CPC Definition - Subclass E21F

Last Updated Version: 2020.05
SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
Definition statement

This place covers:

Auxiliary machines and methods specifically adapted for use in underground mines or in tunnels.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Breathing aids for curative purposes

A61H 31/00

Respiratory apparatus

A62B 7/00

Breathing apparatus for accidentally buried persons

A62B 33/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Machines for cutting, slitting or dislodging

E21C

Tunnel excavating machines

E21D 9/00

Ventilation of mines or tunnels; Distribution of ventilating currents (ventilating rooms or spaces in general F24F)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Ventilation of mines or tunnels.

Distribution of ventilating currents.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Ventilating rooms or spaces in general

F24F

{Ventilation of traffic tunnels (during construction E21F 1/04 - E21F 3/00)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Specific modes of longitudinal or transversal flow to ensure the renewal of fresh air inside the tunnel:

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Evacuation of fumes caused by a fire:

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References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Details of air ducts

E21F 1/04

Ventilation of traffic tunnels during construction

E21F 1/04 - E21F 3/00

Ventilators

E21F 1/08

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Preventing escape of fumes using a central system

B08B 15/002

Railway stations

B61B 1/00

Railway tunnels

B61B 13/10

Means permanently installed along the road for removing or neutralising exhaust gases

E01C 1/005

Ventilation arrangements in connection with air ducts, e.g. arrangements for mounting ventilators ({E21F 1/003 takes precedence}; ventilators in general F04D)
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Construction of ventilating ducts when the type of ventilation is determined by the ducts themselves.
  • Mounting of ventilators:

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References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Ventilators in general

F04D

Special rules of classification

If the ventilation is for traffic tunnels, then the document is classified in E21F 1/003

Air doors ({E21F 1/003 takes precedence; air locks E21F 1/145; dam doors E21F 17/12}; doors in general E06B)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Doors that can impede air circulation into a gallery, and can be opened when air circulation is necessary.

Safety doors for avoiding the extension of a fire or of smoke.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Air locks

E21F 1/145

Dam doors

E21F 17/12

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Doors in general

E06B

Special rules of classification

If the ventilation is for traffic tunnels, then the document is classified in E21F 1/003

Air partitions; Air locks ({E21F 1/003 takes precedence}; dams E21F 17/103; air locks for foundations E02D)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Fixed or adjustable constructions to regulate the flow of air into a gallery or among multiple galleries:

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References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Air locks for foundations

E02D

Special rules of classification

If the ventilation is for traffic tunnels, then the document is classified in E21F 1/003

Shaft covers
Definition statement

This place covers:

Covers for ventilation shafts.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Surface sealing of wellbores

E21B 33/02

Lining of shafts

E21D 5/00

Cooling or drying of air (air-conditioning rooms or spaces in general F24F)
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Air-conditioning rooms or spaces in general

F24F

Means or methods for preventing, binding, depositing, or removing dust {(in combination with mining machines E21C 35/22)}; Preventing explosions or fires (dams E21F 17/103; applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces in general B05)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Reduction of dust in a mining atmosphere. Any means that can help prevent a fire from starting or from spreading.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Fire extinguishing equipment

A62C

Fire protection in buildings

E04B 1/94

Dust control in combination with mining machines

E21C 35/22

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Dams

E21F 17/103

Applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces in general

B05

Rock dusting of mines; Depositing other protective substances
Definition statement

This place covers:

Prevention of fires caused by ignition of coal dust and gas. A rock dust usually made of crushed limestone is sprayed to keep down the levels of coal dust.

Fluid barriers or rock dusters made to work by, or at the same time as, shots or explosions
Definition statement

This place covers:

Constructions for confining explosions:

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Drawing-off or depositing dust ({dust-removing while drilling E21B 21/011}; while slitting E21C 35/22)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Removal of dust from a mine atmosphere by using filters, cyclones or similar:

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References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Dust-removing while slitting in mining operations

E21C 35/22

Methods or devices for drawing- off gases with or without subsequent use of the gas for any purpose
Definition statement

This place covers:

Removal of gases for safety purposes

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Production of coalbed methane

E21B 43/006

Gasification of coal underground

E21B 43/295

Devices preventing sparking of machines or apparatus (preventing sparking of electric machines or apparatus H01K, H02K)
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Preventing sparking of electric machines or apparatus

H01K, H02K

Rescue devices or other safety devices, e.g. safety chambers or escape ways (breathing aids for curative purposes A61H 31/00; respiratory apparatus A62B 7/00; breathing apparatus for accidentally buried persons A62B 33/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Systems and operations for protecting workers in an underground environment in case of accidents, for gaining access to the area of the accident, or for bringing the workers to surface or to a safe environment.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Alarm devices

E21F 17/18

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Breathing aids for curative purposes

A61H 31/00

Respiratory apparatus

A62B 7/00

Revival apparatus

A62B 33/00

Transport specially adapted to underground conditions (mine cars B61D; transport in general, loading {unless specially adapted to underground conditions} B65G)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Transport of staff, equipment or extracted rocks or minerals in underground operations. The transport can be vertical, inclined or horizontal. It can be continuous by conveyors or discontinuous by shuttle cars.

This main groups and its subgroups also includes the constructive details of scraper chain conveyors for collecting the coal as it is cut in longwall operations.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Transport in general, loading unless specially adapted to underground conditions

B65G

Removal and transport of material extracted during tunnel excavation

E21D 9/12

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Mine cars

B61D

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Highwall mining

Method of mining by which a train typically formed by a continuous miner and multiple conveyors acting as pushbeams is propelled into a coal seam from the outside

{Crushing devices specifically for conveying in mines}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Crushing

B02C 4/00

{Equipment transport systems}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Transport of machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral

E21C 33/00

{Transport of mined mineral} in galleries
Definition statement

This place covers:

Means for transporting mined material to the surface or to some other point in the mine along one or more galleries:

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References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Gathering at the working face

E21F 13/06

Shifting conveyors or other transport devices from one location at the working face to another (guiding mining machines along conveyors for the cut mineral E21C 35/12; in combination with mine roof supports for step-by-step movement E21D 23/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatuses for moving conveyors along a gallery as the working faces advances. Self-propelled conveyors are also included:

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References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Guiding mining machines along conveyors for the cut mineral

E21C 35/12

Shifting conveyors in combination with mine roof supports for step-by-step movement

E21D 23/00

Methods or devices for placing filling-up materials in underground workings (dams E21F 17/103 {; chocks made of flexible containers filled with backfilling material E21D 15/483})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Materials for filling up mine galleries and cavities. Machines for transporting and for placing the materials. Machines such as mixing bunkers for producing the filling-up materials that are adapted for use in an underground environment.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Dams

E21F 17/103

Chocks made of flexible containers filled with backfilling material

E21D 15/483

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hydraulic cements

C04B 28/02

{characterised by the kind or composition of the backfilling material}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

A method or apparatus specific for use in mines must be disclosed in combination with the composition

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Compositions of mortars, concrete or artificail stone

C04B 28/00

Supporting means, e.g. shuttering, for filling-up materials
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Reinforcing elements for concrete cast in-situ for lining tunnels or galleries

E21D 11/107

Filling-up hydraulically or pneumatically (hydraulic or pneumatic transport devices B65G; pipes, pipe couplings F16L)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Hydraulic or pneumatic transport devices

B65G

Pipes, pipe couplings

F16L

Special rules of classification

This group includes mixing bunkers

Drainage (keeping dry foundation sites or other areas in the ground E02D 19/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Gathering of water surrounding a subterranean formation. Extraction of water to the outside:

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References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Keeping dry foundation sites or other areas in the ground

E02D 19/00

Waterproofing of tunnels

E21D 11/38

Methods or devices for use in mines or tunnels, not covered elsewhere (mine lighting F21, H05B)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Methods or devices for use in mines or tunnels, not covered elsewhere

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Mine lighting

F21, H05B

Tracing profiles of cavities or tunnels

G01C 7/06

Navigational instruments

G01C 21/00

Radar systems

G01S 13/74

Control of position of vehicles

G05D 1/00

Suspension devices for tubes or the like, e.g. for ventilating ducts (supporting pipes, cables or protective tubing in general F16L 3/00 - F16L 7/00)
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Supporting pipes, cables or protective tubing in general

F16L 3/00, F16L 7/00

Installation of cables in walls, ceilings or floors

H02G 3/26

Dams, e.g. for ventilation
Definition statement

This place covers:

Constructions for sealing off underground volumes, such as inactive galleries.

Modification of mine passages or chambers for storage purposes, especially for liquids or gases (storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth B65G 5/00)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth

B65G 5/00

Excavation of large underground chambers

E21D 13/00