Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A monorail conveyance system for use in generating electrical power from air or water currents, comprising: (a) a single hollow rail having a substantially rectangular cross-section with opposed pairs of vertical and horizontal sides, one of said sides being formed along a central portion thereof into a continuous longitudinal channel, said channel affording access to the interior of said rail; (b) a conveyance driven by said currents along said rail; and (c) a suspension system for supporting said conveyance in its movement along said rail, said suspension system comprising: (i) a first wheel for bearing the weight of said conveyance, said first wheel being located within the interior of said rail and being oriented to rotate in a vertical plane, and (ii) second and third wheels located within the interior of said rail and oriented to rotate in separate horizontal planes, the diameter of said second and third wheels being slightly less than the separation between the interior surfaces of said opposed vertical sides of said rail, thereby to insure the stability of said conveyance upon said rail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A monorail conveyance system for use in generating electrical power from air or water currents, comprising: (a) a single hollow rail having a substantially rectangular cross-section with opposed pairs of vertical and horizontal sides, one of said sides being formed along a central portion thereof into a continuous longitudinal channel, said channel affording access to the interior of said rail; (b) a conveyance driven by said currents along said rail; and (c) a suspension system for supporting said conveyance in its movement along said rail, said suspension system comprising: (i) a first wheel for bearing the weight of said conveyance, said first wheel being located within the interior of said rail and being oriented to rotate in a vertical plane, and (ii) second and third wheels located within the interior of said rail and oriented to rotate in separate horizontal planes, the diameter of said second and third wheels being slightly less than the separation between the interior surfaces of said opposed vertical sides of said rail, thereby to insure the stability of said conveyance upon said rail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A monorail conveyance system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first wheel is situated at substantially the center of gravity of said conveyance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A monorail conveyance system as defined in claim 1 wherein the smaller sides of said substantially rectangular rail are said horizontal sides thereof, and said channel is formed in one of said vertical sides thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A monorail conveyance system as defined in claim 3, wherein said second and third wheels are aligned vertically with respect to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A monorail conveyance system as defined in claim 1, wherein said suspension system further comprises a suspension arm extending into the interior of said rail through said channel and having inner and outer end portions, said outer end portion supporting said conveyance and said inner end portion connected to said first, second, and third wheels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A monorail conveyance system as defined in claim 5 wherein said first wheel is secured by means of a swivel connection to said support arm, so that said first wheel may remain aligned with said rail as said conveyance passes around curved sections thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A monorail conveyance system as defined in claim 5 wherein said suspension arm is oriented at an acute angle to the rear of said conveyance so that the clearance between said rail and portions of said conveyance opposite said rail in the plane of curved sections thereof increases as the conveyance passes around said curved sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A monorail conveyance system as recited in claim 1, wherein said suspension system consists of said first, second, and third wheels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A monorail conveyance system as recited in claim 1 in which the free edges of said channel turn inwardly of said hollow rail to more securely retain said second and third wheels within said rail.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A monorail conveyance system as recited in claim 9, further comprising at least one continuous elongated lip opposing one of said edges of said channel and formed on the interior surface of the side of said rail opposite therefrom.