Hydraulic control means

US4412758A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Herbert Heitkamp · Werne, DE
• Walter Hohn · Walzbachtal, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 19, 1981
• Grant date: Nov 1, 1983
• Expiry date: May 19, 2001

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21D9/0692
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A tunnel knife shield has a support frame, and a plurality of knives positioned side-by-side on the support frame. Each of the knives is associated with a double-acting hydraulic ram, the rams being used for advancing the knives, and for causing the support frame to follow up the advance of the knives. Hydraulic control means are provided for controlling the extension and retraction of the rams. Each ram has first and second working chambers, pressurization of which is effective to extend and retract that ram. The hydraulic control means comprises respective first supply lines for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the first working chambers, respective second supply lines for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the second working chambers, and respective discharge lines for discharging hydraulic fluid from the first working chambers. Each discharge line is provided with a flow-regulation valve and a pilot-operated non-return valve. The flow-regulation valves control the rate of retraction of the rams. The pilot lines of the non-return valves are connected to the associated second supply lines, so that these valves open automatically when the second working chambers are …