Modular monorail buss control system and method
First Claim
1. A modular, electrified monorail system upon which at least one motorized trolley may be propelled along, the system comprising:
- a plurality of rail assemblies adapted to be coupled adjacent to one another to form a generally continuous track, each said rail assembly including;
an electrified track adapted to provide an electrical signal from an electrical power source to at least one electrical conductor extending coextensively along the electrified track;
a controller mounted on the electrified track;
the controller configured to selectively apply and remove the electrical power from the electrified track to control propulsion of the motorized trolley along the electrified track; and
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at least one sensor operably associated with the electrified track for sensing the at least one motorized trolley, and further being in communication with the controller, the at least one sensor providing a signal to the controller to help the controller control the application of electrical power to the electrified track while the at least one motorized trolley is at least partially present on the electrified track.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular, electrified monorail system upon which at least one motorized trolley assembly may be propelled along. The system may incorporate a plurality of rail assemblies adapted to be coupled adjacent to one another to form a generally continuous track. Each rail assembly may make use of an electrified track adapted to provide an electrical signal from an electrical power source to at least one electrical conductor extending coextensively along the electrified track. A controller may be mounted on the electrified track. The controller may be configured to selectively apply and remove the electrical power from the electrified track to control propulsion of the motorized trolley assembly along the electrified track.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A modular, electrified monorail system upon which at least one motorized trolley may be propelled along, the system comprising:
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a plurality of rail assemblies adapted to be coupled adjacent to one another to form a generally continuous track, each said rail assembly including; an electrified track adapted to provide an electrical signal from an electrical power source to at least one electrical conductor extending coextensively along the electrified track; a controller mounted on the electrified track; the controller configured to selectively apply and remove the electrical power from the electrified track to control propulsion of the motorized trolley along the electrified track; and
;at least one sensor operably associated with the electrified track for sensing the at least one motorized trolley, and further being in communication with the controller, the at least one sensor providing a signal to the controller to help the controller control the application of electrical power to the electrified track while the at least one motorized trolley is at least partially present on the electrified track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A modular, electrified monorail system comprising:
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a plurality of motorized trolleys which are adapted to be propelled by electrical power; a plurality of rail assemblies adapted to be coupled adjacent to one another to form a generally continuous track upon which the motorized trolleys move, each said rail assembly including; an electrified track adapted to provide an electrical signal from an electrical power source to at least one electrical conductor extending coextensively along the electrified track, the at least one electrical conductor adapted to provide the electrical signal to any one of said motorized trolleys that is present the electrified track; a controller mounted on the electrified track, the controller configured to selectively apply and remove the electrical power from the electrified track to control propulsion of each of the motorized trolleys along the electrified track; at least one sensor operably associated with the electrified track for sensing at least one of the motorized trolleys, and further being in communication with the controller, the at least one sensor providing a signal to the controller to help the controller control the application of electrical power to the electrified track while the at least motorized trolley is at least partially present on the electrified track; and a remotely located controller in communication with the controller located on each said electrified track, for communicating with the controller on each one of said electrified tracks when to apply and remove power from its associated said electrified track. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for forming a modular electrified monorail system, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of motorized trolleys that each may be independently propelled via electrical signals; using a plurality of rail assemblies adapted to be coupled adjacent to one another to form a generally continuous track upon which the motorized trolleys may be propelled; for each said rail assembly; using an electrified track adapted to provide an electrical signal from an electrical power source to at least one electrical conductor extending coextensively along the electrified track; providing a controller mounted on the electrified track; and causing the controller to selectively apply and remove the electrical power from the electrified track to control propulsion of the motorized trolleys along the electrified track; using at least one sensor operably associated with the electrified track for sensing at least one of the motorized trolleys, and further being in communication with the controller, the at least one sensor providing a signal to the controller to help the controller control the application of electrical power to the electrified track while the at least motorized trolley is at least partially present on the electrified track; and using a remotely located controller to communicate with each of the controllers and to inform each of the controllers specifically when to apply electrical power to its associated said electrified track, and when to remove electrical power from its associated said electrified track. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A modular, electrified monorail system upon which at least one motorized trolley may be propelled along, the system comprising:
a plurality of rail assemblies adapted to be coupled adjacent to one another to form a generally continuous track, each said rail assembly including; an electrified track adapted to provide an electrical signal from an electrical power source to at least one electrical conductor extending coextensively along the electrified track; a controller mounted on the electrified track; the controller configured to selectively apply and remove the electrical power from the electrified track to control propulsion of the motorized trolley along the electrified track; and a plurality of sensors, each said sensor being positioned adjacent a longitudinal edge of an associated one of the electrified tracks, and each said sensor being in communication with the controller of its said associated electrified track, for informing the controller of its said associated electrified track when to turn on and off electrical power to its said associated electrified track.
Specification