The inclined plane of Ronquières > Mechanical elements

The construction of the inclined plane of Ronquières started in March 1962, based on a decision by the Ministry of Public Works, and was due to open to shipping in 1968. By enabling 1350 tonne barges to pass through, this structure enabled 14 old locks to be superseded. Like other civil engineering structures on the waterways, the Electricity, Electromechanics, Computer and Telecommunications Division (E.E.C.T.D.) manages problems relating to electromechanic problems on the inclined plane.

Mechanical elements

Downstream head of the inclined plane with the two cages.
Downstream head of the inclined plane with the two cages.
View of a reach gate with its equipment.
View of a reach gate with its equipment.

The cages

Each cage consists of metal siding 12 mm thick, reinforced on the outside by T-beams. The tank of a cage is clad with a thermal insulator on the outside, with a view to inhibiting the effects of freezing. The walls are covered with enamelled sheet steel, painted red and oven-annealed.

The tank rest, via springs, on 2 lines of 59 axles with 2 rollers, i.e. on 236 rollers 70 cm in diameter.
The tank rest, via springs, on 2 lines of 59 axles with 2 rollers, i.e. on 236 rollers 70 cm in diameter.
Another sight of the tank.
Another sight of the tank.
The counterweights

Each counterweight consists of two independent chassis ballasted with heavyweight concrete and cast iron; this arrangement enables the counterweight to be raised when it is necessary to replace the cables. Each counterweight rests on 204 roller runners identical to those used for the cages. Estimated weight: 5500 t.

The counterweights are tractor drawn each one by 8 cables and are guided, on 4 rails, by 208 rollers grouped in 2 lines of 52 axles, 28 side rollers, 4 extreme rollers and 6 median rollers per side.
The counterweights are tractor drawn each one by 8 cables and are guided, on 4 rails, by 208 rollers grouped in 2 lines of 52 axles, 28 side rollers, 4 extreme rollers and 6 median rollers per side.
Above, guide roller axle of a cage: below, guide cables of a counterweight.
Above, guide roller axle of a cage: below, guide cables of a counterweight.
Guidance of cages and counterweights

The cages and counterweights are guided at their extremities by lateral spring-mounted guide rollers. These rollers are identical to the runner rollers of the cages and the counterweights.

Cage winches

A cage and its counterweight are driven by a drum winch of the "Koepe" type, fitted with non-slip linings.

The three separately excited motors, with their pulse generators, a top-speed reduction gear for a cage winch.
The three separately excited motors, with their pulse generators, a top-speed reduction gear for a cage winch.

Overall view of a winch, side on (above) and head-on (below).
Overall view of a winch, side on (above) and head-on (below).
Overall view of a winch lubrication system.
Overall view of a winch lubrication system.

The special layout of a winch (2 drums) was designed so that the traction cables could be replaced easily.

Winches of the reach/cage gates
Winches of the reach/cage gates.
Winches of the reach/cage gates.

Traction cables of cages and counterweights

  • Number of cables: 16 (8 cables per cage)
  • Cable diameter: 55 mm
  • Type: Nuflex
  • Cable length: 1480 m
  • Tensile strength: 2060 kN
  • Actual load taken by a cable: 320 kN
    • Counterweight with its traction cables.
    Counterweight with its traction cables.
    They are maintained by pulleys of guidance.
    They are maintained by pulleys of guidance.
    Gate-raising cables

  • Number of cables: 12
  • Cable diameter: 50.3 mm
  • Cable length: variable from 40 m to 60 m
  • Tensile strength: 1350 kN
    • The guide rails are cut regularly by expansion joints.
    The guide rails are cut regularly by expansion joints.
    Roller track of a cage: view of an expansion joint of a rail.
    Roller track of a cage: view of an expansion joint of a rail.

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