Self-controlled on-grade monorail track switch and method
AssigneeHendrik Pater
InventorsHendrik Pater, G. Earl Torgersen, Fritz R. Brunner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A monorail track switch and method is disclosed wherein the track switch senses the approach of a train and automatically aligns itself to accommodate passage of the train. Circuits are provided to selectively deenergize a movable track section when in nonaligned position and to re-energize the track section when properly aligned. Novel structure and method is also provided for lowering the movable track section onto rollers to facilitate movement and thereafter lifting the track section into horizontal alignment with the train path. Electronic lockout circuits prevent a train from overrunning the switch when the switch is in a nonaligned position.
Claims20
A junction switch disposed between the ends of converging tracks on which one or more autopiloted vehicles travel, each said vehicle causing a control signal to be transmitted along the track so as to monitor the track by sensing variations in the control signal, said vehicle automatically stopping when sensing variations of a given magnitude, the switch comprising:
- a movable track section;
- means for moving the track section into alignment with the path of the nearest approaching vehicle;
- means for selectively locking the track section to the ends of the converging tracks;
- means for selectively unlocking the track section from the ends of the converging tracks;
- and
- a control circuit comprising means for sensing the signal of each approaching vehicle, means for actuating the unlocking means, means for actuating the means for moving the track section in response to the detected signal so as to accommodate use of the movable track section by the nearest approaching vehicle, means for maintaining the track section deenergized until it is locked into alignment with the path of said nearest vehicle, thereby causing a variation in the signal sensed by all vehicles within a preselected distance of the track section so as to disable all such vehicles, means for actuating the locking means, and means for re-energizing the track section when it is locked into alignment.
An electrical control circuit for a movable track section disposed between the ends of converging tracks on which one or more autopiloted vehicles travel, each said vehicle causing a control signal to be transmitted along the track so as to monitor the track by sensing variations in the control signal, said vehicle automatically stopping when sensing variations of a given magnitude, the electrical circuit controlling actuation of (1) a prime mover for displacing the movable track section, and (2) a locking mechanism for selectively unlocking and locking the track section to the ends of the converging tracks, the circuit comprising:
- means for sensing the signal generated by each approaching vehicle;
- means for detecting when the movable track section is nonaligned with the ends of the converging tracks upon which the nearest oncoming vehicle is approaching;
- means for actuating the locking mechanism in response to said detected nonalignment so as to unlock the track section;
- means for actuating the prime mover in response to both (1) the signal sensed by sensing means and generated by the approaching vehicle and (2) the detected, nonaligned position of the movable track section so as to align the track section with the path of the nearest oncoming vehicle;
- means for maintaining the track section de-energized until it is aligned and locked, thereby causing a variation in the signal sensed by all vehicles within a preselected distance of the track section so as to disable all such vehicles;
- means for actuating the locking mechanism so as to lock the track section after it is aligned;
- and
- means for re-energizing the track section in response to said actuation of the locking mechanism.
A method for automatically positioning a rotatable track section disposed between the ends of converging tracks adapted to carry one or more autopiloted vehicles, each said vehicle causing a control signal to be transmitted along the track so as to monitor the track by sensing variations in the control signal, each said vehicle automatically stopping when sensing variations of a given magnitude, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing the signal generated by each approaching vehicle;
- detecting nonalignment of the track section with the path of the nearest oncoming vehicle;
- unlocking the rotatable track section in response to the signal of the nearest vehicle whenever said vehicle is on a track that is not aligned with the track section;
- de-energizing the rotatable track section when the track section is unlocked from the ends of the converging tracks so as to cause a variation in the signal transmitted along the converging tracks, thereby disabling all oncoming vehicles within a preselected distance of the track section;
- rotating the track section into alignment with the path of said nearest vehicle after the track section has been unlocked;
- relocking the track section to the ends of the converging track after the track is aligned;
- and
- energizing the track section when the track section is locked in the aligned position, the energized track section providing a continuous path for the control signal sensed by said nearest vehicle.
An automated mass transit switching system comprising in combination:
- a plurality of converging tracks;
- at least one vehicle adapted to travel on said tracks, said vehicle causing a control signal to be transmitted along the tracks ahead of it so as to sense any open portion of track ahead of it, said vehicle automatically stopping in response to an open portion of track sensed;
- and
- a junction switch disposed between the ends of said converging tracks, said junction switch comprising:
- means for sensing the approach of any oncoming vehicle by detecting the electric signal originating with the vehicle;
- means for moving the switch into alignment with the path of the nearest oncoming vehicle in response to the vehicle originated signals;
- means for disabling said moving means when the track is in alignment with the path of the nearest oncoming vehicle until said nearest oncoming vehicle has passed the switch;
- and
- means for securing the switch in alignment position.
An automated mass transit switching system comprising in combination:
- a plurality of energized converging tracks;
- at least one automated carrier adapted to travel on said tracks, said carrier causing a control signal to be transmitted along the tracks ahead of it so as to monitor the tracks, the carrier automatically stopping whenever it detects a variation of given magnitude in the control signal;
- an automated, on-grade movable track section that is energized and that is disposed between the converging ends of said energized tracks;
- a prime mover for selectively aligning the track section with one of the converging tracks;
- a locking mechanism for selectively unlocking and locking the track section to the ends of the converging tracks;
- and
- a control circuit comprising means for detecting the signal of each oncoming carrier, means for detecting nonalignment of the track section with the track of the nearest oncoming vehicle, means for causing the prime mover to align the track section with the track of the nearest oncoming vehicle in response to said signals and in response to said detected nonalignment, means maintaining said track section de-energized when the track section is unlocked, thereby disabling all oncoming vehicles within a preselected distance of the switch by causing a variation in the control signal transmitted along the tracks, and means for locking and reenergizing the track section when it is aligned with the track of the nearest oncoming vehicle so as to enable that vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.