Hydraulic elevation apparatus and method

Abstract

The hydraulic transportation apparatus and method of the present invention incorporate a multiple chamber framework internally disposed preferably within at least one single shaft structure, which facilitates movement of object transport containers within the multiple chamber framework. Preferably, fluid elevation is employed to elevate and lower object transport containers and their contents within the multiple chamber framework. Each single shaft structure may be constructed from an existing rehabilitated shaft, or a newly drilled shaft. The present invention may be utilized in vertical or incline lifting environments, and an auxiliary hoist chamber may be incorporated into the multiple chamber framework for use as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, elevating objects by employing fluid elevation. The present invention may be employed in a variety of heavy lifting scenarios, including underground mining or in above ground lifting environments.

1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . An apparatus comprising:
 a transport container containing animate or inanimate objects, or a liquid;   a transportation chamber for transporting the transport container therewithin; and   a location device releasably secured with the transport container to exchange location information of the transport container with a monitoring station.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the location information includes longitudinal, latitudinal, or elevational position of the transport container within the transportation chamber. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the location device further includes:
 a receiver for receiving a location request message including an identification code;   a processing device for storing an unique identification code, determining a location of the location device, comparing the received identification code with the unique identification code, and based on the comparison, generating a location signal; and   a transmitter for transmitting the location signal.   
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the processing device further includes a memory for storing the unique identification code. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus for  claim 43 , further comprising an emergency unit for generating an emergency signal for transmission to the monitoring station upon detection of an emergency situation. 
     
     
         46 . A method comprising:
 transporting a transport container containing animate or inanimate objects, or a liquid within a within a transportation chamber; and   exchanging location information of the transport container between a location device releasably secured with the transport container and a monitoring station.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the location information includes longitudinal, latitudinal, or elevational position of the transport container within the transportation chamber. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , the exchanging of location information further comprises:
 associating an unique identification code with the location device;   receiving at the location device a location request message including an identification code;   determining a location of the location device;   comparing the received identification code with the unique identification code;   generating a location signal, if the received identification code matches the unique identification code; and   transmitting the location signal.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising generating an emergency signal for transmission to the monitoring station upon detection of an emergency situation.