Cutter drive regulation apparatus for a tunnelling machine

US4343512A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Herbert Heitkamp · Werne, DE
• Werner Dehmel · Grafenau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 15, 1980
• Grant date: Aug 10, 1982
• Expiry date: Aug 15, 2000

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21D9/108
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for regulating the capacity of a tunnelling machine. The tunnelling machine is of the type having a rotatable cutting head mounted at one end of an arm. The other end of the arm is pivotally mounted on a carrier about a pivot pin whose axis extends transversely to the axis of the arm. A hydraulic rotary drive is provided for rotating the arm about the axis of the tunnel being formed. The regulation apparatus includes a regulator for regulating the rotary drive of the arm in dependence upon the capacity of the cutting head drive. An angle/current transducer is provided for measuring the angle between the axes of the arm and the tunnel. The regulation apparatus is such that the capacity of the cutting head drive decreases as said angle decreases, the reduction in capacity being effected by a reduction in the force applied by the cutting head to the working face.