Development of Hydraulic Continuous Shifting Devices for the Host Machine of the Tunnel Boring Machine

Abstract

A powered continuous shifting device for the host machine of tunnel boring machine (TBM) is currently unavailable.Hydraulic power is the best choice of driving force source to develop the continuous shifting device which can carry 600-ton host machine in tunnel because of compact hydraulic subassemblies and efficient hydraulic control and transfer. According to the shape of the shield machine the cross section of the load-bearing platform is designed to be u-shaped and all subassemblies are placed in the left and right space under the arcuate crossbeam and four series wheels are arranged symmetrically on the outside. Hydraulic power is used to drive all hydraulic motors to make the device move and the driving wheel turn 90-degree, and push the piston in the corresponding oil cylinder, which fulfills functions such as lifting the host machine of the shield machine / TBM and turning all driven wheels 90 degrees etc. Polyurethane rubber with good comprehensive properties is used as the driving wheel coating materials to provide reliable driving force. The successful application of the device shows that its design principles and methods are feasible.