Structural duct bearing system

Abstract

The present invention is related to a duct bearing system, more specifically to a duct bearing system for specific use in tunnels, and aims at solving the problems and difficulties that arise when using traditional methods for mounting duct bearing system in tunnels. The system is modular and essentially comprises a stay or beam made of a hollow structural section with a round cross-section secured to the tunnel wall or a trapezoidal bearing structure fastened by screws, the said hollow structural section stay or beam comprising one or more points for fastening roller bearing support structures which comprise structural attachment or arresting elements secured by screws to the roller bearing support structure and to the hollow structural section stay or beam. The structure farther comprises an upper fitting section for including additional modules that are fastened by screws to the tunnel walls.

1 . A STRUCTURAL DUCT BEARING SYSTEM, characterized by comprising a determined arrangement of risers, the said stays or beams accommodating in the structure thereof a piece for bearing self-powered/motor driven support elements, screwed to the beam, the said piece further accommodating an arresting type support welded to the riser, the stay or beam having a substantially circular shape, made up of distinct or modular sections, following the geometrical contour of a tunnel wherein the same are placed, the stays or beams being installed in the tunnel by being directly fastened to the walls thereof. 
     
     
         2 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the fastening to walls comprises the prior installation of metallic supports for subsequently screwing the stay or beam to the wall. 
     
     
         3 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the structures that make up the system are prefabricated and capable of being screwed for assembly within the tunnel. 
     
     
         4 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized by comprising the elimination of any type of welding within the tunnel for purposes of physical assembly of the structures intended to provide support to the ducts. 
     
     
         5 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the laying of the ducts involves the use of self-powered/motor-driven rollers. 
     
     
         6 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized by comprising a bearing structure that comprises a stay or beam with a circular cross section fastened to the wall of the tunnel or by means of a trapezoidal bearing structure using screws or by means of a trapezoidal-shaped concrete plinth, the said stay or beam comprising one or more points of attachment for the roller supporting structures, such structures comprising structural arresting or fastening elements, attached by screws to the roller supporting structure and the said stay or beam, the structure further comprising an upper fitting section for including additional modules, to be screwed to the tunnel walls. 
     
     
         7 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the fastening of the structure comprised in the system according to the present invention provides only one fastening bolt in each metallic insert, with a total of only two screws per support on the walls, and only two screws for the fastening to the floor. 
     
     
         8 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized by providing for the installation of a removable “Cargo Boom” in each support. 
     
     
         9 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized by being modular and by being able to comprise one or more interconnected or not interconnected riser sections and two or more supports for rollers. 
     
     
         10 . A STRUCTURAL DUCT BEARING SYSTEM, comprising a stays or beams accommodating in the structure thereof a support elements for bearing self-powered/motor driven support elements, screwed to the beam, the said piece further accommodating an arresting type support welded to the beam, the stay or beam having a substantially circular shape, made up of distinct or modular sections, following the geometrical contour of a tunnel wherein the same are placed, the stays or beams being installed inside the tunnel by being directly fastened to the walls thereof, the said system being further characterized by comprising a certain arrangement of risers shaped in an arc sufficient for placement in a position for installation of a pipeline and/or duct line. 
     
     
         11 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that the said arc may be disposed at a relatively low level position near the floor of the tunnel. 
     
     
         12 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that the beam comprises a configuration enabling the same to bear multiple lines. 
     
     
         13 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized by comprising central drilled hole, the function of the said drilled holes being (a) to allow the passage of tubes, electric conduits, and any other additional conductors; (b) to allow inspections at the internal part of the beam; and/or to reduce the structural weight, for the purpose of facilitating handling in assembly operations within the tunnels. 
     
     
         14 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized by comprising a motorized driving system, such system being able to be mounted in a complementary structure, to be coupled to the beam by means of a fastening element. 
     
     
         15 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized by comprising a unitary structure. 
     
     
         16 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 15 , characterized in that the said unitary structure does not comprise a division between the beam and the structure of the driving assembly, as well as not comprising the screwed horizontal flanges. 
     
     
         17 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 15 , characterized in that the driving assembly comprised of rollers and driving means is mounted directly to the said unitary structure. 
     
     
         18 . A SYSTEM, as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that the said structure comprises additional upper or lower fastening points, additional lateral “arms”, and/or a lower base plate which frontal and/or lateral length is greater.