Abstract: A housing mount assembly for a TBM disc cutter assembly having a shaft and cutter wheel assembly includes a housing half with a body and opposite edge portions extending away from the body. A removable seat block is fixed to the housing half in a space between the edge portions, and is configured to transmit forces received from the cutter shaft to the housing half in shear. A first face of the seat block is pressed against a face of one of the edge portions, and second face is pressed against the housing half body. The seat block may be preloaded against the housing half with first and second pluralities of bolts arranged perpendicularly. The seat block is configured to be removable in the field without removing the housing half from the TBM. The seat block may be hardened to a Rockwell C hardness in the range of Rc 58 to 60.

Abstract: A cutter assembly for a tunnel boring machine includes first and second housing mounts each having a plate portion, an abutment flange, and a plurality of spaced seats. A cutter ring assembly is mountable in the housings and includes two or more bridging supports that include a shaft mounting portion and two end portions that abut respective housing mount flanges. The cutter ring axis of rotation is between and parallel to the housing mounts. Separate wedge members are attachable to the housing mounts, and are configured to clamp the end portions of the bridging supports against the associated flanges. In some embodiments removable seat members are provided between the housing mount seats and the wedge members. The housing mounts and removable seats are configured to permit the cutter ring assembly to be inserted inline to the housing mounts.

Abstract: A cutter disc for a tunnel boring machine includes a middle disc portion defining a radially outer surface or edge for engaging a surface, a left toothed portion defining a first set of teeth set back from the outer edge, and a right toothed portion defining a second set of teeth set back from the outer edge. In an embodiment, a central bore through the cutter disc is configured to attach the cutter disc to a hub for rotatably mounting the cutter disc on a shaft. In an embodiment, the hub is formed integrally with the cutter disc. The left and right toothed portions provide structural support to the middle portion and facilitate rotation of the cutter disc when boring in soft or mixed conditions, but do not interfere with boring in hard rock conditions.

Abstract: A cutter assembly for a tunnel boring machine includes first and second housing mounts each having a plate portion, an abutment flange, and a plurality of spaced seats. A cutter ring assembly is mountable in the housings and includes two or more bridging supports that include a shaft mounting portion and two end portions that abut respective housing mount flanges. The cutter ring axis of rotation is between and parallel to the housing mounts. Separate wedge members are attachable to the housing mounts, and are configured to clamp the end portions of the bridging supports against the associated flanges. In some embodiments removable seat members are provided between the housing mount seats and the wedge members. The housing mounts and removable seats are configured to permit the cutter ring assembly to be inserted inline to the housing mounts.

Abstract: A housing mount assembly for a TBM disc cutter assembly having a shaft and cutter wheel assembly includes a housing half with a body and opposite edge portions extending away from the body. A removable seat block is fixed to the housing half in a space between the edge portions, and is configured to transmit forces received from the cutter shaft to the housing half in shear. A first face of the seat block is pressed against a face of one of the edge portions, and second face is pressed against the housing half body. The seat block may be preloaded against the housing half with first and second pluralities of bolts arranged perpendicularly. The seat block is configured to be removable in the field without removing the housing half from the TBM. The seat block may be hardened to a Rockwell C hardness in the range of Rc 58 to 60.

Abstract: A cutter assembly includes a disc subassembly rotatably mounted on a shaft with bearing assemblies, and end retainers. The disc subassembly includes a first hub member having a tubular portion that houses the bearing assemblies and an outer flange portion, a second hub member that slidably engages the tubular portion, and an annular cutter ring, preferably formed from a tool steel, and optionally formed in a plurality of segments. The first and second hub members define a channel that receives and clampingly engages a rectangular inner base portion of the cutter ring. The clamping force is provided by a plurality of bolts that join the first and second hub members, while the flange portion of the first hub member remains separated from the second hub member by a gap (S). In an embodiment the cutter ring includes a carbide core.

Abstract: An inline mounting assembly for a TBM cutter assembly includes first and second housing mounts, having upper and lower ear portions, and an inline channel sized to receive an end of the cutter assembly. The housing mounts include a first guide and a second guide defining forward and rearward abutment faces. A wedge assembly includes a bolt that extends through the first guide and engages a wedge configured to clamp the cutter shaft to the housing mount. A back support assembly includes a clamp block that abuts the rearward abutment face, a bridge block that abuts the forward abutment face, and a bolt that extends through the blocks. The bridge block abuts the shaft to provide support.

Abstract: A cutter disc for a tunnel boring machine includes a middle disc portion defining a radially outer surface or edge for engaging a surface, a left toothed portion defining a first set of teeth set back from the outer edge, and a right toothed portion defining a second set of teeth set back from the outer edge. In an embodiment, a central bore through the cutter disc is configured to attach the cutter disc to a hub for rotatably mounting the cutter disc on a shaft. In an embodiment, the hub is formed integrally with the cutter disc. The left and right toothed portions provide structural support to the middle portion and facilitate rotation of the cutter disc when boring in soft or mixed conditions, but do not interfere with boring in hard rock conditions.

Abstract: An inline mounting assembly for a TBM cutter assembly includes first and second housing mounts, having upper and lower ear portions, and an inline channel sized to receive an end of the cutter assembly. The housing mounts include a first guide and a second guide defining forward and rearward abutment faces. A wedge assembly includes a bolt that extends through the first guide and engages a wedge configured to clamp the cutter shaft to the housing mount. A back support assembly includes a clamp block that abuts the rearward abutment face, a bridge block that abuts the forward abutment face, and a bolt that extends through the blocks. The bridge block abuts the shaft to provide support.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine (100) includes a cutterhead assembly (102) rotatably mounted to a forward shield assembly (116) through a cutterhead support assembly (110). The cutterhead support assembly is configured to receive a variable number of drive assemblies (105), such that the number of drive assemblies may be selected after fabricating the cutterhead support structure (120). The cutterhead support structure includes a housing portion (121) that houses the main bearing assembly (101) and a drive gear (104). A plurality of drive mount stations (111) provide access to the drive gear, and are provided with a pinion housing (130) for stations that receive a drive assembly, or with a cradle cover (140) for stations that do not receive a drive assembly.

Abstract: A pressure-compensated cutter assembly for a tunnel boring machine includes a shaft a cutter ring assembly rotatably mounted on the shaft, and first and second end retainers non-rotatably attached to the shaft. Rotary seal groups, immersed in lubricant, provide a moving seal between the rotating cutter ring assembly and the end retainers. A movable piston member is exposed to ambient pressures, and contacts the lubricant, such that increasing ambient pressure will increase the lubricant pressure, thereby keeping the pressure differential across the seal small. In one embodiment, the piston is a floating retainer portion. In another embodiment, the piston is an annular piston, and in another embodiment, the piston is a plurality of smaller pistons disposed in the first retainer.

Abstract: A pressure-compensated cutter assembly for a tunnel boring machine includes a shaft a cutter ring assembly rotatably mounted on the shaft, and first and second end retainers non-rotatably attached to the shaft. Rotary seal groups, immersed in lubricant, provide a moving seal between the rotating cutter ring assembly and the end retainers. A movable piston member is exposed to ambient pressures, and contacts the lubricant, such that increasing ambient pressure will increase the lubricant pressure, thereby keeping the pressure differential across the seal small. In one embodiment, the piston is a floating retainer portion. In another embodiment, the piston is an annular piston, and in another embodiment, the piston is a plurality of smaller pistons disposed in the first retainer.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine (90) having a rotating cutter head (93) that rotatably supports a plurality of cutter assemblies (10). A plurality of instrument packages (50) are attached to the rotating cutter head, each instrument package having a distal end in contact with an associated cutter assembly. The instrument packages include a plurality of sensors including an accelerometer (32), magnetometer (33) and temperature sensor (34), for monitoring the associated cutter assembly. The sensors are mounted in a distal end of the instrument packages that is biased to remain in contact with the cutter assembly. The instrument packages include a wireless transmitter, and they are interconnected in a mesh or peer to peer network. A power supply (176) such as a battery pack is provided for each instrument package. The data from the sensors may be used to control operation of the tunnel boring machine and/or to monitor the condition of the cutter assemblies.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine is provided comprising a cutter head, a main beam, a first, second, and third shield; and a ground conditioning work zone within the first shield, a gripper assembly, a segment erector arm for lining the tunnel, and at least one propulsion mechanism. The ground conditioning work zone includes at least one probing device for probing the terrain ahead of the cutter head. The first shield is configured to be retracted relative to the second shield to provide access for the ground conditioning work zone to apply at least one ground support device. The at least one propulsion mechanism moves the cutter head, the first and the second shield forward while the third shield and the gripper assembly remain stationary. The ground support devices can include filling a hole with a ground conditioning agent; and placing a bolt, ring beam, mesh, or shotcrete in/on the tunnel wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for drilling a vertical borehole in hard ground, the equipment comprising: casing put successively into place in the borehole; a drilling machine having a rotary cutting head and presenting a structural frame; torque and thrust transmission means having a first end secured to the structural frame of the drilling machine; and securing means for securing the second end of the torque and thrust transmission means in translation and in rotation to said casing.

Abstract: A conveyor belt idler support includes a fixed frame having support idlers for a return path of the belt. A movable frame is mounted on the fixed frame and is tiltable to support the carrying portion of the belt with a varying degree of tilt to allow the belt extend in a curved path around corners. The fixed frame has a projecting bracket carrying support rollers which extends into a hollow box portion at the center of the movable frame adjacent the middle to support most of the load on the movable frame. The movable frame has a center section and outwardly and upwardly sloping side sections each carrying idlers to define a trough for the belt. At one side, the movable frame carries a upwardly extending guide roller to limit lateral movement of the belt and allow the belt to apply a lateral force to the movable frame to tilt it about the support roller.

Abstract: A conveyor belt idler support includes a fixed frame having support idlers for a return path of the belt. A movable frame is mounted on the fixed frame and is tiltable to support the carrying portion of the belt with a varying degree of tilt to allow the belt extend in a curved path around corners. The fixed frame has a projecting bracket carrying support rollers which extends into a hollow box portion at the center of the movable frame adjacent the middle to support most of the load on the movable frame. The movable frame has a center section and outwardly and upwardly sloping side sections each carrying idlers to define a trough for the belt. At one side, the movable frame carries a upwardly extending guide roller to limit lateral movement of the belt and allow the belt to apply a lateral force to the movable frame to tilt it about the support roller.

Abstract: A colonic irrigation apparatus for cleaning bodily orifices such as the large intestine, which converts pressurized water from a building's water supply into a gravity flow and which provides precise temperature control even at extremely low flow rates. Water temperature is regulated by alternating the flow from separate hot and cold water inlets around a preset temperature set point, and sending the water into a filter. The filter blends the water, evening the temperature, whereupon the water passes through a temperature safety valve and on to an elevated pressure-to-gravity converter. Pressure is regulated by the converter, which receives the pressurized water, drains most of it under the flow of gravity to the patient at a preset flow rate, and vents the excess pressure by diverting a variable flow of the incoming water down to a drain.

Abstract: A down reaming apparatus has an upper stabilizer which supports the down reaming apparatus in the bored hole. A plurality of shoe assemblies are radially attached to the hub of the upper stabilizer. The shoe assemblies are biased against a bored shaft wall by pressurized cylinders which allow limited return movement with resistance of the shoe assemblies. A weight assembly comprising a plurality of stacked plates is secured to the frame of the down reaming apparatus and has manways therethrough which allow passage of workers. A lower stabilizer provides additional support for the down reaming apparatus. The lower stabilizer also includes shoe assemblies that are biased against the bored shaft wall by a pressurized cylinder.

Abstract: The drive head assembly for a drilling machine includes a drive head body having a cavity with an upper portion and a lower portion. A bolt is located in the upper portion of the drive head body cavity, and a collet is located in the lower portion of the drive head body cavity. The collet also includes a cavity. A collet insert is located in the collet cavity, and the collet insert has a drill string opening to fixedly secure a drill string.