Abstract: A transport system for carrying a proppant, the system comprising a loading tower, a first transfer tower, a second transfer tower and an unloading tower. The loading tower is located proximate a loading area while the unloading tower is located proximate an unloading area. The system also includes a first transfer tower and a second transfer tower. A first aerial cable conveys a transfer container from the loading tower to the first transfer tower, while a second aerial cable conveys the transfer container from the second transfer tower to the unloading tower. The transfer container is configured to be suspended from the first and second aerial cables en route from the loading tower to the unloading area. Sand or supplies from the transfer container is received at the unloading area for use in a wellbore operation. Methods of transporting sand for use in wellbore fracturing operations are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cableway installation for transporting persons by disengageable vehicles and carrying cable comprising: a first station (1a) equipped with a first end pulley, a second station (1b) equipped with a second end pulley, a relay structure equipped with a first idler pulley and a second idler pulley, a first cable loop engaged with the first end pulley and the first idler pulley, and a second cable loop engaged with the second end pulley and the second idler pulley. The relay structure comprises a transfer system for transferring vehicles between the first cable loop and the second cable loop and a fixed guiding track supporting a structure translationally moveable with respect to the fixed guiding track, the moveable structure bearing the first idler pulley, the second idler pulley and embarking the vehicle transfer system.

Abstract: An assembly for use with a power and free conveyor comprises a track member adapted to be slidingly received by a receiver portion of a power and free conveyor power track. The track member is slidingly moveable from a first position to a second position such that, when in the first position, the proximal end is retained within the receiver portion and the distal end is proximate to a connection portion. When in the second position, the proximal end is retained within the receiver portion and there is a gap between the distal end and the connection portion. A power and free conveyor comprising the assembly is also provided. A method of servicing a power and free conveyor comprising a sliding track member is also provided.

Abstract: A system for transporting one or more items is provided. The system includes: a transportation tube disposed at least partially underground or at least partially above ground; a transportation pod to secure items therein for transport; a transportation actuator to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube, the transportation actuator including at least one cable configured to interface with the transportation pod, the at least one cable being driven by a motor to move the cable and the transportation pod through the transportation tube; a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube; and a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube. Each of the first and second access points includes an opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation tube.

Abstract: A cable car system has at least two cable car stations and at least one carrying cable between the stations. A cable car vehicle is moved by a hauling cable between the car stations. The travelling positions of the vehicle along the travelling route are determined by a measuring device and transmitted to a control unit and processed and stored in same. A signal is input into the control unit by an input device located on a cable car support such that maintenance or assembly works and similar are carried out on this cable car support. When a cable car vehicle approaches the cable car support, the drive for moving the at least one cable car vehicle is controlled by the control unit such that the cable car vehicle is moved at a significantly reduced speed in relation to the operating speed, or is stopped at the cable car support.

Abstract: A portable zip line emergency brake system intended to stop or slow down a zip liner (or load) on a cable while giving the control to the device user or operator on the opposite end of the zip line. As an out of control rider comes down the zip line the operator will lock the device onto the cable and roll it out onto the zip line using a combination of sending force by the operator and gravity to meet the rider's pulley. The device is adjustable for different riders' estimated weights. Once the rider's pulley comes in contact with the device far out on the cable it will use a lever camming action between two brake pads on the cable as it reverses direction. As the brake is engaged it will stop or slow the rider. The operator can then pull the rider to the end safely.

Abstract: Cableway installation (10), comprising at least a housing (11) suitable to carry passengers and equipped with a safety device (12) which is movable between an access configuration and a safety configuration. The installation (10) comprises: radiation emitting means (13); reflecting means (14), adapted to reflect said radiation; receiving means (15), adapted to receive a reflection of said radiation emitted by said reflecting means (14). The emitting means (13), the reflecting means (14) and the receiving means (15) are arranged in such a way that, in at least a predefined operating condition, the emitting means (13) are facing the reflecting means (14), to irradiate them, and the reflecting means (14) are facing the receiving means (15) to reflect the radiation towards them. The reflecting means (14) are fixed to the safety device (12) so as to reflect the radiation differently depending on whether the safety device (12) is in the access configuration or in the safety configuration.

Abstract: A cable transportation system with at least one haul cable has a supporting structure with a tubular portion defining an axis of rotation; a pulley extending about the axis of rotation; and a bearing assembly, which is connected to the pulley and the tubular portion to enable the pulley to rotate about the axis of rotation with respect to the supporting structure, and has a first and second bearing arranged concentrically and in series, so as to ensure rotation of the pulley about the axis of rotation and with respect to the supporting structure utilizing at least the first or second bearing.

Abstract: A cable railway installation has an endless conveying cable extending between terminal stations. Transport vehicles, such as chairs or gondolas, are coupleable to the conveying cable. In the two terminal stations the cable is guided over headwheels and, in optionally provided intermediate stations, it is guided over diverting pulleys, diverting rollers or the like. The transport vehicles entering the terminal stations are uncoupled from the conveying cable, conveyed through the stations by guide tires and then coupled to the conveying cable for exiting the stations. A load bearing structure, which carries components such as the headwheels, diverting pulleys and rollers, and the guide tires, is borne by at least one support disposed centrally between the paths of motion of the transport vehicles. An ascent leads up to the load bearing structure. The support carrying the load bearing structure is formed with a through passage through which the ascent is routed.

Abstract: Disengageable chair-lift station having a transfer way made up of a first longitudinal part extending in alignment with the line of the carrying-hauling cable, and of a second transversal part extending perpendicular to the first part. The driving or return pulley is placed between the sections of the first part, and the disembarkation and embarkation platforms are shifted from one another in the second part, so that the disembarkation and embarkation of the skiers are performed on the same side of the station, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the line.

Abstract: A rail conveyor system combining the low friction attributes of railway transportation with the continuous bulk handling advantages of belt conveyors, uses a multiplicity of spaced carriages running on steel wheels on rail tracks to support a continuous carry belt. The system is driven by various means including a rope extending between the carriages. Various other drive means including drive belt technology are also described along with loading and unloading stations and distributed drive stations.

Abstract: An automatic carriage return for an exhaust removal system having a carriage that is configured to translate along a track tube. The automatic carriage return includes a drive cable spanning along the track tube, and an engagement assembly coupled to the carriage. A drive motor drives motion of the carriage along the drive cable when the engagement assembly is in the engaged configuration. In the disengaged configuration, the engagement assembly is configured to be disengaged from the drive cable to allow the carriage to freely follow the path of the vehicle. Upon release of the extraction hose from the vehicle, the engagement assembly is configured to automatically activate to the engaged configuration to engage the drive cable.

Abstract: The transport system in accordance with the invention comprises a car for receiving passengers, a guidance system and a cable traction system. The transport system is characterized in that the guidance system is constituted of a single central rail on which roll wheels attached to the car. Thus, there is no longer any lateral wall to support the guide rail or rails, which makes it possible to limit the width of the roadway neutralized by the system. The wheels of the car may be located laterally on each side of the central rail.

Abstract: A cable transportation system with at least one haul cable has a supporting structure with a tubular portion defining an axis of rotation; a pulley extending about the axis of rotation; and a bearing assembly, which is connected to the pulley and the tubular portion to enable the pulley to rotate about the axis of rotation with respect to the supporting structure, and has a first and second bearing arranged concentrically and in series, so as to ensure rotation of the pulley about the axis of rotation and with respect to the supporting structure utilizing at least the first or second bearing.

Abstract: A public passenger transport installation includes two end stations connected via two tracks for inbound and outbound travels. At each station, both tracks join into a common single connector track section via a switch. Each of the tracks is associated with at least two endless cables, which extend from one of the station to the other one, and more precisely from one of the connector track section to the other. The endless cables associated with one track run in parallel to one another, and are laterally offset with respect to one another by a given distance, which is constant along the track and at the stations. Vehicles provided with releasable clamps can be individually coupled to the cables. Each clamp is movable between at least four indexed lateral positions, each corresponding to one of the cables on the connector track section. Each cable can be individually driven at continuously variable speed between standstill and a cruising speed.

Abstract: A system for conveying persons has at least one track along which a plurality of vehicles or groups of vehicles are moved by continuous conveying cables. At least two mutually successive conveying cables are arranged in line with one another and each has a drive so that they may be driven independently of one another. The vehicles are coupled to the cables with clamping devices. The clamping devices arranged on the vehicles spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the system. When there is a transfer of a vehicle from a first to the successive conveying cable, a control device uncouples at least the first clamping device, from the first conveying cable and thereupon couples it to the successive conveying cable. Then, a further clamping device is uncoupled from the first conveying cable and coupled to the successive conveying cable.

Abstract: A system for conveying persons has a track along which a plurality of vehicles may be moved by way of continuous conveying cables. The cables include at least two mutually successive conveying cables each having a drive for driving them independently of one another. The vehicles may be coupled to the cables by clamping devices and the cables overlap one another in mutually associated end regions. The coupling of the vehicles may be transferred from a first conveying cable to a successive conveying cable in the overlap region. In those regions in which a first conveying cable is adjoined by a further conveying cable, that is, in the overlap region, at least one servo device is provided which allows the cable run of the further conveying cable to which the vehicle is to be coupled to be moved into the clamping device of the vehicle, while the clamping device is in the open position.

Abstract: A cable railway system has a conveying cable, which in the two end stations of the system is guided over a respective deflection pulley. Transport vehicles, which can be coupled to the conveying cable and are configured with a clamping device and with a running gear. The vehicles are coupled to the conveying cable along the route and are guided in the stations by way of the running gear along guide rails. There, the passengers disembark and board. The movement of the vehicles in the stations is governed by control tires, which are drivingly coupled to one another by gear mechanisms. The drive power of the control tires is taken from at least one support roller for the conveying cable, which support roller is located in the station. The support roller for the conveying cable via which the drive of the control tires is derived from the conveying cable by way of at least one drive belt is elastically mounted on a rigidly fastened axle.

Abstract: A public passenger transport installation includes two end stations connected via two tracks for inbound and outbound travels. At each station, both tracks join into a common single connector track section via a switch. Each of the tracks is associated with at least two endless cables, which extend from one of the station to the other one, and more precisely from one of the connector track section to the other. The endless cables associated with one track run in parallel to one another, and are laterally offset with respect to one another by a given distance, which is constant along the track and at the stations. Vehicles provided with releasable clamps can be individually coupled to the cables. Each clamp is movable between at least four indexed lateral positions, each corresponding to one of the cables on the connector track section. Each cable can be individually driven at continuously variable speed between standstill and a cruising speed.

Abstract: A transport installation comprising an aerial rope with continuous running on which vehicles are suspended by detachable grips, comprises a transfer circuit equipped with means for moving the vehicles. The means for moving comprise at least one set of wheels with pneumatic tires one of which wheels is connected to a power take-off derived from running of the rope and equipped with drive means whereby each wheel is made to rotate by one of the adjacent wheels. One of the wheels of said set of wheels is connected by transmission means to the output shaft of an electric torque motor generating a constant turning torque independent from the speed of rotation of said output shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cable derailing prevention device for carrier/traction cables of cable car systems in an installation including: a carrier/traction cable; a multitude of rollers which flank a coupling rail and are located at the exit from the station; a multitude of clamps from which the driving means are suspended; at least one roller that has a couple and clamp and supports the cable, and a support roller or hold-down roller battery according to the cable guide, the coupling rail forming a coupling area between the cable and the clamps. According to the invention, an aligning device is mounted in front of the coupling area of the clamps on the cable before the coupling rail and limits the deviation of the cable due to a derailing on the roller battery so that the cable is always located inside the opening of the clamp.

Abstract: Automatic cable transport facility along a closed loop line, including vehicles that can be disengaged at a set rate in stations after moving along a disengaged circuit where they are driven at low speed along disembarkation and embarkation platforms. Each station includes an automatic control mechanism able to extract the vehicles from the slow progression in the disengaged circuit, and transfer them to a disembarkation/embarkation point which is assigned to them in order of arrival, the previous vehicle having previously been reintegrated into the slow progression line in the place of the vehicle extracted in accordance with a preset program. A compensation point includes a permanently available spare empty vehicle which can be used to fill an empty space left by a vehicle that has been delayed and stopped at the disembarkation/embarkation point.

Abstract: A cable railway system has two or more stations and at least one carrying cable and a conveying cable extending between the stations and guided in the stations by way of deflection pulleys. At least one of the pulleys is driven. Vehicles, such as cable cars or chairs, may be boarded or disembarked from in the stations by the passengers. The system may also have one or more fixed carrying cables along which the cars are moved by way of one or more hauling cables. At least one device is associated with the vehicles along the section of the cable railway system, by way of which device the pendulum movements that the vehicles are subject to transversely relative to the direction of movement of the vehicles are detectable and its output signals are conducted to a device that controls the drive of the cable railway system. The drive is thereby controllable in dependence on the extent of the pendulum movements.

Abstract: A cable transportation system has rails and a draw cable, both extending along a transportation path, a drive member for driving the draw cable; at least one vehicle, which moves along the transportation path and has wheels which roll along the rails, and a coupling device for connecting the vehicle to the draw cable, at least one passenger station where the vehicle is stopped and an electric machine located on the vehicle and driven by the wheels to generate electric power.

Abstract: The application relates to a simulation method for simulating braking of a cable transport facility having at least one brake means and drive means, the simulation method comprising at least one test stage for testing the brake means, which test stage comprises at least one step of applying the brake means on the facility driven by the drive means controlled in a closed loop by a setpoint signal formed by a predetermined control curve F=f(t).

Abstract: A cable railway system has two or more stations and at least one carrying cable and a conveying cable extending between the stations and guided in the stations by way of deflection pulleys. At least one of the pulleys is driven. Vehicles, such as cable cars or chairs, may be boarded or disembarked from in the stations by the passengers. The system may also have one or more fixed carrying cables along which the cars are moved by way of one or more hauling cables. At least one device is associated with the vehicles along the section of the cable railway system, by way of which device the pendulum movements that the vehicles are subject to transversely relative to the direction of movement of the vehicles are detectable and its output signals are conducted to a device that controls the drive of the cable railway system. The drive is thereby controllable in dependence on the extent of the pendulum movements.

Abstract: A transportation system is provided that accommodates varying angles of slope along the path of its movement, while maintaining a level transportation platform without the need of mechanical leveling devices or systems. The platform may be connected to the rail by wheels that are held in a substantially fixed relationship to one another, the closest of which to the platform is above the rail, and the other below the rail. Accordingly, the platform is torqued downward to maintain contact between the wheels and the rail. As the slope of the terrain, and thus the slope of the rail, increases, the rail is widened to maintain the platform at level. As the slope decreases, the rail is narrowed to the same effect. The platform also may be tilted for loading or unloading by this rail-widening method, as may be desired.

Abstract: A transport installation with a continuous running aerial rope supports chairs and gondola cars coupled by detachable grips. The rope extends in a closed loop between two bull-wheels, with an up-line and a down-line. The installation presents loading/unloading terminals provided at least at the ends of said lines. One of the terminals comprises a transfer circuit connecting the up-line and the down-line, with a slowing-down section equipped with a slowing-down device, a speeding-up section equipped with a propelling device, connected by a run-through section with a low running speed equipped with a driving device of the vehicles. The transfer circuit comprises a continuous running speed regulating section equipped with a speed regulating means that is able to vary the time required by the cars and the chairs to pass through the speed regulating section, to impose a first predetermined running speed of the cars and a second predetermined running speed of the chairs.

Abstract: A trolley retrieval system for transporting or returning trolleys from a finish area back to a start area for traveling along a cable. The systems may include a cable held in suspension between the first and second supports. A retrieval line may be suspended in a closed loop extending from proximate the first support to proximate the second support. A trolley for traveling along the cable may be selectively connectable to the retrieval line. A motivator may selectively circulating the retrieval line around the loop. A controller may control operation of the motivator.

Abstract: A cableway system has a valley station and a mountain station. A supporting and conveying cable displace transport devices between the stations, and/or the system has at least one supporting cable, on which the transport devices are displaced with a conveying cable. The inclined positions of transport devices in relation to the vertical operating position are sensed by a respective sensor on the transport devices. When a first limit value for the inclined position of one of the transport devices is exceeded, a transmitter transmits a first control signal from the transport device to a receiver in one or both stations. The first control signal reduces the speed of the conveying cable. When a predetermined second limit value for the inclined position of a transport device is exceeded, a second control signal is transmitted to the receiver. The second control signal switches off the drive for the conveying cable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention move objects throughout two-dimensional space by using a support rope that is coupled with both opposing sides of the platform. This rope controls the Y-axis motion and Z-axis motion of the platform and is designated the YZ movement rope. Displacing a portion of the YZ movement rope allows vertical displacement of the platform to be traversed. There is no need for a complex computer control system since the Z-axis displacement is substantially independent of horizontal movement over a coverage area serviced by the platform. In addition, since the rope is commanded from one point, distantly located motors and electrical cables are not required. Many types of useful devices may then be attached to the platform including devices that require external power or devices that possess their own power and are operated via wireless signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention move objects throughout two-dimensional and three-dimensional space by using a movement line that is coupled with a plurality of opposing sides of the platform. The movement line is used to control the horizontal axis motion and Z-axis motion of the platform and is designated the horizontal movement line. Displacing a portion of the horizontal movement line allows vertical displacement of the platform to be traversed. There is no need for a complex computer control system since the Z-axis displacement is substantially independent of horizontal movement over a coverage area serviced by the platform. Nested embodiments utilizing one or more rope allow for three-dimensional movement of an object or angular displacement of an object with respect to the vertical axis. A mounting beam for positioning and supporting the Z-axis and horizontal axis motors and visual display element(s) and other optional multimedia devices may also be positioned independently of the platform.

Abstract: A railroad car positioning apparatus for positioning a railroad car along a railroad track includes a battery-powered and radio-controlled carriage assembly and first and second dog members mounted on the carriage assembly. The apparatus includes a main control unit for controlling the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is controlled via radio communication between the carriage assembly and the main control unit. The dog members are generally extendable to an axle height of the railroad car to be acquired for contacting one of the axles of the railroad car. The apparatus further includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders for moving the carriage assembly in a forward or reverse direction on a guide way disposed between the railroad tracks on which the railroad cars travel. The batteries on the carriage assembly may be remotely recharged using a contactless power transfer device, which includes a battery recharging device situated on the guide way.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention move objects throughout two-dimensional space by using a support line that is coupled with both opposing sides of the platform. This line controls the Y-axis motion and Z-axis motion of the platform and is designated the YZ movement line. Displacing a portion of the YZ movement line allows vertical displacement of the platform to be traversed. There is no need for a complex computer control system since the Z-axis displacement is substantially independent of horizontal movement over a coverage area serviced by the platform. A mounting beam for positioning and supporting the Z-axis and Y-axis motors and visual display element(s) and other optional multimedia devices may also be positioned independently of the platform. In addition, since the line is commanded from one point, distantly located motors and electrical cables are not required.

Abstract: A bull-wheel of a fixed carrying-hauling rope chair lift is driven by a geared motor mechanism having a coaxial shaft line extending perpendicularly to the bull-wheel in a substantially vertical direction. The geared motor mechanism is composed of an electric motor and a mechanical speed reducer forming two independent modules arranged on opposing sides of the bull-wheel, which is fitted on a movable carriage to provide mechanical tensioning of the rope.

Abstract: A high force traction apparatus which operates along the cable linear axis with no cable bending. The cable is encircled with links from several looping chain drives. The links have a concave friction surface to match the cable radius. Rollers apply pressure to multiple links thereby providing a high normal force on the cable. The staggered and synchronized links keep the high squeeze force evenly distributed. This allows the traction apparatus to impose a pulling force that approaches the cable tensile limit without cable damage.

Abstract: A traveling highline aerial cable rail system for moving objects over large distances in three-dimensional space. A pair of track dollies mounted beneath substantially parallel and distantly separated support trusses allow the entire load bearing highline itself to traverse X-axis space. The highline defines the Y-axis of the system and supports a skate that moves along this axis. A platform suspended from the skate moves vertically in the Z-axis and can support extremely heavy loads depending on the gauge of the rope used in the system. A three motor pulley system with a multiplicity of sheaves allow independent movement of all three axes. The system can move objects weighing thousands of pounds stably at 60 miles per hour or more through three-dimensional space. The system can be modularly widened along the X-axis by adding truss sections, and the highline can be configured to up to 1000 feet or more, using rope that can support several tons or more.

Abstract: A transportation system is provided that accommodates varying angles of slope along the path of its movement, while maintaining a level transportation platform without the need of mechanical leveling devices or systems. The platform may be connected to the rail by wheels, the closest of which to the platform is above the rail, and the other below the rail. Accordingly, the platform is torqued downward to maintain contact between the wheels and the rail. As the slope of the terrain, and thus the rail, increases, the rail is widened to maintain the platform at level. As the slope decreases, the rail is narrowed to the same effect. The platform also may be tilted for loading or unloading by this rail-widening method, as may be desired.

Abstract: The installation enables the downhill transportation of passengers from a higher station to a lower station along a rail. Cars that are guided along the rail are equipped with the first of two interacting elements of an electromagnetic braking device, in particular with one or more permanent magnets, and the guide rail being equipped with the second elements, in particular braking strips made from an electrically conductive nonmagnetizable material, such as copper or aluminum, which interact with said first elements of the braking device. Each car is equipped with one or more first elements with an operating brake that is adjustable as a function of its load, and with one or more first elements of a safety brake that is activatable during downhill travel.

Abstract: An accelerator and decelerator sliding block (30), in particular for transport system vehicles, comprising a first plane portion (40) longitudinally elongated, operatively associable to a roller conveyor (11) for accelerating or decelerating a vehicle, and a second portion (38) which extends longitudinally for a longer portion than the first portion (40); the roller conveyor (11) comprises a beam (18) which carries a plurality of axes (20), each carrying in turn a roller (22, 24) associable to the sliding block (30) so that first rollers (22) are arranged at free ends of the conveyor (11) and are arranged at a greater distance than that between successive second rollers (24).

Abstract: The installation conveys persons from a valley station to a mountain station and for carries individuals from the mountain station to the valley station via carriages that are guided along a track formed by a running rail. The installation has a cableway system with a haulage cable and transport assemblies that can be coupled thereto and are intended for persons and for conveying devices that convey the carriages from the valley station to the mountain station. The haulage cable is guided over cable-deflecting pulleys in the valley station and in the mountain station. Guide rails are provided in the valley station and in the mountain station along which the conveying devices and transport assemblies, uncoupled from the haulage cable, are guided around the cable-deflecting pulleys with conveying wheels. Bypass rails are connected to the guide rails via diverters both in the valley station and in the mountain station.

Abstract: A dog carriage for a railway car indexing system for positioning a railway car or a trip of coupled railway cars having railway wheels mounted in and carrying bogey wheel truck frames by engaging and pushing against the bogey wheel truck frames using dogs includes a dog carriage frame moveable along a railroad track, a pair of spaced opposed dogs pivotally attached to the dog carriage frame for pivoting between a lowered position and a raised position to engage a bogey wheel truck frame in the raised position by movement of the dog carriage frame. A bogey wheel truck frame sensing device is carried on the dog carriage and a dog operating system is provided for controlling the position of each of the dogs individually between the lowered and the raised position.

Abstract: A station for boarding a chairlift for continuously moving ropeway transport. The chairlift includes several seats, either fixed or detachably coupled at regular intervals. Each seat is taken in turn by successive ramps, an arrival, a turnaround and a departure ramp, the arrival and departure ramps being parallel. The turnaround ramp includes two turnings, upstream and downstream, separated by a rectilinear transfer ramp. A boarding site is located at an exit of the downstream turning. An angle &agr; between the arrival and transfer ramps, corresponding to the upstream turning is acute. An angle between the transfer and departure ramps, corresponding to the downstream turning is obtuse. The drive elements cause each seat to pivot on itself at the transfer ramp.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for actuating a switch guide beam swinging laterally between two or more fixed guide beam ends, in order to make a route selection for a beam guided vehicle. The moving guide beam pivots distantly of the primary fixed guide beam end to create a gap spanned by an intermediate suspended channel plate guide segment that provides substantially two equal lateral deflections to the moving vehicle for a route diversion in a storage yard or repair shop area. The mechanism for high speed or main line operation has two additional channel plate guide segments slidably guided at each end of the guide segment centrally affixed on the straddle beam and pivoted at the primary beam fixed end and the merge point on the radially moving swing guide beam to provide four substantially equal lateral deflections to the moving vehicle when a route diversion is required.

Abstract: A sheave arrangement having a driving drum and a tension wheel. The driving drum includes a circumferential groove that has two side walls disposed at an angle, alpha. A line preferably is placed between the drum and tension wheel such that a substantially non-distorting three contact point driving force is achieved. Utilization of this sheave arrangement in a slack pulling carriage and a method of driving a line with the sheave arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A travelling device for hauling timber has a loading ramp (4) for the wood and a loading crane (5). Two cable drums (12, 13) with cables (18, 19) are attached to one frame (1), and one cable (19) can be attached in front of and the other cable (18) behind the device at a stationary point (20), and each cable drum (12, 13) can be driven for purposes of winding up the cable assigned to it. Using the cables (18, 19) the device can also be moved on steep or swampy terrain in which it is no longer possible to continue to move by means of conventional drives.

Abstract: A process for both storing vehicles of an aerial cable transport installation and taking vehicles from stored stock in a station. The vehicles are suspended by disengagable coupling clamps to the cable. The installation is shut down by braking and stopping a first car in the vicinity of a station exit, transferring the other cars in the station during the first step, braking and stopping a second car, transferring the rest of the cars in the station during the preceding step, and repeating the last two steps to use the entire station length to store cars. In one embodiment, the cable speed is approximately constant during the second and fourth steps of the process.

Abstract: A system for towing skiers up shallow slopes, comprising a continuously moving rope with a towing run resting on and sliding along the surface of the snow, and a return run held in a raised position by line towers. A safety device stops the system should a skier fail to let go of the towing run at the right time in the arrival area.

Abstract: Persons and/or goods are transported in vehicles which are each equipped with running wheels. The vehicles are connectable to a continuously driven traction cable by which they are driven along a track, such as on rails. A plurality of deceleration wheels and a plurality of acceleration wheels disposed in stations of the system where the vehicles may be loaded and unloaded. In the stations, the vehicles are disconnectable from the traction cable. The vehicles are slowed down by bringing the deceleration wheels into contact therewith and they are accelerated by bringing the acceleration wheels into contact therewith. The deceleration wheels are divided into a plurality of groups and the wheels within each group are driven at the same peripheral speed. Upon transfer of the vehicle from one group of wheels to an adjacent group, the wheels of the two groups are driven at the same speed as well.

Abstract: A loading station of a detachable chair-lift comprises two spots 22, 29 for alternate pickup of skiers 21. To give the skiers easy access to the pickup spots, the distance between the chairs is increased by grouping them in pairs in the access zones. The station may comprise two tracks 16, 17, each having a pickup spot, onto which the chairs 11, uncoupled from the rope, are directed alternately. The two pickup spots can be on the same track, one after the other, the grouping of the chairs in pairs then being modified when running between the two pickup spots so that the rear chair of the pair at the first is pickup spot comes in front at the second pickup spot.