Abstract:
A multifunctional track system with two or more independently movable trolleys which can run along the track system and are adapted to receive multiple interchangeable components for data collection, navigation, and cargo transportation is disclosed. The trolleys and the track system communicate data to a central station, which monitors and sends instructions to the trolleys. The system can have horizontal, vertical or angular segments and the trolleys are enabled to move along all segments and switch between tracks. Various operational units in the trolleys are possible in the same system.
Abstract:
A system is revealed comprising existing dual-mode road-rail vehicles and railway vehicles with all vehicles having modern wireless mobile communications and GPS facilities, operating on existing railways, roadways, and roadway-railway crossings for the transportation, pickup, and drop off of passengers and of goods within and about an urban city environment. Fundamental to this system is incorporation methods of modern computer vehicle monitoring and marshalling facilities administering computer fuzzy logic assessment active engines for scheduling, monitoring, and controlling the operation of the vehicles and for providing the communications with the vehicles and the marshalling facilities in the network. The marshalling facilities schedule the operation of the vehicles on the railways and of the vehicles on the roadways, and the entry to or egress from the railways by the dual-mode vehicles, and the pickup and drop off of passengers and goods, thereby providing an optimized and safe transportation networked system.
Abstract:
A cable car system includes vehicles that are clamped to a hauling cable along the route and decoupled from the hauling cable upon entering the stations. The vehicles are moved through the stations by control tires which are coupled to one another by gear mechanisms and driven via a supporting pulley for the hauling cable. The control tires are mounted on a supporting frame on at least one supporting structure. The rotation of the supporting pulley that drives the control tires is derived from the hauling cable by way of a drive belt. The drive belt runs over the supporting pulley, which is mounted on a pivotable rocker, and over at least one control tire. The pivotable rocker is mounted on the supporting structure for the supporting frame, or the pivotable rocker is mounted on a supporting structure to which the supporting frame is not attached.
Abstract:
A ramp system for bridging a flexible cable to a rigid rail to improve the movement of a trolley along a low tension fixed aerial cableway. The ramp system has an inverted U-shaped elongated channel having a contact surface, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is disposed atop and contacts a portion of the cableway and an anchor configured to pivotably support the proximal end of the channel at a second point at a second level. The second level is disposed higher than the first level, wherein the distal end of the channel is slideably but positively secured to the portion of the cable and the first point, second point and distal end cooperate to form a triangular relationship, thereby reducing bending in the cable, reducing the approach angle and fatigue exerted on the channel and cable.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a vehicle, system, and method for mass transit transportation, the system according to one embodiment including a plurality of passenger vehicles configured such that each passenger vehicle includes a passenger module (110) for transporting at least one passenger being attachable and detachable from a transport-base (120) and a rail-base (220). At each of a plurality of transport-rail interchange hubs (204) the passenger modules are transferred from transport-bases (120) to the rail-bases (220). At each of a plurality of rail-transport interchange hubs the passenger modules are transferred from rail-bases (220) to transport-bases (120). Each passenger vehicle is adapted to transport the at least one passenger on at least one of transport and rail without exiting the passenger module (110).
Abstract:
A loop-shaped maintenance bay route 6 directly connected to an inter-bay route 4 is provided for the maintenance of an overhead traveling vehicle 8. An operation check traveling line 16 and an operation check station 18 are provided along the maintenance bay route 6 for fully carrying out tests for traveling operation and transfer operation of the overhead traveling vehicle 8. In an adjustment/repair area 14, adjustment, configuration, repair, reconfiguration, or the like of the overhead traveling vehicle 8 are performed.
Abstract:
A monorail transportation system has an elongated, overhead monorail (12) with a vehicle (14) having a coupler (16) that movably travels along the upper surface of monorail (12) and a drive wheel (20) that engages the lower surface or underside of monorail (12) to propel vehicle (14) therealong. The coupler (16) and drive wheel (20) are recessed in the top of the vehicle (14) during road travel and extended for travel along the monorail (12). The vehicle includes a movable sled (130) that carries the vehicles batteries (56) to balance the vehicle (14) about its longitudinal centerline during travel along the monorail (12).
Abstract:
A modular rapid transportation system is described which features transport modules for carrying passengers and/or freight, high-speed, constant-velocity conveyors for transporting the transport modules from station to station and variable-speed transfer vehicles at the stations capable of matching velocities with the high-speed conveyors for loading and unloading the transport modules onto and off of the conveyors. A station in the system is located between at least two oppositely-moving, constant-velocity conveyors and includes at least two closed-circuit, overhead rails above the constant-velocity conveyors.The transfer vehicle travelling on a rail accelerates from a loading/unloading section of the rail with a transport module and matches the velocity of one of the constant-velocity conveyors, transfers the transport module to that conveyor and then moves to a storage section of the rail. The empty transfer vehicle then accelerates from the storage section of the rail, matches velocities with the oppositely-moving, constant-velocity conveyor, attaches to and removes a transport module from that conveyor, accelerates with the transport module back to the module-loading section of the rail.A system of detectors located at each station provides signals, enabling automatic loading and spacing of modules on the conveyor. A manual override control system is provided for overriding the automatic system.Inherent fail-safe design features are provided for preventing collision of transport modules during the loading and unloading processes.
Abstract:
Track unit apparatus for high performance rapid transit trains which includes a single tubular support frame supporting guide tracks for the high speed train vehicles as well as guide tracks for additional conveying vehicles. The track units include guide tracks for supporting overhead or suspension high speed train vehicles, which guide tracks are attached at cylindrical steel longitudinal tubular members. These longitudinal members also directly support surface type railroad tracks or roadways for conventional type surface trains. A plurality of such longitudinal tubular members are provided, with a pair of these members being spaced laterally from one another at the upper part of the frame and at least one other of these tubular members being spaced below and intermediate the upper members so as to form a triangle or other polygonal cross-sectional shape in conjunction with tubular lattice members connecting the respective longitudinal tubular members. The railroad or roadway supports are provided above the upper longitudinal tubular members. Intermediate the triangular shape bounded by the tubular members, further guide structure is provided for conveying vehicles so that the space taken up by the support frame is optimally utilized. In addition, the longitudinal tubular members, as well as additional pipelines, also include spaces for accommodating conveyance of materials such as gases, fluids, fluidized solids, and the like.
Abstract:
A rapid transit system which transports people and articles including automobiles, small trucks and the like throughout a network of local, branch or regional transit routes. The transit vehicle is a unitary, self-supporting structure which is transported and guided by spaced sets of wheels mounted and turning on pylons. The transit vehicle is compartmented into cubicles in one rigid structure which could be approximately 21 feet wide by 60 feet high and 1,500 to 2,000 feet long. The pylon construction supports the transit vehicle above the right of way property, typically at a minimum height of approximately 60 feet. Each pylon includes an upper power frame assembly having a large wheel for supporting and four smaller wheels for guiding the transit vehicle. A base frame mounted between the pylon and it foundation is provided when necessary to compensate for changes in grade. Motors driving the wheel are used to propel the transit vehicle over the pylons. These may be external motors driving through the propulsion wheel shaft or the propelling rotor may be integral with the propulsion wheel driving against stator coils framed from the bearing hub structure. Guide wheels on opposite sides of the power frame of the pylon are geared to turn at the same tread velocity as the propulsion wheel and absorb the wind side load of the vehicle. The power frame may include transformers, rectifiers, power controls, circuit breakers and other control and highly failsafe operating equipment responsive to the networks (remote) central control system. The transit vehicle is an elongated truss which would extend from one pylon to another in a cantilevered fashion. Thus the transit vehicle may engage with the next pylon approximately 300 feet away providing the only bridge for the vehicle as it proceeds along the route. The system would include local routes that would eventually become integrated with branch and regional routes within the system. The pylons may be individually mounted on mobile trucks to roll in groups on tracks or rails to be moved sideways to simultaneously move the transit vehicle in this fashion. The pylons may be removed and be replaced as required by the transit vehicle itself so that the transit may continue uninterrupted.