US3859810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunnel boring machine
Assignee: Tamrock Canada Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-23
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-05-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to tunnel boring machines of the type generally comprising a cutterhead assembly rotatably supported on a cutterhead support assembly, a main frame fixed to the cutterhead support assembly, a gripper assembly slidable on the main frame, and drive means. The invention encompasses a novel erector assembly which may be fixed to the gripper assembly so that the machine can be engaged in active drilling operation simultaneous with the erection of a tunnel lining by said erector assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas F Winberg
- 👤 Norman D Dyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:22
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D11/00; E21D11/40; E21D11/403; E21D9/00; E21D9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A tunnel boring machine comprising: a cutterhead support assembly; a cutterhead assembly rotatably mounted on said cutterhead support assembly; a main frame connected to said cutterhead support assembly and extending in a generally rearward axial direction therefrom opposite said cutterhead assembly; a gripper assembly slidably mounted on said main frame rearwardly of said cutterhead support assembly for axial movement relative to said main frame, said gripper assembly comprising a gripper carriage slidable on said main frame, a pair of grippers carried by said carriage and radially movable relative to the wall of a tunnel in which said machine is employed for engagement therewith, and means for selective radial projection and retraction of said grippers relative to said wall for engagement and non-engagement therewith; an erector assembly connected to said gripper assembly and operative to construct a lining along the wall of said tunnel; and drive means connected to said gripper assembly for driving said cutterhead support assembly forward relative to said gripper assembly when said grippers are engaged with the wall of said tunnel and thereby advancing said cutterhead assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A tunnel boring machine comprising: a cutterhead support assembly; a cutterhead assembly rotatably mounted on said cutterhead support assembly; a main frame connected to said cutterhead support assembly and extending in a generally rearward axial direction therefrom opposite said cutterhead assembly; a gripper assembly slidably mounted on said main frame rearwardly of said cutterhead support assembly for axial movement relative to said main frame, said gripper assembly comprising a gripper carriage slidable on said main frame, a pair of grippers carried by said carriage and radially movable relative to the wall of a tunnel in which said machine is employed for engagement therewith, and means for selective radial projection and retraction of said grippers relative to said wall for engagement and non-engagement therewith; an erector assembly connected to said gripper assembly and operative to construct a lining along the wall of said tunnel; and drive means connected to said gripper assembly for driving said cutterhead support assembly forward relative to said gripper assembly when said grippers are engaged with the wall of said tunnel and thereby advancing said cutterhead assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
157 words
A tunnel boring machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said erector assembly comprises an arcuate inner shell, supported on said gripper assembly, an outer surface of which is everywhere substantially equidistant from said tunnel wall; an erector arm located adjacent to said inner shell and mounted for rotation about the axis of said inner shell, said erector arm including segment engagement means at its outermost end for engaging a segment of said tunnel lining such that at least a portion of said segment axially overlaps said inner shell; means for rotating said erector arm about said axis so as to move such segment circumferentially along the outer surface of sAid inner shell to a desired position in a section of said tunnel lining being constructed between said inner shell and said tunnel wall; and holding means engageable with such segment for temporarily holding such segment in said position during construction of the remainder of said section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A tunnel boring machine as recited in claim 2 wherein said holding means comprises a plurality of ram assemblies mounted on said inner shell, each of said ram assemblies including an extensible and retractable holding foot engageable with the inner surface of said segment and also including means for extending and retracting said foot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
A tunnel boring machine as recited in claim 2 wherein said erector arm comprises a boom mounted for rotation about said axis and extending radially outwardly therefrom, an erector foot pivotally mounted on the outer end of said boom for pivotal movement in the plane of rotation of said boom, said erector foot being elongated and having such segment engagement means on at least one end thereof, and means operative to pivot said erector foot relative to said boom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 4 wherein said segment engagement means comprises a non-gripping segment pushing surface formed on the end of said erector foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 2, said section comprising a plurality of said segments arranged in a ring around said inner shell, and said section including a key segment operative to support other of said segments in said ring, whereby said holding means can be released.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 6 wherein said key segment is located adjacent the invert of said tunnel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 7 wherein said erector assembly further includes a key storage receptacle located axially forwardly of said erector arm for storing said keys during positioning of said other segments and wherein said tunnel boring machine further includes a key placement mechanism for moving said key segment from said receptacle rearwardly into axial alignment with said other segments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 8 further comprising a plurality of segment thrust assemblies, each of said segment thrust assemblies including a fixed part rigidly mounted on the radially outer surface of said inner shell between said cutterhead support assembly and said other segments and a ram telescopically mounted on said fixed part and extensible toward and engageable with said segments for packing said segments against a completed part of the tunnel lining; and wherein said key placement mechanism comprises a fixed part and a ram, said ram being extensible through said receptacle to push said key segment rearwardly from said receptacle into axial alignment with said other segments and being further extensible to pack said key segment against said completed part of the tunnel lining.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 6 further comprising a plurality of segment thrust assemblies, each of said segment thrust assemblies including a fixed part rigidly mounted on the radially outer surface of said inner shell between said cutterhead support assembly and said segments and a ram telescopically mounted on said fixed part and extensible toward and engageable with said segments for packing said segments against a completed part of the tunnel lining.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 2 wherein said inner shell has an opening therein adjacent the invert of said tunnel through which said segments can be passed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 11 wherein said erector assembly further comprises a cylindrical outer shell coaxially surrounding said inner shell and rigidly mounted relative thereto, said outer shell being spaced from said inner shell by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of said segments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 12 wherein said outer shell extends axially rearwardly beyond said inner Shell to a completed part of said tunnel lining.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 9 wherein said segment thrust assemblies and said key thrust assembly form auxiliary drive means for advancing said cutterhead assembly by extending said rams against said tunnel lining.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 14 further comprising means for selectively longitudinally fixing said gripper assembly relative to said cutterhead support assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 15 wherein said first mentioned drive means comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinder assemblies mounted between said gripper assembly and said cutterhead support assembly, said cylinder assemblies further serving as said fixing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 1 further comprising auxiliary drive means for advancing said tunnel boring machine by thrusting against said tunnel lining.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 17 further comprising means for fixing said gripper assembly relative to said cutterhead support assembly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
83 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 18 wherein said first mentioned drive means comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinder assemblies mounted between said gripper assembly and said cutterhead support assembly, said cylinder assemblies further serving as said means for fixing said cutterhead support assembly relative to said gripper assembly and wherein said auxiliary drive means comprises a plurality of thrust assemblies mounted on said erector assembly, each of said thrust assemblies having a ram extensible toward and engageable with said tunnel lining.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 1 wherein each of said grippers is pivotally connected to said carriage so as to pivot in a plane transverse to said tunnel; said machine further comprising gripper piston and cylinder means connected to each of said grippers and operative to pivot said gripper means in said transverse plane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 20 wherein said erector assembly comprises arcuate shell means lying adjacent said tunnel wall and connected to said carriage, and wherein said gripper piston and cylinder means are connected to said shell means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 20 wherein the longitudinal centerline of said tunnel is substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis of said machine, wherein said carriage is non-rotatable on said main frame and said shell means is non-rotatable on said carriage such that said gripper piston and cylinder means are further operative to rotate said machine about said machine axis when said grippers are engaged with the wall of said tunnel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 20 wherein each of said grippers comprises a gripper shoe pivotally connected to the radially outer end of said gripper so as to pivot in said transverse plane.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tunnel boring machine according to claim 20 wherein the pivotal connections of said grippers are radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of said tunnel and also spaced from each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |