US3834170A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process of, and a plant for, constructing tunnels
Assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia GmbH
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Filing: 1972-09-26
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1992-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A plant for use in tunnel constructions and having a drive shield with a cutting head for driving into a working face to advance the tunnel. A plurality of rams which act upon an abutment member are used to drive the shield forwards. The abutment member transmits the forces from the rams to a mass of fluid concrete introduced under pressure and supported on support means such as a tubular shell or series of rings spaced inwardly from the tunnel wall. The concrete when hardened forms a continuous lining for the tunnel wall. Water is removed from the fluid concrete with the aid of filters provided on the abutment member or the support means.
Inventors
- 👤 A Lobbe
- 👤 Schenck Zu Schweinsberg W Von
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:59
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/06; E21D9/0607; E21D11/00; E21D11/04; E21D11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In a plant for use in constructing a tunnel, said plant comprising a movable drive shield, a plurality of rams for advancing said drive shield into a working face to form said tunnel, means for forming an abutment against which the rams can bear during advancement of the shield and means for defining at least part of a chamber which serves to receive fluid concrete used to form a lining for the tunnel, the improvement wherein the abutment-forming means faces said chamber whereby the fluid concrete in said chamber is compressed by said abutment means when the rams advance the shield, and filter means which allows water to pass out from the chamber to accelerate the setting of the fluid concrete.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a plant for use in constructing a tunnel, said plant comprising a movable drive shield, a plurality of rams for advancing said drive shield into a working face to form said tunnel, means for forming an abutment against which the rams can bear during advancement of the shield and means for defining at least part of a chamber which serves to receive fluid concrete used to form a lining for the tunnel, the improvement wherein the abutment-forming means faces said chamber whereby the fluid concrete in said chamber is compressed by said abutment means when the rams advance the shield, and filter means which allows water to pass out from the chamber to accelerate the setting of the fluid concrete.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A plant according to claim 1 and further comprising means for supporting part of said lining.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A plant according to claim 2, wherein the support means is in the form of a tubular shell spaced inwardly from the tunnel wall and having the abutment forming means attached to its foremost end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A plant acCording to claim 3, wherein the shell has several filters therein allowing water to pass radially inwards of the tunnel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A plant according to claim 3, wherein the abutment forming means has an extension which combines with part of the shell to form said chamber for receiving the fluid concrete, the chamber being open towards the existing concrete lining.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A plant according to claim 2, wherein the support means is slidable in relation to the abutment forming means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A plant according to claim 6, wherein the support means is composed of a series of rings arranged end to end, the rings having filters therein allowing water to pass radially inwards of the tunnel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A plant according to claim 7, wherein said chamber for receiving the fluid concrete is formed within the abutment-forming means, the chamber being open towards the existing concrete lining.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A plant according to claim 2 wherein the abutment-forming means is provided with filters and wherein the support means is in the form of a series of rings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A plant according to claim 9, wherein there is provided at least one device for vibrating the rings to cause zones of pre-hardened concrete in the fluid concrete and caused by the disposition of the filters to be broken up.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A plant according to claim 1, wherein the abutment forming means is provided with filters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A plant according to claim 1, and further comprising means for introducing said fluid concrete at pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A plant according to claim 1, wherein the water is driven out from the fluid concrete in the chamber by a pressure differential established across the filter means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A plant according to claim 1, wherein the abutment-forming means is of hollow annular configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A plant according to claim 14 wherein the filter means is provided in the abutment-forming means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2698560A
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US2879662A
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US3350889A
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US3561223A
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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) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |