GB1378825A - Track switching for a transportation system employing a guideway - Google Patents

Abstract

1378825 Track switch; track switch control LTV AEROSPACE CORP 23 Nov 1972 [29 Nov 1971] 54188/72 Headings B7L and B7N A track switch in a guideway transportation system comprises first and second fixed rail structures 49 and 55 extending along the outer edges of the guideway at a branching location thereof, and a pivotal rail structure 61 mounted in end to end relationship with the rail structure 55, the rail structure 61 being pivotable by an actuating mechanism 74 between a first position in alignment with the rail structure 55 wherein a left front guide roller 83 on a vehicle 12 is guided by a surface 71 on the structure 61 and subsequently by a surface 58 on the structure 55 so as to direct the vehicle on to a guideway portion 36, and a second position as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 wherein the roller 83 engages a second surface 72 on the structure 61 and the vehicle is thereby diverted towards a second guideway portion 37, guiding of the vehicle being assisted by engagement of a right front guide roller 84 with a surface 52 on the structure 49. In the embodiment shown the vehicle comprises guide wheel assemblies as 24, 25 each comprising a respective roller 83, 84 and a guide wheel 29, 30 for engaging guide walls 43, 44. Alternative guide wheel assemblies are also described. In a second embodiment the guide walls 43, 44 are omitted and the vehicle is guided by wheels engaging both sides of an upright guide rail extending centrally of the guideway. The rail structures 49, 55, 61 are supported on posts spaced along the track. Instead of wheeled vehicles it is stated that ground effect vehicles may be used. At locations where two branches of a guideway merge into one a passive switch is employed wherein the actuating mechanism 74 is omitted and the rail structure 61 is biased to its first position by a leaf spring, the structure 61 being automatically pivoted to its correct position by the passage of a vehicle through the switch. Fig. 19 shows a control system comprising mutually insulated signal rails 104 and a ground rail 103 whereby a vehicle detection circuit 109 can detect the presence of a vehicle 12 and activate a communication circuit 110 to interrogate a register unit 106 on the vehicle by way of a vehicle borne communication circuit 107 as to its identification and programmed route, such information being used to set the switch 10 to the appropriate position for the passage of the vehicle.