# US 9,429,016 B2 · Method for replacing a tunnel boring machine roller cutter, handling device and roller cutter suited to such a method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,429,016 B2 - Document ID: US9429016B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/517,968 - Filed: 2010-12-14 - Published: 2013-02-21 - Granted: 2016-08-30 - Earliest claimed: 2009-12-22 - Assignees: Bouygues Travaux Publics - Applicants: Jean-Noël Derycke; Sébastien Rubrecht - Inventors: Jean-Noël Derycke; Sébastien Rubrecht - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9429016B2 ## CPC - E21D 9/08: with additional boring or cutting means {other than the conventional cutting edge of the shield} - E21D 9/104: {Cutting tool fixtures (devices with percussive tools E21D9/106)} - E21B 10/20: characterised by detachable or adjustable parts, e.g. legs or axles - E21D 9/10: Making by using boring or cutting machines (E21D9/08 takes precedence; mining picks E21C35/18) - Y10T 29/49817: with other than ancillary treating or assembling - Y10T 29/53991: Work gripper, anvil, or element - E21D: SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS (soil-conditioning or soil-stabilising materials C09K17/00; drilling or cutting machines for mining or quarrying E21C; safety devices, transport, rescue, ventilation or drainage E21F) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention relates to a method for replacing a disk cutter (1) mounted with preload in a casing (2) attached to the cutting head of a tunnel boring machine, operated using a disk cutter (1) bearing, firmly attached thereto, an element (4) for locking into the housing (2) and preloading means (5), the method involving the steps of: a) removing a worn disk cutter (1) from said housing (2): • clamping a disk cutter (1) handling device (3) onto the housing (2); • taking hold of the disk cutter, • releasing the preload, • unlocking, • extracting the disk cutter (1), • unclamping the device (3), b) fitting a replacement disk cutter (1) in reverse order. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for replacing a used roller cutter mounted within a housing built into the cutting head of a tunnel boring machine by a replacement roller cutter, said method being implemented with used and replacement roller cutters each having, permanently attached thereto, a member for locking the used or replacement roller cutter within the housing and a member for applying preload members to said used or replacement roller cutter, said method including the steps: a) removing the used roller cutter from said housing, comprising the following steps: clamping, onto the housing, a handling device designed for grasping and guiding the used roller cutter, grasping of the used roller cutter by the handling device, releasing the preload members applied to the used roller cutter, wherein the member for applying said preload members remains attached to the used roller cutter, unlocking of the used roller cutter from the housing, extracting the used roller cutter from the housing, wherein the member for locking remains attached to the used roller cutter, unclamping the handling device from the housing, b) installing in said housing of a replacement roller cutter, comprising the following steps: grasping of the replacement roller cutter by the handling device, docking, then clamping the handling device on the housing, inserting the replacement roller cutter into the housing, said replacement roller cutter being guided by the handling device, locking the replacement roller cutter into the housing, applying the preload members to the replacement roller cutter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the used or replacement roller cutter is held by the handling device by its locking member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, being implemented by a mechanized roller cutter handling device. ### Claim 4 A replacement roller cutter assembly configured to be removably mounted in a housing built into a cutting head of a tunnel boring machine, comprising a replacement roller cutter; a locking member suitable for locking the replacement roller cutter assembly within the housing; and a member for applying preload members to the replacement roller cutter assembly, wherein the locking member and the preload members are permanently attached to the replacement roller cutter such that the replacement roller cutter, the locking member and the preload members are removable as a whole from the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The replacement roller cutter assembly of claim 4, wherein said locking member is designed to be immobilized relative to the replacement roller cutter, so that the replacement roller cutter assembly constitutes a rigid block. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The replacement roller cutter assembly of claim 4, wherein the locking member includes a bayonet movable in rotation between a position for inserting the replacement roller cutter assembly into the housing and a position for locking the replacement roller cutter assembly into the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The replacement roller cutter assembly of claim 6, wherein the preload members include screws and said screws for preloading the replacement roller cutter assembly are carried by the bayonet in a manner that precludes loss. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The replacement roller cutter assembly of claim 4, wherein the preload members include screws. ### Claim 9 A device for handling a replacement roller cutter, comprising: an element for clamping onto a housing intended to receive the replacement roller cutter, an element for grasping a used roller cutter, means for releasing or applying preload members to the used roller cutter, wherein said preload members are permanently attached to the used roller cutter, an element for extracting the used roller cutter from the housing, a member for actuating a locking member of the replacement roller cutter to lock the replacement roller cutter into the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, further including means for cleaning the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, further including means for transporting, docking and/or clamping onto the housing by a robot.