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Patent US4432665A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4432665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tunnel driving apparatus
Assignee: GEWERKSCHAFT EISENHUTTE WESTFALIA A GERMAN CORP
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Filing: 1981-08-28
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Granted: 1984-02-21
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Expires: 2001-08-28
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for use in driving tunnels or the like comprises a front drive shield composed, for example, of elongate cutter knives supported for longitudinal displacement on a frame. In order to control turning motion of the shield the shield is connected via hydraulic control rams to a rear abutment such as a follow-up ring structure. The rams are all inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. The rams are divided into two groups inclined in opposite directions and the rams of each group can be subjected collectively to pressure fluid to impart a corrective torque to the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Dieter Stuckmann
- 👤 Herbert Heitkamp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:24
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21D; E21D9/00; E21D9/06; E21D9/0692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
In tunnel driving apparatus which includes an advanceable front drive shield composed of a series of elongate drive members mounted for movement on a common support frame and rams for effecting relative movement between the drive members and the support frame whereby to advance the drive shield and a rear abutment in the form of a follow-up ring structure; the improvement comprising a plurality of further hydraulic rams mounted between the rear abutment and the support frame of the drive shield, the further rams being arranged in first and second groups, the rams of the first group being inclined in relation to the longitudinal central axis of the apparatus in one direction and the rams of the second group being inclined in relation to the longitudinal central axis of the apparatus in a direction opposite to said one direction, the rams of either group being operable collectively in unison effectively to exert a torque on the drive shield in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
In tunnel driving apparatus which includes an advanceable front drive shield composed of a series of elongate drive members mounted for movement on a common support frame and rams for effecting relative movement between the drive members and the support frame whereby to advance the drive shield and a rear abutment in the form of a follow-up ring structure; the improvement comprising a plurality of further hydraulic rams mounted between the rear abutment and the support frame of the drive shield, the further rams being arranged in first and second groups, the rams of the first group being inclined in relation to the longitudinal central axis of the apparatus in one direction and the rams of the second group being inclined in relation to the longitudinal central axis of the apparatus in a direction opposite to said one direction, the rams of either group being operable collectively in unison effectively to exert a torque on the drive shield in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rams of the first group are interspersed with the rams of the second group.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rams are alternately staggered and distributed around a circle with one ram of the first group between two rams of the second group and vice versa.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ring structure has a cylindrical casing forming a rear shield.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the further rams are flexibly connected to the support frame and to the follow-up ring structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive members have rear extensions which form a rear shield the rear extensions being supported on the follow-up ring structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein slidable guide means with clearance is provided between the drive members and the frame to guide the drive members for longitudinal displacement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ring structure is equipped with inclined hollow sleeves which receive the cylinders of the respective further rams which connect to the rear side of the ring structure.
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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) | 1987-02-20 | 1987-08-22 | 1988-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-20 | 1991-08-22 | 1992-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-20 | 1995-08-22 | 1996-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |