US2997853A - Apparatus for driving tunnels - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 29, 1961 PER APPARATUS FOR DRIVING TUNNELS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 14. 1958 T [H l INVENTOR.

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EMPEE U ted. St tes Patent 2,997,853 APPARATUS FOR DRIVING TUNNELS Maxwell F. Kemper, 3701 Overland, Los Angeles 34, Calif. Filed July 14, 1958, Ser. No. 748,340 8 Claims. (Cl. 61--85) The present invention relates to novel apparatus for driving a tunnel through earth formation while supporting the overburden to prevent cave-in thereof.

In my copending application, Serial No. 678,993, there is disclosed a novel method and apparatus for driving tunnels through earth formation which contemplates a substantial advance in the art of forming tunnels, particularly in sandy soils where previously it had been the practice to provide an outside form for forming a concrete storm sewer or drain by successively supporting arched or horseshoe shaped beams or steel supports in spaced relation longitudinally of a tunnel as the tunnel progressed.

The method and apparatus of that application substantially facilitates the formation of such an outer form and materially lessens the need for manpower while at the same time speeding up the operation. That invention contemplated the utilization of a shell of generally horseshoe cross section which was adapted to be driven forcefully in the face of the tunnel as the tunnel pro- 'gressed, so as to enable erection of suitable supporting structure within the protective cover of the shell. For supporting the shell, in accordance with my earlier invention a novel needle beam support was centrally located within the shell so as to support the latter as it was advanced into the tunnel face and prevent the overburden of earth above the shell from forcing the latter downwardly.

Though not limited thereto, the apparatus of my earlier invention is particularly adapted for use in forming tunnels for comparatively large storm drains or the like, where space limitation for the operation of auxiliary equipment and appliances within the shell during formation of the tunnel is not of particular moment.

The present invention contemplates an improved tunnel driving shell support in the sense that improved shell supporting means are provided whereby maximum head room and transverse clearance are made available for the use of such auxiliary equipment as mucking machines and the like, as would particularly be necessary and desirable when smaller tunnels are being formed.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide novel supporting means for the shell of tunnel driving apparatus of the type broadly contemplated in my copending application previously referred to. In accomplishing this objective, a pair of supporting jacks are provided, these jacks being transversely spaced within the tunnel driving shell, so as to provide a maximum of transverse space therebetween. These side jacks are adapted to remain stationary as the shield is being fed axially'into the face of the tunnel relative thereto. In addition, a central ormiddle jack is provided for supporting the shield as the side jacks are alternately shifted to new positions for supporting the shield as it is being advanced. When the central jack is elevated to an inoperative position as the shield is being moved into the tunnel face, the central jack occupies a minimum of space and thereby affords the maximum head room or clearance for the operation of such equipment as frontloading overhead-unloading mucking machines which are employed to load a conveyor or the like for removing earth from the face of the tunnel as the tunnel progresses.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter be described or will become apparent to those Pate nted Aug. 29, 1961 ice skilled in the art and novel features of the invention will be defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through tunnel driving apparatus made in accordance with the invention with the shield disposed for movement into the face of the tunnel relative to the side jacks and with the central jack partially elevated to an out-of-the-way position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the shield in the position which it occupies after having been projected a full stroke and showing the central jack in a shield supporting position with one of the side jacks in an inoperative position and ready to be advanced to a new shield supporting position;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view as taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, but showing the central jack prior to its elevation to a horizontal position, and also depicting steel support jacks which are employed for jacking the horse-shoe shaped steel supports 'or supporting ribs into place;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing the apparatus substantially in the same condition as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detail view partly in elevation and partly broken away and shown in section depicting one of the jacks;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in elevation and on an enlarged scale, showing a novel roller support for one of the side jacks;

FIG. 7 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section as taken substantially on the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale, showing the novel connection of the central jack to the shield frame;

FIG. 9 is a View as taken substantially on the line 99 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale depicting the central jack hoist mechanism for elevating the central jack to a horizontal position.

Like reference characters on the several figures of the drawings and in the following description designate corresponding parts.

In accordance with the invention, the apparatus comprises a generally U-shaped shield S having an outer skin plate 1 providing an elongated skirt 2. Extending inwardly from the skin plate 1 are a suitable number of longitudinally spaced plates 3, which are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the skin plate '1 and at their inner margins are provided with ribs 4. Gussets 5 are welded into the angle formed at the foremost structural plate 3 and the forward end of the shield S, which is at the left hand end of the shield as viewed in FIG. 1. On the longitudinal center of the shield S there is an assembly providing supporting rail means 6, which, as best seen in FIG. 9, comprises a pair of vertical, laterally spaced plates 7 and 8, which are interconnected at their base by means of a rail 9 adapted to shiftably support the central jack assembly 10. At opposite sides of the rail assembly 6 the shield is also provided with vertically disposed rail assemblies 11 and 12, respectively, which, as best seen in FIG. 7, also comprise a pair of vertically disposed plates .13 and 14 interconnected by a rail 15 which is adapted to support one of a pair of side or operating support jacks 16, 16. Extending axially through a number of the rearmost structural plates 3, is a suitable number of generally equi-distantly spaced rams 17, having rearwardly extending pistons 18. These rams 17 serve the purpose of propelling the shield into the face of the tunnel as generally designated at F.

Since tunnels are ordinarily driven into rather sandy soils when the shields of the type concerned are employed,

means are also preferably provided for supporting the tunnel face, and in the illustrative embodiment a plurality of air operated rams 19, having pistons or rods 20, are disposed in spaced relation about the shield and are provided with breastboard supporting brackets 21 at their outer extremities for supporting breastboards 22. Inasmuch as the rams 19 are air operated, air therein will form a resilient cushion enabling the rods or pistons to be pushed back into the rams as the shield advances, while the breastboards 22 will be held out firmly against the tunnel face F, thus preventing cave-in.

In forming a tunnel into earth formation, FIG. 1 illustrates the shield inv a tunnel which has been partially formed, where it will be seen that a series of generally horseshoe shaped H beams or steel supports 23 have been mounted in place with lagging strips 24 installed between the steel supports 23 and the skirt 2 of the shield S and as the shield progresses axially into the face of the tunnel, the lagging is uncovered and constitutes the outer form for a concrete conduit to .be constructed in the tunnel. However, it will be understood that for some applications such as mining or the like it may be desirable to construct the steel supported wooden frame for containing the earth in a mine tunnel. For the purpose of description it will be assumed that the steel support designated 23a has been firmly installed.

This is accomplished by means of a pair of manual jacks or the like (see FIG. 3), which are employed, following installation of the lagging between the steel support 23a and the next adjacent steel 23, to jack the steel 23a firmly toward the shell or skirt 2, whereupon a base plate 26 may be installed beneath the opposite lower extremities of the steel support 23a to prevent its settling upon release of the jacks 25.

Elevating means generally designated 27, which will hereinafter be more particularly described, are employed to elevate the central jack 10 from a vertical position as shown in FIG. 3, to the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 1. With the shield in the condition shown in FIG. 1, hydraulic fluid under pressure may be admitted to the rams 17, thus forcing the pistons 18 therefrom. These pistons are engaged with the steel support 23a which is firmly backed up by collar braces 30, the latter being interposed between the respective steel supports or ribs 23.

Fluid under pressure may be admitted to the rams 17 by means of the hydraulic system disclosed and claimed in my copending patent application referred to above, or if desired other fluid pressure operating systems may be employed. In any event, fluid under pressure in the rams 17 will force the pistons 18 therefrom, which will effect axial movement of the shield S into the face of the tunnel until the shield reaches a position such as that shown in FIG. 2, With the pistons 18 of rams 17 fully extended. Whereupon, the central jack 10 will be lowered to the position shown in FIG. 2 and operated so as to partially support the shield S at which time an additional shield support 23 and lagging 24 may be installed. As the shield S is advanced, the earth at the tunnel face F may be removed by mucking equipment (not shown), as more particularly described in my abovementioned copending application, but the breastboards 22 will prevent the face of the tunnel from falling in while the rams 19 permit the shield to move relative to the rods or pistons 20, as air in the rams 19 is compressed. These rams 19 may also be operated by means of the pneumatic system disclosed in my copending application above referred to, or if desired the rams 18 may be purely spring loaded or other pneumatic operating systems may be employed. During the advance of the shield S into the tunnel roller support assemblies generally designated 31, and more particularly shown in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, will permit the shield to move axially upon the side jacks 16, which will be firmly based upon the tunnel floor, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

In order to stabilize the side jacks 16, they are preferably tied as by means of a line 33 provided with a hook 34 for engagement with the roller support 31, and engaged at its other end with a come-along 35, which in turn is securely connected as at 36 to a previously installed steel support 23. Such an arrangement is employed with each of the side jacks 16 so that they are firmly held against any tendency to move along with the shield S as it is urged into the tunnel face by the rams 17. Following movement of the shield S from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2, and following the installation of lagging 24 and an additional steel support 23, the central jack 10 will be retracted by means presently to be described, and elevated by the mechanism 27 to a position extending substantially horizontally and disposed closely adjacent to the rail 9. However, prior to retracting and elevating the central jack 10, the side jacks 16 will have been shifted forwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1. One of the jack mechanisms is more particularly shown in detail in FIG. 5, and the structure illustrated in FIG. 5 is representative of each of the jacks 16 as well as the central jack 10.

Referring particularly to FIG. 5, which is representative of the jacks 10 and 16, it will be noted that the jacks comprise an upper cylindrical housing or body 38, which is relatively stationary and an internal cylindrical member 39 which is movable axially in the body 38. At its upper extremity the cylindrical member 39 is provided with a closure 40 through which extends a rod 41 having at its lower extremity a spring seat 42 interposed between the closure or head 40 of the member 39 and the seat 42, and disposed about the rod 41, is a return spring 43. At its upper extremity the rod 41 is secured in any suitable manner to a fixed head 44, which in turn is securely mounted within the cylindrical body 38 in sealed relation thereto. Mounted externally of the body 38 is a hand pump 45 adapted to supply hydraulic fluid through a line 46 to a jack pressure chamber 47 whereby manipulation of the pump 45 will pressurize the chamber 47, thus acting upon the head 40 of the member 39 to shift the same downwardly and compress the spring 43 between the head 40 and the seat 42. Any of the jacks 10 and 16 may be operated in the foregoing manner so as to exert the strong vertical force tending to support the overburden of earth on the shield S as the shield is being shifted into the tunnel face, or as the jacks 16 are being shifted from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 1 in preparation for a further advance of the shield.

During movement of the shield S into the tunnel, as has been previously pointed out, the shield is shiftably supported upon the side jacks 16 by means of the roller supports 31. Referring more particularly to FIGS. 6 and 7, the details of a representative roller support are more particularly shown. Upstanding from the upper extremity of the respective side supports 16 is a pair of spaced supporting ears 50 through which is extended a pivot pin 51. The pivot pin 51 is journalled in the central body section of a supporting frame having opposed side walls 52 interconnected by transversely extended plates 53 at the opposite ends of the side walls. The pivot pin 51 extends through the side walls and is retained in place as by collars 54 and pins 55 which extend through the collars 54 and thence through the pivot pins 51, so that the respective side supports 16 are freely pivotally mounted on the side walls 52 of the roller supports 31.

Adjacent the opposite ends of the respective side walls 52 of each roller support 31, is an internal roller 56, and as best illustrated in FIG. 7, each roller 56 is journalled upon a bushing 57 surrounding a retainer pin or axle 58, having a stem extending through an opening in the side wall 52 and secured therein as by welding at 59. Preferably the retainer pin 58 is provided with a lubricant passage 60 for enabling lubrication of the bushing 57. Thus it is seen that opposed pairs of the rollers 56 project laterally inwardly towards the vertical plates13 and 14 upon which is secured the horizontal rail 15. The rollers 56 overlie the outwardly projecting edges of the rail 15 so as to hang the roller support 31 thereon. These rollers 56, it will be understood, are not required to support loads during use of the invention but instead are merely required to sustain the weight of the respective side supports 16 when they are disengaged from the floor of the tunnel.

Load bearing rollers 61 are disposed beneath the rail 15 at opposite sides of the pivotal center of the roller support 31. The rollers 61 are preferably flanged so as to straddle the rail 15 as clearly indicated in FIG. 7, and each roller 61 is journalled upon a pin or axle 62 extending transversely between the side walls 52-52 of the roller support 31 with a bronze or other bushing 63 interposed between the roller and the pin 62. Collars 64 are disposed about the opposite extremities of the pins 62 and are welded to the side walls 52 as at 65, while the pins 62 are secured to the collars 64 as by means of a pin 66. In addition, each pin 62 is also provided with a lubricant passage 67 and a grease fitting 68 for each roller 61, to enable lubrication of the rollers which should be maintained well lubricated in view of the heavy loads imposed thereon as the shield is progressing into the tunnel. The means for supporting the center support or jack on the rail 9 of the supporting rail means 6 is more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. A pair of de pending brackets 70 interconnected beneath the rail 9 by a horizontal plate 71, are adapted to be adjustably connected to the rail by means of set screws 72 which extend through the brackets 70 into overlying relation to the rail 9 and into engagement with the rail supporting plates 7 and 8. The set screws 72 are threaded in nuts 73, which are preferably welded to the brackets 70. Center jack 10 is pivotally disposed between the brackets 70 as by means of a pivot pin or bolt 74, so that the jack 10 may be swung from a substantially horizontal position as shown in FIG. 1, and as shown in broken lines in FIG. 8, to the vertical position, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 9. At the upper extremity of the jack 10, it is provided with a pair of upstanding arcuate plates 75, which when the jack '10 is disposed in a vertical position, bear beneath the horizontal plate 71 at points vertically beneath the rail supporting plates 7 and 8. Thus the load of the shield S is not borne upon the, jack supporting means when the side jacks 16 are disengaged from the tunnel floor, but instead the load is borne directly through the rail 9, horizontal plate 71, and arcuate brackets 75.

In order to swing the central support jack 10 from a vertical position to a horizontal position, a flexible chain 76 is connected to the jack 10 and is threaded over a sheave 77 ot the elevating means, which is generally designated 27, and which has been previously referred to. As shown in FIG. 1, sheave 77 is supported on a bracket 78 secured beneath the center rail 9 at a point spaced forwardly from the rearward extremity of the rail 9. Adjacent the rear extremity of the rail 9 is a sheave support 79 having a pair of transversely spaced sheaves 80 and 81 carried thereby and rotatable upon vertical axes. The chain or cable 76 is passed from sheave 77 over sheave 80 and thence over sheave 81, firom whence it extends longitudinally in parallel relation to the rail 9 and thence, as best seen in FIG. 10, over a guide sprocket 82, and a drive sprocket 83 of an air or other suitably powered motor 84 mounted as at 85 upon skin plate 1. Any suitable means may be employed for powering the motor 84 so as to feed the chain 76 in a direction to allow the center jack 10 to gravitate to an upstanding position or to retrieve the chain 76 so as to elevate the jack 10 as will now be apparent.

In the use of the shield of the present invention after a tlmnel has been commenced, such as by appropriately backing up the shield exteriorly of the tunnel entrance 6 and oommencingthe'progressive advancing of the shield and installation of lagging and steel supports, the operation is substantially as follows. Referring to FIG. 1, the shield is in condition for being advanced into the tunnel face F, and the breast boards 22 will eifectively preclude cave-in of the tunnel face.

The application of power fluid from a suitable source to the rams 17 will force the shield S into the tunnel face as the shield is supported upon the side jacks 16 and moves relatively easily thereon upon the roller supports 31. When the shield rams 17 have been fully extended, as for example as shown in FIG. 2, the center jack 10 will be lowered by the motor 84 and an additional generally horsehoe-shaped steel support 23 will be installed in spaced relation to the last installed steel support. Before jacking up the newly installed steel support into final position, lagging 24' will be installed between the newly located steel support and the steel support last installed following which the jacks 25 will be employed to jack the steel support into firm engagement with the lagging and press the latter into supporting engagement with the inner surface of the skirt 2 of the shell S. A base plate 26 will be disposed beneath the newly installed steel support 23, following which the jacks 25 will be removed. Whereupo'n, with the shell rigidly supported upon the center jack 10,-the side support jacks may be elevated and shifted to their forward position, as shown in FIG. 1, from their rearward position as shown in FIG. 2, and then repressurized to sustain the load of the shell. At this time the center jack 10 will again be elevated to a horizontal position for reco'mmencement of the shifting cycle.

It should be observed that with the center jack 10 ele vated to an out-of-the-way position, and with the shell supported upon the side j aclcs 16, a maximum of headroom is provided, and in addition the side jacks 16 are disposed in laterally spaced relation to the greatest extent possible for enabling freedom of movement of mucking equipment or other apparatus as well as the crewmen working at the tunnel face.

While the specific details of the invention have been herein shown and described, changes and alterations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for digging a tunnel in the earth comprising: a generally horseshoe shaped elongated shield; means shiftably supporting said shield for axial mo'vement; and means for advancing said shield; said supporting means including a pair of longitudinally extended members carried by said shield adjacent the top of said shield and disposed in laterally opposed transversely spaced relation at opposite sides of the longitudinal center or said shield; a pair of extensible jacks disposed in spaced relation transversely of said shield; means operatively connecting the respective jacks to said members for permitting relative longitudinal movement of said shield and said jacks; said supporting means for each of said jacks including a track extending longitudinally of the shield; and a roller support shi'fitably carried by said track and operatively connecting its jack to said track.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said supporting means for each of said jacks including a track extending longitudinally of the shield; and a roller support shiftably carried by said track and operatively connecting its jack to said track; said track having free lateral edges; and said roller support having rollers disposed above and below said lateral edges.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the sup porting means for each of said jacks including a track extending longitudinally of the shield; and a roller support shittably carried by said track and operatively connecting its jack to said track; said roller support having side walls disposed at opposite sides of said track; a load supporting roller disposed beneath said track and extending between said side walls; and a jack supporting roller 7 disposed above said track and carried by one of said side walls.

4. Apparatus for digging a tunnel in the earth comprising: a generally horseshoe-shaped elongated shield; means shiftably supporting said shield for axial movement; and means for advancing said shield; said supporting means including a pair of longitudinally extended members carried by said shield adjacent the top of said shield and disposed in laterally opposed transversely spaced relation at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of said shield; a pair of extensible jacks disposed in spaced relation transversely of said shield; means operatively connecting the respective jacks to said members for permitting relative longitudinal movement of said shield and said jacks; said supporting means for each of said jacks including a track extending longitudinally of the shield; and a roller support shiftably carried by said track; said shield having means supporting said track thereon; and said track projecting laterally from said supporting means; said roller support having rollers disposed on said track at opposite sides of said supporting means and engaging said laterally projecting track to support said jack; and a roller disposed beneath said track for supporting said shield.

5. Apparatus for digging a tunnel in the earth comprising: a generally horseshoe-shaped elongated shield; means shiftably supporting said shield for axial movement; means for advancing said shield; said supporting means including a pair of extensible jacks disposed in spaced relation transversely of said shield; and means connecting the respective jacks to said shield and providing for relative longitudinal shifting movement of said shield and said jacks; wherein the supporting means for each of said jacks including a track extending longitudinally of the shield; and a roller support shiftably carried by said track; said roller support having opposed side walls; a pivot pin extending between said side walls; said jack being pivotally mounted on said pin; a pair of load sustaining rollers disposed on opposite sides of said pivot pin and journalled in said side walls; said rollers being engaged beneath said track; and means carried by said side walls and engaged with the top of said track for supporting said jack on said track.

6. Apparatus for digging a tunnel in the earth comprising: a generally horseshoeashaped elongated shield; means shiftably supporting said shield for axial movement including a pair of vertically disposed members disposed at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of said shield and operatively engaged with said shield adjacent the top of the latter; means for advancing said shield; said supporting means including means operatively connecting said supporting means to said shield fo'r relative longitudinal shifting of said shield and said supporting means; and means for supporting said shield while said supporting means are being shifted, including a centrally disposed jack; means pivotally connecting said centrally disposed jack to said shield; said connecting means including a track extending longitudinally of said shield at the longitudinal center of the shield; and means adjustably mounting said jack on said track for movement longitudinally of said track.

7. Apparatus for digging a tunnel into the earth comprising: a generally horseshoe-shaped shield having an elongated skirt; and means for advancing said shield into the tunnel face; said shield having laterally opposed vertical plates depending therefrom and extending longitudinally of the shield adjacent the top of the shield in transversely spaced relation at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of said shield; shield supporting jacks shiftably carried by said plates so as to permit relative longitudinal shifting of said shield and said jacks; and a central jack carried by said shield; means pivotally connecting said supporting jacks to said plates including roller supports 'operatively connecting said jacks and said plates for longitudinal movement of said jacks; and means pivotally connecting said central jack to said shield.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said jacks is extensible by fluid pressure and including means for supplying fluid under pressure to said jacks; each jack includingmeans for resiliently retracting said iacks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 498,855 Morris June 6, 1893 1,275,910 Hamilton Aug. 13, 1918 1,478,163 Anderson Dec. 18, 1923 1,751,147 Hackley Mar. 18, 1930 2,196,100 Oaputo Apr. 2, 1940 2,757,515 Wilbur et a1. Aug. 7, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 567,122 Germany Dec. 28, 1932 816,539 Germany Oct. 11, 1951 911,961 Germany May 24, 1954 773,407 Great Britain Apr. 24, 1957 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2397.853 August 29, 1961 Maxwell F. Kemper It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6, line 61, strike out "Apparatus as claimed in claim 1," and in line 63, strike out "Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein" and insert instead in each occurrence, the following:

Apparatus for digging a tunnel in the earth comprising: a generally horseshoeshaped elongated shield; means shiftably supporting said shield for axial movement; and means for advancing said shield; said supporting means including a pair of longitudinally extended members carried by said shield adjacent the top of said shield and disposed in laterally opposed transversely spaced relation at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of said shield; a pair of extensible jacks disposed in spaced relation transversely of said shield; means .operatively connecting the respective jacks to said members for permitting relative longitudinal movement of said shield and said jacks;

Signed and sealed this 27th day of February 1962..

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST We SWIDER DAVID L.. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

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