EP1193153B1 - Installation for the displacement of vehicles towed by cable - Google Patents

Abstract

The single rail track (6) has go and return driving cables (3) which may be gripped by traversable cable clamps (4) fixed below trucks (2). Trucks proceeding in opposite directions are able to pass by means of parallel branches (7a, 7b) which have motor wheels driving successive sections of cable. The spacing between the parallel sections of driving cable at the motor wheels is small enough not to require a change in clamp position. Independent claims are made for methods used in the normal and emergency functioning of the rail track.

Description

The invention relates to an installation allowing the movement of vehicles towed by cable comprising two or more stations, vehicles traveling on at least one lane between stations.

The invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to automatic passenger transport systems.

Are already known in the prior art installations of the kind mentioned above.

Zurich Airport has a facility for moving cable towed vehicles with two stations. Both stations are connected by two separate and distant paths from each other. Each way is associated with a towing cable mounted in closed loop. The two towing cables moving vehicles in two opposite directions.

Each vehicle has at least one clamp, movable between three positions A and B, able to engage with said towing cables.

In this type of installation, the vehicles change direction at the end of the line, either by using a turning plate, or by switches located before or after the last station.

However, this type of installation has several drawbacks.

In particular, in the event of a malfunction of a cable loop or a vehicle on a loop, vehicle traffic cannot continue in shuttle only on the remaining loop, which greatly increases the time waiting between two vehicles and obstructing traffic.

In addition, two tracks are used along the entire line, this type of installation does not can therefore be installed in a small footprint.

Finally, if the number of stations is odd, the vehicle must include at minimum three clamp positions.

The document FR 2 337 067 describes a vehicle transport installation towed by cable with a three-position clamp. The installation includes two separate lanes for the two traffic directions. Roads additional may be provided to allow the transfer of vehicles from one lane to another in the event of a malfunction, so as not to interfere with minimum traffic.

However, this installation still has two tracks, the bulk of which cannot be reduced.

Another document relating to this type of installation is document EP-A1-0 611 220.

The invention aims to allow the realization of a simple installation and reliable, with a small footprint and whose transport rate is not significantly penalized in the event of a malfunction of a towing cable or vehicle on a towing cable loop.

An embodiment of the invention also makes it possible to reduce the number of vehicle clamp positions, simplifying the system.

To this end, the invention describes an installation allowing the displacement of vehicles towed by cable, comprising two or more stations, vehicles traveling on at least one lane between stations, each vehicle comprising at least one clamp, movable between at least two positions A and B, suitable for coming in engagement with a towing cable. Installation includes multiple cables tractors each mounted in a loop, said loops extending parallel to the track, one after the other, the ends of two cable loops successive being close enough to each other to allow the clamp release the cable from the previous loop and grab the cable from the next loop. A first and a second succession of cable loops allow the vehicle to be towed in a forward direction and a return direction, the vehicles changing direction at the end of the line.

The installation is characterized in that it comprises a single track of circulation, the two cable loops providing traction in the directions outward and return respectively extending parallel to the single track, at close to each other so that the clamp can pass easily from one cable to the other, said single channel splitting into two outward and return paths, each associated with a round trip tractor cable loop respectively, so that two oncoming vehicles can intersect, the two outward and return paths meet to reform a path single, a vehicle that can change direction of travel during route on the single track.

In a variant of the installation, the channel duplication (s) are located at a station and / or between stations. This allows to multiply the vehicle crossing zones and thus increase the transport flow.

The installation can also include the following characteristics alone or in combination.

The cable ends of all successive loops towing a vehicle in one direction go, respectively return, can be alternately located in two separate positions A1, A2, B1, B2 to proximity to position A, respectively B of the clamp, the cables being located at position A, respectively B of the clamp on the single track between the stations.

In this case, the cables in position A1, A2 or B1, B2 can be brought to the clamp in position A or B. This device makes it possible to limit the number of positions of the pliers. The “go” and “return” cables of the single channel are thus each arranged in one of two positions A or B, which allows a vehicle to change direction on the single lane.

In a variant, the cables of all the successive loops towing a vehicle in one direction go, respectively return, are located alternately in two separate positions A1, A2 and B1, B2 near position A, respectively B of the clamp.

In this case, the cable can be brought to position A or B so that the clamp can grab it.

All the cable loops in said installation serve the same number of stations.

The number of channels duplication is preferably odd and at least equal to three. This configuration optimizes the transport rate.

The crossroads at the level of the duplications are carried out thanks to switches.

In order to improve safety, it can be envisaged that only one vehicle travels per cable loop, all vehicles traveling arriving at the same time in a station or at the level of a duplication.

The invention also relates to a method of operating a installation as described above.

• on dispose un véhicule par boucle de câble à une extrémité de boucle dans une station ;
• on fait partir tous les véhicules en même temps d'une station, la vitesse de chaque véhicule étant réglée de sorte qu'ils arrivent en même temps dans la station suivante ou au niveau du dédoublement des voies suivant, deux véhicules circulant en sens inverse se croisant au niveau des stations ou au niveau des dédoublements des voies ;
• à l'arrêt dans les stations où deux boucles de câbles en position A1, A2 ou B1, B2 se succèdent, la pince de chaque véhicule en position A ou B lâche le câble par lequel le véhicule est arrivé, le câble lâché revenant à une position A1, A2 ou B1, B2, le câble suivant en position A2, A1 ou B2, B1 étant amené dans la pince du véhicule toujours en position A ou B ;
• arrivés en bout d'installation, la pince de chaque véhicule change de position A ou B et saisit le câble circulant dans le sens inverse de sorte que les véhicules repartent dans l'autre direction.

The process can include the following steps:

• there is a vehicle per cable loop at one loop end in a station;
• we start all the vehicles at the same time from one station, the speed of each vehicle being adjusted so that they arrive at the same time at the next station or at the level of the duplication of the next lanes, two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crossing at the stations or at the level of the duplication of the channels;
• when stationary in stations where two cable loops in position A1, A2 or B1, B2 follow one another, the clamp of each vehicle in position A or B drops the cable through which the vehicle arrived, the loose cable returning to a position A1, A2 or B1, B2, the next cable in position A2, A1 or B2, B1 being brought into the clamp of the vehicle always in position A or B;
• At the end of the installation, the clamp of each vehicle changes position A or B and grasps the cable running in the opposite direction so that the vehicles leave in the other direction.

In the event of a cable loop or vehicle malfunction on a cable loop and in a first variant, all vehicles can stay on their cable loop and serve the corresponding stations in one direction then the other.

Transport flow is reduced but still possible over most of it of the installation.

• on fait circuler les véhicules normalement jusqu'à la voie unique placée avant ledit dédoublement ;
• arrivé à ladite voie unique, la pince change de position et saisit le câble circulant dans le sens inverse de sorte que le véhicule repart dans l'autre direction.

In a second variant, the method comprises the following steps in the event of a malfunction of a cable loop or of a vehicle on a cable loop at the level of a doubling of the channels:

• vehicles are circulated normally to the single lane placed before said duplication;
• arrived at said single track, the clamp changes position and grasps the cable running in the opposite direction so that the vehicle leaves in the other direction.

The transport flow is then almost maintained on the two portions of the installation located before and after the malfunction.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un dédoublement de voies de l'installation selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation schématique d'une vue de face d'un véhicule circulant sur une installation selon l'invention ;
• les figures 3, 4 et 5 représentent les positions et les directions de circulation de plusieurs véhicules sur une installation selon l'invention.

Sur les figures, les flèches représentent la direction de circulation des véhicules sur l'installation.Other objects and advantages will appear during the following description with reference to the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples, in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a duplication of tracks of the installation according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a front view of a vehicle traveling on an installation according to the invention;
• Figures 3, 4 and 5 show the positions and directions of movement of several vehicles on an installation according to the invention.

In the figures, the arrows represent the direction of movement of the vehicles on the installation.

The installation 1 according to the invention allows the movement of towed vehicles 2 by cables 3 comprising two or more S stations.

The embodiment described below relates to a vehicle towed by a cable located at the level of the track.

The tracks shown are railways.

However, the invention can also be applied to vehicles towed by a overhead cable or by vehicles with other means of lift (vehicles mounted on tires or air cushion for example).

Each vehicle 2 comprises at least one clamp 4, movable between at least two positions A and B. It can for example be a disengageable pliers.

The clamp 4 is located under the vehicle 2 so as to be able to grasp the cable 3 located between the means of lift of the tracks.

In Figure 2 the two positions A and B of the clamp are shown.

Installation 1 includes several towing cables 3 each mounted in a loop closed.

Conventionally, the movement of the cable 3 can be achieved by the action a drive wheel at one end 5 of the loop, a wheel used for cable tension 3 being placed at the other end of the loop (not represented).

In Figures 1 to 5, only the motor strand of the cables 3 is shown.

Vehicles 2 travel on at least one lane 6 between stations S.

In the embodiment shown, a single channel 6 splits in two ways 7a, 7b back and forth, each associated with a loop of tractor cable 3 out and back respectively. The two channels 7a and 7b then meet to reform a single track 6.

Duplication can take place at an S station or between two stations.

The duplication thus allows the vehicles to cross. For some safety reasons, preferably one vehicle at a time runs on a portion single track 6 between two duplicates.

The cable loops 3 extend parallel to track 6 and tracks 7a, 7b, one after the other, the ends of two cable loops 3 successive being close enough to each other to allow the clamp 4 to easily change the cable 3, either by moving the cable 3 or by moving the clamp 4.

At a single track portion 6 (between two doubling of tracks) two cable loops 3 are located close to each other, both loops towing vehicles in opposite directions.

When the single channel 6 splits into two channels 7a, 7b, each loop of cable 3 corresponding to traction in one of the two directions back or forth follows lane 7a or 7b respectively.

Each vehicle 2 changes cable 3 at a station S (or a split channels) in which the ends of the loops are cable 3.

In the embodiment shown, two successive cables 3 (their ends or cables along their entire length) occupy positions A1, A2 on channel 7a, and B1, B2 on channel 7b.

The positions A1, A2 are close to the position A of the clamp 4 and the positions B1, B2 close to position B of the clamp (Figure 2).

Thus, the cables 3 making it possible to tow the vehicle in a forward direction are, all positioned successively, for example in A1 and A2. The towing cables the vehicle in the return direction then being successively in position B1, B2.

This configuration reduces the number of positions required to the clamp.

The change of cable 3 of a vehicle 2 at the level of a duplication of channels is shown in Figure 1.

The vehicle 2 arrives at the duplication level in position 2a, 2b, the clamp 4 gripping the cable 3. The next cable 3 runs along the previous cable 3. In this zone, the clamp 4 changes cable 3, the vehicle 2 is then in position 2c and sets off again towards the next single track portion 6 in position 2d.

Simultaneously a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction (not shown) arrives at the level of duplication on the other side.

On a single track portion 6, a vehicle in position 2e can change cable 3: it suffices that its clamp 4 changes position A or B.

In the same traffic direction, we could consider keeping two distinct positions of successive cables A and B. It would then be three or even four positions in total for the clamp, which is expensive because it requires to widen the standardized ways.

When changing the cable 3, the cable can then be brought to the clamp 4 or the clamp pick up the cable.

The cable change 3 can be carried out at a standstill or at low speed.

For security reasons, only one vehicle is expected to travel per loop of cable 3, all the 2 vehicles circulating arriving at the same time in a S station or at the level of a doubling of the channels.

Thus, the waiting time is the same at all stations, the speeds of vehicles being adapted to the distance between stations to keep constant travel time.

In a variant, all the cable loops 3 of the installation 1 serve an odd number of stations and at least three stations.

Preferably, each cable loop serves three stations: this allows optimize the movement of vehicles 2 while minimizing transit time of two vehicles at the same station.

The crossings of the tracks are carried out using conventional switches not represented.

In the case of vehicles running on railway type wheels, turnouts such as that described in the patent application filed by the plaintiff and on the same day as this request, entitled "Device of crossing railway tracks associated with towing cables ”are used.

This switch allows the vehicle clamp to remain attached to the cable during lane change.

The operating method of the installation is now described in detail in reference to Figures 3 to 5.

In these figures, the vehicles 2 are symbolized by discs. The arrows indicate the directions of movement. Channels 6 and 7a, 7b are symbolized by lines.

• on dispose un véhicule 2 par boucle de câble 3 à une extrémité de boucle dans une station S ; cette configuration est représentée sur la figure 3 ;
• on fait partir tous les véhicules 2 en même temps d'une station, la vitesse de chaque véhicule étant réglée de sorte qu'ils arrivent en même temps dans la station suivante, deux véhicules circulant en sens inverse se croisant au niveau des stations ou des dédoublements; la figure 4 montre le déplacement des véhicules 2 entre les stations S, un seul véhicule circule par portion de voie unique 6 ; les véhicules arrivent ensuite dans la station suivante tel que représenté figure 5 ;
• à l'arrêt dans les stations S où deux boucles de câbles en position (A1, A2) ou (B1, B2) se succèdent, la pince 4 de chaque véhicule en position A ou B lâche le câble 3 par lequel le véhicule est arrivé, le câble 3 lâché revenant à une position (A1, A2) ou (B1, B2), le câble 3 suivant en position (A2, A1) ou (B2, B1) étant amené dans la pince 4 du véhicule toujours en position A ou B ;
• arrivés en bout d'installation, la pince 4 de chaque véhicule change de position A ou B et saisit le câble 3 circulant dans le sens inverse de sorte que les véhicules 2 repartent dans l'autre direction.

The process for operating the installation comprises the following steps:

• there is a vehicle 2 per cable loop 3 at one end of the loop in a station S; this configuration is shown in Figure 3;
• all the vehicles 2 are started at the same time from one station, the speed of each vehicle being adjusted so that they arrive at the same time at the next station, two vehicles traveling in opposite directions intersecting at the stations or duplication; FIG. 4 shows the movement of vehicles 2 between stations S, only one vehicle travels per portion of single track 6; the vehicles then arrive at the next station as shown in Figure 5;
• stopped at stations S where two cable loops in position (A1, A2) or (B1, B2) follow one another, the clamp 4 of each vehicle in position A or B releases the cable 3 by which the vehicle arrived , the loose cable 3 returning to a position (A1, A2) or (B1, B2), the next cable 3 in position (A2, A1) or (B2, B1) being brought into the clamp 4 of the vehicle still in position A or B;
• arrived at the end of installation, the clamp 4 of each vehicle changes position A or B and grasps the cable 3 running in the opposite direction so that the vehicles 2 leave in the other direction.

In a first variant, in the event of a malfunction of a loop cable or vehicle on a cable loop, all vehicles remain on their cable loop and serve the corresponding stations in a direction then in the other.

• on fait circuler les véhicules 2 normalement jusqu'à la voie unique 6 placée avant ledit dédoublement ;
• arrivé à ladite voie unique 6, la pince 4 change de position et saisit le câble 3 circulant dans le sens inverse de sorte que le véhicule repart dans l'autre direction.

In a second variant, the method comprises the following steps in the event of a malfunction of a cable loop or of a vehicle on a cable loop at the level of a doubling of the channels:

• vehicles 2 are circulated normally to the single lane 6 placed before said duplication;
• arrived at said single track 6, the clamp 4 changes position and grasps the cable 3 running in the opposite direction so that the vehicle leaves in the other direction.

Methods combining the steps of these two variants can also be used to optimize and best maintain the circulation of trains by technical incident of a vehicle or cable.

We can also provide garage tracks joining the tracks of installation to transport vehicles to warehouses for maintenance or other.

Finally, provision can be made to integrate an installation according to the invention into a known installation for moving vehicles towed by cable.

For example, at an installation comprising trains going back and forth between several stations, a section with a splitting according to the invention.

Associated with a siding, the presence of duplication allows in particular that at least one train is still in circulation on this section even if one of the two trains running on the standstill duplication.

All combinations are also possible between different trains to define the circulation and the station stop of the trains.

Claims (11)

1. An installation (1) for moving vehicles (2) pulled by a cable (3), comprising two or more stations (S), the vehicles travelling on at least one track between the stations, each vehicle (2) comprising at least one gripper (4), able to move between at least two positions (A) and (B) and able to come into engagement with a tractor cable (3), the installation comprising several tractor cables (3) each mounted in a loop, the said loops extending vertically parallel to the track, one after the other, the ends of two successive cable loops (3) being sufficiently close to each other to enable the gripper (4) to release the cable (3) of the previous loop and to grip the cable (3) of the following loop, characterised in that it comprises a first and second succession of cable loops (3) for pulling the vehicle (2) in respectively an outward and a return direction, the vehicles (2) changing direction at the end of the line, and a single travel track (6), the two cable loops (3) providing the traction in the outward and return directions respectively extending parallel to the single track (6), close to each other, so that the gripper (4) can easily pass from one cable (3) to another, the said single track (6) dividing locally into two outward (7a) and return (7b) tracks, each associated with a tractor cable loop (3) respectively outward and return, so that two vehicles (2) travelling in opposite directions can pass each other, the two outward (7a) and return (7b) tracks joining again in order to form a single track (6) again, a vehicle (2) being able to change direction of movement whilst travelling on the single track (6).
2. An installation according to Claim 1, characterised in that a dividing (7a, 7b) of the tracks is situated at a station (S) and/or between the stations (S).
3. An installation according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the ends of the cables (3) of all the successive loops pulling a vehicle (3) in the same outward or respectively return direction are situated alternately in two distinct positions (A1, A2), (B1, B2) close to the position (A) or respectively (B) of the gripper, the cables (3) being situated at the position (A) or respectively (B) of the gripper (4) on the single track (6) between the stations (S).
4. An installation according to Claim 3, characterised in that the cables (3) in all the successive loops pulling a vehicle (2) in the same outward or respectively return direction are situated alternately in two distinct positions (A1, A2), (B1, B2) close to the position (A) or respectively (B) of the gripper (4).
5. An installation according to Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that all the cable loops (3) in the said installation serve the same number of stations (S).
6. An installation according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the number of doublings (7a, 7b) of the tracks is odd and equal to at least three.
7. An installation according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the crossings of the tracks are made by means of points.
8. An installation according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that only one vehicle (2) travels per cable loop (3), all the travelling vehicles (2) arriving at the same time in a station (S) or at a doubling.
9. A method of operating an installation (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it comprises the following steps:

   one vehicle (2) per cable loop (3) is disposed at an end of the loop in a station (S);

   all the vehicles (2) are caused to leave a station (S) at the same time, the speed of each vehicle being regulated so that they arrive in the following station (S) or at the following doubling (7a, 7b) of the tracks at the same time, two vehicles (2) travelling in opposite directions passing at the stations (S) or at the track doublings;

   when stopping in the stations (S) where two cable loops in position (A1, A2) or (B1, B2) follow each other, the gripper (4) on each vehicle in position (A) or (B) releases the cable (3) by means of which the vehicle has arrived, the released cable (3) returning to a position (A1, A2) or (B1, B2), the following cable (3) in position (A2, A1) or (B2, B1) being brought into the gripper (4) of the vehicle still in position (A) or (B);

   once arrived at the end of the installation, the gripper (4) on each vehicle changes position (A) or (B) and grips the cable (3) travelling in the opposite direction so that the vehicles (2) set off again in the other direction.
10. A method according to Claim 9, characterised in that, in the event of malfunctioning of a cable loop (3) or of a vehicle (2) on a cable loop (3), all the vehicles (2) remain on their cable loop (3) and serve the corresponding stations (S) in one direction and then in the other.
11. A method according to Claim 9, characterised in that it comprises the following steps in the event of malfunctioning of a cable loop (3) or of a vehicle (2) on a cable loop (3) at a doubling (7a, 7b) of the tracks:

    the vehicles (2) are made to travel normally as far as the single track (6) placed before the said doubling (7a, 7b);

    once arrived at the said single track (6), the gripper (4) changes position and grips the cable (3) travelling in the opposite direction so that the vehicle (2) sets off again in the other direction.

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