FR3048668A1 - ROLLER TRAIN FOR RECEIVING CABLE AND INSTALLATION COMPRISING THIS ROLLER TRAIN - Google Patents

Abstract

The roller train (1) for receiving a cable (2) comprises a frame (4), a roller (6) adapted to receive the cable (2), and a support shaft (8) connecting the roller (6). ) to the frame (4), so that the roller (6) is rotatable relative to the frame (4) about an axis (A) of rotation coincides with the shaft (8) support. In addition, the roller train (1) comprises a heating device (12) fixed against the chassis (4) and intended to generate heat for heating the chassis (4) by conduction, the chassis (4) being configured to leading to the shaft (8) supports the heat generated by the heating device (12).

Description

The present invention relates to a roller train for a drive cable, and a lift installation comprising the roller train.

Ski lift facilities are traditionally equipped with pylons comprising at their summit rockers having one or more trains of pebbles. These roller trains comprise rollers rotatably mounted and intended to receive an aerial drive cable and carrier for driving downhill vehicles from a downstream station to an upstream station of the lift. Pebble trains can also equip a station.

These roller trains located in height and outside are exposed to the weather and subject to sometimes low temperatures. Consequently, during a period of inactivity, for example at night, during which the rollers are immobile, it happens that these rollers become blocked because of the formation of frost. To unlock these rollers and make the installation operational again, it is then necessary to resort to one or more maintenance teams that intervene at the top of each pylon to deconstruct the accumulated ice. These maintenance operations are expensive and time consuming.

Also, the present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage by proposing a roller train with the possibility of preventing the formation of frost or allow if necessary a quick and easy defrosting, that is to say without requiring intervention of personnel of maintenance at the top of the pylons. For this purpose, the present invention relates to a roller train for receiving a cable, the roller train comprising a frame, a roller adapted to receive the cable, and a support shaft connecting the roller to the frame, so that the roller is rotatable relative to the frame about an axis of rotation coinciding with the support shaft, characterized in that the roller train comprises a heater fixed against the frame and intended to generate heat to heat the chassis by conduction, the chassis being configured to drive the support shaft heat generated by the heater.

Thus, the roller train according to the invention makes it possible to prevent the formation of frost or, where appropriate, to de-ice, by direct heating and by conduction as close as possible to the roller, along the axis of rotation of the roller. This heating is performed by the heating device affixed against the frame, and thus on a fixed part of the roller train, which makes it possible to protect the heating device from the moving part of the roller train.

According to a preferred embodiment, the roller train comprises thermal insulation means configured to isolate the heater from the outside.

Thus, the heating device is itself protected from the environment, particularly the weather or the ultraviolet radiation of the sun. This makes the heater particularly suitable for use in outdoor conditions, so that the life and performance of the roller train according to this embodiment of the invention is improved.

According to a preferred embodiment, the heating device comprises an electrically conductive wire intended to release heat by the Joule effect, and electrical insulation means configured to achieve double electrical insulation of the electrically conductive wire.

This double electrical insulation contributes to adapting the heating device to the external conditions, and therefore to improving the service life and performance of the roller train according to this embodiment of the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment, the heating device extends at least partially around the axis of rotation of the roller relative to the frame.

Thus, the heating device is closer to the axis of rotation for an action both faster and more economical.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support shaft is fixed relative to the chassis.

This feature promotes the heat conduction between the frame against which the heating device is plated and the support shaft coincides with the axis of rotation of the roller. The roller train according to this embodiment thus provides a more efficient defrosting.

According to a preferred embodiment, the heating device is in surface contact with the frame.

This improves the heat transfer from the heater to the chassis.

Preferably, the heater is glued to the frame.

This allows quick and easy installation, including on roller trains equipping existing facilities.

According to a preferred embodiment, the frame comprises a plate having an inner face facing the roller and an opposite outer face, the heating device being positioned against the outer face.

This characteristic makes it possible to protect the roller heating device and in particular any snow projections generated by the movement of the roller, in particular when the suspension of a lift vehicle towed by the cable passes. Thus, the roller train according to this embodiment is particularly suitable for use outdoors.

According to a preferred embodiment, the frame comprises a second plate having an inner face facing the roller and an opposite outer face, the roller being arranged between the two plates, and the roller train comprises a second heating device which is arranged against the outer face of this second plate.

The heating is therefore carried out on each side of the roller, which accelerates the defrosting or prevents the formation of frost on a portion of the support shaft remote from the heating device or devices.

According to a preferred embodiment, the or each heating device extends over a major part of the surface of the corresponding outer face.

This allows uniform heating over the entire length and width of the frame plate, to prevent the formation of frost or eliminate frost that could form between the inner face of the frame and the roller.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a ski lift installation comprising a roller train having the aforementioned characteristics.

This installation has the advantage of preventing the formation of frost and eliminating frost can form quickly without requiring special maintenance action. Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the following detailed description of an embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. perspective of one side of a roller train according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view on the other side of a roller train according to one embodiment of the invention,

Figure 3 is a side view and by transparency of a roller train according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of a heating device of a roller train according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a roller train 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. The roller train 1 is intended to receive, in particular to support, a cable 2 aerial and carrier training. The roller train 1 can equip, for example, a balance wheel of a station or pylon of a ski lift installation, the drive cable 2 being intended for driving one or more ski lift vehicles. station at the other end of the installation.

The roller train 1 comprises a chassis 4, and at least one roller 6 rotatably mounted, in particular free to rotate, relative to the chassis 4 about an axis A of rotation which may be substantially orthogonal to the drive cable 2 .

Preferably, the roller train 1 comprises a plurality of rollers 6 mounted to rotate on a common chassis 4. The rollers 6 have parallel axes of rotation and are aligned one after the other in the same plane orthogonal to their axes A of rotation.

Each roller 6 is supported by a support shaft 8 which extends therethrough and connects it to the frame 4. The axis A of rotation coincides with the corresponding support shaft 8, that is to say that support shaft 8 extends longitudinally along the axis A.

The rollers 6 are intended to support the drive cable 2. To this end, as illustrated in Figure 1, the rollers 6 may comprise a groove 10 for receiving and holding the drive cable 2.

The rollers 6 may be of support or compression depending on whether the drive cable 2 extends respectively above or below their axis A of rotation.

The roller train 1 comprises one or more conductive heating devices 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the heating device 12 is positioned in contact, in direct contact, against the frame 4, in order to transmit to the frame 4 the heat generated during operation.

The chassis 4 is itself configured to transmit, by conduction, to the shafts 8 support the heat generated by the heating device 12, to prevent the formation of frost along the axis A of rotation of the rollers 6. The support shafts 8 and the frame 4 comprise a thermally conductive material, in particular the part of the frame 4 in contact with the heating device 12 and the support shaft portion 8 in contact with this part of the frame 4. Preferably, the shafts 8 of support and the frame 4 are metallic.

The support shafts 8 are advantageously fixed to the frame 4, integral with the latter, to facilitate thermal conduction. Thus, the rollers 6 pivot around the corresponding support shafts 8.

It will be noted that the heating device 12 preferably extends only over a fixed part of the roller train 1.

The heating device 12 is advantageously of the type comprising an electrically conductive cord or resistive wire and intended to release heat by Joule effect. This resistive wire is enclosed in an electrically insulating and thermally conductive matrix intended to be pressed against the frame 4. The resistive wire comprises ends extending out of this matrix in order to be connected to an external power supply equipping the installation which includes the roller train 1.

In particular, the heating device 12 may be a heating fabric. This heating fabric may comprise a heating wire 13 which is intended to release heat. The heating wire 13 is for example an electrically conductive resistive wire intended to release heat by Joule effect when the wire 13 is traversed by an electric current.

The heating wire 13 may be metal and spiral around a fiberglass core and is enclosed between two woven fiberglass layers impregnated with silicone elastomer.

It will be noted that the heating device 12 advantageously comprises a double electrical insulation of the electrically conductive resistant wire. According to the example of FIG. 4, the double electrical insulation comprises an insulating sheath 15a surrounding the heating wire 13, and two insulating layers 15b between which the heating wire 13 and the sheath 15a extend. The sheath 15a may be an extrusion of the heating wire 13, made of silicone elastomer, while the two insulating layers 15b, for example made of silicone fabric, form an electrically insulating matrix encapsulating the sheath 15a and the heating wire 13.

The heating device 12 may furthermore have a contact face 14 intended to bear against the frame 4 in order to transmit the heat generated by the heating wire 13 to the frame 4 by surface contact. The face 14 is directly against the frame 4 for better performance.

The roller train 1 may further comprise holding means configured to hold the heating device 12, in particular the contact face 14, in abutment with the frame 4. The holding means may comprise, for example, a vice or glue. .

The bearing surface 14 can therefore be adhesive to enable the heating device 12 to be fixed to the frame 4. Thus, the heating device 12 is bonded to the frame 4.

Advantageously, the roller train 1 comprises thermal insulation means intended to isolate the heating device 12 from the external environment, and more specifically the part of the heating device 12 exposed to the external environment.

The thermal insulation means cover at least partially the heating device 12 fixed against the frame 4.

The thermal insulation means comprise, for example, a layer 16 made of foam intended to protect the device 12 from heating the weather and the ultraviolet radiation of the sun.

This insulating layer preferably extends over the entire part of the heating device 12 which is not in contact with the frame 4, that is to say which is facing outwards. The insulation layer preferably extends at least on one side of the heating device 12 opposite the face 14 applied against the frame 4. This insulation layer is for example an expanded foam of silicone. This insulation layer is advantageously bonded to the heating device 12.

As shown in the figures, the frame 4 may be plate-shaped 18 extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis A of rotation. The plate 18 has an inner face 20 on the side of which are located the rollers 6 and an opposite outer face 22. The heating device 12 is advantageously arranged against this outer face 22, that is to say against the face opposite to that from which extend the shaft or 8 support.

Preferably, the frame 4 also comprises a second plate 24, which extends substantially parallel to the first plate 18, and which is connected thereto via the support shafts 8. Thus, the rollers 6 are arranged between the first plate 18 and the second plate 24.

The second plate 24 also has an inner face 26 facing the rollers 6 and an opposite outer face 27. The roller train 1 advantageously comprises a second heating device 12 which is arranged against the second plate 24, preferably against the external face 27 of this second plate 24.

The frame 4 may also comprise one or more spacer devices 28 connecting different parts of the frame 4, such as, for example, the first and the second plates 18, 24. This or these spacer devices 28 comprise a thermally conductive material, for example metal example, to establish a thermal bridge between the different parts of chassis 4 and connected. This allows a relatively uniform and rapid heating of the frame structure 4 to prevent the formation of frost on the frame 4.

The heating device or devices 12 advantageously extend close to the support shafts. In particular, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heating device or devices 12 define at least partly the axes A of rotation of the rollers 6.

Preferably, the heating device or devices 12 extend over most or even the entire surface area of the external face 22, 27 against which these heating devices 12 are applied.

As can be seen more particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support shaft or shafts 8 are advantageously connected to an upper part of the plate (s) 18, 24, that is to say that the majority of the plates 18, 24 s 'extends under the trees 8 support. The support shaft or shafts extend above a median plane of the plate or plates 24. The plates 18, 24, and the heating devices 12 that these plates 18, 24 support, thus extend essentially in view of a lower half of the roller or rollers 6. This allows an optimal distribution of the heat generated by the or 12 heating devices. The invention also relates to a station or a lift installation 100 comprising one or more roller trains 1 having all or part of the characteristics described above, and more particularly a tower 102 having a balance comprising the train 1 roller.

This installation 100 may comprise two end stations (not shown), including a downstream end station and an upstream end station, the aerial cable 2 and carrier, drive means of this cable 2, such as for example a pulley, one or more lifts supported by the cable 2, one or more towers 102 distributed at predetermined intervals between the end stations, at least one of these pylons 102, compression and / or support, having a rocker arm equipped with at least one roller train 1 as described above, and a power supply substation connected to the (x) heating devices 12 in order to supply them with electric current and thus to enable the (x) Heating devices 12 to release heat to prevent the formation of frost or make it disappear.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, this embodiment having been given as an example. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various devices or by the substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

A roller train (1) for receiving a cable (2), the roller train (1) comprising a frame (4), a roller (6) adapted to receive the cable (2), and a shaft (8). ) support connecting the roller (6) to the frame (4), so that the roller (6) is rotatable relative to the frame (4) about an axis (A) of rotation coincides with the shaft (8) ) support, characterized in that the roller train (1) comprises a heating device (12) fixed against the frame (4) and intended to generate heat for heating the chassis (4) by conduction, the chassis (4) ) being configured to drive the shaft (8) supporting the heat generated by the heating device (12). The roller train (1) according to claim 1, wherein the roller train (1) comprises thermal insulation means configured to isolate the heater (12) from the outside. 3. Roll train (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating device (12) comprises an electrically conductive wire for releasing heat by Joule effect, and electrical insulation means configured to perform a double electrical insulation of the electrically conductive wire. 4. Train (1) of roller according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device (12) for heating extends at least partially about the axis (A) of rotation of the roller (6) relative to the frame (4). 5. Train (1) of roller according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shaft (8) of support is fixed relative to the frame (4). 6. Train (1) of roller according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device (12) for heating is in surface contact with the frame (4). 7. Train (1) of roller according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the frame (4) comprises a plate (18) having an inner face (20) located opposite the roller (6) and a face ( 22) opposite, the heating device (12) being positioned against the outer face (22). 8. Train (1) of roller according to claim 7, wherein the frame (4) comprises a second plate (24) having an inner face (26) located opposite the roller (6) and an opposite outer face (28). , the roller (6) being arranged between the two plates (18, 24), and the roller train (1) comprises a second heating device (12) which is arranged against the external face (28) of this second plate ( 24). 9. The roller train (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the or each heating device (12) extends over a major part of the surface of the corresponding outer face (22, 28). 10. Installation (100) of mechanical lift comprising a train (1) of roller according to one of claims 1 to 9.