TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTAINER TRANSPORT

TRANSPORT SYSTEM .AND METHOD FOR CONTAINER TRitfrøPORT

The invention relates to a transport system and method for container transport.

Existing transport systems for transporting containers over greater distances are formed by: a railway line with a train which is displaceable thereover and on which containers are placed, a roadway with goods vehicles which are movable thereover and on which containers are placed, and waterways with ships which are movable there- along and on which containers are placed. In particular for container transport over water a complete infrastruc¬ ture has been developed for storage and transhipment of containers. For transport by rail or road use is fre¬ quently made of the existing infrastructure. In densely populated areas this can result in problems because the existing infrastructure does not provide sufficient capacity. Furthermore, the switch-over from transport by road to transport by rail and vice versa is a time-con¬ suming and labour-intensive process wherein build-up of stocks takes place. A disadvantage of existing transport of containers by road lies in the fact that one driver can only transport a few containers, and road transport is thus labour-intensive.

The invention has for its object to provide a trans¬ port system and method wherein by using a special infra- structure for combined train and road transport the existing infrastructure is not burdened, container trans¬ port can take place in less labour-intensive manner and there is little need for switch-over from road to train transport. For this purpose the invention provides a transport system for container transport comprising a transport path which is adapted to carry trains and goods vehicles, at least one unmanned drive unit for coupling to a train or goods vehicle part, guide means for guiding the drive unit over the transport path and means for controlling the speed of a drive unit moving over the transport path. Using this transport system it is possible to cause containers to move along the transport path on unmanned carrier assemblies. It is moreover the case that, depend¬ ing on the pre-routing and/or subsequent routing of the containers, a choice can be made for the most efficient carrier assembly in the form of a carrier assembly for transport via rail or road. The transport path is preferably formed by a flat path with parallel grooves. In this way it is possible to move both a train and a goods vehicle part over the transport path. It should be noted herein that a flat path with a different rail provision, for example sunken rails, can also be applied.

The drive unit preferably comprises an electric motor. An electric motor is relatively quiet compared with combustion engines and does not produce any emission of exhaust gases in the vicinity of the guide path. The transport system is preferably characterized in that the power supply to the electric motor is supplied to the drive unit by means of a collector which is con¬ nected to the drive unit and which connects to a voltage source connected to the transport path. Energy can thus be drawn from an electricity grid.

The guide means for the drive unit are preferably formed by a magnet incorporated in the path or by means co-acting with the groves arranged in the path. It is possible in this way to provide simple and reliable guide for guiding the drive unit over the transport path.

The transport path is preferably joined to at least one shunting area. The drive unit can preferably be shunted. This step enables moving of a drive unit with a train or goods vehicle part which might be coupled there- to out of the transport path, for example for loading, unloading or maintenance.

The transport path preferably takes a dual form for transport in two directions. A double transport path enables optimal utilization of the capacity of each transport path. The means for controlling the speed of a drive unit moving over the transport path are preferably formed by a central control system. A central control system can regulate the distance between two successive drive units and can intervene immediately if a disturbance occurs anywhere.

A preferred embodiment of the device is characterized by two path parts located at a mutual distance, a carrier on which at least two connecting pieces are arranged and drive means for moving the carrier in order to connect, as switching station, the path parts at choice by one of the connecting pieces. This combines an optimal utiliza¬ tion of the capacity of the transport path with great freedom in changing transport modules. Yet another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the switching stations are placed successively and/or mutually parallel in the transport path. With such a switching station it is possible to place a transport module on a connecting piece not joined to the transport path or to remove it from the connecting piece, during which activity the transport path remains free for trans¬ porting of goods. The proposed devices enlarge the total shunting capacity.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the transport system is characterized in that the carrier is movable at right angles to the direction of transport in the plane of the transport path. This construction is relatively simple to manufacture, and in addition a connecting piece not joined to the path is situated at the same level as the transport path.

The connecting pieces are preferably connectable to a road for freight transport. Yet another preferred embodi¬ ment is characterized in that the connecting pieces are connectable to a railway line. These preferred embodi- ments make it possible to transfer a transport module directly to a road or railway, whereby transhipment costs are limited.

The transport path preferably comprises a continuous voltage source connected to the path irrespective of the position of the carrier. Due to this step a continuous voltage source, for example a high tension conductor, remains a suitable energy source for driving for example an electrical tractive unit situated in the path, also when the carrier is being moved. The voltage source can thereby be used at all times for driving one or more transport modules.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the switching station is characterized in that at least one of the connecting pieces comprises a voltage source piece which is connected to the voltage source as soon as the con¬ necting piece is connected to the transport path parts. Due to this step the connecting piece connected to the transport path is likewise provided with a voltage source. A method for transporting containers is preferably characterized in that the means for controlling the speed of a drive unit moving over the transport path regulate the distance between two successive drive units situated on the transport path such that a maximum loading of the transport path is not exceeded. The distance between two successive drive units can be regulated subject to the maximum permitted load of the transport path and option¬ ally also the weight of the transport means moving over the transport path. The available transporting capacity can thus be utilized as well as possible.

In order to elucidate the present invention a number of non-limitative embodiments are shown in the annexed figures, wherein: fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a drive unit which is situated on the transport path and to which a train loaded with a container is coupled, fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a drive unit which is situated on the transport path and to which a goods vehicle part loaded with a container is coupled, fig. 3 shows a section of a train placed on the trans¬ port path and loaded with a container, fig. 4 shows a section of a goods vehicle part placed on the transport path and loaded with a container, fig. 5 is a perspective view of a switching station according to the invention, fig. 6 and 7 show a perspective view of alternative embodiments of the switching station according to the invention, and fig. 8 shows a schematic top view of a shunting area as according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a transport path 1 with a flat travel surface 2 in which grooves 3 are arranged. Coupled to an unmanned drive unit 4 is a train 5 on which is situated a container 6. The wheel assemblies 7 of the train 5 co-act with the grooves 3 situated in transport path 1.

Fig. 2 shows a transport path 1 in accordance with that shown in fig. 1, on which is situated an unmanned drive unit 4 behind which is coupled a goods vehicle part 8 with a container 9 placed thereon. The unmanned drive unit 4 can be driven by means of an electric motor (not shown) . Power supply to this electric motor takes place by means of a collector 10 connected to the drive unit 4 and connecting to a voltage source 11 arranged in trans¬ port path 1. The transport path 1 can be situated at a selected position relative to ground level 12. It is thus also possible for the transport path to be situated below ground level 12.

In the case of the train 5 shown in cross section in fig. 3 it can clearly be seen that the wheel assembly 7 co-acts with the grooves 3 which are situated in the flat travel surface 2 of transport path 1.

In the case of the goods vehicle part 8 shown in cross section in fig. 4 the tyres 13 co-act with the flat travel surface 2 of transport path 1. Fig. 5 shows a switching station 14 which is incorpo¬ rated in the transport path 1. In the embodiment shown here the transport path 1 comprises rails 15, 16 for carrying trains (not shown) and travel surfaces 2 for carrying goods vehicle trailers, likewise not shown here. The left-hand rail 15 is live because this is connected to a power supply line 17. An electric tractive unit can hereby be fed via a collector making contact with the rail 15. Situated between two path parts 18, 19 lying at a mutual distance is a movable carrier 20 on which two connecting pieces 21, 22 are arranged for connecting at choice the path parts 18, 19 by one of the connecting pieces 21, 22. In the situation shown in fig. 5 the path parts 18, 19 are mutually connected by means of the connecting piece 21. The carrier 20 can be moved by a pressure cylinder 23, although alternatives are also conceivable for this purpose. The connecting piece 22 is connected in the situation shown here to a roadway 24 on which a goods vehicle 25 is designated schematically. In another position the connecting piece 21 is connected to a railway line 26, while the connecting piece 22 in that case forms the connection between the two path parts 18, 19. A left-hand rail 27 of the connecting piece 21 join¬ ing the path parts 18, 19 is live because it connects by means of a contact member 28 with the left-hand rail 15 of transport path 1 which is already live.

Fig. 6 shows the carrier 20 on which are standing two goods vehicle trailers 29, 30 with containers 31, 32. When for instance an unmanned electric tractive unit 33 with hooked up trailer 29 with container 31 drives onto the carrier 20, the electric tractive unit 33 uncouples and is then driven off the carrier 20, the carrier 20 is then displaced, whereby the incoming trailer 29 with container 31 leaves the path 1 and the departing trailer 30 with container 32 enters the path 1. The electric tractive unit 33 then drives onto the carrier 20 and couples onto the trailer 30. In the meantime the incoming trailer 29 with container 31 can be transported away by a diesel tractor 34.

Fig. 7 shows an alternatively embodied carrier 35 which, in contrast to the linearly movable carrier shown in fig. 6, does not move linearly. A carrier 20, 35 can of course also be embodied such that three or more con¬ necting pieces are arranged on the carrier.

Fig. 8 shows an entry 36 and an exit 37 for transport path 1 to which is joined a shunting area 38. In the embodiment shown here transport modules can only be placed into or out of the transport path 1 on one side of the carriers 39. It is however also conceivable that on the inside of the loops 40 shown here a road for freight transport or a railway line is arranged whereby transport modules can be driven onto or off the carriers 39 on two sides of the carriers 39.

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