GB2287444A - Overhead monorail and points therefor. Figs. 1, 4, 5 - Google Patents

Abstract

An overhead railway comprises a track consisting of an elongate box-section member 11 having a longitudinal slot 10 through one side thereof, and a vehicle adapted to run along the track and having at least one bogie having a portion extending into and retained by said track. The bogie preferably mounts wheels 21 running on said one side, retaining wheels 22 within the channel, and a wheel 23 located horizontally within the slot to provide lateral positioning on the track. A point for this railway, has a pair of slots 51, 52 diverging from a single slot 50 and, at the point of divergence, a pair of curved blades 54, 55 mounted so as to pivot together between first and second positions. Figure 8 shows an alternative point design, with a single movable blade 84. Linear motors (Figs. 18, 19) may be used with magnetic levitation. The system may be used to transport hospital patients (Figs. 13, 15). Trains of chairs may be coupled together by couplings 125 (Fig. 12). <IMAGE>

Description

RAILWAY Field of the Invention This invention relates to a railway and to a switch therefor.

Background to the Invention A limitation with conventional railways using steel rails is the cost of maintaining the track. The rails are subject to wear, and the track bed requires periodic rebuilding to compensate for settling and the effects of vibration and erosion.

Monorail systems have been proposed as a means of achieving a simpler and more stable track structure, and to take up less space by suspending the trains beneath the rail or fitting the train around it. The present invention proposes a simple structure of railway for which track maintenance costs can be kept low, while permitting its use as an elevated railway which can be located over existing roads, for example, in the manner of monorail systems.

Summary of the Invention The invention provides a railway comprising a track consisting of an elon- gate box-section member having a longitudinal slot through one side thereof, and a vehicle adapted to run along the track and having at least one bogie having a portion extending into and retained by said track.

The or each bogie preferably mounts wheels running on said one side, retaining wheels within the channel, and a wheel located horizontally within the slot to provide lateral positioning on the track.

Preferably, each vehicle has two or more bogies, each preferably mounting two pairs of wheels running on the external surface of the track, a single pair of retaining wheels and a single wheel for lateral positioning.

The invention also provides a switch for a railway of the type defined, having a pair of slots diverging from a single slot and, at the point of divergence, a pair of curved blades mounted so as to pivot together between a first position, wherein the blades define the outer wall of the slot leading from the single slot to one of the pair of slots, and a second position, wherein the blades define the outer wall of the slot leading from the single slot to the other of the pair of slots.

The invention further provides a switch for a railway of the type defined, having a pair of slots diverging from a single slot and, at the point of divergence, first and second pairs of curved blades mounted so as to pivot together between an operative position, wherein the blades define the outer wall of the slot leading from the single slot to one of the pair of slots, and a rest position, wherein the blades are clear of the slots, whereby the first pair of blades, in its operative position, closes the first of the pair of slots and continues the single slot into the second of the pair of slots, and the second pair of blades, in its operative position, closes the second of the pair of slots and continues the single slot into the first of the pair of slots.

Preferably, the blades are recessed into each face of the wall on either side of the slot so as to present a flat surface for the wheels. The blades in each pair are also close enough together to ensure that they can be engaged adequately by the lateral positioning wheel running in the slot as the vehicle travels around the curve at the switch from the single track into one of the pair of tracks leading from the switch, or vice versa. The pairs of blades are linked together so as to move together, thus ensuring that only one branch at the switch can possibly communicate with the incoming track at any one time.

While the invention is principally concerned with an arrangement in which the rail vehicle rests on and runs along the uppermost external surface of the track, an arrangement could be envisaged in which the bogies were arranged to suspend the vehicle beneath the track, with the main load-bearing surface being that inside the track on each side of the slot. It might then be possible to dispense with the external wheels altogether. Equally, with the embodiment in which the vehicle runs along the track with the wheels underneath it, the bogies could be arranged such that the weight of the vehicle is borne by the wheels within the track running along the internal lower surface but being retained by the upper surface, with which they would normally not be in contact.

Brief Description of the Drawings Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation of a section of track; Figures 2, 3 and 4 are respectively side elevation, top plan view and end elevation of a bogie forming part of a rail vehicle in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a top plan view of a track switch; Figure 6 is a side view of one of the pairs of blades in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a top plan view of a transverse crossing switch for the track of the invention; Figure 8 is a top plan view of an alternative form of track switch to that shown in Figure 5; Figure 9 is a side elevational view, partially cut away, of an alternative bogie to that shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4; Figures 10 and 11 are respectively underneath plan and end elevation views of another form of bogie; Figure 12 is a side elevation of a railway in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, in use as a chair-lift arrangement; Figures 13 and 14 are respectively front elevation, showing passenger in place, and side elevation without the passenger, of another embodiment of the invention, for use in transporting the disabled and infirm, for example in a hospital;; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the railway of Figures 13 and 14, illustrating its use in the transport of hospital patients; Figure 16 is a plan of a railway of the type illustrated in Figures 13 to 15, including the use of points or switches in accordance with other aspects of the invention; Figure 17 is a plan of an alternative arrangement to that shown in Figure 16; and Figures 18 and 19 are end sectional views of yet further forms of track and bogie in accordance with other aspects of the invention, using linear induction motors.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments Referring to Figure 1, the track consists of a concrete channel in the general form of a box-section having a longitudinal slot 10 along the centre of the upper side 11 giving access to a wider interior portion 12. The track may be mounted on support legs to elevate it above a road, for example, or may be placed on the ground or sunk into it. The upper side 11 provides a surface along which the rail vehicle can run.

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate one of two bogies which carry the vehicle body.

The bogie 20 carries two pairs of running and driving wheels 21 which run on the surface 11. The bogie may include electric traction motors to drive these wheels, the power being provided via pick-ups on the bogie within the track, engaging an electrified conductive strip or rail within the track, for example. Alternatively, the power may be provided by a conventional overhead line via a pantograph on the vehicle body. The bogie also mounts a pair of wheels 22 within the track which can engage the underside of the surface 11, either continuously or when required to hold the vehicle on the track. Two further wheels 23 are located within the slot 10 and have a diameter just smaller than the slot width so as to limit side-to-side movement of the bogie on the track. The wheels 22 and 23 are not drive and are freely rotatable.

Connection of the bogies to the vehicle body can be by conventional single point pivotal mountings and shock absorbers/springs.

The width of the wheels 23 is substantially equal to the thickness of the upper side 11 of the track, this feature being important in relation to the design of a track switch or points, hereinafter described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. All the wheels may be fitted with rubber tyres to improve traction and reduce noise.

Preferably, the tyres are pneumatic tyres.

The arrangement ensures that the vehicle is held firmly on to the track, and this permits the vehicle to move at high speeds with complete safety, and the track to be banked to enable smaller radius bends to be used.

The track switch illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 permits the track to be branched, in the manner of conventional railways. The switch comprises a single slot 50 entering at one end and a pair of divergent slots 51 and 52 at the other end, to which separate tracks may be connected. The walls of the slot 50 curve away from each other, and an island member 53 provides the walls for the start of the divergent slots 51 and 52. In order to direct the wheels 23 into the selected one of the slots 51 and 52 (or from one of these slots into the single slot 50), a pair of curved blades 54 or 55 is pivotally mounted in recesses 56a and 56b or 57a and 57b in the divergent walls of the switch, so that each blade lies flush in the upper or lower surface respectively of the upper sides of the channel at this point, as may be seen more clearly from Figure 6.The blades 54 and 55 have a curvature which provides a smooth transition from one slot to the other, but not so great that the upper and lower surfaces contacted by the wheels 21 and 22 respectively are significandy interrupted at this point.

The blades 54 and 55 are linked together so as necessarily to move together.

While manual switching could be performed, it is preferred to provide a motor to drive the blades between their two positions. This may be an electric motor driv- ing a linking arm by means of a rack and pinion arrangement, or a pneumatic or hydraulic double-acting cylinder, for example. Correct positioning of the blades in their operative positions may be detected by means of microswitches or the like, linked in with the railway signalling system to prevent passage of the rail vehicle through the switch if confirmation of correct positioning of the blades is not received.

Figure 7 illustrates a crossing switch for use where one track crosses another at an angle too great to permit the use of the switch as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The switch employs a circular turntable 70 having a slot 71 and channel run- ning through it which can be selectively aligned with either of two (or more) tracks 72 and 73. Rotation of the turntable may be achieved by means of a motor drive.

Means will be provided to ensure that the alignment of the slot 71 is correct before a vehicle is allowed to pass through the switch.

Referring to Figure 8, the alternative form of track switch to that illustrated in Figure 5 consists, as in the other embodiment, of a single slot 80 entering at one end and a pair of divergent slots 81 and 82 at the other end, to which separate tracks may be connected. The island member 83 has a single blade 84 pivotally mounted thereon, the blade having concave sides which provide the smooth transition from the single slot 80 to either of the slots 81 and 82. At its free end, the blade 84 has a portion 85 of reduced thickness which can be slotted into a corresponding recess in one or other of the walls of the slot 80, according to the direction of switching. The blade 84 is pivotally mounted on the island member 83, and has a lever 86 by which it may be moved, the lever being operated by a motor or hydraulic or pneumatic ram (not shown).Limit switches may be used to signal that the track switch is correctly positioned.

The bogie shown in Figure 9 is essentially of the same general layout as that shown in Figures 2 to 4, but the two further wheels 90 which run within the track are mounted on a spring-loaded suspension leg 91 which operates under tension to ensure that the wheels 90 remain in contact with the underside of the track, ensue ing stability under all conditions.

In yet another bogie arrangement, illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, in place of the horizontal wheels shown in Figures 3 and 4, two additional sets of smaller wheels 100 are mounted on the bogie 101 so as to locate within the slot 102 in the track 103, with the wheel axles vertical so that the wheels run along the inner walls of the slot. The wheels are mounted on calliper mountings 104 with adjusting means such as springs, screws or hydraulic or pneumatic rams acting on the other ends of the calliper to adjust the pressure of contact between the wheels 100 and the slot walls. The additional wheels ensure that the bogie remains centred within the slot. They may be arranged to contact the walls only when the bogie departs from a central position within the slot, rather than making continuous contact with the walls.

Figure 12 shows the use of a railway in accordance with the invention as a chair-lift system for conveying passengers individually, for example in an amusement ride or the like. Bogies 120 of the type hereinbefore described run along a slotted track 121, shown sectionally, with the slot facing downwardly. An arm 122 is suspended from each bogie 120, the arm supporting a seat 123 and a movable safety support 124. The arms 122 are linked together by a flexible coupling 125 and the trains of chairs thus formed may be propelled along the track by means of an electrically-powered engine running among the track (not shown), or by individual motors mounted on each bogie, with power being supplied to the motor from conductors within the track.

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate a monorail railway suitable for conveying patients in hospitals and the like. The railway is essentially similar to that shown in Figure 12, but with adaptations to facilitate the manoeuvring of patients into and out of beds. The track 130 is again in the form of a slotted box section opening downwardly, in which is mounted the bogie 131, with wheels running along the inner surface of the track, as well as bearing on the underside of the track for stability. The wheels are driven by an electric motor on the bogie (not shown). The arm 133 is telescopically extensible and retractable by means of an electric motor 132 so as to raise and lower the seat 135 mounted thereon, and the seat is provided with folding arm rests 136 which may be retracted to facilitate getting the patient on to and off the seat. The back rest 137 (Figure 14) is also foldable for the same purpose. The motor 132 derives power from within the track, the track containing conductors engaged by pick-ups on the bogie, via a cable 134. The movement of the seat can be controlled by a control device 138 which can be held by an operator walking alongside. As well as forward and reverse movement, the lifting and lowering of the seat may also be controlled remotely. As may be seen from Figure 15, the seat 135 can be manoeuvred to rest on the bed from which the patient is to be moved. The patient can be rolled on to the seat and then moved to a sitting position1 the seat then being raised to lift the patient off the bed. The seat back rest 137 is moved into its correct position, and the arms lowered before the patient is moved away.

Figures 16 and 17 show plans of the track arrangement between rooms in a hospital for example, the first arrangement using points 160 of two different types, one type 160a having a branch off a straight line, while the other type 160b has equally angled branches. In the second arrangement, shown in Figure 17, the points are all of the other type 160b. The track arrangement makes it possible to deliver a patient direct from his bed in a ward 161 along a corridor 162 to an X-ray room 163, for example, without the need for a wheelchair or trolley, and with relatively little physical effort on the part of the staff member accompanying the patient.

Two further alternative arrangements of bogie and track are shown in Figures 18 and 19, both making use of the well-known linear induction motor, in which metal strips (suitably aluminium) running along the track have magnetic fields induced in them by magnetic coils mounted on the vehicle bogie in such a manner that the fields in the strips are repelled by the fields in the coils and so levitate the vehicle above the track, at the same time causing it to move along the track. In the arrangement of Figure 18, the coils 180 on the vehicle bogie 181 are located within the track, as are the aluminium strips 182, and are arranged to induce magnetic fields in the strips which repel beneath and attract above, so holding the bogie clear of the track, but with the coils safely within the track, so that the vehicle cannot become separated therefrom.In the arrangement of Figure 19, the coils 190 are mounted both within and above the track, with aluminium strips 191 also running along the inner faces of the slot 192 and being repelled by corresponding coils on the bogie to provide a centring action along with the levitating effect. In an alternative configuration to that shown in these two Figures, the coils are mounted along the track and opposed coils are mounted on the vehicle. In either case, electrical power is picked up from contacts on the bogie engaging elec trical conductors running within or alongside the track.

The vehicle may be a passenger or goods vehicle, which may form part of a train. The invention is applicable to a full-scale railway or to a system for moving goods within a factory, for example, and is particularly suited to driverless vehicles, since derailment of the vehicle is impossible.

Claims (15)

1. A railway comprising a track consisting of an elongate box-section member having a longitudinal slot through one side thereof, and a vehicle adapted to run along the track and having at least one bogie having a portion extending into and retained by said track.

2. A railway according to Claim 1, wherein the or each bogie mounts wheels running on said one side, retaining wheels within the channel, and a wheel located horizontally within the slot to provide lateral positioning on the track.

3. A railway according to Claim 2, wherein each vehicle has two or more bogies.

4. A railway according to Claim 3, wherein each bogie mounts two pairs of wheels running on the external surface of the track, a single pair of retaining wheels and a single wheel for lateral positioning.

5. A railway according to Claim 1, wherein the bogie comprises means for causing magnetic levitation thereof relative to the track.

6. A railway according to Claim 5, wherein the means comprise a linear electric induction motor.

7. A railway according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the means for causing magnetic levitation comprise electric coils mounted on the bogie and located within the track.

8. A railway according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle is suspended from the bogie or bogies.

9. A railway according to Claim 8, wherein the vehicle comprises a seat for a single passenger, attached to an arm suspended from the bogie.

10. A railway substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in the drawings.

11. A switch for a railway of the type defined, having a pair of slots diverging from a single slot and, at the point of divergence, a pair of curved blades mounted so as to pivot together between a first position, wherein the blades define the outer wall of the slot leading from the single slot to one of the pair of slots, and a second position, wherein the blades define the outer wall of the slot leading from the single slot to the other of the pair of slots.

12. A switch for a railway of the type defined, having a pair of slots diverging from a single slot and, at the point of divergence, first and second pairs of curved blades mounted so as to pivot together between an operative position, wherein the blades define the outer wall of the slot leading from the single slot to one of the pair of slots, and a rest position, wherein the blades are clear of the slots, whereby the first pair of blades, in its operative position, closes the first of the pair of slots and continues the single slot into the second of the pair of slots, and the second pair of blades, in its operative position, closes the second of the pair of slots and continues the single slot into the first of the pair of slots.

13. A switch according to Claim 12, wherein the blades are recessed into each face of the wall on either side of the slot so as to present a flat surface for the wheels.

14. A switch, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, Figures 5 and 6 or Figure 8 of the drawings.

15. A railway according to any of Claims 1 to 9, and including in the track therefor a switch according to any of Claims 11 to 13.