Railways – Car-carried propulsion system – Pneumatic
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-01
2001-08-28
Le, Mark T. (Department: 3617)
Railways
Car-carried propulsion system
Pneumatic
C104S139000, C104S138100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279485
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a transportation system and, more particularly, to a pod 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 drive system for a light rail vehicle, in the form of a pod assembly that does not depend on traction for moving the vehicle. In an 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. In a specific embodiment, the modulation is achieved by inflating and deflating one or more bladders. In another embodiment, a mechanical valve such as a split butterfly valve is used to control the gas flow through the pod assembly.
The pod assembly supports a transportation module or vehicle disposed above the guide tube. 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.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a pod assembly configured to be disposed inside and thrusted along a thrust tube comprises a thrust pod. The thrust pod comprises a thrust pod body including a generally cylindrical wall having a front end and a rear end. The thrust pod body is smaller in cross-section than the thrust tube. A portion of the front end is open and a portion of the rear end are open to allow gas flow through the thrust pod body between the front end and the rear end. A thrust pod tire is coupled with the generally cylindrical wall of the thrust pod body to define an outer annular enclosure between the thrust pod tire and the wall of the thrust pod body. The thrust pod tire is inflatable to make contact with the interior of the thrust tube and deflatable to open gas flow between the thrust pod body and the thrust tube. At least one bladder is disposed inside the thrust pod body. Each bladder is inflatable and deflatable to modulate gas flow through the thrust pod body to adjust speed of movement of the thrust pod body inside the thrust tube.
In a specific embodiment, the pod assembly includes a passive pod spaced from and coupled with the thrust pod. The passive pod comprises a passive pod body including a generally cylindrical wall having a front end and a rear end. The passive pod body is smaller in cross-section than the thrust tube. A portion of the front end is open and a portion of the rear end is open to allow gas flow through the passive pod body between the front end and the rear end. A passive pod tire is coupled with the generally cylindrical wall of the passive pod body to define an outer annular enclosure between the passive pod tire and the wall of the passive pod body. The passive pod tire is inflatable to make contact with the interior of the thrust tube and deflatable to open gas flow between the passive pod body and the thrust tube.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pod assembly configured to be disposed inside and thrusted along a slotted tube having a longitudinal slot comprises a first pod and a second pod coupled with the first pod. A strut is disposed between the first pod and the second pod and coupled with the first pod and the second pod. The strut is configured to extend through the longitudinal slot of the slotted tube to the exterior of the slotted tube. In one embodiment, the first pod is a thrust pod and the second pod is a passive pod. In another embodiment, the pod assembly includes a valve which is adjustable to modulate gas flow through the pod assembly to adjust speed of movement of the pod assembly inside the slotted tube.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a pod assembly configured to be disposed inside and thrusted along a thrust tube comprises a pod body including a generally cylindrical wall having a front end and a rear end. The pod body is smaller in cross-section than the thrust tube. A portion of the front end is open and a portion of the rear end is open to allow gas flow through the pod body between the front end and the rear end. At least one pod tire is coupled with the generally cylindrical wall of the pod body to define an outer annular enclosure between the pod tire and the wall of the pod body. The pod tire is inflatable to make contact with the interior of the thrust tube and deflatable to open gas flow between the pod body and the thrust tube. A valve is disposed at least partly inside the pod body and is adjustable to modulate gas flow through the pod body to adjust speed of movement of the pod body inside the thrust tube.
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Flight Rail Corporation
Le Mark T.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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