Abstract: A roller arrangement (20) for a stairlift carriage is described, the arrangement including a central roller set (22), and outer roller sets (24) and (26). Rollers (42), (43, 44) and (45) in the outer roller sets are mounted in yokes (48) which are mounted for independent pivotal movement, relative to one another, in two orthogonal axes. The axes of each set preferably lie in common planes.

Abstract: A sheave arrangement having a driving drum and a tension wheel. The driving drum includes a circumferential groove that has two side walls disposed at an angle, alpha. A line preferably is placed between the drum and tension wheel such that a substantially non-distorting three contact point driving force is achieved. Utilization of this sheave arrangement in a slack pulling carriage and a method of driving a line with the sheave arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A waterway for a boat amusement ride comprising first and second water troughs connected by a basin such that water flowing in the waterway changes direction through a sharp turning angle in flowing from the basin inlet to the basin outlet. Vanes in the basin cause a boat buoyantly supported and propelled by the water flow to move laterally such that the end of the boat first entering the basin leaves the basin behind the end of the boat last entering the basin, the orientation of the boat thereby being reversed as it passes through the basin. Optional elements for moving the boat laterally include water jets directed by nozzles on sidewalls of the basin and a rotating pushing member for engaging the last entering boat end. The pushing member may also be actuated laterally while abutting the last entering boat end.

Abstract: A linear-type shuttle has an air pad 4 that blows air toward a track 5, a chassis 2 that floats above the track 5 due to the air pad 4, a primary side 6a of a linear motor that is installed to be vertically movable on the chassis 2 and that drives the chassis horizontally together with a secondary side 6b on the track 5, a brake skid 11 disposed on the chassis 2 that makes friction contact with the track 5 when the chassis 2 is not floating above the track 5, an operating lever 17 pivotally mounted to the chassis 2 and having one end connected to the primary side 6a, a spring 23 that always forces the primary side 6a upward away from the secondary side 6b via the lever 17, and an electromagnet 20 that moves the primary side 6a downward via the lever 17 against the force of the spring 23 to a predetermined position in relation to the secondary side 6b, such that, when the car 1 is floating, the gap 60 between the primary side 6a and the secondary side 6b of a linear motor is as narrow as possible so that the l

Abstract: A vehicle system for high-speed passenger transport between metropolitan centers comprises a guideway having a pair of parallel guideway tubes; a plurality of carriages levitated and propelled by pressurized air stored within one or both tubes; and a passenger car connected to ride atop the carriages and tilt relative thereto. The passenger car and carriages cooperate to define lateral air cushion zones under the floor of the passenger car for supporting and tilting the passenger car by air pressure. The carriages have pluralities of lift cells partially surrounding each guideway tube, with active peripheral skirts for minimizing air leakage. Pressurized air stored within the guideway is used to supply the lift cells and cushion zones, and also to propel and brake the carriages. Ram air is collected during vehicle motion to help supply the lift cells and cushion zones.

Abstract: Propulsion apparatus for a transportation system vehicle. At least one gas producer is mounted on the vehicle for discharging a propulsive fluid stream. The propulsive fluid stream is directed against at least one longitudinally extending linear turbine assembly to propel the vehicle. A manifold delivers the propulsive fluid stream to the linear turbine assembly. A plenum beneath the vehicle receives the propulsive fluid stream from the linear turbine assembly to support the vehicle on a gascushion. Each linear turbine assembly includes cooperating nozzle blades and turbine blades mounted on the vehicle. Each nozzle blade has a longitudinal axis which is transverse of the fluid stream, the longitudinal axes of the nozzle blades all being substantially parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axes of each of the turbine blades, all of the turbine blades being substantially equally spaced from the nozzle blades.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active linear induction motor system that has particular advantage with a SAILRAIL.RTM. air guided and supported air bearing system. In this case the secondary for the motor is the support rail, which rail can have a convex or a concave operating surface, is electrically conductive, and has ferromagnetic material in close proximity to the operating surface. The primary for the motor is found in a runner which cooperates with the rail and supports the load to be carried in the system. The primary includes a plurality of laterally adjacent, longitudinally extending and articulated ferromagnetic laminations having a longitudinally toothed surface that is transversely arcuate to be complementary to the rail operating surface. Electrical windings are wound about selected groups of teeth of the laminations as a LIM primary. A compliant pad adjacent the laminations is capable of deformation under load and at least partial recovery after load removal.

Abstract: A levitated rail system for vehicle transportation utilizing a plurality of cylindrical, tubular rails. Freight capsules may be transported within the hollow interiors of the rails. One or more cars travel at high speed above two of the rails by levitation.

Abstract: Propulsion apparatus for a transportation system vehicle. At least one gas producer is mounted on the vehicle for discharging a propulsive fluid stream. The propulsive fluid stream is directed against at least one longitudinally extending linear turbine assembly to propel the vehicle. A manifold delivers the propulsive fluid stream to the linear turbine assembly. A plenum beneath the vehicle receives the propulsive fluid stream from the linear turbine assembly to support the vehicle on a gascushion. Each linear turbine assembly includes cooperating nozzle blades and turbine blades mounted on the vehicle. Each nozzle blade has a longitudinal axis which is transverse of the fluid stream, the longitudinal axes of the nozzle blades all being substantially parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axes of each of the turbine blades, all of the turbine blades being substantially equally spaced from the nozzle blades.

Abstract: The electromagnetic induction ground vehicle levitation guideway includes a beam support member, and a transverse structural slab member mounted on top of the beam support member. The structural slab member includes top and bottom structural plates mounted to the top and bottom surface of the structural slab member. The guideway includes vertical lift, lateral stability, and linear synchronous motor coils with a null flux geometry in the guideway that interact with superconducting magnets of the vehicle, allowing the vehicle to safely reach speeds of up to 350 mph with relatively low power consumption. A kinetic energy absorption structure is provided on the guideway that is capable of high speed mechanical braking of the vehicle if the superconducting magnets of the vehicle fail. A sloped top protective cover over the energy absorption means is provided to minimize adhesion and buildup of snow and ice, and extends over the sides of the guideway.

Abstract: A rope jack for a shuttle system comprises: a rope holder (8) that holds a rope (1) which travels over guide wheels (6) to move a floating shuttle; a catch holder (9) which is attached to be attachable and detachable on a guide rail post (5); and, a jack unit (10) which presses against the rope holder (8) to move the rope holder away from the catch holder (9). The guide wheel (6) is released from the pressure of the rope (1) and can be easily replaced with a new one.

Abstract: A land transportation system comprising a fully enclosed tubular guideway and a self-propelled air-cushion vehicle disposed in the guideway for providing short and long distance transportation within an enclosed environment. The tubular guideway is secured to stanchions anchored to underground concrete pilings. The air-cushion vehicle includes an internal cavity for receiving passengers and/or cargo holding containers. Air foils, air intake openings and air discharge openings are disposed throughout the cylindrical vehicle to create an air cushion between the vehicle and the guideway, that completely encircles the vehicle, thereby preventing the vehicle from engaging any surface within the tubular guideway during travel.

Abstract: A transport assembly for use, for example, in mass transportation, comprises a track and a frame mounted to the track for motion therealong, the frame including a housing which defines a traction chamber in communication with the track. At least one traction wheel is rotatably mounted to the frame in friction contact with the track. The traction wheel is at least partially disposed in the traction chamber. A car with a passenger compartment is coupled to the frame via a shock absorbing linkage so that the car is substantially isolated from irregularities in the track during motion of the frame and the car along the track. A suction source is operatively connected to the housing for generating a vacuum in the traction chamber during motion of the frame and the car along the track. A drive mounted to the frame is operatively connected to the traction wheel for drivingly rotating the wheel to propel the frame and the car along the track.

Abstract: An improved runner for use with a SAILRAIL hydrostatic bearing levitation system is disclosed. The runner uses a substantially solid core having a degree of flexibility in a vertical plane, a thin pad of flexible, compliant material extending transversely around the core, and an outer flexible, compliant sheath enclosing the pad and the core. Flexibility is enhanced by a longitudinally extending slot cut into the core from the upper surface thereof. The side walls of the core are flat and straight and meet the lower convex surface of the core at a generally sharp longitudinal edge. Also the ends of the runner can angle upwardly to enhance the ability of the runner to traverse joints, gaps, or imperfections in the SAILRAIL rail. The runner can be secured to a deck member and provides specific advantages over prior art runners which had a larger profile, were more expensive and were not as efficient as the low profile runner of this invention.

Abstract: A Land transportation system has an unmanned mobile box which rides in a tube from one place to another. Guides are affixed to the center of the tube to cooperate with guide rollers on the box to stabilize the running of the box. Wings are provided on the side of the mobile box to provide a buoyancy effect while the box is running, thereby reducing the friction between the box and tube. Additional rollers are placed on the bottom of the box, and come into contact with the bottom surface of the tube when the box is running at slow speeds. The mobile box is driven by linear motor, with the controller for the motor being located outside the tube, and the primary and secondary coils of the motor being located in the tube and on the box. The mobile box also has a signal generator which transmits a prememorized identification signal to a receiver outside the box, to identify destination and other information about the mobile box as it traverses the tube.

Abstract: Fluid cushion equipment comprising a floor having valves supplied by a matrix of fluid supply lines and a fluid cushion platform. Positioning of the platform on or above the valves actively causes them to open to supply fluid beneath the platform which is trapped by flexible hollow tubular skirts. The platforms are driven in the described direction by one or more wheeled drives which are only in contact with the floor when thrust is required.

Abstract: Fingers having air bearings along the bottom thereof are used to quickly load and unload overseas transport containers. Sheet material, such as ribbed plastic (nylon) sheeting, is automatically dispensed between the fingers and loading deck so that it provides a smooth surface as the finger traverses the dock. A frame is mounted to the front of the finger, with a shaft on which the sheet material is coiled mounted to the frame, and an air motor for applying a generally constant tension (e.g. about 10 lbs. per square inch) to the plastic sheet. A hook or magnet is mounted in a recess in the deck and engages the free, leading end of the sheet material to hold it stationary on the deck as the finger traverses the deck, and thereby provide for automatic dispensing and take up of the sheet material.

Abstract: A wafer transporter comprising a plurality of plane electrodes which are horizontally coplanar with each other. The plane electrodes face the wafer to be transported. A plurality of air nozzles are provided through the electrodes, and air is blown from the nozzles perpendicularly toward the wafer surface. A voltage is applied between the electrodes facing the wafer. The applied voltage is divided by the capacitances between the wafer which is electrically conductive, and the electrodes, thus the wafer is attracted vertically toward the electrode, and is maintained without friction by the balance of the repulsive force of the air blowing and the attractive electrostatic force. The divided voltages become unequal due to the difference of the wafer area facing respective electrodes. This voltage difference produces a horizontal force which moves the wafer in a horizontal direction. The wafer is forced to stay at a balancing point where the induced voltages are equal.

Abstract: The shoe has a flat surface which can slide with reduced friction on a guide surface, means for introduction and distribution of compressed air to generate a supporting air cushion between the said surfaces, and a plurality of permanent magnets generating a force of attraction between the shoe and the guide surface in such a way as to cause the shoe itself to stop immediately when the supply of compressed air is interrupted.

Abstract: An externally propelled load transporting apparatus that transports a uniformly distributed, non-uniformly distributed, or shifting load upon a cushion of air by first directing pressurized air into at least two plenum chambers and then through at least one flexible perforated sheet, wherein each plenum is substantially, independently pressurized.

Abstract: An improved runner for use with a sailrail hydrostatic bearing levitation system is disclosed. The runner uses a substantially solid core having a degree of flexibility in a vertical plane, a thin pad of flexible, compliant material covering at least the transversely convex lower surface of the core, and an outer flexible, compliant cover enclosing the pad and the core. In another embodiment there is pad material on the upper surface of the core as well. The runner can be secured to a pallet and provides specific advantages over prior art runners which had a larger profile, were more expensive and were not as efficient as the low profile runner of this invention.

Abstract: An amusement ride down a ramp containing two air suspension flumes and a return conveyor belt system. The ramp is in a climate controlled transparent housing. There is ducting in the ramp for air conditioning, compressed air, and other possible fluid needs along the ramp and at its top portion. The upper half of the housing may be transparent. The cars have a transparent canopy and enclose room enough for three passengers. The ramp has modular sections supported by stanchions the height of which are hydraulically adjustable by automatic sensing devices; possibly using laser light or other types of electrical sensing apparatuses.

Abstract: An apparatus for maneuvering and performing measurements on rail vehicles, which apparatus comprises a number of platforms, each designed to travel on a horizontal surface and having pneumatically supported traversing means for moving the platform over the aforementioned surface, a pair of parallel guides for supporting and enabling rolling of the vehicle wheels, and measuring means; which appparatus also comprises a number of removable connecting devices, each designed to be set to a first configuration wherein it connects two adjacent platforms with the axes of the respective guides substantially in line, and a second configuration wherein the two adjacent platforms are separated.

Abstract: A runway for a conveyor whereby a transporting pallet which straddles the runway is floated in the air by air discharged from the runway and is conveyed by a linear motor provided in the runway. Air ducts to supply air to the upper part of the runway are provided symmetrically. Compressed air discharged upwardly and sideways from nozzle holes at the upper part of the runway floats the transporting pallet which runs above and along the runway by operation of the linear motor. The runway having open spaces for air ducts and an open space for installation of linear motors is made by extrusion from a metallic mold.

Abstract: A fluid levitated generally convex support member particularly useful in supporting a pallet, plate or belt such that the pallet, plate or belt load may be moved in an air powered track system, the system including at least one concave track with means for supporting and guiding the convex member and the pallet, plate or belt thereabove on a thin film of pressurized air jetting from nozzles in the track. The support member includes a generally tubular, flexible and partly deformable outer member and means for internally stressing the outer member so that under load there will be controlled deformation thereof. The deformed member will be closely complementary to the track surface to maximize load carrying capacity while minimizing fluid support power requirements and the detrimental effect of track deformities.

Abstract: A switching device for a transporting track on which a pallet travels supported on a cushion of air which includes a rotatable track having air jets to support the pallet and which is supported on an air bearing, a first linear motor for turning the air bearing, a second linear motor for driving and braking the pallet and a positioning device for accurately positioning the rotatable track in alignment with a fixed regular track.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a vehicle which is both lifted and propelled by air flow. The vehicle comprises an upper deck, a depending peripheral side wall and a flexible, perforated sheet secured beneath the bottom of the side wall, thereby defining an open plenum. A propeller in an air flow directing cowl seats atop the deck and part of the air flow is directed into the plenum and the remainder of the air flow is directed to move the vehicle. The underside of the upper deck disperses air in the plenum. Alternatively, the propeller is part of a duct which directs air into and disperses it around the plenum. The cowl includes an air dam for trapping reverse flowing air. A rudder directs the motion of the vehicle. The plenum narrows in width toward the front and diminishes in height away from the plenum inlet through the upper deck.

Abstract: Motion is imparted to a car (12) by a cable (10) that runs along the length of a guideway (14) in sheaves (22). To accommodate directional changes in the guideway (14), the sheaves (22) are oriented in a range of configurations, including orientations (22C, 22D) above the cable (10). A guiderail (30) is located high on a side of the guideway (14) and imparts guidance to the car (12) via a rail follower (38) on the car. A cable clamp (54) attaches the car (12) to the cable (10) and displaces the cable (10) a large amount from the sheaves (22) to avoid impingement of the clamp (54) and sheaves (22). The cable clamp (54) is disposed so as to occupy the area defined by the rail follower (38). Cable supports (56,56), disposed forward and rearward of the cable clamp (54) displace the cable (10) by a small amount from the sheaves (22) and replace the cable (10) onto the sheaves (22). The cable supports (56,56) are disposed so as to occupy the area defined by the cable as displaced (55) by the cable clamp (54).

Abstract: An air assisted sliding device has a pallet supported on a base. The pallet has a recess provided on the periphery of its bottom surface in which a flexible tubular sealing member is mounted. The sealing member has a memory normally contracting it so as to be flat. An air passage communicates with the interior of the flexible sealing member so that compressed air can be fed to it. A groove is evenly provided on the bottom surface of the pallet within the bounds of the recess and a separate air passage for feeding compressed air or vacuum air is communicated with the groove so that the pallet may be provided with an air film of compressed air or may be stopped and a vacuum applied to attract the pallet to the base at a predetermined position on the base. A timing belt drive or an electromagnetic motor is used.