AU2006201660A1 - Valve Control Mechanism - Google Patents

Description

2006 19:37 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o, 50 55 P 4 P/001009 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM Invention Title: The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 062002 COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:37 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 2- O VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM 0- The present invention relates to valves for aerosol Scans and, more particularly, to positive release valves for o aerosol cans for the inflation of borehole plugs.

ci o BACKGROUND

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Typically explosive charges for mining and other 0 C excavation activities, are placed in boreholes. Frequently

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o such charges are supported at some point below the surface, ci that is at some desired depth in the borehole. Inflatable plugs in the form of gas tight bags are used for this purpose. The plug is lowered to a desired depth and inflated such that it becomes firmly engaged with the sides of the borehole.

Typically, inflation is by means of an aerosol canister attached to, or located in the bag and arranged so as to discharge its pressurised contents during the descent of the bag down the borehole.

A common problem experienced with such arrangements is that in some situations the bag can inflate too quickly.

For example, because aerosol gasses are temperature sensitive, on a hot day the gas passes from the canister at an accelerated rate, causing the plug to lodge at a point higher than intended. Alternatively, inflation may be so slow that the bag needs to be retained at a desired level COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:37 Wall in ton-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 6 3 k u by means of an attached line for an undesirably long 0 C< period.

e- It is an object of the present invention to address or o at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

ci BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 0 Accordingly, in a first broad form of the

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invention, there is provided an aerosol canister control 0 C mechanism for inflation of a borehole plug; said control

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Smechanism including a control member adapted for movement between a retracted non-discharging state and an advanced discharging state; said control member urging a discharge nozzle of said canister into said discharging state by a lateral movement of said control member relative said discharge nozzle; said mechanism adapted to discharge a pressurized gas from said canister to exhaustion.

Preferably, said mechanism further including a support structure attached to an upper rim of said canister; said support structure provided with opposing slots adapted for sliding movement of said control member; said sliding movement being in a direction normal to the axis of said canister and said discharge nozzle.

Preferably, said control member is provided with leading and trailing wedge formations; each said wedge formation rising from a first lower level to a detent structure; said detent structure provided with a detent notch.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:37 Wallin ton-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 7 -4 IO Preferably, respective said wedge formations are 0-q resiliently urged into contact with upper edges of Srespective said opposing slots by a spring.

0 (C Preferably, said lateral movement of said control member from said retracted state to said advanced state drives an 0

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O underside of said control member downwardly; downward

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o movement of said underside progressing as said contact of ci NO said wedge formations with said upper edges of said slots C-i changes from said first lower level to said upper level.

Preferably, each said detent notch is brought into engagement with respective said upper edges of said opposing slots when said control member is moved to said advanced discharging state; said engagement retaining said control member in said discharging state.

Preferably, said control member is further provided with an orifice passing from said underside of said control member to an upper side; said orifice located between said leading and said trailing wedge formations; said orifice aligned with the axis of said canister and said discharge nozzle when said control member is in said advanced discharging state.

Preferably, said mechanism further provided with an intermediate member between said discharge nozzle and said underside of said control member; said intermediate member COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:38 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No,5055 P. 8 5

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u provided with at least one orifice for passage of said rC pressurised gas at a predetermined rate.

Preferably, said intermediate member comprises a cylinder 0 C< open at a first end; said first end adapted to fit over an outer end of said discharge nozzle; an opposite closed end 0 NO of said cylinder provided with one said orifice for passage

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o of said pressurized gas from said canister; said orifice ci NO aligned with said orifice in said control member when said Ci control member is in said discharging state.

Preferably, said intermediate member comprises a sliding elongate bar provided with said at least one orifice; said elongate bar arranged for sliding movement below said control member; an upper surface of said elongate bar in contact with said underside of said control member..

Preferably, said control member and said sliding elongate bar are arranged at right angle one to another.

Preferably, said sliding elongate bar is urged upwardly by spring means so as to leave a clearance between an underside of said elongate bar and said outer end of said discharge nozzle when said control member is in said retracted non-discharging state- Preferably, said at least one orifice in said elongate bar provides for passage at a predetermined discharge rate of COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:38 Wai ington-Dummer Sydney No 50 55 P 9 6 SN said pressurised gas from said canister when said control member is in said discharging state.

Preferably, each of said at least one orifice comprises a C-i lower aperture at said underside of said elongate bar; said lower aperture adapted to accept said outer end of said 0 NO discharge nozzle; each of said at least one orifice further

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o comprising an upper aperture in communication with said

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O lower aperture; said upper aperture sized to control C-i discharge of said pressurised gas at said predetermined rate.

Preferably, said intermediate member is provided with at least three orifices; each respective one of said orifices provided with a graded upper aperture; each said graded upper aperture providing one said predetermined discharge rate of said pressurised gas; and wherein each of said at least three orifices is selectively brought into alignment with said discharge nozzle of said canister by a sliding movement of said intermediate member.

Preferably, said control member provides a downwardly compressive force to said intermediate member, when said control member is slid from said non-discharging state to said discharging state, so as to cause a selected said lower aperture to engage said outer end of said discharge nozzle; said intermediate member depressing said discharge COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:38 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 7

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O nozzle so as to release said gas retained in said canister to pass through said at least one orifice.

Preferably, said support structure comprises a hollow body formed as a cap attached to said upper rim of said canister; said opposing slots provided in opposite sides of \O said cap for retention of said control member.

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0 NC- Preferably, said support structure comprises a ring base

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O attached to said upper rim of said canister; opposing pairs of posts rising from said base ring with each pair of said pairs of posts bridged by a bridging member so as to form opposing slots for retention of said control member.

Preferably, said support structure is further provided with a pair of opposing openings in sides of said support structure; said opposing openings arranged at right angles to said opposing slots; said sliding elongate bar projecting through said opposing openings.

In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided an aerosol canister control mechanism for inflation of a borehole plug; said control mechanism including a control member adapted for movement between a retracted nondischarging state and an advanced discharging state; said control member urging a discharge nozzle of said canister into a deflected discharging state by a lateral movement of said control member relative said discharge nozzle; said COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:38 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 11 8 sO mechanism adapted to discharge a pressurized gas from said ri canister to exhaustion.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is rC provided a method for the discharge to exhaustion of a pressurised gas from a canister for inflation of a borehole NO plug; said method including the steps of:

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(C attaching a control mechanism to an upper rim

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o of said canister, ci changing the state of a control member of said mechanism from a first non-discharging state to a discharging state, and wherein said control member urges a discharge nozzle of said canister into said discharging state by a lateral movement of said control member relative said discharge nozzle.

Preferably, said control mechanism is provided with an intermediate member interposed between said discharge nozzle and an underside of said control member; said intermediate member provided with at least one orifice for passage of said pressurised gas at a predetermined rate.

Preferably, said intermediate member is a sliding bar provided with at least three graded orifices adapted for passage of said pressurised rate at graded discharge rates.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:38 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 12 9 o Preferably, said method including the further steps of: ci moving said sliding bar to a selected position wherein one of said at least three graded orifices is in Ci alignment with said discharge nozzle, o 5 moving said control member from said non-

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discharging state to said discharging state.

ci VO In still a further broad form of the invention, there is 0 provided a variable control mechanism for gas flow from an aerosol canister for inflation of a borehole plug; said mechanism including a control member acting transversely to a discharge nozzle of said canister; said control member arranged to urge said discharge nozzle between a deactivated state and an activated state; said mechanism further including an intermediate member provided with graded orifices adapted to provided variable flow rates between a gas retained in said canister and said borehole plug.

Preferably, said mechanism further comprises a support structure engaged with an end of said .canister; said support structure slidably retaining said control member in a pair of opposing slots.

Preferably, said discharge nozzle comprises a generally cylindrical, partially hollow body closed at a lower end COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:39 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 13 10 Va

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N and open at an upper end; said body arranged for sliding rC reciprocal motion through a sealing member in an end wall Sof said canister; said discharge nozzle urged outwardly to o a limiting position by resilient means when said control ci member is in said deactivated state.

0 -NO Preferably, said discharge nozzle is provided with at least

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oone orifice in a wall of said partially hollow body; said ci u at least one orifice positioned at a point preventing rC passage of gas from said canister through said at least one orifice when said discharge nozzle is in said deactivated state.

Preferably, at least a proportion of said at least one orifice is exposed to said gas in said canister when said discharge nozzle is urged inwardly from said deactivated state to said activated state; said variable flow of said gas from said canister a function of said proportion of said at least one orifice.

Preferably, said at least one orifice comprises a slot aligned with said axis of said generally cylindrical, partially hollow body.

Preferably, said at least one orifice comprises a series of holes arranged in a line and aligned with said axis of said generally cylindrical, partially hollow body.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:39 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o, 50 5 P 14 11 SO Preferably, said at least one orifice comprises a series of Ci holes arranged as a portion of a helix.

Preferably, said control member is provided along an 0 Ci underside of said member with a wedge shaped structure; S said wedge shaped structure adapted to engage and depress 0 NO said discharge nozzle when said control member is urged to

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O slide longitudinally through said pair of opposing slots.

ci SPreferably, a portion of an upper surface of said control ci member is provided with a plurality of detent grooves adapted to engage with an upper limit of one of said pair of opposing slots so as to maintain a selected degree of inward urging of said discharge nozzle.

In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for controlling a rate of inflation of a borehole plug by control of a flow of gas from a canister attached to said plug; said method including the steps of: determining the depth at which said borehole plug is to be situated within said borehole, estimating a time required for lowering said plug to said depth, selecting a setting of a flow rate control mechanism attached to said canister.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:39 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 12 SN Preferably, said control mechanism comprises a discharge g nozzle providing variable flow means between a gas retained O in said canister and said plug, and a control member o arranged to control said discharge nozzle between a ci deactivated state and at least one activated state.

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Ci BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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O Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a part sectioned side view of a valve control mechanism according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention shown in a first deactivated state, Figure 1A is a sectioned view of a typical aerosol gas release valve, Figure 2 is a part sectioned end view of the valve control mechanism of Fig. 1, Figure 3 is a further view of the valve control mechanism of Fig. 1 shown in a second activated state.

Figure 4 is a part sectioned side view of a valve control mechanism according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention shown in a first non-activated state, Figure 5 is a further view of the valve control mechanism of Fig. 4 shown in a second activated state, COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:39 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No,5055 P. 16 13 No Figures 6A to 6C show forms of a discharge valve ci component of the second preferred embodiment.

Figure 7 is a sectioned side view of a further example o of a valve control mechanism according to the first ci preferred embodiment when in a non-discharging state, Figure 7A is a sectioned end view of the valve control

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mechanism of Fig. 7, Figure 8 is a sectioned side view of the valve control INO omechanism of Figs. 7 and 7A when in a discharging state, ci Figure 9 is a perspective view of the control mechanism of Figs. 7, 7A and 2, Figure 10 is a sectioned side view of a third preferred embodiment of a valve control mechanism when in a non-discharging state, Figure 11 is a part sectioned view of the embodiment of the valve control mechanism of Fig. 10 when in a discharging state, Fig'ure 12 is a perspective view of the control mechanism of Figs. 10 and 11, Figure 13 is a sectioned side view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a valve control mechanism when in a non-discharging state, Figure 14 is a sectioned side view of the valve control mechanism of Fig. 13 when in a discharging state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by 1P Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 Ap r 266 06 19 39 Walli ngton-Dummer Sydney NHo-5605 5 17 -14- SN First Preferred Embodiment ci With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, in a first preferred embodiment of the invention a valve system 10 comprises a o Support structure 12 in the form of a hollow cap attached to the upper rim of an aerosol canister 14. Aerosol canister 14 in this embodiment is provided with a standard aerosol gas release valve 16, retained in the end wall 17 of canister 14.

o Release valve 16, as shown in Fig. IA, comprises a generally cylindrical, partially hollow nozzle 1.8, open at its upper end 20, and urged upwardly into a limiting position by a spring 22 when in a deactivated state. When nozzle 18 is depressed vertically downwards, an orifice 19 passes below the level of seal 23 thereby allowing pressurized gas 24 to pass through orifice 19 and eject from open end Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, support structure 12 is adapted to retain a sliding control member 26 and an intermediate member 25 in pairs of opposing slots 11L and 13 respectively in the sides of support structure 12.

Intermediate member 25 and sliding control member 26 are disposed at right angles one to the other and normal to the axis of canister 14. They are so arranged that sliding control member 26 slides over the upper surface 28 of the intermediate member 25, and conversely, so that intermediate member 25 may slide under sliding control COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:40 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 18 15 NO member 26, as indicated by arrow A and B in Figs. 1 and 2 0' respectively. Intermediate member 25 and sliding control Smember 26 are biased upwardly, for example by a spring (not o shown), so that the lower surface of intermediate member ci is just clear of nozzle 18; the upward movement of sliding 0 control member 26 being limited by the upper limits of

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slots 11.

0 N As best seen in Fig. 2, intermediate member

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Scomprises an elongate bar provided with a plurality of orifices, three in the example of Fig. 2) 27A, 27B and 27C, each of which is adapted to engage with the outer end 20 of nozzle 18 but which have a gradation of outlet openings in the upper surface 28 of intermediate member 25. Each gradated opening of orifices 27A to 27C may be calibrated for a desired rate of flow and length of time of exhaustion of gas from canister 18. Intermediate member 25 may be slid laterally to select any one of the three orifices 27A to 17C to align with nozzle 18. Positive locations may be provided, for example by detent grooves (not shown) in upper surface 28 of sliding control member 25, adapted to engage with a suitable projection downwardly (not shown) from sliding control member 26.

As best seen in Pig. 1, sliding control member 26 is provided with wedge formations 30A and 30B, rising from a first lower level to an upper level, at which detent areas are provided with detent notches 31A and 31B along the COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:40 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 19 16 O upper edges. Detent notches 31A and 31B are arranged to c- retain said sliding control member 26 in the position shown Sin Fig. 3.

o Comparing now Figs. 1 and 3, it will be understood ci that when sliding control member 26 is driven from the 0 position shown in Fig. 1 in the direction of arrow A to

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that shown in Fig. 3, its underside is progressively driven 0 N downwardly and consequently, intermediate member 25 will be

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Sdriven downwardly to firstly engage and then depress nozzle ci 18 thus releasing gas 24 from canister 14. Sliding control member 26 is provided with orifice 34 arranged such that when detent formations 31A and 31B engage the upper edges of slots 11 of support structure 12, as shown in Fig. 3, orifice 34 is aligned with the selected orifice 27A, B or

C.

A further example of a valve control mechanism according to this first preferred embodiment is shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 in which like features are numbered alike, and in which the support structure comprises a base ring with opposing pairs of vertical posts, each pair bridged by a cross member to provide opposing slots analogous to the slots 11 depicted in Figs. 1 and 3.

Second Preferred Embodiment With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, a support structure 112 is similarly attached to the upper rim of an aerosol COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:40 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 17 oD canister 114. A control member 126 is slidably retained in (Nq support structure 112, passing through slots 1lIA and ilB.

The underside of control member 126 is provided with a o wedge structure 128 arranged so that when control member 126 is driven from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 5, wedge structure 128 causes discharge

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nozzle 118 to be depressed vertically downward.

0 N The upper side of control member 126 is provided with

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oa plurality of detent grooves 131 for engagement with the upper inside edge of slot IlIA. By this means, control member 126 and wedge structure 128, may be retained against the spring biasing of nozzle 118, at any degree of depression of nozzle 118 within the range provided by the form of wedge structure 128.

Control member 126 is further provided with elongate slot 130 arranged so that when wedge structure 128 depresses nozzle li8 sufficient for gas to flow from canister 114, the gas will pass through slot 130 and thence through aperture 132 in support structure 112.

Aerosol canister 114 is in this embodiment provided with a modified nozzle 118 according to one of the preferred forms shown in Figs. 6A to 6C. In contrast to the typical valve nozzle described in the first preferred embodiment above, nozzle 118 is provided with at least one orifice which allows a rate of gas to pass from the COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:40 WallIinglon-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 21 -18 S canister depending on the degree of depression of the ci nozzle 118 relative to seal 123.

In a first preferred form of the orifice shown in Fig.

o 6A, an array of small holes 119 is arranged in a vertical line in the wall of nozzle 118. The further nozzle 118 is then depressed relative to seal 123, the more holes will be

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available to pass gas 124 from the canister 114. It will be 0 N ~clear that the holes need not be aLl1 the same size, for O example increasing in size from the smaller at the bottom of the array to the larger at the top, so that the f low of gas increases exponentially with depression of the nozzle.

In a further preferred form, the orifice in the wall of nozzle 118 may be in the form of a slot 120 as shown in Fig- 63. The flow' of gas thus increases with the length of slot exposed to gas 124 below seal 12.3, In yet a further preferred form, the orifices may again take the form of small holes 119 but in this example arranged in a spiral formation as shown in Fig. SC. This formation allows for an increasing flow of gas for relatively small depressions of nozzle 118.

Third Preferred Embodiment With reference to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, in a further preferred embodiment of a 'valve system for the release of pressurised gas from a canister 214 into a borehole plug (not shown), a discharge control mechanism 200, is attached to the upper rim 211 of the canister 214, Mechanism 200 COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:41 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 22 19 SO again includes a sliding control member 226 configured in a ri similar manner to that of control member 26 of the First e3 Preferred Embodiment described above. Thus sliding control o member 226 has a flat underside 227, and an upperside ci arranged with leading and trailing wedge formations 230A 0 and 230B, rising up to respective leading and trailing

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detent structures 231A and 231B. Detent structures 331A and 0 N' 331B are provided with detent notches 232A and 232B

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0 respectively at their upper edges.

ci Sliding control member 226 is retained in a support structure 212 which may be in the form of a cap provided with a pair of slots in opposite sides of the cap as previously described. Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, structure 212 may consist of a ring base 234 attached to the rim 211 of the canister 214 and provided with opposing pairs of support posts 235 and 236 rising from the ring base 234. Each pair of support posts 235 and 236 is bridged by a cross member 231 and 233 respectively, to provid slots 237 and 238 through which sliding control member 226 projects, and which are adapted to allow sliding movement of sliding control member 226 between a retracted non-discharging state as shown in Fig. 10 and an advanced discharging state as shown in Fig. 11.

The leading and trailing wedge formations 230A and 230B are resiliently urged into contact with the upper edges 240 and 241 of slots 237 and 238 by the spring-loaded COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2-APr- 2606 19:41 Walli ngton-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 23 20 o discharge nozzle 218 acting via an intermediate member 225 Cl interposed between the nozzle 218 and the flat underside 227 of sliding control member 226. The separation of the o detent notches 232A and 232B of leading and trailing detent structures 231A and 213B, is equal to the distance between 0 the upper edges of the two slots 237 and 238. A discharge orifice 240 through sliding control member 226 is located midway between notches 232A and 232B.

0N o The lateral movement of sliding control member 226 through the opposing slots 237 and 238, between its retracted position shown in Pig. 10, and its advanced discharge position shown in Fig. 1a is limited by a shoulder 241 at the leading end of the control member, and by the control tab 242 at the other- Thus in its retracted state, shoulder 241 of sliding control member 226 abuts the outer edge of cross. member 231, and when sliding control member 226 is fully advanced, the leading edge 244 of control tab 242 is in contact with the outer portion of support post 236. In this latter, advanced discharge state of sliding control member 226, the notches 232A and 232B engage with the outer and inner edges respectively of cross members 231 and 233 respectively.

Discharge orifice 240 is then aligned with the axis of the discharge nozzle 218 of canister 214 as shown in Pig. 11 Intermediate member 22S in this embodiment, is in the form of a short cylinder open at its lower end with a bore COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by P1 Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:41 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 24 21 O adapted to fit over the end of discharge nozzle 218, and C provided at its closed upper end with a central orifice 242 Sto allow passage of gas discharging from nozzle 218. To Sprovide for varying rates of flow under different operating conditions, mechanisms may be fitted with any of a range of \O intermediate members, which have various sizes of orifice

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242.

0 ND Gas may be discharged from canister 214 by urging Ssliding control member 226 from its retracted position ci shown in Fig. 10 to its advanced position shown in Fig. 11.

This movement of the sliding control member 226 forces the flat underside 227 of the control member 226 downwardly as the wedge formations 231A and 231B are driven against the undersides of cross members 231 and 233. The underside 227 of control member 226 thus presses against intermediate member 225 and consequently against the discharge nozzle 218, depressing it to release gas from the canister 214.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment With reference to Figs. 13 and 14, in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a canister 314 of pressurised gas for the inflation of a borehole plug (not shown), is fitted with a discharge control mechanism 310.

The discharge nozzle 316 of canisters for which the present control mechanism is intended are those discharge nozzles which are brought into an active discharge state by a lateral deflection of the nozzle.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:41 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 22

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N Control mechanism 310 comprises a support structure Cl 312 adapted for attachment to the upper rim 313 of a Scanister 314, and a sliding control member 326. In this o embodiment also the sliding control member 326 is supported ci in, and projects through opposing slots 315 and 317 in 0 support structure 312. The sliding control member 326

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comprises an elongate generally flat bar 320 provided with 0 N an aperture 322 which is adapted to loosely engage with the

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o upper end of discharge nozzle 316. The aperture 322 is arranged in a lower and an upper section 323 and 324 (as shown in the inset of Fig. 13) with a diameter of the lower section 323 somewhat larger than the diameter of the nozzle 316, and with the diameter of the upper section 324 somewhat smaller than that of the nozzle.

By this means the upper end of nozzle is captured within the lower section 323 of the aperture while ensuring that the upper surface of sliding control member 326 is retained against the upper edges of opposing slots 315 and 317. Preferably, as an aid in urging sliding control member 326 into contact with the upper edges of the slots 315 and 317, sliding control member 326 may be made of a somewhat flexible material.

Sliding control member 326 is further provided with leading and trailing wedge structures 328 and 329, and a handle tab 330. It will be seen from Fig. 13 that the artangement of the aperture 322, the wedge structures 328 COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 20.4rr. 2006 19:42 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No-5055 P. 26 23 O and 329 and the handle tab 330, that with the sliding (C control member 326 in a retracted state, the discharge Snozzle 316 is in a vertical non-discharging state. The o wedge structures 328 and 329 are then respectively just clear of the inside edge of slot 315 and the outside edge \O of slot 317.

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when now the sliding control member 326 is pushed by 0 O means of handle tab 330 into the discharge state shown in 0 SFig. 14, the discharge nozzle 316 is deflected and the ci wedge structures 328 and 329 have been driven through the respective slots 315 and 317. The vertical trailing edges 332 and 333 of the wedge structures are then locked against the outer edge of slot 315 and the inner edge of slot 317 thereby retaining the sliding control member 326 and discharge nozzle 316 in the discharging state.

In Use In use, the control mechanism of any one of the above described embodiments is attached to the canister which is contained within the borehole plug (not shown). Prior to lowering a plug into a borehole, the mechanism of the present invention can be manipulated through the flexible sides of the still deflated bag of the plug.

In the first embodiment described above, a user selects an appropriate orifice of intermediate member COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:42 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 27 24 O for alignment with the discharge nozzle 18, and drives sliding control member 26 to the detent position.

For the second embodiment, a user drives the control o member to a desired detent position within the range of detent positions provided, O For the third and fourth embodiments the sliding

NO

control member is driven to its advanced discharge 0 CN position, and in effect the control mechanisms act as

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Sswitch between the non-discharge status and the discharge status of the discharge valve.

In each case the plug is then lowered into the borehole. The retention of the sliding control member ensures that the discharge nozzle remains depressed so that discharge from the canister continues until it is exhausted.

For the first two preferred embodiments in which various levels of discharge are provided for, selection of a discharge rate may be made with reference to a guide chart, for example where input arguments may include characteristics of the borehole, the estimated lowering time and ambient temperature.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20

Claims (1)

1. 51. An aerosol canister control mechanism for inflation of a borehole plug; said control (Ci mechanism including a control member adapted for movement between a retracted non-discharging IO state and an advanced discharging state; said o control member urging a discharge nozzle of said c\ NO canister into said discharging state by a lateral 0 Ci movement of said control member relative said discharge nozzle; said mechanism adapted to discharge a pressurized gas from said canister to exhaustion. 2. The mechanism of claim 1, said mechanism further including a support structure attached to an upper rim of said canister; said support structure provided with opposing slots adapted for sliding movement of said control member; said sliding movement being in a direction normal to the axis of said canister and said discharge nozzle. 3. The mechanism of claim 1 or 2 wherein said control member is provided with leading and trailing wedge formations; each said wedge formation rising from a first lower level to a COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:42 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No-5055 P. 29 26 O detent structure; said detent structure provided 0 C( with a detent notch. 4. The mechanism of claim 3 wherein respective said CA wedge formations are resiliently urged into contact with upper edges of respective said NO \O opposing slots by a spring. 0 Ci 5. The mechanism of claim 4 wherein said lateral NO o movement of said control member from said retracted state to said advanced state drives an underside of said control member downwardly; downward movement of said underside progressing as said contact of said wedge formations with said upper edges of said slots changes from said first lower level to said upper level. 6. The mechanism of claim 4 or 5 wherein each said detent notch is brought into engagement with respective said upper edges of said opposing slots when said control member is moved to said advanced discharging state; said engagement retaining said control member in said discharging state. 7. The mechanism of claim 5 or 6 wherein said control member is further provided with an orifice passing from said underside of said COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:42 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 27 control member to an upper side; said orifice (C located between said leading and said trailing Swedge formations; said orifice aligned with the Saxis of said canister and said discharge nozzle when said control member is in said advanced discharging state. NO o 8. The mechanism of any one of claims 5 to 7 said C<O mechanism further provided with an intermediate Ci member between said discharge nozzle and said underside of said control member; said intermediate member provided with at least one orifice for passage of said pressurised gas at a predetermined rate. 9. The mechanism of claim 8 wherein said intermediate member comprises a cylinder open at a first end; said first end adapted to fit over an outer end of said discharge nozzle; an opposite closed end of said cylinder provided with one said orifice for passage of said pressurized gas from said canister; said orifice aligned with said orifice in said control member when said control member is in said discharging state. COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:43 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 31 28 O 10. The mechanism of claim 8 or 9 wherein said C( intermediate member comprises a sliding elongate eA bar provided with said at least one orifice; said o elongate bar arranged for sliding movement below ci said control member; an upper surface of said Selongate bar in contact with said underside of VO said control member.. IN 11. The mechanism of claim 10 wherein said Ci control member and said sliding elongate bar are arranged at right angle one to another. 12. The mechanism of claim 10 or 11 wherein said sliding elongate bar is urged upwardly by spring means so as to leave a clearance between an underside of said elongate bar and said outer end of said discharge nozzle when said control member is in said retracted non-discharging state. 13. The mechanism of any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein said at least one orifice in said elongate bar provides for passage at a predetermined discharge rate of said pressurised gas from said canister when said control member is in said discharging state. 14. The mechanism of claim 12 or 13 wherein each of said at least one orifice comprises a lower COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:43 Wall nston-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 32 29 O aperture at said underside of said elongate bar; 0 C( said lower aperture adapted to accept said outer Send of said discharge nozzle; each of said at o least one orifice further comprising an upper aperture in communication with said lower \O aperture; said upper aperture sized to control \O discharge of said pressurised gas at said 0 O predetermined rate. 0 C 15. The mechanism of any one of claims 8 to 14 wherein said intermediate member is provided with at least three orifices; each respective one of said orifices provided with a graded upper aperture; each said graded upper aperture providing one said predetermined discharge rate of said pressurised gas; and wherein each of said at least three orifices is selectively brought into alignment with said discharge nozzle of said canister by a sliding movement of said intermediate member. 16. The mechanism of claim 14 or 15 wherein said control member provides a downwardly compressive force to said intermediate member, when said control member is slid from said non-discharging state to said discharging state, so as to cause a selected said lower aperture to engage said outer COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:43 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 33 30 IN end of said discharge nozzle; said intermediate 0 C( member depressing said discharge nozzle so as to Srelease said gas retained in said canister to o pass through said at least one orifice. 17. The mechanism of any one of claims 2 to 16 0 \O wherein said support structure comprises a hollow o body formed as a cap attached to said upper rim Sof said canister; said opposing slots provided in Ci opposite sides of said cap for retention of said control member. 18. The mechanism of any one of claims 2 to 16 wherein said support structure comprises a ring base attached to said upper rim of said canister; opposing pairs of posts rising from said base ring with each pair of said pairs of posts bridged by a bridging member so as to form opposing slots for retention of said control member. 19. The mechanism of any one of claims 10 to 18 wherein said support structure is further provided with a pair of opposing openings in sides of said support structure; said opposing openings arranged at right angles to said COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:43 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 34 31 I*O opposing slots; said sliding elongate bar Cl projecting through said opposing openings. An aerosol canister control mechanism for C(l inflation of a borehole plug; said control mechanism including a control member adapted for O \NO movement between a retracted non-discharging Sstate and an advanced discharging state; said \o Scontrol member urging a discharge nozzle of said 0 Cl canister into a deflected discharging state by a lateral movement of said control member relative said discharge nozzle; said mechanism adapted to discharge a pressurized gas from said canister to exhaustion. 21. A method for the discharge to exhaustion of a pressurised gas from a canister for inflation of a borehole plug; said method including the steps of: attaching a control mechanism to an upper rim of said canister, changing the state of a control member of said mechanism from a first non-discharging state to a discharging state, COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:43 Wal I ington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 32 O and wherein said control member urges a discharge C( nozzle of said canister into said discharging state by e L a lateral movement of said control member relative o said discharge nozzle. ci 22. The method of claim 21 wherein said control mechanism 0 VO \0 is provided with an intermediate member interposed o between said discharge nozzle and an underside of said ci o control member; said intermediate member provided with 0 Ci at least one orifice for passage of said pressurised gas at a predetermined rate. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein said intermediate member is a sliding bar provided with at least three graded orifices adapted for passage of said pressurised rate at graded discharge rates. 24. The method of claim 23 said method including the further steps of: moving said sliding bar to a selected position wherein one of said at least three graded orifices is in alignment with said discharge nozzle, moving said control member from said non- discharging state to said discharging state. COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:44 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No 5H55 P. 36 S33 CNO 25. A variable control mechanism for gas flow fromI an C(N aerosol canister for inflation of a borehole plug; said mechanism including a control member acting o transversely to a discharge nozzle of said canister; said control member arranged to urge said discharge Va nozzle between a deactivated state and an activated O state; said mechanism further including an V\ intermediate member provided with graded orifices Sadapted to provided variable flow rates between a gas retained in said canister and said borehole plug. 26. The mechanism of claim 25 wherein said mechanism further comprises a support structure engaged with an end of said canister; said support structure slidably retaining said control member in a pair of opposing slots. 27. The mechanism of claim 25 or 26 wherein said discharge nozzle comprises a generally cylindrical, partially hollow body closed at a lower end and open at an upper end; said body arranged for sliding reciprocal motion through a sealing member in an end wall of said canister; said discharge nozzle urged outwardly to a limiting position by resilient means when said control member is in said deactivated state.. COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:44 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 37 34 O 28. The mechanism of claim 27 wherein said discharge (C nozzle is provided with at least one orifice in a wall of said partially hollow body; said at least one Sorifice positioned at a point preventing passage of gas from said canister through said at least one k\ orifice when said discharge nozzle is in said VO deactivated state. 0 VO o 29. The mechanism of claim 28 wherein at least a Ci proportion of said at least one orifice is exposed to said gas in said canister when said discharge nozzle is urged inwardly from said deactivated state to said activated state; said variable flow of said gas from said canister a function of said proportion of said at least one orifice. 30. The mechanism of claim 28 or 29 wherein said at least one orifice comprises a slot aligned with said axis of said generally cylindrical, partially hollow body. 31. The mechanism of claim 28 or 29 wherein said at least one orifice comprises a series of holes arranged in a line and aligned with said axis of said generally cylindrical, partially hollow body. 32. The mechanism of claim 28 or 29 wherein said at least one orifice comprises a series of holes arranged as a portion of a helix. COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:44 Wa lington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 38 35 33. The mechanism of any one of claims 26 to 32 wherein C( said control member is provided along an underside of 3 said member with a wedge shaped structure; said wedge O shaped structure adapted to engage and depress said ci discharge nozzle when said control member is urged to O slide longitudinally through said pair of opposing NO slots. VO o 34. The mechanism of any one of claims 26 to 33 wherein a Ci portion of an upper surface of said control member is provided with a plurality of detent grooves adapted to engage with an upper limit of one of said pair of opposing slots so as to maintain a selected degree of inward urging of said discharge nozzle. A method for controlling a rate of inflation of a borehole plug by control of a flow of gas from a canister attached to said plug; said method including the steps of: determining the depth at which said borehole plug is to be situated within said borehole, (b)estimating a time required for lowering said plug to said depth, selecting a setting of a flow rate control mechanism attached to said canister. COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20 2006 19:44 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.5055 P. 39 36 D0 36. The method of claim 35 wherein said control 0- mechanism comprises a discharge nozzle providing Q- variable flow means between a gas retained in o said canister and said plug, and a control member ci arranged to control said discharge nozzle between Sa deactivated state and at least one activated VO NO state. ci INO 37. A mechanism for discharging a pressurised gas for 0- inflation of a borehole plug as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 20 April 2006 Moore Management Partnership Pty Limited and MTI Products Pty Ltd by their Patent Attorneys: ATLLINGTON-DMMER COMS ID No: SBMI-03364487 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:47 Date 2006-04-20