Railways – Switches
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-11
2001-10-30
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Railways
Switches
C104S243000, C246S41500R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308636
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved in-vehicle switch mechanism for a guided vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Conventional laterally guided vehicles rely on lateral guideways to stabilize and direct them along the guideway. A switching mechanism is used to select one of two pathways when a vehicle approaches an intersection. The guideway itself has no moving parts and switching of the vehicle at diverging and converging points of the guideway is accomplished by forcing the vehicle to adhere to one side of the guideway while approaching a point of divergence with the system. One problem with such mechanisms is that when the vehicle enters an intersection the bilateral guiding is lost and so the vehicle is apt to be less stable and can hunt from side to side causing head-toss and other passenger discomfort.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved in-vehicle switch mechanism and an in-vehicle switch system using such a switch mechanism.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an improved in-vehicle switch mechanism which develops a preload between the switch wheels and guide rail to provide a stable ride without hunting, head-toss and other passenger discomfort.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an improved in-vehicle switch mechanism which monitors the position of the switch wheels as well as their wear and presence.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an improved in-vehicle switch mechanism which enables accommodation of the preload to maintain proper loading for secure and comfortable engagement even with wear.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an improved in-vehicle switch mechanism in which the switch wheels once engaged with the guide rail are mechanically locked in place.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an improved in-vehicle switch mechanism in which the switch wheels once engaged with the guide rail are kept properly oriented.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an improved in-vehicle switch mechanism in which the switch wheels are enabled to maintain full face contact with the guide rails.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an improved in-vehicle switch mechanism which is self-aligning when engaged with the guide rail and engagement is maintained even under severe wear conditions or when the switch wheel is missing.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such an improved in-vehicle switch mechanism which confirms engagement of the switch wheel and guide rail.
The invention results from the realization that a truly safe and stable guided vehicle for a guided vehicle system which securely engages the guideway even where the vehicle approaches a divergence in the guide rail can be achieved by using an in-vehicle switch mechanism including a biasing device to urge the switch wheel to exert a preload force against the guide rail in areas of divergence.
This invention features an in-vehicle switch mechanism for guiding a vehicle along a guideway at converging and diverging points of the guide rails in a guided vehicle system. There is a support frame, a pivot assembly, and a switch arm assembly pivotably mounted at its proximate end to the pivot assembly. A switch wheel is rotatably mounted to the switch arm assembly at its distal end. An actuator moves the switch arm between a deployed position in which the switch wheel engages the guide rail and a stowed position in which the switch wheel is free of the guide rail. A biasing device interconnected between the support frame and pivot assembly pre-loads the switch wheel against the guide rail when the switch wheel is deployed as the vehicle approaches a point of divergence.
In a preferred embodiment the pivot assembly may include first and second spaced pivot units. The pivot assembly may include first and second pivot arms, the proximate end of each pivot arm being connected to one of the pivot units, the distal end of the pivot arm being connected to a spindle housing. The spindle housing may include a shaft for rotatably supporting the switch wheel. The biasing device may include a spring member and it may include a spring member associated with each of the pivot units. The actuator may be mounted with the pivot assembly. The biasing device may include an adjustment member for varying the force applied by the biasing device. The pivot axis of the pivot assembly may be generally aligned with the switch wheel. The actuator may be resiliently interconnected between the pivot assembly and the switch arm assembly. The actuator may be resiliently mounted to the pivot assembly. There may be an anti-roll device for maintaining alignment between the switch wheel and guide rail. The biasing device may include a limiter member for limiting the movement of the switch wheel relative to and maintaining a mechanical interference lock with the guide rail. The pivot assembly may include a sensor for detecting the position of the switch arm assembly. The biasing device may include a sensor for detecting the engagement of the switch wheel and guide rail.
The invention also features an in-vehicle switch system for guiding a vehicle along a guideway at converging and diverging points of the guide rails in a guided vehicle system. The in-vehicle switch system includes first and second switch mechanisms each including a support frame, a pivot assembly, and a switch arm assembly pivotably mounted at its proximate end to the pivot assembly. Each in-vehicle switch mechanism also includes a switch field rotatably mounted to the switch arm assembly at its distal end, an actuator for moving the switch arm between a deployed position in which the switch wheel engages the guide rail and a stowed position in which the switch wheel is free of the guide rail, and a biasing device interconnected between the support frame and pivot assembly for pre-loading the switch wheel against the guide rail when the switch wheel is deployed as the vehicle approaches a point of divergence.
In a preferred embodiment there may be a limiter link interconnected between the pivot assemblies for constraining one switch wheel to be stowed while the other is deployed. The biasing device may include a limiter member for limiting the movement of the switch wheel relative to and maintaining an interference lock with the guide rail. There may be a lateral suspension system including first and second lateral guide wheels for engaging the guide rails, one guide wheel rotatably mounted with each of the support frames, and a biasing system interconnecting the support frame for biasing the lateral guide wheels against the guide rails in opposition to the switch wheels when they are engaged with the guide rails.
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Collins David C.
Garneau, Jr. Gerald A.
Lewis Albert E.
Iandiorio & Teska
McCarry, Jr. Robert J.
Morano S. Joseph
Raytheon Company
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