Transportation system for city transportation with traction cable and railroad system having a central routing control and electronic calling systems in the stations

• US 5,237,931 A
• Filed: 10/21/1992
• Issued: 08/24/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: High Technology Investments B.V.
• Original Assignee: Waagner-Biro AG (Herbert Liaunig Privatstiftung)
• Inventors: Riedl, Norbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberleitner, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Application Number:
  US07/964,417
• Time in Patent Office: 307 Days
• Field of Search: 104/28, 104/87, 104/88, 104/89, 104/91, 104/96, 104/130, 104/173.1
• US Class Current: 104/28
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 3/00 Elevated railway systems with suspended vehicles with suspended flexible tracks B61B7/00; saddle or like balanced type with monorail B61B13/06; with propelling cables and for transporting materials B65G; tracks therefor E01B25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 9/00 Tramway or funicular systems with rigid track and cable traction haulage clips B61B12/12

Abstract

In a transportation system for city transportation in which the cars are moved on a rail system and are brought at least part of the time into circulation from a circulating traction cable and the cars are fastened with clamps on the traction cable, stations are arranged at any given distance between the end railway stations with reversing devices for the traction cable, cars come to stand on a secondary track at the stations, and the through traffic has the ability to pass the standing cars. In the individual stations, an electronic calling system is installed which in cooperation with a central control causes a next car with a free place to seek the stations and to pick up the passenger(s), or to transfer a further car or car train into the rail system. In the cars themselves are provided station selection devices for the next stop. The secondary track is preferably arranged above or below the through rail system. The stations are thereby simplified, and it is possible to enter the stopping car directly, similar to a platform.

Claims

1. A transportation system for city transportation having a two-track rail system, comprising

a rail system having a first end and a second end,

a plurality of cars running independently on said rail system,

a plurality of stations arranged between said first end and said second end and along said rail system, said rail system structured and arranged to allow said cars to stop in said stations for the pick-up and discharge of passengers,

said rail system comprising

a secondary line and a main line, a path is formed by said secondary line and said main line which allows cars travelling on said main line to pass other cars on said secondary line, said secondary line being connected at opposite ends to said main line and passing through said stations,

a central control,

an electronic calling system installed in each of said stations,

station selection devices arranged in said cars, said electronic calling system in each of said stations being connected to said station selection devices such that one of said cars is guided into one of said stations when said electronic calling system in said one of said stations is activated, and said station selection devices cooperating with said central control to ensure the receiving readiness of said one of said cars,

a towing device structured and arranged to transfer said cars from said secondary line onto said main line, and

an endless traction cable arranged along said main line, said car being coupled to said traction cable when said cars are arranged on said main line, said endless traction cable structured to drive said cars on said main line between said first end and said second end of said rail system.

2. The transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main line comprises rails on at least a portion of said path, said rails being structured and arranged above said cars for carrying said cars in said rail system.

3. The transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rail system extends above said cars and said cars are suspended therefrom.

4. The transportation system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said endless traction cables are substituted for said rails.

5. The transportation system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said cars are further supported by means of rollers and said endless traction cable drives said cars to move at ground level by means of said rollers.

6. The transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main line having a first side and a second side,

said secondary line including secondary tracks arranged on at least one of said first and said second side of said main line and said secondary line having two entrance shunts and one exit shunt connecting said secondary tracks to said main line, said secondary tracks thereby defining a storage path for empty cars.

7. The transportation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said secondary tracks are parallel to said main line in said stations and said secondary tracks comprise two track sections connected one behind the other, said track sections being separated by said entrance and exit shunts.

8. The transportation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said secondary tracks comprise a first track section implemented as a storage area for empty cars and a second track section implemented as a station track, wherein said cars on said second track section travel independently of said cars running on said main line and said cars on said second track section being capable of being integrated into said cars running on said main line by means of said towing device and said endless traction cable.

9. The transportation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said secondary tracks are arranged parallel to and arranged above said main line such that passengers can enter said cars from a street level without staircase facilities.

10. The transportation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said secondary tracks are arranged parallel to and arranged below said main line such that passengers can enter said cars from a street level without staircase facilities.

11. The transportation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of said cars is kept on said secondary track ready to depart in each of said stations.

12. A transportation system, comprising

a two-track rail system including a main line and a secondary line,

an endless traction cable arranged along said main line,

a plurality of cars driven by said endless traction cable and running on said rail system, said cars being suspended from said rail system,

a plurality of stations on said secondary line structured and arranged to allow said cars running on said main line to be called into said stations to stop for the pick-up and discharge of passengers,

secondary tracks arranged in conjunction with said stations,

said secondary tracks connected with said main line through two entrance shunts and one exit shunt, said secondary tracks each comprising a first track section implemented as a storage area for empty cars and a second track section implemented as a station track for the pick-up and discharge of passengers, wherein said cars on said secondary track travel independently of said cars running on said main line and ar capable of being integrated into said main line by said endless traction cable and

an electronic communication system comprising an electronic calling system installed in each of said stations, station selection devices arranged in said cars, and a central control, wherein said electronic calling system and said station selection devices act in cooperation with said central control to call a particular one of said cars traveling on said main line to stop at a desired one of said stations and a particular one of said cars stored on one of said secondary tracks can be transferred onto said main line.

13. The transportation system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said cars running on said main line are structured and arranged to pass said stations without stopping.