Patent ID: 7204192
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: B60L,B60M,B61B,B65G,H02K

Abstract:
1. A system for use in moving people or cargo, the system comprising: a track having a length; an object configured to travel along the track; a drive rail system comprising at least one electroconductive rail extending along the length of the track; and at least one driving disc coupled to the object to rotate about a rotary axis with respect to the object, the at least one driving disc having a plurality of permanent magnets spaced about the rotary axis, the at least one driving disc being positioned with a portion thereof in close proximity to the electroconductive rail and being controllably rotatable in the presence of the electroconductive rail to create an eddy current therebetween to accelerate and decelerate the object with respect to the track; wherein the at least one driving disc is adapted to be movable during operation in a transverse direction relative to the object, and the driving disc is coupled to the track to maintain a substantially fixed distance between the driving disc and the track, such that the transverse position of the at least one driving disc with respect to the object can change during operation to maintain a desired alignment between the at least one driving disc and the electroconductive rail.