FR2814713A1 - INSTALLATION FOR MOVING TOWED VEHICLES 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

I 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.

  Installations of the kind mentioned above are already known in the prior art

  above. Zurich Airport is equipped with a facility for moving towed vehicles with two stations. The two stations are linked by two separate channels which are distant from each other. Each way is

  assecce un- cable tows-.r moarn- e -, - bofcle r-imee. The two tractor hulls

  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 turntable, 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 of a vehicle on a loop, vehicle traffic can only continue by shuttle on the remaining loop, which considerably 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 an installation for transporting a vehicle towed by cable comprising a clamp with three positions. The installation includes two separate lanes for the two traffic directions. Additional lanes may be provided to allow vehicles to be transferred 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.

  The purpose of the invent.ion is to allow the realization of a simple and reliable installation, having a reduced bulk and whose transport flow is not appreciably penalized in the event of a malfunction of a towing cable or a

  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 movement of vehicles towed by cable, comprising two or more stations, the vehicles traveling on at least one lane between the stations, each vehicle comprising at least one clamp, movable between at least two positions A and B, suitable for engaging with a towing cable. The installation comprises several towing cables each mounted in a loop, said loops extending parallel to the track, one after the other, the ends of two successive cable loops being close enough to each other to allow with the pliers, release the cable from the previous loop and grab the cable from the next loop. A first and a second succession of cable loops make it possible to tow the vehicle 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 circulation path, the two cable loops ensuring traction in the outward and return directions respectively extending parallel to the single path, close to one another so that the clamp can easily pass from one cable to another, said single track being split into two outward and return routes, each associated with a loop of outward and return tractor cable respectively, so that two vehicles traveling in opposite direction can cross, the two outward and return lanes joining to reform a single lane, a vehicle being able to change direction of movement in the course of

journey on the single track.

  In a variant of the installation, the channel duplication (s) are located at the level of a station and / or between the stations. This allows to multiply the

  vehicle crossing zones and ansi to increase the transport flow.

  The installation can also include the following characteristics alone

or in combination.

  The ends of the cables of all the successive loops towing a vehicle in the same forward direction, respectively return, can be located alternately in two distinct positions A1, A2, B1, B2 near the 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 clamp. The "go" and "return" cables of the single channel are thus each arranged in one of the 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 the same forward direction, respectively return direction, are located alternately in two distinct 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 grasp it. All the cable loops in said installation serve the same number

of stations.

  The number of channels doubling 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 is conceivable that only one vehicle circulates per cable loop, all the vehicles circulating arriving at the same time in one

  station or at the level of a duplication.

  The invention also relates to a method of operating a

  installation as described above.

  The process can include the following steps: - a vehicle is placed by cable loop at one end of the loop in a station - all vehicles are dispatched from a station at the same time, 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 next track doubling, two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crossing at the stations or at the level of the doubling of the tracks; - at a standstill in stations where two loops of cables in position A1, A2 or B1, B2 follow one another, the clamp of each vehicle in position A or B drops the cable by 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

  s 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 remain on their cable loop and serve the corresponding stations in

one direction then the other.

  The transport flow is thus reduced but still possible over the major part

of the installation.

  _ EYans a variant, the process includes your 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 duplication of lanes: - vehicles are circulated normally until the single track 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.

  Other objects and advantages will appear during the following description in

  reference to the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples, in which: FIG. 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 traffic

  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 vehicles 2 towed by cables 3 comprising two or more stations S. The embodiment described hereinafter 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 an aerial cable or by vehicles having other support means.

  (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 comprises several towing cables 3 each mounted in a closed loop. Conventionally, the movement of the cable 3 can be achieved by the action of a driving wheel at one of the ends 5 of the loop, a wheel used for tensioning the cable 3 being disposed at the other end of the loop ( not shown).

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

  The vehicles 2 travel on at least one lane 6 between the stations S. In the embodiment shown, a single lane 6 splits into two lanes 7a, 7b round trip, each associated with a loop of towing cable 3 round trip 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 safety reasons, preferably one vehicle at a time travels over a portion

  of u-n-ique go-between deu-x d-edc-b - n-ts.

  The cable loops 3 extend parallel to the channel 6 and to the channels 7a, 7b, one after the other, the ends of two successive cable loops 3 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 track 6 splits into two tracks 7a, 7b, each cable loop 3 corresponding to the 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 doubling of channels) in which the ends of the loops are located.

cable 3.

  In the embodiment shown, two successive cables 3 (their ends or the cables over 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 cables towing the vehicle in the return direction are then 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 level of the duplication 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 for the next single track portion 6 in position 2d.

  Simultaneously a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction (not shown) arrives at the

  25.n 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, one could consider keeping two distinct positions of the successive cables A and B. It would then take three or even four positions in total for the clamp, which then costly 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 safety reasons, it is expected that only one vehicle will circulate per cable loop 3, all the vehicles 2 circulating arriving at the same time in a

  station S or at the level of a duplication of the channels.

  Thus, the waiting time is the same in all stations, vehicle speeds being adapted to the distance between stations to keep constant

travel time.

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

  Preferably, each cable loop serves three stations: this makes it possible to optimize the movement of vehicles 2 while minimizing the passage time.

  of two vehicles at the same station.

  The crossings of the tracks are made using conventional switches not shown. In the case of vehicles running on railway type wheels, switches such as that described in the patent application filed by the applicant and on the same day as this application, 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.

  The operating method of the installation comprises the following steps: - a vehicle 2 is arranged by cable loop 3 at one end of the loop in a station S; this configuration is shown in Figure 3; - all 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 station at the same time, two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crossing 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; - when stationary in stations S o 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 is arrived, the released 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 - at the end of the installation, the clamp 4 of each vehicle changes position A or B and grasps the cable 3 running in the opposite direction so

  that vehicles 2 leave in the other direction.

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

direction then in the other.

  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 tracks: - vehicles 2 are made to circulate normally until to the single track 6 placed before said duplication; 11 - 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 sets off again in the other direction. Methods combining the steps of these two variants can also be used in order to optimize and best maintain the circulation of trains in

  technical incident involving a vehicle or cable.

  We can also provide garage tracks joining the tracks of the installation to transport vehicles to warehouses for

maintenance or other.

Claims (11)

  1. Installation (1) allowing the movement of vehicles (2) towed by cable (3), comprising two or more stations (S), vehicles traveling on at least one lane between stations, each vehicle (2) comprising at least a clamp (4), movable between at least two positions (A) and (B), capable of engaging with a towing cable (3), the installation comprising several towing cables (3) each mounted in a loop, said loops extending parallel to the track, one after the other, the ends of two successive cable loops (3) being close enough to each other to allow the clamp (4) to release the cable ( 3) of the preceding loop and of grasping the cable (3) of the following loop, a first and a second succession of cable loops (3) making it possible to tow the vehicle (2) respectively in a forward direction and a return direction, vehicles (2) changing direction at the end of the line, characterized in that it comprises a single circulation path (6), the two cable loops (3) providing traction in the outward and return directions respectively extending parallel to the single path (6), close to it one from the other, so that the clamp (4) can easily pass from one cable (3) to the other, said single channel (6) being split into two channels (7a) back and forth (7b) , each associated with a loop of towing cable (3) back and forth respectively, so that two vehicles (2) traveling in opposite directions can intersect, the two tracks (7a) go and (7b) return joining to reform a single lane (6), a vehicle (2) being able to change direction of travel during the journey on the lane unique (6).   2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that a doubling (7a, 7b) of the tracks is located at a station (S) and / or between the stations (S).   3. Installation according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the   ends of the cables (3) of all the successive loops towing a vehicle (3) in the same forward direction, respectively return, are located alternately in two distinct positions (A1, A2), (B1, B2) near the position ( A), respectively (B) of the clamp, the cables (3) being located at position (A), respectively (B) of the clamp (4) on the single track (6) between the stations (S) . 4. Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the cables (3) of all the successive loops towing a vehicle (2) in the same forward direction, respectively return, are located alternately in two distinct positions (A1, A2), (B1, B2) near position (A), respectively (B) of the clamp (4).   5. Installation according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that all the   cable loops (3) of said installation serve the same number of stations (S).   6. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the   number of doubling (7a, 7b) of the channels is odd and at least equal to three.   7. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the   lane crossings are made using switches.   8. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a   only one vehicle (2) circulates by cable loop (3), all the vehicles (2) circulating arriving at the same time in a station (S) or at the level of a duplication. 9. Method of operating an installation (1) according to one of   Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises the following stages:   - A vehicle (2) is arranged by cable loop (3) at one end of the loop in a station (S); - all vehicles (2) are started at the same time from a station (S), the speed of each vehicle being adjusted so that they arrive at the same time in the next station (S) or at the level of duplication ( 7a, 7b) of the following tracks, two vehicles (2) traveling in opposite directions crossing at the stations (S) or at the level of the doubling of the tracks; - when stationary in stations (S) o two cable loops in position (A1, A2) or (B1, B2) follow one another, the clamp (4) of each vehicle in position (A) or (B) loose 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); - at the end of the installation, the clamp (4) of each vehicle changes position (A) or (B) and grasps the cable (3) running in the opposite direction to   so that the vehicles (2) leave in the other direction.   10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that, in the event of a malfunction 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 then in the other.   11. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises the following steps in the event of a malfunction of a cable loop (3) or of a vehicle (2) on a cable loop (3) at level d '' a duplication (7a, 7b) of the tracks: - vehicles (2) are circulated normally to the single track (6) placed before said duplication (7a, 7b); 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 (2) starts again in the other direction.