HEATING SYSTEM FOR HEATING TRANSPORT UNITS OF A CABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEM, CABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEM COMPRISING SAID HEATING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAID HEATING SYSTEM

Abstract

 A heating system for heating a transport unit (8) of a cable transport system (1) has at least one electrically conductive element (14), which is arranged along a heating section (15) of a predefined path (5) and is configured to selectively electrically connect/disconnect with a heating element (11) arranged in a transport unit (8); a power supply circuit (22), which comprises a switch assembly (37) for selectively activating/deactivating the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element (14); and a recognition device (16), which is configured to detect the presence of passengers in a boarding area (12) of the transport system (1) and to generate a presence signal indicative of said detected presence; and a control unit (24), which is configured to receive the generated presence signal and to control the switch assembly (37) as a function of said received presence signal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102021000030788 filed on December 6, 2021 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention concerns a heating system for heating transport units of a cable transport system, preferably aerial, and a cable transport system, preferably aerial, for transporting passengers comprising said heating system.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention refers to a method for controlling said heating system.

[0004] Aerial cable transport systems are particularly useful when the conformation of the underlying terrain, or other factors surrounding it, do not make the classic ground advance feasible. For example, these aerial cable systems are used in the event that the path to be travelled involves significant elevation changes, even with considerable gradients. This path is typical of ski/mountain resort areas, where aerial cable transport systems are referred to as ski lifts. However, aerial cable transport systems are also advantageously applied in urban contexts where inland transport is congested.

BACKGROUND

[0005] In the currently known aerial cable transport systems, passengers are transported along a predefined path by means of transport units supplied one after the other between two terminal stations, also known as upstream and downstream stations, located at the ends of the transport system and where passengers safely board and unboard from the transport units.

[0006] In particular, the term "aerial" refers to cable systems in which the transport units are moved and supported by at least one cable in a raised position with respect to the ground below or with respect to any other fixed structures below.

[0007] By way of example, the transport systems may be chairlifts, in which each transport unit comprises a seat for each passenger to sit, or cable cars, in which the transport units comprise a cabin.

[0008] The currently known aerial cable transport systems can be of the "mono-cable" type, in which the load-bearing cable also performs the function of a drawing cable, or they can be of the "bi-cable" and "tri-cable" type, in which in addition to the drawing cable there are respectively one or two load-bearing cables.

[0009] As is well known, the drawing cable is returned in a loop and moved between the terminal stations and in the case of mono-cable transport systems the transport units comprise special devices (for example clamps) to remain bound to the cable at least in the section outside the stations. Typically, in fact, in the terminal stations the transport units disengage from the drawing cable to proceed at a lower speed in order to allow a safe unboarding and boarding of the passengers, without slowing down the transport units in motion along the rest of the predefined path.

[0010] In order to ensure the comfort of passengers, when the ambient temperature falls below a certain threshold, in the currently known aerial cable transport systems it is necessary to heat the transport units by means of a heating system.

[0011] Typically, the transport units are heated by means of heating elements with electrical resistor installed in each transport unit. By way of example, in the case where the aerial cable system is a chairlift, the heating elements are installed in a padding of each seat.

[0012] During the transit of each transport unit through a terminal station of the transport system, said heating elements are supplied and, consequently, produce heat by heating the respective transport unit. In particular, the known heating systems comprise electrically conductive elements, which are configured to be electrically supplied and are arranged in heating sections along the predetermined path at a terminal station.

[0013] In practice, during the transit of the transport unit in the heating section, the heating elements are supplied through sliding collectors, each of which is mounted on a suspension of the respective transport unit and is guided along the respective electrically conductive element so as to electrically connect each electrically conductive element to the respective heating elements.

[0014] A proximity sensor is positioned at the entrance and at the exit of each heating section, which detects the entering and the exiting of each transport unit in/from the heating section, activating or deactivating the power supply of the electrically conductive element.

[0015] However, in the currently known heating systems, the consumption of electricity for supplying the heating elements is high and has a negative impact both on environmental pollution and on the operating costs of the transport system.

SUMMARY

[0016] Aim of the present invention is to realize a heating system for heating transport units of a cable transport system that mitigates the drawbacks highlighted herein of the prior art.

[0017] In accordance with the present invention, it is realized a heating system for heating transport units of a cable transport system, preferably aerial, comprising a transport cable extending along a predefined path; the heating system comprising:

• at least one electrically conductive element, which is arranged along a heating section of the predefined path and is configured to selectively electrically connect/disconnect with a heating element arranged in a transport unit when said transport unit enters/exits the heating section;
• a power supply circuit, which is configured to electrically supply the at least one electrically conductive element and comprises a switch assembly for selectively activating/deactivating the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element;
• a recognition device, which is configured to detect the presence of passengers in a boarding area of the transport system and to generate a presence signal indicative of said detected presence; and
• a control unit, which is configured to receive the generated presence signal and to control the switch assembly as a function of said received presence signal.

[0018] Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the electricity consumption of the heating system, limiting the impact of the heating system both on environmental pollution and on the operating costs of the transport system. The reduction of energy consumption is achieved through the controlled activation and deactivation of the electrically conductive element, based on the recognition of passengers in a boarding area of the transport system.

[0019] In practice, when a transport unit transits along the heating section, the heating system is activated only if the transport unit is occupied by at least one passenger.

[0020] A further aim of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a heating system for heating transport units of a cable transport system that mitigates the drawbacks highlighted herein of the prior art.

[0021] In accordance with the present invention, it is realized a method for controlling a heating system for heating transport units of a cable transport system, preferably aerial, comprising a transport cable extending along a predefined path; the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting the presence of passengers in a boarding area of the transport system;
• generating a presence signal indicative of said detected presence;
• electrically supplying at least one electrically conductive element, which is arranged along a heating section of the predefined path and is configured to selectively electrically connect/disconnect with a heating element arranged in a transport unit when said transport unit enters/exits the heating section;
• selectively activating/deactivating the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element as a function of said generated presence signal.

[0022] Thanks to this method, it is possible to reduce the waste of electricity, activating the power supply of each heating element only when the respective transport unit is occupied by a passenger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further features and advantages of the present invention are defined in the appended dependent claims and will become clear from the following description of a nonlimiting example of implementation, with reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein:

• Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a cable transport system realized in accordance with the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a block diagram of a heating system of the transport system of Figure 1; and
• Figure 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the heating system of Figure 2.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0024] With reference to Figure 1, 1 schematically denotes a portion of an aerial cable transport system.

[0025] In the case described and shown herein, not limiting the present invention, the transport system 1 is of the mono-cable type and comprises a single cable 2 that performs the dual function of load-bearing cable and drawing cable.

[0026] In accordance with further embodiments, not shown in the accompanying Figures, the transport system 1 can be of the "bi-cable" and "tri-cable" type, wherein the transport system 1 comprises in addition to the drawing cable respectively one or two load-bearing cables.

[0027] The transport system 1 comprises a first terminal station or downstream station 3 and a second terminal station or upstream station, not shown in the accompanying Figures. In particular, the downstream station 3 and the upstream station are provided with respective pulleys 4 (only the pulley of the downstream station 3 is visible in the accompanying Figures), at least one of which is motorized.

[0028] The cable 2 is returned in a loop by means of the two pulleys 4 so as to identify a predefined path 5 comprising an uphill branch 6 and a downhill branch 7. The arrows A and B shown in Figure 1 indicate the directions of advancement of the uphill 6 and downhill 7 branches.

[0029] The transport system 1 comprises at least one transport unit 8, which is moved and supported by the cable 2 and is configured to transport passengers along the predefined path 5.

[0030] In particular, the transport system 1 comprises a plurality of transport units 8, arranged one after the other along both the uphill 6 and downhill 7 branches of the predefined path 5.

[0031] In the case described and shown herein, not limiting the present invention, each transport unit 8 comprises a passenger seat 9 and an anti-fall device 10, typically a liftable safety bar, to prevent passengers from falling during transport along the predefined path 5. In such a configuration, the transport system 1 is referred to as chairlift.

[0032] In accordance with further embodiments, not shown in the accompanying Figures, each transport unit 8 may assume a wide range of different configurations. By way of example, each transport unit 8 may comprise a cabin for transporting passengers along the predefined path 5. In such a configuration, the transport system 1 is referred to as cable car.

[0033] In accordance with the present invention, each transport unit 8 is provided with at least one heating element 11 comprising an electrical resistor. In the case shown in Figure 1, each transport unit 8 comprises a plurality of heating elements 11.

[0034] In accordance with one embodiment, not limiting the present invention, each heating element 11 is installed in a padding of each seat 9 of the transport unit 8 for heating said seat 9.

[0035] In the case described and shown herein, the transport system 1 comprises a boarding area 12, which is arranged at the downstream station 3 to allow passengers to board each transport unit 8.

[0036] In addition, the transport system 1 comprises an unboarding area, not shown in the accompanying Figures, arranged at the upstream station to allow passengers to unboard from each transport unit 8.

[0037] It is to be understood that in accordance with the present invention, the boarding area 12 may be arranged at the upstream station and the unboarding area may be arranged at the downstream station 3 or the boarding area 12 and the unboarding area may be both arranged at the downstream station 3 or at the upstream station.

[0038] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, not shown in the accompanying Figures, the transport system 1 comprises at least one intermediate station arranged between the downstream station 3 and the upstream station. In such a configuration, the transport system 1 may comprise a further boarding area and/or a further unboarding area, arranged at said intermediate station.

[0039] The transport system 1 comprises a heating system 13 for heating the transport units 8. The heating system 13 comprises at least one electrically conductive element 14, which is arranged along a heating section 15 of the predefined path 5 and is configured to selectively electrically connect/disconnect with each heating element 11 arranged in the transport unit 8 when said transport unit 8 enters/exits in/from the heating section 15; and a recognition device 16, which is configured to detect the presence of passengers in the boarding area 12 of the transport system 1 and to generate a presence signal indicative of said detected presence.

[0040] In accordance with an embodiment, the recognition device 16 comprises an optical sensor, in particular a camera or a photo camera or a photocell or a laser sensor.

[0041] In accordance with a further embodiment, the recognition device 16 comprises a mechanical device, in particular a gate or a turnstile.

[0042] In accordance with a further embodiment, the recognition device 16 comprises both an optical sensor and a mechanical device.

[0043] In particular, the heating system 13 comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements 14 arranged around the downstream station 3 of the transport system 1 along respective heating sections 15 of the predefined path 5. In the case described and shown herein, not limiting the present invention, the heating system 13 comprises three electrically conductive elements 14.

[0044] It is to be understood that, in accordance with the present invention, the number and the arrangement of the electrically conductive elements 14 may vary according to a wide range of different possible configurations. By way of example, the electrically conductive elements 14 may be arranged at the upstream station and/or at intermediate stations.

[0045] In particular, the length of each electrically conductive element 14 measured along the predetermined path 5 is less than the distance between two successive transport units 8. In this way, each heating section 15 is travelled by only one transport unit 8 at a time.

[0046] Each electrically conductive element 14 comprises an electrically conductive rail 17, which is configured to allow the sliding of a sliding collector 18 coupled to the transport unit 8.

[0047] In particular, each transport unit 8 comprises the sliding collector 18, which is made of an electrically conductive material, is configured to slide along each electrically conductive element 14, and is electrically connected to each heating element 11 of the transport unit 8 so as to transmit electric current from the electrically conductive element 14 to the respective heating elements 11.

[0048] In more detail, each electrically conductive element 14 comprises a presence sensor assembly 39 (Figure 2), which is configured to detect the entering and the exiting of the transport unit 8 in/from the heating section 15 and to generate a respective transit signal.

[0049] In accordance with an embodiment, not limiting the present invention, the presence sensor assembly 39 comprises an entrance proximity sensor 19, which is configured to detect the entering of the transport unit 8 in the respective heating section 15 and to generate a respective entrance signal; and an exit proximity sensor 20, which is configured to detect the exit of the transport unit 8 from the heating section 15 and to generate a respective exit signal. In such an embodiment, the entrance signal and the exit signal define the transit signal.

[0050] In accordance with another embodiment not shown in the accompanying Figures, the presence sensor assembly may be a motion detector, or an optical presence detection system, or a sound wave-based presence detection system, or an electromagnetic wave-based presence detection system. In this case, these sensors provide the transit signal.

[0051] In addition, the heating system 13 comprises a temperature sensor 21 configured to detect a temperature of the transport unit 8 and to generate a temperature signal indicative of said detected temperature.

[0052] In accordance with an embodiment, the heating system 13 comprises a speed sensor 38, which is configured to detect the speed of the transport units 8 and to generate a speed signal indicative of said detected speed.

[0053] In the case described and shown herein, not limiting the present invention, the speed sensor 38 is arranged on the pulley 4 and is configured to detect the speed of the transport units 8 by measuring the rotation speed of the pulley 4 and/or the sliding speed of the cable 2.

[0054] It is understood that the speed sensor 38 can be arranged on the transport unit 8 or in any other portion of the transport system 1.

[0055] With reference to Figure 2, the heating system 13 comprises a power supply circuit 22, which is configured to electrically supply each electrically conductive element 14 and comprises a switch assembly 37 for activating/deactivating the power supply of each electrically conductive element 14; and a control unit 24, which is configured to receive the presence signal generated by the recognition device 16 and to control the switch assembly 37 as a function of said received presence signal.

[0056] In accordance with an embodiment not limiting the present invention, the control unit 24 comprises a programmable logic controller, in particular of the "Programmable Logic Controller" (PLC) type.

[0057] In more detail, the power supply circuit 22 is connected to an electrical power source, such as an AC power supply or an electrical generator or a battery.

[0058] In the case described and shown herein, the power supply circuit 22 comprises for each electrically conductive element 14 an electric power converter 25, which is configured to convert an input alternating electric current into an output direct electric current so as to supply the respective electrically conductive element 14 with direct current.

[0059] In particular, the switch assembly 37 comprises a switch 23, which is configured to simultaneously activate/deactivate the power supply of the electrically conductive elements 14, and a switch 26 for each electrically conductive element 14 configured to activate/deactivate the respective electrically conductive element 14. The control unit 24 is configured to control the switches 26 independently of each other so as to selectively activate/deactivate the power supply of the respective electrically conductive elements 14.

[0060] In addition, the heating system 13 comprises for each electrically conductive element 14 a current sensor 27 configured to detect a power supply current of the respective electrically conductive element 14.

[0061] In particular, the control unit 24 is configured to control the switch assembly 37 so as to activate the power supply of the electrically conductive elements 14 if the recognition device 16 detects the presence of passengers in the boarding area 12 of the transport system 1. In this circumstance, the control unit 24 is configured to command the closure of the switch 23 so as to close the power supply circuit 22.

[0062] In this way, the control unit 24 activates the supply of the heating elements 11 only when the respective transport unit 8 is occupied by passengers.

[0063] Further, the control unit 24 is configured to receive the transit signal generated by the presence sensor assembly 39 and to control the switch assembly 37 as a function of the received transit signal.

[0064] In particular, the control unit 24 is configured to receive the input and output signals generated respectively by the input proximity sensor 19 and by the output proximity sensor 20 and to control the switch assembly 37 as a function of the received input and output signals.

[0065] In more detail, the control unit 24 is configured to control the switch 23 so as to activate the power supply of the electrically conductive elements 14 if the recognition device 16 detects the presence of passengers in the boarding area 12 of the transport system 1 and to control each switch 26 so as to activate the power supply of a certain electrically conductive element 14 when the respective input proximity sensor 19 detects the entering of the transport unit 24 in the respective heating section 15.

[0066] In other words, the control unit 24 is configured to control the switches 26 so as to activate the power supply only of the electrically conductive elements 14 travelled by the transport unit 8.

[0067] In addition, the control unit 24 is configured to control the switches 26 so as to deactivate the power supply of the respective electrically conductive elements 14 when the respective output proximity sensors 20 detect the exit of the transport unit 8 from the respective heating sections 15.

[0068] In this way, the control unit 24 activates the supply of each electrically conductive element 14 only when said electrically conductive element 14 is electrically connected to the heating elements 11.

[0069] In accordance with an alternative embodiment, not shown in the accompanying Figures, the switch assembly 37 comprises only the switches 26. In such a configuration, the switch 23 is removed from the power supply circuit 22. In particular, each switch 26 directly controls the power supply of the respective electrically conductive element 14 as a function of the presence signal and of the respective transit signal, in particular with an AND function of the presence signal and of the respective transit signal.

[0070] In accordance with a further alternative embodiment, the switch assembly 37 comprises only the switch 23. In such a configuration, the switches 26 are removed from the power supply circuit 22. In particular, the switch 23 simultaneously controls the supply of all electrically conductive elements 14 as a function of the presence signal and of the transit signals, in particular through an OR function among all the transit signals, in turn in AND with the presence signal.

[0071] In addition, the control unit 24 is configured to receive an enabling signal and to selectively activate/deactivate the heating system 13 as a function of said enabling signal.

[0072] In accordance with an embodiment not limiting the present invention, the enabling signal may be generated by a manual command device 28, such as a manual switch, which is controllable by an operator.

[0073] In more detail, the control unit 24 is configured to receive the temperature signal generated by the temperature sensor 21 and to control the switch assembly 37 as a function of said received temperature signal, in particular so as to activate/deactivate the power supply of the electrically conductive elements 14.

[0074] The speed sensor 38 is configured to detect the speed of the transport units 8 and to generate a speed signal indicative of said detected speed.

[0075] The control unit 24 is configured to receive the speed signal generated by the speed sensor 38 and to control the switch assembly 37 as a function of said received speed signal, in particular so as to deactivate the power supply of the electrically conductive elements 14 when the detected speed falls below a certain threshold.

[0076] In this way, the heating system 13 is deactivated when the transport units 8 are stationary in the heating sections 15.

[0077] In use and with reference to Figure 3, the temperature sensor 21, the manual command device 28 and the speed sensor 38 generate respective signals. The control unit 24 receives said signals and, as a function of the received signals, outputs an enabling signal to selectively activate/deactivate the heating system 13 (block 29).

[0078] At this point, the control unit 24 evaluates whether to activate or deactivate the heating system 13 (block 30).

[0079] In the event that the enabling signal causes the deactivation of the heating system 13, the control unit 24 commands the opening of the switch 23 so as to deactivate the power supply of the electrically conductive elements 14 (block 31).

[0080] Alternatively, in the event that the enabling signal causes the activation of the heating system 13, the control unit 24 controls the presence of passengers in the boarding area 12.

[0081] In particular, the control unit 24 receives the presence signal detected by the recognition device 16 (block 32).

[0082] As a function on said presence signal, the control unit 24 evaluates whether to activate or deactivate the power supply of the electrically conductive elements 14 (block 33).

[0083] In the event that there are no passengers in the boarding area 12, the control unit 24 commands the opening of the switch 23 so as to deactivate the power supply of the electrically conductive elements 14 (block 31).

[0084] Alternatively, in the event that there are passengers in the boarding area 12, the control unit 24 checks whether there are transport units 8 in each heating section 15.

[0085] In particular, the control unit 24 receives input signals from each input proximity sensor 19 and output signals from each output proximity sensor 20.

[0086] As a function of the input signals and of the received output signals, the control unit 24 determines whether there are transport units 8 in the heating sections 15 (block 34) and evaluates for each heating section 15 whether to activate or deactivate the power supply of the respective electrically conductive elements 14 (block 35).

[0087] In the event that there are no transport units 8 in a certain heating section 15, the control unit 24 commands the opening of the respective switch 26 so as to deactivate the power supply of the respective electrically conductive element 14 (block 31).

[0088] In the event that there are transport units 8 in a certain heating section 15, the control unit 24 commands the closure of the respective switch 26 so as to activate the power supply of the respective electrically conductive element 14 (block 36).

[0089] Finally, it is evident that variations can be made to the present invention without however leaving the scope of protection of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heating system for heating transport units (8) of a cable transport system (1), preferably aerial, comprising a transport cable (2) extending along a predefined path (5); the heating system (13) comprising:

- at least one electrically conductive element (14), which is arranged along a heating section (15) of the predefined path (5) and is configured to selectively electrically connect/disconnect with a heating element (11) arranged in a transport unit (8) when said transport unit (8) enters/exits in/from the heating section (15);

- a power supply circuit (22), which is configured to electrically supply the at least one electrically conductive element (14) and comprises a switch assembly (37) for selectively activating/deactivating the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element (14);

- a recognition device (16), which is configured to detect the presence of passengers in a boarding area (12) of the transport system (1) and to generate a presence signal indicative of said detected presence; and

- a control unit (24), which is configured to receive the generated presence signal and to control the switch assembly (37) as a function of said received presence signal.

2. The heating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (24) is configured to control the switch assembly (37) to activate the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element (14) if the recognition device (16) detects the presence of passengers in the boarding area (12) of the transport system (1).

3. The heating system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element (14) comprises an electrically conductive rail (17), which is configured to allow the sliding of a sliding collector (18) coupled to the transport unit (8) and electrically connected to the heating element (11).

4. The heating system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element (14) comprises a presence sensor assembly (39), which is configured to detect the entering and the exiting of the transport unit (8) in/from the heating section (15) and to generate a respective transit signal; the control unit (24) being configured to receive the generated transit signal and to control the switch assembly (37) as a function of the received transit signal.

5. The heating system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control unit (24) is configured to control the switch assembly (37) to activate the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element (14) if the recognition device (16) detects the presence of passengers in the boarding area (12) of the transport system (1) and when the presence sensor assembly (39) detects the entrance of the transport unit (8) in the heating section (15).

6. The system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the control unit (24) is configured to control the switch assembly (37) to deactivate the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element (14) when the presence sensor assembly (39) detects the exit of the transport unit (8) from the heating section (15).

7. The heating system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, and comprising a plurality of electrically conductive elements (14) arranged around a station (3) of the transport system (1) along respective heating sections (15) of the predefined path (5); preferably the heating system (13) comprising three electrically conductive elements (14).

8. The heating system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the switch assembly (37) comprises a first switch (23), which is configured to activate/deactivate the power supply of all electrically conductive elements (14), and a second switch (26) for each electrically conductive element (14); the control unit (24) being configured to control the second switches (26) independently of each other so as to selectively activate/deactivate the power supply of the respective electrically conductive elements (14).

9. The heating system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the control unit (24) is configured to receive an enabling signal and to selectively activate/deactivate the heating system (13) as a function of said enabling signal.

10. The heating system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, and comprising a temperature sensor (21) configured to detect a temperature of the transport unit (8) and to generate a temperature signal indicative of said detected temperature; the control unit (24) being configured to receive said temperature signal and to control the switch assembly (37) as a function of said received temperature signal.

11. The heating system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the recognition device (16) comprises an optical sensor, in particular a camera or a photocell or a laser sensor.

12. The heating system as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the recognition device (16) comprises a mechanical device, in particular a gate or a turnstile.

13. A cable transport system, preferably aerial, for transporting passengers; the transport system (1) comprising:

- a transport cable (2), which extends along a predefined path (5);

- at least one transport unit (8), which is supported by the transport cable (2), is configured to transport passengers along the predefined path (5) and comprises a heating element (11) for generating heat; and

- a heating system (13) as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims.

14. The transport system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the transport unit (8) comprises at least one seat (9) provided with the heating element (11).

15. The transport system as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the heating element (11) comprises an electrical resistor.

16. A method for controlling a heating system (13) for heating transport units (8) of a cable transport system, preferably aerial, comprising a transport cable (2) extending along a predefined path (5); the method comprising the steps of:

- detecting the presence of passengers in a boarding area (12) of the transport system (1);

- generating a presence signal indicative of said detected presence;

- electrically supplying at least one electrically conductive element (14), which is arranged along a heating section (15) of the predefined path (5) and is configured to selectively electrically connect/disconnect with a heating element (11) arranged in a transport unit (8) when said transport unit (8) enters/exits in/from the heating section (15); and

- selectively activating/deactivating the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element (14) as a function of said generated presence signal.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, and comprising the step of activating the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element (14) if the generated presence signal indicates the presence of passengers in the boarding area (12) of the transport system (1).

18. The method as claimed in claim 16 or 17, and comprising the steps of detecting the entering of the transport unit (8) in the heating section (15); generating a respective entrance signal; detecting the exiting of the transport unit (8) from the heating section (15); generating a respective exit signal; and selectively activating/deactivating the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element (14) as a function of the generated entrance and exit signals.

19. The method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, and comprising the step of activating the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element (14) if the generated presence signal indicates the presence of passengers in the boarding area (12) of the transport system (1) and the entrance signal indicates the entering of the transport unit (8) in the heating section (15).

20. The method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, and comprising the step of deactivating the power supply of the at least one electrically conductive element (14) when the exit signal indicates the exiting of the transport unit (8) from the heating section (15).

21. The method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, and comprising the steps of detecting a temperature of the transport unit (8); generating a temperature signal indicative of said detected temperature; and controlling the power supply of the electrically conductive element (14) as a function of said generated temperature signal.

Drawing