GB2194307A

GB2194307A - Pipe jocking conduits or tubular rings

Info

Publication number: GB2194307A
Application number: GB08715462A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans Pinkernell
Original assignee: Ed Zueblin AG
Current assignee: Ed Zueblin AG
Priority date: 1986-07-09
Filing date: 1987-07-01
Publication date: 1988-03-02
Also published as: FR2601432A1; FR2601432B1; DE3622965C1; GB8715462D0

Abstract

Prefabricated conduits or tubular rings for hydraulic advancement of conduits during pipe jocking each have an end face with parts (6, 7) that face in at least two directions. As a result, at least two different curves can be driven with one and the same conduit (5). In any given direction of advancement, the respective end face parts (6 or 7) of conduits (5) rest with their entire surface against adjacent conduits. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Prefabricated conduits or tubular rings Background of the Invention The present invention relates to prefabricated conduits or tubular rings, with any desired cross-sectional shape, for the hydraulic advancement of conduits. To transmit advancement forces, these conduits are provided with an end face.

It is known that the hydraulic advancement of conduits using prefabricated conduits can be carried economically not only where the path of the advancement route or gradient is linear, but also where the path is curved. End pressures that occur at the conduit end faces during travel through a curve, i.e. pressures against the ends of the conduits, are compensated for by pipe lengths that are shorter in conformity with requirements, by driving wooden wedges or shims into the region of gaps, or by an end face that is disposed at an angle to the central axis of the conduit.

To the extent that it is possible to divide the advancement route into portions having a constant curvature by means of several suitably disposed advancement runs, end faces disposed at an angle to the central conduit axis represent the best solution for avoiding damage to the conduits as a result of the end pressures being too great.

With a heretofore known conduit of the aforementioned general type (German Auslegeschrift 16 00 407), the end face is disposed at an angle to the central axis of the conduit. The radius of curvature of the line formed by such conduits is determined by the diameter of the conduits and the angle of slope of the end face. Where they abut one another, the axes of the conduits form an angle that corresponds to the radius of curvature. In this case, the end faces are disposed parallel to one another. However, if the conduits within the advancement route have to pass through different curvatures, it is then necessary to have conduits with differently sloped end faces. Therefore, special conduits have to be produced for every given raise of curvature.

It is also known (German, Auslegeschrift 25 37 365), to embody the conduits with end faces that are disposed at right angles to the central conduit axes, and to interconnect adjacent conduits with hydraulic pressing units to achieve a curved advancement conduit line. In the region of their end faces, the conduits are provided with radially oriented abutments that are distributed about the circumference. In order to maintain adjacent conduits at a certain angle relative to one another in conformity to the desired radius of curvature, the conduits are interconnected by hydraulic pressing units that are disposed between given pairs of abutments provided on two conduit end faces that are disposed across from one another.

Via these pressing units, the relative position between adjacent conduits can be altered as desired, so that an advancement conduit line can be curved in any desired direction. Unfortunately, the structural expenditure due to the number of hydraulic pressing units is very great. Furthermore, after the placement of the conduits has been terminated, the abutments and the compression and tension-resistant connections between the conduits are removed, so that further effort is required.

It is also known, when different curvatures between the starting and ending points cannot be avoided, and where the curvature is great, to use the so-called wedging-off procedure, which takes a lot of work, for the gaps between adjacent conduit end faces, which are disposed at an angle to one another, to achieve as uniform a transfer of the advancement forces is possible. It is also possible to shorten the conduit lengths between which appropriately dimensioned, pressure-distributing intermediate wooden supports are disposed. However, this possibility is also not economically optimum due to the frequency with which the conduits have to be changed.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the aforementioned general type of conduits in such a way that where the conduits are advanced via curves between the starting and ending points, damages to the conduits due to end pressures that are too great can be avoided without the necessity for shortening the conduits or for having to undergo the effort of wedging-off.

Brief Description of the Drawings This object, and other objects and advantages of the present invention, will appear more clearly from the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 represents an advancement route having a linear section and a curved section; Fig. 2 shows one exemplary embodiment of inventive conduits that are each provided with an end face disposed at right angles to the central conduit axis and an end face disposed at an angle to the central axis, with those end faces of the conduit that extend at right angles to the central conduit axis being supported against one another to form the linear section of the advancement route of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the conduits of Fig. 2 which, to form the curved section of the advancement route of Fig.

1, have those end faces thereof that are disposed at an angle to the central conduit axis supported against one another; Fig. 4 represents the path of an advancement route that has two linear sections and two sections that are curved in different directions; Fig. 5 shows a further exemplary embodi ment of inventive conduits that have three different end faces, with those end faces of the conduits that are disposed at right angles to the central conduit axis being supported against one another to form the linear section of the advancement route of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows the conduits of Fig. 5 which, to form a left-handed curved section for the advancement route of Fig. 4, have those end faces thereof that are disposed at an angle to the central conduit axis supported against one another;; Fig. 7 shows the conduits of Fig. 5 which, to form the right-handed curved section of the advancement route of Fig. 4, have further end faces that are disposed at an angle to the central conduit axis disposed against one another; Fig. 8 represents an advancement route that is curved over its length with different radii of curvature; Fig. 9 shows another exemplary embodiment of the inventive conduits, which have three end faces, each of which is disposed at an angle to the central axis of the conduit; Figs. 10 and 11 show the conduits of Fig.

9, with different end faces resting against one another in each case; Fig. 12 represents a further advancement route having a linear section and variously curved sections; Fig. 13 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the inventive conduits, one end of -which has an end face with a concave curve, and the other end of which has an end face with a correspondingly convex shape, with adjacent conduits being disposed relative to one another in such a way that their axes are aligned with one another; Fig. 14 shows the conduits of Fig. 13 shifted relative to one another in such a way that their axes.are disposed at an angle relative to one another in such a way that they form a left-handed curved section of the advancement route of #Fig. 12; and Fig. 15 shows the conduits of Fig. 13, which are also disposed at an angle to one another to form a right-handed curved section of the advancement route of Fig. 12.

Summary of the Invention The conduits or tubular rings of the present invention are characterized primarily in that at least one end of each conduit is provided with end face means that extends in at least two different directions relative to a central axis of the conduit, with the size and spacial arrangement or orientation of the end face means being determined as a function of the path of an advancement route or gradient that is to be established, and as a function of the advancement forces that are to be applied.

The inventively prefabricated conduits or tubular rings have not only one partial end face, but rather at least two partial end faces that are disposed at different angles relative to the central axis of the conduit. In this way, at least two different curvatures can be driven with one and the same conduit. Thus, for example, one of the end faces can be dis posed at right angles to the central conduit axis, and an additional end face can be dis posed at an angle to the central axis. When the advancement direction is straight ahead, those end faces of adjacent conduits that extend at right angles to the central conduit axis rest against one another. When a direction of advancement is curved, those end faces of the conduits that extend at an angle to the central conduit axes rest against one another.

Since in both cases the entire surfaces of the respective end faces are supported against one another, the advancement forces are transmitted in a uniform manner. The size and orientation of the end faces depends upon the provided curvatures of the advancement route or gradient, and also depends upon the advancement forces that are to be applied.

Further specific features of the present invention will be described in detail subsequently.

Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring now to the drawings in detail, the advancement route shown in Fig. 1, which proceeds from a starting point 1, has a linear section 2 that merges into a curved section 4, of constant radius of curvature, that extends to an ending point 3. The advancement route is formed of individual, prefabricated tubes or conduits 5 (Fig. 2) that are preferably steel reinforced concrete conduits, and that are introduced into the ground via a hydraulic advancement process. One end of each conduit 5 is provided with two end faces 6 and 7.

The end face 6 extends at right angles to the central axis 8 of the conduit 5, and the end face 7 extends at an acute angle a to the axis 8. Both end faces 6 and 7 extend over half of the end of the conduit 5, and preferably merge with one another along a curve. The angle of slope a of the end face 7 is determined from the diameter of the conduit 5, the length of the conduit 5, as well as the radius of curvature of the section 4 of the advancement route.

The opposite end 9 of the conduit 5 extends at right angles to the central axis 8 of the conduit.

In the region of the end faces 6, 7 as well as the end 9, the conduit 5 is provided with respective end portions 10 and 11 that have a smaller outer diameter than does the rest of the conduit. Secured to the end portion 10 is a sleeve ring 12 that projects axially beyond the end faces 6 and 7. The outer surface of the sleeve ring 12 is flush with the outer surface of the conduit 5. Mounted on the other end portion 11 is a sealing ring 13 that is made of resiiiently deformable material, such as rubber or the like. Disposed between adjacent conduits 5 are intermediate rings 14, the outer diameter of which is less than the diameter of the end portions 10, 11 of the conduits 5. These intermediate rings 14 serve as pressure-distribution rings during the advancement of the conduit line. The intermediate rings 14 are made, for example, of-wood.

The adjacent conduits 5 can be advanced into the ground from the starting point 1 in a known manner. In so doing, the conduits 5 abut one another via the intermediate rings 14. If it is the linear section 2 of the advancement route (Fig. 1) that is being produced, then the intermediate rings 14 rest against those end faces 6, which extend at right angles to the central axis 8, that are part of the respectively forward conduit 5 (viewed in the advancement direction) (see Fig. 2). Those end faces 7 that are disposed at the angle of slope a relative the central axis 8 are spaced from the respective end 9 of the respective rearward conduit 5, again when viewed in the direction of advancement.Since the end faces 6 extend over half of the pertaining end of the conduit 5, in the straight-ahead travel illustrated in Fig. 2, 50% of the end, namely the end faces 6, of the forward conduit 5 transmits the advancement forces. The remaining 50% forms a gap 15 between the end face 7 and the end 9 of the adjacent conduit 5. The sleeve rings 12, which are preferably made of steel, extend to over the reduced-diameter end portion 11 of the rearward conduit 5. As shown in Fig. 2, the sleeve rings 12 also extend over the sealing rings 13, which are resiliently deformable by the sleeve rings 12, so that the gaps 15 are satisfactorily sealed to prevent ground water from entering.

The curved section 4 of the advancement route (Fig. 1) can similarly be formed by the conduits 5. For this case, which is illustrated in Fig. 3, the intermediate rings 14 make contact with the end faces 7, which extend at the angle of slope ot to the central axis 8. Also with this curved travel, 50% of the end face surface, namely the end faces 7, transmit the advancement forces. In this case, the end faces 6 form the gaps 15 with the linear ends 9 of the respectively rearward conduits 5.

With this curved travel, the sleeve rings 12 have been shifted relative to the sealing rings 13, but the sealing effect is retained.

With the conduits 5a of Figs. 5 to 7, an advancement route can be formed having, for example, the course illustrated in Fig. 4. Proceeding from the starting point 1, this course includes a linear section 2a that merges into a left-hand curved section 16 of constant raise of curvature, with this section in turn merging into a right-hand curved section 17 of constant radius of curvature. Finally, the section 17 merges into a further linear section 18 that extends to the ending point 3.

On the rearward end when viewed in the direction of advancement, the conduits 5a have three end faces 6a, 7a, and 19. The end face 6a is again disposed at right angles to the central axis 8a, whereas the two other end faces 7a and 19 are each disposed at an angle of slope a of less than 90 relative to the central axis 8a. The angles of slope a of the two end faces 7a and 19 are the same in the illustrated embodiment, but could also be different. In other respects, the conduits 5a are embodied in the same manner as are the conduits 5 of the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3.

During straight-ahead travel, the end faces 6a, which are disposed at right angles to the central axis 8a, rest, under the interposition of the intermediate rings 14, against that end 9 of the respectively rearward conduit 5a (viewed in the direction of advancement) that extends at right angles to the central axis 8a.

As a result, the central conduit axes 8a of all of the conduits 5a are aligned with one another. The end face 6a is symmetrical to the diametrical plane 20 that contains the central conduit axis 8a.

During the left-hand travel (Fig. 6), the end faces 7a of the conduits 5a, under the interposition of the intermediate rings 14, rest against the ends 9 of the respective rearward conduit 5a, again when viewed in the direction of advancement.

Similarly, during right-hand travel (Fig. 7) the end faces 19, under the interposition of the intermediate rings 14, rest against the ends 9 of the respective rearward conduit 5a.

During right-hand travel as well as during left-hand travel, the sleeve rings 12 extend over the sealing rings 13, so that the gaps 15a formed between the end faces 19, 6a and the ends 9 or 6a, 7a and the ends 9 are satisfactorily sealed off toward the outside.

Since each of the three end faces 6a, 7a, and 19 respectively extend over a third of the end of a given conduit 5a, in any given situation only one third of the total end face surface area transmits the advancement forces, while the remaining two thirds form the- gaps 15a.

Since the end faces 7a and 19 have the same angle of slope a, the curved sections 16 and 17 of the advancement route (Fig. 4) have the same radius of curvature.

With the conduits 5b illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11, it is possible to produce an advancement route of the type illustrated, for example, in Fig. 8. Proceeding from the starting point 1, this route has a curved section 21 with a relatively large radius of curvature, with this section merging into a curved section 22 that has a smaller radius of curvature. The section 22 merges into a further curved section 23 that has an even smaller radius of curvature and terminates at the ending point 3. In order to be able to produce the differently curved sections of the route, the rearward sides of the conduits 5b, when viewed in the direction of advancement, are provided with three end faces 6b, 7b and 19b each of which is disposed at an angle to the central axis 8 of the conduit.All of the end faces 6b, 7b, and 19b extend over one third of the end of the conduit 5b. The end face 19b forms an obtuse angle a, with the central conduit axis 8b. The angle of slope a2 of the end face 6b is greater than the angle of slope owe1. Finally, the end face 7b forms the largest obtuse angle a3 with the central conduit axis 8b. Since all of the angles of slope a1 to ,3 are greater than 90 , it is only possible to form left-handed curved advancement route sections with the conduits 5b.

The position illustrated in Fig. 9 shows the production of the curved section 21 (Fig. 8) of the advancement route. During this process, the end faces 19b of the conduits 5b, under the interposition of the intermediate rings 14, rest against the linear ends 9, which extend at right angles to the axis 8b, of that conduit 5b that is rearward when viewed in the direction of advancement. In the position illustrated in Fig. 10, the end faces 6b of the conduits 5b, under the interposition of the intermediate rings 14, rest against the ends 9 of the following conduit 5b. The central axes 8b in this case form a smaller angle ss than was true in the position of Fig. 9.

Finally, in the position illustrated in Fig. 11, the end faces 7b of the conduits 5b, under the interposition of the intermediate rings 14, rest against the ends 9 of the respectively following conduit 5b. This position provides the smallest angle ss between the central conduit axes 8b.

The route section 22 is produced in the position of Fig. 10, and the section 23 is produced in the position illustrated in Fig. 11.

In all of these positions, the sleeve rings 12 extend beyond the respective sealing rings 13, so that -a satisfactory sealing is assured between adjacent conduits 5b. In the position illustrated in Fig. 9, the gap 15b between adjacent conduits 5b is formed between the end faces 6b, 7b and the end 9. In the position illustrated in Fig. 10, two gaps 15b are formed, namely between the end faces 19b and the end 9, as well as between the end faces 7b and the end 9. Finally, in the position illustrated in Fig. 11, the gaps 15b are formed between the end faces 19b, 6b and the end 9. As was the case with the end face 6a of Figs. 5 to 7, the end face 6b is disposed symmetrical to the diametrical plane 20b. The two other end faces 7b and 19b are of the same size.

Finally, with the conduits 5c illustrated in Figs. 13 to 15, it is possible to form any radius of curvature of the advancement route.

Both a right-handed curve and a left-handed curve can be produced with the conduits 5c.

Fig. 12 shows an advancement route having a linear section 24 that is connected to the starting point 1 and merges into the lefthanded curved section 25. The latter curves continuously and merges into a right-handed curved section 26 having a greater radius of curvature than the section 25. The section 26 in turn merges into a left-handed curved section 27 that extends to the ending point 3 and has a smaller radius of curvature than does the section 26.

The rearward ends of the conduits 5c, when viewed in the direction of advancement, are provided with a curved end face 28 that is convex when seen as an axial cross-sectional view. The end face 28 is disposed on the surface of an imaginary sphere. The opposing end 9c is curved with a corresponding concave axial cross-sectional shape. In this way, adjacent conduits 5c, which rest against one another via the interposition of intermediate rings 14, are interconnected in the manner of a ball-and-socket joint. Consequently, adjacent conduits 5c can be infinitely adjusted relative to one another, so that any desired radius of curvature can be established. Thus, the end faces 28 are formed from an infinite number of partial end faces.

In the position illustrated in Fig. 13, the central conduit axes 8c are aligned with one another. Thus, during advancement, the conduits 5c form the linear section 24 of the advancement route illustrated in Fig. 12. The surfaces 28 and 9c contact one another via the interposition of the intermediate rings 14.

It is to be understood that these intermediate rings 14 are embodied in such a way that their outer surfaces rest flushly against these surfaces 9c and 28, as can be seen in Fig.

13.

In the position illustrated in Fig. 14, the adjacent conduits 5c are turned by the desired angle relative to one another in order to form the left-handed curved section 25. In so doing, the central conduit axes 8c form obtuse angles fi. The magnitude of this angle is determined by the radius of curvature of the section 25 of the advancement route of Fig. 12.

In the position illustrated in Fig. 15, the conduits 5c produce the right-handed curved section 26 of the advancement route of Fig.

12. The conduits 5c are turned relative to one another until the desired radius of curvature of the section 26 is achieved. Also in this position, the entire outer surfaces of the intermediate rings 14 rest against the respective ends 9c and the respective end faces 28.

Again, the sleeve rings 12 extend over the sealing rings 13, so that the gap regions between adjacent conduits 5c are satisfactorily sealed off. Since the end faces 28 and the ends 9c, when viewed as an axial cross section, have the same radius of curvature, the gaps 1 sic between them have a constant width.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 13 to 15, the conduit connection is freely movable in all directions similar to a joint that is comprised of a ball and socket.

The end faces in all of the embodiments are adapted to the curved path of the advancement routes or gradients. This assures that without having to use wedges between adjacent conduits, a sufficiently large portion of the end face of the conduit is always used to transmit pressure. In the embodiments of Figs.

2 and 3, 5 to 7, and 9 to 11, the respective end faces of the conduits do not extend over the entire end regions of the conduits, but rather over only portions thereof. During hydraulic conduit advancement below the level of the ground water, the conduit gaps are sealed off and protected from the entry of ground water via the cooperating sleeve rings 12 and sealing rings 13. These constructions are embodied in such a way that the relative movements of the two contacting conduit end faces, which relative movements are a consequence of the procedure and occur during the stages thereof, do not lead to leaks. The final seal of the finished construction is then preferably effected via a jointing with supporting mortar and permanently elastic putty.

The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a prefabricated conduit or tubular ring, with any desired cross-sectional shape, for the hydraulic advancement of several such conduits, where, to transmit advancement forces, each conduit is provided with end face means, the improvement wherein: each of said conduits, which has two ends, has at least one of said ends provided with end face means that extends, as end face portions, in at least two different directions relative to a central axis of said conduit, with the size and orientation of said end face means being determined as a function of the path of an advancement route or gradient that is to be produced, and as a function of the advancement forces that are to be applied.

2. A conduit according to claim 1, in which said end face portions respectively merge into one another along a curve.

3. A conduit according to claim 1, in which one of said conduit ends is provided with end face means, and the other conduit end has a surface that is disposed at right angles to said central axis of said conduit.

4. A conduit according to claim 3, in which said end face means includes two distinct end face portions that extend at an angle relative to one another, with one of said end face portions extending at right angles relative to said central conduit axis.

5. A conduit according to claim 3, in which said end face means includes at least three distinct end face portions that all extend at a different angle, greater than 90 , relative to said central conduit axis.

6. A conduit according to claim 3, in which said end face means includes at least three distinct end face portions, with one of said end face portions extending at right angles relative to said central conduit axis, and said other end face portions extending at an angle of less than 900 relative to said central conduit axis.

7. A conduit according to claim 1, in which one of said conduit ends is provided with end face portions formed by a continuously curved end face means that is disposed on the surface of an imaginary sphere, and has a convexly curved shape when seen in a crosssectional view taken through said central conduit axis.

8. A conduit according to claim 7, in which the other end of said conduit is also disposed on the surface of an imaginary sphere, and has a concavely curved shape, when seen in a cross-section view taken through said central conduit axis, that conforms to said convexly curved shape of said end face means.

9. A conduit according to claim 1, in which said two ends of a given one of said conduits include, when viewed in the direction of advancement, a forward end and a rearward end, with said rearward ends of said conduits being provided with a respective sleeve ring that extends over said forward ends of subsequent ones of said conduits.

10. A conduit according to claim 9, in which said forward end of a given one of said conduits is provided with at least one elastically deformable sealing ring, with said sleeve ring of an adjacent one of said conduits being adapted to extend over and deform said sealing ring.

11. A conduit according to claim 9, in which the outer diameters of said forward and rearward ends of said conduits are less than the outer diameter of the remainder of said conduits.

12. A conduit according to claim 9, in which said sleeve rings are adapted to cover gaps between adjacent ones of said conduits.

13. A conduit according to claim 9, which includes intermediate rings disposed between adjacent ones of said conduits.

14. A conduit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.