Improvements in Tunnelling and Boring Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Apr., 1897--Accepted, 29th May, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tunnelling and Boring Machines.
I, JOHN PRICE, of 15, Great George Street, in the City of Westminster,
Contractor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to tunnelling and boring machines, and consists in
improvements in the construction, arrangement and mode of working certain
portions of the machinery, whereby the work is not only facilitated and expedited,
but the direction of the tunnel or bore-hole may be changed at will, either
altitudinally or laterally.
Assuming my invention to be applied, by way of example, for tunnelling purposes,
the apparatus comprises a centrally mounted rotative cutter-head having, by
preference, four arms radiating from the centre and carrying cutters or scrapers.
These cutters are arranged at such distances from the centre that each follows a
path immediately outside the path traversed by the cutter mounted on the arm
next in advance. The arms also carry trough-shaped scoops which collect the
material dislodged by the cutters, elevate it and discharge it to a shoot whence it
passes to a skip and is conveyed away.
The bearing immediately behind and supporting the rotative cutter-head is of
a spherical character, so as to admit of slight change of alignment. This bearing
be supported on cross arms extending to the sides of the tunnel, or may be
carried in the shield, when such is used.
Further to the rear is the mechanism for rotating and controlling the cutter-
head. This may comprise a motor engine operated by compressed air. The
engine drives a worm which engages with a worm-wheel free to slide but incapable
of rotating upon the shaft of the cutter-head.
The motor engine and mechanism for actuating and controlling the cutter-head
are mounted upon a frame which is carried on two arms which extend to and rest
on rails provided on either side of the tunnel. Each arm is furnished with a screw-
link whereby it may be securely held down upon its seat whilst the apparatus is at
work. An eccentric operated by a hand-lever is also provided for lifting the arin
on to rollers when the apparatus has to be advanced.
With a view to enabling the direction of the tunnel or boring to be gradually
changed to suit a rising or falling gradient, the after extremity of the shaft
carrying the rotative cutter-head is provided with screw mechanisin whereby it
may be lowered or raised. Similarly, for enabling a deviation to be effected in a
lateral direction, the after extremity of the said shaft may, by means of screw-ties
or like appliances, 'be adjusted towards one side or the other of the tunnel or
boring.
It will be observed that a cutter-head of the kind above referred to, operated
and adjusted in substantially the same manner, is applicable for use in boring
vertical or inclined shafts as well as horizontal tunnels.
Dated this 20th day of June 1896.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agent.

page_text: Improvements in Tunnelling and Boring Machines.
J, JOHN PRICE, of 15, Great George Street, in the City of Westminster,
Contractor, 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 to tunnelling and boring machines, and consists in
improvements in the construction, arrangement and mode of working certain portions
of the machinery, whereby the work is not only facilitated and expedited but the
direction of the tunnel or bore-hole may be changed at will, either altitudinally or
laterally.
Assuming my invention to be applied, by way of example, for tunnelling
purposes, the arrangement of the apparatus is illustrated in the longitudinal
section Fig. 1; Fig. 2 being a transverse section through the boring looking from
the rear of the engine towards the cutter head, and Fig. 3 a face view of the cutter
frame showing the mode of arranging the cutters and scoops.
Fig. 3 is a detached view illustrating the mode of connecting the braces of the
cutter frame with the shaft.
Figs. 4, 4 and 4B are detached views of an alternative method of arranging and
working the shoot for discharging the dislodged material into the skips; Fig. 4 being
a side elevation, Fig. 4 an end view and Fig. 4B a transverse section taken on the
line 4 4 in Fig. 4.
Figs. 5, 5 and 5 are respectively an end view, a face view and a plan of a
cutter detached.
Figs. 6 and 6 are enlarged views of the foot of one of the arms showing the
means for lifting the frame upon which the engine is supported upon the rails.
Figs. 7, 7 and 7B are detached views of the bracket employed for supporting
the arms of the frame which carries the engine, and illustrating the mode of
connecting the rails whereon the frame travels.
Figs. 8 and 84 are views of the worm-wheel and worm (a portion being shewn in
section) for actuating the cutter-head.
Figs. 9 and 9 are respectively a part elevation and longitudinal section and a
part elevation and transverse section of the mechanism for feeding the cutter.
Figs. 10, 10 and 10 and Figs. 11, 11 and 11 are detached views of the
means employed for effecting the deviation of the cutter in a lateral direction.
The apparatus comprises a centrally mounted rotative cutter-bead A having, by
preference, four arms a, a, a, a radiating from the centre and carrying cutters or
scrapers a¹. These cutters are formed of metal bent to the required form (Figs. 5,
54 and 5B) and are arranged on the arms a at such distances from the centre that
each follows a path immediately outside the path traversed by the cutter mounted
on the arm next in advance. The arms also carry trough-shaped scoops a which
collect the material dislodged by the cutters, elevate it and discharge it into a
shoot B whence it passes to a skip or skips C and is conveyed away. The braces a³
of the cutter-frame are bolted to a plate a arranged on the shaft D of the cutter-
head (see Fig. 3A). The shoot B (Fig. 1) is hinged at its upper extremity to a
bracket b carried on the shaft D. The lower extremity of the said shoot is in the
form of two legs which straddle the shaft, the legs being supported by a link or
links binged to the bracket 2. At or about the centre of its length, the shoot
rests upon a roller or rollers 63, whereby its movement, as the angle of inclination
varies, owing to the outward travel of the cutter-head, is facilitated.
The bearing E immediately behind and supporting the rotative cutter-head A is

page_text: of a spherical character, so as to admit of slight change of alignment.. This
bearing may be supported on cross arms extending to the sides of the tunnel, or it
may be carried on a bracket e arranged in the mouth of the shield F, as shown in
Fig. 1..
Further to the rear is the mechanism for rotating and controlling the cutter-head.
This, as shown in the example, may comprise a motor engine G operatel by com-
pressed air. The engine drives a worm H which engages with a worm-wheel I,
the latter being free to slide but incapable of rotating upon the shaft D of the
cutter-head. The mode of mounting the worm-wheel I will be clearly understood
by reference to Figs. 8 and 8. A pair of jaws i i, secured to the frame, K which
supports the engine, engage in a circumferential groove in the boss of the wheel T.
The shaft D is squared at this part and works in a squared hole in the boss of the
worm-wheel. By these means the worm-wheel is capable of rotating the shaft D,
while the shaft is also capable of longitudinal movement through the boes of the
said wheel I. The feed of the cutter-head is effected by means of the screw d
which is supported at the outer end in a bridle piece d' connected with the block
by means of rods d. The extremity of the squared portion of the shaft D is fitted
with an internally threaded bush d³ secured to the shaft. hy means of the pin
the exterior of the shaft being furnished with a bush d³ whereby it is capable. of
rotation in the block k. The bush d is retained in position by the ring d. Upon
the shaft D being caused to rotate, by means of the worm-wheel I, the bush d³
rotates in unison upon the screw d, the latter being meanwhile held stationary by
the taper pin d', thereby effecting the advance of the cutter-head. When the
extent of the travel has been reached, the pin d' is withdrawn and the screw turned
by means of the lever handle d", thereby withdrawing the cutter-head; the whole
apparatus being then advanced on the rails M.
;
The motor engine G and the mechanism for actuating and controlling the cutter-
head A are mounted upon a frame K which is carried on two arms L L which
extend to and rest on rails M M provided on either side of the tunnel. The
rails M are carried on brackets or supports N N secured to the shell O; the rails
being made in short lengths having their ends adapted to fit on to tongued junction.
pieces n bolted to plates n' secured to the brackets N. Each arm L is furnished
with a screw-link P whereby it may be securely held down upon its seat whilst the
apparatus is at work. An eccentric operated by a hand-lever is also provided
for lifting the arm L on to rollers / when the apparatus has to be advanced. The
lever works over a quadrant and may be secured in position by the insertion
of 'a pin.
With a view to enabling the direction of the tunnel or boring to be gradually
changed to suit a rising or falling gradient, the after extremity of the shaft D,
carrying the rotative cutter-head A, is provided with screw-mechanism whereby is
may be lowered or raised. This mechanism comprises a vertically arranged screw-
spindle Q which passes through the cylindrical boly L' pertaining to the arms L;
the said body being held between jaws q q by means of the nuts q'q'. If it be
desired to vary the direction of the cutter-head, the nuts ql are moved in the
required direction, the frame K with the engine and other appliances turning on
the body L as a centre. Similarly, for enabling a deviation to be effected in a
lateral direction, the after extremity of the said shaft D may, by means of screw-
ties or struts R R or like appliances, be adjusted towards one side or the other of
the tunnel or boring. Each tie R is hinged at its inner extremity to the frame K
by means of the joint r, and at its outer extremity is connected to the shell O by
means of a ball joint ; the part carrying the ball working in a cavity in the
part . The lateral deviation is obtained by slacking one of the ties R and
tightening the other; the set-screws S S having been adjusted in a similar mauner
for the purpose of allowing the frame K to move laterally to the required extent;
the vertical screw Q working in a slot in the body L. The screws S are each
carried in a bracket s secured to the frame K; their inner extremities being made
conical and provided with a block s connected to the screw by a pin s² and secured

page_text: by a washer and cotter-pin s3. Thus the screw may be rotated without causing the
rotation of the block. is a handle for use in turning the screw.
According to an alternative method of mounting the shoot B, illustrated in
Figs. 4, 44 and 4B, the body of the shoot is supported by a saddle-piece t which
works along the shaft D. The saddle-piece is connected with the forward frame-
work by means of rods t2 which work through ears 3 cast on the bearing Ex of
the shaft D. In this arrangement, the angle of the shoot is fixed. It will be seen
that as the shaft D advances the boss engages the saddle-piece t and forces
the shoot forward; the rods 2 serving as guides and maintaining the shoot in
position.
It will be observed that a cutter-head of the kind above referred to, operated
and adjusted in substantially the same manner, is applicable for use in boring
vertical or inclined shafts as well as horizontal tunnels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved means for tunnelling or boring constructed or operating
substantially as herein described and consisting in the employment of a rotative
cutter-head in combination with a shield.
2. The herein described means for changing the direction of the tunnel or boring
both altitudinally and laterally, same comprising a spherical bearing, such as E,
screw-ties or struts, such as R, and adjusting or set-screws, such as S, arranged or
operating substantially as set forth.
3. The herein described method of arranging the cutters whereby resistance in
working is diminished, same consisting in setting them at such distances from the
centre of the cutter-frame that each follows a path immediately outside that of the
one mounted on the arm next in advance.
4. The combination with a rotative cutter-head A of scoops or buckets a² and
shoot B whereby the material is conveyed towards the centre and delivered into
skips, substantially as specified.
5. For rotating and feeding the cutter-head, the employment of a worm and
worm-wheel, the latter being mounted so as to. slide, but not to rotate, upon the
shaft of the cutter-bead, in combination with a screw upon which the said shaft
turns and whereby it is thrust forward, substantially as specified.
6. The mode of mounting the engine and actuating and controlling mechanism,
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and
consisting in arranging the said engine and actuating and controlling mechanism
upon a frame and supporting the latter by means of arms which rest upon rails at
the side of the tunnel; the arms being held down by means of screw-links.
7. For elevating the arms and frame when an advance is to be made, the herein
described means comprising an. eccentric, such as 7, and a hand-lever, such as 1,
arranged or operating substantially as specified.
Deted this 15th day of Anril 1807
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agent.