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(11) | EP 3 106 608 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A TUNNELING MACHINE AND A METHOD OF EXCAVATING A TUNNEL |
| (57) The present invention relates to a tunneling machine comprising an elongated frame
for being inserted into a tunnel pipe segment. The frame defines a front end and a
rear end. The tunnelling machine further comprises an actuator for moving the frame
within the tunnel pipe segment, an excavating mechanism located at the front end of
the frame for excavating particulate material from the tunnel pipe segment, and a
buffer tank located between the front end and the rear end of the frame. A first conveyor
receives the particulate material from the excavating mechanism at the front end of
the frame and transports the particulate material to the buffer tank. A soil transporter
receives the particulate material from the buffer tank at the rear end of the frame
and transports the particulate material from the rear end of the frame to the outside
of the tunnel pipe segment.
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