Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing a hollow-cylindrical concrete lining (50) on shaft walls (100) of vertical shafts (101), having at least one shuttering element (2) which is radially spaced from the shaft wall (100) and forms a concrete shuttering, a supporting ring (3) at the lower end of the shuttering element (2), and a sealing assembly (4) in the region of the supporting ring (3) to seal the concrete shuttering relative to the shaft wall (100), wherein the sealing assembly (4) is formed by a plurality of drawers (5, 5a, 5b) which can be extended radially against the shaft wall (100).

Abstract: A taping apparatus adapted to apply tape over voids on an interior pipe wall, the taping apparatus having a transport assembly adapted to move the apparatus through a pipe; and a rotatable taping assembly adapted to retain a roll of tape and apply the tape over a void on the interior wall of the pipe, the taping assembly comprising an extendable and tractable arm assembly and a tape applicator assembly.

Abstract: A method and a device for repairing portions of channels, including non-round channels, is provided by a wound tube wound from a profile strip by a winding machine, the abutting edges of which strip are formed into tight joints, locked inside the wound tube which can be introduced into the portion of the channel to be repaired. A plastic profile strip is drawn from a storage spool and fed to a winding machine arranged in front of one of the openings of the channel to be repaired, the winding machine having a guide rail adapted to the cross-portion of the channel, and adjacent edge regions fed onto this rotating winding former locked in an overlapping manner to form a wound pipe and the pipe is pushed or pulled into the channel portion.

Abstract: A method for preventing shield jamming by excessive frictional resistance in earth pressure balance shield which involves real-time monitoring of earth pressure signal for earth pressure on the shield body through sensors on the shield machine. Combined with the known parameters, resistance in the shield machine is calculated. The friction F1 between the shield body and the stratum is calculated by CPU module in PLC according to the earth pressure signals on a real-time basis. Then the friction F1 is determined whether it is less than or equal to the difference between the quotient of dividing total propulsion force Ft by correction coefficient Kxz and total resistance of F2, F3, F4 and F5; if so, it is under normal propulsion; if not, the warning device alarms.

Abstract: An EPB shield machine without disc cutter, which includes a partition unit formed by a moveable partition member (30) and a stationary partition member (31), a front shield unit (13) including a cutting unit (1) with cutting head (11) and cutting teeth (12), a shaft member (2) connected to the cutting head (11) and a power transmission unit formed by a transfer case (5), a reducer (6) and a driving motor (7). In the power transmission unit at an upper portion of the machine, the transfer case (5) is fixedly to the moveable partition member (30), a sliding arrangement supports the reducer (6) and the driving motor (7), which are connected to the transfer case (5, and a telescopic cylinder (26) is connected to the sliding arrangement. The machine has advantages of high cutting efficiency, balanced service life, high directional construability and high adaptability to tunnel cross section.

Abstract: A method for preventing shield jamming by excessive frictional resistance in earth pressure balance shield which involves real-time monitoring of earth pressure signal for earth pressure on the shield body through sensors on the shield machine. Combined with the known parameters, resistance in the shield machine is calculated. The friction F1 between the shield body and the stratum is calculated by CPU module in PLC according to the earth pressure signals on a real-time basis. Then the friction F1 is determined whether it is less than or equal to the difference between the quotient of dividing total propulsion force Ft by correction coefficient Kxz and total resistance of F2, F3, F4 and F5; if so, it is under normal propulsion; if not, the warning device alarms. Therefore forced shut down due to shield jamming is effectively avoided, the construction risk is reduced and the construction efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A guided boring machine includes a cutter head, a steering head and an internal casing with an auger therein for conveying material cut by the cutter head towards the rear end of the auger. The boring machine bores a tunnel from a launch pit to a target pit along a desired boring direction and simultaneously installing a selected one of a plurality of differently-sized product casings in the tunnel. When the internal casing is placed within a selected product casing with its internal casing longitudinal axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the selected product casing, an annular space is formed with respect to the selected product casing. The guidance assembly includes a laser that is mounted behind the boring machine and oriented so as to direct its beam in a desired boring direction within the annular space. A target mount is mounted to the steering head inside surface. The target mount includes a roll correction slot which is parallel to the adjacent steering head inside surface.

Abstract: A TBM having a cylindrically shaped member located on said TBM just behind the rotating boring head, said member being of similar diameter as said tunnel and comprising sectionalized components so as to be adjustable in diameter, said member having a plurality of steel angle members welded to the surface of the top-most component so as to extend axially along the length of said cylindrically shaped member, said steel angle members forming axially extending receptacles therein.

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: Described is a method for the trenchless underground laying of pipes. According to said method, a shield tunnel boring machine and then subsequently pipes are driven through the ground starting from a starting shaft. The shield tunnel boring machine produces a borehole whose diameter is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the pipes. The annular space between the borehole wall and the pipes thereby obtained is filled with a supporting and lubricating agent. During advance, a continuous and periodical examination of the composition of the ground is carried out in the area of the shield tunnel boring machine or the first pipe following the shield tunnel boring machine or the first lubricating point. Depending on the result of the examination, the ground in the examined area is sealed off and/or solidified by a sealing and/or solidifying agent and/or the composition of the supporting and lubricating agent is adjusted.

Abstract: A tunneling system including a tunneling apparatus including a cutting structure for forming a borehole and at least one linkage section for transmitting a force generally toward the cutting structure is disclosed. A method of disposing a casing string within a subterranean formation by applying a force generally to the trailing end of the tunneling apparatus, generally toward the leading end thereof, but without transmitting the entire force through the entire casing string is also disclosed. At least one linkage section extending within but not in contact with at least one casing section of the casing string may transmit the force. Also, a force limiting member may limit a force applied to the casing string.

Abstract: An excavating drive (22) movable backward/forward is accommodated in a turnable body (9) which in turn is turnable about an axis perpendicular to an axis of and in a skin plate (7). A cutter device (38) ahead of a rotor (22) in the excavating drive (22) is composed of a center cutter (40) supported by the excavating drive (22) and a plurality of face plate shaped expansion cutters (44) fitted to an outer periphery of the center cutter (40) for pivotal movement backward/forward. Tunneling is effected by the expanded cutter device with the expansion cutters (44) being pivoted forward. Upon replacement of bits (35; 35?), the expansion cutters (44) are pivoted backward for contraction of an assembly of them and the cutter device (38) is accommodated in a turning trajectory (R) of the turnable body (9) so that the turnable body (9) is turned backward for replacement of the damaged bits (35; 35?) backward.

Abstract: A hydraulic shield support is disclosed with at least two adjustable-length hydraulic props supporting a dedicated shield, which are connected through a control bank to a hydraulic fluid supply and borne on base shoes, and to which a pressure in excess of the pressure of the hydraulic fluid may be applied in the set condition of the shield support. In order to provide almost any pressure level at each shield support at a deep face in a simple way, the shield support has at least one pressure intensifier located in a hydraulic pipe system between the hydraulic fluid supply and the hydraulic props, with an oscillating intensifier piston in the form a differential piston effecting the increase in pressure. The low pressure inlet of the pressure intensifier is connected to the setting pressure pipes upstream, and its high-pressure outlet downstream, of a hydraulically-releasable non-return valve.

Abstract: An earth discharging device, for a shield machine for constructing a tunnel in the vertical direction, has a pipe for discharging downwardly earth and sand that have been excavated by the machine as it advances upwardly. An elastic film-type valve is provided in the earth discharging pipe, which valve expands and contracts diametrically by means of fluid pressure to open and close the interior of the earth discharging pipe. A gate mechanism follows the elastic valve and adjusts the sectional area of the space through which earth and sand pass inside of the earth discharging pipe. The gate mechanism narrows the sectional area of the earth discharging pipe at the outlet side of the elastic valve so as to create a substantially uniform earth pressure upon the entire elastic valve to inhibit blockages and eruptions that might otherwise occur.

Abstract: A tunnel excavating machine of high-speed construction capable of completely stopping invasion of water and allowing covering members to be assembled easily is provided. This tunnel excavating machine comprises: a cylindrical excavating machine main portion 1 provided with a cutter head 4 and fit to an external periphery of an existing segment S through a tail seal 23; a cylindrical excavating machine auxiliary portion 2 fit to the inside of the excavating machine main portion 1 movably in the back and forth directions and provided with an erector 25 for assembling the segments; a plurality of main propulsion jacks 22 disposed between the main portion 1 and the auxiliary portion 2; and a plurality of auxiliary propulsion jacks 22 mounted on the auxiliary portion 2 and capable of being retracted with respect to the segment S.

Abstract: An earth discharging device, for a shield machine for constructing a tunnel in the vertical direction, has a pipe for discharging downwardly earth and sand that have been excavated by the machine as it advances upwardly. An elastic film-type valve is provided in the earth discharging pipe, which valve expands and contracts diametrically by means of fluid pressure to open and close the interior of the earth discharging pipe. A gate mechanism follows the elastic valve and adjusts the sectional area of the space through which earth and sand pass inside of the earth discharging pipe. The gate mechanism narrows the sectional area of the earth discharging pipe at the outlet side of the elastic valve so as to create a substantially uniform earth pressure upon the entire elastic valve to inhibit blockages and eruptions that might otherwise occur.

Abstract: A portable wall section for incorporation in a mine stopping or for use as a mine permanent stopping or seal form, comprising vertically extensible panels secured in side-by-side relation, a stopping installed in a mine, a stopping system utilizing one or more of said sections, and methods of installing the stopping and form.

Abstract: A method of boring a tunnel through a stratum utilizing a shield tunneling apparatus, the process comprising the injection into the stratum at the cutting face of an aqueous material comprising (a) from 0.005-0.05% by weight of a polyethylene oxide of weight-average molecular weight from 2,000,000 to 8,000,000 (b) from 0.05-0.5% by weight of a sulphate-containing anionic surfactant. The method is effective even in difficult soils.

Abstract: The tunnel rock drill (100) for driving a tunnel bore optionally in open or shielded mode comprises a shield tail (33), which is connected to the drill head (10) and which covers optionally the bore wall over a defined length; a bracing device (20), which can be optionally fixed in the tunnel bore; at least one optionally activaatable advancement device (25), which, on the one hand, rests on the bracing device (20) and , on the other hand, acts on the drill head (10); and an optionally activatable force generator (35), which has a variable length and which, on the one hand, rests on a tubbing support (32) and, on the other hand, acts on the drill head (10). To introduce the advancement forces into the drill head in open mode, there is an inner kelly (16), which can be moved in the direction of boring in relation to the bracing device (20) and to which the advancement generator (25) is hinged and whose breast-sided end bears the drill head (10).

Abstract: A construction method for widening road, superhighway or railway tunnels, without interrupting the traffic flow includes a first stage of excavation; in steps, of the ground between the theoretical profile of the future widened tunnel and that of the original tunnel, after having reinforced the ground between the theoretical profile of the future widened tunnel and that of the original tunnel by reinforcement operations on the face, and a second stage in which the final lining, comprising one or more arches of prefabricated segments is placed close to the face.

Abstract: The tunnel excavator (1) includes a cutter supporting body (3) provided with cutters (2) for excavating the earth. The tunnel excavator also includes crawlers (13) for moving backwards and forwards, and upper and side bearing frames (15, 16) which move radiantly until they contact an inner surface of the excavation (12). Forwards movement is accomplished by propelling the cutter supporting body (3) with the crawlers (13) while the bearing frames (15, 16) are in contact with the inner surface of the excavation (12). Forwards movement without lateral slippage can be achieved because the cutter supporting body (3) is guided through the excavation (12) by the bearing frames (15, 16). Backwards movement is achieved by radially withdrawing the bearing frames (15, 16) from the inner surface of the excavation (12) and reversing the crawlers (13). Tunneling can therefore be accomplished regardless of the state of the floor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tail structure of a shield driving machine, and in particular relates to an improvement technique of the tail sealing portion of this type of shield driving machine, in order to eliminate wearing of the tail seal. The tail structure has a first tail seal 12 and a second tail seal 14. The first tail seal 12 is provided with a tail ring 12a, a seal tube 12b and packing 12c, and the tail ring 12a is secured movably in the axial direction of a skin plate 10. The packing 12c is pressure-fitted to segments 11 in line with enlargement of the seal tube 12b and is spaced from the segments 11 in line with reduction of the seal tube 12b. The second tail seal 14 is provided with a seal tube 14a and packing 14b, wherein the packing 14b is pressure-fitted to the segments 11 in line with enlargement of the seal tube 14a and is spaced from the segments 11 in line with reduction of the seal tube 14b.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shield driving machine by which eliminates excessive work of the ground when working at a curved section while suppressing an increase of the sinking of the ground surface and securing a quickening in the stability of segments. In the shield driving machine, a bulkhead 16 is provided at the tip end side of the shield driving machine body 14 of the shield driving machine 10. The chamber 18 which is formed by the bulkhead 16 and has the tip end side open is filled up with excavated earth and sand and is used to oppose the earth pressure and water pressure in the natural ground. A rotating shaft 22 which supports cross-shaped spokes 20 penetrates on the center axis of the bulkhead 16. At the shield driving machine 10, a plurality of openings 24 which discharge a part of the excavated earth and sand supplied from the chamber 18 to the rear side of the shield driving machine body 14 are provided at the hood portion 27.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tunnel boring machine particularly a micro-tunnelling machine having a cutting head rotatably mounted on the end of a housing and being driven by a first motor means and a rotatable central auger for removal of soil from the cutting operation mounted in the interior of the housing, the central auger being driven by a second motor means to allow rotation of the auger independent of the rotation of the cutting head. The tunnel boring machine may also be provided with a rock crusher between the cutting head and the auger to reduce boulders encountered during the tunneling to a size to be able to be transported by the auger.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine for boring a tunnel through hard and soft grounds includes a front body, a cutter head mounted to the front body and having a cutter for boring a hard round, and a drive unit rotatably supporting the cutter head for driving the cutter head. A main beam is operatively connected to the cutter head drive unit and extends rearward therefrom. A gripper body is supported by a rear end portion of the main beam to be slidable in an axial direction thereof and is provided with a main gripper to be movable along an radial direction of the main beam. A first thrust jack is mounted to be fitted between the main gripper and the main beam for advancing the cutter head and the cutter head drive unit. A shield shell is disposed so as to surround the cutter head drive unit. A second thrust jack is disposed in the shield shell, and a front gripper is mounted to the shield shell to be movable out of and into the shield shell.

Abstract: In a method for keeping outfall drainage in service whilst constructing sewerage, wherein a main drain is laid in the position of an old drain or in a new line by pipe or shield tunnelling under closed or semi-open construction using a working pipe or shield (1) at the tunnelling end (9), at essentially the same time as the working pipe or shield (1) is tunnelling, at least one outfall drain (30) is laid below ground through at least one working orifice (20) in the working pipe or shield (1), so that the outfall drain (30) lies alongside the main drain. A device suitable for implementing the method has a working pipe or a shield (1) with at least one working orifice (20) for laying at least one underground outfall drain (30) alongside the main drain from the interior of the working pipe or shield (1).

Abstract: A method for underground excavation below an area, without opening the area above the excavation, the method comprising constructing at least a pair of diaphragm walls, the walls being at two opposite sides of the area and extend substantially from the surface area to beneath the lowest level of the excavation. Either prior or after constructing the walls, a plurality of tunnels are bored under the surface area, with the tunnels extending from one diaphragm wall of a pair to another and having a diameter allowing them to accommodate one or more cables. Then, the one or more cables are inserted through the tunnels, and tensioned with their ends anchored to two diaphragm walls of a pair and excavating is performed between said diaphragm walls and beneath the cables.

Abstract: A shield excavator for constructing a tunnel, a hole, a groove and the like having a polygonal, preferably, square section. The excavator (10) comprises: a cylindrical shield body (12) having a polygonal sectional shape; a cutter assembly (18) disposed at a front end portion of the shield body (12) so as to be reciprocatingly movable in a first direction intersecting at least the axis of the shield body (12); and a driving mechanism (16) for driving the the cutter assembly (18). The cutter assembly (18) includes: a plurality of serrated cutters (66) disposed at the front end of the shield body (12) at intervals in a second direction intersecting the axis of the shield body (12) and the first direction and extending in the first direction, or a plurality of plate-shaped cutters (68) disposed at the front end of the shield body (12) at intervals in the first direction and extending in the second direction.

Abstract: A conduit comprised of double-wall pipes A is laid in the ground by the pipe-jacking method. Each of double-wall pipes A comprises inner pipe 1 and outer pipe 2 and is provided with sheath pipe 4 between inner pipe 1 and outer pipe 2 and with check valve 7. Winch 11 is mounted in tunneling machine 6. Wire 12 wound on winch 11 is inserted into sheath pipe 4 and the forward end of wire 12 is sent to start vertical shaft C through sheath pipe 4, and connected with cleaning member 24, injecting member F, and supply pipe 14. Cleaning member 21, injecting member F, and supply pipe 14 are moved in sheath pipes 4 by driving winch 7. When injecting member F is opposed to check valve 7, packing means 19, 20 are inflated to be brought into contact with the inside of sheath pipe 4 by which injecting member F is fixed to sheath pipe 4.

Abstract: In a tunnel excavator for tunneling by rotating a cutter head provided in front of a shield body to thereby excavate the working face of a tunnel using disk cutters attached to the front surface of the cutter head, the cutter head is composed of an annular beam, an arched main spoke provided across the annular beam and a plurality of arched sub-spokes radially provided thereon and disk cutter assemblies are detachably attached to the main spoke and sub-spokes, so that the disk cutter has a simple structure and the reaction force of excavation is broken up by the main spoke and sub-spokes to be transmitted to the annular beam. As a result, it is possible to provide a strong and durable cutter head which can be easily manufactured.

Abstract: A tunnelling machine for large cross-section tunnels (with a 12 m diameter and more), as well as for excavating loose rocks leading to groundwater, has a shield with a cylindrical case. A front section (1) of the case is rotary. The front face (3) of the rotary section is designed at least outside a central area (11) as a helical heading supporting surface at least approximately full when seen in the axial direction (6) of the tunnel. Preferably, the supporting surface is composed of several helical surfaces (4, 5) that supplement each other in the circumferential and/or radial directions. In the supporting surface is arranged at least one excavating shoulder (12, 13) whose surface is at an angle with respect to the supporting surface. An excavating device is preferably arranged on at least one excavating shoulder (12, 13). In the area of the supporting surface the earth or rocks are supported at the same time as they are excavated exclusively at the excavating shoulder(s).

Abstract: A shield tunneling machine comprises a shield body having a soil chamber, an inside chamber and a partition wall. The soil chamber has a conical peripheral surface converging gradually rearward. A crankshaft having an eccentric portion is rotatably supported by the partition wall at the center of the partition wall corresponding to the axis of the shield body. A cutter disc with roller bits is secured to a front end of the crankshaft, and a conical rotor is rotatably mounted on the eccentric portion of the crankshaft behind the cutter disc. Since the cutter disc is rotated at an increased rotary velocity by five to ten times as many as that of a cutter disc in a conventional shield tunneling machine, crushing of gravel can be efficiently carried out by the cutter disc with roller bits in cooperation with the conical rotor mounted on the crankshaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shield tail sealing (7) for driving shields consisting ofa basic body (2) made of elastomeric material and having a substantially rectangular cross section in the longitudinal direction and being inclined against the driving direction, whereby a sealing nose (12) is formed by molding at its sliding end on the inner side (inner side 11), which nose, in the operating condition, elastically presses against the outer side (4) of the tunnel lining, as well asa holding means (8) extending substantially contrally in the basic body (2), said means being fastened on a mounting support (10) arranged on the shield tail (9). The essence of said invention is thatin the upper zone adjacent to the shield tail (9), the basic body (2) has on the outer side (outer side 13) at least one sealing lip ( 14 ) of which the nose (18 ) , in the installed condition, projects beyond the outer surface (19) of the shield tail (9) or jacket of the shield.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and a method for transmitting data in a shield machine and for calculating the filling amount of a void by detecting the distance to the natural ground. The system and the method are capable of transmitting analogue signals or signals of relatively high frequencies with reliability, enabling an unskilled operator to accurately detect buried articles and accurately carry out the back-filling work. Therefore, an optical rotary joint (100) is disposed between a rotary cutter head (10) and a non-rotary shield body (2) to count time taken to detect the peak value of a reflected signal larger than a standard value or time taken to detect the zero cross position present prior to the peak value. In accordance with the counted time, the distance between the antenna and the natural ground is calculated and displayed. Then, the void volume is calculated in accordance with the distance so that a target value of the back-filling amount is set.

Abstract: A method for controlling advancement of a drilling apparatus comprising a drill head having tools therein and at least one conveying tube is disclosed. The method utilizes changes in pressure sensed in the drill head or the conveying tube as a means for assessing forces acting on tools in the drill head. The measured pressure information is transmitted to control equipment which adjusts the driving force applied by a power unit to the apparatus to effect the drilling operation. The method thereby provides an effective means of preventing damage to the tools.

Abstract: A drill head for drilling a tunnel in rock or soil comprises a rotatable drill bit assembly and a cylindrical protecting tube. The bit assembly comprises a bit holder and a cylindrical drill bit. The bit assembly has a cylindrical surface which forms a continuous cylindrical lap joint with the protecting tube. The bit assembly also has at least one opening for removing, through the bit assembly, drill cuttings from the face of the drill bit. In use, the lap joint allows rotation of the drill bit assembly relative to the protecting tube and prevents access of the drill cuttings to the outside of the drill head.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus and a method for its control maintains the alignment of a drill head while driving a tunnel. The control is achieved by manipulating the center of gravity of a drill bit unit with respect to a line determined by two supporting points of a protecting tube which are the sole points of the protecting tube supported against the tunnel bottom.

Abstract: A disclosure is made of a subterranean connecting method and a connecting apparatus therefor which are suitable for use when two shield machines are used to excavate a pair of tunnel sections from both ends of a tunnel, and the tunnel sections are connected to each other in mid course. During underground connection, it is important to secure sealing and water retarding with respect to soil and water pressure exerted by the ground in the vicinity of the connecting section. For this purpose, in the connecting apparatus, a penetration ring is arranged in one of the shield machines, and a penetration chamber in which the penetration ring is accommodated is arranged in the other shield machine. Both the both shield machines face each other with a slight gap remaining therebetween and, subsequently, the penetration ring is moved forward and penetrates into the penetration chamber of the mating shield machine. By this penetration, the area between both the shield machines are closed by the penetration ring.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing measurement by a resistivity method in order to detect the thickness of a sludge layer on the outer periphery of a shield machine. A Wenner electrode row (14) on the outer periphery of the machine is used to measure reference resistivities to thereby detect certain resistivities in the depth direction of the natural ground and the sludge layer thickness. At the same time, a dipole electrode row (16) is used to measure voltage distributions in the depth direction of the natural ground and in the direction of the arrangement of the electrodes. The ratios of the values measured by the measurement dipole electrodes to those measured by the reference Wenner electrodes are calculated, and their distribution is charted. When mutually equal values in the distribution map are connected together by continuous curves, a contour-pattern image is obtained, which enables a configuration of the collapse of natural ground to be determined.

Abstract: A rectangular shield excavating machine comprises a quadrangularly tubular shield body having a space for receiving an excavated matter at the front end, a rotor disposed in the space so as to be capable of being rotated onward and backward angularly around an axis extending in the direction orthogonal to a pair of facing exterior portions of the body, and excavating means disposed in the body, drive means for rotating onward and backward the rotor angularly around the axis, and for driving the excavating means. Large gravels contained in the excavated matter are crushed by being put between the rotor and a member defining the space with the rotationally reciprocating motion of the rotor.

Abstract: The tunnelling machine for driving inaccessible tunnels by pressing forward by means of tubes can be moved out again through the tunnel driven by it. For this purpose, an annular outer area (2b) is provided on the extracting tool (2), and one double casing (4b, 6b) each is provided around the control head (4) and the machine tube (6). The outer area (2b) of the extracting tool is connected to its inner area (2a) and the control-head double casing (4b) is connected to the control-head housing (4a) by connecting elements (24, 26). Specifically releasable restraining devices (28) hold the machine-tube double casing (6b) on the machine-tube housing (6a). After the final depth is reached, the control head (4) can be moved back by means of the control devices (40) to such an extent towards the machine tube (6) that the connecting elements (24, 26) are broken.

Abstract: The invention relates to an earth pressure system shield process. First of all, an excavation additive consisting of the mixture of an agent for improving fluidity and viscosity of an excavated soil and a mud improving main agent is added (Ic, P.sub.2) to the excavated soil at the time of shield excavation at the working face, inside a mixing chamber (1b) of a shield machine (1) and inside a soil discharge screw conveyor (3) to sufficiently mix the excavated soil with the improving main agent and a mud improving assistant agent is then added (5) inside the soil discharge screw conveyor (3), so that the seal covered by the improving main agent so as not to be disssolved in water is removed chemically by this assistant agent. In this manner, the excavated soil is improved to a high quality soil having low fluidity inside the soil discharge screw conveyor (3) and is discharged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boring machine for digging tunnels in a wide variety of qualities of ground, of the type comprising a first front shield, containing the boring head, and the members for driving the same, and a second shield, fitted with posts or "grippers" for providing the anchorage necessary for the advancement of the boring machine, in which a third shield is provided, arranged between said first and said second shield, such that the first shield overlaps partly with it and is able to slide axially with respect to the third shield itself and that the assembly first shield/third shield is able to vary its advancing direction with respect to the second shield; guide means being provided between said first and said third shield, which guide means allow these latter to perform a relative movement in the longitudinal axial direction only, and means being provided for advancing said first shield with respect to said third sh shield, as well as means for setting at an angle the assembly first shield/th

Abstract: In a process and a winding device for lining elongated spaces such as tunnels or ducts of circular and non-circular cross-sections, especially for canal and tunnel construction band is employed. Tubes with various diameters and different cross-sections, but mainly with circular and egg-shaped cross-sections, may be created from the band by the winding device.

Abstract: A shield tunnelling apparatus is provided that includes a first tubular shield body in which a cutter assembly for excavation and a drive mechanism for driving the cutter assembly are disposed; a second shield body connected to the rear of the first shield body so as to have a common axis therewith; a target disposed in the first shield body so as to receive a light ray directed along the axis; first optical path changing means disposed in the second shield body and capable of changing the optical path of the light ray directed toward the target such that the light ray travels along an optical path displaced away from the axis; and second optical path changing means disposed in the second shield body and capable of changing the optical path of the light ray passing through the first optical path changing means such that the light ray is again directed along the axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an underground pipeline from an excavated hole uses a drill head with a suitable tool attached thereto. Loosened soil is transported out of the drilled tunnel with a transportation drum containing an internal spiral. The drum is supported by a roll devices fixed to outer pipes. Rotating movement is transmitted to the rotating drill head from the transportation drum which is driven by a motor. Cylinders push the whole system and force is transmitted by the outer pipes to the drill head. Guiding of the drill head is accomplished with fluid actuators. Attachment and removal of the drill tool is accomplished through a free hole in the transportation drum and a central hole in the drill head, and the free hole and central hole also allow observation of the drill tool and tunnel face during drilling.

Abstract: A shield tunnelling machine is provided. Such shield tunnelling machines include a tubular shield body; an excavating cutter assembly disposed on a front end of the body; a partition wall for defining the interior of the body into a front region and a rear region; a rotor having an outer diameter gradually increasing toward the rear; a drive mechanism for turning the rotor around a first axis and rotating the rotor around a second axis eccentric to the first axis; an annular member mounted to the rotor to be turned and rotated together with the rotor and extending around the first axis; and a discharging mechanism for discharging the excavated matter to the rear region.

Abstract: Tunnel boring machine for reaming of a pilot tunnel (11). The machine housing (12) is provided with a projecting part in front of the boring head (13), said projecting part comprising a part (20) being fixed relative to the machine housing and a shield (19) being separable from the fixed part.This arrangement permits substantially uninterrupted excavation of the tunnel and prevents the excavated soil from becoming wedged between the boring head and the tunnel front.

Abstract: A shield tunnelling machine is provided that includes a cylindrical shield body; a rotary cutter head disposed on a front end of the shield body and provided with a face plate having one or a plurality of slits extending in the radial direction; and intermediate support member for supporting a plurality of cutter bits respectively having forward bit portions and backward bit portions in each of the slits; a support structure for supporting the intermediate support member swingably around an axis extending in the radial direction; a member for movably guiding the support structure in the axial direction of the shield body; and a cylinder device and a piston for moving the support stucture in the axial direction of the shield body to move the cutter bits toward and away from the front face of the face plate, the face plate and the guide member sharing the excavation force exerted against the cutter bits.

Abstract: A shield unit has a cylindrical shell made up of two sections arranged in succession one after the other, that is, a head section and a tail section which are connected by a traversing mechanism. The mechanism is a differential planetary gear train kinematically associated with a mechanism for moving the tail section and a rock discharge mechanism. The head section is provided with a cutting tool and has a helical surface. The tail section is provided with a device preventing rotation of the tool section in rock.