Aerial cable transportation system with a hauling cable, two supporting cables and at least one aerial line support device to support the hauling cable

Abstract

An aerial cable transportation system for transporting passengers and / or cargo; wherein the system comprises: a first terminal station and a second terminal station; a hauling cable movable and arranged in a loop between the terminal stations to form two branches of opposite transport direction; two supporting cables for each transport branch between the stations, the hauling cable being placed under the supporting cables; a plurality of vehicles for transporting passengers and / or cargo configured to run along the transport branches in aerial configuration between the terminal stations supported by the supporting cables and hauled by the hauling cable to which they are coupled by means of a clamp; at least one aerial line support device coupled to the supporting cables between the stations; wherein the aerial line support device comprises a frame having upper ends configured to couple to the hauling cables and a lower end supporting a roller configured to support the hauling cable; wherein the roller of the aerial line support device is movable relative to the first upper ends of the frame between a distal or lowered position and a proximal or raised position; being provided at least one spring configured to force the roller towards the proximal or raised position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102023000008856 filed on May 4, 2023Technical field

[0002] The reference technical field of the present invention refers to the field of aerial cable transportation systems. In particular, the present invention refers to aerial cable transportation systems comprising a hauling cable and two supporting cables. In these systems a plurality of transportation units is provided for transporting passengers or cargo running between two terminal stations one after the other in aerial configuration along the supporting cables moved by the hauling cable. In this context, the present invention will address the problem of how to improve the aerial line support devices provided along the system between the terminal stations and configured to support the hauling cable.State of the art

[0003] Present-day aerial cable transportation systems are widely used, and therefore are generally well known to a technician operating in this particular technical field. In these systems, passengers or cargo are transported along a route in special transportation units, for example cable cars, seats, or other equipment, which will be called "vehicles" for simplicity in the following. The route is delimited at opposite ends by two terminal boarding and landing stations and the vehicles are fed in aerial configuration one after the other along a first branch from the first station to the second and along a second branch (usually parallel to the first) from the second station to the first. In particular, according to the present invention the term "aerial" refers to cable systems in which the vehicles are moved along at least one supporting cable in a raised position relative to the ground below (namely, aerial configuration). The present invention preferably refers to aerial transportation systems with one or two supporting cables per transport branch. As described above, for the purposes of the present invention the vehicles are supported in the aerial condition by two supporting cables and the movement between stations is generated by a hauling cable to which all units are selectively coupled or attached when traveling from one station to the other. As is known, in the station the vehicles are unhooked from the hauling cable so that they can advance more slowly than the vehicles moving outside the stations. Again, as is known, the hauling cable is arranged in a loop in the terminal stations, which for said purpose house special pulleys, at least one of which is motorized, while the supporting cables are substantially fixed with ends secured in the terminal stations. The supporting cables are in fact moved between the stations only during the maintenance. In an aerial cable transportation system of the type described and subject of the present invention, each vehicle is provided with an aerial suspension comprising a support arm with a lower end coupled to the roof of the cabin and an upper end coupled to a trolley with two rows of rollers rolling on the supporting cables. Just below the rows of rollers a clamp (or equivalent devices) is provided for selective coupling to the hauling cable.

[0004] An aerial cable transportation system as just described above turns out to be very useful when the conformation of the underlying terrain, or other surrounding factors, do not make classic land movement practicable. For example, said aerial cable systems are used when the route to be followed involves significant changes in altitude, even with considerable gradients. Said route is typical of ski / mountain resort areas and in said context these systems are also called ski lifts. However, the present invention and the aerial cable transportation systems in general also find advantageous application in urban contexts where land transport is congested.

[0005] As is known, it is often necessary to also provide fixed intermediate structures along the route between the terminal stations configured to support portions of the supporting cables. One reason for requiring said intermediate fixed structures may be the excessive distance between the terminal stations such that it is not possible to arrange the supporting cables in a single span. Another reason could be the altimetric profile of the path in case there are significant changes in slope. Each intermediate fixed support structure for the supporting cables usually comprises a vertical support structure, such as for example a pylon or a tower, on top of which support devices known as "shoes" are provided. In particular, the shoe comprises substantially U-shaped seats for supporting the supporting cables. Along the shoe, the hauling cable is instead supported by a series of rollers arranged below the seat of the supporting cables. When vehicles pass over these shoes, the hauling cable is raised to allow the clamp to pass over the rollers. In order to allow said raising of the hauling cable, the latter cannot be excessively tensioned between the stations. In fact, the more tensioned the hauling cable, the higher the mechanical effort needed to lift the same. As a result of this configuration of the hauling cable, in the span between the stations, for example between two pylons, the hauling cable could therefore be placed in an excessively deviated or lowered position ("deflection") relative to the supporting cables with consequent greater effort required for the lifting thereof when vehicles pass and a problem of excessive proximity to the ground below. To limit said excessive downward deviation of the hauling cable outside the stations and in the span between two pylons (if provided), it is now known to provide the systems with a plurality of aerial line support devices to support the hauling cable. These aerial line support devices are known in the field by the name of "intermediate suspension devices" and are substantially V-shaped coupled directly to the supporting cables for each transport branch. In particular, the upper ends of the aerial line support device are respectively secured to the two supporting cables of the transport branch and the groove, or lower vertex, acts as a support for the hauling cable which, therefore, cannot locally extend lower than said aerial line support. Said vertex is provided with a roller and in this way the moving hauling cable is not damaged by the aerial line support. As it occurs during the passage of the vehicle along the shoe, when the vehicle passes next to the aerial line support, the hauling cable is lifted by the support roller on which it returns to rest as the vehicle moves away.

[0006] As described, therefore, there is a cyclical lifting and subsequent lowering of the hauling cable which generates vertical oscillations of the cable itself. These vertical oscillations propagate along the cable with increasing frequency as it approaches the next fixed support or the next station. The increasing frequency can be explained by the decreasing cable length between the moving vehicle and the next fixed point along the moving direction of the vehicle. Said oscillations are annoying for passengers in the cable car.

[0007] AT342655 describes a support for supporting the hauling cable of a cableway system. According to AT342655 the support is attached to a fixed structure (pylon or tower) and comprises a mobile roller with spring suspension. Documents EP2853460A1 and WO02009040433A1 describe further cable transportation systems comprising aerial line support devices as described above.Description of the invention

[0008] In order to solve the problem just described, the present invention proposes a new and inventive aerial cable transportation system for transporting passengers and / or cargo comprising: a first terminal station and a second terminal station; a hauling cable movable and arranged in a loop between the stations to form two branches of opposite transport direction; two supporting cables for each transport branch between the stations, wherein the hauling cable is placed under (and between, in plan view) the supporting cables; a plurality of vehicles for transporting passengers and / or cargo configured to run along the transport branches in aerial configuration between the stations supported by the supporting cables and hauled by the hauling cable to which they are coupled (preferably selectively) by means of a clamp; at least one aerial line support device to support the hauling cable outside the stations (and between the pylons if provided). Like known aerial line support devices, the aerial line support device of the present invention comprises furthermore a frame having upper ends coupled to the supporting cables and a lower end (or groove) which supports at least one roller configured to support the hauling cable. A person skilled in the art knows well how an aerial line support is made and how its upper ends and the lower roller collaborate with the supporting cables and the hauling cable (placed at a lower level), respectively.

[0009] Starting from said known configuration, the main aspect of the present invention is to have the roller of the aerial line support movable relative to the frame so as to be able to cyclically pass from a distal or lowered position to a proximal or raised position wherein: in the distal or lowered position (imposed by the weight of the hauling cable when the vehicles are in a distal position, that is, far enough away, from the aerial line support device) the roller supports the hauling cable; and in the proximal or raised position (that the roller reaches spontaneously due to at least one spring and to the progressive approach of a vehicle as the downward thrust of the lifting hauling cable ceases) a useful space between the upper ends of the frame and the roller (raised) is formed so as to allow the passage of the vehicle clamp coupled to the hauling cable (raised).

[0010] Preferably, the aerial line support device comprises at least one damping device configured so that the motion of the roller between the proximal or raised and distal or lowered positions occurs in a damped manner.

[0011] Preferably, the aerial line support device comprises end stops to limit the proximal or raised and distal or lowered positions of the roller.

[0012] Preferably, the frame of the aerial line support device comprises a V-shaped inlet portion, a V-shaped outlet portion and a lower bridge portion between the inlet and the outlet; in which a rotatable arm is provided with a first end supporting the roller and a second end coupled with a pin to the bridge portion. Even more preferably, in this case the pivot pin of the support arm is placed substantially downstream of the inlet portion and the roller is placed substantially upstream of the outlet portion.

[0013] If the system comprises at least one support pylon for the cables between the stations, the at least one aerial line support device of the present invention is preferably arranged upstream, that is, along the motion direction of the vehicle just before entering the shoe of the pylon and / or entering a station. Upstream of a pylon means that there are no other support devices between the support device and the pylon.

[0014] Preferably, as the vehicle passes through the aerial line support device, the clamp is supported by the roller in its proximal position raised or slightly lowered by the clamp itself.

[0015] The advantages of the present invention are many. As described, after the passage of the vehicle the hauling cable lowers and returns into contact with the roller of the aerial line support device and the roller is lowered by the weight of the cable itself towards the distal position (winning the spring and damping forces, if present). The vertical oscillation generated by the motion of the vehicle is dampened accordingly and annoying vibrations are no longer perceived in the cable car. Furthermore, the proposed solution with a mobile roller is a purely mechanical system that is simple, robust and can also be mounted at a later time if necessary.

[0016] Obviously, all aerial line support devices of a system can be the new aerial line support devices described and claimed herein. Or some known aerial line support devices and some (at least one) new aerial line support devices described and claimed herein may be provided.List of the figures

[0017] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear clear from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the attached drawings, wherein: Figure 1 schematically shows a portion of an aerial cable transportation system that can be improved with the present invention; Figure 2 shows the enlargement of the portion indicated with reference II in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 show portions of the system of Figure 1 along two opposite path branches wherein the positioning of the new aerial line support device according to the present invention is shown; Figures 5-11 show different use phases of the new aerial line support device according to the present invention; Description of an embodiment of the invention

[0018] Referring to the attached figures, Figure 1 schematically shows a portion of an aerial cable transportation system indicated as a whole with reference 1 and which can be improved due to the present invention. In said non-limiting embodiment, the aerial cable system 1 comprises two supporting cables 2 and a hauling cable 13 which is placed under the supporting cables. In Figure 1 a first terminal station 14 for boarding and off boarding passengers is shown. This example comprises two parallel transport branches which identify an uphill branch and a downhill branch of the system. The arrows A and B in Figure 1 indicate the advancement directions of the up and down branches. Figure 1 shows one of the multiple vehicles 3 provided in the system which run one after the other along both the up and down branches. In the representation of Figure 1, a first vehicle 3 is in station 14 and a second vehicle 17 has just left station 14, at the exit of which it is supported in aerial configuration by the supporting cables 2 and moved (clamped) by the hauling cable 13. Therefore, the second vehicle 3 shown in Figure 1 is traveling along the uphill branch (direction A) and is arranged between the station 14 and a first fixed intermediate support structure 15 in the form of a pylon 16. The function of the pylons 16 arranged between the stations is to divide the cables into distinct spans. In the example of Figure 1, each vehicle 3 comprises a cabin 17, a trolley 19 coupled to the supporting cables 2 and a suspension arm 18 which connects the roof of the cabin 17 to the trolley 19. Finally, in Figure 1 it is possible to see how at the top of the pylon 16 a support shoe 4 assembly is provided for the supporting cables 2 with an inlet portion 5 and an outlet portion 6.

[0019] Figure 2 shows the enlargement of the portion indicated with reference II in Figure 1. In this figure it is shown how the system 1 comprises two supporting cables 2 and a hauling cable 13. Figure 2 shows a trolley 19 provided with rollers 20 for rolling on the supporting cables 2. Reference 25 indicates the clamp for (selective) coupling to the hauling cable 13. The shoe 4 is only partially visible in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, along the shoe 4 the supporting cables 2 are housed in appropriate U-shaped seats on the upper end of the shoe 4 while the hauling cable 13 advances along a series of rollers 21 located at a lower level. As is known, by passing over the shoe the clamp locally lifts the hauling cable 13 (for this purpose the hauling cable is not arranged excessively in tension between the stations). As is known, between two adjacent pylons or between the stations and the adjacent pylon it is necessary to provide the system with devices capable of supporting, that is, keeping raised, the hauling cable because otherwise the hauling cable 13 would assume a conformation that is too low compared to the supporting cables 2. Figures 3 and 4 show two sections of the system 1 comprised between two pylons 15 along the two travel branches A and B in which are provided support devices for the hauling cable made in the form of aerial "intermediate suspension devices". The aerial line support devices indicated with reference 29 can be considered aerial line support devices according to the known art. On the contrary, reference 30 in Figures 3 and 4 indicates the new aerial line support device of the present invention which is preferably arranged substantially in proximity to the inlet portion of the pylons along the motion direction of the vehicles. The reason for said preferential arrangement upstream of the pylon is linked to the fact that, as mentioned in the chapter relating to the prior art, in this section of the path which precedes the entry of the vehicle into the shoe the hauling cable is subject to vertical oscillations which can be unfortunately perceived in the cabin and the aerial line support device of the present invention has precisely the purpose of dampening these annoying oscillations. Obviously, the present invention does not preclude that also (or alternatively) the aerial line support devices indicated with the reference 29 can be replaced with the new support devices 30.

[0020] Figures 5-11 show different phases of use of the new aerial line support device 30 according to the present invention. Figures 5 and 8 show views of the aerial line support device 30 and its cooperation with the cables 2 and 13 when the trolley 19 (and therefore the vehicle 3) are distal or far from the support device 30. By distal it is meant a distance such as not to modify the spontaneous position of the hauling cable 13 which, as already mentioned, tends to spontaneously yield downwards relative to the supporting cables 2. Like the aerial line support devices known today, the aerial line support device 30 comprises a frame 31 having two first ends 32, or upper ends, configured to be coupled to the supporting cables 2 and a second end 33, or lower groove end, configured to be coupled to the hauling cable 13. In particular, the first ends 32 are configured to be integral with the supporting cables 2 while the second end 33 comprises a roller 34 for rolling the hauling cable 13. As is known, the hauling cable 13 rests on the roller 34 when the vehicle 3 is in a distal position as shown in Figures 5 and 8. An innovative aspect of the present invention is to have made the roller of the aerial line support device not fixed relative to the frame but movable between a distal or lowered position and a proximal or raised position relative to the supporting cables 2 (or to the first ends 32). In particular, as shown in Figure 5, a spring acts on the roller 34 configured to force the roller 24 towards the proximal position relative to the supporting cables 2. Said force is however overcome by the weight of the hauling cable 13 which, when the vehicle is in distal position from the support device 30, holds the roller 34 in the lowered distal position relative to the supporting cables 2. Special end stops 39, 40 are provided to limit by design the distal and proximal positions of the roller 34 relative to the supporting cables. As precedingly described, as the vehicle approaches the aerial line support device 30, the hauling cable 13 is progressively raised and approaches the supporting cables 2. Due to the effect of the spring 35, at least in the first steps of the ascent of the cable 13 the roller 34 continues to support the same by following its ascent motion up to the proximal position beyond which the roller 34 stops its ascent and the cable 13 continues the ascent. It is in fact necessary to have free space for the clamp 25 to pass over the roller 34. Preferably, it can be foreseen that the proximal position of the roller is such that upon passage the clamp 25 is in contact with the roller 34. Figure 6 shows an advanced approaching step of the vehicle to the aerial line support device 30 in which the roller 34 has already reached the proximal position and the hauling cable 13 is in an intermediate position between the roller 34 and the supporting cables. Figures 7 and 9 instead show the step of the passage of the vehicle in the aerial line support device 30 in which the clamp 25 is substantially in contact with the roller 34 in its raised proximal position or in a slightly lowered position precisely due to the effect of the passage of the clamp. When the vehicle 3 passes the aerial line support device 30, the hauling cable 13 begins its descent until impacting the roller 34 in its raised proximal position. In the subsequent steps the roller 34 is pushed downwards by the cable 13 until it reaches its lowered distal position. In the example shown, the aerial line support device 30 has its own extension along the cables and comprises an inlet portion (V-shaped as shown in Figure 8), an outlet portion and a lower bridge or fixed portion which, in the area of the second end, connects the inlet and outlet portions. The roller 34 is located just upstream of the outlet portion and is supported by an arm 36 rotatable relative to a pin 37 (horizontal and orthogonal to the cables 2) just downstream of the outlet portion. The spring 35 connects the arm 36 to the fixed bridge portion 38 of the frame. The end stops 39, 40 are nothing more than portions of the arm 36 which collaborate with corresponding portions 39, 40 of the fixed bridge portion 38. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, at least one damping device 41 is provided which connects the arm 36 to the fixed portion 38 of the bridge. The downward (and upward) motion of the roller is therefore damped or cushioned. Figures 10 and 11 show only the fixed portion 38 of the bridge and the arm 36 of the roller 34 to better highlight its distal and proximal configurations.

[0021] It is clear that modifications and alternatives can be made to the invention just described in this construction example compared to the example shown in the figures. The main aspect of the present invention lies in the innovative aerial line support device with a support roller for the hauling cable which is movable towards and away from the supporting cables to dampen the vertical oscillations of the hauling cable.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0018]Referring to the attached figures, Figure 1 schematically shows a portion of an aerial cable transportation system indicated as a whole with reference 1 and which can be improved due to the present invention. In said non-limiting embodiment, the aerial cable system 1 comprises two supporting cables 2 and a hauling cable 13 which is placed under the supporting cables. In Figure 1 a first terminal station 14 for boarding and off boarding passengers is shown. This example comprises two parallel transport branches which identify an uphill branch and a downhill branch of the system. The arrows A and B in Figure 1 indicate the advancement directions of the up and down branches. Figure 1 shows one of the multiple vehicles 3 provided in the system which run one after the other along both the up and down branches. In the representation of Figure 1, a first vehicle 3 is in station 14 and a second vehicle 17 has just left station 14, at the exit of which it is supported in aerial configu...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102023000008856 filed on May 4, 2023Technical field

[0002] The reference technical field of the present invention refers to the field of aerial cable transportation systems. In particular, the present invention refers to aerial cable transportation systems comprising a hauling cable and two supporting cables. In these systems a plurality of transportation units is provided for transporting passengers or cargo running between two terminal stations one after the other in aerial configuration along the supporting cables moved by the hauling cable. In this context, the present invention will address the problem of how to improve the aerial line support devices provided along the system between the terminal stations and configured to support the hauling cable.State of the art

[0003] Present-day aerial cable transportation systems are widely used, and therefore are generally well known to a technician operating in this particular technical field. In these systems, passengers or cargo are transported along a route in special transportation units, for example cable cars, seats, or other equipment, which will be called "vehicles" for simplicity in the following. The route is delimited at opposite ends by two terminal boarding and landing stations and the vehicles are fed in aerial configuration one after the other along a first branch from the first station to the second and along a second branch (usually parallel to the first) from the second station to the first. In particular, according to the present invention the term "aerial" refers to cable systems in which the vehicles are moved along at least one supporting cable in a raised position relative to the ground below (namely, aerial configuration). The present invention preferably refers to aerial transportation systems with one or two supporting cables per transport branch. As described above, for the purposes of the present invention the vehicles are supported in the aerial condition by two supporting cables and the movement between stations is generated by a hauling cable to which all units are selectively coupled or attached when traveling from one station to the other. As is known, in the station the vehicles are unhooked from the hauling cable so that they can advance more slowly than the vehicles moving outside the stations. Again, as is known, the hauling cable is arranged in a loop in the terminal stations, which for said purpose house special pulleys, at least one of which is motorized, while the supporting cables are substantially fixed with ends secured in the terminal stations. The supporting cables are in fact moved between the stations only during the maintenance. In an aerial cable transportation system of the type described and subject of the present invention, each vehicle is provided with an aerial suspension comprising a support arm with a lower end coupled to the roof of the cabin and an upper end coupled to a trolley with two rows of rollers rolling on the supporting cables. Just below the rows of rollers a clamp (or equivalent devices) is provided for selective coupling to the hauling cable.

[0004] An aerial cable transportation system as just described above turns out to be very useful when the conformation of the underlying terrain, or other surrounding factors, do not make classic land movement practicable. For example, said aerial cable systems are used when the route to be followed involves significant changes in altitude, even with considerable gradients. Said route is typical of ski / mountain resort areas and in said context these systems are also called ski lifts. However, the present invention and the aerial cable transportation systems in general also find advantageous application in urban contexts where land transport is congested.

[0005] As is known, it is often necessary to also provide fixed intermediate structures along the route between the terminal stations configured to support portions of the supporting cables. One reason for requiring said intermediate fixed structures may be the excessive distance between the terminal stations such that it is not possible to arrange the supporting cables in a single span. Another reason could be the altimetric profile of the path in case there are significant changes in slope. Each intermediate fixed support structure for the supporting cables usually comprises a vertical support structure, such as for example a pylon or a tower, on top of which support devices known as "shoes" are provided. In particular, the shoe comprises substantially U-shaped seats for supporting the supporting cables. Along the shoe, the hauling cable is instead supported by a series of rollers arranged below the seat of the supporting cables. When vehicles pass over these shoes, the hauling cable is raised to allow the clamp to pass over the rollers. In order to allow said raising of the hauling cable, the latter cannot be excessively tensioned between the stations. In fact, the more tensioned the hauling cable, the higher the mechanical effort needed to lift the same. As a result of this configuration of the hauling cable, in the span between the stations, for example between two pylons, the hauling cable could therefore be placed in an excessively deviated or lowered position ("deflection") relative to the supporting cables with consequent greater effort required for the lifting thereof when vehicles pass and a problem of excessive proximity to the ground below. To limit said excessive downward deviation of the hauling cable outside the stations and in the span between two pylons (if provided), it is now known to provide the systems with a plurality of aerial line support devices to support the hauling cable. These aerial line support devices are known in the field by the name of "intermediate suspension devices" and are substantially V-shaped coupled directly to the supporting cables for each transport branch. In particular, the upper ends of the aerial line support device are respectively secured to the two supporting cables of the transport branch and the groove, or lower vertex, acts as a support for the hauling cable which, therefore, cannot locally extend lower than said aerial line support. Said vertex is provided with a roller and in this way the moving hauling cable is not damaged by the aerial line support. As it occurs during the passage of the vehicle along the shoe, when the vehicle passes next to the aerial line support, the hauling cable is lifted by the support roller on which it returns to rest as the vehicle moves away.

[0006] As described, therefore, there is a cyclical lifting and subsequent lowering of the hauling cable which generates vertical oscillations of the cable itself. These vertical oscillations propagate along the cable with increasing frequency as it approaches the next fixed support or the next station. The increasing frequency can be explained by the decreasing cable length between the moving vehicle and the next fixed point along the moving direction of the vehicle. Said oscillations are annoying for passengers in the cable car.

[0007] AT342655 describes a support for supporting the hauling cable of a cableway system. According to AT342655 the support is attached to a fixed structure (pylon or tower) and comprises a mobile roller with spring suspension. Documents EP2853460A1 and WO02009040433A1 describe further cable transportation systems comprising aerial line support devices as described above.Description of the invention

[0008] In order to solve the problem just described, the present invention proposes a new and inventive aerial cable transportation system for transporting passengers and / or cargo comprising: a first terminal station and a second terminal station; a hauling cable movable and arranged in a loop between the stations to form two branches of opposite transport direction; two supporting cables for each transport branch between the stations, wherein the hauling cable is placed under (and between, in plan view) the supporting cables; a plurality of vehicles for transporting passengers and / or cargo configured to run along the transport branches in aerial configuration between the stations supported by the supporting cables and hauled by the hauling cable to which they are coupled (preferably selectively) by means of a clamp; at least one aerial line support device to support the hauling cable outside the stations (and between the pylons if provided). Like known aerial line support devices, the aerial line support device of the present invention comprises furthermore a frame having upper ends coupled to the supporting cables and a lower end (or groove) which supports at least one roller configured to support the hauling cable. A person skilled in the art knows well how an aerial line support is made and how its upper ends and the lower roller collaborate with the supporting cables and the hauling cable (placed at a lower level), respectively.

[0009] Starting from said known configuration, the main aspect of the present invention is to have the roller of the aerial line support movable relative to the frame so as to be able to cyclically pass from a distal or lowered position to a proximal or raised position wherein: in the distal or lowered position (imposed by the weight of the hauling cable when the vehicles are in a distal position, that is, far enough away, from the aerial line support device) the roller supports the hauling cable; and in the proximal or raised position (that the roller reaches spontaneously due to at least one spring and to the progressive approach of a vehicle as the downward thrust of the lifting hauling cable ceases) a useful space between the upper ends of the frame and the roller (raised) is formed so as to allow the passage of the vehicle clamp coupled to the hauling cable (raised).

[0010] Preferably, the aerial line support device comprises at least one damping device configured so that the motion of the roller between the proximal or raised and distal or lowered positions occurs in a damped manner.

[0011] Preferably, the aerial line support device comprises end stops to limit the proximal or raised and distal or lowered positions of the roller.

[0012] Preferably, the frame of the aerial line support device comprises a V-shaped inlet portion, a V-shaped outlet portion and a lower bridge portion between the inlet and the outlet; in which a rotatable arm is provided with a first end supporting the roller and a second end coupled with a pin to the bridge portion. Even more preferably, in this case the pivot pin of the support arm is placed substantially downstream of the inlet portion and the roller is placed substantially upstream of the outlet portion.

[0013] If the system comprises at least one support pylon for the cables between the stations, the at least one aerial line support device of the present invention is preferably arranged upstream, that is, along the motion direction of the vehicle just before entering the shoe of the pylon and / or entering a station. Upstream of a pylon means that there are no other support devices between the support device and the pylon.

[0014] Preferably, as the vehicle passes through the aerial line support device, the clamp is supported by the roller in its proximal position raised or slightly lowered by the clamp itself.

[0015] The advantages of the present invention are many. As described, after the passage of the vehicle the hauling cable lowers and returns into contact with the roller of the aerial line support device and the roller is lowered by the weight of the cable itself towards the distal position (winning the spring and damping forces, if present). The vertical oscillation generated by the motion of the vehicle is dampened accordingly and annoying vibrations are no longer perceived in the cable car. Furthermore, the proposed solution with a mobile roller is a purely mechanical system that is simple, robust and can also be mounted at a later time if necessary.

[0016] Obviously, all aerial line support devices of a system can be the new aerial line support devices described and claimed herein. Or some known aerial line support devices and some (at least one) new aerial line support devices described and claimed herein may be provided.List of the figures

[0017] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear clear from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the attached drawings, wherein: Figure 1 schematically shows a portion of an aerial cable transportation system that can be improved with the present invention; Figure 2 shows the enlargement of the portion indicated with reference II in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 show portions of the system of Figure 1 along two opposite path branches wherein the positioning of the new aerial line support device according to the present invention is shown; Figures 5-11 show different use phases of the new aerial line support device according to the present invention; Description of an embodiment of the invention

[0018] Referring to the attached figures, Figure 1 schematically shows a portion of an aerial cable transportation system indicated as a whole with reference 1 and which can be improved due to the present invention. In said non-limiting embodiment, the aerial cable system 1 comprises two supporting cables 2 and a hauling cable 13 which is placed under the supporting cables. In Figure 1 a first terminal station 14 for boarding and off boarding passengers is shown. This example comprises two parallel transport branches which identify an uphill branch and a downhill branch of the system. The arrows A and B in Figure 1 indicate the advancement directions of the up and down branches. Figure 1 shows one of the multiple vehicles 3 provided in the system which run one after the other along both the up and down branches. In the representation of Figure 1, a first vehicle 3 is in station 14 and a second vehicle 17 has just left station 14, at the exit of which it is supported in aerial configuration by the supporting cables 2 and moved (clamped) by the hauling cable 13. Therefore, the second vehicle 3 shown in Figure 1 is traveling along the uphill branch (direction A) and is arranged between the station 14 and a first fixed intermediate support structure 15 in the form of a pylon 16. The function of the pylons 16 arranged between the stations is to divide the cables into distinct spans. In the example of Figure 1, each vehicle 3 comprises a cabin 17, a trolley 19 coupled to the supporting cables 2 and a suspension arm 18 which connects the roof of the cabin 17 to the trolley 19. Finally, in Figure 1 it is possible to see how at the top of the pylon 16 a support shoe 4 assembly is provided for the supporting cables 2 with an inlet portion 5 and an outlet portion 6.

[0019] Figure 2 shows the enlargement of the portion indicated with reference II in Figure 1. In this figure it is shown how the system 1 comprises two supporting cables 2 and a hauling cable 13. Figure 2 shows a trolley 19 provided with rollers 20 for rolling on the supporting cables 2. Reference 25 indicates the clamp for (selective) coupling to the hauling cable 13. The shoe 4 is only partially visible in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, along the shoe 4 the supporting cables 2 are housed in appropriate U-shaped seats on the upper end of the shoe 4 while the hauling cable 13 advances along a series of rollers 21 located at a lower level. As is known, by passing over the shoe the clamp locally lifts the hauling cable 13 (for this purpose the hauling cable is not arranged excessively in tension between the stations). As is known, between two adjacent pylons or between the stations and the adjacent pylon it is necessary to provide the system with devices capable of supporting, that is, keeping raised, the hauling cable because otherwise the hauling cable 13 would assume a conformation that is too low compared to the supporting cables 2. Figures 3 and 4 show two sections of the system 1 comprised between two pylons 15 along the two travel branches A and B in which are provided support devices for the hauling cable made in the form of aerial "intermediate suspension devices". The aerial line support devices indicated with reference 29 can be considered aerial line support devices according to the known art. On the contrary, reference 30 in Figures 3 and 4 indicates the new aerial line support device of the present invention which is preferably arranged substantially in proximity to the inlet portion of the pylons along the motion direction of the vehicles. The reason for said preferential arrangement upstream of the pylon is linked to the fact that, as mentioned in the chapter relating to the prior art, in this section of the path which precedes the entry of the vehicle into the shoe the hauling cable is subject to vertical oscillations which can be unfortunately perceived in the cabin and the aerial line support device of the present invention has precisely the purpose of dampening these annoying oscillations. Obviously, the present invention does not preclude that also (or alternatively) the aerial line support devices indicated with the reference 29 can be replaced with the new support devices 30.

[0020] Figures 5-11 show different phases of use of the new aerial line support device 30 according to the present invention. Figures 5 and 8 show views of the aerial line support device 30 and its cooperation with the cables 2 and 13 when the trolley 19 (and therefore the vehicle 3) are distal or far from the support device 30. By distal it is meant a distance such as not to modify the spontaneous position of the hauling cable 13 which, as already mentioned, tends to spontaneously yield downwards relative to the supporting cables 2. Like the aerial line support devices known today, the aerial line support device 30 comprises a frame 31 having two first ends 32, or upper ends, configured to be coupled to the supporting cables 2 and a second end 33, or lower groove end, configured to be coupled to the hauling cable 13. In particular, the first ends 32 are configured to be integral with the supporting cables 2 while the second end 33 comprises a roller 34 for rolling the hauling cable 13. As is known, the hauling cable 13 rests on the roller 34 when the vehicle 3 is in a distal position as shown in Figures 5 and 8. An innovative aspect of the present invention is to have made the roller of the aerial line support device not fixed relative to the frame but movable between a distal or lowered position and a proximal or raised position relative to the supporting cables 2 (or to the first ends 32). In particular, as shown in Figure 5, a spring acts on the roller 34 configured to force the roller 24 towards the proximal position relative to the supporting cables 2. Said force is however overcome by the weight of the hauling cable 13 which, when the vehicle is in distal position from the support device 30, holds the roller 34 in the lowered distal position relative to the supporting cables 2. Special end stops 39, 40 are provided to limit by design the distal and proximal positions of the roller 34 relative to the supporting cables. As precedingly described, as the vehicle approaches the aerial line support device 30, the hauling cable 13 is progressively raised and approaches the supporting cables 2. Due to the effect of the spring 35, at least in the first steps of the ascent of the cable 13 the roller 34 continues to support the same by following its ascent motion up to the proximal position beyond which the roller 34 stops its ascent and the cable 13 continues the ascent. It is in fact necessary to have free space for the clamp 25 to pass over the roller 34. Preferably, it can be foreseen that the proximal position of the roller is such that upon passage the clamp 25 is in contact with the roller 34. Figure 6 shows an advanced approaching step of the vehicle to the aerial line support device 30 in which the roller 34 has already reached the proximal position and the hauling cable 13 is in an intermediate position between the roller 34 and the supporting cables. Figures 7 and 9 instead show the step of the passage of the vehicle in the aerial line support device 30 in which the clamp 25 is substantially in contact with the roller 34 in its raised proximal position or in a slightly lowered position precisely due to the effect of the passage of the clamp. When the vehicle 3 passes the aerial line support device 30, the hauling cable 13 begins its descent until impacting the roller 34 in its raised proximal position. In the subsequent steps the roller 34 is pushed downwards by the cable 13 until it reaches its lowered distal position. In the example shown, the aerial line support device 30 has its own extension along the cables and comprises an inlet portion (V-shaped as shown in Figure 8), an outlet portion and a lower bridge or fixed portion which, in the area of the second end, connects the inlet and outlet portions. The roller 34 is located just upstream of the outlet portion and is supported by an arm 36 rotatable relative to a pin 37 (horizontal and orthogonal to the cables 2) just downstream of the outlet portion. The spring 35 connects the arm 36 to the fixed bridge portion 38 of the frame. The end stops 39, 40 are nothing more than portions of the arm 36 which collaborate with corresponding portions 39, 40 of the fixed bridge portion 38. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, at least one damping device 41 is provided which connects the arm 36 to the fixed portion 38 of the bridge. The downward (and upward) motion of the roller is therefore damped or cushioned. Figures 10 and 11 show only the fixed portion 38 of the bridge and the arm 36 of the roller 34 to better highlight its distal and proximal configurations.

[0021] It is clear that modifications and alternatives can be made to the invention just described in this construction example compared to the example shown in the figures. The main aspect of the present invention lies in the innovative aerial line support device with a support roller for the hauling cable which is movable towards and away from the supporting cables to dampen the vertical oscillations of the hauling cable.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0018]Referring to the attached figures, Figure 1 schematically shows a portion of an aerial cable transportation system indicated as a whole with reference 1 and which can be improved due to the present invention. In said non-limiting embodiment, the aerial cable system 1 comprises two supporting cables 2 and a hauling cable 13 which is placed under the supporting cables. In Figure 1 a first terminal station 14 for boarding and off boarding passengers is shown. This example comprises two parallel transport branches which identify an uphill branch and a downhill branch of the system. The arrows A and B in Figure 1 indicate the advancement directions of the up and down branches. Figure 1 shows one of the multiple vehicles 3 provided in the system which run one after the other along both the up and down branches. In the representation of Figure 1, a first vehicle 3 is in station 14 and a second vehicle 17 has just left station 14, at the exit of which it is supported in aerial configu...

Claims

1. An aerial cable transportation system (1) for transporting passengers and / or cargo; wherein the system comprises: - a first terminal station (14) and a second terminal station; - a hauling cable (13) movable and arranged in a loop between the terminal stations to form two branches of opposite transport direction; - two supporting cables (2) for each transport branch between the stations, the hauling cable (13) being placed under the supporting cables (2); - a plurality of vehicles (3) for transporting passengers and / or cargo configured to run along the transport branches in aerial configuration between the terminal stations supported by the supporting cables (2) and hauled by the hauling cable (13) to which they are coupled by means of a clamp; - at least one aerial line support device (30) coupled to the supporting cables (2) between the stations; wherein the aerial line support device (30) comprises a frame (31) having upper ends (32) configured to couple to the supporting cables (2) and a lower end (33) supporting a roller (34) configured to support the hauling cable (13); characterized in that the roller (34) of the aerial line support device (30) is movable relative to the first upper ends (32) of the frame (31) between a distal or lowered position and a proximal or raised position; being provided at least one spring (35) configured to force the roller (34) towards the proximal or raised position; wherein - when the vehicles (3) are in a distal position from the aerial line support device (30) due to the weight of the hauling cable (13) the roller (34) is in the distal or lowered position and supports the hauling cable (13); and - when the vehicles (3) pass along the aerial line support device (30) and with the hauling cable (13) raised, the roller (34) is in the proximal or raised position and a useful space between the first ends of the frame (32) and the roller (34) is provided so as to allow the passage of the clamp of the vehicles (3).

2. The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the support device (30) comprises at least one damping device (41) configured so that the motion of the roller (34) between the proximal and distal positions occurs in a damped manner.

3. The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the support device (30) comprises end stops for limiting the proximal or raised and distal or lowered positions of the roller (34) .

4. The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame of the support device comprises a V-shaped inlet portion, a V-shaped outlet portion and a lower bridge portion (38) between the inlet and outlet portions; the upper ends of the inlet and outlet portions being secured to the supporting cables; an arm (36) being provided pivoting with a first end supporting the roller (34) and a second end coupled with a pin (37) to the bridge portion (38).

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pivot pin (37) of the support arm is located substantially downstream of the inlet portion and the roller (34) is located substantially upstream of the outlet portion.

6. The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises at least one pylon (15) supporting the cables (2, 13) between the stations, the at least one aerial line support device (30) between the stations and the at least one pylon; preferably near the inlet portion of at least one pylon (15) and / or the stations along the motion direction of the vehicles.

7. The system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each vehicle comprises at least one clamp (25) coupling to the hauling cable (13), wherein as the vehicle (3) passes through the aerial line support device (30) the clamp (25) is supported by the roller (34) in a proximal or raised position.

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