Method And Device For Continuously Informing The Operator Of A Tunneling Machine On Physical Features Of A Ground To Be Tunnelled

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for informing the operator of a tunnelling machine on physical features of a ground to be tunnelled consisting in placing one or several sensors ( 1 - 4 ) directly on each cutter wheel of a drill head, wherein said sensors are selected such that they are capable of transmitting representative signals of the cutter wheel penetrating force into the ground, a rotating state, the position and the temperature of the cutter wheel and in transmitting said information to the operator of the tunnelling machine. Said invention is particularly suitable for detecting hard rocks during digging an excavation by means of a tunnelling machine.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . Process for providing continuous information on ground conditions at the excavation face for the operator of a tunnel boring machine equipped with a rotary cutting head incorporating a multiplicity of individual mountings for rotary boring cutters, in which data acquisition sensors capable of generating signals concerning cutter operation are implemented, these signals being remotely transmitted and used to inform the tunnel boring machine operator, characterized in that one or more sensors selected from sensors suitable for generating signals representing cutter penetration force into the ground, cutter position, cutter rotational state and cutter temperature are directly placed on each cutter.  
   
   
       12 . Process according to  claim 11 , in which each cutter concerned is supplied with electrical power required for operating the cutter sensors from a battery integrated into the cutter or by wireless transmission from the cutter mounting.  
   
   
       13 . Process according to  claim 11 , in which the mounting of each cutter concerned is fitted with a receiver capable of receiving by wireless transmission signals from the cutter sensors and transmitting them to a communication network carried by the cutting head and the said network includes a processing and display unit in the tunnel boring machine operating cab.  
   
   
       14 . Process according to  claim 11 , in which each cutter concerned is fitted with stress gauges glued to the cutter shaft and in which the signals from these gauges are used to obtain information on the loads sustained by the cutter.  
   
   
       15 . Process according to  claim 11 , in which each cutter concerned is fitted with an inclinometer.  
   
   
       16 . Process according to  claim 11  in which each cutter concerned is fitted with a magneto-inductive rotation sensor.  
   
   
       17 . Boring cutter M and its mounting R for installing the rotary cutter on the rotary cutting head of a tunnel boring machine T, characterized in that the cutter includes one or more sensors ( 1 - 4 ) selected from sensors capable of generating signals representing cutter penetration force into the ground, cutter rotational state, cutter position and temperature, and in that the cutter and its mounting comprise means ( 5 ,  6 ) cooperating to transmit remotely the signals from the cutter sensors.  
   
   
       18 . Boring cutter and its mounting according to  claim 17 , the cutter of which is fitted with a set of the aforesaid sensors.  
   
   
       19 . Boring cutter and its mounting according to  claim 17 , the cutter sensors ( 1 - 4 ) of which are mounted on a base incorporated in the cutter and which is fitted with acquisition and processing modules, a communication interface with the cutter mounting and an electrical supply unit.  
   
   
       20 . Tunnel boring machine fitted with a rotary cutting head, which carries the mountings R for the rotary boring cutters M, characterized in that the cutters and their mountings are as defined in any one of  claims 17  to  19  and in that the tunnel boring machine includes means of transmitting signals from the sensors to a central processing and display unit placed in the tunnel boring machine operating cab.