Tunnelling head and method
OwnerDewight L. Cartwrightinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A micro tunnelling head and earth boring method is illustrated which includes utilizing a cutting head (G) spaced forwardly of a cylindrical articulated housing (A) having a transverse bulkhead (B) intermediate its ends for carrying a centrally disposed tube (C) carrying a driven auger (F) for operating the cutting head and removing the spoil inwardly from the housing through a chamber (D) which receives cuttings through a passageway (E) provided therein. Steering mechanism includes circumferentially spaced fluid operated cylinder assemblies (I) for pivotal fixation on adjacent ends of the articulated connection between the cylindrical housing (A) and a forward end of a casing for facilitating steering.
Claims24
A tunneling head for use with earth boring apparatus comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical housing;
- a bulkhead extending transversely across said housing forming a zone forwardly thereof for receiving cuttings during boring;
- means receiving said bulkhead in fixed relation thereabout to an interior of said housing;
- an elongated axially disposed cylindrical tube having a forward end received by said bulkhead opposite an opening in said bulkhead;
- means fixing said forward end of said tube to said bulkhead;
- a chamber opposite and opening into said cylindrical tube through said opening in said bulkhead;
- an access passageway in said chamber for delivering cuttings from said zone into the chamber;
- an auger within said cylindrical tube extending into said chamber for transporting said cuttings from said chamber rearwardly into said tube;
- and
- a cutting head carried forwardly of said housing for rotation about a central axis.
The structure set forth in claim 13 wherein said paddles extending inwardly from said cutting head carrying cuttings through said passageway into said chamber.
The method of micro tunnelling including the steps of:
- removing cuttings utilizing a cutting head mounted forwardly of a cylindrical housing;
- providing a stationary bulkhead extending across said cylindrical housing;
- discharging said cuttings into a stationary chamber mounted axially in said cylindrical housing forwardly of said stationary bulkhead;
- and
- removing cuttings from said cylindrical housing and driving said cutting head utilizing an auger extending axially from said cylindrical housing rearwardly and thence through a casing carried in fixed relation to said housing.
A tunnelling head for use with earth boring apparatus comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical housing:
- a bulkhead extending substantially vertically transversely across and fixed to said housing forming a zone forwardly thereof for receiving cuttings during boring;
- an elongated axially disposed cylindrical tube having a forward end connected to said bulkhead opposite an opening in said bulkhead;
- a chamber opposite and opening into said cylindrical tube through said opening in said bulkhead;
- said bulkhead is fixed to an interior portion of said housing providing sufficient depth at the front of the tunnelling head to accommodate said chamber;
- an access passageway in said chamber for delivering cuttings from said zone into the chamber;
- an auger within said cylindrical tube extending into said chamber for transporting said cuttings from said chamber rearwardly into said tube;
- a cutting head carried forwardly of said housing for rotation about a central axis;
- a plurality of circumferentially spaced steering cylinder assemblies each connected on one end to said cylindrical housing radially of and in substantial alignment with said cylindrical tube;
- a casing section aligned with said housing to which the other ends of the cylinder assemblies are connected;
- and
- am articulated connection between said cylindrical housing and said casing section permitting steering of said boring head responsive to actuation of respective cylinder assemblies.
A tunneling head for use with earth boring apparatus comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical housing;
- a bulkhead extending substantially vertically transversely across and fixed to said housing intermediate the ends of said housing forming a zone forwardly thereof for receiving cuttings during boring;
- at least one door in said bulkhead;
- an elongated axially disposed cylindrical tube having a forward end connected to said bulkhead opposite an opening in said bulkhead;
- a chamber opposite and opening into said cylindrical tube through said opening in said bulkhead;
- an access passageway in said chamber for delivering cuttings from said zone into the chamber;
- an auger within said cylindrical tube extending into said chamber for transporting said cuttings from said chamber rearwardly into said tube;
- and
- a cutting head carried forwardly of said housing for rotation about a central axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.