Abstract: The present disclosure relates to: a flexible joint connecting device used for sequentially coupling precast concrete segments so as to construct an underwater tunnel; an underwater tunnel construction method using the flexible joint connecting device so as to join, in a watertight manner, tunnel modules and integrally connect same, thereby constructing the underwater tunnel; and the underwater tunnel constructed by the construction method.

Abstract: Provided is a cage for protecting a worker in an excavation. The cage includes spaced apart side panels formed from a material suitably-strong to withstand a force exerted on the side panels by a collapsing wall of the excavation. A plurality of cross members extend between the side panels to substantially maintain a distance separating the side panels when subjected to the force exerted by the collapsing wall of the excavation. And a connection head that is cooperable with a coupler supported by a boom of a piece of mechanized equipment is included to couple the cage to the boom. The connection head is coupled to one or both of the side panels, one or more of the cross members, or one or both of the side panels and at least one of the cross members.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an electrically non-conductive tie for use in a mine seal having opposing walls defining a space for receiving filler material. The tie has opposite ends, a length and a width and is made at least in part from an electrically non-conductive material which extends across substantially the entire width of the tie for preventing conduction of electrical current from one end of the tie to the other. Openings are provided adjacent opposite ends of the tie for receiving wall supports for the mine seal.

Abstract: An explosive-resistant mine seal, which includes a pair of block walls. An adhesive is provided between adjoining surfaces of the blocks where the adhesive has greater strength properties than the blocks themselves. A core member is provided between the two walls and is bound thereto. The adhesive may be coated over the walls to increase the strength of the mine seal.

Abstract: A tunnel seal including a body, inflatable from a folded position to an inflated position, multiple positioning straps coupled to the body, an inflow port fluidly connected to the body, a pressure relief valve fluidly connected to the body, and a hot stab receptacle fluidly connected to the inflow port.

Abstract: A mine seal comprising two spaced apart walls, at least one electrically non-conductive tie extending between the walls and holding them in place against forces tending to separate the walls, and a filler material filling the space between the walls. A form for making such a mine seal is also disclosed.

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

Abstract: A sealing assembly comprising two abutting components and a sealing profile produced from an elastomeric material, which bridges the gap between the two components to form a seal. The components are configured in particular as sections which are assembled into a tubular tunnel thus forming transverse and longitudinal joints. There is also a sealing profile being located in turn in each recess, thus forming a cornered sealing framework. There is also a lubricant for the contact surfaces between each component and the sealing profile, in particular for the contact surfaces between two sealing profiles. The sealing assembly has at least one sealing profile that has at least two protrusions in the vicinity of the contact surfaces. The protrusions form a sealed chamber, in which the lubricant is contained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seal between a side face of a first part (11) and an application face (10), the seal being made of a compressible profiled lining (1) and being comprised of an internal portion (2) sealingly fixed to the first part (11) and an external portion (3) bearing on the application face (10). According to the invention, in its original condition prior to setting the seal on the first part (11), the external portion (3) of the liner (1) is provided with at least one profile tongue (4) housed inside at least one longitudinal groove (5) provided in said external portion (3) and opening on the side of the application face (10), said tongue (4) being fixed to the internal face (50) of said groove (5) in an easily detachable way so as to be able to suppress and eventually replace the tongue (4) at least on a portion of the length of the liner (1) in order to vary the compressibility degree of the liner on the corresponding length.

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

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

Abstract: A slide formwork with a formwork body (10) comprising several formwork segment groups (12, 22, 32) lying adjacent to one another in circumferential direction. Each of the formwork segment groups (12, 22, 32) is rigidly connected with one of several support frames (40) and is mounted onto the remaining support frames in slidable manner. Each formwork segment (14) comprises an outer formwork plate (16) supported on an associated longitudinal carrier (18) via hydraulic elements. The formwork plate (16) and associated longitudinal carrier (18) are coupled with one another in non-shiftable manner in longitudinal direction. Hydraulic presses (52) are arranged between the individual support frames (40), with which each support frame is shiftable with respect to the remaining support frames.

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

Abstract: A bracing device for a self-advancing shield tunnelling machine for tunnel construction comprising a control shield within which is mounted a cutting unit, and at least two bracing shields each having a closed circumferential wall construction which are connected together by feed cylinders, the bracing shields being able to be radially braced with the tunnel wall independently of each other by bracing elements fixed thereon. The bracing elements are composed of elastic pressure hoses positioned around the closed circumferential bracing shield walls. The circumferences of the bracing elements can be continually enlarged by expansion, particularly by inflation. The invention furthermore relates to the use of such bracing elements for a self-advancing shield tunnelling machine in which the control shield and the first bracing shield arranged behind it as well as the first and second bracing shield engage in each other and overlap telescopically.

Abstract: A small diameter shield tunnel is constructed by using a shield machine and assembling within a tail portion of the machine a set of three 120.degree. arcuate segments into a segment ring. An annular seal device is axially movably provided between the outer periphery of the segment ring and the inner periphery of a tail skin plate defining the tail portion of the machine. A back-filling material is charged into an annular gap formed between the outer peripheral surface of the segment ring and natural soil surrounding the segment ring. The back-filling material within the annular gap is compressed by the seal device which is caused to move between the inner peripheral surface of the tail skin plate and the outer peripheral surface of the segment ring, in the axial direction of the tunnel, away from a face where excavation of natural soil is carried out mechanically.

Abstract: In my process for digging a tunnel with the help of a tunnel excavator which has a working chamber under atmospheric pressure, the local front wall is supported with the help of a pressurized medium which is connected by a controlling gap of a shield cover with another gap between a shield cover tail and/or the earth or ground and a tunnel-lining member. The gap is closed-off from the working chamber by a gap-sealing ring between a shield cover tail and a tunnel-lining member. Concrete is forced into the gap by a feeder pipe in the gap-sealing ring. A self-sealing permeable joint between the gap-sealing ring and the shield cover tail and/or the tunnel-lining member of the excavator is made with concrete which has a fine-grained additive material and a large-grained additive material so that the large-grained additive material forms a grain filter whose pores are closable by the fine-grained additive material.

Abstract: The movable tight-sealing ring is positioned between an excavator cover end and a form or casing structure. For a satisfactory movability of the excavator cover end interstice, the tight-sealing sealing ring is supported resiliently by adjustable supporting units freely movable relative to the excavator cover end and the casing or form structure. On one side the tight-sealing sealing ring is provided with a plurality of impressed material feed openings and on the other side with an elastic outer sealing member contactable on the inside of the excavator cover end as well as an elastic inner sealing member pressable against the outside of the form or casing structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for closing or sealing the gap space defined between a tunnel support frame and the ground during the tunneling formation of adits in connection with underground mining operations and the construction of underground tunnels, wherein backfill concrete is introduced into the gap space, comprises the disposition of inflatable bags within the gap space so as to be in abutment with the backfill concrete. In this manner, proper and complete backfilling is able to be achieved whereby the cured backfill concrete will exhibit proper structural integrity. The bags may be fabricated from a suitable plastic foil and are provided with an inflating-deflating valve. The bags can be reused upon subsequent support frame sections as the tunneling operation progresses.

Abstract: Telescopic tunnel boring machine including a front shield (10) and a rear shield (16) with a cutting head (14) at the forward end of the front shield. Rearwardly extending shutters can be moved out hydraulically by auxillary cylinders (54) from the rear end of the rear shield to bridge the gap (34) between this rear end and tunnel lining elements (32). Additionally expandable cuffs (70) and (72) may be provided on the front and rear shields respectively behind the cutting head (14) and radial tunnel wall grippers (20).

Abstract: A method for lining a tunnel wall formed by a shield excavation includes filling a space between the tunnel wall surface and the outer peripheral surface of a lining form in two stages by dividing space into two, portions. One stage of the method is carried out with a ring-shaped rearward end frame ring secured to excavator propelling jacks and disposed to define a first space portion and a second stage of the method is carried out accompanying forward propulsion of the excavator.

Abstract: A process for lining a tunnel with concrete behind a tunnel excavator having a for front advanced along with an excavator head in which the concrete is forced between the surrounding subterranean geological structure and an inner tunnel-lining form through a form front which rides sealingly on the outer surface of the inner tunnel-lining form and on the inner surface of the shield. Simultaneously, the form front, which is longitudinally movable relative to the shield, moves forward relative to the inner tunnel-lining form. The form front is movable forward simultaneously balancing the friction forces occurring between the form front and the shield and the inner tunnel-lining form. Satisfactory results are obtained when the friction forces between concrete sections of a predetermined length are measured by moving the form front relative to the stationary shield and the inner tunnel-lining form during an interruption in concrete feed.

Abstract: A form front positioned between the shield of a tunnel excavator and a tunnel-lining form movable relative to both the shield and the tunnel-lining form. The form front comprises an annular support positioned with clearance space from the shield and the tunnel-lining form, wherein the annular support has a lipped inner seal pressing on the tunnel-lining form and is held thereto by pressure adjacent the inner covering surface of the annular support, and also has an outer seal held under pressure against the shield adjacent the outer covering surface of the annular support.

Abstract: A method of constructing a lined or relined tunnel utilizes four lining segments, three of which (1, 2, 3) have a longer arcuate length than the fourth (4). The tunnel is constructed within a shield (20) having a tubular member (21) and a curved build plate (22) having a minimum internal dimension at least the same as the outside radius of the lining. The shield also has a circular skirt (25) the upper part of which is extended rearwardly to form a hood (26). In the method a length of tunnel is excavated and the shield positioned therein, a first segment (1) is positioned on the build plate and the segments (2, 3) then located upon the first segment (1). The ends of the second and third segments (2, 3) remote from the segment (1) are pivoted outwardly to locate the fourth segment (4).

Abstract: A shield machine for enlarging a portion of an existing tunnel includes an inner and outer double cylinder shaped shield machine body with a cylindrical outer shield portion and a cylindrical inner guide portion designed to be driven in an axial direction of an existing tunnel and along an outer circumferential surface of primary assembly segments lining the existing tunnel. Jack members are provided for pushing forward the shield machine body by receiving a reaction from a reaction member such as secondary assembly segments lining a constructed enlarged tunnel. A scraper member is positioned adjacent to the inner guide portion for removing a back-filling agent on the outer surface of the primary assembly segments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for positioning a pair of opposed brush assemblies in a gap defined by end baffles between process chambers. The brushes have a plurality of offset bristle clusters secured to a header, and the header is preferably angled so that the brushes will have a wiping action as a workpiece such as the printed circuit board passes between the bristles. A pair of brushes are employed with the opposed ends in overlapping relationship providing a wiping-type gate, and which permits the entrained fluid to drip down the bristle hairs and into the chamber from which the workpiece such as a printed circuit board is being removed. Optionally the brush bristles can be angled upwardly to incite a gravity assist for the entrained fluid dripping down toward the header of the brush and into the process tank.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, constructing a submerged tunnel in situ and a submerged tunnel formed thereby has an inverted arch formation to resist upward buoyancy thrust and a sealed chamber unit mounted on the tunnel and longitudinally displaceable along it for servicing the exterior of the tunnel. The tunnel is constructed in situ by progressively lengthening towards each other two tunnel sections 3, 3' which extend in cantilevered manner from opposed base foundations 1 and 2. Each tunnel section has mounted on the free end thereof of an outer chamber unit 13, 13' and an inner chamber unit 6, 6' within the latter of which the free end of the tunnel section is progressively formed and extended. As the tunnel sections are lengthened their associated chamber units are displaced longitudinally and sequentially to provide clearance for further lengthening, such displacement may be effected by hydraulic rams or mechanical rack and pinion devices.

Abstract: A tunnel excavating machine for generating tunnels and galleries in subterranean structures, comprises in addition to the excavating head, a shield which travels with the head and advances along the excavation and lines the tunnels wall at least temporarily. According to the invention, the shield is formed by at least two shield sections which are preferably cylindrical and can be axially spaced apart while being bridged by a seal for the gap between them. The two shield sections are connected by a plurality of angularly equispaced piston-and-cylinder arrangements preferably of the double-acting type to allow angular offsetting of the axes of the two shield sections.

Abstract: A tail packing for a slurry pressurized shield is provided, comprising outer layers of strings and a filter element layer between the outer layers. The outer layers are composed of a number of strings densely arranged in a juxtaposed relation.

Abstract: Profiled gasket for sealing tunnel segment joints, which is placed in a receiving groove in this segment and which is made of a body of rubber or an elastically deformable synthetic material, said body having at the one side two outer legs, within which there at least two inner legs, a slot being provided between each two legs, at least the upper part of the slot formed by each outer leg and its neighboring inner leg lying within the outer plane of the other side of the body.

Abstract: A novel method of injecting a back filling injection material employed in a shield-forming process is described herein. A screw type injection pump with a hopper connected to its intake port is utilized. This pump is rotated in a reverse direction to intake a back filling material into said hopper through a delivery hose connected to its delivery port. The upper limit pressure and a lower limit pressure for the injection pump are set for injection of the back filling material. The injection pump is next rotated in its normal direction to inject the back filling material to a desired location through the delivery hose, and then, after completion of the injection filling of the back filling material, the injection pump is rotated in a reversed direction again to intake water through the delivery hose, thereby washing of the hose and the injection pump can be effected.

Abstract: A tail seal for a tunnelling shield, particularly for use in the bentonite process, in which a seal is formed of short brush-like material mounted on a flexible support and resiliently urged by a body of closed cell expanded material, such as neoprene. In a preferred form the flexible support is secured both fore and aft and the closed cell expanded material has an inflatable member embedded therein.

Abstract: A brush-type packing means for shield tunnel excavators which is high in wear resistance and sealing effect against under ground water is provided. The packing means comprises a resilient wire brush secured substantially in a ring shape along the inner periphery of a substantially cylindrical excavator body adjacent its tail end or the peripheral edge of the tunnel entrance on the wall surface of the vertical shaft to close a gap space between the tail end or the entrance edge and the peripheral surface of a tunnel wall element inserted in an excavated tunnel, and clearances between respective brush wires are sealed with an impregnating agent which is deformable and impermeable to water.