Cable Transportation Anchor Devices for Periodic Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cable transportation systems face challenges in safely and efficiently sliding supporting cables between terminal stations, which is labor-intensive and requires external equipment, leading to prolonged downtimes and potential cable damage.
Innovation Solution
The system employs anchor devices within the terminal stations to selectively block and anchor the supporting cable ends, allowing for quick and safe stepped sliding, using a combination of winding drums, fixed and mobile clamps, and molten heads guided by blocking pins and actuators, eliminating the need for external equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the supporting cable is periodically slid to redistribute stress and extend cable life, then cable durability is improved, but the operation becomes labor-intensive and requires external equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own internal components (winding drums, clamps, and actuators already present in the terminal stations) to perform the cable sliding operation, eliminating the need for external equipment. The anchor devices are part of the normal system infrastructure and are repurposed for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces mobile clamps as intermediary elements that temporarily attach to the cable end to enable controlled sliding. These mobile clamps act as mediators between the cable and the winding drum, allowing the cable to be moved safely and precisely without direct manual handling.
2Reliability
If the supporting cable is slid regularly to prevent local damage at the shoe, then cable reliability is improved, but system downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile clamps are designed to be pre-positioned and ready for use, and the winding drums are continuously rotatable. This allows the cable sliding operation to begin immediately when needed, without requiring extensive preparation or setup time, thereby minimizing system downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical operations with an actuator-driven system. The actuators provide controlled, automated movement of the mobile clamps and winding drums, reducing the time and labor required for cable sliding operations compared to traditional manual methods.
3Reliability
If external equipment is used to slide the supporting cable, then cable safety during operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The winding drums and clamps are designed to serve dual purposes: normal system operation (anchoring and tensioning the cable) and maintenance operation (sliding the cable to redistribute stress). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile clamps serve as safe intermediaries during the cable sliding operation, providing controlled attachment and detachment points. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the cable is always properly secured during the sliding process, maintaining safety without requiring complex external safety equipment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cable transportation system (1) comprising: a first terminal station (2); a second terminal station (3); a plurality of transporting units (4) moved between the terminal stations (2, 3); at least one supporting cable (5) for supporting the transporting units (4) between the terminal stations (2, 3); wherein the supporting cable (5) comprises a first end (6) housed inside the first terminal station (2) and a second end (7) housed inside the second terminal station (3); a first anchor device (8) for anchoring the first end (6) of the supporting cable (5) inside the first terminal station (2); a second anchor device (9) for anchoring the second end (7) of the supporting cable (5) inside the second terminal station (3); wherein the anchor devices (8, 9) are configured to selectively block the ends (6, 7) of the supporting cable (5) inside the respective terminal stations (2, 3) and to allow a stepped sliding of the supporting cable (5) between the terminal stations (2, 3).