Patent GB-1475737-A (GB)
Title: Excavating machine
IPC: E21D9/10
Filed: 1974-08-19
Abstract: 1475737 Tunnelling machines LINDENALIMAK AB 19 Aug 1974 [22 Aug 1973] 36474/74 Heading E1F A tunnelling machine comprising a movable frame 1 with advancing means and a rotary tool carrier 19 which can be articulated via pivotal connections about two mutually perpendicular axes with respect to the frame has means to allow said pivotal connections to be placed in different selected positions transverse to the direction of movement of the frame. As shown in Fig. 1 the tool carrier is carried on an arm 7 pivoted about a horizontal pivot 11 to a portion 8 which can pivot about a vertical axis in bearings 10. A lever secured to the pivot 11 and the arm 7 is controlled by rams 15, 16 and a transverse lever 12 on the portion 8 is moved by two rams 13. In other embodiments (Figs. 11A, 18B not shown) a drum is secured to portion 8 and is pivoted by a cable mechanism driven by rams. In the Fig. 1 embodiment an upper portion of the machine frame is pivotable with respect to a lower portion about an horizontal pivot 5 by rams 6. However a similar arrangement employing a vertical pivot is disclosed (Figs. 20, 21 not shown). An arrangement of rams 22, 24 and a ground engaging member 23 is provided at each side to advance the machine; the rams 22 being arranged parallel to each other and universally jointed to the machine frame. The rams 22 may be extended to raise the machine and once biased the ram 24 can advance the machine by swinging it on the rams 22 about their pivotal connections to the member 23. The machine is then lowered to its new position and the ram 24 is employed to advance the member 23 ready to repeat the procedure. As shown in Fig. 8 a cross-piece 25 interconnects the members 23 and carries flanges 26 between which a lever 27 pivoted to the frame at 28 is engaged. A ram 29 connected between the frame and the lever 27 enables the members 23 to be pivoted with resect to the frame to change the direction of advance of the machine. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 an anchoring means is incorporated. Flanged rails 34 are mounted on rods 36 secured to the floor and sleeves 35 extend round the flanges from rams 32 pivoted to the frame. Slight extension of the rams 32 allows the sleeves 35 to slide on the rails but the rams can be contracted to pull against the rails and anchor the machine. Screw mounting sleeves for the rams 32 allow their length to be increased for wider tunnels. In another embodiment (Figs. 11A, B not shown) the frame is not in two portions pivoted at point 5 and the whole frame is lifted by lifting jacks interposed between the frame and anchoring rams 32. Fig. 15 shows means whereby a frame can be moved longitudinally and transversely with respect to ground engaging members 23. The cross-piece 25 and the lever 27 are interconnected by a cruciform double slide 39 which allows relative sliding movement in two directions and two sets of rams 24, 42 extend from the frame to effect such movement in addition to the pivoting produced by the ram 29.  In a further embodiment (Figs. 17-19 not shown) the whole machine is slidably supported on a platform and can be moved transversely by means of a cable drive system. The machine is locked in extreme positions by ram operated wedges which engage between the machine and the members on which it slides. Two embodiments are disclosed which employ further means to advance the machine. In one (Figs. 22-24 not shown) a sprocket wheel drive on a machine similar to Fig. 1 engages a toothed track secured to the floor to move the machine and in the other (Figs. 25-26 not shown) the machine slides on a guide track and is linked by a ram to a trailer such that alternate locking of the machine and trailer allows the ram to advance the machine and draw the trailer behind it. In both embodiments locking is effected by the use of ram operated wedge devices acting between the machine and track.