Abstract: A welding apparatus has a guide rail arrangement with at least one guide rail attachable to a welding target. A carriage has a carriage housing and a rail follower assembly that is movably mountable to the guide rail arrangement for relative movement along the at least one guide rail. A feedstock source is disposed within the carriage housing and configured to deposit a feedstock material on a target surface of the welding target. An ultrasonic weld head is partially disposed within the carriage housing and has a sonotrode that extends toward the target surface so as to engage the deposited feedstock material and apply a normal welding force to the deposited feedstock material and the target surface. The sonotrode is operable to conduct ultrasonic vibrations into the deposited feedstock material and the target surface to weld the feedstock material to the target surface.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes an arch-shaped suspension system comprising a first and second vertical span, a horizontal span between the pair of vertical spans, and at least one robotic catheter head coupled to the horizontal span. The arch-shaped suspension system can include a pair of linear guide blocks that can be attached to a patient bed and in some embodiments the linear guide blocks can be configured to slidably move along a rail. The arch-shaped suspension system can be moved to allow for proper placement of the arch-shaped suspension system for use on a patient or for placing the system away from a patient or for storage. In some embodiments the robotic catheter system can include a suspension system cart for storing and moving the arch-shaped suspension system.

Abstract: An elevator car for transporting people and goods and having a floor panel, at least three side panels, and a roof panel together forming a door opening. The floor panel, at least one side panel, and the roof panel are unitarily formed of a thermoplastic synthetic resin. A force-spreading element substantially more rigid than the panels is fixed in or on an face of one of the side panels or the roof panel. A hoist system for the car is fixed by fasteners to the load-spreading element.

Abstract: A radar hardware accelerator (HWA) includes a fast Fourier transform (FFT) engine including a pre-processing block for providing interference mitigation and/or multiplying a radar data sample stream received from ADC buffers within a split accelerator local memory that also includes output buffers by a pre-programmed complex scalar or a specified sample from an internal look-up table (LUT) to generate pre-processed samples. A windowing plus FFT block (windowed FFT block) is for multiply the pre-processed samples by a window vector and then processing by an FFT block for performing a FFT to generate Fourier transformed samples. A post-processing block is for computing a magnitude of the Fourier transformed samples and performing a data compression operation for generating post-processed radar data. The pre-processing block, windowed FFT block and post-processing block are connected in one streaming series data path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bridge exciter for inducing vibrations in railway or roadway bridges, which comprises a servo-hydraulic actuator connected to a wagon designed to transport the same over tracks or a road. The actuator generates a force by moving a variable-weight reaction mass guided by linear bearings. It comprises hydraulic equipment that enables direct transmission of the vibrations to the infrastructure, independent of the rolling gear of the wagon or the rubber-tired vehicle, via false wheels. The movement of the actuator piston is controlled by a computer allowing the actuator to apply general forces on a bridge or roadway that do not exceed the maximum acceptable displacement of the piston: harmonic, impulsive, and transient forces. The equipment is provided with the necessary load control elements.

Abstract: A passive lateral stability system maintains the position of a vehicle relative to a guideway. The system includes first and second guide assemblies that urge the vehicle away from first and second electrically conductive guide walls, respectively. The first guide assembly includes a wheel configured to reciprocate toward and away from the first guide wall. A biasing element bias biases the wheel toward the first guide wall. The system further includes a magnetic element associated with the wheel, wherein movement of the magnetic element relative to the first guide wall produces a magnetic force that biases the wheel away from the first guide wall. A second guide assembly is mounted to the vehicle and urges the vehicle away from the second guide wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension bridge type self-supporting aerial metal structure, in which the main platform is designed having three levels. The upper level is intended for the passage of motor vehicles. The intermediate level is intended for the transportation, transmission and distribution of all existing public services, and other possible services. The lower level is intended for an urban public transport system. Thanks to its self-supported aerial design, the structure of the present invention can be built within cities following the same layout as existing roads.

Abstract: A foot inline deflecting swim fin with hinge coupled to a two-leaf-blade fin with embedded channel-hinge with leaves free to rotate from a perpendicular fluid flow configuration upon power stroke to parallel fluid flow configuration upon an upstroke. The hinge-leaf blade will have pivot stops, limiting leaf rotations to accommodate the two stroke swim propulsion, upstroke and power stroke. An embedded unitary elastomeric hinge having integrated channel with channel limiter stops is disclosed.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes an arch-shaped suspension system comprising a first and second vertical span, a horizontal span between the pair of vertical spans, and at least one robotic catheter head coupled to the horizontal span. The arch-shaped suspension system can include a pair of linear guide blocks that can be attached to a patient bed and in some embodiments the linear guide blocks can be configured to slidably move along a rail. The arch-shaped suspension system can be moved to allow for proper placement of the arch-shaped suspension system for use on a patient or for placing the system away from a patient or for storage. In some embodiments the robotic catheter system can include a suspension system cart for storing and moving the arch-shaped suspension system.

Abstract: Device for coupling a vehicle to a traction cable, comprising a fastening configured to couple the vehicle to the traction cable, the fastening including at least two rotatable elements configured to occupy a coupling position in which said at least two rotatable elements are in contact with the traction cable and the vehicle is coupled to the traction cable, the device including a variable speed drive configured to modify a speed of rotation of said at least two rotatable elements when said at least two rotatable elements are in the coupling position, so that the vehicle moves relative to the traction cable.

Abstract: An article transport vehicle includes an obstacle sensor having a detection area that includes at least the width of the own vehicle and that expands in the advancing direction, controls the travel of the own vehicle, based on as front inter-object distance corresponding to own-vehicle position information indicating a position of the own vehicle and front object position information indicating a position on a track of a front object that is located in front of the own vehicle and whose position on the track is specified, and sets a length of the detection area E along the advancing direction of the obstacle sensor to be variable according to the front inter-object distance such that the length is less than the front inter-object distance.

Abstract: The boarding area (A, B, C) of a transport means is divided into at least two gates (1, 2, 3), the maximum person capacity of which corresponds, respectively, to the maximum capacity of the largest transport device (9) that is accessible via the boarding area (A, B, C). Entrance into the gates (1, 2, 3) is effected via at least one separating device (4) connected with a control system (5) for the purpose of data communication. Entrance into each gate (1, 2, 3) is not possible once the number of persons in the gate (1, 2, 3) specified by the control system (5) for the current boarding operation is reached, or while the persons inside the gate (1, 2, 3) board the transport car. The number of persons in each gate (1, 2, 3) for the current boarding operation is determined by the control system (5) in dependence upon the transport demand in subsequent intermediate stations ahead of an end station, provided such intermediate stations are present, and of the free capacity of the arriving transport car (9).

Abstract: A carriage for a conveyor comprising a carriage body which is configured for embracing a running rail and which comprises a first and a second leg which are connected by a connection portion, wherein the first leg has first rollers which are attached to the internal side of the first leg, and the second leg has second rollers which are attached to the internal side of the second leg, and the connection portion has third rollers which are attached to the internal side of the connection portion, it is provided according to the invention that the first and the second rollers are vertically disposed, and the third rollers are horizontally disposed.

Abstract: An autonomous transport robot for transporting a payload, the autonomous transport robot including a drive section assembly having at least one motor and a pair of drive wheels coupled to the motor, a frame configured to support a payload, a transfer arm connected to the frame and configured for the autonomous transfer of payload to and from the frame, and a suspension system movably connecting the drive section assembly and the frame allowing relative movement between the frame and the drive section assembly.

Abstract: A friction stir welding device includes a pair of workpiece surface plates between which a gap extending along a welding line between workpieces is formed; a welding device body including a rotatable friction stir welding tool protruding upward from the gap; and a linear guide mechanism and a moving device for the welding device body. The moving device has a configuration in which a pair of pin racks extending in a direction along the gap are disposed at symmetrical positions on both sides in a width direction with a position immediately below a tool movement path of the friction stir welding tool as a symmetrical axis, and pin gears that individually mesh therewith are provided in the welding device body so as to be rotatably driven. Respective sets of a pin rack and a pin gear are alternately brought into a strong meshing state during the movement of the welding device body by causing the locations of pins and teeth thereof to deviate from each other by a half pitch.

Abstract: A steering bogie provided with a pair of tires (13) positioned on both sides in the vehicle-widthwise direction, a primary suspension mechanism (51) for supporting the pair of tires (13) independent from a subframe (11), and a steering guide device (14) which is guided along guide rails (6) extending along a track (5), wherein the steering guide device (14) is equipped with: a guide frame (31); guide wheels (33) which roll as a result of contact with the guide rails (6), and are rotatably supported by the guide frame (31); and a guide frame support mechanism (32) for supporting the guide frame (31) by hanging from the primary suspension mechanism (51).

Abstract: Disclosed is a corner head drywall tool comprising a plurality of roller wings, each with a plurality of face rollers. Also disclosed are alignment rollers intersecting and overlapping the pivot axis of the roller wings. The device may further comprise shafts having an end pivotably attached to each roller wing; wherein each shaft is fitted to slide within a spring tube having a spring therein biasing the shaft toward the associated roller wing. Each spring tube optionally having a median portion pivotably attached to a support block. The device may comprise an adjustment system to adjust the spacing between the ends of the spring tubes opposite the roller wings. The drywall tool may be arranged wherein the adjustment comprises: an adjustment wheel fixed to rotate relative to the support block. Wherein the adjustment wheel rotates one or each spring tube about the relative pivot attachment to the support block.

Abstract: A stairlift for conveying a load along a staircase rail includes a rail, a carriage carried by the rail and moveable along the rail, a carriage drive to drive the carriage along the rail, a load carrier support supporting a load carrier, such as a chair or wheelchair platform, which load carrier support is rotatably connected to the carriage to rotate about a horizontal axis, a rotation device to rotate the load carrier support relative to the carriage about the horizontal axis, and a control unit to control the rotation device such that the load carrier support is positioned in a desired orientation relative to a horizontal plane. The rotation device includes a motor and a rotator, where the motor is operatively connected to the load carrier support via the rotator to cause rotation of the load carrier support relative to the carriage about the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes an arch-shaped suspension system comprising a first and second vertical span, a horizontal span between the pair of vertical spans, and at least one robotic catheter head coupled to the horizontal span. The arch-shaped suspension system can include a pair of linear guide blocks that can be attached to a patient bed and in some embodiments the linear guide blocks can be configured to slidably move along a rail. The arch-shaped suspension system can be moved to allow for proper placement of the arch-shaped suspension system for use on a patient or for placing the system away from a patient or for storage. In some embodiments the robotic catheter system can include a suspension system cart for storing and moving the arch-shaped suspension system.

Abstract: A card media processing system for treating individual cards includes a treatment assembly including a treatment device configured for sequentially treating individual cards. A car is configured to hold an individual card and to move the card to the treatment device. An endless loop track assembly is configured to support the car. The car includes a driven roller configured to engage the endless loop track assembly to move the car therealong, and the driven roller is operatively connected with a motor for causing rotation of the driven roller.

Abstract: A method for assisting a vehicle driver in a bottleneck, including the tasks of reading in, evaluating, and providing. In the reading in, a piece of information about a negotiable corridor in the bottleneck, a piece of information about an instantaneous trajectory of the vehicle in the bottleneck, and a piece of information about a steering torque which is presently applied by the driver to a steering of the vehicle are read in. In the evaluating, the pieces of information about the corridor, the trajectory, and the steering torque are evaluated by using known dimensions of the vehicle to recognize an anticipated violation of the corridor by at least one part of the vehicle. In the providing, a control signal is provided for a counter torque which acts against the steering torque when the violation is recognized to assist the driver with avoiding the violation.

Abstract: Guide rails for an article transport vehicle are provided and include a pair of right and left rail portion which are spaced apart from each other in a rail lateral direction. The guide rails are diverged into a straight forward path, a left diverging path, and a right diverging path at a three-directional diverging portion of the travel paths. The pair of right and left rail portions provided along the straight forward path are spaced apart in the path longitudinal direction from the pair of right and left rail portions provided along the upstream-side travel path of the three-directional diverging portion. In addition, an auxiliary receiving mechanism is provided for receiving and supporting the article transport vehicle traveling between the pair of right and left rail portion of the upstream-side travel path and the pair of right and left rail portions of the straight forward path.

Abstract: A hybrid working vehicle comprises an engine, a drive wheel, a power take-off (PTO) shaft, and a power transmission system for transmitting power from the engine to the drive wheel and the PTO shaft. The power transmission system is bifurcated at a bifurcating point into a traveling drive train for driving the drive wheel and a PTO drive train for driving the PTO shaft. A continuously variable transmission is provided on the traveling drive train, and a motor generator is provided on the power transmission system between the engine and the bifurcating point. The motor generator functions as a generator by power of the engine and functions as an electric motor for driving the power transmission system. The hybrid working vehicle includes a controller for controlling an output rotary speed of the motor generator functioning as the electric motor.

Abstract: Monorail vehicle that travels on a non-featured rail with substantial profile variation and controls roll attitude, lateral location, and loading through judicious placement of the vehicle's center of gravity without using springs or suspensions. The vehicle has a bogie for engaging the non-featured rail so the center of gravity has a lateral offset r1 from the rail centerline to produce a roll moment Nr determined by vehicle's mass and value of r1. The center of gravity also has a vertical offset r2. The bogie uses first and second assemblies for engaging the rail to produce a pair of surface normal reaction forces to thus control roll attitude and loading by the placement of the center of gravity, thereby enabling accurate alignment of the monorail vehicle.

Abstract: A cart is movably engaged with a flow control track by a pair of different height cam followers. An end track segment between parallel side leg track segments of the track contains inner and outer end channels. An intermediate wall in the end track segment forms the outer and inner end channels and cooperates with the height of the cam followers to direct one cam follower on each cart into one of the inner and outer end tracks and the other cam follower on the cart into the other of the inner and outer end channels to smoothly control the movement of the cart around the end segment between the ends of the first and second side leg track segments.

Abstract: A cart is movably engaged with a flow control track by a pair of different height cam followers. An end track segment between parallel side leg track segments of the track contains inner and outer end channels. An intermediate wall in the end track segment forms the outer and inner end channels and cooperates with the height of the cam followers to direct one cam follower on each cart into one of the inner and outer end tracks and the other cam follower on the cart into the other of the inner and outer end channels to smoothly control the movement of the cart around the end segment between the ends of the first and second side leg track segments.

Abstract: A mass transit monorail uses an I-beam rail structure having an upper flange portion spaced apart from a lower flange portion, the flange portions joined by a vertical web portion. A frame of a vehicle has a pair of supporting wheels contacting the rail on a first side at an intersection of the web portion with the lower flange portion. A third wheel contacts the upper flange portion on a second opposing side of the rail. The vehicle moves along the rails which form a semi-continuous in-line track. A plurality of such tracks are positioned in parallel to make up a transport corridor with plural right-of-ways where vehicles may move in opposite directions passing each other. The rails are flexible enough to enable a vehicle to move from one semi-continuous in-line track to an adjacent semi-continuous in-line track.

Abstract: A track-guided vehicle wheel truck facilitates vehicle maintenance and enables reduction in costs. The track vehicle wheel truck includes guide frames arranged along the forward and rearward directions of the vehicle on the inside of the vehicle width direction in the running wheels, and fixed to knuckles; a tie rod arranged on the center side of the forward and rearward directions in the vehicle along the vehicle width direction, and interlock with the guide frames; guide wheel receivers disposed toward the inside of the vehicle width direction from the guide frames on the vehicle end side and the center side relative to an axis of the running wheels; and a steering axle arranged along the vehicle width direction, and are able to turn the running wheels, the knuckles, and the guide frames by installing a kingpin at both ends thereof.

Abstract: A truck-type conveyance system includes a propelled portion which is propelled with frictional force, a truck which is coupled with the propelled portion, guides that are a plurality of guide members defining a propulsive direction of the propelled portion and forming a propulsion path, and a drive unit which provides frictional force in the propulsive direction to the propelled portion. The propelled portion is formed with a driven member which is an elastic member elastically deforming along a curvature of the propulsion path.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transportation system with integrated infrastructure. In one embodiment, this infrastructure takes the form of a hollow elevated load bearing guideway structure designed to support the weight of traveling vehicles. The structure supports a backbone beam, or rail, that has multiple functions. These functions may include vehicle control, security, and energy delivery. The structure is bimodal meaning vehicles can have wheels like cars or steel rimmed wheels like a train or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention is hollow structural members, a rail system based thereon and method of manufacturing such hollow structural members. Embodiments of the structural members may be hollow triangular prism-shaped with a cross-section that is triangular, isosceles, hexagonal or otherwise. Embodiments of rail systems based on hollow structural members are also disclosed. Embodiments of the rail systems disclosed herein may also include reaction assemblies for local dissipation of stresses due to thermal expansion of track materials.

Abstract: A mink/fox transportation system (2) for individual transport in connection with the production of mink/fox furs, for example, the transport of upright-standing expansion pelt boards (4), with or without tanned, or tanned and dried pelts, to one or more relevant receiving stations (170, 172), has at least one, preferably a plurality, of self-driven traction units/carriages (10) driven along a predetermined transport path in the form of a track (6) which is formed of track elements (8,8?,8?,8??) that have been assembled together configured to the arrangement of the particular production facility. The traction units/carriages (10) have a housing (12) with an upwardly-facing side (20) in which an opening (14) is formed for receiving a blunt part (18) extending from the foot end (16) of the pelt board, or surrounds a smaller part of the whole of the foot end of a pelt board.

Abstract: A monorail bogie assembly for supporting at least one monorail car over a monorail track that has a running surface and two side surfaces. The monorail bogie assembly comprises a first monorail bogie for supporting a first monorail car. The first monorail bogie comprises at least one load-bearing wheel, two inboard guide wheels and two outboard guide wheels. The monorail bogie assembly further comprises a second monorail bogie for supporting a second monorail car. The second monorail bogie comprises at least one load-bearing wheel and two inboard guide wheels. The monorail bogie assembly further comprises a linking member for interconnecting the first monorail bogie and the second monorail bogie, such that when connected the second monorail bogie is absent any outboard guide wheels.

Abstract: A single main steel wheel rides on a single main steel rail of a guideway to support and drive a carrier and to facilitate steering and provide a simplified, more compact and less costly construction. The carrier can support a car through a platform having elements and chocks for locking contact with a front bumper and front wheels of the car Auxiliary wheels and rails cooperate to cause nearly all weight to be carried through the single main wheel. Traction is increased when necessary through application of increased upward forces to undersides of auxiliary rails and/or through developing magnetic forces between the steel wheel and steel rail. An AC induction motor is a main source of drive power. Acceleration and braking are assisted through epicyclic gearing, braking means and a DC motor/generator that is connected to a battery and that drives the carrier if supply of AC fails.

Abstract: A single rail film dolly and slider includes a substantially V-shaped rail arrangement and a guide arrangement. The V-shaped rail arrangement is adapted to be secured to a tripod. The guide arrangement includes a plurality of wheels, wherein a first portion of the plurality of wheels frictionally engages an interior side of the V-shaped rail arrangement and a second portion of the plurality of wheels frictionally engages an exterior side of the V-shaped rail arrangement. The guide arrangement is adapted to accommodate a camera mounted thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transportation system with integrated infrastructure. In one embodiment, this infrastructure takes the form of a hollow elevated load bearing guideway structure designed to support the weight of traveling vehicles. The structure supports a backbone beam, or rail, that has multiple functions. These functions may include vehicle control, security, and energy delivery. The structure is bimodal meaning vehicles can have wheels like cars or steel rimmed wheels like a train or any combination thereof.

Abstract: System of automatic transport of goods, by means of electric platforms on monorail, with side stabilizer, whereof the platforms have a horizontal side stabilizer with corresponding power point, so that the general system comprises two monorails, for two-way transport with a central support structure between both rails which bears part of the stabilization device, the power point, rolling stock safety device and logistic support elements.

Abstract: A guide apparatus has a standard end plate split into a pair of split parts that can be positioned with respect to each other with high accuracy and firmly secured to each axial end of a moving block body without fear of displacement during use. The guide apparatus has a moving block relatively movably attached to a track rail. The moving block body has in a section perpendicular to the axial direction a geometry that allows the moving block body to be assembled to the track rail at an intermediate part of the track rail. The end plate consists essentially of a pair of split parts that are splittable to right and left in the width direction of the end plate. One split part has a positioning pin projecting from a parting surface thereof. A positioning hole fittable with the positioning pin is provided in a parting surface of the other split part. The positioning pin is fitted into the positioning hole to form an end plate assembly.

Abstract: A flexible rail section on which a carriage can be transported may include a longitudinal slot that is essentially parallel to a direction of carriage travel, wherein the flexible rail section can connect two misaligned rails. The flexible rail section may include transverse slots intersecting the flexible rail section in one or more directions. A flexible rail section on which a carriage can be transported may be made from an elastomer, wherein the flexible rail section can connect two misaligned rails.

Abstract: A rail system for transporting dual use vehicles includes a network of multiple non-interconnected rails where each rail comprises an extruded triangular shell and a support material. The rails are supported by a system of support structures where each support structure includes a base with a rail adjustment actuator for selectively adjusting the position of the supported rail. Each rail is sized to support a standardized dual use passenger vehicle adapted for roadway and rail travel.

Abstract: The guideway-based transportation system includes a guideway and a mating vehicle. The guideway includes a main guideway section that may branch at a branch point into two separate branch sections. The guideway has a suitable geometry to support and guide the vehicle at any speed reasonably associated with such a transportation system. The vehicle includes both support and guide wheels to support the weight of the vehicle and to maintain contact between the vehicle and the guideway as it moves along the guideway, and may optionally include a switching wheel assembly for switching the path of travel of the vehicle from the main guideway section to either of the branch sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ceramic cutting insert for cutting tools of the type which include a clamp with a nose intended to grip into a recess (5) in the cutting insert in order to keep the cutting insert firmly in place in an insert seat in a tool holder. The recess (5) has a rotationally symmetrical shape and comprises an inner cavity (18) which is delimited by a cylindrical or slightly conical wall surface (19) said cavity extends from the far end of the inner cavity and expands outwards by ever increasing its diameter in the direction from the inner cavity to the entrance opening in the said upper or lower sides.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus conveys articles used for manufacturing semiconductor devices. The conveying apparatus has a conveying rail section that includes a first rail providing a first conveying route, a second rail providing a second conveying route, and an intermediate rail structure interconnecting the first and second rails. Respective vehicles are fitted to the first and second rails so as to convey articles as supported atop the first rail or as suspended from the second rail, respectively. The conveying apparatus can be readily installed in the bay of an automatic manufacturing system, e.g., of a type for processing wafers having a diameter of 300 mm. In this case, the conveying route of the articles is unified, and space is saved, as well.

Abstract: The present invention offers a universal guide device capable of using the sliders of conventional straight guide devices intact. The universal guide device does not need a different slider for each different radius of track rail. The universal guide device can be manufactured at lower cost than heretofore. This universal guide device in accordance with the invention comprises a track rail and sliders mounted to the rail via balls circulating through endless circular paths. The rail has at least one straight region and at least one curved region shaped in an arc with a given radius of curvature. Each of the sliders is of saddlelike cross section. The sliders span the rail. The sliders have ball-rolling surfaces shaped linearly. The curved region of the rail is set narrower than the straight region of the rail.

Abstract: An industrial truck (1) is driven by a friction drive (7) acting on a rail (6). For this purpose, the industrial truck (1) stands on the underlying surface by way of a front steering-roller pair (3) and a rear fixed-roller pair (5) and is kept on track by a guide roller (9) butting against the rail (6). In the region of a curved element (12), the rail (6) has an elevation, with result that there is an increase there in the propulsion force which can be transmitted by a friction wheel (8) of the friction drive (7). An introduction aid (11) allows the guide roller (9) to be aligned without difficulty in relation to the rail (6). The industrial truck (1), rather than being bound to fixed cyclic operation by its friction drive (7), can be specifically accelerated or decelerated. In the event of malfunctioning of the industrial truck (1), the latter can easily be moved manually.

Abstract: The present invention offers a universal guide device capable of using the sliders of conventional straight guide devices intact. The universal guide device does not need a different slider for each different radius of track rail. The universal guide device can be manufactured at lower cost than normal. This universal guide device in accordance with the invention comprises a track rail and sliders mounted to the rail via balls circulating through endless circular paths. The rail has at least one straight region and at least one curved region shaped in an arc with a given radius of curvature. Each of the sliders is of saddlelike cross section. The sliders span the rail. The sliders have ball-rolling surfaces shaped linearly. The curved region of the rail is set narrower than the straight region of the rail.

Abstract: A monorail transit system includes transit drive units for supporting a transit car body on a beam and propelling the body along the beam. Improvements to the transit system include a quiet steel rail with vibration isolation for the beam, a vehicle braking system using a fixed plat engaged with a steel rail to arrest motion of the drive unit, a beam stabilizing support structure comprising a column with an insert that extends into a hollow beam portion, a drive unit coupled to the transit car body so as to be able to rotate with respect to the body while the drive unit and transit car body are traversing a curve in the rail, a leveling system for automatically leveling the car body with respect to a loading platform and a mechanism for automatically tilting the car body in response to centrifugal forces and then leveling the body, an articulating car body for accommodating curved beams, and a mechanism for providing positive traction on an inclined steel rail.

Abstract: A carriage wheel and track upon which the wheel runs include meshed ridges and grooves oriented longitudinally with the track at the tangency of the wheel with the track, and force urging the track toward the wheel is applied to the track by a counter force roller along a line that passes through the axis of the carriage wheel, through the axis of the counter force roller, and through the tangency of the carriage wheel with the track.

Abstract: The invention concerns a trolley for rail tracks (3) that are branched by means of switch points. To avoid a switch point jam, while simultaneously saving power and maintenance effort, the trolley is equipped with moveable hooks and the switch points are designed as passive switches without any moveable parts, where the hooks can engage the guide rails (12) of the passive switch points in accordance with the desired travel direction.

Abstract: A transportation system uses a carrier conduit in the form of a long tube or channel in order to drive a vehicle by air pressure. A carrier having end plates obstructs the travel of air through the carrier conduit. Pressure differentials formed within the carrier conduit serve to propel the carrier through the carrier conduit. By rollably supporting the carrier within the carrier conduit, friction is reduced between the carrier conduit and the carrier. The carrier may be magnetically coupled to a vehicle having vanes and a set of track- or rail-engaging wheel assemblies on vanes. The vanes may pivot upon the vehicle and serve to allow the vehicle to rollably or slidably couple to the carrier conduit track. The motion of the carrier serves to propel the vehicle along the carrier conduit track as the vehicle is magnetically coupled to the carrier.