Receiving-and-dispatching station

Abstract

The station comprises a loading-and-unloading chamber and an adjoining pipe section, both installed between any adjacent sections of a pipeline, said pipe section being secured on a carriage parallel to another pipe section secured on the same carriage, the length and inside diameter of said second pipe section being practically equal to the length and inside diameter of the first pipe section while the carriage is installed with a provision for reciprocating across the geometrical axes of the pipe sections for placing the latter alternately between the loading-and-unloading chamber and the pipeline sections, coaxially with them, thereby either moving the containers through the loading-and-unloading chamber or stopping them.

Description

The present invention relates to installations for pneumatic transportation of containerized cargoes through pipelines and more specifically it relates to the receiving-and-dispatching stations of these installations.

It is most practicable that the receiving-and-dispatching station realized according to the present invention should be used in the installations for the transportation of heavily-loaded containers in a flow of gas (air) through pipelines with a diameter approaching or exceeding one meter.

Known in the art are the receiving-and-dispatching stations of the installations for pneumatic transportation of containerized cargoes through pipelines. These receiving-and-dispatching stations comprise a loading-and-unloading chamber with an adjoining pipe section whose inside diameter is equal to that of the pipeline.

Said pipe section accommodates a device for braking the containers and moving them into the loading-and-unloading chamber for loading and unloading. This device is made in the form of a power cylinder accommodating a plunger with a spring-loaded rod. The free end of the rod carries a grip intended for interlocking with the container buffer. Operation of the power cylinder is controlled by a hydraulic accumulator through a system of valves (see, for example, Author's Certificate No. 339479, Cl. B65g 51/32, USSR).

A disadvantage of the above-described receiving-and-dispatching stations lies in that they can be installed only at the terminal sections of the pipeline and cannot be used along its length.

Also known in the previous art are receiving-and-dispatching stations for pneumatic mail used simultaneously as transit stations. These stations comprise a drum installed between the coaxial sections of the pipeline and carrying alternately-mounted pipe sections and deflecting elements. The pipe sections and the deflecting elements are spaced at the same angular distances. This drum is installed in a pressuretight casing so that the axes of the pipe sections are parallel to the geometrical axis of the pipeline (see, for example, German Pat. No. 1,283,157, Cl. 81e, 148/01, Federal Republic of Germany).

These stations ensure transit passage of pneumatic mail capsules, their dispatching and reception by throwing said capsules out of the pipeline into said pressuretight casing with the aid of the deflecting element and are not adapted at all for braking and stopping heavily-loaded containers whose diameter approaches or exceedss one meter, or for their loading and unloading without withdrawing them from the pipeline.

An object of the present invention consists in providing such a receiving-and-dispatching station which could be used for stopping and starting the containers and for their transit passage through the loading-and-unloading chamber thus making said station suitable for installation along the pipeline between any adjacent sections of said pipeline.

In accordance with this and other objects we hereby provide a receiving-and-dispatching station of the installation for pneumatic transportation of containerized cargoes through a pipeline, comprising a loading-and-unloading chamber one end of which adjoins the pipeline while its other end adjoins the pipe section whose inside diameter is approximately the same as the inside diameter of the pipeline and which accommodates a device for braking the containers and moving them into the loading-and-unloading chamber wherein, according to the invention, the loading-and-unloading chamber and the adjoining pipe section are located between any adjacent sections of the pipeline, said pipe section being secured on a carriage parallel to another pipe section secured on the same carriage, the length and the inside diameter of said pipe section being practically equal to the length and inside diameter of the first pipe section while the carriage is installed with a provision for reciprocating across the geometrical axes of the pipe sections for placing the latter alternately between the loading-and-unloading chamber and the pipe section, coaxially with them, thereby either moving the containers through the loading and-unloading chamber, or stopping them.

The receiving-and-dispatching station of the installation for pneumatic transportation of containerized cargoes through a pipeline realized according to the present invention can be installed at any point along the pipeline between its adjacent sections because it ensures stopping of the containers for loading or unloading, as well as starting and transit passage of the containers through the loading-and-unloading chamber. Besides, this station is simple in design and reliable in service.

These objects and other advantages of the receiving-and-dispatching station will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a part of the installation for pneumatic transportation of cargoes with a receiving-and-dispatching station according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of a carriage with two parallel sections of a pipe, one of which is sectionalized and accomodates a device for braking the containers according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along line III--III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along line IV--IV in FIG. 2, enlarged;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along line V--V in FIG. 3, enlarged;

FIG. 6 shows the schematic arrangement of the receiving-and-dispatching station according to the invention, located on the bypass branch of the installation.

The installation for pneumatic transportation of cargoes in containers comprises a pipeline 1 (FIG. 1) consisting of coaxial pipe sections 2 and 3. Located on one end of the section 2 of the pipeline 1 is the main receiving-and-dispatching station 4. This station comprises a loading-and-unloading chamber 5 and an adjoining pipe section 6 accommodating a device (not shown in the drawing) for braking containers a (FIG. 3) and moving them into the loading-and-unloading chamber 5.

One end of the loading-and-unloading chamber 5 (FIG. 1) adjoins the section 2 of the pipeline 1 while its other end adjoins a pipe section 6.

The device for braking the containers and moving them into the loading-and-unloading chamber can be constituted by a hydraulic power cylinder with a grip or any other device suitable for the purpose.

The flow of compressed air in the pipeline 1 is ensured by connecting the receiving-and-dispatching station 4 to an air compressor plant 7.

Installed along the pipeline, between its adjacent sections 2 and 3 is an intermediate receiving-and-dispatching station 8. This station comprises a loading-and-unloading chamber 9 one end of which adjoins the section 2 of the pipeline 1. Between the other end of this chamber and the section 3 of the pipeline 1 there is a carriage 10 to which is secured a pipe section 11 whose inside diameter is approximately the same as that of the pipeline 1. This pipe section accommodates a device 12 (FIG. 2) for braking containers a (FIG. 3) and moving them into the loading-and-unloading chamber 9 (FIG. 1). This pipe section is secured in such a manner that one of its ends adjoins the loading-and-unloading chamber 9 while the other end adjoins the section 3 of the pipeline 1. Secured on the carriage 10 parallel to this section is another pipe section 13 whose length and inside diameter are practically equal to the length and inside diameter of the pipe section 11. The carriage 10 is installed on rails 14 (FIG. 2) with a provision for reciprocating across the geometrical axes of the pipe sections 11 and 13. These rails are fastened to a base 15. The carriage comprises two pairs of motion wheels 16. Each pair of wheels 16 rolling over one rail 14 is mounted on a beam 17 of a box cross-section. The wheels 16 are installed in the side walls of this beam with the aid of axles 18 (FIG. 3). The beams 17 carry brackets 19 (FIG. 2) provided for fastening the pipe sections 11 and 13. Secured to the lower part of these pipe sections 11 and 13 with the aid of brackets 20 (FIG. 4) at equal distances from the beams 17 is a guide 21 whose cross-section is similar to that of the beams 17.

The guide 21 is installed between two pairs of rollers 22 whose axles are mounted in brackets 23 (FIGS. 3, 4) secured on the base 15. The rollers 22 rotate on axles 24 (FIG. 4) vertically installed in the brackets 23. These rollers keep the carriage 10 against lateral displacement relative to the direction of its movement.

The carriage 10 is moved by a power cylinder 25 (FIGS. 2, 4) which is secured to the base 15 by a shackle 26. The rod 27 of this cylinder is articulated to a shackle 28 secured on the guide 21.

The device 12 (FIGS. 2, 3) for braking containers a and for their subsequent movement into the loading-and-unloading chamber 9 (FIG. 1) comprises a pusher 29 (FIGS. 2, 3) which is capable of moving along the pipe section 11.

The pipe section 11 has a fixed partition 30 inside with a hole for the passage of the pusher 29, said hole being sealed by a cup 31. The end of the pusher 29 is provided with a cup 32 which contacts the inside surface of the pipe section 11. Secured to the cup 32 are rollers 33 whose rolling surface rests on the inside surface of the pipe section 11 and which roll over said surface when the pusher 29 moves to brake the containers a and push them into the loading-and-unloading chamber 9 (FIG. 1). The cup 32 (FIGS. 2, 3) and the partition 30 form a space 34 between the inside surface of the pipe section 11 and the outer surface of the pusher 29.

The pusher 29 at the side of the cup 32 accommodates a hydraulic brake cylinder 35 (FIG. 3) whose rod 36 carries a hydraulically-operated grip 37 intended for interlocking with the buffer of the container a.

The opposite end of the pusher 29 is mounted with a pumping plant 38 powered by an electric motor 39. The pumping plant 38 is connected by pipes (not shown in the drawing) with the hydraulic cylinder 35 and hydraulic grip 37.

For returning the pusher 29 to the initial position, i.e. for pushing the containers a into the loading-and-unloading chamber 9 (FIG. 1), the pumping station 38 has a drive comprising a hydraulic motor 40 (FIG. 5) connected by pipes (not shown in the drawing) with the pumping plant 38, and a drum 41. Said hydraulic motor 40 and drum 41 are interconnected by an overrunning clutch 42. Secured to the drum 41 is one end of a cable 43 (FIG. 3) whose other end is fastened to the partition 30 or to any other point on the pipe section 11 which is immovable relative to the pusher 29.

On the pumping plant 38 are mounted rollers 44 whose rolling surface rests on the inside surface of the pipe section 11 and which roll over said surface when the pusher 29 moves to brake the containers a and push them into the loading-and-unloading chamber 9 (FIG. 1).

Turning of the pusher 29 (FIGS. 2, 3) about its axis is prevented by a rod 45 (FIG. 2) passing through the hole in the partition 30; one end of said rod is fastened to the pumping plant 38 and the other one, to the cup 32.

The ends of the pipe sections 11, 13 are provided with movable end seals 46 which seal off the joint when said pipe sections are joined with the pipe section 3 of the pipeline 1 and with the chamber 9.

The receiving-and-dispatching station of the installation for pneumatic transportation of containerized cargoes through a pipeline functions as follows.

For receiving the containers a from the section 2 of the pipeline 1, the carriage 10 at the receiving-and-dispatching station 8 is shifted by the power cylinder 25 to a position in which the pipe section 11 with the device 12 is set coaxially with the section 3 of the pipeline 1 and with the pipe connection 47 (FIGS. 2, 3) of the loading-and-unloading chamber 9. Then the device 12 occupies the foremost position for receiving the containers a. The rod 36 of the hydraulic brake cylinder 35 carrying the grip 37 is also shifted towards the incoming container a. Upon arrival of the container a at the station 8, its buffer 48 (FIG. 3) gets interlocked with the grip 37 after which the hydraulic brake cylinder 35 and the counterpressure of air in the space 34 brake the container a smoothly to a complete standstill. During braking of the container a the cable 34 is paid off freely from the drum 41 because the latter comprises an overrunning clutch 42. After a complete stopping of the container a the hydraulic motor 40 is started and its output shaft is connected by the overrunning clutch 42 with the drum 41. The cable 43 is wound on the drum 41 thus moving the container a into the loading-and-unloading chamber 9. Concurrently with the movement of the pusher 29, the hydraulic brake cylinder 35 moves out the rod 36 which carries the grip at the end.

On completion of the load-handling operations in the loading-and-unloading chamber 9, the grip 37 releases the buffer 48 of the container a and the pusher 29 and rod 36 move into the pipe section 11. Then the power cylinder 25 moves the carriage 10 to the position for starting the container a into the section 3 of the pipeline 1 in which position the pipe section 13 is set coaxially with the section 3 of the pipeline 1 and with the pipe connection 47 of the loading-and-unloading chamber 9. The same position of the carriage 10 ensures transit passage of the container a through the receiving-and-dispatching station 8 to the next or any other receiving-and-dispatching station located along the pipeline 1.

The receiving-and-dispatching station 8 can also be installed on a bypass branch 49 (FIG. 6) which is connected to the pipeline 1 by switches 50.

These receiving-and-dispatching stations can be used in the installation for pneumatic transportation of cargoes both with radial and circular pipelines, also in widely branching systems with loading-and-unloading chambers located along the pipelines.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A receiving-and-dispatching station of the installation for pneumatic transportation of containerized cargoes located between any adjacent sections of a pipeline and comprising: a loading-and-unloading chamber one end of which adjoins one of said pipeline sections; a carriage installed between the other end of said loading-and-unloading chamber and the other one of said pipeline sections; a pipe section whose inside diameter is approximately the same as the inside diameter of said pipeline sections and which is secured on said carriage so that one of its ends adjoins the other end of said loading-and-unloading chamber while its other end adjoins the other one of said pipeline sections; a device for braking the containers and pushing them into said loading-and-unloading chamber, located in said pipe section; another pipe section whose length and inside diameter are practically equal to the length and inside diameter of said first pipe section and which is secured on said carriage parallel to said first pipe section; a drive of said carriage providing for its reciprocating motion across the geometrical axes of said pipe sections for placing them alternately between said loading-and-unloading chamber and the other pipeline section so that, when said first pipe section is set coaxially with the loading-and-unloading chamber, said containers are stopped and moved into said loading and unloading chamber while after placing said other pipe section coaxially with the loading-and-unloading chamber, said containers pass through said loading-and-unloading chamber.

2. A receiving-and-dispatching station of the installation for pneumatic transportation of containerized cargoes located between any adjacent sections of a pipeline and comprising: a loading-and-unloading chamber one end of which adjoins one of said pipeline sections; a carriage installed between the other end of said loading-and-unloading chamber and the other one of said pipeline sections; a pipe section whose inside diameter is approximately the same as the inside diameter of said pipeline sections and which is secured on said carriage so that one of its ends adjoins the other end of said loading-and-unloading chamber while its other end adjoins the other one of said pipeline sections; a device for braking the containers and pushing them into said loading-and-unloading chamber, located in said pipe section and comprising: a pusher installed in said pipe section with a provision for moving along its axis, a hydraulic cylinder installed at one of the ends of said pusher; the rod of said hydraulic cylinder, a grip mounted on the free end of said rod, a pumping plant mounted on the other side of said pusher and communicating with said hydraulic cylinder and grip, a hydraulic motor mounted on said pumping plant and communicating with it, a drum mounted on said pumping plant, an overrunning clutch connecting said hydraulic motor and drum, a cable one end of which is secured on said drum and the other, end, on said pipe section; said hydraulic motor, overruning clutch and drum with the cable constitute the drive of the pusher for transferring the containers into said loading-and-unloading chamber; another pipe section whose length and inside diameter are practically equal to the length and inside diameter of said first section and which is secured on said carriage parallel to said first pipe section, a drive of said carriage ensuring its reciprocating motion across the geometrical axes of said pipe sections for placing them alternately between said loading-and-unloading chamber and the other pipe section so that after placing the first section coaxially with the loading-and-unloading chamber the containers are stopped and then pushed into said loading-and-unloading chamber while after placing said other pipe section coaxially with the loading-and-unloading chamber, said containers pass through said loading-and-unloading chamber.