Description

Technical Field

[1 ] The invention relates to an apparatus for unwinding a roll of web-like

material, e.g. a roll of chain link steel wire mesh. The invention further relates to a method for lining a ceiling or the walls of a tunnel with a web like material - e.g. with a steel wire mesh - in which the web-like material is unwound from a roll. The invention further relates to equipment for lining a ceiling or the walls of a tunnel with a web-like material wherein the apparatus is used.

Background Art

[2] Tunnels in underground mining or in other civil works have walls and

ceilings. It is often necessary to install a web-like net or mesh along the walls and ceilings. An example of such web-like material is a chain link steel wire mesh. The main role of the net or mesh is to prevent fragments of rock from falling from the ceiling or the walls. The mesh is provided as a roll of mesh material and will be unwound to be installed. The mesh or net can be anchored to the walls or ceiling by means of anchors or bolts. It is a challenge to unwind the roll and install the mesh in a reliable and safe manner.

[3] US2011/150575A2 discloses a method for lining tunnel walls or ceilings with protective nets. The web-shaped protective net material is unwound from a reel and is fastened to the tunnel walls or ceiling by means of tie bolts. The reel is arranged rotatably. The rotation of the reel about a shaft is controlled in order to unwind the protective net material. The shaft is mechanically moved in steps along the tunnel walls or ceiling together with the reel. The protective net material unwound in each step can be stretched and mechanically fastened.

[4] WO2017/207712A1 discloses an apparatus for lining tunnel ceilings or tunnel walls with protective nets. The apparatus comprises a main unit, and a first movable arm. The first movable arm has a first and second end; the first end is attached to the main unit. A supporting panel is attached to the second end of the first movable arm. The supporting panel is configured to have a curved surface. The supporting panel is suitable for supporting an extended protective net.

Disclosure of Invention

[5] The first aspect of the invention is an apparatus for unwinding a roll of web-like material. The apparatus comprises three shafts, wherein a first shaft, a second shaft and a third shaft. The three shafts are provided for holding a roll of web-like material in between, in contact with and parallel with the first shaft, the second shaft and the third shaft. The apparatus is provided with means for rotating the first shaft, in order for the rotation of the first shaft to unwind the roll of web-like material by engaging contact of the rotating first shaft with the surface of the web-like material resulting in a rotation of the roll.

[6] The apparatus of the invention can be used in an effective, efficient and safe way to unwind a roll of web-like material, e.g. to install the web-like material as lining to a tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling. The apparatus has the particular benefit that the roll of web-like material does not need to be provided on a tube nor on a core nor on an axis. The inventive apparatus functions without the need to clamp or hold a core or an axis of the roll of web-like material. It is a further benefit that the apparatus can pick up a roll of mesh material without manual intervention at the roll itself. No operator needs to be handling the roll manually while it is picked up by the apparatus, nor while the roll is being unwound and the web is positioned against tunnel walls and ceilings.

[7] It is a further benefit of the invention that a compacted roll of web-like

material can be used. With a compacted roll of web-like material is meant a roll that is radially compressed in order to be small in volume. By compressing the roll - and especially if the roll does not comprises a core - it will be very difficult or event impossible to put a shaft in the center of the roll. Such shaft is required for using a prior art mesh roll unwinding system such as the one described in US2011/150575A2. The compacted rolls of steel wire mesh provide an important benefit in that transport costs are reduced and less storage space is required. Therefore, thanks to the novel and inventive way of installation of web-like material as lining in tunnel walls and tunnel ceiling, transport costs of rolls of web-like material can be lowered and the storage area required for the rolls of web-like material can be reduced.

[8] In preferred apparatuses, the means for rotating the first shaft can e.g. be a hydraulic - or other type - actuator installed at one of the ends of the first shaft.

[9] Preferably, each of the sides of the apparatus comprises an arm or arms for holding the three shafts, more preferably at the ends of the shafts.

[10] In a preferred apparatus, the first shaft is provided with one or with a

plurality of sprockets or with one or a plurality of wheels for making the engaging contact of the rotating shaft with the surface of the web-like material. More preferably, the one or a plurality of sprockets or wheels are be firmly attached into the first shaft, such that they rotate with the first shaft.

[11 ] Preferably, at least one - and preferably two, and more preferably three - of the three shafts are provided with means for moving the shaft such that it keeps contact with the surface of the roll of web-like material when the roll of web-like material reduces in diameter while unwinding it. The means can comprise one or more piston units or spring elements. The means can comprise mechanical and/or hydraulic actuator mechanisms. The means can be controlled by the operator performing the operation of lining tunnel walls and tunnel ceiling with the mesh-like material.

[12] Preferably, means for the shafts keeping contact with the surface of the roll of web-like material when the roll of web-like material reduces in diameter while unwinding can be provided by movable arms holding the shaft. The means can comprise one or more piston units or spring elements. The means can comprise mechanical and/or hydraulic actuator mechanisms. The means can be controlled by the operator performing the operation of lining tunnel walls and tunnel ceiling with the mesh-like material.

[13] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the three shafts is provided linearly movable relative to the apparatus for keeping contact with the surface of the roll of web-like material when the roll of web-like material reduces in diameter while unwinding it. Advantageously, the first shaft is provided linearly movable relative to the apparatus for keeping contact with the surface of the roll of web-like material when the roll of web-like material reduces in diameter while unwinding it. In such embodiments, the first shaft can stay in contact with the roll of web-like material during unwinding - during which the diameter of the roll reduces - such that efficient and effective unwinding of the roll is obtained.

[14] In preferred embodiments, one of the shafts - and preferably two of the shafts - are provided rotatably movable relative to the apparatus for keeping contact with the surface of the roll of web-like material when the roll of web-like material reduces in diameter while unwinding it. Such embodiments ensure that the shaft or shafts stay in effective contact with the reducing diameter of the roll of web-like material during the process of unwinding the roll of web-like material.

[15] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second shaft - and more preferably also the third shaft - is/are freely rotatable. The second shaft - and preferably also the third shaft - can be brought into rotation by the surface contact with a rotating roll of web-like material held in between the three shafts. This way, an effective unwinding of the roll of web-like material is obtained.

[16] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second shaft - and more preferably also the third shaft - is/are provided with one or with a plurality of sprockets or wheels for contacting the roll of a web-like material. More preferably, the one or the plurality of sprockets or wheels of the second shaft are firmly attached in the second shaft, such that the second shaft can be brought into rotation by surface contact of the sprockets or wheels with a rotating roll of mesh-like material held in the apparatus. More preferably when also the third shaft is provided with one or with a plurality of sprockets or wheels for contacting the roll of a web-like material, the one or the plurality of sprockets or wheels of the third shaft are firmly attached in the third shaft, such that the third shaft can be brought into rotation by surface contact of the sprockets or wheels with a rotating roll of mesh-like material held in the apparatus. Embodiments described in this paragraph ensure that an effective unwinding of the roll of web-like material is obtained.

[17] In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the second shaft - and more preferably also the third shaft - is/are provided with one or with a plurality of sprockets or wheels for contacting the roll of a web like material. In a more preferred embodiment, the one or the plurality of sprockets or wheels of the second shaft are freely rotatable in the second shaft. In an even more preferred embodiment, the one or the plurality of sprockets or wheels - if present - of the third shaft are freely rotatable in the third shaft. Alternatively, the sprockets or wheels of the second shaft can be fixed to the second shaft, and the second shaft is freely rotatable; and the sprockets or wheels - if present - of the third shaft can be fixed to the third shaft and the third shaft is freely rotatable. . Embodiments described in this paragraph ensure that an effective unwinding of the roll of web-like material is obtained.

[18] In a preferred embodiment, the three shafts are provided 120° apart when viewed from the imaginary centerline of the three shafts. Such

embodiments provide an efficient holding of a roll of web-like material in the apparatus.

[19] A preferred apparatus comprises a shell. The shell is provided with means for closing the shell partially or completely around the three shafts and for opening the shell to provide free access to the three shafts; and to a roll of web-like material when such roll of web-like material is held between the three shafts. In a more preferred embodiment, the means are motorized, even more preferably, the means are hydraulic rotary actuators. It is a benefit of such embodiments that the shell can be closed after putting a roll of web-like material in the apparatus. The apparatus can then be handled, e.g. attached to an equipment for lining a tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling (e.g. in a conventional drill jumbo) in a safe manner as the shafts of the apparatus and the roll of web-like material are enclosed partially or fully by the shell. The shell comprises or consists of two shell segments in even more preferred embodiments of the invention.

[20] A preferred apparatus comprises means for mechanically attaching the apparatus to a device for lining a tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling with a web- like material by means of unwinding a web-like material from a roll held between the three shafts of the apparatus. Advantageously, the device for lining a tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling is a drilling jumbo, e.g. a conventional drilling jumbo.

[21 ] In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus comprises a fourth shaft with similar design and function as the second shaft and the third shaft. In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus even comprises a fifth shaft with similar design and function as the second shaft, the third shaft and the fourth shaft. Such embodiments have the benefit that the roll of web like material can be held in the apparatus in a further improved way.

[22] In a preferred apparatus, only the first shaft is provided with means for rotating the first shaft, whereas the second shaft and the third shaft (and if present the fourth shaft and the fifth shaft) are provided to be driven by the surface contact with the roll of web-like material which is itself driven by the first shaft. Such embodiments provide a relatively simple construction of the apparatus, in that only one drive-unit is to be provided as only one of the shaft needs to be driven.

[23] The second aspect of the invention is an equipment for lining a tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling with a web-like material. The equipment comprises a main unit and an apparatus as in any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. The main unit comprises a first moveable arm. Preferably, the first moveable arm is telescopic. The apparatus is attached to the first moveable arm, such that a roll of web-like material held in the apparatus can be unwound onto a tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling. Advantageously, the main unit is a drilling jumbo, e.g. a conventional drilling jumbo.

Advantageously, the main unit has a chassis. Advantageously, the first moveable arm is provided for moving the apparatus along the tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling for progressively unwinding a roll of web-like material.

[24] In a preferred equipment, the main unit comprises a second moveable arm. The second movable arm is provided with an anchoring device for fastening the web-like material onto a tunnel wall or a tunnel ceiling. More preferably, the second moveable is telescopic. The anchoring device advantageously comprises bolting means for fastening the web-like material onto a tunnel wall or a tunnel ceiling.

[25] Advantageously, the main unit of the equipment is configured to stretch the unwound web-like material before it is fastened onto the tunnel wall or the tunnel ceiling.

[26] The third aspect of the invention is a method of lining a tunnel wall or a tunnel ceiling with a web-like material, e.g. with chain link steel wire mesh. An apparatus is provided as in any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; or an equipment is provided as in any embodiment of the second aspect of the invention. A roll of web-like material - e.g. a roll of chain link steel wire mesh - is held in between, in contact with and parallel with the three shafts of the apparatus. The first shaft is rotated such that the roll of a web-like material is unwound by engaging contact of the rotating first shaft with the surface of the web-like material resulting in a rotation of the roll. The web-like material unwound from the roll is positioned onto the tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling.

[27] A preferred method comprises the step of picking up the roll of web-like material by the apparatus itself. The roll of web-like material is picked up by the apparatus by positioning the apparatus over the roll of web-like material and moving the three shafts such that the roll of web-like material is clamped between the three shafts. This way, a safe way of putting the roll of web-like material into the apparatus is obtained, as manual operator involvement is minimized or even absent.

[28] In a preferred method, the web-like material is fastened - e.g. by means of anchoring bolts - onto the tunnel ceiling or tunnel wall. Even more advantageously, the web-like material is stretched onto the tunnel wall or ceiling before being fastened onto the tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling, e.g. by means of anchoring bolts.

[29] The anchoring may comprise drilling boreholes in the tunnel ceilings or walls, inserting grout into the boreholes, bolting and installing fastening plates with nuts. [30] Advantageously, the method comprises the step of moving the apparatus along the wall or ceiling of the tunnel in order to line large sections of the wall or ceiling of the tunnel with the web-like material.

[31 ] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the web-like material is a steel wire mesh, more preferably a chain link steel wire mesh. The combinations of a chain link steel wire mesh and sprockets in the shafts of the first shaft - and preferably also in the second and third shaft - is preferred, as the teeth of the sprockets can engage well with the openings of the chain link steel wire mesh. This results in a very effective way of unwinding the roll of steel wire mesh.

Brief Description of Figures in the Drawings

[32] Figure 1 shows a roll of chain link steel wire mesh as can be used in the method of the invention.

Figures 2 - 4 show a first example of an apparatus according to the invention.

Figures 5 - 7 show a second example of an apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows an inventive equipment for lining a tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling with a web-like material comprising an apparatus as in the first aspect of the invention.

Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

[33] Figure 1 shows a roll 110 of chain link steel wire mesh as can be used in the method of the invention.

[34] Figures 2 - 4 show a first example of an apparatus 200 according to the invention. Figures 2 - 4 show the same apparatus, with the three shafts in different positions. The apparatus is provided for unwinding a roll of web like material (not shown in the figures) held between the three shafts, e.g. the roll of chain link steel wire mesh of figure 1. The apparatus can be used to line tunnel ceilings and walls with the web-like material.

[35] The apparatus comprises a first shaft 220, a second shaft 222 and a third shaft 224. The three shafts are provided for holding a roll of web-like material in between, in contact with and parallel with the first shaft, the second shaft and the third shaft. [36] Each of the three shafts is provided with a number of sprockets 230. The sprockets of the first shaft are firmly attached into the first shaft 220 such that they rotate with the first shaft. The sprockets of the first shaft are provided for making the engaging contact of the rotating shaft with the surface of the web-like material.

[37] The apparatus is provided with means for rotating the first shaft (the

means for rotating the first shaft are not shown in the figures), in order for the rotation of the first shaft to unwind the roll of web-like material by engaging contact of the rotating first shaft - via the sprockets of the first shaft - with the surface of the web-like material resulting in a rotation of the roll.

[38] The means for rotating the first shaft can e.g. be a hydraulic - or other type - actuator installed at one of the ends of the first shaft.

[39] Each of the sides of the apparatus comprises arms 228 for holding the three shafts.

[40] The second shaft and the third shaft do not have driving means, it is

meant that they are freely rotatable. The second shaft and the third shaft rotate by the surface contact of their sprockets with the roll of web-like material held between the three shafts, when the roll is being driven by means of the surface contact with the sprockets of the first shaft.

[41 ] The three shafts are provided with means 240, 242 for moving the shafts such that the shafts can be clamped between the three shafts and such that the shafts keep contact with the surface of the roll of web-like material when the roll of web-like material reduces in diameter while unwinding it.

In the exemplary apparatus, the means comprise piston units 244 which can be actuated by appropriate mechanical or hydraulic actuator mechanisms. The means can be controlled by the operator performing the operation in which the apparatus is used. The same means are used for picking up the roll of web-like material and for holding it between the three shafts with the three shafts making surface contact - via their sprockets - with the surface of the roll of web-like material.

[42] The first shaft is provided linearly movable relative to the apparatus for keeping contact with the surface of the roll of web-like material when the roll of web-like material reduces in diameter while unwinding it. [43] The second shaft and the third shaft are rotatably movable relative to the apparatus for keeping contact with the surface of the roll of web-like material when the roll of web-like material reduces in diameter while unwinding it.

[44] The apparatus comprises means 250 for mechanically attaching the

apparatus to a device for lining a tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling with a web like material by means of unwinding a web-like material from a roll held between the three shafts.

[45] A second example of an apparatus according to the invention is shown in figures 5 - 7. The apparatus is to a large extent similar to the apparatus shown in figures 2 - 4. In addition the apparatus comprises a shell 255, which is provided with means (not shown in the figures) for closing the shell around the three shafts (and around the roll of web-like material when held between the three shafts) and for opening the shell to provide free access to the three shafts and to the roll of web-like material when held between the three shafts. The apparatus is provided with motorized actuators for opening and closing the shells, e.g. with hydraulic rotary actuators. The shell has two halves. Figure 5 shows the apparatus with the shell in open position. Figure 6 shows the shell while it is being closed. Figure 7 shows the shell when it is almost completely closed.

[46] Figure 8 shows in a schematic representation an inventive equipment 860 for lining a tunnel wall or tunnel ceiling with a web-like material 802, e.g. a chain link steel wire mesh. The equipment comprises a main unit 862 (a drilling jumbo) and an apparatus 800 as in any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. The main unit has a chassis and wheels. The apparatus is attached to a first moveable, telescopic arm 864 of the main unit. The roll 810 of web-like material held between the three shafts 821 (only two of the shafts are visible in figure 8) of the apparatus can be unwound via rotation of the first shaft. The web is unwound and positioned onto the walls and ceiling of a tunnel. The first moving arm, onto which the apparatus is attached, can move, for the apparatus to progressively unwind the roll of web-like material held between the shafts in the apparatus along the walls and the ceiling of the tunnel. The main unit comprises a second telescopic moveable arm 870 provided with an anchoring device for fastening the web-like material onto a tunnel wall or a tunnel ceiling, by means of bolts. The main unit is configured to stretch the unwound web-like material before it is fastened onto the tunnel wall or the tunnel ceiling.