WO1999064786A1

WO1999064786A1 - Installation for movable electrical power consumers in an area such as a greenhouse

Info

Publication number: WO1999064786A1
Application number: PCT/NL1999/000355
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacobus Christiaan Peter Rutten; Jozef Gerardus Marie Van Rens
Original assignee: J.J. Agrotech B.V.
Priority date: 1998-06-09
Filing date: 1999-06-07
Publication date: 1999-12-16
Also published as: NL1009354C2; AU4293599A; NL1009354A1

Abstract

An installation for providing movable electrical power consumers (11), such as for example assimilation lamps, in an area or space such as a greenhouse (1). The installation comprises a distribution rail system (7) for distributing electrical energy in the area, a guide rail system (8, 9) arranged for mechanically guiding a movable power consumer (11) and supplying it with electrical energy, and a branching system (10). The guide rail system (8, 9) is electrically connected to the distribution rail system (7) by means of the branching system (10).

Description

Installation for movable electrical power consumers in an area such as a greenhouse.

The invention relates to an installation for providing movable electrical power consumers, such as for example assimilation lamps, in an area or space such as a greenhouse or a Dutch-type greenhouse.

Installations of this kind, in particular for use in horticulture, are known from Australian patent application No. 9733171, Dutch patent application No. 7613233 and US Patent No. 4,441,145. In greenhouse cultivation, so-called assimilation lighting is used to an increasing extent. For a number of cultures, for example rose culture, the use of assimilation lighting is almost a precondition for achieving an economically sound production. Also in gerbera culture, for example, a production increase of 40 - 50% seems possible when a controlled lighting system is used. Because the crop in question does not require continuous lighting, it is possible to use a mobile or movable lighting system so as to reduce the required investments in the relatively costly assimilation lamps and fittings and also to reduce the extent of the shades from fixedly disposed lighting fittings upon incident sunlight.

The system proposed in the aforesaid Australian patent application No. 9733171 comprises a frame with guide tubes, along which lighting fittings can be moved. The lighting fittings are moved by means of a system of cables and pulleys, which is driven under the influence of counterweights and a container which is alternately filled with water and drained again. The lighting fittings are supplied with electrical power by means of flexible cables which are attached to the frame.

The aforesaid US patent No. 4,441,145 discloses a movable lighting fitting which is provided with a fairly complicated chain drive, which is liable to malfunction. No details are mentioned as regards the manner in which the power supply to said lighting fittings takes place.

The lighting installation which is disclosed in Dutch patent application No. 7613233 presupposes the presence of heating pipes along the length of a particular greenhouse area that is to be lighted, wherein an extensive cable system for connecting the lighting fittings is required for the electrical installation. French patent application No. 2,162,610 discloses a ceiling lighting system for sports halls, swimming pools, exhibition rooms and the like, wherein the lighting fittings are movable in groups along electrical conductor rails for maintenance purposes. Said patent appl ication proposes the use of gear transmissions and cable systems driven by one or more motors for moving the lighting fittings.

These systems are by no means suitable for lighting greenhouses or other spaces having a surface area of, for example, 1 hectare or more. In addition to exhibiting frequent mechanical failures, long electrical power supply cables will be required in the case of larger plots, which cables will hang together in packages of for example 2.5 - 3 at the beginning of the greenhouse when the lamps are positioned at the beginning of the greenhouse. Since these cable packages will occupy relatively much space, this will be experienced as objectionable. Consequently, it is the object of the invention to provide an installation comprising movable electrical power consumers which can be installed efficiently and effectively both in small areas and in relatively large areas without any objectionable cable packages or complicated mechanical driving systems being required. According to the invention, this objective is accomplished by providing a distribution rail system for distributing electrical energy in the area, a guide rail system arranged for mechanically guiding a movable power consumer and supplying it with electrical energy, and a branching system, wherein the guide rail system is electrically connected to the distribution rail system by means of the branching system.

The installation according to the invention is characterized by a modular structure, wherein the guide rail system can be extended according to what is needed by means of branches, via the branching system, to the distribution rail system.

The guide rail system generally comprises one or more guide rails. Also the distribution rail system may be built up of one or more distribution rails, however. In practice, for example when used in a greenhouse, an efficient structure of the system is characterized in that the guide rails are as much as possible mounted transversely to the distribution rails in the area. In the case of a greenhouse, the guide rails can be advantageously mounted in a ridge or ridges of the roof, or on one or more of the roof trusses.

In a preferred embodiment of the installation according to the invention, the guide rail system is built up of guide rails of approximately I-shaped section which can be connected with one another, wherein the lower cross leg is provided at its end with running surfaces which slope towards the central leg and with a recess formed opposite the running surfaces for receiving electrical conductors, wherein the upper cross leg is shaped to enable attachment of the guide rail thereto, and wherein the facing sides of the upper leg and the lower leg are arranged for accommodating connecting pieces between them for connecting guide rails with one another in longitudinal direction.

Partially with a view to saving weight, it will be advantageous when said guide rails are in the form of an extruded aluminum profile.

The upper cross leg of the profile may thereby be shaped to enable suspension thereof. This shape may be adapted to enable suspension of the profile from the ridge beams of a greenhouse or the like. According to the invention, the upper cross leg may also be suitably shaped to function additionally as the ridge beam of a greenhouse, for supporting glass panels, etc., if necessary.

On their facing sides, the cross legs are provided with preferably semi-cylindrical recesses for accommodating coupling pieces having corresponding cylindrical ends therein, in order to enable interconnection of guide rails by means of a snap connection. These connecting pieces are preferably slightly curved so as to retain them in the cylindrical recesses with a slight spring force.

A trolley comprising an electric motor, which is mechanically supported by the guide rail, is provided for moving the power consumers along a guide rail.

For use with an aluminium profile as described above, the trolley, in one embodiment thereof, is provided with running wheels which engage the running surfaces of the lower cross leg of a guide rail, which running wheels are arranged in such a manner that they also retain the trolley on the rail. Electrical conductors are accommodated in the lower cross leg of the guide rail for the purpose of supplying the electric motor and the electrical power consumers with electrical energy, in such a manner that these conductors can be electrically contacted by means of sliding contacts. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a running surface for a driving wheel or driving wheels of the trolley is provided on the outwardly facing side of the lower cross leg by countersink mounting of the conductors.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the trolley is made up of the motor housing which, accordingly, is provided with running wheels, with sliding contacts and, if necessary, with one or more driving wheels.

In an embodiment of the installation according to the invention, the distribution rail system may likewise consist of one ore more elongated distribution rails having a housing provided with at least two parallel, longitudinally extending recesses for accommodating electrical conductors therein.

In a practical embodiment of the invention, the distribution rail comprises three parallel recesses, in which electrical conductors which are insulated by means of a sheath of plastic material are accommodated. Said conductors correspond to the three phases of a three-phase electrical power supply system. It should be understood that also single-phase distribution systems may be provided, and that a fourth neutral conductor may be provided in the case of a three-phase system, if desired.

The distribution system can also be used for exchanging signalling data for control purposes with the electrical power consumers. This can be done via the conductors of the electrical power supply system or via separate conductors which are specially provided in the distribution rail for signalling purpose.

In an embodiment of the invention, the branching system comprises a branching element which is provided with a plural ity of spaced- apart contact pins corresponding to the number of electrical conductors of a distribution rail, which contact pins function to contact an electrical conductor of the distribution system through the insulating sheath thereof, which branching element functions to electrically connect the guide rail system to the distribution rail system. The contact pins are each connected to a core of a branch cable, which is electrically connected to the electrical conductors supported by a guide rail. The contact pins and their connection to the cores of the branch cable are preferably embedded in an electrically insulating casting compound. In a preferred embodiment, the branching element is provided with hook-shaped parts for engagement thereof in correspondingly shaped recesses of a distribution rail so as to retain the branching element to the distribution rail.

Preferably, the distribution rail system also comprises an extruded aluminium profile for accommodating the electrical conductors as well as the branching element. The invention furthermore relates to such a branching element as well as to a greenhouse provided with an installation according to the invention.

The installation and its component parts will be described in more detail hereafter by means of a preferred embodiment thereof as used in a greenhouse.

Figure 1 is a schematic, perspective view of part of a greenhouse provided with an installation according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a more detailed schematic view of the connection of the distribution rail system, the guide rail system and the branching system in the installation according to the invention.

Figures 3a, b, c, d are schematic end views of various guide rails of the guide rail system according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the end side of a connecting piece for interconnecting the guide rails of Figure 3 in longitudinal direction.

Figure 5 is a schematic, sectional view of a holder for electrical conductors for use in a guide rail according to Figure 3.

Figure 6 schematically shows a movable power consumer which is connected to a guide rail according to the invention. Figure 7 is a schematic, longitudinal view of an embodiment of a movable power consumer in the form of a trolley according to the invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic, perspective view of part of another embodiment of a movable power consumer in the form of a trolley according to the invention. Figure 9 is a schematic, perspective view of an embodiment of a distribution rail and mounted thereon a branching element of the branching system in the installation according to the invention.

Figure 10 is schematic, sectional view of the branching element of Figure 9.

The greenhouse as shown in Figure 1, also called a Dutch-type greenhouse, which is for example arranged for cultivating vegetables or flowers, comprises a number of vertical posts 2, which are connected with one another by means of a number of horizontal roof trusses 3. Said posts 2 support a roof structure 4, with glass panels 5 being present both between posts 2 and in roof structure 4. Further constructional details of a greenhouse are not needed to understand the invention. The surface area of a greenhouse may be 1 ha or more, if necessary. In accordance with the invention an installation comprising a distribution rail system 7, a guide rail system 8, 9 and a branching system 10 is mounted in the greenhouse 1. Figure 1 furthermore shows electrical power consumers 11 which are movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail system 8, 9. As is shown in the figure, the distribution rail system

7 is mounted on a roof truss 3, whilst the guide rail system 8, 9 extends transversely thereto. Guide rail system 8 is mounted on roof trusses 3, transversely thereto, whilst guide rail system 9 is mounted in the ridge 12 of the roof structure 4 of the greenhouse 1. Figure 2 is a more detailed view of the guide rail system 8, which is mounted on a roof truss 3. Branching system 10 comprises a branch cable 13, which is electrically connected to the guide rail system

8 at one end and which is electrically connected to distribution rail system 7 by means of a branching connector or branching element 14 at the other end.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical power consumer 11 consists of a carrier or trolley 15 with one or more assimilation lighting fittings 16 mounted thereon.

The guide rail system 8, 9 according to the invention, in particular for bridging larger distances, is built up of separate guide rails having a length of for example 4 m. Depending on the specific use in practice, guide rails having a specific profile may be provided, such as inter alia the guide rails 17, 18, 19 and 20, an end view of which is shown in Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, respectively.

The guide rails 17, 18, 19, 20 are all of an essentially I-shaped section comprising a central leg 30 and, seen in the plane of the drawing, a lower cross leg 21 and an upper cross leg 22.

At their ends, the lower cross legs 21 comprise running surfaces 23 sloping towards the central leg 30 and a recess 24 formed opposite said running surfaces.

The upper cross leg 22 is shaped to enable the mounting or attachment of a respective guide rail 17, 18, 19, 20.

Figure 3b shows an embodiment wherein the upper cross leg 22 consists of two parallel parts 25, 26, whose ends slope downwards with respect to the central leg 30. Glass panels can be supported between said parallel parts, so that guide rail 18 can be directly used as a ridge section, for example in new greenhouses or in greenhouses which are being renovated. In this embodiment, the functions of guide rail and ridge section are combined in an advantageous manner.

Figure 3c shows an upper cross leg 22 provided with a dovetailed recess 27 for receiving a mounting element. The guide rail 20 shown in Figure 3d has a cross sectional profile which combines features of the profiles shown in Figures 3a and 3c.

In the illustrated embodiments, the lower cross leg

21 and the upper cross leg 22 are provided with cylindrical recesses 28 in their sides facing towards each other, which recesses function to accommodate correspondingly shaped cyl indrical ends 29 of connecting pieces

31 therein, as shown in Figure 4.

The guide rails 17, 18, 19, 20 can be connected one with another in longitudinal direction by means of the connecting pieces 31, wherein the connecting pieces 31 engage in the cylindrical recesses 28 by means of a snap connection. The connecting pieces 31 are preferably slightly curved, as shown in Figure 4, so as to be retained in the recesses 28 with a slight spring force.

An electrically insulating profile 34, for example of plastic material, is accommodated in the recesses 24 of the guide rails

17, 18, 19, 20, which profile 34 is provided with recesses 32 for the electrically insulated fitting of electrical conductors 37 (see Figure 6) therein, in countersink position with respect to the outwardly facing side 33 of the plastic profile 31.

Typical dimensions of the guide rails 17, 18, 19, 20 are a height of 50 mm and a width of 30 mm, for example. Preferably, the guide rails 17, 18, 19, 20 are made of extruded aluminium profiles having a length, of for example, 4 m. This is done in order to provide a lightest rail construction possible.

Figure 6 shows a movable electric power consumer 11, which is attached to a guide rail system consisting of longitudinally interconnected guide rails 19, as shown in Figure 3c. The guide rail 19 is suspended from a frame, such as a greenhouse structure, by means of a mounting element 39 which engages in the dovetailed recess 27 in the upper cross leg 22 (not shown).

The movable electrical power consumer 11 consists of a trolley 35 provided with bearing-mounted running wheels 36, which engage the running surfaces 23 of the lower cross leg 21 of the guide rail 19.

The running wheels 36 are arranged to support the trolley 35 on the guide rail 19 when in use. The trolley 35 is capable of movement in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 19 thereby. Three flat electrical conductors 37 present in the recess 24 of the lower leg 21 of the guide rail 19 are schematically shown, with sliding contacts 38 engaging the conductors. Flat electrical conductors 37 and sliding contacts 38 which are suitable for the purpose of the invention are known per se in practice. The power supply to the lighting fitting 16 as well as the transmission of signalling data for controlling the motor and, insofar as necessary, the lamps and the like can also take place via the sliding contacts 38.

In practice, the electrical conductors 37 are preferably placed, for example slid, into the plastic profiles 31 only after the guide rails 17, 18, 19, 20 have been mounted and connected one with another, in order to provide an uninterrupted power supply along the entire length of a mounted guide rail 17, 18, 19, 20 in this manner.

The electrical conductors 37 which are used in the installation according to the invention can be designed to have a great length, think for example of lengths ranging from 30 m to more than 200 m.

This results in an optimally trouble-free operation, without there being a need to electrically connect additional electrical conductors, seen in the longitudinal direction of guide rails 17, 18, 19, 20. The flat conductors 37 in question can be supplied on rolls or reels, which means a considerably advantage as regards the mounting operation.

In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 7, the trolley 35 is made up of the housing of an electric motor, which drives a driving wheel 40, which engages a running surface 33 of the plastic profile 34 and the side edges of the lower cross leg 21 of a guide rail 17, 18, 19, 20 on either side of the recess 24. The assimilation lighting fitting 16 is directly connected to the housing of the motor (not shown).

Although the sliding contacts 38 and the driving wheel 40 are shown outside the motor housing, they may also be enclosed by such housing. Also a driving arrangement comprising more than one driving wheel or a driving arrangement wherein the driving wheels/running wheels engage the running surfaces 23 of a guide rail 17, 18, 19, 20 are possible, of course.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a trolley or motor housing 41 comprising a driving wheel, sliding contacts (not shown) and running wheels 36 which engage the running surfaces 23 of a guide rail 20 (Figure 3d). Mounting elements 42 are provided for mounting the guide rail on a frame or the like in an area, which mounting elements define an opening 23 of approximately C-shaped section 43 for receiving and retaining therein the upper cross leg 22 of guide rail 20. A mounting element 42 can be connected directly to a supporting frame in the area, or via an intermediate piece (not shown). Present at an end of the trolley or motor housing 41 is a lighting fitting 44 comprising lighting means 45, such as an assimilation lamp. Suitable lighting fittings 44 and assimilation lamps or other types of lamps are known per se in practice. The control signals required for controlling the motor can likewise be supplied to control electronics provided on the carrier 35 or the motor housing via electrical conductors 37 and sliding contacts 38. Signall ing or modulation techniques which are suitable for this purpose are known in practice. Of course it is also possible to provide separate electrical conductors and associated sliding contacts (not shown) for signalling purposes. Also radiographic control or control by means of infrared or ultrasonic transmission are possible. Computer or control equipment which is already present in the area, such as a greenhouse, or which is connected thereto, can be used advantageously for control purposes.

Figure 9 schematically shows part of a distribution rail 55 of the distribution rail system 7 of the installation according to the invention.

The distribution rail 55 comprises a housing 56 of, for example, extruded aluminium, which is provided with parallel recesses

57 formed in the longitudinal direction thereof, in which conductors 58 which are electrically insulated by means of an insulating sheath 59 are present. The dimensions of the recesses 57 are adapted to the outer circumference of the insulating sheath 59 such that electrical conductors

58 are clampingly retained in the recesses 57. In practice, electrical conductors 58 having a diameter of 94 mm² are used, for example. A branching element 14 is connected to the distribution rail 55 for branching off electrical energy from a distribution rail 55, as is schematically shown in Figure 9.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the branching element 14 as shown in Figure 9. The branching connector or branching element 14 has pointed, electrically conducting contact pins 45, which each connect to a core 46 of a branch cable 13, as is schematically illustrated. The contact pins 45 and cores 46 are preferably embedded in an electrically insulating synthetic resin 47 in a housing 48. The housing 48 is provided on either side with hook-shaped projections 49, 50, which engage in correspondingly shaped recesses 51, 52 of the distribution rail 55 in mounted condition.

When electrical energy is to be branched off from the conductors 58, the branching element 14 is first inserted with its projections into recess 52 of the distribution rail and then rotated in the direction of the distribution rail 55, in such a manner that the hook- shaped projection 49 engages in the recess 51 of the distribution rail 55. The contact pins 45 thereby penetrate the insulating sheath 59 and make contact with the conductors 58. Since the projection 49 is in the form of a hook-shaped member, the branching element 14 is mechanically retained on the distribution rail 55. It will be understood that in this manner a guide rail can be easily and quickly connected to a distribution rail , without special expertise being required.

For the purpose of safety, the branching element 14 can be provided with electrical protective devices such as fuses or other safety devices, such as electromagnetically operating overload and/or short-circuit protective devices 53. Preferably, all the cores 46 of the branch cable 13 are separately protected.

A distribution rail 55 may comprise more or fewer electrical conductors than the three electrical conductors 58 shown, both for electrical power supply purposes, for example three phases and neutral and/or earth, and for signalling connections. The branching element 14 must be adapted correspondingly as regards the number of contact pins 45 in that case, of course. Although the invention has been disclosed by means of examples of preferred embodiments in the above, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that may modifications and additions thereto are possible, inter alia as regards the profile of the guide rails, the construction and positioning of the mobile trolley for the electrical power consumers, etc.

The installation is furthermore not limited to being used in combination with assimilation lamps, but it can also be used for electrical cranes, as a transport system and the like in greenhouses, Dutch-type greenhouses or other areas.

Claims

1. An installation for providing movable electrical power consumers, such as for example assimilation lamps, in an area or space such as a greenhouse, characterized by providing a distribution rail system for distributing electrical energy in said area, a guide rail system arranged for mechanically guiding a movable power consumer and supplying it with electrical energy, and a branching system, wherein said guide rail system is electrically connected to said distribution rail system by means of said branching system.

2. An installation according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide rail system comprises one or more guide rails and said distribution rail system comprises one or more distribution rails, wherein said guide rails are as much as possible mounted transversely to said distribution rails in said area.

3. An installation according to claim 2, characterized in that said guide rails are mounted in a ridge or ridges or a space bounded by a roof, such as a greenhouse.

4. An installation according to claim 2, characterized in that said guide rails are mounted on one or more roof trusses of a space bounded by a roof, such as a greenhouse.

5. An installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide rail system is built up of guide rails of approximately I-shaped section which can be connected with one another, wherein the lower cross leg is provided at its end with running surfaces which slope towards the central leg and with a recess formed opposite said running surfaces for receiving electrical conductors, wherein the upper cross leg is shaped to enable attachment of the guide rail thereto, and wherein the facing sides of the upper leg and the lower leg are arranged for accommodating connecting pieces between them for connecting guide rails with one another in longitudinal direction.

6. An installation according to claim 5, characterized in that said upper cross leg is provided with a dovetailed recess on its outwardly facing side.

7. An installation according to claim 5, characterized in that said upper cross leg comprises ends which extend at an angle with respect to said central leg.

8. An installation according to claim 7, characterized in that said upper cross leg consists of two parallel portions extending in the longitudinal direction of said guide rail, the ends of which portions extend at an angle with respect to said central leg.

9. An installation according to claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that said cross legs are provided on their facing sides with semi-cylindrical recesses for receiving coupling pieces provided with correspondingly shaped cylindrical ends therein, by means of a snap connection.

10. An installation according to claim 9, characterized in that said connecting pieces are slightly curved between said cylindrical ends.

11. An installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movable electrical power consumers are mounted on a trolley which is mechanically supported by said guide rail, which trolley is provided with an electric motor which functions to move said trolley along said rail.

12. An installation according to claim 11, in dependence on any one or more of the claims 6 - 10, characterized in that said trolley is provided with running wheels which engage said running surfaces of said lower cross leg of a guide rail so as to move the trolley along the rail and retain it thereon, wherein electrical conductors are accommodated in said recess in said lower cross leg, which conductors are arranged for being electrically contacted by means of sliding contacts.

13. An installation according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that said motor drives a driving wheel, which engages a running surface of a guide rail for moving said trolley along said guide rail .

14. An installation according to claim 13, characterized in that said driving wheel engages the outwardly facing side of a of plastic profile for retaining said electrical conductors countersunk therein with respect to said side, which plastic profile engages said recess in said lower cross leg of said guide rail.

15. An installation according to claim 13, characterized in that said electrical conductors extend in uninterrupted form in the plastic profile of interconnected guide rails.

16. An installation according to claim 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that one or more growth lamps of the same type or of different types are mounted on said trolley, which lamps are electrically connected via si iding contacts with said electrical conductors supported by said guide rail.

17. An installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said distribution rail system comprises one ore more elongated distribution rails having a housing provided with at least two parallel, longitudinally extending recess for accommodating electrical conductors therein.

18. An installation according to claim 17, characterized in that electrical conductors which are insulated by means of a sheath of plastic material are accommodated in said recesses of a distribution rail .

19. An installation according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that a distribution rail is provided with means for mechanically attaching a branching element of said branching system thereto.

20. An installation according to claim 19, characterized in that said branching element is provided with a plural ity of spaced-apart contact pins corresponding to the number of electrical conductors of a distribution rail, which contact pins function to contact an electrical conductor of the distribution system right through the insulating sheath thereof, such that said contact pins each connect to a core of a branch cable.

21. An installation according to claim 20, characterized in that said contact pins and their connection to the cores of said branch cable are embedded in an electrically insulating casting compound.

22. An installation according to claim 19, 20 or 21, characterized in that said branching element is provided at opposite ends with hook-shaped parts for engagement thereof in recesses of a distribution rail whose shape corresponds to that of said hook-shaped parts.

23. A distribution rail for use in an installation according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 17, 18, 19, 20 or 22, characterized in that said rail is an extruded aluminium profile.

24. A guide rail for use in an installation according to any of the claims 1 - 22, in particular according to claim 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that said guide rail is an extruded aluminium profile.

25. A trolley for use in an installation according to any of the claims 1 - 22, in particular according to claim 11, 12, 13, 14 or 16, characterized in that the housing of said motor is arranged as a trolley for mounting electrical power consumers.

26. A greenhouse provided with an installation according to any of the claims 1 - 22.

27. A greenhouse according to claim 26, characterized in that said greenhouse is provided with ridge beams comprising means for supporting glass panels and electrical conductors in the form of a guide rail .

28. A branching element, in particular for use in an installation according to any of the claims 1 - 22, comprising the characterizing features of any of the claims 20 - 22.