Switching device configured for operation on a conventional railroad track
AssigneeRail Pod Inc.
InventorBrendan ENGLISH
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
RailPods are an alternative personal rapid transit system that operate on and utilize existing railroad infrastructure. RailPods are one to two passenger vehicles that travel on one rail of a traditional railroad track. RailPods provide on-demand transportation to cities and towns where rail exists or can be built.
Claims21
A switching device configured for operation on a conventional railroad track system with a first rail and a second rail supported in a spaced relationship, the switching device comprising:
- a main wheel supported on the vehicle in position to abut and ride upon a top surface of a rail head as the vehicle traverses the conventional railroad track system;
- and
- a side roller bearing movably supported on the vehicle, the side roller bearing movable between a guide position, in which the side roller bearing abuts and rides upon a first one of a generally-vertical side surfaces of the rail head as the vehicle traverses the conventional railroad track system, and a clearance position, in which the side roller bearing is displaced away from the guide position.
A switching device for a vehicle configured for operation on a conventional railroad track system with a first rail and a second rail supported in a spaced relationship, the switching device comprising at least one of a wheel and a bearing operable to abut a rail head during the vehicle's traversal of the junction and to cause traversal of the junction regardless of a configuration of the junction, and regardless of a direction of approach of the vehicle relative to the junction.
A vehicle configured for operation on a conventional railroad track system with a first rail and a second rail supported in a spaced relationship, the vehicle comprising:
- a first vehicle unit elongated in a first direction, said first vehicle unit comprising:
- at least two vehicle wheels positioned on said first vehicle unit to support said first vehicle unit above one of said first and second rails;
- and
- at least one switching device positioned on said first vehicle unit to engage said one of said first and second rails, said guide shoe being configured to maintain said at least two wheels on said one of said first and second rails when traversing a junction of the conventional railroad track system.
A method for operating a vehicle on a conventional railroad track system with a first rail and a second rail supported in a spaced relationship, the method comprising:
- causing at least one switching device, the switching device abutting one of the first and second rails during the vehicle's traversing of a junction to cause the vehicle to traverse the switch track independent of a position of the switch track's switch, and independent of the vehicle's direction of approach relative to the switch track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.