초록 ▼

A high-speed high-capacity transportation system is composed of an elevated inverted U-shaped electrified guideway that provides traction and capture surfaces for wheeled motive modules that ride within. Payloads are suspended below the motive unit using a narrow flange. Motive units use flat wheels

A high-speed high-capacity transportation system is composed of an elevated inverted U-shaped electrified guideway that provides traction and capture surfaces for wheeled motive modules that ride within. Payloads are suspended below the motive unit using a narrow flange. Motive units use flat wheels which ride on flat surfaces of the guideway. The wheels and electric power pickups constitute the only mechanical contact between the vehicle and guideway. Sensors on the motive unit provide position information to an electronic control subsystem which directs the steering of the motive units wheels so as to maintain the desired path through the guideway. As an option, one or more auxiliary wheels can be brought into contact with running surfaces located at the top of the inverted U for additional traction and stability. The payload unit is connected to a the motive unit by way of a hinge that allows the payload to swing laterally. A DC gear motor can be used to provide damping and can also be used to purposely tip the motive unit when passing through a junction. The invention uses a passive Y-shaped section to split or join streams of vehicles. In a Y-section the primary wheels of the motive unit drive over a slot through which the payload-holding flange may pass. Vehicles can exit or merge with minimal vehicle spacing and at full speed. An important application of the system is the use of vehicle carrier payloads that can transport unmodified surface vehicles.

대표청구항 ▼

[I claim:] [1.]a motive unit comprising a chassis and a first primary wheel mounted on said chassis for rotating about a horizontal first axis and for pivoting about a vertical second axis;a guideway defining an elongate channel extending in a horizontal longitudinal direction providing a pathway fo

[I claim:] [1.]a motive unit comprising a chassis and a first primary wheel mounted on said chassis for rotating about a horizontal first axis and for pivoting about a vertical second axis;a guideway defining an elongate channel extending in a horizontal longitudinal direction providing a pathway for said motive unit, said guideway comprising an elongate horizontal, upward-facing first primary traction surface extending in said longitudinal direction for supporting said first primary wheel of said motive unit, wherein said motive unit moves within said channel in a direction determined by an angular position of said first primary wheel about said second axis;sensing means for measuring a lateral position of said motive unit within said channel in a horizontal lateral direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction and for generating an electronic control signal indicating said lateral position; andsteering means for adjusting said angular position of said first primary wheel about said second axis to adjust said lateral position in response to said electronic control signal to guide said motive unit along a predetermined path. [8.]