Apparatus and method for mining a cavity in the ground

Abstract

(in connection with figure 1) The invention relates to an apparatus for mining a cavity in the ground comprising at least one excavating tool for loosening rock or soil from a surface to be excavated from the cavity to be created, wherein the at least one excavating tool for loosening the rock is arranged on at least one swivel arm (21) that can be moved relative to the surface, and wherein the apparatus comprises at least one microwave device (30) for generating and emitting microwaves into the rock of the surface, having at least one applicator (36) for introducing the microwaves into the rock, and wherein the at least one applicator can be moved relative to the surface separately from the excavating tool relative to the surface to be excavated, characterised in that the at least one applicator is connected to a movement element (31) that can be moved on a guide (15), such that the at least one applicator can be moved on the guide around the excavating tool separately from the movement of the excavating tool.

Description

[0001] Device and method for excavating a cavity in the ground

[0002] The invention relates to a device for excavating a cavity in the ground with at least one excavation tool for loosening rock or soil from a surface of the cavity to be created that is to be removed, wherein the at least one excavation tool for loosening the rock is arranged on at least one pivoting arm that is movable relative to the surface, and wherein the device has at least one microwave device for generating and emitting microwaves into the rock of the surface, which has at least one applicator for introducing the microwaves into the rock, and wherein the at least one applicator is movable relative to the surface that is to be removed, separately from the excavation tool.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for excavating a cavity in the ground, wherein the rock is loosened at a surface with an excavation tool arranged on at least one pivoting arm of an excavation device of a device for excavating a cavity in the ground, wherein the strength of the rock is reduced by irradiation with microwaves, wherein the microwaves are emitted into the rock via at least one applicator of a device for generating and emitting microwaves, which applicator is designed to be movable relative to the shaft bottom.

[0003] Microwaves are a common name for electromagnetic waves, for example, with a frequency of 1 to 300 GHz, which corresponds to a wavelength of approximately 30 cm to 1 mm. Microwaves are electromagnetic waves generated by a microwave generator / microwave source (these terms are used synonymously in this application). They can be reflected and refracted accordingly, and can also interfere. In this disclosure, a magnetron is an interchangeable example of a microwave generator / microwave source. Furthermore, in this disclosure, an applicator is understood as synonymous with an antenna for emitting microwaves.

[0004] It is generally known that when loosening rock (in this application, rock is always used synonymously with soil), for example when driving a tunnel or a shaft, or in mining when loosening valuable minerals or driving roadways in mines, the loosening process of the rock can be carried out with less wear by heating and weakening the rock through the introduction of microwaves. This process can be additionally supported by a cooling step through the application of a cooling medium such as water to quench the rock. Here, it has been shown that cooling itself does not provide any additional benefit in terms of weakening the rock and only causes additional problems, for example, when loosening the rock, especially when dry mining, or entails costs without achieving a significant advantage in loosening the rock.

[0005] CN 107218054A, for example, discloses a roadheader in which a microwave device is provided on the pivoting arm, with which the rock is heated and weakened in a separate work step by introducing microwaves. This microwave device has an applicator and is mounted entirely on the pivoting arm. The microwave device is provided with a movement device on the pivoting arm, which allows the applicator to be moved section by section across the face along with a movement of the pivoting arm while the mining process is stopped. The heated and weakened area is then loosened with the mining tool. The next area is then moved and heated with the applicator while the mining process is stopped again. In this way, the entire mining face is successively treated and subsequently mined.The disadvantage here is that the degradation process is slowed down accordingly due to the alternating steps.

[0006] JPS4742085Y1 shows a shield tunneling machine with a backhoe as the excavation tool. Also disclosed is a microwave device consisting of a microwave generator, a waveguide, and a microwave emitter connected to the waveguide. The microwave emitter is arranged on an arm consisting of two rotatably connected arm sections. The arm is mounted on the tunnel boring machine via a horizontal rotating element so that it can rotate horizontally relative to the latter. Furthermore, the arm sections have hydraulic cylinders with which the microwave irradiation device can be moved up and down. Furthermore, the microwave device is pivoted left and right via the rotating element. JPS4813660B1 shows a horizontal tunneling machine with a shield connected to it and arranged around it in a horseshoe shape. The tunneling machine can be moved via crawler tracks.It comprises a roller mounted on an arm that pivots as an excavation tool, capable of both lateral and penetrating excavation. Furthermore, the device features a microwave applicator mounted on an arm consisting of three parts, which can be raised, lowered, or tilted via hydraulic cylinders. The excavation tool is mounted on an arm that pivots, and the arm itself can be pivoted in a plane via a hydraulic cylinder. The two arms, in turn, are fixedly mounted on a rotating element, allowing the pivoting plane of the excavation tool to be rotated.

[0007] JPH06264689A discloses a tunnel boring machine in which the tunnel face is heated with a microwave and crushed by high-pressure air streams. A tunnel excavation process in which the tunnel face is heated and crushed exclusively with a microwave is disclosed. Electromagnetic waves of a specific frequency are oscillated by an oscillator, and the oscillated waves of a specific frequency are applied to a rock mass by an antenna to remove the rock mass. When the electromagnetic waves of a specific frequency oscillated by the oscillator act from the antenna onto the rock mass, the molecules of the rock mass's constituents vibrate, generating heat in the rock mass through dielectric loss. The heat generation caused by the dielectric loss leads to a rapid temperature rise at the rock surface.However, heat generation decreases with increasing depth in the rock. This temperature change leads to thermal stresses in the near-surface rock mass and thus to cracks in the rock mass, which divide into finer cracks, allowing the rock mass to be fractured. The antenna is disclosed as an aperture radiator or a group of several antennas. Furthermore, it is disclosed that the frequency of the microwaves is tuned to the resonant frequency of the rock to be mined, and the oscillator is adjusted accordingly by the operator. A magnetron or a klystron is disclosed as the oscillator. The connection between the oscillator and antenna is established via a waveguide. Furthermore, the antenna is attached to a movable arm, which can be moved so that the entire face can be irradiated.An operator in the control room observes the rock on the monitor, operates the control handle of the boom arm, and positions the antenna on the rock that is to be irradiated with electromagnetic waves. Furthermore, a shield is provided between the operator and the antenna. CN108060927A shows a device for breaking up boulders in the path of a tunnel boring. A first drilling device drills a hole into the boulder. A microwave emitter is then inserted into the borehole and the entire device is sealed with a cover. The rock is heated by the microwave emitter to temperatures of, for example, 600°C. A water cutting unit is then inserted into the borehole, which then both cuts and cools the boulder, whereby the thermal stress further crushes the boulder.

[0008] US2023194386A1 shows a test rig for rock cutting, for example, for tunnel construction, in conjunction with microwave irradiation of the working face. The rock is cut with a rotating cutting wheel in full cut. Several individual antennas are provided around the circumference of the cutting wheel, which can irradiate the rock when stationary or rotating.

[0009] In all of the aforementioned devices and methods, the rock to be loosened is explicitly irradiated and loosened alternately. This is disadvantageous when excavating cavities in the rock.

[0010] The object of the invention is to enable the introduction of microwaves into the rock during the mining of the rock by the mining tool

[0011] The object is achieved according to the invention with regard to the device in that the at least one applicator is connected to a movement element that can be moved on a guide, so that the at least one applicator can be moved on the guide around the extraction tool separately from the movement of the extraction tool.

[0012] This makes it easy to position the applicator of the microwave device in the area of ​​the rock to be irradiated, independent of the movement of the mining tool.

[0013] A further teaching of the invention provides that the guide is arranged on the at least one pivoting arm of the at least one excavation tool. Surprisingly, it has been found that, precisely when the guide is provided on the pivoting arm, it is particularly simple and advantageous to carry out the irradiation during the loosening of the rock. A further alternative teaching of the invention provides that the guide is arranged separately from the at least one pivoting arm on the device or on a shield or support surrounding the device. This allows the microwaves to be emitted independently of the effects of the loosening of the rock.

[0014] A further teaching of the invention provides that the guide has at least one arcuate, preferably annular, section along which the movement element can be moved relative to the extraction tool. This allows the applicator to be moved around the extraction tool particularly easily.

[0015] A further teaching of the invention provides that the movement element can be moved axially along the guide toward the surface to be removed. This allows the applicator to be easily moved toward the surface to be removed.

[0016] A further teaching of the invention provides that the movement element has a section on which an element of the microwave device, on which the applicator is arranged, can be moved in the axial direction toward the surface to be removed. This allows the applicator to be easily moved toward the surface to be removed.

[0017] A further teaching of the invention provides that the device is a shaft boring machine for vertically driving a bore as an opening in the rock, a tunnel boring machine with a roadheader for horizontally driving a tunnel or a roadway as an opening in the rock or a mobile roadheader with or without a shield for horizontally driving a tunnel or a roadway as an opening in the rock or a cavity as an opening in a deposit body.

[0018] A further teaching of the invention provides that the surface to be removed is a working face or a shaft bottom.

[0019] A further teaching of the invention provides that the microwave device has at least one microwave conductor for supplying the microwaves from a magnetron to an applicator, the length of which is adjustable via at least one actuator, and / or that the microwave conductor is arranged on the movement element so as to be pivotable relative to the latter. Instead of a magnetron, the microwave generator can also be a semiconductor-based (solid-state) microwave generator. A further teaching of the invention provides that the applicator is provided with at least one applicator shield. It is advantageous that the at least one shield is arranged relative to the "surface" in such a way that the distance of the at least one applicator shield from the shaft floor is variable.It has been surprisingly shown that this not only prevents an uncontrolled escape of microwaves in the area of ​​application but also provides an optimal effective space around the applicator in a simple manner.

[0020] A further teaching of the invention provides for a mining device shield to be provided on the side of the at least one mining device facing away from the pivoting arm with respect to the mining tool. This provides another simple way to protect the upper region of the device from escaping microwaves.

[0021] A further teaching of the invention provides that the device for generating and emitting microwaves has at least one power source, at least one cooling means, preferably a water cooling means, at least one magnetron, at least one frequency tuner for adjusting the frequency of the microwaves and at least one microwave guide for guiding the microwaves to at least one applicator for emitting the microwaves into the rock.

[0022] A further teaching of the invention provides that the at least one device for generating and emitting microwaves into the rock of the shaft bottom has a microwave conductor whose length can be changed, for example linearly or due to an articulated arrangement.

[0023] A further teaching of the invention provides that the at least one device for generating and emitting microwaves into the rock of the “surface” comprises a microwave conductor having a plurality of sections that are displaceable and / or pivotable relative to one another.

[0024] Alternatively, the applicator, together with other components of the device, for example the at least one magnetron, the at least one frequency tuner, and the at least one microwave guide, can be moved away from or towards the "surface" as a connected unit. This makes it easy to provide the optimal distance of the applicator from the shaft floor, even if it has been moved across the shaft floor to another irradiation area. A further teaching of the invention provides that the at least one magnetron, the at least one frequency tuner, at least one microwave guide, the at least one applicator, and the at least one first shield are provided as a movable unit relative to the "surface." This makes it easy to provide the optimal distance of the applicator from the "surface."Furthermore or alternatively, this makes it possible to easily access different irradiation areas on the “surface” during the mining operation of the mining tool.

[0025] A further teaching of the invention provides for the surface to be cleaned in the area of ​​the applicator. Preferably, the irradiation area of ​​the rock to be heated is cleaned of any potentially interfering materials such as dust or moisture before the final arrangement of the shield or the applicator 36. Cleaning is performed, for example, by a scraper, a broom, at least one rotating brush, or a compressed air discharge. For this purpose, a cleaning device is preferably arranged in the area of ​​the applicator.

[0026] The object is achieved according to the invention with regard to the method for sinking a shaft, preferably with a device described above, in that the at least one applicator is connected to a movement element that travels on a guide, so that the at least one applicator is moved on the guide around the excavation tool separately from the movement of the excavation tool.

[0027] A further teaching of the invention provides that the guide is arranged on the at least one pivot arm of the at least one excavation tool, or that the guide is arranged separately from the at least one pivot arm on the device or on a shield or support surrounding the device.

[0028] A further teaching of the invention provides that the guide has at least one arcuate, preferably annular, section on which the movement element is moved relative to the mining tool.

[0029] A further teaching of the invention provides that the movement element is moved on the guide in the axial direction toward the surface to be ablated. A further teaching of the invention provides that the movement element has a section on which an element of the microwave device, on which the applicator is arranged, is moved in the axial direction toward the surface to be ablated.

[0030] A further teaching of the invention provides that the applicator is shielded with at least one applicator shield.

[0031] It is advantageous that the at least one shield is provided relative to the shaft bottom in such a way that the distance of the at least one applicator shield relative to the shaft bottom is changed.

[0032] A further teaching of the invention provides that on the side of the at least one extraction device facing away from the pivot arm with respect to the extraction tool, an extraction device shield is provided, with which the area lying above the extraction device is shielded.

[0033] A further teaching of the invention provides for cleaning the shaft floor in the area of ​​the applicator, for example, by releasing compressed air into the irradiation area. For this purpose, a cleaning device is preferably arranged in the area of ​​the applicator.

[0034] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing of a preferred embodiment. In the drawings:

[0035] Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 a first embodiment of a device according to the invention in the form of a shaft drilling machine, wherein

[0036] Fig. 1 is a first schematic side view of one embodiment of a device according to the invention,

[0037] Fig. 2 is a second schematic side view of Fig. 1 in a modified operating state,

[0038] Fig. 3 is a third view rotated by 90° to Fig. 1 in a modified operating state,

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a further spatial view of the microwave device according to the invention in relation to Fig. 1, and

[0040] Fig. 5 shows a side view of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 to Fig. 9 show a second embodiment of a device according to the invention in the form of a first horizontal tunnel boring machine with a shield, wherein

[0041] Fig. 6 is a first schematic side view of the second embodiment of a device according to the invention,

[0042] Fig. 7 is a second schematic side view of Fig. 6 in a modified operating state, and

[0043] Fig. 8 shows a spatial view of Fig. 6,

[0044] Fig. 9a to 9c show a first embodiment of a mining tool with a microwave device according to the invention for the second embodiment of the device according to the invention,

[0045] Fig. 10a to 10c show a second embodiment of a mining tool with a microwave device according to the invention for the second embodiment of the device according to the invention,

[0046] Fig. 11 a plan of the working face with an excavation tool according to Fig. 9a to 10c,

[0047] Fig. 12 to Fig. 14 a third embodiment of a device according to the invention in the form of a second horizontal tunnel boring machine with a shield, wherein

[0048] Fig. 12 is a first schematic side view of the third embodiment of a device according to the invention,

[0049] Fig. 13 is a second schematic side view of Fig. 12 in a modified operating state, and

[0050] Fig. 14 shows a spatial view of Fig. 12,

[0051] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the microwave device according to the invention,

[0052] Fig. 16 to Fig. 19 a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention in the form of a roadheader without a shield in the form of a roadheader for driving tunnels, galleries or cavities in deposits with a microwave device according to the invention arranged on the mining tool, wherein

[0053] Fig. 16 is a first schematic side view of the fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention,

[0054] Fig. 17 is a second schematic side view of Fig. 16 in a modified

[0055] operating status,

[0056] Fig. 18 is a spatial view of Fig. 16, and

[0057] Fig. 19 shows a third frontal view rotated by 90° to Fig. 16, and

[0058] Fig. 20 is a front view of an alternative embodiment to Fig. 19 with a shield and a microwave device according to the invention arranged so as to be movable on the shield.

[0059] Fig. 1 shows a schematic, partially sectioned side view of a vertically extending opening / cavity in the ground, here in the form of a shaft 100, with a first embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention for creating the opening, here the sinking of a shaft 100. Fig. 2 shows the same perspective in a modified operating state. Fig. 3 shows a view rotated by 90 degrees to Fig. 2 in a further modified operating state.

[0060] The first device 10 according to the invention is shown in the figures only with the excavation part of the device 10. A bracing plane 12 is provided at the top. The bracing plane 12 has bracing elements 13 that are extended against the shaft wall 110 (not shown here) to brace the device 10 in the shaft 100 and to stabilize it during the excavation of the rock during the sinking of the shaft 100.

[0061] Below the bracing level 12, an excavation device 20 is provided in an excavation chamber 140 in the shaft 100. The excavation device 20 has a pivot arm 21. This pivot arm 21, also referred to as a milling arm, has an excavation tool 22 at its free end, here, for example, in the form of a milling drum. The milling drum has, for example, a drum body 25 that is rotatably mounted and rotationally driven. For example, chisels 24 are provided on the drum body 25, with which the in-situ rock of a shaft floor 120, the deepest region of the shaft 100, is loosened. In the illustrated example according to the invention, the rock is loosened in what is known as a partial cut.

[0062] Furthermore, the pivot arm 21 can be pivoted via a joint 26 by means of an actuator, here a hydraulic cylinder 27. Advantageously, the pivot arm 21 is also telescopic, for example, to excavate a flat shaft floor 120 or to enable a larger excavation radius. For this purpose, at least one hydraulic cylinder 27a is provided on the pivot arm.

[0063] The shape of the shaft bottom 120 here corresponds to the pivot radius of the pivot arm 21 around the joint 26 when the actuators 27, 27a are actuated.

[0064] In the area of ​​the pivot arm 21, a stage 14 is also provided, on which elements for a device 30 according to the invention for generating and emitting microwaves can be arranged.

[0065] The microwaves generated and emitted by device 30 heat the rock in an irradiation zone. This heating weakens the rock or certain minerals within it, thereby reducing its strength.

[0066] The device 30 has at least one power source (not shown), preferably a generator with corresponding power electronics for voltage supply, at least one cooler (not shown), preferably a water cooling system, at least one magnetron (not shown), at least one frequency tuner (not shown) for adjusting the frequency of the microwaves and at least one microwave conductor 35 for conducting the microwaves to at least one applicator 36 for delivering the microwaves into the rock.

[0067] A shield (not shown) can be provided on the applicator 36. This shield, for example, comes into or almost comes into contact with the rock in an irradiation area and forms an irradiation chamber into which the applicator 36 emits the microwaves (not shown). These microwaves heat the rock in the irradiation area, possibly with water present in the rock's cracks and pores, thereby weakening the rock. At least one magnetron is connected to the power source via a cable (not shown). The cooling circuit for the magnetron, which is fed via the coolers, is not shown.

[0068] The magnetron and frequency tuner, if necessary with other components of the device 30, preferably form a unit 38 which is arranged on a frame 40 and is connected to the microwave conductor 35 and, via this, to the applicator 36.

[0069] The microwave conductor 35 is preferably telescopic in length in order to bring the applicator 36 to the desired distance from the shaft bottom 120. For this purpose, the microwave conductor 35 is preferably constructed from several elements, for example, a first conductor section 35a, a second conductor section 35b, and a third conductor section 35c, which are displaceable relative to or into one another in order to change the length of the microwave conductor 35, for example, via at least one longitudinal actuator 32.

[0070] Furthermore, at least one conductor joint 35d is preferably provided, here preferably between the conductor elements 35a, 35b, 35c and the applicator 36, so that the latter can be brought into the desired distance and the desired orientation to the shaft bottom 120, for example with at least one actuator, longitudinal actuator 32 in the form of a hydraulic cylinder.

[0071] Furthermore, a joint 35e is preferably provided between the microwave guide 35 and the unit 38, so that the microwave guide 35 can be pivoted relative to the unit 38. For this purpose, an actuator, here a hydraulic cylinder 34 for pivoting, is provided between the frame 40 and the microwave guide 35. Figs. 1, 2, and 3 show different pivoting situations.

[0072] The shielding can also be adjusted in size to create an optimal size for the irradiation room.

[0073] The frequency tuner is used to set the optimal frequency of the microwaves depending on the rock to be heated or its components / minerals / water content, with which the rock or, if applicable, a specific mineral in the rock or the water contained in the rock is heated optimally / as quickly as possible in order to achieve optimal attenuation in relation to the energy input by the microwaves.

[0074] Not shown in the shielding area is a cleaning device with which the irradiation area of ​​the rock to be heated can be cleaned of any interfering materials such as dust or moisture before the final arrangement of the shielding or applicator 36. This can, for example, be a scraper, a broom, at least one rotating brush, or a compressed air dispenser.

[0075] In addition to the shielding, which further prevents microwaves from entering the excavation chamber 140, a shielding plane (not shown) is preferably provided, preferably with a shield (not shown), which prevents microwaves that enter the excavation chamber 140 from leaving it into the region of the device above the shielding planes. Thus, the shielding of the applicator preferably comprises a first shield, and the shielding of the shielding plane comprises a second shield. If necessary, it may also be possible to omit one shield at a time.

[0076] In order to weaken the rock accordingly and facilitate loosening without extending the shaft excavation time, it has proven advantageous to irradiate the shaft floor 120 with microwaves to heat the rock. Advantageously, the rock cools before being loosened with the excavation tool 22, as it has been shown that wear on the bits 24 increases with hot / warm rock. It has been shown that it is advantageous for the cooling to occur over time without aids, as, for example, shock cooling does not provide any further benefits in terms of weakening.

[0077] Fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the microwave device 30. The microwave device 30 has the unit 38, which is arranged on a frame 40.

[0078] The frame 40 is connected to a moving element 31 that is provided for movement on a guide 15, which is preferably attached to the bracing plane 12. The guide is preferably ring-shaped, so that the moving element 31 can be moved 360° on the guide around the rotary drive 23 and thus around the removal tool 22, which is provided on the pivot arm 21 on the rotary drive 23. Figs. 4 and 5 show the microwave device 30 in different positions on the guide 15.

[0079] The unit 38 is movably connected to the microwave conductor 35 via the joint 35e. The microwave conductor 35, which is composed of sections 35a, 35b, 35c, can be varied in length via at least one longitudinal actuator 32, preferably two parallel hydraulic cylinders, in which the conductor sections 35a, 35b, 35c can be displaced into one another by extending and retracting the longitudinal actuators 32. The microwave conductor 35 has a swivel joint 35d on its outer side facing away from the unit 38, on which the applicator 36 is arranged.

[0080] In Figs. 4 and 5, the microwave device 30 is preferably equipped with two parallel applicators 36. The microwaves guided to the applicators 36 by the microwave conductors 35 are distributed between the two applicators 36 by a splitter (not shown).

[0081] Furthermore, the unit 38 is movable along the frame 40, here preferably in the double arrow direction A, in the dismantling direction, here preferably in the shaft direction, so that the microwave unit can be moved from an irradiation position to a parking position and back.

[0082] 6 to 8 show a device 50 as a second embodiment of the device according to the invention. The device 50 is a horizontal tunnel boring machine, for example for excavating a tunnel 160 as an opening / cavity in the ground, having a shield 51, a base 59 for an excavation device 60, and the excavation device 60, optionally arranged horizontally movable thereon, with a pivot arm 61 on which an excavation tool 62 is provided. The excavation tool 62 has a rotary drive 63 with which the pivot arm 61 can be pivoted horizontally. The shield 51 is preferably equipped with cutting shoes 53 at its front end. The excavation device 60 is movable axially back and forth on the base 59 in order to engage the excavation tool with a working face 150 of the tunnel 160 or to retract it into a parking position.

[0083] The excavation tool 62 has a drill head 65 equipped with chisels 64. The drill head 65 has a front surface 65a equipped with chisels 64 and an annular side surface 65b, which is also equipped with chisels 64. Behind the side surface 65b, a conveyor screw 68 is preferably provided on the excavation tool 62, with which the loosened rock is transported from a working face 150, which is shown in Fig. 7, to a removal device 52.

[0084] The swivel arm 61 is connected to a rotary drive 63 via a joint 66. The swivel arm 61 or the drill head 65 can be moved vertically using a hydraulic cylinder 67 as an actuator. A microwave device 70 is provided on a rear part 69 of the swivel arm 61. A guide 55 is provided on the rear part 69, on which a movement element 71 can be moved around the swivel arm 61.

[0085] A frame 80 is provided on the moving element 71, on which a unit 78 of the microwave device 70 is arranged. The unit 78 preferably has a magnetron and a frequency tuner, optionally with other components of the device 70. Via an actuator, here a hydraulic cylinder 74, the unit can be moved on the frame 80 between a rear parking position and a front irradiation position.

[0086] The device 70 has at least one power source (not shown), preferably a generator with corresponding power electronics for the voltage supply, at least one cooler (not shown), preferably a water cooling system, at least one magnetron (not shown), at least one frequency tuner (not shown) for setting the frequency of the microwaves and at least one microwave guide 75 for guiding the microwaves to at least one applicator 76 for emitting the microwaves into the rock. A shield (not shown) is preferably provided on the applicator 76. This shield comes into or almost comes into contact with the rock in an irradiation area, for example, and forms an irradiation chamber in which the applicator 76 emits the microwaves (not shown) which, if necessary,heated with water that is found in the cracks and pores of the rock, which then leads to a weakening of the rock.

[0087] The at least one magnetron is connected to the power source via a cable (not shown). The cooling circuit for the magnetron, which is fed via the coolers, is not shown.

[0088] The magnetron and frequency tuner, if necessary with other components of the device 70, preferably form the unit 78, which is arranged on a frame 80 and is connected to the microwave conductor 75 and, via this, to the applicator 76.

[0089] A microwave guide 75 is arranged on the unit 78 and is arranged to pivot vertically relative to the unit 78 via a joint 75e. The vertical pivoting of the microwave guide 75 is effected by an actuator 77, preferably a hydraulic cylinder.

[0090] The rear joint 75e is preferably provided on a rotating element 79, so that the microwave conductor 75 can be pivoted horizontally relative to the unit 78. The microwave conductor 75 is preferably constructed from several parts. A structure consisting of three parts, consisting of conductor sections 75a, 75b, 75c, is shown here. The conductor section 75a is connected to the joint 75e. The three conductor sections 75a, 75b, 75c can be moved into or out of each other via at least one longitudinal actuator 72, preferably a hydraulic cylinder, so that the length of the microwave conductor 75 can be changed, for example, in the direction of the working face.

[0091] On the side of the microwave conductor 75 facing away from the joint 75e, a joint 75d is provided on which an applicator 76 is arranged.

[0092] The structure of the microwave device 70 is shown in Fig. 9c. Figs. 9a and 9b show the microwave device 70 in conjunction with the mining device 60, with Fig. 9a showing the microwave device 70 in the parked position and Fig. 9b showing the microwave device 70 in the irradiation position. The microwave device 70 is shown in Fig. 6 in a similar manner to Fig. 9a, whereas Fig. 7 shows the microwave device 70 in the irradiation position similar to Fig. 9b. There, the applicator 76 is engaged with the working face 150.

[0093] Figs. 10a to 10c show an alternative embodiment of the arrangement and operation of the microwave device 70 on the dismantling device 60. Here, the rear part 69 is also provided with the guide 55. However, the guide 55 can be moved in the direction of the double arrow B on the rear part 69 of the pivot arm 61 between an irradiation position (Fig. 10a) and a parking position (Fig. 10b) using an actuator (not shown). In Fig. 10c, the movement of the moving element 71 on the guide 55 around the pivot arm 61 is shown in the direction of the double arrow C.

[0094] Both in the embodiment of the microwave device 70 according to Figs. 9a to 9c and in the embodiment according to Figs. 10a to 10c, it is possible to irradiate the working face with microwaves simultaneously with the drilling of the excavation tool 62.

[0095] Fig. 11 shows an exemplary preferred excavation scheme for the working face 150, in which the drill head 65 is first inserted into the working face 151 with the front surface 65a along a drilling line 151. The drill head 65 is moved along the predetermined drilling line 151 by moving the swivel arm 61 via the swivel joint 63 and the hydraulic cylinder 67, whereby the rock of the working face 151 is excavated with the front surface 65a and the side surface 65b or the chisels 64 located thereon in the direction of arrow D. The loosened rock is removed using the removal device 52. The applicator 76 is arranged directly behind the drill head 65 in Fig. 11, following it, so that the freshly exposed surface can be directly irradiated with microwave radiation. This prepares the rock directly and easily for the next drilling sequence.

[0096] The applicator 76 can be moved within the exposed track so that the entire surface is irradiated, for example, by the rotating element 79, the length adjustment of the microwave guide via the actuator 72, and pivoting the applicator 76 via the pivot joint 75d. Furthermore, the applicator 76 also follows the drill head 65 by rotating the moving element 71 around the guide 55, so that the applicator arrangements shown in Fig. 11 are achieved in the circle shown during drilling.

[0097] Figs. 12 to 14 show a device 50' as a third embodiment of the device according to the invention. The device 50' is a horizontal tunnel boring machine, for example, for excavating a tunnel 160 as an opening / cavity in the ground.

[0098] The mining device 60 and the microwave device 70 are constructed as previously described. However, the guide for the moving element 71 is not arranged on the pivot arm 61. Instead, a guide 56 for the moving element 71 is provided on an inner side 54 of the shield 51. The guide 56 is provided in an arc-like manner on the inner side, as shown in Fig. 15, so that the applicator 76 is completely unaffected by the mining of the working face.

[0099] The movement element 71 is provided on the inner side 57 of the guide 56, so that it can be moved along the guide 56 in the direction of the double arrow D. The operation and structure of the dismantling device 60 and the microwave device 70 are as previously described.

[0100] Figs. 16 to 20 show a device 90 as a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention. The device 90 is a roadheader that can be moved on a crawler chassis 91, for example for excavating a roadway in a mine, a tunnel, or a cavity, for example in a deposit as an opening / cavity in the ground. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 16 to 19, the roadheader is shown without a shield. In Fig. 20, the roadheader is additionally connected, preferably detachably, to a schematically indicated shield 99 via a non-limiting connection 98. Alternative designs are possible here depending on the requirements of the rock in which the cavity is being excavated.

[0101] The device 90 comprises an excavation device 60 with a drill head 65 and a pivoting arm 61. A removal device 92 is provided for removing the rock removed from the working face. Furthermore, a microwave device 70 is provided for irradiating the working face.

[0102] In the embodiment of the device 90 illustrated in Figs. 16 to 19, the degradation device 60 and the microwave device 70 are constructed as previously shown and described in Figs. 9a to 9c. A construction according to Figs. 10a to 10c is also possible.

[0103] Fig. 20 shows a further embodiment of the device 90 with a shield 99. A guide 56' is arranged on an inner side 54' of the shield 99, analogous to the illustrated and described embodiment of Figs. 12 to 15.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for excavating a cavity in the ground with at least one excavation tool for loosening rock or soil from a surface of the cavity to be created that is to be removed, wherein the at least one excavation tool for loosening the rock is arranged on at least one pivoting arm that is movable relative to the surface, and wherein the device has at least one microwave device for generating and emitting microwaves into the rock of the surface, which has at least one applicator for introducing the microwaves into the rock, and wherein the at least one applicator is movable relative to the surface separately from the excavation tool relative to the surface to be removed, characterized in that the at least one applicator is connected to a movement element that is movable on a guide so that the at least one applicator is movable on the guide around the excavation tool separately from the movement of the excavation tool.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide is arranged on the at least one pivot arm of the at least one mining tool.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide is arranged separately from the at least one pivot arm on the device or on a shield or structure surrounding the device.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide has at least one arcuate, preferably annular, section on which the movement element can be moved relative to the mining tool.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the moving element can be moved on the guide in the axial direction towards the surface to be removed.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movement element has a section on which an element of the microwave device, on which the applicator is arranged, can be moved in the axial direction towards the surface to be removed.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device is a shaft boring machine for vertically driving a bore as an opening in the rock, a tunnel boring machine with a roadheader for horizontally driving a tunnel or a roadway as an opening in the rock or a mobile roadheader with or without a shield for horizontally driving a tunnel or a roadway as an opening in the rock or a cavity as an opening in a deposit body.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the surface to be removed is a working face or a shaft bottom.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the microwave device has at least one microwave conductor for supplying the microwaves from a magnetron to an applicator, the length of which is adjustable via at least one actuator, and / or that the microwave conductor is arranged on the movement element so as to be pivotable relative to the latter.

10. A method for excavating a cavity in the ground, preferably with a device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the rock is loosened at a surface using an excavation tool of an excavation device of a device for excavating a cavity in the ground, which excavation tool is arranged on at least one pivoting arm, wherein the strength of the rock is reduced by irradiation with microwaves, wherein the microwaves are emitted into the rock via at least one applicator of a device for generating and emitting microwaves, which applicator is designed to be movable relative to the shaft bottom, characterized in that the at least one applicator is connected to a movement element which travels on a guide, so that the at least one applicator is moved on the guide around the excavation tool separately from the movement of the excavation tool.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the guide is arranged on the at least one pivot arm of the at least one excavation tool, or that the guide is arranged separately from the at least one pivot arm on the device or on a shield or support surrounding the device.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the guide has at least one arcuate, preferably annular, section on which the movement element is moved relative to the mining tool.

13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the moving element is moved on the guide in the axial direction towards the surface to be removed.

14. Device according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the movement element has a section on which an element of the microwave device, on which the applicator is arranged, is moved in the axial direction towards the surface to be removed.

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