GB804499A - Vehicle propulsion system - Google Patents

Abstract

804,499. Amusement apparatus. CHEREAU. A. Dec. 16, 1955, No. 36128/55. Class 132(1) A vehicle propulsion system comprises a track made up of a plurality of surface elements in the form of separate plastic slabs which are small with respect to the area of the track and separable from each other, each having a web or core incorporating electric conductors for generating an alternating magnetic field and inductive means carried by the vehicle and magnetically coupled with said field to produce an electric voltage which energizes an electric motor on the vehicle to drive the vehicle. Slabs 2 are laid on wooden planking or the like and consist of a core or web of magnetic material overlaid with small elements e.g. of iron silicon alloy, so as to form a network of shallow grooves 13 between the elements to receive insulated conductors. These elements 2 are substantially flexible or resilient and are made of plastic sheet material which may incorporate a magnetic filler material. The conductors may be incorporated in the elements during moulding. The conductors are so arranged that, when the ends are connected to an alternating current supply, a magnetic field is created extending substantially parallel to the upper face of the track. Fig. 3 shows part of a continuous composite conductor having a series of loops 4, 5 6 and 4a, 5a, 6a and linear parts 10, the area of the cross section of the conductors forming parts 10 being twice that of the conductors forming the sides of the loops. Each loop fits into the squares or the like formed by the intersecting grooves 13 and the conductors are wound on the slabs 2 as shown in Fig. 2, the dotted lines indicating the parts 10 underneath the elements and each groove containing the adjacent sides of two successive series of loops. The vehicle carries a four legged rectangular core whose lower horizontal leg is as low as possible and may engage the surface. The secondary winding 17 is wound e.g. on the uppermost leg of core 18 and the induced voltage is used to drive a motor 20.