EP1193344B1 - Switching device for cable-driven railway - Google Patents

Abstract

A rail track with underslung cable drives (3,4) for main (1a,1b) and branch (2a,2b) lines uses points which include pivoted sections (9,10) in the rail segments which cross either the main or branch lines. For rolling stock going down the main line the branch line pivoted section (9) is opened to allow the main line cable clamp to pass through (E) while cable clamps on trucks taking the branch line have the main line pivoted section (10) open.

Description

The invention relates to a railroad crossing device associated with towing cables for towed vehicles, said cable being placed below the level of the rails.

Until now, vehicles running on rails and towed by a cable are used on tracks with no crossing lanes, so that the problem of crossing a rail of the track with a towing cable on which is hung the pliers of a vehicle did not rest.

Indeed, either vehicles travel in one direction and then in the other, staying on the same track, which avoids the use of switches and simplifies the installation.

Either the vehicles change lanes at the end of the line, another traction mode taking over from the cable traction, so that a conventional switch can be used without problems.

Other tractive cable transport systems use vehicles running on tires: the towing cable can then be placed in a cavity well below ground level, and the vehicle can change direction by means of a switch as described in the application FR 99 16 480 (FR-A-2 802 882) of the applicant.

However, the cable is not annoying because it is disposed well below the lift surface of the vehicle and does not cross.

This is not the case when the lift surface includes rails: the cable is then located below the carrying surface of the rails but at the level of the structure of the rails.

The invention aims to provide a device for a vehicle running on rails and towed by a cable below the level of the rails, to change lanes, the clamp of said vehicle remaining permanently engaged with the towing cable.

For this purpose, the device according to the invention comprises at least one rail section on each track extending transversely between the two rails of another track, movable between a position in which it allows the passage of the vehicle on a track and a position in which it allows the passage of the vehicle on the other way.

In the device according to the invention each of the two track sections comprises a movable element between a closed position in which it is in the path of the clamp of the vehicle traveling on the other track and an open position in which it clears the passage for said clamp of the vehicle traveling on said other path.

This device thus makes it possible to avoid having to change traction means at the level of a lane change.

The length and location of the movable rail member is predetermined according to the dimensions of the vehicle gripper engaged with the cable.

Movement of the movable rail member from one position to the other is controlled by an electromagnetic actuator.

In a variant, an electromagnetic cylinder controls the simultaneous movement of the movable rail elements of several intersecting tracks.

The control of moving the rail elements is similar to that used for conventional rail switches. It will not be described in more detail here.

In one embodiment, each movable rail member is hinged about a vertical pivot at one of its ends.

Thus, the pivot may be located at the end of the movable rail element (9, 10) furthest from the separation of the rails of the tracks (1, 2).

So that in the open position the elements are directed towards each other and are substantially parallel or tangent to the band forming the path of the clamp which they allow the passage.

In another embodiment, the movable rail member has a recess on its bottom portion for the passage of the cable when the rail member is in the closed position.

In a variant, each movable rail element carries a rail element in the continuity of the rail on which it is located.

• la figure 1 représente une vue de dessus du croisement d'une voie droite et d'une voie déviée, l'encombrement de la pince étant représentée en hachuré ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue de face de la partie inférieure d'un véhicule circulant sur des rails ;
• la figure 3 représente en vue de dessus les voies ferrées et le dispositif en position pour permettre le passage du véhicule sur la voie déviée ;
• la figure 3a représente une coupe des voies et du dispositif suivant la ligne K-K de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 3b représente une coupe des voies et du dispositif suivant la ligne L-L de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 4 représente en vue de dessus les voies ferrées et le dispositif en position pour permettre le passage du véhicule sur la voie droite ;
• la figure 4a représente une coupe des voies et du dispositif suivant la ligne K-K de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 4b représente une coupe des voies et du dispositif suivant la ligne L-L de la figure 4.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a top view of the crossing of a straight track and a deflected track, the size of the clamp being shown hatched;
• FIG. 2 represents a front view of the lower part of a vehicle traveling on rails;
• Figure 3 shows a top view of the railroad tracks and the device in position to allow the passage of the vehicle on the deflected track;
• Figure 3a shows a section of the tracks and the device along the line KK of Figure 3;
• Figure 3b shows a section of the tracks and the device along the line LL of Figure 3;
• Figure 4 shows a top view of the tracks and the device in position to allow the passage of the vehicle on the right track;
• Figure 4a shows a section of the tracks and the device along the line KK of Figure 4;
• FIG. 4b represents a cross section of the tracks and the device along the line LL of FIG. 4.

The device of the invention is described for a transport system comprising two railroad tracks shown in the figures. It can of course be used for a much larger number of channels.

In the figures, one of the two tracks is straight 1 and the other is deflected 2.

Each lane 1, 2 comprises two rails 1a, 1b and 2a, 2b respectively for the rolling iron wheels, and is associated with a towing cable 3, 4 respectively.

Tractor cables 3, 4 are placed below the rail level of the two railroad tracks, as shown in FIG.

On the tracks 1, 2 circulate vehicles 5 each comprising at least one clamp 6.

This clamp 6 is located in the lower part of the vehicle 5 and is intended to engage with said cables 3, 4, as shown in FIG.

The clamp 6 can be movable transversely and disengageable, in order to come into engagement with cables arranged at a distance from one another.

It is clear from Figure 2 that the clamp 6 of a vehicle 5 will hit a transverse rail located between the two rails of the track on which is said vehicle.

In FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the trajectory E of the clamp 6 when the vehicle is traveling is represented by a hatched band, FIG. 3 corresponding to the vehicle 5 traveling on the deflected track 2, and FIG. 4 corresponding to the vehicle 5 on the right lane 1.

This hatched band E corresponds to the maximum size of the clamp when moving the vehicle.

These figures clearly show the areas where the clamp 6 crosses the tracks 1, 2, and more particularly the rails 2a and 1b and where there is a risk of collision between the clamp 6 and the rails.

The device according to the invention aims to avoid any risk of collision between the clamp and the rails. Tractor cables 3, 4 are always arranged so as not to cross each other when changing lanes 1, 2.

For this purpose, it comprises a section 7 of rail 2a on the track 2 and a section 8 of rail 1b on the track 1, each section extending transversely between the two rails of the tracks 1 and 2 respectively.

The rail sections 7, 8 are movable between a position in which they allow the passage of the vehicle 5 on the deflected track 2 and a position in which they allow the passage of the vehicle 5 on the other track 1.

Each rail section 7, 8 comprises a movable element 9, 10 respectively.

Each element 9, 10 is movable between a closed position 9a, 10a in which it is in the path E of the clamp 6 of the vehicle traveling on the other path and an open position 9b, 10b in which it clears the passage for said clip 6 of the vehicle traveling on said other path.

Thus, when the vehicle 5 is traveling on the deflected track 2 (Figure 3) the element 9 is in the closed position 9a, it is then on the path E of the clamp 6 of a vehicle traveling on the track 1. On the contrary , the element 10 is then in the open position 10b allowing the passage of the clamp of the vehicle traveling on the track 2.

In FIG. 4, the elements 9 and 10 are respectively in the open position 9b and in the closed position 10a, which allows the vehicle to move on the right track 1.

In the closed position 9b, 10b, the two elements are arranged in the continuity of the rail 2a, 1b respectively on which they are placed. While in the open position 9a, 10a, they are parallel or tangent to the path E of the clamp 6 they let pass.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, each movable rail element 9, 10 is articulated around a vertical pivot 11 placed at one of its ends.

In general, for reasons of space and ease of implementation, in the open position 9a, 10a, the elements 9, 10 are directed toward each other, each pivot 11 being disposed at the end of the element 9, 10 furthest from the separation of the channels 1, 2.

So that, in the closed position, each pivot 11 is placed between the two cables 3, 4.

Thus, in the open position, the elements 9, 10 are substantially parallel or tangential to the band E forming the path of the clamp 6 which they allow the passage (Figures 3 and 4).

Other modes of articulation can be envisaged, a sliding system of the elements along the tracks that can also be used to clear the passage of the clamp.

The length and location of the movable rail element 9, 10 are predetermined according to the dimensions of the clamp 6 of the vehicle engaged with the cable 3, 4.

This is to avoid any risk of snagging between a clamp 6 and a rail or rail element 9, 10.

Movement of the movable rail member 9, 10 from one position to the other can be controlled by an electromagnetic actuator 12.

In the figures, an electromagnetic cylinder 12 controls the simultaneous movement of the movable rail elements 9, 10 of the two paths 1, 2 intersecting each other.

Other control modes can however be used.

Figures 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b are transverse views of the elements 9, 10 in the closed or open position.

In the embodiment shown in these figures, the movable rail elements 9, 10 have a recess 13 on their lower part for the passage of the cable when the rail element is in the closed position.

This recess 13 may be more or less important depending on the position of the cable 3, 4 with respect to an element 9, 10. It extends, when said element is closed position, along the path of the cable, the latter being secant the longitudinal direction of said element 9, 10.

So that the recess 13 consists of a slight recess 13a on the vertical side face adjacent to the cable 4 in the part where the cable is remote from the element 9, 10, as shown in Figure 3b.

This recess 13a becomes increasingly important until the part where the cable crosses the element 9, 10 so that only the upper part 13b of the element 9, 10 remains, resting on a vertical side wall 13c away from the cable (Figures 3a, 3b).

In this configuration, a support 14 is required to support the free end of the upper part 13b when the element 9, 10 is in the closed position, so that the latter supports without deformation the forces exerted by a vehicle 5 rolling on said element (Figure 3a).

Each element 9, 10 of movable rail carries a rail member 15 on its upper portion 13b in the continuity of the rail on which it is located. This element is made of metal and allows vehicles to roll on the track, ensuring continuity of the rail, without risk of derailment.

The rail element 9, 10 is made of rigid material able to withstand the rolling forces, such as the metal usually used to make rails.

This type of device can be used, for example, in installations such as that described in the patent application filed by the same applicant and on the same day as the present application, entitled "installation for moving towed vehicles by cable", for vehicles traveling on rails.

The device according to the invention is coupled to a conventional rail switching switch (not shown) allowing the vehicle to change lanes.

The movements of the device according to the invention and the switch are then coordinated to ensure the change of lanes of the vehicle without problems.

Claims (9)

1. A device for the intersection of at least two railway tracks (1, 2) associated with traction cables (3, 4) for vehicles (5) towed by cable, said cable (3, 4) being placed below the level of the rails (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) of said railway track (1, 2), said vehicle (5) comprising a clamp (6) situated in its lower part engaged with said cable (3, 4), the device comprising at least one section of rail (7, 8) on each track (2, 1) extending transversely between the two rails (1a, 1b; 2a, 2b) of another track (1, 2), movable between a position in which it allows passage of the vehicle on one track and a position in which it allows passage of the vehicle on the other track, each of the two sections (7, 8) of track comprising an element (9, 10) movable between a closed position (9a, 10a) in which it is situated in the path (E) of the clamp (6) of the vehicle running on the other track and an open position (9b, 10b) in which it clears the passage for said clamp (6) of the vehicle running on said other track.
2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the length and location of the movable rail element (9, 10) are predetermined according to the dimensions of the clamp (6) of the vehicle engaged with the cable (3, 4).
3. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the displacement of the movable rail element (9, 10) from one position to the other is controlled by an electromagnetic actuator (12).
4. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an electromagnetic actuator (12) controls the simultaneous displacement of the movable rail elements (9, 10) of several intersecting tracks.
5. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each movable rail element (9, 10) is articulated around a vertical pivot (11) at one of its ends.
6. A device according to Claim 5, characterised in that the pivot (11) is situated at the end of the movable rail element (9, 10) furthest away from the separation of the rails of the tracks (1, 2).
7. A device according to Claim 6, characterised in that, in the open position (9a, 10a), the elements (9, 10) are directed towards one another and are substantially parallel or tangential to the band (E) forming the path of the clamp (6) whose passage they allow.
8. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movable rail element (9, 10) has a recess (13) on its lower part intended for passage of the cable (3, 4) when the rail element (9, 10) is in the closed position (9a, 10a).
9. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each movable rail element (9, 10) carries an element forming a rail (15) in the continuity of the rail (2a, 1b) on which it is situated.