JPS61217430A - Intermediate pressure set-up device in capsule transport - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use only one blower so as to simplify the valve operation and the whole composition, by composing the system to make a capsule which has been released from the connection run up along a down slope, pass through a projection blowing intake, and project by blowing the projecting air therefrom. CONSTITUTION:A capsule 1d is decelerated in a braking zone F and connected to a capsule 1c, and, all capsules 1d to 1a advance one step by a drive of a capsule 1b delivered by a carrier device 4. The capsule 1a is then released by a connection releasing device 5. When a valve 7 is opened and a valve 8 is closed, the capsule 1a goes down along the down slope G by its own weight and halts at the portion H by a braking of the air pressure between the capsule 1a and the valve 8. Then valves 7 and 17 are closed and valves 8 and 16 are opened, a blower 13 is driven to project the capsule 1a, and then, valves 7 and 17 are opened, 16 and 8 are closed after the capsule 1a passes through the valve 8. In such a composition, the capsule 1b is prepared to project when the capsule 1a is projected. This composition needs only one blower, making operation and composition simpler.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an intermediate pressurization device in an air capsule transport path.

[Prior art] Air capsule transportation involves loading objects to be transported into wheeled capsules and transporting them on air currents within a transportation route (pipeline), but the longer the transportation route, the lower the transportation pressure. Therefore, for a pipe with a diameter of 1 m, an intermediate pressure increase is required after 5 to 6 km, depending on the load of the transported object. As this intermediate boosting method, the following methods (1) to (4) have been proposed.

(1) Air bypass/double gate valve system (the only one in practical use in the Soviet Union) This uses an air bypass section to maintain the capsule spacing and then performs intermediate pressurization. In other words, air bypasses are installed at intervals slightly shorter than the capsule spacing, and these air bypasses bypass the air in the wood pipes of the transportation route in a certain section, thereby eliminating the propulsive force of the capsule in that section and attempting to stop the capsule. It consists of a horizontal main pipe that is slightly longer than the natural coasting distance of the traveling capsule and an air bypass in that section. (There are also systems that shorten the length of the bypass section by installing a gate valve in the main pipe.) This air bypass prevents subsequent capsules from stopping within the main pipe of the air bypass section directly downstream until the preceding capsule has passed through the main pipe. By doing so, the number of capsules between adjacent air bypasses is set to 1 or less, and the capsule interval is always maintained at a distance greater than or equal to the distance between air bypasses. In this way, the capsules will pass at intervals of a certain value or more at any location along the transport route. At Siltem, where such measures are taken, the following intermediate pressure increases will be possible. That is, in FIGS. 2(a) to (f), when the capsule l approaches the upstream gate valve Gl of the transport path 2, the airflow outlet is switched from 52 to Ss [(a)→(b)], and the capsule l is G! When passing through, G1 closes and gate valve G2 on the downstream side opens [(b) →
(C)], then the airflow inlet is switched from Dffi to DI [(C) → (d)], and when the capsule passes 02, the airflow inlet is switched from DI to D2 [(d) → (e )
] Then, G2 closes and G1 opens, and the discharge port switches from Sl to St [(e)→(f)], and intermediate pressure is applied.

(2) Flap valve system This flap valve system was developed in England and is being tested, and its mechanism is shown in Figures 3 (&) to (f). That is, when the capsule l transported through the transport path 2 is located upstream of the airflow suction port S.

Valve N is closed due to the differential pressure generated by the blower [(a
)], (b) shows the state in which the capsule has reached the position where it blocks the suction port S. At this time, the air between the capsule 1 and the flap valve N is compressed, and the differential pressure across the valve N is reversed. Valve N opens promptly.

(C) shows the moment when the front seal of the train's leading capsule l is about to pass through the valve N. While the capsule 1 passes through the valve N, the valve N is kept open with a weight of m (
d) When the tail end of the 0 train passes the discharge port H, the airflow becomes able to flow backwards under the valve N, a pressure difference between the upper and lower sides of the valve N is generated, and the valve N closes [(e) → (f) ], the capsule l is pushed forward by the airflow from the blower.

(3) Jet pump type As shown in Fig. 4, this jet pump extracts a part of the airflow in the transportation path 2, and uses a blower to inject the jet airflow into the transportation path 2 through the jet nozzle P, thereby propelling the traveling capsule. It is moved and propelled by suction pressure.

(4) Continuous cargo handling system diversion type This is an application of existing technology in a continuous cargo handling system such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-45570, which is used as an intermediate booster without performing cargo handling. .

As shown in FIG. 5, there is a braking zone F, an automatic capsule coupling device 3, a capsule transport device 4, a coupling release device 5, a switchback type launcher X, and a suction and main blower 12,
Consists of 13. In the braking zone, the capsule traveling at high speed on the transport route 2 is controlled to a predetermined speed, collides with the preceding capsule, is connected by the automatic coupling device 3 installed at the front and rear of the capsule, and the capsule is separated by the transport device 4. is conveyed, uncoupled by the uncoupling device 5, guided to one launch tube Several proposals have been disclosed regarding devices and speed control methods related to this continuous cargo handling system. For example, regarding each device,
42. 59-16346. 59-16374. Same 5
9-16348 each publication.

Regarding speed control methods, there are Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 57-145719 and 57-164321.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
We have proposed a method in which a pressurized launcher is installed in a straight line downstream of the continuous release device to replace the launch tube in the continuous cargo handling system, and to pressurize and launch the capsule. The boost launch device is arranged in communication with two upstream and downstream gate valves 7°8 provided at the launch transport path 2°, and in the vicinity of the downstream side of the upstream gate valve 7, in communication with the launch transport path 2′. The air suction/injection part E is arranged in communication with the emission transport path 2° near the downstream side of the downstream gate valve 8. The blower and blower E are connected to blowers 12 and 13 via valves 9 and 10.11, respectively, and gate valves 7 and 8 are opened and closed, and valves 9 and 10 are connected to blowers 12 and 13 through valves 9 and 10.
．． 11 operation causes the capsule to be pressurized and launched.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] There are the above pressurization methods for transporting capsules, but they all have the following problems.

(a) Air bypass Φ dual gate valve system This method has the advantage of ensuring reliable operation because the capsule spacing is maintained above a certain level, but the biggest drawback is that the capsule spacing is It is necessary to provide air bypasses at shorter intervals. The length of the air bypass is capsule speed 10m/
S, Rolling resistance coefficient JJ = = 0.005 and it is almost impossible to take such a long horizontal section exceeding 1km due to the land situation of our country.For this reason, the air bypass has a gate valve in the main We have no choice but to adopt a format that includes
In this case, the length of the bypass section is a system with main pipe φ1m, capsule weight W = 9000kg% leakage rate ψ = 0.0
3 (characteristic value for evaluating sealability), the length is nearly 200 m. Although it is not impossible to take horizontal sections of this length, it is extremely difficult to take them at short intervals. For example, installing air bypasses at intervals of about 2ks+ would make the capsule spacing even larger. This means that in order to secure a certain amount of transportation, the number of capsules in a train must be increased.For example, in the main φim system, the capsule speed is 8 m/s and the number of cars is around 15. If the capsule is made to have a long aim in this way, it will be difficult to brake and launch at the station, and the loading and unloading equipment will also be large, making it less practical in terms of cost.

(b) Flap valve method This method has the advantage of not requiring any valve operations, but there is a high risk of causing trouble when Siltem stops due to a power outage, etc. In other words, there are unavoidable ups and downs on the transportation route If there is an uphill slope downstream of this pressurizer, when the system stops and the airflow in the tube disappears, the capsule begins to flow backwards and collides with the flap valve from the right. This valve has a structure that avoids collisions when the capsule enters from the left, but it has no defense against capsule entry from the right, leading to damage to the valve or capsule. In order to prevent this, a sufficient distance must be provided between the upslope section and the booster, and calculating that distance results in a proverb, and it is generally difficult to satisfy such constraints in Japan. .

(c) Jet pump type This type has low pressure boosting efficiency, and requires a large number of boosting devices with short installation intervals of less than 1 km, so it is unlikely to be practical in terms of cost.

(d) Continuous cargo handling equipment usage method This method solves the problems of the three methods mentioned above.

It is extremely difficult to put this into practical use because the intermediate booster requires a vast space. That is, since the firing tube is generally swung by a cylinder around one point, the rotation angle is restricted. Even if this angle is possible up to 90@, the radius of curvature of the pipeline is 40D~100
0 (D: pipe inner diameter) is generally around 700, so the pipeline shape centered on one launcher cylinder has the shape shown in FIG. 6, and a pipeline with D=1 m requires an area of approximately 20 m x 100 m. On the other hand, if the launcher is made into a rotary mechanism that rotates nearly 180 degrees, the required time will be longer, which will be a major constraint on adoption. For example, in a pipeline with φ = 1 m, a 15 m long launch tube becomes approximately 15 m long when a loaded capsule enters it, which must be reversed in less than 10 seconds.

(E) Co-filed invention In the same invention, the suction blower 12 is used, but its operating rate is less than 20%, for example, in a system with a 50-second departure interval, it is not only extremely low, but also extremely low, at 7 to 8 seconds. 10.
11 linked operations are complicated. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8, it is possible to provide only the main blower 13 and use its suction side for suction, but the load on the suction side varies between suction and non-suction, and this causes the discharge pressure to change. This may occur as a fluctuation, and the fluctuation may be multiplied by the airflow on the downstream side from the blow-in/ejection part E, which may interfere with stable capsule travel.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems at once, and also to be economical because only one blower is required, valve operation is easy, and no power is required to reach the firing point. The object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate pressurization device that enables stable capsule transportation.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention for solving the above problems includes an automatic coupling device that connects the trailing capsule by colliding with the leading capsule;
A transport device that transports the connected capsules forward, a disconnection device that disconnects the leading capsule from the connected capsule, and a boost firing device that fires the leading capsule in a pressurized state; a launch transport path, a run-up section with a downward slope formed in the launch transport path and to which the disconnected lead capsule is transported by its gravity; and a position upstream from a resting point of the lead capsule after the run-up. and a pressurized air injection inlet formed in communication with the transport path.

[Operation] In the present invention, a capsule that has been decelerated to a low speed in a braking zone of a transportation route is connected to a preceding capsule, the connected capsule is transported at a predetermined speed by a conveying device, and after being released by a decoupling device, each capsule is Since it is pressurized and launched by operation, it does not require a long horizontal distance like the air bypass dual gate valve method to control the speed of the capsule and the gap between the capsules, and also requires a long capsule and large equipment. It can also be applied to short capsules without any problems.

In addition, with the flap valve system, if there is a gradient downstream of the flap valve during a power outage, the capsule may cause backflow and collide with the valve, but in the present invention, each valve of the booster launcher during a power outage is operated as described below. The proper position prevents the capsule from flowing backwards or colliding with the enemy.

On the other hand, in the present invention, the booster is arranged linearly when viewed from above, so it does not require a large area like a switchback type launcher that uses continuous cargo handling equipment, and can be installed not only in a straight line but also on any route. It is possible, the occupied width can be twice the diameter of the tube, and a blower with a normal specification can be used for pressurizing and ejecting the capsule, allowing efficient pressurization and ejection.

Furthermore, since the capsule after the connection is disconnected moves by gravity on the run-up portion of the downward slope, there is no need for a suction blower to move it to the firing point, and only a discharge blower for firing is sufficient.

[Specific Example of the Invention] Further, the present invention will be explained with reference to a specific example shown in FIG. 1, together with its operation.

The capsule ld travels to the right in the figure within the transport path 2 by airflow from a transport blower (not shown). capsule 1d
An automatic coupling device 3 is provided before and after. Transport route 2
Braking zone F from the exhaust port A to the mounting part B of the control valve 6
An appropriate number of capsules lc are always waiting at the terminal end of the transport path 2 on the downstream side from the bottom. On the other hand, the subsequent capsule l
When d runs, the standby capsule l
Since the transportation path 2 is sealed by the presence of the capsule 1c, the pressure generated by compressing the air between the capsules lc and ld acts as a braking force on the capsule 1d, and the braking pressure is applied to the control valve 6.
By controlling this, the capsule ld collides with the standby capsule lc at a speed below a certain speed and is connected to the waiting capsule lc. On the other hand, the capsule lb is transported by the transport device 4, so that the capsules la, lc connected thereto also move. When the connection between the leading capsule 1a and the capsule lb reaches the connection release point C, the connection is released by the connection release device 5.

On the other hand, the transport path 2 is interrupted at a portion of the transport device 4 and the connection release device 5, and a launch transport path 2′ is piped on the downstream side thereof. The following booster firing device is provided at the base end of the wheel feed path 2''.

That is, upstream and downstream gate valves 7.8 are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the transportation path 2°, respectively, and on the downstream side adjacent to these, a firing inlet and a running inlet E are provided along the transportation path. The main blower 13 is a main blower, and the suction blower 12 shown in Fig. 7 is not installed, but is installed alone. It branches into a service pipe 14 and a running pipe 15, each of which is provided with a switching valve 16, 17.

The conduit 14 is connected to the ejection nozzle, and the conduit 15 is connected to the travel nozzle E.

The starting end of the transport path 2'' for one launch is sloped downward at an angle of inclination θ with respect to the horizontal plane, and this is the run-up section G. After this run-up section G, it is horizontal. The area up to the gate valve 8 in the section is a stop/fire section H.

Now, when the aforementioned leading capsule la is disconnected from the following capsule tb by the disconnection device 5 at the disconnection point C, since the run-up portion G has a downward slope,
The leading capsule la descends through the run-up section G due to its own weight. At this time, the gate valve 7 is open and the gate valve 8 is closed. When the self-propelled descending capsule la reaches the stop launch section H, it loses its inertia, is decelerated, and eventually stops. At this time, as the capsule 1m travels, the air between it and the gate valve 8 is compressed, and acts as a braking force on the capsule la. After the capsule la passes through the gate valve 7.

The gate valve 7 is closed, and after the capsule 1a has stopped, the gate valve 8 is opened. Thereafter, while the valve 17 is closed, the valve 16 is opened, and the main blower 13 is
Pressure air is blown into the capsule la and the capsule la is fired.

If the launched capsule la passes through the gate valve 8,
The gate valve 7 is opened, the valve 16 is closed, the valve 17 is opened, and the gate valve 8 is closed.
is propelled further to the right.

At the same time, the device waits for the subsequent capsule lb to be uncoupled, and thereafter such operations are performed sequentially.

Here, the conveyance device 4 always conveys the capsule to the right at a constant speed, but if the gate valve 7 is not in the open (standby) state even if it reaches a distance of 20 minutes before the disconnection point C. In this case, immediately stop the capsule and wait for it to reach that state.

In addition, in the above example, braking, connection, transport connection release, and pressurized firing are performed in units of 1 capsule.
Each operation may be performed in units of multiple devices.

Further, in the above example, there is a height difference of l sin θ between the left side of the fljl movement zone F and the right side of the stop and launch section H. If this height difference is undesirable, it can be dealt with by tilting the special equipment section or the conveying device 4.

In other words, it is desirable that the braking zone be horizontal;
The special equipment section and the transport device 4 do not need to be horizontal; therefore, by giving the special equipment section and the transport device an inclination, it is possible to eliminate the above height difference or obtain a desired height difference if necessary. . Of course, there is a limit to the height difference that can be obtained.
This is restricted by bending angles at the boundaries of the braking zone, special equipment section, conveyance device, and run-up section. That is, there is a limit to the bending angle at the joints between the capsules (including the joints between the vehicles in the formation).

Next, safety in the event of a power outage in the present invention will be described.

Since the gate valves 7 and 8 can normally maintain their previous state even when the power is turned off, it is sufficient to set the valves 16 and 17 to close when the power is turned off. This is possible by setting the solenoid valve to meet the above objectives. That is, as mentioned in the above example, at any time the gate valve 7. Since both gate valves 8 are never opened at the same time, if valves 16 and 17 are closed during a power outage, the flow of air will stop in the launch transport path 2° to the right of gate valve 8. In this state, even if the capsule runs backwards due to the slope of the transport path to the right of the boost launcher, unless the steep slope is near the downstream side of the gate valve 8, the capsule will stop quickly or the reverse speed will be reduced. The value is extremely low and will not collide with the gate valve.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the capsule has a braking zone,
Because the capsules are transferred via a transport device and a decoupling device, it is possible to design them freely regardless of the number of capsules to be formed or their weight, and there is no need for complicated operations to control the distance between capsules. Troubles during power outages can be prevented by operating the respective valves installed, and on the other hand, these devices can be placed in a straight line on any route, and the area they occupy only needs to be twice the diameter of the transport pipe. It also has high boost efficiency because it can use a normal blower for boost firing.

On the other hand, the present invention especially has a run-up part so that the capsule after uncoupling is moved by gravity to the launch point, so it is economical because only one blower for launch propulsion is required, and stable running is also achieved. can.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 2 to 5 are schematic diagrams of conventional examples, Fig. 6 is a transport route diagram in the example of Fig. 5, and Figs. 7 and 8 are comparisons. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the device. la~ld... Capsule 2... Transport route 2
' , , Launch transport path 3 , Automatic coupling device 4 , Transport device 5゜11. Uncoupling device 7.8°09. Gate valve 13, , main blower 16, 17. ,,,Switching valve F,,,braking zone G,,,,run-up section Hl,. 5 Launch stop portion Patent applicant: Yoshihisa Nagai, Patent attorney, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. 1 Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An automatic coupling device that connects the trailing capsule to the leading capsule by colliding with the leading capsule, a conveyance device that transports the coupled capsules forward, a disconnection device that disconnects the leading capsule from the connecting capsule, and the leading capsule. and a boost launcher that launches the capsule in a pressurized state; the boost launcher includes a launch transport path, and a launch transport path that is formed in the launch transport path to transport the disconnected leading capsule by its gravity. intermediate pressurization in capsule transport, characterized by having a run-up section with a downward slope, and a pressurized air ejection inlet formed in communication with the transport path at a position upstream from a stationary point of the leading capsule after run-up; Device.