Abstract: Apparatus for constructing an underground tunnel employs a drive shield composed of elongate drifting cutters disposed side-by-side in a circular configuration around a support frame. Hydraulic rams serve to advance the cutters and to shift up the frame when all the cutters have been advanced. The cutters have rear end portions which engage on a follow-up ring behind the drive shield.A platform is supported by the frame within the shield and carries some form of working appliance for detaching and removing the debris material. The platform also carries a rotatable concrete spraying device which serves to seal and secure the tunnel wall exposed when the follow-up ring is shifted up to the shield.

Abstract: A tunnel driving apparatus and method which utilizes a drive shield preferably composed of a series of cutter planks arranged side-by-side around the tunnel axis and supported by a frame. The shield is advanced in relation to the frame by displacing the individual planks, and the frame is subsequently drawn up by means of hydraulic rams. To support the rear section of the tunnel wall a rear shield is provided which is connected to the frame preferably through further rams. This shield is a shaped sheet metal structure open towards the floor and contacting the tunnel wall over the roof and sides. In performing the method, lining elements of circular or arcuate form are installed inside the rear shield prior to its shifting up. These elements can be disposed on a floor lining constructed in situ. As the rear shield is moved up fluid concrete is sprayed or otherwise introduced over the exposed tunnel wall in one or more layers to consolidate the lining elements into the support lining thus formed.

Abstract: Tunnel-driving apparatus has a drive shield which can be composed of a series of planks arranged side-by-side around the tunnel and supported by a frame. The drive shield is advanced to penetrate the working face by operating hydraulic rams. To control and guide the shield and to inhibit rotary motion thereof a drifting cutter is positioned radially externally of the drive shield to cut a channel in the wall and preferably in the floor of the tunnel. In the latter case the channel can also be useful for drainage purposes. The drifting cutter is of elongate form guided for shifting parallel to the tunnel axis in advance of the drive shield. The axis of the cutter can be adjusted slightly by pivoting, for example, to control the guidance imparted by the drifting cutter.

Abstract: A tube-driving apparatus which has a frame with floor-engaging beams and abutment-forming beams arranged perpendicular thereto. A pressure ring, which engages on a pipe or tube to be driven, is supported by guide shoes slidably engaging on the floor beams.Piston and cylinder units are coupled with ball-and-socket joints to the pressure ring and the abutment-forming beams and serve to advance the ring to drive the pipe into the ground. A pivotable rail is located by guide means on the exterior of the ring and is adjusted to partly rotate the ring about its axis parallel to the floor beams to set up a controllable torsional force in the ring which can be imparted to the driven pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of laying a pipe line utilizing an advanceable shield composed of a set of parallel elongate planks supported for longitudinal movement by a frame. These planks have cutting edges and can be shifted individually or in groups by means of rams coupled between the frame and the planks. This shield serves to excavate an open-topped trench and behind the shield is a receptacle connected to move with the frame. This receptacle is a substantially closed vessel resembling a bath tub in cross-section with an open top permitting a pipe section to be lowered therein. A rear end wall of this receptacle has an opening therein which enables the pipe section to be joined up to the end of another pipe section previously installed at the end of the pipe line.

Abstract: A tunnel driving installation has an advanceable support shield and cutting means co-operating at the front end of the tunnel and a continuous tunnel lining disposed rearwardly of the support shield and constructed from individual lining sections. In order to store and transport the tunnel lining sections within the tunnel lining apparatus is provided which comprises storage stations respectively located at the front and rear regions of the tunnel and a trolley vehicle for moving back and forth between the stations. The trolley vehicle has a container which serves to receive debris removed by the cutting means, and beneath the container the vehicle has shaped plates which serve to locate and support a series of lining sections. Both storage stations are composed of T-shaped rails laid on the tunnel floor so that the vehicle can pass over the rails.