Abstract: An automatic cooking system includes a computer system that stores recipes, cooking stations each comprising a cooking container that can cook food ingredients therein to produce a first cooked food, wherein the computer system can assign and schedule a plurality of dishes to be cooked at the cooking stations, storage containers configured to hold food ingredients, mini vehicles each carrying transport containers configured to hold the food ingredients, wherein the computer system can control at least some of movements of the mini vehicles in accordance to the recipes, a loading apparatus configured to load food ingredients from the storage stations to the transport containers on the mini vehicles, and an unloading apparatus that can transfer food ingredients from the transport containers on the mini vehicles to the cooking container at one of the cooking stations.

Abstract: A signal processing unit for a controller of a trolley pole switch is disclosed. The trolley pole switch switches the path of travel that an energy collector takes through the switch at a junction of catenaries at which a turn catenary and a straight catenary diverge from the straight catenary. The signal processing unit includes an input stage, a detection stage, turn and straight signal demodulation stages and an output stage. The input stage conditions modulated signals, each of which indicating a request to switch the path of travel through the trolley pole switch to the desired catenary diverging therefrom. The detection stage generates a validation signal if the conditioned modulated signal falls within a predetermined band. If the turn demodulation stage receives a conditioned modulated turn signal from the input stage and the validation signal from the detection stage simultaneously, it generates a low logic signal.

Abstract: An electronic controller for controlling a trolley pole switch is disclosed. The trolley pole switch switches the path of travel that an energy collector of a trolley pole takes through the trolley pole switch at a junction of power conduits diverging from the trolley pole switch. The electronic trolley pole switch controller includes a signal processing device and a power controlling device employed in tandem to control the frog solenoids of a trolley pole switch. The signal processing device detects and processes a plurality of modulated signals. Each modulated signal represents a request to switch the path of travel that the energy collector takes through the trolley pole switch to a desired one of the power conduits diverging therefrom.

Abstract: A power controlling unit for use with a radio board of a trolley pole switch controller is disclosed. The trolley pole switch has at least one frog for switching the path of travel that an energy collector takes through a junction of catenaries. The power controlling unit includes three reduction stages, a chopper control stage, and two output stages. A first reduction stage reduces power received from one catenary to an initial power level. The chopper control stage outputs two pairs of alternating signals. Controlled by a first pair of alternating signals, a second reduction stage reduces the initial power level to a secondary power level to operate the radio board. As long as it receives the initial power level, the third reduction stage reduces the secondary power level to a primary power level to operate the power controlling unit.

Abstract: A high speed frog including a ductile iron main pan casting having an integral straight approach runner, an integral straight exit runner, and an integral exit turnout runner, a movable runner having a pair of guide rails, an electric solenoid for rotating the movable runner so that one of said pair of guide rails is cooperatively associated with the stationary runner, diverts a sliding contact shoe to the turn-out runner, a mechanical deflector engageable for resetting the movable runner so that the other of the pair of guide rails engages the integral straight approach runner, and a renewable runner insert disposed between integral straight approach runner and the respective guide rails of the movable runner.

Abstract: A trolley-type power supply means and a turntable switch for moving apparatuses such as mining equipment. The switch is provided with two coupling portions installed in parallel with each other and reversely symmetrical with respect to a turning axis. By using coupling portions, a trolley can be turned in a desired direction or shunted from the trolley track to allow another trolley to pass by.

Abstract: A connecting system for trolley rails at a shunt where tracks for a transport vehicle such as a magnetic levitation type linear motor car are turned off. A first trolley rail is supported on a stationary track girder and a second troley rail is supported on a movable track girder. A movable track girder can be moved from a position where one end thereof is aligned to a first stationary track girder to a position where the end thereof is aligned to a second stationary track girder. A third trolley rail is movably supported in a longitudinal direction thereof on a supporting member which is rotatably supported at one end thereof to a base portion of one end of the first trolley rail. A first slant surface is formed on each of end portions of the first and second trolley rails at an acute angle. Both end portions of the third trolley rail are formed with slant surfaces inclined at obtuse angles with the top peripheral edge of the third trolley rail.

Abstract: A switching station for a people mover rotary guideway switch. The switching station routes a transit car from an entry guideway path to either of two exit guideway paths. The station includes a guideway section structured at each of its entry and exit points to provide a predetermined guideway configuration including a pair of spaced tire running surfaces for transit cars. The guideway section has an elongated switch pit located under a reference plane through the tire running services that extends longitudinally along and between the tire running services. An elongated rotary switch frame is disposed in the switch pit and assembled with the guideway section for alignment with the guideway paths. The frame is provided with guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on opposite sides of the frame which are compatible with the guideway configuration to route a car from the entry path to the first and second exit paths, respectively.

Abstract: A rotary switch for a people mover guideway having a predetermined path, guidebeam and electric rail configuration, routes a transit car having electric power signal collectors from one entry guideway path to either of two exit guideway paths or vice versa. The switch has an elongated structural frame provided with guidelines, electric rail and tire path structure on one side compatible with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to one of the two exit paths. The frame further has guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on another side compatible with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to the other of the two exit paths. The electric rail structure on each side of the frame includes power rails and signal rails disposed along the respective switch paths of travel for respectively contacting the electric collectors of the transit car.

Abstract: A rotary switch for a people mover guideway which as a pair of spaced tire paths with a predetermined tire path, guidebeam and electric rail configuration. The rotary switch routes a transit car from one entry guideway path to either two exit guideway paths. The switch inlcudes a switch frame having guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on opposite sides of the switch frame, each being compatible with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to the respective paths. Each side of the switch frame member includes at least one tire path in alignment with the corresponding guideway tire path for car routing to one of the exit paths. The guidebeam and electric rail structure on each side of the switch frame member are located above the tire path on the corresponding side of the switch frame member and the other tire path for the guideway when the switch frame member is in respective rotational positions.

Abstract: A rotary switch for a people mover guideway having a predetermined tire path, guidebeam and electric rail configuration routes a transit car from one entry guideway path to at least either of two exit guideway paths or vice versa. The switch has an elongated structural frame that has guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure compatible with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to one of the two exit paths on one switch side and to provide car routing to the other of the two exit paths on another switch side. Switching is achieved by rotating a movable part of the switch 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis. First and second shafts support the two ends of the switch frame and one of the shafts is driven to rotate the switch frame between first and second rotational positions in which the switch is locked and the switch sides respectively line up with the guideway configuration.

Abstract: A guideway switching station for a people mover guideway system includes a guideway section with a rotary guideway switch having guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on one side compatibly with the guideway configuration to route cars from an entry path to one of two exit paths. On another switch side, similar structure routes cars from the entry path to the other exit path. When the switch is in a first rotary position, one of two tire paths is provided by fixed guideway structure and the other tire path is provided by interfaced switch and guideway structure. In a second rotary switch position, the two tire paths may by provided as in the case of the first rotary position, or both tire paths may be provided by interfaced switch and guideway structure.

Abstract: A double turnout rotary guideway switch is provided with an elongated structural frame member having guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on each of two sides of the switch compatible with the guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure of the guideway. Two elongated beams form the sides of the frame and, with cross connected end beams, operating as the principal structural members for the frame. A curved beam extends from one of the elongated side beams inwardly and to one of the end beams. Opposite sides of the curved beam provide respective surfaces for a left turnout tire path on one of the two sides of the switch and a right turnout tire path the other side of the switch.

Abstract: A single turnout rotary guideway switch is provided with an elongated structural frame member having guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on each of two sides of the switch compatible with the guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure of the guideway. Switching is achieved by rotating a movable part of the switch 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis. One elongated beam acts as a principal structural member of the frame and provides a tire path on one of the switch sides for main line car routing by the switch. Another curved beam is secured between the one beam and another elongated beam that extends generally parallel to the one beam. The curved beam cross-supports the frame and provides a tire path on the other switch side for car turnout routing by the switch. In a crossover switching station in a dual lane guideway, a pair of the single turnout rotary switches are combined with an interface guideway section to provide for lane-crossover car routing by the switches.

Abstract: A rotary switch is provided for a people mover guideway having a predetermined tire path, guidebeam and electric rail configuration. The rotary switch routes a transit car from one entry guideway path to at least either of the two exit guideway paths or vice versa. A movable elongated structural switch frame member has guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on one side compatibly with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to one of the two exit paths in one of two switch positions; the movable switch frame further has guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on another side compatibly with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to the other of the two exit paths in the second switch position. Switching is achieved by rotating a movable part of the switch 180.degree. degrees about its longitudinal axis. A first fixed frame supports a drive shaft which in turn supports a first end of the movable switch frame.

Abstract: A rotary switch operates in a people mover guideway having a predetermined tire path, guidebeam and electric rail configuration to route a transit car from one entry guideway path to at least either of two exit guideway paths or vice versa. The switch has an elongated structural frame having guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on one side compatibly with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to one of the two exit paths. The switch frame member is further provided with guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on another side compatibly with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to the other of the two exit paths. The switch is supported by first and second shafts at its two ends. One of the two shafts is driven to rotate the switch frame between first and second rotational positions corresponding to alignment of the respective switch sides with the guideway.

Abstract: A tire path, guidebeam, electric rail configuration for a guideway in a people mover system comprises a roadway structure having a pair of spaced tire paths forming a vehicle running surface. A guidebeam is disposed along a centerline between the tire paths to provide generally vertical guidance surfaces above the tire running surface for generally horizontal guidewheels on the vehicles. First and second electric rail units are substantially identically structure and extend along the roadway structure between the tire paths to provide conductive surfaces above the tire running surface for electric collection by brush assemblies on the vehicles. Together, the electric rail units have a predetermined number of electric rails to provide power and signal circuits for the vehicles. The first and second electric rail units are supported on opposite sides of the tire path centerline and at substantially equal distances from the centerline to enable turnaround vehicle operation.

Abstract: Cargo and passenger vehicles are pneumatically propelled by a system comprising a bifurcated rail module assembled on a beam, for establishing two alternative routes for the rail network, according to a position adopted by line changing equipment. Switch points in the rails are synchronized by an actuator located below the beam, the motion of which is transmitted by torque tubes that drive the switch points. The control motion of the switch points is transmitted further by connecting rods located below the beam, to a torque tube that moves segments of articulated rail for clearing the passage of driving vanes connected to the vehicle through a longitudinal slot in the beam, in the same direction established by the position of the switch points of the line changing equipment. Stop valves for the module are provided in the two bifurcated ends of the duct for interrupting the flow in the portion of the line not selected by the line changing equipment.

Abstract: A moving vehicle power distribution apparatus includes power signal and ground signal rails provided along a roadway track including a track switch. As the track switch is moved to pass the vehicle to selected roadway tracks, the signal and power rails can become misaligned and damage current collectors carried by the vehicle that travel along these rails. Coupling members having interdigitated members extend between the rail sections to control the movement of the current collectors as the vehicle travels through the track switch.

Abstract: A power and control signal rail arrangement is disclosed for at least one transportation vehicle directed along a roadway by guide wheels depending from the vehicle and which follow a guide beam incorporated in the roadway. The arrangement provides for mounting power rails and control signal rails on top of the roadway guide beam and also permits factory assembly of the power rails, the control signal rails, and the guide beam as a modular unit. The disclosure also describes a pivotal guide beam switch for directing vehicles between a first and second roadway or, alternatively, between a first and third roadway. A power and control signal rail arrangement cooperative with suitable vehicle collectors provides continuous power and control signals to the vehicle as it passes through the pivotal guide beam switch.