Railways – Car-carried propulsion system – Pneumatic
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-07-31
Le, Mark T. (Department: 3617)
Railways
Car-carried propulsion system
Pneumatic
C104S138100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267058
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a transportation system and, more particularly, to a guideway system for light rail transportation.
Rapid mass ground transportation systems offer many benefits over non-mass transportation means such as the use of automobiles, particularly in metropolitan areas experiencing severe traffic congestion and pollution problems. Mass ground transportation may also be a desirable alternative for short-range as well as long-range air travel. Although there has been a general recognition of the need for a reliable, safe rapid transportation system, utilization of rapid transit systems has been hindered by the high cost of construction and operation as well as technical difficulties in developing an efficient and versatile light rail system.
Conventional approaches have not produced a light rail transportation system that is sufficiently versatile, efficient, and cost-effective to be a feasible substitute for non-mass transportation and air travel alternatives. For instance, some so-called light rail systems have rather heavy transportation modules due to the use of heavy undercarriage or a heavy power system, high traction requirements, high onboard fuel requirements, or the like. Systems that rely on traction drives tend to have difficulty with steep grades. Moreover, external elements such as severe weather conditions and contaminations can pose substantial difficulty in the operation and maintenance of light rail systems. Additionally, traction drive mechanisms employing wheels tend to produce a lot of noise as well as wear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the difficulties and disadvantages of the prior art by providing simple solutions to specific problems associated with developing an efficient and cost-effective light rail transportation system. The invention provides a guideway system that does not depend on traction for movement. In a specific embodiment, the pod assembly is placed inside a guide tube, the exterior of which preferably supports and guides the vehicle as it moves along the tube. Motion is generated by providing a pressure differential inside the tube between the upstream region and the downstream region of the pod assembly. The pressure differential is preferably generated by a stationary power system that produces a vacuum on the downstream region or pressurizes the upstream region or both. The speed of the pod assembly is controlled by modulating the amount of gas flow through the pod, that is, from the upstream side to the downstream side of the pod. The speed of the pod assembly is increased by reducing the amount of gas flow through the pod assembly to thereby increase the thrust on it, and is decreased by permitting a larger amount of gas to flow past the pod assembly to decrease the thrust.
Because the thrust required to move the pod assembly is generated by stationary power systems, the vehicle does not require heavy on-board engines or drive trains. The pod assembly and guide tube are relatively light in weight and are well-suited for use in a light rail system. The guide tube can be elevated because of the light overall weight of the system, reducing right-of-way costs. When elevated, grading costs and requirements are significantly reduced.
A magnetic coupling apparatus is used to couple the pod assembly inside the guide tube with the transportation module outside the guide tube. The transportation module is supported by the exterior surface of the guide tube. The coupling apparatus advantageously reduces running friction and loading on the guide tube. During acceleration and normal running of the transportation module, the magnetic field between the inner magnetic coupler connected to the pod assembly and the outer magnetic coupler connected to the transportation module is in a repulsion mode rather than an attraction mode. This minimizes the load of the vehicle on the guide tube by pushing them away from the guide tube. This reduces the mechanical stress on the guide tube. By the same action the inner magnetic coupler connected to the pod assembly is also repelled from the inner surface of the guide tube to minimize the load. The decrease in loads results in a decrease in friction and drag between the stationary guide tube and the moving inner and outer magnetic couplers.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a magnetically coupled drive apparatus comprises a wall made of a non-metallic material. A first magnetic coupler and a second magnetic coupler are disposed on opposite sides of the wall. The first magnetic coupler is movable relative to the wall in a direction of movement. The second magnetic coupler is magnetically coupled with the first magnetic coupler to be moved by the first magnetic coupler. The first magnetic coupler includes a first magnetic bar and a plurality of first magnetic blocks coupled to the first magnetic bar. The first magnetic blocks are disposed between the first magnetic bar and the wall. The first magnetic bar is opposite in polarity from the first magnetic blocks. The first magnetic blocks are arranged in series and are alternately spaced by a plurality of first nonmagnetic spacers in the direction of movement. The second magnetic coupler includes a second magnetic bar and a plurality of second magnetic blocks coupled to the second magnetic bar. The second magnetic blocks are disposed between the second magnetic bar and the wall. The second magnetic bar is opposite in polarity from the second magnetic blocks. The second magnetic blocks are arranged in series and are alternately spaced by a plurality of second nonmagnetic spacers in the direction of movement. The second magnetic bar is the same in polarity as the first magnetic bar.
In some embodiments, the first magnetic blocks and second magnetic blocks are staggered in position along the direction of movement when the first and second magnetic couplers are substantially stationary. The first magnetic blocks and second magnetic blocks move closer toward substantial alignment with each other as the first and second magnetic couplers increase in speed, thereby changing the magnetic coupling from an attraction mode to a repulsion mode.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of magnetically driving a transportation module comprises providing a drive member in a thrust tube including a non-metallic, nonmagnetic portion extending longitudinally along the thrust tube. An inner magnetic coupler is provided inside the thrust tube. An outer magnetic coupler is provided outside the thrust tube and is connected with the transportation module disposed on the thrust tube. The inner and outer magnetic couplers are disposed on opposite sides of the non-metallic, nonmagnetic portion of the thrust tube. The inner and outer magnetic couplers are magnetically coupled in attraction when the inner and outer magnetic couplers are substantially stationary with respect to the thrust tube. The drive member is thrusted to move the inner magnetic coupler along the thrust tube in a direction of movement. The inner magnetic coupler moves the outer magnetic coupler, changing the magnetic coupling between the inner and outer magnetic couplers from attraction to repulsion as the speed increases.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a transportation system for moving a transportation module comprises a thrust tube including a longitudinal guide slot disposed in an inner surface of the thrust tube. A drive member is disposed inside the thrust tube to be thrusted along the thrust tube. An inner magnetic coupler is disposed inside the thrust tube and connected with the drive member to be moved by the drive member. At least a portion of the inner magnetic coupler is disposed in the longitudinal guide slot. An outer magnetic coupler is disposed outside the thrust tube and is configured to connect with a transportation module. The outer magnetic coupler is spaced from the inner magnetic coupler by the thrust tube and is magnetically coupled with the inner magnetic coupler to b
Flight Rail Corporation
Le Mark T.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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