Key information

Title: TEMPORARY TUNNEL
Application number: 20170994
Case type: National
Status: 11.06.2019 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed: 16.06.2017
Effective date: 16.06.2017
Publicly available: 17.12.2018
Next annual fee due: 30.06.2026
Applicant: ROADCAP AS (NO)
Owner: ROADCAP AS (NO)
Inventor: Jens Olav Myklebust (NO) et al.
Agent: BRYN AARFLOT AS (NO)
Granted: 11.06.2019
Patent number: 343810
Expiry date: 16.06.2037

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

A temporary tunnel for shielding a road from falling hill side rocks is described. The tunnel comprises an elongated, open ended sheet metal dome (1) combined with a metal wire mesh covering the dome (2), the wire mesh being designed and dimensioned to catch and hamper larger rocks to penetrate the elongated sheet metal dome (1).

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Date

Date	Doc. No.	Process	Case number	In/Out	Journal description	To/from
14.06.2019	07-01	Saksbehandling	20170994	UT	PT Registreringsbrev Nasjonal Patent (15) (PT20170994)
07.05.2019	06-01	Saksbehandling	20170994	UT	PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20170994)
08.03.2019	05-01	Saksbehandling	20170994	UT	PT Meddelelse om patent	PROTECTOR IP AS
05.12.2018	04-04	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Hovedbrev	PROTECTOR IP AS
05.12.2018	04-03	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Krav NO	PROTECTOR IP AS
05.12.2018	04-02	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Krav	PROTECTOR IP AS
05.12.2018	04-01	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	PROTECTOR IP AS
16.07.2018	03-04	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Hovedbrev	PROTECTOR IP AS
16.07.2018	03-03	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Krav	PROTECTOR IP AS
16.07.2018	03-02	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Beskrivelse	PROTECTOR IP AS
16.07.2018	03-01	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	PROTECTOR IP AS
16.01.2018	02-02	Saksbehandling	20170994	UT	PT report 11:46:01
16.01.2018	02-01	Saksbehandling	20170994	UT	Realitet patent	Protector Intellectual Property Consultants AS
16.06.2017	01-07	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Sammendrag	Protector Intellectual Property Consultants AS
16.06.2017	01-06	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Beskrivelse	Protector Intellectual Property Consultants AS
16.06.2017	01-05	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Erklæring Søkers rett til oppfinnelse	Protector Intellectual Property Consultants AS
16.06.2017	01-04	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Fullmakt	Protector Intellectual Property Consultants AS
16.06.2017	01-03	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Krav	Protector Intellectual Property Consultants AS
16.06.2017	01-02	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Patenttegninger	Protector Intellectual Property Consultants AS
16.06.2017	01-01	Saksbehandling	20170994	INN	Søknadsskjema Patent	Protector Intellectual Property Consultants AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

Description

TEMPORARY TUNNEL

The present invention relates to a temporary tunnel for shielding a road from falling hillside rocks. In many mountainous countries, like Norway and Switzerland, the roads are often subjected to falling rocks and landslide. Most of such incidents are minor, but still of an extent that can cause personal injury and loss of life if they hit a vehicle.

Technical Field

The present solutions to avoid injuries is to secure the rock itself from falling out. This is done by clearing loose rocks and secure larger areas by a steel net or a steel mesh combined with wire mesh fences. This is work that needs to be carried out at height in difficult and little accessible terrain. It is very costly, the road need to be closed for traffic and not least, such work is very hazardous and risky for persons. In addition, long time is often passing before such work is decided and commenced, and also takes a long time to carry out. Even after a professional work is finished, there are still no guarantees against falling rocks or ice blocks.

Publication JPH0340308 disclose a tunnel with corrugated sheets for shielding a road from falling hill side rocks.

Publication CN101666070 and CN 102493328 discloses tunnels of metal net and support construction for shielding a road from falling hills side rocks.

None of the publications discloses however a temporary tunnel that could easily be transported and installed at a desired location for protection against falling objects.

The present invention seeks to avoid all this by using a temporary tunnel that can promptly and easily be deployed where the risk for falling rocks and landslide is prevalent. This means that a shield above the traffic is created instead of attempting to secure the entire hillside. A temporary tunnel section will be possible to manufacture within a few weeks, alternatively be stored at districts having high risk for falling rocks and landslide in order to be promptly deployed when needed.

Moreover, within existing tunnels, there is often a need for protection against loose rocks, and sometimes also a need for extending existing tunnel mouths or outlets. The present solutions for securing tunnels are time demanding and the traffic is severely affected. By the new temporary tunnel, the mouth of the tunnel and the tunnel itself can be rapidly secured.

Still another area of use of such a temporary tunnel, is to secure areas where construction activity takes place over or adjacent to heavy traffic road, bridge construction etc. Then it will be possible to let the traffic pass safely and unobstructed while construction takes place.

To make tunnels through rocks is a well known art that traditionally has included both drilling and blasting in the rock in order to make a tunnel. However, as far as we are aware of, a temporary tunnel for shielding a road from falling hill side rocks and landslides, has previously not been proposed.

Summary of invention

According to the present invention, a temporary tunnel of the introductory said nature is provided, the tunnel comprises an elongated, open ended sheet metal dome combined with a metal wire mesh covering the dome, which wire mesh being designed and dimensioned to catch and hamper larger rocks to penetrate the elongated sheet metal dome. The invention is distinguished in that said elongated open-ended metal dome is of an unfoldable dome construction having nested and folded dome elements, said dome elements being exposed when said dome construction is being unfolded.

In one embodiment the sheet metal comprises corrugated plates.

Preferably, the tunnel is adapted to be prefabricated in a factory and subsequently transported to the site for being deployed and erected there.

Normally the elongated open ended sheet metal dome is to be unfolded along a longitudinal top line of the dome.

Preferably, the dome elements comprises three elongated dome elements folded into a triangular cross section internally of and in top of the elongated dome construction.

Preferably, the three elongated dome elements hare hinged together in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Further, the elongated dome construction is erected by means of powered extendable means, such as a hydraulic cylinder.

The powered extendable means are acting vertically and horizontally to elevate and unfold the three elongated dome elements and to widen out the road contacting parts of the dome construction in order to widely open the tunnel cross section.

Brief description of drawings

Other and further objects, features and advantages will appear from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which is given for the purpose of description, and given in context with the appended drawings where:

Fig. 1 shows in perspective schematic view a temporary tunnel according to the present invention being transported on a lorry,

Fig. 2 shows a schematic elevation view of the lorry and tunnel shown in fig.1, Fig. 3 shows a schematic rear view of the open-ended tunnel and lorry, Fig. 4 shows in perspective schematic view the tunnel unloaded from the lorry and deployed on the ground,

Fig. 5 shows a schematic rear view of the open-ended tunnel shown in fig.4, Fig. 6 shows in perspective schematic view the tunnel according to fig.5 where each pair of ground contacting supports are fully brought apart and the tunnel is prepared for next steps in order to be expanded to full scale tunnel profile, Fig. 7 shows a schematic rear view of the fig.6 situation,

Fig. 8 shows in perspective view the first step of tunnel expansion into full profile tunnel,

Fig. 9 shows a schematic rear view of the fig.8 situation,

Fig. 10 shows in perspective view the second step of tunnel expansion into full profile tunnel,

Fig. 11 shows a schematic rear view of the fig.10 situation,

Fig. 12 shows a schematic rear view the third and final step of tunnel expansion into full profile tunnel, where all tools are removed,

Fig. 13 shows an enlarged detail of the metal wire mesh externally covering the sheet metal tunnel roof,

Fig. 14 shows in perspective view the third and final step of the tunnel expansion into full profile tunnel, and ready to be fixed to the ground and subsequent traffic use.

Fig. 15 shows the deployed temporary tunnel being used by two meeting lorries, Fig. 16 shows a top and elevation view of same as in fig.15, and

Fig. 17 shows an end view of two meeting lorries in a tunnel according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Reference is first made to fig.1 and 2 showing a temporary tunnel section 1 according to the present invention being transported on a lorry 2. The tunnel section 1 takes form of an elongated dome. The most easy and rapid solution to set up a temporary tunnel, is to transport tunnel sections 1 in one piece and have them installed at location and have them supported directly on the existing roadbed and have them immobilized by securely fixation to the ground. The tunnel section profile needs to be less than the smallest existing tunnel (if any) profile on the road in question. Hence, it is conceivable to make a temporary tunnel according to the present invention in its simplest embodiment (as defined in claim 1) as a sturdy tunnel construction in one piece.

If the above is not acceptable or possible, then the temporary tunnel construction needs to be foldable such that the temporary tunnel construction can be transported through the same tunnel profile. Hence, a little more complicated embodiment will be of a foldable construction in order to reduce the cross-sectional area of the tunnel profile to enable passage through existing road tunnels. The thought is that the temporary tunnel sections are transported during nighttime to a final destination and be ready installed the following morning and instantly be prepared for traffic through the temporary tunnel.

As shown in fig.1 and 2, the tunnel section 1 construction is made up by steel profiles 3 and corrugated sheet metal plates 4 and covered by heavy gauge steel wire mesh 5 or nets fixed externally of the sheet metal plates 4. The net 5 is to secure that larger stones or rocks do not pass through the steel plates, and the steel construction ensures sufficient capacity by taking up deformation energy higher than those values used for hillside securement today. The criteria of dimensions is to ensure that vehicles inside the tunnel are not hit by stones, and provide for full safety against personal injury, even if large deformation damage on the tunnel itself is accepted.

As indicated in fig.12, the profile shows what is called a T8.5 tunnel. The hatched inner rectangle shows areas that are dedicated for vehicles. It is to be observed the large spare areas that are dedicated for deformation zones without entering into the vehicles area. A still larger zone is available if one can imagine deformations all the way to where people in a vehicle normally are located.

The solution with an optimal steel construction covered with a sturdy heavy gauge steel wire net will therefore be able to absorb large amounts of energy without collapsing. Each section is connected by steel wire in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel section such that the forces are distributed over a large area.

Such a construction is light enough to be transported by standard vehicles, and the costs involved is competitive relative to hillside securement or tunnel constructions made of concrete.

Deformed parts of a tunnel can be repaired with specially designed hydraulic repair tools to be operated inside the tunnel walls. In case of severe damages, complete tunnel sections can be replaced.

In order to fold the tunnel construction, each tunnel section needs to be designed as an articulated mechanism that is secured by bolts when it is unfolded. These bolts are spring loaded, such that they automatically snap into engagement when they are positioned. This also entails a quick installation method without any elevated work in the tunnel space.

With reference to fig.3, a schematic rear view of the open-ended tunnel and lorry trailer 2a is shown. The temporary tunnel dome includes nested and folded elongated dome elements 6a, 6b, 6c. These dome elements 6a, 6b, 6c will be exposed when the dome construction is being unfolded.

As shown on fig.3, the dome elements 6a, 6b, 6c comprises three elements folded into a triangular cross section internally of and in top of the elongated dome construction. The three elongated dome elements 6a, 6b, 6c are hinged together in their longitudinal direction.

As further shown in fig.3, the elongated dome construction is made possible to erect by means of powered extendable means 7a, 7b, 7c, such as hydraulic cylinders. Any linear motor drive is conceivable, also pneumatic and electrically powered linear motors. Such linear motors can be inside telescoping beam structures, if not in open air.

The powered extendable means 7a, 7b, 7c are acting vertically and horizontally respectively, in order to elevate and unfold the three elongated dome elements 6a, 6b, 6c. In order to widely open up the tunnel cross section, the horizontally acting powered extendable means 7a, 7b are hinged together and used to widen out the road contacting parts 3a, 3b of the dome construction, while the vertically acting powered extendable means 7c is acting on the elongated dome elements 6a, 6b, 6c to push the triangle upwards and unfold.

Fig. 4 shows in perspective view the entire tunnel dome construction 1 unloaded from the trailer 2a of the lorry 2 and deployed on the ground or on a roadbed, which will be the normal unless it is unloaded for storage at some location. The tunnel dome construction 1 is supported on the ground by the respective road contacting parts 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, etc. to 3j.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic rear view of the open-ended tunnel shown in fig.3, but with the lorry 2 and trailer 2a driven out of the tunnel dome 1.

Fig. 6 and 7 show the tunnel dome construction where each pair of ground contacting supports 3a, 3b to 3i, 3j are fully brought apart and the tunnel dome construction 1 is prepared for next steps in order to be expanded to full scale tunnel profile. To this end, five pairs of horizontally acting powered extendable means are used, here represented by the first pair of powered extendable means 7a, 7b. As mentioned, each pair of powered extendable means 7a, 7b is hinged connected in one end, and hinged connected to respective ground contacting supports 3a, 3b to 3i, 3j in the opposite end.

Fig. 8 and 9 show the first step of tunnel dome erection into full profile tunnel dome 1 by use of five vertically acting powered extendable means, here represented by the first powered extendable means 7c. Each and every ground contacting supports 3a to 3j are firmly fixed to the ground by long rock bolts 9 driven through the road pavement and into the ground, preferably into solid rock.

Fig. 10 and 11 show the second step of tunnel expansion into the full profile tunnel dome. Continued use of the five vertically acting powered extendable means, represented by the first powered extendable means 7c, bring all the three elongated dome elements 6a, 6b, 6c into final position to complete the tunnel dome. The three hinged elongated tunnel sections 6a, 6b, 6c are locked together in this position by means of respective spring-loaded lugs or bolts B that are snapped into engagement with holes or recesses.

Fig. 12 and 14 show the third and final step of tunnel expansion into full profile tunnel dome, where all tools are removed, and ready to for subsequent traffic use. As previously mentioned, and indicated in fig.12, the profile shows what is called a T8.5 tunnel. The hatched inner rectangle R shows areas that are dedicated for vehicles. It is to be observed here the large spare areas A1, A2, A3 that are dedicated for deformation zones without entering into the vehicles area R. A still larger zone is available if one can imagine deformations all the way to where people in a vehicle normally are located.

Fig. 13 shows two enlarged detail areas of the tunnel dome 1. The upper one indicates the corrugated sheet metal plates P, while the lower one indicates the metal wire mesh M externally covering the sheet metal tunnel roof. Without being a limitation, a typical total length of the proposed tunnel, is 12 meters and 3 meters between each steel profiles 3.

Fig. 15 shows the deployed temporary tunnel being used by two meeting lorries, while fig.16 shows a top and elevation view of same as in fig.15, and fig.17 shows an end view of two meeting lorries in a tunnel according to the present invention.

A procedure of installation is as follows:

1. The tunnel section 1 is transported in folded position by lorry 2 having a low trailer 2a and height adjustable air suspension.

2. When the section 1 is in position, all the horizontal bottom beams 7a-7j are hydraulically telescoped to full width while the section 1 is still on the trailer 2a.

3. The section 1 is then put down on the ground, or roadbed, by descending the trailer 2a by operating the air suspension. Then the trailer 2a is removed.

4. Rock bolts 9 are installed through foot supports 3a-3j of the steel profiles 3. If the road describes a curb, the horizontal bottom beams 7a-7j can be used to force the tunnel section construction into a bend. Then temporary rock bolts need to be temporary installed in center.

5. The vertical hydraulic telescoping cylinders 7c then unfolds the three elongated tunnel sections 6a, 6b, 6c until all the bolts has snapped into engagement by spring force.

6. Then the outer bolts of the horizontal telescopic bottom beam 7a-7j are released, such that these can be retracted hydraulically. The vertical telescopic cylinders are retracted, and a lorry is driven in to remove these.

7. Now, next section is made ready for. This section is driven through the first section and is unfolded in the same way. Then the sections are interconnected by through running steel wires that are tied in.

There is no limit how long such a tunnel can be made.

Claims

A temporary tunnel for shielding a road from falling hill side rocks, said tunnel comprises an elongated, open ended sheet metal dome (1) combined with a metal wire mesh (M) covering said dome, said wire mesh (M) being designed and dimensioned to catch and hamper larger rocks to penetrate said elongated sheet metal dome (1), characterized in that said elongated open ended metal dome (1) is of an unfoldable dome construction having nested and folded dome elements (6a, 6b, 6c), said dome elements (6a, 6b, 6c) being exposed when said dome construction (1) is being unfolded.

The temporary tunnel according to claim 1, characterized in that said sheet metal dome (1) comprises corrugated plates (P).

The temporary tunnel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said tunnel is adapted to be prefabricated in factory and transported to site for deployment.

The temporary tunnel according to any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that said elongated open ended sheet metal dome (1) is unfoldable along a longitudinal top line of said dome.

The temporary tunnel according to any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that said dome elements (6a, 6b, 6c) comprises three elongated dome elements (6a, 6b, 6c) folded into a triangular cross section internally of and in top of said elongated dome construction (1).

The temporary tunnel according to any of the claims 1-5, characterized in that said three elongated dome elements (6a, 6b, 6c) are hinged together in the longitudinal direction thereof.

The temporary tunnel according to any of the claims 1-6, characterized in that said elongated dome construction (1) is erected by means of powered extendable means (7a, 7b), such as a hydraulic cylinder.

The temporary tunnel according to any of the claims 7, characterized in that said powered extendable means (7a, 7b, 7c) are acting vertically and horizontally to elevate and unfold the three elongated dome elements (6a, 6b, 6c) and to widen out the road contacting parts (3a – 3j) of the dome construction (1) in order to widely open the tunnel cross section and locking means (B) to lock the dome elements in position.

Patentkrav

1. Midlertidig tunnel for beskyttelse av en vei mot fallende stener fra fjellsider, hvilken tunnel innbefatter en langstrakt, kuppel (1) av metallplater med åpne ender, kombinert med et metallnett (M) som dekker kuppelen, hvilket metallnett (M) er utformet og dimensjoner til å fange opp og hindre at store stener penetrerer den langstrakte kuppelen (1) av metallplater, karakterisert ved at den langstrakte kuppelen (1) av metallplater med åpne ender er en utfoldbar kuppelkonstruksjon med innebygde og foldbare kuppelelementer (6a, 6b, 6c), hvilke kuppelelementer (6a, 6b, 6c) blir eksponert når kuppelkonstruksjonen (1) blir foldet ut.

2. Midlertidig tunnel i henhold til krav 1, karakterisert ved at kuppelen (1) av metallplater omfatter korrugerte plater (P).

3. Midlertidig tunnel i henhold til krav 1 eller 2, karakterisert ved at tunnelen er tilpasset for prefabrikering i en fabrikk og uttransport til stedet for utplassering.

4. Midlertidig tunnel i henhold til hvilke som helst av kravene 1-3, karakterisert ved at den langstrakte kuppelen (1) av metallplater med åpne ender kan foldes ut langs en langsgående topplinje til kuppelen.

5. Midlertidig tunnel i henhold til hvilke som helst av kravene 1-4, karakterisert ved at kuppelelementene (6a, 6b, 6c) omfatter tre langstrakte kuppelelementer (6a, 6b, 6c) foldet til et trekantet tverrsnitt på innsiden av og på toppen av den langstrakte kuppelkonstruksjonen (1).

6. Midlertidig tunnel i henhold til hvilke som helst av kravene 1-5, karakterisert ved at de tre langstrakte kuppelelementene (6a, 6b, 6c) er hengslet sammen i lengderetningen derav.

7. Midlertidig tunnel i henhold til hvilke som helst av kravene 1-6, karakterisert ved at den langstrakte kuppelkonstruksjonen (1) blir reist på plass ved hjelp av motordrevne, forlengbare innretninger (7a, 7b) så som en hydraulisk sylinder.

8. Midlertidig tunnel i henhold til krav 7, karakterisert ved at de motordrevne forlengbare innretningene (7a, 7b, 7c) virker vertikalt og horisontalt til å heve og folde ut de tre langstrakte kuppelelementene (6a, 6b, 6c) og utvide de delene (3a-3j) av kuppelkonstruksjonen (1) som er i kontakt med veien, for å utvide tunnelens tverrsnitt, og låseinnretninger (B) for å låse kuppelelementene i posisjon.

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Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classes

E01F 7/04

CPC classes

E01F 7/045

Citations

JP H0340308 U (U)

CN 101666070 A (A)

CN 102493328 A (A)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners

ROADCAP AS

Koppholen 25

4313 SANDNES

NO (SANDNES Municipality, Rogaland county)

Org. number: 918955917

Inventors

Jens Olav Myklebust

Dr Eyvin Dahlsgt 3

4011 STAVANGER

NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)

Knut Victor Pedersen

Harpunveien 5

4077 HUNDVÅG

NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)

Agent

BRYN AARFLOT AS

Stortingsgata 8

0161 OSLO

NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)

Org. number: 979993269

Reference: P5300NO00-AGI

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