Boring Machine Cutterhead With High-Voltage Pulse Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mechanical rock breaking methods in tunnel boring are inefficient, leading to low boring speeds and rapid cutter wear, especially in hard rock conditions, resulting in economic losses and environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A novel boring machine that combines high-voltage pulse discharge and mechanical rock breaking, featuring a cutterhead with electrodes connected to a high-voltage pulse arc control system, which works in conjunction with rolling cutters to enhance rock breaking efficiency and reduce cutter wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mechanical rock breaking method is used, then the boring machine can break rock, but the boring speed is extremely slow and cutter wear is rapid under hard rock conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines high-voltage pulse discharge technology with traditional mechanical rock breaking method into a hybrid system. The cutterhead contains both rolling cutters for mechanical breaking and electrodes for pulse discharge. This merging allows the system to leverage the advantages of both methods: the mechanical cutters provide continuous rock breaking while the pulse discharge electrodes create micro-explosions that fracture rock, thereby significantly increasing boring speed and reducing cutter wear under hard rock conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces high-voltage pulse discharge technology to partially replace the mechanical rock breaking process. Instead of relying solely on mechanical force from cutters, the system uses electrical energy to generate pulse discharges that create thermal and mechanical effects directly on the rock, reducing the burden on mechanical cutters and improving overall boring efficiency.
2Reliability
If traditional mechanical rock breaking method is used, then the cutter can break rock, but the probability of cutter damage is greatly increased under extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
By combining pulse discharge electrodes with mechanical cutters, the system distributes the rock breaking workload between two different mechanisms. The pulse discharge electrodes handle the more aggressive fracturing of hard rock, while the mechanical cutters perform the finishing work. This division of labor reduces the stress and wear on the mechanical cutters, thereby decreasing the probability of cutter damage and improving overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-voltage pulse discharge technology substitutes for part of the mechanical rock breaking function, particularly in handling extreme hard rock conditions. This substitution reduces the mechanical stress on the cutters, lowering the risk of cutter damage and extending cutter life.
3Productivity
If high-voltage pulse discharge method is used, then rock breaking efficiency is high, but the device complexity increases due to additional electrode system
Solution Approach 1:
The cutterhead components serve dual functions: the rolling cutters perform both mechanical rock breaking and act as structural support for the electrode system. The electrode scrapers not only deliver high-voltage pulse discharges but also function as rock scraping and clearing tools. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high rock breaking efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electrode system with the existing mechanical cutterhead structure rather than adding a completely separate system. The electrodes are integrated into the cutterhead body and work in conjunction with the rolling cutters, allowing the system to achieve high rock breaking efficiency while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The combined method significantly improves rock breaking efficiency, reduces cutter wear, and accelerates the tunnel boring process while minimizing environmental impact and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A high-voltage pulse discharge rock breaking method realizes rock breaking by means of high-voltage arc discharge between electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a novel boring machine based on combined high-voltage pulse discharge and mechanical rock breaking, which comprises a main boring machine and a rear accessory, wherein a cutterhead and cutter system (1) is arranged at a front end of the main boring machine, electrodes (21) are arranged on the cutterhead and cutter system (1), and a high-voltage pulse arc control system is connected to the electrode (21). The cutterhead and cutter system comprises a cutterhead body (22) and rolling cutters (20), the electrodes (21) are electrode scrapers made of an electrode material, the electrode scrapers and the rolling cutters (20) are both arranged on the cutterhead body (22), and the cutterhead body (22) is connected to a main drive arranged in the main boring machine. The boring machine uses combined high-voltage pulse discharge and mechanical rock breaking to produce the rock breaking effect of a high-voltage pulse arc breakdown coupled with various forms such as the rolling cutters and the electrode scrapers, so that the rock breaking efficiency is improved, cutter wear is reduced, and a construction process is accelerated.