Abstract: The body of a magnetically levitated vehicle is carried by a support structure wherein chassis components support the body through first springs and wherein the magnets are secured to the chassis components by second springs. Each of the first and second springs comprise respective bellows filled with fluid. The pressure or volume of the fluid in the second spring bellows is adjustable in response to the fluid pressure or volume in the first spring bellows. For this purpose the second spring bellows communicate operatively with the respective adjacent first spring bellows, preferably through adjustable valves.

Abstract: Traveling support apparatus for supporting welding device or other apparatus for peripheral travel about a pipe. The support apparatus utilizes endless belts disposed around paired wheels at opposite sides of the apparatus to propel the apparatus along a track. The endless belts are pivotally supported for equal pressure engagements with the path along which the support apparatus travels. The support apparatus engages opposite sides of a track in the form of a strip or band spacedly surrounding a pipe to support a frame which is held firmly against movements toward or away from the track so that the supported apparatus is reliably held in position with relation to the pipe.

Abstract: A transportation vehicle for use in a mass transit system is provided with a laterally sprung guidance apparatus operative with a vehicle restraining guide beam included with the vehicle roadway, for restraining the removal of the vehicle in relation to that roadway while providing a desired improvement in the lateral ride quality of that vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of reclaiming refuse from a stored pile thereof which basically includes a vertically swingable drag type conveyor mechanism mounted upon a traveling support which is movable lengthwise along one side of the refuse pile, the conveyor being swingable into work-engaging contact with the surface of the pile to drag refuse therefrom. The conveyor when swung into such contact with the pile surface is shiftable by means of its support lengthwise of the pile so as to enable it to scan the pile surface from end to end thereof and so remove from the pile incremental strata of the refuse to be reclaimed. The swingable conveyor, operating in the manner of a boom, transfers the refuse reclaimed from the storage pile to a second conveyor disposed in a trench extending parallel to the direction of movement of the traveling support for the boom conveyor, from which trench the reclaimed refuse by means of said second conveyor is discharged for transport to a point removed from the storage pile.

Abstract: A passenger transportation system includes a transport vehicle which travels in the interior of an elongated tunnel formed from a series of concrete modular conduits. The cross-section of the conduit interior includes a bottom surface on which the vehicle travels, a pair of spaced apart side walls, and a pair of spaced apart upper wall surfaces extending inwardly from the side walls and on opposite sides of an elongated slotted opening extending lengthwise along the top of the conduit tunnel. The transport vehicle is supported by a suspension system which includes a plurality of carrier frames, each having guide rollers traveling along the bottom surface, the side walls, and the upper wall surfaces of the conduit. The guide rollers are supported by respective biasing elements which urge the guide rollers into continuous contact with the walls of the tunnel to keep the vehicle centered in the tunnel during transit.

Abstract: A train system particularly adapted to be used in tunneling operation to outwardly move the loosened earth and rock or muck and, for that purpose, which is trackless and takes its lateral guidance from the usual utility duct which is required along the tunnel. This trackless train system also distinctively includes wagons having each a walking beam suspension which supports the load carrying ground wheels in a longitudinal central row, such that the wagon adequately and undistinctively rides on a tunnel floor which is uneven or which has a transversely concave profile, such as to form an underground conduit.