GB1308343A - Continuous transport system - Google Patents

Abstract

1308343 Continuous transport systems ENGINS MATRA SA 23 Oct 1970 [24 Oct 1969 5 May 1970] 50514/70 Heading B7L A continuous double track transport system Fig. 1 comprises a transport track 1 and a loading track 2 running alongside each other, the loading track passing through stations 9; the trains of vehicles are of equal length and comcomprise transport trains 3 and loading trains 4, each running on their respective tracks and each provided with drive means and having adjustable coupling between adjacent vehicles of a train, means being provided to releasably link transport and loading trains together. Automatic control arrangements control the speed and position of at least the loading trains so that they may be brought alongside and linked to the transport trains in the stretch of track between stations, and then detached from them to permit the transport train to pass through the station and the loading train to stop, discharge and take on passengers, and then link up with a following transport train. The drive means may, e.g., comprise a rotary or linear electric motor, whilste the automatic control means includes a computer unit which can compare and correlate signals from the various trains with each other and with a program. As shown in Figs. 12 and 15, the linking means between the vehicles comprises plates 36 on the loading vehicles which are clamped into seats 37 on the transport vehicles by jaws 38. A control unit 39 on a vehicle 3, controls closing of the jaws when the vehicles are transversely aligned, and also signals when the linking has taken place so that the communicating doors between the vehicles may open. As shown in Fig 16, the adjustable coupling between vehicles of a particular train comprises two racks 62 and 63 each solidly connected to one of the coupled vehicles and held in engagement with a pinion 64 having a vertical axis of rotation. A control box 65 includes means for locking the pinion in a given angular position and also means co-operable with markers on the track to provide adjustment of the coupling when curves are to be negotiated. The pinion and control box are carried by a vehicle on a telescopic arrangement. Also described are track arrangements in which a loading track provides a "loop line" to serve little used stations (Fig. 6, not shown), and in which the loading track provides a direct line through the station without passing by the platforms (Fig. 4, 5, 6, not shown). The vehicles used may be electrically powered and guided on rails, or pneumatically by an air cushion arrangement. Alternatively the vehicles may be driven by cable systems or variablepitch endless screw arrangements. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 1,217,298.