Covering structure for a roadway

Abstract

 A covering structure (100) for a roadway (250) at the entrance/ exit of a tunnel (200) comprising a supporting frame (50) surmounting at least in part the roadway (250) and extending in a direction longitudinal to the road for at least a length (52) leading to the entrance and/ or a length (54) following the exit of the tunnel (200). The structure further comprises a plurality of covering panels (70) arranged on the supporting frame (50). In particular, the covering panels are arranged along the longitudinal direction in order to create an alternate sequence of shielding areas (72) against the solar light combined with areas (74) where the solar light passes, to obtain a progressive and gradual lightning change on the roadway along the length (52) leading to the entrance of the tunnel and/ or along the length (54) following the exit of the tunnel and to maximize the safety for the passing vehicle drivers.

Description

Scope Of The Invention

[0001] The present invention refers to a covering structure for a roadway, in particular at the entrance and/ or exit of road tunnels.

State of the Art

[0002] As known, artificial lighting of a road tunnel has the object to guarantee perfect safety conditions, speed and comforts comparable to those present in the carriageway before and after the tunnel, in particular during the day, for the passing vehicular traffic.

[0003] Artificial lighting systems arranged in a tunnel are made in such a way that they do not meet safety requirements. These requirements provide substantially a diversification of artificial lighting in different tunnel lengths, that is mainly in an entrance length, a middle length and an exit length.

[0004] For the purposes of the present invention with the term luminance is intended the value of the ratio between the light intensity emitted from a source, for example a lamp, towards a surface normal to the direction of the light flux, for example the road lane, and the area of the lighted surface. Such a quantity is further indicative of the glare that the light source could cause in vehicle drivers passing in the lighted tunnel.

[0005] More in particular, a first requirement to be considered during the design and/ or installation concerns the definition of a starting luminance level to be realized in the initial tunnel length (adaptation or sill length) in order that the driver, which is outside of the tunnel, could perceive the presence of possible obstacles inside the tunnel itself, at a helpful distance to be able to control his/ her vehicle consequently.

[0006] On the contrary a second requirement concerns the change determination of luminance level along a tunnel length, which is substantially central, disposed downstream of the initial length, in order to allow a progressive and gradual adaptation of the driver eye from high levels of outer daytime light to those levels present inside the tunnel.

[0007] Lastly a third requirement is to determine the luminance level in the final tunnel length which has to be obtained for the adaptation of the human eye from the luminance levels outside of the tunnel with respect to the luminance levels determinable in the central length of the tunnel which are due to the artificial lighting.

[0008] In building terms these requirements substantially become the arrangement of a so-called reinforcing lighting, which is provided in the entrance length of the tunnel, and a so-called pre-exit lighting provided in the exit length of the tunnel, in addition to a so-called permanent lighting in the central tunnel length.

[0009] According to afore stated considerations, the design, installation and efficient maintenance of a conventional artificial lighting system for tunnel, in terms specified by reference rules, are then complicated and difficult.

[0010] In addition, the so realized systems need a surplus of electric energy for the reinforcing and pre-exit lighting; this causes an increase of electric consumptions and managing costs, in addition to maintenance costs.

[0011] There is the need for a long time to minimize energy costs, in particular by road network providers provided with a number of tunnel lengths. For example Italy is one of nations with the lightest number of artificially lighted tunnels. Electric energy necessary for lighting tunnels during days and nights is very detrimental on managing costs.

[0012] A further inconvenience is from the fact that current lighting systems of road tunnels never avoid that vehicle drivers are subjected to troublesome phenomena of eyesight glare or dimming.

[0013] Patent application n. FR-A-2693228 discloses a solution according to prior art. A structure for partially covering the roadway is provided at the entrance/exit of a tunnel. Covering panels are mounted on the structure for intercepting and shielding the sunlight along a direction which would bother the drivers.

[0014] Other known solutions are disclosed by US 4885879 and GB 1177542.

Summary Of The Invention

[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a covering structure allowing to compensate for the afore described drawbacks, simplifying the artificial lighting system arranged in the tunnel - cutting consumptions and maintenance costs thereof - and in the meanwhile aiding such a system in regulating luminance values and therefore the luminosity the passing vehicle drivers perceive.

[0016] These and other objects are obtained by a covering structure for a roadway at the entrance and/ or the exit of a tunnel according to claim 1.

[0017] In particular the covering structure comprises a supporting frame surmounting the roadway at least in part, so that to allow the vehicle passage below, and extending for at least a length leading to the entrance of the tunnel and/ or a length following the exit of the tunnel in a direction longitudinal and parallel to the roadway. In addition the covering structure further comprises a plurality of covering panels arranged on the supporting frame.

[0018] In particular, the covering panels are arranged along the longitudinal direction, spaced out or placed side by side one to another, in order to create an alternate sequence of shielding areas against the solar light combined with areas where the solar light passes, to obtain a progressive and gradual illumination change the drivers perceive, that is the luminance value, in the length leading to the entrance of the tunnel and/ or in the length following the exit of the tunnel. For example, the invention allows to obtain a "black and white striping" on the roadway as alternation of light and shade blades of different sizes and pitches.

[0019] In other terms, the covering structure according to the invention creates a substantially protected way at the entrance/ exit of the tunnel which allows a visual adaptation gradually of vehicle drivers between the luminance values present in the tunnel with respect to luminance values present in the outer environment, and vice versa, during the daytime. Referring to plant system, this allows to eliminate the so called reinforcing and pre-exit lighting in the tunnel thereby keeping a simple permanent lighting with constant intensity for whole length thereof; these solutions allow to cut considerably the electricity consumptions in addition to maintenance costs.

[0020] Preferably, the entrance and/ or exit lengths of the tunnel are lengths which lengthen the tunnel itself, so that to be substantially adjacent to an inlet/ outlet section of the tunnel, respectively.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the covering panels are opaque to the light, that is they are able to create shielding areas against the light (well defined shadows, for example), and they are spaced out from one another to obtain in-between areas for the light passage. In particular the covering panels are spaced out according to a pitch p, which is preferably constant. Consecutive covering panels on the supporting frame have a width, one with respect to the other, measured along the longitudinal direction (L), increasing in the length leading to the entrance of the tunnel and decreasing in the length following the exit of the tunnel. Preferably the width dimension of each panel is obtained by assembling one or more modules one to another.

[0022] In a further embodiment, covering panels are opaque panels and they are spaced out one from another according to a pitch p' decreasing in the length leading to the entrance of the tunnel and increasing in the length following the exit of the tunnel, respectively. In such a case covering panels can have the same width or a different width, as afore mentioned.

[0023] Alternatively or in combination with the afore described solutions, covering panels can be arranged one adjacent to the other and have a different transparency/ opaqueness level to the solar light, one with respect to the others, thereby allowing to obtain a corresponding shielding area or an area for the solar light passage.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment the supporting frame comprises a first and a second base which extend along the longitudinal direction and are disposed at sides opposite one to another with respect to the roadway. It further comprises a plurality of supporting beams having a portal, or arch, shape and spaced out according to a preferably constant separation center-to-center. The ends of each beam rest on the side bases and are fixed to the latter. Supporting beams are preferably arranged at a separation center-to-center comprised between 0.80m and 2m, in particular at about one meter one from another.

[0025] Preferably each covering panel extends for a determined arc of a circle along the portal or arch profile of the supporting beams.

[0026] The width of the covering panels is preferably coincident or a multiple of the separation center-to-center between two adjacent supporting beams.

[0027] The supporting beams preferably have curvature radius equal to the tunnel curvature radius.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, between the supporting beams a covering with wire - mesh netting is provided, in order to guarantee fire resistance in case of fire, shock and corrosion resistance from atmospheric agents. In addition the wire - mesh netting can be used to create half-light on the roadway, if need be.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment covering panels are assembled fixedly on supporting beams.

[0030] Alternatively each covering panel is combined with guide means arranged on two supporting beams adjacent one to another which allow their angular sliding along the arched profile. This allows to adjust the position of the corresponding panel for the adaptation to the solar light orientation and the optimization the light shielding as a consequence. In case of photovoltaic panels it further allows to optimize the light amount which is directed towards the active surface of the photovoltaic panel.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment covering panels are photovoltaic panels. Preferably photovoltaic panels are flexible panels which adapt to the arched shape of the covering surface the supporting frame defines. Arrangement of photovoltaic panels as covering panels allows to produce an energy amount that can be used to supply the permanent lighting inside the tunnel. Each photovoltaic panel is combined with an energy accumulator and an inverter able to invert the direct current in alternating current.

[0032] The covering structure, according to the invention, can further be applied in other scope, for example the scope of greenhouses for the cultivation of vegetable or other type products which need the adjustment of the solar irradiation conditions. This application is independent from the covering structure applied to a road tunnel, therefore the Applicant reserves the right to deposit a corresponding divisional Patent Application.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from a review of the following specification of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, shown for illustration purposes only and without limitation, with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:

• figure 1 shows a perspective view of a covering structure of a roadway at the entrance and/ or the exit of a tunnel, according to the present invention;
• figure 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the covering structure of figure 1, according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0034] Referring to figure 1, a covering structure 100 for a roadway 250 at the entrance and/ or the exit of a tunnel 200 is represented. In particular, the covering structure 100 comprises a supporting frame 50 surmounting the roadway 250, at least in part and along a cross direction T, and developing along a longitudinal direction L in parallel with the roadway 250 for at least a length 52 at the entrance, and/ or a length 54 at the exit. In figure 1 only one covering structure 100 is represented, which could represent both the length 52 at the entrance of the tunnel 200 and the length 54 at the exit of the tunnel 200, based on the two opposite running directions d, d' of vehicles.

[0035] More in particular, the supporting frame 50 defines at least a lengthening 52 at the entrance of the tunnel 200 and/ or a lengthening 54 at the exit of the tunnel 200. With the term lengthening is intended that the length 52 at the entrance and/ or the length 54 at the exit are adjacent respectively to an inlet of the tunnel 202 and an outlet 204 of the tunnel.

[0036] The covering structure 100 further comprises a plurality of covering panels 70 assembled on the supporting frame 50. The covering panels 70 are arranged along a longitudinal direction L so that to create an alternate sequence of shielding areas 72 against the solar light combined with areas 74 where the solar light passes and to obtain a progressive and gradual illumination change in the entrance length 52 of the tunnel and/ or in the exit length 54 of the tunnel.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, as better shown in figure 2, the covering panels 70 are opaque to the light and they are spaced out one from another according to a constant pitch p' and they have a width Lp measured along the longitudinal direction L increasing in the entrance length 52, according to the running direction d, and a Lp width decreasing in the exit length 54, according to the running direction d'. With the term opaque panels are intended, which are able to shield a high percentage of light hitting them, or else allowing to create a corresponding shading on the roadway 250. In this embodiment covering panels are preferably composed by a plurality of modules which can be coupled one to another, so that to increase progressively the panel area to be obtained.

[0038] In alternative, in a not shown way, the covering panels 70 opaque to the light are spaced out one from another respectively by a decreasing pitch p in the entrance length 52, according to the running direction d, and an increasing pitch p in the exit length 54, according to the running direction d'.

[0039] Both afore described solutions in other terms are defined as shielding area 72, as areas coated by means of opaque covering elements 70 which shield the light passage, and the areas 74 for the light passage as open areas free of covering elements 70.

[0040] Still in alternative, in a not shown way, the covering panels 70 are adjacent one to another so that to form a whole covering along the longitudinal direction L. Panels have a different transparency/ opaqueness level allowing to obtain the same afore described effect. In other words covering panels opaque to the light are arranged alternately to covering panels transparent to the light.

[0041] Then such a covering structure 100, according to the present invention, allows to eliminate the so called reinforcing and pre-exit lighting provided in conventional artificial lighting systems, considerably simplifying the lighting system needing, in such a case, a constant and permanent lighting extending for the whole tunnel length. This means a great reduction of electrical costs and maintenance costs. In addition, the covering structure 100 also allows to optimize the step of visual adapting at the entrance and the exit of the tunnel, thereby increasing the safety, the speed and the running comfort of vehicles passing in the tunnel.

[0042] From a constructional point of view, in a preferred embodiment, as shown in figure 2, the supporting frame 50 comprises a first 53 and a second 55 base which extend along the longitudinal direction L and are disposed at sides opposite one to another with respect to the roadway 250. It further comprises a plurality of supporting beams 51 having a portal, or arch, shape, aligned and spaced out one to another according to a preferably constant center-to-center i. The ends 51a, 51b of each supporting beams 51 are assembled integrally on the first 53 and the second 55 base, respectively. The supporting beams 51 are preferably arranged at a center-to-center i comprised between 0.80m and 2m, in particular of about 1m. Each covering panel 70 extends for a determined arc of a circle along the arch profile of the supporting beams 51.

[0043] The width Lp of the covering panels 70, obtained by coupling one or more modules as afore described, is preferably a multiple of the separation center-to-center i. The supporting beams 51 preferably have a curvature radius equal to the tunnel curvature radius of the inlet 202 and/ or the outlet 204 of the tunnel 200 (fig. 1).

[0044] In a preferred embodiment the covering panels 70 are photovoltaic panels and preferably of a flexible type, which are able to adapt and follow the portal or arc profile of the supporting beams 51. The arrangement of photovoltaic panels as covering panels 70 allows the shielding function against the light to collaborate with the function of storing solar energy for making electrical energy. More in particular, each photovoltaic panel carries the solar energy stored as direct current into an inverter (not shown) adapted to change in its turn the direct current in alternating current, use ready for tunnel energy needs, mainly in order to supply the permanent lighting system of the tunnel 200.

[0045] Further constructive features of the covering structure 100 according to the invention comprise the possibility of arranging sliding guides on the supporting beams, able to allow a corresponding covering panel 70 to change its relative position along the portal or arc profile of the supporting beams 51, for example in order to adapt its own orientation towards the solar light during daytime. In case of photovoltaic panels such an adjustment further allows to optimize the light amount which is directed towards the active surface of the photovoltaic panel.

[0046] Preferably, as shown in figure 2, between the beams a covering with wire - mesh netting 80, for example, can be assembled, having the function of guaranteeing fire resistance in case of fire, shock and corrosion resistance from atmospheric agents and creating half-light on the roadway between the light blades.

Claims

1. A covering structure (100) for a roadway (250) at the entrance and/ or the exit of a tunnel (200) comprising:

- a supporting frame (50) surmounting the roadway (250) at least in part and extending, for at least a length (52) leading to the entrance of the tunnel and/ or a length (54) following the exit of the tunnel (200), in a direction (L) longitudinal to the roadway (250) itself,

- a plurality of covering panels (70) arranged on said supporting frame (50),
wherein said covering panels (70) are arranged along a longitudinal direction (L) so that to create an alternate sequence of shielding areas (72) against the solar light combined with areas (74) where the solar light passes, to obtain a progressive and gradual illumination change in the length (52) leading to the entrance of the tunnel and/ or in the length (54) following the exit of the tunnel.

2. Covering structure (100) according to claim 1, wherein said length (52) leading to the entrance of the tunnel and/ or said length (54) following the exit of the tunnel are lengths adjacent to inlet (202)/ outlet (204) parts of the tunnel (200), respectively, which lengthen the tunnel (200).

3. Covering structure (100) according to any one of the claims 1-2, wherein said covering panels (70) are opaque to the light in order to obtain a corresponding shielding area (72) against the light, and they are spaced out from one another according to a constant or increasing/ decreasing pitch (p), to obtain corresponding in-between areas (74) for the light passage, and have a width (Lp), measured along said longitudinal direction (L), increasing in said length (52) leading to the entrance and a width (Lp) decreasing in said length (54) following the exit.

4. Covering structure (100) according to any one of the claims 1-2, wherein said covering panels (70) are opaque to the light, in order to obtain a corresponding shielding area (72) against the light, and they are spaced out from one another to obtain a corresponding area (74) for the light passage, according to a pitch (p') decreasing in the length (52) leading to the entrance of the tunnel (200) and increasing in the length (54) following the exit of the galley (200), respectively.

5. Covering structure (100) according to any one of the claims 1-2, wherein said covering panels (70) are adjacent one to another and they have a different transparency/ opaqueness level to the light so that to obtain corresponding shielding areas (72) against the solar light or areas (74) for the passage of the solar light.

6. Covering structure (100) according to any one of the claims 1-2, wherein said covering panels (70) are arranged according to a layout obtainable as combination of the layouts described in claims 3, 4 and 5.

7. Covering structure (100) according to any one of the claims 1-6, wherein said supporting frame (50) comprises a plurality of supporting beams (51) having a portal, or arch, profile, and spaced out according to a center-to-center distance (i).

8. Covering structure (100) according to claim 7, wherein each covering panel (70) extends along the profile of said supporting beams (51) for a determined arc of a circle.

9. Covering structure (100) according to any one of the claims 1-8, wherein each covering panel (70) is combined with guide means arranged on said supporting beams (51) which allow their sliding along a profile of said supporting beams (51).

10. Covering structure (100) according to any one of the claims 1-9, wherein said covering panels (70) are photovoltaic panels, preferably flexible photovoltaic panels.

11. Covering structure according to any one of the claims 1-10, wherein between said supporting beams (51) a covering (80) with wire - mesh netting is arranged, in order to guarantee fire resistance in case of fire, shock and corrosion resistance from atmospheric agents and to make half - light.

Drawing