On January 10, the first domestic intelligent tunneling trolley for large-gradient inclined shafts, researched, developed, designed, and manufactured under the leadership of Sinohydro Bureau 14 Co., Ltd., officially rolled off the production line in Jiaozuo, Henan, marking the successful development of China's first intelligent integrated equipment for excavation, mucking, and support of large-gradient inclined shafts. The equipment will be applied to the construction of the large-cross-section, large-gradient diversion tunnel inclined shaft of the Xulong Hydropower Station on the upper reaches of the Jinsha River.

The diversion tunnels of the Xulong Hydropower Station adopt a single-unit, single-tunnel arrangement, with four tunnels arranged in parallel and a circular cross-section. The maximum excavation diameter of the tunnel body reaches 12.60 meters, and the inclined shaft has an inclination angle of 60 degrees, making it the largest and steepest diversion tunnel inclined shaft among hydropower projects under construction in China. The intelligent tunneling trolley for large-gradient inclined shafts is tailor-made for the Xulong Hydropower Station on the upper reaches of the Jinsha River. The equipment has an overall length of 11 meters, a height of 10.25 meters, and a total body weight of approximately 45 tons. It adopts tracked double-winched traction for travel and features automated operation functions, enabling remote intelligent control.

It is reported that the intelligent tunneling trolley for large-gradient inclined shafts is entirely made of high-strength steel and features high equipment integration, high drilling and mucking efficiency, a high degree of electrification and intelligence, and high efficiency in raising and lowering the equipment in the shaft. In terms of functional design, the equipment is equipped with two sets of 360° rotatable rock-drilling systems and one set of mucking systems, enabling full-face robotic-arm drilling and robotic-arm mucking operations. The equipment provides a remote operating system, allowing operators to complete relevant operations through video interfaces in the control room. Once the equipment is put into use, it will enable mechanized construction of multiple processes, including tunneling drilling, mucking, and rock-bolt support, ensuring the safety and efficiency of large-angle inclined shaft expansion excavation.

The successful rollout of this equipment marks the transformation of inclined shaft drill-and-blast construction from "manual" to "mechanized" and "intelligent." Sinohydro Bureau 14 Co., Ltd. will accelerate the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces, continuously providing strong scientific and technological leadership and innovation support for high-quality development.