Segment Auto Carrier System for Shield Works

This paper proposes the integrated system in which the segments may be automatically conveyed from the shaft to the erector postioned at the rear of the shield machine. Procedures of the system are summarized as follows: 1.Segments are automatically loaded into the battery-operated carriages by the segment-stock-rack device located on the ground. The carriages are controlled through the optic fiber communication system by the central control unit on the ground. 2) Carriages loaded with segments are carried down to the shield machine level through the shaft by the elevator. 3) Segment-lifting-device placed at the rear of the shield machine automatically receives the segments from the carriages. 4) Segments are conveyed from the segment=lifting-device to the erector for the installment by the Radio-controlled trolly hoist.