US3883098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arrangement for guiding together of two traffic streams
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1973-09-05
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A system is described which enables two streams of discreet objects to flow together into a single stream thereof without interference between said objects. In a system enabling two streams of discreet objects, such as passenger-carrying, trackguided vehicles, to flow together into a single stream thereof without interference between same, the vehicles are caused to travel along especially attenuated lines. Thus, a signal induced in such lines at one given point will be attenuated at such a sufficiently steep gradient that a measurement thereof at a point spaced along said line from the point of origin will provide an accurate indication of the distance of the point of measurement from said point of origin. Thus, of a pair of vehicles on the same track the leading one can emanate a signal and supply same to said conductor and the following one can receive said signal and determine accurately its distance from said leading vehicle. Where two tracks are merged the same effect can be obtained with the leading vehicle on one track and the following vehicle on the adjacent track. Such signals can be utilized to insure that the following vehicle will not enter the point of intersection until the leading vehicle is safely through and out therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Hermann
- 👤 Peter Kraus
- 👤 Gunter Steinmetz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:30
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L3/00; B61L3/16; B61L3/22; B61L3/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
308 words
In an arrangement for merging moving objects travelling in single file along respective ones of at least a pair of paths toward a confluence point at which the paths merge, said arrangement including control means mounted on each of said objects for controlling the speed of each object and spacing the objects, said control means comprising signal transmitting means and signal receiving means on each object, a signal transmitted by said signal transmitting means in one object on one path being received by said signal receiving means in the next object on said path, the improvement comprising: stationary signal transmission line means extending coextensively with each of said paths prior to said confluence point, said signal transmission line means comprising electrical signal transmitting conductor means and first electrical connection means for effecting a higher than normal attenuation of said electrical signal in a longitudinal direction along said electrical signal transmitting conductor means so that the amplitude of said electrical signal transmitted over said electrical signal transmitting conductor means will be diminished in said longitudinal direction; coupling means for coupling said signal transmitting means and said signal receiving means on each of said objects to said signal transmission line means so that signals can be transmitted from said signal transmitting means on one object to said signal receiving means on the next object; and second electrical connection means for connecting said signal transmission line means adjacent one of said paths prior to said confluence point to said signal transmission line means adjacent the other of said paths also prior to said confluence point whereby a signal transmitted by said signal transmitting means on the forwardmost one of said objects on one of said paths will be transmitted through said second electrical connection means to said signal receiving means on the next following object on the other of said paths.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
308 words
In an arrangement for merging moving objects travelling in single file along respective ones of at least a pair of paths toward a confluence point at which the paths merge, said arrangement including control means mounted on each of said objects for controlling the speed of each object and spacing the objects, said control means comprising signal transmitting means and signal receiving means on each object, a signal transmitted by said signal transmitting means in one object on one path being received by said signal receiving means in the next object on said path, the improvement comprising: stationary signal transmission line means extending coextensively with each of said paths prior to said confluence point, said signal transmission line means comprising electrical signal transmitting conductor means and first electrical connection means for effecting a higher than normal attenuation of said electrical signal in a longitudinal direction along said electrical signal transmitting conductor means so that the amplitude of said electrical signal transmitted over said electrical signal transmitting conductor means will be diminished in said longitudinal direction; coupling means for coupling said signal transmitting means and said signal receiving means on each of said objects to said signal transmission line means so that signals can be transmitted from said signal transmitting means on one object to said signal receiving means on the next object; and second electrical connection means for connecting said signal transmission line means adjacent one of said paths prior to said confluence point to said signal transmission line means adjacent the other of said paths also prior to said confluence point whereby a signal transmitted by said signal transmitting means on the forwardmost one of said objects on one of said paths will be transmitted through said second electrical connection means to said signal receiving means on the next following object on the other of said paths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
194 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said signal transmission line means includes a pair of signal transmission lines, one on each side of each of said paths; wherein said signal transmitting means includes at least one signal transmitter coupled by said coupling means to one of said signal transmission lInes on one side of said path; wherein said signal receiving means includes a pair of signal receivers, one signal receiver being coupled by said coupling means to said one of said transmission lines and the other of said signal receivers being coupled by said coupling means to the other of said transmission lines on the other side of said path so that said one signal transmitter and said one signal receiver are associated with said one transmission line and said other signal receiver is associated with said other transmission line; and wherein said second electrical connection means comprises a first electrical connection between said one of said transmission lines on the corresponding said one sides of each of said paths and a second electrical connection between the other of said transmission lines on the corresponding said other sides of each of said paths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said control means includes means defining a compensating transmitter mounted between said signal transmitter and said one signal receiver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said second electrical connection means include a plurality of said first and second electrical connections spaced longitudinally along both of said paths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of said first and second electrical connections are spaced from one another a distance less than the smallest distance between the centers of two successive objects.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement according to claim 5, wherein said first and second electrical connections include electrical amplifier means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement according to claim 6, wherein one of said electrical amplifier means in one of said first and second connections is coupled in antiphase with at least one amplifier means located between said one amplifier means and said confluence point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement according to claim 7, wherein said one amplifier means is located in the next adjacent electrical connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement according to claim 8, wherein said antiphase connection is through simulation means for that section of the transmission line which extends between the two amplifiers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein the transmission lines on the insides of said pair of paths are divided into sections, the length of which corresponds approximately to the distance between said signal transmitter and said one signal receiver on a common object; and wherein the end of the section which is directed away from the travelling direction of the object terminates in a characteristic impedance of the respective transmission line, the opposite end of said section being connected to a stationary transmitter and a transmitting/receiving set which are connected between the transmission line on the opposite side of the respective path and said opposite end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement according to claim 10, wherein a detector is positioned adjacent said transmitting/receiving set and issues a signal whenever said signal transmitter on an object passes said transmitting/receiving set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The improvement according to claim 11, wherein two of said detectors are positioned at equal distances from said confluence point and are connected to logic circuitry which controls switch-over means, logic circuitry signals simultaneously relayed by both of said detectors being deciphered so that only one signal is produced to control which of said objects is controlled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The improvement according to claim 12, including a plurality of transmitting/receiving sets spaced longitudinally along said paths, said transmitting/receiving sets being connected in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of said objects through simulation means for simulating the length of one of said sections, said simulation means being adapted to amplify a signal travelling in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of said object by a factor which is proportional tO the attenuation of the respective section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement according to claim 10, wherein said stationary transmitter and said transmitting/receiving set are series connected and has means defining an attenuating member connected in circuit therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement according to claim 14, wherein the magnitude of attenuation by said attenuating member is increased with increasing distance from said confluence point.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement according to claim 14, wherein the magnitude of attenuation by individual sections is greater than the attenuation of the transmission line on the opposite side of said path therefrom, the difference in attenuation depending on the relationship of the attenuation of a pair of adjacent attenuator members.
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) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |