EP0922620A1 - Procedure for storage and removal from storage of cabins within the stations of an aerial cable railway installation - Google Patents

Abstract

The procedure comprises a first stage consisting of braking and stopping a first cabin (2a) at a point close to the exit (4) from the station, transferring other cabins (2b - 2f) into the station during the first stage, braking and stopping a second cabin (2b) in a second stage, and repeating the two stages until all the cabins are stacked inside the station. The braking is carried out by a friction clutch and braking system with a detector.

Description

The invention relates to the technical field of overhead cable transport facilities, including cabins or seats, hanging on clips coupling to the cable, said clamps being disengageable.

More particularly, the invention relates to a method of storing and destocking vehicles of a overhead cable installation, this process being implemented during plant shutdowns, for example during periods hollow or at the end of the day.

Storage of cable transport vehicles aerial poses many technical problems which have been variously approached in the prior art.

The document EP-369,981 describes an installation of storage of cable car cabins. This installation includes a storage rail swiveling about an axis horizontal, the movement of seats or cabins being induced, along the storage rail, by the force of gravity.

The storage area described in the document EP-369.981 is large on the ground, therefore bulky in the vicinity of an end station of the installation, and is expensive.

Document FR-2,598,373 describes an arrangement of transfer and / or garage tracks for a gondola or a detachable chairlift. This arrangement, if it allows avoid buffering between vehicles while maintaining a minimum distance between them, induces a space and additional cost for installation transport.

Document FR-2,654,052 describes a process for the starting and stopping a transport facility overhead cable.

Unlike most installations known in the prior art, the installation described in document FR-2,654,052 is devoid of large hangar dimensions adjacent to the departure and arrival stations, for the storage of cabins or seats on tracks derivation.

These hangars are expensive, especially in mountainous or hilly regions.

In the device described by the document FR-2,654,052, the cabins are stored in stations in using part of the launching device and a part of the retarder, each of these devices consisting of two sections, one of which storage.

The installation described in document FR-2,654,052 has many drawbacks.

In particular, the cabin storage area is of limited size because it is necessary, according to what device, maintain an acceleration zone or deceleration to reduce vehicle speed.

In addition, the use of synchronized motors at the speed of the cable which transmit the movement to tires which have a speed ratio 1 between them, and the fact that the storage area works step by step to allow cabin storage at intervals regular generates significant investment in equipment electronic and mechanical management.

The invention relates to a method for storing and destocking of vehicles from transport facilities to overhead cable which does not have the disadvantages of methods known in the prior art.

a/ freinage et arrêt d'une première cabine au voisinage de la sortie de station, par embrayage d'un moyen de ralentissement et d'arrêt de cabine ;

b/ transfert des autres cabines présentes dans la station lors de l'étape a/, la vitesse du câble étant sensiblement constante ;

c/ freinage et arrêt d'une deuxième cabine , à une certaine distance de la première cabine, par embrayage d'un moyen de ralentissement et d'arrêt de cabine, associé à la deuxième cabine ;

d/ transfert des autres cabines présentes dans la station lors de l'étape c/, la vitesse du câble étant sensiblement constante ;

e/ répétition des étapes c/ et d/, toute la longueur de la station pouvant être utilisée pour le stockage des cabines.

To this end, the invention relates, according to a first aspect to a method for stopping an installation of air transport by cables of which at least one is a tractor, said installation comprising a plurality of cabins fixed to (x ) cable (s) via at least one detachable clamp, said method comprising the following steps:

a / braking and stopping of a first cabin in the vicinity of the station exit, by clutching a means of slowing down and stopping the cabin;

b / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step a /, the cable speed being substantially constant;

c / braking and stopping a second cabin, at a certain distance from the first cabin, by clutching a means for slowing down and stopping the cabin, associated with the second cabin;

d / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step c /, the cable speed being substantially constant;

e / repetition of steps c / and d /, the entire length of the station being able to be used for storing the cabins.

a/ lancement d'une première cabine (2a) située au début du tronçon d'accélération par débrayage d'un moyen d'arrêt de cabine et accouplement de ladite cabine (2a) au câble tracteur ;

b/ transfert des autres cabines présentes dans la station lors de l'étape a/, la vitesse du câble étant sensiblement constante ;

c/ lancement d'une deuxième cabine (2b) située au début du tronçon d'accélération par débrayage d'un moyen d'arrêt de cabine et accouplement de ladite cabine (2b) au câble tracteur ;

d/ transfert des autres cabines présentes dans la station lors de l'étape c/, la vitesse du câble étant sensiblement constante ;

e/ répétition des étapes c/ et d/ jusqu'à ce que toutes les cabines soient replacées en cadence sur l'installation.

The invention relates, according to a second aspect to a method for starting up an air transport installation by cables of which at least one is a tractor, said installation comprising a plurality of cabins fixed to the (x) cable ( s), said method comprising the following steps:

a / launching a first cabin (2a) located at the start of the acceleration section by disengaging a cabin stop means and coupling said cabin (2a) to the tractor cable;

b / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step a /, the cable speed being substantially constant;

c / launch of a second cabin (2b) located at the start of the acceleration section by disengaging a cabin stop means and coupling said cabin (2b) to the tractor cable;

d / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step c /, the cable speed being substantially constant;

e / repetition of steps c / and d / until all the cabins are replaced in time on the installation.

The invention also relates to a overhead cable transport installation using said process.

• les figures 1 à 4 représentent différentes phases de stockage de cabines en gare selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 5 illustre les variations de la vitesse du câble dans les sections lanceur, contour et ralentisseur lors de la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'invention, dans un mode de réalisation.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the following description of embodiments, description which will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figures 1 to 4 show different phases of cabin storage in a station according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 5 illustrates the variations in the speed of the cable in the launcher, contour and retarder sections during the implementation of the method according to the invention, in one embodiment.

The following description will be made in referring to a cable car with detachable clamps on a cable.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention is easily transposable to bicable installations or multicables, comprising cabins, skips, seats for the transport of materials, objects or passengers.

In the following and for simplification, the term cabin will be used alone.

In the figures, a station of a gondola in tractor carrying cable 1 has an end pulley at vertical axis, not shown, over which the cable passes 1.

Cabins 2 are coupled to cable 1.

At the entrance of the station, the cabins are uncoupled from cable 1, in a known manner.

Similarly, at the exit of the station, the cabins are re-coupled to cable 1 in a known manner.

A carriage supporting at least one disengageable clamp is associated with each cabin.

The carriage is fitted with rollers and rolls in the station after uncoupling to cable 1, on a rail transfer.

In one embodiment, the carriage is driven by pneumatic wheels, acting on a friction face of the carriage.

In one embodiment, the wheels with tires are arranged from entrance 3 of the station to decelerate the cabins 2 uncoupled from the cable 1 to exit 4 of the station, to speed up cabins 2 before re-coupling to cable 1.

In another embodiment, a chain of dragging is provided in the outline.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate progressive storage 14 cabins at the end of the station, in a realization of the invention.

In FIG. 1, the cabin 2a is already in position storage.

A friction clutch system, associated with a brake stops the cabin 2a at the desired location.

In another embodiment, a motor takes place and place of said friction clutch system, and is possibly associated with a brake.

The transmission of the efforts necessary to the animation of the cabin training system, downstream and upstream of the storage area, is not dependent of said clutch.

So that the storage of cabin 2a, then following cabs 2b, 2c, 2d ... does not disturb the operation of the rest of the installation, in particular acceleration, deceleration and drag systems.

The invention can thus be implemented on the existing installations, not intended for the storage of vehicles at the station, initially.

In particular, the mechanisms ensuring the declutching, slowing down, accelerating and clutching vehicles, which consist of ramps mainly tires, are compatible with the invention.

The invention is also compatible with a installation in which the power take-off is direct, on the cable, the speed being modified from tires.

The structure of these devices, of known type, will be briefly recalled below.

These devices are such as tires drive vehicles by grip above pliers.

Arrival side departure side, the tire ramp is conventionally divided into two sections.

In one embodiment, each of these sections is coupled to a variable speed gear motor by frequency variation for example, and each tire drives the next by a belt transmission trapezoidal, for example.

The reduction ratio between each tire is 1 and all the tires on the ramp rotate at the same speed.

In these installations, the slowdown and acceleration is done by the speed variation of geared motors.

In operation, the two sections of the ramp function as a single ramp. To this end, they are coupled by an electromagnetic clutch and are driven by the two geared motors whose speeds are then synchronized.

If one of the two gearmotors stops, the electromechanical clutch always couples the two sections of the ramp and all of the tires are driven by a single gear motor.

For the decycling of cabins to be stored in the tracks as well as for recycling, both boom sections are uncoupled and are ordered by their own gear motor, according to the program establishes for these configurations.

The drag chain in the contour is driven also by a variable speed motor-reducer.

In another embodiment, each section is coupled to a fixed speed gear motor, the slowing and acceleration being obtained by the existence of speed ratios between the geared motors.

The invention allows the principle of decrease or increase in speed by modification of speed ratio between tires, so now direct power take-offs on the cable.

Figure 2 illustrates an intermediate situation of storage in which cabin 2b is stopped nearby from cabin 2a.

The spacing between cabins 2a, 2b ... in stations, in storage phase can be predetermined and modified on request.

Figure 3 illustrates the final stage of storage in which the 14 cabins, in the embodiment presented, are stored at the station, in the station voltage.

Figure 4 illustrates a situation similar to the Figure 3, in the power station.

Obviously, depending on the dimensions respective embarkation and disembarkation stations and cabins, it may be possible to store more than 14 cabins at each station.

The invention makes it possible to use almost all of the acceleration / deceleration system lengths and contour for vehicle storage.

In one embodiment, the method according to the invention is such that the storage speed is maintained substantially constant and below speed nominal of the installation, this storage speed being compatible with cabin stopping speed.

In another embodiment, the method according to the invention is such that the speed is variable between the nominal speed and storage speed.

The invention can be applied to existing equipment, without mechanical modification and important electric, the launchers being in particular kept identically.

In one embodiment, storage channels of a traditional garage, under annex building, can be planned, if for example it is not possible to store all cabins in stations.

The friction clutch / brake assemblies, by the continuation designated by "clutch" are distributed in the mechanical of the main tracks, in the launcher, the retarder and contour.

Each clutch is associated with a presence of cabin at the entrance of the disengageable tire.

This detector is, in one embodiment, of inductive type.

In the launcher and retarder part, these sensors can be used for tracking control.

• une pour l'action "frein" (bobine alimentée impliquant le freinage) ;
• une pour l'action "embrayer" (bobine alimentée impliquant l'embrayage).

In one embodiment, the clutches are essentially composed of two coils:

• one for the "brake" action (powered coil involving braking);
• one for the "clutch" action (powered coil involving the clutch).

In normal operation, excluding the storage phase and destocking, all clutches are engaged.

An automation allows action on the speed of the cable, during the storage phase, in order to be able arrange the cabins under the disengageable tires.

• à vitesse constante de stockage à une allure inférieure à la vitesse nominale de l'appareil, compatible avec la vitesse d'arrêt du véhicule, sous la zone de stockage ;
• à vitesse "pulsée", variable.

Figure 5 illustrates the variations in cable speed in the contour launcher and retarder sections. The device can work in two ways:

• at constant storage speed at a speed lower than the nominal speed of the device, compatible with the vehicle's stopping speed, under the storage area;
• at "pulsed" speed, variable.

Of course, any intermediate variant between these two formulas is achievable.

• la possibilité de garder des systèmes de prise de mouvement sur le câble pour transmettre la puissance nécessaire pour les systèmes d'accélération/décélération des véhicules en gare de l'installation ;
• lors du stockage, pas de marche forcée à effectuer comme le "pas à pas", pas de désaccouplement de tronçons ;
• simplification de la conception électrique de gestion du stockage des véhicules en gare ;
• stockage des véhicules sur presque toute la totalité du système d'accélération/décélération des véhicules ;
• possibilité d'un fonctionnement couplé avec un système de voies de garage traditionnel, sous bâtiment annexe, par exemple si la totalité des cabines ne peut être stockée dans les gares ;
• possibilité d'incorporation dans une installation existante, sans modification mécanique et électrique importante, notamment en conservant à l'identique les lanceurs.

The invention has many advantages:

• the possibility of keeping power take-off systems on the cable to transmit the power necessary for the acceleration / deceleration systems of vehicles at the installation station;
• during storage, no forced operation to be carried out like the "step by step", no uncoupling of sections;
• simplification of the electrical design for managing vehicle storage at stations;
• vehicle storage on almost the entire vehicle acceleration / deceleration system;
• possibility of operation coupled with a traditional garage track system, in an annex building, for example if all of the cabins cannot be stored in stations;
• possibility of incorporation into an existing installation, without significant mechanical and electrical modification, in particular by keeping the launchers identical.

Claims (20)

Method for stopping a cable air transport installation of which at least one is a tractor, said installation comprising a plurality of cabins (2) fixed to the cable (s) (1) by means of '' at least one disengageable clamp, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a / braking and stopping a first cabin (2a) in the vicinity of the station exit, by clutching a means of slowing down and stopping the cabin; b / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step a /, the cable speed being substantially constant; c / braking and stopping a second cabin (2b), at a certain distance from the first cabin (2a), by clutching a means for slowing down and stopping the cabin, associated with the second cabin (2b); d / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step c /, the cable speed being substantially constant; e / repetition of steps c / and d /, the entire length of the station being able to be used for storing the cabins. Method for stopping a cable air transport installation of which at least one is a tractor, said installation comprising a plurality of cabins (2) fixed to the cable (s) (1) by means of '' at least one disengageable clamp, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a / braking and stopping a first cabin (2a) in the vicinity of the station exit, by clutching a means of slowing down and stopping the cabin; b / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step a /, at variable pulsed speed c / braking and stopping a second cabin (2b), at a certain distance from the first cabin (2a), by clutching a means for slowing down and stopping the cabin, associated with the second cabin (2b); d / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step c /, at variable pulsed speed. e / repetition of steps c / and d /, the entire length of the station being able to be used for storing the cabins. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the speed of the transferred cabins during steps b / and d / is variable between the speed nominal and storage speed. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the speed of the transferred cabins during steps b / and d / is variable between the speed nominal and storage speed. Method for starting up an air transport installation by cables, at least one of which is a tractor, said installation comprising a plurality of cabins (2) fixed to the cable (s) (1), said method being characterized in that it comprises the following stages: a / launching a first cabin (2a) located at the start of the acceleration section by disengaging a cabin stop means and coupling said cabin (2a) to the tractor cable; b / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step a /, the cable speed being substantially constant; c / launch of a second cabin (2b) located at the start of the acceleration section by disengaging a cabin stop means and coupling of said cabin (2b) to the tractor cable; d / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step c /, the cable speed being substantially constant; e / repetition of steps c / and d / until all the cabins are replaced in time on the installation. Method for starting up an air transport installation by cables, at least one of which is a tractor, said installation comprising a plurality of cabins (2) fixed to the cable (s) (1), said method being characterized in that it comprises the following stages: a / launching a first cabin (2a) located at the start of the acceleration section by disengaging a cabin stop means and coupling said cabin (2a) to the tractor cable; b / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step a /, at pulsed variable speed; c / launch of a second cabin (2b) located at the start of the acceleration section by disengaging a cabin stop means and coupling said cabin (2b) to the tractor cable; d / transfer from the other cabins present in the station during step c /, at pulsed variable speed; e / repetition of steps c / and d / until all the cabins are replaced in time on the installation. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the speed of the transferred cabins during steps b / and d / is less than the speed nominal cabin transfer. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the speed of the transferred cabins during steps b / and d / is variable between the speed nominal and storage speed. Method for stopping an installation of cable air transfer according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that steps a / and b / on the one hand, and c / and d / on the other hand are concomitant. Method for starting up an installation cable air transport according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that steps a / and b / on the one hand, c / and d / on the other hand, are concomitant. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a additional stage of cabin storage in tracks storage space, in a building annexed to installation of air transport by cable. Cable air transport installation implementing a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the means for Cab slowdown and stop include a friction clutch associated with a brake. Cable air transport installation implementing a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the means for Cab slowdown and stop include an engine associated with a brake. Transport installation according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the transmission of efforts required to animate the training system cabins, downstream and upstream of the storage area, is independent of the means of slowing down and stopping cabins. Transport facility according to any one claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the boarding station and landing station are used for storing cabins. Transport installation according to claim 12, characterized in that the clutch assemblies with friction / brakes are distributed in the track mechanics main, in the launcher, the retarder and the contour. Transport installation according to claim 16, characterized in that each clutch is associated with a cabin presence detector at the tire entrance disengageable. Installation according to claim 17, characterized in that the detector is of the inductive type. Transport installation according to any one of Claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the clutches comprise two coils. one for the "brake" action (powered coil involving braking); one for the "clutch" action (powered coil involving the clutch). Transport facility according to any one claims 16 to 19, characterized in that normal operation, except storage / destocking phase cabins, all clutches are engaged.

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