Tunneling Device Pressure Monitoring for Overburden Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling overburden during tunneling are inaccurate and fail to reliably prevent excessive excavation, leading to subsidence and damage to surface and underground infrastructure, particularly in unstable soils below groundwater.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that monitor earth pressure using a pressure control element extending from the tunneling device's circumference to detect excessive excavation by measuring changes in soil pressure, adjusting excavation speed and material delivery rates accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If volume control methods (belt scales, volume measurement) are used to monitor overburden, then the extraction rate can be tracked, but measurement accuracy is insufficient to reliably prevent excessive excavation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/volumetric measurement systems (belt scales, volume measurement) with a pressure-based sensing system. Pressure control elements mounted on the tunneling device directly measure earth pressure, providing a more accurate and reliable indication of soil loosening and excessive excavation in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure control elements as intermediary sensors between the tunneling device and the ground. These elements indirectly detect soil conditions and overburden extraction effects through pressure changes, providing a more reliable measurement mechanism than direct volume or weight measurement.
2Quantity of substance
If hydraulic extraction with volume control is used, then overburden can be monitored, but the system complexity increases due to required separation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from the complex hydraulic extraction and separation system. By using pressure control elements mounted on the tunneling device, the monitoring capability is separated from the extraction system, simplifying the overall system while maintaining quantity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure control elements are integrated into the tunneling device itself, allowing the device to self-monitor the earth pressure and overburden extraction effects without requiring external separation systems or complex monitoring infrastructure.
3Quantity of substance
If belt scales or volume measurement are used for overburden control, then extraction quantity can be tracked, but in-situ bulk density determination is virtually impossible, leading to significant errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the problematic combination of volume measurement and bulk density determination with a direct pressure measurement system. The pressure control elements directly sense earth pressure changes, eliminating the need for separate bulk density measurements and their associated errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pressure control elements as intermediary sensors that indirectly measure soil conditions and overburden extraction effects. This indirect measurement through pressure changes provides more accurate information than direct volume and density measurements, especially for in-situ conditions.
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
Enables early detection and prevention of excessive overburden removal, reducing the risk of subsidence and infrastructure damage by ensuring precise control over excavation rates.
Implementation Method 1
the earth pressure which is exerted by the earth on a tunneling device which is driven through the ground is monitored by means of a pressure control element
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for monitoring overburden when advance working in the ground, in which method the ground pressure exerted by the ground (10) on an advance-working device driven through the ground (10) is monitored by a pressure-monitoring element (5) that extends out of the periphery (3) of the advance-working device. An advance-working device for carrying out the method comprises a pressure-monitoring element (5), which is arranged on the periphery (3) of the advance-working device and can be extended out beyond the periphery (3) of the advance-working device.