US3896629A

US3896629A - Trailing service vehicle

Info

Publication number: US3896629A
Application number: US492986A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard W Stevens
Original assignee: Milwaukee Boiler Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Milwaukee Boiler Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1974-07-29
Filing date: 1974-07-29
Publication date: 1975-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-29
Also published as: CA1013158A

Abstract

A service vehicle suitable for trailing connection to a tunneling shield includes a horizontal platform having one end pivotally connected to the rear end of the tunneling shield. The other end of the platform is supported from the tunnel as by a pair of laterally spaced legs. Expander means mounted in slots in the platform receive tunnel liner rib segments and position same upon expansion against the interior surface of the tunnel. Side expander means may be used in conjunction with the slot mounted expander means to assist in positioning the ribs.

Description

United States Patent [191 Stevens [451 July 29, 1975 TRAILING SERVICE VEHICLE Richard W. Stevens, Oconomowoc,

Wis.

[73] Assignee: Milwaukee Boiler Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, Wis.

[22] Filed: July 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 492,986

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 61/85; 61/84 [51] Int. Cl. E0lg 5/00 [58] Field of Search 61/84, 85, 63, 42, 45; 299/31, 33, 56

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,082,700 12/1913 McArthur 61/84 2,128,172 8/1938 Warner ct al,.

Budd 61/84 3,206,824 9/1965 Cerutti 61/84 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or FirmAndrus, Sceales, Starke &

Sawall [57] ABSTRACT A service vehicle suitable for trailing connection to a tunneling shield includes a horizontal platform having one end pivotally connected to the rear end of the tunneling shield. The other end of the platform is supported from the tunnel as by a pair of laterally spaced legs. Expander means mounted in slots in the platform receive tunnel liner rib segments and position same upon expansion against the interior surface of the tunnel. Side expander means may be used in conjunction with the slot mounted expander means to assist in positioning the ribs.

24 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures TRAILING SERVICE VEHICLE SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In conventional tunneling techniques, the tunnel may be formed by excavating apparatus operating in conjunction with a tunneling shield. The tunneling shield has a movable hood which is driven into the working face of the tunnel. The ground beneath the hood may be safely excavated as the hood supports the overburden. When the area beneath the hood has been excavatcd, the tunneling shield is advanced into the excavated area. A tunnel liner is erected behind the tunneling shield to protect workmen and equipment in the tunnel. The liner is typically formed of a plurality of spaced hoop-like ribs supporting heavy timbers or lagging in the spacing between the ribs. Each time the tunnel shield is advanced, additional ribs and lagging are erected to extend the tunnel liner.

With horizontal tunnels, particularly being bored under city streets and utilities. it is desirable to expand the ribs tightly against the interior surface of the tunnel. This prevents unwanted subsidence of the overburden into the spacing between the interior surface of the tunnel and the tunnel liner.

The present invention provides a trailing service vehicle which may be drawn behind the tunneling shield to expand the ribs of the tunnel liner against the interior surface of the tunnel, thereby facilitating and accelerating the construction tunnel and preventing unwanted subsidences. The trailer of the present invention also provides an elevated platform which may be used for both working and storage in the tunnel. The power supplies, such as hydraulic pumps, necessary for the operation of both the shield and the expander means may be located on or under the elevated platform so as to be convenient and accessable, but out of the way of equipment and workmen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of the trailing service vehicle of the present invention shown in conjunction with a tunneling schield.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the means for joining the rib segments together.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the platform element of the trailing service vehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the means for joining the trailing service vehicle to the tunneling schield.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the expander means of the vehicle showing the expander means in the extended position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the means for mounting a means for moving the expander means.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the expander means of the vehicle showing the expander means in the retracted position.

FIG. 8 is partial cross sectional liner.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system view of the tunnel for the trailing service vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the Figures. there is shown in FIG. 8

a common construction for a tunnel liner 10 during the excavation phase. Liner 10 includes hoop-like ribs 12 fabricated from I beam stock. Ribs 12 are typically formed in segments, such as quarters, to facilitate erection. Plates 13 are welded to each end of the rib quarters (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and the quarters bolted together to form the complete rib 12. Between ribs 12 are positioned wooden lagging or timbers 14 for resisting the compressive loads exerted by the surrounding soil on the tunnel liner. After the liner is erected, the bottom may be filled in with earth to provide the temporary roadway 16 shown in FIG. I for workmen and construction equipment.

Tunneling shield 20 may include movable hood 22 which is mounted on the front of the shield. Hood 22, which is shown as segmented in FIG. I, may be driven into the working face during excavation. Shield 20 also includes rear hood or tail 24 under which ribs 12 and timbers 14 are erected.

A frame member 26 adjacent the rear end of tunneling shield 20 houses a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 28, only two of which are shown in FIG. I. The piston rods of hydraulic cylinders 28 contain fittings 30 which mate with ribs 12 of the tunnel liner. By extending the piston rods of hydraulic cylinders 28 to move fittings 30 against the forward-most rib 12 of tunnel liner l0, tunneling shield 20 may be moved forward along the bore of the tunnel. Frame member 26 is spanned by rear table beam 32.

The trailing service vehicle of the present invention is shown in FIG. I by the numeral 40. Trailer 40 includes horizontal platform 42 having a width approximating the dimension of the chord of tunnel liner l0 occupied by the platform. Platform 42 may be fabricated in two symmetrical halves, as shown in FIG. 3 and includes a plurality of longitudinal beams 44. The central portion of platform 42 is formed with plates 46 to protect workmem below the platform while the edges adjacent tunnel liner 10 are covered with grating 48. Platform 42 may be used to support various equipment such as welding generator or grout pump, and to store tools and material such as, ribs, lagging, grout, etc. The platform also provides a working area for workmen during the erection of the ribs, placement of the lagging or grouting the tunnel liner. A ladder, not shown, may be used to gain access to platform 42.

The forward end of platform 42 is pivotally supported from the rear of tunneling shield 20. This allows articulation between the shield and the trailer and permits shield 20 to be steered along the desired bore of the tunnel. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this pivotal support may be provided by a hitch 50 mounted on forward end of platform 42. Hitch 50 contains concave surfaces 51 which engage an appropriate ball or trunioun (not shown) mounted on rear table beam 32.

The other end of platform 42 is supported by tunnel liner 10. This may be accomplished by a pair of straddle legs 56 which depend from the rear edge of platform 42. The legs may be positioned in vertical alignment with the junction of temporary fill roadway l6 and tunnel liner 10 so as to avoid interference with the entry and exit of material, equipment, and workmen through the tunnel liner. Skis 58, pivotally mounted on the lower end of straddle legs 56, mate with roadway I6 and the adjacent portions of tunnel liner l0. Skis 58 may be provided with flanges 60 for this purpose. In the alternative, rubber or rail wheels may be utilized in lieu of skis 58.

The forward edge of platform 42 includes a pair of rollers 62 with associated bearing and retainer members 64 which facilitate the initial positioning of the quarters of ribs 12 in a manner hereinafter described.

Platform 42 contains a pair of spaced parallel slots 66 aligned with the bore of the tunnel containing expander uprights 68 and 70. Each expander upright. for example, expander upright 68 includes an upper expander post 72 having a rectangular cross section and a lower expander post 74, also of rectangular cross section. which telescopes within upper expander post 72. The dimensions of rectangular upper expander post 72 are such as to provide a sliding fit with the sides of slot 66. Wear plate 76 may be provided along one or both sides of upper expander posts 72 to facilitate the movement of the expander uprights in slots 66. A plurality of wheels or rollers 78 are fixed to the sides of upper expander posts 72 to support the expander uprights on the portions of platform 42 adjacent slots 66 when the expander uprights are not in use.

Upper expander posts 72 and lower expander posts 74 are coupled together by a hydraulic cylinder. As shown in FIG. 5, one end of hydraulic cylinder 80, for

example, the cylinder end, is pinned to upper expander posts 72 by pin 82 while the other end. for example, the piston end, is pinned to lower expander post 74 by pin 83.

Expander upper quadrant 84 is joined to the upper end of upper expander posts 72 of expander uprights 68 and 70 to receive the upper two quarter sections of rib 12. Expander upper quadrant 82 may be formed with a groove 86 for this purpose. A notch 85 in the center of expander upper quadrant 82 may be provided to accomodate the plates on the ends of the quadrants of ribs 12.

An expander bracket 88 is mounted on the lower ends of each of lower expander posts 74. Brackets 88 embrace bridge 91. Bridge 91 has a flat upper surface 93 providing a work area. The forward edge of bridge 91 is pivotally mounted to the working surface 95 of tunneling shield 20. Sides 97 depend from surface 93 to resist compressive forces exerted by brackets 88. Skids 99 may be provided to assist the movement of bridge 91 along tunnel liner as tunneling shield is moved forward along the tunnel.

A side expander 90 may be mounted on each of upper expander posts 72 of expander uprights 68 and 70, as shown in FIGS. 1. 5 and 7. Side expanders 90 include hydraulic cylinder 92. the piston 94 of which is mounted in an adjustment slot in expansion pusher member 96. Expansion pusher member 96 is U-shaped to facilitate joinder of the ends of the rib quarters. Side expander 90 is retained in the correct position with respect to platform 42 and expander uprights 68 and 70 by chain 98 having one end fastened to expansion pusher member 96 and the other end engaging notches 101 on platform 42.

Expander uprights 68 and 70 are moved forward and rearward in slots 66 by expander positioning hydraulic cylinders 103. One end of the hydraulic cylinders 103 is pinned to the rear end of each of slots 66 by pin 105, extending to beams 44 as shown in FIG. 1. The other end of hydraulic cylinders 103 is pinned to upper expansion posts 72 by brackets 107 and a mating pin.

The various hydraulic elements of trailer 40 may be provided with hydraulic fluid by the hydraulic power circuitry shown in FIG. 10. The hydraulic circuitry includes a reservoir of hydraulic fluid 100 mounted under platform 42 outside leg 56. Reservoir 100 is cou pled to motor driven pump 102 also mounted under platform 42. The input of pump 102 is obtained through filter 104 and provided to conduit 106 and relief valve 108 and hydraulic line 110. Hydraulic line 110 is connected to hydraulic valves 112 and 114 which control the extension and retraction of hydraulic cylinders 80 and expansion uprights 68 and 70. Hydraulic line 110 is also connected to hydraulic valves 116 and 118 which control the extension and retraction of hydraulic cylinders 103 which position expansion uprights 68 and in slots 66 and to hydraulic valves 120 and 122 which control the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinders 92 in side expansion jacks 90. Return line 124 is provided between the hydralic valves and reservoir 100.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention trailer 40 contains the pump 126 and other hydraulic apparatus necessary to provide operative hydraulic pressures to the various hydraulic jacks in tunneling shield 20 thereby simplifying the construction and operation of tunneling shield 20.

In operation, trailer 40 is connected to the rear end of tunneling shield 20 by hitch 50 for movement with tunneling shield 20 along the bore of the tunnel. During movement in the tunnel, hydraulic valves 112 and 114 are operated to move hydraulic cylinders and expander uprights 68 and 70 to the retracted position so that rollers 78 of upper expander posts 72 rest on platform 42. Hydraulic cylinders 92 of side expanders are similarly retracted so that interference with tunnel liner 10 is avoided.

As the excavation of the tunnel proceeds, it is necessary to erect a tunnel liner 10 to protect the workmen and equipment in the tunnel from subsidences. The tunnel liner 10 is erected under tail shield 24 of tunneling shield 20. The segments of ribs 12 are taken from a storage pile and positioned in the tunnel under the tail shield to form the hoop-like rib. Rollers 62 on the front edge of platform 42 assist in erectingthe segments of rib 12. The segments are then pinned or bolted together to retain the rib shown as 12A in FIG. I in the assembled condition. The wooden lagging 14 is then inserted between the newly assembled rib and the immediately preceding rib 128. The tunneling shield may be moved forward by extending hydraulic cylinders 28 to move fittings 30 into abutment with rib 12A.

As the excavation of the tunnel continues. the assembled ribs move out from under tail shield 24 and over slots 66 in platform 42. Expansion uprights 68 and 70 may be moved to the forward end of slots 66. This is accomplished by operating valves 116 and 118 to extend hydraulic cylinders 103.

Hydraulic valves I12 and 114 are then operated to extend hydraulic cylinders 80 in expander uprights 68 and 70. Initially lower expander posts 72 descend to engage brackets 88 on lower rib sections supported by the soil or rock on the bottom of the tunnel. Brackets 88 also embrace bridge 91 which moves over rib 12 and lagging 14 on skids 99. Once lower rib sections have become firmly imbedded in the soil. the descent of lower expander posts 74 ceases and upper expander posts 72 commence to rise off of platform 42 to elevate the expander upper quadrant into contact with the upper two rib quarters. As the rib quarters assume their final positions, side expanders 90 may be moved to the appropriate position, as by adjusting chains 98, and hydraulic cylinders 92 extended to facilitate the expansion of rib 12. When the rib 12 is fully expanded against the interior surface of the tunnel, the quarter sections of the rib may be fastened together. The two upper and the two lower rib quarters may be bolted or welded together at the abutting plates. Spacers 200 may be inserted between rib plates 13 adjacent side expansion pusher members 96 to retain rib 12 in the expanded position. Hydraulic cylinders 80 and expansion uprights 68 and 70 are then retracted and the process repeated as tunneling shield 20 moves further down the bore of the tunnel.

If it is desired to retain the expansion of rib 12 provided by expansion uprights 68 and 70 as trailer 40 is moved forward. hydraulic cylinders 103 can be retracted as trailer 40 moves forward, thereby moving expansion uprights 68 and 70 rearwardly in slots 66 and retaining the uprights and rib 12 in the same position.

The bottom portion of tunnel liner formed by the erection of ribs 12 and the insertion of lagging 14 may be filled with rock or other material to provide a temporary road bed once bridge 91 passes. Grout may be inserted in any hollow pockets existing between tunnel line 10 and the interior surface of the tunnel.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. A service vehicle suitable for trailing connection to a tunneling shield within a tunnel having segmented hoop-like ribs forming a portion of a liner, said vehicle comprising:

a horizontal platform positionable within the tunnel, one end of said platform having means for pivotal supportive connection to the rear end of said tunneling shield, the other end of said platform having means for supporting said platform from said tunnel, said platform having a pair of spaced slots lying parallel to the bore to the tunnel;

expander means movably mounted in said slots, said means being extensible in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tunnel; and

means connected between said expander means normal to the bore of the tunnel for receiving the ribs and for expanding same against the interior surface of the tunnel.

2. The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said expander means are extensible in either direction.

3. The service vehicle according to claim 2 wherein said expander means includes a pair of telescoping members mounted in each of said slots, said telescoping members having extensible means coupling said members together and providing relative movement between said members.

4. The service vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said extensible means comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted within said telescoping members.

5. The service vehicle according to claim 3 wherein one of said telescoping members is rectangular and is dimensioned for sliding engagement with the sides of said slots.

6. The service vehicle according to claim 3 wherein one of said telescoping members includes means for supporting said expander means from said platform.

7. The service vehicle according to claim 6 suitable for use in a generally horizontal tunnel wherein said telescoping members are comprised of upper, outer, and inner, lower vertically telescoping members and wherein said support means is mounted on said upper telescoping members for suspending said expander means from said platform.

8. The service vehicle according to claim 7 wherein said upper, outer telescoping member is rectangular and is dimensioned for sliding engagement with the sides of said slots.

9. The service vehicle according to claim 7 wherein said support means includes rollers.

10. The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said connection means between said expander means is formed to receive the ribs.

11. The service vehicle according to claim 1 including means for moving said expander means within said slots.

12. The service vehicle according to claim 11 wherein said moving means comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted between said platform and said expander means.

13. The service vehicle according to claim 1 further including side expander means operatively associated with said platform and extensible in a direction generally perpendicular to said slot mounted expander means for receiving rib segments and for assisting in the expansion of same against the interior surface of the tunnel.

14. The service vehicle according to claim 13 wherein said side expander means is mounted on said slot mounted expander means.

15. The service vehicle according to claim 7 further including side expander means mounted on said upper telescoping members and laterally extensible for receiving the ribs.

16. The service vehicle according to claim 13 wherein said side expander means includes a hydraulic cylinder having means for receiving said ribs.

17. The service vehicle according to claim 16 including means for adjusting the position of said receiving means with respect to said platform.

18. The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said support means at the other end of said platform comprises a pair of laterally spaced legs supportively coacting with the tunnel.

19. The service vehicle according to claim 17 wherein said tunnel has at least a partially circular liner with a flat chord-like floor and said legs are laterally spaced apart to ride at the junction of the floor and the tunnel liner.

20. The service vehicle according to claim 18 wherein said legs contain means for slidably moving a platform along the tunnel liner and floor.

21. The service vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said expander means is hydraulically operated and said service vehicle includes hydraulic power supply means mounted on said platform and coupled to said expander means.

22. The service vehicle according to claim 19 wherein the tunneling shield and said expander means are hydraulically operable and said service vehicle includes hydraulic power supply means suspended from said platform outside one of said legs coupled to said expander means.

23. The service vehicle according to claim 6 wherein said connection means on said lower member is formed of a pair of brackets coupled to said lower members tunnel linerand embracing a bridge member towed by said tunnel

Claims

1. A service vehicle suitable for trailing connection to a tunneling shield within a tunnel having segmented hoop-like ribs forming a portion of a liner, said vehicle comprising: a horizontal platform positionable within the tunnel, one end of said platform having means for pivotal supportive connection to the rear end of said tunneling shield, the other end of said platform having means for supporting said platform from said tunnel, said platform having a pair of spaced slots lying parallel to the bore to the tunnel; expander means movably mounted in said slots, said means being extensible in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tunnel; and means connected between said expander means normal to the bore of the tunnel for receiving the ribs and for expanding same against the interior surface of the tunnel.

23. The service vehicle according to claim 6 wherein said connection means on said lower member is formed of a pair of brackets coupled to said lower members and embracing a bridge member towed by said tunneling schield.

24. The service vehicle according to claim 23 wherein said bridge means is shaped to mate with said tunnel liner.