Abstract: The present disclosure refers to an elevated track to support and serve the pneumatic propulsion duct for transportation vehicles, for cargo or passengers. The improved elevated track is modular and self supporting and consists of a pneumatic propulsion central duct (1) on whose vertical walls (11) are fastened side walkways (2). The propulsion duct (1) has structural reinforcing (12) in the form of transverse frames on the duct axis. The side walkways (2) have transverse reinforcement (21) which unify with the duct reinforcing frames (12). On the propulsion duct (1) top edges (13) are fastened rails (3) in an “I” beam format, traditionally used on railroads. A preferred transverse section of the propulsion duct (1) is rectangular, this having a central slot (14) on the top surface (13) for the passage of the vehicle propulsion system.

Abstract: A transportation system includes a vehicle having wings, a propulsion system, a lifting gear coupling the vehicle to an undercarriage, and a guidance assembly movably connecting the undercarriage to guide rails. The wings generate aerodynamic lift when the vehicle exceeds a first speed. The lifting gear supports a load of the vehicle in a first position in relation to the undercarriage when the vehicle travels at less than the first speed, allows the vehicle to lift to a second position in relation to the undercarriage as the vehicle accelerates beyond the first speed, and maintains the vehicle in the second position when the vehicle exceeds the first speed. The guidance assembly shiftingly engages the guide rails through rollers that are in rolling contact with the guide rails when the vehicle is in the first position and are displaced from the guide rails when the vehicle is in the second position.

Abstract: The public highway system includes automated, elevated single lane throughways having wide and narrow gauge rail track arranged in various combinations. A control system regulates spacing of bimodal vehicles while maintaining a uniform speed for all vehicles on the system. The bimodal vehicles perform as conventional automobiles on conventional roadways and as fully automated safe high speed vehicles on elevated single lane, single speed, high-density electric rail guideways using static vertical switching accomplished by operation of variable gauge rail wheels on the vehicle to engage with or disengage from a wide gauge track portion wider than the bimodal vehicles. Vehicles enter/leave the mainline on the narrower gauge track. The wider gauge is for passing over off-ramps or in switching systems. A single lane can handle 15,800 veh/hr including mixed use such as mail, freight, mass transit in captive driverless vehicles with exclusive off-ramps to federal, commercial, industrial and public terminals.

Abstract: A monorail vehicle includes a cabin for housing a driver, passengers and/or load and also includes one or more driving assemblies, the driving assemblies being suitable for running within a guiding duct on the ground, the cabin being connected to at least one driving assembly by an elongated elevation structure. The elongated elevation structure is actuated in order to vary the elevation of the cabin with respect to the ground during regular travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the invention is directed to a mass transit system that includes a vehicle, a track support, a first vehicle support flange and a second vehicle support flange. The vehicle has a center of mass. The track support is cylindrical and hollow. The first vehicle support flange is connected to the track support at a first elevation. The second vehicle support flange is connected to the track support at a second elevation that is different than the first elevation. The first and second vehicle support flanges are configured to support the vehicle on one side of the center of mass of the vehicle.

Abstract: The method of carrying persons or cargo in the individual vehicles (3) being moved between stations (1) via separate communication corridors (2) on individual trip orders, whilst a transported person, a small group of people or cargo are being carried individually in the adopted individual vehicles (3) along the ordered route, at least, from the starting station (4) directly or nearly directly to the destination station (6) via the communication corridors (2) and also, beneficially, to the starting station (4)and from the destination station (6) on the public roads (5) and, in addition, at least within the communication corridors (2), each of the individual vehicles (3) is driverless, controlled centrally and autonomously.

Abstract: Guide track made up of two wide wing I-shape profiles oriented in parallel and separated by a distance of 500 mm. Central rolling guide box, a set of four vertical axis wheels located at the ends of two steel bars intersecting and forming a cross-shaped device. The assembly is located between two steel plates measuring 700×400×25 mm, forming a box from which the guide wheels protrude laterally to rest tangentially on the web of the guide track profiles. Pivoting anchor cylinder with a dual function: anchoring of the box below the vehicle and transmission of box rotation for orientation of the support wheels.

Abstract: The invention is hollow structural members, a rail system based thereon and method of manufacturing such hollow structural members. Embodiments of the structural members may be hollow triangular prism-shaped with a cross-section that is triangular, isosceles, hexagonal or otherwise. Embodiments of rail systems based on hollow structural members are also disclosed. Embodiments of the rail systems disclosed herein may also include reaction assemblies for local dissipation of stresses due to thermal expansion of track materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the precise positioning of a carrier (1) for the track of a railborne vehicle, especially a magnetic levitation railway. Said carrier comprises a track plate (3) provided with guiding elements for the vehicle, and at least one, preferably two, connecting elements (5) which protrude essentially at a right angle from the track plate. The carrier is discretely mounted on a bed (7). The carrier and a compensation sleeper (2) are separately produced, and the carrier, compensation sleeper (2), and bed are then interconnected. A fine adjustment of the pre-determined spatial curve of the carrier is carried out between the carrier and the compensation sleeper and/or between the compensation sleeper and the bed.

Abstract: A track system for storage and retrieval of materials for use with warehousing vehicle that rides upon tracks in horizontal configuration for storage locations, and that is capable of switching to and riding a sloped track to ascend or descend vertically. A set of transition exchanges allows the vehicle to access multiple levels of storage “flooring” or shelving. The exchanges use ramps, or movable sections of railway, that may be moved out of the way of a set of wheels of the vehicle, while other ramps are set in place to provide support to some wheels of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle may selectively either travel along the elevator track, or to move between elevator track and level storage locations.

Abstract: A mass transit system includes a plurality of pedestal-mounted rings which provide a support through which a vehicle travels. The pedestals are spaced apart on the ground, but no rail or connecting structure on or above ground is required. An underground conduit carries electrical and communications cable that connects the pedestals together. The rings include a plurality of rollers to drive, guide and stabilize the vehicle at lower speeds. For higher speeds flywheels are mounted on the pedestals. The flywheels are preferably driven by an electrical motor, which engages a friction or clutch plate on the vehicle separate from the rings. The friction plate or linear clutch is mounted separate from the rings on the vehicle and is lowered to engage and disengage the flywheel. The flywheel is also mounted on a shock absorber to smooth the travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly adapted for aiding the alignment of and interlocking a vertical lift station (VLS) rail and the main rail of an electro-monorail system (EMS), the assembly includes a locator pin, a pin receiver having tapered walls for funneling the pin towards an aligned position, and a clamping device fixedly attached to the main rail and configured to apply a holding force to the pin, so as to hold the rails in a fixed condition.

Abstract: An overhead traveling vehicle travels along a rail suspended from an upper position. Further, a buffer is suspended from an upper position. The buffer can be retracted from a storage space for an article, or the buffer is foldable compactly.

Abstract: A marine pier system employing a payload transport device for transporting persons and material from land to marine craft moored at a distal end of the pier. The payload transport is a movable deck having an electric motor powered by batteries for use in moving the deck and persons/material placed on the deck. The payload transport device is self-contained allowing freedom of movement along a support system eliminating the necessity for decking along the length of the pier. The absence of decking provides a structure upon which wind and wave action and deterioration from sunlight and weathering has little destructive effect, and further allows sunlight to reach the aquatic life below the surface of the water. The movable transport device further permits sunlight to reach all areas of sea grass that are shaded by movement of the transport device to a non-sensitive area when not in use.

Abstract: A guideway structure for high-speed track-bound transportation composed of two or more than two girder-segments. The structure of the guideway is characteristic of: At the intermediate positions on the girder top and the girder bottom of the connecting ends of the said girder-segments are all disposed the pre-embedded steel elements and some anchoring nails used for ensuring the pre-embedded steel elements to be reliably connected with the concrete of girder-segments, after the relevant connecting ends of the two adjacent girder-segments are placed closely, they may be connected together to form a two-span quasi-continuous girder by tightening a plurality of bolts through their respective through hole on the connecting elements and on the pre-embedded elements.

Abstract: A MAGLEV guideway module which can be supported by vertical columns to create a section of an elevated MAGLEV guideway is disclosed. The module includes a deck and an elongated box beam that are form cast together in a unitary monolithic construction and made of lightweight, steel reinforced concrete. Functionally, a plurality of modules cooperate to form an elevated levitation track that supports the operational electromagnetic guideway components and is designed to support the weight of a MAGLEV vehicle. For the module, the beam can be an elongated, hollow beam, such as a box beam, which is made of a molded, pre-stressed concrete. A molded-concrete transverse deck is integrally formed on the hollow beam. The deck includes first and second cantilevers that each extend from the beam in opposite directions. Together, the cantilevers and beam establish a substantially flat deck surface over which a MAGLEV vehicle can travel.

Abstract: A sound-damping and/or vibration-damping fastening element for elevator guide rails includes an anchor rail connected by a damping medium with a support rail. The anchor rail supports the elevator guide rail and is partially embedded in the damping medium. The anchor rail extends parallel to the longitudinal extent of the support rail and the anchor rail and the support rail are spaced apart by at least one slot filled by the damping medium.

Abstract: Structural system comprising a track for a magnetic levitation transport system powered by a linear electric motor. This structural system comprising a track for a magnetic levitation transport system powered by a linear electric motor is notable in that it combines two T-shaped tracks produced in a single U-shaped structure, the vertical bars of the T-shapes and the U-shapes being joined, and the lower slabs of the track-supporting U-shapes contributing to the general strength of the engineering structure, in the absence of lateral screens.

Abstract: An elevated public transit bus system that increases the passenger capacity and decreases the passenger trip time of a fixed route bus service traveling in traffic on a city street to provide a high capacity rapid transit system. The high capacity buses are suspended above the motor vehicle traffic lanes by a support structure constructed in the lane adjacent to the public sidewalk. The propulsion system of the electrically powered buses run in a box beam from which the transit passenger cabins are suspended. The beams guide the buses along the existing fixed route service that is being upgraded to the carrying capacity of an elevated rail rapid transit system. The bus stops or lift stations of the elevated buses for passenger pick up and drop off is also constructed in the road lane next to the sidewalk. The lift stations house an enclosed movable platform that lifts passengers from sidewalk level to the floor level of the suspended bus.

Abstract: Inserts (10 or 10A) for mounting rails (302) for rollers (301) on a cab in a shaft (300) of an elevator are described. Also, insert 10A is particularly useful for mounting flooring in the elevator shaft (300). The insert can be used as a support for a hoist or winch (310).

Abstract: A mass transit system includes a plurality of pedestal-mounted rings which provide a support through which a vehicle travels. The pedestals are spaced apart on the ground, but no rail or connecting structure on or above ground is required. An underground conduit carries electrical and communications cable that connects the pedestals together. The rings include a plurality of rollers to drive, guide and stabilize the vehicle at lower speeds. For higher speeds flywheels are mounted on the pedestals. The flywheels are preferably driven by an electrical motor, which engages a friction or clutch plate on the vehicle separate from the rings. The friction plate or linear clutch is mounted separate from the rings on the vehicle and is lowered to engage and disengage the flywheel. The flywheel is also mounted on a shock absorber to smooth the travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A supporting framework for a craneway for at least one crane which travels on at least one track, especially for a bridge crane which travels on two tracks, includes a track carrier elongated in a track direction and having at least one carrier section of reinforced concrete, preferably of prestressed concrete. A system of pillars includes reinforced concrete pillars, whose upper ends in each case support the carrier sections via a top component and whose lower ends are in each case anchored in the soil via a base component. An adjustable bearing in the area of the top component and/or of the base component in at least some of the pillars allows adjusting the track carrier according to the desired course of the track.

Abstract: A transport system has at least one track, preferably hung on supports or hanging from cables, on which transport cars may travel, by at east one trolley. Several running wheels are provided in the trolley and the trolley may be actively rotated about the axis of the track relative to the transport car. Branchings are provided in the track, in which the track divides into two track branches. In the vicinity of the branching lies an intersection of the outer surfaces of the track branches, such that on each of the upper side and the lower side there are two grooves due to the intersection, which meet in the vicinity of the gusset, between the two track branches. Between the grooves, on both the upper and lower side, is a tapering web, the surfaces of which are part of the surface area of the track branches.

Abstract: A rail system for transporting dual use vehicles includes a network of multiple non-interconnected rails where each rail comprises an extruded triangular shell and a support material. The rails are supported by a system of support structures where each support structure includes a base with a rail adjustment actuator for selectively adjusting the position of the supported rail. Each rail is sized to support a standardized dual use passenger vehicle adapted for roadway and rail travel.

Abstract: A track support for the track of a magnetic levitation railway consists of a steel support having a closed hollow trapezoidal or hollow triangular cross section with closed end faces, whose cover plate projects, in the manner of a jib, with its longitudinal edge sections over the side wall web plates, and at the end of which cover plate a side guidance rail is arranged in each case. In order to keep the surfaces of the track support that are exposed to environmental influences as small as possible, a stator support web plate is arranged on the underside of each jib, between the ground-side end section of which plate and the adjacent side wall web plate and the adjacent side guidance rail horizontal plates are arranged, forming closed cavities, where two parallel web flanges between which the grooved cross members are screwed are provided per jib on the underside of the plates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved transportation system which includes a plurality of upright supports (1) which elevate at least one track (2). A plurality of cabs (3) are adapted to move along the track or tracks (2) provided where the cabs (3) suspended from a track (2) so that the center of mass of the cabs (3) is located below the track (2). A single track (2) provides a pair of rail elements on opposite sides of the track (2) where the first rail element is adapted to support cabs (3) moving in substantially the opposite direction to cabs (3) supported by the second rail element of the same track (2).

Abstract: An elevated transit system has a pair of spaced apart guideways for supporting a vehicle. The guideways are supported on vertical columns above the ground. An emergency walkway extends between the guideways The walkway has a plurality of apertures to allow the passage of sunlight to the ground below.

Abstract: The invention relates to a travel way for a track-guided vehicle, especially a magnetic levitation railway, comprising a carrier (1) and at least one add-on piece (3) (functional element) which is fixed to the carrier (1) and is used to guide the vehicle. The inventive travel way is characterised in that the add-on piece (3) is connected to the carrier (1) in a frictionally engaged manner and means are provided, in the form of a redundancy system, for an auxiliary non-positive connection.

Abstract: A guardrail assembly for securing to a rail of a track has a plurality of post forming means and one or more rail means supported by the plurality of post forming means, each post forming means including locking means slidably insertable under the rail, clamping means adapted to engage against a first side portion of the rail and to be moved between a first position, where the locking means is slidably removable from under the rail, and a second position, where the locking means locks the clamping means to the rail, upright post means, and spacing means connected between the clamping means and the upright post means for locating the upright post means sufficiently remote of the rail to prevent a rail worker encroaching dangerously close to the rail.

Abstract: A guideway structure for high-speed track-bound transportation composed of two or more than two girder-segments. The structure of the guideway is characteristic of: At the intermediate positions on the girder top and the girder bottom of the connecting ends of the said girder-segments are all disposed the pre-embedded steel elements and some anchoring nails used for ensuring the pre-embedded steel elements to be reliably connected with the concrete of girder-segments, after the relevant connecting ends of the two adjacent girder-segments are placed closely, they may be connected together to form a two-span quasi-continuous girder by tightening a plurality of bolts through their respective through hole on the connecting elements and on the pre-embedded elements.

Abstract: A guideway structure for the high-speed track-bound transportation is composed of the lower-layer main load-bearing girders and the guideway-surface structure elements. The structural elements are connected by the steel elements at the functional zones and the reinforced concrete plates on the guideway body to form an integral. The invention is one of the guideway structures especially suitable for the guideway structure across a river of medium- or small-width.

Abstract: A beam for a railway track guided vehicle system configured to be supported at spatial intervals on piers includes an upper flange disposed along a longitudinal length of the beam. The upper flange has opposite laterally outward portions configured for receipt of functional elements for guidance of a track vehicle. Opposite side webs extend downwardly from the upper flange along the longitudinal length of the support. A lower flange is disposed at ends of the webs opposite from the upper flange and is disposed longitudinally along the length of the support. The beam includes a uniform cross-sectional shape along a longitudinal length thereof so as to generate favorable air flow conditions for the track guided vehicle. The lower flange has a lateral dimension so as to essentially cover an underlying pier. In this way, the pier does not cause air flow disturbances to the track guided vehicle.

Abstract: A transportation system with a plurality of transportation subsystems, each having a plurality of units with a tear drop shape. A plurality of wheels extends from both sides of the units. At least one primary linear transportation subsystem support with an associated primary transportation subsystem includes a pair of C-shaped retention supports adapted to receive and retain the wheels. At least one secondary transportation subsystem support in the form of a loop and associated with a secondary transportation subsystem. The secondary transportation subsystem support loop is placed adjacent to the primary linear transportation subsystem support to facilitate the transfer of passengers and baggage between primary and secondary transportation subsystems.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle transportation system utilizes a guideway with parallel enclosed rails. Each enclosed rail has an electrical bus bar for supplying power to vehicles on the guideway. The guideway will accommodate dual-mode vehicles that are capable of usage on conventional streets as well as on the guideway. The guideway also accommodates conventional vehicles and ferries that operate only on the guideway. The dual-mode vehicle has a body with axles that are extensible. The axles move from a retracted position, with the wheels recessed within the wheel wells, to an extended position. In the extended position, the wheels locate within the enclosed rails. Conventional vehicles and freight are carried on ferries that move along the guideways.

Abstract: The invention relates to transport systems of most varied applications.

Abstract: An improved support structure capable of supporting a guideway in the form of a tube or tubes which may in turn carry a train for travel thereupon, which elevated guideway is capable of passing over existing right-of-ways, rolling or mountainous terrain, and rivers of moderate size. The improved support structure provides a uniform vertical thermal expansion and uniform loading deflection (due to the weight of a passing train) thus assuring that the elevated tubes are smooth and straight.

Abstract: A point-to-point transit system for riders includes an elongate guideway, a plurality of autonomous vehicles disposed in the guideway, a plurality of selectively actuable rider access portals in the side of the guideway, and a control system, configured to automatically guide the vehicles within the guideway. The rider access portals are configured to allow ingress and egress of riders to the autonomous vehicles in the guideway. The control system is configured to allow each vehicle to travel between origin and destination locations that are independently selected by a rider.

Abstract: Beams extend transversely outwards from at least one side of each span beyond the corresponding side flange and shelf. Each beam is of a length in the transverse direction and of strength that are predetermined to be sufficient for enabling additional structures, e.g. slabs, to be installed subsequently on said beams, which additional structures preferably extend said soleplates outwards, in particular to form a station.

Abstract: A transit system for individual vehicles includes a substantially enclosed guideway with a transit lane and a transition lane. Disposed along the guideway are selectively actuable portals, configured to allow substantially transverse ingress and egress of vehicles into the transition lane. The vehicles are configured for automatic control within the guideway and during ingress and egress, and may also be configured for independent control by a driver outside the guideway. In the transition lane the vehicles accelerate to a transit speed and merge into the adjacent transit lane. Upon approaching a selected destination portal, an individual vehicle merges back into the transition lane to decelerate for exit. The guidance system allows the vehicles to combine into controllably linked “trains” in the transit lane.

Abstract: A suspended supporting system for supporting a substantially rigid linear structure (2) such as a pipeline, a tramway, a walkway bridge, a transportation gallery, an underwater tunnel, etc. placed above the ground/seabed/riverbed, the system including: apparatus (1) attached to the linear structure, pulling the linear structure upward, generating upward vertical force of magnitude great enough for carrying downward vertical loads and lateral loads applied to the linear structure; and at least two guy ropes (5) placed at an angle with each other, upper ends of which are attached to the linear structure and lower ends of which are attached to a footing structure (7) placed on or anchored in the ground/seabed/riverbed.

Abstract: An all-weather guided vehicle system having a guideway including a single tube or a pair of parallel tubes capable of storing pressurized air. Vehicles are suspended below, above, or beside the tube(s) by way of carriages to which the vehicles are connected. Arcuate roller tracks between the vehicle and the carriage provide a banking mechanism for cornering. The tube(s) support continuous high-speed rails to receive suspension members extending from the carriage for air or wheeled suspension. Impulse vanes are provided on a vertical rod extending through a slotted opening in a propulsion channel for cooperation with air jet nozzles located within the channel to propel and brake the carriage. Embodiments having a fair-weather vehicle riding atop the deck and tire tracks for suspension and prevention of side sway are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arcuate tilting mechanism for use with a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a carriage traveling on a track where the mechanism comprises an arcuate roller gear divider mounted on the underside of the passenger compartment. An outer carriage roller track is mounted on the upper side of the carriage, so that the arcuate roller gear divider and the outer carriage roller track are in juxtaposed arcuate relation. A first set of roller gears is provided which engage the arcuate roller gear divider and the outer carriage roller track so that when the vehicle enters a turn, the passenger compartment can be angled into the radius of the turn, where the carriage remains parallel to the track.

Abstract: According to the invention, a support (1) for a track-guided high-speed vehicle, particularly a magnetically levitated train, is mounted at intervals on pillars (9). Functional elements (7) for guiding the vehicle are arranged on the support's outer sides. The outer surfaces of the support (1) are provided in a streamlined form with regard to the vehicle by virtue of the fact that, when viewing the support (1) in a longitudinal direction, there are essentially no changes made to the cross-section of the support (1), and the shaping of the support (1) covers, to a large extent, the pillars (9) opposite the vehicle. In curved areas of the travel way, the support (1) is shorter and, if necessary, lower than in the straight areas of the travel way.

Abstract: A guideway and support structure (50) for supporting an elevated guideway (52) for a railed-vehicle (54) include individual unassembled components sized for easy transport. The components may be prefabricated with known materials and methods and transported to an installation site to be assembled together. The support structure (50) is preferably cantilevered and sized to support one or two vehicle guideways (52). The support structure (50) may include a pile foundation (56) for improved support during seismic activity and to facilitate installation on existing streets and sidewalks without covering or interfering with underground plumbing or utilities. Preferably, multiple sections of the guideway (52) are rigidly secured together through expansion joints (51) to define a continuous guideway (53) such that loads on the guideway (53) are distributed over multiple columns (60).

Abstract: The rail transport system may generally be an elevated rail system that may be located along existing transportation right of ways such as roads, railroads, rivers, etc. While the system is generally structured for elevated roadways, it may also have surface or ground level elements. The system uses rail sections and rail switch sections having two load rail elements to carry automobile carrier cars and passenger cars. Guide rails are attached to the load rail elements by upstanding guide rail supports.

Abstract: The installation enables the downhill transportation of passengers from a higher station to a lower station along a rail. Cars that are guided along the rail are equipped with the first of two interacting elements of an electromagnetic braking device, in particular with one or more permanent magnets, and the guide rail being equipped with the second elements, in particular braking strips made from an electrically conductive nonmagnetizable material, such as copper or aluminum, which interact with said first elements of the braking device. Each car is equipped with one or more first elements with an operating brake that is adjustable as a function of its load, and with one or more first elements of a safety brake that is activatable during downhill travel.

Abstract: A wooden rail for a ride, in particular for a roller coaster, includes a number of layers of individual planks/boards, laminated veneer wood or presspahn wood, bonded with each other and milled to the precise rail form in accordance with a roller coaster design. In a method for the fabrication of such a wooden rail, the layers are bonded with each other to form an oversized wood package and, after hardening, the bonded wood package is given the precise rail form in accordance with the design of the ride by means of machining. Finally, in a method for mounting such a wooden rail on a rail support that is fixed to a trestle of the ride includes mounting finished rails having steel sheets, rail joints and connection elements to the rail support.

Abstract: Beams extend transversely outwards from at least one side of each span beyond the corresponding side flange and shelf. Each beam is of a length in the transverse direction and of strength that are predetermined to be sufficient for enabling additional structures, e.g. slabs, to be installed subsequently on said beams, which additional structures preferably extend said soleplates outwards, in particular to form a station.

Abstract: An elevated transit system has a pair of spaced apart guideways for supporting a vehicle. The guideways are supported on vertical columns above the ground. An emergency walkway extends between the guideways The walkway has a plurality of apertures to allow the passage of sunlight to the ground below.

Abstract: A guide rail for a gantry system includes a support structure having an elongated support surface and a plate having a precision surface relative to the elongated support surface. A filler material bonds the plate to the elongated support surface. The filler material can have a varying thickness along the elongated support surface to maintain a desired orientation of the plate. A method of constructing the same is also provided.