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EP0289868A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Roadway power and control system for inductively coupled trans portation system

Assignee: Inductran Corp
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Filing: 1988-04-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-04-20
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Abstract

Abstract An electrical modular roadway system adapted for transmitting power to and controlling inductively coupled vehicles traveling thereon. The system comprises a plurality of elongated, electrically connected inductor modules arranged in an aligned end to end spaced apart in order to form a continuous vehicle path. Each module has a magnetic core and power windings which generate a magnetic field extending above the road surface. Controllable relays are connected between modules for allowing operating electric current to either activate or bypass selected modules. Sensing windings in modules are activated by the presence of a vehicle on one module to provide control signals to relays for other modules.

Inventors

  • 👤 John G. Bolger

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 01:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L53/00; B60L53/10; B60L53/12; B60L53/126; B60L13/00; B60L13/03; B60L15/00; B60L15/002; B60L15/005; B60L5/00; B60L5/005; H; H02; H02J; H02J50/00; H02J50/10; H02J50/40; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/64; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/7072; Y02T90/00; Y02T90/10; Y02T90/12; Y02T90/14

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 103 words
An electrical roadway adapted for transmitting power to and controlling inductively coupled vehicles traveling thereon comprising: a plurality of elongated inductor modules arranged in an aligned end to end spaced apart order to form a vehicle path, each of said modules being disposed within the roadway adjacent to its upper surface and responsive to an electric current flowing therethrough to generate a magnetic field extending above said surface; and controllable means connected to said modules for preventing full operating electric current from flowing through a selected one or more of said plurality of modules and thereby temporarily deactivating the field generating capacity thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 103 words
An electrical roadway adapted for transmitting power to and controlling inductively coupled vehicles traveling thereon comprising: a plurality of elongated inductor modules arranged in an aligned end to end spaced apart order to form a vehicle path, each of said modules being disposed within the roadway adjacent to its upper surface and responsive to an electric current flowing therethrough to generate a magnetic field extending above said surface; and controllable means connected to said modules for preventing full operating electric current from flowing through a selected one or more of said plurality of modules and thereby temporarily deactivating the field generating capacity thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 95 words
An inductively coupled modular roadway system for transmitting power to and controlling vehicles traveling thereon, comprising: a first inductor module having magnetic core means and a power winding conductor associated therewith connected to an electrical power source; a second inductor module also having magnetic core means and an associated power winding conductor connected to the power winding of said first inductor module; and a control means connected to said modules and responsive to a control signal for temporarily deactivating said second module by preventing a flow of full operating current through its said power winding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 95 words
An inductively coupled modular roadway system for transmitting power to and controlling vehicles traveling thereon, comprising: a first inductor module having magnetic core means and a power winding conductor associated therewith connected to an electrical power source; a second inductor module also having magnetic core means and an associated power winding conductor connected to the power winding of said first inductor module; and a control means connected to said modules and responsive to a control signal for temporarily deactivating said second module by preventing a flow of full operating current through its said power winding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 34 words
A roadway as described in claim 2 including a sensor coil in one of said inductor modules for producing a control signal to said control means when a vehicle passes over said sensor coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
A roadway as described in claim 2 wherein said control means comprises a relay.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 57 words
A roadway as described in claim 4 wherein said relay comprises: first interruptable current conducting means; second interruptable current conducting means in parallel with the first conducting means; and time delay means for causing said second conducting means to interrupt a predetermined interval of time after said first conducting means in response to a said control signal
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
A roadway as described in claim 5 wherein said first conducting means comprises a mercury relay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 18 words
A roadway as described in claim 5 wherein said second conducting means comprises a solid state switching element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 42 words
A roadway as described in claim 2 wherein each said inductor module comprises an inductor core having spaced apart pole sections interconnected by a cross core member, and a series of power conductor coils extending longitudinally within said module around said core.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 57 words
A roadway as described in claim 8 wherein said inductor core pole sections are comprised of spaced apart strips of sheet steel and said cross core is comprised of laminated sheets of steel extending between and across said pole sections, and a mixture of dielectric grannular particles and resin between said strips of said core pole sections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 35 words
A roadway as described in claim 8 wherein said grannular particles are coarse dry sand and a mixture of said sand and resin filling all voids in said module around said core and conductor coils.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 13 words
A roadway as described in claim 8 wherein said resin comprises polyester resin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 13 words
A roadway as described in claim 8 wherein said resin comprises epoxy resin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
A roadway as described in claim 8 and further comprising a protective covering surrounding said inductor core and said conductive coils.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 37 words
A roadway as described in claim 8 wherein said cross core member is comprised of a plurality of spaced apart sections having the same cross sections, and a separate sensor conductor wrapped around each said core section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 39 words
A roadway as described in claim 14 including a bypass conductor extending longitudinally within said module between and parallel to said core pole sections, said bypass conductor having a greater cross-sectional area than one of said power conductor coils.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 32 words
A roadway as described in claim 8 including terminal means at both ends of each said module for said power conductor; and jumper means for connecting said terminal means of adjacent modules.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 29 words
A roadway as described in claim 15 including separate terminal means at the end of each said module for said power conductor, said bypass conductor and said sensor coils.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 89 words
A method of fabricating a power and control module for an inductively coupled transportation system, the method comprising: lining side and bottom inner surfaces of an enclosure with a flexible protective covering; placing elements comprising a magnetic core and inductor coils within said enclosure; surrounding said inductor with dielectric grannular particles; impregnating said particles surrounding said inductor with a liquid plastic resin; covering the inductor and resin impregnated particles with a protective covering; and allowing said resin to cure and harden before removing the solidified module from said mold.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 89 words
A method of fabricating a power and control module for an inductively coupled transportation system, the method comprising: lining side and bottom inner surfaces of an enclosure with a flexible protective covering; placing elements comprising a magnetic core and inductor coils within said enclosure; surrounding said inductor with dielectric grannular particles; impregnating said particles surrounding said inductor with a liquid plastic resin; covering the inductor and resin impregnated particles with a protective covering; and allowing said resin to cure and harden before removing the solidified module from said mold.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein said resin is impregnated under pressure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 43 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein only a portion of grannular particles are placed in said enclosure before a first application of resin is made, and thereafter adding the remaining amounting of grannular particles before additional resin is added to the particles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein said grannular particles are dry, coarse sand.

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