US3861748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Earth boring machine and method
Assignee: Robbins Co
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Filing: 1974-02-08
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1994-02-08
Abstract
Abstract The machine frame is mounted onto a lower portion of an expandable forward support ring for sideways pivotal movement of the frame and the cutterhead carried thereby about an axis which is generally parallel to the centerline of the tunnel. The cutterhead cuts a circle which is generally equal in diameter with the support ring. A steering link extends laterally of the tunnel and is connected at one of its ends to the frame and at its opposite end to the support ring. It is used for tilting the cutterhead sideways, so as to offset the cutterhead from the support ring, to in that manner change the course of the tunnel.
Inventors
- 👤 David T Cass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:18
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/10; E21D9/1093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An axially advanceable tunnel boring machine, comprising: a support ring anchorable in a tunnel; a frame including a cutterhead support portion adjacent said support ring; means pivotally connecting said frame to the support ring at a location close to the tunnel wall, for pivotal movement relative to said support ring about a pivot axis which generally extends parallel to the center line of the tunnel, a forwardly directed rotary cutterhead supported on said cutterhead support, including cutter means thereon for cutting a bore which is generally equal in diameter with said support ring; means for tilting said frame, and hence, the cutterhead carried thereby, laterally of the tunnel about said pivot axis, and for adjustably affixing such frame in position relative to said support ring, so that said cutterhead can be tilted from said support ring to in that manner change the direction of the bore; and means for advancing said machine during rotation of said cutterhead.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
An axially advanceable tunnel boring machine, comprising: a support ring anchorable in a tunnel; a frame including a cutterhead support portion adjacent said support ring; means pivotally connecting said frame to the support ring at a location close to the tunnel wall, for pivotal movement relative to said support ring about a pivot axis which generally extends parallel to the center line of the tunnel, a forwardly directed rotary cutterhead supported on said cutterhead support, including cutter means thereon for cutting a bore which is generally equal in diameter with said support ring; means for tilting said frame, and hence, the cutterhead carried thereby, laterally of the tunnel about said pivot axis, and for adjustably affixing such frame in position relative to said support ring, so that said cutterhead can be tilted from said support ring to in that manner change the direction of the bore; and means for advancing said machine during rotation of said cutterhead.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tunneling boring machine according to claim 1, wherein the support ring includes means for frictionally gripping the tunnel wall, to anchor such support ring in place within the tunnel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tunneling boring machine according to claim 1, wherein said support ring comprises at least two sections which are interconnected by an expandable link which is adjustable to expand and contract the support ring, such support ring being expandable outwardly into frictional engagement with the walls of the tunnel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A tunneling machine according to claim 3, wherein said support ring includes at least two sections which are hinged together at and by the means which pivotally connects the frame to the support ring, and said support ring further includes means for swinging said sections outwardly into frictional contact with the wall of the tunnel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A tunneling boring machine according to claim 1, wherein said means for tilting said frame from said support ring, and for adjustable affixing such frame in position relative to said support ring, comprises a double-acting hydraulic cylinder which extends transversely of the tunnel and is connected at one of its ends to the frame and at its other end to the support ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
A tunneling machine according to claim 1, wherein said frame also includes an elongated beam portion which extends rearwardly from the cutterhead support, and wherein said means advancing said machine includes a gripper assembly spaced rearwardly from said cutterhead support and including laterally extendible and retractable gripper pad means, guide means for said beam portion mounting said gripper assembly for longitudinal back-and-forth movement along said beam portion, and propulsion ram means interconnected between said gripper assembly and the frame in the vicinity of said cutterhead support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tunneling machine according to claim 6, wherein said gripper assembly includes means mounting the gripper pad means for vertical, roll and yaw movement relative to the beam portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tunneling machine according to claim 6, wherein said support ring includes means for frictionally gripping the tunnel wall, to anchor such support ring in place within the tunnel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tunneling machine according to claim 6, wherein said support ring comprises at leasT two sections which are interconnected by an expandible link which is adjustable to expand and contract the support ring, such support ring being expandable outwardly into frictional engagement with the walls of the tunnel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A tunneling machine according to claim 9, wherein said support ring includes at least two sections which are hinged together at and by the means which pivotally connects the frame to the support ring, and said support ring further includes means for swinging said sections outwardly into frictional contact with the wall of the tunnel.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of steering a tunnel boring machine of a type having a single rotating cutterhead at its forward end which carries cutter means for dislodging material from the tunnel face as the cutterhead is both rotated and advanced axially forwardly, said method comprising: supporting the front end of a boring machine on a support ring which is substantially the diameter of the bore cut by the cutterhead; sliding said support ring as the machine advances; holding the support ring in position while tilting the cutterhead laterally of the tunnel towards the direction of desired turn, and then positively holding said cutterhead in such tilted position, so that the cutterhead will cut a bore which is offset from a centered position with respect to the support ring towards the inside of the turn; and advancing the boring machine forwardly while rotating the offset cutterhead.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of steering a tunnel boring machine of a type having a single rotating cutterhead at its forward end which carries cutter means for dislodging material from the tunnel face as the cutterhead is both rotated and advanced axially forwardly, said method comprising: supporting the front end of a boring machine on a support ring which is substantially the diameter of the bore cut by the cutterhead; sliding said support ring as the machine advances; holding the support ring in position while tilting the cutterhead laterally of the tunnel towards the direction of desired turn, and then positively holding said cutterhead in such tilted position, so that the cutterhead will cut a bore which is offset from a centered position with respect to the support ring towards the inside of the turn; and advancing the boring machine forwardly while rotating the offset cutterhead.
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) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |