Improvements in Machinery for Tunnelling or Shaft Sinking.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Aug., 1889-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Tunnelling or Shaft Sinking.
We, LLEWELYN BIRCHALL ATKINSON, Civil Engineer, of Erwood House, Beckenham,
Kent, FREDERICK MORI, Electrician, of 3 Thorntons Buildings, Upperhead Row,
Leeds, and FRED WALKER, of 3 Thorntons Buildings, Upperhead Row, Leeds, in the
County of York, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in machinery for driving tunnels in rock,
or looser material, or for driving headings in collieries, and mines, or for sinking
wells of pit shafts.
The machine consists essentially of three parts, the framework, the cutting apparatus,
and the motor.
The framing consists of a base carried on wheels which run on one or a pair of
rails, laid in the direction of the heading. This base carries an upright framing which
may be circular, square, or rectangular, being approximately of the shape of the
section of the finished heading. The framing carries the bearing carrier of the cutting
machinery, by means of slots and slides, the bearing carrier being operated by worm
wheels, screws or racks.
The cutting machinery consists of a longitudinal shaft carrying rotating cutters,
the end also being provided with a suitable drill, or rose, or tube cutter, so that the
cutter can be operated in any direction either parallel to its length or at right angles
to the same, or in any angular position. Means are provided for lengthening the
cutter whilst in place, and for so arranging the cutters as to clear the material.
Motive power
is supplied preferably by an electric motor, of any well known form,
but steam, air, or hydraulic power may be used.
Motion is communicated from the motor which is preferably fixed, to the cutter
which moves round the frame by means of a chain gearing, or by two sets of bevel
gearing, with one sliding shaft, or by a pair of hooks, jointed with a telescopic joint
or its equivalent.
In certain cases, the electric motor itself may be moved as described in the
Specification of Letters Patent, No. 14,090 dated October 18th, 1887.
In the case of circular tunnels the slide frames may be replaced by radial arms
of constant length. The cutter may enter the material by being swung radially into
the material, instead of by drilling it in longitudinally, means being provided in the
bearing carrier for so operating it.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1888.
F. SEATON SNOWDON,
Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Tunnelling or Shaft Sinking.
ILEWELLYN BIRCHALL ATKINSON, Civil Engineer, Erwood House, Beckenham,
Kent, FREDERICK MORI, Electrician, Thorntons Buildings Upperhead Row Leeds,
FRED WALKER, 3 Thorntons Buildings, Upperhead Row, Leeds in the county of
York, Electrician, 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 improvements in machinery for driving tunnels in rock

page_text: or looser material, or for driving headings in collieries and mines, or for sinking
"wells or pit shafts.
The machine consists essentially of three parts, the framework, the cutting apparatus,
and the motor. The framework consists of a base (a) fig. 1 carried on wheels which
will run on one or a pair of rails laid in the direction of the heading. This base
carries an upright framing (b) figs. 1. & 2. which may be circular, square or
rectangular, being approximately of the shape of the section of the finished heading.
The framing carries the bearing carrier (c) of the cutting machinery, by means of
slots, and slides in the frame (b). The bearing carrier being operated by worm
wheels, screws, or rack & pinion as shown at (d) figs. 1. & 2.
The cutting machinery consists of a longitudinal shaft carrying rotating cutters E.
consisting of a parallel or taper bar to which are attached steel cutters, the front
end (f) also having a drill or tube cutter, or one or more separate steel cutters
attached so that the cutter can be operated when rotating, parallel to its length or
at right angles to the same, the cutter at (f) working when it is used as a drill, the
cutter at (e) working when it is traversing.
The cutters are arranged so that the distance from the axis to their points is
greater than the distance from the axis to the tips of the teeth of the wheel (g) thus
enabling the machine to clear its own way.
Motive power is supplied by a motor of any well known form. In figs. 1. & 2. an
electric motor is shown, but steam, air, or hydraulic power may be used.
Motion is communicated from the motor which is preferably fixed to the frame
round which the cutter moves, either by means of chain gearing, or by two sets of
bevil gearing as shown in figs. 1. & 2, where the shaft (k.) slides through the central
bevil wheel with a feather to accomodate the varying distances of the bearing
carrier (c) from the central motor shaft.
Instead of 2 pairs of bevil wheels 2 double Hooke's joints may be used, in which
case one joint is attached to the back of the cutter shaft at (k) & the other joint
to the front of the motor shaft in place of the pair of bevil wheels, only in this case
the motor is farther back on the frame A. So that the motion shaft is wholly behind
the vertical frame (b).
In certain cases the electric motor itself may be moved as described in the
Specification of Letters Patent 14090, dated October 18th 1887.
In the case of circular tunnels the slide frames (b) may be replaced by radial arms
of constant length as shown in figs. 3 & 4. (b. b.). In this case there are 2 cutters
carried in bearings on the radial arm (b.) whose centre forms the axis of the circular
tunnel. Motion is communicated to these by the motor (g.) through wheels (h. k. & 1).
The carrying arms (b) are rotated about the axis of the centre of the tunnell by
means of the worm (m) and worm wheel (n).
In cases where the machine is used for sinking wells or pit shafts, the same
general arrangements are used only that the frame (a.) instead of being arranged to
travel on a horizontal rail, consists of a framing to fit the well or shaft, with screws
or other clamping arrangements for holding it in a vertical position in the shaft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination of a motor, electric or otherwise, with a base and framing
of the shape of the heading to be cut, and with revolving cutters carried in bearings
moveable on the framing.
2. The combination of a motor, electric or otherwise, with radial arms capable of
being moved about the axis of the tunnell, and with revolving cutters carried in
bearings moveable on the arms.
3 The construction of revolving cutters consisting of a parallel or taper shaft
having cutters on the surface, and having a drill, rose, or tube cutter on the end,
for cutting either parallel to its length or at right angles to its length.

page_text: 4. The arrangement and construction of machinery as described and illustrated in
figs. 1. & 2.
5. The arrangement and construction of machinery as illustrated in figs. 3. & 4.
Dated this 93rd day of Avanat 1889
"
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicants.