阅读说明：本技术 用于由推进外壳使tbm进行同时挖掘和管片拼装的系统和方法 (System and method for simultaneous excavation and segment splicing of TBMs by propelling the hull ) 是由 贝扎德·霍尔希迪 贾马尔·罗斯塔米 于 2020-02-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于由推进外壳系统使隧道掘进机(TBM)进行同时挖掘和管片拼装的系统和方法是隧道开凿行业中的发明,其将在TBM以最小中断向前挖掘和前进的同时提供分段环的拼装可能性,这将使隧道开凿速度显著地增加。隧道开凿的速度增加将显著地降低构造的成本。在此系统和方法中,TBM推进油缸将经由推进外壳和可扩展环的组合而抵靠先前安装的分段环进行推动,同时新分段环由所述推进外壳的所提供的内部空间内的TBM的管片拼装机构建。(A system and method for simultaneous excavation and segment splicing by a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) by a propulsion hull system is an invention in the tunneling industry that will provide the possibility of segment ring splicing while the TBM excavates and advances forward with minimal interruption, which will significantly increase the tunneling speed. An increase in the speed of tunnel excavation will significantly reduce the cost of construction. In this system and method, a TBM thrust cylinder will push against a previously installed segment ring via a combination of a thrust housing and an expandable ring, while a new segment ring is built by the segment erector of the TBM within the provided interior space of the thrust housing.)

1. A propulsion housing system for use by a TBM in a tunnel segment liner, the system comprising:

a thrust pot that moves within a gap between a rear guard of the TBM and a new staging ring,

a thrust ring having a connection to the thrust pot from one side and a connection to a thrust cylinder of the TBM from the other side,

an expandable ring used between the propulsion canister and a previously assembled segmented ring to transfer the propulsion force of the propulsion cylinder to the previously assembled segmented liner,

wherein in an expanded mode of the expandable ring, an outer diameter of the expandable ring is almost equal to an outer diameter of the propulsion canister to be contactable with the propulsion canister, and

wherein in a collapsed mode of the expandable ring, the outer diameter of the expandable ring is smaller than an inner diameter of the new segmented ring to be movable within the new segmented ring.

2. The propulsion housing system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of assembly axial jacks or rams on the propulsion ring or on a stationary guard of the TBM for assembling the new segmented ring within the propulsion tank.

3. The propulsion housing system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of assembly axial jacks or rams on the expandable ring for assembling the new segmented ring within the propulsion tank.

4. The propulsion housing system of claim 1, wherein the expandable ring further comprises a plurality of segments connected by a plurality of circumferential jacks or rams for expanding or contracting the expandable ring.

5. The propulsion enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the expandable ring further comprises a plurality of telescoping beams within the expandable ring with additional mounted axial jacks or rams thereon that will cover gaps between the sections so as to transfer the thrust of the TBM to the previously assembled segmented ring at the gaps.

6. The propulsion housing system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of single or strap rollers are connected at the propulsion canister to facilitate moving the new segmented ring forward and backward on the propulsion canister and to facilitate moving the propulsion canister forward and backward on the rear guard of the TBM.

7. A TS braking system for use in tunnel segment linings to prevent backward and forward movement of a TBM, the system comprising:

a movable ring capable of moving and rotating back and forth on an axle of a segment erector of the TBM, an

A plurality of telescoping rods fitted over the movable ring, the plurality of telescoping rods extendable to enter the lifting slots of a previously installed segmented ring.

8. The TS braking system of claim 7, wherein the telescoping rod is collapsible to reduce its snagging and footprint.

9. A propulsion housing system for use by a TBM in a tunnel segment liner, the system comprising:

a thrust pot that moves within a gap between a rear guard of the TBM and a new staging ring,

a thrust ring having a connection to the thrust pot from one side and a connection to a thrust cylinder of the TBM from the other side,

wherein a plurality of circumferential plates are connected to an end of the propulsion tank by a plurality of hinges capable of changing a position from horizontal to vertical by a plurality of springs connected to the circumferential plates from one side and to the propulsion tank from the other side,

wherein the circumferential plate is to be in a vertical position at the location of a previously built segmented ring, the circumferential plate has a groove at the outer periphery of its trailing circumference to accommodate the plate at the vertical position and provide a space for the circumferential plate to transfer the propulsive load from the propulsion tank to the previously built segmented liner, and

wherein the circumferential plate will be in a horizontal position while being pulled back by the pusher can and rotated about the hinge while being in contact with the inclined portion of the groove.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the use of a propulsion casing and an expandable ring for a shield Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) intended primarily for tunnel construction and variations thereof.

Background

In typical/conventional soft ground tunnel excavation using a shield machine, forward movement is stopped for installing the segment lining. This means that the forward cycle is the sum of the excavation and segment installation, which often takes an equal amount of time. In rock tunnel excavation, the use of dual shield TBMs is rising due to the advantages it provides, primarily one tunnel excavation in which the final liner is installed. Since excavation and segment installation are simultaneous for a dual protection TBM, the forward cycle is determined by the longer of the excavation or segment assembly processes. Often in medium to soft rock conditions, segment make-up can take a relatively long time, thereby increasing the time requirements for each advance cycle. Also, when the clamps of a dual guard TBM are inoperable, the machine works by locking the front and rear guards and operates as in a single guard, so the duty cycle of a single guard and the same timing issues apply.

In the method proposed in the present invention, all the aforementioned problems are solved. Utilizing a propulsion hull system for a TBM would allow segment splicing while the machine continues to dig with minimal disruption. This is expected to significantly increase the tunnel excavation speed, where it may theoretically be possible to reach almost twice as much daily rate of progress in certain circumstances of soft ground. A reduction in construction cycle time will significantly reduce the cost of construction.

Disclosure of Invention

A system and method for simultaneous excavation and segment splicing of TBMs by a propulsion hull system is an invention in the tunneling industry that will provide the possibility of segment rings being spliced while a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) excavates and advances forward with minimal interruption, which will result in a significant increase in tunnel boring speed. An increase in the speed of tunnel excavation will significantly reduce the cost of construction. In this approach, the TBM thrust cylinder will push against the previously installed segment ring via the combination of the thrust housing and expandable ring, while a new segment ring is built by the segment erector of the TBM within the provided interior space of the thrust housing.

Drawings

FIG. 1. 3D views of the propulsion housing and expandable ring (from the liner side)

FIG. 2. 3D view of the propulsion housing and expandable ring (from TBM side)

FIG. 3 option for using a ribbon roll to reduce friction

FIG. 3a detail of the concept of using a strip roll

FIG. 4. options for pushing segmented rings in gaps between segments

FIG. 5. modified segment example to avoid the use of any expandable ring

FIG. 5a detail of the hinged circumferential plate

FIG. 6.TS braking general concept

FIG. 7 illustrates a propulsion housing system with alignment of curves

Fig. 8a. phase a; fig. 8B. phase B; fig. 8℃ phase C; FIG. 8D. stage D

Fig. 8E. phase E; fig. 8F. phase F; fig. 8G. phase G; FIG. 8H. stage H

FIG. 9. non-contact propulsion housing and expandable ring

FIG. 10 shows a pusher housing, expandable ring and segmented ring with contact and interaction

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show a 3D view of a generic propulsion housing 100 including a main hollow canister 170 and a propulsion ring 160 connected to the propulsion cylinders 150 of the TBM 310. Thus, the movement (push/pull) of the propulsion housing 100 will be controlled by the propulsion cylinders 150 of the TBM 310.

Structurally, the propulsion housing ring may include a stiffener 180 on the propulsion ring 160, if desired. The thickness of the hollow canister 170 of the propulsion housing 100 may be structurally thicker at the propulsion ring 160 region. However, the additional thickness will be toward the interior of the drive ring 160.

The hollow canister 170 will be able to move back and forth within the gap between the rear guards 312 of the TBM310 and the segmented ring 172/174. Thus, the ID of the thrust pot 170 should be greater than the OD of segment ring 172/174, and the OD of the thrust pot 170 should be less than the ID of the rear guard 312 of TBM 310.

The expandable ring 110 will be positioned in front of the previously installed segmented ring 172 and liner. (see fig. 8a) the primary function of the expandable ring 110 is to transfer the propulsion load from the propulsion cylinders 150 and propulsion housings 100 of the TBM310 to the previously installed segmented ring 172. The expandable ring 110 includes a plurality (2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) of sections 190 (most likely having a hollow square or hollow rectangular cross-section) with the required reinforcement connected by circumferential rams/jacks 120. Thus, the expandable ring 110 can be expanded or contracted between two different diameters by extension or retraction of the circumferential cylinder 120.

The circumferential cylinder 120 may be made of a hydraulic piston or screw jack system or the like. In the expanded mode, the OD of expandable ring 110 is nearly equal to the OD of the pusher housing, and the ID of expandable ring 110 is nearly equal to the ID of segmented ring 172/174. In the collapsed mode, the OD of expandable ring 110 is less than the ID of segmented ring 172/174 to enable movement within segmented ring 172/174.

The new segmented ring 174 will be built by the segment erector 316 of the TBM310 within the interior space of the hollow can 170 space of the propulsion housing while the TBM310 is pushed against the mounted segmented ring 172 via the propulsion housing 100 and the expanded state expandable ring 110 and advanced forward by the propulsion ram 150 of the expanded TBM. (see fig. 8b and 8 c).

The segment for the new segment ring 174 will be contacted by the jacks 130 and 140 in the axial direction of the tunnel at the forward and aft sides of the circumference of the segment. Axial jacks 130 at the segment circumferential forward side of the segment are fitted on the pusher ring 160, and axial jacks 140 at the segment circumferential aft side of the segment are fitted on the expandable ring 110.

The axial jacks 130 and 140 may be made of hydraulic or screw jack systems or the like. Alternatively, similar to the thrust rams 150 of TBM310, the axial jacks 130 for the circumferentially forward side of the segment may be fitted within the stationary guards 314 of TBM 310. In this case, the lengths of those axial jacks 130 would need to be long.

The number of axial assembly jacks 130 and 140 may be equal to the number of pins at each face of segmented ring 172/174. Depending on the design, the number of axial assembly jacks 130 and 140 will be equal to, but possibly less than (e.g., half) the number of pins at each face of segmented ring 172/174. The axial assembly jacks 130 of the propulsion housing 100 and 140 of the expandable ring 110 should be aligned with the pin orientations at the front and back sides of the segment.

All of the axial jacks 140 of the expandable ring 110 will be extended to their desired positions before segment make-up for the new segmented ring 174 begins within the thrust pot 170.

The segment erector 316 of the TBM310 will assemble the new segment ring 174 almost similarly to a typical/conventional segment liner. It will bring each segment to its position in which the axial jacks 140 of the expandable ring 110 will be in contact with the segment and the segment erector 316 will hold the segment until the axial assembly jacks 130 on the pusher housing 100 will be extended and in contact with the segment and then the segment will be held. The segment erector 316 will put the next segments one-by-one and complete the complete segment ring 174. The joining method at the radial side of the tube sheet in the ring (bolts, post-tensioned strands, etc.) should be completed at this stage.

For better contact between the segment and the fitting axial rams, a short strut 200 will be fitted to the shoe faces of the axial jacks 130 and 140, which will enter the pin holes of the segment during segment make-up. Thus, the segmented ring 174 will stabilize and maintain a circular shape and thus elliptical shaping of the new segmented ring 174 can be avoided. Further, the segment erector 316 of the TBM310 may temporarily hold the new segmented ring 174 from its inside at the raised portion, only when necessary, to help prevent ovalization of the new ring until it is mounted to the previously installed ring 174.

Once the segmented ring 174 is completed within the propulsion housing 100 (and there is also a complete TBM310 advancement cycle for one complete segmented ring 174), all of the axial jacks 140 of the expandable ring 110 will be retracted, and subsequently all of the circumferential rams 120 of the expandable ring 110 will also be retracted to collapse the expandable ring 110. (see fig. 8d) then, the segment erector 316 will lift the expandable ring 110 from the upper side of its lowermost segment 210, and thus the space between the previously installed segment ring 172 and the newly erected segment ring 174 will be apparent. (see fig. 8e) the pin between the new segmented ring 174 and the previously installed ring 172 can be installed at this stage.

Since the ID of all sections 190/210 of the expandable ring is equal to the ID of the segment, the segment erector 316 can grasp the upper side of the lowermost section 210 of the expandable ring 110, lifting and moving it almost like a segment. Alternatively, the segment erector 316 may also grasp, lift and move the expandable ring 110 from the bottom side of its upper section 220.

The segment erector 316 of the current conventional/typical TBM310 may require some modification to this operation to carry the weight of the expandable ring 110 (which may be greater than its capacity), geometrically also employing the width of the lowermost section 210 (or the upper section 220) of the expandable ring 110, which in most cases may be smaller than the concrete segment.

Further, the lowermost section 210 (or the upper section 220) of the expandable ring 110 will be designed such that its inside can properly accommodate the segment erector 316. For example, the circumferential cylinders 120 connected to the noted segment 210/220 may be spaced large enough to allow more room for the segment erector 316. Also, the connection points of the circumferential cylinders 120 to those sections 210/220 can be located within the interior space of section 210/220 (rather than on the inside thereof) to provide more space for the segment erector 316.

The newly assembled segmented ring will be pushed to its final position by axial assembly jacks 130 to contact and connect (by pins) with the previously installed segmented liner, and the propulsion housing 100 will be pulled out by retracting the propulsion cylinders 150 of TBM310 to its new position. (see FIGS. 8f and 8 g).

The segment erector 316 will then bring the expandable rings 110 to their new position at the front side of the last ring, and thereafter the circumferential ram 120 will extend to expand the expandable rings 110. Next, the pusher housing 100 will be pushed into contact with the expandable ring 110 and begin pushing the TBM310 forward, and at the same time another new segmented ring 174 make-up will begin within the canister 170. (see FIGS. 8g and 8 h).

The only downtime/stoppage of digging and segment erections can be assumed to be almost equal to the time required for one segment erection by the segment erector 316, since the segment erector 316 will lift the collapsed expandable ring 110 and move it to its new position, which is almost similar to the time required for one segment installation. For example, it will be estimated that for a tunnel liner with 6 segments per segment ring, the speed of tunnel excavation can theoretically be increased by about (6-1)/6x100 ═ 83.3%. I.e. the speed of tunnel excavation will theoretically increase by a factor of about 1.83.

The rear guard 312 of current conventional/typical TBMs 310 would need to be longer (about 1.5 times the width of segmented ring 172/174) to accommodate the propulsion housing 100 and expandable ring 110. For example, if the tube sheet width is 1.2m, the length of TBM310 would be about 1.80m long.

In most cases, it is not necessary to increase the diameter of TBM310 to accommodate propulsion housing 100 systems, as the existing clearance between rear guard 312 and segmented liner 174 of TBM310 will be sufficient for propulsion housing 100 to operate. However, it may be necessary to slightly increase the diameter of the current conventional/typical TBM310 only when needed.

A plurality of strap rollers 230/235 may be connected at least at the bottom portion of propulsion housing 100 within hollow canister 170, as the self weight of propulsion housing 100 and the self weight of the newly assembled segmented ring 174 within propulsion housing 100 pushes propulsion housing 100 down to rear guards 312, optionally to reduce the associated friction between propulsion housing 100 and new segmented ring 174, and also to reduce the friction between propulsion housing 100 and rear guards 312 of TBM 310. As shown in the fig. 3 and 3a examples, two sets of tape rollers may be utilized, including an inner tape roller 230 and an outer tape roller 235. The top side of the inner tape roller 230 is in contact with the surface of the new segmented ring 174 and the bottom side of the outer tape roller 235 is on the rear guard 312. Optionally, such a ribbon roll 230/235 may be used completely around the can 170 to reduce friction at all peripheries. Typically, a single roller may be used instead of tape roller 230/235.

After connecting the new and previously installed segmented rings 174 and 172 (e.g., by pins) and pulling the propulsion tank 170 out of the perimeter of the newly assembled segmented ring 174, the mentioned segmented ring 174 will hang from the previous segmented ring 172 and can settle down low due to its own weight (see stage at fig. 8 g). There may be several ways to avoid settling of the new segmented ring 174.

As a first option, the pusher canister 170 may be permanently elongated (at least at the lowermost gap position) at the gap 260 positions between the segments 190 of the expandable ring 110 so that the segmented ring 174 may be located on the elongated portion of the pusher canister 170 even after the pusher canister 170 is pulled out from around the most recent segmented ring 174. Thus, the width of the elongated portion of the pusher jar 170 will be less than the length of the gap 260 between the segments 190 of the expandable ring 110, and its length will be several feet more than the width of the expandable ring 110 to be able to reach around the latest segmented ring 174 by sufficient overlap with the segmented ring 174.

The second option would still push and hold the latest segmented ring 174 to the previously built liner by several axial jacks 130 already located at the gaps 260 between the sections of the expandable ring 110. In this case, those jacks that will still contact the front circumference of the latest segmented ring 174 should have a stroke long enough for pushing and holding the latest segmented ring 174, even after the thrust pot 170 is pulled out. Those jacks can then be retracted after positioning the expandable ring 110 in front of the latest segmented ring, and the thrust pot 170 begins to thrust the expandable ring 110, which will then hold the latest ring 174.

Alternatively, one or more inflatable tube rings may be added to the rear guard 312 of the TBM310 that will be inflated to temporarily hold the last segment ring 174 whenever needed (see stage at fig. 8 g). Obviously, combinations of the above mentioned options can also be utilized, if desired.

After expanding the expandable ring 110, the segmented ring 172 does not assume the pushing pressure of the TBM310 at the gap 260 region (see stage fig. 8a) due to the gaps 260 (see fig. 1 and 2) between the segments 190 of the expandable ring 110. This problem can cause tensile (peel) stresses at the segment rings 172 at the noted gap 260 areas, and can lead to cracking on the segment (assuming made of concrete in this case) if the peel stresses that occur are greater than the tensile loading of the concrete segment.

As a solution to this problem (if necessary), additional telescoping flexure beams 240 may be added to the interior of the end portions of the sections 190 of the expandable ring 110 that may move within the sections 190 within a track or guide and will cover the gaps 260 between the sections 190. Each telescopically bendable beam 240 will comprise at its middle part an additional axial jack 250 which is extendible and in contact with the circumferential front side of the segment ring 172 at the area of the gap 260. Thus, the thrust pressure of TBM310 will be transferred to segmented ring 172 via the mentioned additional jack 250 also at the gap 260 portion. Those jacks 250 on the telescoping beams 240 will retract prior to collapsing the expandable ring 110 and will be able to access the interior of the section 190 as the expandable ring 110 collapses. Referring to fig. 4, there is shown the telescoping beams 240 and their assembled axial jacks 250 referred to in the expanded mode of the expandable ring 110 on the left and in the collapsed mode of the expandable ring 110 on the right.

If desired, propulsion housing 100 may rotate within rear guard 312 of TBM 310. For this case, the connection between the thrust cylinder 150 and the thrust ring 160 of the TBM310 should be detachable (e.g., bolts, interlocks, clamps, or such connections) and the thrust cylinder 150 should be retracted. There are different ways to rotate the propulsion housing 100. A simpler option could be to use an additional circumferential ram that could be attached from one side to a temporary lug on the thrust ring 160 that could engage with the rear guard 312 temporary lug from the other side, and then, by extension or retraction of the circumferential ram mentioned, the thrust housing could be rotated.

It is recommended to use a packer on the front circumference of segmented ring 172/174 that will contact expandable ring 110. Soft materials (wood, rigid rubber, etc.) may also be attached to the expandable ring 110 surface that will contact the front side of the segmented ring 172 to better distribute the propulsive pressure.

The propulsion canister 170 may also be separated from the propulsion ring 160 if necessary. In this optional case, the pusher ring 170 will be in surface contact with the pusher ring 160 during the pushing and advancing of the TBM 310. However, some means of connection between the pusher jar 170 and the pusher ring 160 will still be necessary for the stage of pulling the pusher jar 170 out of the perimeter of the new segmented ring 174. Several options for such connections may be considered. For example, a plurality of angles may be connected (bolted, welded, etc.) on the inner surface edge of the thrust pot 170, which may be paired with other angles connected (bolted, welded, etc.) on the inner surface edge of the thrust ring 160, and then the mentioned pairs of angles may have detachable connections (bolted, clamped, interlocked, etc.) together.

With the thrust ring 160 detachable from the thrust canister 170, the thrust canister 170 can be rotated within the rear shield 312 of the TBM310 in a nearly similar manner as explained at paragraph [34 ]. For example, an additional circumferential ram may be attached from one side to a temporary lug on the thrust ring 160 that may engage with a temporary lug of the canister 170 from the other side, and then the canister 170 may be rotated by extension or retraction of the noted circumferential ram between the noted temporary lugs.

An alternative to avoid using any expandable ring 110 at the simultaneous tunnel excavation method by the propulsion housing system is that the pre-fabricated tube sheet may be modified such that its peripheral aft circumference has a groove 285 to accommodate a circumferential plate 280 on the propulsion tank 170 to propel the tube sheet as shown at fig. 5.

In this alternative, a plurality of circumferential plates 280 would be connected to the propulsion housing canister 170 by solid hinges 270. At the segment groove 285 area, the fitting spring 290 on the can 170 will retract the circumferential plate 280 to the vertical position of the can 170 by means of the stop 300 at the edge of the can 170, and thus the can 170 can be pushed against the previously installed segmented ring 172. After completing one ring push cycle and after completing installation of the new segmented liner 174 within the canister 170, the canister 170 will be pulled back and the circumferential plate 280 will rotate upon contact with the sloped region of the groove 285 and may move along the canister 170 within the gap between the rear guard 312 of the TBM310 and the newly installed segmented liner 174.

In other words, in this case, the thrust pot 170 of the thrust housing 100 will have a plurality of segmented circumferential plates 280 at its end connected to the pot 170 by a solid hinge 270, and will be able to rotate and come into contact with the previously installed segmented liner to push the TBM310 forward. The hinged circumferential plate 280 will have springs 290 and stops 300, as shown in detail at fig. 5 and at fig. 5a, which hold the plate in a vertical position unless the thrust pot 170 will be pulled toward the digging direction of the TBM310, in which condition the springs 290 will be elongated and thus the circumferential plate 280 will be in a nearly horizontal position and will be able to pass within the gap between the segmented ring 174 and the rear guard 312. In this case, a small hydraulic cylinder/jack may be used in place of spring 290. The groove 285 area of the tube sheet will be automatically filled by the liner grout of TBM 310. The hinge 270 may have a design that will enable the plate 280 to be controlled and stopped at its vertical position without the need for the stop 300.

Optionally, an attached inflatable ring may be utilized in place of the circumferential plate 280 (without the need for the stop 300 or spring 290) that would be inflated during TBM310 advancement and re-gripping of the deflated TBM310 (during retraction and pulling of the propulsion ram 150 to advance the casing 100).

In many projects, the TBM310 face pressure will be less than the frictional resistance created between the TBM310 guard and the dirt surrounding it, and so it is most likely that the TBM310 would be expected not to be able to move backwards when the expandable ring 110 is released at the proposed propulsion housing 100 system (see stage at fig. 8 e). It should be noted that TBM310 should be extended to enable attachment of propulsion housing 100 system within its track guard of approximately 1.5 times the width of the duct piece (e.g., 2.25m long compared to a 1.5m wide duct piece), which also helps increase frictional resistance. Additionally, TBM310 typically has a large weight, and therefore the frictional resistance generated at the bottom side of TBM310 may also be added to friction calculation … …

Furthermore, considering that the gantry of the TBM310 (already equipped with a hydraulic pressure generator) is fixed within the previously built liner and thus the mentioned support pressure is taken as an external force against the face pressure, it is possible to consider the support pressure at the chamber behind the cutterhead of the EPB or slurry TBM310 to balance the face pressure as a resistance.

If, in some specific terms, the frictional resistance together with the support pressure is not sufficient to balance the face pressure of TBM310, then the following three methods/systems (a, b or c) may be considered to prevent TBM310 from moving backwards at the moment of releasing expandable ring 110 (see stage at fig. 8 e):

a) use of a "plow" system; similar to the early TBM310, behind the cutterhead chamber, several angled plows may be added which can enter the soil by their hydraulic rams just prior to releasing the expandable ring 110 which can prevent the TBM310 from moving backwards. Then, once the reclamping is completed at the propulsion housing 100 system, the plow moves to its original position.

b) Use of a "stabilizer"; stabilizers are used at the newer TBMs 310, which similarly may be used in proper size and number to hold the TBMs 310 in soft soil, preventing backward movement, if desired.

c) A new brake system called propulsion case braking (TS braking 322) is utilized. At the end portion of the existing hub 320 of the segment erector 316 (i.e., the end portion of the existing fixed frame/hub 320 of the segment erector 316), the fitting can rotate or move or lock back/forth on the mentioned hub/frame 320 (i.e., a separate movable ring 323 on the existing hub 320 that is movable similar to the segment erector 316 design). The movable ring 323 will have several telescoping and collapsible rams/rods 324 (such as 4 orientations with nearly equal distances around the movable ring 323) to reduce its footprint and obstruction of existing lifting slots 326 that can stretch and enter the concrete segment within the installed segment ring 172. It can then be locked and act as a brake to prevent TBM310 from moving backwards (and forwards). If desired, the fixed frame/hub 320 of the segment erector 316 may be extended slightly to accommodate the TS brake 322 system as explained. See the TS braking concept at fig. 6.

The TS brake may have different variations, for example, the retractable rod 324 may be collapsible to minimize its space when retracted. Further, a die plate may be added on the retractable cylinder 324 that will touch and push against the inner surface of the touch ring 172 without having to enter inside the lift slot 326.

The new staging ring 174 and the propulsion housing 100 and TBM's rear guards 312 may be always parallel (even at the curve) to prevent them from jamming/jamming. As shown at fig. 7, at the exaggerated very sharp curve, the new segmented ring 174 that fits within the propulsion housing canister 170 is kept parallel by adjustment to the lesser extensions of the canister 170 and jacks 130 and 140 at only one side, and the greater extensions at the other side of the tapered segmented ring 174, which has a greater width at one side and a lesser width at the other side, to provide curve alignment at the liner.

Thus, the expandable ring 110 and the pusher housing canister 170 will always properly contact the previously installed ring 172, even at curves, to properly push the previously installed segmented ring 172.

The remainder of the concept at the curve is very similar to conventional/typical tunnel excavation by TBMs. For example, the previously installed segment ring 172 in curved alignment would be located within the brush 318 region of the TBM, and the TBM's rear guard 312 would pass through the curve in a similar manner as a conventional TBM.

The propulsion housing 100 system may be used at different tunnel cross sections, such as circular, oval, square, rectangular, sub-rectangular, and the like. Regardless of any tunnel cross-sectional shape, it is necessary that propulsion housing 100 follow the tunnel cross-sectional shape and be able to move back or forth between rear guard 312 and segmented liner 172/174 of TBM 310.

The stage is summarized as follows:

fig. 8a and 8B show phases a and B as follows:

and (B) stage A: the segment is ready to be installed in the propulsion housing 100 and the TBM310 is ready to be pushed forward against the previously installed ring 172.

And (B) stage: the segment of the new ring 174 is installed by the segment erector 316 (between jacks 130 mounted on the propulsion housing 100 and jacks 140 mounted on the expandable ring 110), while the TBM propulsion rams 150 push and advance against the previously installed ring via the propulsion housing 100 and via the expandable ring 110 located in front of the previously installed ring.

Fig. 8C and 8D show stages C and D as follows:

and C: TBM310 moves forward equal to the width of the ring.

The loop has been completed by the segment erector in propulsion housing 100 while the TBM is advancing forward.

And stage D: the assembly jacks 140 on the expandable ring 110 are retracted and then the expandable ring 110 is retracted.

Fig. 8E and 8F show stages E and F as follows:

and a stage E: the contracted state of the expandable ring 110 will be lifted by the segment erector 316 to clear the space between the previously installed ring 172 and the newly installed ring 174.

And F: the newly assembled ring 174 is pushed by the jack 130 fitted on the propulsion housing 100 towards its final position in contact with the previously installed ring 172.

Fig. 8G and 8H show stages G and H as follows:

stage G: at the same time, the propulsion housing 100 is pulled by the propulsion cylinders 150 of the TBM310, and the expandable ring 110 is pulled by the segment erector 316 to its new position at the front side of the newly erected segment ring 174.

Stage H: the expandable ring 110 expands and is positioned forward of the mounting ring 174, and the pusher housing 100 is advanced into contact with the expandable ring 110. The assembly jacks 140 on the expandable ring 110 also expand.

Stage (2): "A to H" to be repeated for the next cycle.

Additional examples of propulsion housing 100 systems have been shown at fig. 9, 10.

For greater clarity, the axial jacks 130 and 140 have not been shown. Also, the previously installed segment ring 172 at fig. 10 has been shown as a simple ring (line without a border showing the tube sheet) to provide a simpler image.

Fig. 9 shows the propulsion housing 100 and the expandable ring 110 in a non-contacting stage. Fig. 10 shows the propulsion housing 100, expandable ring 110, and previously installed segmented liner 172 at the stage of contact and interaction at the 3d Finite Element Model (FEM).

List of elements:

100 propelling shell 240 telescopic beam

110 axial jack on expandable ring 250240

Gap between segments of 120 circumferential rams/jacks 260110

130100 axial assembly jack 270 hinge

140110 axial assembly jack 280 circumferential plate

150 TBM's propulsion cylinder 285 recess of section of jurisdiction

160100 pusher ring 290 spring

170100 hollow canister 300 stop

172 previously installed segment ring 310 Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)

174 newly installed (installing) 312TBM rear guard

Stationary guard for segmented ring 314TBM

180160 Reinforcement 316TBM segment erector

190110 brush of segment 318TBM

200 axle (frame) of support 320316 on jack mould base

210110 lowest section 322TS braking concept

220110 Movable Ring of Upper segment 323322

230 internal band roller 324 telescopic cylinder (rod) 322

235 lifting slot for outer strip roll 326 segment