US3874299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electromagnetic switching
Assignee: Aerospace Corp
•
Filing: 1973-10-29
•
Granted: 1975-04-01
•
Expires: 1993-10-29
Abstract
Abstract Trackway guided vehicles are constrained to travel in a selected branch of a trackway switch by electromagnetic attraction with the electromagnets also serving as elements of a linear electric motor. Magnetic field strength sensing means detects the presence or absence of the electromagnetic field on a diverging switchway and controls actuation of guideway interlocks to restrict vehicle travel selectively in the left or right exit branch of the switch in the event of power failure to the electromagnets.
Inventors
- 👤 Tony H Silva
- 👤 Arthur Schnitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:12
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61F; B61F9/00; B60; B60L; B60L13/00; B60L13/003; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A system for guiding vehicles through diverging branches of a switch in a vehicle guideway comprising: a guideway having parallel sides leading to a switch entry and said sides diverging within the switch; a frog switch exit branches with the diverging guideway sides; a series of uniformly spaced opposing magnets along said parallel sides and constituting one part of a linear electric motor; a series of uniformly spaced electromagnets on each of the guideway diverging sides and forming continuations in the switch of the magnet series on the parallel sides; means to selectively energize one or the other of the series of electromagnets to simultaneously propel and guide a vehicle through a selected one of the switch exit branches; and means interacting between the vehicle and the guIdeway to constrain vehicle travel through a selected switch exit branches in the event of electromagnet failure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
A system for guiding vehicles through diverging branches of a switch in a vehicle guideway comprising: a guideway having parallel sides leading to a switch entry and said sides diverging within the switch; a frog switch exit branches with the diverging guideway sides; a series of uniformly spaced opposing magnets along said parallel sides and constituting one part of a linear electric motor; a series of uniformly spaced electromagnets on each of the guideway diverging sides and forming continuations in the switch of the magnet series on the parallel sides; means to selectively energize one or the other of the series of electromagnets to simultaneously propel and guide a vehicle through a selected one of the switch exit branches; and means interacting between the vehicle and the guIdeway to constrain vehicle travel through a selected switch exit branches in the event of electromagnet failure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means interacting between the vehicle and the guideway includes: a rail on each of the diverging sides of the guideway; and vehicle mounted raillocks forming followers engageable selectively with one said rail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
The combination defined in th claim 2, and: each of the diverging guideway sides have a second rail located below the first said rail, and said raillocks being simultaneously engagable with the first said rail and said second rail on the selected one of said guideway sides; and vehicle stabilizing wheel means in rolling contact with the selected one of side guideway sides, said wheel means coacting with the raillocks to form mechanical couples opposing side forces applied to the vehicle to prevent vehicle upset.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein: each of the electromagnets being of approximately twice the strength of the magnets along the parallel guideway sides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: initial electromagnets of one of said series of electromagnets being on one parallel guideway side at the switch entry, said initial electromagnets being in opposing relation with the terminal magnets in the series of magnets along the other of the parallel guideway sides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, and: magnetic field sensing means detecting the presence or absence of a magnetic field about said initial electromagnets, said sensing means providing an output signal indicating such presence or absence; and means responsive to the output signal controlling the engagement of the raillocks with the selected one of said rails.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as defined in claim 6 and having: means moving the raillocks out of rail engaging position, the last said means being operable in advance of the control of the raillocks in response to the output signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |