Abstract: A switch mechanism serves for changing over the path traveled by a rail vehicle on a track. The switch mechanism has an electric motor, the rotational movement of which is converted into a linear movement by way of a spindle rod or toothed rack. Part of the mechanical system is usually also a coupling, which prevents excessive force from being exerted on the track. A flexible adaptation for the test slider of a switch drive enables complete testing of the switch drive on a test bench. The switch drive can be tested in the final state because the test slider does not need to first be removed and then reinstalled only after testing. Separate testing of the test slider in terms of its function and its high voltage strength is therefore no longer necessary. After the testing, no additional steps need to be carried out on the switch drive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear permanent magnet driving system and a permanent magnet driving maglev train rail system, the linear permanent magnet driving system comprises spiral rotors and stators, wherein at least one of the spiral rotor and the stator adopts the structure having a permanent magnet while the other one adopts the structure having the permanent magnet or a magnetizer; when the spiral rotors are driven by an engine to rotate, linear motion of the spiral rotors is achieved by means of the magnetic force between both, and speed of the linear motion of the spiral rotors can reach supersonic speed at most. By applying the linear permanent magnet driving system to the permanent magnet driving maglev train rail system, the entire rail can avoid the use of both permanent magnet and driving coil, and the construction cost of maglev train rail is equivalent to that of the current high-speed wheel/rail.

Abstract: A line-changing device for magnetic levitation trains includes a rail section, at least one rail positioned transversely thereto, and a support frame for the rail section, which includes at least two wheels supported on the rail. The support frame includes a support module connected with the rail section, and two wheel modules attached to the sides thereof in a replaceable manner, and in which at least one of the wheels is rotatably supported.

Abstract: A system for sequentially switching a plurality of guide ways to accommodate at least one vehicle with a plurality of ground engaging portions following a plurality of plural track segments is provided. The system includes a primary guide way to receive at least one of the plurality of ground engaging portions of the at least one vehicle and a secondary guide way located in proximity to the primary guide way. The secondary guide way may be configured to receive another of the plurality of ground engaging portions of the at least one vehicle. The system may also include a controller configured to sequentially switch the primary guide way and the secondary guide way whereby the at least one vehicle may travel in one direction or in another direction. A method of switching a plurality of guide ways is also presented.

Abstract: A switch assembly for magnetic levitation railways includes a girder extending in a travel direction (x) and flexible transversely to it is provided with travel way or equipment parts. A rail and a rack are located transversely to the travel direction. A load-bearing frame, receiving the girder, has a rotatably supported carrying wheel braced on the rail and a drive mechanism with a gear wheel meshing with the rack and with a motor intended for driving it. Switch adjustment is effected by displacement of the load-bearing frame along the rail by means of the drive mechanism and a thus-effected flexing of the girder. The girder, the load-bearing frame and the drive mechanism form a solidly joined-together structural unit which as a whole is located displaceably in the travel direction (x) relative to the rail and the rack.

Abstract: A system for sequentially switching a plurality of guide ways to accommodate at least one vehicle with a plurality of ground engaging portions following a plurality of plural track segments is provided. The system includes a primary guide way to receive at least one of the plurality of ground engaging portions of the at least one vehicle and a secondary guide way located in proximity to the primary guide way. The secondary guide way may be configured to receive another of the plurality of ground engaging portions of the at least one vehicle. The system may also include a controller configured to sequentially switch the primary guide way and the secondary guide way whereby the at least one vehicle may travel in one direction or in another direction. A method of switching a plurality of guide ways is also presented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending mount (24) for a switch arrangement for magnetically levitated railways. The bending mount comprises at least a box-shaped support element (25) that extends in the longitudinal direction (x) and on which are fixed successively arranged supporting metal sheets (27) that extend on both sides of the support element and serve to assemble the pieces of equipment (10, 12). According to the invention, the supporting metal sheets (27) are configured as single-piece components which extend over the width of the bending mount and are interlinked in the longitudinal direction to form a chain. Said chain essentially does not influence the flexural rigidity of the support element (25) in the desired direction (y) of a switching arrangement but exhibits a high rigidity against torsion about the longitudinal axis (x) and against vibrations in the vertical direction (z).

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface. Further aspects of the invention provide a switching member that is selectively moveable relative to a guideway in order to change a magnetic force acting on the vehicle transverse to a direction of motion of the vehicle.

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: The invention relates to a bending mount (24) for a switch arrangement for magnetically levitated railways. The bending mount comprises at least a box-shaped support element (25) that extends in the longitudinal direction (x) and on which are fixed successively arranged supporting metal sheets (27) that extend on both sides of the support element and serve to assemble the pieces of equipment (10, 12). According to the invention, the supporting metal sheets (27) are configured as single-piece components which extend over the width of the bending mount and are interlinked in the longitudinal direction to form a chain. Said chain essentially does not influence the flexural rigidity of the support element (25) in the desired direction (y) of a switching arrangement but exhibits a high rigidity against torsion about the longitudinal axis (x) and against vibrations in the vertical direction (z).

Abstract: A transport system includes a traveling rail (1) which constitutes a transport route and a transport body (3) which is capable of traveling on the traveling rail in the longitudinal direction of the traveling rail. Flexible drive tubes (5) are arranged on the traveling rail in the longitudinal direction of the traveling rail. The transport body includes a traveling wheel (4) which is capable of rolling on the traveling rail and drive wheels (2) which are capable of rolling on the drive tubes upon receiving the rotational drive power generated by pressure of a pressure medium supplied to the drive tubes while depressing the drive tubes. The traveling rail includes a plurality of transport sections and the transport body is capable of receiving a rotational drive force from the drive tubes at every transport sections. If necessary, a transport route changeover switch which changes over the transport route can be provided between the transport sections.

Abstract: A track-alternating arrangement for magnetic-levitation roadways, in which one of a series of mutually aligned bearers in each roadway establishes a first junction to join the roadways together. The bearer is inflectable to form the first junction. Each bearer, in an inflected state in one roadway, is aligned with another bearer in an adjacent roadway. An abutting one of the bearers adjacent the inflectable bearer is shiftable out beyond a free base of a car traveling over the roadway to provide sufficient space for the car to pass the junction. The abutting bearers are inflected to establish a different second junction. The inflectable bearers are shiftable out beyond a free cross-section of the car when the abutting bearers establish the different second junction.

Abstract: A conveyor switch for a conveyor track comprising a tubular linear induction motor as the switch drive. A switch tongue is adapted to be pivoted between first and second positions on the conveyor track and has a driving arm extending from one end thereof. The switch drive is operatively connected to the driving arm for driving the switch tongue, wherein the switch tongue is adapted to direct a moving conveyor component between first and second paths of travel on the conveyor track. Various means are provided to account for the linear movement of the switch drive in relation to the arcuate movement of the switch tongue. The switch assembly is especially adapted for switches in power and free conveyor systems.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for actuating a switch guide beam swinging laterally between two or more fixed guide beam ends, in order to make a route selection for a beam guided vehicle. The moving guide beam pivots distantly of the primary fixed guide beam end to create a gap spanned by an intermediate suspended channel plate guide segment that provides substantially two equal lateral deflections to the moving vehicle for a route diversion in a storage yard or repair shop area. The mechanism for high speed or main line operation has two additional channel plate guide segments slidably guided at each end of the guide segment centrally affixed on the straddle beam and pivoted at the primary beam fixed end and the merge point on the radially moving swing guide beam to provide four substantially equal lateral deflections to the moving vehicle when a route diversion is required.

Abstract: A power supply system for a long-stator drive having at least two independent tracks, which each have at least one long-stator section and which can be connected to one another using at least one track-changing device, the long-stator sections being split into a plurality of drive regions, using which each vehicle can be independently driven, and at least one track-changing device having at least one electrical contact which is positively guided by the track-changing device in such a manner that an electrical connection can be produced or eliminated between various long-stator sections.