Tunnel boring machine with sealing unit for sealing an annular gap around a drive shaft of a cutting wheel

Abstract

A sealing unit (115) for sealing an annular gap (109) formed between a sealing rolling ring (106) and a sealing carrier (112) has a sealing ring holder (118) which is designed in a U shape in a receiving region, which surrounds a fixing region (209) of a sealing ring (121) by the receiving region. Thereby, the sealing unit (115) can be inserted into the annular gap (109) reliably, in particular against the risk of tilting of the sealing ring (121).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tunnel boring machine having a sealing unit for sealing an annular gap surrounding the drive shaft of a cutting wheel. Background Technology

[0002] A tunnel boring machine with multiple sealing units is known from document CN 101 280 847 A. These sealing units are used to seal an annular gap around the drive shaft of the cutting wheel. The sealing ring is located in a semi-open sealing ring retainer. In the installed layout of the sealing units, the fixing area of ​​the sealing ring is fixed on one hand by the abutting surfaces of the two inner sides of the sealing ring retainer into which the sealing ring is embedded, and on the other hand by the annular protrusion of the adjacent sealing ring retainer that is fitted under the fixing area.

[0003] US 2012 / 0098209 A1 discloses a sealing unit for standalone use, comprising a two-piece sealing ring retainer designed in a U-shape with radially inwardly convex end sections, wherein a fixing area for the sealing ring is disposed within the retainer. The sealing ring has multiple radially inwardly projecting sealing lips with different radial extensions for use with stepped shafts.

[0004] According to document DE 10 2016 208 058 A1, a support ring device for a bearing of a railway axle is known, wherein an L-shaped sealing ring retainer accommodates a sealing ring and fixes the sealing ring by a spring protrusion.

[0005] A cooling water pump seal for an internal combustion engine is known from document US-A-4,844,255, wherein a protective seal is connected upstream of a main seal that slides against a shaft on the cooling water side. The protective seal is made of filter felt and is fastened to a housing that carries the main seal.

[0006] According to document KR 2001 0109702 A, a sealing unit with a U-shaped sealing ring retainer is known, wherein multiple sealing ring discs with intermediate distance retainers are arranged in the receiving area of ​​the sealing ring retainer.

[0007] A sealing device for a watercraft is known from document US 2016 / 0059950 A1, which has a plurality of sealing ring retainers with sealing rings arranged between these retainers. The fixing area of ​​the sealing ring rests against the sealing ring retainer on its flat side and is engaged with the annular protrusion of the adjacent sealing ring retainer on the opposite side.

[0008] The paper "Difficult Ground Solutions: New TBM Solutions carve a Path to Success" by D. Harding, published in the proceedings of the 2017 World Tunneling Congress "Surface Challenges, Underground Solutions" in Bergen, Norway, describes a sealing unit with a sealing ring retainer made of a flexurally rigid material and a sealing ring made of a flexurally elastic material, wherein the sealing ring is arranged in a recess that is partially open on the sealing ring retainer. In the installed arrangement, final fixation of the sealing ring by friction engagement is achieved through a sealing ring retainer of another sealing unit arranged adjacent to the sealing ring retainer on the open side of the sealing ring retainer.

[0009] A sealing ring retainer with a U-shaped receiving area is known from document EP 2 325 530 B1 for fixing the sealing ring by pure friction engagement. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a tunnel boring machine equipped with a plurality of sealing units for sealing the annular gap around the drive shaft of the cutting wheel, wherein the tunnel boring machine is characterized by safe operation during the installation of the sealing units.

[0011] The technical problem described herein is solved by a tunnel boring machine having a drive shaft for a cutting wheel, the drive shaft being surrounded by a sealing rolling ring and sealing supports arranged radially spaced from the sealing rolling ring in the form of an annular gap, and the tunnel boring machine also having a plurality of sealing units arranged sequentially and sealingly in the annular gap along the axial direction, wherein each of these sealing units has a sealing ring retainer made of a flexurally rigid material and a sealing ring made of a flexurally elastic material, the sealing ring retainer being integral and having two opposing sidewalls in a U-shape, at least in the receiving area, and a radially outwardly extending cover between the radially outer ends of the two sidewalls. The sealing ring has a fixed area and at least one sealing lip, wherein the fixed area is surrounded by the sidewalls and cover walls of the sealing ring retainer, such that each of these sealing units can be inserted into the annular gap without the risk of the sealing ring tilting, wherein, in the layout where the sealing units are installed, the force flow is achieved through the sealing ring retainers that abut against each other axially, such that the preload is evenly distributed on the sealing ring retainers because these sealing ring retainers can move axially with largely no frictional loss, and each sealing ring retainer absorbs the load applied to the sealing ring held by it, such that these sealing rings bear relatively small loads in their fixed areas.

[0012] In the plurality of sealing units according to the invention, the sealing ring is surrounded radially and axially on the outside of the fixed region by a sealing ring retainer, thereby each of these sealing units can be reliably and especially without the risk of sealing ring tilting into the annular gap.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the sealing ring is fixed in the sealing ring retainer in a form-fitting and friction-fitting manner. Thus, a defined form-fitting and friction-fitting engagement is created by clamping in the form of an assembled sealing unit. This combination of form-fitting and friction-fitting engagement is present from the pre-assembly of the sealing ring and is maintained during operation.

[0014] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing ring retainer and the fixing area have a structure in which they are interlocked in an alternating shape.

[0015] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, each sealing ring, in a relaxed arrangement, has an axially protruding portion relative to the end side of a sealing ring retainer used to retain the sealing ring.

[0016] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, each sealing ring is provided to have an annular cavity that is fluidly connected to the outside of the sealing ring via at least one connecting channel.

[0017] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sealing ring retainer is provided to have a conveying channel that extends through the sealing ring retainer and is in fluid dynamic communication with the connecting channel.

[0018] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention further specifies that the sealing ring has a joint region between the fixed region and the sealing lip, the joint region having a reduced material thickness compared to the sealing lip.

[0019] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention further specifies that the fixing region is arranged in the sealing ring retainer under pre-tightening conditions.

[0020] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention specifies that these sidewalls are inclined relative to each other away from the cover wall.

[0021] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention further specifies that the sealing ring retainer is constructed in two parts, comprising a first sealing ring retainer portion and a second sealing ring retainer portion, and these sealing ring retainer portions can be detachably connected to each other by a connector.

[0022] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connector is further specified to include a threaded connector.

[0023] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connector is further provided that it includes at least one snap-fit ​​connection device.

[0024] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention further specifies that these sealing ring retainers are each provided with a channel structure, the channel structure being configured to supply the chamber with grease, oil or a corresponding medium, or to supply fluid under pressure for pressure testing, depending on the final position of the channel structure after the assembly process.

[0025] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention also provides that a plurality of strip-shaped assembly pins and / or a plurality of individual assembly pins are provided, by which a plurality of sealing units can be assembled in strip-shaped and / or individually.

[0026] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention also provides for at least one annular sealing test tool, which is pressure-sealed to a sealing unit arranged axially outward.

[0027] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention also specifies that a wedge-shaped centering aid is arranged at the insertion end of the annular gap. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Further advantageous designs and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] In the attached diagram:

[0030] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the area surrounding the drive shaft of a tunnel boring machine according to an embodiment is shown, which has multiple sealing units;

[0031] Figure 2 In Figure 1 Compared to the more detailed cross-sectional view shown, according to Figure 1 Multiple sealing units in the illustrated embodiment;

[0032] Figures 3 to 9 Various embodiments of structures that alternately and shape-fit together are shown, these structures being constructed in various ways on the sealing ring retainer and the sealing ring; and

[0033] Figure 10 In Figure 1 The corresponding cross-sectional view shows multiple sealing units according to the embodiment at the start of the assembly process.

[0034] Figure 11 A cross-sectional view showing the extended design of the sealing unit;

[0035] Figure 12 The cross-sectional view shows the following: Figure 11 The extended design shown includes multiple sealing units in accordance with Figure 2 The assembly layout has been modified in the arrangement;

[0036] Figure 13 The cross-sectional view shows an intermediate state during the assembly of the various sealing units using multiple strip-shaped assembly pins;

[0037] Figure 14 A cross-sectional view showing the final assembly layout of the sealing units, which are held in place by individual fastening bolts and strip-shaped assembly pins;

[0038] Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of the strips of sealing units connected to each other before being pushed onto the strip assembly pins, showing the final assembly.

[0039] Figure 16 The cross-sectional view shows two sealing units in the middle assembly layout and a clamping tool used for pressure testing;

[0040] Figure 17 The cross-sectional view shows multiple assembled sealing units and pressure testing tools used for pressure testing; and

[0041] Figure 18 and Figure 19The diagram shows an extended design of the sealing ring, which has an internal annular cavity in both a pressureless state and a pressurized state. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Figure 1 Showing the tunnel boring machine in Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the area surrounding the drive shaft 103 of the cutting wheel (not shown). A sealing rolling ring 106 is present radially outward of the drive shaft 103, which is surrounded radially outward by a sealing bracket 112 in a manner forming an annular gap 109, which extends axially from... Figure 1 The axial inward direction on the right side of the middle Figure 1 The axial extension is on the left side of the middle.

[0043] In addition, Figure 1 The diagram shows a plurality of sealing units 115 according to an embodiment, which are arranged axially abutting each other in an annular gap 109 after the assembly process, which is explained in more detail below, is performed.

[0044] Each sealing unit 115 has in Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, an integral sealing ring retainer 118 and a sealing ring 121 made of soft, elastic material serve as basic components. The sealing ring retainer is designed in a U-shape in the receiving area. The sealing ring is independently and anti-tiltingly secured by a combination of frictional engagement and form engagement by the associated sealing ring retainer 118, particularly during assembly but also during intended use, as explained below by various embodiments.

[0045] Figure 2 In Figure 1 The enlarged cross-sectional view shows the basis of sealing unit 115. Figure 1 In the embodiments, wherein, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cross-sectional planes are different. From Figure 2 As can be seen in the embodiment shown here, the sealing ring retainer 118 has a receiving groove 203 on the radially outer side, in which an annular outer seal 206 made of a soft, elastic material is constructed, the outer seal having a cross-section that fills the receiving groove 203 in the installation position. The sequence of sealing units 115 is reliably sealed radially outward relative to the sealing bracket 112 by the outer seal 206.

[0046] In addition, from Figure 2 As can be seen, the sealing ring 121 is designed to have a relatively large fixed area 209 and a sealing lip 212, wherein the sealing lip 212 is advantageously connected to the fixed area 209 via a joint area 215, which has a smaller material thickness compared to the sealing lip 212.

[0047] The fixed area 209 of each sealing ring 121 is arranged in the U-shaped receiving area of ​​the sealing ring retainer 118, while the sealing lip 212 is advantageously pressed radially against the radially outer side of the sealing rolling ring 106 with a certain preload.

[0048] Advantageously, the sealing ring retainer 118, located axially inward, has a mating protrusion 218 on the side opposite to the sealing ring 121 it retains, projecting axially inward, as shown in... Figure 2 As shown, when arranged as specified in the annular gap 109, the paired protrusions are fitted under the fixing area 209 of the adjacent sealing ring 121 and additionally fix the sealing ring 121 of the other sealing unit 115.

[0049] from Figure 2 It can also be seen that the sealing bracket 112 has a radially inwardly projecting stop ring 221 on its axially inner side, which constitutes a sealing unit 115 for initial insertion during assembly, i.e., in Figure 2 The axial stop of the sealing unit 115 located on the far right. A hook protrusion 224 is constructed on the stop ring 221, which is fitted under the fixing area 209 of the sealing ring 121 that abuts against the stop ring 221 in a manner that matches the mating protrusion 218, for additional fixation.

[0050] On the side opposite to the stop ring 221, Figure 2 The diagram shows an end ring 227 having a radially inward closing ring 230 that axially closes the annular gap 109 while securing the sealing unit 115 inserted into it. A barbed protrusion 233 is also constructed on the closing ring 230, which engages below the fixing region 209 of the sealing ring 121 that rests on the closing ring 230 for additional securing.

[0051] In addition, from Figure 2 As can be seen, each of these sealing ring retainers 118 is constructed with a radially extending channel structure 236, which, depending on its final position after the assembly process, is arranged in... Figure 2 In the case of the left side, the chamber is supplied with grease or a corresponding medium, which is arranged in... Figure 2 In the middle case, oil or a suitable medium is supplied to the chamber to lubricate the sealing lip 212, and finally arranged in... Figure 2 The right side provides a chamber for containing contaminants and residual media from other chambers in the event of a leak.

[0052] As explained in more detail below, channel structure 236 is also used to supply fluids under pressure, such as compressed air, for pressure testing, such as checking the closing pressure and / or opening pressure.

[0053] from Figure 2 As can be seen, in the layout where the sealing unit 115 is installed, the force flow between the sealing bracket 112 and the closing ring 230 is achieved through the sealing ring retainers 118 that are axially abutting each other. Because these sealing ring retainers 118 can move axially with minimal frictional loss, the preload is evenly distributed across them. Furthermore, each sealing ring retainer 118 absorbs or bears the load applied to the sealing ring 121 held by it, resulting in relatively small loads on the sealing ring 121 within its fixed region 209.

[0054] Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of the sealing unit 115 in the area of ​​the receiving region of the sealing ring retainer 118, which is designed as a U-shape. According to... Figure 3 In this embodiment, the receiving area is composed of short sidewalls 303 and long sidewalls 306 facing each other, and a cover wall 309 extending between the radially outer ends of the sidewalls 303 and 306. An axially projecting shoulder 312 is constructed on the long sidewall 306 at an axial distance from the cover wall 309, the shoulder engaging with a recess 315 complementary to it in the fixing region 209 of the sealing ring 121. The shoulder 312 and the recess 315 are components of a structure in which the sealing ring retainer 118 and the fixing region 209 alternately and form-fit each other.

[0055] Another structure consists of a radially inward protruding end of the short sidewall 303 and an end ring 318 of the fixing region 209 abutting against that end.

[0056] In order to secure the fixing region 209 in the sealing ring retainer 118 in a particularly reliable manner, it is advantageous that the fixing region 209 has a certain oversized dimension in the relaxed state compared with the size of the receiving region, so that when the fixing region 209 is embedded in the receiving region, there is a certain pre-tightening in the fixing region 209 to improve the fixation.

[0057] In addition, from Figure 3 It can be seen that a stop protrusion 321 is constructed on the end of the long side wall 303 away from the cover wall 309, which protrudes axially from the shoulder 312. When pressure is applied to the volume constructed between the fixed area 209 and the sealing lip 212, the sealing lip 212 abuts against the stop protrusion 321.

[0058] Figure 4 Cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the sealing unit 115, wherein in the embodiment explained in Figure 3 and according to the embodiment Figure 4 , elements that match each other are provided with the same reference numerals and will not be explained in detail hereinafter. Different from the embodiment according to Figure 3 , the embodiment according to Figure 4 has a barb protrusion 403 on the short side wall 303 that protrudes axially in the direction of the long side wall 306, and the barb protrusion engages in a form-fitting manner with the fixing area 209 in a manner that constitutes a corresponding structure. Thereby, the fixing of the fixing area 209 is further improved.

[0059] Figure 5 Cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the sealing unit 115, wherein in the embodiment according to Figure 3 and in the embodiment according to Figure 5 , elements that match each other are provided with the same reference numerals and will not be explained in detail hereinafter. The embodiment according to Figure 5 is different from the embodiment according to Figure 3 in terms of the accommodation area and the fixing area 209 in that the long side wall 306 is inclined in the direction of the cover wall 309 to form an acute angle between the inner side of the side wall 306 and the inner side of the cover wall 309, wherein the fixing area 209 of the embodiment according to Figure 5 fills the accommodation area in a form-fitting manner. Thereby, the protective measure against the unintentional tilting of the fixing area 209 of the sealing ring 121 from the accommodation area is improved.

[0060] Figure 6 Cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the sealing unit 115, wherein in the foregoing embodiment and in the embodiment according to Figure 6 , elements that match each other are provided with the same reference numerals and will not be explained in detail hereinafter. In the embodiment according to Figure 6 , the long side wall 306 also has a barb protrusion 603, which is opposed to the barb protrusion 403 formed on the short side wall 303. The barb protrusions 403, 603 are engaged in the protrusion mating grooves 606, 609 formed in the fixing area 209 of the sealing ring 121. Through the structure in which the barb protrusions 403, 603 and the protrusion mating grooves 606, 609 are constructed to be alternately form-fittingly engaged with each other, the fixing area 209 of the sealing ring 121 is very stably fixed in the accommodation area of the sealing ring holder 118.

[0061] Figure 7 Cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the sealing unit 115, which is designed to have a sealing ring holder 118 and a sealing ring 121 with a plurality of sealing lips 212, wherein in the foregoing embodiment and according to Figure 7In the embodiments described, corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals and will not be explained in detail below. Figure 7 The sealing ring retainer 118 of the embodiment has two relatively short sidewalls 703, 706, which are connected to each other radially outward by a cover wall 709. The sidewalls 703, 706 have claw-like protrusions pointing towards each other at their ends opposite to the cover wall 709, which engage in claw grooves constructed in the fixing region 209 of the sealing ring 121. By designing the sealing ring 121 with a plurality of sealing lips 212 arranged axially spaced apart from each other, a good seal is achieved despite the relatively high rigidity of the sealing lips 212 in the transition region to the fixing region 209. The sealing lips 212 extend gradually, obliquely, and away from the fixing region 209 toward their free ends.

[0062] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing unit 115 is shown, wherein, according to Figure 3 In the embodiments and according to Figure 8 In the embodiments described, corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals and will not be explained in detail below. Figure 8 Implementation examples and according to Figure 3 Unlike other embodiments, the sealing ring retainer 118 is designed as a two-piece unit, comprising a first sealing ring retainer portion 803 and a second sealing ring retainer portion 806. The sealing ring retainer portions 803 and 806 form a cover wall 309 in the assembled arrangement and are detachably fixed to each other in this region by a threaded connector 809 acting as a connecting element. Therefore, when the threaded connector 809 is not yet fully tightened, the fixing region 209 of the sealing ring 121 can be inserted into the receiving region of the sealing ring retainer 118 and can be finally fixed by tightening the threaded connector 809. This embodiment is advantageous when the fixing region 209 is excessively large compared to the receiving region.

[0063] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing unit 115 is shown, wherein the sealing ring retainer 118 is composed of two sidewalls 903, 906 of equal length and a cover wall 909 connecting the sidewalls 903, 906 at their radially outer ends, and is designed in two pieces to have a first sealing ring retainer portion 912 and a second sealing ring retainer portion 915. The sealing ring retainer portions 912, 915 are designed with snap-fit ​​connection devices 918 that fit into each other as connectors on their respective facing sections of the cover wall, wherein, in a relaxed arrangement, the sidewalls 903, 906 move radially inward relative to each other, so that when the fixed region 209, designed to be substantially cuboid in cross-section, is embedded in the receiving region, the snap-fit ​​connection device 918 is pre-tightened and non-removably locked until the pre-tightening is released.

[0064] The combination of frictional engagement and form engagement, securing the sealing ring retainer 118 within its U-shaped receiving area, provides advantages not only during operation but also under dynamic, pulsating pressure conditions, particularly within the excavation chamber of a tunnel boring machine. This securing method is preferred for maintaining low manufacturing costs and reducing assembly and disassembly expenses. Furthermore, replacement, maintenance, and repair of a single sealing unit 115 or a composite of sealing units 115, as explained in more detail below, can be performed at conventional costs.

[0065] In an embodiment not shown, the sealing ring 121 is secured in the sealing ring retainer 118 by a material bonding. This material bonding can be implemented, for example, by adhesively bonding the sealing ring 121 to the sealing ring retainer 118 or by vulcanizing the sealing ring 121 into the metal sealing ring retainer 118. This material bonding method of fixation is particularly advantageous in the face of permanent high-frequency vibrations during the operation of a tunnel boring machine, so as to reliably prevent the sealing ring 121 from tilting during operation while mitigating relatively higher maintenance costs.

[0066] Figure 10 In Figure 1 The corresponding cross-sectional view shows a layout consisting of a sealing rolling ring 106 and a sealing bracket 112, which, at the start of the assembly process of the sealing unit 115, has an annular gap 109 formed between the sealing rolling ring and the sealing bracket. Figure 10 In the annular gap 109, a sealing unit 115 is arranged on the wedge-shaped widened insertion side. The relatively steep sealing lip 212 of this sealing unit abuts against a wedge-shaped insertion aid 1003 that is radially thickened outwards along the insertion direction. As the sealing unit 115, which is already segmented between the sealing rolling ring 106 and the sealing bracket 112, continues to be inserted, the sealing lip 212 continues to slide on the insertion aid 1003 until it abuts against the radially outer side of the sealing rolling ring 106. During this process, the radially outer side of the sealing ring retainer 118 slides along the radially inner side of the sealing bracket 112, thus protecting the radially outer side of the sealing ring 121 from contact with the sealing bracket 112.

[0067] exist Figure 10The sealing unit 115, shown in sections as it enters the annular gap 109, is arranged such that the sealing lip 212 points forward in the insertion direction. The insertion process ends once the sealing unit 115 stops on the stop ring 221, which has barbed protrusions 224 for engaging the fixing region 209 of the sealing ring 121. Subsequently, after the fixing region 209 of the sealing ring 121 is embedded in the receiving region of the sealing ring retainer 118, multiple additional sealing units 115 are then, if necessary, secured by... Figure 10 The assembly tool 1006, shown very schematically, is inserted into the annular gap 109, wherein the additional sealing units 115 are arranged such that the associated sealing lip 212 is arranged on the back side along the insertion direction.

[0068] There is a basis after the assembly process is completed. Figure 1 The layout.

[0069] Figure 11 Showing the use of Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing unit 115, wherein, according to Figure 3 In the embodiments and according to Figure 11 In the extended design, to avoid repetition, corresponding components are given the same reference numerals and will not be explained in detail below. According to... Figure 11 In the extended design, the sealing ring 121 is designed to have an end ring 318 that, in the relaxed state, protrudes 1103 from the axially outwardly pointing end side 1106 of the cover wall 309. The axial dimension of the protrusion 1103 is set here according to the elasticity of the sealing ring 121 in the fixed region 209, such that in the installed layout of the sealing unit 115, the corresponding end ring 118 terminates flush with the end side 1106 without functionally impairing the shape engagement between the fixed region 209 and the cover wall 309. By constructing the protrusion 1103, adjacent sealing ring retainers 118 can thus seal against each other radially.

[0070] Furthermore, the sealing ring retainer 118 has a plurality of outer seal receiving grooves 1112 on its radially outwardly pointing cover side 1109, in Figure 11 The outer seal 206, not shown, can be embedded in the outer seal receiving groove so that the sealing ring retainer 118 is positioned relative to it. Figure 11 The sealing bracket 112, not shown, is sealed.

[0071] Figure 12 In Figure 2 The corresponding cross-sectional view shows, according to the method Figure 11 The extended design explains the installed layout of multiple sealing units 115, wherein, to avoid repetition, in Figure 2 and Figure 12 In this drawing, corresponding elements are labeled with the same reference numerals, and some will not be explained in detail below. Figure 12 It can be seen that the sealing unit 115 is secured by multiple individual annular fastening bolts 1203 at the... Figure 12 The sealing unit 115, located on the right side and axially inner, is connected to the sealing ring bracket 112, or the sealing unit 115 on the axially outer side is connected to an adjacent sealing unit 115 on a more axially inner side. The outermost sealing unit 115 along the axial direction is detachably connected to the clamping ring 230 by end screws 1206, and according to... Figure 2 Compared to the clamping ring 230, the clamping ring is designed to be smaller in the radial direction, and an end ring 1209 is connected to the clamping ring, which substantially completely covers the opening between the sealing ring support 112 and the sealing rolling ring 106 in the axially outer region.

[0072] The end ring 1209 is connected to the sealing ring bracket 112 by the end ring fastening bolt 1212, thereby fixing the sealing unit 115 back into the composite. The end ring 1209 itself is covered on the outer side by the cover ring 1215 for protection.

[0073] Depend on Figure 12 It can also be seen that the sealing unit 115 adjacent to the stop ring 221 provides a radial seal relative to the adjacent sealing unit 115 through a radial edge sealing ring 1218 arranged in the sealing ring retainer 118.

[0074] Figure 13 In Figure 12 The corresponding cross-sectional view shows the basis of multiple sealing units 115. Figure 11 The modified extension design, in which, to avoid repetition, Figure 12 and Figure 13 In this drawing, corresponding elements are labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be explained in detail in the following sections. Figure 13 In the design scheme, a first through notch 1303 extending axially is constructed in the sealing ring retainer 118, and the first through notch traverses the corresponding sealing ring retainer 118. Furthermore, from... Figure 13 It can be seen that there are multiple strip-shaped assembly pins 1306, which are screwed into the stop ring 221 at one end and extend axially away from the stop ring 221.

[0075] from Figure 13 As can be seen, the sealing unit 115 can be inserted onto the strip-shaped mounting pin 1306 on the axially outer side and can be pushed until it stops on the stop ring 221 or on the sealing unit 115 on the axially inner side. If the size of the strip-shaped mounting pin 1306 is large enough, the sealing units 115 can therefore be fixed to each other without the use of individual threaded fasteners.

[0076] Figure 14 In Figure 12 and Figure 13 The corresponding cross-sectional view shows according to Figure 13 An extended design of the design scheme, in which, to avoid repetition, in... Figure 13 and Figure 14 In this diagram, corresponding elements are labeled with the same reference numerals, and some parts are not explained in detail. From Figure 14 It can be seen that, according to Figure 13 Compared to the previous design, in order to improve the stability of the composite of sealing unit 115, in addition to the strip-shaped assembly pin 1306, there are multiple individual assembly pins 1403. These individual assembly pins extend through the second through notch 1406 constructed in the sealing ring retainer 118. The second through notch is circumferentially offset relative to the first through notch 1303 for the strip-shaped assembly pin 1306. And through these individual assembly pins, the axially adjacent sealing ring retainers 118 can be tightened so that the adjacent sealing ring retainers 118 are also directly connected to each other in pairs, thereby improving the stability of the composite of sealing unit 115.

[0077] Figure 15 The cross-sectional view shows the use of Figure 14 The design of the sealing unit 115 with two sets of through notches 1303 and 1406 is explained, wherein the sealing unit 115 is in a pre-assembly layout, in which the sealing unit 115 has been... Figure 15 The individual assembly pins 1403, not shown, are screwed together in a manner that constitutes an assembly block and are ready to be pushed onto the strip assembly pins 1306. This results in a particularly efficient pre-assembly of the sealing unit 115 outside the annular gap 109 formed between the sealing rolling ring 106 and the sealing support 112.

[0078] In an advantageous embodiment of the tunnel boring machine according to the invention, a sealing test tool designed as an annular ring is provided, which will be explained in detail below.

[0079] Figure 16 In Figure 11The corresponding cross-sectional view shows an embodiment of a ring-shaped clamping tool 1603 as a sealing performance testing tool. This clamping tool is arranged in the annular gap 109 and tightened to the axially outer sealing ring retainer 118 by a tool fastening bolt 1606 for sealing performance testing. Here, the end side of the clamping tool 1603 facing the sealing unit 115 is designed with a mating protrusion 218 in the region of the fixing area 209 of the sealing ring 121, similar to the corresponding region of the sealing ring retainer 118. However, unlike this sealing ring retainer 118, the clamping tool has a sealing lip stop 1609 on the side adjacent to the sealing rolling ring 106, which secures the adjacent sealing lip 212 to prevent movement. Furthermore, from... Figure 16 It can be seen that there is a tool seal 1612 for axial sealing in the area of ​​the sealing lip stop 1609.

[0080] exist Figure 16 In the layout shown, the opening pressure of the sealing unit 115, which is arranged on the axial inner side and connected to the stop ring 221, can be checked by applying a pressurized fluid, such as compressed air, to the channel structure 236 constructed in the sealing unit 115 adjacent to the clamping tool 1603.

[0081] Figure 17 In Figure 12 The corresponding cross-sectional view shows the layout of the sealing unit 115 arranged in the annular gap 109, together with the pressure testing tool 1703, which is also designed as an annular sealing test tool. The pressure testing tool 1703, like the clamping tool 1603, is screwed onto the sealing ring retainer 118 on the axially outer side of the sealing unit 115 by tool fastening bolts 1606, and is provided in the region of the fixing region 318 of the sealing ring 121 for engaging the mating protrusion 218 with the fixing region 318.

[0082] However, unlike the clamping tool 1603, the area of ​​the pressure testing tool 1703 adjacent to the sealing rolling ring 106 is axially spaced from the free end of the adjacent sealing lip 212, thus the sealing lip 212 is movable to some extent. The pressure testing tool 1703 is sealed axially by the pressure testing tool seal 1706 adjacent to the sealing rolling ring 106.

[0083] The pressure testing tool 1703 is designed to have a pressure inlet 1709 that extends axially through the tool and allows pressurized fluid to be introduced into a test annular space 1712 between the sealing ring 121 arranged axially inward and the pressure testing tool 1703. This allows the closing pressure, also known as the functional pressure, of the sealing ring 121 adjacent to the pressure testing tool 1703 to be checked.

[0084] Since each sealing unit 115 is designed to have a channel structure 236, various pressure conditions can be checked by a pressure testing tool 1703 arranged on the axially outermost or end-mounted sealing unit 115, either the last installed or the outermost and therefore the end-mounted sealing unit 115, to determine whether the required closing and opening pressures of the last installed sealing unit 115 or the composite of the installed sealing units 115 are met.

[0085] Figure 18 A cross-sectional view of an extended design of the sealing unit 115 is shown, wherein the sealing ring 121 is designed in its fixing region 209 to advantageously have a circumferentially extending annular cavity 1803 with a relatively small remaining material thickness in a region opposite to the sealing lip 212. The annular cavity 1803 is hydrodynamically connected to the outside of the fixing region 209 via a plurality of connecting channels 1806. Delivery channels 1809 constructed in the sealing ring retainer 118 are connected to the connecting channels 1806, and these delivery channels in turn communicate with fluid channels 1812 constructed in the sealing support 112.

[0086] The sealing unit 115 or the hydrodynamic complex of the annular cavity 1803, connecting channel 1806, conveying channel 1809 and fluid channel 1812 for the sealing unit is filled with fluid, preferably an incompressible or substantially incompressible liquid, to affect the mobility or position of the associated sealing lip 212.

[0087] Figure 18 The pressureless layout of the aforementioned fluid dynamics system is shown, wherein the annular cavity 1803 has a relatively small static volume.

[0088] Figure 19 Showing according to Figure 18 The arrangement comprises a hydrodynamic complex under pressure, consisting of an annular cavity 1803, a connecting channel 1806, a conveying channel 1809, and a fluid channel 1812, wherein the volume of the annular cavity 1803 is... Figure 18 The static volume shown is so enlarged compared to the working volume that the area of ​​the fixed region 209 opposite to the sealing lip 212 arches forward in a manner that protrudes toward the sealing lip 212 and Figure 19 It rests against the sealing lip 212.

[0089] Therefore, the closing pressure or opening pressure can be checked based on the pressure present in the aforementioned complex.

[0090] Furthermore, when appropriate pressure is applied to the aforementioned composite, the sealing lip 212 can be restricted or inhibited to relax the joint region 215.

Claims

1. A tunnel boring machine having a drive shaft (103) for a cutting wheel, the drive shaft being surrounded by a sealing rolling ring (106) and sealing supports (112) arranged radially spaced from the sealing rolling ring (106) in forming an annular gap (109), and the tunnel boring machine further having a plurality of sealing units (115) arranged sequentially and sealingly in the annular gap (109) along the axial direction, wherein, Each of these sealing units (115) has a sealing ring retainer (118) made of a rigid, flexural material and a sealing ring (121) made of a flexible, flexural material. The sealing ring retainer (118) is integral and is U-shaped in at least the receiving region, consisting of two opposing sidewalls and a radially outer cover extending between the radially outer ends of the two sidewalls. The sealing ring (121) has a fixing region (209) and at least one sealing lip (212), wherein the fixing region (209) is surrounded by the sidewalls and cover of the sealing ring retainer (118), such that each of these sealing units (115) All can be inserted into the annular gap (109) without the risk of tilting of the sealing ring (121), wherein, in the layout where the sealing unit (115) is installed, the force flow is achieved through the sealing ring retainers (118) that are axially abutting each other, such that the preload is evenly distributed on the sealing ring retainers (118) as these sealing ring retainers (118) can move axially with largely no frictional loss, and each sealing ring retainer (118) absorbs the load applied to the sealing ring (121) held by it, such that the sealing ring (121) bears a relatively small load in its fixed area (209).

2. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing ring retainer (118) and the fixing area (209) have an interlocking structure (312, 315; 318; 403; 603) that fits into each other in an alternating shape.

3. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each sealing ring (121) has an axially protruding portion (1103) relative to the end side (1106) of the sealing ring retainer (118) used to retain the sealing ring in a relaxed arrangement state.

4. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each sealing ring (121) has an annular cavity (1803) that is hydrodynamically connected to the outside of the sealing ring (121) via at least one connecting channel (1806).

5. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sealing ring retainer (118) has a delivery channel (1809) that extends through the sealing ring retainer (118) and is in hydrodynamic communication with the connection channel (1806).

6. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing ring (121) has a joint region (215) between the fixed region (209) and the sealing lip (212), the joint region having a reduced material thickness compared to the sealing lip (212).

7. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed area (209) is arranged in the sealing ring retainer (118) under pre-tightening.

8. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, These sidewalls are inclined relative to each other away from the cover wall.

9. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing ring retainer (118) is constructed in two parts, comprising a first sealing ring retainer portion and a second sealing ring retainer portion, and these sealing ring retainer portions can be detachably connected to each other via a connector.

10. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, The connector includes a threaded connector.

11. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The connector includes at least one snap-fit ​​connection device.

12. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of these sealing ring retainers (118) is provided with a channel structure (236) configured to supply the chamber with grease, oil or a corresponding medium, or to supply fluid under pressure for pressure testing, depending on the final position of the channel structure after the assembly process.

13. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple strip-shaped assembly pins (1306) and / or multiple single-unit assembly pins (1403) are provided, through which multiple sealing units (115) can be assembled in strip form and / or individually.

14. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one annular sealing test tool (1603, 1703) is provided, which is pressure-sealed to a sealing unit (115) arranged on the axially outer side.

15. The tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A wedge-shaped centering aid (1003) is arranged at the insertion end of the annular gap (109).

Images