Vehicle propelled by linear motor

Claim 2

A vehicle for operation along a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a substantially longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to reaction rail despite substantial lateral movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial rolling moment to the reaction rail, support means for supporting the stator substantially at a predetermined vertical position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial vertical movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, and roll control means for providing the stator roll stability.

Claim 3

A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the roll control means are arranged for co-operation with the track at at least one area of co-operation on each side of the reaction rail.

Claim 4

A vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle is adapted for operation above the track and includes means carried by the stator for co-operation with the track at each side of the reaction rail whereby to support the stator whilst also providing the stator with stability in roll.

Claim 5

A vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the said means carried by the stator are arranged for forming and maintaining cushions of pressurized air in co-operation with the track, at least one on each side of the reaction rail.

Claim 6

A vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the said means comprise air cushion pads movably attached to the stator and arranged to be stiffer in pitch than in roll.

Claim 7

A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a longitudinal direction comprises a pair of links extending longitudinally of the stator between the respective connection points of a first pair on the two sides of the stator and a second laterally spaced pair carried by the vehicle body, at one of their ends each link being connected to a lever arm of a respective crank, the two cranks having further lever arms interconnected by a connection therebetween and rotatable in operation to maintain the forces separately transmitted by the links substantially equal.

Claim 8

A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the guide means comprises means for forming and maintaining at least one cushion of pressurized air in co-operation with each of two opposed side surfaces of the reaction rail.

Claim 9

A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in combination with a said prepared track.

Claim 10

The combination claimed in claim 8, wherein the reaction rail comprises a resilient mounting by which the reaction plate is mounted on the track and which allows lateral movement of the reaction plate in response to lateral forces imposed upon the reaction rail by the guide means.

Claim 11

The combination claimed in claim 9, whereiN the resilient mounting allows only the said lateral movement of the said reaction plate.

Claim 12

A vehicle for operation along a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial lateral movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial rolling moment to the reaction rail, and means for supporting the stator substantially at a predetermined vertical position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial vertical movements of the vehicle body relative to the track whilst also providing the stator roll stability.

Claim 13

A vehicle for operation along a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial lateral movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial rolling moment to the reaction rail, and means for supporting the stator substantially at a predetermined vertical position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial vertical movements of the vehicle body relative to the track whilst also providing the stator roll stability.

Claim 14

A vehicle for operation along a preferred track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail between the reaction plate and the track for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial lateral movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial rolling moment to the reaction rail, and means for supporting the stator substantially at a predetermined vertical position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial vertical movements of the vehicle body relative to the track whilst also providing the stator roll stability.

Claim 15

A vehicle for operation along a preferred track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail between the reaction plate and the track for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial lateral movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial rolling moment to the reaction rail, and means for supporting the stator substantially at a predetermined vertical position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial vertical movements of the vehicle body relative to the track whilst also providing the stator roll stability.

Claim 16

A vehicle as claimed in claim 12 in combination with a said prepared track, wherein the reaction rail is laterally stiffer at the co-operation with the guide means than at the reaction plate.

Claim 17

A vehicle for operation along a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail between the reaction plate and the track for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial lateral movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial stator rolling moment to the reaction rail and comprising a plurality of wheels adapted to run on opposed side surfaces of the reaction rail in a common plane of contact between the reaction plate and the track, and means for supporting the stator substantially at a predetermined vertical position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial vertical movements of the vehicle body relative to the track while also providing the stator roll stability.

Claim 18

A vehicle for operation along a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail between the reaction plate and the track for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial lateral movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial stator rolling moment to the reaction rail and comprising a plurality of wheels adapted to run on opposed side surfaces of the reaction rail in a common plane of contact between the reaction plate and the track, and means for supporting the stator substantially at a predetermined vertical position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial vertical movements of the vehicle body relative to the track while also providing the stator roll stability.

Claim 19

An air cushion vehicle for operation along and above a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connEcting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a substantially longitudinal direction, air cushion means carried by the stator for forming and maintaining at least one cushion of pressurized air in co-operation with the track at each side of the reaction rail whereby to support the stator whilst also providing the stator with stability in roll, said air cushion means comprising air cushion pads movably attached to the stator and arranged for forming and maintaining the said cushions of pressurized air, and guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial rolling moment to the reaction rail.

Claim 20

An air cushion vehicle for operation along and above a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connEcting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a substantially longitudinal direction, air cushion means carried by the stator for forming and maintaining at least one cushion of pressurized air in co-operation with the track at each side of the reaction rail whereby to support the stator whilst also providing the stator with stability in roll, said air cushion means comprising air cushion pads movably attached to the stator and arranged for forming and maintaining the said cushions of pressurized air, and guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial rolling moment to the reaction rail.

Claim 21

An air cushion vehicle according to claim 15 wherein the air cushion pads are arranged to be stiffer in pitch than in roll.

Claim 22

An air cushion vehicle for operation along a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a substantially longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial rolling moment to the reaction rail, at least one generally vertical connection pivotally connected between the stator and the vehicle body on each side of the reaction rail, and control means for controlling the lengths of the connections to support the stator whilst also providing the stator with stability in roll.

Claim 23

An air cushion vehicle for operation along a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a substantially longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail, the guide means being arranged so as to be incapable of transmitting any substantial rolling moment to the reaction rail, at least one generally vertical connection pivotally connected between the stator and the vehicle body on each side of the reaction rail, and control means for controlling the lengths of the connections to support the stator whilst also providing the stator with stability in roll.

Claim 24

A vehicle for operation along a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a substantially longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial lateral movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, support means for supporting the stator substantially at a predetermined vertical position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial vertical movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, and roll control means for providing the stator roll stability.

Claim 25

A vehicle for operation along a prepared track and comprising a double-sided linear induction motor stator for propelling the vehicle by electro-magnetic co-operation with a generally vertical and electrically conductive reaction plate forming part of a reaction rail mounted on the track, means connecting the stator to the vehicle body for independent movement with respect thereto except in a substantially longitudinal direction, guide means carried by the stator and adapted for co-operation with the reaction rail for maintaining the stator substantially at a predetermined lateral position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial lateral movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, support means for supporting the stator substantially at a predetermined vertical position relative to the reaction rail despite substantial vertical movements of the vehicle body relative to the track, and roll control means for providing the stator roll stability.