The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 30, 1992
Filed:
Mar. 29, 1991
Larry Snyder, Arvada, CO (US);
Other;
Abstract
A tunnel boring machine having increased thrust capability is disclosed. The machine includes a rotatable cutter head for cutting material away from the face of the tunnel and a drive shaft and motor for rotating the cutter head in a cutting state of operation. A bearing assembly is also provided for facilitating rotation of the cutter head during the cutting state of operation. Thrust cylinders are also provided for generating forward thrust. The machine also includes first and second structures for defining a fluid pressurizable cavity between the cutter head and the thrust cylinders which transmit forward thrust to the cutter head when the cavity is sufficiently pressurized. In addition, the machine includes a pressurizing system for pressurizing the cavity.