Segment isolating valve for pneumatic transport system

Abstract

Segment isolating valves assembled on the lower back of the elevated guideway (1), the plug base (2) being hinged on a housing (3) fixed to the elevated guideway (1) by a flange (4) for fast connection and disconnection. The housing (3) is equipped with a rainwater runoff tank (5). The segment isolating valve comprises a plug (2) mounted in a housing (3) affixed to the elevated guideway by means of a flange (4) for fast connection and disconnection. The plug (2) is moved by means of a linear actuator (6), whose rod exerts force on an articulation (7), which is pivoted above on the plug (2) and below on a frame (8) affixed to the housing base (3). The assembly is mechanically locked through a closed position locking cam (9), displaced automatically by springs (10). A safety locking pin (11) is actuated by a release solenoid (12).

Claims

1. A valve for pneumatic transport system comprising: a segment isolating valve that is installed on a lower back of an elevated guideway segment and provided with a plug that slots into a housing affixed to the elevated guideway, wherein the plug is moved by a linear actuator, and wherein a rod of a said linear actuator exerts pressure on an articulation that is pivoted above on the plug and below on a frame affixed to a base of the housing; the segment isolating valve is further provided with a closed position locking cam and springs, the segment isolating valve is mechanically locked by the closed position locking cam, automatically displaced by springs.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the housing is equipped with a rainwater runoff tank.

3. The valve according to claim 1 further comprising a safety locking pin that is actuated by a release solenoid.

4. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the position of the segment isolating valves is given by a position sensor.

5. A valve for pneumatic transport system comprising: a segment isolating valve that is installed on a lower back of a segment of an elevated guideway and provided with a housing affixed to the elevated guideway, and further comprising an articulated plug having vanes that move through two lateral guides that are assembled inside a duct formed by the elevated guideway, with the lateral guides affixed to a housing where winding disks rotate, mounted on an axle fitted with a coupling connected to an actuator: the winding disc pushes out and pulls back the plug through the lateral guides.

6. The valve according to claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises a pneumatic actuator.

7. The valve according to claim 5, wherein the winding disks are provided with holes for the insertion of a solenoid-operated locking pin.

8. A valve for pneumatic transport system comprising: a segment isolating valve that is installed in a lower back of an elevated guideway segment and provided with a plug that is mounted in a housing affixed to the elevated guideway, and further comprises an articulated plug composed of vanes that move through two lateral guides that are mounted in a duct formed by the elevated guideway, with the lateral guides affixed to a lower housing where winding disks rotate, mounted on an axle, and fitted with a coupling that is in turn connected to an actuator; the winding disc pushes out and pulls back the plug through the lateral guides.

9. The valve according to claim 8, wherein the actuator comprises a pneumatic actuator.

10. The valve according to claim 8, wherein the winding disks are provided with holes for the insertion of a solenoid-operated locking pin.

11. The valve according to claim 8, wherein the plug is a flexible flap.

12. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the flexible flap is made of polymeric material.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED DRAWINGS

(1) In order to ensure a full understanding of the improvement in segment isolating valves for pneumatic propulsion duct of transportation vehicles addressed by this invention, whereby it may be implemented by any multidisciplinary group of technicians in this technological sector, it is now described in a clear and sufficient manner through the following drawings:

(2) FIG. 1Perspective view of a segment of the elevated guideway with a segment of the preferred isolating valves installed;

(3) FIG. 2Axial cross-section view of a segment of the elevated guideway with a segment of the preferred isolating valves actuated;

(4) FIG. 3Axial cross-section view of a segment of the elevated guideway with a preferred segment isolating valves not actuated;

(5) FIG. 4Exploded perspective view of the preferred segment isolating valves;

(6) FIG. 5Perspective view of a segment of the elevated guideway with an alternative segment of the isolating valves installed;

(7) FIG. 6Perspective view of an alternative segment isolating valve with the plug extended;

(8) FIG. 7Exploded perspective view of the alternative segment isolating valve with the plug extended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) FIG. 1 illustrates a segment of the elevated guideway (1) with a preferred segment isolating valve installed and with the plug (2) in the shut position.

(10) FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a preferred segment isolating valve assembled on the lower back of the elevated guideway (1) with the plug (2) in the open position and the shut position, respectively. The plug base (2) is hinged on a housing (3) affixed to the elevated guideway (1) by a flange (4) for fast connection and disconnection. The housing (3) is fitted with a rainwater runoff tank (5).

(11) FIG. 4 describes the preferred segment isolating valves in detail, comprised of a plug (2) mounted in a housing (3) affixed to the elevated guideway by a flange (4) for fast connection and disconnection. The plug (2) is moved by a linear actuator (6), whose rod exerts force on an articulation (7). The articulation (7) is pivoted above on the plug (2) and below on a frame (8) affixed to the housing base (3).

(12) Preferably, the assembly is mechanically locked through a closed position locking cam (9) moved automatically by springs (10). A safety locking pin (11) is actuated by a release solenoid (12). This is a vital function directly linked to the automatic protection subsystem (ATP), preventing the segment isolating valves from moving in response to a spurious command. The position of the segment isolating valves is given by a position sensor (13).

(13) FIGS. 5 to 7 described in detail the alternative segment isolating valve, comprising a plug (20) that is comprised of vanes that move along two lateral guides (21) that are assembled in the duct formed by the elevated guideway (1). The lateral guides (21) are affixed to a lower housing (22) where the winding disks (23) rotate, mounted on an axle (24) and fitted with a coupling (25) that is in turn connected to an actuator (26) preferably pneumatic. The winding disc (23) pushes out and pulls back the plug (20) that comprises the plug (20).

(14) The winding discs (23) may have holes (27) for the insertion of a solenoid-operated locking pin (28).

(15) Optionally, the plug (20) may be a flexible flap, preferably made from a polymeric material.