Seal wear monitoring, compensation device for a roadheader and method

Abstract

The application discloses a device and method for monitoring and compensating wear of a sealing element of a tunneling machine. The device comprises a receiving space between a first structural element and a second structural element, a sealing element movably arranged in the receiving space, a sealing compensation chamber formed in the receiving space between the first structural element and the sealing element, and at least one inlet of the sealing compensation chamber. When the sealing element wears at a position in contact with the second structural element, compensation fluid is introduced into the sealing compensation chamber through the inlet. The compensation fluid exerts pressure on the sealing element and pushes the sealing element to move towards the second structural element, so as to compensate for a wear gap between the sealing element and the second structural element due to wear of the sealing element, and to restore the sealing contact state of the sealing element and the second structural element. The application solves the technical problems that the main drive sealing system of the tunneling machine cannot accurately monitor the wear of the sealing element and compensate for the wear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tunnel construction technology, and in particular to a device and method for monitoring and compensating for wear of sealing components in tunnel boring machines. Background Technology

[0002] Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are now widely used in underground space construction and tunnel building. During construction, the TBM's main drive system directly provides the rotational power to the cutterhead, enabling the cutterhead to cut the ground. To prevent the main drive from coming into contact with external dust and other impurities, a main drive sealing system (along with tail seals, etc.) is installed on the main drive. The main drive sealing system plays a crucial role in the normal operation of the TBM and directly determines its performance.

[0003] Taking the main drive internal seal as an example, the current sealing method mainly uses lip seals. However, with the increase of working time, friction and wear occur between the relatively moving seal and the sealing track. At this time, timely inspection and replacement are required. However, due to the closed and harsh construction environment inside the tunnel, as well as the large size of the tunnel boring machine, the inspection and replacement of worn seals is complicated, difficult, and inefficient. If the seal or sealing track is severely worn and not inspected and replaced in time, the sealing system will fail, which may damage the main drive system, seriously affect the normal use of the tunnel boring machine, and cause huge economic losses.

[0004] Currently, the main method for detecting the wear condition of the main drive seal is oil analysis. The lubricating oil that seals the main drive is extracted while the machine is stopped, and the wear condition is indirectly obtained by analyzing the oil contamination level. However, this method requires additional specialized oil analysis equipment.

[0005] Chinese patent CN207848473U proposes a scheme to compensate for the wear of ball valve seals. It uses a metal retaining ring to compensate for the compression, but since metal is subject to plastic deformation, it cannot achieve precise compensation.

[0006] Chinese patent CN116045000A describes a sealing compensation structure installed along the axial direction of the main drive. The sealing status is monitored and obtained through the monitoring structure, and the sealing compensation structure is used to achieve sealing compensation between the sealing track and the sealing element. However, it requires the installation of an additional structure on the sealing track, which significantly modifies the original structure of the sealing system.

[0007] Chinese patent CN107504188A describes a method that involves setting a metal wire and a monitoring circuit on a seal to detect wear by monitoring the changes in the monitoring signal after the contact surface wears down. However, this method requires the metal wire to be pre-embedded in the integrated seal, which is quite difficult and affects the original performance of the seal.

[0008] Chinese patent CN113464655A describes a method for detecting the wear of the main drive seal online by setting up a contact resistance sheet and detecting changes in the resistance of the contact resistance sheet. However, it is difficult to install and wire the sensor and micro-monitoring structure on the seal body. At the same time, installing the monitoring structure will damage the seal structure itself, affecting its compression set, aging and other indicators, and thus affecting the service life of the seal.

[0009] There is currently no effective solution to the problem that the main drive sealing system of a tunneling machine cannot accurately monitor the wear of the seals or compensate for the amount of wear.

[0010] Therefore, based on years of experience and practice in related industries, the inventor proposes a device and method for monitoring and compensating for wear of tunneling machine seals, in order to overcome the defects of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device and method for monitoring and compensating for wear of tunneling machine seals, which can accurately monitor the wear of tunneling machine seals and automatically compensate for the wear, thereby improving the sealing effect of the tunneling machine sealing system, reducing the frequency of seal replacement, and reducing construction costs.

[0012] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following methods:

[0013] This invention provides a device for monitoring and compensating for wear of a tunneling machine seal, used to monitor and compensate for the wear of a seal located between a first structural component and a second structural component of the tunneling machine, so as to maintain the seal's sealing state between the first and second structural components. The device includes:

[0014] A accommodating space is located between the first structural member and the second structural member. The sealing member is movably disposed within the accommodating space. A sealing compensation cavity is formed within the accommodating space and between the first structural member and the sealing member. The sealing compensation cavity has at least one inlet. When wear occurs at the position of the sealing member that contacts the second structural member, a compensation fluid is introduced into the sealing compensation cavity through the inlet. The compensation fluid pressurizes the sealing member and pushes it to move closer to the second structural member to compensate for the wear gap generated between the sealing member and the second structural member due to the wear of the sealing member, so that the sealing member and the second structural member are restored to a sealed contact state.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inlet is connected to an input pipeline, and the input pipeline is provided with a pressure measuring element and / or a flow measuring element.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing compensation cavity further has an outlet, which is connected to an output pipeline and is used for the discharge of fluid from the sealing compensation cavity;

[0017] A temperature sensing element is provided on the inlet, or on the input pipe near the inlet, or on the outlet, or on the output pipe near the outlet.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first structural component is the drive disc of the tunneling machine, and the second structural component is the sealed runway of the tunneling machine.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple seals arranged along the axial direction of the drive disc, and adjacent seals are separated by spacers.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one end of the drive disc is connected to the cutterhead of the tunneling machine via a sealing ring, and the other end of the drive disc is connected to the main drive of the tunneling machine;

[0021] The sealing pressure ring forms the receiving space between itself and the adjacent spacer ring, as well as between two adjacent spacers ring, and the plurality of sealing elements are respectively located in the corresponding receiving space.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing element is a lip-shaped sealing ring, which includes a main body and a sealing lip. One end of the sealing lip is connected to the main body, and the other end of the sealing lip is used to make sealing contact with the sealing runway.

[0023] The sealing lip has a recess at the connection point with the main body, and the sealing pressure ring or the spacer ring has a limiting protrusion. When the seal is not worn, the limiting protrusion is located in the recess, and there is a displacement gap between the top outer wall of the limiting protrusion and the top inner wall of the recess. When the seal moves toward the direction of the sealing track to a preset threshold position, the top outer wall of the limiting protrusion abuts against the top inner wall of the recess.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lip seal ring is a complete ring arranged along the circumference of the drive disk, or the lip seal ring is composed of a plurality of lip seal blocks, the plurality of lip seal blocks being arranged along the circumference of the drive disk.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, along the axial direction of the drive disc, the wall surface of the seal on the side in contact with the compensating fluid is inclined.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inlet and the outlet are both located on the drive disk and connected to the sealing compensation cavity, and the input pipeline and the output pipeline are respectively connected to the drive disk and rotate synchronously with the drive disk.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compensating fluid is a liquid or a gas.

[0028] This invention provides a method for monitoring and compensating for wear of tunneling machine seals. The method employs the aforementioned tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device and includes the following steps:

[0029] The sealing element is movably assembled between the first structural component and the second structural component of the tunneling machine, wherein the sealing element has a sealing compensation cavity between itself and the first structural component, and the sealing element is in sealing contact with the second structural component;

[0030] The first structural component causes the sealing component and the second structural component to move relative to each other;

[0031] If wear occurs at the location on the seal that contacts the second structural member, a wear gap will be created between the seal and the second structural member;

[0032] Then, a compensating fluid is introduced into the sealing compensation cavity to apply pressure to the seal and push the seal to move closer to the second structural member until the seal and the second structural member are restored to a sealed contact state.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, if wear occurs at the position on the seal that contacts the second structural member, the seal moves toward the second structural member, and the pressure inside the sealing compensation cavity decreases.

[0034] The wear of the seal is monitored based on the pressure changes within the sealed compensation cavity.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first structural component is the drive disc of the tunneling machine, and the second structural component is the sealed runway of the tunneling machine;

[0036] The wear of the seal must meet the following condition:

[0037]

[0038] Wherein, Δl is the wear length of the seal; R is the distance between the wall surface of the seal near the drive disk and the central axis of the drive disk; q is the flow rate of the compensation fluid injected per unit time; and d is the width of the seal in the radial direction along the drive disk.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure change inside the sealing compensation cavity is monitored. If the pressure inside the sealing compensation cavity continues to increase to a preset pressure threshold, the tunneling machine stops working and the seal is replaced.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the compensating fluid is monitored, and if the temperature of the compensating fluid reaches a preset temperature threshold, the rate of introduction and discharge of the compensating fluid is increased.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the compensating fluid is monitored. If the temperature of the compensating fluid is greater than a preset temperature threshold, the tunneling machine stops working and an alarm is triggered.

[0042] As described above, the features and advantages of the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device and method of the present invention are:

[0043] A sealing element is movably installed within the accommodating space between the first and second structural components of the tunneling machine. A sealing compensation cavity is formed within the accommodating space between the first structural component and the sealing element. During tunneling operations, when wear occurs at the contact point between the sealing element and the second structural component, compensation fluid can be introduced into the sealing compensation cavity through an inlet connected to it. This compensation fluid can apply pressure to the sealing element and push it towards the second structural component. The distance the sealing element moves towards the second structural component can compensate for the wear gap between the sealing element and the second structural component caused by the wear of the sealing element, thereby restoring the sealing contact between the sealing element and the second structural component. By compensating for the wear of the sealing element, the problem of the sealing element being unable to seal effectively after wear can be solved. At the same time, it can compensate for the problem of the sealing element being unable to fit the second structural component due to machining errors, thus improving the sealing effect.

[0044] In addition, by monitoring the pressure inside the sealing compensation cavity, as well as the temperature and flow rate of the compensation fluid, the wear of the seal (i.e., the size of the wear gap between the seal and the second structural component) can be obtained in real time, so that timely handling can be carried out to avoid the occurrence of failure. Attached Figure Description

[0045] The accompanying drawings are intended only to illustrate and explain the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0046] in:

[0047] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device in the present invention, showing the seal in an unworn state.

[0048] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the location of the wear gap in the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the seal after wear clearance compensation in the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 4 :for Figure 3 One of the enlarged views of the central sealing component.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the monitoring principle of the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a sealing component overturning in the prior art.

[0053] Figure 7 :for Figure 3 Second enlarged view of the central sealing component.

[0054] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the wear amount of the seal in the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device of the present invention.

[0055] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of this invention are:

[0056] 1. Drive disc; 2. Sealed runway;

[0057] 3. Sealing ring; 4. Seal;

[0058] 401. Main body; 402. Sealing lip;

[0059] 5. Sealed compensation cavity; 501. Inlet;

[0060] 502. Export; 6. Spacer ring;

[0061] 7. Displacement clearance; 8. Wear clearance;

[0062] 9. Bolt; 10. Limiting protrusion;

[0063] 11. Inlet piping; 12. Temperature sensing element;

[0064] 13. Pressure measuring element; 14. Flow measuring element. Detailed Implementation

[0065] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0066] In this invention, terms such as "up," "down," "left," and "right," which indicate direction, are all used in this way. Figure 1 The directions "up", "down", "left", "right" etc. shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the structure of the invention in terms of direction.

[0067] Implementation Method 1

[0068] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the present invention provides a tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device. This device is used to monitor and compensate for the wear of a seal 4 located between a first structural component and a second structural component of the tunneling machine, so as to maintain the seal 4 in a sealing state with respect to the first and second structural components. The tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device includes: a receiving space located between the first and second structural components, the seal 4 being movably disposed in the receiving space, and a sealing compensation cavity 5 formed in the receiving space and between the first structural component and the seal 4. The sealing compensation cavity 5 has at least one inlet 501 communicating with its interior. When wear occurs at the position of the seal 4 in contact with the second structural component, compensation fluid is introduced into the sealing compensation cavity 5 through the inlet 501. The compensation fluid pressurizes the seal 4 and pushes the seal 4 to move closer to the second structural component to compensate for the wear gap 8 generated between the seal 4 and the second structural component due to the wear of the seal 4, so as to restore the sealing contact state between the seal 4 and the second structural component.

[0069] In this invention, a sealing element 4 is movably disposed within the accommodating space between the first and second structural components of the tunneling machine. A sealing compensation cavity 5 is formed within the accommodating space and between the first structural component and the sealing element. During tunneling operations, when wear occurs at the contact point between the sealing element 4 and the second structural component, compensation fluid is introduced into the sealing compensation cavity 5 through an inlet 501 connected to it. This compensation fluid applies pressure to the sealing element 4 and pushes it towards the second structural component. The distance the sealing element 4 moves towards the second structural component compensates for the wear caused by the seal element 4. The wear gap 8 generated between the second structural components allows the seal 4 to return to a sealed contact state with the second structural component. By compensating for the wear of the seal 4, the problem of the seal 4 being unable to seal effectively after wear can be solved. At the same time, it can compensate for the problem that the seal 4 cannot be matched with the second structural component due to processing errors, thereby improving the sealing effect. In addition, by monitoring the pressure in the sealing compensation cavity 5, as well as the temperature and flow rate of the compensation fluid, the amount of wear of the seal 4 (i.e., the size of the wear gap 8 between the seal 4 and the second structural component) can be known in real time, so that timely handling can be carried out to avoid the occurrence of failure.

[0070] In this invention, the compensating fluid can be a liquid or a gas. The liquid can be, but is not limited to, hydraulic oil, and the gas can be, but is not limited to, high-pressure air. Using high-pressure air as the compensating fluid requires higher sealing standards, but compared to hydraulic oil, high-pressure air is simpler to obtain, lower in cost, and, in the event of a leak, will not pollute the environment, making it more environmentally friendly. Of course, the choice between a liquid and a gas as the compensating fluid can be made based on the actual operating conditions.

[0071] In an optional embodiment of the invention, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device of the present invention is applicable to the main drive inner seal of a tunneling machine. Specifically, the first structural component is the drive disc 1 of the tunneling machine, and the second structural component is the sealing runway 2 of the tunneling machine. The drive disc 1 is arranged around the outer periphery of the sealing runway 2. Along the axial direction of the drive disc 1, one end of the drive disc 1 is connected to the cutterhead of the tunneling machine via a sealing pressure ring 3, and the other end of the drive disc 1 is connected to the main drive of the tunneling machine. The sealing runway 2 is connected to the drive box of the tunneling machine via bolts. During the tunneling process, the main drive of the tunneling machine drives the drive disc 1 and the cutterhead to rotate, completing the cutting operation on the strata, while the sealing runway 2 does not rotate. Of course, the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device of the present invention can also be applied to other sealing positions such as the main drive outer seal, shield tail seal, or hinged seal of the tunneling machine.

[0072] Furthermore, when the first structural component is the drive disc 1 of the tunneling machine and the second structural component is the sealed runway 2 of the tunneling machine, such as Figures 1 to 4As shown, there are multiple seals 4, which are arranged along the axial direction of the drive disc 1. Adjacent seals 4 are separated by spacers 6. The sealing pressure ring 3 and its adjacent spacers 6, as well as the spacers 6, form accommodating spaces. The multiple seals 4 are movably disposed in their respective accommodating spaces.

[0073] Furthermore, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the end of the drive disc 1 is connected to the sealing ring 3 by bolts 9.

[0074] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 5 As shown, inlet 501 is connected to input pipeline 11, and a pressure sensing element 13 is installed on input pipeline 11. The pressure sensing element 13 can monitor the pressure inside the sealing compensation chamber 5, and the wear of the seal 4 can be monitored by the pressure change inside the sealing compensation chamber 5. The pressure sensing element 13 can be, but is not limited to, a pressure sensor. Of course, the pressure sensing element 13 can be adjusted according to actual conditions, such as directly mounting the pressure sensing element 13 on the drive plate 1, with the acquisition end of the pressure sensing element 13 extending into the sealing compensation chamber 5 through inlet 501.

[0075] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a flow detection element 14 is installed on the input pipeline 11. The flow detection element 14 can monitor the amount of compensation fluid flowing into the sealing compensation chamber 5 per unit time, so as to adjust the flow rate of the compensation fluid. In this way, if the temperature in the sealing compensation chamber 5 is too high, the flow rate of the compensation fluid can be increased to achieve a cooling effect, thus avoiding the failure of the seal 4 due to excessive temperature. The flow detection element 14 can be, but is not limited to, a flow sensor.

[0076] Furthermore, the sealing compensation chamber 5 also has an outlet 502, which is connected to an output pipeline and is used to discharge fluid from the sealing compensation chamber 5. A temperature sensing element 12 is installed on the inlet 501, or on the input pipeline 11 near the inlet 501, or on the outlet 502, or on the output pipeline near the outlet 502. The temperature of the compensation fluid can be monitored in real time by the temperature sensing element 12. If the temperature of the compensation fluid reaches a preset temperature threshold, the rate of fluid flow in and out is increased to achieve a cooling effect. Since the compensation fluid (such as hydraulic oil) has temperature transfer characteristics, temperature monitoring can also be achieved by placing the temperature sensing element 12 on the input pipeline 11 near the inlet 501 or on the output pipeline near the outlet 502. The temperature sensing element 12 can be, but is not limited to, a temperature sensor.

[0077] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 5As shown, the sealing element 4 can be a lip-shaped sealing ring, which includes a main body 401 and a sealing lip 402. One end of the sealing lip 402 is connected to the main body 401, and the other end of the sealing lip 402 is used for sealing contact with the sealing runway 2. The sealing lip 402 has a recess at the connection position with the main body 401, and the sealing pressure ring 3 or spacer ring 6 has a limiting protrusion 10. When the sealing element 4 is not worn, the limiting protrusion 10 is located in the recess, and there is a displacement gap 7 between the top outer wall of the limiting protrusion 10 and the top inner wall of the recess, so that the sealing element 4 can move within the accommodating space. When the sealing element 4 moves towards the sealing runway 2 to a preset threshold position, the top outer wall of the limiting protrusion 10 abuts against the top inner wall of the recess, thereby limiting the maximum position of the sealing element 4 moving towards the sealing runway 2 by the cooperation of the limiting protrusion 10 and the recess. As the seal 4 wears, under the pressure of the compensating fluid, it moves closer to the sealing runway 2 as the wear increases, ensuring that the sealing lip 402 remains in sealed contact with the sealing runway 2. When the seal 4 moves to the position where the top outer wall of the limiting protrusion 10 abuts against the top inner wall of the recess, the wear of the seal 4 reaches its maximum. Under the limiting action, the seal cannot move further. At this point, the continuous flow of compensating fluid will cause the pressure inside the sealing compensation cavity 5 to continuously increase. A corresponding preset pressure threshold can be set according to the actual situation. If the pressure inside the sealing compensation cavity 5 continues to increase to a level greater than the preset pressure threshold, it indicates that the wear of the seal 4 has reached its maximum, and the tunneling machine needs to be stopped and a new seal 4 replaced.

[0078] Furthermore, the sealing lip 402 and the main body 401 are integrally formed.

[0079] In this invention, the lip seal ring can be a whole ring arranged along the circumference of the drive disk 1, or the lip seal ring can be composed of multiple lip seal blocks, which are arranged along the circumference of the drive disk 1.

[0080] like Figure 6 As shown, the pressure of the compensating fluid applied to the wall surface of the seal 4 is perpendicular to the wall surface. Due to the setting of the limiting protrusion 10, it is possible that one side of the seal 4 is supported by the limiting protrusion 10, while the other side has no support structure. Consequently, due to uneven force, the seal 4 may partially overturn, leading to seal failure. In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the overturning problem of the seal 4 can be solved, such as... Figure 7As shown, along the axial direction of the drive disc 1, the wall surface of the seal 4 on the side in contact with the compensating fluid is set as an inclined surface, so that the pressure applied by the compensating fluid to the wall surface of the seal 4 is an inclined force. This inclined force can be decomposed into a vertically downward component (i.e., towards the sealing runway 2) and a component towards the left or right (i.e., towards the sealing pressure ring 3 or the spacer ring 6). The vertically downward component can ensure that the seal 4 maintains a seal with the sealing runway 2, while the component towards the left or right can make the side wall of the seal 4 abut against the sealing pressure ring 3 or the spacer ring 6, thereby achieving the purpose of preventing the seal 4 from overturning.

[0081] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, inlet 501 and outlet 502 are respectively through holes opened on drive disk 1, and inlet 501 and outlet 502 are respectively connected to sealing compensation cavity 5. Input pipe 11 and output pipe are respectively connected to drive disk 1 and rotate synchronously with drive disk 1, so that the inlet and outlet of compensation fluid are not affected by the rotation of drive disk 1.

[0082] Implementation Method 2

[0083] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention provides a method for monitoring and compensating for the wear of tunneling machine seals. This method employs the aforementioned tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device and includes the following steps:

[0084] Step S1: The sealing element 4 is movably assembled between the first structural component and the second structural component of the tunneling machine. The sealing element 4 has a sealing compensation cavity 5 between it and the first structural component, and the sealing element 4 is in sealing contact with the second structural component.

[0085] Step S2: The first structural component drives the sealing component 4 to move, and there is relative movement between it and the second structural component;

[0086] Step S3: If wear occurs at the position on the seal 4 that contacts the second structural member, resulting in a wear gap 8 between the seal 4 and the second structural member, then a compensating fluid is introduced into the sealing compensation cavity 5 to apply pressure to the seal 4 and push the seal 4 toward the direction of the second structural member until the seal 4 and the second structural member are restored to a sealed contact state.

[0087] In this invention, such as Figure 1 , Figure 8 As shown, when the seal 4 is in its initial position within the accommodating space, the seal 4 is not worn. However, after the tunneling machine has been operating for a period of time, as... Figure 2As shown, seal 4 experiences varying degrees of wear, resulting in a wear gap 8 between seal 4 and the sealing runway 2, potentially causing the sealing system to fail. If wear occurs at the point where seal 4 contacts the second structural component, compensating fluid is introduced into the sealing compensation cavity 5. Under the pressure of the compensating fluid, seal 4 moves closer to the second structural component until its position compensates for the wear gap 8, restoring a sealed contact between seal 4 and the second structural component. During the sealing compensation process, the volume of the sealing compensation cavity 5 gradually increases, while the pressure within it decreases. Therefore, the amount of wear on seal 4 can be detected based on the pressure change within the sealing compensation cavity 5.

[0088] Furthermore, such as Figure 8 As shown, when the first structural component is the drive disc 1 of the tunneling machine and the second structural component is the sealed runway 2 of the tunneling machine, when detecting the wear of the seal 4, assume that the initial pressure in the sealing compensation chamber 5 is P1. After the seal wears Δl, by injecting a compensation fluid with a flow rate of q per unit time, the pressure in the sealing compensation chamber 5 is made to reach P1 again. The flow rate q of the injected compensation fluid per unit time is measured by the flow detection element 14. Then, the injected compensation fluid satisfies:

[0089] π(R 2 -(R-Δl) 2 )d=q;

[0090] Therefore, the wear of seal 4 satisfies the following condition:

[0091]

[0092] Where Δl is the wear length of the seal 4; R is the distance between the wall surface of the seal 4 near the drive disk 1 and the central axis of the drive disk 1; q is the flow rate of the compensation fluid injected per unit time; and d is the width of the seal 4 in the radial direction along the drive disk 1.

[0093] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, in step S3 above, the pressure change in the sealing compensation cavity 5 is monitored by the pressure measuring element 13. If the pressure in the sealing compensation cavity 5 continues to increase to a level greater than a preset pressure threshold, the tunneling machine stops working and the seal 4 is replaced. Specifically, as the seal 4 wears, under the pressure of the compensating fluid, the seal 4 moves towards the sealing runway 2 as the wear increases, so that the sealing lip 402 always maintains a sealed contact with the sealing runway 2. When the seal 4 moves to the position where the top outer wall of the limiting protrusion 10 abuts against the top inner wall of the recess, the wear of the seal 4 reaches its maximum. Under the action of the limit, the seal cannot continue to move. At this time, the continuous flow of the compensating fluid will cause the pressure in the sealing compensation cavity 5 to continue to increase. A corresponding preset pressure threshold can be set according to the actual situation. If the pressure in the sealing compensation cavity 5 continues to increase to a level greater than the preset pressure threshold, it proves that the wear of the seal 4 has reached its maximum, and the tunneling machine needs to be stopped and a new seal 4 replaced. The preset pressure threshold can be set according to the actual situation and is not limited in the present invention.

[0094] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, in step S3 above, the temperature of the compensating fluid is monitored by the temperature sensing element 12. If the temperature of the compensating fluid reaches a preset temperature threshold, the flow rate and discharge rate of the compensating fluid are increased to achieve the purpose of cooling. If the temperature of the compensating fluid is greater than the preset temperature threshold, the tunneling machine stops working and an alarm is triggered until the temperature drops below the preset temperature threshold, at which point the tunneling machine can resume operation. The preset temperature threshold can be set according to actual conditions and is not limited thereto in this invention.

[0095] The features and advantages of the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device and method of the present invention are as follows:

[0096] I. The tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device and method can realize real-time monitoring of the wear of the seal 4. Compared with other existing wear monitoring methods, the present invention does not require too many cables, is easier to implement, has lower cost, and requires less modification to the original equipment.

[0097] II. The wear monitoring and compensation device and method for the sealing components of the tunneling machine: Due to issues such as the machining accuracy of the sealing runway 2 of the tunneling machine, the surface of the sealing runway 2 is not completely smooth. By introducing pressurized compensation fluid into the sealing compensation cavity 5, an additional thrust can be applied to the sealing component 4 in the direction of the sealing runway 2, ensuring that the sealing component 4 can fully fit the surface of the sealing runway 2. Even if the shape or smoothness of the surface of the sealing runway 2 changes, the position of the sealing component 4 can be dynamically adjusted under the action of pressure, and it can continuously compensate for the wear of the sealing component 4, achieving self-adjustment and ensuring good sealing performance.

[0098] Third, compared with the sealing structure of the main drive of the traditional tunneling machine, the wear monitoring and compensation device and method of the tunneling machine seal can ensure the sealing state of the seal 4 and the sealing runway 2, and can avoid leakage due to wear of the seal 4 or the sealing runway 2, thus having a better sealing effect.

[0099] Fourth, the structure and implementation method of the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device and method are simpler, easier to install and implement, and do not require changes to the structure of seal 4, and will not damage the original sealing performance of seal 4.

[0100] V. The wear monitoring and compensation device and method for the tunneling machine seals can improve the sealing effect, extend the working life of the main drive of the tunneling machine, and thus extend the life of the tunneling machine. By reducing the replacement frequency of seals 4, it helps to improve construction efficiency and reduce construction costs.

[0101] VI. The wear monitoring and compensation device and method for the tunneling machine seals can obtain parameters such as pressure and flow rate to judge and predict the wear of seal 4 without removing the equipment or other testing instruments.

[0102] The above description is merely an illustrative embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any equivalent changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principles of the present invention should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring and compensating wear of a sealing component in a tunneling machine, used to monitor and compensate for the wear of a sealing component (4) located between a first structural component and a second structural component of the tunneling machine, so as to maintain the sealing state of the sealing component (4) to the first structural component and the second structural component, characterized in that, The tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device includes: The sealing member (4) is movably disposed in the accommodating space between the first structural member and the second structural member. A sealing compensation cavity (5) is formed in the accommodating space between the first structural member and the sealing member (4). The sealing compensation cavity (5) has at least one inlet (501). When wear occurs at the position of the sealing member (4) that contacts the second structural member, a compensation fluid is introduced into the sealing compensation cavity (5) through the inlet (501). The compensation fluid applies pressure to the sealing member (4) and pushes the sealing member (4) to move closer to the second structural member to compensate for the wear gap (8) generated between the sealing member (4) and the second structural member due to the wear of the sealing member (4), so that the sealing member (4) and the second structural member can be restored to a sealed contact state. The first structural component is the drive disc (1) of the tunneling machine, and the second structural component is the sealed runway (2) of the tunneling machine. The sealing element (4) is a lip-shaped sealing ring, which includes a main body (401) and a sealing lip (402). One end of the sealing lip (402) is connected to the main body (401), and the other end of the sealing lip (402) is used to make sealing contact with the sealing runway (2). The number of the sealing elements (4) is multiple, and the multiple sealing elements (4) are arranged along the axial direction of the first structural member, and adjacent sealing elements (4) are separated by a spacer ring (6); one end of the first structural member is connected to the cutterhead of the tunneling machine through a sealing pressure ring (3); The sealing lip (402) has a recess at the connection point with the main body (401), and the sealing pressure ring (3) or the spacer ring (6) has a limiting protrusion (10). When the sealing member (4) is not worn, the limiting protrusion (10) is located in the recess, and there is a displacement gap (7) between the top outer wall of the limiting protrusion (10) and the top inner wall of the recess. When the sealing member (4) moves towards the sealing track (2) to a preset threshold position, the top outer wall of the limiting protrusion (10) abuts against the top inner wall of the recess. Along the axial direction of the first structural member, the wall surface of the seal (4) on the side in contact with the compensating fluid is inclined, so that the pressure applied by the compensating fluid to the wall surface of the seal (4) is an inclined force, and the inclined force is decomposed into a component force toward the sealing runway (2) and a component force toward the sealing pressure ring (3).

2. The tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet (501) is connected to the input pipeline (11), and the input pipeline (11) is provided with a pressure measuring element (13) and / or a flow measuring element (14).

3. The tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The sealing compensation cavity (5) also has an outlet (502), which is connected to an output pipeline and is used for the discharge of fluid from the sealing compensation cavity (5); A temperature sensing element (12) is provided on the inlet (501), or on the input pipe (11) near the inlet (501), or on the outlet (502), or on the output pipe near the outlet (502).

4. The tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The other end of the drive disk (1) is connected to the main drive of the tunneling machine; The sealing pressure ring (3) forms the accommodating space between itself and the adjacent spacer ring (6) and between two adjacent spacer rings (6), and the plurality of sealing elements (4) are respectively located in the corresponding accommodating space.

5. The tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The lip seal ring is a complete ring arranged along the circumference of the drive disk (1), or the lip seal ring is composed of multiple lip seal blocks, which are arranged along the circumference of the drive disk (1).

6. The tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The inlet (501) and the outlet (502) are both located on the drive disk (1) and connected to the sealing compensation cavity (5). The input pipe (11) and the output pipe are respectively connected to the drive disk (1) and rotate synchronously with the drive disk (1).

7. The tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The compensation fluid is a liquid or a gas.

8. A method for monitoring and compensating for wear of sealing components in a tunneling machine, characterized in that, The method for monitoring and compensating for wear of tunneling machine seals adopts the tunneling machine seal wear monitoring and compensation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, and the method includes the following steps: The sealing element (4) is movably assembled between the first structural component and the second structural component of the tunneling machine. The sealing element (4) has a sealing compensation cavity (5) between itself and the first structural component, and the sealing element (4) is in sealing contact with the second structural component. The first structural component causes the sealing component (4) to move relative to the second structural component; If wear occurs at the position on the seal (4) that contacts the second structural member, a wear gap (8) will be generated between the seal (4) and the second structural member. Then, a compensating fluid is introduced into the sealing compensation cavity (5) to apply pressure to the seal (4) and push the seal (4) to move closer to the second structural member until the seal (4) and the second structural member are restored to a sealed contact state.

9. The method for monitoring and compensating for wear of tunneling machine seals as described in claim 8, characterized in that, If wear occurs at the position on the seal (4) that contacts the second structural member, the seal (4) moves closer to the second structural member, and the pressure inside the sealing compensation cavity (5) decreases. The wear of the seal (4) is monitored based on the pressure change inside the sealing compensation cavity (5).

10. The method for monitoring and compensating for wear of tunneling machine seals as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first structural component is the drive disc (1) of the tunneling machine, and the second structural component is the sealed runway (2) of the tunneling machine. The wear of the seal (4) satisfies the following condition: ； Among them, the The wear length of the seal (4); The distance between the wall surface of the seal (4) near the drive disk (1) and the central axis of the drive disk (1); The flow rate of the compensation fluid injected per unit time; The width of the seal (4) in the radial direction along the drive disc (1).

11. The method for monitoring and compensating for wear of tunneling machine seals as described in claim 9, characterized in that, Monitor the pressure change in the sealing compensation chamber (5). If the pressure in the sealing compensation chamber (5) continues to increase to a preset pressure threshold, the tunneling machine will stop working and the seal (4) will be replaced.

12. The method for monitoring and compensating for wear of tunneling machine seals as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The temperature of the compensating fluid is monitored. If the temperature of the compensating fluid reaches a preset temperature threshold, the rate of fluid introduction and discharge is increased.

13. The method for monitoring and compensating for wear of tunneling machine seals as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The temperature of the compensating fluid is monitored. If the temperature of the compensating fluid exceeds a preset temperature threshold, the tunneling machine stops working and an alarm is triggered.

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