US3841223A - Tracks along which ground-effect machines in particular travel - Google Patents

Tracks along which ground-effect machines in particular travel Download PDF

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Publication number
US3841223A
US3841223A US00309444A US30944472A US3841223A US 3841223 A US3841223 A US 3841223A US 00309444 A US00309444 A US 00309444A US 30944472 A US30944472 A US 30944472A US 3841223 A US3841223 A US 3841223A
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United States
Prior art keywords
track
web assembly
tubular elements
bracket members
track structure
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00309444A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Bertin
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Aerotrain SA
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Aerotrain SA
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Publication date
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
    • E01B25/00—Tracks for special kinds of railways
    • E01B25/08—Tracks for mono-rails with centre of gravity of vehicle above the load-bearing rail
    • E01B25/10—Mono-rails; Auxiliary balancing rails; Supports or connections for rails

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the construction of tracks along which moving bodies, and more particularly though not exclusively ground-effect machines, travel.
  • a supporting and/or guiding track according to this invention includes a supporting portion consisting of a substantially horizontal flat surface fast with bracket members which are fixed to a web consisting of tubular elements connected end to end to form a continuous tubular member.
  • tracks for ground-effect machines consisting for example of preferably prestressed prefabricated beams supported on uniformly spaced bases or poles.
  • This type of track is usually somewhat heavy and involves manufacture in immediate proximity to the construction site.
  • tracks for ground-effect machines consisting at least partly of tubular beams with which said machines cooperate directly.
  • the tubular beams may be suspended from poles and the machines hooked onto the beams.
  • the subject system of this ineention makes it possible to take advantage of the lightness, low cost and mechanical strength of tubular elements for devising a track to allow ground-effect machines to travel therealong.
  • tubular elements which are preferably commercially available tubes such as those used in pipeline construction, can be joined end to end by means of sleeves with which they are made fast by any convenient method well-known per se, such as by welding.
  • brackets perpendicular to the direction of the track.
  • These brackets are substantially triangular in shape and have one apex fixed to the supporting tubular elements or bases.
  • the flat track surface (hereinafter called deck) is fixed to the brackets either directly or through the medium of stringers.
  • the track structure may be supported on poles or bases positioned at regular intervals.
  • Differences in ground level can be attenuated or even compensated for by varying the heights of the poles and/or the brackets.
  • a prime advantage of such a track is its good rigidity in both the bending and the torsional modes. Now such combined loads (bending and twisting) occur frequently, especially in curves (even when the machine is travelling above the axis of the tubular elements) and in the case of a dual track in which the centre of gravity of the machine is shifted transversely with respect to the axis of the tubular elements. Because of this good rigidity it is possible to construct the track with light elements. Such light elements can therefore be prefabricated and carried to the construction site without difficulty by reason of their lightness.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a track according the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 4 to 6 are diagrammatic showings of different possible methods of fixing the brackets to the tubular elements
  • FIG. 7 and 8 show two possible methods of joining the tubular elements by means of an internal and an external sleeve, respectively;
  • FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the arrangement of the tubular elements in a curving portion of the track.
  • FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a track according to the invention associated to a ground-effect machine utilizing layers of fluid at sub-atmospheric pressure.
  • the track according to this invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises tubular elements 1 of substantially circular section, such as, and preferably by reason of their lower cost, the tube lengths available commercially for building pipelines.
  • tubular elements 1 Mounted on tubular elements 1 are suitably spaced substantially triangular brackets 2 having one of their apices fixed to said elements 1.
  • brackets 2 which in effect form frames, are devised in any convenient way, such as by means of sections, or bent plates (possibly ribbed or reinforced with sectional members), or else preferably by means of two plates bounded by frames and spacer members.
  • the brackets 2 may have a truncated apex and be made fast thereby to the tubular elements along a directrix thereof by any convenient method, such as by welding (see also FIGS. 4 and 5).
  • the brackets 2 may alternatively be formed with an opening 3 therein, whereby tubular element 1 passes therethrough and is fixed along a directrix to the edge of the opening in the bracket (see FIG. 6).
  • brackets 2 Restrained on the brackets 2 are stringers 4 consisting of U-sections or I-sections upon which the track deck 5 rests.
  • Deck 5 may consist of a waterproof covering of any convenient but preferably light and flexible material such as steel plates, plastic material or film, wood, etc..
  • the stringers may be dispensed with and the deck 5 mounted directly on brackets 2.
  • stringers 4a are fixed to the upper undersurface of brackets 2.
  • Crossmembers are fixed to the stringers in such manner that their upper surfaces lie level with the upper surface of brackets 2.
  • the deck 5 rests directly on the brackets and the cross-members.
  • the tubular elements 1 may be joined together by any convenient means, such as through the agency of a sleeve which engages into (FIG. 7), or over (FIG. 8)
  • Internal sleeves 71 may consist of a tubular-element section from which a longitudinal strip is cut out, after which the edges are welded together at 8 to the required diameter (less than that of tubular elemtns 1). If an external sleeve 72 is used, it will suffice to select a tube the diameter of which is naturally larger than that of tubular elements 1.
  • a sleeve 71, 72 is fixed to one of the tubular elements 1a, for instance by means of welds made through openings 1(1), and to the end 9 of the tubular element 1a (FIG. 7) or of the sleeve 72 (FIG. 8).
  • Sleeve 71, 72 is free to move longitudinally with respect to the other tubular element 1b to permit expansion of elements 1a, 1b.
  • element 1b and sleeve 71, 72 are mutually fast in torsion, such loads being absorbed by protrusions 11 provided on sleeve 71', 72 and cooperating with grooves or ports 12 formed at the end of the second tubular element 1b.
  • the joints between consecutive decks a, 5b are effected by means of leakproof fish-plate 13 which is fast with deck 5a but unrestrained to deck 5b in order to absorb expansion.
  • Curves in the track are obtained by means of a plurality of short tubular elements 1 angularly offset with respect to one another and associated to angled sleeves (FIG. 9).
  • the elements are welded to one another directly, pairs of consecutive tubular elements 1 being sectioned to suit their mutual angular offset and allow them to be butt-welded together.
  • the track may be supported on single or multiplelegged poles 14 anchored to the ground and possibly provided with adjustment means (not shown) such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,365, and expansion joints 15 made of neoprene for example (FIG. 3).
  • poles converge upwardly towards the track and are united on a bed 16 consisting of two separate baseplates separated by a gasket 17 made of an elastic material such as neoprene.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate alternative ways of fixing the poles to the tubular elements.
  • the upper baseplate is fast with a tube 18 of smaller diameter than that of the tubular elements and having reinforcements 19a and 19b.
  • This tube engages into openings formed in the tubular elements 1 whereby the reinforcements lie at right angles to the material of the elements.
  • the reinforcements may be welded for example to the edge of the opening in the tubular element.
  • the upper baseplate is fast with a frame 21 secured directly to the tubular element, being possibly welded thereto.
  • a further important advantage of a track according to this invention is that it possesses a plurality of adjustment stages.
  • brackets 2 In addition to the adjustment at the base of the pole, referred to precedingly, differences in ground level can be offset on the one hand by means of different pole lengths and on the other through the agency of the means for securing brackets 2 to tubular elements 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the brackets may be provided with different openings therein, whereby to allow adjusting the height of the brackets (solid and dash lines) on the tubular elements and thus provide a further adjustment stage to compensate for differences in ground level.
  • sideway inclinations are obtained likewise by means of the brackets, by tilting them or by appropriately configuring their edge facing the deck.
  • such tracks may include one or more guidance extensions 22 lying either along the axis of the tubular elements (FIG. 3) or offset transversely in relation thereto (FIG. 2).
  • FIG. 3 likewise portrays a ground-effect machine 24 cooperating for lift and guidance purposes with the track through the medium of pressure-fluid cushions 25.
  • the track shown in FIG. 3 includes protective parapets 23.
  • FIG. 10 shows a ground-effect machine 26 cooperating with a track according to this invention through the medium of layers 27 of fluid at subatmospheric pressure.
  • the deck 5 is positioned beneath tubular element 1 and the layers 27 of fluid at sub-atmospheric pressure cooperate thereiwth.
  • bracket members interposed between said bearing track surface and said web assembly and spaced along the span thereof, said bracket members being of generally triangular shape and having a substantially rectilinear flared end adjacent said bearing track surface and extending crosswise thereof and a substantially circular tapered end adjacent said web assembly and encompassing the same;
  • support means for said web assembly on said pylons spaced from said bracket members and comprising a baseplate fitted on top of each pylon, and a strut section fast with both said baseplate and said web assembly.
  • bracket members and said support means are positioned at and project from diametrically opposite portions of said web assembly.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Foundations (AREA)
US00309444A 1971-12-01 1972-11-24 Tracks along which ground-effect machines in particular travel Expired - Lifetime US3841223A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7143047A FR2163782A5 (OSRAM) 1971-12-01 1971-12-01

Publications (1)

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US3841223A true US3841223A (en) 1974-10-15

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00309444A Expired - Lifetime US3841223A (en) 1971-12-01 1972-11-24 Tracks along which ground-effect machines in particular travel

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US (1) US3841223A (OSRAM)
FR (1) FR2163782A5 (OSRAM)
SE (1) SE371661B (OSRAM)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4029019A (en) * 1975-11-14 1977-06-14 Walt Disney Productions Track for vehicles
US4236454A (en) * 1978-03-09 1980-12-02 Erickson Alve J Mountain monorail slide
US4270458A (en) * 1978-07-27 1981-06-02 Firma Anton Schwartzkopf Stahl- Und Fahrzeugbeu Overhead track assembly for amusement-park ride
US4319425A (en) * 1980-05-01 1982-03-16 Shine Thomas M Gravity operated track
US5012748A (en) * 1989-03-06 1991-05-07 Young Timothy T J Sleighroad
US5647280A (en) * 1994-05-16 1997-07-15 Bwg Butzbacher Weichenbau Gmbh Rail line, in particular for a high-speed magnetic train
US5909710A (en) * 1997-08-15 1999-06-08 Cummins; Richard D. Air-levitated train
US20010042352A1 (en) * 2000-05-19 2001-11-22 Bridge & Plate Constructions Pty Ltd. Structural beam
US20030116692A1 (en) * 2000-09-12 2003-06-26 Dieter Reichel Support for a travel-way of a track guided vehicle
US6785945B2 (en) 2000-08-04 2004-09-07 Dieter Reichel Method for production of a connector point on a travel way
US6951433B2 (en) 2000-08-04 2005-10-04 Dieter Reichel Device for nonpositively fixing a bracket to a supporting base body
US20060032395A1 (en) * 2002-05-28 2006-02-16 Johann Matuschek Driveway, driveway module, and method for the production thereof
US7690964B2 (en) 2006-05-04 2010-04-06 Mattel, Inc. Toy ramp devices
US20110021110A1 (en) * 2009-07-23 2011-01-27 Keith Hippely Ramp for a toy vehicle
US9180856B2 (en) 2011-04-15 2015-11-10 Lta Corporation Transportation system including a hovering vehicle
US9573071B2 (en) 2013-09-04 2017-02-21 Mattel, Inc. Toy racetrack having collapsible loop portion

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2985376A (en) * 1957-03-20 1961-05-23 Smith Henry Such Monorail constructions
US3090326A (en) * 1956-02-23 1963-05-21 Alwac Internat Elevated track and support structure therefor
US3148632A (en) * 1963-03-26 1964-09-15 Sidney H Bingham Adjustable beamway
US3534689A (en) * 1966-01-19 1970-10-20 Maurice Barthalon Suspended rail way car fluidicly supported

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3090326A (en) * 1956-02-23 1963-05-21 Alwac Internat Elevated track and support structure therefor
US2985376A (en) * 1957-03-20 1961-05-23 Smith Henry Such Monorail constructions
US3148632A (en) * 1963-03-26 1964-09-15 Sidney H Bingham Adjustable beamway
US3534689A (en) * 1966-01-19 1970-10-20 Maurice Barthalon Suspended rail way car fluidicly supported

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4029019A (en) * 1975-11-14 1977-06-14 Walt Disney Productions Track for vehicles
US4236454A (en) * 1978-03-09 1980-12-02 Erickson Alve J Mountain monorail slide
US4270458A (en) * 1978-07-27 1981-06-02 Firma Anton Schwartzkopf Stahl- Und Fahrzeugbeu Overhead track assembly for amusement-park ride
US4319425A (en) * 1980-05-01 1982-03-16 Shine Thomas M Gravity operated track
US5012748A (en) * 1989-03-06 1991-05-07 Young Timothy T J Sleighroad
US5647280A (en) * 1994-05-16 1997-07-15 Bwg Butzbacher Weichenbau Gmbh Rail line, in particular for a high-speed magnetic train
US5909710A (en) * 1997-08-15 1999-06-08 Cummins; Richard D. Air-levitated train
US20010042352A1 (en) * 2000-05-19 2001-11-22 Bridge & Plate Constructions Pty Ltd. Structural beam
US6951433B2 (en) 2000-08-04 2005-10-04 Dieter Reichel Device for nonpositively fixing a bracket to a supporting base body
US6785945B2 (en) 2000-08-04 2004-09-07 Dieter Reichel Method for production of a connector point on a travel way
US6782832B2 (en) * 2000-09-12 2004-08-31 Dieter Reichel Support for a track-guided high-speed vehicle
US20030154877A1 (en) * 2000-09-12 2003-08-21 Dieter Reichel Support for a track-guided high-speed vehicle
US20030116692A1 (en) * 2000-09-12 2003-06-26 Dieter Reichel Support for a travel-way of a track guided vehicle
US20060032395A1 (en) * 2002-05-28 2006-02-16 Johann Matuschek Driveway, driveway module, and method for the production thereof
US7690964B2 (en) 2006-05-04 2010-04-06 Mattel, Inc. Toy ramp devices
US20110021110A1 (en) * 2009-07-23 2011-01-27 Keith Hippely Ramp for a toy vehicle
US9180856B2 (en) 2011-04-15 2015-11-10 Lta Corporation Transportation system including a hovering vehicle
US9937912B2 (en) 2011-04-15 2018-04-10 Lta Corporation Transportation system including a hovering vehicle
US10926754B2 (en) 2011-04-15 2021-02-23 JG Entrepreneurial Enterprises LLC Transportation system including a hovering vehicle
US11661050B2 (en) 2011-04-15 2023-05-30 JG Entrepreneurial Enterprises LLC Transportation system including a hovering vehicle
US9573071B2 (en) 2013-09-04 2017-02-21 Mattel, Inc. Toy racetrack having collapsible loop portion

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2163782A5 (OSRAM) 1973-07-27
SE371661B (OSRAM) 1974-11-25

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