Tunnel boring machine.

摘要

A tunnel boring machine having an improved muck transportation means. The muck is discharged from the boring machine by means of a jet pump (28). The jet pump (28) has an outlet communicating with the atmospheric tank (38), while the outlet of the tank (38) is connected to a discharge pump (42). On the other hand, the inlet of the jet pump (28) communicates with a water supply pump (64). The suction side of the water supply pump (64) communicating with the feedwater pump (58) and is capable of communicating with the atmospheric tank (38). The discharge flow rate of the discharge pump (42) is maintained at a preselected level by means of a flow meter (70), while the discharge flow rate of the feedwater pump (58) is adjusted by means of a water level detector (48) provided in the atmospheric tank (38) or line (76).