Patent ID: 9004609
Filing Date: 2015-04-14
Classification: E21C,E21D

Abstract:
1. Method for driving tunnels, galleries, or shafts with a driving device, the steps of said method including: applying a cutting head rotating around a general axis of rotation and having rock cutting elements directed essentially radially outwardly against a rock surface to be worked, and removing material loosened through cutting, bringing the rock cutting elements, which are formed as at least peripherally disc-shaped cutting rolls, to roll against the rock surface when the rotating cutting head is pressed against the rock, wherein the rock cutting elements during rolling are brought to cut parallel and spaced grooves in the rock surface, wherein i) in a first driving phase, pressing the cutting head against the rock by displacing the cutting head linearly in a driving direction against rock to be worked in a complete cut, ii) after a completed driving phase, withdrawing the cutting head away from the rock in an opposite linear direction, displacing it to a position with new rock to be worked, iii) in a subsequent driving phase, pressing the cutting head against the new rock by displacing the cutting head linearly in a new driving direction against the new rock to be worked in a new complete cut, and repeating the aforementioned steps i)-iii) as required to complete a tunnel, gallery or shaft.