint. A method of lining a mine shaft bore includes: providing a plurality of liner plate members, each liner plate member having a curved shape; assembling a first set of liner plate members into a first ring structure; assembling a second set of liner plate members into a second ring structure; mounting the second ring structure in abutting contact with the first ring structure; and forming at least one seal between the first ring structure and the second ring structure.

1 . A liner plate structure for use in lining shafts and tunnels, the liner plate structure comprising:
 a primary plate portion;   at least one flange disposed at a side edge of the primary plate portion, a thermoplastic fusion element extending along an exterior surface of the flange.   
     
     
         2 . The liner plate structure of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic fusion element of the flange is disposed within a recess of the exterior surface of the flange. 
     
     
         3 . The liner plate structure of  claim 2  wherein the thermoplastic fusion element of the flange comprises a multi-layer assembly including at least one thermoplastic fusion layer at the outer side of the recess and at least one elastic polymer layer below the thermoplastic fusion layer for permitting compression of the thermoplastic fusion element within the recess. 
     
     
         4 . The liner plate structure of  claim 3  wherein the thermoplastic fusion layer protrudes slightly above the exterior surface of the flange. 
     
     
         5 . The liner plate structure of  claim 3  wherein at least one electrofusion chord element is embedded within the thermoplastic fusion layer. 
     
     
         6 . The liner plate structure of  claim 2  wherein the thermoplastic fusion element has a width that is less than a width of the recess. 
     
     
         7 . The liner plate structure of  claim 2  wherein a sub-recess is located to one side of the recess. 
     
     
         8 . The liner plate structure of  claim 7  wherein the sub-recess has a depth that is less than the depth of the recess, and the sub-recess has one side edge in communication with the recess. 
     
     
         9 . The liner plate structure of  claim 8  wherein the sub-recess includes at least two spaced apart extensions, each of which extends to an inward facing edge of the flange. 
     
     
         10 . The liner plate structure of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic fusion element includes at least one electrofusion chord element with end portions extending inward through an opening or openings in the flange and terminating at an interior side of the liner plate structure. 
     
     
         11 . The liner plate structure of  claim 2  wherein first, second, third and fourth flanges circumscribe the primary plate portion, each flange has a corresponding recess and electrofusion element, the recesses align to form a circumscribing recess and the electrofusion elements are joined to form a circumscribing electrofusion element. 
     
     
         12 . The liner plate structure of  claim 1  wherein:
 the primary plate portion has a height and length, the length larger than the height, the primary plate portion is curved in the lengthwise direction; 
 a structural member protrudes from an inner side face of the primary plate portion, the structural member extends in the lengthwise direction and is also curved. 
 
     
     
         13 . The liner plate structure of  claim 1  wherein the primary plate portion and flange are both formed of metal plate material, the flange metallurgically welded to the primary plate portion. 
     
     
         14 . The liner plate structure of  claim 1  wherein
 the primary plate portion has a height and length, the length larger than the height, the primary plate portion is curved in the lengthwise direction; 
 first, second, third and fourth flanges circumscribe the primary plate portion, each flange has a first portion extending outwardly beyond an outer side face of the primary plate portion and a second portion extending inwardly beyond an inner side face of the primary plate portion. 
 
     
     
         15 . The liner plate structure of  claim 14  wherein the flanges are welded to the primary plate portion, the first portion of each flange is substantially smaller than the second portion. 
     
     
         16 . The liner plate structure of  claim 1  wherein the primary plate portion includes at least two holes extending from an inner side face to an outer side face of the primary plate portion, each of the holes including threads. 
     
     
         17 . A liner structure within a shaft or tunnel, the liner structure comprising:
 at least first and second liner plate members assembled together, the liner plate members formed of metal plate material having respective metal surfaces in contact with each other along a plate joint; and   a thermoplastic fusion seal arrangement along the plate joint.   
     
     
         18 . The liner structure of  claim 17  wherein
 each metal surface includes a respective recess, the thermoplastic fusion seal arrangement formed by respective thermoplastic fusion elements within each recess, the thermoplastic fusion elements fused to each other. 
 
     
     
         19 . The liner structure of  claim 18  further comprising
 a coating seal material located at an exterior surface of the assembled liner plate members. 
 
     
     
         20 . The liner structure of  claim 19  further comprising
 a grout material located within a spaced between the coating seal material and a wall of the shaft or tunnel. 
 
     
     
         21 . The liner structure of  claim 18  wherein:
 each liner plate member includes a structural member protruding from an inner side face of the liner plate member; 
 an inner liner system connected to the structural members of the liner plate members. 
 
     
     
         22 . A method of lining a mine shaft bore, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of liner plate members, each liner plate member having a curved shape;   assembling a first set of liner plate members into a first ring structure;   assembling a second set of liner plate members into a second ring structure;   mounting the second ring structure in abutting contact with the first ring structure; and   forming at least one seal between the first ring structure and the second ring structure.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the forming step involves energizing electrofusion chord members located on both the first ring structure and the second ring structure. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the forming step includes applying a coating along an exterior surface of the joined first and second ring structures. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22  including
 applying a grout material into a space between the exterior of the joined ring structures and the mine shaft bore. 
 
     
     
         26 . A liner plate structure for use in lining shafts and tunnels, the liner plate structure comprising:
 a primary plate portion having a length and height, the length greater than the height, the primary plate portion further including first, second, third and fourth side edges;   first, second, third and fourth flanges respectively disposed at the first, second, third and fourth side edges, each flange having a plurality openings therein for facilitating connection to another liner plat structure;   a structural member connected to and protruding from an inner side face of the primary plate portion, the structural member extending in the lengthwise direction and located in a central region along the height of the primary plate portion.   
     
     
         27 . The liner plate structure of  claim 26  wherein the primary plate portion includes at least one hole extending from the inner side face to an outer side face of the primary plate portion, the hole including threads for receiving a threaded plug. 
     
     
         28 . The liner plate structure of  claim 27  wherein each flange includes a first flange portion overhanging the interior side face of the primary plate portion and a second flange portion overhanging and exterior side face of the primary plate portion, the overhang of the first flange portion larger than the overhang of the second flange portion.