Abstract: A power rail and guidebeam assembly (10) for use in a vehicle transportation system conveys electric power to travelling vehicles in the vehicle transportation system. The power rail and guide beam assembly includes a guidebeam (12) having an H-shaped body (14). The body of the guidebeam (12) is defined by two flanges (16, 18) that are interconnected by a web (20). A mounting bracket (30) is secured to the web, with the mounting bracket (30) including a base and at least one ear (54). A power rail (26) is secured to the at least one ear (54) of the mounting bracket. The power rail is electrically insulated from the guidebeam (12) by the mounting bracket (30). The guidebeam (12) is preferably grounded to the earth.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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: The rotatable guide wheel of a transit vehicle is supported by a vertical stationary shaft by at least one main support bearing. Upon failure of that main support bearing the guide wheel shifts position for operation with one of a sleeve bearing coupled with the shaft and a thrust bearing coupled with the shaft below the guide wheel.