AU2008200000A1 - An apparatus for supporting a tunnel - Google Patents

Description

GRIFFITH HACK PATENTS, TRADE MARKS. IP LAW

SPECIFICATION

OF

PATENT APPLICATION

COUNTRY

TYPE

TITLE

AUSTRALIA

Patent AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A TUNNEL HILARY LEITH LUMB, LEITH NORMA MORGAN and JAMES EDWARD MORGAN

APPLICANT(S)

00 oo Cc, 0 0

(N

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): HILARY LEITH LUMB, LEITH NORMA MORGAN and JAMES EDWARD MORGAN Invention Title: AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A TUNNEL The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: 2-- 00 AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A TUNNEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for Ssupporting a tunnel, and is of particular but by no means Sexclusive application to supporting the roof of a mining Stunnel.

00 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Structures for supporting the inner surface of a mining tunnel, particularly the roof, have been used for some time. These structures prevent tunnels from caving-in due to forces exerted on the tunnel by the surrounding environment. Unfortunately, existing support structures are such that driving of the tunnel operates in a 'start-stop' fashion. This is because existing support structures cannot support the inner surface of the tunnel whilst being moved therein. As the driving process creates a new section of the tunnel which is not supported, the driving process must be stopped (or slowed) while a suitable support structure is positioned and adjusted in the new section of the tunnel. Once the support structure has been positioned and adjusted in the new section, driving of the tunnel can continue. The technique of stop-starting the driving process to install a support structure continues as the tunnel is being progressed. Positioning and adjusting of existing support structures can be very time consuming, and as such progression of the tunnel is seriously hampered by the fact that no driving is being performed whilst a support structure is being setup.

3-- 00 Some attempts have been made to simultaneously drive the tunnel and install the support structure so as to improve the rate at which a tunnel can be progressed.

Whilst these attempts are an improvement over the technique described above, they do have some drawbacks. Probably the Smost significant drawback is that they are configured to Soperate as a 'batch' process. In the batch process the Ssupport structure has a number of adjacent interconnected 00 members. When a new section of the tunnel is created by the driving process, the leading member of the support structure is disengaged from the inner surface of the tunnel so that it can be moved into the new section. When in the new section, the leading member is caused to engage the inner surface in the new section. Using the same technique, the section of the tunnel left unsupported by moving the leading member is supported by the member adjacent the leading member.

The main problem with the batch process described above is that the inner surface of the tunnel can be stressed by the constant engaging/disengaging of the members on the inner surface of the tunnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a movable apparatus for supporting a tunnel, the apparatus comprising a supporting means for exerting a supporting force against a surface of the tunnel, the supporting means being such that it defines a void for housing mining equipment and is arranged to maintain exertion of the supporting force whilst the apparatus is moved relative to the surface of the tunnel.

S4-- 00 Thus, unlike existing apparatuses for supporting Ctunnels the apparatus according to the present invention has the ability to provide a constant supporting force whilst the apparatus is moved along the tunnel, thereby avoiding the problems associated with the start-stop and Sbatch tunnel progression techniques that result from using Sexisting tunnel support devices.

00 Preferably, the supporting means comprises a plurality of supporting parts each of which is arranged to engage the surface to exert the supporting force and move along the surface whilst engaged therewith so as to maintain the supporting force as the apparatus is moved relative to the surface of the tunnel, wherein the supporting parts are spaced apart from each other at a distance which permits support bolts to pass therebetween.

Thus, having the supporting parts spaced apart enables the apparatus to move along the tunnel without the supporting means coming into contact with support bolts that may protrude from the surface. This is advantageous because damage to the supporting means and/or bolts may occur if the two come into contact with each other as the apparatus moves along the tunnel. Throughout this specification, the word "bolt" (and variations thereof) is used to refer to the steel members that are put in place to provide a permanent support for the surface of the tunnel.

Preferably, each of the supporting parts comprises: spaced apart wheels; a belt mounted on the wheels; and 00 guides arranged to retain the belt on the wheels.

tPreferably, the supporting means is arranged to exert the supporting force against a roof and/or a side of the tunnel.

SThus, unlike existing devices which are capable Sof supporting only the roof of the tunnel, the apparatus 00 according to the present invention is capable of providing a greater level of support because it supports the side of the tunnel, which in turn provides improved safety for people in the tunnel.

Preferably, the supporting means further comprises accommodating means arranged to accommodate unevenness in the surface.

Thus, by employing the accommodating means the supporting means has the capability of providing an even force over the surface with which the supporting means is engaged.

Preferably, the accommodating means comprises the belt being resilient.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises adjusting means operable to adjust the supporting force.

Thus, the apparatus can be configured to apply a supporting force that is appropriate for the particular environment in which the apparatus is present.

Preferably, the adjusting means comprises a 6-- 00 plurality of hydraulic rams capable of moving the supporting means outwardly from a body of the apparatus.

MPreferably, the apparatus further comprises a bolting machine arranged to install bolts in the tunnel as Sthe apparatus moves along the tunnel.

SPreferably, the apparatus further comprises 00 motive force generating means arranged to move the apparatus in the tunnel.

Preferably, the motive force generating means comprises either a hydraulic or electric motor.

The present invention provides in a second aspect an apparatus for forming a tunnel, the apparatus comprising: a cutting head for removing material from a wall portion of the tunnel and thereby forming a portion of the tunnel; a support structure for supporting a previously formed portion of the tunnel and being arranged to provide a supporting force against a surface of the tunnel when stationary and when being moved along the tunnel; and a conveyor for conveying removed material from the cutting head to a location remote from the cutting head during formation of the portion of the tunnel.

Throughout this specification the term "cutting head" is used to refer broadly to a head that is arranged for removing the material by drilling, grinding, cutting, or any other suitable technique.

7-- 00 The tunnel typically is an underground tunnel.

For example, the wall portion of the tunnel may comprise Chard earth, rock, coal or an ore.

In one specific embodiment the conveyor is Sarranged to enable conveying of the removed material along Sthe tunnel to a suitable location in a manner such that Cinhibiting of formation of the portion of the tunnel, or 00 the entire tunnel, due to accumulated removed material is avoided.

The support structure typically comprises a void area through which in use the removed material is transported. In one example, a portion of the conveyor is positioned within the void area.

The support structure may comprise a plurality of supporting parts each of which is arranged to exert a supporting force and move along the surface whilst providing the supporting force so as to maintain the supporting force as the apparatus is moved relative to the surface of the tunnel. The supporting parts typically are spaced apart from each other at a distance which permits support bolts to pass therebetween. The apparatus may comprise a device for placing such bolts. Further, the apparatus may be arranged so that the formation of the tunnel does not have to be interrupted for the placement of the bolts.

The apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention provides a supporting force, conveys material away from the cutting head and is arranged for placing support bolts during formation of the tunnel and 8-- 00 p during movement of the apparatus along the tunnel.

Consequently, time delay associated with the "start-stop" progression technique of known apparatus can be avoided and Sthe apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention enables formation of the tunnel at relatively Shigh average speed.

SThe cutting head typically is moveable relative 00 to the support structure in a direction of advancement of the tunnel. For example, the apparatus may comprise a coupling that couples the cutting head to a portion of the apparatus and that comprises a pivot or a hydraulic arrangement that enables pivoting the cutting head relative to the portion of the apparatus.

The apparatus may be arranged for pivoting the cutting head in a horizontal plane. In addition, the apparatus may be arranged for pivoting the cutting head in a vertical plane or in any other plane. Consequently, the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention provides the advantage that non-straight sections of the tunnel can be formed.

The conveyor typically comprises conveyor elements that are movable relative to each other and typically are pivotable relative to each other. For example, a first conveyor element may comprise a portion that overlaps a portion of an adjacent second conveyor element and that is in use positioned behind the first conveyor element during forming of the tunnel. In one specific embodiment the conveyor comprises a series of conveyor elements and each conveyor element has a portion that is overlapped with a portion of an adjacent conveyor 9-- 00 element.

tIn one specific embodiment of the present invention at least a portion of the machinery for operating the cutting head is in use positioned at a location remote to the cutting head, for example at of up to distance 50m, 100m or more along the tunnel behind the cutting head. In one example, the cutting head is driven by a 00 hydraulic motor or an electric motor that is positioned in or adjacent the cutting head. Further, the apparatus typically comprises a hydraulic arrangement for pushing the cutting head against the wall during removing of the material. A device for generating the hydraulic pressure for operating the hydraulic motor and/or the hydraulic arrangement for pushing the cutting head typically is in use positioned at a position remote from the cutting head such as 5m, 10m, 50m, 100m or more along the tunnel behind the cutting head. Consequently, the apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention provides the advantage of increased space at the cutting head or immediately behind the cutting head, which further reduces that probability that accumulating cut material requires a "stop" during formation of the tunnel.

Each of the supporting parts may comprise spaced apart wheels, a belt mounted on the wheels and guides arranged to retain the belt on the wheels. The support structure may be arranged to exert the supporting force against a roof and/or a side of the tunnel.

The present invention provides in a third aspect a method of forming an underground tunnel, the method comprising: 00 removing material from a wall portion of an underground tunnel using a cutting head and thereby forming a portion of the underground tunnel; supporting a previously formed portion of the underground tunnel using a support structure, the support Sstructure being arranged to provide the supporting force Sduring movement of the support structure along the tunnel; Cand 00 conveying removed material from the cutting head to a location remote from the cutting head during formation of the underground tunnel.

The method may also comprise the step of extending the conveyor during advancement of the portion of the tunnel.

Further, the method may comprise the step of moving the apparatus along the tunnel during advancement of the tunnel.

The method typically comprises the additional step of extending an effective length of a conveyor during conveying of removed material by that conveyor. This additional step typically is conducted so that formation of the tunnel is possible without interruption and during extension of the length of the conveyor.

Extending the effective length of the conveyor typically comprises extending the path-length of a conveyor belt along a portion of a conveyor belt loop at which the conveyor belt in use does not convey removed material.

For example, the step of extending the effective 00 length of the conveyor may comprise tilting guiding idlers at a top conveyor strand at an end-portion of the conveyor so that the conveyor belt has a trough-like cross-sectional shape at the end-portion and a reduced width, which facilitates access and positioning of additional guiding Selements required for the extension of the effective length Sof the conveyor.

00 The present invention provides in a fourth aspect an apparatus for forming a tunnel, the apparatus comprising: a cutting head for removing material from a wall portion of the tunnel and thereby forming a portion of the tunnel; the movable apparatus for supporting a tunnel in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; and a conveyor for conveying removed material from the cutting head to a location remote from the cutting head during formation of the portion of the tunnel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other embodiments that may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: figure 1 illustrates an apparatus, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, for 00 supporting a surface of a tunnel; figure 2 illustrates a number of the apparatuses illustrated in figure 1 positioned within the tunnel; Sfigure 3 shows an end view of the apparatus Sillustrated in figure 1; 00 OO figure 4 is a perspective view of the apparatuses illustrated in figure 2; figure 5 is an end view of one of the apparatuses shown in figure 1; figure 6 illustrates an apparatus for forming a tunnel according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; figure 7 illustrates an apparatus for forming a tunnel according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and figure 8 illustrates components of the apparatus for forming a tunnel according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION With reference to figure 1, the apparatus 1 according to the preferred embodiment includes a support structure 3. Essentially, the support structure 3 is the part of the apparatus 1 which supports the surface of the tunnel 5 (see figure The support structure 3 is in the form of a frame made from a material that is capable of 13. 00 carrying the load that is exerted by the surface of the tunnel 5. Typically, the support structure 3 is made from Csteel. The various parts of the support structure 3, such as the cross members, are welded and/or bolted together. As can be seen in figures 3 and 4, the frame that forms the Ssupport structure 3 has two main spaced apart outer Ssections 7, which define a void 9 located therebetween. The Cvoid 9 is such that it capable of housing mining equipment 00 such as a tunnel development machine and a conveyor belt for transferring material along the tunnel.

The support structure 3 includes a bolting machine 10 (illustrated in figures 3 and 4) for installing bolts into the tunnel surface as the support structure 3 moves along the tunnel. The machine 10 is arranged to install side and roof bolts independently. The machine is mounted on rotary actuators (not shown in figures) so that the position of the bolts can be varied as required.

The apparatus 1 has spaced apart portions 11 for placement on the floor of the tunnel 5, and which carry the support structure 3. As can be seen in figure 4, the spaced apart portions 11 are attached to the support structure 3 at the corners thereof. The apparatus 1 also has parts 12 that are located on top of the support structure 3 and which bear against the roof of the tunnel 5 so as to exert a supporting force. The parts 12 are spaced apart from each other. The space between the parts 12 is such that it can accommodate the end of bolts 14 that have been installed into the roof so as to avoid contact between the parts 12 and the end of the bolts 14 as the support structure 3 moves along the tunnel 5 (see figure Any contact between the parts 12 and the end of the bolts 14 could 00 result in damage to either the parts 12 or the end of the bolts 14. The apparatus 1 also has a part 16 attached to a side of the support structure 3 (see figure 3) for bearing against the side of the tunnels to exert a supporting force. Whilst not illustrated in the figures, it is Senvisaged that the part 16 could be configured in the same Sway as the other parts 12; that is, having a space for Saccommodating the end of bolts 14.

00 The portions 11 and parts 12 and 16 each include a belt 13 that is mounted on spaced apart wheels 15. The belt 13 and the wheels 15 effectively forming what is generally referred to as a 'caterpillar track', which is commonly found on many excavators and tanks. By using the belt 13 mounted on the wheels 15, the portions 11 and parts 12 and 16 are able to readily move along the surface of the tunnel 5, thus permitting the apparatus 1 to be moved whilst supporting the surface of the tunnel 5. The belt 13 used on the portions 11 and parts 12 and 16 may be different depending on the surface which it bears against.

For instance, belts 13 which bear against the roof of the tunnel 5 have a collective width that is comparable to the width of the support structure 3. Furthermore, the belts 13 that bear against the roof or sides of the tunnel 5 include pads of softer material so as to minimize damage to the roof or sides of the tunnel 5 that may otherwise occur as the parts 12 and 16 move along the surface of the tunnel.

In contrast, the belts 13 that bear against the floor of the tunnel 5 are significantly narrower that the width of the support structure 3 so that the apparatus 1 can be readily manoeuvred.

To ensure that the belt 13 remains on the wheels 00 the portions 11 and parts 12 and 16 also include guides (not shown) that are positioned at the side of the belt 13 so as to prevent the belt 13 from moving off the wheels SThe belts 13 are designed to be articulated to assist with providing an even load on the ground of the tunnel 5, and in turning of the apparatus i. To further assist in the turning of the apparatus i, the portions 11 are pivotally mounted to the support structure 3. To assist with 00 pivotally moving the portions 11, the support structure 3 includes a hydraulic jack 19 (see figure 1) that is operable to engage the ground and lift the portions 11 off the ground. Lifting the portions 11 off the ground effectively lessens the load on the portions 11, thereby allowing the portions to be pivotally moved with relative ease. Once off the ground, the portions 11 can be rotated (positioned) to the required direction of travel. The pivotal mounting connecting the portions 11 to the support structure 3 is such that the portions 11 can be rotated approximately 3600.

To assist a user in pivotally moving the portions 11, the apparatus 1 is equipped with electrically or hydraulically operable motors that are arranged to pivotally rotate the portions 11.

The parts 12 and 16 also include accommodating means (not illustrated) for allowing unevennesses which may be present in the surfaces of the tunnel 5 to be accommodated. The accommodating means is provided by virtue of the belts 13 being flexible.

The apparatus 1 further includes adjusting means 17 for adjusting the force which is exerted on the surface 16 00 of the tunnel 5 by the parts 12 and 16. The adjusting means 17 permits a user to adjust the force to a magnitude that Cis sufficient for supporting the surface of the tunnel In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting means includes a plurality of hydraulic rams that Sare attached to the support structure 3 and the parts 12 Sand 16. As can be seen in figure 4, the hydraulic rams are Slocated in the corners of the support apparatus 3.

00 The apparatus 1 also includes motive force generating means (not illustrated) for moving the apparatus 1 to a required location in the tunnel 5. The motive generating means includes a motor such as an electric or hydraulic motor. The motor is preferably used to drive the wheels 15 of at least one of the portions 11, and may also be used to drive the wheels 15 of the parts 12 and 16. The motive force generating means can be operated manually; that is, the motor can be started by a person when it is decided that the apparatus 1 needs to be re-positioned.

Alternatively, the motor may be automatically started by a sensor (typically a distance-measuring sensor mounted of the support structure 3) that detects that the support structure 3 needs to be re-located.

In an alternative embodiment, the parts 12 and 16 can include suitable plates that are configured to slide over the surface of the tunnel 5, rather than using the belt 13 and wheel 15 configuration as described previously.

It is also envisaged that a combination of plates, belts 13 and wheels 15 can be employed. Typically, where the latter combination is employed the plates would be used, for example, to bear against the sides whilst the belt/wheel arrangement could be used to bear against the roof of the 00 tunnel 5. Use of the plates would simplify the apparatus 1.

tReferring now to Figure 6, an apparatus and a method for forming a tunnel according a specific embodiment of the present invention are now described. In this embodiment the Stunnel is formed in an underground environment and may form Sa part of a mine.

00 Figure 6 shows the apparatus 100 comprising a cutting head 102 for removing material from a wall portion of the tunnel and thereby advancing the tunnel. The wall portion may comprise hard earth, rock or an ore. In this embodiment the cutting head 102 is arranged for removing the material by grinding. Alternatively, the cutting head 102 may be arranged for removing the material by cutting, drilling or any other suitable technique.

The apparatus 100 also comprises a push-beam 104 with coupling 105 and three support structure 108, each of which is provided in the form of the support structure 1 that is described with reference to figures 1 to 5. The cutting head 102 is coupled to the push beam 104 by the coupling 105 so that the cutting head 102 can be moved in horizontal and vertical directions. Consequently, the apparatus 100 is arranged for forming tunnels having bent portions.

In this embodiment the cutting head 102 comprises an electric motor. Alternatively, the cutting head may comprise a hydraulic motor. The push beam 104 typically comprises a hydraulic arrangement for pushing the cutting head against the wall during removing of the material and for exerting side-way forces that secure the push beam in the tunnel. A device for generating the hydraulic pressure 18 00 for operating the hydraulic motor and/or the hydraulic arrangement is located at a position remote from the cutting head 102, such as at a suitable location behind the Msupport structures 108.

SThe push beam 104 is positioned within the support Sstructures 108 and comprises an outer housing within which Ctwo augers are positioned. The apparatus 100 also comprises 00 a conveyer (not shown in figure 6) that is arranged to convey material that was removed by the cutting head 102.

The removed material is collected from an end-portion of the push beam 104.

Further, the apparatus 100 comprises a device for placing bolts (not shown in figure The bolts are placed in wall portions of the formed tunnel and are arranged to provide sufficient support if the support structures 108 have moved past a formed portion of the tunnel and consequently no longer provide the supporting force.

The apparatus 100 has the advantage that the support structures 108 provide a supporting force during movement of the support structures 108, bolts can be positioned during advancement of the tunnel and the material that is removed by the cutting head 102 is continuously conveyed away from the cutting head 102. Further, the apparatus 100 is arranged so that at least a portion of the machinery for operation of the cutting head 102, such as the drive that provides the hydraulic pressure for the hydraulic arrangement of the push beam 104, is located remote from the cutting head 102 so that the available space at the cutting head 102 is increased. Consequently, the apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has 00 the significant commercial advantage that at least for the formation of a straight section "start-stop" operation of Cthe apparatus 100 can be avoided and the tunnel can be formed at a relatively high average speed.

SFor formation of bent tunnel portions the advancement Sof the tunnel may be interrupted for a short period of time Suntil the support part are moved along a bent portion of 00 the tunnel. Alternatively, the support structures 108 may also be arranged to move around the bent during operation of the cutting head 102 and while maintaining the supporting force to support the roof. For example, the elements 108 may be arranged so that, if they also support for side-portions of the tunnel, momentarily the side supporting elements are retracted to reduce the width of the support structures 108 and enable movement of the support structures 108 around the bent.

Figure 7 shows a schematic illustration of the components of the apparatus for forming a tunnel. The shown apparatus 200 comprises a cutting head 202 for removing the material and a push beam 204 for supporting the cutting head 202 and moving material away from the cutting head 202. Further, the apparatus 200 comprises a support 206 for supporting the push beam 204 and pushing the push beam 204 in a forward direction. A conveyer element 208 is arranged to collect the removed material form the push beam 204 and to covey the collected removed material to another conveyer element 210. In this embodiment, a portion of the push beam 204 penetrates through a support structure (not shown), such as the support structure 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 20- 00 The support 206 is drivable along the tunnel and is also arranged for anchoring in the tunnel so that the Csupport 206 can then establish a force required to push the push beam against an end-face of the tunnel during cutting S of the cutting head. The support 206 comprises anchoring Smeans, for example provided in the form of suitable Shydraulic jacks, which secure the support 206 relative to Swall portion of the tunnel. Once the cutting head 202 and 00 push beam 204 have advanced as far as possible, then an arrangement for releasing the anchoring means and moving the support structure 206 with the anchoring means along the tunnel is used. The arrangement for releasing the anchoring means and moving support structure 206 may comprise alternately operable pairs of hydraulic rams clamping to the wall, floor or roof portions of the tunnel.

The conveyer elements 208 and 210 are movable relative to the push beam 204 and comprise overlapping portions. For example, the conveyor element 208 may be a chain conveyor and the conveyor element 210 may be a belt conveyor that may have a length much longer than the chain conveyor 208.

The conveyor elements 208 and 210 are movable relative to each other about a vertical axis that this located at the overlapping region. In this case the conveyor elements 208 and 210 are arranged so that the removed material may be conveyed along a bent portion of the tunnel.

It is to be appreciated that in variations of the described embodiments the apparatus 200 may alternatively comprise only one conveyor element. Further, the apparatus 200 may comprise any number of conveyor elements that may or may not be movable relative to the push-beam 204.

21- 00 The conveyor is arranged so that the conveyor can be extended during advancement of the tunnel by extending the Mlength of the conveyor element 210.

The conveyor element 210 typically is arranged to Sprovide sufficient space to enable operators to extend the Cconveyor element 210 during operation. For example, the 00 conveyor element 210 may comprise idlers that guide a conveyor belt and that are adjustable. Such adjustable idlers may be positioned at the "outbye" tail ends of the conveyor element 210. The idlers may be adjusted so that at the outbye end the conveyor belt is directed over angled idlers so that the conveyor belt has a trough-like crosssectional shape and a narrower footprint in the area where conveyor belt frames are to be installed. The narrower footprint provides space for placing additional support brackets and guiding members required for guiding an extended length of the conveyor belt.

As the support 206 advances forward with the cutting head 202 and the push beam 204 the effective length of the conveyor belt is extended. For example, the effective length of the conveyor belt may be extended by releasing additional conveyor belt from a loop of conveyor belt of a device that is arranged to keep the tension of the conveyor belt largely constant. The deeper "troughing" idlers move forward with the conveyor belt tail end and the conveyor belt ramps down to run on the now installed conveyor belt frames. This set-up enables the extension of the effective conveyor belt length without interrupting the cutting process and during conveying of removed material.

00 A formed tunnel may have a length of a few hundred meters or even a few kilometers. The apparatus 200 may comprise a plurality of support structure, such as the Msupport structures 1. The apparatus 200 may comprise any number of conveyer elements, such as conveyor elements 208 Sand 210, which are arranged so that each conveyer element Soverlaps the portion of an adjacent conveyer element Swhereby transport of removed material from one conveyer 00 element to an adjacent conveyer element is facilitated.

The cutting of through-cuts between parallel tunnels (roadways) can be conducted using the apparatus 100 or 200 in the described manner. Alternatively, the apparatus 100 or 200 may also comprise an additional, usually shorter, push-beam and normally wider cutting head for cutting such through-cuts. For example, the additional push-beam and cutting head assembly may be mounted on the push beam 104.

Hydraulic bolters or other types of bolters may be mounted on this unit to permanently support the roof and sideportions of the tunnel.

All ventilation and electrical and mechanical service devices can also be mounted on the push beam 104 or 204.

Supply of consumables and any material that is used during Soperation of the apparatus 100 or 200 can be provided by monorail.

Guidance of the cutting head 102 head may for example be provided using a gamma-ray monitor to detect the roof and floor of the tunnel or using any other from of guidance system, for example a guidance system that is arranged for inertial guidance.

23- 00 It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that alternatively the conveyor may take any other suitable Cform.

Figure 8 shows schematically a coupling 300 for Scoupling the cutting head, such as the cutting head 102 Sshown in Figure 6, to the push-beam, such as the push-beam S104 also shown in Figure 6. The coupling 300 comprises a 00 plurality of sections 304 that are coupled by hydraulic elements 302 having a length that is controllable by a hydraulic pressure applied to the elements 302. By controlling the hydraulic pressure it is possible to bend the coupling 300 in a horizontal plane so that tunnels with left hand or right hand bends may be formed. The sections 304 have overlapping portions along which the removed material moves towards the push-beam. The coupling 300 also comprises a similar hydraulic arrangement that allows bending of the coupling 300 in a vertical direction (not shown in Figure 8).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It should be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (31)

1. A movable apparatus for supporting a tunnel, the apparatus comprising a supporting means for exerting a supporting force against a surface of the tunnel, the Ssupporting means being such that it defines a void for Shousing mining equipment and is arranged to maintain Sexertion of the supporting force whilst the apparatus is 00 moved relative to the surface of the tunnel.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting means comprises a plurality of supporting parts each of which is arranged to engage the surface to exert the supporting force and move along the surface whilst engaged therewith so as to maintain the supporting force as the apparatus is moved relative to the surface of the tunnel, wherein the supporting parts are spaced apart from each other at a distance which permits support bolts to pass therebetween.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the supporting parts comprises: spaced apart wheels; a belt mounted on the wheels; and guides arranged to retain the belt on the wheels.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting means is arranged to exert the supporting force against a roof and/or a side of the tunnel. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting means further 25 00 comprises accommodating means arranged to accommodate unevenness in the surface.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the accommodating means comprises the belt being resilient.

7. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the Cpreceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises 00 adjusting means operable to adjust the supporting force.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adjusting means comprises a plurality of hydraulic rams capable of moving the supporting means outwardly from a body of the apparatus.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises a bolting machine arranged to install bolts in the tunnel as the apparatus moves along the tunnel. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises motive force generating means arranged to move the apparatus in the tunnel.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the motive force generating means comprises either a hydraulic or electric motor.

12. An apparatus for forming a tunnel, the apparatus comprising: a cutting head for removing material from a wall portion of the tunnel and thereby forming a portion of the 26 00 tunnel; a support structure for supporting a previously formed Cportion of the tunnel and being arranged to provide a supporting force against a surface of the tunnel when stationary and when being moved along the tunnel; and Sa conveyor for conveying removed material from the Scutting head to a location remote from the cutting head Sduring formation of the portion of the tunnel. 00

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the tunnel is an underground tunnel.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 or 13 wherein the conveyor is arranged to enable conveying of the removed material along the tunnel to a suitable location in a manner such that inhibiting of formation of the portion of the tunnel, or the entire tunnel, due to accumulated removed material is avoided.

15. The of any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the apparatus the apparatus is arranged so that in use removed material is continuously conveyed away from the cutting head.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to wherein the support structure comprises a void area through which in use the removed material is transported.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein a portion of the conveyor is positioned within the void area.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 17 comprising a plurality of supporting parts each of which is 27A 00 p arranged to exert a supporting force and move along the surface whilst providing the supporting force so as to Cmaintain the supporting force as the apparatus is moved M relative to the surface of the tunnel.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 18 Scomprising a device for placing such bolts and wherein the Sapparatus is arranged so that the formation of the tunnel 00 does not have to be interrupted for the placement of the bolts. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 19 wherein the cutting head is moveable relative to the support structure in a direction of advancement of the tunnel.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 comprising a coupling that couples the cutting head to a portion of the apparatus and that comprises a pivot or a hydraulic arrangement that enables pivoting the cutting head relative to the portion of the apparatus.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 21 wherein the apparatus is arranged for pivoting the cutting head in horizontal and a vertical plane.

23. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 22 wherein the apparatus is arranged for formation of non- straight sections of the tunnel.

24. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 23 wherein the conveyor comprises conveyor elements that are movable relative to each other. 2& 00 The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the conveyor Celements are pivotable to each other.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 or 25 wherein a first conveyor element comprises a portion that overlaps a Sportion of an adjacent second conveyor element and that is Sin use positioned behind the first conveyor element during 00 forming of the tunnel.

27. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 26 comprising a series of conveyor elements and each conveyor element has a portion that is overlapped with a portion of an adjacent conveyor element.

28. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 27 wherein at least a portion of machinery for operating the cutting head is in use positioned at the location remote to the cutting head.

29. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 28 comprising a hydraulic arrangement for pushing the cutting head against the wall during removing of the material and wherein the a device for generating the hydraulic pressure for operating the hydraulic arrangement is in use positioned at the position remote from the cutting head. A method of forming an underground tunnel, the method comprising: removing material from a wall portion of an underground tunnel using a cutting head and thereby forming a portion of the underground tunnel; supporting a previously formed portion of the 29L 00 underground tunnel using a support structure, the support structure being arranged to provide the supporting force Cduring movement of the support structure along the tunnel; Mand conveying removed material from a cutting head to a Slocation remote from the cutting head during formation of Sthe underground tunnel. 00 31. The method of claim 30 comprising the step of extending the conveyor during advancement of the portion of the tunnel.

32. The method of claim 30 or 31 comprising the step of moving the apparatus along the tunnel during advancement of the tunnel.

33. The method of any one of claims 30 to 32 comprising the additional step of extending an effective length of a conveyor during conveying of removed material by that conveyor.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the step of extending the effective length of the conveyor is conducted so that formation of the tunnel is possible without interruption and during extension of the length of the conveyor. The method of claim 33 or 34 wherein extending the effective length of the conveyor comprises reducing the path-length of the conveyor belt along a portion of a conveyor belt loop at which the conveyor belt in use does not convey removed material. 30. 00

36. The method of claim 25 wherein extending the effective length of the conveyor comprises tilting guiding idlers of the conveyor at an end-portion of the conveyor so Sthat the conveyor belt has a through-like cross-sectional shape at the end-portion and a reduced width, which facilitates access and positioning of additional guiding elements required for the extension of the effective length of the conveyor. 00

37. An apparatus for forming a tunnel, the apparatus comprising: a cutting head for removing material from a wall portion of the tunnel and thereby forming a portion of the tunnel; the movable apparatus for supporting a tunnel of any one of claims 1 11; and a conveyor for conveying removed material from the cutting head to a location remote from the cutting head during formation of the portion of the tunnel.

38. The apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.