Vehicle-based switch mechanisms in fixed guideway transportation systems and methods for controlling same
First Claim
1. An apparatus for causing a vehicle to switch tracks in a fixed guideway transportation system, the apparatus comprising:
- a switch mechanism mounted on the vehicle that interoperates with corresponding fixed track structures to allow the vehicle to switch tracks without any moving components on the tracks, wherein the switch mechanism includes;
a switch wheel that is adapted to engage with certain of the corresponding fixed track structures;
a shaft connected to the switch wheel that controllably moves the switch wheel between a first position that prevents engagement with the certain fixed track structures and a second position that allows engagement with the certain fixed track structures,wherein the shaft comprises corresponding first and second locking slots for the first and second positions, and a locking bar that controllably engages with the first and second locking slots to lock the shaft in the first and second positions, respectively;
first and second coded tags on the shaft corresponding to the first and second positions; and
a tag reader adapted to sense the first and second tags,wherein the tag reader is fixedly positioned adjacent to the shaft such that it can only sense the first and second tags when the shaft is in the first and second positions, respectively, andwherein the tag reader sends a first signal when the shaft is in the first position, and sends a second signal when the shaft is in the second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to ground transportation systems, and more particularly to a fixed guideway transportation system that achieves a superior ratio of benefits per cost, is lower in net present cost and thus more easily justified for lower density corridors, and can provide passenger carrying capacities appropriate for higher density corridors serviced by mass rapid transit systems today. According to certain aspects, the present invention increases traffic densities by removing fixed obstacles such as track switches. In embodiments, this is achieved by providing vehicle-based switching mechanisms that interoperate with corresponding track structures to allow vehicles to switch tracks without any moving components on the track itself. According to further aspects, the invention provides a method of operating vehicle-based switching mechanisms that comply with safety requirements.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for causing a vehicle to switch tracks in a fixed guideway transportation system, the apparatus comprising:
a switch mechanism mounted on the vehicle that interoperates with corresponding fixed track structures to allow the vehicle to switch tracks without any moving components on the tracks, wherein the switch mechanism includes; a switch wheel that is adapted to engage with certain of the corresponding fixed track structures; a shaft connected to the switch wheel that controllably moves the switch wheel between a first position that prevents engagement with the certain fixed track structures and a second position that allows engagement with the certain fixed track structures, wherein the shaft comprises corresponding first and second locking slots for the first and second positions, and a locking bar that controllably engages with the first and second locking slots to lock the shaft in the first and second positions, respectively; first and second coded tags on the shaft corresponding to the first and second positions; and a tag reader adapted to sense the first and second tags, wherein the tag reader is fixedly positioned adjacent to the shaft such that it can only sense the first and second tags when the shaft is in the first and second positions, respectively, and wherein the tag reader sends a first signal when the shaft is in the first position, and sends a second signal when the shaft is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for causing a vehicle to switch tracks in a fixed guideway transportation system, the method comprising:
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mounting a switch mechanism on the vehicle; and causing the switch mechanism to interoperate with corresponding fixed track structures to allow the vehicle to switch tracks without any moving components on the tracks, wherein the switch mechanism includes; a switch wheel that is adapted to engage with certain of the corresponding fixed track structures; and a shaft connected to the switch wheel that controllably moves the switch wheel between a first position that prevents engagement with the certain fixed track structures and a second position that allows engagement with the certain fixed track structures, wherein the causing step includes causing the switch wheel to move to one of the first and second positions, and wherein the shaft comprises corresponding first and second locking slots for the first and second positions, and a locking bar that controllably engages with the first and second locking slots, and wherein the causing step further includes causing the locking bar to engage with one of the first and second locking slots, wherein the switch mechanism further comprises; first and second coded tags on the shaft corresponding to the first and second positions; and a tag reader adapted to sense the first and second tags, the method further comprising; fixedly positioning the tag reader adjacent to the shaft such that it can only sense the first and second tags when the shaft is in the first and second positions, respectively; sending a first signal from the tag reader when the shaft is in the first position; and sending a second signal from the tag reader when the shaft is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A fixed guideway transportation system comprising:
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a switch point between a first set of rails and a second set of rails; fixed track structures at the switch point; and a switch mechanism mounted on a vehicle that interoperates with certain of the fixed track structures to allow the vehicle to switch between the first set of rails and second set of rails without any moving components on the rails, wherein the switch mechanism includes; a switch wheel that is adapted to engage with the certain fixed track structures; and a shaft connected to the switch wheel that controllably moves the switch wheel between a first position that prevents engagement with the certain fixed track structures and a second position that allows engagement with the certain fixed track structures, and wherein the fixed track structures include; a set of switch rails fixed between one of the first and second sets of rails; and a set of flange rails that replaces a section of the one first and second set of rails adjacent to the switch rails, wherein the switch wheel is adapted to interoperate with the switch rails, and wherein a wheel of the vehicle rolls on the flange rails when the vehicle is being caused to switch between the first and second set of rails. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification