Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
In apparatus for driving tunnels or the like; said apparatus comprising a shield with a plurality of elongate drive members (10), frame means (11) supporting the drive members for individual longitudinal displacement, and rams (14) connected between the frame means and the drive members and operable to effect advancement of the shield in a tunnel driving direction; the improvement comprising: the frame means including a cowl (11') defining a continuous, exterior, tubular, sealed enclosure with the drive members being disposed externally of the cowl, whereby compressed air may be admitted into and maintained within the shield.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
In apparatus for driving tunnels or the like; said apparatus comprising a shield with a plurality of elongate drive members (10), frame means (11) supporting the drive members for individual longitudinal displacement, and rams (14) connected between the frame means and the drive members and operable to effect advancement of the shield in a tunnel driving direction; the improvement comprising: the frame means including a cowl (11') defining a continuous, exterior, tubular, sealed enclosure with the drive members being disposed externally of the cowl, whereby compressed air may be admitted into and maintained within the shield.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cowl is shaped to provide a recess (16) open towards the drive members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cowl is step-shaped in axial cross-section, and rams pass through sealed apertures (20) in a wall (18) of the cowl defining said step-shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive members have reduced rear portions (23) which define a rear shield.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, and further comprising a rigid movable annular casing (24) located within the rear shield.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, and further comprising a rigid movable annular casing (24) located between the rear shield and the casing cowl of the frame means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein additional sealing means (33) is provided between the annular casing and the casing cowl of the frame means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the annular casing supports a ring assembly (25) which provides an end wall for a concrete reception space (35).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein means (31, 32) is provided for displacing the ring assembly relative to the frame means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a sheathing (30) serves to provide a peripheral wall of the concrete reception space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the ring assembly is composed of first and second rings (26, 27), the first ring (26) being fixed to the annular casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein additional sealing means (28) is provided between the second ring and the rear shield.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ring (26) assembly is composed of first and second rings, the first ring being fixed to the annular casing and wherein sealing means (29) is provided between the first ring and the sheathing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein additional sealing means (28) is provided between the second ring and the rear shield.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said casing surrounds cowl extends between a pair of spaced-apart rigidly-interconnected annular frame components (12, 13).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 and further comprising means (31, 32) for displacing the annular casing relative to the frame means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, and further comprising means for displacing the annular casing and the ring assembly collectively in relation to the frame means.