Improved Tunnel-boring or Excavating Apparatus.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Oct., 1893-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Tunnel-boring or Excavating Apparatus.
I, JAMES JENNINGS ROBINS of 10 Vernon Street, Derby, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates more particularly to that class of boring apparatus in
which a shield is used, and where a number of cutters are arranged upon one face
of a disc which rotates about a central axis coincident with the centre of the tunnel
and outside the shield.
The motive power to actuate the machine may be either steam, compressed air,
oil, gas, hydraulic, or electricity, preferably the latter, and the motor and the
gearing for actuating the cutting apparatus are carried by the shield.
The cutters are attached to a series of radial arms so arranged as to successively
raise the loose soil removed by the cutters, and deposit it into a central trough or
shoot, from which it is taken by means of an elevator, and delivered into any
convenient receptacle placed under the elevator to receive it.
A central cutter may also be employed to deliver the soil to a suitable tube
merging in the shoot.
By the use of the elevator, the loose soil may be raised to a convenient height,
to deliver it into trucks, and a clear space will be maintained immediately behind the
cutting apparatus, so that the shield may be readily advanced to enable the
workmen to fix the segmental plates forming the inner lining of the tunnel.
The shield is propelled, and the rate of cutting regulated, by means of a number
of hydraulic jacks arranged around the circumference, and acting against the
completed portion of the tunnel. The hydraulic jacks may be attached to the
shield by means of vertical centre pins, so that the jacks may be swung sideways
for re-adjustment. The hydraulic power may be derived from a pump actuated by
the gearing of the cutting apparatus, or by hand.
This machine is chiefly intended to cut through a dry stratification; should,
however, water-bearing strata be encountered, the machine will work in an atmo-
sphere of compressed air, by fixing diaphragms across the tunnel some distance
from the machine, the loose soil being delivered by hand through an air-lock in the
usual way.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1893.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Tunnel-boring or Excavating Apparatus.
I, JAMES JENNINGS ROBINS of 10 Vernon Street, Derby, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
This invention relates more particularly to that class of boring apparatus in
which a shield is used, and where a number of cuttera are arranged upon one face
of a disc which rotates about a central axis coincident with the centre of the tunnel
and in front of the shield; and the invention consists in providing means whereby
the soil or material removed by the cutters is collected and conveyed to the rear at
a suitable elevation, to be discharged into trucks, and in otherwise improving the
construction and working of such machines.
The motive power to actuate the cutter mechanism may be either steam,

page_text: compressed air, oil, gas, hydraulic or electricity, and the engine or motor, as well
as the gearing for actuating the cutting apparatus, are carried by the shield.
In carrying out this invention, the cutters are attached to a series of radial arms
80 arranged as to successively raise the loose soil removed by the cutters, and
deposit it into a central trough or shoot, from which it is taken by means of an
elevator, and delivered into any convenient receptacle placed under the elevator to
receive it.
A central cutter may also be employed to deliver the soil to a suitable tube
merging in the shoot.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of the boring apparatus ;
Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same;
Fig. 3 is a front view of the cutter mechanism; and,
Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line, Fig. 1.
E is the shield, which is from time to time pushed forward by means of hydraulic
jacks F, whose abutments are of any convenient form and arrangement. These
hydraulic jacks are pivotted to lugs a a on the shield by vertical pivot pins F',
which will allow of the jacks being swung to one side for readjustment.
C is a trough carried by the shield E, and one end of this trough merges into a
shoot b, while the other end is cylindrical, and forms a hollow axle c on which the
cutter mechanism rotates.
The cutter mechanism consists of a central boss D, from which arms D' radiate.
These arms may be made of angle iron, and carry, besides the cutters A A',
plates B B', which serve to scoop up and lift the soil as they move round. At the
proper time, the soil falls off these plates into the trough C, and passes down the
shoot into a well.
In front of the end of the hollow axle are projecting curved blades e, that enter
and scrape away the soil at the axis of the tunnel, and the soil thus loosened may
pass through the hollow axle to the shoot.
The cutter mechanism may be rotated by means of a suitable motor H carried by
a bracket on the shield or shoot, and operating suitable gearing H', which drives a
pinion H that takes into a ring with internal teeth H³, firmly secured to the cutter
mechanism, or any other mode of driving this mechanism may be adopted.
Connected with the well at the bottom of the shoot b, is a casing in which an
elevator D is contained. This elevator may consist of an endless chain with
transverse blades, and its duty is to raise the soil which has dropped into the well,
to a sufficient height, so that it may drop through the opening D* in the casing,
into trucks placed underneath to receive the soil.
G represents a pump worked by the motor H, or in any other convenient
manner, and by which the hydraulic pressure is produced for operating the..
hydraulic jacks F.
K represents a cast iron lining to the tunnel, which may be erected in segments,
or in any other convenient manner, as the shield E is advanced and leaves the
requisite space.
The advance of the shield will also advance the cutter mechanism, inasmuch as
the mechanism is carried by the shield, and the rate of advance will, to some extent,
depend upon the pressure of the jacks.
This machine is chiefly intended to cut through a dry stratification. Should,
however, water-bearing strata be encountered, the machine will work in an atmo-
sphere of compressed air, by fixing diaphragms across the tunnel some distance
from the machine, the loose soil being delivered by hand through an air-lock in
the usual way.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In tunnel-boring or excavating apparatus, the combination with a rotating

page_text: cutter mechanism, of a central trough, one end of which is cylindrical to form a
hollow axle for the cutter mechanism, and the other end merges in a shoot, to convey
the soil (loosened and raised by the cutter mechanism) to the inner side of a shield,
substantially as set forth.
2. In tunnel-boring or excavating apparatus, the combination of a central trough
of the character described in Claim 1, with an elevator, substantially as and for the
purpose herein set forth.
3. In tunnel-boring or excavating apparatus, mounting the hydraulic jacks in
such a manner that they may be swung sideways for readjustment, substantially as
set forth.
4. A cutter mechanism constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as
herein shewn and described.
5. The general construction and arrangement of apparatus for tunnel boring or
excavating, substantially as shewn and described.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1893.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.