Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for high-traffic density transportation pathways. An example system includes a convoy moving at a first speed, the convoy including a first and second powertrain vehicle, a first land vehicle disposed between the first powertrain vehicle and the second powertrain vehicle, the first land vehicle including a first transit carrier, and a second land vehicle coupled to the first land vehicle, the second land vehicle including a second transit carrier having a first movement system and first stacking couplers, and a transit pod coupled to the second transit carrier, the transit pod having second stacking couplers, the second stacking couplers coupled to the first stacking couplers, and a controller to, in response to a request for a third transit carrier traveling at a second speed to join the convoy, instruct the third transit carrier to join the convoy at the first speed.

Abstract: A continuous serpentine concrete beamway forming system and method for creating a hollow continuous serpentine concrete beamway are disclosed. The continuous serpentine concrete beamway forming system and method utilizes a flexible form material that has the ability to conform to curves, angles, and slopes of a target beamway system as intended. The flexible form material is used to form an armature that embodies a precise pathway of the target beamway system. The armature is contiguous throughout a plurality of connected beamway segments that collectively make up the target beamway system and that are precisely aligned to conform to the curves, angles, and slopes of the target beamway system. A part of the armature creates grooves on the surfaces of the connected beamway segments. The grooves are subsequently used to guide machinery that grinds the running surfaces to precise tolerances.

Abstract: A vacuum suction apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate with a top portion having grooves and a bottom portion having through holes, wherein each said groove correspondingly connects with at least one said through hole, and the groove has a width greater than a width of the through hole; and a cover plate disposed on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. At least one edge of the vacuum suction apparatus has a vacuum chamber, which connects with the grooves. In another embodiment, the cover plate is replaced with a vacuum cover disposed above the semiconductor substrate, wherein the vacuum cover and the semiconductor substrate construct a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for conveying an assembly along a track. A rail can include a first planar side, a second planar side, and a third planar side. The first, second, and third planar sides can be arranged to form at least two acute angles. A carriage assembly can include a drive wheel and at least two roller sets. The drive wheel can be configured to contact the first planar side and is configured to translate the carriage assembly along the rail. The at least two roller sets can be configured to contact the two other sides to maintain the carriage in contact with the rail.

Abstract: A driver assistance system, a computer program product, a signal sequence, a transportation vehicle and a method for assisting provision of a predefined service in a transportation vehicle while the transportation vehicle is traveling on an imminent route. The method includes automatically determining a criterion for the successful provision of the service, determining a driving status and/or a situation of a transportation vehicle which infringe/infringes the criterion on the route, and avoiding the driving status and/or the situation of a transportation vehicle to assist the provision of the service.

Abstract: A wheel drive cart for a transporting and/or sorting system configured to tow a plurality of loading carts movable along a closed path, constituted by a first and a second rail parallel to each other, between a loading and unloading stations. The cart includes a pair of direct drive wheels without reducers, with each wheel including an electric motor having a stator, integral with a bracket hinged to a frame of the cart, and a rotor, a peripheral outward facing portion of which forms a cylindrical surface of the wheel designed to roll on a resting surface of a respective rail.

Abstract: A personal air vehicle may feature an air module that may be attached to a ground module. The air module may be equipped with exit vanes or vectored engine exhaust to provide redundant control effectors to the cyclic or collective pitch of at least one rotary wing under the control of a control system.

Abstract: An embodiment of a transport system may include a vehicle and a circuit with a rail extending at least on sections of the circuit. The system may include a drive system configured for a positive drive for propelling the vehicle along the circuit, wherein, at least on sections extending along the circuit, the drive system has first and second engagement members. The first engagement member may have a first projection and an adjacent second projection on at least sections of the circuit and, between the first and adjacent second projections, grooves, which are each bounded by the first and adjacent second projections. The first engagement member may have one or more openings, of which at least one through-opening is formed between the first and adjacent second projections. Through the through-opening may engage a connecting member configured for connecting the first engagement member with the rail for attachment to the rail.

Abstract: The invention relates to an overhead guided-transport track span having a U-shaped cross section, the two arms of which form lateral walls (4, 5) of said track, and the central region of which, connecting the two arms, forms a load-bearing slab (6) of said track, characterised in that said load-bearing slab (6) comprises at least one groove (10, 11) that is provided in said slab longitudinally along said span and is designed to be able to receive a running support (12, 13) of a guided-transport vehicle intended to travel on said track.

Abstract: A bidirectional overhead urban transport (TUEP) for a large transportation capacity, which is suspended over a series of poles, without interfering with the traffic of vehicles and pedestrians surface, which is characterized by having a continuum of autonomous cabins circulating about a tubular track suspended by static wires hanging from the poles. The system has overhead stations for passengers, by which access is given to the suspended cabins, moved by autonomous and independent electric motors which rotate a drive pulley rolling on the upper back of a horizontal tubular track raised or inclined according to the topography of the ground. The peculiarity of this transport system is that each of the cabins that are only for two passengers, travels directly to a destination station, where is diverted from the main flow to a station, so it is not necessary to stop the main flow of cabins, which results in the although circulating at low to moderate speed, the time required to travel is reduced.

Abstract: A construction machine includes a frame. The machine includes an engine mounted on the frame. The machine includes a milling tool rotatably mounted on the frame and configured to be selectively coupled to the engine. The machine also includes a conveyor removably mounted on the frame. The machine further includes a support mechanism mounted on the frame. The support mechanism includes a track member secured to the frame. The support mechanism also includes at least one carriage member movably mounted on the track member. The support mechanism further includes an attachment member secured to the at least one carriage member and the conveyor. The attachment member is configured to be selectively unsecured from the conveyor. The support mechanism is configured to move at least a portion of the conveyor relative to the construction machine.

Abstract: An on-board device is loaded in a moving vehicle and includes a control device configured to control the traveling of the moving vehicle. In the control device, an in-field traveling instructing section determines whether a blockade moving vehicle exists to hinder the traveling of the moving vehicle on a traveling route to an inspection field in a railyard, based on different moving vehicle related data in the railyard when the moving vehicle is an inspection waiting vehicle. A traveling route securing section requests securement of the traveling route to a railyard interface device that controls branching on the traveling route when there is not the blockade moving vehicle on the traveling route. A traveling permission section permits the traveling of the moving vehicle on the secured route based on traveling route state data from the railyard interface device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a safety system for coupling a rider to an amusement attraction with a track assembly including a junction box, and a plurality of control surfaces. The plurality of control surfaces includes slideable and rollable control surfaces. The safety system includes a carriage system for coupling the rider to the track assembly including a main support assembly, and a rolling safety mechanism including a rotatable element. The rotatable element includes a track engagement surface including rolling and sliding surfaces. In some embodiments, the rolling safety mechanism includes a plurality of pucks. Some embodiments include a rolling safety mechanism with a partially truncated ellipsoidal member rotatably mounted to a control support. In other embodiments, the rolling safety mechanism includes two partially truncated ellipsoidal members each positioned at substantially opposite ends of a support frame that includes at least one lanyard support.

Abstract: A data communications network for an aircraft includes a first branch for establishing a wireless data connection to a first group of end devices, a primary control unit connected to the first branch, and a backup control unit connected to the first branch. The primary control unit is configured for data transmission to and from the first group of end devices via the first branch. The backup control unit is configured for detecting an operating state of the primary control unit and for taking over data transmission to and from the first group of end devices via the first branch from the primary control unit in case of a failure of the primary control unit.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to be moved along a rail includes rollers which in use engage the rail such that each roller has a contact area with which the roller is in contact with the rail. The contact areas of the rollers are positioned to define a beam with a longitudinal beam axis, a rectangular form in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal beam axis and a first beam side, a second beam side, a third beam side and a fourth beam side, in which the first and third beam side extend perpendicular to the second and fourth beam side, at least two rollers define the first beam side, two rollers define the second beam side, one roller defines the third beam side, and one roller defines the fourth beam side. An assembly includes the vehicle and a rail.

Abstract: An air module may be attached to a ground module. The air module may be equipped with a center of gravity effector to change the relative locations and hence the center of gravity of the air and ground modules when the modules are attached. The center of gravity effector may be active or passive or a combination of active and passive. The center of gravity effector may be combined with a center of lift effector to change the relative locations of the center of gravity and center of lift.

Abstract: A bidirectional overhead urban transport (TUEP) for a large transportation capacity, which is suspended over a series of poles, without interfering with the traffic of vehicles and pedestrians surface, which is characterized by having a continuum of autonomous cabins circulating about a tubular track suspended by static wires hanging from the poles. The system has overhead stations for passengers, by which access is given to the suspended cabins, moved by autonomous and independent electric motors which rotate a drive pulley rolling on the upper back of a horizontal tubular track raised or inclined according to the topography of the ground. The peculiarity of this transport system is that each of the cabins that are only for two passengers, travels directly to a destination station, where is diverted from the main flow to a station, so it is not necessary to stop the main flow of cabins, which results in that although circulating at low to moderate speed, the time required to travel is reduced.

Abstract: A first wheel supporting portion of a stacker crane is fixed to a travelling vehicle main body to be pivotable in the horizontal direction. A first drive wheel is supported by the first wheel supporting portion and is able to contact one side surface of a lower guide rail. A lock mechanism fixes the first wheel supporting portion to the travelling vehicle main body so that the first wheel supporting portion cannot pivot. A second wheel supporting portion is fixed to the travelling vehicle main body to be capable of pivoting horizontally. A second drive wheel is supported by the second wheel supporting portion and is able to contact with another side surface of the lower guide rail. A pressing mechanism presses the first and second wheel supporting portions such that a distance between the first wheel supporting portion and the second wheel supporting portion is reduced, to cause the first and second drive wheels to laterally clamp the lower guide rail.

Abstract: Guide device for use in the processing, in particular welding, of curved surfaces, in particular pipe surfaces, comprising a flexible elongate body provided with a guide for processing means; tensioning means for tensioning the flexible body around the curved surface; wherein the flexible body is provided along its length with indicators arranged according to a determined pattern, this pattern being such that a determined position along the flexible body can be inferred on the basis of the detection of the indicators.

Abstract: A solar railway system includes a monorail guideway structure elevated above ground and extending along a rail travel direction. The guideway structure has a hollow body extending in the rail travel direction and containing utility infrastructure. A walkable thoroughfare is within the hollow body for allowing worker access to the utility infrastructure. A solar energy collector is positioned on the guideway structure and is in electrical communication with the utility infrastructure.

Abstract: A cylinder includes a curved cylinder body, a first support member, and a piston assembly. The curved cylinder body defines a gas chamber passing through opposite ends. The first support member includes a support housing slidably mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder body and a first permanent magnet securely mounted in the support housing. The piston assembly received in the gas chamber includes a first piston member and a second piston member rotatably coupled to the first piston member. The first and second piston members respectively have a second permanent magnet which is arranged to be attracted to the first permanent magnet. When the piston assembly moves along the curved cylinder body from the first end to the second end in the gas chamber, the first support member moves with the piston assembly on the outer circumferential surface of the curved cylinder body.

Abstract: An unmanned air module includes one or more rotors, engines, a transmission and avionics. Any of several different ground modules may be attached to the air module. The air module may fly with and without the ground module attached. The ground module may be manned. The air module may have two rotors, which may be ducted fans. The air module may include a parachute, an airbag and landing gear.

Abstract: In order to transport a flat material to be treated (21) in an installation for the chemical and/or electrochemical treatment of said material, within which the material to be treated (21) is transported within a plane of transport in a direction of transport (5), holding means (22, 25) are attached to said material to be treated (21). The holding means (22, 25) hold the material to be treated (21) at at least two points on an edge region of said material, which edge region is directed along the direction of transport (5) when said material to be treated (21) is being transported. The holding means (22, 25) are coupled in a detachable manner to a transporting device (41) which moves said holding means (22, 25) in the direction of transport in order to transport the material to be treated (21).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a horizontal strip accumulator in a continuous processing strip line, comprising a looping carriage riding on a pair of external rails (6) and a plurality of adjacent strip supporting roll carriages (1) riding on the same external rails (6) to support the strip (10) between the looping carriage and a strip feeding location, wherein the strip supporting carriages (1) have a horizontal triangular lower part (2) and a vertical framework (3), the triangular lower part (2) having an open transverse base (15) opposite to an apex (14), to allow the telescoping of the strip supporting carriages (1) in the internal triangular space between the open base (15) and the two other triangular sides rejoining at the opposite apex (14).

Abstract: A payload stabilizer suitable for use with video camera payloads. The stabilizer has a feedback system providing supplemental torques to the payload through a gimbal while remaining responsive to direct operator control.

Abstract: A track displaceable service vehicle replaces individual worn or damaged idlers with new idlers in the upper run and lower run of a belt conveyor with rising or falling conveying route, in which there is little space for the use of the service vehicle for replacing the idlers. The service vehicle accommodates a magazine for new and worn idlers and auxiliary devices for lifting the belt and removing old and for installing new idlers. A platform carries service personnel, and can be brought into a horizontal position in case of an inclined travel route of the service vehicle. The replacing of worn or defective idlers takes place in certain cycles in which the entire segment of the belt conveyor is removed and all worn and defective idlers are replaced. The service vehicle has a drive and is suitable for long tunnel sections (conveying routes which extend over several kilometers).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gravity-augmented preload of drive wheels in a monorail vehicle travelling along a guide rail bearing and contact surfaces that are non-parallel with the gravity vector. The vehicle has a structure defining a pivot location against the bearing surface, as well as first and second assemblies for engaging the rail on the bearing and contact surfaces, respectively. The vehicle is mounted so its center of gravity is at a rear longitudinal offset rrl from the pivot location and a vertical offset rvert from the guide rail. A force and moment balance thus created in a normal load on a drive wheel engaged with the bearing surface at the pivot location, where the load value exceeds a standard normal load generated by the mass of the monorail vehicle alone.

Abstract: A track system includes a track 1 and one or more carriages 10 having bearing wheels engaged with the track such that the carriages can travel along the track. Each carriage has a single bearing 12 engaged with the inner side of the track and a pair of bearing wheels 13, 14 engaged with an opposite side of the track. The width of the track between the two sides varies such as to maintain a tolerance better than 0.05 mm between the bearing wheels and the respective sides of the track. The load capacity of the carriage can be increased and centred by making the single bearing 12 larger than the other two bearing wheels 13 and 14. The track 1 may be machined in one piece, optionally with an integral base plate. In another embodiment the track has spaced inner and outer sections with a rack engaged by a drive pinion mounted on the carriage between the two sections.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gravity-augmented preload of drive wheels in a monorail vehicle travelling along a guide rail with a bearing and contact surfaces that are non-parallel with the gravity vector. The vehicle has a structure defining a pivot location against the bearing surface, as well as first and second assemblies for engaging the rail on the bearing and contact surfaces, respectively. The vehicle is mounted so its center of gravity is at a rear longitudinal offset rrl from the pivot location and a vertical offset rvert from the guide rail. A force and moment balance thus created results in a normal load on a drive wheel engaged with the bearing surface at the pivot location, where the load value exceeds a standard normal load generated by the mass of the monorail vehicle alone.

Abstract: A personal rapid transit (PRT) system that comprises a very economic triple rail topology for bi-directional urban personal transport. All the ramps are implemented always on the one side of the tracks for the sake of the narrow urban spaces accommodation. In order to achieve fast speed direction changes and a non compromised passenger security, the ramps are implemented as parallel lines to the corresponding tracks, and the vehicles do not use any wheel steering or electromagnetic heads. Instead, a landing wheel gear is implemented, and all the wheels are synchronized by speed before touching the rails. The vehicle's center of masses is constantly maintained to be found in most cases in one plain with the guideways. In case of emergencies, a special “anti-fall down” security system keeps the vehicle on the rails. The vehicles are capable of making all kind of turns by utilizing the highly compact Direction Change Connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a movement system that is associated with a wrapping machine for wrapping a load with a film including at least one operating unit for performing operations on the load or on the film. The system includes shuttles that are movable for supporting and moving the operating units along a path at least between an operating position in which the operating units can perform operations on the load or on the film or can interact with the wrapping machine, and a inactive position in which the operating units are outside a working zone of the wrapping machine in order not to interfere with the operation thereof.

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 solar railway system includes a monorail guideway structure elevated above ground and extending along a rail travel direction. The guideway structure has a hollow body extending in the rail travel direction and containing utility infrastructure. A walkable thoroughfare is within the hollow body for allowing worker access to the utility infrastructure. A solar energy collector is positioned on the guideway structure and is in electrical communication with the utility infrastructure.

Abstract: An electrified monorail assembly includes a track having a length, a plurality of electrically conductive buss bars disposed along the length of the track, and a controller disposed on the track. The controller is in electrical communication with the plurality electrically conductive of buss bars, and configured to selectively energize the plurality of electrically conductive buss bars. The assembly further includes a proximity sensor disposed on the track and in communication with the controller, the proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of a trolley assembly on the track.

Abstract: A patient lift support frame assembly, comprising a patient-lift-carrying member, and first and second support members for carrying the patient-lift-support member. The support members are telescopically configured, and can be extended manually, with an actuator to push a ceiling pad against a ceiling for greater stability. The support member are selectively lockable against being shortened, using gears and a cam, or other lock. The ceiling bearing element is spring loaded.

Abstract: A transport system according to the invention comprises a guide device having a first guide rail in the form of a first pipe (11) and a second guide rail in the form of a second pipe (12). The transport system comprises a toothed driving disk (330), which is engaged with an engagement element (340) extending along the lower pipe (12) and forms a positive drive. The engagement element (340) comprises counter-toothing, disposed along the pipe (12).

Abstract: A modular, electrified monorail system upon which at least one motorized trolley assembly may be propelled along. The system may incorporate a plurality of rail assemblies adapted to be coupled adjacent to one another to form a generally continuous track. Each rail assembly may make use of an electrified track adapted to provide an electrical signal from an electrical power source to at least one electrical conductor extending coextensively along the electrified track. A controller may be mounted on the electrified track. The controller may be configured to selectively apply and remove the electrical power from the electrified track to control propulsion of the motorized trolley assembly along the electrified track.

Abstract: A guiding device includes a straight track, an arc track, and an interconnecting track joining the former two, where the interconnecting track has two opposite rolling contact surfaces, one with the profile being identical to that of the arc track and the other with a variable-curvatured profile. Only two rolling members are provided to roll on the side of the arc profile and only one rolling member is provided to roll on the side of the variable-curvatured profile, achieving a result that the rolling members driving a movement of a moving body remain contact with corresponding tracks in their rolling motion so as to improve stability and smooth transition of the device in motion.

Abstract: The invention is a carriage traction vehicle for use with a monorail. The vehicle is self-propelled along the monorail by one or more motors engaging a fixed rack attached to the monorail. The carriage traction vehicle may include one or more of the following features: a cabin, a counterwheel assembly, a platform assembly, a leveling control system, a motor system, a tilt mechanism, and a safety assembly.

Abstract: A cutting system for longitudinally cutting a pipe is provided. The cutting system includes a removable track and a crawler arrangement. The removable track includes: a longitudinal base, first and second races, and an adjustable mounting arrangement. The crawler arrangement is configured to follow the track and carry at least one cutting device. The crawler arrangement includes first and second guides and a tool mounting mechanism.

Abstract: A track system includes a track 1 and one or more carriages 10 having bearing wheels engaged with the track such that the carriages can travel along the track. Each carriage has a single bearing 12 engaged with the inner side of the track and a pair of bearing wheels 13, 14 engaged with an opposite side of the track. The width of the track between the two sides varies such as to maintain a tolerance better than 0.05 mm between the bearing wheels and the respective sides of the track. The load capacity of the carriage can be increased and centred by making the single bearing 12 larger than the other two bearing wheels 13 and 14. The track 1 may be machined in one piece, optionally with an integral base plate. In another embodiment the track has spaced inner and outer sections with a rack engaged by a drive pinion mounted on the carriage between the two sections.

Abstract: A sortation system has a track forming a continuous loop, an article-conveying car positioned on the track and configured to move along the track, a system controller, a communication station positioned near the track for communicating with the article-conveying car and the system controller, a portable bin positioned adjacent the track, the portable bin comprising a bin communication device configured to wirelessly transmit bin status information to the article-conveying car when the car is proximate to the bin, where the article-conveying car is configured to wirelessly relay received bin status information to an off-car communication device at the communication station when the car is proximate to the communication station, and where the bin communication device is attached to the portable bin, and the portable bin is operably positionable substantially anywhere along at least a portion of the track. Additionally, the car may wirelessly transmit instructions and information to the bin.

Abstract: A rail conveyor system combining the low friction attributes of railway transportation with the continuous bulk handling advantages of belt conveyors, uses a multiplicity of spaced carriages (4) running on steel wheels (5) on rail tracks (2, 3) to support a continuous carry belt (7). The system is driven by various means including a rope (9) extending between the carriages. Various other drive means including drive belt technology are also described along with loading and unloading stations and distributed drive stations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic levitation train, comprising a track system formed of track system carriers (2) and a vehicle (1) having at least one first magnetic system (7), which together with stator packs (4) mounted on the track system forms a long stator linear motor and during operation is disposed at a distance from the stator packs (4) by a small carrying gap. According to the invention, first sound damping bodies (14) are disposed on the carriers (2) in a space which is located between the carrier (2) and the magnetic system (7) and the carrying gap when a vehicle (1) passes. In addition, second sound damping bodies (15) are provided on the vehicle (1) on the side of the magnetic system (7) facing away from the carrier (2).

Abstract: Storage and retrieval machine with a mast (10), at least one chassis (1, 1?) for supporting the mast (10), at least one rail (4, 4?), on which the at least one chassis (1, 1?) can be moved back and forth, as well as at least one lift carriage (1?) vertically shiftable on the mast (10), wherein the mast (10) is formed of at least two supports (11, 11?) that are spaced from each other in the moving direction of the at least one chassis (1, 1?) and are connected to each other via at least one transversal bar (12, 12?) to obtain a mast profile, wherein the attachment of the at least one transversal bar (12, 12?) to the supports is resistant to bending.

Abstract: Storage and retrieval machine with a chassis (9) for supporting a mast (10), comprising at least one carriage (1) including guide elements (2, 2?), at least one drive element (3) assigned to the carriage (1) and including a drive motor (5), and with at least one rail (4) assigned to the carriage (1), wherein at least a partial area, seen in the installation orientation, directly above the rail (4) is free of guide elements (2, 2?).

Abstract: A sortation system where control and operation is facilitated by a contact-free, wireless communication configuration. Wireless communication is accomplished in a line-of-sight (LOS) manner while the cars of the sortation system are continuously moving along the track at operational speed. Each car is configured to operate independently with respect to how a car is instructed to accept and deliver packages. The sortation system provides for the cars to act as messengers between the bin stations and the system controller with respect to the status and health of the bin stations.

Abstract: A transport system according to the invention comprises a guide device having a first guide rail in the form of a first pipe (11) and a second guide rail in the form of a second pipe (12). The transport system comprises a toothed driving disk (330), which is engaged with an engagement element (340) extending along the lower pipe (12) and forms a positive drive. The engagement element (340) comprises counter-toothing, disposed along the pipe (12).

Abstract: An electrified monorail assembly includes a track having a length, a plurality of electrically conductive buss bars disposed along the length of the track, and a controller disposed on the track. The controller is in electrical communication with the plurality electrically conductive of buss bars, and configured to selectively energize the plurality of electrically conductive buss bars. The assembly further includes a proximity sensor disposed on the track and in communication with the controller, the proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of a trolley assembly on the track.

Abstract: The system for moving and stabilizing (1) moves and stabilizes a mobile base (10), which is part of a robotic unit (100) for handling which is designed to move objects in an automated shop or an automated warehouse (200).