Method and apparatus for use in tunnelling

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid mass is advanced continuously.

Claim 4

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid mass is advanced in a stepwise manner.

Claim 5

A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the length of the lining compound which is introduced during one operation is equal to the length of a lining ring.

Claim 6

A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the advance rate of tunnelling is such that a length of one lining ring is travelled in the time it takes for an equivalent length of lining material to set.

Claim 7

Apparatus for use in tunnelling comprising a shield, a tube having an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of a lining compound support and connected to said shield, a flexible wall connected to the external surface of said tube adjacent its leading edge and connected to said tube intermediate its ends, a pocket between said tube and said flexible wall, at least one conduit for injecting lining compound on the outer side of said flexible wall outside said pocket and a pipe for introducing fluid under pressure into said pocket.

Claim 8

Apparatus for use in tunnelling comprising a shield, a tube having an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of a lining compound support and connected to said shield, a flexible wall connected to the external surface of said tube adjacent its leading edge and connected to said tube intermediate its ends, a pocket between said tube and said flexible wall, at least one conduit for injecting lining compound on the outer side of said flexible wall outside said pocket and a pipe for introducing fluid under pressure into said pocket.

Claim 9

Apparatus as described in claim 6, said flexible wall being connected to an external shoulder on the leading edge of said tube.

Claim 10

Apparatus as described in claim 6, said pocket having an inner sheet of rubber resting on tubular inflatable rings disposed around said tube.

Claim 11

APparatus as described in claim 8 including a chamber defined by a second flexible wall interposed between said first mentioned flexible wall and said sheet, the front edges of said first mentioned flexible wall of said chamber and of said sheet being secured to a connecting ring of said shield by arch members of said tube.

Claim 12

Apparatus as described in claim 9, said chamber being filled with a non-compressible fluid.

Claim 13

Apparatus as described in claim 9, said connecting ring having a frusto-conical shape widening towards the rear.

Claim 14

Apparatus as described in claim 6, the length of said tube being substantially equal to double the length of a lining ring of the tunnel.

Claim 15

Apparatus as described in claim 6, said tube having at the rear of said pocket a skirt of slightly greater length than that of a lining ring of the tunnel.

Claim 16

Apparatus as described in claim 6, the fluid under pressure being selected from the group consisting of compressed air and water.

Claim 17

Apparatus for terrain support during tunnelling comprising a drilling shield, means associated with said drilling shield for supporting a lining compound during setting of the lining compound, means associated with said drilling shield utilizing a mass of fluid under pressure to sustain the terrain before injection of the lining compound, means associated with said drilling shield for injecting the lining compound between the terrain and said means utilizing the mass of fluid under pressure, whereby the lining compound progressively displaces the mass of fluid and progressively supports the terrain.

Claim 18

Apparatus for terrain support during tunnelling comprising a drilling shield, means associated with said drilling shield for supporting a lining compound during setting of the lining compound, means associated with said drilling shield utilizing a mass of fluid under pressure to sustain the terrain before injection of the lining compound, means associated with said drilling shield for injecting the lining compound between the terrain and said means utilizing the mass of fluid under pressure, whereby the lining compound progressively displaces the mass of fluid and progressively supports the terrain.