GB2593710A

GB2593710A - Marking apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2593710A
Application number: GB2004642.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ahmed Sajad
Original assignee: Trent Energy Ltd
Current assignee: Trent Energy Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-30
Filing date: 2020-03-30
Publication date: 2021-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-30
Also published as: GB202004642D0; GB2593710B

Abstract

Apparatus for applying indicia to a tunnel wall comprises a vehicle (4) movable along a tunnel and at least one marking device (10) mounted on the vehicle. A control system controls the or each marking device to apply indicia to a tunnel wall (2) at a location determined by the extent of travel of the vehicle (4) along the tunnel. The apparatus may be mounted to a tunnel boring machine (TBM) or be a part of the TBM. It may also be a TBM gantry and have wheels suitable for running along a track. The marking device may have one of the following nozzles, printers, pens or a robotic arm and spray or jet ink or paint. The application device may run on an arcuate track and be arranged to co-ordinate with the navigation system system of a TBM.

Description

MARKING APPARATUS Background to the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to apparatus for applying indicia to a tunnel wall.

[0002] Following the excavation and lining of a tunnel, it is usually necessary to provide indicia on the tunnel wall for various purposes. This can include indications of the locations of exits and safety equipment, requirements for personal protective equipment, safety colour codes and contact information for individuals or organisations. It is also necessary to indicate the locations for follow-on works, including lighting, cabling, and video and/or audio communications.

[0003] The required markings are generally carried out manually, by painting, optionally with a stencil, or writing on the tunnel wall. This often requires the erection of a ladder or scaffold to allow the marking to be made at a suitable height. Ladders only provide limited access, whilst a scaffold hinders the ongoing tunnelling works, as it can block the movement of the supply equipment, namely the tunnel rail locomotives.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The invention seeks to provide apparatus allowing indicia to be applied to a tunnel wall with improved speed, efficiency, accuracy and safety.

[0005] The present invention provides apparatus for applying indicia to a tunnel wall, the apparatus comprising a vehicle movable along a tunnel, at least one marking device mounted on the vehicle, and a control system for controlling the or each marking device to apply indicia to a tunnel wall at a location determined by the extent of travel of the vehicle along the tunnel.

[0006] In embodiments of the invention, the vehicle is a tunnel boring machine (TBM), is attached to a TBM or is a TBM gantry. The control system be arranged to coordinate with a navigation system of the tunnel boring machine.

[0007] The vehicle may be provided with wheels suitable for travel along a temporary tunnel track.

[0008] The or each marking device may include one or more nozzles for spraying or jetting paint or ink. In a particular embodiment, such a marking device comprises an inkjet printer head or a spray gun/nozzle. Alternatively, the or each marking device may comprise a pen. The or each marking device may be mounted on a robotic arm.

[0009] In cross section, the tunnel wall to be marked is generally in the form of a major arc of a circle. In order to facilitate marking at any point on such a wall, the apparatus may include an arcuate track, disposed in a plane transverse to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the or each marking device being movable along said track.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0011] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention having fixed marking devices; [0012] Figure 2 shows an apparatus similar to that of Figure 1, but having movable marking devices; [0013] Figure 3 shows an apparatus having a marking device in form of a robotic arm; [0014] Figure 4 shows an apparatus comprising a frame mounted on a bogey; and [0015] Figure 5 shows an apparatus having a marking device in form of a robotic arm, mounted on a bogey.

Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments

[0016] The drawings show embodiments of the invention comprising one or more marking devices. A control system, operated either locally or remotely, is used to cause the marking device to apply alphanumeric characters and/or one or more images to a tunnel wall. Software for the control system can be linked to the TBM navigation system or software.

[0017] Figure 1 shows a cross section of a tunnel wall 2. Within the tunnel, a TBM gantry 4 is arranged to travel on wheels 6.

[0018] At at least one axial location on the TBM gantry 4, a frame 8 is provided, forming an arc of a circle concentric with the tunnel wall 2 and almost surrounding the gantry 4 at that axial location.

[0019] One or more marking devices 10 -in this example, two marking devices -are attached to the outside of the frame 8, substantially bridging the arcuate gap between the frame and the tunnel wall 2. The marking devices are located at heights at which indicia are to be applied to the tunnel wall. They may include inkjet or plotter technology with nozzles or pens close to or contacting the tunnel wall 2.

[0020] A marking device 10 is activated once the gantry has moved along the tunnel to bring the marking device to a location at which the indicia is to be applied.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an alternative apparatus, similar to that of Figure 1, but comprising an arcuate track 208 extending concentrically with the tunnel wall 2. A marking device 210 comprises a motorised carriage arranged to travel along the track 208, and carrying an inkjet or plotter device. In this embodiment, the control system causes the marking device 210 to travel to a desired location along the track 208, and apply indicia to the tunnel wall 2 at the location facing the track 208.

[0022] Figure 3 shows a further alternative apparatus in which a marking device 310 is mounted on a robotic arm 312. The arm 312 can be provided with an inkjet printer head or a spray head, to apply ink or paint to the tunnel wall 2.

[0023] Figure 4 shows an apparatus mounted on a bogey 414, arranged to travel along a temporary track laid on the floor of the tunnel. The apparatus comprises a track 408 similar to the track 208 shown in Figure 2, and a mobile marking device 410 identical to the marking device 210 of Figure 2. This apparatus could alternatively be fitted with one or more fixed marking devices similar to the marking devices 10 of Figure 1.

[0024] Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which a robotic arm is mounted on a bogey 514. The drawing shows two possible alternatives, namely a robotic arm 516 provided with a spray nozzle 518 (or a pen), and a robotic arm 520 provided with an inkjet head 522.

[0025] The invention can be used to provide information on a tunnel wall in an efficient and accurate manner. The information may for example comprise chainage, daily production, milestone dates or points or alignment information (setting out marks). It can also be used to indicate the location of exits and safety equipment, requirements for personal protective equipment, safety colour codes and contact information for individuals or organisations, as well as the locations for follow-on works, including lighting, cabling, and video and/or audio communications, ventilation, placement of safety equipment/apparatus or ducting.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for applying indicia to a tunnel wall, the apparatus comprising a vehicle movable along a tunnel, at least one marking device mounted on the vehicle, and a control system for controlling the or each marking device to apply indicia to a tunnel wall at a location determined by the extent of travel of the vehicle along the tunnel.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a tunnel boring machine (TBM).
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is attached to a TBM.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a TBM gantry.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle is provided with wheels suitable for travel along a temporary tunnel track.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each marking device includes one or more nozzles for spraying or jetting paint or ink.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the or each marking device comprises an inkjet printer head.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each marking device comprises a pen.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each marking device is mounted on a robotic arm.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including an arcuate track, disposed in a plane transverse to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the or each marking device being movable along said track.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system is arranged to coordinate with a navigation system of a tunnel boring machine.