In a device and a method for continuously driving a tunnel along a desired setpoint trajectory there is provision to influence pressing forces which are applied to installed tubbing segments by compactors using a control circuit, wherein, during the driving and during the installation of tubbing rings, an actual trajectory of the device remains in a region which is permissible for maintaining the desired set point trajectory.

In a device and a method for continuously driving a tunnel along a desired setpoint trajectory there is provision to influence pressing forces which are applied to installed tubbing segments by compactors using a control circuit, wherein, during the driving and during the installation of tubbing rings, an actual trajectory of the device remains in a region which is permissible for maintaining the desired set point trajectory.

The present invention relates to a warning device for a mining control module for facilitating a replacement. Accordingly, a warning device for a mining control module is suggested, which comprises a housing that is configured to be coupled with an opening provided at an outer surface of the control module, wherein the housing defines an inner cavity, and an alarm module which is arranged in said cavity and is configured to be releasably coupled to an inner control unit of the control module via said opening for receiving a control signal. The housing comprises a first portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and is configured to extend at least in part through the opening and a radially extending second portion that is configured to extend over the outer surface of the control module so as to cover the opening, when the device is coupled to the control module. The device furthermore comprises a fixation means, which is arranged on the second portion and is configured to releasably engage the outer surface of the control module so as to secure the device to the control module.

The present invention relates to a warning device for a mining control module for facilitating a replacement. Accordingly, a warning device for a mining control module is suggested, which comprises a housing that is configured to be coupled with an opening provided at an outer surface of the control module, wherein the housing defines an inner cavity, and an alarm module which is arranged in said cavity and is configured to be releasably coupled to an inner control unit of the control module via said opening for receiving a control signal. The housing comprises a first portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and is configured to extend at least in part through the opening and a radially extending second portion that is configured to extend over the outer surface of the control module so as to cover the opening, when the device is coupled to the control module. The device furthermore comprises a fixation means, which is arranged on the second portion and is configured to releasably engage the outer surface of the control module so as to secure the device to the control module.

Described herein are new methods and systems for profiling tunnels. A method comprises moving a shuttle within a shuttle track extending between a boring apparatus (inside a tunnel) and a base station (outside the tunnel). The shuttle is equipped with a movement sensor, which records various movement parameters (e.g., linear and/or angular accelerations) while the shuttle moves within the shuttle track. These movement parameters are then transferred to a tunnel profiler (e.g., a base station) and the profile of the tunnel is determined based on these movement parameters. For example, a shuttle track can be a flexible tube (e.g., continuous or segmented) with the shuttle positioned within the tube. The shuttle can be removed from the tube or remain in the tube while the movement parameters are transferred and, in some examples, while the shuttle is recharged.

Described herein are new methods and systems for profiling tunnels. A method comprises moving a shuttle within a shuttle track extending between a boring apparatus (inside a tunnel) and a base station (outside the tunnel). The shuttle is equipped with a movement sensor, which records various movement parameters (e.g., linear and/or angular accelerations) while the shuttle moves within the shuttle track. These movement parameters are then transferred to a tunnel profiler (e.g., a base station) and the profile of the tunnel is determined based on these movement parameters. For example, a shuttle track can be a flexible tube (e.g., continuous or segmented) with the shuttle positioned within the tube. The shuttle can be removed from the tube or remain in the tube while the movement parameters are transferred and, in some examples, while the shuttle is recharged.

Described herein are new methods and systems for profiling tunnels. A method comprises moving a shuttle within a shuttle track extending between a boring apparatus (inside a tunnel) and a base station (outside the tunnel). The shuttle is equipped with a movement sensor, which records various movement parameters (e.g., linear and/or angular accelerations) while the shuttle moves within the shuttle track. These movement parameters are then transferred to a tunnel profiler (e.g., a base station) and the profile of the tunnel is determined based on these movement parameters. For example, a shuttle track can be a flexible tube (e.g., continuous or segmented) with the shuttle positioned within the tube. The shuttle can be removed from the tube or remain in the tube while the movement parameters are transferred and, in some examples, while the shuttle is recharged.

A drive system with both fixed-displacement hydraulic motors and variable-displacement hydraulic motors for a cutter head of a boring machine and a control method thereof are provided. The drive system includes a variable-displacement hydraulic motor group, a fixed-displacement hydraulic motor group and a variable-displacement hydraulic pump group. The variable-displacement hydraulic motor group, the fixed-displacement hydraulic motor group, and the variable-displacement hydraulic pump group are all connected to a main oil circuit of a cutter head system of the boring machine. The variable-displacement hydraulic pump group inputs flow to the main oil circuit; and, the variable-displacement hydraulic motor group and the fixed-displacement hydraulic motor group acquire flow from the main oil circuit. Displacements of the fixed-displacement hydraulic motor group and the variable-displacement hydraulic motor group are set in a way of specific displacement combination. The present invention decreases an engineering cost, and improves system reliability and efficiency.

A drive system with both fixed-displacement hydraulic motors and variable-displacement hydraulic motors for a cutter head of a boring machine and a control method thereof are provided. The drive system includes a variable-displacement hydraulic motor group, a fixed-displacement hydraulic motor group and a variable-displacement hydraulic pump group. The variable-displacement hydraulic motor group, the fixed-displacement hydraulic motor group, and the variable-displacement hydraulic pump group are all connected to a main oil circuit of a cutter head system of the boring machine. The variable-displacement hydraulic pump group inputs flow to the main oil circuit; and, the variable-displacement hydraulic motor group and the fixed-displacement hydraulic motor group acquire flow from the main oil circuit. Displacements of the fixed-displacement hydraulic motor group and the variable-displacement hydraulic motor group are set in a way of specific displacement combination. The present invention decreases an engineering cost, and improves system reliability and efficiency.

In a device and a method for continuously driving a tunnel along a desired setpoint trajectory there is provision to influence pressing forces which are applied to installed tubbing segments by compactors using a control circuit, wherein, during the driving and during the installation of tubbing rings, an actual trajectory of the device remains in a region which is permissible for maintaining the desired set point trajectory.