Abstract:
An improved form of intermediate sleeve for installing a pipeline by forcing pipes into earth, incorporating the sleeve into the resulting pipe assembly at an intermediate portion thereof, and pushing the rear end of the pipe assembly and telescopically extending the sleeve alternately in repetition to thereby propel the assembly. The intermediate sleeve comprises a socket member, a spigot member slidably fitting in the socket member and includes a sealing portion in the vicinity of a sliding portion between the members. The intermediate sleeve is usable as part of the pipeline after the completion of the propulsion without the necessity of providing any additional special seal. The intermediate sleeve can be equipped with a feeder device for feeding a lubricant into the sliding portion and for withdrawing the same therefrom during collapsing movement to completely prevent the ingress of soil or sand into the sliding portion. The intermediate sleeve can be further provided with a special jack supporting structure by which intermediate jacks are readily progressively mountable on circumferentially spaced portions of the sleeve via progressive mounting thereof at its lower portion.
Abstract:
A tunnel driving apparatus employs a cutting head supported by an undercarriage disposed within a hollow shield. The undercarriage is slidably suspended on elongate support arms which are pivoted to rocker arms which in turn are also pivoted to the shield. The support arms and rocker arms are raisable and lowerable at their rear ends with the aid of piston and cylinder units. Pivoting of the support arms serves to alter the angular disposition of the cutting head and pivoting of the rocker arms serves to displace the pivotal axis of the support arms to vary the height of the cutting head.
Abstract:
A method of and apparatus for starting a tunneling operation into a soft ground having a high water content or much gushing water while preventing any collapse of the ground or outflow of water. The tunneling machine is initially placed within a vertical shaft in the ground and a sheet pile is struck into the ground between a retaining wall of the shaft having a starting port through which the machine is to be ultimately advanced into the surrounding ground after the port is opened by raising the pile. A ring-shaped liquid-tight packing is applied to the retaining wall and surrounding the starting port engages the periphery of the head portion of the tunneling machine to form part of a liquid-pressurized chamber in front of the machine, the pressure in the chamber being at least as high as the surrounding underground water or ground pressure when the port is opened and the machine is then started through the port.
Abstract:
A tunnel boring machine comprising a rotary cutterhead assembly, a cutterhead support assembly on which the cutterhead assembly is mounted, a gripper assembly for gripping the wall of the tunnel, and a pair of elongate support members connecting the cutterhead support assembly and the gripper assembly. The support members each have a torque reaction end connected either to the gripper assembly or to the cutterhead support assembly. Apparatus associated with the torque reaction ends prevents pivotal movement thereabout of the support members in the plane perpendicular to the plane in which the support members lie.
Abstract:
A portable earth boring machine for the horizontal boring of shafts and the insertion of pipeline casing sections in installations where excavation from the surface is undesirable. The machine is characterized by a main frame portion that supports the auger drive and casing pusher apparatus, and a detachably mounted engine frame portion that permits the transmission of power between the engine and the auger drive and casing pusher apparatus not only when the engine frame portion is positioned on the main frame portion at the boring location but also when said engine frame portion is detached and positioned at a location remote from the main frame means. The machine is further characterized by a novel remote electric control means for the auger drive apparatus that provides for remote operation and hydraulically actuated variable speed control of the boring auger at a location remote from the machine.
Abstract:
Tool for a rotating head of a continuous boring or cutting machine, mounted on a tool-carrier fixed on the said rotating head and driven in a rotating sweeping movement in a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the said rotating head, performing regular work due to a discontinuous advance device, obtained by means linked to cylinders exerting a periodic thrust on the rotating head at each change in the direction of oscillation of the said tool-carrier.
Abstract:
A tunnel boring machine having a large rotary boring head carried by a main frame which consists of a forward portion and a rear portion, the two portions being hinged together so as to provide for the lateral steering. Power actuated clutches are provided for locking the hinge connection. A bar of the rear frame portion extends rearwards and it is slidably guided in an anchoring device so that the vertical steering can be effected by raising and lowering the slide in the anchoring device. The machine is advanced, and steered laterally as well, by means of two hydraulic jacks connected between the anchoring device and the forward frame portion.
Abstract:
A machine for boring a tunnel in a subterranean formation may comprise: a main beam; a cutterhead support assembly attached to the main beam; a cutterhead assembly mounted for rotation on the cutterhead support assembly; and means connected to the main beam for advancing the cutterhead and cutterhead support assemblies to cut a tunnel through the formation. The cutterhead support assembly may include a blade assembly projecting radially toward the walls of the tunnel for cleaning the invert of the tunnel as the cutterhead support assembly advances therethrough. The cutterhead support assembly may be provided with a passageway communicating with a passageway beneath the main beam to form a continuous human passageway along the invert of the tunnel, throughout the length of the tunneling machine, through which the face of the cutterhead assembly may be reached. The blade assembly may be mounted on the cutterhead support assembly for movement between first and second positions blocking and unblocking the human passageway, respectively.