Patent US3875856A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3875856A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed transportation means for small vehicles
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-10-24
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1992-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A high speed transportation means for small privately owned bimodal vehicles providing vehicle guidance, stabilization and support by tracked air bearings and propulsion and speed control by an energized central rail. The vehicle has wheels for operation on conventional roads. The wheels are retractable for vehicle operation on a three rail aerolane having an electrically charged center rail. Two legs are fixedly fastened under the vehicle and are positionable about the center rail. Two support and stabilization assemblies are mounted to the vehicle and engage the remaining two rails. Air bearings are provided between the rails and the two support and stabilization assemblies. Emergency skis are mounted to the support and stabilization assemblies.
Inventors
- 👤 Martha C Meeker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:20
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/04; B60F; B60F1/00; B60F1/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
403 words
A high speed transportation means comprising: a source for powering said transportation means a 3 phase high frequency electrical power; a railway track connected to said source and including a first rail, a second rail being parallel to said first rail and spaced a fixed distance from said first rail and, an electrically charged third rail being positioned equidistant between and parallel with said first rail and said second rail, said third rail having a first arm with three cables wound therein connected to said source of electrical power for producing two linearly traveling magnetic fields; a dual mode vehicle movably mounted on said railway track; a first leg and a second parallel leg in spaced relation to each other and mounted centrally and longitudinally to and under said vehicle, said first and second leg having conductance and being positionable adjacent and on either side of said first arm of said third rail for moving through said fields and producing a force on said vehicle in the direction of said fields of said third rail; a first support and stabilization assembly mounted longitudinally to and under said vehicle positionable adjacent said first rail for supporting and guiding said vehicle on said first rail; a second support and stabilization assembly mounted longitudinally to and under said vehicle positionable adjacent said second rail for supporting and guiding said vehicle on said second rail; air bearing means operable to provide an air cushion between said first rail and said first support and stabilization assembly for support of said vehicle and an air cushion between said second rail and said second support and stabilization assembly for support of said vehicle when said vehicle is positioned on said first rail and said second rail, said air bearing means being fixedly mounted to said first rail and said second rail; retractable wheels rotatably mounted to and under said vehicle for supporting said vehicle when said vehicle is not mounted on said first rail, second rail and third rail; and wherein said vehicle is capable of conventional road travel where it is driver controlled and further comprising: a frame of round rigidly braced bulkheads of varying diameters permitting a streamlined aerodynamic contour for said vehicle with low drag and a maximum drag coefficient of 0.20, said frame having said first support and stabilization assembly, said second support and stabilization assembly, said first and second leg and said wheels mounted thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
403 words
A high speed transportation means comprising: a source for powering said transportation means a 3 phase high frequency electrical power; a railway track connected to said source and including a first rail, a second rail being parallel to said first rail and spaced a fixed distance from said first rail and, an electrically charged third rail being positioned equidistant between and parallel with said first rail and said second rail, said third rail having a first arm with three cables wound therein connected to said source of electrical power for producing two linearly traveling magnetic fields; a dual mode vehicle movably mounted on said railway track; a first leg and a second parallel leg in spaced relation to each other and mounted centrally and longitudinally to and under said vehicle, said first and second leg having conductance and being positionable adjacent and on either side of said first arm of said third rail for moving through said fields and producing a force on said vehicle in the direction of said fields of said third rail; a first support and stabilization assembly mounted longitudinally to and under said vehicle positionable adjacent said first rail for supporting and guiding said vehicle on said first rail; a second support and stabilization assembly mounted longitudinally to and under said vehicle positionable adjacent said second rail for supporting and guiding said vehicle on said second rail; air bearing means operable to provide an air cushion between said first rail and said first support and stabilization assembly for support of said vehicle and an air cushion between said second rail and said second support and stabilization assembly for support of said vehicle when said vehicle is positioned on said first rail and said second rail, said air bearing means being fixedly mounted to said first rail and said second rail; retractable wheels rotatably mounted to and under said vehicle for supporting said vehicle when said vehicle is not mounted on said first rail, second rail and third rail; and wherein said vehicle is capable of conventional road travel where it is driver controlled and further comprising: a frame of round rigidly braced bulkheads of varying diameters permitting a streamlined aerodynamic contour for said vehicle with low drag and a maximum drag coefficient of 0.20, said frame having said first support and stabilization assembly, said second support and stabilization assembly, said first and second leg and said wheels mounted thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The transportation means of claim 1 and further comprising a fitting connecting said first support and stabilization assembly and said second support and stabilization assembly to said frame; and wherein: said vehicle has a specific center of gravity located by design and construction at the longitudinal center of said fitting allowing said vehicle to be supported equally by said air bearing means on said first support and stabilization assembly and said second support and stabilization assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The transportation means of claim 2 wherein: said first leg and said second leg are retractable into said vehicle; and, said first and second support and stabilization assemblies each have a plate fixedly mounted horizontally to said vehicle and another plate hinged to said vehicle and pivotally movable from a vertical position when in use to a horizontal position when not in use.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The transportation means of claim 3 additionally comprising: magnesium tipped skis fixedly mounted to said first and second support and stabilization assemblies being slidingly abuttable against said first and second rails to prevent contact between said support and stabilization assemblies and said first and second rails in case of failure of said air bearing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
The transportation means of claim 1 additionally comprising: a transport device having said first and second support and stabilization assemblies and said first and second legs fixedly attached thereto; a fitting fixedly mounted centrally and longitudinally to and under said vehicle being removably connected to said transport device allowing said transport device to be removed from said vehicle when said dual mode vehicle is to be operated on said wheels; magnesium tipped skis fixedly attached to said first and second support and stabilization assemblies being slidingly abuttable against said first and second rails to prevent contact between said support and stabilization assemblies and said first and second rail in case of failure of said air bearing means; and wherein: said third rail has a second and third arm parallel with and positioned adjacent said first arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The transportation means of claim 5 wherein: said first leg is positioned between said first and second arms and said second leg is positioned between said first and third arms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The transportation means of claim 6 wherein: said first and second support and stabilization assemblies each have a V shaped bottom; and, said first and second rail each have a top wall with said air bearing means fixedly attached thereto and are complementary in shape to said V shaped bottom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The transportation means of claim 7 wherein: said first arm of said third rail has a pair of plates spaced apart and extending longitudinally the length of said first arm, said plates are parallel and are supported and rigidly braced within said first arm, said plates have outer sides with vertical slots therein receiving said cables, said cables are insulated and connected to said source of power and wound to produce two linearly traveling magnetic fields.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The transportation means of claim 8 wherein: said first leg and said second leg each have conductors vertically mounted therein parallel to said first arm, said first leg and said second leg are positionable on either side of said first arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
The high speed transportation means of claim 1 wherein: said railway track is supported by two parallel and elevated I-beams in spaced relationship one to the other; said first and second rails each include inverted L-shaped plates with horizontal and vertical surfaces supported by said I-beams, said plates including air bearing means connected to sources of compressed air, said third rail supported by said I-beams; said first and second support and stabilization assemblies each have an inverted L-shape and are complementary in shape to said first rail and second rail; and, said air bearing means ejecting air upwardly against said horizontal surfaces of said plates to support said vehicle and ejecting air against said vertical surfaces of said plates to guide said vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
333 words
A high speed transportation means comprising: a source for powering said transportation means of 3 phase high frequency electrical power; a railway track connected to said source and including a first rail, a second rail being parallel to said first rail and spaced a fixed distance from said first rail and, an electrically charged third rail being positioned equidistant between and parallel with said first rail and said second rail, said third rail having a first arm with three cables wound therein connected to said source of electrical power for producing two linearly traveling magnetic fields; a dual mode vehicle movably mounted on said railway track; a first leg and a second parallel leg in spaced relation to each other and mounted centrally and longitudinally to and under said vehicle, said first and second leg having conductance and being positionable adjacent and on either side of said first arm of said third rail for moving through said fields and producing a force on said vehicle in the direction of said fields of said third rail; a first support and stabilization assembly mounted longitudinally to and under said vehicle positionable adjacent said first rail for supporting and guiding said vehicle on said first rail; a second support and stabilization assembly mounted longitudinally to and under said vehicle positionable adjacent said second rail for supporting and guiding said vehicle on said second rail; air bearing means operable to provide an air cushion between said first rail and said first support and stabilization assembly for support of said vehicle and an air cushion between said second rail and said second support and stabilization assembly for support of said vehicle when said vehicle is positioned on said first rail and said second rail, said air bearing means being fixedly mounted to said first rail and said second rail; and, retractable wheels rotatably mounted to and under said vehicle for supporting said vehicle when said vehicle is not mounted on said first rail, second rail and third rail.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
333 words
A high speed transportation means comprising: a source for powering said transportation means of 3 phase high frequency electrical power; a railway track connected to said source and including a first rail, a second rail being parallel to said first rail and spaced a fixed distance from said first rail and, an electrically charged third rail being positioned equidistant between and parallel with said first rail and said second rail, said third rail having a first arm with three cables wound therein connected to said source of electrical power for producing two linearly traveling magnetic fields; a dual mode vehicle movably mounted on said railway track; a first leg and a second parallel leg in spaced relation to each other and mounted centrally and longitudinally to and under said vehicle, said first and second leg having conductance and being positionable adjacent and on either side of said first arm of said third rail for moving through said fields and producing a force on said vehicle in the direction of said fields of said third rail; a first support and stabilization assembly mounted longitudinally to and under said vehicle positionable adjacent said first rail for supporting and guiding said vehicle on said first rail; a second support and stabilization assembly mounted longitudinally to and under said vehicle positionable adjacent said second rail for supporting and guiding said vehicle on said second rail; air bearing means operable to provide an air cushion between said first rail and said first support and stabilization assembly for support of said vehicle and an air cushion between said second rail and said second support and stabilization assembly for support of said vehicle when said vehicle is positioned on said first rail and said second rail, said air bearing means being fixedly mounted to said first rail and said second rail; and, retractable wheels rotatably mounted to and under said vehicle for supporting said vehicle when said vehicle is not mounted on said first rail, second rail and third rail.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
The transportation means of claim 11 and further comprising a fitting connecting said first support and stabilization assembly and said second support and stabilization assembly to said frame; and wherein: said vehicle has a specific center of gravity located by design and construction at the longitudinal center of said fitting allowing said vehicle to be supported equally by said air bearing means on said first support and stabilization assembly and said second support and stabilization assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
The transportation means of claim 11 wherein: said first leg and said second leg are retractable into said vehicle; and, said first and second support and stabilization assemblies each have a plate fixedly mounted horizontally to said vehicle and another plate hinged to said vehicle and pivotally movable from a vertical position when in use to a horizontal position when not in use.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The transportation means of claim 11 additionally comprising: magnesium tipped skis fixedly mounted to said first and second support and stabilization assemblies being slidingly abuttable against said first and second rails to prevent contact between said support and stabilization assemblies and said first and second rails in case of failure of said air bearing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
136 words
The transportation means of claim 11 additionally comprising: a transport device having said first and second support and stabilization assemblies and said first and second legs fixedly attached thereto; a fitting fixedly mounted centrally and longitudinally to and under said vehicle being removably connected to said transport device allowing said transport device to be removed from said vehicle when said dual mode vehicle is to be operated on said wheels; magnesium tipped skis fixedly attached to said first and second support and stabilization assemblies being slidingly abuttable against said first and second rails to prevent contact between said support and stabilization assemblies and said first and second rail in case of failure of said air bearing means; and wherein: said third rail has a second and third arm parallel with and positioned adjacent said first arm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The transportation means of claim 15 wherein: said first leg is positioned between said first and second arms and said second leg is positioned between said first and third arms.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The transportation means of claim 11 wherein: said first and second support and stabilization assemblies each have a V shaped bottom; and, said first and second rail each have a top wall with said air bearing means fixedly attached thereto and are complementary in shape to said V shaped bottom.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
76 words
The transportation means of claim 11 wherein: said first arm of said third rail has a pair of plates spaced apart and extending longitudinally the length of said first arm, said plates are parallel and are supported and rigidly braced within said first arm, said plates have outer sides with vertical slots therein receiving said cables, said cables are insulated and connected to said source of power and wound to produce two linearly traveling magnetic fields.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The transportation means of claim 11 wherein: said first leg and said second leg each have inwardly facing surfaces with conductors vertically mounted therein parallel to said first arm, said first leg and said second leg are positionable on either side of said first arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
The transportation means of claim 19 wherein: said first leg and said second leg have outwardly facing surfaces and further comprising ferromagnetic plates attached to said first leg and said second leg and positioned on said outwardly facing surfaces to attract and concentrate magnetic flux of said magnetic field of said first arm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
155 words
A railway propulsion system comprising: a source of 3 phase high frequency electrical power; a railway having at least one first rail having a first arm with three cables wound therein connected to said source of electrical power to produce two linearly traveling magnetic fields; a carrier frame having at least a first leg and a second parallel leg in spaced relation to each other and mounted thereto, said first and second leg having conductance and being positionable adjacent and on either side of said first arm of said first rail for moving through said fields and producing a force on said frame in the direction of said fields of said first arm, said frame further having first means to support said frame; and, means to receive said first means for supporting and guiding said frame along said railway and positioning said first and second leg adjacent and on either side of said first arm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
155 words
A railway propulsion system comprising: a source of 3 phase high frequency electrical power; a railway having at least one first rail having a first arm with three cables wound therein connected to said source of electrical power to produce two linearly traveling magnetic fields; a carrier frame having at least a first leg and a second parallel leg in spaced relation to each other and mounted thereto, said first and second leg having conductance and being positionable adjacent and on either side of said first arm of said first rail for moving through said fields and producing a force on said frame in the direction of said fields of said first arm, said frame further having first means to support said frame; and, means to receive said first means for supporting and guiding said frame along said railway and positioning said first and second leg adjacent and on either side of said first arm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
69 words
The propulsion system of claim 21 wherein: said arm has a pair of plates spaced apart and extending longitudinally the length of said arm, said plates are parallel and are supported and rigidly braced within said arm, said plates have outer sides with vertical grooves therein receiving said cables, said cables are insulated and connected to said source of power and wound to produce two linearly traveling magnetic fields.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
The propulsion system of claim 22 wherein: said rail includes a second arm and a third arm parallel to said first arm, said second arm is spaced from said first arm with said first leg positioned therebetween, said third arm is spaced from said first arm with said second leg positioned therebetween.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The transportation means of claim 21 wherein: said first and said second leg have inwardly facing surfaces comprising conductors vertically mounted therein parallel to said first arm, said first leg and said second leg are positionable on either side of said first arm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The transportation means of claim 24 wherein: said first leg and said second leg have outwardly facing surfaces and further comprising ferromagnetic plates attached to said first leg and said second leg and positioned on said outwardly facing surfaces to attract and concentrate magnetic flux of said magnetic field of said first arm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
The propulsion means of claim 21 and further comprising: means mounted to said carrier frame being connected to said first and second leg and operable to retract said legs from an operating position adjacent said rail to a retracted position for storage when carrier is not being propelled along said railway.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |