Lining Installation Patents (Class 405/146)
  • Patent number: 11242751
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, and composition packages for spray-coating a membrane for waterproofing a concrete tunnel applications. After primer coating is applied onto a surface in the tunnel, the coating composition is sprayed to form a membrane, and then concrete is cast or sprayed against the membrane so that it can bond to the membrane. Coating compositions comprise two or more acrylate monomers, as well as initiator, accelerator, and optional additive. Preferably, the coating composition is established by using a two-part package, one part having initiator, the other part having accelerator, and each part containing the monomers and optional additives so that the two parts can be shipped to the application site and mixed in a 1:1 ratio during spraying. The waterproofing coating composition provides excellent bonding with concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventors: David Cozzens, Xia Cao, Steven Horton, Rachel C. Weston, Abbas Kazmi
  • Patent number: 11155443
    Abstract: A tubular construction element and a method for forming a tubular construction element built of longitudinally extending segments in which the segments are joined together in a side-by-side relationship and in which the longitudinal direction of the tubular construction element being greater than the diameter thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: PG INVENTION B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Johannes Lodewijk Geurts
  • Patent number: 10647904
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a compressible grout mix for filling an annular gap between a tunnel rock wall surface and a tunnel liner of a tunnel in a rock formation subject to time dependent deformation after excavation and a method of filling the annular gap between a tunnel rock wall surface and a funnel liner of a tunnel in a rock formation subject to time dependent deformation after excavation utilizing the compressible grout mix for resilient absorption of forces in the hardened state of the compressible grout mix exerted by the time dependent deformation of the rock wall surface into the tunnel opening. The method includes: a. providing a compressible grout mix comprising hydraulic binding agent, bentonite clay, polymer foam particles, water, and one or more additives selected from water-reducing admixture and/or setting retarding admixture, aggregate materials, anti-wash agents and air, b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Tony Dimillo
  • Patent number: 10648335
    Abstract: A trailer of a backup train of a tunnel boring machine includes a rolling means configured to allow movement of the trailer on a circulation route, a chassis including a lower portion including the rolling means and an upper portion, opposite to the rolling means, conveying means, fixed in the lower portion of the chassis, the conveying means being configured to move at least one support along the trailer, the support being configured to transport at least one arch segment along the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BOUYGUES TRAVAUX PUBLICS
    Inventors: Quentin Marie Christophe Bonnemaison, Bastien Simon Papot, Vincent Stephane Laurent Viallet
  • Patent number: 10445443
    Abstract: A method of designing an underground excavation may involve the steps of: Developing a plurality of input parameters for the underground excavation; performing a first design iteration to determine an initial ground support system design; evaluating a kinematic stability of the initial ground support system design; determining whether the kinematic stability meets a predetermined factor of safety; and reiterating the initial ground support system design until the kinematic stability meets the predetermined factor of safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Hudson
  • Patent number: 10315955
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a compressible grout mix for filling an annular gap between a tunnel rock wall surface and a tunnel liner of a tunnel in a rock formation subject to time dependent deformation after excavation and a method of filling the annular gap between a tunnel rock wall surface and a tunnel liner of a tunnel in a rock formation subject to time dependent deformation after excavation utilizing the compressible grout mix for resilient absorption of forces in the hardened state of the compressible grout mix exerted by the time dependent deformation of the rock wall surface into the tunnel opening. The method includes: a. providing the compressible grout mix comprising hydraulic binding agent, bentonite clay, polymer foam particles, water-reducing admixture, water and air, b. placing the compressible grout mix in the annular gap between the tunnel wall rock surface and the tunnel liner, and c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Tony Dimillo
  • Patent number: 9435480
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a leak in a curved section of plumbing includes a conduit repair liner that has a central section made of polyethylene terephthalate and optionally reinforced to conform to a section of plumbing that has up to a 90 degree bend. The conduit repair liner has straps with an end of each of the straps at an edge and a distal end of each of straps has a section of hook and loop material. The conduit repair liner is wrapped around an inflatable carrier after saturating with a bonding agent then both are positioned within the curved section of the plumbing and the inflatable carrier is inflated. After the bonding agent cures, the inflatable carrier is deflated and removed, leaving the conduit repair liner evenly adhered to the inside surfaces of the curved section of the plumbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Rosetta Higman
  • Patent number: 9291295
    Abstract: A segment for a rehabilitation pipe is formed of an inner surface plate having an inner circumferential surface, and side plates and end plates provided upright on a peripheral edge of the inner surface plate. The inner surface plate, the side plates, and the end plates are formed integrally from a plastic material, and a number of such segments are linked in circumferential and pipe-length directions to form the rehabilitation pipe. Each of the side plates is provided with at least one hole through which a linking member is inserted for linking the segments in the pipe-length direction, and is provided separately from the hole with an opening at an end in the vicinity of the end plate for a linking operation of the segments in the circumferential direction and for passing therethrough a filler material injected into a space between the existing pipe and the rehabilitation pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SHONAN GOSEI-JUSHI SEISAKUSHO K.K.
    Inventors: Takao Kamiyama, Koji Kaneta, Kenji Fujii, Makoto Ishida
  • Patent number: 8920074
    Abstract: An underground mining apparatus includes a mining head for moving through underground material to extract material in its path and form a passageway behind the mining head as it advances. An elongate structure extends along the passageway to the mining head and provides a path for delivering the extracted material to ground surface. A shroud is positioned about the elongate structure for supporting engagement with the periphery of the passageway and to provide a space through which the elongate structure can move. The shroud has a cross-sectional shape corresponding generally to the cross-sectional shape of the passageway formed by the mining head. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Z-Filter Pty Ltd., Gladius Mining Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Neil Deryck Bray Graham, Arthur Derrick Bray Graham
  • Patent number: 8567491
    Abstract: Device for lining the wall of a wellbore as it is being drilled using a drill string having a drill bit on the lower end thereof. The device has a receptacle for a cylindrically gathered pack of flexible tubing capable of being supported around the outside of the drill string near the lower end thereof on a plurality of bearings, a radially expandable locking device attachable to one end of the flexible tubing and being capable of being expanded against the wellbore wall to lock the end of the flexible tubing in place in the wellbore, and a conduit having an inlet upstream of the receptacle and an outlet downstream of the receptacle. A pump is located in the conduit or abutting the inlet or outlet thereof, and pumps the drilling fluid so that a fluid pressure inside the liner is greater than a fluid pressure at the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
    Inventor: Paul George Lurie
  • Patent number: 8555987
    Abstract: A method of creating a wellbore system comprises arranging an expandable tubular element in a wellbore whereby a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, and axially extending the expanded section by moving the remaining tubular section downward relative to the expanded section so that said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction, whereby an annulus is defined between said expanded and remaining tubular sections, the annulus containing a body of fluid. A volume of the fluid is replaced by pumping a replacement fluid into the annulus and discharging the volume of fluid from the annulus whereby at least one of the volume of fluid and the replacement fluid flows into the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Petrus Cornelis Kriesels, Pieter Van Nieuwkoop
  • Patent number: 8408318
    Abstract: A method for radially expanding a tubular element in a wellbore formed in an earth formation comprises arranging the tubular element in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element. An annular space is defined between said expanded and remaining tubular sections. The expanded tubular section is axially extended by moving the remaining section downward relative to the expanded section so that said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. A tube is positioned in the annular space so that the tube extends substantially concentrically with the expanded section and is arranged to support at least one of the remaining section and the expanded tubular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Petrus Cornelis Kriesels
  • Patent number: 8387709
    Abstract: A method for radially expanding a tubular element in a wellbore formed in an earth formation comprises arranging the tubular element in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to define an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, and axially extending the expanded tubular section by moving the remaining tubular section a selected distance downward relative to the expanded tubular section so that said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. The remaining tubular section is axially extended at an upper end thereof with an extended tubular portion of a length at least equal to said distance of downward movement of the remaining tubular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Petrus Cornelis Kriesels
  • Patent number: 7849937
    Abstract: In a method for producing a cased horizontal string bore extending from a well shaft, a starter drill pipe is driven into the rock mass surrounding the well shaft. A hydraulically driven drill motor is arranged in the starter drill pipe and rotates a drilling tool protruding from the leading end of the starter drill pipe. The drill motor is fixed against rotation and axial displacement by a clamping device. When the final depth of the string bore is reached, the drilling tool is retracted into the starter drill pipe by axial movement of the clamping device and a free space is formed at the drift face of the string bore. The free space is filled and sealed by injection of a quick-setting, expanding filling compound. Afterwards, the clamping device, the drill motor and the drilling tool are removed from the drill pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Horst Derwand
  • Patent number: 7832960
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Robbins Company
    Inventors: Lok Home, Brian Khalighi, John Turner
  • Publication number: 20100284748
    Abstract: An underground mining apparatus includes a mining head for moving through underground material to extract material in its path and form a passageway behind the mining head as it advances. An elongate structure extends along the passageway to the mining head and provides a path for delivering the extracted material to ground surface. A shroud is positioned about the elongate structure for supporting engagement with the periphery of the passageway and to provide a space through which the elongate structure can move. The shroud has a cross-sectional shape corresponding generally to the cross-sectional shape of the passageway formed by the mining head. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Neil Deryck Bray Graham, Arthur Derrick Bray Graham
  • Patent number: 7789643
    Abstract: A control apparatus used in conjunction with tools and devices such as electrical power supplies, fluid pumps and vacuums for in situ repair of pipes. A method for controlling in situ repair of pipe using electrical power sources, fluid and pressure sources and flexible heat and inflation bladder installing thermal responsive repair materials and applying the repair material to the interior wall surface. The apparatus controls the inflation of the repair tool inserted into a pipe and the amount and rate of fluid pressure and maintenance of a selected pressure. The apparatus may also control the evacuation of the fluid from the bladder of the repair tool. The device controls the heating of the tool used in the installation of the repair material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: EMS Global Inc.
    Inventors: William Lepola, Kenton L. Knoppel
  • Patent number: 7731453
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Stein & Partner GmbH
    Inventor: Dietrich Stein
  • Patent number: 7387174
    Abstract: A method of sealing the wall of a wellbore (1) as it is being drilled through a subterranean formation using a drill string (3) having a drill bit (4) on the lower end thereof comprises fitting to the lower end of a drill string (3) a device comprising (i) a cylindrically gathered pack of flexible tubing (6), (ii) a receptacle (5) for the gathered pack and (iii) a radially expandable locking means (8) having a first end of the tubing of the gathered pack connected either directly or indirectly thereto, and drilling a first section of wellbore, expanding the locking means (8) against the wellbore wall such that the first end of the tubing that is withdrawn from the gathered pack is locked in place in the wellbore, drilling a second section of wellbore with the movement of the drill string (3) through the wellbore causing the tubing to be withdrawn from the gathered pack (6) and to be turned inside out thereby forming a liner for the second section of wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
    Inventor: Paul George Lurie
  • Patent number: 7219750
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the drilling of a borehole and its simultaneous lining with cement or the like by the same apparatus. The apparatus comprises a combination spray head and reamer head, a means to drive the reamer head through a borehole and a means for delivering cement to the spray head. Cement is fed to a rotatable spray disc or arms of the spray head, which is arranged to distribute the cement substantially evenly over the internal surface of the borehole created by the reamer head. The apparatus uses lined drill rods, as well as a lined reamer core with a double walled plastic tube. An air transfer assembly is used to connect an internal air source to an air passage contained in the plastic tube, such that the external air source remains stationary during rotation of the lined drill rods and attached reamer and spray heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: J.S. Redpath Ltd.
    Inventors: Morris Medd, Mike Kelly, Dan Kelly
  • Patent number: 7056064
    Abstract: A block unit for repairing flow passage facilities is provided for permitting a desired repair operation. A method of repairing flow passage facilities using the block unit is also provided. The block unit includes an inner plate defining an inner surface, an outer plate disposed along a peripheral edge of the inner plate, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs for reinforcing the inner plate and the outer plate. The block units adjoining in a circumferential direction are joined together with bolts inserted through both circumferential end faces of each the block unit and nuts fitted on the bolts to form a short tube within a flow passage. The short tubes are connected in a longitudinal direction to form a continuous tubular assembly having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the flow passage. A grout material is injected into a clearance space formed between the tubular assembly and the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignees: Shonan Gosei-Joshi Seisakusho K.K., Yokoshima & Company
    Inventors: Takao Kamiyama, Yasuhiro Yokoshima
  • Patent number: 6955502
    Abstract: A method for repairing in-ground tunnel structure involves applying a first curable resin over a cementitious liner which lines the interior wall surfaces of the tunnel, drilling drainage holes in the cementitious liner, and filling the drainage holes with a second curable resin. The resins are allowed to cure and harden. The cured resins seal the wall surfaces and drainage holes to provide a composite tunnel structure having high mechanical strength and resistance to fluid leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: Daniel Warren
  • Patent number: 6948883
    Abstract: A lining for sealing the junction region where a lateral pipe and a main pipe meet. It has a two-portion structure including a main portion for lining a portion of the main pipe and a lateral portion of resin absorbent material for lining a portion of the lateral pipe. The main portion is sized for application to the full circumference of a main pipe on both sides of the junction and has an aperture for alignment with the opening of the lateral pipe. The lateral portion is connected to the main portion where it defines said opening and is gathered on a first side of the main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Project Building Co. Limited
    Inventors: Olaleke Osibamowo, Andrew Chettle
  • Patent number: 6923597
    Abstract: Present in a tail shield (1) for a shield tunneling apparatus are a number of grouting lines (3) that are open to a tail shield end (4) and that can be supplied with filling material for grouting a ring gap (7) with the filling material, such as mortar, for example. In addition, additive material lines (8) that can be supplied with additive material are present, which empty into the grouting lines (3) in an end segment (12) of said grouting lines (3). As a result, an additive material, such as a solidification accelerator, for example, can be added immediately before the mixture is discharged into the ring gap (7), so that the risk of a blockage in the grouting lines (3), which are not accessible in the region of the tail shield end (4), is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Herrenknecht AG
    Inventor: Werner Burger
  • Patent number: 6869147
    Abstract: The present invention is directed, inter alia, to devices and methods for excavating valuable materials, particularly soft ores such as oil sands, oil shales, and the like, that use one or more of a number of features, including backfilling for ground support, a small trailing access tunnel, processing of the valuable material in the excavation with the tailings optionally being used as backfill and the valuable material being transported to the surface, a plurality of movable shields for ground support, and/or a movable tail shield to provide interim support to the backfill while additional liner sections are installed and/or formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Oil Sands Underground Mining, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Drake, Michael Helmut Kobler, John David Watson
  • Publication number: 20040202510
    Abstract: The specification and drawing figures describe and show one or more improved ditch liners removably assembled into an improved ditch liner system. The improved ditch liner system includes a first liner section and a second liner section. Both liner sections are formed with a plurality of tightly peaked arc-and-ridge corrugations. Also included is a novel and unique overlap connection assembly for removably connecting one liner section to another liner section. In addition, various ways for sealing the overlap connection assembly are included. The interconnected system of improved ditch liner sections may be secured in a ditch by one or more removable rods. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure, but this abstract is not to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of any claim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Suazo
  • Patent number: 6793441
    Abstract: A tunnel waterproofing method comprises spraying a primary coating of concrete onto the excavation surface of a tunnel, installing thereon a waterproofing sheet having an adhesive layer operative to bond with concrete, and spraying a secondary coating of concrete against the adhesive side of the waterproofing sheet. Preferably, a buffer water conducting sheet is established between the primary concrete coating sprayed onto the excavation surface and the waterproofing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Sachio Shimizu, Keiichi Kosuge
  • Publication number: 20040175239
    Abstract: A polyurethane applicator (10) for spraying at high-pressures a liner on the inner circumferential wall of an existing conduit (C) to be rehabilitated. The applicator (10) includes a carriage (12) coaxially guided in the conduit (C) and an atomizer (16) rotatably mounted to the carriage (12) for rotation about the central axis thereof. The atomizer (16) is provided with a nozzle (62) through which the lining mixture is forced out while the atomizer (16) rotates and travels in conduit with the carriage (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Pierre Pare
  • Publication number: 20040047692
    Abstract: Present in a tail shield (1) for a shield tunneling apparatus are a number of grouting lines (3) that are open to a tail shield end (4) and that can be supplied with filling material for grouting a ring gap (7) with the filling material, such as mortar, for example. In addition, additive material lines (8) that can be supplied with additive material are present, which empty into the grouting lines (3) in an end segment (12) of said grouting lines (3). As a result, an additive material, such as a solidification accelerator, for example, can be added immediately before the mixture is discharged into the ring gap (7), so that the risk of a blockage in the grouting lines (3), which are not accessible in the region of the tail shield end (4), is relatively low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Herrenknecht AG
    Inventor: Werner Burger
  • Patent number: 6652190
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Robert J. Verkyk
  • Patent number: 6634828
    Abstract: There is described a method and a liner for in situ renovation of a sewer manhole, e.g., a transition well, where inside the well there is inserted a prefabricated liner in the shape of a glass fiber reinforced stocking of thermosetting polyester or epoxy formed by winding, weaving or braiding externally of a unilaterally suspended mold with a diameter allowing the mold to be lowered through a manhole curb or cone, the rubber coating consisting of a detachable rubber bag that is fastened to a flange to be displaced externally on the mold, the polyester or epoxy liner being wound, woven or braided in such a way that the length/diameter ratio of the liner may subsequently be changed by changing the length/diameter ratio of the liner as the polyester or epoxy impregnated glass fibers are connected with the flange by the winding, weaving or braiding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Tunetanken A/S
    Inventor: Karl Erik Hovad
  • Publication number: 20030183290
    Abstract: A coupler device for joining together two segments of a tunnel or shaft lining ring, the device being characterised by a double ended male dowel having an externally grooved cylindrical portion adjacent to both ends. This dowel engages in recesses cast into the segment. A reverse tapered sleeve is cast in the recesses retaining an expandable collar formed of a plurality of arcuate segments, these arctuate segments having complimentary grooves on their inner surface to mate with the grooves on the dowel and a tapered external circumferential portion to abut the reverse tapered sleeve. As the dowel is inserted the arcuate segments, being retained elastically within the reverse tapered sleeve, lock the male part of the device into the recess preventing the device from pulling out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smith, Peter F. Robertshaw
  • Publication number: 20030151297
    Abstract: Apparatus for assembling a liner (25) from a plurality of longitudinal sections of flexible material (161, 162) having longitudinal edges adapted to be joined one to another to form the liner. The apparatus comprises a path means along which the longitudinal sections of flexible material can be conveyed in a laterally reduced condition, an assembly zone at which the longitudinal edges can be joined together to form the liner, and a guide structure (165) about which the flexible material (161, 162) can turn upon exiting from the path means to provide an inner section (171) and an outer section (173) turned back with respect to the inner section. The guide structure (165) presents a guide, surface (167) over which the longitudinal sections (161, 162) of flexible material can pass, the surface (167) being configured to facilitate spreading of each longitudinal section (161, 162) from the laterally reduced condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Neil Deryck Bray Graham
  • Patent number: 6595724
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Konda, Hirohiko Obayashi
  • Publication number: 20030129029
    Abstract: To provide a waterproofing construction method with which excellent waterproofing capacity can be assured. A tunnel waterproofing method characterized in that a primary spray cement concrete is sprayed on the excavation surface of the tunnel, after which a waterproofing sheet having adhesiveness with a secondary coating cement concrete is installed on said primary spray cement concrete surface and a secondary coating cement concrete is established on said waterproofing sheet surface. A buffer-water conducting layer may also be established on said primary spray cement concrete surface and a multilayer waterproofing sheet having adhesiveness with the applied cement concete may also be installed as a waterproofing sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Sachio Shimizu, Keiichi Kosuge
  • Patent number: 6554368
    Abstract: The present invention is directed, inter alia, to devices and methods for excavating valuable materials, particularly soft ores such as oil sands, oil shales, and the like, that use one or more of a number of features, including backfilling for ground support, a small trailing access tunnel, processing of the valuable material in the excavation with the tailings optionally being used as backfill and the valuable material being transported to the surface, a plurality of movable shields for ground support, and/or a movable tail shield to provide interim support to the backfill while additional liner sections are installed and/or formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Oil Sands Underground Mining, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Drake, Michael Helmut Kobler, John David Watson
  • Patent number: 6468000
    Abstract: A primary support for a tunnel roof comprising elongated lagging members which are “extruded” from tubes forming a shield for a tunnel boring machine. The lagging is inserted into the tubes at different times so as to avoid having the ends of adjacent lagging members coincide. As the tunneling machine progresses in the direction of boring, the lagging members emerge from the shield tubes to form a primary tunnel roof lining. Ring beams or arc beams may be installed as required by rock bolts or other fastening devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: C & M McNally Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Michael P. McNally, Christopher McNally
  • Patent number: 6406220
    Abstract: A support structure and method for forming same for use in excavations such as underpasses, tunnels and the like for roads, rail or rivers. The support structure allows the utilization of the strength provided by using arch shaped sections and also minimizes the disruption caused to the soil surrounding the excavation thereby allowing existing road, rail or river services to continue to be used during excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: James Crawford Thomson
  • Patent number: 6382876
    Abstract: A method of repairing or reinforcing worn-out underground buried drainpipes by a resin transfer molding process using both flexible tubes and bagging films is disclosed. In the method of this invention, a reinforcement is primarily inserted into a desired position within a target worn-out drainpipe buried underground. The reinforcement consists of a fiber preform internally having a flexible tube, such as a silicon tube, axially extending along the central axis of the preform and wrapped with an adhesive-coated flexible film as a bagging film to provide protection from sewage or underground water. The flexible tube is, thereafter, expanded to bring the fiber preform into close contact with the interior surface of the target drainpipe. The opposite ends of the reinforcement are sealed with two lids. Thereafter, thermosetting resin is transferred into the fiber preform, thus allowing the fiber preform to be impregnated with the thermosetting resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dai Gil Lee, Jae Wook Kwon, Woo Seok Chin, Ae Kwon Yoo
  • Patent number: 6375390
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Pietro Lunardi
  • Publication number: 20020030398
    Abstract: The present invention is directed, inter alia, to devices and methods for excavating valuable materials, particularly soft ores such as oil sands, oil shales, and the like, that use one or more of a number of features, including backfilling for ground support, a small trailing access tunnel, processing of the valuable material in the excavation with the tailings optionally being used as backfill and the valuable material being transported to the surface, a plurality of movable shields for ground support, and/or a movable tail shield to provide interim support to the backfill while additional liner sections are installed and/or formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald D. Drake, Michael Helmut Kobler, John David Watson
  • Patent number: 6315496
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tunneling method starting from the working face in the driving direction, a bearing layer being laid as the working face progresses and then carried away together with the debris. The inventive system includes at the front an excavating tool capable of removing broken rock up to a certain width and a certain height, and an advancing device for moving forward and steering the system, and a control and setting device for controlling and regulating the operation of the excavating tool and the advancing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Tachus GmbH
    Inventors: Thiemo Hagedorn, Johannes Junior, Volker Junior
  • Patent number: 6302621
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Obayashi Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Miya, Yoshihiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6298920
    Abstract: A cylindrical cavity is continuously contacted while removing a rigid liner from within the cavity. The supporting apparatus includes a flexible liner insertable within the rigid liner, having an expanded diameter greater than a diameter of the cavity, and having a top end and closed bottom end. A hollow conduit is attached to the bottom end of the flexible liner and has an opening adjacent the bottom end for introducing a fluid to expand the flexible liner against the cavity and contact the cavity as the rigid liner is withdrawn from about the flexible liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Carl E. Keller
  • Patent number: 6283209
    Abstract: A flexible liner system provides for instrumentation and sampling within a cavity. An elongated flexible liner effectively contacts wall portions of the cavity when inflated within the cavity and has a top and a bottom and has perforations open to the cavity wall portions at selected locations along the liner. At least one sleeve is sealed to the flexible liner and extends from the top portion of the liner to a perforation at one of the selected locations along the liner to define a sealed interior open to a cavity wall portion. A well casing may be place within the sleeve for fluid sampling or for emplacing instrumentation adjacent the perforations in the flexible liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Carl E. Keller
  • Patent number: 6244846
    Abstract: A pressure containment device enables the installation of an everting liner without requiring a shipping container that can be pressurized. A pressure housing provides an inlet for receiving the liner and an outlet for installing the liner into the borehole. First and second movable belts have first and second sealing surfaces, respectively, for receiving the liner at the inlet of the pressure housing, and first and second interior surfaces for urging the first and second sealing surfaces against the liner when the pressure housing is pressurized. First rollers support the first and second movable belts within the pressure housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Carl E. Keller
  • Patent number: 6210074
    Abstract: A material and method is provided for lining man-entry sized pipes and securing the lining to the pipe. The lining comprises a plurality of adjacent, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride panel segments circumferentially curved within the pipe, each including an interior channel through which grout may be injected. Upon the grout's curing, the grout provides strength and support for a second layer of grout injected into an annulus between the pipe's inner surface and an outer surface of the lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Danby of North America
    Inventor: George A. McAlpine
  • Patent number: 6193439
    Abstract: A construction for a partially-anchoring substrate, particularly a tunnel, comprises a sealing front layer applied to the substrate or an initial concrete layer applied thereto, and a non-deformable second layer applied to the first layer, the surface of the first layer (and, if present, the initial concrete layer) being profiled so that the various layers are locked together and behave as a single layer. The result is better performance with essential less material and work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: MBT Holding AG
    Inventor: Roland F. Wolfseher
  • Patent number: 6109828
    Abstract: A bore hole support system is formed from a flexible liner that is readily everted within a bore hole and forms a bore hole support system to install a casing in the bore hole while supporting the bore hole walls. After a pilot hole is drilled, the pilot hole is traversed with a reamer to form the pilot hole diameter to a larger diameter for the final bore hole. The flexible liner with the attached casing is everted and pressurized behind the reamer as the reamer traverses the pilot hole to support walls defining the bore hole while pulling the casing into the bore hole. The liner is simply removed from a storage and everting canister and remains with the casing in the bore hole. In certain circumstances, the liner may be coated with a water soluble material so that the casing may be in fluid communication with the bore hole walls when the coating has dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Carl E. Keller
  • Patent number: 6082930
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Obayashi Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Miya, Yoshihiro Tanaka