Tunnel boring machine

Abstract

In a tunnel boring machine designed for changing excavation tools (106) with sliding tubes (209), anchoring of load measuring elements (242) in load measuring element receptacles (236) extending in the axial direction, which are inserted in the sliding tubes (209), is provided. These load measuring elements (242) are located directly in the flux of forces introduced into the sliding tubes (209) by the excavation tools (106) and remain in place during a change of excavation tools (106) after an initial installation and subsequent calibration. This allows the loads acting on the excavation tools (106) to be detected in a less complex and long-term stable manner.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A tunnel boring machine having a number of sliding tube units, each with a sliding tube flange ( 215 ), with a sliding tube bearing ring ( 212 ) and with a sliding tube ( 209 ) which is connected to the sliding tube flange ( 215 ) and to the sliding tube bearing ring ( 212 ) and in which one excavation tool ( 106 ) is displaceably mounted for a tool change, and having at least one load measuring element ( 242 ) which is configured to measure loads exerted on excavation tools ( 106 ), wherein at least one load measuring element receptacle ( 236 ) extending in the axial direction is designed in at least some sliding tubes ( 209 ), that the or each load measuring element receptacle ( 236 ) is designed in a blind hole manner and that a load measuring element ( 242 ) is arranged in at least one load measuring element receptacle ( 236 ). 
     
     
         14 . The tunnel boring machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the or each load measuring element receptacle ( 236 ) designed in the sliding tube ( 209 ) has an internally threaded region ( 309 ) and the load measuring elements ( 242 ) have an externally threaded portion ( 321 ) associated with the internally threaded region ( 309 ). 
     
     
         15 . The tunnel boring machine of  claim 14 , wherein each load measuring element ( 242 ) comprises an end portion ( 315 ) and a head portion ( 318 ) extending between the end portion ( 315 ) and the externally threaded portion ( 321 ), wherein the end portion ( 315 ) and the termination of the load measuring element receptacle ( 236 ) designed in the sliding tube ( 209 ) are shaped such that a line- or strip-like peripheral contact region is designed between the end portion ( 315 ) and the termination of the load measuring element receptacle ( 236 ) designed in the sliding tube ( 209 ). 
     
     
         16 . The tunnel boring machine according to  claim 15 , wherein each load measuring element ( 242 ) is arranged on the head portion ( 318 ) of at least one load sensor part ( 403 ). 
     
     
         17 . The tunnel boring machine according to  claim 13 , wherein each sliding tube ( 209 ) is connected to a respective sliding tube bearing ring ( 212 ) on the side opposite the load measuring element ( 242 ). 
     
     
         18 . The tunnel boring machine according to  claim 13 , wherein each sliding tube ( 209 ) rests against a respective sliding tube flange ( 215 ) in the region of the load measuring element ( 242 ). 
     
     
         19 . The tunnel boring machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the sliding tube flange ( 215 ) has a number of load measuring element bushings ( 239 ) corresponding to the number of load measuring element receptacles ( 236 ) designed in the sliding tube ( 209 ), which load measuring element bushings ( 239 ) are aligned with the respectively associated load measuring element receptacle ( 236 ). 
     
     
         20 . The tunnel boring machine according to  claim 13 , wherein each load measuring element ( 242 ) is connected to a connecting cable ( 330 ) for outputting electrical signals. 
     
     
         21 . The tunnel boring machine according to  claim 20 , wherein a mounting protective housing ( 245 ) is present into which the connecting cable ( 330 ) opens. 
     
     
         22 . The tunnel boring machine according to  claim 21 , wherein an adapter cable ( 506 ) with two connectors ( 509 ,  512 ) is present which is arranged in the mounting protective housing ( 245 ). 
     
     
         23 . The tunnel boring machine according to  claim 22 , wherein the adapter cable ( 506 ) is connected to a connecting cable plug ( 512 ) which is designed with external contact strips ( 518 ). 
     
     
         24 . The tunnel boring machine according to  claim 23 , wherein the connecting cable plug ( 512 ) is arranged in a connection chamber ( 515 ) and in that a wall recess ( 527 ) is designed in a wall of the connection chamber ( 515 ) in the region of the connecting cable plug ( 512 ). 
     
     
         25 . A tunnel boring machine comprising:
 sliding tube units, each having:
 a sliding tube ( 209 ) extending between and connected to both a sliding tube flange ( 215 ) and a sliding tube bearing ring ( 212 ), and 
 one excavation tool ( 106 ) displaceably mounted for a tool change within the sliding tube ( 209 ), wherein at least one sliding tube ( 209 ) includes an axially extending, blind receptacle ( 236 ) for receiving a load measuring element ( 242 ) for measuring loads exerted on the excavation tool ( 106 ) associated with the sliding tube ( 209 ) having the receptacle ( 236 ).