Railways – Endless train
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-10
2001-06-12
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Railways
Endless train
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244188
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is in the field of the conveying technology and concerns a device for driving bodies along a predetermined course or path using a hauling means to which the bodies to be driven are coupled.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to drive bodies along predetermined paths by coupling them to a hauling means moving substantially in parallel to the predetermined path. This kind of hauling means is e.g. an endless chain driven and guided by chain wheels and possibly further guided in a guiding channel along the predetermined path. For coupling, bodies and chain are guided together and e.g. teeth (passive coupling means) arranged on the bodies engage in the chain such coupling the bodies to the chain such that they are hauled along the path by the chain. In this kind of system, coupling works faultlessly only if the chain and the bodies are brought together in a synchronized manner or if the bodies so to speak wait for being hauled in a predetermined position. In any case, coupling and hauling is governed by a rhythm which is determined by the design of the chain and by its speed. The same is valid for “active” coupling means which are brought into a coupling position or configuration for being coupled to a hauling chain.
It is also known to use hauling ropes for hauling in the same manner as described for a hauling chain. The bodies are coupled to a hauling rope with the aid of active coupling means, e.g. by clamps. The clamps are brought into a clamping position in which they are tightened around the rope and locked by friction. For de-coupling, the clamps are opened. Systems with this kind of hauling-rope-drive can be operated in a rhythm which is determined by other elements than the rope and its speed and which may also vary. They can also be operated without any regular rhythm because the coupling means can be coupled to any part of the rope length.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a device for driving bodies along a predetermined path, which device comprises a hauling means along the predetermined path and coupling means for coupling the bodies to the hauling means. The inventive device is simple and does not determine the rhythm of coupling which means that it can be used for a large variety of applications and can be combined with a large variety of other drives. Additionally, the inventive device is applicable in a substantially unchanged manner for the most varied predetermined paths, i.e. for paths with gradients, with curves and/or with torsion.
A principle feature of a device in accordance with the invention is a coupling means which comprises a first coupling element arranged on the hauling means and a second coupling element on the body to be driven. The two coupling elements are arranged on body and hauling means in a manner matched to each other and substantially parallel to the predetermined path and they have a substantially constant cross-section over their lengths, whereby the first coupling element extends over the whole predetermined path and the second coupling element extends over at least part of the body to be driven. One coupling element is elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined path and the other one is designed so that when the coupling elements are pressed against each other it deforms the elastically deformable element such that elastic forces are generated between the coupling elements, which forces are directed perpendicular to the predetermined path and cause friction between the coupling elements, which friction prevents the coupling elements from moving relative to each other in a direction parallel to the predetermined path.
For a coupling step, the hauling means and the body to be driven are brought against each other such that, in a coupling station, the two coupling elements are pressed against each other resulting in a friction-type locking of the two. In the coupling station, suitable guiding means are provided in order to prevent the hauling means and the body to be coupled to the hauling means from being displaced perpendicular to the predetermined path when they are pressed together. For de-coupling the body from the hauling means, the hauling means and the body are guided away from each other in a decoupling station such that the coupling elements are pulled apart and thus separated from each other. In the de-coupling station, suitable guide means are provided in order to prevent displacement of the hauling means or of the body to be de-coupled perpendicular to the predetermined path. The deformable and the deforming coupling elements are designed and matched to each other such that the deformation is maintained after coupling without external forces.
For creating a sufficient friction-type locking between the two coupling elements, the material matching and the strength and manner of the deformation of the one coupling element by the other coupling element are chosen such that the resulting friction is larger than the inertia and the friction to be overcome on hauling.
As the coupling elements extend with substantially constant cross-section and substantially parallel to the predetermined path on the body and on the hauling means, coupling is possible in any position of the hauling means, i.e., the device does not have an inherent coupling rhythm.
The hauling means of the inventive device is e.g. an elongated tape having a cross-section which is substantially the same over its whole length. Due to the fact that the tape is elastically deformable perpendicular to its length, e.g., compressible, it serves as the first coupling element itself. This tape is, e.g., ring-shaped and is arranged along the predetermined path with the help of deflection rollers of which at least a part is driven. A body to be coupled to the tape comprises, as a second coupling element, a groove which can be oriented to be substantially parallel to the predetermined path and which has two open ends and a cross-section such that a length of the tape is positionable in the groove in an elastically compressed state. Due to the compression of the tape positioned in the groove, elastic forces press the tape against the wall of the groove and create friction acting against displacement of the tape in the groove along the groove length.
In a coupling station the hauling tape and a body to be coupled to the hauling tape are guided such that the tape is pressed into the groove of the body. For this purpose suitable guide means are to be provided on the side of the body, by means of which displacement of the tape and/or of the body perpendicular to the predetermined path is restricted or fully prevented.
For de-coupling a body from the hauling tape, the tape is extracted from the groove, during which it is again seen to, by means of suitable guide means, that during the de-coupling, the tape and the body are not dislocated perpendicular to the predetermined path in an undesired manner.
According to the load on the hauling tape and according to its characteristics, the hauling tape may not only drive a body coupled to it (haul it along the predetermined path) but also support and/or guide the body where required. On the other hand, it is possible to guide and/or support the hauled body by separate means, e.g. corresponding rails arranged along the predetermined path on which means the body rolls or glides, in which case the tape has a pure hauling function.
The hauling tape being deformable perpendicular to its length and serving at the same time as hauling means and as deformable first coupling element belongs to a preferred embodiment of the invention, but the invention is not restricted to this embodiment. The hauling means may also be a chain with links carrying a first coupling element which extends over the length of the chain with a substantially constant cross-section. This coupling element may comprise interruptions which, compared with the longitudinal extension of the second coupling elements, are only very short. Instead of the chain, a line of unconnected
IPT Weinfelden AG
McCarry, Jr. Robert J.
Morano S. Joseph
Rankin, Hill, Porter and Clark LLP
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