Guideway activated magnetic switching of vehicles
First Claim
1. A system for switching of a vehicle, comprising:
- a first switching structure disposed on the vehicle;
a guideway for guiding movement of the vehicle; and
, a first electromagnet disposed on the portion of the guideway for inducing a magnetic force between the first electromagnet and at least a portion of the first switching structure in the vicinity of the electromagnet, thereby directing the vehicle at a switch point.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for switching a transport vehicle comprising: a guideway, a vehicle that moves along the guideway, and a magnetic field source that creates a force on the vehicle to affect motion in a desired direction at a switch. Once the vehicle has started motion through the switch the guidance can be continued by use of permanent magnets until the normal guidance system is effective. The switching scheme can work with any suspension scheme, including wheels and maglev, and can work with any lateral guidance scheme, including horizontal guide wheels and magnetic guidance. The system can be used with very closely spaced vehicles, such as with Personal Rapid Transit, material handling, and elevators with multiple cabs in the same shaft.
149 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for switching of a vehicle, comprising:
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a first switching structure disposed on the vehicle;
a guideway for guiding movement of the vehicle; and
,a first electromagnet disposed on the portion of the guideway for inducing a magnetic force between the first electromagnet and at least a portion of the first switching structure in the vicinity of the electromagnet, thereby directing the vehicle at a switch point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of switching a vehicle, comprising:
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moving a vehicle on a guideway;
inducing a magnetic force between the vehicle and at least a portion of the guideway situated laterally to the vehicle by using an magnet disposed on the guideway, thereby directing the vehicle at a switch point. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for switching of a vehicle, comprising:
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a switching structure disposed on the vehicle;
a guideway for guiding movement of the vehicle; and
,at least one magnet disposed on the portion of the guideway for inducing a magnetic force between the at least one magnet and at least a portion of the switching structure in the vicinity of the at least one magnet, thereby directing the vehicle at a switch point.
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Specification