A system for real-time monitoring and targeted repair of the shield tail sealing cavity

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of shield tail seal monitoring technology for tunnel boring machines (TBMs), and discloses a real-time monitoring and targeted repair system for the shield tail seal cavity. The system includes: several ultrasonic sensors for monitoring the location of grease loss within the grease cavity; a grease pump that delivers grease into two grease cavities via a first pipeline and a second pipeline, with the output ends of the first and second pipelines providing targeted grease replenishment at the locations of grease loss detected by the ultrasonic sensors; water pressure sensors installed on the shield tail brush plates on both sides of the grease cavity; grout and water pressure sensors installed at the grouting pipe inlets on the TBM; and grease pipe pressure sensors installed at the inlets of both the first and second pipelines; a pressure feedback system that controls the amount of grease injected into the grease cavity via the measured pressure. This invention enables real-time monitoring and targeted repair of grease within the grease cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of shield tail seal monitoring technology, and in particular to a real-time monitoring and targeted repair system for the shield tail seal cavity. Background Technology

[0002] Tunnel boring machines (TBMs), as highly mechanized tunnel construction machinery, have been widely used in urban subways, integrated utility tunnels, and large-diameter highway tunnel projects. The tail seal, one of the three major sealing systems of a TBM, is used to resist synchronous grouting and groundwater pressure. If the tail seal fails, it can lead to anything from leakage of synchronous grout to insufficient grout volume, to severe consequences such as water and sand inrush at the tail, surface subsidence, and significant economic losses and casualties.

[0003] Real-time monitoring of the shield tail grease sealing cavity is crucial for ensuring the sealing performance of the shield tail and the safety of the entire shield tunneling construction. Currently, pressure monitoring is mainly conducted within the grease cavity. However, pressure monitoring has significant limitations in detecting water and grout leakage within the shield grease cavity. When insufficient pressure is detected, the main measure taken is to increase the amount of grease injected through the upper grease injection pipe to ensure stable pressure in the grease cavity. The problems with this approach are: the mixing of water and grout in the grease cavity promptly replenishes the pressure of the missing grease portion, making it impossible to detect grout and water leakage solely through pressure; and consistently injecting grease through the upper grease injection pipe may result in the grease not reaching the areas where grout and water have penetrated, thus failing to address the root cause of the problem.

[0004] Because the tunnel boring machine is in motion, the grease, tail brush, shield shell and segments are in a dynamic process of movement. The grease in the tail grease chamber is constantly changing. The tail seal, which is related to the grease, is of great importance to the safety of the entire tunnel boring machine construction. Existing equipment and systems on the market cannot achieve real-time monitoring of the grease in the tail grease chamber, and the repair solutions are also somewhat limited. Conventional solutions are difficult to meet the actual requirements of the project. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a system for real-time monitoring and targeted repair of the shield tail sealing cavity, in order to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention provides a real-time monitoring and targeted repair system for the state of the shield tail sealing cavity, comprising:

[0007] Several ultrasonic sensors for monitoring the location of missing grease within the grease cavity;

[0008] The grease pump delivers grease into the two grease chambers through the first and second pipelines respectively, and the output ends of the first and second pipelines replenish the grease at the locations where the ultrasonic sensor detects grease deficiency.

[0009] Water pressure sensors are also installed on the steel plates of the shield tail on both sides of the inner cavity of the grease chamber; grout and water pressure sensors are installed at the grouting pipe inlet of the shield machine; and grease pipe pressure sensors are installed at the inlets of the first pipe and the second pipe.

[0010] The water pressure sensor, the slurry and water pressure sensor, and the grease pipe pressure sensor are all electrically connected to the pressure feedback system. The amount of grease injected into the grease chamber through the first pipe and the second pipe is controlled by measuring the pressure.

[0011] Preferably, several of the ultrasonic sensors are respectively installed on the tail brush steel plate on both sides of the grease chamber and on the shield machine shell.

[0012] Preferably, the first pipeline includes:

[0013] The front cavity grease injection tube has a front cavity grease pressure delivery control device connected to one end, which is connected to the output end of the grease pump. The other end of the front cavity grease injection tube is connected to one of the grease chambers.

[0014] Preferably, the second conduit includes:

[0015] The rear cavity grease injection tube has a rear cavity grease pressure delivery control device connected to one end, which is connected to the output end of the grease pump. The other end of the rear cavity grease injection tube is connected to one of the grease chambers.

[0016] Preferably, both the front chamber grease pressure delivery control device and the rear chamber grease pressure delivery control device are electrically controlled by the pressure feedback system to determine the amount of grease injected into the grease chamber.

[0017] Preferably, the slurry and water pressure sensors are respectively provided on the front cavity grease injection tube and the rear cavity grease injection tube.

[0018] Preferably, the inlets of the front and rear grease injection tubes connected to the grease chamber are respectively provided with retractable electric grease injection tubes, and the ultrasonic sensor transmits monitoring data to an external control device, which controls the extension and retraction of the retractable electric grease injection tubes. The input end of the grease pump is connected to a grease tank containing grease.

[0019] Preferably, the water pressure sensor, the slurry and water pressure sensor, and the grease pipe pressure sensor are all electrically connected to the pressure feedback system via waterproof wires, and the waterproof wires are coated with epoxy resin.

[0020] The present invention discloses the following technical effects: The present invention is a major innovation in real-time monitoring of subway or tunnel shield construction. Taking into full account the harsh underground working environment, a set of real-time monitoring systems for grease in the grease chamber of shield tunnels is designed, and pressure sensors and ultrasonic measuring devices are combined to meet the practical requirements of shield construction. The above devices are connected to the external feedback system and control system to realize the automation and intelligence of the entire parameter monitoring. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a shield tail sealing cavity real-time monitoring and targeted repair system according to the present invention;

[0023] The components include: 1. Ultrasonic sensor; 2. Water pressure sensor; 3. Tunnel boring machine shell; 4. Rear cavity grease injection pipe; 5. Front cavity grease injection pipe; 6. Grease pipe pressure sensor; 7. Telescopic electric grease injection pipe; 8. Grease chamber; 9. Slurry and water pressure sensor; 10. External environment; 11. Tunnel segments; 12. Grease tank; 13. Grease pump; 14. Front cavity grease pressure delivery control device; 15. Rear cavity grease pressure delivery control device; 16. Pressure feedback system; and 17. Tail shield brush. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 This invention provides a system for real-time monitoring and targeted repair of the shield tail sealing cavity, comprising:

[0027] Several ultrasonic sensors 1 are used to monitor the location of grease loss in the grease chamber 8;

[0028] The grease pump 13 feeds grease into the two grease chambers 8 through the first pipeline and the second pipeline respectively, and the output ends of the first pipeline and the second pipeline replenish the grease at the location of grease deficiency detected by the ultrasonic sensor 1.

[0029] Water pressure sensors 2 are installed on the steel plates of the shield tail brush 17 on both sides of the inner cavity of the grease chamber 8; grout and water pressure sensors 9 are installed at the grouting pipe inlet of the shield machine; and grease pipe pressure sensors 6 are installed at the inlets of the first and second pipes.

[0030] The water pressure sensor 2, the slurry and water pressure sensor 9, and the grease pipe pressure sensor 6 are all electrically connected to the pressure feedback system 16. The amount of grease injected into the grease chamber 8 by the first and second pipes is controlled by measuring the pressure.

[0031] This invention discloses a real-time monitoring and targeted repair system for the sealing cavity of a shield tail. It mainly includes real-time monitoring of the grease cavity 8 using multiple sensors and an ultrasonic sensor 1, and targeted repair of the missing grease after detecting the location of slurry and water seepage into the grease cavity 8. The ultrasonic sensor 1 in this system is composed of piezoelectric crystals, capable of both emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. These sensors are respectively positioned on the side of the shield tail brush 17 within the grease cavity 8 and on the inner surface of the shield machine shell 3. After determining the location of slurry and water in the grease cavity 8, the system, in conjunction with a grease pipe pressure sensor 6 and a slurry and water pressure sensor 9, performs targeted repair of the seepage area. This invention, taking into full account the difficulty of shield machine monitoring and the limited repair methods, comprehensively considers the construction safety and technical requirements of the shield machine site, and designs this sealing cavity monitoring and targeted repair system to meet the long-term operational needs of shield machine construction.

[0032] This invention utilizes a combination of an ultrasonic sensor 1, a water-resistant pressure sensor, a retractable electric grease injection tube 7, a grease tube pressure sensor 6, a slurry and water pressure sensor 9, and a pressure feedback system 16. When the grease chamber 8 is normally filled with grease, the ultrasonic sensor 1 can report the propagation speed and time within the grease. When slurry and water enter the grease chamber 8, the ultrasonic sensor 1 will significantly reflect echoes when encountering impurities or interfaces, thus determining the location of the interfaces. The retractable electric grease injection tube 7 then fills the grease at specific points. The water-resistant pressure sensor 2, the slurry and water pressure sensor 9, and the grease tube pressure sensor 6 provide real-time feedback to the pressure system, thereby controlling the amount of grease injected and stabilizing the overall pressure in the grease chamber 8.

[0033] To further optimize the design, several ultrasonic sensors 1 are respectively installed on the steel plates of the tail brush 17 on both sides of the grease chamber 8 and on the shield machine shell 3.

[0034] The plan has been further optimized, and the first pipeline includes:

[0035] The front cavity grease injection tube 5 has a front cavity grease pressure delivery control device 14 connected to one end, which is connected to the output end of the grease pump 13. The other end of the front cavity grease injection tube 5 is connected to one of the grease chambers 8.

[0036] The second pipeline, further optimized, includes:

[0037] The rear cavity grease injection tube 4 has a rear cavity grease pressure delivery control device 15 connected to one end, which is connected to the output end of the grease pump 13. The other end of the rear cavity grease injection tube 4 is connected to one of the grease chambers 8.

[0038] The ultrasonic sensor 1 of this invention is based on the propagation of ultrasonic waves in grease. Ultrasonic waves of a fixed frequency propagate at a constant speed and for a uniform time within a normally grease-filled cavity 8. Upon encountering impurities or interfaces, they are significantly reflected as echoes, thus determining the location of the interfaces.

[0039] The ultrasonic sensor 1 selected in this invention emits mechanical waves with a vibration frequency higher than 20kHz and has strong penetrating ability in opaque liquids.

[0040] The substances contained in the grease chamber 8 may include one or more of the following: grease, water, and grouting slurry.

[0041] In a further optimized design, both the front chamber grease pressure control device 14 and the rear chamber grease pressure control device 15 are electrically controlled by the pressure feedback system 16 to determine the amount of grease injected into the grease chamber 8.

[0042] To further optimize the design, slurry and water pressure sensors 9 are installed on the front cavity grease injection tube 5 and the rear cavity grease injection tube 4, respectively.

[0043] In a further optimized design, retractable electric grease injection tubes 7 are installed at the connection points between the front cavity grease injection tube 5 and the rear cavity grease injection tube 4 and the grease chamber 8. The ultrasonic sensor 1 transmits monitoring data to an external control device, and the external controller controls the extension and retraction of the retractable electric grease injection tubes 7. The input end of the grease pump 13 is connected to the grease tank 12 containing grease.

[0044] The retractable electric grease injection tube 7 is an electrically operated aluminum alloy-lined composite telescopic tube, specifically consisting of an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube can be retracted into the cavity of the outer tube. An electric control device is installed at the connection between the outer and inner tubes. The outer wall of the inner tube is uniformly coated with amine-cured epoxy resin and polyamide epoxy resin with a thickness of 0.04-0.2 mm, which effectively prevents grease from adhering to the pipe and causing blockage of the retractable electric grease injection tube 7. In actual operation, the signal transmitted by the ultrasonic sensor 1 controls the extension and retraction of the telescopic tube via a motor. After detecting slurry penetration and making up for it, the telescopic tube retracts in time, preventing corrosion and damage to the telescopic tube in the grease.

[0045] After repair, the output end of the retractable electric grease injection tube 7 will retract to the normal position, thereby preventing the grease tube from staying in the grease chamber 8 for too long, which could lead to blockage of the grease injection port.

[0046] The length of the internal pipeline of the telescopic electric grease injection tube 7 in this invention depends on the height of the grease chamber 8. However, considering that the shield attitude is not clear, the internal pipeline should be appropriately lengthened, and the specific length depends on the specific project.

[0047] Further optimization of the scheme: the water pressure sensor 2, the slurry and water pressure sensor 9 and the grease pipe pressure sensor 6 are all electrically connected to the pressure feedback system 16 through waterproof wires, and the waterproof wires are wrapped with epoxy resin to fully protect them from oil pressure damage or groundwater erosion.

[0048] The working process of this invention is as follows:

[0049] As the tunnel boring machine moves forward, grease is pumped by grease pump 13 through front cavity grease pressure control device 14 and front cavity grease injection pipe 5 into one of the grease chambers 8. The other grease chamber 8 is similarly injected into it through grease pump 13, rear cavity grease pressure control device 15 and rear cavity grease injection pipe 4.

[0050] When grease is injected into the grease chamber 8 through the rear grease injection pipe 4 and the front grease injection pipe 5, the grease pipe pressure sensor 6 begins to monitor the pressure of the grease entering the grease chamber 8. At the same time, the grouting pipe injects grout between the segment 11 and the upper rock mass, and the grout and water pressure sensor 9 at the grouting pipe opening begins to measure the pressure of the outflowing grout and water.

[0051] When the grease chamber 8 is filled with grease, the ultrasonic sensor 1 and the water pressure sensor 2 inside the grease chamber 8 begin to operate. The ultrasonic sensor 1 transmits ultrasonic waves in the grease and, by receiving the ultrasonic waves, determines the propagation speed and propagation time of the ultrasonic waves in the grease. During normal operation of the tunnel boring machine, the ultrasonic sensor 1 monitors in real time.

[0052] If there is leakage of grout or water, the time it takes for the ultrasonic sensor 1 to receive ultrasonic waves will change abruptly. Through multiple ultrasonic sensors 1 inside the grease chamber 8, the interface of the abnormal reflection is continuously determined, and the location of the interface is determined.

[0053] The determined interface position is transmitted to the retractable electric grease injection tube 7 via a computer system. The motor of the retractable electric grease injection tube 7 determines the length of the inner tube by recognizing the electrical signal.

[0054] After receiving pressure information from the water pressure sensor 2, the slurry and water sensor, and the grease pipe pressure sensor 6, the data is transmitted via a waterproof wire to the pressure feedback system 16. The pressure feedback system 16 measures the pressure from various aspects and controls the injection volume through the front chamber grease delivery control device 14 and the rear chamber grease delivery device 15. However, if the pressure sensor detects an abnormal pressure change, indicating severe water or slurry leakage, operation must be stopped and relevant sealing treatment performed.

[0055] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0056] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A real-time monitoring of the state of the tail-seal cavity and targeted repair system of the tail-seal cavity of a shield tunneling machine, characterized in that, include: Several ultrasonic sensors (1) are used to monitor the location of missing oil in the oil cavity (8); The grease pump (13) feeds grease into the two grease chambers (8) through the first pipeline and the second pipeline respectively, and the output ends of the first pipeline and the second pipeline replenish the grease at the location of grease deficiency detected by the ultrasonic sensor (1). Water pressure sensors (2) are also installed on the steel plates of the shield tail brush (17) on both sides of the inner cavity of the grease chamber (8); grout and water pressure sensors (9) are installed at the grouting pipe opening on the shield machine; and grease pipe pressure sensors (6) are installed at the openings of the first and second pipes. The water pressure sensor (2), the slurry and water pressure sensor (9) and the grease pipe pressure sensor (6) are all electrically connected to the pressure feedback system (16). The amount of grease injected into the grease chamber (8) by the first pipe and the second pipe is controlled by measuring the pressure. Several ultrasonic sensors (1) are respectively installed on the steel plates of the tail brush (17) on both sides of the grease chamber (8) and on the shield machine shell (3); The first conduit includes a front cavity grease infusion tube (5); The second conduit includes a grease infusion tube (4); The front cavity grease injection tube (5) and the rear cavity grease injection tube (4) are respectively provided with retractable electric grease injection tubes (7) at the connection points with the grease chamber (8). The ultrasonic sensor (1) transmits monitoring data to an external control device and the external controller controls the extension and retraction of the retractable electric grease injection tube (7). The input end of the grease pump (13) is connected to the grease tank (12) containing grease. The retractable electric grease injection tube (7) is configured as an electric aluminum alloy lined plastic composite telescopic tube. The retractable electric grease injection tube (7) is divided into an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube can be inserted into the inner cavity of the outer tube. An electric control device is provided at the connection between the outer tube and the inner tube. The outer wall of the inner tube is uniformly coated with amine-cured epoxy resin and polyamide epoxy resin with a thickness of 0.04-0.2 mm.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein One end of the front cavity grease injection tube (5) is connected to a front cavity grease pressure delivery control device (14), which is connected to the output end of the grease pump (13). The other end of the front cavity grease injection tube (5) is connected to one of the grease chambers (8).

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shield tail seal chamber is provided with a plurality of sensors for monitoring the condition of the shield tail seal chamber in real time. One end of the rear cavity grease injection tube (4) is connected to a rear cavity grease pressure delivery control device (15), which is connected to the output end of the grease pump (13). The other end of the rear cavity grease injection tube (4) is connected to one of the grease chambers (8).

4. The real-time monitoring and targeted repair system for the shield tail sealing cavity according to claim 3, characterized in that: The front chamber grease pressure control device (14) and the rear chamber grease pressure control device (15) are both electrically controlled by the pressure feedback system (16) to inject the amount of grease into the grease chamber (8).

5. The real-time monitoring and targeted repair system for the shield tail sealing cavity according to claim 4, characterized in that: The slurry and water pressure sensors (9) are respectively installed on the front cavity grease injection tube (5) and the rear cavity grease injection tube (4).

6. The real-time monitoring and targeted repair system for the shield tail sealing cavity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water pressure sensor (2), the slurry and water pressure sensor (9), and the grease pipe pressure sensor (6) are all electrically connected to the pressure feedback system (16) via waterproof wires, and the waterproof wires are coated with epoxy resin.

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