Abstract: In an operating system for a movable body that runs on a guide rail, a communication method is described that establishes communications between the movable body and an operation control unit for controlling running of the movable body. Power lines on which electric power is transmitted are laid on the guide rail. The movable body is runnable upon reception of the electric power from the power lines. The method includes the steps of (a) generating a communication signal in either the movable body or the operation control unit; (b) superimposing the communication signal on electric power to be transmitted on the power lines; (c) receiving the electric power with the superimposed communication signal at the other of the movable body or the operation control unit; and (d) acquiring the communication signal from the received electric power.

Abstract: A section insulator for securing adjoining overhead contact wires for use by electric vehicles having a current collector, such section insulator including structural members to prevent destructive arcing caused by the passage of the current collector thereover. The structural members include first and second tension beams with replaceable arc shields mounted thereon, an adjustable center runner which can be lowered to compensate for wear, and arcing horns of a configuration to aid in the dissipation of electric arcs away from the structural members.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying power to an electric locomotive (1) while the locomotive is passing through a section which is not spanned by a contact wire, for example, while passing through a transshipment facility. To supply power to the locomotive (1) which has a current collector (2), a movable supply car (3) is provided, with the movable supply car (3) having an arm (4) on which a current collector bow (5), which simulates a contact wire, is mounted.

Abstract: An ice guard for a grooved trolley wire including a canopy supported on the wire by support members which extend inwardly from the canopy and are frictionally fit in the grooves of the trolley wire.

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 dual-mode transportation system comprises a monotube guideway along which a dual-mode vehicle travels in a first mode of operation, the dual-mode vehicle having a second mode of operation in which it travels along a roadway. Each dual-mode vehicle carries its own four-wheel dolly for engaging the guideway as the vehicle travels along the guideway, the dolly being retractable so as to be stored in a recess in the roof of the vehicle. The dolly carries a flexible pick-up element which extends to an electric supply line in the guideway so as to receive and provide to the vehicle centrally generated power provided by the electric supply line. Power received by the vehicle during travel along the guideway is used not only to motivate the vehicle along the guideway but also to recharge a battery which powers the vehicle during conventional roadway travel.

Abstract: A rail suspension arrangement including suspending member and a rail of I beam configuration, the I beam having a web and upper and lower cross bars, one side of the web having claws for connection with conductor holders, and claws on the other side of the web that have portions facing each other to define a channel with internal overhung portions against which fastening screws are clamped. The suspending member has projecting surfaces bearing against support surfaces of the web, and has a plate from which the fastening screws extends. A supplemental rail may be interposed between the web and the suspending member.

Abstract: The overhead contact conductor of an electric railway has sections where one conductor ends and another begins. The ends of two contact conductors are fastened to a section insulator having two insulation strips between which are arranged two arc horns. The insulation strips are constructed of fiber-reinforced plastic. In order to provide increased creep resistance, the lower sides of the insulation strips are positioned above the contact conductor plane and each of the insulation strips is connected with an upright contact bar, the length of which essentially spans the gap between the arc horns. By using spacers, the contact bars are arranged on the insulation strip in such a way that the lower side of the contact bars forms a contact surface for the electric railway current collector, and not the lower side of the insulating strips.

Abstract: An extruded plastic housing of indefinite length contains an electrical conductor bar in a slot extending lengthwise of the housing. The bar is retained in the slot by a pair of ribs integral with the side walls of the slot and extending lengthwise thereof and projecting toward each other. The width of the bar is greater than the space between the ribs, but the housing is so formed that in assembling it and the bar the distance between the ribs can be increased temporarily by pressure of the bar against them to permit it to be moved rearwardly past the ribs, whereby the bar can be inserted from the front or outer side of the slot, thus permitting the use of a single conductor bar regardless of the number of housing units that may be disposed end to end to form the housing.

Abstract: An electric current conducting bar of generally X-shaped configuration in transverse cross-section for use in an electric transmission system wherein a plurality of said bars of modular lengths, jointed in longitudinally alined end-to-end relation by various coupling assemblies, are fitted with insulating sheaths of generally inverted U-shape, also of modular lengths, which protectively cover not only the conductor rail per se and their coupling assemblies but also the current collector shoe which moves in electrical contact with the bar without any utilization of the insulating sheath primarily as a guide for the collector shoe. In a modified form of the X-shaped bar, the upper branches thereof are extended horizontally outward from opposite sides of the mid-section of the bar to provide the latter with a flat top having opposed longitudinally extending edges which are respectively accommodated in opposed longitudinally extending inner grooves formed in the insulated sheath.

Abstract: An electric insulator used as a section insulator directly inserted in an overhead contact wire comprises an elongate body of synthetic resin which is reinforced with glass fibres or other fibres of high tensile strength, and has substantially the whole of its exposed surface formed of one or more than one composition based on a cycloaliphatic resin cured with an acidic curing agent. At least one exposed resin surface (the running surface) that is continuous from end to end over at least a major portion of the length of the body is formed by a composition comprising the cured reaction product of 100 parts of a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin, 40-250 parts of an acidic hardener therefor and an effective amount of an accelerator and, dispersed in the said reaction product 50-400 parts of a mineral filler substantially wholly in the form of particles not greater in any dimension than 80 micrometers and 10-100 parts of a low-friction fluorocarbon polymer.