Short block linear synchronous motors and switching mechanisms
First Claim
1. A vehicle for use in a transport system, comprising:
- a magnetic flux source; and
a septum portion coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle, wherein the septum portion is of narrowed cross-section with respect to the other body portion(s);
wherein the transport system includesA. a guideway including a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled, the guideway having one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide;
B. a diverge region that comprises a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge, wherein the flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon, and wherein the extension continues switching of vehicle direction at the diverge by contacting the septum of the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway with a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled. One or more vehicles are disposed on the guideway, each including a magnetic flux source. The guideway has one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide. Each vehicle can have a septum portion of narrowed cross-section that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle. The guideway includes a diverge region that has a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge. The flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon. The extension continues switching of vehicle direction at the diverge by contacting the septum. Still other aspects of the invention provide a transport system, e.g., as described above, that includes a merge region with a flipper and a broadened region of the running surface. The flipper applies a lateral force to the vehicle to alter an angle thereof as the vehicle enters the merge region, and the broadened region continues the merge by contacting the septum of the vehicle, thereby, providing further guidance or channeling for the merge. The flipper, which can be equipped for full or partial deployment, is partially deployed in order to effect alteration of the vehicle angle as the vehicle enters the merge.
509 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle for use in a transport system, comprising:
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a magnetic flux source; and a septum portion coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle, wherein the septum portion is of narrowed cross-section with respect to the other body portion(s); wherein the transport system includes A. a guideway including a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled, the guideway having one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide; B. a diverge region that comprises a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge, wherein the flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon, and wherein the extension continues switching of vehicle direction at the diverge by contacting the septum of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A vehicle for use in a transport system, comprising:
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a magnetic flux source; and one or more pins extending from near one or more running surfaces of the vehicle; wherein the transport system includes A. a guideway including a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which the vehicle is to be propelled, the guideway having one or more running surfaces that support the vehicle and along which the vehicle rolls or slides; B. a diverge region along the guideway that comprises a flipper; wherein the one or more pins of the vehicle interact with the flipper to control direction of motion of the vehicle at the diverge region. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A vehicle for use in a transport system, comprising:
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a magnetic flux source; and a septum portion that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle, wherein the septum portion is of narrowed cross-section; wherein the transport system includes A. a guideway including a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which the vehicle is to be propelled, the guideway having one or more running surfaces that support the vehicle and along which it rolls or slides; B. a merge region that comprises a flipper and a broadened region of the running surface, wherein the flipper applies a lateral force to the vehicle to alter an angle thereof as the vehicle enters the merge region, and wherein the broadened region continues the merge by contacting the septum of the vehicle, thereby, providing further guidance or channeling for the merge. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification