Systems, Methods and Apparatus of Tunnel Construction

This disclosure relates generally to tunnel construction, and more particularly to construction of an arch of a tunnel.

Tunnels are massively expensive and time-consuming to build. In general, metal sheets are hammered into the ground to begin formation of the walls and roof of tunnel, but the sheets often diverge greatly from the intended path.

The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

One general aspect includes a method of a tunnel construction process may include: inserting two guidetubes into a ground; connecting a sheet to ends of the two guidetubes; and hammering the sheet through the ground from the ends of the sheet that are opposite of the two guidetubes, thus pushing the two guidetubes through the ground in the same direction as the sheet. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

One general aspect includes a method of a tunnel construction process may include: inserting two guidetubes into a ground; and hammering a sheet into the ground with a beveled front edge of the sheet directed toward the two guidetubes, where the beveled front edge directs the sheet toward the two guidetubes. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

One general aspect includes an apparatus operable to construct a tunnel, the apparatus may include: a microprocessor; a first component being operably coupled to the microprocessor and having computer instructions that when executed is operable to insert two guidetubes into a ground; a second component being operably coupled to the microprocessor and having computer instructions that when executed connects a sheet to ends of the two guidetubes; and a third component operably coupled to the microprocessor and having computer instructions that when executed hammer the two guidetubes through the ground from the ends of the sheet that are opposite of the two guidetubes, thus pushing the two guidetubes through the ground in the same direction as the sheet. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

One general aspect includes an apparatus may include: a plurality of guidetubes; and a plurality of sheets that are connected to the plurality of guidetubes by complementary geometry. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein can be used to construct an arch-shaped tunnel, a square-shaped tunnel and a rectangular-shaped tunnel. Apparatus, systems, and methods of varying scope are described herein. In addition to the aspects and advantages described in this summary, further aspects and advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the detailed description that follows.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific implementations which may be practiced. These implementations are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the implementations, and it is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the implementations. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The detailed description is divided into five sections. In the first section, a system level overview is described. In the second section, apparatus of implementations are described. In the third section, implementations of methods are described. In the fourth section, a hardware and the operating environment in conjunction with which implementations may be practiced are described. Finally, in the fifth section, a conclusion of the detailed description is provided.

is an isometric diagram of an overview of a systemto tunnel through a ground, according to an implementation.

Systemincludes a plurality of guidetubesand a plurality of sheetsthat are connected to the plurality of guidetubesby complementary geometry that interlock with each other.

In some implementations of system, a geometry of a structure of the plurality of guidetubesincludes a recessive geometry and a geometry of a structure of the plurality of sheetsincludes a dominant geometry. In some implementations of system, a geometry of a structure of the plurality of guidetubesalso includes concave geometry and a geometry of a structure of the plurality of sheetsalso includes convex geometry.

In some implementations of system, the plurality of guidetubesand the plurality of sheetsare in a ground.

In some implementations of system, the plurality of guidetubesincludes a first guidetube, a second guidetubeand a third guidetube, in which the plurality of sheetsalso includes a first sheetand a second sheet. A first connective structure of the first guidetubehas a female geometry (such as a socket), in which the first connective structure of a first edge of the first sheethas a male geometry (such as a ball), in which a second connective structure of a second edge of the first sheethas a male geometry, in which a first connective structure of the second guidetubehas a female geometry, in which a first connective structure of a first edge of the second sheethas a male geometry, in which a second connective structure of the second edge of the second sheethas a male geometry, and in which a fourth connective structure of the third guidetubehas a female geometry.

In some implementations, the sheets (such as the first sheetand the second sheet) are about ½″ thick.

In some implementations of system, the plurality of guidetubesalso includes a first guidetubein a ground, the first guidetubeincludes a first connective structure, a second guidetubein the ground, the second guidetubeincludes a second connective structure and a third connective structure, a third guidetubein the ground, the third guidetubeincludes a fourth connective structure, the first guidetube, the second guidetubeand the third guidetubeis approximately parallel in the groundto each other, and the first guidetube, the second guidetubeand the third guidetubeis approximately equidistance in the groundto each other,

In some implementations of system, the plurality of sheetsalso includes a first sheetin the ground, includes along a first edge of the first sheeta first connective structure that is complementary to the first connective structure of the first guidetube, and includes along a second edge of the first sheeta second connective structure that is complementary to the second connective structure of the second guidetube, a second sheetin the ground, includes along a first edge a first connective structure that is complementary to the third connective structure of the second guidetube, and includes along a second edge a second connective structure that is complementary to the fourth connective structure of the third guidetube.

In some implementations of system, a connective structure of the plurality of guidetubeshas a male geometry and the connective structures of the plurality of sheetshas a female geometry. More specifically, the first connective structure of the first guidetubehas a male geometry, the first connective structure of the first edge of the first sheethas a female geometry, the second connective structure of the second edge of the first sheethas a female geometry, the first connective structure of the second guidetubehas a male geometry, the first connective structure of the first edge of the second sheethas a female geometry, the second connective structure of the second edge of the second sheethas a female geometry and the fourth connective structure of the third guidetubehas a male geometry.

In some implementations of system, a connective structure of the plurality of guidetubeshas a female geometry and a connective structure of the plurality of sheetshas a male geometry. More specifically, the first connective structure of the first guidetubehas a female geometry, the first connective structure of the first edge of the first sheethas a male geometry, the second connective structure of the second edge of the first sheethas a male geometry, the first connective structure of the second guidetubehas a female geometry, the first connective structure of the first edge of the second sheethas a male geometry, the second connective structure of the second edge of the second sheethas a male geometry and the fourth connective structure of the third guidetubehas a female geometry.

While the systemis not limited to any particular plurality of guidetubes, plurality of sheets, ground, guidetube, guidetube, guidetube, sheetand sheet, for sake of clarity a simplified plurality of guidetubes, plurality of sheets, ground, guidetube, guidetube, guidetube, sheetand sheetare described.

In the previous section, a system level overview of an implementation was described. In this section, the particular apparatus of such an implementation are described by reference to a series of diagrams.

is a block diagram of an apparatusto insert a guidetube, according to an implementation.

Apparatusincludes a guide tube insertion machinethat inserts a guidetube(such as guidetube, guidetubeor guidetubein) in a ground (such a groundin.

is an isometric diagram of an apparatus, that is a subset of a systemto tunnel through a ground, according to an implementation.

Apparatusincludes the second guidetube, the third guidetubeand the second sheetthat are connected by complementary geometry that interlock with each other.

In some implementations of apparatus, a geometry of a structure of the second guidetubeand the third guidetubeincludes a recessive geometry and a geometry of a structure of the second sheetincludes a dominant geometry. In some implementations of apparatus, a geometry of a structure of the second guidetubeand the third guidetubealso includes concave geometry and a geometry of a structure of the second sheetalso includes convex geometry.

In some implementations of apparatus, the second guidetubeand the third guidetubeand the second sheetare in a ground.

In some implementations of apparatus, a first connective structure of the second guidetubehas a female geometry, in which a first connective structure of a first edgeof the second sheethas a male geometry, in which a second connective structure of the second edgeof the second sheethas a male geometry, and in which a fourth connective structure of the third guidetubehas a female geometry.

In some implementations of apparatus, the second guidetubeincludes a second connective structure and a third connective structure, the third guidetubeincludes a fourth connective structure, the second guidetubeand the third guidetubeare approximately parallel in the ground to each other, and the first guidetube, the second guidetubeand the third guidetubeis approximately equidistance in the ground to each other,

In some implementations of apparatus, the second sheetin the ground, includes along a first edgea first connective structure that is complementary to the third connective structure of the second guidetube, and includes along a second edgea second connective structure that is complementary to the fourth connective structure of the third guidetube.

In some implementations of apparatus, a connective structure of the second guidetubeand the third guidetubehas a male geometry and the connective structure of the second sheethas a female geometry. More specifically, the first connective structure of the second guidetubehas a male geometry, the first connective structure of the first edgeof the second sheethas a female geometry, the second connective structure of the second edgeof the second sheethas a female geometry and the fourth connective structure of the third guidetubehas a male geometry.

In some implementations of apparatus, a connective structure of the second guidetubeand the third guidetubehas a female geometry and a connective structure of the second sheethas a male geometry. More specifically, the first connective structure of the second guidetubehas a female geometry, the first connective structure of the first edgeof the second sheethas a male geometry, the second connective structure of the second edgeof the second sheethas a male geometry and the fourth connective structure of the third guidetubehas a female geometry.

While the apparatusis not limited to any particular second guidetube, third guidetube, second sheet, for sake of clarity a simplified the second guidetubeand the third guidetubeand second sheetare described.

is side view of an apparatusto tunnel through a ground, according to an implementation.

Apparatusincludes a plurality of guidetubesand a plurality of sheetsthat are connected to the plurality of guidetubesby complementary geometry.

In some implementations of apparatus, a geometry of a structure of the plurality of guidetubesincludes a recessive geometry and a geometry of a structure of the plurality of sheetsincludes a dominant geometry.

In some implementations of apparatus, a geometry of a structure of the plurality of guidetubesincludes concave geometry and a geometry of a structure of the plurality of sheetsincludes convex geometry.

In some implementations of apparatus, the plurality of guidetubesincludes the plurality of guidetubesin a ground and the plurality of sheetsincludes the plurality of sheetsin the ground.

In some implementations of apparatus, the plurality of guidetubesincludes a first guidetube, a second guidetubeand a third guidetube, the plurality of sheetsincludes a first sheetand a second sheet, a first connective structure of the first guidetubehas a female geometry, the first connective structure of a first edge of the first sheethas a male geometry, a second connective structure of a second edge of the first sheethas a male geometry, a first connective structure of the second guidetubehas a female geometry, a first connective structure of a first edge of the second sheethas a male geometry, a second connective structure of the second edge of the second sheethas a male geometry and a fourth connective structure of the third guidetubehas a female geometry.

In some implementations of apparatus, the plurality of guidetubesincludes a first guidetubein a ground, the first guidetubehaving a first connective structure, a second guidetubein the ground, the second guidetubehaving a second connective structure and a third connective structure, a third guidetubein the ground, the third guidetubehaving a fourth connective structure, the first guidetube, the second guidetubeand the third guidetubebeing approximately parallel in the ground to each other and the first guidetube, the second guidetubeand the third guidetubebeing approximately equidistance in the ground to each other.

In some implementations of apparatus, the plurality of sheetsincludes a first sheetin the ground, having along a first edge, a first connective structure that is complementary to the first connective structure of the first guidetubeand having along a second edge, a second connective structure that is complementary to the second connective structure of the second guidetubeand a second sheetin the ground, having along a first edge, a first connective structure that is complementary to the third connective structure of the second guidetubeand having along a second edge, a second connective structure that is complementary to the fourth connective structure of the third guidetube.

In some implementations of apparatus, a connective structure of the guidetubeshas a female geometry and a connective structure of the sheetshas a male geometry. In some further implementations, the first connective structure of the first guidetubehas a female geometry, the first connective structure of the first edge of the first sheethas a male geometry, the second connective structure of the second edge of the first sheethas a male geometry, the first connective structure of the second guidetubehas a female geometry, the first connective structure of the first edge of the second sheethas a male geometry, the second connective structure of the second edge of the second sheethas a male geometry and the fourth connective structure of the third guidetubehas a female geometry. In some implementations, the connective structures of the guidetubeshas a male geometry and the connective structures of the sheetshas a female geometry. In some implementations, the first connective structure of the first guidetubehas a male geometry, the first connective structure of the first edge of the first sheethas a female geometry, the second connective structure of the second edge of the first sheethas a female geometry, the first connective structure of the second guidetubehas a male geometry, the first connective structure of the first edge of the second sheethas a female geometry, the second connective structure of the second edge of the second sheethas a female geometry and the fourth connective structure of the third guidetubehas a male geometry.

is side view of a diagram of a sheetwith a beveled front edge, according to an implementation.

Sheetis one example of sheetor sheet, as shown in. Sheethas front edgethat is attached to the sheet by weldsand. The front edgehas a beveled front face.

is top view of an isometric diagram of a sheet with beveled front edges, according to an implementation.

Sheetinis one example of sheetor sheet, as shown in. Sheethas beveled front edges.

is a top view of an isometric diagram of a sheet connected to guidetubes via alignment pins, according to an implementation.

Sheetinis one example of sheetor sheet, as shown in. Solid alignment pinsandare fixedly attached to the sheet, such as by a weld. Endsandof each solid alignment pinsandconnect with guidetubesandso that when pressure is applied to the back endof the sheet, the guidetubesandare pushed in the direction of the force.

is a top view of an isometric diagram of a sheet connected to guidetubes via alignment pins and impact washers, according to an implementation.