Abstract: In a transportation/logistics system in which a pallet/vehicle with an automobile/container mounted/fixed thereon travels, a normal steering operation is carried out by changing the direction of the wheels (including tires) by an electronically controlled automatic steering system on the basis of steering information, whereby comfortable travel and a smooth turns are obtained. When the pallet/vehicle is about to run off a lane on which it travels, the run-off thereof is prevented physically and mechanically since a fin provided on the pallet/vehicle is inserted in a groove provided in a road, whereby a safe traffic/transportation system is obtained. The pallet/vehicle obtains a driving force by a gap length regulated/controlled linear induction motor so that the pallet/vehicle can travel at high speeds.

Abstract: A model monorail system having at least one engine and at least one car coupled thereto, both being configured to move along a single upper rail member that is supported in an elevated position by a plurality of upright rail supports. In the preferred embodiment, each monorail engine assembly comprises one front wheel subassembly with a rotatable front wheel, one wheel subassembly with counter-rotating drive wheels, two weighted electrical pick-up subassemblies which are also pivotal, pivotal wheel-coupler assemblies attached to each end of each car assembly, as well as a plurality of safety arm subassemblies and a plurality of roller arm subassemblies, which together surround the upper surface, both side surfaces, and the bottom surface of the upper rail member to securely maintain the engine assemblies and coupled car assemblies in position on top of the upper rail member at all times during use.

Abstract: An electric vehicle transport system makes conventional electric vehicles practical for cross-country or inter-city travel, and greatly decreases air pollution caused by emissions from combustion engine vehicles, and at the same time allows the vehicle occupant(s) to operate their vehicle electrical accessories as they are being transported, and arrive at their destination with fully charged batteries. A plurality of electric transport modules run on an electric rail guideway between loading and unloading stations and transport one or more individual electric powered vehicles, which may have a limited driving range, or fuel powered vehicles. The vehicles are driven onto the electric transport modules, secured to a parking platform, and the vehicle battery or electrical system is connected to an electrical power supply on the transport module. The occupant(s) selects and inputs their desired destination into a computerized control system of the electric transport module.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for conveying an article on a loading platform of a vehicle by installing sensor switches on the top surface of the loading platform so that the proper loading of an article on the vehicle can be monitored and ensured in such a way that the movement of the vehicle can be stopped when the sensor switches sense an improper positioning of the article.

Abstract: A conveying system is provided for moving a pallet along straight and curved paths. The conveying system includes a track on which the pallet is mounted for movement by a motor driven roller which engages a stationary shaft mounted on the track. The drive roller is urged into contact with the shaft and is capable of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation in order to effectuate forward or reverse motion of the pallet. A control device is provided for controlling the speed and stopping and starting the pallet. The control device may include object detectors and/or switches for stopping the pallet in response to objects on the track or for stopping the pallet at predetermined locations.

Abstract: A primary inductive track or path 450 for a resonant inductive power distribution system is made up from a number of modules 453, each supplied as a pre-built and substantially pre-tuned segment of the track. These modules have more than one capacitor 456, 457 and more than one inductance 458, 459 (generally, the inductance is the intrinsic inductance of the length of track) and each capacitor and adjacent inductor is capable of resonating at its own native frequency. A zero-inductance cable 452, carrying a small fraction of the circulating resonant current (comprising a mis-match or an error current), directly connects the capacitors at poles having equal polarity and tends to constrain the system limiting possible frequencies of resonance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amusement ride having a self-propelled electric powered ride vehicle capable of maximum acceleration of about 0.3 to as much as about 1.1 G's in either direction using a unique pinch wheel drive system, and including an on board vehicle controller and peripheral equipment for controlling the vehicle. The pinch wheel drive system, which compresses driven wheel motor packages against a tractive surface, generates compression using a system which is independent of the vehicle's weight and motion. A master controller is provided for ride systems having multiple self-propelled vehicles on the same track for communicating with and coordinating the movement of the ride vehicles. This allows precise control of multiple ride vehicles to allow faster dispatch and shorter intervehicular spacings by implementing a floating zone control.

Abstract: A transport system having (i) electrical movers for moving in a travel direction along a guide rail, each having (a) a drive wheel, (b) a brakeless electric motor for rotating the drive wheel, (c) a photoelectric switch adapted to sense the proximity of an object, (d) a contact member for stopping movement of the electric mover at a predetermined location, the photoelectric switch being disposed in the travel direction ahead of said contact member for switching the supply of electrical power to the motor upon sensing or ceasing to sense a previously sensed proximity of an object, and (ii) a stopping mechanism located along the guide rail for stopping the movement of an electric mover, including (a) a stopper adapted in an operative position thereof to stop a moving electrical mover by contact with the contact member, and to allow movement of the electrical mover when the stopper is not in its operative position, (b) a shifter for shifting the stopper in and out of its operating position, and (c) a detectable

Abstract: A compact, low maintenance, simple-design drive motor (1) for a vehicle wheel (2), rotatably mounted on a running gear (8), is obtained by virtue of the fact that an external rotor motor (1) is provided as the drive motor. The external rotor (3) of the external rotor motor (1) is designed as a wheel support and is rotatably mounted on the running gear (8) and on the stator laminations (4). Stator laminations (4) of the external rotor motor (1) are mounted in the external rotor (3) and nonrotatably mounted on the running gear (8).

Abstract: A transport system having a first electric rail car adapted to be propelled over a guide rail, a rail car stopping device being disposed separately from the first rail car along the guide rail, the first rail car having a brakeless motor, an electric power supply circuit for the motor, a wheel driven from the electric motor, a first limit switch, a second limit switch, the first and second limit switches being in the electric power supply circuit for selectively cutting off the supply of electricity to the motor, a stop engaging member, and stopping control device for a second electric rail car following the first electric rail car, the stopping control device having an elongated member projecting rearwardly from the first electric rail car for opening a second limit switch of the second electric rail car when the second electric rail car approaches the first electric rail car closer than a predetermined distance to prevent a collision between the first and second electric rail cars, the stopping control devi

Abstract: A toy wheel for a model electric train is provided which is formed of two parts axially arranged next to each other. One part of the wheel has a rolling face having a high coefficient of friction for engagement with a track rail. The other part of the wheel is electrically conducting and, in use, engages a side of the track rail. A spring biases the electrically conducting part toward the rolling part and, in use, into electrical engagement with the current carrying rail on which the rolling part rides.

Abstract: An automated electric transportation system which has an electrically driven vehicle (30) including onboard energy storage (34), combined road wheels (56) and rail wheels (58) along with manual controls (68) for transporting people and objects from one place to another. A network of roads (60) and rails (62) is employed with an electrical power bus (100) positioned adjacent to the rails for electrically powering the vehicle while on the rails. An overhead monolift (196) removes the vehicle from the road using a strut arm (208) with casters (184) that extends above the vehicle and deposits the vehicle on the railroad tracks where it is controlled by an onboard computer (134). Automatic controls and indication (132) including this computer regulate the speed and relationship to other vehicles while on the rail network. Another monolift (196) removes the vehicle from the tracks in a similar manner.

Abstract: A transporting device has at least one autonomous workpiece carrier provided with an electric device and a drive control, and a path system provided with a plurality of stations. The workpiece carrier is provided with a unit for determining the operational parameter of the workpiece carrier and reacting to the deviation of the operational parameter from a predetermined value.

Abstract: A power collection system for a transportation system with a vehicle and a guideway includes a stator winding disposed in the guideway for generating a traveling magnetic field which propagates in the guideway and a rotating magnetic rotor disposed in the vehicle including a plurality of magnetic poles which couple with the traveling magnetic field and synchronize the local field of the rotor adjacent the stator winding with the traveling magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a free transfer machine equipped with independent motorized carriages. Each carriage comprises a variable speed motor, a rechargeable battery connected to contact blocks, and an individual travelling control system comprising a motor supply and control circuit which is controlled by a switch actuated by a front bumper and by a contactor mounted in series with the switch and carried by the lower face of the carriage in such a way as to be actuated by the retractable stop members. The circuit is also under the control of environment sensors. The trackway comprises, in relation to each work station, reed-contacts connected to an electric charge device and designed to cooperate with the contact blocks. The invention finds an application in transfer machines for production and assembly lines.

Abstract: A transportation system including a solar energy collecting monorail structure formed with a photovoltaic surface layer having a solar energy converting means for converting the collected solar energy to electrical energy. A power distribution means for distributing stored energy to transit vehicles being propelled along the monorail structure or distributing excess energy to a remote power utility source. The monorail structure includes means for propelling a transit vehicle according to magnetic principals associated with transverse flux motors. The system also includes a computer controlled, elevation compensating monorail structure extrusion machine comprising a fabrication chamber which continuously fabricates the monorail structure along a monorail construction right-of-way.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprises a conveyor rail and an automotive cart which travels along the conveyor rail. The automotive cart obtains power for travel from power supply rails installed in the conveyor rail. The automotive cart has a first signal receiving member for stop signal and a first signal transmitting member for automotive cart signal. The rail has a second signal transmitting member for the stop signal and a second signal receiving member for the automotive cart signal located at suitable positions on the rail. The automotive cart transmits and receives control signals for its travel by means of their signal transmitting members and signal receiving members. The first signal receiving member on the automotive cart is a magnetic sensor, while the second signal transmitting member comprises an electromagnet. The electromagnet includes magnetic pole plates having along the conveyor rail a length which is almost the same as or longer than the brake distance of the automotive cart.

Abstract: A solar-powered rapid transit system is provided, which travels suspended above ground along a horizontal rail, supported by vertical/horizontal supports. The guide rail is basically a parallelogram, with five inner surfaces. It can be configured as either an overhead monorail system, or a birail system. The rail car is attached to and suspended from such rail by power transmission and support shafts, each of which attaches to a wheel box that fits into the horizontal guide rail. Power is transmitted to the wheels in each wheel box from several electric motors by a series of pulleys and belts in a unique configuration. Such wheels then propel the rail car or cars, which can be connected in series, down the rail. Power for electric motors is supplied by rectangular solar panels supported by vertical supports attached to the roof of each rail car, which extend several feet above the rail car and guide rails.

Abstract: A safety floor for a mobile storage system includes one or more flat panels having end brackets that overlie horizontal support surfaces on the system rails. The brackets define longitudinal troughs, in which are mounted leaf springs and safety switches. The leaf springs have lifting pins that extend through holes in the brackets to contact the rail support surfaces and resiliently supported by the panel. The safety switches also have lifter pins that extend through the bracket and that are spaced a predetermined distance above the rail support surfaces. When a person steps on the panel, the panel deflects towards the rail support surface so that a safety switch lifter pin contacts and is actuated by the rail support surface to control the mobile storage system electrical circuitry. The springs are adjustable to accommodate different panel sizes and weights while maintaining the desired distance between the safety switch lifter pins and the rail support surfaces.

Abstract: My conveyor comprises an associated track-bound car including a drive motor supplied with drive current by current-carrying rails, a container, and a cover for the conveyor, as well as a track on which the conveyor runs by a plurality of stations. In order to prevent unauthorized opening of the cover a latch of a locking mechanism mounted in the track-bound car is restrained in a locked configuration. The latch can be unlocked by an electromagnetic unlocking mechanism mounted in the track-bound car. A very simple control of the unlocking mechanism can be provided, when, at a position or station in the conveyor where it is to be unlocked, an unlocking signal generator is present, which is automatically connectable with the track-bound car, in order to supply the unlocking mechanism with a required unlocking current.

Abstract: A low profile safety floor for electrically powered mobile storage systems includes one or more elongated panels that span the building floor between the system rails. To each end of the panels are mounted a pair of leaf springs and a safety switch. The panels are supported above the rails by means of the leaf springs. When a person steps onto the safety floor, the panel is deflected downwardly so that a safety switch is actuated. Positive stops limit the approach of the panel toward the rails. Switch actuation deenergizes the electric motor drive powering the carriages. To prevent panel sag, the panels are manufactured as wood and steel laminates. To further inhibit sagging, the panels are forced into a permanently upwardly convex shape at manufacture.

Abstract: A monorail vehicular system is provided, which uses an elevated track of multipiece construction, with a central electrically insulated panel having a supporting lower metal rail, which acts as one side of an electrical supply system, and with an upper metal rail on top of the central panel for support, and to provide the other side of the electrical system. The lower rail is supported at intervals by clips, carried on spaced vertical poles which rest on bases on the ground or other supporting surface. A car used in the system rides on wide roller type wheels on top of the upper metal rail, has a resiliently urged collector in contact with the upper rail, and a pair of contacts which engage the lower metal rail, with a pair of horizontal stabilizing wheels extending downwardly from the car on each side of the central panel and in contact with it, and which wheels are unequally spaced from the upper rail.

Abstract: A track for a suspended combined electric current collection and traction system including a base (22) and a resilient shield (26, 28) together defining an elongate space divided into two halves by a resilient beam (32), each of which contains a conductor (33). Spaced contact members in the form of bars (34) forming a rack on each side of the track or two rows of Z shaped contacts (82) extend through the shield and are normally spaced from the conductors. Embedded in the base are two parallel flexible metallic cables (40; 70) connected together by connectors (42; 74) by which the track may be suspended. In use, the reaction wheels (60) of a locomotive engage the tops of the cables (40; 70) thus drawing a current pick-up member (52; 86) into contact with the contact segments pressing them against the conductors (33) to pass electric current to an electric motor.

Abstract: A combination of a track formed from sections which are joined one to another with articles such as toy vehicles for movement therealong is provided in which the power for movement of the articles is transmitted onto a magnet in the article from an electric magnetic field supplied to the track. The articles thus are moved without any electrical or mechanical contact with the track. Additional magnets are provided in the articles to provide steering and different speeds of movement of the articles and different frequencies may be induced simultaneously into the track separately to control different articles.

Abstract: A transient voltage suppression apparatus is disclosed for application in conjunction with a power supply line to protect the chopper thyristor in the transit vehicle propulsion motor control apparatus, wherein an electrolytic capacitor is provided to absorb the inductive stored energy of that power supply line in the zener mode of operation of that capacitor upon the occurrence of a system fault condition involving that power supply line.

Abstract: A movable storage system having a plurality of storage units disposed side-by-side and movable relative to each other to selectively open access paths between selected pairs of units. In response to operation of enabling and selection switches, a new aisle is identified, and the necessary units are moved to open the new aisle in a determined time sequence.

Abstract: A shuttle rail assembly, capable of carrying a pair of pallets to which workpieces are fixtured, is mounted on a wheeled vehcile movable along a pair of tracks extending adjacent machine tools and set-up stations. The vehicle is positively driven by a DC motor and pinion, mounted on a adjustable eccentric, which meshes with a toothed rack secured to one of the pair of tracks. A vertical standard extending upward from the vehicle is slidable along power and control electrical buses contained within an enclosed overhead trolley. The shuttle rail assembly includes a pair of rails, extendable to either side of the vehicle by a hydraulic rail motor, mounted on a platform rotatable by a hydraulic index motor to 180.degree. positions when pallets are to be interchanged, and having a 90.degree. latched position during vehicle travel.