WO2010123469A1

WO2010123469A1 - Flywheel propulsion mechanism of a skyline yarder

Info

Publication number: WO2010123469A1
Application number: PCT/SK2010/050006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vladimír ŠTOLLMANN; Štefan ILČÍK; Jozef Suchomel
Original assignee: Stollmann Vladimir; Ilcik Stefan; Jozef Suchomel
Priority date: 2009-04-21
Filing date: 2010-04-19
Publication date: 2010-10-28
Also published as: SK282009A3; EP2421789A1; SK288024B6

Abstract

The propulsion system of a skyline carriage uses a mechanic flywheel (2) to accumulate excess energy. In the charging phase, it is propelled by the winch (1) through the mechatronic variator (3) and in the phase of recuperation it propels the winch (1) through the reversing gearbox and the variator.

Description

Title: FLYWHEEL PROPULSION MECHANISM OF A SKYLINE YARDER Field of the invention

The substance of this patent is the flywheel propulsion of a skyline yarder (gyrolanovka) that uses a variator with a smooth change of the gear ratio, in order to set the parameters of the torque transfer between the winch and the flywheel. This device has usage especially in skyline logging in forest management and everywhere where it is profitable to accumulate some energy surplus which is created during operation.

Background of the invention

Up until this time common cable devices for cargo transfer have not used energy recuperation in their operation. Generally the gravitational energy of the skyline carriage and the cargo is changed in the braking systems to thermal energy. Braking systems are most commonly constructed as drum brakes, disk brakes or tracked brakes. When operated, these systems are heated and worn-down intensively; therefore secondary brakes are used. These brakes are commonly aerodynamic or electromagnetic based on the Foucault (eddy) current.

Another solution of this issue is presented according to patent application form PP n. 108 - 2007, I ndustrial property office of the Slovak Republic. It had been named: The mechanical recuperation cableway device with flywheel - gyrolanovka. During the downhill movement a flywheel is used to accumulate the gravitational energy of skyline carriage and cargo. The synchronization of the flywheel to different winch operation modes is being solved by means of electric transmission between an electric generator and electric motor. Disadvantage of this solution in comparison to the solution we recommend in this patent application is lover efficiency and higher weight of the device.

Summary of the invention

Aforesaid limitations of up to now known cableway devices for the transportation of cargo in difficult, steep and hard to access terrains are being solved by the mechanic recuperation cableway device with mechatronic flywheel propulsion by means of a variator.

The merit of this invention lies in the fact, that the energy accumulation into the flywheel as well as energy removal from the flywheel is being performed by a variator which is able to change the gear ratio continuously.

While the cargo and carriage is moving downhill the winding drum is unbraked. The gravitational energy of the skyline carriage and cargo causes the unwinding of the cable and the drum is being rotated. The torque created by this rotation is transmitted to the variator which makes it possible to continuously change the gear ratio. Adjustment of the transmission gear ratio is operated by a control unit based on the data from multiple sensors, which measure the operating speed of the flywheel, winding drum speed and the speed of the skyline carriage. The control unit operates the functions of the variator, brake system and clutches in order to maintain the yarding speed at the desired level. The control unit receives the data about the current speed of the carriage from the winding drum speed sensor. The brake system of the drum is activated when the desired speed of the carriage is to be exceeded and the gear ratio on the variator is set to the maximum or when the rotation speed of the flywheel reached the maximum admissible level.

The principle of the flywheel propulsion: in phase of the gravitational downhill movement the gravitational energy of the skyline carriage and cargo causes the unwinding of the haul line from the drum of the winch. The drum propels the variator which provides the necessary torque and speed for the flywheel rotation. This way the gravitational energy of the skyline carriage and the cargo is accumulated in the flywheel and it is stored as kinetic energy. Mechanic flywheel is located in a vacuum box in order to prevent overheating and energy losses due to air friction.

For the phase of the uphill motion of the empty carriage first the reverse gear has to be shifted in the reversing gearbox and the brake of the winding drum is then released. The torque from the flywheel is then transmitted through the reversing gearbox to the variator and consequently to the winding drum. Shifting to the reverse gear in the reversing gearbox causes that the direction of the drum rotation in this mode is opposite to the direction of the drum rotation in the phase of the gravitational downhill movement. The control unit selects the transmission ratio on the variator in order to keep the speed of the empty skyline carriage moving back to the forest stand at the desired level. During this activity the control unit uses data received from multiple sensors measuring the rotations of the winch and the flywheel as well as the speed of the carriage moving on the skyline.

The function of the propulsion mechanism during the phase of uphill motion of the empty carriage is powered by the energy accumulated and stored in the flywheel and transferred to the winch through the variator operated by the electronic control system. The direction of the winches' rotation can be changed thanks to the additional gearbox

Brief description of the drawings

Rg. 1 shows the schematically depicted construction of the flywheel propulsion mechanism of a skyline yarder according to this invention

Detailed description of the invention

Rg. 1 depicts the flywheel propulsion mechanism of a skyline yarder according to this invention which consists of a winding drum (winch) Nr.1 equipped with a brake system Nr.5,. connected by clutch Nr.6 to the variator Nr .3. The variator is connected by the reversing gearbox Nr.4 and a clutch Nr.7 to the flywheel Nr .2. The flywheel is equipped with a brake system Nr.8 and another clutch Nr.9,

Function of the flywheel propulsion mechanism of a skyline yarder is controlled by the electronic control system Nr.12. The control system utilizes signals from the flywheel rotation speed sensor Nr-IO₁ the winding drum rotation speed sensor Nr .15 and the sensor measuring the speed of the cableway haul line Nr .U It controls and changes the gear ratio of the variator, controls the function of clutches Nr.6, 7, 9, function of brakes Nr.δJLand functions of the additional gearbox.

During the phase of the gravitational downhill movement, the gravitational force pulling on the cargo causes the unwinding of the haul line from the drum of the winch Nr .1. After the clutch Nr.6 is engaged the rotating motion of the drum is transmitted to the variator Nr.3. The variator propels the flywheel Nr.2 through clutch Nr. Z_1. The transmission gear ratio of the variator is selected by the electronic control system Nr.12 based on data received from the flywheel rotation speed sensor_Nr.1_0 and the winding drum rotation speed sensor Nr .15 in order to ensure that the speed of the haul line NrIl scanned by sensor Nr.14 has the desired flow. I n this manner the kinetic energy of the carriage and the cargo is accumulated in the mechanical flywheel Nr.2.

After the completion of the gravitational downhill movement phase, the clutches Nr.Z_8 are disengaged in order to prevent any energy losses of the flywheel. This work mode of the device allows long-term storage of the accumulated energy.

I n the phase of the uphill motion of the empty carriage, the momentum from the flywheel Nr.2 is transmitted through the engaged clutch Nr.7 to the reversing gearboxNr.4. I n the additional gearbox, the direction of the rotation is reversed. The reversal of the rotation is necessary to ensure that the winch is turning opposite to the direction it was turning during the gravitational downhill movement phase and the haul line is being coiled up on the winding drum Nr.;L The output from reversing gearboxNr.4 is linked to the input of the variator Nr .3. The transmission gear ratio of the variator is being selected by the electronic control unit Nr .12 based on data from the flywheel rotation speed sensor Nr.10 and the winding drum rotation speed sensor Nr .15 so that the speed of the coiling haul line NrIJ. scanned by sensor Nr .14 has the desired flow. The output of the variator Nr.3 is connected through the clutch to the winch Nr .1 which is coiling in the haul line and pulling the empty carriage uphill.

Energy accumulated in the flywheel 2_can also be used to transfer the cargo from further aside under the skyline on where the carriage is moving. I n this work mode, first the carriage must be locked in place by a brake. After that as the haul line is being reeled in, the cargo is being pulled towards the carriage. Function of the propulsion device in this work mode is analogical to its function in the phase of the uphill motion of the empty carriage.

The energy accumulated in the flywheel can also be used for powering the mains, hydraulic and pneumatic circuits of the skyline yarder, for example electric generator for power the electronic control system Nr .12, starter of the combustion-engine, hydraulic pump etc. There is an extra output A which can be used for these purposes. The torque is transferred to this output from the flywheel Nr.2_through clutch Nr .9.

Brake Nr.8 is used to reduce the speed of the flywheel 2 or bring the flywheel to a complete stop. The brake is activated in case the maximum allowed rotation speed is exceeded or, in the emergency stop mode or after the work is finished before the skyline yarder is transported to another location.

The main advantage of the mechatronic propulsion of the flywheel according to this invention lies in the low weight of the device. It accumulates the kinetic energy of the skyline carriage with cargo in the flywheel Nr.2 with high efficiency. The accumulated energy is then returned with high efficiency back to the work process. It significantly reduces the fuel consumption and therefore preserves the environment.

The mechatronics propulsion of the flywheel according to this invention is intended mainly for the propulsion of a skyline yarder which is used to yard the timber in the logging process in rough and inaccessible terrains with steep slopes. It can also be used during gravitational transportation of a great variety of cargos or in areas such as agriculture or construction industry everywhere where a difference in elevation needs to be tackled.

The propulsion method of the flywheel according to this invention has a wide application, especially in areas such as forest management, agriculture or construction industry or everywhere where it is necessary to transport some cargo downhill. Listed possibilities are not the only ones possible for the application of this invention. There are other areas to consider, like the automotive industry, where a flywheel can be used to accumulate the energy during braking.

Claims

CLAIMS OF THIS PATENT

1 . The propulsion mechanism of the flywheel (2) consists of the winding device (1 ) , the variator (3) , additional gearbox(4) , brake systems(5) , (8) , clutches (6) , (7) , (9) , the rotation speed sensor (14) , speed sensor (10) , (15) , the electronic control unit (12) and the control panel (13) , It features the winding device (1 ) equipped with a brake system (5) and a clutch (6) and is connected through the variator (3) and the reversing gearbox(4) to the flywheel (2) which is equipped with clutches (7) , (9) and with a brake system(8) .

2. The propulsion system according to claim 1 . features the electronic control unit (12) which controls the function of the variator (3) based on the data received from the flywheel rotation speed sensor (10) , the winding drum rotation speed sensor (15) and the haul line speed sensor (14) .

3. Concept of the flywheel propulsion of a skyline yarder is according to claim 1. featured by: a.) the gravitational force pulling on the cargo causes the rotation of the winch (1 ) , which through the variator (3) propels the flywheel (2) b.) in the flywheel (2) the kinetic energy of the skyline carriage with cargo is being accumulated c.) the flywheel (2) propels the winch though the reversing gearbox and the variator. d.) the torque from the flywheel (2) can be transferred also through clutch (9) to the additional output A.

4. The flywheel propulsion of a skyline yarder according to claim 1 . is featured by the variator (3) controlled by the electronic control unit (12) based on the data received from the flywheel rotation speed sensor (10) , the winding drum rotation speed sensor (15) and the haul line speed sensor (14) .