Data recorder proven in tunnel boring project
An
ABB Engineering Services product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jul 28, 2006
An ABB SM series videographic data recorder is currently being put to the ultimate test in an application 30 metres underground.
An ABB SM series videographic data recorder is currently being put to the ultimate test in an application 30 metres underground.
Installed on a tunnel boring machine (TBM) currently mining a 1400 metre tunnel through chalk under Margate, the SM3000 is providing fault-free recording despite continuous exposure to high temperatures, humidity, vibration and chalk dust.
The TBM is being used to construct a tunnel to carry foul and treated water pipes, as part of a project being undertaken by Costain on behalf of Southern Water.
The tunnel is required to carry the pipes under residential areas and roads, where open cut work would be unfeasible.
The ABB SM3000 was initially ordered by Costain's chartered electrical engineer, Martin Godfree, to record data from pressure and other transducers in the TBM's hydraulic propulsion and articulation rams.
"Driving the TBM with the information that the SM3000 provides on the screen enhances the driver's ability to avoid undue stressing of the main bearing".
"If the bearing should fail costs many thousands of pounds to replace and could take twelve or more weeks to fit," says Godfree.
"To carry out these repairs would mean that the TBM would need to be brought to the surface either by dismantling it and withdrawing the parts through the constructed or by sinking a shaft in front of the TBM and lifting it out".
"Either option is no small task".
"We decided to install the SM3000 to provide the driver with enhanced information and to record the TBM's behaviour".
By collecting and analysing the data, Costain can identify abnormalities in the various parameters recorded and take steps to improve them.
With 36 recording channels, the SM3000 is also allowing data to be collected from the TBM's laser distance finder, its r.p.m.
indicator and steering transducers.
All the information is relayed to the site workshop on the surface via a UTP cable from the SM3000's built-in Ethernet connection.
The SM3000 transmits real-time data on the TBM's progress and course via the cable which is dispensed from a drum at the TBM axial speed of up to 4mm per second whilst mining.
"We previously assessed progress by counting the concrete rings installed and noting the time taken," says Godfree.
"With the SM3000's Ethernet connection, we can now have an at-a-glance overview of the machine's progress as it's happening".
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