Patent ID: 6782832
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: B60L,E01B,Y02T

Abstract:
A beam for a railway track guided vehicle system, the beam configured to be supported at spatial intervals on piers, said beam comprising:an upper flange disposed along a longitudinal length of said beam, said upper flange having opposite laterally outward portions configured for receipt of functional elements for guidance of a track guided vehicle; opposite side webs extending downwardly at a non-converging angle from said upper flange along said longitudinal length of said beam, said laterally outward portions of said upper flange extending laterally outward of said side webs; a lower flange disposed at ends of said webs opposite from said upper flange, said lower flange disposed logitudinally along said length said beam; said beam being an integrally formed unitary concrete unit comprising a uniform cross-sectional shape along the longitudinal length of the beam so as to generate favorable airflow conditions for the track guided vehicle; said lower flange having lateral ends lower than the side webs, a lateral dimension at least as great as that of said upper flange, and being configured to cover an underlying pier such that the pier does not cause airflow disturbances to the track guided vehicle; and a clearance space defined below said laterally outward portions of said upper flange wherein functional elements received by said laterally outward portions are engaged by the track guided vehicle.