US3696753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Guideway and switching linear motor propelled vehicle
Assignee: Transportation Tech Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-29
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1989-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A vehicular transportation system including a guideway having lateral walls of ferromagnetic material and linear induction motors on the opposite sides of the vehicle to provide propulsion thrust and selective magnetic attraction to the walls. To negotiate a route fork, the motors on one side are deenergized so the vehicle follows the wall on the other side.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard R Ross
- 👤 Lloyd D Goodrich
- 👤 Norman Mcqueen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L13/00; B60L13/003; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A transportation system comprising: a vehicle guideway including a main line and a diverging fork line; said main line and fork line each having upstanding side walls, one side wall of said main line being interrupted at the intersection with said fork line with one portion thereof merging with one side wall of said fork line and the other portion thereof intersecting the other side wall of said fork line; a vehicle in said guideway between said upstanding side walls; ground support means on said vehicle for supporting said vehicle above the surface of said guideway; electromagnetic means including cooperating magnetically attaching and attractive elements on said vehicle and guideway side walls, the vehicle elements including at least a pair of elements mounted on opposite sides of said vehicle and the guideway elements extending along each side wall; means for selectively energizing and deenergizing said cooperating elements to steer the vehicle along a selected one of the main line and fork line at the intersection thereof; and lateral support means on opposite sides of said vehicle reacting against said side walls for maintaining a spacing between said cooperating elements to prevent sliding contact therebetween as the vehicle travels along the guideway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A transportation system comprising: a vehicle guideway including a main line and a diverging fork line; said main line and fork line each having upstanding side walls, one side wall of said main line being interrupted at the intersection with said fork line with one portion thereof merging with one side wall of said fork line and the other portion thereof intersecting the other side wall of said fork line; a vehicle in said guideway between said upstanding side walls; ground support means on said vehicle for supporting said vehicle above the surface of said guideway; electromagnetic means including cooperating magnetically attaching and attractive elements on said vehicle and guideway side walls, the vehicle elements including at least a pair of elements mounted on opposite sides of said vehicle and the guideway elements extending along each side wall; means for selectively energizing and deenergizing said cooperating elements to steer the vehicle along a selected one of the main line and fork line at the intersection thereof; and lateral support means on opposite sides of said vehicle reacting against said side walls for maintaining a spacing between said cooperating elements to prevent sliding contact therebetween as the vehicle travels along the guideway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said vehicle elements comprises an electromagnet and each of said guideway elements comprise a continuous plate of ferromagnetic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said electromagnetic means comprises a pair of linear motors, and each of said vehicle elements comprises a substantially vertically oriented linear motor primary and each of said guideway elements comprises a linear motor secondary coacting with one of the primaries.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as defined in claim 2, wherein the plates are constructed to have a relatively higher magnetic permeability in the vicinity of the fork than elsewhere along the guideway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lateral support means comprises at least one air bearing located on each side of said vehicle and coacting against the adjacent side wall of the guideway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A System as defined in claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic means produces a linearly moving, magnetic field for propelling the vehicle along the guideway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as defined in claim 1 including mechanical means for selectively latching the vehicle to the guideway walls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |