US3738281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency support and decelerating mechanism for magnetically supported vehicle
Assignee: Rohr Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-06
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-05-06
Abstract
Abstract An emergency support and decelerating mechanism for a high speed, magnetically supported vehicle comprises one or more pairs of liquid-vapor bearing type shoes mounted one on each side of the vehicle, each shoe overlying, and spaced from, a support rail mounted one along each side of the path of the vehicle. In the event of loss of magnetic vehicle support, the vehicle drops by gravity to lower the shoes onto their respective rails, for sliding, vehicle supporting, movement therealong. As the shoes are thus lowered onto the rails, jets of vaporizable liquid are ejected at controlled rates through orifices provided in the soles of the shoes, which are thus lubricated and cooled.
Inventors
- 👤 J Waidelich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/04; B61; B61B; B61B13/00; B61B13/08; B61B13/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
Emergency support and decelerating mechanism for a high speed, magnetically supported vehicLe comprising, in combination with electro-magnetic vehicle support means, a pair of skid rails spaced laterally apart, one thereof on each side of the path of such magnetically supported vehicle, at least one vehicle mounted support element secured to each side of the vehicle and directly overlying each of the skid rails, the bottom surface of such vehicle mounted support element being shaped to conform to its respective skid rail and having a plurality of discharge orifices therein, each vehicle mounted support element being spaced by a selected increment above its respective skid rail when the vehicle is magnetically supported, and being lowered by gravity into vehicle supporting, bearing relation with its respective skid rail when the vehicle is not magnetically so supported, and means for discharging vaporizing liquid through such orifices and between the bottom surface of each vehicle mounted support and the skid rail over which it is mounted, and means actuating said liquid discharging means in the event the vehicle loses its magnetic support and the support elements are lowered by gravity onto their respective skid rails, thereby to provide a fluid type bearing for each support element when thus lowered by gravity onto its respective skid rail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
Emergency support and decelerating mechanism for a high speed, magnetically supported vehicLe comprising, in combination with electro-magnetic vehicle support means, a pair of skid rails spaced laterally apart, one thereof on each side of the path of such magnetically supported vehicle, at least one vehicle mounted support element secured to each side of the vehicle and directly overlying each of the skid rails, the bottom surface of such vehicle mounted support element being shaped to conform to its respective skid rail and having a plurality of discharge orifices therein, each vehicle mounted support element being spaced by a selected increment above its respective skid rail when the vehicle is magnetically supported, and being lowered by gravity into vehicle supporting, bearing relation with its respective skid rail when the vehicle is not magnetically so supported, and means for discharging vaporizing liquid through such orifices and between the bottom surface of each vehicle mounted support and the skid rail over which it is mounted, and means actuating said liquid discharging means in the event the vehicle loses its magnetic support and the support elements are lowered by gravity onto their respective skid rails, thereby to provide a fluid type bearing for each support element when thus lowered by gravity onto its respective skid rail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
Emergency vehicle support and decelerating mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid discharging means comprises a supply of pressurized vaporizable liquid in the vehicle, a control valve mounted adjacent each of the support elements, a conduit from the liquid supply through each valve to the orifices in the support element adjacent thereto, and temperature responsive means operatively controlling each of the valves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
Emergency vehicle support and decelerating mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein each vehicle mounted support element comprises an upper portion secured to the vehicle, and a shoe mounted on the lower end of said upper portion, the bottom surface of the shoe comprising the bottom surface of the vehicle mounted support element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Emergency vehicle support and decelerating mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein a plurality of passages are provided in each shoe and communicate the conduit with the orifices in the bottom of the shoe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Emergency vehicle support and decelerating mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each skid rail is trough shaped, and the bottom portion of each vehicle support element when lowered by gravity into supported position thereon is restrained thereby against relative lateral movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Emergency vehicle support and deceleration mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electro-magnetic vehicle support means is mounted in a vacuumized tube, and the skid rails are mounted on support elements mounted interiorly of the tube.
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) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |