Patent US2032327A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4823888A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4823888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for making a subterranean tunnel
Assignee: QUICK COUPLING AMERICA LC
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Filing: 1987-12-15
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Granted: 1989-04-25
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Expires: 2007-12-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides apparatus for making a tunnel. A flexible tube connects to a head consisting of a body and a nose mounted for movement thereon. The nose has an abutment face adjustable in position relative to said body, and carries a nozzle. The nose may be a bevelled cylinder which may be rotatable relatively to the body by a steering mechanism or be conical and be tiltable by jacks operable from above the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Nic H. W. Smet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:47
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/04; E21B7/06; E21B47/00; E21B47/02; E21B47/022; E21B47/0228; E21B47/0232; E21B7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for, making a subterranean tunnel, comprising: a head which includes: a body having a geometrical axis and a front end, and a nose mounted on the front end of the body for rotation about the geometrical axis of said body and being asymmetrical relatively to the geometrical axis and having at one side an abutment face adapted to make an angle with the geometrical axis of said body, at least one nozzle mounted on the nose and oriented away from the body, a duct for fluid under pressure connected to said nozzle, and a remote-controlled steering mechanism mounted in the head and including means for rotating the nose relatively to the body so that the position of the abutment face of the nose relative to the body can be adjusted by rotation of the nose.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for, making a subterranean tunnel, comprising: a head which includes: a body having a geometrical axis and a front end, and a nose mounted on the front end of the body for rotation about the geometrical axis of said body and being asymmetrical relatively to the geometrical axis and having at one side an abutment face adapted to make an angle with the geometrical axis of said body, at least one nozzle mounted on the nose and oriented away from the body, a duct for fluid under pressure connected to said nozzle, and a remote-controlled steering mechanism mounted in the head and including means for rotating the nose relatively to the body so that the position of the abutment face of the nose relative to the body can be adjusted by rotation of the nose.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nose has the shape of a cylinder whose one end is at least partly bevelled, with the bevel forming the abutment face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the nozzle is located in the centre of a non-bevelled portion of the end of the nose.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for making a tunnel underground, comprising a head including: a body having a geometrical axis and a hollow nose which is mounted on the body for rotation about the geometrical axis of said body and being asymmetrical relatively to the geometrical axis, and having at one end an abutment face adapted to be at an angle to the geometrical axis of the body and having an inner surface provided with an embossment, at least one nozzle mounted on the nose and oriented away from the body, a duct for fluid under pressure connected with said nozzle, an operating member arranged within the hollow nose and within the body, movable longitudinally of said body but not being rotatable, said operating member having an outside surface provided with an embossment coacting with the embossment of the hollow nose in such a manner that the linear displacement of the operating member relative to the body is converted into a rotation of the nose relative to the body, and a remote-controlled steering mechanism mounted within the head and including means for displacing the operating member, for adjusting the position of the abutment face of the nose relative to the head by linear displacement of the operating member.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for making a tunnel underground, comprising a head including: a body having a geometrical axis and a hollow nose which is mounted on the body for rotation about the geometrical axis of said body and being asymmetrical relatively to the geometrical axis, and having at one end an abutment face adapted to be at an angle to the geometrical axis of the body and having an inner surface provided with an embossment, at least one nozzle mounted on the nose and oriented away from the body, a duct for fluid under pressure connected with said nozzle, an operating member arranged within the hollow nose and within the body, movable longitudinally of said body but not being rotatable, said operating member having an outside surface provided with an embossment coacting with the embossment of the hollow nose in such a manner that the linear displacement of the operating member relative to the body is converted into a rotation of the nose relative to the body, and a remote-controlled steering mechanism mounted within the head and including means for displacing the operating member, for adjusting the position of the abutment face of the nose relative to the head by linear displacement of the operating member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the embossment on the operating member is an external thread and the embossment on the nose coacting therewith is an internal thread.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said body defines guides in the body for the operating member so as to prevent rotation of said member relative to said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for the linear displacement of the operating member relative to the body include a jack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a spatial compass mounted in the head, said head including a piece of non-magnetic material surrounding the compass and a reading device mounted on the compass, and a display device arranged above the ground and communicating with the reading device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a transmitter mounted in the head and adapted to transmit signals to the ground surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising an X-ray transceiver mounted in the head and adapted to transmit X-rays in the direction of displacement of the head, said transceiver being connected to an above ground monitor.
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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) | 1992-04-24 | 1992-10-24 | 1993-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-24 | 1996-10-24 | 1997-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-24 | 2000-10-24 | 2001-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |