ERHARTER, Nikolaus (Via Boden 19, San Candido, 39038, IT)
WIESER, Hartmut (Jaufental 1M, Racines, 39040, IT)
ERHARTER, Nikolaus (Via Boden 19, San Candido, 39038, IT)
| CLAIMS 1. A cable transportation system with at least one supporting cable and a haul cable, the cable transportation system (1) comprising at least one shoe (13; 27; 35; 45; 58) for supporting a section of the supporting cable (2); and at least one trolley (4) having at least one roller (8; 46) by which to roll along the supporting cable (2), which defines a rolling track (17) for the roller (8; 46); and wherein the shoe (13; 27; 35; 45; 58) defines two auxiliary rolling tracks (18; 31; 39; 49), which are parallel to the rolling track (17), are located on opposite sides of the supporting cable (2) , and are curved in cross-section; the roller (8; 48) being designed to roll in extended contact along at least one of the auxiliary rolling tracks (18; 31; 39; 49) of the shoe (13; 27; 35; 45; 58). 2. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each auxiliary rolling track (18; 31; 39; 49) has an at least partly arc-shaped cross-section; the roller (8; 46) comprising two annular rolling faces (26; 56) complementary to the auxiliary rolling tracks (18; 31; 39; 49) so as to achieve the extended contact between the roller (8; 46) and the auxiliary rolling track (18 ; 31; 39 ; 49) . 3. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 , wherein each auxiliary rolling track (18; 31; 39) is convex in cross-section. 4. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the roller (8) comprises a concave central race (25) complementary to the rolling track (17) of the supporting cable (2) ; and two annular concave rolling faces (26) located on opposite sides of the central race (25) and designed to fit to the auxiliary rolling tracks (18; 31; 39). 5. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein each auxiliary rolling track (49) is concave in cross section. 6. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the roller (46) comprises a concave central race (55) complementary to the rolling track (17); and two annular toroidal rolling faces (56) located on opposite sides of the central race (55) and designed to fit to the auxiliary rolling tracks (49) . 7. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the shoe (13; 27; 35; 45; 58) comprises a central body (15; 28; 36; 47); and two flanks (16; 29; 37; 48) located on opposite sides of the central body (15; 28; 36; 47) ; each auxiliary rolling track (18; 31; 39; 49) extending along the top end of a respective flank (16; 29; 37; 48). 8. A cable transportation system as Claimed in claim 7, wherein the roller (8; 46) comprises a concave central race (25; 55) complementary to the rolling track (17) of the supporting cable (2) ; and two annular rolling faces (26; 56) located on opposite sides of the central race ' (25; 55) and designed to fit to the auxiliary rolling tracks (18; 49); the central race (25; 55) having a given depth (A) with respect to the two annular rolling faces (26; 56); whereas the shoe (13; 45) comprises two flanks (16, 48) located on opposite sides of the supporting cable (2), which projects from the auxiliary rolling tracks (18; 29) by a height (B) shorter than the given depth (A) . 9. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein each flank (16; 29; 37) has an upper face (19; 32: 40) and a side face (20; 33; 41) connected by a rounded edge (21; 34; 42); said auxiliary rolling track (18; 31; 39) extending along the upper face (19; 32: 40) and the rounded edge (21; 34; 42). 10. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein each flank (48) has an upper face (50) with a concave cross-section; and a . side face (51); said auxiliary rolling track (49) extending along the upper face (50) . 11. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the shoe (58) comprises an inlet portion (59); an intermediate portion (60); and an outlet portion (61) arranged in succession in the travelling direction (Dl) of the trolley (4) ; the flanks (29; 37) and the central body (28; 36) being connected elastically at the inlet portion (59) and the outlet portion (61), so the roller (8; 46) can roll simultaneously along the auxiliary rolling tracks (31; 39) and the rolling track (17) ; the intermediate portion (60) preferably comprising flanks. (16) and a central body (15) integral with one another. 12. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the shoe (27; 35) comprises a central, body (28; 36) having a seat for housing a section of supporting cable (2); and two flanks (29; 37) located on opposite sides of the central body (28; 36); the flanks (29; 37) and the central body (28; 36) being connected elastically, so the roller (8; 46) can roll simultaneously along the auxiliary rolling tracks (31; 39) and the rolling track (17) . 13. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the flanks (29) are fixed to a supporting structure (12); and the central body (28) is connected slideably to the flanks (29) ; the shoe (27) comprising an elastic member (30) located between the flanks (29) and the central body (28) so as to space the rolling track (17) apart from the auxiliary rolling tracks (31) . 14. A cable transportation system as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the central body (36). is fixed to a supporting structure (12) ; and the flanks (37) are connected slideably to the central body (36); the shoe (35) comprising elastic members (38) for bringing the auxiliary rolling tracks (39) the rolling track (17) closer together. |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a cable transportation system with at least one supporting cable and a haul cable.
BACKGROUND ART
Cable transportation systems of the above type normally extend between a bottom and top turnaround station, between which the supporting and haul cables often have to be supported at intermediate points for various reasons. For example : the span between the bottom and top turnaround stations is too long for single unsupported supporting and haul cables; the topography of the cable transportation system route calls for variations in the slope of the supporting and haul cables; and the route of the cable transportation system has at least one curve. For at least one of these reasons, many cable transportation systems comprise one or more intermediate supports, each of which comprises a vertical supporting structure, such as a pylon or tower, and a supporting shoe fitted to the top of the vertical support and having a top end supporting the supporting cable, and a number of rollers under the top end to support the haul cable.
Cable transportation systems of the above type comprise at least one trolley, to which a respective transportation unit is suspended, and which is clamped selectively to the haul cable in automatic-clamping systems, or is connected permanently to the haul cable. In both types of cable transportation systems, the trolley comprises at least one roller, which rolls along the supporting cable housed partly inside a race in the roller.
When the trolley runs over the shoe, the haul cable beneath the supporting cable is lifted by the trolley off the supporting rollers, and exerts downward pull on the trolley. More specifically, the pull is produced by the haul cable being lifted off its supporting rollers, and is discharged by the trolley roller onto the supporting cable, which is prevented by the shoe from flexing or deforming towards the haul cable. Over the shoe, the supporting cable is thus pinched between the trolley roller and the shoe by the pull exerted by the supporting cable, to which is added the weight of the trolley and relative transportation unit.
The supporting cable being made of metal wires, pinching it in this way is obviously a drawback, which, in the long term, could damage the supporting cable and seriously impair the safety of the cable transportation system as a whole.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cable transportation system with at least one supporting cable and a haul cable, designed to eliminate the above drawback of the known art .
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable transportation system with at least one supporting cable and a haul cable, which is both safe and comfortable.
According to the present invention, there is provided a cable transportation system with at least one supporting cable and a haul cable, the cable transportation system comprising at least one shoe for supporting a section of the supporting cable; and at least one trolley having at least one roller by which to roll along the supporting cable, which defines a rolling track for the roller; and wherein the shoe defines two auxiliary rolling tracks, which are parallel to the rolling track, are located on opposite sides of the supporting cable, and are curved in cross-section; the roller being designed to roll in extended contact along at least one of the auxiliary rolling tracks of the shoe .
The supporting cable is thus subjected to no severe stress, and in some cases is in no way pinched against the shoe; and contact between the trolley roller and shoe is extensive for any position of the trolley.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the shoe comprises a central body, and two flanks located on opposite sides of the central body; each auxiliary rolling track extending along the top end of a respective flank. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe comprises . a central body having a seat for housing said section of supporting cable; the flanks and the central body being connected elastically, so " the roller can roll simultaneously along the auxiliary rolling tracks and the rolling track.
In this embodiment, any shock as the trolley engages and disengages the shoe is damped.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic, partly sectioned front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a cable transportation system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a side view, with parts removed for clarity, of the Figure 1 cable transportation system;
Figures 3, 4 and 5 show larger-scale, partly sectioned front views, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the Figure 1 system at three different operating stages;
Figures 6, 7 and 8 show larger- scale , partly sectioned front views, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of a cable transportation system, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, at three different operating stages;
Figures 9, 10 and 11 show larger- scale , partly sectioned front views, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of a cable transportation system, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, at three different operating stages;
Figures 12, 13 and 14 show larger-scale, partly sectioned front views, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of a cable transportation system, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, at three different operating stages;
Figure 15 shows a side view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of a cable transportation system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention .
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a cable transportation system comprising a supporting cable 2; a haul cable 3; and at least one trolley 4 mounted to run along supporting cable 2, and clamped to haul cable 3 to move in direction Dl, as shown in Figure 2.
In the example described, specific reference is made to a cable transportation system with one supporting cable, it being understood, however, that the present invention also relates to cable transportation systems with more than one supporting cable. Also, in the example shown in the drawings, the cable transportation system is an automatic-clamping type, it being understood, however, that the present invention also relates to cable transportation systems in which the trolley is fixed permanently to the haul cable.
Cable transportation system 1, supporting cable 2, and haul cable 3 extend between a bottom turnaround station (not shown) and a top turnaround station (not shown) . At intermediate points between the bottom and top turnaround stations (not shown) , supporting cable 2 and haul cable 3 are supported by intermediate supports 5, one of which is shown in Figure 2.
With reference to Figure 2, trolley 4, in use, is run in a direction Dl by haul cable 3, and comprises a frame 6; two rocker arms 7 pivoting freely with respect to frame 6; and four rollers 8 fitted idly to the two rocker arms 7, and which, in use, roll along supporting cable 2.
With reference to Figure 1, trolley 4 comprises a clamp 9 clamped to haul cable 3; and an actuating device 10 for releasing clamp 9 at the turnaround stations (not shown) . As shown more clearly in Figure 1, trolley 4 is connected to a transportation unit, e.g. a car or chair (not shown) , by an arm 11 which pivots with respect to frame 6.
With reference to Figure 2, support 5 comprises a vertical supporting structure 12; and a shoe 13 fitted to the top of supporting structure 12, and which comprises a top end and a number of rollers 14. Rollers 14 serve to support haul cable 3, and are located under the top end, which serves to support supporting cable 2.
Shoe 13 may extend to lengths of as much as 50 metres, and may curve slightly to accommodate the sag in supporting cable 2 and haul cable 3 on either side of support 5. In some systems, in addition to curving to accommodate sag, shoe 13 may also curve horizontally to form curves in the route of the system.
As shown in Figure 3, supporting cable 2 is housed partly in the top end of shoe 13, is made of steel wires, and has a more or less circular cross-section. At the top end, shoe 13 comprises a central body 15; and two flanks 16 integral - in the example shown, formed in one piece - with and on opposite sides of central body 15. Shoe 13 as a whole defines a seat complementary to supporting cable 2, which projects from the top end of shoe 13 with respect to flanks 16; and the top of supporting cable 2 defines a rolling track 17 for rollers 8 of trolley 4. That is, along the portions of supporting cable 2 outside shoe 13, rollers 8 roll along rolling track 17 of supporting cable 2.
In the example shown, shoe 13 also defines two auxiliary rolling tracks 18 for rollers 8. The two auxiliary rolling tracks 18 are parallel to rolling track 17, are located on opposite sides of supporting cable 2, and are curved in cross-section with respect to the travelling direction Dl of trolley 4.
Each auxiliary rolling track 18 extends along the top end of a respective flank 16. More specifically, each flank 16 has an upper face 19; a side face 20; and a rounded edge 21 connecting upper face 19 to side face 20, and which imparts a convex shape to auxiliary rolling track 18. Roughly speaking, each auxiliary rolling track 18 extends along upper face 19 and rounded edge 21, and is at least partly arc-shaped in cross- section.
With reference to Figure 4, each roller 8 rotates idly about an axis Al with respect to rocker arm 7 (Figure 2), and comprises a cylindrical body 22, and two annular plates 23 on opposite sides of cylindrical body 22. In the example shown, annular plates 23 are fitted to cylindrical body 22, but, in an embodiment not shown, are integral with it.
Cylindrical body 22 has an annular face 24 designed to roll along at least one of auxiliary rolling tracks 18 along the portion of supporting cable 2 supported by shoe 13. More specifically, cylindrical body 22 has an annular central race 25 sized to fit supporting cable 2 ; and two concave annular rolling faces 26 on opposite sides of central race 25 and sized according to auxiliary rolling tracks 18.
With reference to Figure 4, central race 25 has a given depth A with respect to annular rolling faces 26, and supporting cable 2 projects with respect to flanks 16, or rather with respect to auxiliary rolling tracks 18, by a height B smaller than depth A, so supporting cable 2 is not stressed by rollers 8 as trolley 4 runs along shoe 13.
As shown in Figures 4 and 5, cylindrical body 22 may be positioned contacting one or both of auxiliary rolling tracks 18,. depending on the attitude of trolley 4, i.e. the tilt of trolley 4 about the longitudinal axis of haul cable 3 (Figure 1) , which depends on the load transmitted to trolley 4 by the transportation unit (not shown) . Wind or a highly unbalanced load may produce an attitude of trolley 4 as shown, for example, in Figure 5, in which central body 22 only contacts the auxiliary rolling track 18 to the right of supporting cable 2, whereas other unbalanced loads may tilt trolley 4 in the opposite direction to Figure 5.
When the load transmitted to trolley 4 is more or less balanced (Figure 4), roller 8 rolls along both auxiliary rolling tracks 18, and forms a gap between rolling track 17 and central race 25.
As trolley 4 runs along shoe 13, as shown in Figure 2, supporting cable 2 is subjected to no compressive stress, which, in this case, would be particularly severe, because the load transmitted by trolley 4 supporting the transportation unit (not shown) would be discharged entirely in the form of compression pressing supporting cable 2 against shoe 13. In addition, supporting cable 2 would also be stressed by the pull exerted by haul cable 3 being lifted off rollers 14 as trolley 4 runs over the shoe (Figure 2) .
The design of the two auxiliary rolling tracks 18 and the two annular rolling faces 26 provides for extensive, theoretically linear contact for any attitude of trolley 4. The attitude of trolley 4 shown in Figure 5 is an instantaneous condition that may occur as trolley 4 engages shoe 13. Subsequently the downward pull on trolley 4 sets it to the position shown in Figure 4.
In the Figure 6, 7 and 8 embodiment, shoe 13 is replaced with a shoe 27, which comprises a central body 28; two joined flanks 29; and an elastic member 30 between flanks 29 and central body 28. Flanks 29 are fixed to supporting structure 12 (Figure 2) and located on opposite sides of central body 28, which slides with respect to flanks 29, and defines a seat complementary to supporting cable 2, which projects by a variable amount from the top of shoe 27 with respect to flanks 29. As in the Figure 3, 4 and 5 embodiment, the top of supporting cable 2 defines rolling track 17 for rollers 8 of trolley 4 (Figure 7) .
Shoe 27 defines, for rollers 8, two auxiliary rolling tracks 31 parallel to rolling track 17 and on opposite sides of supporting cable 2.
The cross- section of the two auxiliary rolling tracks 31 is curved with respect to the travelling direction Dl of trolley 4, and, in the example shown, comprises an arc-shaped portion.
Each auxiliary rolling track 31 extends along the top end of a respective flank 29. More specifically, each flank 29 has an upper face 32; a side face 33; and a rounded edge 34 connecting upper face 32 to side face 34; and each auxiliary rolling track 31 extends roughly along upper face 32 and rounded edge 34, which, in the example shown, is arc-shaped.
Central body 28 slides in a direction D2 with respect to flanks 29, each of which has two opposite stop surfaces defining the travel of central body 28. Elastic member 30 is also housed between the two flanks 29, is a coil spring in the Figure 6, 7 and 8 example, and serves to push central body 28 against the top stop surfaces so supporting cable 2 projects as far as possible from flanks 29. One or a number of equally spaced elastic members 30 may be provided, depending on the length of shoe 27. When the load transmitted to trolley 4 is more or less balanced and roller 8 runs along shoe 27 as shown in Figure 7, annular rolling faces 26 roll along both auxiliary rolling tracks 31, and central race 25 rolls along rolling track 17. In this case, supporting cable 2 sinks under the load of trolley 4 to distribute part of the load directly onto shoe 27.
In the Figure 9, 10 and 11 embodiment, shoe 13 is replaced with a shoe 35, which comprises a central body 36; two joined flanks 37 fitted slidably to central body 36; and elastic members 38 between flanks 37 and central body 36. Flanks 37 are located on opposite sides of central body 36, which is fixed to supporting structure 12 (Figure 2) and defines a seat complementary to supporting cable 2, which projects by a variable amount from the top of shoe 35 with respect to flanks 37. In the example shown, the elastic members are lengths of elastomeric material. As in the Figure 6-8 embodiment, the top of supporting cable 2 defines rolling track 17 for rollers 8 of trolley 4 (Figure 10) .
Shoe 35 defines, for rollers 8, two auxiliary rolling tracks 39 parallel to rolling track 17 and on opposite sides of supporting cable 2.
The cross-section of the two auxiliary rolling tracks 39 is curved with respect to the travelling direction Dl of trolley 4.
Each auxiliary rolling track 39 extends along the top end of a respective flank 37. More specifically, each flank 37 has an upper face 40; a side face 41; and a rounded edge 42 connecting upper face 40 to side face 41; and each auxiliary rolling track 39 extends roughly along upper face 40 and rounded edge 42, which, in the example shown, is arc-shaped in cross-section.
Each flank 37 is fitted slidably in direction D2 to central body 36 by means of screws 43, which are fixed to central body 36 and engage slots 44 allowing a limited amount of movement of flank 37 in direction D2 with respect to central body 36.
In the Figure 12, 13 and 14 embodiment, shoe 13 is replaced by a shoe 45, and roller 8 by a roller 46. Along shoe 45, supporting cable 2 is housed in a seat formed in the top of shoe 45, which comprises a central body 47, and two flanks 48 integral - in the example shown, formed in one piece - with and on opposite sides of central body 47. Shoe 45 as a whole defines a seat complementary to supporting cable 2, which projects from the top of shoe 45 with respect to flanks 48; and the top of supporting cable 2 defines rolling track 17 of roller 46. That is, along the portions of supporting cable 2 outside shoe 45, roller 46 rolls along supporting cable 2, in contact with rolling rack 17.
In the example shown, shoe 45 also defines, for rollers 8, two auxiliary rolling tracks 49 parallel to rolling track 17 and on opposite sides of supporting cable 2. The two auxiliary rolling tracks 49 have a curved - in the example shown, concave - cross - section, as opposed to the convex cross - section in the three preceding embodiments, and are preferably arc -shaped in cross-section.
Each auxiliary rolling track 49 extends along the top end of a respective flank 48. More specifically, each flank 48 has an upper face 50, and a side face 51, and each auxiliary rolling track 49 extends roughly along upper face 50, which is concave in cross-section.
With reference to Figures 13 and 14, roller 46 rotates idly about an axis Al with respect to rocker arm 7, and comprises a cylindrical body 52, and two annular plates 53 on opposite sides of cylindrical body 52. In the example shown, annular plates 53 are fitted to cylindrical body 52, but, in an embodiment not shown, are integral with it. Cylindrical body 52 has an annular face 54 designed to roll along at least one of auxiliary rolling tracks 49 along the portion of supporting cable " 2 supported by shoe 45. More specifically, cylindrical body 52 has a central annular race 55 sized to fit supporting cable 2 ; and two toroidal annular rolling faces 56 - preferably with an arc-shaped cross-section - on opposite sides of central annular race 55 and complementary to auxiliary rolling tracks 49.
With reference to Figure 13, central race 55 has a given depth A with respect to annular rolling faces 56, and supporting cable 2 projects with respect to flanks
48, or rather with respect to auxiliary rolling tracks
49, by a height B smaller than depth A.
As shown in Figures 13 and 14, cylindrical body 52 may be positioned contacting one or both of auxiliary rolling tracks 49, depending on the attitude of trolley 4, but, in both cases, extensive contact is achieved between roller 46 and auxiliary rolling track/s 49.
With reference to Figures 13 and 14, the trolley comprises an anti-derailing device 57, which, in the example shown, is fixed to each rocker arm 7, and comprises an inverted-U-shaped body extending partly along flanks 48 of shoe 45. Preventing rollers 46 from derailing is also entrusted partly to annular plates 53, which extend along the top ends of flanks 48 as trolley 4 runs along shoe 45.
The embodiments in which the flanks and the central body are movable with respect to one another have the added advantage of damping any shock on engaging and disengaging the shoe.
In the Figure 6-8 embodiment, the central body may be formed in a number of aligned segments, depending on the length and shape of the shoe .
In the Figure 9-11 embodiment, the flanks may be formed in a number of aligned segments, depending on the length and shape of the shoe .
In Figure 15, shoe 13 is replaced with a shoe 58 comprising an inlet portion 59, an intermediate portion 60, and an outlet portion 61 arranged successively in direction Dl . In this embodiment of the invention, intermediate portion 60 is formed with the same characteristics as shoe 13 (Figures 3, 4, 5); whereas inlet and outlet portions 59, 61 are formed with the same characteristics as shoe 27 (Figures 6, 7, 8) or shoe 35 (Figures 9, 10, 11) so as to damp any shock on the trolley (not shown in Figure 15) when engaging and disengaging shoe 58, whereas intermediate portion 60 has the advantage of being straightforward in design.
The present invention also obviously extends . to embodiments not described in the above detailed description, as well as equivalent embodiments also within the protective scope of the accompanying Claims.
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