Abstract: A method and an apparatus for conducting predetermined operations in the interior of a pipe with a cutter, in which the cutter is shifted so that a rotary axis of the cutter is angularly displaced about an axis extending along the pipe and is displaced in the axial direction of the pipe while the cutter is rotated about an axis extending in the axial direction of the pipe or about an axis extending in the radial direction of the pipe.

Abstract: A method for treating muddy water which comprises adding a first chemical containing an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide to muddy water to be treated, thereby rendering muddy water alkaline, adding a second chemical containing an anionic polymer coagulant to muddy water simultaneously with or after the addition of the chemical, further adding a third chemical containing a sulfate thereby rendering the muddy water weakly alkaline, and then adding a fourth chemical containing an anionic polymer coagulant to muddy water. As a result, large-sized and hard flocs are produced.

Abstract: An intermediate pipe-jacking apparatus is adapted to propel pipes such as sewer pipes, conduit pipes and the like in the ground between a start shaft and a destination shaft in order to install the pipes in the ground. More specifically, the intermediate pipe-jacking apparatus disposed between the pipes to be propelled comprises a movable frame disposed inside the pipes, a plurality of hydraulic jacks supported by the frames, and an operating mechanism for shifting the hydraulic jacks between the operative position between the end faces of the pipes and the inoperative position inside the pipes, wherein the frame is provided with a pair of hollow end frame members, and a plurality of rod members rotatably supported by the respective end frame members, and each rod member is pivoted by the operating mechanism so as to displace the hydraulic jacks between the operative position and the inoperative position.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing muddy water containing particulate matter comprising a tank for receiving the particulate matter, and takeout means for receiving the particulate matter settling down in the tank and then conveying the received particulate matter to the upper portion of the tank, wherein the takeout means includes a belt conveyor provided with a first conveyance section disposed on the bottom of the tank and receiving the particluate matter to convey the received particulate matter to a predetermined portion in the tank and a second conveyance section for conveying the particulate matter conveyed by the first conveyance section upward in the tank while sandwiching the particulate matter between a pair of endless belts.

Abstract: A crushing machine comprises crushing means including a first rotary member rotatable about a first axis; a second rotary member for crushing substances to be crushed in cooperation with the first rotary member, the second rotary member being rotatable about a second axis parallel to or inclined to the first axis and defining, in cooperation with the first rotary member, a crushing chamber for crushing the substances to be crushed, guide means for receiving the substances and the guiding the received substances to the crushing chamber; and drive means for rotating the first or second rotary member. Each rotary member includes a rotor, and the guide means includes a hopper. Each rotary member is disposed to be rotatable about a vertically extending axis or a horizontally extending axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for boring a hole, which affords communication between a first member and a second member connected to the first member, in the first member, comprises cutting means hvaing a rotary axis, first drive means for shifting the cutting means along a first axis extending in the direction orghogonal to the rotary axis, second drive means for shifting the cutting means along a second axis orghogonal to the rotary axis and first axis, third drive means for rotating the cutting means about the rotary axis, detecting means for detecting a load acting on the cutting means and control means for controlling the first and second drive means to correct the position of the cutting means on the basis of a detecting signal provided from the detecting means so as to prevent an overload from acting on the cutting means.

Abstract: A method for renewing an existing pipeline comprises the steps of advancing a shield tunnelling machine from one end of an existing pipe defining the existing pipeline to the other end thereof, excavating at least the existing pipe by the machine and disposing a new pipe in an excavated spot while the machine is advanced, whereby the existing pipeline is renewed by breaking the existing pipe embedded in the ground while laying the new pipe therein. An existing pipeline renewing apparatus embodying the method described above comprises a shield tunnelling machine for excavating an existing pipe embedded in the ground so as to define an existing pipeline and a means for disposing a new pipe in a spot excavated by the machine. Accordingly, since the new pipe is disposed while excavating the existing pipe by the shield tunnelling machine, it is not necessary to excavate the spot, in which the existing pipe to be renewed is laid, by an open cut method.

Abstract: A device for transmitting a thrust from one of a pair of adjacent pipes so as to propel the other comprises a pair of annular members adapted to be slidable relatively to each other along their spherical surfaces.

Abstract: A shield tunneling machine comprises a shield body, a rotor disposed in a front portion of the shield body, support is provided behind the rotor in the shield body and for supporting the rotor to be eccentrically movable around the center axis of the shield body, drive motor for moving the rotor eccentrically and a seal disposed between the support and the rotor. The seal is provided with an annular recess provided around the center axis in a portion where one of the supports and the rotor faces the other and opened to the other of the supports and the rotor, a ring disposed in the recess to be movable in the direction of the center axis and having a generally constant outer diameter and a spring for pressing the ring toward the other of the supports and the rotor. The diameter D.sub.1 of the ring, the maximum diameter D.sub.2 of the contact portion between the ring and the other of the supports and the rotor and the eccentrically e of the eccentric movement have the following relationship; D.sub.1 .ltoreq.D.

Abstract: A method for renewing an existing pipeline comprises the steps of advancing a shield tunnelling machine from one end of an existing pipe defining the existing pipeline to the other end thereof, excavating at least the existing pipe by the machine and disposing a new pipe in an excavated spot while the machine is advanced, whereby the existing pipeline is renewed by breaking the existing pipe embedded in the ground while laying the new pipe therein. An existing pipeline renewing apparatus embodying the method described above comprises a shield tunnelling machine for excavating an existing pipe embedded in the ground so as to define an existing pipeline and a means for disposing a new pipe in a spot excavated by the machine. Accordingly, since the new pipe is disposed while excavating the existing pipe by the shield tunnelling machine, it is not necessary to excavate the spot, in which the existing pipe to be renewed is laid, by an open cut method.

Abstract: An apparatus for building a new pipeline while breaking a plurality of existing pipelines extending parallel to each other, comprises: a shield tunnelling machine for performing the excavating operation while breaking opposed portions of a plurality of existing pipelines; and a basic thrust mechanism for thrusting a new pipe into a space obtained through excavation by the machine while advancing the machine; wherein the shield tunnelling machine includes a shield body, a cutter assembly disposed in front of the shield body to be rotatable about the axis parallel to the axis of the body and dimensioned for breaking opposed portions of the existing pipelines while the body is advanced and a pair of stabilizers positioned on the outer periphery of the body so as to project respectively from a pair of opposite outer peripheral portions of the body and dimensioned to be slidably engaged with the remaining portion of the existing pipelines opposed to each other when the body is advanced.

Abstract: A method for excavating a hole and an apparatus therefore are suitable for the operation of excavating a hole used for laying a lateral sewer or mounting pipe, which extends from a main sewer pipe toward the ground surface, on the main sewer pipe. The method comprises the step of rotating a rod about its axis in a space provided in the ground while advancing the rod in the direction of penetrating a wall member defining the space, and the step of utilizing the advanced rod as a guide while excavating a hole in the ground from the tip end of the rod toward the space. The apparatus embodying the method described above comprises a rod propelling machine disposed in a space provided in the ground for rotating a rod about its axis while advancing the rod and a excavating machine utilizing the advanced rod as a guide while excavating a hole in the ground from the tip end of the rod toward the space.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a pipeline in order to determine eccentricity thereof comprises the steps of directing a beam from one end of the pipeline to the other end, disposing a detecting means, which is provided with a light receiving body having a light receiving surface for receiving the beam and a television camera for taking a picture of the light receiving body, in the pipeline so as to be moved along the axis of the pipeline, processing an output signal of the television camera while maintaining the position of the light receiving body to have a predetermined relationship to the inner surface of the pipeline and determining whether or not the pipeline is eccentric on the basis of the result of said processing step.

Abstract: An apparatus for propelling a plurality of pipes arranged in series comprises basic thrusting means for generating a thrust to be applied to the pipes and intermediate thrusting means for receiving the thrust from the basic thrusting means and applying the received thrust to one of the pipes. The intermediate thrusting means includes a press head provided with a portion displaceable to a position where the portion is capable of abutting against the rear end face of one of the pipes when the intermediate thrusting means is advanced while displaceable to another position where the portion does not interfere with the advance of the following pipes when the intermediate thrusting means is removed and an intermediate body extending rearward from the press head such as to receive the thrust from the basic thrusting means and apply the received thrust to the press head.

Abstract: A pipe propelling device comprises two sets of jack assemblies spaced from each other and arranged in the direction of propelling the pipe in a vertical shaft having a reacting shaft wall so that small diameter pipes such as water supply and drainage pipes, gas pipes and cable lying pipes can be propelled from the interior to the exterior of the vertical shaft by the extension of two sets of the jack assemblies. To reduce the dimension of the vertical shaft to propel the pipe, eliminate the interposition of a strut in propelling the pipe and secure an operative space in the vertical shaft, the jack assemblies comprise a plurality of first stage jacks connected to the reacting shaft wall and at least one second stage jack, a cylinder of the second stage jack being connected to cylinders of the first stage jacks.

Abstract: A clarification device comprises a purifier tank having an opening at its top and an inlet and an outlet for sewage, at least one contact means to which microorganisms for purification are to be attached and which is disposed in the purifier tank at position spaced upwardly from a bottom of the purifier tank, and air-flowing means disposed between the contact means and the bottom of the tank, air-supplying means extending vertically in the purifier tank for supplying air to the air-flowing means. The contact means includes a first assembly disposed at the inlet side so as to be removed out of the tank through the opening, and a second assembly disposed at the outlet side of the first assembly so as to be removed out of the tank through the opening. The clarification device further comprises means for closing the opening of the purifier tank.

Abstract: A shield-type tunneling machine comprises a shield body having a front portion converging gradually rearward, a crankshaft journalled rotatably by a diaphragm provided in the shield body, a drive mechanism connected to an end of the crankshaft and a conical or frustoconical rotary head supported rotatably by the other end and disposed in the front portion of the shield body to be turned eccentrically, a gear mechanism for forcibly rotate the rotary head and a means for discharging debris from a front area of the diaphragm to a rear area. The tunneling machine, when thrusted in the ground by a jack, receives earth and sand into the front portion of the shield body and compresses them between the rotary head and the shield body to send them to the rear. The machine can be used for a pipe jacking as well as the tunneling in the soft ground.

Abstract: An earth auger is provided which can be compacted, lightened and adjusted with respect to feed speed according to geology. The earth auger has a screw having a spiral blade provided with notches arranged axially linearly. A first rotary member and a second rotary member arranged coaxially in a case for the screw and surrounding partially the screw are disposed rotatably about the axis. The first rotary member has a key engaging the notches of the screw, and the second rotary member has a thread groove meshing with the blade of the screw. The first and the second rotary members are rotated respectively in any one of forward and backward directions through a drive mechanism. The screw is rotated by at least one of rotational operations of the first and the second rotary members to advance or retreat relative to the case for excavating.

Abstract: A pipe propelling device comprises two sets of jack assemblies spaced from each other and arranged in the direction of propelling the pipe in a vertical shaft having a reacting shaft wall so that the small diameter pipe such as water supply and drainage pipes, gas pipes and cable laying pipes can be propelled from the interior to the exterior of the vertical shaft by the extension of two sets of the jack assemblies. To reduce the dimension of the vertical shaft due to propel the pipe, eliminate the interposition of a strut in propelling the pipe and secure an operative space in the vertical shaft, the jack assemblies comprise a plurality of first stage jacks connected to the reacting shaft wall and at least one second stage jack, a cylinder of the second stage jack being connected to cylinders of the first stage jacks.

Abstract: A shield tunneling machine comprises a shield body provided with a tubular head portion and a tubular tail portion disposed behind the head portion. The head portion and tail portion are interconnected by a plurality of thrusting jacks for moving both portions to and away from each other. In the shield body are arranged a cutter head for excavating the face, a mechanism for rotating the cutter head and a plurality of position-maintaining mechanisms making the natural ground a reaction body to advance the shield body and having press bodies capable of projecting outward of the shield body. The machine, during the excavation has the head portion advanced relative to the tail portion by the thrusting jack and the tail portion next attracted to the head portion by the thrusting jack.