MOBILE SUBASSEMBLY FOR RECEIVING AND CONVEYING AT LEAST ONE PASSENGER, ASSOCIATED ATTRACTION INSTALLATION AND ITS CONTROL PROCESS

Abstract

Mobile subassembly (30) to receive and convey at least one passenger, comprising a support (20), a cabin (22) and a cabin (22) guide (32) in relation to the support (20) in rotation around a horizontal reference axis (200). The mobile subassembly (30) is equipped with a stabilization system (36) comprising a gear ring (38), a sprocket (40), a friction brake (82), a reversible permanent magnet synchronous machine (66) to drive the sprocket (40) and a switching circuit (74) which is able, in a first switching state, to link the windings (76) of the synchronous machine (66) to an electricity power supply (78) for motor use of the synchronous machine (66) and, in a second switching state, to link the windings (76) of the synchronous machine (66) to a dissipative ohmic circuit (80) for dissipative use of the synchronous machine (66).

Claims

1. A mobile subassembly to receive and convey at least one passenger, comprising a support, a cabin and a cabin guide for guiding the cabin in relation to the support in rotation around a reference axis common to the support and the cabin, with the reference axis horizontal when the mobile subassembly is in an operational state, with the mobile subassembly equipped with at least one stabilization system comprising at least one gear ring connected to the support and centered on the reference axis, at least one sprocket linked to the cabin so as to mesh with the gear ring, a friction brake to stop the cabin rotating around the reference axis in relation to the support, and motorized drive resources which are able to drive the sprocket, wherein the motorized drive resources comprise a reversible permanent magnet synchronous machine and a switching circuit which is able, in a first switching state, to link the windings of the synchronous machine to an electricity power supply for motor use of the synchronous machine and, in a second switching state, to link the windings of the synchronous machine to a dissipative ohmic circuit for dissipative use of the synchronous machine.

2. The mobile subassembly of claim 1, wherein the switching circuit is monostable and switches or remains in the second switching state if the electricity power supply is disconnected upstream of the switching circuit.

3. The mobile subassembly of claim 2, wherein the switching circuit comprises a monostable electromechanical contact or a monostable static contact.

4. The mobile subassembly of claim 1, wherein the friction brake is commanded in all or nothing.

5. The mobile subassembly of claim 1, wherein the friction brake is commanded by a monostable command.

6. The mobile subassembly of claim 5, wherein the monostable command of the friction brake comprises an autonomous power source embedded in the cabin.

7. The mobile subassembly of claim 1, wherein the sprocket is linked to the cabin by a coupling mechanism which is able to guide the sprocket between an engagement position with the gear ring, in which the sprocket is able to mesh with the gear ring by turning around a drive axis parallel to the reference axis and an uncoupled position in which the sprocket is a distance away and disengaged from the gear ring.

8. The mobile subassembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilization system comprises at least one additional sprocket linked to the cabin so as to mesh with a corresponding gear ring constituted by the gear ring or by an additional gear ring, attached to the support and centered on the reference axis additional motorized drive resources able to drive the additional sprocket, with the additional motorized drive resources comprising an additional reversible permanent magnet synchronous machine and an additional switching circuit which is able, in a first additional switching state, to link windings of the additional synchronous machine to an electricity power supply for motor use of the additional synchronous machine and, in a second additional switching state, to link the windings of the additional synchronous machine to a dissipative ohmic circuit for dissipative use of the additional synchronous machine.

9. An attraction installation which comprises at least one fixed structure comprising at least one mobile subassembly to receive and convey at least one passenger, the mobile subassembly comprising a support, a cabin and a cabin guide for guiding the cabin in relation to the support in rotation around a reference axis common to the support and the cabin, with the reference axis horizontal when the mobile subassembly is in an operational state, the attraction installation comprising a support drive for driving and guiding the mobile subassembly in relation to the fixed structure so that the mobile subassembly support follows a trajectory which forms a loop in a vertical plane of a fixed reference and rotates 360° in relation to a fixed revolution axis perpendicular to the vertical plane and parallel to the reference axis of the mobile subassembly, by traveling one turn of the loop trajectory, wherein the mobile subassembly is equipped with at least one stabilization system comprising at least one gear ring connected to the support and centered on the reference axis, at least one sprocket linked to the cabin so as to mesh with the gear ring, a friction brake to stop the cabin rotating around the reference axis in relation to the support, and motorized drive resources which are able to drive the sprocket, wherein the motorized drive resources comprise a reversible permanent magnet synchronous machine and a switching circuit which is able, in a first switching state, to link the windings of the synchronous machine to an electricity power supply for motor use of the synchronous machine and, in a second switching state, to link the windings of the synchronous machine to a dissipative ohmic circuit for dissipative use of the synchronous machine.

10. A control process in degraded mode for the attraction installation of claim 9, wherein in response to a malfunction detection while the sprocket is meshing with the gear ring, a degraded operation procedure is initiated, comprising the following successive operations: the support is stopped in relation to the fixed structure; the friction brake is applied; the switching circuit is switched to connect the windings of the synchronous machine to the dissipative ohmic circuit; then the friction brake is at least partially released, while the sprocket meshes with the gear ring, so that the cabin is brought by gravity to a stable position in relation to the support.

11. The control process of claim 10, wherein the degraded operation procedure comprises, after the cabin has stopped in stable position, restarting the support drive.

12. The control process of claim 11, wherein the sprocket is linked to the cabin by a coupling mechanism which is able to guide the sprocket between an engagement position with the gear ring, in which the sprocket is able to mesh with the gear ring by turning around a drive axis parallel to the reference axis, and an uncoupled position in which the sprocket is a distance away and disengaged from the gear ring and the degraded operating procedure also comprises, after the cabin has stopped in the stable position, and before the support drive restarts in relation to the fixed structure, a movement of the sprocket from the engagement position with the gear ring to the uncoupled position in which the sprocket is a distance away and disengaged from the gear ring.

13. The control process of claim 12, wherein the sprocket continues to mesh with the gear ring and the windings of the synchronous machine remain connected to the dissipative ohmic circuit after the support drive has restarted.

14. The control process of any of claim 10, wherein the degraded operating procedure is interrupted and a subsidiary degraded operation procedure is initiated when a malfunction condition of the degraded operation procedure is detected, with the subsidiary degraded operation procedure comprising the following operations: the support is stopped in relation to the fixed structure; of the sprocket is moved from the uncoupled position to the engagement position with the gear ring, the brake is applied, then the support drive is restarted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0070] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will arise from reading the following description, with reference to the annexed figures.

[0071] FIG. 1 illustrates a partial view of an attraction installation in accordance with the invention.

[0072] FIG. 2 is an axial cross sectional view of a mobile subassembly of the installation in FIG. 1.

[0073] FIG. 3 is a transverse cross sectional view of the mobile subassembly in FIG. 2.

[0074] FIG. 4 is a detail of FIG. 3, illustrating in particular the implantation of a stabilization system of the mobile subassembly in FIG. 2.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a front view of the stabilization system in FIG. 4, in an uncoupled position.

[0076] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the mobile subassembly in FIG. 4.

[0077] FIG. 7 illustrates an electrical diagram for a switching circuit of a synchronous machine of the stabilization system.

[0078] FIG. 8 is an isometric detail view of the integration of the stabilization system in FIG. 4, in a mobile subassembly in FIG. 2, in an engaged position.

[0079] FIG. 9 is an isometric detail view of the integration of the stabilization system in FIG. 4, in the mobile subassembly in FIG. 2, in an uncoupled position.

[0080] For more clarity, the identical or similar elements are marked by identical reference symbols on all the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0081] FIG. 1 illustrates a Ferris 10 installation with a horizontal revolution axis 100, comprising a fixed structure 12 mounted on the ground via one or more feet 14, with this fixed structure 12 forming a guide bearing 16 for a wheel rim 18 in rotation around a revolution axis 100 fixed in relation to the ground 14. The rim is provided at its edge of supports 20 of cabins 22. The revolution axis 100 constitutes preferably a revolution symmetry axis of N for the rim, where N is the number of supports 20 and cabins 22.

[0082] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, each cabin 22 presents an interior volume V to receive and convey one or more passengers, marked out between a cabin floor 26 and a cabin ceiling 28. The support 20 and the associated cabin 22 then form a mobile subassembly 30 to receive and convey one or more passengers. This mobile subassembly 30 comprises in addition a guide 32 for the cabin 22 in relation to the support 20 in rotation around a reference axis 200 common to the support 20 and the cabin 22, horizontal and parallel to the revolution axis 100.

[0083] The guide 32 is constituted here of two coaxial bearings 34 distant from each other, so that the center of gravity of the cabin 22 is between two transverse vertical planes perpendicular to the reference axis 200, each cutting one of the two bearings 34. Preferably, the two bearings 34 are located in mirror position to each other in relation to a median transverse vertical plane P of the cabin 22, perpendicular to the reference axis 200 and containing the unloaded center of gravity G of the cabin 22. Each bearing 34 comprises at least a first bearing ring, for example an interior ring 34.1, attached to a ring 20.1 on the support 20, at least a second bearing ring, for example an exterior ring 34.2, attached to a ring 22.2 on the cabin 22, and one or more rows of bearing bodies 34.3 able to run on tracks formed on the first bearing ring 34.1 and the second bearing ring 34.2. Each of the two bearings 34 surrounds the interior volume V so that a part of each bearing 34 is under the floor 26, and another above the ceiling 28.

[0084] The guide 32 enables the cabin floor 26 to be maintained horizontal by authorizing the rotation of the support 20 around the revolution axis 100 of the Ferris wheel 10 in a direction S1 with the rotation of the cabin 22 in relation to the support 20 around the reference axis 200 in the opposite direction S2.

[0085] To synchronize these rotations, the mobile subassembly 30 is equipped with a stabilization system 36. This stabilization system 36 is duplicated here and comprises two gear rings 38 attached to the rings 20.1 of the support 20 and centered on the reference axis 200, positioned preferably each near one of the bearings 34. Each of the gear rings 38 is associated with a sprocket 40, mounted on the cabin 22 so as to mesh with the associated gear ring 38. Each sprocket 42 is associated with drive resources 42.

[0086] Each sprocket 40, driven by motorized drive resources 42, meshes with the associated gear ring 38 attached to the support 20, to maintain the floor 26 of the cabin 22 horizontal.

[0087] In this embodiment, each gear ring 38 has teeth 38.1 turned radially towards the interior, and the associated sprocket 40 is located above the ceiling 28 of the interior space V of the cabin 22, held with a teeth zone 38.1 also located above the interior ceiling 28 of the cabin 22 and the associated sprocket 40. This positioning prevents a foreign object, which falls onto the teeth 38.1 in the part of the teeth 38.1 located under the horizontal plane H containing the reference axis 200, from traveling to the sprocket 40 and blocking it.

[0088] The rotation axes 400 of the sprockets 40 are positioned preferably near the reference axial plane Q, either directly in the reference axial plane Q, as illustrated in FIG. 5 or on one side of the reference axial plane Q, within an angular sector A less than or equal to ±60° in relation to the reference axial plane, around the reference axis.

[0089] Each sprocket 40 is linked to the cabin 22 by a coupling mechanism 46, illustrated in detail in FIG. 8, to guide the sprocket 40 between an engagement position with the associated gear ring 38 and a disengaged position. In engaged position, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the sprocket 40 meshes with the associated gear ring 38 while in disengaged position, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9, the sprocket 40 is a distance away from the associated gear ring 38.

[0090] Each coupling mechanism 46 comprises a guide lever 48 which pivots around a pivoting axis 50 which is fixed in relation to the cabin structure 22. The guide lever 48 carried a guide bearing 52 for the associated sprocket 40 in rotation around a drive axis 400.

[0091] An actuator 54, coupled to a motor 55, is used to pivot the guide lever 48, via a bistable transmission 56. In this embodiment, the bistable transmission 56 comprises a transmission lever 58 which pivots around an axis 60 which is fixed in relation to the cabin 22 and parallel to the reference axis 200, and a transmission link rod 62 between the transmission lever and the guide lever 48. A first end of the actuator 54 is mounted pivoting in relation to an axis 64 which is fixed in relation to the cabin 22 and an opposite end of the actuator 54 is articulated on the transmission lever 58. The subassembly constituted by the actuator 55 and its motorization system 55 is preferably irreversible in that it is not necessary to maintain a power supply to maintain it in a given position. This may be the case in particular if the actuator is constituted of an irreversible captive screw. The motor 55 is preferably an electric motor. Of course, the skilled person is able to propose numerous variants for this system, which conserve its functions. As the articulation and pivoting axes are parallel to the reference axis 200, the movement of the whole of each coupling mechanism 46 is a flat movement to guide a pivoting of the rotation axis 400 of the associated sprocket 40 around the pivoting axis 50, between the engagement position and the uncoupled position.

[0092] The motorized drive resources 42 associated with each sprocket 40 comprise a reversible permanent magnet synchronous machine 66 for which the motor shaft, via a kinematic chain 68 comprising a reducer 70 and a homokinetic joint 72 drive the associated sprocket 40 in rotation. In this embodiment, the casing of the synchronous machine 66 is attached in relation to the cabin 22. The homokinetic joint 72 is produced here as standard by two universal joints 72.1, 72.2 linked by a shaft 72.3 to accommodate the movements of the sprocket 40 induced by the coupling mechanism 46.

[0093] A power switching circuit 74, illustrated in a diagram in FIG. 7, is used, in a first switching state, to link the stator windings 76 of the synchronous machine 66 to an electricity power supply 78 outside the cabin 22 via a power command 79, for motor use of the first synchronous machine 66. The switching circuit 74 is also used, in a second switching state, to link the stator windings 76 of the synchronous machine 66 to a dissipative ohmic circuit 80 for dissipative use of the synchronous machine 66.

[0094] The power switching circuit 74 is preferably monostable, in that it requires an electricity supply from the electricity power supply 78 or the power command 79 to maintain itself in the first state, and that if there is no electricity supply it switches itself to the second state. The switching circuit 74 may notably comprise a monostable electromechanical contact or a monostable static contact.

[0095] Finally, an electromechanically or hydraulically commanded friction brake 82 is positioned either directly on the motor shaft of the synchronous machine 66 or in the kinematic chain between the synchronous machine 66 and the sprocket 40, or on the gear ring 38. The friction brake 82 is preferably monostable, normally closed, and is activated by an embedded autonomous power source 84, which may, where applicable, also power the motor 55 of the actuator 54. Alternatively, the actuator motor 55 may be provided with a distinct embedded autonomous electricity power supply 155.

[0096] Preferably, the supply and command circuits for the two parallel branches of the stabilization system 36 are independent.

[0097] To maintain the floor 26 of the cabin 22 horizontal, the motorized drive resources 42 which may be controlled by the angular position of the wheel rim 12 around the revolution axis 100 of the Ferris wheel 10, for example by comparing a measurement of the angular position of the cabin around the revolution axis and a measurement of the angular position of the cabin in relation to the support. To this end, one of the bearings 34 may be instrumented to deliver a measurement of this angular position. Alternatively, the motorized drive resources 42 may be controlled by an inclinometer positioned in the cabin 22. Other physical scales may also be taken into account to command the motorized drive resources 42, notably the cabin load 22, the position of the loaded cabin's center of gravity 22 or the wind speed and direction, as well as the data from the previous cabin 22 in the Ferris wheel's 10 movement direction.

[0098] The power needed is lower the closer the loaded cabin's center of gravity 22 is to a reference axial plane Q of the cabin 22, perpendicular to the floor 26 and containing the reference axis 200. In practice, the loaded cabin's center of gravity 22 is below a horizontal plane H containing the reference axis 200, between the reference axis 200 and the floor 26, or below the floor 26, which enables a degraded operating mode to be considered, in which, in the event of a malfunction of the motorized drive resources 42, the gravity effect enables the floor 26 to be held more or less horizontal. To this end, the space located under the floor is occupied by a cooling, heating or air conditioning unit 44 of the cabin 22, for which the weight contributes to lowering the cabin's center of gravity 22.

[0099] The redundancy of the two branches of the stabilization system 36 increases the installation's availability. If there is no failure, the two motors operate in master-slave mode. When a motor 42 is defective, the associated sprocket 40 is uncoupled and the other motor 42 positions the cabin 22 on its own. In a similar way, if a foreign body positions itself between one of the sprockets 40 and the associated teeth 38.1, despite the positioning of the sprocket 40 below the teeth 38.1, the coupling mechanism 46 enables the sprocket involved 40 to be disengaged, and the other sprocket 40 positions the cabin 22 on its own.

[0100] A failure diagnostic procedure may also be provided for if a malfunction is observed on the stabilization system, leading to the cabin floor tilting beyond a predetermined threshold. Proceed as follows in this case: [0101] first of all, stop the wheel rim 18 to stop the support 20 in relation to the fixed structure 12; [0102] cut the electricity power supply 78 of the two synchronous machines 66; [0103] when stopped, apply the two friction brakes 82; [0104] uncouple one of the two sprockets 40 from the associated gear ring 38; [0105] power the synchronous machine 66 linked to the other sprocket 40 so as to re-establish the stabilization command and check whether the cabin 22 returns to horizontal; [0106] if it does, restart the Ferris wheel 10; [0107] otherwise, recouple the sprocket 40 which was uncoupled and uncouple the sprocket 40 which was coupled [0108] power the synchronous machine 66 linked to the coupled sprocket 40 so as to re-establish the stabilization command and check whether the cabin 22 returns to horizontal; [0109] if it does, restart the Ferris wheel 10; [0110] otherwise, the failure encountered is affecting the two branches of the stabilization system 36 and requires the implementation of a degraded operating procedure.

[0111] To this end, if the power supply 78 of the two asynchronous machines 66 fails, a “gravity” degraded operation procedure is implemented, comprising the following steps: [0112] first of all, stop the wheel rim 18 to stop the support 20 in relation to the fixed structure 12; [0113] when stopped, apply the two friction brakes 82; [0114] using the switching circuits 74, connect the windings 76 of each of the two synchronous machines 66 to the associated ohmic circuit 80; then [0115] release at least partially the friction brake 82, while the first sprocket 40 meshes with the first gear ring 38, with the cabin 22 brought by gravity to a stable position in relation to the support 20.

[0116] The cabin 22 then starts moving under the effect of gravity, so as to align its center of gravity in a vertical plane containing the reference axis 200. In this phase, the two synchronous machines 66 constitute electromagnetic brakes, generating a braking torque proportional to the rotating speed of the cabin 22.

[0117] This procedure is implemented preferably under the supervision of the installation's personnel, who are linked by audio or video to the passengers in the cabin 22, following a malfunction signal, which may be a diagnostic signal from the synchronous machines' electricity supply or a signal relative to the horizontal level of the cabin floor 22. Where applicable, the passengers may be given instructions to redistribute the load within the cabin 22 so that the stable position of the cabin corresponds to a horizontal position of the floor 26.

[0118] Once the cabin 22 has stopped in a stable position, the Ferris wheel 10 may be restarted, at reduced speed, to take the defective cabin to the loading and landing area. During this Ferris wheel movement phase, various strategies are possible to try to preserve a relative horizontal level for the floor 26 of the cabin 22. A first strategy consists in conserving the sprockets 40 which are held with the gear rings 38, and the synchronous machines 66 in electromagnetic braking mode, to absorb the movements of the cabin 22 in this phase. A second strategy consists in disengaging the sprockets 40 before restarting the Ferris wheel 10.

[0119] If the gravity degraded operating mode does not enable the position sought for the cabin 22 to be found, a subsidiary degraded operating mode is provided, which consists in reengaging the sprockets 40 with the associated gear rings 38, then applying the friction brakes 82 to connect the cabin 22 to the support 20, before restarting the Ferris wheel 10. This operating mode, which is much less comfortable than the previous one, modifies the orientation of the floor 26 as the Ferris wheel rotates. Communication is therefore required with the passengers in the cabin throughout the operation, which must be carried out at very low speed.

[0120] Note that the gravity degraded operating mode and the subsidiary degraded operating mode may also be considered with a single synchronous machine 66 and a single sprocket 40.

[0121] Naturally, the examples shown in the figures and discussed above are provided for information purposes only and are not limiting. It is explicitly provided for that the different embodiments illustrated may be combined to propose others.

[0122] According to a simplified embodiment, the stabilization system 24 may only feature a single gear ring 38 associated with a single sprocket 40. The ring is then positioned preferably near a transverse plane containing the center of gravity of the unloaded cabin 22. If the guide 32 comprises two bearings 34, the single gear ring 38 is preferably positioned axially between the two bearings 34.

[0123] The ring of each bearing attached to the cabin 22 may be the interior ring 34.1 or the exterior ring 34.2.

[0124] The sprocket 40 rotation axis is preferably parallel to the reference axis 200, although a different orientation is also possible if the meshing between the gear ring 38 and the sprocket 40 is angular gear.

[0125] The support is not necessarily a part of the rim 12 of a Ferris wheel 10. It may also be a mobile carriage on a guide track of a fixed structure of the type described in document EP 2 075 043, forming a closed loop, circular or not, in a vertical plane. In all the configurations considered, the movement of the support 20 in a loop translates to a rotation of the support 20 in relation to a fixed reference of one turn per loop turn traveled.

[0126] It is emphasized that all the characteristics, as they appear to a skilled person from this description, the drawings and attached claims, even if in concrete terms, have only been described in relation with other determined characteristics, both individually and in any combinations, may be combined with other characteristics or groups of characteristics disclosed here, if this has not been expressly excluded or if technical circumstances make these combinations impossible or meaningless.