Abstract: A transit system implementing a reduced voltage braking scheme is provided. The transit system includes a guideway extending between freight loading and freight unloading stations. Freight carrying vehicles are moveable along the guideway between the stations. The guideway is divided into a number of blocks with each block including at least two linear motor primaries located along the guideway at spaced intervals. A controller is associated with each block and communicates with the linear motor primaries as well as with sensors positioned along the guideway within the block. The controller is in communication with the controllers in the adjacent upstream and downstream blocks and provides an occupied signal to the upstream block when a vehicle is detected in the block.

Abstract: An electric monorail conveyor wherein the vehicles are suspended from and advance along an elongated guide rail. The electric motor of each vehicle receives current from a third rail which is adjacent the guide rail and includes first sections alternating with second sections at locations where the vehicles are to be brought to a halt. The second sections are galvanically separated from the first sections and receive low-frequency current from a frequency converter which can reduce the frequency when the motor of a vehicle is electrically connected with a second section. This renders it possible to arrest the vehicles in predetermined positions with a tolerance of not more than .+-.2 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aerial transport system which comprises an aerial track having therealong a pair of electric current-carrying cables in a parallel relationship with respect to one another and with respect to the track, and self-propelled carriages. Each carriage has an electric current collector to collect electric power from the current-carrying cables and to supply the power to an electrical driving mechanism mounted thereon for driving wheels engaging with the track. The current-carrying cables are separated at longitudinal given intervals so as to define respectively independent electric power supply zones. The transport system further includes a system for controlling electric power supply for the vehicle or carriage including a mechanism for detecting a vehicle or carriage position in the track provided in each power supply zone.