Abstract:
A shift control arrangement is provided for rail vehicles to bring about the simultaneous shifting of all directional guide wheels on the vehicle at the same time, including those in both the front and rear undercarriages of the vehicle. This is achieved by interconnecting the shift linkages of each undercarriage and, preferably, by placing the connection in the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A traffic system in which the cross-guide device in the operating position thereof is arranged immovably in the transverse direction relative to the axle body of the vehicle axle having steerable wheels and is constructed so sturdily itself as also as regards its suspension that the vehicle can be form-lockingly track-guided and/or laterally displaced also without deflection of the steerable wheels by way of the cross-guide device without damage and in an operationally reliable manner; force-measuring devices for determining the lateral forces exerted on the cross-guide device are arranged in the suspension of the cross-guide device while the force- and movement-transmitters are so constructed that the steerable wheels are automatically deflected always so as to maintain a predetermined desired value of the lateral force at the cross-guide device.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a vehicle guidance system where the vehicles incorporate wheels having tires thereupon to follow a track of predetermined cross-section. The vehicle is provided with sensors to continuously sense the lateral location of the vehicle relative to the cross-section of the track and the yaw angle of the vehicle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the track. A modulator receives the output of the sensor to drive the steering system of the vehicle in order to correct for deviations of the vehicle from its predetermined relationship with the track contour.
Abstract:
An enclosed roadway supported by a superstructure forms an endless transit loop on which vehicles are propelled for the mass transportation of passengers between selected stations in the transit loop. A stabilizing system maintains the vehicles on the roadway and includes a stabilizing track having recessed portions that are supported above and at opposite sides of the roadway. A circumferential bumper surrounds each vehicle and is positioned within the recessed portions of the stabilizing track. Braking apparatus mounted on the bumper are operable to frictionally engage the recessed portions of the stabilizing track to slow and stop the vehicle on the roadway. Traction motors mounted on the front and rearward end portions of each vehicle include drive shafts that support driven wheels on the upper surface of the stabilizing track for propelling the vehicle along the roadway. A guidance system controls movement of the vehicles on the roadway and includes a pair of spaced parallel guide rails positioned on the roadway and a guideway positioned in parallel relation between the guide rails on the roadway. Guide plates extend downwardly from the body portion of each vehicle into a recessed portion of the guideway to maintain guide wheels of each vehicle in contact with the guide rails. An additional feature includes a plurality of endless transit loops that radiate outwardly from a main terminal to provide transportation by the vehicles in a plurality of directions to and from the main terminal.
Abstract:
Apparatus for diverting a vehicle, particularly a monorail vehicle from a main line to a spur, station, or a branch line without making a change in the track configuration and without movement of any track structure which comprises secondary trackage engageable by auxiliary wheels on the vehicle and cams attached to the track which are adapted to disengage the wheels of the car that normally support the latter on the main line track when the auxiliary wheels engage the secondary track. Cam followers on the vehicles are operative to disengage the wheels and to re-engage them with a main line track.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a new and improved railway vehicle supported by rimless support wheels and guided by special guide wheels and control wheels on a unique track system comprising horizontal main rails having horizontal surfaces upon which traction wheels mounted on horizontal axes for the railway car are supported, guide rails having vertical control surfaces spaced above or below (depending upon whether the railway vehicle is bottom supported or suspended) in non-branching portions of the rail system, and auxiliary or directional rails also having vertical control surfaces. The vertical surfaces of the directional rails contact the control wheels mounted on the railway vehicle for controlling che direction that the railway vehicle takes in traversing a branch. The guide wheels and control wheels are mounted on vertical axes for rotation in horizontal planes and are supported on a unique linkage which is adapted, under a dynamic control influence applied from within the vehicle itself or from a static camming control influence applied by a steering rail disposed in the railway path prior to a junction (in which pairs of tracks are merging or diverging), to pivot the control wheels about the guide wheels to contact a selected one of the directional rails for the purpose of properly and safely directing the railway vehicle as it traverses the junction.
Abstract:
A guiding system for a computer controlled vehicle including a flat track guide-way and a guide channel coextensive with and under the track surface. The vehicle is equipped with a sterring guide link which carries at least two guide wheels in an offset or staggered relationship on a lower crank portion. Two of the guide wheels follow the vertical inner walls of the guide channel. The system further includes a safety mechanism, for preventing derailment, in the form of an additional linkage carrying two additional guide wheels. Emergency braking means is also provided.
Abstract:
A lift truck is stabilized in the aisle of a material storage facility by a pair of trolleys which travel on parallel horizontal guide rails on opposite sides of the aisle. Releasable connecting means engage the lift truck as it enters the aisle to latch the trolleys to the lift truck as it operates within the aisle. On movement of the truck from the aisle the latch means automatically operate to disconnect the trolleys from the lift truck, the trolleys staying on the guide rails in the material storage facility.
Abstract:
A rail travel attachment for road vehicles having pneumatic tires includes a rail guide wheel adjacent each vehicle wheel for engagement with the rails of a railway. Longitudinal beams connected to the axles of the vehicle support front and rear rail guide wheels on each side of the vehicle. Hydraulically actuated jacks rotate each rail guide wheel into and out of engagement with the rails to guide the vehicle on the rails, rear pneumatic wheels of the vehicle resting on and engaging the rail. A manually actuated locking pawl associated with each of the hydraulically actuated jacks securely locks each rail guide wheel in either its rail engaging position or in its upper out-of-rail engaging position.
Abstract:
Guide wheel assemblies mountable on a highway vehicle for movement between a retracted position and a rail travel position to guide the vehicle while the vehicle''s flangeless wheels provide the driving power. Each embodiment of the guide wheel assemblies includes a left and a right guide wheel subframe mounted for independent pivotal movement about a first transverse shaft, a second transverse pivot member, an overcenter lock assembly operated by the second member between the retracted and rail travel positions, and drive mechanism for pivoting the second member. In one embodiment the overcenter lock mechanism is connected to a transverse load transfer member having opposite ends pivotally connected to the adjacent subframe through a resilient mount and in a second embodiment the load transfer member provides an extensible connection having opposite ends connected to the adjacent subframe to pivot about a diagonal axis. In the third embodiment there is provided two overcenter lock assemblies, each being pivotally connected to the adjacent subframe. Also one of the embodiments includes mechanism for blocking the use of the vehicle steering mechanism for steering the vehicle. Also there is provided mechanism for properly aligning the first pivot shaft relative the vehicle.