Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transport system, comprising an electrified cable system, a carriage supported by a non-electrified static cable, an electrical drive system incorporated into the carriage, the electrical drive system being utilized to move the carriage along the non-electrified static cable, a transconnector configured to supply electrical power to the carriage, and a power distribution panel. Corresponding methods of making and using the system also are disclosed.

Abstract: The method can include: creating a platoon; maintaining a platoon; responding to a platoon event; and separating a platoon. However, the method can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable elements. The method functions to facilitate cooperative transportation (platooning) of a plurality of payloads by way of the cars.

Abstract: A non-stop train system including a plurality of train cars in communication with one another and in communication with an electronic control module. The train system includes a track or any number of parallel tracks having a plurality of drop off and pick up locations. A prepositioned train car is stopped at one of the drop off and pick up locations. A non-stop express train approaches and passes by the drop off and pick up location on the track initiating the prepositioned train car to begin departure. The electronic control module is used to adjust the speed of the non-stop express train and the prepositioned train car based on a detected distance such that a rear coupler of the non-stop express train couples to the front coupler of the prepositioned train car while moving along the track.

Abstract: An overhead transport system includes a suspended railway and a motorized carrier configured to travel along the suspended railway. The motorized carrier includes a motorized trolley configured to move the motorized carrier along the suspended railway, chassis/beam configured to carry an object below the motorized trolley, and a bumper and deflection system configured to prevent the object from contacting another object.

Abstract: A motorized container carrier can be configured to travel along a suspended railway. The motorized container carrier can include at least one motorized trolley configured to move the motorized container carrier along the suspended railway. The motorized container carrier can include a plurality of end beams with container engagement devices configured to interact with containers of various lengths. In some embodiments, the container engagement devices are twist locks. The motorized container carrier can include a system of bumpers and/or guide wheels.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for controlling speed of a shuttle vehicle, and a shuttle vehicle, and relates to the field of control. The method includes: controlling the shuttle vehicle to perform an accelerated motion from a starting point of a specified displacement at a initial speed, wherein the accelerated motion comprises a first accelerated motion with the acceleration increasing with time is performed at first, and a second accelerated motion with the acceleration decreasing with time is performed; controlling the shuttle vehicle to perform an uniform motion; and controlling the shuttle vehicle to perform a decelerated motion, wherein the decelerated motion comprises a first decelerated motion with the acceleration decreasing with time is performed at first, and a second decelerated motion with the acceleration increasing with time is performed, and the shuttle vehicle arrives at a destination of the specified displacement at an end speed.

Abstract: Described herein is an electrostatic slide clutch comprising a first electrode, a second electrode oriented parallel to first electrode, an electrically insulating structure disposed on the first electrode on a face of the first electrode opposing the second electrode, and a controller electrically coupled to the first electrode and to the second electrode and configured to apply a variable voltage between the first and second electrodes, to influence a normal force between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A friction material has a first outermost surface and a second outermost surface spaced apart from the first outermost surface. The friction material includes a base which forms at least a portion of the first outermost surface. The base includes fibers present in an amount of from 20 to 80 weight percent, a filler present in an amount of from 20 to 80 weight percent, and a deposit which forms at least a portion of the second outermost surface and includes a friction adjusting agent. The friction material further includes a resin disposed throughout the friction material. The deposit is disposed in the friction material in a gradated pattern. At least a portion of the deposit is exposed to the environment and the second outermost surface has a surface roughness of from 2 to 11 micrometers as determined by non-contact laser measurement according to ISO 25178.

Abstract: A film for arranging and increasing the friction between two frictionally joined components, in particular of a motor vehicle, is provided. The film includes a load-bearing matrix and a plurality of hard particles arranged in the matrix. A process for producing such a film is also provided.

Abstract: A non-stop train system including a plurality of train cars in communication with one another and in communication with an electronic control module. The train system further includes a track having a plurality of drop off and pick up locations. A prepositioned train car is stopped on the track at one of the drop off and pick up locations. A non-stop express train approaches the drop off and pick up location on the track initiating the prepositioned train car to begin departure. The electronic control module is used to adjust the speed of the non-stop express train and the prepositioned train car based on a detected distance such that a front coupler of the non-stop express train couples to the rear coupler of the prepositioned train car while moving along the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transport and storage of proppant has a container with a top wall, a pair of end walls and a pair of side walls. The pair of side walls extend between the pair of end walls. The container has a bottom discharge opening. The container includes a funnel extending from the pair of side walls and from the pair of and walls toward the bottom discharge opening. The funnel has sides extending in an angle of greater than 25° with respect to horizontal. The funnel includes a pair of side plates extending respectively from the pair of side walls toward the bottom discharge opening and a pair of end plates extending respectively from the pair of end walls toward the bottom discharge opening. Each of the side plates and the end plates is formed of a stainless steel material.

Abstract: A station for a hyperloop transportation system includes a tube comprising a low-pressure environment, a plurality of tracks within the tube, each track adapted to carry a hyperloop capsule, and a turntable joined to an end of the tube, adapted to rotate a capsule one hundred and eighty degrees. The station also includes a platform disposed on a side of the tube, adapted to hold a plurality of people, and a plurality of gates disposed in one side of the tube. Each gate includes a door forming a barrier between the low-pressure environment of the tube and an exterior of the tube, and a sealing mechanism adapted to form a seal with a hyperloop capsule.

Abstract: A high-carrying-capacity non-stop rail transit system, wherein, comprising a main passage, a main rail arranged in the main passage, an exit and entrance passage and independent small compartments, wherein, the independent small compartment is provided with a connecting device, the exit and entrance passage is provided with a rail change structure, the connecting device realizes transfer and rail change between the main passage and the exit and entrance passage through the rail change structure, the main rail is used to place the independent small compartment and drive the independent small compartment to move. The system adopts the independent small compartment mode, so every passenger has a seat and the non-stop purpose is realized; stable and continuous kinetic energy for advancing are provided; and the independent small compartments have no relative displacement and can reach a high speed under high density.

Abstract: Load-receiving device (1) for storing a cuboidal load (2) in a rack and for retrieving it therefrom, comprising two extendable telescopic arms (3, 4) which are spaced apart in parallel and on which there are arranged drivers (30, 40, 31, 41, 32, 42) situated opposite one another in pairs, which drivers can be pivoted into a swung-up position and into a position projecting at a right angle thereto, wherein the distance (d) between the telescopic arms (3, 4) is fixed or can be set in dependence on the width of the load.

Abstract: To provide a technology that enables dump trucks to travel smoothly even in a mine where electromagnetic wave conditions are bad. The invention is a vehicle travel system in which haulage vehicles 20 traveling in a premise of a mine along predetermined travel routes 60 and a fleet management server for managing operations of haulage vehicles are connected in communication together via wireless communication network and that sets a travel-permitted segment n+1 so that difference between a communication timing at which the haulage vehicle 20-1 transmits permission request information to the fleet management server from a provisional permission-requesting point RP and communication timing at which other haulage vehicle transmits the permission request information to the same wireless base station may become more than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ground transportation systems, and more particularly to a fixed guideway transportation system that achieves a superior ratio of benefits per cost, is lower in net present cost and thus more easily justified for lower density corridors, and can provide passenger carrying capacities appropriate for higher density corridors serviced by mass rapid transit systems today.

Abstract: A cart and track assembly includes a track that may be positioned on a support surface. The track may be positioned beneath a structure such that the track extends outwardly from beneath the structure. A cart is rollably positioned upon the track and the cart may have an object positioned thereon such that the object is movable along the track. The cart shelters the object beneath the structure and transports the object outwardly from beneath the structure. A plurality of wheels is rollably attached to the cart and each of the wheels rolls along the track.

Abstract: One variation includes a friction material and method of manufacture thereof wherein the friction material includes a transfer layer on a ferritically nitrocarburized component, wherein the transfer layer may be fabricated from glass, rubber, carbon, aramid fiber, filler material, abrasive, or a high-temperature resin.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a plurality of moving elements in a transport system that include: tracking a position of each of the plurality of moving elements in the transport system; and selectively operating a power system provided to the transport system based on the position of each of the plurality of the moving element such that power is independently transferred to each of the plurality of moving elements. In another embodiment, the system and method include: adapting the plurality of moving elements to receive power from a drive component used to drive the plurality of moving elements along the transport system; and controlling the drive component to provide power to the plurality of moving elements, and, in particular, while the moving elements are moving.

Abstract: A transport system having multilayer tracks is presented. The system has a bottom track and at least one top track disposed above on the bottom track. Shuttle carriages are moving along the top and bottom tracks. The shuttle body of each shuttle carriage has a first locking portion on the top end thereof, and has a second locking portion on the bottom end thereof. The second locking portion of the shuttle carriage on the top track can be locked with the first locking portion of the shuttle carriage on the bottom track. Therefore, the two transports on different tracks are locked so that the object can be transported between the top and bottom tracks.

Abstract: A mobile terminal device has a display for indicating guidance of a route retrieved by a route retriever and a GPS receiver for detecting the present location. A route retrieval server has a database for storing the present location of each bus running on bus lines and an alternative route guider for evaluating alternative bus route to provide guidance. When the guided route includes a walking route, the route retriever references the database based on the present location of the mobile terminal device to identify an alternative route that includes a bus. The alternative route guider compares the alternative route and guided route. When the alternative route is more favorable than the guided route, the alternative route guider sends alternative route information indicating presence of the alternative route to the mobile terminal device, displays the guided route on a display, and indicates the presence of the alternative route.

Abstract: A system for controlling movements of a vehicle along a guideway includes an array of targets that are mounted on the vehicle, and a series of wayside sensors that are mounted on the guideway. A signal processor monitors the passage of targets past appropriate sensors and uses resultant signals to derive parametric values that are characteristic of the vehicle's movements. The parametric values are then coordinated with a controller for the operation of a linear synchronous motor that propels the vehicle.

Abstract: A rail vehicle includes an underbody which is subjected to thrown up ballast when the rail vehicle is operating on a ballasted section of track. In at least one embodiment, the underbody is equipped with at least one acoustic signal pickup which acoustically senses ballast stones striking the underbody; a signal processing device is provided to which a signal is fed from the at least one acoustic signal pickup and which processes the signal in such a way that a thrown up ballast signal is generated which represents the impacting of ballast stones on the underbody; and the thrown up ballast signal from the signal processing device is included in a mode of operation of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: An offshore wind farm comprises a plurality of wind turbines. In order to provide such a wind farm with transport between separate wind turbines that can be effected more safely and with less dependence on weather, cable connection is provided between the wind turbines of the wind farm, and a gondola is disposed on the cable connection to carry cargo or personnel from one wind turbine to another.

Abstract: A method of controlling a train for a crew change and includes collecting information on the train including weight and length of the train, special weight distribution, number and location of cars with cut-out or inoperative brakes, status of dynamic brakes on all locomotives, if brake test is required, and prior train brake problems. The information is stored as a report and displayed at a crew change. The train is disabled until the crew has accepted the report.

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: A friction material for a friction facing member useful for transmitting torque includes a backing having a front surface and a rear surface. A plurality of precisely shaped friction composites defining patterned friction coating are attached to the front surface of the backing. The precisely shaped friction composites include a plurality of friction particles dispersed in a binder. In one embodiment, the friction material has an elastic modulus of about 107 dynes/cm2 or less.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle transportation system (AVTS) is installed on a long or super long bridge in order to lighten and permit elongation of the entire bridge structure. The transportation system includes mode converting interchanges, automatic transportation lanes, trucks or pallets on which vehicles are mobilized, garages for trucks or pallets, converting lanes for trucks or pallets, merging and diverging ramps, toll gates, embarkation entrances and disembarkation exits, a fiber optic cable and a control center. In this innovative design, solar cells, a beat pump, bicycle paths, motorcycle paths, a green zone, shops and walkways for people may be located on the bridge floor. It is also possible to install the automatic vehicle transportation system inside the box girder or the lower deck of a truss girder without polluting the inside air of the girder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tipping rail vehicle including a wheeled frame and an open topped container body. It includes a connector pivotally connecting the body to the frame for rotation of the body at least partially about the pivot axis of the connector, with the pivot axis being normal to the intended direction of travel of the vehicle, and at least one formation on the container body for rotating the container body about the pivot axis to discharge material in the body from its open top. Preferably the container body is in the form of a substantially cylindrical drum with the pivot axis of the connector passing through parallel side walls of the body on or adjacent the axis of the cylinder with the body opening extending over the length of the cylindrical portion of the body between its side walls above the pivot axis of the connector. The invention additionally relates to a tipping arrangement for engagign and rotating the container body of the vehicle of the invention.

Abstract: A device for shipping suspensible piece goods has an elongated trolley which can travel along an overhead rail. A rod is fixed to either longitudinal end of the trolley and depends from the latter. The end of each rod remote from the trolley has an upwardly open hook-shaped portion. A carrier is removably suspended on the hook-shaped portions and has a cutout which allows goods to be suspended from the carrier. Once the carrier has been loaded, the entire shipping device can be placed in a truck for transport as a unit. A downwardly open hook-shaped element projects laterally of the carrier from the hook-shaped portion of each rod. These hook-shaped elements can be used to suspend the shipping device from a bar in the truck. Since the hook-shaped elements are located laterally of the carrier, the shipping device tilts to one side when it is suspended from the bar. The shipping device and its suspended goods then take up less room in the vertical direction thereby increasing the loading capacity of the truck.

Abstract: At a station of an overhead cable transport installation, such as an aerial cableway, wherein the disembarking section is connected with the embarking section by a transfer section, a revolving clock conveyor travels along the transfer section. This clock conveyor is provided with entrainment members arranged thereat at a predeterminate spacing from one another and the clock conveyor is driven by the drive of a revolving cable. A further revolving conveyor travels substantially parallel to the clock conveyor along the transfer section. This further revolving conveyor is equipped with a multiplicity of driver elements distributed over the length thereof and which possesses a somewhat smaller revolving velocity than the clock conveyor.

Abstract: The overhead cable transport installation possesses at each of the stations a transfer section between a disembarking section and an embarking section. At a still linear starting section of each transfer section there are provided driven wheels and at the linear end or terminal section of each transfer section there are likewise provided driven wheels. The driven wheels at the starting section are driven at a stepped greater rotational speed in relation to wheels located at the disembarking section, so that vehicles of the overhead cable transport installation arriving in the transfer section can be accelerated by the driven wheels engaging at friction shoes of the vehicle. A chain conveyor extends between the driven wheels of the starting section of the transfer section along the latter and transports the vehicles at an increased velocity and with a correspondingly greater mutual spacing from one another through curved portions of the transfer section.

Abstract: A driveway for tractor-trailers is elevated along one side having a side coupling runner mounted to roll on wheels in a track along the side of the driveway facing a single-arm rotary loader. The runner is longer than the tractor-trailer and has a lift push gate at one or both ends for lowering in front of the tractor to push the runner along its track and has recesses for vertical coupling rods or tubes on the loader's trailer-lifting turntable to engage in to move the loader with the tractor to rotate the loader into alignment under the trailer and lift for transfer. Then the tractor driver can release the fifth-wheel and lift the gate and drive away. The loader is further rotated or driven and disengaged from the runner before the runner is returned by motor drive. The loader can load the trailer removed from the tractor onto a railway car as in my earlier U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: A conveyor system such as one having chain propelled driverless vehicles is interfaced with a conveyor system such as one having rotating shafts propelling a driverless vehicle. The last mentioned driverless vehicle is provided with a contact arm which extends transversely of its vehicle and is selectively operated so as to cause both vehicles to move at the same speed. While both vehicles are moving at the same speed, one or more events may take place such as transferring goods from one vehicle to another on the fly.

Abstract: A container or a carrier for one or more containers is supported on a transfer cam track along side a railway or roadway for transfer of the containers to a rail or road vehicle which is side coupled to the container or carrier to move it for transfer of the container or containers to the transport vehicle. The transfer track on which the container or carrier travels has horizontal and vertical displacement curves to vertically align the container with a container berth on the transport vehicle and set it down on supports thereon. The transfer track continues at the lower level and curves back away from the transport vehicle to remove the carrier away from the container. The cam track can be a single rail or multiple rails spaced horizontally or vertically with the container or carrier designed accordingly. The carrier can have forks, loadspreader, or side hooks to lift containers. The containers can have wheels to run on the station track to eliminate the carrier.

Abstract: A continuous transport system characterized in that the vehicles providing passenger or goods transportation are passive vehicles without self-contained motors or braking devices, the drive for these vehicles when formed into trains being provided between stations by a head locomotive and a tail locomotive.

Abstract: This invention is a continuation of my system for vertical transfer of containers to and from moving vehicles wherein the improvement comprises the simplification of the double-dip overhead track for containers or container carriers by elimination of some or all of the dip switches and controls therefore, the track having transfer dips and rises spaced apart and at different gage or elevation with rails for front wheels on container or carrier out of phase with rails for the rear wheels in spaced relation so that containers or container carriers have wheels at one end to run on outer rails and wheel or wheels at other end to run on inner, narrower gage, or upper rails substantially maintaining the container or carrier level on the dips and rises of the overhead track. This invention includes wheel arrangements for container or container carrier for these tracks.

Abstract: This transport system for transferring passive vehicles such as cars, platforms, containers, by means of a continuous-drive conveyor is characterized in that each vehicle comprises, in addition to carrier wheels engaging the main and fixed carrier rail, at least one tire-mounted wheel carried by cross beams projecting laterally from the vehicle, the tire-mounted wheel being adapted to engage intermediate retarding or acceleration tracks, a skid mounted in parallel relationship at the end of the cross beams and adapted to engage endless belts driven at low linear speeds for embarkment and disembarkment purposes, and also for transferring the vehicle to turnaround turntables at the ends of the system, and another skid adapted to engage the main endless belt conveyor for driving the vehicle at high speed.

Abstract: A plurality of passenger cars are hung at equal intervals along an endless parallel chain and continuously travel in one direction between two horizontal platforms which are vertically spaced from each other and are maintained stationary with respect to the traveling of the cars. Guard plates are pivotably mounted to the outer wall surfaces of each car facing each the adjacent cars so that the plates can be rotated to fill the space between cars. Only when the cars horizontally travel along the platforms do the guard plates swivel to substantially hide spacings between the adjacent cars.

Abstract: This invention improves upon my side transfer system and devices of my U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,416,684, 3,483,829, and 3,484,002 wherein the improvement comprises transfer devices actuated by a cam rider or riders on transfer station car engaging a cam track along the transfer run and control of the transfer devices to insure safety. Side transfer cars couple selected pedestal cars in a passing train and have transfer arms that reach under one or more containers or trailers of various lengths to lift on or off between the parallelrunning sidecouple car according to train direction over a change of elevation in the cam track. A three grooved cam wheel is lifted from cam rail to cam rail to right or left to carry a second cam rider over a similar cam track plan to operate arms of a second transfer device is coordination to transfer a long container with two transfer devices.

Abstract: A continuous transport system for serving an urban region, for example, for ublic transport. The transport system includes at least one looped main track which cooperates with at least one station track. The main track conveys platforms with removable cabins disposed thereon at a constant speed, and the cabins are adapted to be transferred to similar platforms provided on the station track. The station track varies the speed of the cabins therealong to permit embarkation and disembarkation therefrom.

Abstract: The relative positions between a pair of moving objects and the velocity of one of such objects is controlled so as to synchronize the movements of the objects. Synchronization is achieved through the use of a novel sensor mechanism and a control circuit associated therewith. The sensor mechanism, which may be mounted on a molten metal pouring machine, includes a moving beam which carries a probe which describes the same circular arc regardless of where positioned on the beam. The probe contacts an object on a conveyor, for example a mold to be poured, and a signal generator mechanically coupled to the moving beam will provide an output signal commensurate with the relative position and velocity of the tool and workpiece.

Abstract: This invention improves and extends the utility of the system disclosed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,483,829 and 3,484,022 wherein containers are transferred to and from trains passing along under an overhead carrier and manually and/or automatically routed and stored; wherein my present improvement comprises: a reorganized and redesigned station with improved automatic container handling, storage and transfer for freight containers or trailers of a length and twice the length such as 20 and 40 ft.

Abstract: This invention improves upon my Pat. Nos. 3,483,829 and 3,484,002 and on my pending patent application titled CONTAINER OVERHEAD TRANSFER AND STORAGE SYSTEM Ser. No. 269,239, filed July 5, 1972, wherein the improvement comprises a cam track dip and container carrier for operating thereon to vertically transfer loads to and from a moving train. The cam dip serves to lower and raise a hook or load frame on the carrier to transfer one or more containers or cages to and from a train running parallel below. The hook or load frame is secured on double parallelogram linkage to the frame of the carrier and has outboard wheels for running on the cam track for parallel level movement of the frame down and up along the transfer dip.

Abstract: A transportation system is comprised of a first closed loop passenger and cargo transporter section with such section being ideally intended to operate at a substantially constant speed, and a second closed loop passenger transfer section with such section being intended to operate, generally between the first closed loop and a related stationary passenger platform, as to cyclically maintain a speed equivalent to the constant speed of the first closed loop, then decelerate until it is stationary with respect to the related stationary passenger platform and then accelerate until it is again at the speed of the first closed loop transporter section. Passengers and cargo may, during the time that the transfer section is stationary with respect to the passenger platform, transfer from the platform onto the then stationary transfer section (or if getting off of the system, transfer from the then stationary transfer section onto the platform).