Monorail vehicle apparatus with gravity-augmented contact load
US8939085B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61B13/04
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus and method for gravity-augmented preload of drive wheels in a monorail vehicle travelling along a guide rail bearing and contact surfaces that are non-parallel with the gravity vector. The vehicle has a structure defining a pivot location against the bearing surface, as well as first and second assemblies for engaging the rail on the bearing and contact surfaces, respectively. The vehicle is mounted so its center of gravity is at a rear longitudinal offset rrl from the pivot location and a vertical offset rvert from the guide rail. A force and moment balance thus created in a normal load on a drive wheel engaged with the bearing surface at the pivot location, where the load value exceeds a standard normal load generated by the mass of the monorail vehicle alone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.