Water Jet-Mechanical TBM Cutter Head for Hard Rock Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunnel boring machines (TBMs) face challenges with insufficient rock-breaking ability, tool wear, and low reliability of high-pressure water jet cutting systems due to inadequate design, spatial arrangement, and lack of protective measures for water jet cutter bits, especially in complex geological conditions.
Innovation Solution
A TBM equipped with a high-pressure water jet cutting system featuring a water jet-mechanical combined cutter head, multi-medium rotary center, and integrated protection mechanisms, including a water jet diversion valve block, buffer materials, and real-time monitoring systems to enhance efficiency and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-pressure water jet cutting system is added to TBM, then rock-breaking ability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the high-pressure water jet cutting system with the mechanical cutter head into an integrated water jet-mechanical combined cutter head. The water jet device is merged with the mechanical cutting components, allowing both water jet erosion and mechanical cutting to occur simultaneously through the same cutter head structure, thereby improving rock-breaking ability while managing system complexity through integration
Solution Approach 2:
The cutter head is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical cutting through physical contact and rock fracture, and water jet erosion through high-pressure water streams. This multi-functional design allows the same cutter head structure to achieve both cutting modes, enhancing overall rock-breaking capability without requiring completely separate systems
2Reliability
If water jet cutter bit protection measures are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements protection measures for the water jet cutter bit by designing a protective structure that cushions and absorbs impacts before they reach the cutter bit. The protection mechanism is pre-configured to handle potential damages from hard rock encounters, extending the service life of the cutter bit while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protective structure as an intermediary element between the water jet cutter bit and the rock face. This intermediary component absorbs direct impacts and protects the vulnerable cutter bit, allowing the system to maintain reliability in harsh geological conditions without requiring complex active protection systems
3Productivity
If water jet-mechanical combined cutter head is used, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges water jet nozzles with mechanical cutting elements into a unified cutter head assembly. The water jet channels are integrated within the cutter head structure, allowing simultaneous water jet erosion and mechanical cutting action on the rock face, thereby improving tunneling productivity while containing complexity within a single integrated component
Solution Approach 2:
The water jet-mechanical combined cutter head enables continuous rock breaking through coordinated water jet erosion and mechanical cutting. The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that both water jet streams and mechanical cutters work simultaneously and continuously on the rock face, maximizing productivity without interruption
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 system improves rock-breaking efficiency, reduces tool wear, and ensures safe and reliable operation by optimizing the design and spatial arrangement of the water jet cutting system, providing real-time monitoring and protective measures for the cutter bits.
Implementation Method 1
high-pressure water jet cutting system
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a tunnel boring machine (TBM) equipped with a high-pressure water jet cutting system and a combined tunneling method, comprising a TBM body, the water pump unit on the body, and the high-pressure water jet cutting system at the front end of the body. The high-pressure water jet cutting system comprises a water jet-mechanical combined cutter head, water jet-shell knife combined cutters, a high-pressure water pipeline, a multi-medium rotary center, and a water jet diversion valve block. The high-pressure water at the pump unit is transmitted to the multi-medium rotary center through the high-pressure water conveying pipeline, and then divided into multiple paths by the water jet diverter valve block, and respectively supplied to each of the combined cutters on the water jet-mechanical combined cutter head. This invention offers practical suggestions and references for the overall design, and spatial arrangement of the high-pressure water jet cutting system.