The present disclosure relates to a transitional mode high speed rail system. The high speed rail infrastructure employed by the system is constructed adjacent a conventional host highway. The infrastructure can be provided adjacent to acceleration/deceleration lanes, or emergency parking/paved shou
The present disclosure relates to a transitional mode high speed rail system. The high speed rail infrastructure employed by the system is constructed adjacent a conventional host highway. The infrastructure can be provided adjacent to acceleration/deceleration lanes, or emergency parking/paved shoulder lanes. The vehicles used by the system are individual, self-powered, self-operating, individual mass passenger transport vehicles similar in size and appearance to municipal buses. These are transitional mode vehicles because they operate as railroad vehicles on the high speed rail infrastructure, but transition to automotive vehicle mode traveling on ordinary paved roads. They are mass passenger transport vehicles because many passengers can be accommodated.
대표청구항▼
1. A multimodal high speed transportation system comprising: a guideway infrastructure supported by a series of support columns, the guideway infrastructure comprising a triangular frame that includes two opposing edges, empty space containing electronics, sensors, support beams, and support feature
1. A multimodal high speed transportation system comprising: a guideway infrastructure supported by a series of support columns, the guideway infrastructure comprising a triangular frame that includes two opposing edges, empty space containing electronics, sensors, support beams, and support features, and a central extent, each opposing edge including a planar contact surface of fixed width and a rail positioned above the planar contact surface, a central control beam and a charging surface extending along the central extent, electric lines positioned within the guideway infrastructure and delivering electric power to the charging surface;a highway extending alongside the guideway infrastructure, the highway including a conventional road surface, the highway and the guideway infrastructure being interconnected at designated locations by way of on-ramps and off-ramps;a series of interconnected mass passenger transport (MPT), each MPT including a central saddle and a set of bimodal wheels, with each bimodal wheel including a metallic flange and a resilient tire, the rim and tire each having an axis of rotation that is substantially horizontal, each MPT adapted to travel between the skyway guideway infrastructure or the highway by way of the on-ramps and off-ramps, wherein when an MPT travels along the highway, the resilient tires contact the conventional road surface, and when an MPT travels along the guideway infrastructure, the metallic rims contact the rails and the saddle engages the central control beam and the MPT receives power from the charging surface. 2. The multimodal high speed transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the guideway infrastructure includes no passenger or freight stations and no passenger or freight station stops. 3. The multimodal high speed transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the MPTs is self-powered. 4. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 3 wherein the MPT is self-operating. 5. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 3 wherein the MPT is capable of operation either on the highway or guideway infrastructure. 6. The multimodal high speed transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein MPT departure times are determined by an MPT operator. 7. The multimodal high speed transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the MPTs employ a hybrid, fuel cell, propane, hydrogen, battery, ultra capacitor, or similar fuel source on conventional roads. 8. The multimodal high speed transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the MPTs are permitted to access and exit the guideway infrastructure from and to paved roadway surfaces using the bimodal wheels that enable MPTs to travel on both surface modes without damage to either the infrastructure or MPTs. 9. The multimodal high speed transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein each MPT saddle is engaged with the central control beam to secure or lock each individual MPT to the surface of the guideway infrastructure so there is no possibility of any MPT falling off of the system while traveling at high speeds. 10. The multimodal high speed transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the highway is a multi-lane limited access highway. 11. The multimodal high speed transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein each MPT takes the form of a mass transit, heavy freight transport, single passenger, two passenger, SUV, family vehicle, pick-up type vehicle, van, delivery vehicle, or box truck. 12. The multimodal high speed transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein all MPTs are completely automated while operating on the guideway infrastructure, and wherein all MPTs revert to manual control when they exit the guideway infrastructure to travel on conventional road surfaces. 13. The multimodal high speed transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the MPTs can travel between 120 to 175 miles per hour while on the guideway infrastructure. 14. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the MPTs use bimodal wheels, with each bimodal wheel including a metallic flange and a resilient tire, the flange and tire each having an axis of rotation that is substantially horizontal, each MPT adapted to travel between the skyway guideway infrastructure or the highway by way of the on-ramps and off-ramps, wherein when an MPT travels along the highway, the resilient tires contact the conventional road surface, and when an MPT travels along the skyway guideway infrastructure, the metallic rims contact the rails and the saddle engages the central control beam and the MPT receives power from the charging surface. 15. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 14 wherein the bimodal wheels comprise conventional air filled pneumatic wheels located interiorly and flanged rail wheels located exteriorly. 16. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 15 wherein the bimodal wheels have both the conventional air filled pneumatic wheels and flanged rail wheels in contact with the contact surface at the same time to provide further steering support and traction. 17. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 15 wherein only the flanged rail wheels are used for steering the MPT. 18. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the guideway infrastructure comprises a triangular, semicircular, or crescent-shaped configuration such that the multimodal high speed transportation system is elevated and supported for multiple MPTs at a given time. 19. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 18 wherein the guideway infrastructure configuration comprises hollow concrete or steel beams. 20. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the on-ramps and off-ramps have a fail-safe such that they are contiguous or parallel to the guideway infrastructure and such that they are conjunctively interconnected with the guideway infrastructure by a passive two way switch between the on-ramp or off-ramp and the guideway infrastructure. 21. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 where any contact between the central saddle and the central control beam results in transfer of electrical energy to the MPT. 22. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 21 wherein the transfer of electric energy is increased as needed to the size of the MPT travelling on the guideway infrastructure. 23. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 21 wherein the transfer of electric energy is increased proportionally to the number of electric contact power receivers attached to the MPT. 24. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 21 wherein the transfer of electrical energy from the guideway infrastructure to the MPT occurs in short, controlled high voltage bursts. 25. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the central saddle secures the MPT to the guideway infrastructure such that it initiates the transfer from the guideway infrastructure to the off-ramp and transfer from the on-ramp to the guideway infrastructure. 26. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the central saddle steers the MPT while in contact with the central control beam. 27. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the central saddle provides a communication pathway between the central control beam and the MPT for any electrical signals that are passed to or from the MPT. 28. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein access to the guideway infrastructure is granted by the dedicated on-ramp or an interchange integrated into the existing highway. 29. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the off-ramp comprises several branch ramps for multiple vehicles. 30. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the central control beam containing the charging surface comprises a plurality of beams for supplying additional electric energy. 31. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the guideway infrastructure further comprises a plurality of electrical power storage stations arranged as a cascade of energy storage station where each cascade may feed one or more of the beams supplying electric energy. 32. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the guideway infrastructure comprises no stops, no intersections, no other convergent guideways, no dead ends, and no two way travel. 33. The multimodal high speed transportation system as described in claim 1 wherein the weight of the vehicle is supported by a pneumatic or resilient tire and steering is accomplished by the flange or the central control beam.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (15)
Cummins, Richard, Arcuate tilting mechanism for high speed trains.
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