Abstract: A travelling-type tunnel hard-rock micro-damage cutting equipment and a construction method associated therewith are provided. The cutting equipment includes: a crawler-type trolley; and a hard-rock drilling construction apparatus, a hard-rock cutting construction apparatus, a self-unloading tipping bucket and a visual operation terminal all arranged on the crawler-type trolley. The hard-rock cutting construction apparatus includes: a cutting manipulation room, a rock-breaking power arm, and a hard-rock cutting device including a hydraulic steel robs, a signal sensor, an infrared lens and a light source assembly. The infrared lens and the light source assembly are arranged at the front end of the hard-rock cutting device, and a working image can be transmitted to the visual operation terminal through the signal sensor. The cutting equipment can accurately and efficiently cut a rock mass, and the cut rock mass can be reused according to secondary processing conditions of rock to improve economic benefits.

Abstract: Apparatus for splitting rock, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a drill assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the drill assembly comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive element for selectively rotating the shaft and a drill bit mounted to the distal end of the shaft for drilling a hole into rock; a splitter assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the splitter assembly comprising a tether and a wedge, the tether and the wedge being configured to be moved independently relative to one another; wherein the wedge comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the wedge being wider than the distal end of the wedge; wherein the tether comprises a radially-reduced profile when the wedge is disposed proximal to the tether, and wherein the tether comprises a radially-expanded profile after the wedge is moved distally relative to the tether.

Abstract: A device used to break rock from within a predrilled borehole through the use of impact pins which strike against the interior sides of a drilled hole. The device is loaded into a drilled hole and then activated by a percussive hammer located above the hole, providing percussive energy to the device which is then transferred to the sidewall of the drilled hole. The device includes an inner piston assembly which includes a driving surface for causing impact pins to strike the interior sidewall of the drilled hole in a rapid percussive manner so as to greatly improve the ability to break and shatter surrounding rock or concrete.

Abstract: A miner communication and locating system is disclosed. Two technologies used in the system include a communicator, and a locator array that may be used with a computer. The communicator portion allows trapped miners to continually signal without physical effort that they have survived a cave-in or explosion in a direct, mechanical, and reliable manner. The locator array receives the communicator signal for use to accurately identify where the survivors are underground, and facilitate their rescue; a computer can be used to calculate the position of the communicator from information provided by a plurality of locators: global positioning system receivers may be used with the locator array.

Abstract: The device for breaking rocks includes a hollow cylindrical chamber having a closed lower end, a closed upper end and an access aperture in the closed upper end and an outer circumstantial surface. A cylindrical plunger is longitudinally-reciprocally disposed within the interior of the cylindrical chamber, has a converging portion and is biased to a retracted position. Four spools are equally disposed around the circumference of the cylindrical plunger, each spool including a converging upper end which is configured to be in slidable contact with the converging portion of the cylindrical plunger. Four hardened inserts are secured to an outer face of an associated spool. Each spool and secured hardened insert is biased to an inner retracted position.

Abstract: A method of stemming a borehole (6) includes the steps of placing a first layer (16) of stemming in the borehole, placing a spherical body (20) in the borehole on top of the layer (16), the body being relatively incompressible and a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the borehole, and placing a second layer (18) of stemming in the borehole over the body. The stemming (16, 18) may be placed in the borehole either in direct contact with an explosive (8), or spaced from it by a gas bag (24) or the like form a deck (22). In accordance with an alternate application, the stemming layers (16, 18) may be placed in the borehole prior to placement of an explosive material such that it serves as backfill. Preferably, the stemming includes crushed rock and drill cuttings such as those produced during formation of the borehole. However, other available materials may also be used such as gravel.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for placing a hard compact material such as rock surrounding a drill hole into axial tension for the purpose of breaking and excavating the material by virtue of a dual piston (23) and (25) arrangement disposed within a fluid cylinder (16) wherein the first piston (23) is attached to a thrust rod member (28) the second piston is attached to a wedge member (30) having an outwardly tapered conical end (34) and a feather member (40) surrounding the wedge (30) and thrust (28) members; wherein the feather segments (43) have a conical profile on both their internal and external peripheries.

Abstract: Apparatus having a pair of presser cheeks for insertion in a drill hole, with a slider wedge slidably engaged therebetween. The forced descent of the slider wedge by a hydraulic cylinder assembly results in the lateral motion of the presser cheeks away from each other. The presser cheeks are supported from the cylinder body of the cylinder assembly, each via two pairs of parallel spaced leaf springs disposed on opposite sides of the slider wedge and normally closely held against the other two pairs of leaf springs supporting the other presser cheek. While the bottom ends of the leaf spring pairs are rigidly coupled to the presser cheeks, their upper ends are connected to the cylinder body via elastic members yieldable to permit upward displacement of the leaf springs with the presser cheeks, as upon withdrawal of the slider wedge, without buckling. Further two pairs of stop rods depend from the cylinder body so as to normally terminate short of the respective presser cheeks.

Abstract: Dust-proof membranes are provided across both ends of opposite respective divided surfaces defined by halves of wedge guide members. Each membrane has projections formed as an integral unit along the longitudinal side edges thereof. The projections are thrust into longitudinally extending C-shape cross-section grooves formed along the divided surfaces of the wedge guide members. The groove side surfaces are perpendicular to the bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: For splitting rock, concrete structures, etc., by being inserted into a drill hole created therein, a rock splitter has a wedge coupled at its thick end to the output shaft of a hydraulic cylinder. Lying on opposite sides of the wedge, a pair of guides are yieldably held against the wedge to allow longitudinal sliding motion thereof. Two pairs of opposed leaf springs connect the wedge guides to the hydraulic cylinder to restrain the guides from longitudinal displacement and to allow same to move away from and toward each other with the longitudinal sliding motion of the wedge. The pair of wedge guides, together with the wedge therebetween, generally taper as they extend away from the hydraulic cylinder for the ease of insertion into the drill hole. Several splitting operations, each with a thrust of the wedge, are to be performed in succession, by inserting the splitter progressively deeper into the drill hole, for fracturing thick rock formations or the like.

Abstract: A method of breaking rock, concrete or other hard compact material adjacent to a hole drilled thereinto and an apparatus for performing the method wherein the apparatus contains a notch-forming means to form a circumferential notch in the drillhole wall, a hydraulic jack means which is located inside the drillhole to exert a force to actuate the notch-forming means and to react against the bottom of the drillhole and develop an outwardly directly axial force on the notcher to break one or more pieces of material from the face and a hydraulic supply means to supply hydraulic fluid to actuate the hydraulic jack. The hydraulic supply means is located outside the drillhole.

Abstract: This invention pertains to hydraulically actuated rock splitters which utilize a wedge and feather action. The forward movement of this wedge places a corresponding thrust load on the feathers and their retaining means. Conventionally, the feathers have enlarged portions which are engaged by and are retained by hardened steel thrust or wear plates carried by a shell or housing. As a means of keeping the weight within reasonable limits this housing is usually made of aluminum or an alloy of aluminum. The support for these hardened steel plates, as provided by the housing, is usually insufficient resulting in a cracking or breaking of the hardened steel plates. These wear plates are made as laminations with a hardened steel plate disposed to engage the ends of the feathers and a softer steel backing plate which prevents damage to the housing when cracking of the hardened plate does occur. The embodiments show ring-like components arranged in a laminated assembly with no split in the wear plate component.

Abstract: A rock splitter tool is hydraulically actuated by a piston which moves a tapered wedge between feathers mounted at one end in a retaining means. The feathers and wedge, as an assembly, are inserted into a predrilled hole and the wedge is driven forward by the hydraulic piston to move the feathers outwardly to split the rock. The present invention is directed toward providing a hydraulically moved wedge in which the feathers and wear plate portions are retained by a clam shell clamp and retainer which are readily separated and removed to enable an inspection and/or replacement of any damaged apparatus. This clam shell clamp enables existing apparatus to be converted. Auxiliary apparatus utilizing a jack hammer device is also shown as is a hydraulic pulsation developing rotary valve which is adapted to cycle the wedge as it is moved forwardly.

Abstract: A rock splitter tool is hydraulically actuated by a piston which moves a tapered wedge between feathers mounted at one end in a retaining means. The feathers and wedge, as an assembly, are inserted into a predrilled hole and the wedge is driven forward by the hydraulic piston to move the feathers outwardly to split the rock. The present invention is directed toward providing a hydraulically moved wedge in which the feathers and wear plate portions are retained by a clam shell clamp and retainer which are readily separated and removed to enable an inspection and/or replacement of any damaged apparatus. This clam shell clamp enables existing apparatus to be converted. Auxiliary apparatus utilizing a jack hammer device is also shown as is a hydraulic pulsation developing rotary valve which is adapted to cycle the wedge as it is moved forwardly.

Abstract: A method for breaking a hard compact material such as rock or concrete. The method includes drilling a hole into the material, gripping a portion of the wall of the hole by applying a radially outwardly directed force thereto, and applying an axially outwardly directed force to the gripped region in order to cause cracks to arise in the wall of the hole. One of the forces is generated by means of sequentially repeated axially directed impacts. The apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a gripping means and a wedge means slidable relative to the gripping means. The gripping means and the wedge means have cooperating wedge surfaces. A rear extension member having a shoulder is attached to the wedge means. A hammer piston reciprocable in the apparatus housing delivers sequentially repeated axially directed impacts upon the shoulder.

Abstract: A method of breaking hard compact material such as rock adjacent a hole drilled thereinto and an apparatus for performing the method are described. Two forces contribute to efficiently breaking the rock: a force for firmly gripping a region of material adjacent the hole and an axial outwardly directed force. When breaking the material the force for firmly gripping the material is unidirectional with but separate from the axial outwardly directed force. To generate these forces wedge means and sleeve means of the apparatus are inserted into the hole and an axial outwardly directed thrust is exerted on the sleeve means by means of cooperating sliding wedge surfaces of the wedge means and sleeve means which converge towards the apparatus power means. This power means as well as the thrust transmitting means for transferring the reaction force are situated outside the hole.

Abstract: This invention is related to an improved technique for destructing chills. A novel tool, preferably in the form of a piston cylinder mechanism is introduced into the cavity of the chill, said tool comprising at least two reciprocally movable parts which are set in motion relative to each other in the cavity so as to squeeze apart the walls of the chills or portions thereof.

Abstract: A rock splitting tool having elongate laterally expanding metal pressure bars or feathers and an axial sliding wedge or spreader for radially separating the feathers, the wedge being driven by the combined and superimposed forces of a hydraulic thrust servomotor and an impact hammer. The driving paths for transmitting forces to the wedge are coaxial and partially in series and partially in parallel.

Abstract: Method of breaking up objects, particularly concrete, blocks of rock, machines, and motors, and an installation for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A vehicle which can easily be dismantled into transportable units and reassembled readily at the tunnel site is provided. A major advantage of this vehicle is the requirement of low thrust during operation and adaptability to use in short tunnels and tunnels with variable rock formations. With only minor adjustments to the drill head assembly and crawler carriage, it is capable of conforming to variable diameters of tunnel sizes. Pneumatic drills in the drill head assembly are guided along the vehicle's path to cut kerfs into the rock. Fluid activated breaker elements enter the kerfs and break out the ridges of rock through smashing blows. The drill head assembly rotates as the kerf cutting process is repeated. The excavated rock is conveyed to the rear of the vehicle for easy disposal. The drills are capable of boring any type of rock, therefore, it is envisioned that this vehicle can excavate soft through very hard formations.

Abstract: An apparatus designed especially for mechanically breaking up reinforced concrete and comprising a cylinder containing a hydraulically-operated piston connected to a thrust wedge and acting upon two insertion pieces to be inserted in a borehole in the reinforced concrete or in stone. In order to avoid excessive wear and tear on the components by reducing the stresses to which they are subjected, the apparatus comprises a bracing part rigidly joined to the cylinder by tie plates, and the two end faces of the insertion pieces remote from the cylinder are braced against this bracing part, through which the thrust wedge passes when the apparatus is in operation. Thus the end faces of the insertion pieces can slide on the surface of the bracing part when they are driven apart by the advancing wedge.

Abstract: A rock-splitting apparatus consists of a cylindrical block, in which a hydraulically actuatable piston is disposed to move in a longitudinal direction. The piston acts by way of a slider wedge which is connected to the rod of the piston on presser cheeks which can be inserted into drill holes and which have an obliquity which is complementary to that of the slider wedge, in which the presser cheeks are suspended from transverse pins by way of heads of these cheeks, so as to be axially fixed in position and capable of restricted lateral movement. That movement corresponds to the variation in width of the axially movable slider wedge; the piston rod is sealingly guided by a guide sleeve which is connected in an oil-tight manner with a casing.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanically breaking up rock comprises a hydraulically operated piston-cylinder assembly, a slider wedge connected to the piston rod of the assembly and presser cheeks mounted on a tubular extension of the cylinder of the assembly for engagement with opposite sides of the slider wedge. A web extending transversely within the outer end of the tubular extension has an elongate opening through which "T"-shaped heads of the presser cheeks can be inserted into the tubular extension so that, on rotation through 90.degree. about the longitudinal axes of the presser cheeks, the heads are locked behind the edges of the elongate opening but capable of lateral movement along the opening as a result of axial movement of the slider wedge. Preferably, the lateral extremities of the T-shaped heads are seated between two pairs of semicircular shaped supporting plates which are retained within the tubular extension by the transversely extending web.

Abstract: Concrete structures including horizontal structures such as slabs, sub-beams and main beams and vertical structures such as internal walls, external walls and columns are broken by a static load applied to the concrete structure by a loading member of a static loading means, which causes bending stress to build up in the concrete structure and finally brings about breakage of the structure. The static load may be applied by hydraulic means, preferably mounted on a movable vehicle.