Supplemental Car Wheels And Rails Patents (Class 104/243)
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Patent number: 12038733Abstract: This application discloses an automation system, including a non-contact power-supply device and a moving body device. The non-contact power-supply device includes a power rail, a power-obtaining circuit, and a power supply receiving circuit. The moving body device includes a body, an inverter circuit, and a motor-control circuit. The non-contact power-supply device is configured to supply power to the moving body device.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: HKC CORPORATION LIMITEDInventor: Huailiang He
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Patent number: 11996012Abstract: A 360 degree interactive studio can include an arrangement of screens that enclose a performance area. The screens can be used to display an audience around the performance area and can provide an opening through which performers can enter the performance area. A 360 degree arrangement of speakers can be used to project audio of the displayed audience into the presentation area. A 360 degree arrangement of lighting can also be used to illuminate the performance area. In this way, the 360 degree interactive studio can create a live event environment for the performers and the audience even though the audience is remotely located. At least one screen of the 360 degree interactive studio can be movable. A movable screen can also be used independent of a 360 degree interactive studio.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Better Way Productions LLCInventors: Eric Worre, Marina Worre
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Patent number: 11814038Abstract: A system for securing the parking of an automobile vehicle parked on a parking area (Z), the vehicle including two steering wheels, and a actuator to modify the orientation of the steering wheels without the action of the driver, the system including a control unit (UC), a system for detecting a parked state of the automobile vehicle, a sensor for detecting the slope of the parking area, sensor for determining the orientation of the steering wheels with respect to the axis of the vehicle, the control unit (UC) being configured to determine the orientation of the steering wheels to put the vehicle in a decreased danger configuration in case of an unwanted movement of the vehicle, and to sending an instruction to the actuator to orientate the steering wheels according to the orientation determined by the control unit (UC).Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: FOUNDATION BRAKES FRANCEInventors: Lennart Witte, Aleksander Hurwic
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Patent number: 11305791Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a rail transport system. The rail transport system includes: a rail, where the rail is provided with an escape passage; and a rail vehicle, where the rail vehicle includes a vehicle body and a plurality of bogies, the plurality of bogies respectively movably straddles the rail, and the vehicle body is connected to the plurality of bogies and pulled by the plurality of bogies to travel along the rail; and the vehicle body includes a plurality of compartments hinged sequentially along a length direction of the rail. The rail transport system according to this embodiment of the present disclosure has advantages such as facilitation of evacuation of passengers in an emergency, low costs, small occupied space, small rail weight bearing, high stability, and large passenger capacity.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Lin Ren, Hao Zeng, Junjie Liu, Fanghong Peng, Xingcan Huang
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Patent number: 10435095Abstract: A method for the transport of elongated workpieces and workers, in a production line which has a rectilinear production section. A plurality of conveyor trolleys, which respectively have an assembly platform that extends over the whole of the conveyor trolley length and is accessible for workers, move in the rectilinear production section jointly along a direction of conveyance and form a convoy in which the assembly platforms of adjacent conveyor trolleys adjoin one another in an at least substantially gap-free manner. The workpieces are arranged in such a way on the assembly platforms that a longitudinal direction of the workpieces is arranged at an angle between 25° and 65°, and preferably of about 45°, to the direction of conveyance.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: EISENMANN SEInventor: Gernot Herwig
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Patent number: 10233594Abstract: The invention may be described as including a switch guard casting, a switch guard assembly for a railway intersection, as well as a rail intersection design and a switch guard assembly therefor.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Cleveland Track Material, Inc.Inventor: James A. Remington
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Patent number: 10228608Abstract: A camera slider assembly for supporting a camera thereon including a frame with a pair of rails and a carriage body that rolls longitudinally along the rails upon which a camera can be supported. A flywheel is supported on the carriage body for rotation relative to the carriage body about a flywheel axis which is movable with the carriage body in the longitudinal direction relative to the frame. A pulley cable is connected between the flywheel and one of the wheels of the carriage body to rotate the flywheel responsive to rolling of the wheels of the carriage body along the rails. A brake member on the carriage body is pivotal on the carriage body between braking and released positions about the same axis as the flywheel. The flywheel can accordingly be rotatably supported upon the brake member to support the flywheel on the carriage body.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Inventor: Dennis Wood
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Patent number: 9821824Abstract: A vehicle includes running wheels traveling on traveling road surfaces of tracks; a pair of position detection parts disposed at an interval in a width direction that output signals by detecting a distance from measured objects; a control unit controlling the amount of steering of the running wheels according to the signals from the position detection parts; and a steering mechanism steering the running wheels via the control unit. Each of the position detection parts outputs a signal having characteristics such that the output increases as the distance from the measured objects increases while an output change ratio is decreased in a range wherein the distance from the measured objects is not less than a predetermined value, and is configured such that, when the distance between one position detection part and the measured object is decreased, the distance between the other position detection part and the measured object is increased.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeyama, Takahiro Suzuki, Kousuke Katahira
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Patent number: 9764738Abstract: A road-condition determining unit determines the condition of a travelling road on which a vehicle is travelling. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a stopping controller operates a braking mechanism to perform an automatic stop process of stopping the vehicle, and uses a steering mechanism to change the orientation of steered wheels of the vehicle in accordance with the condition of the travelling road which is determined by the road-condition determining unit when the automatic stop process is to end.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masayuki Nakatsuka, Kei Oshida
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Patent number: 9555819Abstract: A guided vehicle includes a guidance unit having first and second V-mounted guide pulleys resting on first and second running surfaces of a guide rail. The running surfaces are on sides of a median longitudinal plane of the guide rail and each pulley has a flange for freely gripping the guide rail. A device and method protecting against loss of vehicle guidance include a section with longitudinal height fixed along its length to a guide rail part, between running surfaces, the section having a cross-section guiding the unit during derailment or loss of guidance thereof with the section fixed to the guide rail part. The cross-section geometry holds the first pulley flange on the side of the median plane including the first pulley running surface and the second pulley flange on the side including the second pulley running surface. A device fixes the section to the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS S.A.S.Inventor: Luciano Consoli
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Patent number: 8973507Abstract: The present invention provides a bogie for a guide rail type vehicle that runs along a predetermined guideway. The bogie includes a turn frame connected to a vehicle body; an axle turnably mounted to the turn frame via bearings and; a guide frame mounted to the axle; a first pair of guide wheels rotatably provided at a vehicle body end side portion of the guide frame; a second pair of guide wheels rotatably provided at a vehicle body center side portion of the guide frame; a stopper provided so as to project from an upper surface on a vehicle body side of the axle toward the vehicle body; and a pair of stopper receivers arranged facing each other at intervals from the stopper in a vehicle lateral direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Kurahashi, Nobuyuki Fujio, Hiroyuki Kono, Yukihide Yanobu, Akihisa Kawauchi, Kousuke Katahira
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Publication number: 20140311377Abstract: RailPods are an alternative personal rapid transit system that operate on and utilize existing railroad infrastructure. RailPods are one to two passenger vehicles that travel on one rail of a traditional railroad track. RailPods provide on-demand transportation to cities and towns where rail exists or can be built.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: RAIL POD INCORPORATEDInventor: Brendan ENGLISH
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Patent number: 8851253Abstract: A vehicle-related system adapted for electrically driving a vehicle along a road-way. The vehicle has three sources of power: a vehicle-related power generator, a set of batteries and vehicle-external electric stations. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be connected with an electric station.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Elways ABInventor: Gunnar Asplund
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Patent number: 8776970Abstract: An arrangement adapted for letting water pass by electrical conductors and their contact surfaces related to a track of a system adapted for electrically driving a vehicle along a roadway. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be supplied with current and put under voltage. At least two or three tracks are disposed parallel to each other in a common rail structure, with at least two of these tracks being adapted to support and contain individual electrical conductors with contact surfaces put under voltage, and wherein at least one track is disposed closer to the highest point of the roadway and adjacent to a track containing one of said conductors with contact surfaces, which may be put under voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Elways ABInventor: Gunnar Asplund
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Patent number: 8776969Abstract: An arrangement for overload restriction associated with a system adapted for electrically driving a vehicle along a roadway. The vehicle is provided with a current collector, which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be supplied with current and put under voltage. The arrangement comprises a circuit for limiting the momentary power outlet connected to said vehicle-external power source and being adapted to supply power to said conductor within the roadway section via said switch when the vehicle passes.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Elways ABInventor: Gunnar Asplund
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Patent number: 8763774Abstract: A rail structure related to a track of a system adapted for electrically driving a vehicle along a roadway. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be supplied with current and put under voltage. The rail structure comprises one or more tracks oriented parallel with external wall sections made of metal, and a partition separating the external wall sections and comprising an intermediate wall made of an electrically conductive material. Conductors are arranged in a lower portion of the tracks, respectively. The tracks comprise electrically insulating layers applied to surface portions facing each other of said wall sections and the partition, the insulating layers being coordinated with the lower portions and intended to support the conductors.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Elways ABInventor: Gunnar Asplund
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Patent number: 8342101Abstract: Disclosed is a transportation system with integrated infrastructure. In one embodiment, this infrastructure takes the form of a hollow elevated load bearing guideway structure designed to support the weight of traveling vehicles. The structure supports a backbone beam, or rail, that has multiple functions. These functions may include vehicle control, security, and energy delivery. The structure is bimodal meaning vehicles can have wheels like cars or steel rimmed wheels like a train or any combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: WFK & Associates, LLCInventor: Waldemar F. Kissel
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Patent number: 8245648Abstract: A guided vehicle transportation system is described in the application. The system includes guard wheels and a guard rail positioned along a center line of a guide track. The guard rail has a groove in which the guard wheels are received with a predetermined clearance between the periphery of the guard wheels and side walls of the groove. The guard rail has a flange extending toward the groove at the top of each side wall. The vehicle has first arms extending in longitudinal direction and being attached rotatably at a central part of an axle provided for suspending each pair of front wheels and rear wheels, and the guard wheels are attached rotatably and directly to the both end parts of the first arms or attached rotatably to both end parts of second arms each of which is attached to a corresponding end part of the first arms.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shunji Morichika, Katsuaki Morita, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Kosuke Katahira, Yasuhiro Nagamichi
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Patent number: 8161889Abstract: The present invention provides the structure of a bogie for a vehicle in a track type transportation system in which the vehicle runs along a predetermined track, which can be simplified, and lightweight and which can be run at a high speed with the maintainability therefor being enhanced, comprising a guide rail 14 laid on the track 12, guide wheels 51 capable of traveling being made into contact with the guide rail 14, a guide arm 48 attached thereto with the guide wheels 51, and a guide wheel support bracket 52 for supporting the guide arm 48 arranged underneath an axle 22 of the vehicle so that the guide arm 48 is pivotable around a pivotal vertical support shat 56, left and right of the vehicle, and the guide arm 48, the guide wheels 51 and the guide wheel support bracket 52 constitute a unit structure which is attached to the axle 22 or a bogie frame 26 of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shunji Morichika, Katsuaki Morita, Hiroyuki Kono, Hiroyuki Mochidome, Hiroshi Yamashita, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Kosuke Katahira
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Patent number: 8151713Abstract: The guidance system comprises two guidance devices (16) mounted in opposite directions either side of the axle (2) and each comprising: a guidance arm (17) terminated by at least one guidance roller (18); a set of articulated connecting rods serving as a deformable link interface (23) between the axle and the guidance arm; and a jack (29) with two independent and opposing rods (30, 31), having a “rods extended” position in which its two rods lock the set of connecting rods to render it rigid and orient the axle, and a “rods retracted” position in which the set of connecting rods is free and allows a lateral oscillation. Preferably, the jack (29) offers an additional function for damping the lateral oscillation. This invention is of interest in the field of the guidance of public transport road vehicles by a rail.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Lohr IndustrieInventor: Jean-Luc Andre
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Patent number: 7891303Abstract: A system for guiding a vehicle along a guiding rail includes a guide roller device, with at least one rolling bearing roller and at least one lateral roller having a diameter and shape contacting the rail so that the lateral roller has the same speed at a point of contact with the rail as the central bearing roller on a rolling surface on the rail. The system can be used for tramways.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Societe Europeenne d'Ingeniere Mecanique - EurodimInventors: Bernard Dupont, Luo Boulat, Rémi Forget
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Patent number: 7788000Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: William D. Davis, Jr.
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Patent number: 7644664Abstract: Guide tracks 56, 56 projecting in a vertical direction are provided in a right and left of a running track 50 and left and right guide rollers 20, 21 are provided on a track guided vehicle and guided using inner surfaces of the left and right guide tracks. Branching rollers 22, 23 each comprising elevating and lowering means are provided in the right and left of the track guided vehicle and outside the right and left guide tracks. Thus, branching and rectilinear progression of the track guided vehicle is controlled by switching between a state where the branching rollers 22, 23 are elevated or lowered to guide the track guided vehicle using outer surfaces of the guide tracks 56, 56 and a state where the branching rollers 22, 23 do not contact with the outer surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2004Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Nakao, Tamotsu Shiwaku, Yoichi Nakamura, Isao Fukuda, Ryosuke Tahara
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Publication number: 20090301342Abstract: A guided vehicle transportation system is provided with which toppling down of the vehicle is prevented even when strong lateral external force exerts on the vehicle. The fail-safe mechanism of the system is composed such that a guard rail 31 having a flange 34 extending horizontally at the upper part of each of its vertical guide surfaces for guiding guard wheels 22, 23 provided to the vehicle is laid down on a guide track 3 (depression 10) along the center lone thereof, the vehicle is provided with automatic steering mechanisms 09 and actuators 06 for steering front and rear traveling wheels, and said guard wheels are provided to the vehicle rotatable in a lateral plane and received in the groove of the guard rail 31. A subsidiary guard wheel 33, which is smaller in diameter than that of the guard wheel 22(23), is provided thereon to be rotatable together with the guard wheel 22(23).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shunji Morichika, Katsuaki Morita, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Kosuke Katahira, Yasuhiro Nagamichi
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Patent number: 7610860Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Movitrade Peninsular, S.L.U.Inventor: Roberto Blanco Montejo
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Patent number: 7562629Abstract: A track section (1) having a framework (2) with two hollow profiled structure boxes (3) open at the top, with substantially rectangular or trapezoid cross-section, maintained parallel and connected by cross members (16) which support a rail (17) for guiding the vehicle. The profiled structure boxes are closed by linear plates acting as running track (8) for the wheels of the vehicle. The inner space (7) provides passage for electrical cables powering the vehicle and/or signaling. The factory prefabricated track sections are ready to be laid on an existing road surface or in a trench with simply compacted base.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Lohr IndustrieInventors: Robert Lohr, René Donnard
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Patent number: 7461599Abstract: The disclosed is a derailment protection apparatus that may comprise a wheel guiding member or a rail contact member having an inclined surface, a descending device to descend the wheel guiding member or the rail contact member, and wherein the inclined surface comes in contact with a rail, when the descending device operates. The derailment protection apparatus may return a wheel of a rolling stock to be deviated from a rail to a normal position, when the rolling stock with a bogie receives an abnormal vibration due to such as earthquake.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Inventor: Masato Hachikawa
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Patent number: 6742458Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Inventor: J. Kirston Henderson
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Patent number: 6679535Abstract: This invention relates to a safety wheel, for a subway coach bogie, or the like, running on pneumatic tires, adapted to be interposed between a chassis of the bogie and a corresponding tire, said wheel presenting an outer peripheral zone having a braking portion as well as a guiding portion projecting radially outwardly from the braking portion, the hardness of the braking portion being much greater than the hardness of the guiding portion. This may be achieved for example by effecting a selective tempering of the braking portion by peripheral nozzles projecting a cooling liquid. This safety wheel is considerably longer lasting than those of the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignees: Alstom Holdings, ValdunesInventors: Alain Landrot, François Demilly
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Publication number: 20030227147Abstract: Narrow aisle truck that on each side includes two forwards extending support legs (1, 2), which each are provided with two support wheels (4, 5). The two outer support wheels are displaced somewhat to the rear in relation to the inner ones and in the corner space outside the inner ones and in front of the outer support wheels lateral guide wheels (6) are arranged.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventors: Magnus Alveteg, Mikael Svensson, Rolf Carlund
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Patent number: 6564721Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Inventor: Robert L. Stiles
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Patent number: 6557676Abstract: Disclosed is a lock-on device including a member and a grounding pad. A first end of the member is configured to be connected to a guide frame of a rail vehicle. The grounding pad is attached to a second end of the member. The grounding pad may be attached to the member in any location suitable for collecting ground from the guide beam during use. A pair of lock-on devices is installed on the vehicle, such that one is located on each side of the guide beam. Since the lock-on device is attached to the guide frame of the vehicle and engages the underneath of the guide beam, any force tending to tip the vehicle will cause the lock-on device to “grab” the guide beam. The relationship of the guide beam and the grounding pad prevents the vehicle from tipping. Thus, track jumping and roll over are inhibited.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems (Technology)Inventor: Robert P. Holuka
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Patent number: 6477963Abstract: A steering apparatus is provided for use on a transit vehicle (10) which includes separate steerable drive tires (45, 50) intended to follow the contour of a guide rail (20). An adjustable linkage (80) transmits the motion of a guide frame (65) following a guide rail (20) to the steerable drive tires (45, 50) and positions the linkage (80) to provide the proper slip angle to the steerable drive tires (45, 50).Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Bombardier Transportaion GmbHInventors: Christian Weule, Ralf Krause, Jeffrey J. Schwalm, Holger Strubelt, William Cooper
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Patent number: 6477964Abstract: A guide system for a forklift includes a single guide rail extending along a path and rollers mounted on the forklift for engagement with opposite sides of the rail. The rollers can move down the rail as the wheels on the forklift become worn.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1999Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Tygard Machine and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Edward Tygard
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Patent number: 6450103Abstract: A monorail system for passenger and light freight transportation provides a support structure with an essentially planar top surface and a stabilizer guide rail having a vertical web portion supporting a head portion. The head guides a vehicle along the top surface while conductors secured to the web portion transmit electrical current to the vehicle through a current collector secured to the vehicle. A portion of the stabilizer guide rail may be flexible providing a simple, inexpensive device for switching the vehicle between a plurality of tracks. The system operates equally well with a variety of vehicle propulsion and suspension systems including electromechanical, magnetic levitation or linear electric motors. In addition, the system may be operated with a semi-maglev system, wherein the vehicle is partially supported by wheels and magnetic levitation.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Inventor: Einar Svensson
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Patent number: 6431082Abstract: A guide wheel assembly, which can be preassembled as a single unit, is configured to be connectable to a guide frame of a rail guided vehicle. The guide wheel assembly generally includes a fixed component connectable to the guide frame and a rotating component rotatably supported on the fixed component by a bearing assembly. The elements of the fixed component, the rotating component and the bearing assembly are assembled on a shaft of the fixed component from a top or first end of the shaft. The shaft includes a support member secured at a second end of the shaft and configured to prevent the rotating component from detaching from the fixed component in the event of bearing failure.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Stefan Kummeter, William K. Cooper, Holger Strubelt, Ralf Krause, Jeffrey J. Schwalm
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Patent number: 6418855Abstract: An industrial truck (1) is driven by a friction drive (7) acting on a rail (6). For this purpose, the industrial truck (1) stands on the underlying surface by way of a front steering-roller pair (3) and a rear fixed-roller pair (5) and is kept on track by a guide roller (9) butting against the rail (6). In the region of a curved element (12), the rail (6) has an elevation, with result that there is an increase there in the propulsion force which can be transmitted by a friction wheel (8) of the friction drive (7). An introduction aid (11) allows the guide roller (9) to be aligned without difficulty in relation to the rail (6). The industrial truck (1), rather than being bound to fixed cyclic operation by its friction drive (7), can be specifically accelerated or decelerated. In the event of malfunctioning of the industrial truck (1), the latter can easily be moved manually.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AGInventor: Dirk Fischer
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Patent number: 6401625Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Inventor: J. Kirston Henderson
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Patent number: 6374748Abstract: A guide rail 2 having cables for non-contact power feeding is laid on a floor 22 in a clean room, and the guide rail 2 serves to guide each of guide rollers 60 of a tracking cart 4, and the cable serves to feed electrical power to a pickup coil of a tracking cart 4. This construction gives a tracking cart system that is easy to construct and easy to alter a layout thereof and is structurally compact and intrinsically clean.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tamotsu Shiwaku, Isamu Matsui, Takashi Nakao
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Patent number: 6363860Abstract: A two-way assembly consisting of a chassis-frame (11) formed by two branches (17) and (18) articulated pivoting about two end pins (21) and (22) each bearing two inclined guide rollers (14) along a rail (8). The chassis-frame (11) is longitudinally movable relative to the road axle (2) for reversing an automatically guided travel direction by the effect of a reversing actuator (15). The chassis-frame (11) can be lifted after the rollers (14) have disengaged from the guide rail (8) by a lifting mechanism acting on the chassis-frame arms. The axle (12) is automatically guided by a subassembly guided (9) by the chassis-frame (11). The guided subassembly (9) capable of being displaced transversely at the rear about a pivot point located in the proximity of the front rollers. The invention is particularly advantageous to manufacturers of rail-mounted road vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Lohr IndustrieInventor: Jean-Luc Andre
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Publication number: 20010037747Abstract: A monorail system for passenger and light freight transportation provides a support structure with an essentially planar top surface and a stabilizer guide rail having a vertical web portion supporting a head portion. The head guides a vehicle along the top surface while conductors secured to the web portion transmit electrical current to the vehicle through a current collector secured to the vehicle. A portion of the stabilizer guide rail may be flexible providing a simple, inexpensive device for switching the vehicle between a plurality of tracks. The system operates equally well with a variety of vehicle propulsion and suspension systems including electromechanical, magnetic levitation or linear electric motors. In addition, the system may be operated with a semi-maglev system, wherein the vehicle is partially supported by wheels and magnetic levitation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2001Publication date: November 8, 2001Inventor: Einar Svensson
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Patent number: 6308640Abstract: A guidance apparatus is used on a transit vehicle which includes separate steerable drive tires operated by a central guidance platform having four peripherally mounted wheels follow the contour of a guide rail. The guide wheels are spaced above the roadway on a guideway used by the steerable drive tires thereby providing the capability of both on-track and off-track driving of the vehicle. A steering linkage imparts the linkage of a guide plateform to one steerable drive tire and a drag link transmits the rotary motion to the second steerable drive tire.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Christian Weule, Ralf Krause, Holger Stubelt, Jeffrey J. Schwalm, William K. Cooper
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Patent number: 6308636Abstract: An in-vehicle switch mechanism for guiding a vehicle along a guideway at converging and diverging points of the guide rails in a guided vehicle system includes a support frame; a pivot assembly; a switch arm assembly pivotably mounted at its proximate end to the pivot assembly; a switch wheel rotatably mounted to the switch arm assembly at its distal end; an actuator for moving the switch arm between a deployed position in which the switch wheel engages a guide rail and a stowed position in which the switch wheel is free of the guide rail; and a biasing device interconnected between the support frame and pivot assembly for pre-loading the switch wheel against the guide rail when the switch wheel is deployed as the vehicle approaches the point of divergence; and an in-vehicle switch system which uses such in-vehicle switch mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: David C. Collins, Albert E. Lewis, Gerald A. Garneau, Jr.
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Patent number: 6298791Abstract: A lateral suspension assembly for a guided vehicle system includes a pair of lateral wheel housings each including a lateral wheel rotatable about spaced vertical axes for engaging spaced opposing guide rails of the guided system; a lateral limit link for limiting outward travel of the lateral wheels beyond a predetermined limit; a pair of spaced support arms pivotably attached at one end to the guided vehicle and at the other to the lateral wheel housings; and a biasing device interconnected with each of the wheel housings for urging the lateral wheels in contact with the guide rails.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 1999Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: David C. Collins, Albert E. Lewis, Gerald A. Garneau, Jr.
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Patent number: 6264330Abstract: A camera positioning system comprising a track having two parallel outer rails and a center rail, a self-propelled camera positioning device comprising a chassis configured to support a camera, wheels coupled to the chassis for riding on the outer rails of the track, and a drive unit for propelling the chassis along the track, said drive means comprising at least one roller coupled to the chassis for engaging the center rail of the track, and a motor for rotating said at least one roller against the center rail, thereby positioning the chassis along the track; and a control logic for controlling the drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Pictures Image WorksInventors: Barry Walton, Bill Schultz, David Cornelius, Chris Barker
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Patent number: 6237504Abstract: A guideway transit system which can reduce a scale of an infrastructure while maintaining ride comfort for passengers of a vehicle is provided. The guideway transit system includes a noncontact vehicle guiding system and a contact vehicle guiding system. The noncontact vehicle guiding system detects information relating to a lateral position of a vehicle on a road and steers the vehicle to move along a predetermined path on the road based on the detected information. The contact vehicle guiding system which restricts a lateral position of the vehicle by a contact between a guide wheel which laterally projects from the vehicle and a guide wall provided on a side of the road. The guideway transit system further includes a controller which prohibits steering of the vehicle by the noncontact vehicle guiding system when a lateral position of the vehicle is restricted by the contact vehicle guiding system. An automated vehicle which is used in the guideway transit system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshio Tanahashi, Norihiko Nakamura, Keiji Aoki, Hiromitsu Kimpara
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Patent number: 6182576Abstract: A monorail system for passenger and light freight transportation provides a support structure with an essentially planar top surface and a stabilizer guide rail having a vertical web portion supporting a head portion. The head guides a vehicle along the top surface while conductors secured to the web portion transmit electrical current to the vehicle through a current collector secured to the vehicle. A portion of the stabilizer guide rail may be flexible providing a simple, inexpensive device for switching the vehicle between a plurality of tracks. The system operates equally well with a variety of vehicle propulsion and suspension systems including electro-mechanical, magnetic levitation or linear electric motors.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1998Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Inventor: Einar Svensson
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Patent number: 6170403Abstract: A boat for spillwater raft rides or similar rides having running gear includes running wheels and lateral guide wheels to accept a force exerted by a portion of the track. A safety device is provided that consists of safety wheels or runners. The latter are located above lateral guide wheels and designed to engage safety rails placed along the line to accept lifting forces.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Heinrich Mack GmbH & Co.Inventor: Georg Behringer
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Patent number: 6161484Abstract: The installation comprises a roadway having at least some segments provided with longitudinal reference marking (10) for a nominal path, and vehicles (18) each carrying an assembly providing guidance by controlling a steering axle, having a module for forming an image of the road ahead of the vehicle (18) and for processing the image of the marking, and an optical guidance module calculating the orientation to be given to the wheels of the steering axle to follow the nominal path, and a steering servo-motor controlled by the guidance module. At at least certain segments of the road carry lateral guides (14, 16) and the vehicles, whose front axles at least are steering axles, are provided on each axle with vertical-axis guide wheels (24) designed to press against the guides (14, 16) in the event of the vehicle departing excessively from a nominal path on the road.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignees: Matra Transport International, Matra Systemes et InformationInventors: Daniel Ferbeck, Michel Rebuffet
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Patent number: 6129028Abstract: A mechanism for steering a beam guided vehicle having four steerable wheels linked to a centrally located steering trolley guided by an electrified T-shape beam mounted on a structural roadbed. A trolley flexibly propelled by the vehicle follows the guide beam to actuate the steering of the wheels. The trolley is quickly detachable by drop-pit access for rapid change-out to periodic off vehicle servicing. Two steering arm sensor posts engaging two sockets in the repositioned trolley guarantee interchangeability of standardized repaired units.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1998Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Inventor: John B. Shaw