Patent GB-1323892-A (GB)
Title: Transport system
IPC: B66C7/00
Filed: 1970-08-19
Abstract: 1323892 Elevated railways; conveyer systems STIERLEN-WERKE AG 19 Aug 1970 40033/70 Heading B7L A transport system comprises at least one track 100 extending along a three-dimensional path, at least one self-propelled trolley 200 on the track and power supply and control apparatus which comprises two conductor rails 140 supported by rail 100 on opposite sides of web 120 for supplying the trolley 200 with electric power and control signals. The track comprises a rail which comprises flanges 110, 130 and a central web 120 extending from one of two opposite sides of each of the flanges. The trolley 200 comprises a frame 210 adapted to provide connection facilities for a load applying a gravitational force G to the trolley, a leading pair of wheels 211b and a trailing pair of wheels 211a, each pair of wheels being adapted to run in contact with surface 111 of flange 110 on opposite sides of central web 120, and a friction roller 221 adapted to roll in contact with surface 112 of flange 110. An arm 220 is pivotally connected at one end to frame 210 and is provided with biasing means, e.g. spring 222, for biasing roller 221 into contact with flange 110. A stop 223 on frame 210 prevents arm 220 from pivoting against the action of spring 222 beyond a predetermined position relative to the frame. Variable speed driving means in the form of an electric motor 230 is supported by the frame and drives a belt 232 which runs around wheel 233 which is coaxial with roller 221. The relationship between the position at which the load is connected to the frame, the position of the pivot axis of arm 220, the positions of the axes of rotation of the friction roller 221 and the wheels 211a, 211b, the position of stop 223 and the position of the run of belt 232 leaving roller 221 being such that, when the trolley 200 is on a horizontal portion of the track, the pressure with which the friction roller contacts the flange is due to the conjoint action of the biasing means and driving belt whilst, when the trolley passes from a horizontal portion of the track to an upwardly or downwardly inclined portion of the track the frame is titled around the axis of rotation of whichever of the pairs of wheels is higher with the arm 220 abutting stop 223, so that, on the inclined portion of the track, the sum total of the magnitudes of the pressures of the higher pair of wheels and the friction roller is greater, the greater is the inclination of the track and the greater is the weight of the load. In the power supply and control apparatus, each conductor rail 140 comprises a C-section rail connected to flange 130. The C-section rail encloses a plurality of electrical conductors which are supported by the web of the C-section rail via an insulting plate and are also connected to a conductive plate facing web 120. A collector truck 150 having running and guiding wheels 151 is mounted for movement along each C- section rail. Each collector truck 150 has sliding contacts for sliding electrical contact with the respective conductive plate and coupling means in the form of a follower pin 152 for electrical and mechanical connection to trolley 200. Before power is supplied to motor 230 the follower pins 152 are arranged in contact with the respective leading stops 252. An auxiliary trolley 160 which comprises two collector trucks and having an electrically insulated frame 161 may be used for subsidiary goods. A sliding transfer switch 300 may be arranged at the crossing point between two horizontal track portions A and B and two vertical track portions C and D. Switch 200 comprises a frame 310 slidably mounted by means of guiding and running rollers on two parallel rails 321 and 322 extending at right angles to track portions A, B, C and D. A four point crossing switch 400 may be arranged at the crossing point between two vertical track portions E and F and two horizontal track portions G and H. Switch 400 comprises a frame 421 supporting four intermediate sections 423 of rail 100 and four switches 410 each comprising a tilting rail section 411. Each rail section 411 is rotatably supported by a respective arm 422 solidly connected to frame 421. By activation of motor 430, rail sections 411 may be moved between a first position in which they form a link between vertical track portions E and F and a second position in which they form a link between horizontal track portions G and H.