Patent ID: 7832960
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: E21D

Abstract:
1. A tunnel boring machine comprising: a cutter head that includes at least one cutting mechanism that is configured to bore out a tunnel having a tunnel wall; a first shield located behind the cutter head about a perimeter of the cutter head and extending in a longitudinal direction away from the cutter head; a ground conditioning work zone located within the first shield; a second shield located behind the first shield; a third shield located behind the second shield; wherein the first shield, the second shield, and the third shield provide protection for an interior of the tunnel boring machine; a main beam located within the interior of the tunnel boring machine; a gripper assembly located within the third shield configured to move a gripper shoe between an undeployed position and an extended position that is in contact with and applies force on the tunnel wall; wherein the ground conditioning work zone includes at least one arm assembly for probing the terrain in advance of the cutter head wherein the at least one arm assembly is supported by the main beam within the ground conditioning work zone; wherein the first shield is configured to be retracted relative to the second shield to provide access to the interior of the tunnel for the at least one arm assembly to apply at least one ground support device; a segment erector arm movable along the main beam and located behind the third shield; wherein the segment erector arm is configured to install a plurality of segments to line the tunnel wall; at least one first propulsion mechanism that includes one end in contact with the main beam and another end in contact with one of the third shield and the gripper assembly; wherein the at least one first propulsion mechanism is configured to push against the third shield as it is secured in position by the gripper shoe when the gripper shoe is in a deployed position, wherein the at least one first propulsion mechanism moves the cutter head, the first shield, and the second shield forward while the third shield and the gripper assembly remain stationary.