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Electric vehicle transport system

  • US 5,775,227 A
  • Filed: 10/28/1996
  • Issued: 07/07/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An electric vehicle transport system for electric powered and fuel powered vehicles, comprising:

  • a guideway extending between stations including an electrically conductive center rail extending longitudinally of said guideway connected with an electrical source for supplying electric energy thereto and a pair of wheel support rails disposed one at each side of said electrically conductive center rail in laterally spaced relation extending longitudinally of said guideway;

    at least one electrically powered transport module having a platform for supporting at least one individual vehicle and other objects thereon, electrical conductor means on said transport module engaged in electrical contact with said electrically conductive center rail for receiving electric energy therefrom, and a set of wheels on laterally opposed sides of said transport module rotatably engaged with said wheel support rails for supporting said transport module thereon whereby said transport module is driven along said guideway with said electrical conductor in contact with said electrically conductive center rail;

    electric motor means on said transport module connected with said electrical conductor means and said set of wheels for driving said transport module along said guideway;

    D.C. voltage sower supply and battery charging means on said transport module connected with said electrical conductor means for receiving electric energy therefrom and including connection means for releasably connecting said D.C. voltage power supply means to a battery and electrical system of a vehicle parked on said platform to charge said battery and supply D.C. voltage to said vehicle electrical system for operating electrical accessories while said vehicle is being transported to said selected destination station;

    an electronic computerized control system on said transport module connected with said motor means for controlling the operation of driving said transport module between said stations, including memory means, display means for displaying the identity of stations along said guideway, means for inputting data corresponding to the identity of a selected destination station, program means for translating said data into operational signals, programmable drivers for operating said motor means and starting and stopping said transport module, and an operating program stored in said memory means for activating said drivers to drive said transport module along said guideway to said selected destination station and to stop said transport module upon arrival;

    wherebyan individual may park a vehicle on said platform of said transport module and select a desired destination station by inputting said data corresponding to the identity of said desired destination station into said computerized control system and activating said operating program and thereafter be transported along with said parked vehicle by said transport module to said selected destination station while charging said battery and operating electrical accessories of said parked vehicle, and after arriving at said destination station, to drive said vehicle off of said platform.

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