US3708984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunnel liner jacking system and method
Assignee: Ameron Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-15
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A subterranean tunnel is formed by advancing a string of pipe sections behind a rotary boring head. Jacking stations between the respective pipe sections are remote-controlled from the tunnel portal to push the pipe sections forward. The pipe sections are advanced in an incremental jacking program operated by automatic controls. In the preferred jacking sequence, a first group of longitudinally spaced apart pipe sections is simultaneously advanced during the first phase of the sequence, while at least two adjacent jacking stations remain stationary between each adjacent pair of advanced pipe sections. After the first jacking phase, a second group of longitudinally spaced apart pipe sections is simultaneously moved forward against the previously advanced pipe sections of the first group. In a third jacking phase, a third group of longitudinally spaced apart pipe sections is simultaneously moved forward against the previously advanced pipe sections of the second group. The system preferably returns to the first jacking phase, followed by the second phase, the third phase, and so forth, although a fourth phase, or more, can be included in the jacking sequence before the system returns to the first phase. Thus, at least two adjacent pipe sections remain stationary behind each pipe section being advanced to act as a back-up for resisting the tendency of the pipe sections to back out of the tunnel instead of progressing forward.
Inventors
- 👤 F Coleman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:00
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for installing a subterranean tunnel, the apparatus comprising a string of coaxially aligned tunnel liner sections; jacking means coupled with certain tunnel liner sections and adapted to be actuated to advance said tunnel liner sections; and means for advancing different groups of the tunnel liner sections simultaneously in phases, the advancing means including first actuating means coupled with a first group of the jacking means, second actuating means coupled with a second group of the jacking means, each of the jacking means in the second group being different from those in the first group, means for selectively operating the first actuating means to actuate the first group of jacking means and thereby simultaneously advance a first group of tunnel liner sections associated with the first group of jacking means, and means for selectively operating the second actuating means in timed relation with operation of the first actuating means to actuate the second group of jacking means and thereby simultaneously advance a second group of tunnel liner sections associated with the second group of jacking means after advancement of the first group of tunnel liner sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for installing a subterranean tunnel, the apparatus comprising a string of coaxially aligned tunnel liner sections; jacking means coupled with certain tunnel liner sections and adapted to be actuated to advance said tunnel liner sections; and means for advancing different groups of the tunnel liner sections simultaneously in phases, the advancing means including first actuating means coupled with a first group of the jacking means, second actuating means coupled with a second group of the jacking means, each of the jacking means in the second group being different from those in the first group, means for selectively operating the first actuating means to actuate the first group of jacking means and thereby simultaneously advance a first group of tunnel liner sections associated with the first group of jacking means, and means for selectively operating the second actuating means in timed relation with operation of the first actuating means to actuate the second group of jacking means and thereby simultaneously advance a second group of tunnel liner sections associated with the second group of jacking means after advancement of the first group of tunnel liner sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the advancing means are arranged so that the tunnel liner sections in each group of advanced sections are spaced apart from one another in the string, there being at least two tunnel liner sections between each adjacent pair of sections in the same group.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
243 words
Apparatus for installing a subterranean tunnel comprising a string of tunnel liner sections aligned end-to-end; a separate jacking station between each adjacent pair of tunnel liner sections, each jacking station including jacking means adapted to be actuated to advance a respective tunnel liner section; means for selectively actuating a first set of the jacking means to simultaneously advance a first group of longitudinally spaced apart tunnel liner sections while maintaining at least two unactuated jacking stations between each adjacent pair of advanced tunnel liner sections; means for selectively actuating a second set of the jacking means in timed relation with actuation of the first set to simultaneously advance a second group of longitudinally spaced apart tunnel liner sections after advancement of the first group while maintaining at least two unactuated jacking stations between each adjacent pair of advanced tunnel liner sections in the second group, each tunnel liner section in the second group being different from those tunnel liner sections in the first group; and means for selectively actuating a third set of jacking means in timed relation with actuation of the second set for simultaneously advancing a third group of spaced apart tunnel liner sections after advancement of the second group while maintaining at least two unactuated jacking stations between each adjacent pair of advanced tunnel liner sections in the third group, each tunnel liner section in the third group being different from those liner sections in the first or second group.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
243 words
Apparatus for installing a subterranean tunnel comprising a string of tunnel liner sections aligned end-to-end; a separate jacking station between each adjacent pair of tunnel liner sections, each jacking station including jacking means adapted to be actuated to advance a respective tunnel liner section; means for selectively actuating a first set of the jacking means to simultaneously advance a first group of longitudinally spaced apart tunnel liner sections while maintaining at least two unactuated jacking stations between each adjacent pair of advanced tunnel liner sections; means for selectively actuating a second set of the jacking means in timed relation with actuation of the first set to simultaneously advance a second group of longitudinally spaced apart tunnel liner sections after advancement of the first group while maintaining at least two unactuated jacking stations between each adjacent pair of advanced tunnel liner sections in the second group, each tunnel liner section in the second group being different from those tunnel liner sections in the first group; and means for selectively actuating a third set of jacking means in timed relation with actuation of the second set for simultaneously advancing a third group of spaced apart tunnel liner sections after advancement of the second group while maintaining at least two unactuated jacking stations between each adjacent pair of advanced tunnel liner sections in the third group, each tunnel liner section in the third group being different from those liner sections in the first or second group.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which each jacking station comprises a first jacking ring secured to an end of one tunnel liner section, a second jacking ring secured to the end of a neighboring tunnel liner section and spaced from the first jacking ring, hydraulic actuator means extending between the adjacent first and second jacking rings, and a circumferential shield carried by the tunnel liner section to which the first jacking ring is secured and adapted to cover the second jacking ring during the complete advancement of the hydraulic actuator means to seal the space between the jacking rings against entry of foreign matter.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of advancing a string of coaxially aligned tunnel liner sections to form a subterranean tunnel, the method comprising simultaneously advancing a first group of the tunnel liner sections, and simultaneously advancing a second group of the tunnel liner sections, all of which are different from any of those in the first group, after advancement of the tunnel liner sections in the first group.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of advancing a string of coaxially aligned tunnel liner sections to form a subterranean tunnel, the method comprising simultaneously advancing a first group of the tunnel liner sections, and simultaneously advancing a second group of the tunnel liner sections, all of which are different from any of those in the first group, after advancement of the tunnel liner sections in the first group.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 5 including advancing the first group of tunnel liner sections so that at least two unadvanced tunnel liner sections are between each adjacent pair of tunnel liner sections in the first group, and advancing the second group of tunnel liner sections so that at least two unadvanced pipe liner sections are between each adjacent pair of tunnel liner sections in the second group.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 6 in which any tunnel liner sections not included in the first and second groups consist of at least a third group of tunnel liner sections, and including advancing the tunnel liner sections in the third group so that at least two unadvanced pipe liner sections are between each adjacent pair of tunnel liner sections in the third group.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which each jacking means comprises a first jacking ring secured to an end of one tunnel liner section, a second jacking ring secured to the end of a neighboring tunnel liner section and spaced from the first jacking ring, hydraulic actuator means extending between the adjacent first and second jacking rings, and a circumferential shield carried By the tunnel liner section to which the first jacking ring is secured and adapted to cover the second jacking ring during the complete advancement of the hydraulic means to seal the space between the jacking rings against entry of foreign matter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which each jacking means comprises a set of radially spaced apart, longitudinally extendable and contractable hydraulic rams disposed between adjacent tunnel liner sections; and in which the first actuating means is operable to extend each set of hydraulic rams associated with the first group of jacking means, and in which the second actuating means is operative to extend each set of hydraulic rams associated with the second group of jacking means, each set of hydraulic rams in the first group being adapted to automatically retract due to subsequent extension of the sets of hydraulic rams in the second group.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
184 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which: a. each jacking means comprises a set of radially spaced apart, longitudinally extendable and contractable hydraulic rams disposed between adjacent tunnel liner sections, b. the actuating means associated with the first set of jacking means are operative to extend the sets of hydraulic rams associated with the first set of jacking means, c. the actuating means associated with the second set of jacking means are operative to extend the sets of hydraulic rams associated with the second set of jacking means, d. the actuating means associated with the third set of jacking means are operative to extend the sets of hydraulic rams associated with the third set of jacking means, e. each set of previously extended hydraulic rams associated with the first group of tunnel liner sections is adapted to retract due to subsequent advancement of the second group of tunnel liner sections, and f. each set of previously extended hydraulic rams associated with the second group of tunnel liner sections is adapted to retract due to subsequent advancement of the third group of tunnel liner sections.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |