Abstract:
An arrangement for overcoming heights or vertical distances, such as, in particular, high-voltage towers, towers for wind installations, buildings, high-bay warehouses, etc., has a longitudinally extended, rail-like profile ( 7 ) or guide member, and at least one portable lift element which is releasably fastenable to the profile, consisting of a driving part ( 3 ) which is movable up and down along the profile or guide member and a platform ( 5 ) for receiving at least one person or loads.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application Number PCT/EP2012/053595 filed Mar. 2, 2012 with claiming priority of Switzerland Application Number 00402/11 filed Mar. 9, 2011. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an arrangement for climbing, for example, high-voltage and wind-turbine towers where at least extensive vertical distances must be overcome and to a method for climbing an, for example, high-voltage or wind-turbine tower. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Increased safety requirements are in force for maintenance and repair work on high towers, such as, for example, high-voltage power line towers, towers for wind installations and the like, and therefore complicated and expensive lift or ladder systems have to be arranged in or on said towers. However, it is hazardous to climb up and down ladders, and an investigation by Darmstadt Technical College, for example, revealed that approx. 70% of the accidents have taken place in conjunction with the climbing of ladders which are fixedly fitted, such as, for example, on the high-voltage towers mentioned. 
     The prior art describes a series of what are referred to as climbing aids which are proposed in order to climb high objects. For example, DE 102 01 965 describes a device for covering distances directed vertically upward. This describes a climbing aid which is actuable by means of muscular power and is movable up and down in the manner of a caterpillar on a ladder attached in a fixed position. Further climbing aids are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,858, U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,070 and in WO2007/051 341. 
     Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,072 describes a rescue device, such as a rescue ladder or a rescue lift which can be moved up and down on a sliding surface designed in the manner of a rack on a house façade. In this case, the person who is to be rescued is held on the slider or lift by means of a strap system, wherein, furthermore, automatically responding braking systems are provided in order to permit safe rescue of a person. For the 500 000 high-voltage towers erected in Germany alone, a system of this type is not suitable, since it is too complicated, too expensive and also too awkward in operation. 
     Finally, WO 2005/016 461 describes an arrangement for climbing up and/or down, for example, high-voltage towers, wherein the climbing primarily takes place by means of two separate climbing consoles which can be used both manually and also by means of a motor drive. According to one variant embodiment, it is even proposed to operate the two climbing consoles coupled together as a lift. 
     All of the known systems have the disadvantage that, because of the exacting safety requirements, climbing, for example, of the high-voltage towers mentioned is very time-consuming and laborious, and the systems are too expensive in particular in respect of the anticipated costs, especially during operation. 
     A further disadvantage resides in the fact that the climbing devices or lifts are heavy in terms of weight, and therefore use on different towers necessitates laborious transportation from one tower to the next, for example with a transport vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a device which is cost-effective, is simple to install and is also simple to use and permits rapid, safe and uncomplicated climbing in particular of the high-voltage towers mentioned. 
     A further object consists in proposing a climbing device which is autonomous of, for example, climbing profiles arranged on the tower, is usable on different towers and is mobile and is easily transportable. 
     An arrangement is proposed for climbing towers, such as, in particular, high-voltage towers, towers of wind installations, such as for wind turbines, high buildings, high-bay warehouses, etc., which arrangement has a longitudinally extended, rail-like profile or guide member, and also at least one portable, mobile lift element which is fastenable re-releasably to the profile or guide member, consists of a driving part which is movable up and down along the profile or guide member and of a platform for receiving at least one person or loads, wherein the drive of the driving part is feedable by an energy accumulator arranged in the lift element or by an external power source, such as a storage battery, a battery or via a power transmission member. 
     The storage battery or the battery can be arranged in the lift element, preferably in the platform, so as to be removable again. 
     According to one alternative embodiment, it is proposed that the platform is connected to the driving part so as to be removable again. 
     In turn according to one alternative embodiment, it is proposed that the lift element is partially composed of lightweight construction materials, such as fiber-reinforced composite materials, aluminum, aluminum alloys and/or the like, in order to guarantee the portability as a whole or in parts. 
     According to a further alternative embodiment, it is proposed that the rail-like profile is of U-shaped design, V-shaped design or is designed extensively rectilinearly in the form of a band, and the driving part has securing members which engage laterally around the profile, as seen in the longitudinal direction, and are latchable in a fixing position in order to ensure secure holding of the driving part on the profile. 
     Furthermore, it is proposed that at least one gearwheel is provided on the driving part for the transmission of force from the drive to the profile which has perforations or openings which run in the longitudinal direction and are in the manner of a rack. 
     Furthermore, it is proposed that at least one emergency stopping member which is latchable into the rack is provided on the driving part, said emergency stopping member being operatively connected to a position, motion and/or speed sensor. 
     In turn according to a further alternative embodiment, it is proposed that the rail-like profile consists of at least two or more joinable or pluggable-together profile elements, having a rack division running in the longitudinal direction. Longitudinally running pattern elements are arranged in at least one wall of each profile element, with a uniformly spaced pattern of holes corresponding to the rack division. A connecting element is provided between every two profile elements, with a further wall provided in order to bear against the wall of each profile element and with further patterns of holes which likewise run longitudinally and are congruent to the pattern of the holes, said patterns of holes therefore being spaced in a corresponding manner. Profile elements and the connecting element are fixedly connected to one another by means of rivets, pins, screws and the like, which are arranged in the perforations of the patterns of holes, in such a manner that the rack division merges in an unchanging manner from one profile element to the other. 
     Instead of the longitudinally extended profile, the lift element can be moved upward and downward on a guide member, such as a pillar, one or more rod elements or one or more wire cables. 
     In turn, it is furthermore proposed that the securing members, such as, for example, sliding rollers, are automatically lockable or foldable inward, in each case engaging laterally behind the profile or guide member, when the driving part is placed against the profile or guide member. 
     Further alternative embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention are characterized in dependent claims. 
     A method for climbing towers, such as, in particular, high-voltage towers, towers for wind installations and the like, is furthermore proposed, wherein, on a longitudinally extended, rail-like profile or guide member fastened to the tower, a lift element, which is autonomous of the profile or guide member and is removable again, is arranged on the profile, which lift element is arranged fixedly on the profile by means of latchable securing members engaging laterally in each case behind the profile or guide member. A platform which is connected re-releasably to the driving part is accessed by at least one person, or is loaded with a load, and the driving part is fed/activated by an energy accumulator, such as a storage battery or a battery or by an external power source, in order to move upward on the tower by way of the profile, wherein the energy accumulator is optionally arranged in the lift element. 
     Alternative embodiments of the method according to the invention are characterized in dependent claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is now explained in more detail by way of example and with reference to the attached figures, in which: 
         FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    show the lift element according to the invention in two different perspective views, 
         FIG. 2  shows the lift element according to the invention in figures a and b, likewise in a perspective view, and arranged on the longitudinally extended, rail-like profile together with an operator, 
         FIG. 3  shows, in a schematic perspective, two rail-like profiles which are to be connected and a connecting element provided for the connection, 
         FIG. 4  shows the lift element according to the invention dismantled into the most important component parts, including a detail of the rail-like profile, 
         FIG. 5  shows the driving motor schematically in a perspective of the lift element according to the invention, 
         FIG. 6  shows the platform of the lift element in a perspective view, 
         FIG. 7  shows schematically, with reference to figures a to d, the fixed arrangement of the lift element on the rail-like profile, 
         FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b    show, schematically in section, the manner of operation of an emergency stopping member of the lift element, 
         FIG. 9  shows an operating console of the lift element schematically in perspective, 
         FIGS. 10 a  to 10 c    schematically show the mobile units of the lift element, 
         FIG. 11  shows, schematically and in perspective, a fastening element for fastening the rail-like profile to a tower, and 
         FIG. 12  shows the illustration of a person climbing up a tower along the rail-like profile by means of the lift element according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows, in perspective, two different views of the lift element  1  according to the invention which is provided in order to serve, for example, for the ascent and descent of a person when carrying out repair work to high-voltage towers. The lift element  1  according to the invention primarily has two main parts, namely a driving and guide part  3  and a platform  5 , provided in order to serve as a base for a person or a load. 
       FIG. 2 , in turn in two perspective views, illustrates the lift element  1  mounted on the longitudinally extended, rail-like profile  7 . The driving part  3  is fixedly connected to the profile  7 , wherein the manner of the fastening will be discussed later on. A person  2  who has to climb up, for example, for carrying out repair or installation work on a high-voltage tower is located on the platform  5  which is connected to the driving part  3 . Finally, a fastening element or a fastening clamp  9  is provided on the profile  7 , by means of which the profile or guide member is fixedly arranged on the tower. Of course, instead of a platform, a seat can also be provided for the person. 
       FIG. 3 , in turn schematically and in perspective, illustrates how two profile elements are connected to each other in order to produce the entire rail-like profile along the high-voltage tower for the ascent or descent of the lift element and, for example, of the person who has to use the lift for carrying out repair work. The two profile elements  101 ′ and  101 ″ illustrated in  FIG. 3  have a U-shaped cross section with longitudinal tubes  115 ′ and  115 ″ arranged in the corners of the U-shaped profile. As can clearly be seen in  FIG. 3 , the profile elements  101 ′ and  101 ″ have a longitudinally running rack division  105 ′ and  105 ″ which is provided so that the driving part can be moved upward and downward along the profile by means of gearwheels engaging in the rack division. For the joining together of the two profile elements  101 ′ and  101 ″, it is now essential for the rack division  105 ′ and  105 ″ to be continued from one profile to the next in a consistently spaced manner. For this reason, the use of at least one connecting element  121  is proposed in order to guarantee the consistent spacing of rack division  105 ′ and  105 ″. The two profile elements have patterns of holes  111 ′ and  111 ″ which run longitindally in two lateral limb surfaces  109 ′ and  109 ″ and have individual perforations  113 ′ and  113 ″. Patterns of holes  125  which likewise each run in the longitudinal direction and have individual perforations  127  are provided in the two side limbs  123  of the connecting element  121  which is likewise formed in a U-shaped manner mirror-symmetrically with respect to the two profiles. The individual perforations  127  have an at least approximately identical hole cross section as the perforations  113 ′ and  113 ″ and, in addition, are spaced identically. The patterns of holes are oriented lying precisely on one another, as a result of which a connection of the connecting element  121  to the two profile elements  101 ′ and  102 ′, for example, with the rivets  129  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is then made possible. The rivets can be inserted in a very simple manner, for example, by means of a “storage battery-operated rivet gun”. The fact that the rack division  105 ′ and  105 ″ is continued at a uniform spacing from one profile to the next is achieved by the distance between the perforations in the side walls being aligned with the individual perforations  107 ′ and  107 ″ of the rack division  105 ′ and  105 ″ and, in addition, being spaced analogously. The connection of two profile elements that is illustrated in  FIG. 3  is furthermore described in detail in WO 2009/034 010, the content of which is hereby included as part of the present invention. The profile elements  101 ′ and  101 ″ are plugged together by means of pins  133 . 
       FIG. 4  schematically illustrates the individual parts of the lift element and part of the longitudinally extended, rail-like profile  7 . The driving part  3  has, for example, two motor units  15 ′ and  15 ″ which serve to move the lift element upward and downward along the rail-like profile  7 . The motor unit is discussed separately in more detail in  FIG. 5 . 
     A head part  13  which has, inter alia, handles, operating elements, displays and speed sensors, etc., is provided at the upper end of the driving part. Said head part is discussed in more detail in  FIG. 9 . Various elements required for operating the driving part, such as safety relay, controller, radio, emergency stopping members, etc., are arranged in an electronic housing  17  with a cover  21 .  FIG. 4  schematically illustrates two emergency stopping members  19 , the function of which is discussed in more detail in turn with respect to  FIG. 8 . A platform support  23 , on which the platform  5  can be fixedly mounted, for example, by means of a mechanical or electric coupling, is provided at the lower end of the driving part. A holder for a battery or a storage battery, and also corresponding electronic charging means are provided in the platform  5 , which has a standing area for a person. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates, schematically in perspective, a driving motor  15 ′ or  15 ″, as seen in a view from the rail-like profile. Gearwheels  37  which can be connected, for example, to an integrated claw coupling are provided for the drive. The gearwheels  37  are driven by means of a driving motor which is laterally covered in each case by driving covers  31 . Running rollers  33  and  34  are provided for guiding the driving part or the lift element, wherein the running rollers  34  can each be pivoted about pivoting axes  42 , for example when the driving part is fixedly arranged on the rail-like profile or guide member. Cam-like pins  41  are provided for connecting the driving motor to the main housing or the electronic housing or for the connecting or the platform. 
       FIG. 6  shows the platform  5  illustrated from the lower side, for example with a transparent covering, thus enabling a storage battery cell  49  arranged in the platform  5 , for example lithium iron phosphate storage battery cells, to be visible. An electronic charging means is denoted laterally schematically by the reference number  47 , wherein, at the same time, a main switch can be provided in order to interrupt the power supply of the driving part. An electronic connection  51  to the driving part is provided on the front side of the platform  5 , and a limb  52 , in which a mechanical lock  45  can be arranged, is provided laterally in each case for the fastening to the driving part. 
     The advantage of this releasability of the platform  5  from the driving part resides in the fact that the storage battery can be removed at any time for charging together with the platform and can easily be transported, for example, by means of the handle  53 . The separation of the platform from the driving part also enables the entire lift element to be able to be transported substantially more simply, since two easily portable elements are therefore provided, whereas the entire lift element would be rather difficult to transport manually. The separability of the platform also makes it possible to be able to use different storage batteries, in particular if one storage battery is defective or if a new generation of storage batteries is intended to be used. 
     It is now schematically illustrated with reference to  FIG. 7  how the lift element according to the invention is intended to be fixedly positioned on the rail-like profile  7 . The entire operation is illustrated schematically with reference to figures a to d. 
       FIG. 7 a    shows the driving part  3 , as seen from above, i.e. the head part  13  with the operating element and the laterally protruding covers  31  of the driving motor are visible. The driving part  3  is intended now to be arranged fixedly on the rail-like profile  7 , in which a connecting element  121  is likewise visible, as are four longitudinal tubes  115  arranged in the corners of the profile. The profile  7  for its part, is arranged fixedly on a high-voltage tower  6  via fastening member  9 . For the fixed arrangement of the driving part  3 , two guide rollers  34  which are pivoted away laterally and engage laterally around the rail-like profile upon installation are provided. 
     First of all, as illustrated in figure b, the driving part is guided towards the rail-like profile  7  until the two longitudinal tubes  115 , which are located closer to the driving part, engage in the two running rollers  33 . Upon pressing against the rail-like profile  7 , the two running rollers  34  which are further away and engage around the two outer longitudinal tubes  115 , are automatically pivoted inward, as illustrated in figure c, in order to connect the driving part fixedly to the profile. At the same time as the inward movement, the rollers  34  are automatically latched, thus making it impossible to remove the driving part from the profile  7 . 
     If the driving part  3  is now arranged fixedly on the profile  7 , the platform  5  can also be connected to the driving part  3 , which is illustrated schematically in the two figures c and d. It is also provided during the arrangement of the platform  5  that the mechanical lock  45 , which is described with respect to  FIG. 6 , automatically latches, thus making it impossible to remove the platform  5 . In the illustration according to  FIG. 7 d   , the lift element is fixedly connected to the profile  7 , and therefore, for example, an engineer can now climb a high-voltage tower. 
       FIGS. 8  ( a  and  b ) illustrates an important safety element which guarantees that an uncontrolled movement of the driving part on the rail-like profile is impossible. In particular, it is intended to be made impossible for the lift element to be moved downward in an uncontrolled manner and to be able to overshoot the upper or the lower end of the rail-like profile, likewise in an uncontrolled manner. 
       FIG. 8 a    shows the pawl  151  in the rest state, freely movable in a mounting  152  and latched by the spring  153  into the grid structure  105  of the rail  101 . As a result, the driving part  3  is fixedly connected to the rail  101 —the lift cannot move. In the event of an emergency, the power supply to the pawl drive (magnet)  154  is interrupted and the spring  153  automatically pushes the pawl  151  into the grid structure  105  of the rail  101 . 
       FIG. 8 b    shows a drive with energized magnet  154 , tensioned spring  153  and retracted/tensioned pawl  151 . During normal and undisturbed travel of the lift, the pawl  151  is tensioned in said rear position and the lift can move freely. 
       FIG. 9  shows the head part  13  according to  FIG. 4  in detail with the various members and elements arranged thereon. An emergency push button switch  61  is provided at the top in the center and can be used to trigger an emergency braking of the driving part or lift element. It is also possible to see, for example, an ultrasonic sensor  63  for remote operation. The head part  13  has laterally a protective panel  625 , on which handles  75  are provided laterally so that a person in the lift can hold thereon. A rocker push button switch  73  for downhill or uphill travel is likewise provided laterally. Of course said rocker push button switch can be arranged laterally on the left and/or right. 
     Further operating elements  67  are provided for the operation of the lift element. 
     Various operating and operationally-relevant data, which are settable by means of further operating elements  71 , can be displayed on a display  69 . Various menus can also be selected with said operating elements  71  in order to display a very wide variety of information on the display  69 . 
     Finally, connecting pins  77  are provided for connecting the head part or the head console  13  to the driving housing. 
       FIG. 10  shows once again schematically the various parts of the lift element, wherein, in  FIG. 10 a   , the driving part  3  and the platform  5  are separated from each other for the transportation. For the operation, the platform  5  and the driving part  3  are connected to each other, and, according to  FIG. 10 c   , it is furthermore possible to arrange clip-on wheels laterally, for the transportation of the lift element, if the platform and the driving part are not intended to be separated. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates how the rail-like profile  7  can be fastened, for example, to a high-voltage tower by means of the fastening member  9 . As is known, in the region of two profile parts  101  butting against each other, the rail-like profile  7  has a connecting element  121  on which the fastening member can now be fixedly arranged by means of screw connections  143 . On the side opposite the profile, the fastening member  9  has a hole-like opening  145 , by means of which the profile can be fitted to the high-voltage tower in turn by means of, for example, a screw connection. 
       FIG. 12  finally shows, with reference to a basic view, how a person  2  can climb a high-voltage tower or a tower of a wind installation, or can descend therefrom again, along the rail-like profile  7  by means of the lift element  1  according to the invention. The lift element  1  according to the invention, consisting of the driving part  3  and the platform  5 , is used by a person  2  in order to move up a high-voltage tower  6  along the rail-like profile. It is essential here for the person to wear, for example, a helmet  84  and to be secured by means of a strap  85 , wherein the buckling-up of the strap can be ensured, for example, by means of a monitoring means  87 . The operation of the lift element is preferably coupled to said monitoring sensor in such a manner that the lift can be operated only when a person is buckled up. Further monitoring elements can be provided in order to ensure overloading of the platform is indicated by means of a load sensor  89 , in order to monitor the operation by means of a speed sensor  91  arranged, for example, in the region of the platform, etc. 
     The elements, profile parts and parts of the lift element etc., which are illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 12 , merely constitute examples for better explanation of the present invention. Of course, the design can be adapted to the particular requirements, and the lift element illustrated according to the invention can be supplemented by further components. The configuration of the rail-like profile can also differ; the U-shaped configuration merely constitutes one example. Instead of the rail-like profile which is mentioned and is described in the figures, guide members configured in another manner are also conceivable for the upward and downward movement of the lift element described. For example, a stand-like guide member or single- or multi-part rod-like guide members, on which the lift element can be fastened and moved, is/are conceivable. However, guide cables arranged fixedly on, for example, high-voltage towers may optionally also be suitable for the re-releasable attachment of the lift element described according to the invention. 
     It is advantageous that the lift element can be at least in two parts, consisting of a driving part and a platform which is releasable connectable re to the driving part. The lift element is intended to be independent, portable and mobile and to be brought from use location to use location (a plurality of fixedly installed rails). With regard to the portability, reference should be made to the respective legal regulations defining appropriate specifications, such as, for example, a weight of a maximum of 30 kg. The mobility is further assisted by the lift element being manufactured in a lightweight construction, for example, by using lightweight construction materials, such as aluminum, aluminum alloys, fiber-reinforced composite materials, etc. It is also desirable for the drive to be fed by a storage battery or a fuel accumulator which is arranged on the lift element itself in order to guarantee complete autonomy of the lift element from the rail-like profile or guide member. Finally, it should be mentioned that the operation of the lift element can also take place by wireless remote control, that is to say, the drive can be operable by remote control.