| 摘要 |
A high-speed high-capacity transportation system is composed of an elevated inverted U-shaped electrified guideway that provides traction and capture surfaces for wheeled motive modules that ride within. Payloads are suspended below the motive unit using a narrow flange. Motive units use flat wheels which ride on flat surfaces of the guideway. The wheels and electric power pickups constitute the only mechanical contact between the vehicle and guideway. Sensors on the motive unit provide position information to an electronic control subsystem which directs the steering of the motive units wheels so as to maintain the desired path through the guideway. As an option, one or more auxiliary wheels can be brought into contact with running surfaces located at the top of the inverted U for additional traction and stability. The payload unit is connected to a the motive unit by way of a hinge that allows the payload to swing laterally. A DC gear motor can be used to provide damping and can also be used to purposely tip the motive unit when passing through a junction. The invention uses a passive Y-shaped section to split or join streams of vehicles. In a Y-section the primary wheels of the motive unit drive over a slot through which the payload-holding flange may pass. Vehicles can exit or merge with minimal vehicle spacing and at full speed. An important application of the system is the use of vehicle carrier payloads that can transport unmodified surface vehicles.
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