US3595173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Track shunting system for movable parts following a guiding track
Assignee: Aerotrain SA
•
Filing: 1969-06-26
•
Granted: 1971-07-27
•
Expires: 1989-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A switching system for ground effect conveying tracks over which a vehicle or the like movable part is adapted to move over a compressed fluid cushion fed with fluid through flap valves which allow the desired sustaining and guiding energy to be released only in registry with the movable part passing over them. The switching system provides means for shifting the movable part off such a track and back onto the same or another main track through the agency of an auxiliary track lying above the location of the movable part which is free to rise above the main track it is following. The feed of guiding and sustaining fluid is cut off when the movable part arrives at a point registering with a predetermined auxiliary track while the latter engages the movable part by raising an auxiliary structure carried by said movable part and provided with a large surface subjected to the fluid jets produced by the auxiliary track and forming sustaining cushions equivalent to those provided by the first-mentioned track.
Inventors
- 👤 Francois Louis Giraud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A tracked fluid cushion transportation system of the kind comprising: a ground effect machine, and a main continuous track having an operative track surface designed for bearing said machine against downward displacement thereof and for guiding the same against sidewise displacement thereof while allowing unrestricted displacement of said machine both longitudinally of and upward from said track, said track being of the fluidic type comprising a multiplicity of elemental nozzles distributed on said operative track surface, and machine proximity responsive valve means controlling said nozzles, said valve means being biased to an obturating rest position and moving to an opening work position in response to proximity of said machine, wherein the improvement comprises: an auxiliary track section spaced from said main track and having an end portion extending in the same general direction as an adjacent portion of said main track, said auxiliary track section being, likewise to said main track, of fluidic type and designed for bearing said machine, and a controllable auxiliary flanged structure fitted on said machine and designed for alternatively supporting the same, said auxiliary structure being adjustable to a retracted position wherein it clears said auxiliary track end portion as said machine moves over said main track adjacent portion and to an extended position wherein it engages said auxiliary track end portion in fluid cushion relationship therewith as said machine moves over said main track adjacent portion, whereby machine bearing strain is transferred from said main track to said auxiliary track section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A tracked fluid cushion transportation system of the kind comprising: a ground effect machine, and a main continuous track having an operative track surface designed for bearing said machine against downward displacement thereof and for guiding the same against sidewise displacement thereof while allowing unrestricted displacement of said machine both longitudinally of and upward from said track, said track being of the fluidic type comprising a multiplicity of elemental nozzles distributed on said operative track surface, and machine proximity responsive valve means controlling said nozzles, said valve means being biased to an obturating rest position and moving to an opening work position in response to proximity of said machine, wherein the improvement comprises: an auxiliary track section spaced from said main track and having an end portion extending in the same general direction as an adjacent portion of said main track, said auxiliary track section being, likewise to said main track, of fluidic type and designed for bearing said machine, and a controllable auxiliary flanged structure fitted on said machine and designed for alternatively supporting the same, said auxiliary structure being adjustable to a retracted position wherein it clears said auxiliary track end portion as said machine moves over said main track adjacent portion and to an extended position wherein it engages said auxiliary track end portion in fluid cushion relationship therewith as said machine moves over said main track adjacent portion, whereby machine bearing strain is transferred from said main track to said auxiliary track section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary structure is in the shape of a T including a depending leg and an overtopping generally horizontal flange which is adapted to overlap said auxiliary track section when in said extended position, and wherein said auxiliary track section comprises a continuous longitudinally extending slot for the free passage of said depending leg.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A transportation system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said T-shaped auxiliary structure is adjustable to a lowered retracted position wherein said flanGe lies below said auxiliary track end portion, and to a raised extended position wherein said flange lies above said auxiliary track end portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A transportation system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said T-shaped auxiliary structure is slidably mounted on said machine for substantially vertical displacement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A transportation system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fluid actuated jack operatively connected to said auxiliary structure to adjust the position thereof, and a rotary valve controlling said jack.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A transportation system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising jet means positioned on said main track ahead of said adjacent portion thereof, and turbine means on said machine actuatable by said jet means as said machine passes by the same, said rotary valve being under the control of said turbine means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A transportation system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising spigot means positioned on said main track ahead of said adjacent portion thereof, and means on said machine for selectively sensing said spigot means as said machine passes by the same, said rotary valve being under the control of said sensing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A transportation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said spigot means comprise a toothlike member, and said sensing means comprise a toothed gear positionable to engage said member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A transportation system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a pawl means for angularly locating said toothed gear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main track has an inverted T-shaped cross section with a guide upright.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary track section has a truncated V-shaped cross section with branches of wide angular aperture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |