Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.

Transport system powered by short block linear synchronous motors

The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway having a plurality of regions in which one or more vehicles are propelled, where each such vehicle includes a magnet. Disposed along each region are a plurality of propulsion coils, each comprising one or more turns that are disposed about a common axis, such that the respective common axes of the plurality of coils in that region are (i) substantially aligned with one another, and (ii) orthogonal to a direction in which the vehicles are to be propelled in that region. The plurality of coils of at least one such region are disposed on opposing sides of the magnets of vehicles being propelled along that region so as to exert a propulsive force of substance on those magnets. In at least one other region, the plurality of coils disposed on only a single side of the magnets of vehicles being propelled in that region exert a propulsive force of substance thereon—regardless of whether the plurality of coils in that region are disposed on a single or multiple (e.g., opposing sides) of those magnets.

Linear motor transport for packaging and other uses

A surveillance system includes a track positioned along a selected path and a moveable carriage supported by the track. A pair of electrical conductors mounted adjacent and parallel to the track provide power to a drive assembly mounted on the carriage. Video cameras are mounted to the carriage for monitoring selected regions adjacent to the path. Output signals from the cameras are transmitted on the conductors to a remote monitoring location. In the preferred embodiment, control signals for controlling placement of the carriage along the track are also transmitted on the conductors.

Track mounted surveillance system having multiple use conductors

A transport control system with linear motor drive applicable for cash transport in a bank. The system uses a main controller, a rail-path, a carrier adapted to be driven along the rail-path by linear motor drive, and a plurality of stator portions coupled to the rail-path to produce a driving force in association with the carrier. Each of the stator portions includes a stator controller for controlling the driving of the carrier. The stator controller controls the driving of the carrier passing the stator portion to which the stator controller belongs to cause the carrier to reach a destination stator portion.

Transport control system with linear motor drive

An adjacent vehicle approach prohibition region is set before and after a to-be-converged moving target (MT) on a main line with reference to the to-be-converged MT. The to-be-converged MT corresponds to a converging MT assigned to a converging vehicle which is about to enter and converge onto the main line from a branch line. When a preceding non-MT-controlled vehicle or a following non-MT-controlled vehicle, which is a to-be-converged vehicle running on the main line onto which the converging vehicle is to converge, and which preceding or following vehicle is not subjected to a control by a MT method, has entered the adjacent vehicle approach prohibition region, the to-be-converged MT is accelerated/decelerated, whereby the entering to-be-converged vehicle is excluded from the adjacent vehicle approach prohibition region.

Running vehicle control method for automatically controlling a plurality of vehicles running on a road

In a transportation system, a vehicle driven by an induction motor, is guided along a given path. Adjacent to the path is at least a section of electrical conductor which is electrically connected to the induction motor by means of pickup or collector shoes on the vehicle. The speed of the vehicle is controlled by varying the frequency of the electrical power fed to the electrical conductor. This can be accomplished by using a power source whose frequency varies with time or by using several power sources, each having a different frequency; each of such power sources being connected to a different segment of the section; such segments being insulated from each other.

Electrical transportation system

An automatic switching system for carriers propelled along a main line at a selected speed, including switching track and cooperating switching wheels on the carriers for effecting high speed switching operations to transfer the propelled carriers between the main line and the switching track.

Mihai Alimanestianu

Papers

Electrical transportation system

Automatic switching system for propelled carriers