Shield Tail Seal Control for Uniform Sealant Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunnel boring machines face challenges in maintaining a uniform and quantity-related discharge of sealant under changing operating conditions without manual control effort.
Innovation Solution
A control unit in the tunnel boring machine adjusts the quantity of sealing material introduced into filling chambers based on specific input parameters and operating time, ensuring uniform discharge per area by compensating for fluctuations in pumping efficiency and drive speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pump arrangement is used to supply sealing material to filling chambers, then sealing material can be delivered to maintain seal integrity, but pumping efficiency decreases over time due to wear and changing operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives actual data about sealing material consumption from flow measurement devices and compares it with theoretical consumption values. This feedback loop enables the system to detect deviations caused by pumping efficiency changes and automatically adjust pump operation to maintain uniform sealing material discharge per area.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit modifies operating parameters of the pump arrangement based on feedback, specifically adjusting the quantity of sealing material pumped to compensate for efficiency changes. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures that despite wear or speed variations, the sealing material discharge remains uniform across different filling chambers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drive speed of the tunnel boring machine varies during operation, then adaptation to different geological conditions is possible, but the quantity of sealing material discharged per area becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit incorporates drive speed as an input parameter and uses feedback from flow measurement devices to detect how speed variations affect sealing material consumption. This enables automatic compensation that maintains uniform discharge per area regardless of drive speed changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the quantity of sealing material pumped based on real-time drive speed conditions. The control unit modifies pump operation parameters in response to changing drive speeds, transforming a static pumping system into a dynamic one that adapts to maintain precision under varying operating conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual control is used to adjust sealing material quantity, then some adaptation to changing conditions is possible, but manual control effort is required and consistency is difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically performs all adjustments to sealing material quantity based on feedback from flow measurement devices and input parameters like drive speed. The system serves itself by detecting deviations and making corrections without human intervention, eliminating manual control effort while maintaining adaptability to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated control system that uses electronic feedback and computational algorithms. The control unit substitutes human operators by automatically processing data from flow measurement devices and adjusting pump parameters, thereby eliminating the need for manual control effort while maintaining or improving consistency.
4Manufacturing precision
If flow measurement devices and control systems are added to monitor and adjust sealing material quantity, then uniform discharge per area is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives drive speed input, processes theoretical consumption data, compares it with actual measurements from flow devices, and controls pump operation. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single control unit, the system achieves uniform sealing material discharge while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the pump arrangement, flow measurement devices, and drive system. It processes information from multiple sources and translates it into appropriate pump control signals, thereby managing the complexity of the overall system while achieving the goal of uniform sealing material discharge.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control unit is provided in a tunnel boring machine, in which a predetermined and preferably smallest possible output of sealing material (227) out of a shield tail seal (121) into a residual layer (230) usually covered by a grouting material (224) for filling a ring gap (218) can be adjusted with relatively few fluctuations. In this way, in particular, an output that is as small as possible due to cost and environmental considerations, can be precisely and reliably maintained.