Method and apparatus for controlling a cable transport system and system comprising such a control apparatus

Abstract

A monitoring device for monitoring a ropeway installation, the ropeway installation comprising a vehicle (3) designed to be towed by a cable (2), the monitoring device comprising means (17) for detecting the entry of the vehicle (3) into a travel region (15), means (18) for calculating a variable representative of the travel length of the cable (2), means (19) for comparing the calculated variable with a threshold value, and determining means (20) configured to determine the reception of an event indicating the exit of the vehicle (3) from the travel region (15), the monitoring device being configured to send a fault signal (Sd) after the calculated variable has reached the threshold value and the event has not been received.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for monitoring a cableway facility, a cableway facility including such a monitoring device, and a method for monitoring a cableway facility. Background Technology

[0002] Cableway facilities, especially those transporting people, consist of vehicles towed by a cable known as a traction cable, extending from one passenger boarding / disembarking terminal to another. These facilities typically include towers that guide and support the traction cable. These towers are positioned along the vehicle's route. Vehicles may unexpectedly find themselves stuck on a tower, and more dangerously, several vehicles may collide on the same tower. Therefore, it is essential to be able to monitor the proper movement of vehicles as they pass the towers.

[0003] French patent application FR2996514 can be cited, which discloses a method for monitoring vehicle movement in the terminal of a cable car or aerial cable car. This method determines the distance between two vehicles based on their positions within the terminal's area and adjusts the speed if the distance is less than a safe distance. However, the method requires calculating the changing distances, making its implementation complex.

[0004] German patent application DE 102017219219 can be cited, which discloses carriages pulled by cables moving on tracks. These carriages are equipped with sensors that communicate with devices located on a tower to regulate the distance between vehicles or the speed of vehicles near facility components. European patent application EP2977286 can also be cited, which discloses a method for retrieving measurements taken by measuring sensors located along a vehicle's travel route, wherein the vehicle includes a unique radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. When a vehicle passes near a sensor, the measurement value is retrieved via the tag, and then retrieved on an RFID reader located at the terminal. However, these methods cannot monitor the correct movement of vehicles between two terminals.

[0005] French patent application FR2941206 can also be cited, which discloses a device for monitoring vehicle movement in the terminal of a cableway facility. When a vehicle is detached from the cable and guided on the track, a device for monitoring movement sends a signal whenever a vehicle is detected by a fixedly installed detection device. Two detection devices define the entrance and exit of the monitored area. When the detection device detects a vehicle entering the monitored area, an instrument is activated to monitor the cable's travel until the vehicle is detected leaving the monitored area. The instrument value is compared to a threshold to detect faults. This threshold depends on the vehicle throughput, the radius of curvature of the facility, the space occupied by the vehicle, and the deceleration ratio between the cable's travel speed and the driving speed of the detached vehicle.

[0006] Another meter is disclosed, which represents the cable length between two consecutive detections of two vehicles by the same sensor, in order to monitor the distance between the two vehicles. To detect faults, this additional meter is compared to another threshold depending on the cable speed and / or the vehicle's travel rate. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One object of the present invention is to overcome these shortcomings, and more specifically, to provide a device for monitoring the proper movement of a cable-tethered vehicle, especially when the vehicle passes a monitoring point.

[0008] Another objective is to provide a simple and robust monitoring device.

[0009] According to one feature of the invention, a method for monitoring a cableway facility including vehicles designed to be towed by cables is proposed, the method comprising: detecting the vehicle entering a travel area, calculating a variable representing the travel length of the cable, and comparing the calculated variable with a threshold.

[0010] The method includes determining that an event instructing the vehicle to leave the driving area has been received, and sending a fault signal if the event has not been received after the calculated variable has reached a threshold.

[0011] This provides a simple method to determine whether a vehicle has actually passed through a specific driving area. The driving area can be located between two terminals. The method also applies to driving areas located within one of the terminals.

[0012] The facility may include a measuring device configured to provide pulses based on the cable travel, and the calculation includes calculating the variable based on the pulses provided by the measuring device.

[0013] The facility may also include a detection device designed to send a first signal indicating that a vehicle is entering a driving area and a second signal indicating that a vehicle is leaving a driving area, with the event corresponding to the reception of the second signal.

[0014] The threshold can be determined based on the length of the driving area.

[0015] According to another feature, a monitoring device for a cableway facility is proposed, the facility including vehicles designed to be towed by cables, the device including: means for detecting vehicles entering a travel area, means for calculating a variable representing the travel length of the cable, and means for comparing the calculated variable with a threshold.

[0016] The device includes a determining device configured to determine receipt of an event indicating that a vehicle has left a driving area, and the monitoring device is configured to send a fault signal after a calculated variable has reached a threshold and the event has not yet been received.

[0017] The device may include a measuring device configured to provide pulses based on the cable travel, and a computing device to calculate variables based on the pulses provided by the measuring device.

[0018] The detection device can be designed to send a first signal indicating that a vehicle has entered a driving area, and a second signal indicating that a vehicle has left a driving area, and the determining device includes receivers for the first and second signals, and the event corresponds to the reception of the second signal.

[0019] The comparison device can determine the threshold based on the length of the driving area.

[0020] According to another feature, a cableway facility is proposed, which includes a cable, a vehicle designed to be pulled by the cable, and monitoring equipment as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description of specific embodiments and implementations of the invention, given for non-limiting purposes only and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 A cableway facility equipped with a monitoring device according to the present invention is shown schematically;

[0023] Figure 2 The first step of the monitoring method according to the present invention is illustrated schematically;

[0024] Figure 3 The second step of the monitoring method according to the present invention is illustrated schematically;

[0025] Figure 4 The third step of the monitoring method according to the present invention is illustrated schematically; and

[0026] Figure 5 The fourth step of the monitoring method according to the present invention is illustrated schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0027] exist Figure 1The cableway facility 1 shown includes a cable 2 and one or more vehicles 3 towed by the cable 2. Facility 1 includes a terminal 4 for passengers to board and disembark from the vehicles 3. Facility 1 includes a main gear 5 that drives the cable 2. The main gear 5 is driven to rotate by a motor 6. The vehicles 3, designed to transport personnel, each include a cabin 7 or chair attached to the cable 2 via clamps 8. The clamps 8 can be opened and closed to detachably attach the vehicles 3 to the cable 2, and facility 1 is of the detachable type. As a variation, the clamps 8 can be fixed to permanently attach the vehicles 3 to the cable 2, and this facility is of the non-detachable type.

[0028] Facility 1 also includes one or more towers 9 to hold the cable 2 above the ground. Tower 9 typically includes a beam assembly 10 comprising one or more beams 11 to 13 equipped with swivelly mounted pulleys 14 to guide and enable movement of the cable 2. Vehicle 3 is towed by the cable 2 and traverses tower 9 to reach another terminal 4. Facility 1 includes at least one travel area 15 in which the passage of vehicle 3 is monitored. Figures 1 to 5 The diagram shows a facility 1 including a travel area 15. The travel area 15 may correspond to the space included between the two ends of a beam assembly 10. For example, the length of the travel area 15 is equal to the length of the beam assembly 10. Facility 1 may also include several travel areas 15 positioned along the route of the vehicle 3, i.e., between two terminals 4. One or more travel areas 15 may also be located within the terminals 4. Furthermore, two consecutive travel areas may be adjacent to each other or separated by a certain distance.

[0029] More specifically, facility 1 includes monitoring equipment 16 for monitoring the movement of vehicles(s)3 in the driving area 15. Generally, monitoring equipment 16 includes an electronic control unit 21. Monitoring equipment 16 checks whether the vehicles 3 have correctly passed through the driving area 15. In other words, monitoring equipment 16 checks whether the vehicles 3 are obstructed in the driving area 15 to prevent collisions between obstructed vehicles and other vehicles. In the driving area 15, the vehicles 3 are attached to cable 2.

[0030] The monitoring device 16 includes a detection device 17, a calculation device 18, a comparison device 19, and a determination device 20. For example, the calculation device 18, the comparison device 19, and the determination device 20 are logic circuits integrated in the electronic control unit 21.

[0031] The detection device 17 is configured to detect the vehicle 3 entering the driving area 15 of the vehicle 3. Generally, the detection device 17 is designed to send a first signal S1 indicating that the vehicle 3 has entered the driving area 15, and is designed to send a second signal S2 indicating that the vehicle 3 has left the driving area 15. The detection device consists of detectors. For example, the detection device 17 includes one or more sensors 40, 41 that detect the presence of the vehicle 3. The sensors 40, 41 that detect the presence of the vehicle 3 are configured to send the first signal S1 and the second signal S2, respectively. For example, the sensors 40, 41 are RFID readers. In this case, the clamp 8 of the vehicle 3 is equipped with one or two radio frequency tags 22a, 22b. For example, the sensors 40, 41 may include integrated signal transmitters to transmit the first and second signals S1, S2. As a variation, the two sensors 40, 41 may be connected to the same remote transmitter to transmit the first and second signals S1, S2. The detector is configured to detect the presence of the vehicle and send a signal representing the detection. When the detection devices, for example through the at least one sensor 40, detect that the vehicle 3 has entered the driving area 15, they send signals so that the monitoring device 16 can know the true and precise location of the vehicle 3 in the cableway facility 1.

[0032] The detection device 17 may include a sensor 40 having a detection area 30. When the vehicle 3 enters the detection area 30, the sensor 40 sends a first signal S1 indicating that the vehicle 3 has entered the driving area 15. When the vehicle 3 leaves the detection area 30, the sensor 40 sends a second signal S2 indicating that the vehicle 3 has left the driving area 15. The sensor 40 has a detection area 30 extending over the entire length of the driving area 15, thus enabling the use of a single sensor 40.

[0033] As a variant, such as Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the detection device 17 includes two sensors 40 and 41, each with a corresponding detection area 30 and 31. When vehicle 3 enters the first detection area 30, the first sensor 40 sends a first signal S1 indicating that vehicle 3 has entered the driving area 15. When vehicle 3 leaves the second detection area 31, the second sensor 41 sends a second signal S2 indicating that vehicle 3 has left the driving area 15. Sensor 40 is present at the entrance of the driving area 15 to detect vehicle 3 entering the driving area 15. Sensor 41 is present at the exit of the driving area 15 to detect vehicle 3 leaving the driving area 15.

[0034] Typically, an entrance and an exit of each driving area 15 are associated with each driving area 15. Furthermore, each driving area 15 may use one sensor 40. Sensor 40 is configured to detect the passage of a vehicle 3 at the entrance of the driving area 15 and sends a first signal S1. Sensor 40 is also configured to detect the passage of a vehicle 3 at the exit of the driving area 15 and sends a second signal S2. As a variation, two sensors 40, 41 may be associated with each driving area 15. In this case, the first sensor 40 is configured to detect the passage of a vehicle 3 at the entrance of the driving area 15 and sends a first signal S1. The second sensor 41 is configured to detect the passage of a vehicle 3 at the exit of the driving area 15 and sends a second signal S2. According to yet another alternative embodiment, two sensors 40, 41 may be used in association with each driving area 15 and configured to detect the passage of a vehicle 3 at the entrance and the exit of the driving area 15, respectively. The two sensors 40, 41 can be connected to the same transmitter designed to send first and second signals S1, S2, or each sensor 40, 41 includes an integrated signal transmitter. According to another variation, sensor 40 can be associated with several travel zones 15. In this case, the detection area 30 of sensor 40 covers all travel zones 15, specifically the entrance to the first travel zone and the exit to the last travel zone. In this case, sensor 40 is configured to detect the passage of vehicle 3 at the entrance of each travel zone 15 and send a first signal S1 associated with each entrance of the detected travel zone. Sensor 40 is also configured to detect the passage of vehicle 3 at the exit of each travel zone and send a second signal S2 associated with each exit of the detected travel zone 15.

[0035] A computing device 18, such as a computer with a microprocessor, is configured to calculate a variable representing the travel length of the cable 2. For example, a monitoring device 16 may include a measuring device 23, configured to provide pulses based on the travel of the cable 2. The measuring device 23 may include a rotary encoder 24 in contact with the cable 2, which is connected to a pulse generator 25. As the cable 2 is driven to translate by the main gear 5, the rotary encoder 24 rotates, and the pulse generator 25 generates pulses based on the rotation of the rotary encoder 24. For example, the generator 25 generates a pulse each time the rotary encoder 24 rotates. In other words, the pulse generator 25 generates a pulse each time the cable 2 travels as it moves. Specifically, the pulse generator 25 is connected to the computing device 18 via a connector 26. The computing device 18 is configured to calculate a variable based on the pulses provided by the measuring device 23. In other words, the calculated variable corresponds to the number of pulses generated by the pulse generator 25. Alternatively, the measuring device 23 is configured to measure the rotation of the main gear 5 that drives the cable 2 to determine the travel of the cable 2.

[0036] The computing device 18 provides a variable representing the length of travel of the cable 2 from the moment vehicle 3 is detected at the entrance of the travel area 15. Preferably, the computing device 18 is configured to calculate a new variable each time vehicle 3 enters a new travel area 15. For example, upon receiving a signal indicating that vehicle 3 has entered the travel area 15, the computing device 18 calculates the variable representing the length of travel of the cable 2. The variable representing the length of travel of the cable 2 allows the travel of vehicle 3 along the cableway facility 1 to be calculated as a function of time, thereby allowing the theoretical position of vehicle 3 to be calculated based on the travel of the cable 2.

[0037] Advantageously, the calculation device 18 is a device for calculating a variable from the length of the cable 2 that has already traveled, rather than from the speed of the cable 2. Since this variable is calculated based on the length of the cable 2 that has traveled since the detection occurred, the measurement is more accurate. This variable allows for the estimation of the position of the vehicle 3, which is considered to be stationary relative to the cable 2. When the detection devices, for example by at least one sensor 40, detect that the vehicle 3 has left the travel area 15, they send a signal enabling the monitoring equipment 16 to know the precise actual position of the vehicle 3 within the cableway facility 2.

[0038] Comparison device 19, such as a comparator, is configured to compare a calculated variable with a threshold. Advantageously, comparison device 19 determines the threshold based on the length of the travel area 15. For example, the length of the travel area 15 may be equal to the total length of the beam assembly 10 or equal to the length of a portion of the beam assembly 10. In particular, the threshold corresponds to a specific travel length of the cable 2, which corresponds to the length of the travel area 15.

[0039] The determining device 20 (e.g., a computer) is configured to determine the reception of an event indicating that vehicle 3 has left the driving area 15. For example, the determining device 20 includes a receiver 27, such as an antenna, configured to receive first and second signals S1, S2. The event indicating that vehicle 3 has left the driving area 15 corresponds to the reception of the second signal S2. Conversely, if vehicle 3 has not left the driving area 15, for example, if vehicle 3 remains blocked within the driving area 15, the detection device 17 does not send the second signal S2, and the determining device 20 does not receive the second signal S2. Advantageously, the determining device 20 includes a memory 50 for storing the signals S1, S2 received by the receiver 27. The determining device 20 periodically polls the memory 50 to determine the reception of the second signal S2. The polling period can be equal to or less than the maximum number of pulses per second generated by the pulse generator 25.

[0040] In a favorable manner, the actual position of vehicle 3 can be compared with the position estimated from a variable representing the travel length of cable 2. If the two positions differ, i.e., the difference between the two positions is greater than a threshold, a fault signal is sent. When the difference between the two positions is less than the threshold or even zero, no fault signal is sent.

[0041] The variable representing the cable's travel length is compared to a threshold. The threshold corresponds to the maximum length that vehicle 3 can travel to pass the exit position of the travel area. The exit position of the travel area relative to the entrance of the travel area is represented by the threshold.

[0042] While the comparison device 19 periodically compares the value of a variable representing the cable's travel length with a threshold, the monitoring device 16 checks whether a vehicle is located between the entrance and exit of the travel area 15. When the comparison device 19 determines that the value of the variable representing the cable's travel length has reached the threshold, it is important to check whether the detection device has detected, or has already detected, the presence of a vehicle in the exit area of ​​the travel area 15.

[0043] The monitoring device 16 is preferably used in the following manner: When a vehicle 3 is detected entering the driving area 15, for example when the determining device 20 receives the first signal S1, a variable representing the travel length of the cable 2 is calculated. Then, when the vehicle 3, pulled by the cable 2, passes through the driving area 15, this variable is compared with a threshold. Preferably, the variable is compared with the threshold periodically. Then, when the variable reaches the threshold, it is determined whether an event instructing the vehicle 3 to leave the driving area 15 has been received. Two cases can then be considered. Either an event has been received, and in this case, the vehicle 3 has correctly passed through the driving area 15. In particular, the vehicle 3 is considered to have passed through the driving area 15, and the cable 2 has the expected travel length. Or the event has not been received, and in this case, the vehicle 3 is blocked in the driving area 15, or the vehicle 3 has detached from the cable 2. If no event is received, and the calculated variable has reached the threshold, the monitoring device 16 is configured to send a fault signal Sd. In other words, after the calculated variable has reached the threshold and no event has been received, i.e., no second signal S2 has been received, the vehicle 3 is considered not to have correctly passed through the driving area 15. When a fault signal Sd is sent, the movement of cable 2 can be slowed down or stopped.

[0044] exist Figure 2 The movement of vehicle 3, approaching tower 9, has been shown. Vehicle 3 is outside the driving area 15. Figure 3 The text indicates that vehicle 3 has entered driving area 15. In this case, the first sensor 40 sends a first signal S1 indicating that vehicle 3 has entered driving area 15. For example, the first signal S1 is emitted when the vehicle's first tag 22a is present in the first detection area 30. Figure 4 The image shows a vehicle 3 moving within a driving area 15. Specifically, vehicle 3 enters the second detection area 31 of the second sensor 41. Figure 5 When vehicle 3 leaves driving area 15, second sensor 41 sends second signal S2. For example, when the second tag 22b of vehicle 3 leaves second detection area 31, second signal S2 is sent.

[0045] The invention just described makes it easy and accurate to determine that a vehicle has correctly passed through an intersection. Therefore, collisions between vehicles in the intersection can be limited, thereby limiting the occurrence of serious accidents.

[0046] In an embodiment where the driving area 15 is monitored by a single sensor 40, a first signal S1 is a signal indicating that the vehicle has entered the driving area 15, such as a rising or falling edge of a quantity. A second signal S2 is a signal indicating that the vehicle has left the driving area 15, such as a rising or falling edge of the same quantity. This quantity is preferably an electrical quantity, such as current or voltage. When two sensors 40, 41 are used to delineate the driving area 15, signals S1 and S2 can be two rising edges, two falling edges, one rising edge and one falling edge, or other signal shapes.

[0047] The detection of vehicle 3 at the entrance of driving area 15 by the first sensor 40 triggers the calculation of a variable representing the travel length of cable 2. In other words, computing device 18 calculates a variable representing the length of travel of cable 2 in driving area 15 from the moment vehicle 3 is detected at the entrance of driving area 15. The length of travel of cable 2 in driving area 15 represents the theoretical position of vehicle 3 in driving area 15 in the exit direction. The change of this variable represents the travel of cable 2 and indicates the theoretical travel distance of vehicle 3 in driving area 15.

[0048] The comparison device 19 is configured to compare a variable representing the travel length of cable 2 with a threshold representing the length of the travel area. This threshold represents the maximum permissible travel length of cable 2 across the travel area 15 before an abnormal situation is considered to have occurred.

[0049] When the comparison device 19 compares the variable representing the travel length of cable 2 with a threshold representing the length of travel area 15, the comparison device 19 compares the theoretical position of vehicle 3 with the position representing the exit limit of travel area 15. When the variable representing the travel length of cable 2 reaches the threshold, it means that the theoretical position of vehicle 3 corresponds to the exit of travel area 15, and preferably corresponds to vehicle 3 located slightly behind the exit of travel area 15. To account for measurement uncertainties, the threshold is slightly larger than the strict length of cable 2 in travel area 15.

[0050] When the variable representing the travel length of cable 2 reaches a threshold, monitoring device 16 can query determining device 20 to determine whether an event instructing vehicle 3 to leave travel area 15 has been received. In another specific case, when determining device 20 determines that an event instructing vehicle 3 to leave travel area 15 has been received, it directly notifies monitoring device 16.

[0051] When monitoring device 16 detects that the variable representing the travel length of cable 2 has reached a threshold and there is no event indicating that vehicle 3 has left the travel area, it sends a fault signal Sd. The actual position of vehicle 3 has deviated from its theoretical position by a sufficient distance, thus being considered abnormal.

[0052] When the monitoring circuit determines that vehicle 3 has left the driving area 15 before the length of cable 2 used (threshold) representing the fault is reached, the situation can be considered normal and there is no need to send a fault signal Sd.

[0053] In a particular embodiment, the comparison stops when sensor 40 detects that a vehicle has left the driving area. Therefore, when the comparison device compares a variable representing the length of cable 2 traveled with a threshold representing the length of cable in the driving area, and detects that the variable has reached the threshold, this implicitly corresponds to no event indicating that vehicle 3 has left driving area 15 being received. Conversely, this stops the comparator when an event indicating that a vehicle has left is received before the variable reaches the threshold; the comparator could be used to monitor for new vehicles in the driving area or for monitoring vehicles in another driving area, or for other possibilities.

[0054] Sensors at the entrance to the driving area determine the first position of vehicle 3 on cable 2. Sensors at the exit of driving area 15 determine the second position of vehicle 3 on cable 2. The actual position determined by the at least one sensor upon leaving the driving area is compared with an estimated position defined by a variable representing the length of travel of cable 2. Based on the comparison, the two positions are considered to be the same or different, thereby enabling the identification of normal conditions or malfunctions.

[0055] Starting from the detection of a vehicle at the entrance to the driving area, it is particularly advantageous to use a variable representing the length of the cable traveling within the driving area. This allows for monitoring the length of the cable 2 that has already passed, independent of speed, the possibility of the facility stopping, or the shape of the driving area 15.

[0056] The comparison between the variable and the threshold allows monitoring of the estimated position of vehicle 3 relative to a reference position, which corresponds to the exit position of the driving area. This comparison enables determination of whether the vehicle has deviated from its reference position by more than a threshold distance representing a fault.

[0057] Monitoring device 16 is configured to prevent collisions between vehicles 3 by monitoring the position of each vehicle 3 relative to its reference position, i.e., its theoretical position on cable 2. The reference position is redefined at the entrance of each driving area 15, which minimizes or even eliminates measurement uncertainties, such as those associated with changes in the load applied to the beam assembly. Depending on the load applied to the beam assembly, the beam assembly can deform between a “flat” position and a “round” position. When the beam assembly is “flat,” the cable length required to pass through the beam assembly is shorter than when the beam assembly is completely “round.”

[0058] In one particular embodiment, the route between the two terminals 4 is divided into multiple travel zones 15, which are connected to each other such that the exit of one travel zone 15 corresponds to the entrance of the next travel zone 15.

[0059] Several overlapping travel zones can also be provided. For example, a first travel zone is contained within a second travel zone. The first and second travel zones share the same sensor-detected entrances within the travel zones. It is advantageous for several travel zones to have the same entrance, thus enabling a single sensor to be used to detect entrances in multiple travel zones. Multiple travel zones have specific exits associated with specific sensors. Preferably, the entrance zone corresponds to the terminal zone, and the exit zone corresponds to the tower. Monitoring circuitry is configured to monitor the movement of different vehicles between the terminals of the cableway facility and the multiple towers.

[0060] A first variable is defined and compared with a first threshold to initially detect risk conditions in driving area 15. A second variable is defined and compared with a second threshold to detect risk conditions in a second driving area 15 outside the first driving area. The comparison of the first variable with the first threshold enables the detection of risk conditions as described above. The comparison of the second variable with the second threshold enables the detection of less obvious risk conditions, such as slow vehicle skidding.

[0061] A particularly advantageous aspect is that the variable is compared with the threshold several times over the time period representing the theoretical travel of the vehicle in the driving area.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a cableway facility, the cableway facility comprising at least one vehicle (3), the at least one vehicle being provided with at least one clamp (8) for attaching the at least one vehicle (3) to a cable (2), the method comprising: The detection of at least one vehicle (3) entering the driving area (15) triggers the calculation of a variable representing the driving length of the cable (2) starting from the detection. The variable is compared with the threshold. When the variable reaches the threshold, a fault signal (Sd) is sent. The clamp (8) is fixed to the cable (2) such that when the at least one vehicle (3) is traveling in the driving area (15), the cable (2) pulls the at least one vehicle (3). Furthermore, the threshold is a threshold representing the length of the driving area (15); The method includes determining that an event instructing at least one vehicle (3) to leave the driving area (15) has been received, and sending the fault signal (Sd) if the event has not been received after the variable has reached the threshold, and / or including reinitializing the variable in response to receiving the event instructing at least one vehicle (3) to leave the driving area (15), the variable having not reached the threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The cableway facility includes a measuring device (23) configured to provide pulses based on the travel of the cable (2) and to perform calculations of the variables based on the pulses provided by the measuring device (23).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The cableway facility includes a detection device (17) configured to send a first signal (S1) instructing at least one vehicle (3) to enter the travel area (15) and a second signal (S2) instructing at least one vehicle (3) to leave the travel area (15), and the event corresponds to the receipt of the second signal (S2).

4. A monitoring device for a cableway facility, the cableway facility comprising two terminals for passengers to board at least one vehicle (3) and disembark from at least one vehicle, said at least one vehicle being equipped with clamps (8) and designed to be pulled by a cable (2) between the two terminals, said monitoring device comprising: The detection device (17) is configured to detect the entry of the at least one vehicle (3) into the driving area (15) and the departure of the at least one vehicle (3) from the driving area (15). A computing device (18) is configured to calculate a variable representing the travel length of the cable (2), the computing device (18) being configured to calculate the variable in response to detecting the at least one vehicle (3), and The comparison device (19) is configured to compare the variable with a threshold. The monitoring device is configured to send a fault signal (Sd) when the variable reaches the threshold. The detection device (17) is characterized in that it is arranged to define a travel area in which at least one vehicle (3) is towed by the cable (2), and the threshold is a threshold representing the length of the travel area (15). The monitoring device is configured to send a fault signal (Sd) if no event indicating that at least one vehicle (3) has left the driving area (15) is received after the variable has reached a threshold, and / or reinitialize the variable in response to receiving an event indicating that at least one vehicle (3) has left the driving area (15) if the variable has not reached the threshold.

5. The monitoring equipment for the cableway facility according to claim 4, comprising a measuring device (23) configured to provide pulses based on the travel of the cable (2), wherein the computing device (18) calculates the variable based on the pulses provided by the measuring device (23).

6. The monitoring equipment for the cableway facility according to claim 4 or 5, comprising a determining device (20) configured to determine receipt of an event indicating that the at least one vehicle (3) has left the operating area, and configured to send a fault signal (Sd) if the event is not received after the variable has reached the threshold. in, The detection device (17) is designed to transmit a first signal (S1) indicating that at least one vehicle (3) enters the driving area (15) and a second signal (S2) indicating that at least one vehicle (3) leaves the driving area (15). The determining device (20) includes a receiver (27) for the first signal (S1) and the second signal (S2), and the event corresponds to the reception of the second signal (S2).

7. The monitoring equipment for the cableway facility according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The cableway facility includes at least one tower (9) configured to hold the cable (2) above the ground, and the at least one tower (9) includes at least one beam assembly (10), the length of which is equal to the length of the at least one beam assembly (10).

8. The monitoring equipment for the cableway facility according to claim 6, wherein, Each driving area uses a single sensor (40), and the sensor (40) has a detection area that defines the driving area, and wherein the sensor (40) is configured such that when the at least one vehicle (3) enters the detection area (30), the sensor (40) sends a first signal (S1) indicating that the at least one vehicle (3) has entered the driving area (15), and when the at least one vehicle (3) leaves the detection area (30), the sensor (40) sends a second signal (S2) indicating that the at least one vehicle (3) has left.

9. A cableway facility comprising a cable (2) and at least one vehicle (3) designed to be pulled by said cable (2), characterized in that, The cableway facility includes the monitoring equipment according to any one of claims 4 to 8.

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