US3630153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle-enclosed railway transportation system
Assignee: Whoosh Inc
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Filing: 1969-05-05
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1989-05-05
Abstract
Abstract The system consists of a streamlined multicar vehicle and a complementary rail guideway. The vehicle is an elongated train of one or more cars of unitized tubular construction, having tapered nose and tail portions. The cars are supported on wheeled trucks, the wheels extending from the sides of the body in a manner that the body is effectively suspended between the supporting wheels to provide a low vehicle center of gravity. The guideway includes a ferroconcrete rail-supporting base structure having relatively high rigidity and a shroud defining, with the base structure, a continuous enclosure for the vehicle. An induction motor propulsion system includes primary windings mounted on the vehicle coacting with a secondary conducting plate secured to the guideway.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry L Guimarin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:53
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B13/00; B61B13/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A transportation system including a mobile vehicle and a guideway comprising: a. a plurality of vehicle body units interconnected to form a unitary elongated vehicle having a relatively uniform cross section intermediate its ends and a continuous relatively smooth-walled envelope, the body units adjacent the ends of said vehicle having end portions of gradually diminishing cross section, b. a plurality of trucks for supporting each of said body units on a pair of rails, said trucks including rail-engaging supporting wheels disposed on opposite sides of said body units for rotation about horizontal axes passing through said body units near the center of gravity thereof: c. a guideway comprising a rigid base structure having a spaced parallel supporting rails affixed thereto, said base structure being recessed between said rails to accommodate the lower portions of said vehicle body units; and d. cover means fixed to said base structure and defining therewith a continuous enclosure for said rails and said vehicle, said cover means having structural members spaced vertically forming vents therebetween aligned to permit air displaced by said vehicle as it passes through said enclosure to exit and enter said enclosure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A transportation system including a mobile vehicle and a guideway comprising: a. a plurality of vehicle body units interconnected to form a unitary elongated vehicle having a relatively uniform cross section intermediate its ends and a continuous relatively smooth-walled envelope, the body units adjacent the ends of said vehicle having end portions of gradually diminishing cross section, b. a plurality of trucks for supporting each of said body units on a pair of rails, said trucks including rail-engaging supporting wheels disposed on opposite sides of said body units for rotation about horizontal axes passing through said body units near the center of gravity thereof: c. a guideway comprising a rigid base structure having a spaced parallel supporting rails affixed thereto, said base structure being recessed between said rails to accommodate the lower portions of said vehicle body units; and d. cover means fixed to said base structure and defining therewith a continuous enclosure for said rails and said vehicle, said cover means having structural members spaced vertically forming vents therebetween aligned to permit air displaced by said vehicle as it passes through said enclosure to exit and enter said enclosure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover means comprises a plurality of pairs of arcuate segments formed to different curvatures, each segment joined to an adjacent segment whereby the different curvatures of the adjacent ends define vents opening along the long axis of said enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upper and side walls of said vehicle envelope merge toward the lower rail thereof to define said vehicle end portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A systEm as set forth in claim 1 including cushion means interposed between said base structure and said rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 including propulsion means for said vehicle comprising one or more linear induction motors having the primary windings thereof carried on one or more of said body units, and having a continuous secondary plate fixed to said guideway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said supporting wheels are flanged wheels having cylindrical load-bearing surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as set forth in Claim 6 wherein the transverse distance between the outer surfaces of said wheel flanges is slightly less than the distance between the inner edges of said pair of rails.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the transverse distance between the outer surfaces of said wheel flanges is of the order of one-half inch less than the distances between the inner edges of said pair of rails.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 including variable fluid suspension devices disposed on opposite sides of said body units for supporting said body units on said trucks; and means for controlling said oppositely disposed devices independently of each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said control means is responsive to the centrifugal forces acting on the body units.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said control means is responsive to both the gravitational and centrifugal forces acting on the body units.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said control means comprises a first valve for alternatively communicating first suspension device with pressurized fluid or with vent means or isolating said device; a second valve for alternatively communicating a second oppositely disposed suspension device with pressurized air or with vent means, or for isolating said device; a weight mass suspended from said body unit for relative swinging movement; and valve-actuating means coupling each of said valves to said weight mass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said weight mass is a pendulum; said pendulum maintaining both of said valves in said isolating position when said pendulum is aligned with the vertical axis of said body unit; and said pendulum means, in a nonaligned condition, simultaneously actuating one valve to fluid-supplying position and the other valve to fluid-venting position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |