AU2008200000B2 - An apparatus for supporting a tunnel - Google Patents

Description

GRIFFITH HACK PATENTS, TRADE MARKS, IP LAW SPECIFICATION OF PATENT APPLICATION COUNTRY AUSTRALIA TYPE Patent TITLE AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A TUNNEL APPLICANTS) HILARY LEITH LUMB, LEITH NORMA MORGAN and JAMES EDWARD MORGAN 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- AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A TUNNEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a tunnel, and is of particular - but by no means exclusive - application to supporting the roof of a mining tunnel. 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 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- 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 5 described above, they do have some drawbacks. Probably the most significant drawback is that they are configured to operate as a 'batch' process. In the batch process the support structure has a number of adjacent interconnected members. When a new section of the tunnel is created by the 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 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.

- 4- Thus, unlike existing apparatuses for supporting tunnels the apparatus according to the present invention has the ability to provide a constant supporting force 5 whilst the apparatus is moved along the tunnel, thereby avoiding the problems associated with the start-stop and batch tunnel progression techniques that result from using existing tunnel support devices. 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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. 30 Preferably, each of the supporting parts comprises: spaced apart wheels; a belt mounted on the wheels; and - 5guides arranged to retain the belt on the wheels. Preferably, the supporting means is arranged to exert the supporting force against a roof and/or a side of 5 the tunnel. Thus, unlike existing devices which are capable of supporting only the roof of the tunnel, the apparatus according to the present invention is capable of providing 10 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 15 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 20 force over the surface with which the supporting means is engaged. Preferably, the accommodating means comprises the belt being resilient. 25 Preferably, the apparatus further comprises adjusting means operable to adjust the supporting force. Thus, the apparatus can be configured to apply a 30 supporting force that is appropriate for the particular environment in which the apparatus is present. Preferably, the adjusting means comprises a - 6plurality of hydraulic rams capable of moving the supporting means outwardly from a body of the apparatus. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a 5 bolting machine arranged to install bolts in the tunnel as the apparatus moves along the tunnel. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises motive force generating means arranged to move the 10 apparatus in the tunnel. Preferably, the motive force generating means comprises either a hydraulic or electric motor. 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 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- The tunnel typically is an underground tunnel. For example, the wall portion of the tunnel may comprise hard earth, rock, coal or an ore. 5 In one specific embodiment 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 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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. 30 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 - 8during movement of the apparatus along the tunnel. Consequently, time delay associated with the "start-stop" progression technique of known apparatus can be avoided and the apparatus according to embodiments of the present 5 invention enables formation of the tunnel at relatively high average speed. The cutting head typically is moveable relative to the support structure in a direction of advancement of 10 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. 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 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 - 9element. In one specific embodiment of the present invention at least a portion of the machinery for operating 5 the cutting head is in use positioned at a location remote to the cutting head, for example at of up to distance 5m, 10m, 50m, 100m or more along the tunnel behind the cutting head. In one example, the cutting head is driven by a hydraulic motor or an electric motor that is positioned in 10 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 15 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 20 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. 25 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. 30 The present invention provides in a third aspect a method of forming an underground tunnel, the method comprising: - 1& 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 5 underground tunnel using a support structure, the support structure being arranged to provide the supporting force during movement of the support structure along the tunnel; and conveying removed material from the cutting head 10 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 15 the tunnel. Further, the method may comprise the step of moving the apparatus along the tunnel during advancement of the tunnel. 20 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 25 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 30 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 - 11 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, 5 which facilitates access and positioning of additional guiding elements required for the extension of the effective length of the conveyor. The present invention provides in a fourth aspect an 10 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 moveable apparatus for supporting a tunnel in 15 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. 20 The present invention provides in a fifth aspect 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 25 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, wherein the supporting means comprises a plurality of supporting parts each of which is 30 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 35 distance which permits support bolts to pass there between, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a bolting machine arranged to install the support bolts. 224336_1 (GHMatlers) - 11a BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other embodiments that may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred 5 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 10 the preferred embodiment of the present invention, for 224334e_1 (GHMatters) - 12- supporting a surface of a tunnel; figure 2 illustrates a number of the apparatuses illustrated in figure 1 positioned within the tunnel; 5 figure 3 shows an end view of the apparatus illustrated in figure 1; figure 4 is a perspective view of the apparatuses 10 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 15 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 20 invention; and figure 8 illustrates components of the apparatus for forming a tunnel according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. 25 PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION With reference to figure 1, the apparatus 1 according to the preferred embodiment includes a support 30 structure 3. Essentially, the support structure 3 is the part of the apparatus 1 which supports the surface of the tunnel 5 (see figure 2). The support structure 3 is in the form of a frame made from a material that is capable of - 13 carrying the load that is exerted by the surface of the tunnel 5. Typically, the support structure 3 is made from steel. The various parts of the support structure 3, such as the cross members, are welded and/or bolted together. As 5 can be seen in figures 3 and 4, the frame that forms the support structure 3 has two main spaced apart outer sections 7, which define a void 9 located therebetween. The void 9 is such that it capable of housing mining equipment such as a tunnel development machine and a conveyor belt 10 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 15 moves along the tunnel. The machine 10 is arranged to install side and roof bolts independently. The machine 10 is mounted on rotary actuators (not shown in figures) so that the position of the bolts can be varied as required. 20 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 25 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 30 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 5). Any contact between the parts 12 and the end of the bolts 14 could - 14 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 5 force. Whilst not illustrated in the figures, it is envisaged that the part 16 could be configured in the same way as the other parts 12; that is, having a space for accommodating the end of bolts 14. 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 the support structure 3 so that the apparatus 1 can be readily manoeuvred. To ensure that the belt 13 remains on the wheels - 15 15, 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 15. The belts 13 are designed to be articulated to assist with 5 providing an even load on the ground of the tunnel 5, and in turning of the apparatus 1. To further assist in the turning of the apparatus 1, the portions 11 are pivotally mounted to the support structure 3. To assist with pivotally moving the portions 11, the support structure 3 10 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 15 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. 20 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. 25 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 30 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 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 is sufficient for supporting the surface of the tunnel 5. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the 5 adjusting means includes a plurality of hydraulic rams that are attached to the support structure 3 and the parts 12 and 16. As can be seen in figure 4, the hydraulic rams are located in the corners of the support apparatus 3. 10 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 15 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. 20 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. 25 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 30 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 - 17k tunnel 5. Use of the plates would simplify the apparatus 1. Referring now to Figure 6, an apparatus and a method for forming a tunnel according a specific embodiment of the 5 present invention are now described. In this embodiment the tunnel is formed in an underground environment and may form a part of a mine. Figure 6 shows the apparatus 100 comprising a cutting 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 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. 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 support structures 108. 5 The push beam 104 is positioned within the support structures 108 and comprises an outer housing within which two augers are positioned. The apparatus 100 also comprises a conveyer (not shown in figure 6) that is arranged to 10 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 15 placing bolts (not shown in figure 6). 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. 20 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 25 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 30 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 - 19 the significant commercial advantage that at least for the formation of a straight section "start-stop" operation of the apparatus 100 can be avoided and the tunnel can be formed at a relatively high average speed. 5 For formation of bent tunnel portions the advancement of the tunnel may be interrupted for a short period of time until the support part are moved along a bent portion of the tunnel. Alternatively, the support structures 108 may 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 204 penetrates through a support structure (not shown), such as the support structure 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 5.

- 20. The support 206 is drivable along the tunnel and is also arranged for anchoring in the tunnel so that the support 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 means, for example provided in the form of suitable hydraulic jacks, which secure the support 206 relative to wall portion of the tunnel. Once the cutting head 202 and push beam 204 have advanced as far as possible, then an 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 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.

The conveyor is arranged so that the conveyor can be extended during advancement of the tunnel by extending the length of the conveyor element 210. 5 The conveyor element 210 typically is arranged to provide sufficient space to enable operators to extend the conveyor element 210 during operation. For example, the conveyor element 210 may comprise idlers that guide a 10 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 cross 15 sectional 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. 20 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 25 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 30 frames. This set-up enables the extension of the effective conveyor belt length without interrupting the cutting process and during conveying of removed material.

- 22- 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 support structures 1. The apparatus 200 may comprise any 5 number of conveyer elements, such as conveyor elements 208 and 210, which are arranged so that each conveyer element overlaps the portion of an adjacent conveyer element whereby transport of removed material from one conveyer element to an adjacent conveyer element is facilitated. 10 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 15 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 side portions of the tunnel. 20 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 operation of the apparatus 100 or 200 can be provided by 25 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 30 system, for example a guidance system that is arranged for inertial guidance.

- 23- It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that alternatively the conveyor may take any other suitable form. 5 Figure 8 shows schematically a coupling 300 for coupling the cutting head, such as the cutting head 102 shown in Figure 6, to the push-beam, such as the push-beam 104 also shown in Figure 6. The coupling 300 comprises a plurality of sections 304 that are coupled by hydraulic 10 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 15 304 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). 20 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 25 variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A movable apparatus for supporting a tunnel, the apparatus comprising a supporting means for exerting a s 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, wherein the 10 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 is tunnel, wherein the supporting parts are spaced apart from each other at a distance which permits support bolts to pass therebetween, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a bolting machine arranged to install the support bolts. 20

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the supporting parts comprises: spaced apart wheels; a belt mounted on the wheels; and, 25 guides arranged to retain the belt on the wheels.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting means is arranged to exert the supporting force against a roof and/or a side of the tunnel. 30

4. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting means further comprises accommodating means arranged to accommodate unevenness in the surface. 35

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the accommodating means comprises the belt being resilient. 22433461 (GHMatter) - 25

6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises adjusting means operable to adjust the supporting force. 5

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjusting means comprises a plurality of hydraulic rams capable of moving the supporting means outwardly from a body of the apparatus. 10

8. 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. 15

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the motive force generating means comprises either a hydraulic or electric motor. 20

10. The apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 2243346_1 (GHMatter)