US2128172A

US2128172A - Block placing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2128172A
Application number: US86864A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur W Warner; Roscoe F Ballard
Original assignee: TUNNEL AND MINE MACHINERY COMP
Current assignee: TUNNEL AND MINE MACHINERY Co; TUNNEL AND MINE MACHINERY COMP
Priority date: 1936-06-23
Filing date: 1936-06-23
Publication date: 1938-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 1955-08-23

Description

Aug. 23, 1938.

A. w. WARNER ET AL BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 25', 1936 7 Shets Sheet l Aug. 23, 1938. I A. w. WARNER ET AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 23, 1938. w WARNER r AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 23, 1936 '7' Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 23, 1938. A. w. WARNER ET AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 lq E -i 46 I 49 mv glllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ll 115% y Jzwerafirs r/ Rosana EBaZwJ Aug. 23, 1938- A. w. WARNER ET AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING. APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 f fzwsnirsi Aug. 23; 1938. A. w. WARNER ET AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Aug. 23, 1938. A. w. WAR NER ET AL 2,128,172

BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Filed June 23, 1936 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I N -e T r F i I N r tT (x/L4 I J m n a N it N O J) h N N N I Patented Aug. 23, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BLOCK PLACING APPARATUS Application June 23, 1936, Serial No'. 86,864

7 Claims.

This invention relates to block-placing apparatus for tunnel-forming machines, and more particularly to the production of an apparatus for placing blocks in'tunneling machines of the type shown in our prior Patent No. 1,917,170, of July 4, 1933, for Method of and apparatus for forming tunnels.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which will provide for placement of the blocks against the end of the previously formed tunnel wall and which at the same time will not in any way interfere with continuous spoils-removal from the mining zone.

In the apparatus of our prior patent, the tunneling apparatus comprises a shield having at one end a series of jacks adapted to engage against the formed tunnel wall and at its opposite end aifording miners quarters occupied by the miner removing the spoil from the face of the cut. A conveyer extends from this miners space rearwardly through the shield and has its rear end projecting into the formed tunnel, the conveyer inclining upwardly as it progresses 5 rearwardly so that its rear end may be disposed above the spoils removal car; accordingly,'at the rear end of the tunneling shield it is disposed at a substantial elevation and interferes seriously with use of any ordinary block-placing apparatus.

An important object of this invention is the provision of a block-placing apparatus so constructed that the spoils conveyer may be passed therethrough and the block-placing apparatus operated without in any way interfering with the operation of the spoils conveyer.

The tunnel walls formed by the apparatus of said prior patent consist of annular series of wall units, a series of jacks being employed comprising a jack for each unit of the series, these jacks embodying mechanism whereby they may either exert only a holding pressure upon the block to hold it against the face of the formed wall, or apply such pressure to the blocks and the previously formed. wall so that the blocks are firmly seated and the tunneling shield advanced in the bore. The blocks, in order to provide waterproof joints, have tongue and groove engagement with one another and the blocks themselves are of tapered construction interfitting with one another in the series so that in order to place the blocks it is necessary that the block be seated against the skirt of the shield while still in spaced relation to the previously formed wall.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a block-placing apparatus which will not only place the block against the shield skirt in spaced relation to the previously formed wall, but will likewise hold the block against this skirt during the period when the jacks are forcing the block into its final position.

. Another object of the invention is the provision of a construction of this character which will provide for accurate placement of the blocks and is capable of manipulation of blocks of great weight.

These and other objects we attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings wherein, for the purpose of illustration, we have shown a preferred embodiment of our invention and wherein:

. Figure 1 is a sectional view showing a portion of a tunneling shield which includes block-placing and spoils delivery apparatus constructed in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the block-placing apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus illustrating the position of the parts when the block is in engagement with the tunnel wall;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the block-placing apparatus including a diagrammatic showing of the connections of the operating motor; 1

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the con- 1 trol of the jack mechanism of the tunneling shield;

Fig. '7 is a section taken through one of the jacks of said jack mechanism; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic View showing the connections to the various operating elements of the block-placing apparatus.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I0 generally designates a tun.- neling shield having arranged therein an upwardly and rearwardly inclining spoils conveyer l I. The tunneling machine illustrated comprises an annular series of jacks I! which are more clearly shown in Figs. 6 and '7 and which are fully and completely described in our prior patent above mentioned. For the purpose of the present application, it will suflice to say-that the jacks comprise .an advancing ram l3 through which high pressure may be applied to the blocks of the tunnel wall, such ram 13 being hollow and having a head I 4 which is independently advanceable through constantly applied low pressure on a piston I5 operating in the hollow ram. The head and ram are equipped with a latch mechanism l5 which normally locks the head in its retracted position but which may be readily released to permit the head to project.

In laying up the wall course with the apparatus just described, the blocks. are placed in position against or adjacent the previously laid wall course, the latches I6 are released, and the heads advanced to hold the block in its position. After the course has been laid up, it is firmly seated by applying power through the jacks, manifolding mechanism such as that diagrammatically shown in Fig. 6 and specifically described in our prior patent above mentioned being employed to effect this operation. Obviously, where the tunnel is of small diameter and the blocks are, accordingly, small, they may be placed by hand, but in larger tunnels the blocks will often be of such weight that they cannot be handled in this manner.

We provide at the rear of the shield, standards arranged at opposite sides of the spoils conveyer, and upon these standards mount projecting, trunnions |8 bearing rollers l9 adapted to engage in a peripheral groove 2|l formed in a rotatable block placer support 2|. The inner edge of the groove of the support 2| is formed as a gear 22 meshing with a pinion 23 driven by a motor 24 at present illustrated as a reversible fluid motor. Brake mechanism 25 is provided for braking the shaft of the fiuidmotor at all times when not in operation so that the rotatable support may be securely held in adjusted positions. In the present instance, this brake mechanism is illustrated as including a shoe-type brake 26 spring-pressed against a disc 21 by the spring 28 which extends between the shoe and a cylinder 29, the piston of which cylinder has the shoe 25 mounted upon the rod thereof. A valve 30 is provided for selectivelydelivering fluid pressure to the motor to cause operation of the motor in either direction, and to connect the lower end of the brake cylinder with the atmosphere when the valve is not positioned to supply fluid pressure to the motor so that. at each operation of the motor the brake is released and between operations it is applied. Indicator mechanism may be provided, as shown at 32, to accurately show the position occupied by the rotary support.

' The support 2|aifords bearings 33 upon which is pivotally mounted one end of a substantially rectangular frame 34, spring mechanism 35 being provided to normally maintain the frame 34 in engagement with the outer face of the support 2 l. The frame 34 mounts at opposite sides thereof a pair of fluid pressure cylinders 36, these cylinders being connected to the frame at their lower ends as indicated at 31 and at their upper ends engaginga head 38 which is mounted on guides 39 operating through bearings 40 carried by the frame. Through conduits 4| connecting the upper and lower. ends of these cylinders and through a four-way valve 42, the head may be either ex'tendedor retracted, as desired.

The head 38 has pivotally connected thereto at43 av clamp body 44, there being co-acting stops at 45 upon the head and clamp body to limit rotation of the clamp body in one direction and a springq lfi, between the clamp body and the head to normally urge the head in this direction. The clamp'body

mounts clamping elements

41 and 48, of which the former is at present illustrated as fixed, and the latter movable, having a rack 49 which is engaged by the segment 50, rotated through a fluid pressure cylinder 5| which is in turn controlled through a four-way valve 52 so that the

clamp elements

41 and 48 may be separated or drawn together as desired.

Beneath the block-placing mechanism consisting of the support 2| and the elements carried thereby, as just described, we preferably arrange a block platform 53 which we at present illustrate as pivoted at 54 so that it may be swung back out of the way when a block is to be placed in alignment therewith. The blocks may be supplied to this block platform from a block support 55 provided at the forward end of a spoils car 55.

In Fig. 1 the apparatus is illustrated with a block already positioned upon the clamp 44 and locked thereto through the application of power to the cylinder 5|. Since, with the parts as illustrated in these figures, a block is aligned with the block-placer in its present position, it is necessary that the motor 24 be actuated to position the placer in radial alignment with an opening where a block has not as yet been placed. When this has been accomplished and the placer is locked against rotary movement by the brake 25, the valve 42 is actuated to extend the head 38 until the block comes into engagement with the shield skirt Ilia. At this time, the frame 34 will lie against the adjacent face of the rotary support 2| and the block will be aligned with a jack l2. The head of the aligned jack is now released and extends into engagement with the block, forcing the block before it into its position against the previously formed wall. Since the cylinders 36 are constantly exerting pressure to move the block outwardly and the clamp 44 is pivoted at 43 upon the head 38, the block remains in flat engagement with the shield as it reaches 1 its final position. The clamp-actuating cylinder 5| is now operated through valve 52 to release the clamp, and the application of power in cylinders 36 is reversed to withdraw the head to its normal position during which time, and immediately after release of the

clamp elements

41, 48 from the block, the spring means 35 will act to return the frame 34 to its position against the front face of the rotary support 2|. The motor 24 is now actuated to align the clamp with the block in position upon platform 53; the head is extended to engage the clamp with the block; the clamp is actuated to grasp the block; and the'blo'ck is lifted and rotated to the position in which it is to be applied. All of these operations may be carried out without in any way interfering with operation of the spoils delivery so that the work is very materially expedited.

The blocks employed are preferably of the type illustrated in our prior Patent No. 1,866,242, issued July 5, 1932, for Method of forming tunnel walls and unit for use therein, having a tongue and groove connection with one another at 51. Theblock as illustrated in the aforesaid patent is preferably modified to the extent that grooves 58 are provided therein at one side of this tongue and groove connection to permit the

clamp elements

41, 48 to engage therein without interfering with proper engagement of the block against either the tunnel face or the jack head.

Since the construction illustrated is capable of considerable modification without departing from the spirit of our invention, we do not wish to be"understoodas limiting ourselves thereto except as hereinafter claimed.

We claim:

1. Block-placing apparatus for use in tunneling apparatus comprising a shield having an annular series of circumferentially spaced jacks at its rear ends and a spoils conveyer projecting through said jack series and disposed at the rear end of the shield approximately axially thereof, said block-placing apparatus comprising a rotatable member surrounding the tunnel axis and having an opening for the passage of the spoils conveyer, means supporting said member in axially fixed relation to the shield, a radially and axially movable clamp carried by said member, means to radially move the clamp, means to actuate the clamp to open and close the same, and means to rotate said member.

2. Block-placing apparatus for use in tunneling apparatus comprising a shield having an annular series of circumferentially spaced jacks at its rear ends and a spoils conveyer projecting through said jack series and disposed at the rear end of the shield approximately axially thereof, said block-placing apparatus comprising a rotatable member surrounding the tunnel axis and having an opening for the passage of the spoils conveyer, means supporting said member in axially fixed relation to the shield, a radially and axially movable clamp carried by said member, means to radially move the clamp, means to actuate the clamp to open and close the same, a fiuid-pressure-operated motor to rotate said member, a fluid-pressure-operated brake to hold the member in adjusted positions, and a valve to alternately supply fluid pressure to said motor and brake.

3. Block-placing apparatus for use in tunneling apparatus comprising a shield having an annular series of circumferentially spaced jacks at its rear ends and a spoils conveyer projecting through said jack series and disposed at the rear end of the shield approximately axially thereof, said block-placing apparatus comprising a rotatable member surrounding the tunnel axis and having an opening for the passage of the spoils conveyer, means supporting said member in axially fixed relation to the shield, a radially and axially movable clamp carried by said member, means to radially move the clamp, means to actuate the clamp to open and close the same, and means to rotate said member, the connections between said clamp and member being constructed and arranged to permit oscillation of the clamp.

4. Block-placing apparatus for use in tunneling apparatus comprising a shield having an annular series of circumferentially spaced jacks at its rear ends and a spoils conveyer projecting through said jack series and disposed at the rear end of the shield approximately axially thereof, said block-placing apparatus comprising a rotatable member surrounding the tunnel axis and having an opening for the passage of the spoils conveyer, means supporting said member in axially fixed relation to the shield, a radially and axially movable clamp carried by said member, means to radially move the clamp, means to actuate the clamp to open and close the same, a fluid-pressure-operated motor to rotate said member, a fluid-pressure-operated brake to hold the member in adjusted positions, and a valve to alternately supply fluid pressure to-said motor and brake, the connections between said clamp and member being constructed and arranged to permit oscillation of the clamp.

5. The construction of claim 1 wherein the clamp is carried by a frame which likewise has an opening for the passage of the spoils conveyer, said frame being pivoted to said member upon a pivot paralleling the general plane of the member and disposed at one side of the member.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a frame is pivoted to the member at one side thereof and upon a pivot paralleling the general plane of the member, a head carried by the frame at that end thereof remote from the pivot and supporting the clamp, and means are provided for radially moving said head.

'7. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a frame is pivoted to the member at one side thereof and upon a pivot paralleling the general plane of the member, a head carried by the frame at that end thereof remote from the pivot and supporting the clamp, and means are provided for radially moving said head, the clamp being pivotally connected to said head and means to yieldably maintain the clamp in one position with relation to the head.

ARTHUR W. WARNER. ROSCOE: F. BALLARD.