Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR DRAINAGE OF WATER FROM ROCK CAVES
FIELD OF THE 1NVENZTON
[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for drainage of
water from
rock caves, tunnels and caverns. The invention also relates to an application
of the device
and the method in a system for draining or conducting water from rock caves,
tunnels and
caverns.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] During blasting of caverns, one will as a general rule break the
groundwater-leading
channels and crevices in the rock so that more or less permanent water
leakages occur into
the cavern. Consequently there is a need to lead this water away, and this has
been previously
been solved in different ways. Thus, different funnel and duct constructions
with associated
pipes that lead the water to a drainage ditch or to a similar drainage system
at the floor of the
cavern have been used. For example, reference is made to Norwegian patent
application 1999
2485 belonging to the present applicant that shows different ditch solutions.
It is also
common to build in constructions of wood, steel or concrete, encompassing a
covering of
walls and ceiling with different types of ceiling boards and wall covering
boards. Examples
of this are shown in the German patents $74.317 and 926.255. It is also common
to fasten
such ceiling boards and wall boards onto the exposed sections of the walls and
ceiling only,
where there is a danger for ingress of water. Spray concrete is also used to a
large extent to
cover such areas. Furthermore, it is common to use different types of vault
constructions to
seal off the vault ceiling, and to use concrete directly against the rock,
possibly with a sealing
membrane.
[0003] It is also previously known to put up a watertight canvas vault
corresponding to the
profile of the cavern, so that a space is formed between the canvas and the
rock, and where
the canvas, along its two lower edge sections (along the ditch sections), runs
over into the
ground material such as gravel, sand and the like to form a seal. The space
between the
canvas and the rock wall constitutes the wet room, while the wok underneath
the
canvas vault, inside the canvas surface, is the dry room.
[0004) One of the abovementioned canvas solutions, which in reality is only
used
sporadically these days, involves the lower edge sections, or flaps of the
canvas pieces, being
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arranged with a U-shaped course which forms a canal that is formed in the
floor of the cavern
along the lower edge of the walls. The hollow space of the U-shape can be
filled with gravel,
while underneath (and partially beside) the U-shape, there can be coarser
gravel. A concrete
covering, an asphalt covering or similar floor covering, can be arranged close
up to the
hollow space of the U-shape.
[0005] Reference is also given to what is known from Swedish patent 457.549
and US patent
6,308,479.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order
to provide a
basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an
extensive
overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical
elements of the
invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary
merely presents
some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
detailed
description below.
[0007] To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and to
overcome other
limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present
specification, the
present invention is concerned with be ability to retain and divert water from
the ceiling
sections of the rock outside the canvas material and for a system which leads
the water away.
[0008] A first aspect of the invention provides a new solution to handle the
water that drips
or runs on the upper side of the ceiling covering.
[0009] A second aspect of the invention provides a device that provides a wall
and ceiling
covering which is arranged in the cavern at a certain distance from the walls
and ceiling of
the cavern, such as via rock bolts, where an edge section of the covering is
joined with the
floor covering, so that a space between the covering and walls and ceiling of
the cavern are
isolated from a workspace that is called the dry room.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF 'ITS DRAWINGS
[0010] A more complete understanding of the present invention . and the
advantages thereof
may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of
the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features,
and wherein:
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[0011] Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a ceiling draining pipe construction
according to the
invention, and which is mounted in a cavern.
[0012] Figure 2 shows in perspective how the ceiling draining pipe is secured
in the bolt
system, and how the canvas is placed in the draining pipe and taken sidelong
up to the ceiling
or wall section of the cavern.
[0013] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the same.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTTON
[0014] In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is
made to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof; and in which is shown by way
of
illustration various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It
is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and
functional
modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0015] For the present invention, a draining pipe, preferably made from
plastic, is used to
lead the water away.
[0016] According to the invention, the draining pipe is fastened to the
ceiling of the cavern
with the help of a number of rock/stone bolts, which are arranged in a row
with mutual
distance, secured to the overhanging rock ceiling. The draining pipe is
arranged with a given
inclined gradient so that the water runs down in one or more down pipes and
can be further
led away in a known way. From each of the longitudinal sides of the draining
pipe the roof
covering is arranged longitudinally down into the concave part of the draining
pipe and
secured, for example, mechanically by gluing/welding with hot air or the like.
The size of the
draining pipe can vary according to the amount of water. Its location, on the
one side or in the
middle, can also vary. It is also possible to arrange several draining pipes
in connection with
the same ceiling construction.
[0017] When one knows the shape of the ceiling in the cavern, the ceiling
covering can be
adjusted in advance in the workshop. A draining pipe with adjusted length is
formed and the
necessary holes in the bottom of the draining pipe are drilled out, adjusted
to the bolts that are
already secured in the ceiling of the cavern where the construction is to be
fitted. At the same
time, the necessary holes having a larger diameter for placing and fitting of
the down pipes
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holes are drilled. Then the two canvas sections from each longitudinal side
are fastened to the
inside of the draining pipe as explained above, whereupon the canvas is rolled
up. The whole
of the construction is brought to the cavern/hall where it is lifted up to the
ceiling so that the
bolt ends are led through the respective holes. The necessary set of gaskets,
washers and nuts
are fastened to the rock bolts so that the bolt penetrations are watertight
and the draining pipe
is stabilised for the exact course and slope. Then, the necessary down pipes
are fitted to the
adapted holes in the bottom of the draining pipe. When the draining pipe is
stabilised, the
canvas is rolled out and secured to the ceiling of the rock in a suitable way
so that the surface
of the canvas forms an inclined gradient for collection and leading of the
dripping water
down to the draining pipe.
[0018] Compared to the features of the abovementioned Swedish patent 457.549,
the present
solution is more flexible and easy to rearrange after the mounting process.
The Swedish
patent discloses that several U-shaped beams (4) are arranged on both sides of
and in parallel
to the sides of a beam (2). The structure of the present invention needs no
anchoring to both
sides, but can be adjusted sideways and vertically to adapt to the shape of
the rock cave.
Furthermore in contrast to a solid plate structure as of the Swedish proposal,
the anchoring of
the canvas of the present structure neither needs to be in parallel to the
draining pipe. The
present solution is therefore much more flexible in that it simply can be
adapted to any wall
and ceiling shapes of rock caves or tunnels.
[0019] The abovementioned US patent 6,308,479 only discloses structures to
prevent water
inlet below terraces etc. and not for applications in rock caves or tunnels.
Further, the beams
(10) are wonted to the framing work or the like with a mutual distance of d3.
Such fixings
means are not present or possible in rock caves or tunnels. The structure of
the present
invention is not dependent of such requests, but can be adjusted vertically
and sideways
adapting it the actual place of the water flowing to be solved.
[0020] Neither of the Swedish patent 457.549 or US patent 6,308,479 present
any solution
how to conduct the water downwardly from a guiding pipe. The present invention
provides a
structure that permits one to, when appropriate, connect the drain pipe at any
position to the
guiding pipe. The present invention presents an extremely flexible solution.
]0021] Reference shall now be made to the subsequent figures in which:
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[0022] Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a ceiling draining pipe construction
according to the
invention, and which is mounted in a cavern.
[0023] Figure 2 shows in perspective how the ceiling draining pipe is secured
in the bolt
system, and how the canvas is placed in the draining pipe and taken sidelong
up to the ceiling
or wall section of the cavern.
[0024] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the same.
[0025] Reference shall initially be made to figure 1 that shows a cross-
section of a water
drainage system. A cavern 10 with ceiling 12 and walls 14,16 is shown
schematically. A
water draining pipe 18, hereafter called ceiling draining pipe, made of
plastic or metal, is
secured to the ceiling 12 with the help of a number of rock bolts 20 that are
secured by being
drilled into the ceiling. The water is led downwards to the draining pipe via
a canvas (a tunnel
canvas) 22 which is stretched from down in the pipe and sidelong up to the
rock walUceiling
14,12 to which it has been fixed. A second corresponding canvas 24 is
stretched from the
other side of the draining pipe and up to the other rock walllceiling 16,12
and similarly fixed
to the rock wall. The lower end of each of the bolts 20 comprises a threaded
section for
screwing on one or two nuts 30,32. A number of such rock bolts (see figure 2)
are arranged
with mutual distance in a row along the ceiling to secure the ceiling draining
pipe 18. The
ceiling draining pipe 18 is led up towards the ceiling so that each bolt 20
passes through
appropriate holes in the bottom of the draining pipe. Each sealing draining
pipe is secured to
the row of bolts at a correct slope with the help of the nuts (see figures 2
and 3). The sealing
against water leaks through the holes in the draining pipe bottom is provided
with the help of
upper and lower gasket washer discs 26,28.
[0026] The draining pipe is arranged with a given slope so that the water 51
may flow down
through an opening 50 in the bottom of the draining pipe 18 and into one (or
more) down
pipes 52, and can then be conducted away in a known manner. From both of the
longitudinal
sides of the draining pipe, the ceiling covering canvas is longitudinally
arranged down into
the concave part of the draining pipe and fastened, for example, mechanically
by
gluing/welding with hot air or the like. The size of the draining pipe can
vary according to the
amount of water. Its positioning, to the one side or in the middle, can also
vary. It is also
possible to arrange several draining pipes in connection with the same ceiling
construction.
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[0027] Figures 2 and 3 show a side section and a cross-section, respectively,
of such a ceiling
draining pipe 18 with the mentioned one canvas 22, two rcxk bolts 20a,20b, a
gasket set
comprising an upper ring gasket 26 and a lower ring gasket 28 and also an
upper nut 30 and a
lower nut 32.
[0028] During the fitting, the upper nut 30 is first screwed onto the threaded
bolt 20a and the
upper gasket is led onto the rod below the nut 30. This is carried out in a
similar fashion
along the whole of the row of bolts 20a, 20b. Then the ceiling draining pipe
is brought up so
that the ends of the bolts go through the holes in the bottom of the ceiling
draining pipe until
this forces the gasket ring 26 upwards against the underside of the nut 30.
The lower gasket
ring 28 is then inserted on the rod, the nut 32 is screwed onto the bolt until
it forces the gasket
28 up against the underside of the draining pipe and such that the upper
gasket presses up
against the upper nut and against the bottom of the draining pipe. It will be
evident that the
slope and accurate positioning of the draining pipe is given by adjusting the
row of nuts 20a,
20b.
PRE-MANUFACTURE OF CEILING DRAINING PIPE WITH INLAID CANVAS FOR
CEILING CONSTRUCTION
[0029] Knowing the shape of the ceiling in the cavern, the ceiling covering
.or the canvas can
be adapted in advance in the workshop. A draining pipe 18 with adjusted length
is prepared
and the necessary holes are drilled in the bottom of the draining pipe adapted
to the bolts 20a,
20b that are already secured, or shall be secured, to the ceiling 12 of the
cavern where the
construction shall be mounted. At the same time, the necessary holes are
drilled in the bottom
section of the draining pipe, and which have a larger diameter for the placing
and fitting of
the down pipes that are not shown in the figures. The two canvas sections
22,24 are then
fastened to the inside of the draining pipe from both the longitudinal sides,
as explained
above, whereupon the canvas sections 22,24 are rolled up and can partially be
placed in the
draining pipe during storage and transportation. The whole construction is
brought to the
cavern/hall where it is lifted up to the ceiling so that the bolt ends are led
through the
respective holes. The necessary set of gaskets, washers and nuts are fastened
to the rock bolts
so That the bolt penetrations are watertight and the draining pipe is adjusted
to an accurate
course and slope. Then the necessary down pipes are fitted to the adapted
holes in the
draining pipe bottom.
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[0030] When the draining pipe is then stabilised, the canvas is rolled out and
brought up to
the rock ceiling 12; or the transition between ceiling and wall, and secured
in a suitable
manner, so that the upper surface forms a downward gradient for collection and
drainage of
dripping water down to the draining pipe
INSPECTION OF THE TUNNEL CANVAS AND WATER DRAlI~TING PIPE
[0031] After the tunnel covering has been mounted, there will be a need to
inspect the
otherwise hidden rear side of the canvas and water draining pipe at regular
intervals. Because,
with the water that drips and runs down onto the canvas and into the draining
pipe, particles,
dust and the like often follow and these can accumulate and form a layer in
the draining pipe
and canvas surface and over time block the draining pipe and down pipes.
Therefore, there is
a need to inspect the canvas and the draining pipe to be able to carry out the
necessary
maintenance and cleaning. Therefore, the draining pipe comprises preferably
one or more
inspection hatches that can be opened to carry out the mentioned inspection.
Inspection can
also be carried out with the aid of a camera taking pictures (for example, a
remote controlled
camera via a cable) that is led in through the opening which the inspection
hatch forms, and
that can be moved according to need in the space at the back of the draining
pipe.
[0032] Such an inspection hatch is shown in figure 2 with reference number 40.
An opening
in the draining pipe is covered by a plate-formed hatch 40, with the same
shape and curvature
as the draining pipe and is secured with the help of screws and the like
shovv~n by 42,44.
Sealing strips placed between the outer side of the draining pipe and the
inner side of the
plate provide the necessary seal against water leaks.
[0033] 'With the present invention a new and simplified construction for
drainage of water
from caverns is provided. It will be evident that the fitting is very simple
and the mounting
operations have thereby become.e~cient and cost saving.
[0034] While the invention has been described with respect to specific
examples including
presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the
art will
appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described
systems and techniques. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be
construed
broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
