Counterbalancing System For Mitigating One or More Vehicle-Related Moments Relative To A Column In A Transportation System

摘要

A transportation system is disclosed that includes a monorail (or other vehicle) along a column-supported rail and a movable weight system that repositions and/or accelerates a movable weight with respect to the movable weight's rail to counterbalance a moment associated with the weight and/or a centrifugal force of the monorail relative to the column, where some embodiments also mitigate resonance. Also disclosed is a linear induction motor (LIM) system that enables the LIM to tilt and thereby remain close to the rail, which mitigates potential thrust losses and/or air losses. Further disclosed is an air bearing system where the air bearing has a compliance and a resilience that minimizes air loss between the rail and the bearing. Additionally disclosed is a rotatable wedge system that essentially expands and/or contracts automatically to maintain an adjacency between two rail portions, where some embodiments also mitigate resonance.

主权项

1. A movable weight system, including:
(i) a column planted in the ground between two additional columns also planted in the ground; (ii) an aboveground track that is connected to the three columns, wherein the track is on a side of the column; (iii) a vehicle that is supported off the ground by the track, wherein the vehicle is movable along the track between the two additional columns and during such the vehicle causes a vehicle-related moment relative to the column; (iv) a movable weight rail, which is connected to the column and extends from the side of the column to an opposite side of the column; (v) a movable weight that is movable along the movable weight rail, wherein the movable weight is positioned in a first position along the movable weight rail; (vi) a motor that is able, via a connection between the motor and the movable weight, of moving the movable weight along the movable weight rail; and, (vii) a control system that is able, via a communication link, to provide an instruction to the motor, wherein the motor is able to receive the instruction and the motor is able to implement the instruction by exerting a force with respect to the movable weight, wherein the force results in the movable weight moving away from the first position.