Abstract: The application discloses a pipeline annular self-traveling guide apparatus and a pipeline annular self-traveling guiding method. The pipeline annular self-traveling guide apparatus includes an inner annular groove and an outer annular groove. A first pipeline fixing part is configured on the inner annular groove, a second pipeline fixing part is configured on the outer annular groove, an annular bracket which is configured to rotate freely along a circumferential direction is correspondingly configured between the inner annular groove and the outer annular groove, a pipeline supporting roller group is configured on the annular bracket, and gaps for laying pipelines are reserved between a circumferential surface of the pipeline supporting roller and inner bottom surfaces of the inner annular groove and the outer annular groove.

Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.

Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a pipe casing underground without a trench for distances up to 400 feet with pipe casing up to 168 inches in diameter. The system uses a modified high energy piling hammer to mobilize the energy to drive the casings or tubings that make up the instant tunnel. An example of a piling hammer used in the present invention is the IHC Hydrohammer line of models in between the S-90 and S-280. Specific models planned to be used in this invention, depending on diameter and length requirements and type of soil in the planned alignment, are the Models S-90, S-150, S-280, S-400 and S-500. The present invention's Hydrohammers are needed to be held against the casing pipe to be driven with a force equal to the reactional force of the hammer during recharging of the hammer's system. A special helmet and cutting head increase operational capabilities.

Abstract: A softwall mining method and device. Each of a plurality of mining devices comprise a supporting portion, an earth moving portion and a coupling mechanism for advancing the earth moving portion into a mining face, and for advancing the supporting portion toward the earth moving portion. Supporting portions of the devices are locked together to anchor movement of the earth moving portions, and earth moving portions of the devices are separately locked together to anchor the movement of the supporting portions.

Abstract: A segment 20 has segment units 22 obtained by dividing a cylindrical body having an appointed length into four sections along the circumferential direction. The segment units 22 are provided with a segment body 22a, a porous concrete layer 22b, water intake pores 22c, and clogging members 22d. The segment body 20a is constructed of a cast iron plate or steel plate and has an inwardly recessed portion on its outer circumferential surface. The concrete layer 22b is a porous material having water permeability, and is filled and solidified in the inwardly recessed portion 201a. The water intake pores 22c are formed on the flat bottom of two recessed portions 201a so as to penetrate the bottom, and are provided in a plurality along the circumferential direction with an appointed interval.

Abstract: A travelling steel form system includes a three-dimentional framework mechanism with multiple faces crossing and coupling with one another. A set of form panels are fixed to the outer side of the framework mechanism on more than two faces thereof, and are capable of connecting to one another to form a predetermined shape and disconnect from one another to change the shape following expanding and retracting movement of the framework mechanism. A driving device is vertically or horizontally retractably mounted on the front end and or rear end of the framework mechanism for driving the latter to perform movements of expanding the outer diameter or reducing the outer diameter. The system is particularly suited for use in concrete placing work in civil engineering constructions.

Abstract: A device for opening and supporting a headway in closed or open excavations comprises an envelope composed of blade- carrying heads (24) which can be driven individually or in groups, each connected to an end part. At least several end parts are designed as internal formwork sections (12) and their top surface facing the ground or soil (26) slopes backward from the corresponding top surface (38) of the corresponding blade-carrying head. The blade-carrying head (24) and the end parts are supported and guided on supporting frames (16) of a walking frame (34). A filling tube (42) for introducing supporting material (44) and binders is arranged in the region between the blade-carrying head (24) and the sections (12) of the internal casing.

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: A machine for consolidating the soil for underground drilling excavations by means of the technique of the protective umbrella comprises a frame or chassis mounted on ground engaging motor driven crawler tracks and is provided with pistons having stabilizing feet. A power unit, which works a rotary unit and auxiliary units, is used for moving and positioning the machine. A rotary unit is located on a boom mounted on one end of telescopic standards hinged to the other end of the frame, around an axis that is substantially parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The standards are fixed to step bearings that realize said hinge and that are able to pivot with a 180 degree angle under the action of an engine. Said bearings have cursors sliding along vertical slides of the frame.

Abstract: Device (26) to feed reinforcement rods (25), which is suitable to cooperate with an excavation equipment (14) in providing lengthwise reinforcements in tunnels, particularly in excavations of a great depth amounting to about twenty meters or more, the excavation equipment (14) being borne on an excavator machine (10) and being able to rotate by an angle "alpha" from one or the other of two lateral inactive positions (A-B), the device (26) comprising means (27) for connection to the excavation equipment (14), support means (28) that bear means (30) that uphold and lift the reinforcement rods (25), means (32), that draw the reinforcement rods (25) and means (34-35) that guide and align the reinforcement rods (25).

Abstract: The invention falls within the art field of shields used in the excavation of tunnels for any given utility (rail, road, underground railway, sewers, pipelines, power cables etc.), and of all sizes. The plant disclosed provides a temporary support structure for tunnel walls, entirely self-propelled and extendible along the direction of excavation, the interior of which accommodates equipment used in digging operations and for the removal of spoil; accordingly, the structure acts as a temporary shoring facility during excavation works, moving forward through the bore and carrying within it the complete battery of excavation and auxiliary equipment while enabling installation immediately behind of the permanent pre-cast or cast in-situ tunnel lining.

Abstract: When carrying out replacement of an old main with a new one while crushing the old pipe line by a pipe jacking construction method in which the pipe line is formed by inserting pipes one by one horizontally from a launch pit without excavating the ground, application of low load is sufficient for forward movement of new main. Accordingly, a pipe for pipe jacking is able to endure to low load. Thus, there is provided an improved pipe for pipe jacking.

Abstract: A form for a concrete tunnel lining usable behind a tunnel excavator with a traveling shield is made of an inner tunnel-lining sheathing and a form front. The inner tunnel-lining sheathing is divided into a plurality of sheathing segments or rings movable independently of each other with intervening segment-bridging yieldable joints. The form front located between the traveling shield and the inner tunnel-lining sheathing is movable forwardly by the conrete which presses in the annular space formed by the traveling shield and/or the surrounding earth and by the inner tunnel-lining sheathing as well as the form front. An operationally beneficial design results when the inner tunnel-lining sheathing is set up for forward motion of the sheathing segments in the tunnel longitudinal direction singly or in groups one after the other relative to the remaining sheathing segments held or remaining at rest.

Abstract: The knife-shield driving device consists of drive knives (10, 12, 14, 16, 18) which can be acted on via a pushing device and are guided with respect to each other on their longitudinal sides. The guides consist of guide yokes (20) and wedge elements (30) which are guided in said guide yokes (20). For the change in direction of the driving it is sufficient to select any desired suitable guide knife (14) which is controlled in direction during the driving via hydraulic presses (34, 36) arranged on the adjacent knives (12, 16). In this connection, the guide yoke (20) slides on the wedge element (30) of the adjacent knife (12) and the wedge element of the knife (14) slides in the guide yoke on the knife (16).

Abstract: Shield tunnelling method and assembling and disassembling apparatus for use in practicing the method. A shield having shield jacks is actuated for drilling a hole in the ground. Inner forms and outer forms are assembled into a plurality of tubular units coaxially jointed in the hole so that an annular concrete lining space is defined between the inner forms and the outer forms, the tubular units having a leading tubular unit.The shield jacks are applied against inner forms of the leading tubular units for thrusting the shield during actuating of the shield to further drill the hole. A concrete is injected into the annular concrete lining space to form a concrete lining. The concrete lining within a predetermined length of tubular units is set for providing adhesion to the inner forms, in contact with the concrete lining, against a reaction force of the jack thrust for the shield.

Abstract: In tunnel construction with shield drive locational concrete is brought in stages directly behind the shield as tunnel lining. In order not to have to interrupt the shield progress during concreting it is proposed to provide a shield tail element consisting of a plurality of lamina movable relative to the shield, in addition to a shield tail element attached rigidly to the shield. This basically stands still during the continuous progress of the shield and is drawn forward into the shield by lamina only during the segment concreting, in order to remain immobile there relative to the earth until the next concreting stage.

Abstract: A drive shield for tunnel driving has a plurality of cutters supported for longitudinal displacement on a frame. The cutters are hollow and contain double-acting hydraulic rams used to displace the cutters and the frame. The rams are linked to the cutters via alignable connector shackles and detachable bolts. To connect the rams to the frame use is made of coupling pieces which have spigots engaging through shackles on the rams. The coupling pieces pass through slots in the cutters and are guided on the frame for displacement to release or mate the spigots with the shackles.

Abstract: A tunnel drive shield has a front shield and a rear shield. The front shield is a knife shield, and the rear shield has a hood and a plurality of elongate members. The hood is connected to the front shield so as to be movable in all directions. Between the hood and the front shield (or the support frame for the knives of the front shield) is provided means for holding the two shields at a given angular setting. The connection between the two shields enables them to be angled relatively to each other to a limited extent in all directions, so that the original length of the entire drive shield is shortened, and the ability of the shield to negotiate curves is increased.

Abstract: The reinforced concrete structure of this construction comprises tubular elements of permanent shuttering, connected by structural parts defined by external pile planks and internal permanent shuttering tangential to the tubular elements. The method of building consists in driving in the tubular elements and the pile planks over the entire length of the construction, emptying the tubular elements of the earth with which they are filled, reinforcing and casting concrete into these elements, excavating the interior of the section defined by these tubular elements and the pile planks, progressively disposing props, inserting the inner shuttering between these props and these tubular elements and subsequently reinforcing and casting concrete between this shuttering and the pile planks.

Abstract: A tunnel knife shield has a support frame, and a plurality of knife positioned side-by-side on the support frame. Each of the knives is associated with a double-acting hydraulic ram, the rams being used for advancing the knives, and for causing the support frame to follow up the advance of the knives. Hydraulic control means are provided for controlling the extension and retraction of the rams. Each ram has first and second working chambers, pressurization of which is effective to extend and retract that ram. The hydraulic control means comprises a plurality of control valves, each of which is associated with a respective hydraulic ram. Each control valve is provided with a first input constituted by a separate first hydraulic line. Each control valve is also provided with a second input, which is constituted by a common second hydraulic line. The common second hydraulic line is fed with hydraulic fluid by all of the first hydraulic lines.

Abstract: A tunnel knife shield has a support frame, and a plurality of knives positioned side-by-side on the support frame. Each of the knives is associated with a double-acting hydraulic ram, the rams being used for advancing the knives, and for causing the support frame to follow up the advance of the knives. Hydraulic control means are provided for controlling the extension and retraction of the rams. Each ram has first and second working chambers, pressurization of which is effective to extend and retract that ram. The hydraulic control means comprises respective first supply lines for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the first working chambers, respective second supply lines for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the second working chambers, and respective discharge lines for discharging hydraulic fluid from the first working chambers. Each discharge line is provided with a flow-regulation valve and a pilot-operated non-return valve.

Abstract: Tunnel driving apparatus incorporates a cutter shield with a plurality of drive members or cutters arranged side-by-side in a cylindrical array. The drive members are supported and guided for individual longitudinal displacement on a cylindrical continuous cowl or casing forming at least part of a support frame. Rams which serve to shift the drive members and the frame are coupled therebetween and extend through sealed openings in an end wall of a recess formed on the exterior of the cowl and open towards the drive members.To facilitate the creation of a concrete lining for the tunnel behind the cutter shield, a rear shield is formed by reduced rearwardly extending tails of the drive members. A further cylindrical casing locates within the rear shield and supports a pair of annular rings. One of these rings combines with a sheathing extending inside the further casing and the rear shield to form a concrete reception space.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in driving tunnels or the like has a main shield composed of elongate drive members supported and guided on a rigid frame as known per se. Rams serve to advance the drive members and the frame in alternative to effect the driving operation. A rear shield or cover is located behind the main shield. This rear shield is composed of elongate rear extension members connected with some of the drive members over the roof and part of the side walls of the tunnel. Supports fixed to the rear of the frame of the main shield engage beneath the lowermost rear extension members to support the rear shield. The supports, disposed symmetrically at either side of the axis of the tunnel, have brackets engaging with the lowermost rear extension members and these brackets can be displaced by piston and cylinder units to raise or lower the entire rear shield.

Abstract: A tunnel drive shield has an arcuate support frame constituted by a pair of foot segments, a pair of wall segments supported by the foot segments and a ridge segment connecting the tops of the wall segments. The foot segments engage the tunnel floor, and the wall segments are braceable outwardly towards the tunnel walls. Each foot segment is provided with a pair of longitudinal floor skids displaceably mounted on the base thereof. Each foot segment is also provided with a pair of longitudinally-spaced, vertically-movable support feet, which are movable into contact with the tunnel floor to relieve, at least partially, the load on the floor skids. The support feet are used to support the shield while the floor skids are removed. The rest of the shield can then be dismantled within the confines of the tunnel.

Abstract: A shield arrangement used for tunneling and mining in which a work chamber has an open front side located at the work face from which material is to be removed in tunneling and mining operations. Pressure is admitted into the work chamber for supporting the work face against crumbling and collapse. The work chamber also has supporting elements for the work face, which are selectively movable into and out of an operative position in which they support the work face. These selectively movable supports serve to replace at least partially, the support provided by the pressure medium admitted into the work chamber. The chamber has a longitudinal axis normal to the open side of the supporting elements which may be in the form of plates.

Abstract: A method of horizontally and vertically guiding a cutter advance mechanism involves adjusting and fixing each individual cutter plank of a plurality of cutter planks for a radial change of direction with respect to the apparatus and by guiding the individual cutter planks in the circumferential direction during its advance. The individual planks are provided with a tip which is pivotally attached to its front portion. Wedge surfaces which may be deployed are provided in the vicinities of the front and rear ends of the planks so as to engage the support frame. Two additional wedge surfaces are provided at side surfaces of the central plank, others of the cutter planks, are provided with a further wedge surface at respective sides thereof facing away from the central plank.

Abstract: A tunnel drive shield comprises a cylindrical shell supported by two axially-spaced frames. The two frames are movable, relative to one another, in the direction of tunnel advance. In order to guide the two frames accurately, guide means interconnect the two frames, the guide means permitting movement only in the direction of tunnel advance. The guide means may be constituted by a plurality of telescopic guide devices. A knife shield may constitute the drive shield.

Abstract: A drive shield of a tunnelling apparatus employs composite drive members or poling plates supported and guided for advancement in the driving direction on a frame. Each drive member has a front part pivotably connected to a rear part. The connection between the front and rear parts of each drive member is additionally designed to enable the rear part to be positionally adjusted as a whole in relation to the front part to bring their outer surfaces defining and supporting the tunnel wall, into exact alignment.

Abstract: A knife shield comprises a plurality of elongate knives which are arranged side-by-side upon a common support frame, the knives defining a generally cylindrical shield. Each knife is supported on the frame for movement in its longitudinal direction. At least one pair of diametrically opposed knives are coupled together, in the manner of a trackrod, for conjoint movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shield. During this movement the knives of the coupled pair concerned remain substantially parallel. The movement of the knives is used for controlling the direction of advance of the shield.

Abstract: A mineral mining installation has a longwall scraper-chain conveyor with a machine, such as a plough, guided for movement back and forth alongside the conveyor to win mineral from a longwall face. A roof support system which may be arranged at the ends of the longwall working, i.e., at the so-called stable zones, is composed of several units each with hydraulic props protected within cylindrical telescopic casings. Each support unit may be displaceable as a whole to follow the working progress or else each support unit may be constructed with front and rear frame assemblies which are relatively displaceable. Each support unit has at least five narrow elongate roof bars disposed closely side-by-side in parallelism. The roof bars are guided for longitudinal advancement and hydraulic rams serve to advance the roof bars individually or in groups. A similar arrangement may also be employed as the floor structure of each support unit.

Abstract: Tunnel excavating apparatus comprises a hollow cylindrical shield adapted to be axially forced through subterranean material and having a circular cutting edge at a leading end portion. An inclined baffle and guide member has a central opening spaced upwardly from a lower edge of the baffle and guide member and an auger-like member extends across the shield adjacent the opening. Sections of the auger-like member extending on horizontally opposite sides of the baffle opening have oppositely directed flutes and subterranean material dislodged by the cutting edge and deposited atop and about the auger is urged inwardly toward the opening in the baffle and guide member for deposition on a conveyor having a receiving end beneath the opening. The conveyor extends rearwardly and upwardly and deposits the material in a receptacle. Horizontal and vertical breasting plates also serve to cut and dislodge material and support the shield.

Abstract: The drive members of a drive shield, which are mounted side-by-side for longitudinal displacement as is known per se, are provided with seals or packings to close off the gaps between adjacent members. Each seal or packing is composed of two flexible resilient parts joined to respective drive members. The seal parts slidably engage one another in sealing fashion. The parts of the seal may be of the same or disimilar shape but at least one of the parts is hollow with an interior cavity which can receive pressure medium used to expand the part to urge the contacting surfaces of the parts into close sealing contact. Lubrication between the contacting surfaces to permit sliding can be achieved by employing a suitable lubricating agent as, or in, the pressure medium and by allowing some of the pressure medium to pass from the interior cavity to the contacting surfaces.

Abstract: A drive shield for driving wide underground cavities comprises a plurality of knife shields arranged side-by-side transversely of the direction of advance. Each knife shield has a plurality of elongate knives displaceably mounted on a respective support frame. The elongate knives are advanceable relative to their support frame by means of hydraulic rams mounted on that support frame. The support frames of each pair of adjacent knife shields are linked by connecting means such as double-acting hydraulic rams, which permit one of the support frames to be advanced relative to the other.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving tunnels or the like employs a drive shield known per se, with drive members supported and guided on a frame. Rear extension members are linked to the drive members, preferably through units permitting relative displacement therebetween and these rear members form a rear shield for receiving supports and reinforcements for a permanent lining for the tunnel. A concrete spraying nozzle or the like applies a strip of concrete to the tunnel wall each time a rear member is shifted in the advancing direction. In this way a series of strips, preferably shape locked together at their ends, can be built up stage by stage to create the lining.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in tunnel driving employs a drive shield of known type with elongate drive members arranged side-by-side and supported and guided by a rigid frame. Hydraulic rams are used to alternately advance individual members or groups of members and the frame. Fluid concrete is introduced behind the shield to form a permanent lining supported by formwork and sealed to the tunnel wall by sheet material. The fluid concrete is contacted during its setting period by a hollow ring member of the formwork. The ring member is provided with a filter structure permitting water to be withdrawn by suction. Further separate hydraulic rams interconnect the ring member and the frame of the drive shield enabling the fluid concrete to be compressed. Some of the drive members have prolonged thin rear extensions which form tails extending partly around the concreting zone in contact with the tunnel wall.

Abstract: A drive shield for use in tunnelling operations includes a generally cylindrical cutting edge supported by a frame. A knife shield is telescoped together with the cutting edge, the knife shield having a plurality of elongate members (or planks). Each of the planks is extensible relative to the cutting edge in the direction of tunnel advance. In use, all the planks are advanced relative to the cutting edge which is then advanced in a follow-up sequence.