Abstract: A control device for conveyor systems in an industrial area has a drive motor in each overhead conveyor, a drive control, and an associated sensor consisting of a transmitter aimed at the leading overhead conveyor and a receiver for the signal reflected by this overhead conveyor. The transmitter is configured to transmit a detection signal not only straight ahead, but also diagonally leftward and rightward ahead. The reflector is designed with a three dimensional reflecting surface contour, so that even with diagonal aiming toward the following overhead conveyor, the signal emitted from its transmitter is reflected at its receiver.

Abstract: An optical scanner transmits a light beam from the forward end of a moving track vehicle with the beam inclined toward the direction of movement toward another vehicle on the track. A highly reflective retroreflector tape is secured to the rear end of the other vehicle having an effective reflector region offset from the location of the transmission of the beam at the scanner. The angle of inclination and the amount of offset geometry are proportional to the distance between the vehicles. The scanner senses the return beam which is coaxial with the transmitted beam using a Schmitt trigger circuit to sense the threshold level of the returned beam. The resulting output signal is used to stop the moving vehicle at a predetermined spacing from the other vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for automatically controlling the distance between vehicles following each other on the same drive track which includes in each vehicle a drive device, brake device, distance sensing device, vehicle speed measuring device, and control device. Paralleling the drive track are a neutral rail and a control rail. The drive device drives the vehicle. The brake device brakes the vehicle. The distance sensing device generates a distance variable. The vehicle speed measuring device measures a speed of the vehicle, and generates speed signals based thereon. The control device controls the drive device to drive the vehicle at a speed based on a speed control variable. The control device generates the speed control variable based on the distance variable. The speed control variable is less than the distance variable.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising a plurality of self-propelled carriers with each carrier having a distance sensor for stepwise detecting the distance between each carrier and a preceding carrier, and a device for controlling the speed of each carrier to maintain the distance within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Safe separation distances between automatically controlled vehicles moving at short headways on a guideway are maintained through the cooperative action of a block control system and reflectometer (radar) and transponder (beacon) intervehicle distance measuring equipment installed in vehicles. A reflectometer determines distance to a leading vehicle through measurement of the delay between a transmitted signal and a received signal relayed by a transponder in the leading vehicle. A transmission line acts as the medium of transmission. Problems associated with non-transponder-equipped reflectometers are obviated. In the event of transponder malfunction, the block control system maintains backup safety regardless of transponder activity in other vehicles. Exessively short block lengths generally required for short-headway maintenance by block control systems are not required.

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) is disclosed comprised of a plurality of vehicles (12), propelled about a guide track (14) by a D.C. motor (54) and battery (52), featuring an on-board control (40) in which signals from fore and aft and side mounted photosensors (32,34,36,38) are processed by a microprocessor (42), to generate control signals for pulse width modulated control of the power to the D.C. motor (54). The control signals are applied to a motor driver circuit (50), including an H-bridge of MOSFET switching components (Q1,Q2 A ramping or progressive variation of the power applied to the motor (54) is carried out to provide gradual acceleration or deceleration, and the fore and aft photo-detectors (32,34) are triggered by the approach of another vehicle (12) at a substantial distance, to accommodate the distance required for gradual deceleration when the vehicles (12) are being queued at points along the track (14).

Abstract: A proximity switching system comrising a plurality of self-propelled vehicles mounted in tandem on a track and carrying magnetic proximity switches for controlling the vehicle propulsion. Each vehicle has a first magnet mounted on the front end at a first position, a second magnet mounted on the back end at a second position, a first magnetic reed switch mounted on the front end at a position congruent with the second position on the back end, and a second magnetic reed switch mounted on the back end at a position congruent with the first position on the front end. A pair of electric rails are mounted next to the track. Each vehicle includes contacts for receiving voltages on the rails. A DC motor drives the vehicles on the track in one of two directions dependent on the polarity of the voltages, and for not driving the vehicles in response to the closure of the first switch when the voltage has one polarity and in response to the closure of the second switch when the voltage has an opposite polarity.

Abstract: A rail vehicle of a type for running on a pair of parallel rails has an apparatus for detecting the distance between it and a forward remote vehicle, for detecting the speed of the forward remote vehicle and for detecting discontinuities in the track. This is achieved by a first electrical contact for engaging one of the rails which applies a voltage between the contact and the first set of wheels of the vehicle which generate a short across the two rails. The spacing between the contact and the first set of wheels is such that a current runs from the contact forwardly of the vehicle to a short circuit across the rails generated by the next adjacent remote vehicle and back to a second electrical contact on the vehicle contacting the other rail. The magnitude of the voltage difference between the second contact and the first set of wheels is then measured to provide an indication of the distance between the vehicle and the next adjacent remote vehicle.

Abstract: A self-propelled remotely controlled satellite car precedes a train along train tracks. The satellite car is remotely controlled to travel a predetermined distance ahead of the train. The satellite car is equipped with a sensor array which measures a variety of different parameters such as sound level, temperature, the presence of noxious gases, moisture, orientation with respect to the direction of the force of gravity and vibration level. The satellite car may be equipped with a television camera. Information gathered by the satellite car is transmitted back to the train to enable the train engineer to be apprised of conditions existing on the tracks ahead of the train in order to have time to react to potential hazards. Position indicators disposed along the tracks transmit position information to the satellite car to permit the satellite car to correlate measured information with expected information.

Abstract: A device for indicating a certain proximity between movable units emitting to the units a synchronizing signal with a very high transmission speed. A transmitter device is situated at least on certain of the units. The transmitter device is activated by the synchronizing pulse to emit an information signal in the form of a wave propagation movement in the medium in which the units are located. The wave propagation movement has in comparison with the synchronizing signal a considerably lower transmission speed. In at least certain others of the units the information signal is received by and related to the difference in time between the synchronizing signal and the received information signal to a predetermined time value corresponding to a certain proximity between the units. Thereafter the difference in time is evaluated in relation to the predetermined time value.

Abstract: An automated transportation system for vehicular travel along a roadway is presented. The roadway can be any hard surface that contains an embedded metallic guiderail along its center. A proximity transducer (metal detector) installed under the vehicle, senses the metallic guiderail and sends steering commands to the vehicle's steering actuators to keep the vehicle moving in the center of the roadway directly over the guiderail. Transponders are embedded along the guiderail at selected points for automatic roadway identification, position determination and automatic speed, headway and route selection and automatic traffic control. The system also provides automatic branching and lane changing. The vehicle's control system includes sensors, signal processors, a microprocessor and various power actuators that are connected to the vehicle's steering, braking and accelerator systems. An on-board collision avoidance system using sonic or radar detection means is also provided.

Abstract: A railway safety system uses intensity of current measurements in order that a train driver can have a continuous evaluation of the mutual distance between his train and the next one in front of or rear to it. Two ammeters give this indication by measuring the current intensity in the corresponding circuit encompassed on a resistive line parallel to the railroad, by the associate sliding contacts on both trains, since each train is provided with a pair of pantographs in contact with said resistive line and a generator of d.c. which thus flows in the circuit closed by two trains and comprising the half circuit in series with the concerned pantograph of each train and the intermediate length of resistive line. A reverser relay applies the voltage of the generator to either of the two half circuits of a train. Switch relays may be provided to operate acoustic signals and/or the automatic braking device at given values of the flowing current.

Abstract: Detecting device for detecting the position of a mobile object movable in at least one given path. It comprises a distance sensor fixed to the object and a distance information support extending along said path so that it can be scanned by the sensor. The sensor comprises means for producing distance signals pertaining to the instantaneous position of the mobile object.A positioning device for said mobile object employs the detecting device and includes a circuit for treating the electric signal furnished by the detecting device.

Abstract: An anti-collision safety control for vehicles travelling on tracks; the control comprises two safety loops per vehicle, linked to two common loops in a central control station. Each vehicle loop comprises control circuits for determining the distance to the next preceding vehicle, for determining a safe stopping distance for the vehicle, and for stopping the vehicle if the distance to the preceding vehicle becomes smaller than the safe stopping distance or if there is a failure of a safety circuit. The distance control circuit comprises a detector for detecting reference points provided along the track, a counter for calculating the distance of a vehicle from a given zero location, and a delay circuit for converting this distance into a position signal timed to a synchronization pulse received by all vehicles. Position signals from all vehicles are transmitted to the central control and back to the vehicles; the distance to an immediately preceding vehicle is determined by comparing the position pulses.