Method of automatically operating a semi-continuous passenger transport system using passive vehicles, and means for implementing same
First Claim
1. An automatic method of operating a semi-continuous passenger transport system having successive movable tracks for driving non-motorized vehicles along a closed path between at least two stations, said tracks including cruising speed tracks located between said stations, slow speed tracks at embarkation and disembarkation platforms located at each of said stations, and transition tracks for accelerating and decelerating said vehicles at the ends of said platforms;
- said transport system further including structural means for limiting access of passengers to one of said vehicles located at one of said stations, said method comprising the steps of;
(1) detecting the presence of an object by actuation of said structural means, the presence of said object being defined as a fault condition;
(2) signaling said fault condition;
(3) stopping the track on which said one vehicle in said station is situated and stopping all other tracks in said station without stopping said cruising speed tracks; and
(4) cancelling steps (2) and (3) after said fault condition has been removed to progressively return said system to normal operation.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically operating a semi-continuous passenger transport system using non-motorized vehicles. Fault conditions corresponding to passengers or articles carried by passengers projecting beyond a surface limiting access to the vehicles in stations are detected. Detection of such fault conditions initiates progressive implementation of fault condition signalling, and slowing and stopping of the tracks which drive the vehicles. These measures are progressively cancelled on clearance of the fault condition.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An automatic method of operating a semi-continuous passenger transport system having successive movable tracks for driving non-motorized vehicles along a closed path between at least two stations, said tracks including cruising speed tracks located between said stations, slow speed tracks at embarkation and disembarkation platforms located at each of said stations, and transition tracks for accelerating and decelerating said vehicles at the ends of said platforms;
- said transport system further including structural means for limiting access of passengers to one of said vehicles located at one of said stations, said method comprising the steps of;
(1) detecting the presence of an object by actuation of said structural means, the presence of said object being defined as a fault condition; (2) signaling said fault condition; (3) stopping the track on which said one vehicle in said station is situated and stopping all other tracks in said station without stopping said cruising speed tracks; and (4) cancelling steps (2) and (3) after said fault condition has been removed to progressively return said system to normal operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22)
- said transport system further including structural means for limiting access of passengers to one of said vehicles located at one of said stations, said method comprising the steps of;
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12. A semi-continuous passenger transport system for conveying passengers between at least two stations, comprising:
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a plurality of driving tracks located between and in said stations; non-motorized vehicles driven by said driving tracks along a circuit serving at least two of said stations have platforms for embarkation and disembarkation of passengers from said vehicles, each of said vehicles having at least one door for providing access to said vehicle through an opening therein; safety wall members provided on said platforms, each of said safety wall members being movable and having a portion extending parallel to the path of travel of said vehicles along the associated platform, movement of any of said safety wall members stopping the vehicle immediately adjacent said safety wall member; and means for closing said door when the upstream edge of said door is in a position downstream from the upstream edge of the associated safety wall member, whereby said safety wall members effectively gradually close off access to said vehicles and prevent the passengers from interfering with the operation of said vehicle doors. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification