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Title:
CABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2021/105923
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A cable transportation system (1) comprising: a plurality of transportation units (2); at least one station (9) comprising at least one loading and/or unloading zone for the passengers with respect to the transportation units (2); at least one cable (8) for supporting and/or moving the plurality of transportation units (2); wherein the at least one station (9) comprises a tunnel structure (13) configured for insulating the transportation units (2) passing the station (9) with respect to the outside environment; wherein the tunnel structure (13) comprises an inlet (15) and an outlet (16) for the transportation units (2) and an intermediate portion at the loading and/or unloading zone for the passengers; wherein the inlet (15) and the outlet (16) of the tunnel structure (13) comprise a screen device configured for insulating the inside environment of the tunnel structure (13) with respect to the outside environment.

Inventors:
TRATTENERO GIACOMO (IT)
ERHARTER NIKOLAUS (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2020/061185
Publication Date:
June 03, 2021
Filing Date:
November 26, 2020
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
LEITNER SPA (IT)
International Classes:
B61B12/00
Foreign References:
US5069140A1991-12-03
EP2848489A12015-03-18
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
MARTINI, Gabriele et al. (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. An aerial cable transportation system (1) comprising:

- a plurality of transportation units (2); - at least a station (9) comprising at least one loading and/or unloading zone for the passengers with respect to the transportation units (2);

- at least a cable (8) for supporting and/or moving the plurality of transportation units (2); wherein the at least one station (9) comprises a tunnel structure (13) configured for insulating the transportation units (2) passing the station (9) with respect to the outside environment; wherein the tunnel structure (13) comprises an inlet (15) and an outlet (16) for the transportation units (2) and an intermediate portion at the loading and/or unloading zone for the passengers; characterized in that the inlet (15) and the outlet (16) of the tunnel structure (13) comprise a screen device configured for insulating the inside environment of the tunnel structure (13) with respect to the outside environment.

2. The cable transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screen device is a screen device configured for minimizing the heat exchange between the inside environment of the tunnel structure (13) and the outside environment.

3. The cable transportation system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the tunnel structure (13) encloses a waiting zone for the loading and/or unloading of the passengers without any intermediate barrier.

4. The cable transportation system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the screen device comprises a wall provided with an opening (17) for the passage of the transportation units (2).

5. The cable transportation system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the opening (17) is shaped according to the contour of the transportation units (2).

6. The cable transportation system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the opening (17) comprises flexible elements configured for coming into contact with the transportation units (2) during the entry and the exit thereof.

7. The cable transportation system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims from 4 to 6, wherein each screen device comprises blowing devices configured for blowing air at the openings (17).

8. The cable transportation system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims from 4 to 7, wherein each screen device comprises two walls (15', 15", 16', 16") arranged in series at such a distance that at least one of the two openings (17) in series is always filled by passing transportation unit (2).

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 11.05.2021

CLAIMS

1. An aerial cable transportation system (1) comprising:

- a plurality of transportation units (2); - at least a station (9) comprising at least one loading and/or unloading zone for the passengers with respect to the transportation units (2);

- at least a cable (8) for supporting and/or moving the plurality of transportation units (2); wherein the at least one station (9) comprises a tunnel structure (13) configured for insulating the transportation units (2) passing the station (9) with respect to the outside environment; wherein the tunnel structure (13) comprises an inlet (15) and an outlet (16) for the transportation units (2) and an intermediate portion at the loading and/or unloading zone for the passengers; wherein the inlet (15) and the outlet (16) of the tunnel structure (13) comprise a screen device configured for insulating the inside environment of the tunnel structure (13) with respect to the outside environment; wherein the screen device comprises a wall provided with an opening (17) for the passage of the transportation units (2). 2. The cable transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screen device is a screen device configured for minimizing the heat exchange between the inside environment of the tunnel structure (13) and the outside environment. 3. The cable transportation system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the tunnel structure (13) encloses a waiting zone for the loading and/or unloading of the passengers without any intermediate barrier.

4. The cable transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening (17) is shaped according to the contour of the transportation units (2).

5. The cable transportation system as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein the opening (17) comprises flexible elements configured for coming into contact with the transportation units (2) during the entry and the exit thereof.

6. The cable transportation system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims from 1 to 5, wherein each screen device comprises blowing devices configured for blowing air at the openings (17).

7. The cable transportation system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims from 1 to 6, wherein each screen device comprises two walls (15', 15", 16', 16") arranged in series at such a distance that at least one of the two openings (17) in series is always filled by a passing transportation unit (2).

Description:
"CABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM"

Cross-Reference To Related Applications This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102019000022215 filed on 26/11/2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical field The technical field of the present invention is that relating to cable transportation systems. The terms "cable transportation system" are intended to mean a system for the transportation of passengers wherein a plurality of transportation units are moved in succession one after the other along a path defined by at least one cable. In particular, the technical field of the present invention refers to cable systems which can be defined as "aerial" because the transportation units travel in a configuration suspended from the ground. The system also comprises an upstream station, a downstream station and possibly at least one intermediate station where passengers can embark and disembark from the transportation units. Specifically, the technical field of the present invention comprises both cable transportation systems of the "single-cable" type, in which a single cable performs both the function of moving and the function of supporting the transportation units in a configuration suspended from the ground, and systems with more than one cable (for example, of the "two-cable" or "three-cable" type) in which in addition to a hauling cable there are one or more supporting cables which have the sole purpose of supporting the transportation units in an aerial configuration suspended from the ground.

Within this technical field, the present invention will address the problem of climate control or thermal conditioning/insulation of the station with respect to the outside environment in order to offer passengers greater comfort during loading/unloading from the transportation units.

State of the art As is known, aerial-type cable transportation systems comprise a plurality of transportation units which are moved along a path defined by at least one cable. As mentioned in the above chapter, if the system is of the single-cable type, this single cable performs the dual function of supporting and moving the transportation units. In systems with at least two cables, these functions are divided into a hauling cable and at least one supporting cable. Along the path, the system comprises fixed structures such as pylons or towers for supporting the cable in spans, as well as stations where passengers can safely embark and disembark from the transportation units. Inside the stations, the transportation units are usually uncoupled from the cables and moved/supported by other devices so that they can move slowly in the station without having to slow down the remaining transportation units travelling outside the station along the path. However, which device (cable or not) moves and supports the transportation units inside the station or whether loading takes place while the transportation units are stationary or in motion are not relevant for the purposes of the present invention. In plan, the stations can have a U-shape, for example in the case of upstream or downstream return stations, or a rectilinear layout in the case of intermediate stations. Usually, the stations of a cable transportation system comprise at least one loading/unloading platform where passengers await the transportation units, and a roof structure whose function is to protect passengers in case of bad weather and to house the guides and devices for moving/supporting the transportation units in the station. Therefore, the platform and the roof separate the loading/unloading zone from the environment outside the station at the bottom and top, respectively. According to two different embodiments, both known, the stations may or may not also comprise side containment structures, for example walls or screens also to insulate the loading and unloading zone at the sides. In the embodiment wherein these side walls are present, the station is in communication with the surrounding environment only at the inlet and outlet openings where no structure is usually present and through which the transportation units enter and exit the station.

Starting from this station structure, EP2848489 addresses the problem of how to further insulate the loading/unloading zone for passengers in the station from the outside environment. In fact, the problem addressed by EP2848489 concerns the thermal/acoustic insulation of the loading/unloading zone in the station with respect to the outside environment. A first solution described in EP2848489 provides for the presence in the station of a closed environment at the loading/unloading platform where there are portals (optionally equipped with mobile screens) connecting this closed environment to the transportation units during loading/unloading. Therefore, this closed environment is a sort of waiting room which must however be abandoned by passengers for loading/unloading. In fact, in EP2848489, the transportation units travel outside this insulated environment. EP2848489 then describes a second embodiment wherein, in addition to the aforementioned closed environment connected to the transportation units via the portals, a second insulation structure is also provided in the form of a tunnel or gallery, which encloses the transportation units from the inlet to the outlet of the station and is parallel to the aforementioned insulated passenger waiting room. This tunnel structure provides a barrier-free inlet and a barrier-free outlet and allows the station to be further thermally and acoustically insulated from the outside environment. However, this solution has some drawbacks. The first drawback is that the loading/unloading procedures must necessarily take place while the transportation units are stationary in the station at the portals connecting the closed environment to the units that may be passing through the aforementioned tunnel for the passage of the transportation units. Another drawback is linked to the fact that the tunnel for the passage of the transportation units is however freely exposed, downstream and upstream, to the outside environment (i.e. there are no barriers or screens), such that the passengers during loading/unloading perceive a considerable temperature difference between the two different environments (the tunnel and the waiting room). Description of the invention

Starting from this prior art, one object of the present invention is to provide a cable transportation system with at least one station for loading and unloading passengers from the transportation units, which is capable of overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide an environment/zone for loading and unloading passengers in the station which is suitably thermally insulated/conditioned with respect to the environment outside the station.

In accordance with these objects, the system in which the present invention is applied is an aerial cable transportation system comprising:

- a plurality of transportation units; - at least one station comprising at least one loading and/or unloading zone for the passengers with respect to the transportation units;

- at least one cable for moving and supporting the plurality of transportation units; wherein the at least one station comprises a tunnel structure configured for insulating the transportation units passing the station with respect to the outside environment.

Analysing in detail the elements listed above, preferably each transportation unit comprises a cabin, i.e. a closed environment for passenger transportation defined by a floor wall, a roof wall and side containment walls, wherein at least one side wall is equipped with a door for loading and unloading passengers. Outside the cabin, a suspension arm starts from the roof wall, which arm supports a vice or equivalent devices for coupling (possibly in a releasable manner) to the at least one cable (which can be a hauling and/or supporting cable depending on the type of aerial system).

The loading and unloading station can be an upstream station, a downstream station or an intermediate station. In plan, the path imposed on the transportation units in the station can be U-shaped, rectilinear, or of any other type. In the station, the transportation units can be moved by the same cable that moves them outside or other moving/supporting devices can be provided. In this case, as is known, at the inlet and the outlet, the station is equipped with devices for uncoupling and coupling to the cable. As mentioned, the station comprises a tunnel structure for the transportation units, which extends from an inlet to an outlet for the transportation units and comprises an intermediate portion at the passenger loading and/or unloading zone. This tunnel is defined at the bottom by a bottom wall, at the top by a roof structure which optionally houses the devices for moving the transportation units, and at the sides by side containment walls or screens. This tunnel can optionally be equipped with thermal conditioning devices to impose a desired temperature/humidity in the loading/unloading zone with respect to the environment outside the station. This tunnel can also extend to incorporate the loading and unloading platform so that the bottom wall is partly defined by the platform itself without intermediate barriers, or the tunnel can be connected to a closed passenger waiting room with special portals (as provided in EP2848489).

In view of the above with regard to the minimum elements that make up the cable transportation system, according to the main aspect of the present invention, the inlet and outlet of the tunnel structure each comprise a screen device configured to insulate (preferably thermally and/or acoustically depending on the materials and type of screen) the environment inside the tunnel structure from the environment outside the station.

Preferably, the screen device is a thermal screen device configured for minimizing the heat exchange between the inside environment of the tunnel structure and the outside environment.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each screen device can comprise a wall provided with an opening (optionally selectively closed) for the passage of the transportation units. In this case, preferably, the opening is shaped according to the contour of the transportation units so that, when the transportation units enter and exit the tunnel, the inlet and outlet are substantially free of openings or apertures connecting the inside environment to the tunnel structure and the outside environment. In this case, preferably, the shaped opening comprises flexible elements configured to come into contact with the transportation units during the entry and the exit thereof in order to eliminate any openings or apertures connecting the inside environment to the tunnel structure and the outside environment during the passage of the units.

Furthermore, or alternatively, the screen device can comprise blowing devices (of a known type) configured to blow air, possibly conditioned air, at the openings orthogonally to the direction of movement of the transportation units. These puffs constitute an additional thermal barrier.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, which may or may not incorporate the solutions listed above, each screen device comprises two walls arranged in series with each other. The distance between the two walls is not random but is estimated as a function of the speed of movement and the distance between two adjacent transportation units so that at least one of the two openings in series is always filled by a passing transportation unit. When the downstream unit has cleared the opening of the internal screen, the preceding one fills the external screen and vice versa. In this way, the tunnel is always insulated/closed with respect to the outside environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a non limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a cable transportation system according to the prior art;

- Figure 2 is a schematic view of a portion of a station of a cable transportation system according to the present invention; - Figure 3 is an enlarged schematic view of a detail of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Best mode for carrying out the invention Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an example of an aerial cable transportation system in which the present invention can be envisaged. In particular, Figure 1 shows a transportation system 1 comprising a plurality of transportation units 2. In this example, each transportation unit 2 comprises a cabin 3 equipped with a floor wall 4 and a roof wall 5 from which a suspension arm 6 starts, which arm 6 supports a vice 7 for selective coupling to a hauling and supporting cable 8 (the system shown, in fact, is of the single-cable type). Figure 1 shows a station 9 (the system as a whole obviously has more than one) in which passengers can embark or leave the cabins 3. Arrows A and B in Figure

I indicate the possible directions of travel in the station 9. As can be seen, the station 9 comprises a platform 10 by which passengers can embark or leave the cabins 3 or on which they can simply wait for a cabin 3 to arrive at the station 9. In the station 9, in particular at the platform 10, the cabins 3 can stop temporarily or move at low speed. Reference

II in Figure 1 identifies moving/supporting devices operating in the station, which can be alternatives to the cable 8 for moving the cabins 3 at a different (lower) speed compared to the cable 8. These alternative moving devices 11 are housed in a structure which can be defined as the roof 12 of the station 9.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a portion of a station 9 of a cable transportation system 1 according to the present invention. In particular, Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a portion of a station 9 comprising a tunnel structure 13 configured to thermally/acoustically insulate the loading and unloading zone from the environment outside the station 9. In particular, according to the example shown in Figure

2, the tunnel structure 13 is delimited at the bottom by a wall which also comprises the platform 10 and extends throughout the area of passage of the cabins 3. At the top, the tunnel is delimited by the roof structure 12 of the station 9, and at the sides by containment walls 14 (the front one has been removed to allow the view of the inside of the tunnel 13). This tunnel 13 comprises an inlet 15 and an outlet 16 to allow the cabins 3 to enter and exit the station 9. According to an embodiment of the present invention, both the inlet 15 and the outlet 16 comprise a wall (generally a screen device) equipped with an opening 17 (optionally selectively closable) whose contour corresponds to the contour of the cabin 3 and its arm 6. In this way, the heat exchange between the inside of the tunnel and the outside environment is minimized and the movement of the cabins 3 is not hindered. When stating that the contour of the opening 17 "corresponds to the contour" of the cabin it is intended that the opening 17 has dimensions substantially corresponding to the external contour of the cabin 3 (and of the suspension arm) or only slightly larger in order to prevent the cabin 3 from getting stuck when passing through the opening 17.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged schematic view of a detail of Figure 2, in particular it shows the inlet 15 according to a preferred embodiment. Regarding the embodiment in Figure 2, the opening 17 is provided with flexible elements 18 in the form of rubber profiles (for example) which are configured to come into contact with the passing cabin 3 (and possibly the arm 6) without causing any damage.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of a station incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to this example, the inlet and the outlet of the tunnel each comprise two screens 15' 15" 16' e 16" arranged in series with each other at such a distance that at least one cabin 3 is always passing through at least one opening 17 of the inlet and the outlet. In this way, the tunnel 13 is substantially always insulated. The access to the tunnel 13 can take place in any possible way. Figure 4 shows stairs and access and exit doors. Lastly, it is clear that modifications and variations may be made to the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.