Abstract: A rail system for a powered pallet conveyor, which comprises alternative pathways having an electric cable provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining a travel pathway, wherein n?2, whereby the rail system includes a switch for switching between m alternative travel pathways, wherein m?2, and allowing the vehicle to continuously move across the switch after switching. The switch comprises a first actuator for selectively positioning (m*n) rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends at (i) n joining points where the n parallel rails of each of the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching converge, and (ii) (m*n) continuation points where each alternative pathway subject to switching diverges downstream from the joining points A second actuator selectively positions [m(n?1)] rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends, where each alternative pathway is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points.

Abstract: A rail system for a powered pallet conveyor, which comprises alternative pathways having an electric cable provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining a travel pathway, wherein n?2, whereby the rail system includes a switch for switching between m alternative travel pathways, wherein m?2, and allowing the vehicle to continuously move across the switch after switching. The switch comprises a first actuator for selectively positioning (m*n) rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends at (i) n joining points where the n parallel rails of each of the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching converge, and (ii) (m*n) continuation points where each alternative pathway subject to switching diverges downstream from the joining points A second actuator selectively positions [m(n?1)] rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends, where each alternative pathway is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points.

Abstract: A rail system for a powered pallet conveyor, which comprises alternative pathways having an electric cable provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining a travel pathway, wherein n?2, whereby the rail system includes a switch for switching between m alternative travel pathways, wherein m?2, and allowing the vehicle to continuously move across the switch after switching, said switch comprising a first actuator for selectively positioning (m*n) rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends at (i) n joining points where the n parallel rails of each of the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching converge, and (ii) (m*n) continuation points where each alternative pathway subject to switching diverges downstream from the joining points. A second actuator selectively positions [m(n?1)] rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends, where each alternative pathway is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points.

Abstract: A rail means (1) for an electrified monorail system with a suspended vehicle, which comprises an elongated body (2) having a longitudinal axis (A-A?), and a second axis (B-B?) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whereby the elongated body (2) comprises (a) a central wall means (21) extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body (2), said central wall means defining (a1) a first side wall (210) of a first channel (22) for receiving one or more support wheels and one or more guide rollers of a vehicle, the channel (22) having a support surface (220) parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A?) and perpendicular to the second axis (B-B?) for supporting a support wheel, and one or more first guiding surfaces (230, 231) for guiding a guide rollers of a vehicle; and (a2) a second side wall (211) of a second channel (23) for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body (2), and (b) one or more attachme