EP2266857A1 - Conveyor belt circulating over a tubular surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The cart has a front half-frame (4) assembled with a rear half-frame (5) by a pivot connection (6) whose pivoting axis is parallel to a longitudinal symmetric axis of the cart. Left and right front drive half-trains are assembled on the front half-frame and left and right rear drive half-trains mounted on the rear half-frame. The drive half-trains are pivotingly mounted with respect to the half-frames. Each half-train comprises a drive member, where the drive member and a tubular surface (2) are directed perpendicular to a rotational axis of the drive member.

Description

The present invention relates to a carriage for transporting in particular persons on a tubular surface.

The object of the invention relates more specifically to a passenger transport trolley, adapted to circulate inside or even outside a gallery, pipe or pipe in order to perform various operations such as inspection, control, repair, construction, maintenance, etc.

The object of the invention finds a particularly advantageous but non-limiting application for the inspection of pipes or pipes with a relatively large inclination.

In the state of the art, it is known for example by the patent EP 1056 634 , a transport carriage comprising a chassis having a front undercarriage and a rear undercarriage each provided with rolling members such as wheels. The undercarriages are pivotally mounted relative to the chassis so that the normal of the contact face between the rolling member and the tubular bearing surface is directed perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the running gear. Such a carriage is able to progress inside or outside a tubular surface.

In the case where such a truck must carry people, the progression of the carriage along the surface must be provided safely. However, it should be noted that the trolleys of the prior art do not give complete satisfaction in practice because of the risks of overturning during their paths especially on surfaces with a steep slope.

The present invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by providing a transport carriage including people, designed to move safely on a tubular surface.

• un demi-châssis avant assemblé à un demi-châssis arrière par l'intermédiaire d'une liaison pivot dont l'axe de pivotement est parallèle à l'axe longitudinal du chariot, l'un au moins des demi-châssis étant équipé d'un siège de réception d'une personne,
• des demi-trains de roulement avant gauche et droit montés sur le demi-châssis avant et des demi-trains de roulement arrière gauche et droit montés sur le demi-châssis arrière, les demi-trains de roulement étant montés pivotant par rapport aux demi-châssis selon des axes de pivotement parallèles à l'axe longitudinal du chariot, les demi-trains de roulement comportant chacun au moins un organe de roulement dont la normale de la face de contact entre l'organe de roulement et la surface tubulaire est dirigée perpendiculairement à l'axe de rotation de l'organe de roulement.

To achieve such an objective, the transport carriage according to the invention comprises:

• a front half-frame assembled to a rear half frame by means of a pivot connection whose pivot axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carriage, at least one of the half-chassis being equipped with a reception seat of a person,
• left and right front half-wheels mounted on the front half-chassis and left and right rear half-wheels mounted on the rear half-chassis, the half-undercarriages being pivotally mounted relative to the half-undercarriage; chassis according to pivot axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carriage, the half-rolling trains each comprising at least one rolling member whose normal of the contact face between the rolling member and the tubular surface is directed perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the rolling member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a passenger transport trolley designed to move safely on a tubular surface having a steep gradient.

To achieve such an objective, each half-undercarriage is provided with at least one magnet arranged to delimit an air gap with the ferromagnetic tubular surface so as to form a magnetic circuit allowing the carriage to be magnetically fixed to the tubular surface.

According to an advantageous characteristic of embodiment, each rolling member comprises a running track mounted between return wheels.

According to an alternative embodiment the transport carriage comprises, for each half-undercarriage, a spacing system of the rolling member relative to the tubular surface in order to eliminate the magnetic attachment.

For example, each spacer system comprises a lever pivotally mounted and extended by a link provided with a wheel.

Advantageously, each half-frame is equipped with a seat for receiving a person.

For example, each receiving seat is pivotally mounted relative to the half-frame.

According to a preferred embodiment, the front and rear half-frames each comprise two longitudinal members extending parallel to one another and connected at one of their ends by a cross member, the front and rear half-frames being mounted so that the sleepers are placed close to allow the mounting of the pivot connection between the two sleepers.

For example, the front half-frame includes footrests for the feet of a person, mounted at the free ends of the side members.

Advantageously, the transport trolley is motorized and comprises a drive unit controlled by a control station.

• La Figure 1 est une vue en coupe montrant un exemple de réalisation d'un chariot circulant à l'intérieur d'une conduite inclinée.
• La Figure 2 est une vue en coupe transversale prise sensiblement selon les lignes II-II de la Fig. 1 .
• La Figure 3 est une vue de dessus montrant un exemple de réalisation d'un chariot de transport conforme à l'invention.
• La Figure 4 est une vue de côté montrant le chariot illustré à la Fig. 3 .
• La Figure 5 est une vue en coupe schématique transversale montrant un autre exemple d'application du chariot de transport conforme à l'invention.

Various other characteristics appear from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of non-limiting examples, embodiments of the subject of the invention.

• The Figure 1 is a sectional view showing an exemplary embodiment of a carriage circulating inside an inclined pipe.
• The Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the lines II-II of the Fig. 1 .
• The Figure 3 is a top view showing an embodiment of a transport carriage according to the invention.
• The Figure 4 is a side view showing the cart shown in the Fig. 3 .
• The Figure 5 is a schematic cross sectional view showing another example of application of the transport carriage according to the invention.

As more specifically Fig. 1 to 4 The object of the invention relates to a trolley 1 adapted to move on a tubular running surface 2 forming e.g. a gallery, a pipe or a pipeline. In the example shown in Fig. 1 , the transport carriage 1 is intended to be moved inside a gallery, pipe or pipe which has a declivity forming an angle α of the order of 45 ° relative to the horizontal. According to this illustrated example, the transport carriage 1 moves on a concave tubular surface. Of course, the transport carriage 1 can be made to move on a surface convex tubular 2 as clearly appears in the Fig. 5 . In this case, the transport carriage 1 progresses on the outside of the pipe, pipe or gallery. The transport carriage 1 thus normally progresses in a direction of displacement D which is substantially parallel to a generatrix of the tubular duct.

The transport carriage 1 comprises a front half-frame 4 assembled to a rear half-frame 5 via a pivot link 6. The front and rear half-frames 4 and 5 are thus mounted one behind the other to present a longitudinal axis of symmetry X which is oriented parallel to the direction of displacement D of the transport carriage 1. The pivot connection 6 is formed by means of an axis 7 carried by a half-frame, for example the half front chassis 4 and pivotally mounted inside a bearing 8 carried by the other half-frame ie the rear half-frame 5. The axis 7 of the pivot link 6 extends in a parallel direction and preferably, coincides with the longitudinal axis X of the carriage. The two chassis 4.5 may therefore extend in a common plane or in two planes angularly offset between them, as will be explained in the following description.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, each half-frame 4,5 comprises two longitudinal members 9 extending parallel to each other and connected by one of their ends by a cross member 10. In other words, each half-frame 4.5 thus has a general U shape. For example, the half-frames 4,5 are mounted head-to-tail so that the cross members 10 of the two half-frames are close to each other to allow the pivot connection 6 to be mounted together. Thus the beams 9 of the front half-frame 4 are oriented towards the front of the transport carriage 1 while the side members 9 belonging to the rear half-frame 5 are directed towards the rear of the transport carriage 1.

At least one and in the example illustrated, the two half-frame 4,5 comprise a seat 12 for receiving a person. Preferably, each seat 12 is pivotally mounted in a horizontal direction relative to the half-frame that supports it. For this purpose, each seat 12 is mounted freely in rotation about a rod 14 extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal members 9. This rod 14 is carried at each of its ends, by pillars 15 fixed to the longitudinal members 9.

As is clear from the Fig. 1 Each seat 12 can thus pivot about an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the conveying carriage 1 so as to adapt to the angle of inclination of the tubular surface of displacement 2 to allow people to maintain a sitting posture stable. Of course, the seat 12 may be equipped with a locking system in a specific position of tilting, implemented in particular in the context of a displacement along a constant slope.

For example, a seat 12 is fixed on the rear half-frame 5 so that the seated person can rest the feet at the cross member 10 of the rear half-frame 5. Likewise, a seat 12 is fixed on the half-frame 5 front frame 4 so that the person sitting on this seat can put his feet at substantially the end of the side members 9 belonging to the front half-frame 4. For example, footrests 16 are mounted at the end of these side members 9 forming part of this front half-frame 4.

According to a preferred embodiment, the length of the side members 9 of the front half-frame 4 is adjustable to suit the size of the person transported. For example, the longitudinal members 9 of the front half-frame 4 comprise a telescopic end portion with respect to the other fixed part of the longitudinal members 9.

The transport carriage 1 also comprises 20G front left and 20D front right half-wheels mounted on the front half-frame 4 and a left-rear half-undercarriage 21G and a right-rear half-undercarriage 21D mounted on the rear half-chassis 5. The half-undercarriages 20D, 20G, 21D and 21G are pivotally mounted relative to the half-frame 4,5 along pivot axes 22 directed parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the carriage.

The left-hand half-undercarriage 20G and the right-hand suspension 20D are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the carriage. Likewise, the left-rear 21G and right- 21D half-running gears are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the transport trolley 1. In the example illustrated, the front half-treads 20D and 20G are mounted substantially at the rear of the front half-frame 4, while the rear half-undercarriages 21D and 21G are also mounted at the rear of the rear half-chassis 5. Each half-undercarriage 20G, 20D, 21G , 21D comprises a support 24 having an axle or an arm 25 pivotally mounted about the axis 22 in a bearing supported by a half-frame 4,5.

The half-undercarriages 20G, 20D, 21G and 21D each comprise at least one rolling member 26. The rolling members 26 are mounted to allow the carriage to move along the axis of displacement D parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the cart.

According to a preferred embodiment, each rolling member 26 is a crawler whose axis of rotation is oriented parallel to the arm 25, that is to say perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X. For example, each crawler 26 is mounted between unrepresented return wheels mounted on the support 24. For example, these tracks 26 each comprise a tread made of any suitable materials. The rolling members 26 are mounted so that the normal of the contact face between the rolling member and the tubular surface 2 is directed perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the running member. The arms 25 of the rolling members 26 of a front or rear half-undercarriage extend in a transverse plane T perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The rolling members 26 are thus capable of pivoting in this transverse plane T according to the radius of curvature of the tubular surface 2.

In the example described above, each half-undercarriage comprises a running member comprising a crawler. Of course, each half-undercarriage can be equipped with one or more rolling members such as wheels or tracks.

The transport carriage 1 is equipped with a motorization unit enabling the transport carriage 1 to be moved . According to one embodiment, the motorisation unit comprises at least one and in the illustrated example, four motors 28 per pneumatic example or electrical, each associated with a rolling member 26. For example, each motor 28 rotates a return wheel associated with the crawler. These motors 28 are controlled by a control station not shown, but known per se. The control station is piloted by one and / or the other of the persons seated on the trolley, with the help of a manual control or by the feet to allow movements of advance, of recoil, on the left and to the right of the cart.

It follows from the foregoing description that such a transport trolley 1 can progress on a tubular displacement surface 2 with the possibility of pivoting the front and rear half-treads, adapting to the radius of curvature of the tubular surface 2 on which the transport carriage 1 progresses .

Advantageously, the articulation 6 between the front half-frame 4 and the rear half-frame 5 allows an angular offset between the front half-frame 4 and the rear half-frame 5 making it possible to compensate for the differences that may occur when the carriage transport 1 runs parallel to a generatrix of the tubular surface 2. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain a permanent contact of the rolling members 26 with the tubular surface 2 and to prevent the transport carriage 1 from overturning .

According to a preferred embodiment, each half-frame 4,5 is provided with a roll bar 29 rising above the half-frame 4,5 to protect people.

According to a preferred embodiment, each half-undercarriage 20D, 20G, 21D, 21G is provided with at least one and in the illustrated example, four magnets 31 arranged to delimit an air gap with the tubular surface 2 which, according to this variant, has a character ferromagnetic so as to together form a magnetic circuit. The magnets 31 are mounted so as to allow the transport carriage 1 to be magnetically fixed to the tubular surface 2. The magnets 31 are mounted in a housing provided in the support 24. For example, two magnets 31 are mounted end to end on each side of each caterpillar 26.

According to a preferred embodiment, the transport carriage 1 comprises for each half-undercarriage 20G, 20D, 21G, 21D, a spacer system 32 of the rolling member 26 relative to the tubular surface 2 in order to remove the magnetic attachment relative to the displacement surface 2. In the embodiment, each spacer system 32 comprises a lever 33 pivotally mounted about an axis 35 carried by the support 24. Each lever 33 is extended to the axis 35 by a link 36 provided with a wheel 38 intended to occupy a retracted position and a rolling position. During the rolling operation of the transport carriage 1, the lever 33 is lowered to allow the wheel 38 to be raised and consequently retracted relative to the rolling members 26. When the magnetic coupling has to be removed, an effort must be made to support is exerted on the lever 33 to allow the wheel 38 to pivot in order to come into contact with the ground so as to lift the half-running gear on which the wheel is mounted. Actuation of all the levers 33 on the four half-undercarriages 20G, 20D, 21G, 21D makes it possible to completely lift the transport carriage 1 with respect to the displacement surface so as to eliminate the magnetic coupling with respect to at the moving surface 2.

The motorized transport carriage 1 according to the invention can safely transport people inside or outside a tubular conduit may have a steep slope. It should be noted that the transport trolley 1 according to the invention can of course be used in combination with all rope-type safety systems installed at the entrance to the pipe. The motorized trolley 1 is of course adapted to carry different materials.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown because various modifications can be made without departing from its scope.

Claims (10)

Transport trolley for at least one person, traveling on a tubular surface (2), characterized in that it comprises: a front half-frame (4) assembled to a rear half-frame (5) via a pivot connection (6) whose pivot axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the carriage, at least one of the half-chassis being equipped with a seat (12) for receiving a person, - the left (20G) and right (20D) front half-wheels (20) mounted on the front half-chassis (4) and the left (21G) and right (21D) left -half (21D) rear half-axles mounted on the half-chassis rear (5), the half-undercarriage being pivotally mounted relative to the half-frame according to pivot axes (22) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the carriage, the half-undercarriage each comprising at least a rolling member (26) whose normal of the contact face between the rolling member and the tubular surface (2) is directed perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the rolling member. Transport trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that each half-undercarriage (20D, 20G, 21D, 21G) is provided with at least one magnet (31) arranged to delimit an air gap with the ferromagnetic tubular surface (2). ) so as to form a magnetic circuit enabling the carriage to be magnetically fixed to the tubular surface (2). Transport trolley according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each running member (26) comprises a running track mounted between return wheels. Transport trolley according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises, for each half-undercarriage, a spacing system (32) of the rolling member (26) with respect to the surface tubular (2) to remove the magnetic attachment. Transport trolley according to claim 4, characterized in that each spacer system (32) comprises a lever (33) pivotally mounted and extended by a link (36) provided with a wheel (38). Transport trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that each half-frame (4,5) is equipped with a seat (12) for receiving a person. Transport trolley according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that each receiving seat (12) is pivotally mounted with respect to the half-frame (4,5). Transport trolley according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the front (4) and rear (5) half-frames each comprise two longitudinal members (9) extending parallel to one another and connected to one another. at one of their ends by a crossmember (10), the front (4) and rear (5) half-frames being mounted in a head-to-tail manner so that the crosspieces (10) are placed close to allow mounting of the pivot connection (6) between the two crosspieces (10). Transport trolley according to claim 8, characterized in that the front half-frame (4) comprises footrests (16) for the feet of a person, mounted at the free ends of the longitudinal members (9). Transport trolley according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a drive unit (28) controlled by a control station.

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