Patent ID: 6389983
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: B61B

Abstract:
A pneumatic control circuit for the operation of pneumatically propelled vehicles on a guideway, said pneumatic control circuit including a propulsion duct (1) in said guideway providing an airflow path therethrough, at least one power propulsion unit (3) connected to said propulsion duct for selectively providing positive or negative air pressure in said propulsion duct, section isolation valves (6) provided in said propulsion duct for opening and closing the airflow path through said propulsion duct at selected intervals so as divide said propulsion duct into adjacent isolatable sections defining a guideway block, and atmospheric valves (2) provided in the propulsion duct for opening and closing the propulsion duct to atmosphere, characterized in that said pneumatic control circuit has at least one secondary air duct (7) located in parallel relation to said propulsion duct (1) and pneumatically connected to said propulsion duct at two spaced apart connection points, said secondary duct including a power propulsion unit (3) and air flow control valves (4,4â€²) for operatively connecting the power propulsion unit of said secondary air duct to said propulsion duct at either one or the other of the connection points for said secondary air duct such that a vehicle inoperatively positioned over one connection point for said secondary duct can be pneumatically propelled by said power propulsion unit from the other of the connection points for said secondary duct.