Method and device for distributing pumpable thick matter into several delivery pipes

A method of distributing sludge-type matter from a supply line into several distributor conduits, comprising the following steps:

• directing the flaw of matter from the supply line through a manifold conduit rotatably coupled about an axis of rotation on one end to the supply line and coupled on the other end to a rotating plate, the rotation plate being rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to a distributor plate, the distributor plate including one end of each of the distributor conduits coupled thereto and, thus, adapted to be coupled in fluid communication with the manifold conduit;
• rotating the rotating plate relative to the distributor plate to align the manifold conduit with a respective distributor conduit and, in turn, directing the flow of matter therethrough;
• and
• measuring the volume of matter flowing through the respective distributor conduit and rotating the rotting plate to align the manifold conduit to another distributors conduit upon the volume measurement exceeding a predetermined value.

A method of distributing wet concrete from a supply line into several distributor conduits in a tunnel working machine, comprising the following steps:

• directing the flow of concrete from the supply line through a manifold conduit rotatably coupled about an axis of rotation on one end to the supply line and coupled on the other end to a rotating plate, the rotating plate being rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to a distributor plate, the distributor plate including one end of each of the distributor conduits coupled thereto and, thus, adapted to be coupled in fluid communication with the manifold conduit;
• rotating the rotating plate relative to the distributor plate to align the manifold conduit with a respective distributor conduit and, in turn, directing the flow of concrete therethrough;
• and
• controlling the rate at which the rotating plate is rotated to couple the manifold conduit from one distributor conduit to another based on the forward speed of the tunnel working machine.