U.S. Tech & Feds in Chile Mine Rescue

2. That said, we do think it's proper to extend kudos to those American companies and United States government agencies that provided crucial levels of support and strategic consulting. They helped make this operation possible. 1) The U.S. State Department played a key role by putting officials from the Chilean government in touch with government agencies and U.S. and foreign manufactures who were capable of providing  the engineering solutions that led to the successful rescue. 2)NASA,The U.S. Space Agency, had input on three important issues. a) Rescue Pod design. The NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, consulted with 20 of its engineers and eventually provided over 75 design suggestions for the Phoenix II pod, used to hoist the trapped miners to the surface. Part of the skill NASA brought to the project was  experience in "thinking small" and packing a lot of functionality into a small space. The Chilean Navy ,which built the pod, incorporated many of NASA's designs. The pod itself was roughly based on an earlier mine rescue pod used in the 1960s in Germany.   b)  Nutrition, diet and health. A team of NASA physicians and nutritional experts visited the site and provided advice on the types of food that should be sent down to the miners. The food and liquids changed as the rescue date drew closer. NASA also provided advice for clothing capable of regulating blood pressure as the men were raised up the shaft. c) Psychology. A NASA team with experience in behavior health support consulted with the rescue team in Chile, providing advice on everything from finding ways to help the men cope with long-tem confinement in a limited space, to normalizing their sleep patterns. they also gave advice on building a sense of community and ways to deal with the pressure of the public spotlight after they're rescued. 3) The Drill  -  Schramm Inc. of West Chester, PA,  manufactured the specialized drills and equipment used to bore and enlarge the main rescue shaft. The company had personnel at the site for over a month, with rescuers using one of Schramm's  T130XD rigs (it was already in Chile for other operations). 4) The Drill Bits  -  Multiple types of drill bits were used, but specialized bits provided by Center Rock Inc. of Berlin, PA, proved to be particularly useful. The company provided the hardened drill bits used to bore through particularly tough or challenging materials, such as quartzite. 5) The Drilling Operations  -  Crews from the Layne Christensen Company of Wichita, KS, and its subsidiary Geotec Boyles Bros. coordinated the drilling and ran the machinery that was used to bore the holes which initially located the miners. They also operated the specialized drill and equipment used to enlarge one of the holes into a rescue shaft. 6) The Drilling Chief  -  Jeff Hart of Denver, CO, was drilling water wells in Afghanistan for the U.S. Army.  He traveled to Chile and stepped in to help lead the drilling crew that reached the miners. 7) A Little Quick Systems Engineering  -  The Atlas Copco Construction Mining Company of Milwaukee, WI,  provided consulting, via telephone, to help make pressure settings compatible between some of the pieces of drilling  equipment. 8) Emergency Cameras  -  Japanese manufacturers have been rightly credited with providing much of the video equipment used in the rescue. But let's not forget that Aries Central California Video of Fresno, CA, helped design a highly specialized camera (under 2 inches wide) created for use in wells and boreholes. It can navigate through narrow spaces nearly a mile underground.  Back in August it was an Aires camera that sent back some of the first photos of the trapped miners. 9) Health Monitoring  -  Zephyr Technologies of Annapolis, MD, provided special chest straps equipped with sensors. These were used to monitor vital signs as the miners made their ascent in the rescue pod. 10) Shipping and Logistics  -  And let's not forget that UPS, the U.S.-based international shipping company, rushed the delivery of many tons of drilling equipment from the U.S. to Chile. They made multiple trips, moving much of the equipment in under 48 hours. Because the rescue was an international effort, many countries could likely make this type of a list, highlighting the achievements and contributions their own manufacturers and government offices. But right now, this is my list. All Americans should be proud of the technology, skill and dedication that the U.S. brought to the table for this multi-country effort. Both companies and government offices stepped up big time, and they helped make this rescue a reality.

4. List: US Tech, Feds Who Helped Chile Mine Rescue Entry posted Oct 14 by Shawn P. McCarthy , tagged Citizen Satisfaction, North America, Performance Management, Services Management, Shared Services 899 Views, 2 Comments Title: List: US Tech, Feds Who Helped Chile Mine Rescue Entry: The world watched this week as 33 Chilean minors were brought back to the surface of the earth, after being trapped underground for over 69 days. Viewers may not have realized it, but they also watched  American equipment and expertise in action. This list helps recognize those from the U.S. who contributed. First, let's acknowledge that the rescue in Chile was very much an international effort, with dozens of countries providing the people, equipment and know-how that was needed to conduct this complicated rescue operation. Because so many companies, people and groups played key roles, it's not possible for any one country or company to claim the success of the operation rests on their shoulders. Participants from around the globe, speaking multiple languages, provided help and worked successfully as a team. That's the great thing about human nature in a time of crisis.

6. Rescuers drill a new hole with their new Strata 950 excavator at the San Jose mine, Copiapo, Chile, September 2, 2010. The morale of 33 miners trapped in Chile soared Wednesday after music and hot meals were supplied, while NASA advisers praised their 'courage' and provided advice on daylight deprivation, as a rescue drill inched closer. (Martin Mejia/Getty Images)

8. NASA-designed capsule helps free Chilean miners 13 October 2010 | Updated: 13 October 2010 4:39 pm Print Email Share Comments (6) Save Miners trapped for 69 days following the collapse of a shaft at Chile’s San Jose mine are today being transported from their subterranean ordeal in a capsule that has its origins in Germany. So far, 15 of the 33 miners have made the 15-minute journey in the Phoenix II escape pod, one of three designed for the operation by NASA and Chilean Navy engineers. With an inside diameter of 21” (0.5m), a height of 14’ (4.2m) and weighing 420kg, the Phoenix II pod was chosen for the rescue as it is small enough to manoeuvre narrow points and kinks in the shaft. Read more: http://www.theengineer.co.uk/design-engineering/news/nasa-designed-capsule-helps-free-chilean-miners/1005467.article#ixzz13Cue9Ure

9. The design of the pod can be traced to a mining disaster that took place in Germany in 1955 when three miners were trapped in Dahlbusch colliery following an underground fire. Engineers there developed a device that could be dropped into a small borehole and lowered and raised quickly and repeatedly. The three miners were trapped 855m below the Earth’s surface, although a vertical 42m borehole was drilled above them from the next level in the mine. The system that was developed, the Dahlbusch Bomb, had a length of 2.5m and a diameter of 38.5cm and has been deployed numerous times, notably in 1963 when it was used to rescue 11 miners trapped at 58m in the Lengede iron ore mine in Germany. Phoenix II, which will be lowered to a depth of 625m at a speed of 91cm per second, has retractable wheels at the top and bottom of the capsule to aid its journey. Before the ascent the miners are being fitted with a biometric belt so that doctors can monitor vital signs, along with an oxygen mask and a helmet containing two-way communications equipment. Once in Phoenix, a harness straps the miner to the centre of the capsule before being winched to the surface. See Also Read more: http://www.theengineer.co.uk/design-engineering/news/nasa-designed-capsule-helps-free-chilean-miners/1005467.article#ixzz13Cv2FlAX

12. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11133018 1. First, a 33cm pilot hole is drilled down to the miners' location2. Next, the hole is "reamed" with a wider drill to a diameter of between 60 and 70cm. Debris falls down the hole to the bottom3. Thirdly, a rescue capsule is lowered down to the men and each is slowly brought to the surface

15. Maureira suggested his T-shirt idea to José Henríquez after meeting Henríquez's daughter, Hettez, at Camp Esperanza (Hope), where many of the miners' families were holding vigil. Henríquez, one of the trapped miners, became the spiritual leader of the group and conducted nightly Bible studies for the men. (Go to http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=33855 to read a related story about Henríquez)."[The miners] received the [T-shirt] idea with rejoicing," Maureira said. "They had decided to say thank you to God." They even gave input on the design of the shirt.On the back of the shirts was a reference to Psalm 95:4 (NIV): "In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him."

16. Maureira chose that Scripture verse after receiving a letter from Henríquez that included the reference. He wanted the T-shirts to help the miners express thanks to God in a way no one could miss. "God allowed this situation, and the miners are alive by the grace of God," Maureira said. "I think the most important fact was the glory of God in this situation."Along with the T-shirts, Maureira sent the miners 33 MP3 players containing audio versions of the Bible and the "JESUS" film.To Maureira, the miners' decision to wear the shirts is evidence of how he hopes this event will affect Chile.

17. DISCUSS NOW: Is 2nd Coming of Jesus etched in night sky? Photo via catholicnewsagency.comBishops of Chile 'thank God' for keeping miners safe Last Sunday, the Chilean bishops' conference rejoiced upon hearing that the 33 miners trapped in a collapsed copper mine since August 5 are alive and in good spirits, reports Catholic News Agency. The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Chile, Bishop Alejandro Goic Karmelic, released a statement shortly after hearing the news. He noted that “the lives of the 33 miners in Atacama ... should fill us with hope. We share in the joy of so many brothers and sisters in Chile and throughout the world who rejoice at this triumph of life.” Bishop Goic added that “we thank God because his love is made present through creation in marvelous ways.” The bishop thanked the Chilean faithful for their prayers for the successful rescue of the miners. He noted that the incident should be used constructively to improve safety regulations for those who work under dangerous conditions.

18. The bishop thanked the Chilean faithful for their prayers for the successful rescue of the miners. He noted that the incident should be used constructively to improve safety regulations for those who work under dangerous conditions. Addressing the miners, who will be receiving food and water through plastic pipes that have been inserted into the chamber, Bishop Goic said Chileans offer them their “closeness and assurance of our prayers that the Divine Spirit strengthen them at this time.” “And we ask all those who believe in Christ to continue praying to the Father of kindness in the coming days so that the rescue operations will end in success,” the bishop said. According to the Associated Press, it will likely take four months for the miners to be rescued.