EP3122608A1

EP3122608A1 - Ropeway system

Info

Publication number: EP3122608A1
Application number: EP15715340.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thierry Triolier; Mathieu BABAZ; François LLOVERA
Original assignee: Poma SA
Current assignee: Poma SA
Priority date: 2014-03-28
Filing date: 2015-03-12
Publication date: 2017-02-01
Also published as: BR112016020711B1; KR20160140649A; FR3019126A1; WO2015145019A1; BR112016020711A2; CN106132799B; RU2016141959A3; KR102245018B1; CN106132799A; RU2016141959A; RU2673585C2; FR3019126B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a ropeway system including at least two transport devices (2, 3). Each transport device comprises: - at least one vehicle (6, 7) coupled with a cable (12, 13); - an electrical machine (8, 9) for driving the cable (12, 13) along a circulation path; and - a control module (10, 11) configured so as to transmit electrical power, provided by an electrical machine (8, 9), to a distribution device (30) when at least one vehicle (6, 7) moves along a inclined section (T1, T2) of the circulation path in the descending direction. The distribution device (30) is configured so as to distribute the electrical power provided to at least one electrical power use device (8, 9, 31, 32) of the system.

Description

Cable transportation system

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to cable transport systems, in particular overhead cable transport systems, in particular cable cars. State of the art

Currently, there are different types of cable transportation. For example, systems that use tractive cable located at ground level, such as funiculars. Other systems use an aerial tow cable supported by towers, such as cable cars which are transport systems with one or more towing cables to move one or more passenger cabs, also noted buckets. These systems consume electrical energy and there is a need to provide means for saving the electrical energy consumed by such systems.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide means to reduce the power consumption of a cable transport system.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a cable transport system, comprising at least two transport devices, including two cable cars, each transport device comprising:

at least one vehicle coupled to a cable of the transport device; - An electric cable driving machine along a taxiway having at least one oblique section connecting an upstream point to a downstream point; and

a control module for controlling a speed of the electric machine.

The control module of each transport device is configured to transmit electrical energy supplied by the electric machine of the transport device to a system dispensing device when at least one vehicle is traveling along the oblique section of the transport device. in the downstream direction from the upstream point to the downstream point, and in that the distribution device is configured to distribute the electrical energy supplied to at least one electrical energy consuming device of the system so as to consume the electrical energy provided.

A cable transport system is thus provided that recovers electrical energy supplied by an electric machine from a transport device for distribution to an electrical apparatus of the system that consumes this recovered electrical energy. Such a system saves in a simple way, the electrical energy from the general power supply of the system.

At least one electrical energy consuming device may be the electric machine of a second transport device that consumes the electrical energy supplied by the electric machine of a first transport device, when at least one vehicle is traveling along. the oblique section of the second transport device, in the ascending direction from the downstream point to the upstream point. At least one electrical energy consuming device may be an electrical device mounted on at least one vehicle. At least one electrical energy consuming device may also be an electrical appliance integrated in at least one station of the system situated at one end of a traffic lane.

At least one electrical energy consuming device may be an electrical device mounted on at least one pylon of a traffic lane.

The electric machine of each transport device may further be configured, either to operate in generator mode when at least one vehicle moves along the oblique section of the transport device, in the downward direction from the upstream point to the downstream point, or to operate in engine mode when at least one vehicle moves along the oblique section of the transport device, in the ascending direction from the downstream point to the upstream point.

The control module of each transport device may be a reversible speed controller for controlling the speed of the electric machine of the transport device when the electric machine supplies or consumes electrical energy.

The dispensing device may include electrical connections electrically coupled to the electrical energy consumers of the system, and electrically coupled in parallel to a general power source.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a cable transport method, comprising at least two transport devices, in particular two cable cars, each transport device comprising:

at least one vehicle coupled to a cable of the transport device; and an electrical machine for driving the cable along a traffic lane comprising at least one oblique section arranged between an upstream point and a downstream point.

In the process:

during the movement of at least one vehicle along the oblique section of a transport device, in the downward direction from the upstream point to the downstream point, electrical energy supplied by the electric machine of the transport device is distributed; at least one electrical energy consuming device of the system so as to consume the electrical energy supplied.

It is also possible to transmit the electrical energy supplied by the electric machine of a first transport device when at least one vehicle moves along the oblique section of the first transport device, in the downward direction from the upstream point to the point downstream, and consumes the electrical energy supplied when at least one vehicle moves along the oblique section of a second transport device, in the upstream direction from the downstream point to the upstream point.

Brief description of the drawing

Other advantages and features will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments and implementations of the invention given as non-restrictive examples and represented in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 schematically illustrates a cable transport system according to the invention;

- Figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a cable transport system; and - Figure 3 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an electric power distribution device according to the invention.

detailed description

In Figure 1, there is shown a cable transport system 1, comprising at least two transport devices 2, 3. The transport devices may be aerial cable, such as a cable car, including a gondola or chairlift, or cable located at ground level, for example a funicular or a train on a cushion of air towed by cable. Preferably, each transport device 2, 3 is a cable car. For example, the transport devices 2, 3 are located close to each other. In general, each transport device 2, 3 comprises two end stations for the loading and unloading of persons. Preferably, the cable transport system 1 comprises two end stations 4, 5, as illustrated in FIG. For example, a first end station 4 is located downstream, and is called downstream station, and a second end station 5 is located upstream, and is called upstream station. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the first end station 4 is located at the same level as the second end station 5. In addition, the transport system 1 may comprise several separate downstream stations one of which on the other, that is to say, situated at distinct respective places. Advantageously, the transport system 1 comprises a single upstream station 5.

Each transport device 2, 3 comprises at least one vehicle 6, 7, an electric machine 8, 9, and a control module 10, 1 1 configured to control a speed of the electric machine 8, 9. Each vehicle 6, 7 a transport device 2, 3 is coupled to a cable 12, 13 of the transport device 2, 3, preferably a towing aerial cable. The vehicles 6, 7 are, for example, cabins that can carry several people. In general, the transport devices 2, 3 may be disengageable or not, that is to say that the vehicles are fixedly mounted on the towing aerial cable in the case of a non-disengageable transport device, and the vehicles are removably mounted on the towing aerial cable in the case of disengageable transport devices. In other words, the vehicles are mechanically connected permanently to the towing aerial cable, or not. In both cases, when the vehicles leave a station located at one end of the cable, in other words an unloading or embarkation station, they are attached to the towing cable which leads them to the station located at the end of the cable. other end of the cable. Between the two end stations, the vehicles run along a traffic lane defined by the towing cable. Each lane comprises at least one oblique section T1, T2 connecting an upstream point AM1, AM2 to a downstream point AV1, AV2. By oblique section is meant a portion of the cable that is inclined relative to the horizontal. For example, each transport device 2, 3 may comprise pylons 14 to 17, each provided with a rocker equipped with rollers for guiding the overhead cable 12, 13 of the transport device 2, 3. In this case, the oblique section T1, T2 of a device 2, 3 may be located between two pylons, a downstream tower 14, 16 and an upstream tower 15, 17. Alternatively, a transport device 2, 3 has no pylon. In this case, the oblique section T1, T2 is situated between an upstream station 5 and a downstream station 4. In general, the towers 14 to 17 are located along the taxiways and make it possible to adapt the route of the overhead cable. 12, 13 to the relief. Each transport device 2, 3 further comprises a driving pulley 18, 19 set in motion by the electric machine 8, 9 of the transport device 2, 3, and a return pulley 20, 21. The electric machine 8, 9 of a transport device 2, 3 drives the driving pulley 18, 19 to move the aerial traction cable 12, 13, and the return pulley 20, 21 allows the movement of the aerial traction cable 12, 13 and its tensioning. The vehicles 6, 7 of a transport device 2, 3 are transported by the cable aerial tractor 12, 13 which moves along its lane in a closed loop, from the downstream station 4 to the upstream station 5 and vice versa. Furthermore, the cable transport system 1 comprises an electric power distribution device 30. The distribution device 30 distributes electrical energy supplied by a first transport device 2 to at least one electrical energy consuming device of the system, so as to save the consumption of electrical energy from the general power supply. The electrical energy consuming devices of the system 1 are the electrical machines 8, 9, or electrical appliances integrated in an end station 4, 5, such as an air conditioning unit 31 or a lamp 32, or electrical appliances mounted on a vehicle, such as a vehicle lighting device, or also electrical devices mounted on a pylon of a traffic lane, for example a derailment detector of the cable. In addition, the distribution device 30 and the control modules 10, 1 1 can be integrated within a management unit 34, the latter is advantageously located in the upstream station 5. Preferably, the management unit is integrated in the end station which includes electrical machines 8, 9.

Each electric machine 8, 9 of a transport device 2, 3 is reversible and operates either as a motor for driving the cable 12, 13 by consuming electrical energy, or as a generator for transforming mechanical energy, the cable that drives the machine into electrical energy. In particular, each machine 8, 9 of a transport device 2, 3 operates in generator mode when at least one vehicle moves along at least one oblique section of the transport path of the transport device, in the direction from the upstream point to the downstream point. In other words, an electric machine 8, 9 operates in generator mode when a vehicle descends the associated taxiway to the electric machine in the direction of the arrow having the reference 22. In this case, the vehicle drives the tractor cable by gravity, and provides the mechanical energy to the electric machine. Conversely, each machine 8, 9 of a transport device 2, 3 operates in motor mode when at least one vehicle moves along at least one oblique section of the transport path of the transport device. the direction from the downstream point to the upstream point. In other words, an electric machine 8, 9 operates in motor mode when a vehicle ascends the traffic lane associated with the electric machine in the direction of the arrow having the reference 23. In addition, an electric machine operates in motor mode when a vehicle is towed by the cable associated with the electric machine on a horizontal section, for example when the vehicle is traveling horizontally in an end station. In order to recover electrical energy supplied by an electric machine, the control module 10, 1 1 of the electric machine 8, 9 is further configured to transmit the electrical energy supplied by the electric machine, when it is in generator mode , to the distribution device 30. In general, the control module 10, 1 1 of a transport device is configured to regulate and control the electric machine 8, 9 it controls at a set speed. In addition, the control module 10, 1 1 regulates the electric machine at a set speed when the electric machine is operating in engine mode or in generator mode, in order to prevent the vehicles from exceeding a certain speed and, in particular, to avoid damage the machine. For example, the control modules 10, 1 1 may be reversible speed drives, and in particular variable speed drives of the four quadrant type. The reversible inverters are configured to either power the electric machine in motor mode or to transmit the electrical energy supplied by the electric machine in generator mode to the distribution device 30. The management unit 34 further comprises a block of control 33 coupled with control modules 10, 1 1 to transmit them the speed instructions. The electric power distribution device 30 is configured to distribute the electrical energy supplied by an electric machine 10, 1 1 to at least one electrical energy consuming device of the system so as to consume the electrical energy supplied.

More particularly, the vehicles 6, 7 of the transport devices 2, 3 leave one or other of the end stations 4, 5 non-simultaneously. Thus, when the vehicle 6 of a first transport device 2 moves along an oblique section T1 from an upstream point to a downstream point, the electrical energy supplied is used to start the vehicle 7 of the second device In general, at least one electrical energy consuming device is the electric machine 9 of a second transport device 3 which consumes the electrical energy supplied by the electric machine 8 of a first transport device 2 when at least one vehicle 7 moves along the oblique section of the traffic lane of the second transport device 3, in the direction of the downstream point towards the upstream point. FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a cable transport system 1. In Figure 2, the end stations 4, 5 are located at the same horizontal level. The first transport device 2 comprises a traffic lane having first and second oblique sections T1, ΤΊ. Furthermore, the second transport device 3 comprises a traffic lane having third and fourth oblique sections T2, T'2. For example, at the initial time tO, the vehicles 6, 7 of the transport devices 2, 3 are located in the first end station 4. Then, at a first period t1, the vehicle 7 of the second transport device 3 remains stationary, and the vehicle 6 of the first transport device 2 moves along the first oblique section T1, from a downstream point to an upstream point, and the electric machine 8 of the first transport device 2 is in the mode motor and consumes electrical energy. In this case, the electrical machine 8 of the first transport device 2 consumes only energy supplied by the general power supply. Then, at a second period t2, the vehicle 6 of the first transport device 2 moves along the second oblique section ΤΊ, from an upstream point to a downstream point, and the electric machine 8 of the first transport device 2 is in generator mode and provides electrical energy. In addition, during the second period t2, the vehicle 7 of the second transport device 3 moves along the third oblique section T2, from a downstream point to an upstream point, and the electric machine 9 of the second transport device 3 is in motor mode and consumes firstly the electrical energy supplied by the electrical machine 8 of the first device 2 and secondly part of the electrical energy supplied by the general power supply. In any case, the part of the electrical energy from the general power supply which is consumed by the electric machine 9 of the second transport device is less than that which the electric machine 9 would have consumed without the electrical energy supplied by the machine 8 of the first transport device 2. It has therefore saved the electrical energy supplied by the general power supply. Then, in the third period t3, the vehicle 6 enters the station 5, and the vehicle 7 moves along the fourth section T'2, from an upstream point to a downstream point. In this case, the electric machine 9 of the second transport device 3 is in generator mode and supplies electrical energy to be consumed by an electrical apparatus of the system 1, for example a lamp integrated in an end station, or mounted on a vehicle, or mounted on a pylon. In this case we also save the electrical energy consumed by the system. Energy can also be saved in the case where the vehicles are initially located respectively in two different end stations. Saving electrical energy means that the energy consumed does not come only from the general power supply, but also an electrical machine of a transport device that operates in generator mode.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the electrical management unit 34. FIG. 3 also shows a general power supply 40, and a power meter 44. The device of FIG. Electrical power distribution 30 comprises electrical connections 41 to 43 coupled to electric electrical energy consuming appliances 8, 9 and 31, 32. In addition, the electrical connections 41 to 43 are coupled in parallel to the power source. 40. The distribution device 30 comprises electrical protection devices D1 to D3, such as circuit breakers, respectively mounted on the electrical connections 41 to 43, and an DG protection device coupled between the electric meter 44 and the control devices. protection D1 to D3.

Furthermore, each variable speed drive 10, 1 1 comprises an input filter 50, a first reversible AC / DC converter 51 and a second reversible AC / DC converter 52. When the electric machine is operating in motor mode, the first converter 51 functions as a current rectifier and the second converter 52 operates as an inverter. Conversely, when the electric machine operates in generator mode, the first converter 51 operates as an inverter and the second converter 52 operates as a current rectifier. In both cases of motor and generator operation, a converter that functions as a rectifier converts AC power into DC power, and a converter that works like an inverter converts DC power into AC power.

In the case where the electrical machine 8 of the first transport device 2 operates in generator mode, the machine supplies an electrical energy E1 which is transmitted by the control module 10 to the distribution device 30. In this case, the supplied energy E1 can be used by starting the electric machine 9 of the second transport device 3, via the control block 33 and the control module 11 which control the electric machine 9. motor mode. The electrical machine 9 then consumes electrical energy E2 and corresponds to an electrical consumer device of the system 1. In this case, we will have the following energy balance: E2 = EG + E1

with:

EG: the electrical energy supplied by the general power supply 40,

E1: the electrical energy supplied by the electric machine of the first transport device 2, and

E2: the electrical energy consumed by the electric machine 9 of the second transport device 3. It has therefore saved the electrical energy E1, supplied by the electric machine of the first transport device 2, which should have been supplied by the power supply general 40 in the absence of the transport system 1 according to the invention. In the case where only the electrical machine 8 of the first transport device 2 operates in generator mode, the energy supplied E1 is then distributed by this machine to other electrical apparatus of the system 1. In this case, we will have the following energy balance:

E3 = EG + E1

with:

E3: the electrical energy consumed by the electrical appliances 31 and 32 of the system 1.

In addition, a cable transport method can be implemented by the transport system described above. The method comprises a step during which electrical energy supplied by the machine is distributed. electric device of a transport device, when at least one vehicle moves along the oblique section in the direction of the upstream point towards the downstream point of the transport path of the transport device, at least one energy consuming device electrical system to consume the supplied electrical energy.

Claims

claims

A cable transport system comprising at least two transport devices (2, 3), in particular two cable cars, each transport device comprising:

at least one vehicle (6, 7) coupled to a cable (12, 13) of the transport device;

- an electrical machine (8, 9) for driving the cable (12, 13) along a traffic lane comprising at least one oblique section (T1, T2) arranged between an upstream point and a downstream point; and

- a control module (10, 1 1) for controlling a speed of the electric machine;

characterized in that

the electric machine of each transport device is configured, either to operate in generator mode when at least one vehicle moves along the oblique section of the transport device, in the downward direction from the upstream point to the downstream point, or to operating in engine mode when at least one vehicle is traveling along the oblique section of the transport device, in the ascending direction from the downstream point to the upstream point;

the control module (10, 1 1) of each transport device is configured to transmit electrical energy supplied by the electric machine (8, 9) of the transport device to a distribution device (30) of the system when at least one vehicle (6, 7) moves along the oblique section (T1, T2) of the transport device, in the downward direction from the upstream point to the downstream point, and

in that the distribution device (30) is configured to distribute the electrical energy supplied to at least one electrical energy consuming device (8, 9, 31, 32) of the system so as to consume the electrical energy supplied. .

2. System according to claim 1, wherein at least one electric power consuming device (8, 9, 31, 32) is the electric machine (9) of a second transport device (3) which consumes the energy provided by the electric machine (8) of a first transport device (2), when at least one vehicle (6, 7) moves along the oblique section of the second transport device (3), in the direction ascending from the downstream point to the upstream point.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one electrical energy consumer device is an electrical device mounted on at least one vehicle.

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one electrical energy consumer device is an electrical device integrated in at least one station of the system located at one end of a traffic lane.

5. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one electrical energy consumer device is an electrical device mounted on at least one pylon of a traffic lane.

6. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control module of each transport device is a reversible speed controller for controlling the speed of the electric machine of the transport device when the electric machine provides or consumes of electrical energy.

7. System according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dispensing device comprises electrical connections electrically coupled to the electrical energy consuming devices of the system, and electrically coupled in parallel to a general power source.

8. A cable transport method, comprising at least two transport devices, in particular two cable cars, each transport device comprising:

at least one vehicle coupled to a cable of the transport device; and

an electrical cable-driving machine along a traffic lane comprising at least one oblique section arranged between an upstream point and a downstream point;

characterized in that

the electric machine of each transport device is configured, either to operate in generator mode when at least one vehicle moves along the oblique section of the transport device, in the downward direction from the upstream point to the downstream point, or to operating in engine mode when at least one vehicle is traveling along the oblique section of the transport device, in the ascending direction from the downstream point to the upstream point; and