A method for material transfer using a dual-track common turnout in a tunnel

Abstract

This invention provides a material transfer method using a dual-track turnout within a tunnel. The method employs a passing device installed at the rear of a tunneling machine trolley. The tunneling machine trolley track and the locomotive track are arranged parallel to each other within the tunnel, with the locomotive track located in the middle of the tunneling machine trolley track. The transfer method includes the following steps: one side of the tunneling machine trolley track and the locomotive track is designated as the track for fully loaded locomotives, and the other side as the track for unloaded locomotives. When a fully loaded locomotive moves close to the passing device, the passing device switches the movable track to the track for fully loaded locomotives, allowing the fully loaded locomotive to enter the tunneling machine trolley via the movable track. After the material inside the fully loaded locomotive is unloaded, it moves out of the tunneling machine trolley as an unloaded locomotive. At this point, the passing device switches the movable track back to the track for unloaded locomotives, allowing the unloaded locomotive to move out via the unloaded locomotive track. This invention improves passing efficiency and reduces labor intensity and costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of methods for passing trains in tunnels, and more particularly to a method for transferring materials using a dual-track common turnout in a tunnel. Background Technology

[0002] Tunnel boring machine (TBM) construction requires locomotives to transport workers and construction materials. Practice shows that the locomotive's transport capacity is often a key factor restricting the overall progress of TBM construction. In long-distance single-track tunnel construction, fully loaded trains continuously transport construction materials into the tunnel, while empty trains continuously move out. Therefore, passing platforms are usually set up inside the tunnel to allow incoming and outgoing trains to pass each other smoothly. However, traditional fixed passing platforms are large in size, have low passing efficiency, and in some cases require tunnel widening, further increasing time and labor costs. Existing mobile passing platforms offer improved passing efficiency compared to traditional fixed platforms, but have not significantly improved production efficiency. They also suffer from poor reliability and complex structures.

[0003] 1. Existing fixed passing platforms are installed in specific locations and cannot be moved. As the tunnel boring machine continues to advance, the distance between the departing locomotive train and the passing platform increases, and the time spent by the entering locomotive train waiting for the departing locomotive to enter the passing platform also increases. This leads to a decrease in locomotive transportation efficiency, and consequently, a decrease in the overall efficiency of tunnel construction.

[0004] 2. Existing mobile passing platforms are towed by tunnel boring machines or self-powered, moving on tracks with a relatively small bottom support surface. The locomotives transporting materials have a large self-weight, and during passing maneuvers, the locomotives are positioned on one side of the passing platform, posing a risk of overturning and resulting in poor reliability. Furthermore, temporary support methods lead to uneven tunnel walls, making it difficult to reinforce the passing platform's support structure, resulting in a complex structure.

[0005] 3. For long-distance tunnel construction, multiple fixed or mobile passing platforms are required to improve passing efficiency. This results in high material costs, and each additional passing platform consumes a significant amount of labor time, thus reducing the overall efficiency of tunnel construction.

[0006] This is a common problem encountered when using railcars to excavate tunnels. Therefore, it is essential to research a tunnel passing device that is simple in structure, highly reliable, and has high passing efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a material transfer method using a dual-track common turnout in a tunnel, which solves the problems of low passing efficiency, poor reliability, and high cost in existing technologies.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a material transfer method for a dual-track turnout in a tunnel is provided, which employs a passing device. The passing device is installed at the rear of the tunneling machine trolley. The tunneling machine trolley track and the locomotive track are arranged in parallel inside the tunnel. The locomotive track is located inside the tunneling machine trolley track and in the middle of the tunneling machine trolley track. One end of the passing device is connected to the internal locomotive track of the tunneling machine trolley, and the other end is a movable track. The movable track can be switched to connect the same side of the external tunneling machine trolley track and the locomotive track.

[0009] The transshipment method includes the following steps:

[0010] S1. The same side of the tunneling machine trolley track and the locomotive track is the track for fully loaded locomotives, and the other side is the track for unloaded locomotives.

[0011] S2. When the fully loaded locomotive moves close to the passing device, the passing device switches the movable track to the running track of the fully loaded locomotive, and the fully loaded locomotive enters the interior of the tunneling machine trolley through the movable track.

[0012] S3. After the materials inside the fully loaded locomotive are unloaded, the locomotive is moved out of the tunneling machine trolley as an empty locomotive. At this time, the control device switches the moving track to the empty locomotive running track, and the empty locomotive moves out through the empty locomotive track.

[0013] Preferably, the passing device includes a movable track horizontally rotatably connected to the bottom of one side of the tunneling machine trolley and a lifting device connected to the top of the other side of the tunneling machine trolley. The movable track and the lifting device are provided on both sides of the rear of the tunneling machine trolley. The two movable tracks are mirror-symmetrical along the centerline of the tunneling machine trolley track. When the movable track is horizontal, the end of the movable track closer to the tunneling machine trolley connects to the locomotive track, and the end of the movable track away from the tunneling machine trolley connects to the same side of the tunneling machine trolley track and the locomotive track when horizontal.

[0014] Preferably, a connecting plate is provided between the movable track and the inner wall of the tunneling machine trolley. One end of the connecting plate is hinged to the bottom of the side wall of the tunneling machine trolley, and the other end is hinged to the side of the movable track near the side wall of the tunneling machine trolley.

[0015] Preferably, the movable track includes a base plate, an S-shaped turnout fixed to the base plate, and a limiting block fixed to the bottom of the base plate for cooperating with the tunneling machine trolley track or locomotive track. The limiting blocks are arranged in pairs, and the distance between a pair of limiting blocks is equal to the width of the top of the tunneling machine trolley track and the locomotive track. When the base plate is in a horizontal state, the inner end of the S-shaped turnout is connected to the locomotive track, and the outer end of the S-shaped turnout is connected to the same side of the tunneling machine trolley track and the locomotive track. Both ends of the S-shaped turnout are provided with a downward slope.

[0016] Preferably, the lifting device includes a lifting cylinder horizontally mounted on the top of the tunneling machine trolley, a pulley horizontally slidably connected to the movable end of the lifting cylinder, and a steel wire with one end connected to the fixed end of the lifting cylinder and the other end connected to the movable end of the base plate, with the middle of the steel wire passing around the pulley.

[0017] Preferably, a lifting ring and an ear seat are fixedly connected to the top two ends of the base plate, the steel wire is connected to the lifting ring, and the connecting plate is hinged to the ear seat.

[0018] Preferably, a pulley groove is fixedly provided at the top of the rear of the tunneling machine trolley, the pulley is horizontally slidably connected in the pulley groove, and the lifting cylinder is located on one side of the end of the pulley groove.

[0019] Preferably, in step S2, the left side is set as the running track for the empty locomotive, and the switching of the active track includes the following steps:

[0020] S201. Activate the lifting cylinder located on the right side of the tunneling machine trolley, control the movable end of the lifting cylinder to extend, and the lifting cylinder pushes the pulley to move towards the left side of the tunneling machine trolley. During the movement of the pulley, the top length of the steel wire connecting the movable track on the left side increases, and the steel wire pulls the movable end of the movable track connecting the empty locomotive running track to move upward, thereby retracting the movable track.

[0021] S202. Activate the lifting cylinder located on the left side of the tunneling machine trolley, control the movable end of the lifting cylinder to retract, the lifting cylinder pulls the pulley to move towards the left side of the tunneling machine trolley. During the movement of the pulley, the length of the top of the steel wire connecting the movable track on the right side decreases. By releasing the steel wire, the movable track located on the right side of the tunneling machine trolley rotates downwards until the movable track is in a horizontal state. At this time, the limiting block is engaged on the tunneling machine trolley track and the locomotive track. The inner end of the S-shaped turnout connects to the locomotive track, and the outer end of the S-shaped turnout connects to the right side of the tunneling machine trolley track and the locomotive track. The fully loaded locomotive enters the tunneling machine trolley through the movable track.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. The entry and exit tracks do not intersect outside the TBM trolley, and the passing capacity is unlimited. Only one passing platform is needed for a tunnel, eliminating the need to add more passing platforms as the tunneling distance increases, significantly reducing material costs and saving time.

[0024] 2. The locomotive formations entering and exiting do not intersect on their routes outside the tunneling machine trolley, eliminating the need for passing. After the locomotives inside the tunneling machine trolley exit, the locomotives entering the tunnel, parked at the tail of the TBM, enter, and so on, significantly improving passing efficiency.

[0025] 3. Automated switching of turnouts, high efficiency, and low labor intensity.

[0026] 4. Compared with the traditional passing platform, which must be longer than the locomotive formation length, the present invention has a simple structure, low cost, simple control, and small space occupation. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a front view of a dual-rail common-track turnout in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a side view of a dual-rail common turnout in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure in the B direction.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the right-side turnout assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the working state of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another working state in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] In the above attached figures: 1. Right turnout lifting device; 2. Left turnout lifting device; 201. Hydraulic cylinder articulated seat; 202. Lifting hydraulic cylinder; 203. Pulley groove; 204. Pulley; 3. Tunneling machine trolley; 4. Right turnout connecting plate; 5. Right turnout assembly; 501. S-shaped right turnout; 502. Lifting ring; 503. Base plate; 505. Limiting block; 506. Ear seat; 6. Track; 601. Tunneling machine trolley track; 602. Locomotive track; 7. Sleeper; 8. Right turnout lifting wire; 9. Left turnout connecting plate; 10. Left turnout assembly; 101. S-shaped left turnout; 11. Left turnout lifting wire. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0035] The dual-rail common turnout described in this invention is as follows: Figure 1As shown, it includes: right turnout lifting device 1, left turnout lifting device 2, tunneling machine trolley 3, right turnout connecting plate 4, right turnout assembly 5, track 6, sleeper 7, right turnout lifting wire 8, left turnout connecting plate 9, left turnout assembly 10, and left turnout lifting wire 11.

[0036] As attached Figure 2 As shown, it includes: right turnout lifting device 1, left turnout lifting device 2, tunneling machine trolley 3, right turnout connecting plate 4, right turnout assembly 5, track 6, sleeper 7, right turnout lifting wire 8, left turnout assembly 10, left turnout lifting wire 11, and S-shaped left turnout 101.

[0037] Combined with appendix Figure 1 , 2 Further explanation of the structure of this device:

[0038] 1. The dual-rail common turnout described in this invention is installed on the last section of the tunneling machine trolley;

[0039] 2. The dual-rail common-track turnout described in this invention requires that the four rails in rail 6 have the same height and equal spacing. They are placed on sleepers 7; the locomotive rail 602 is placed parallel to the inside of the tunneling machine trolley rail 601, and the width of the two rails in locomotive rail 602 is equal to the distance from locomotive rail 602 to both sides of the tunneling machine trolley rail 601, thus forming two rails for locomotive travel.

[0040] 3. The dual-track common turnout described in this invention mainly consists of two sets of turnouts symmetrically arranged on the tunneling machine trolley 3;

[0041] 4. For example Figure 1 As shown, the right turnout assembly 5 is placed on the track 6 for connecting the internal locomotive track of the tunneling machine with the external right track.

[0042] 5. One end of the right turnout connecting plate 4 is hinged to the right turnout assembly 5, and the other end is hinged to the tunneling machine trolley 3. Therefore, the right turnout assembly 5 can rotate clockwise upwards;

[0043] 6. The right turnout lifting device 1 is connected to the right turnout assembly 5 via the right turnout lifting wire 8. The right turnout lifting device 1 can control the lowering and raising of the right turnout assembly 5 by controlling the extension and retraction of the right turnout lifting wire 8.

[0044] 7. The left turnout lifting device 2, the left turnout connecting plate 9, the left turnout assembly 10, and the left turnout lifting wire 11 jointly control the movement of the left turnout. They are similar in structure to the right turnout lifting device 1, the right turnout connecting plate 4, the right turnout assembly 5, and the right turnout lifting wire 8, and are symmetrically distributed along the central axis of the tunneling machine trolley 3. The specific structure can be referred to in items 4, 5, and 6 above.

[0045] The lifting mechanism described above for the dual-rail common turnout is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, it includes: a right turnout lifting device 1, a hydraulic cylinder articulation seat 201, a lifting hydraulic cylinder 202, a pulley groove 203, a pulley 204, a tunneling machine trolley 3, and a left turnout lifting wire 11.

[0046] Combined with appendix Figure 3 Further explanation of the structure of this device:

[0047] 1. The hydraulic cylinder articulation seat 201, the lifting hydraulic cylinder 202, the pulley groove 203, and the pulley 204 together form the left turnout lifting device 2;

[0048] 2. The hydraulic cylinder hinge seat 201 and pulley groove 203 are fixed on the tunneling machine trolley 3;

[0049] 3. The pulley 204 can slide on the pulley groove 203;

[0050] 4. One end of the lifting cylinder 202 is hinged to the cylinder hinge seat 201, and the other end is hinged to the pulley 204;

[0051] 5. One end of the left turnout lifting wire 11 is fixed to the hydraulic cylinder hinge seat 201, and the other end passes over the pulley 204 and connects to the right turnout assembly 5. It is used to lift or lower the right turnout assembly 5;

[0052] 6. By controlling the extension and retraction of the lifting cylinder 202, the pulley 204 can slide on the pulley groove 203, thereby driving the left turnout lifting wire 11 to control the lifting or lowering of the right turnout assembly 5.

[0053] 7. The structure of the right turnout lifting device 1 is the same as that of the left turnout lifting device 2. The usage method can be referred to in items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 above.

[0054] The structure of the dual-rail common turnout is shown in the attached figure. Figure 4 As shown, it includes: S-shaped right turnout 501, lifting ring 502, base plate 503, limit block 505, lug seat 506, and locomotive track 602.

[0055] Combined with appendix Figure 4 Further explanation of the structure of this device:

[0056] 1. The S-shaped right turnout 501, lifting ring 502, base plate 503, limit block 505, and lug 506 together form the right turnout assembly 5;

[0057] 2. For example Figure 4 As shown, when the right turnout assembly 5 is placed on the track 6, the base plate 503 is placed on the locomotive track 602 to support the turnout and the locomotive.

[0058] 3. The S-shaped right turnout 501 is a section of rail that appears S-shaped when viewed from above. Both ends of the rail have a certain slope and it is used to connect to the locomotive track 602. Two S-shaped right turnouts 501 are fixed on the right turnout assembly 5.

[0059] 4. The lifting ring 502 is fixed on the upper surface of the base plate 503 and is used to connect the right turnout lifting wire 8 to control the lifting and placement of the right turnout assembly 5.

[0060] 5. The limiting block 505 is fixed on the lower surface of the base plate 503 to limit the relative position of the right turnout assembly 5 and the locomotive track 602, ensuring a tight fit between the S-shaped right turnout 501 and the locomotive track 602.

[0061] 6. The ear seat 506 is fixed on the upper surface of the base plate 503 and is used to connect the right turnout connecting plate 4;

[0062] 7. The left turnout assembly 10 is similar in structure to the right turnout assembly 5. For specific structure, please refer to items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 above.

[0063] This invention relates to the method of using the aforementioned dual-rail common turnout, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 5 , 6 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0064] 1. For example Figure 5 As shown, when the right turnout assembly 5 is lowered and the left turnout assembly 10 is raised, the internal track of the tunnel boring machine is connected to the exit track inside the tunnel. At this time, locomotives entering the tunnel can wait in sequence at the rear of the tunnel boring machine, and empty locomotives on the internal track of the tunnel boring machine can enter the exit track inside the tunnel along the right turnout assembly 5;

[0065] 2. For example Figure 6 As shown, when the left turnout assembly 10 is lowered and the right turnout assembly 5 is raised, the internal track of the tunnel boring machine is connected to the entry track inside the tunnel. At this time, the locomotive trains entering the tunnel can enter the internal track of the tunnel boring machine in sequence to transport materials;

[0066] 3. By repeating steps 1 and 2 above, locomotives can continuously transport materials into the tunnel without needing to pass each other. Especially for tunnels with long construction sections, multiple locomotives can be formed and run simultaneously inside the tunnel, greatly improving the efficiency of material supply within the tunnel.

Claims

1. A method for material transfer using a dual-track shared turnout within a tunnel, characterized in that: A passing device is applied, which is installed at the rear of the tunneling machine trolley (3). The tunneling machine trolley track (601) and the locomotive track (602) are arranged in parallel inside the tunnel. The locomotive track (602) is located inside the tunneling machine trolley track (601) and is located in the middle of the tunneling machine trolley track (601). One end of the passing device is connected to the internal locomotive track (602) of the tunneling machine trolley (3), and the other end is a movable track. The movable track can be switched to connect the tunneling machine trolley track (601) and the locomotive track (602) on the same side outside the tunneling machine trolley (3). The transshipment method includes the following steps: S1. The same side of the tunneling machine trolley track (601) and the locomotive track (602) is the track for fully loaded locomotives, and the other side is the track for unloaded locomotives. S2. When the fully loaded locomotive moves close to the passing device, the passing device switches the movable track to the running track of the fully loaded locomotive, and the fully loaded locomotive enters the interior of the tunneling machine trolley (3) through the movable track. S3. After the materials inside the fully loaded locomotive are unloaded, the locomotive is moved out from the tunneling machine trolley (3) as an empty locomotive. At this time, the control vehicle switching device switches the moving track to the empty locomotive running track, and the empty locomotive moves out through the empty locomotive track. The passing device includes a movable track horizontally rotatably connected to the bottom of one side of the tunneling machine trolley (3) and a lifting device connected to the top of the other side of the tunneling machine trolley (3). The movable track and the lifting device are provided on both sides of the tail of the tunneling machine trolley (3). The two movable tracks are mirror-symmetrical along the center line of the tunneling machine trolley track (601). When the movable track is horizontal, the end of the movable track closer to the tunneling machine trolley (3) connects to the locomotive track (602). When the movable track is horizontal, the end of the movable track away from the tunneling machine trolley (3) connects to the same side of the tunneling machine trolley track (601) and the locomotive track (602).

2. The material transfer method for a dual-track shared turnout in a tunnel as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A connecting plate is connected between the movable track and the inner wall of the tunneling machine trolley (3). One end of the connecting plate is hinged to the bottom of the side wall of the tunneling machine trolley (3), and the other end is hinged to the side of the movable track near the side wall of the tunneling machine trolley (3).

3. The material transfer method for a dual-track shared turnout in a tunnel as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The movable track includes a base plate (503), an S-shaped turnout fixed on the base plate (503), and a limiting block (505) fixed to the bottom of the base plate (503) for cooperating with the tunneling machine trolley track (601) or the locomotive track (602). The limiting blocks (505) are arranged in pairs, and the distance between a pair of limiting blocks (505) is equal to the width of the top of the tunneling machine trolley track (601) and the locomotive track (602). When the base plate (503) is in a horizontal state, the inner end of the S-shaped turnout is connected to the locomotive track (602), and the outer end of the S-shaped turnout is connected to the same side of the tunneling machine trolley track (601) and the locomotive track (602). Both ends of the S-shaped turnout are provided with a downward slope.

4. The material transfer method for a dual-track shared turnout in a tunnel as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The lifting device includes a lifting cylinder (202) horizontally set on the top of the tunneling machine trolley (3), a pulley (204) horizontally slidably connected to the movable end of the lifting cylinder (202), and a steel wire with one end connected to the fixed end of the lifting cylinder (202) and the other end connected to the movable end of the base plate (503), with the middle of the steel wire passing around the pulley (204).

5. The material transfer method for a dual-track shared turnout in a tunnel as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom plate (503) has a lifting ring (502) and an ear seat (506) fixedly connected to its top two ends respectively. The steel wire is connected to the lifting ring (502), and the connecting plate is hinged to the ear seat (506).

6. The material transfer method for a dual-track shared turnout in a tunnel as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The top of the rear of the tunneling machine trolley (3) is fixedly provided with a pulley groove (203), the pulley (204) is horizontally slidably connected in the pulley groove (203), and the lifting cylinder (202) is located on one side of the end of the pulley groove (203).

7. The material transfer method for a dual-track shared turnout in a tunnel as described in claim 6, characterized in that, In step S2, the left side is designated as the running track for the empty locomotive, and the switching of the active track includes the following steps: S201. Start the lifting cylinder (202) located on the right side of the tunneling machine trolley (3), control the movable end of the lifting cylinder (202) to extend, the lifting cylinder (202) pushes the pulley (204) to move towards the left side of the tunneling machine trolley (3), during the movement of the pulley (204), the length of the top of the steel wire connecting the movable track on the left side increases, and the movable end of the movable track connecting the empty locomotive running track is pulled upward by the steel wire, so that the movable track is retracted; S202. Start the lifting cylinder (202) located on the left side of the tunneling machine trolley (3), control the movable end of the lifting cylinder (202) to retract, the lifting cylinder (202) pulls the pulley (204) to move towards the left side of the tunneling machine trolley (3), during the movement of the pulley (204), the length of the top of the steel wire connecting the movable track on the right side decreases, by releasing the steel wire, the movable track located on the right side of the tunneling machine trolley (3) rotates downward until the movable track is in a horizontal state, at this time the limiting block (505) is locked on the tunneling machine trolley track (601) and the locomotive track (602), the inner end of the S-shaped turnout is connected to the locomotive track (602), the outer end of the S-shaped turnout is connected to the right side of the tunneling machine trolley track (601) and the locomotive track (602), the fully loaded locomotive enters the tunneling machine trolley (3) through the movable track.

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